OB in 4K: a control room wherever the event is.
An outside broadcast (OB) is a live or recorded television production made away from a studio, usually at an event or venue, with several cameras switched together on site into one programme feed. A 4K OB does the same in 3840 × 2160, so the feed can supply large screens, broadcasters and online streams at the highest resolution.
We plan and produce 4K outside broadcasts for conferences, award ceremonies, launches, performances and corporate broadcasts across the UAE. There are two usual ways to set one up: an OB van, which is a mobile control room, or a flyaway kit that is carried in and rigged at the venue. We recommend the one that fits your venue access, the number of cameras and the budget.
At a glance
| Service | Live multi-camera outside broadcast production in 4K (3840 × 2160) |
| Where | Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and across the UAE |
| Setup | An OB van or a flyaway kit, chosen to suit the venue and the show |
| Includes | Camera crew, vision mixing, audio mixing, graphics, a programme feed and a recording of the whole show |
| Output | A feed to screens at the venue, to broadcasters, to YouTube or to your own player |
| Pricing | Quoted per brief. It depends on the venue, the number of cameras, the length of the show, the setup and the crew. Send the event, the venue and the date for a scoped quote |
OB van or flyaway kit
| Setup | What it is | Best when | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| OB van | A vehicle that works as a mobile control room, holding the vision mixing, audio, replay and recording equipment | The venue has road access and parking and the show needs a full control room | Space for the vehicle and the cable runs from it to the cameras |
| Flyaway kit | Portable equipment carried in and rigged at the venue, with no vehicle | Access is restricted, the venue is small or temporary, or the budget is tight | Rigging time in the venue and a smaller scale than a large van |
What a 4K OB crew does
- Director and vision mixer. Calls the shots and switches between cameras, slides and guests live
- Camera operators. Cover the stage, the audience and the detail, with a talkback line to the director
- Audio engineer. Mixes the microphones, music and any remote audio into the programme feed
- Graphics operator. Adds names, logos and sponsor slides live
- Engineer. Looks after the signal path, the encoding and the connection to the destination
Where the OB feed goes
An OB feed is traditionally sent back to a broadcast centre by satellite or fibre. It can also be encoded and sent online over a wired line or bonded cellular, shown on LED screens at the venue, or delivered to your own player. Our guide to what an outside broadcast is explains how the pieces fit together.
How we plan an outside broadcast
- Brief. What the show is, who watches it and where the feed goes
- Recce. Access for a van or the rigging space for a flyaway kit, power, camera positions and cable routes
- Rigging and test. Cameras, cables and the signal path set up and tested before the show
- Rehearsal. The vision mix, audio and graphics rehearsed with the presenters
- Show. The programme goes out and the full show is recorded
- After. The recording, a highlight film and cutdowns in the formats you publish
Permits and access in Dubai
Dubai requires a Dubai Film and TV Commission permit for essentially any professional production, and venues and organisers set their own filming rules. We confirm load-in times, power and access with the venue before the day.
Need a simpler stream with fewer cameras? See 4K live streaming. Covering the stand and the people at an exhibition? See event video and photography. Comparing resolutions? Read 4K vs 1080p live streaming.
Planning a live event in the UAE?
Send us the event, the venue, the date and where the stream should go. We reply within one working day with a scoped quote.
4K outside broadcast questions: OB vans, flyaway kits and cost.
What is an outside broadcast (OB)?
An outside broadcast is a live or recorded television production made away from a studio, usually at an event or venue. Several cameras are switched together on site into one programme feed that goes to screens, broadcasters or online.
What is an OB van?
An OB van is a vehicle that works as a mobile control room. It holds the vision mixing, audio, replay and recording equipment so that a multi-camera show can be produced on site.
What is the difference between an OB van and a flyaway kit?
An OB van is a vehicle with a full control room and needs road access and parking. A flyaway kit is portable equipment carried into the venue and rigged there, which suits restricted access, small or temporary venues and tighter budgets.
How much does a 4K outside broadcast cost in Dubai?
It is quoted per brief, because the cost depends on the venue, the number of cameras, the length of the show, whether a van or a flyaway kit is used and the size of the crew. Send us the event, the venue and the date and we will scope it within one working day.
Can an outside broadcast be in 4K?
Yes, when every stage works at 4K: the cameras, the vision mixer, the signal path and the encoder. The weakest stage sets the limit, so we check each one at the planning stage.
Can the OB feed go to YouTube or a website?
Yes. The programme feed can be encoded and sent to YouTube, to your own website player or to an event platform, while the same feed goes to screens at the venue and to a recording.
Do I need a permit for an outside broadcast in Dubai?
It depends on the venue, the organiser and whether the footage is for commercial use. Dubai requires a Dubai Film and TV Commission permit for essentially any professional production, and venues and organisers set their own filming rules. We confirm access before the day.
Get a streaming quote.
Tell us the event, the venue, the date and where the stream should go. We reply to every enquiry within one working day.