RTS purchased the VR-50HD from Leisuretec Distribution, who as distributors of professional audio and video products directly to trade customers, hold stock of Roland Systems Group (RSG) products including the VR-50HD. The sale was facilitated by Chris Webster from RSG who had received the initial VR-50HD enquiry from Pink Banana Studios and had demonstrated the streaming and live production features to them.
RTS is an established supplier of audiovisual, IPTV and videoconferencing services to both the public and private sector. With a number of high profile corporate and government clients, the projects that RTS are involved in include the live broadcast of government press conferences and web streamed public inquiries such as The Leveson Inquiry.
Paul Dunlay, operations director at RTS commented, "We were seriously looking at the VR-50HD as an addition to our portfolio of products but when Chris (Webster) came to us with a client who was ready to hire the unit straight away, it made sense for us to go ahead and purchase without delay. We were very pleased to deal with Leisuretec - they had the product in stock, supplied it quickly and provided us with a first class, professional service."
Pink Banana Studios used the VR-50HD to mix the first live Google hangout for the Glenlivet Whisky Distillery in Scotland, with the Master Distiller Alan Winchester and International Brand ambassador Ian Logan. The event included a live online Q&A with some selected Guardians (Members of The Glenlivet Appreciation Society) as well as questions from people following on Twitter. The hangout was broadcast seamlessly live over YouTube to a global audience.
James Dartnall, managing director of Pink Banana Studios notes, "The VR-50HD was particularly useful because of its online streaming capabilities which made it instantly compatible with the Google hangout interface allowing us to make use of the conversational aspect of Google hangouts as well as the multi-camera aspect of a live show. The Glenlivet are now planning on using the broadcast as a role model to spread out across all of its markets globally. After the success of the Hangout we are looking to expand on this aspect of production and we would almost definitely use the VR-50HD again for similar events."
Gideon Beresford of Pink Banana Studios added, "VR-50HD was great to use - it's a really intuitive piece of kit and has really opened up some new business for us."
(Jim Evans)
