Since launching its first High Definition mobile, Dome Productions has been at the forefront of the HD wave in Canada. Now, for the first time, the balance of its mobile fleet has tipped in favour of HD with the re-launch of Tribute as Dome’s fifth Hi Def truck.

It’s the second of Dome’s HD mobiles to travel without a B unit, making it an ideal truck for venues with existing cabling. Its relative compactness translates into a quick set-up and strike for most events, and its ability to run on one power feed also makes it the perfect mobile for smaller venues.

Tribute features nine Thomson LDK-6000 Worldcam Cameras and a 64-input GVG-Kalypso switcher. While the truck’s original 60-channel Calrec audio board is unchanged, a transmission package has been added to the mobile, meaning that Tribute matches the rest of Dome’s HD fleet in transmission capability.

Tribute, which originally launched in July, 2001, was named in memory of Dome’s first Director of Operations, Bob Bleasby. Since its rebirth as an HD mobile in March, 2008, Tribute has been the primary mobile for Toronto Blue Jays coverage at the Rogers Centre and on the road.

Tribute’s re-launch coincides with the retirement of Explorer, an older SD truck. Dome’s fleet now consists of five HD and three SD mobiles, signaling Dome’s readiness to meet the demands of a burgeoning HD marketplace.

Capable of supporting standard and high definition 1080i, 720p and 24p HD formats in traditional 4:3, for standard def, or wide screen 16:9 aspect ratios, Dome Productions has the only HD mobile fleet in North America to provide complete turnkey transmission solutions, with each mobile equipped with rackmounted HD transmission encoders, decoders and modulators.

As one of North America’s leading production facilities providers, Dome Productions offers mobile production trucks and fly packs (high definition and digital), telecommunications services (transmission via fibre and satellite, satellite media tours and playouts), and full turnkey host broadcast services (complete management of design, production, engineering, and operations). For more than 18 years, Dome’s team of experienced, highly skilled and professional staff has earned an international reputation for dedication and excellence in client service. Dome Productions is owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc. and Rogers Broadcasting Ltd.