WISBECH, UK – European flightcase manufacturer 5 Star Cases has created its newest series of “fly away” portable video production units (PPUs). The smaller PPUs were designed for Central Presentations Ltd., which needed something smaller, more portable and quick and easy to install and rig for small to medium events. Basically, all that’s needed is power and the video equipment in the case is ready to go.
More details from 5 Star Cases (http://www.5star-cases.com):
WISBECH, UK – European flightcase manufacturer 5 Star has supplied well over 1,000 cases to West Midlands based AV rental specialists Central Presentations Ltd (CPL) in the last seven years, which have ranged from audio equipment, 19-inch racks, projector, plasma and LCDs and video production cases.
The latest CPL 5 Star case project has involved a custom designed set of road cases for CPL’s newest series of “fly away” portable video production units (PPUs).
This is a smaller PPU specifically designed for projects in which the larger full sized Grass Valley PPUs would be too large. The PPU is is based around a Panasonic AV-HS400 mixer, integrated with two Marshall 24 inch monitors, a Ross HD/SD matrix switcher and an RTS talkback system. The case was required to incorporate all the PPU elements in one compact road trunk, which is waist high and an easy lift. 5 Star’s Steve Swann collaborated with CPL’s Matthew Boyse on the design.
“We needed something smaller, highly portable and quick and easy to install and rig for small-to-medium corporate or live events and presentations in particular,” explains Boyse. “The system, complete with its flight case, fits the bill perfectly.”
The Tour Grade road case features a red laminate exterior finish to match in with all the other 1000-plus cases that 5 Star has manufactured for CPL.
The screen monitors are mounted on gas struts that lift up and glide elegantly into place; a feature that uses an otherwise redundant case lid.
As with all the other PPU components, these are in the right mix-ready location for comfortable operation – without neck or arm strain – of the system, so once on site in the established ‘video world’ position, all that is needed is power.
One CPL client initially thought that some bits were missing when the kit arrived on site due to the compact nature of the cased PPU. However, he soon realized that inside the case is a fully loaded case of technology which is packaged, neatly arranged, fully functional and good to go, due to teamwork between 5 Star and CPL.
The first CPL mini PPU has been used successfully on numerous events already.
5 Star’s Keith Sykes says, “Clients like CPL are invaluable. They are busy year-round, their work is always varied and interesting and they are constantly expanding the equipment and rental stock, all of which needs flight casing for on-going road work. Consequently, we are involved in supplying a full range of standard and special cases.”
