8. syyskuuta 2025
Traditionally, stations have had to make a tough choice between expensive OB van productions, or lightweight codec with a laptop productions. Neither of these really address the pain points of modern radio: productions can’t cost a fortune, and everyone should be able to do them.
Following the successful launch of A26, the autonomous radio infrastructure, we wanted to tackle the next big issue in radio stations’ day-to-day jobs. Traditionally, stations have had to make a tough choice between expensive OB van productions, or lightweight codec with a laptop productions. Neither of these really address the pain points of modern radio: productions can’t cost a fortune, and everyone should be able to do them.
Ease of use
OB1 was designed with the user in mind. Everything should be as easy as using a phone with a fruit on the back panel, and should also be as reliable as ever possible. With OB1, the user needs to only plug in the power, and even that is optional in some scenarios.
OB1 has an integrated dual-SIM cellular router, and is capable of using any satellite internet connection with either it as a fallback, or using the cellulars as fallback. All that’s needed to be done is to connect the satellite terminal to an RJ45 port in the front panel.
Portability
OB1 does most of what traditional radio OB trucks do: amplify audio, monitor it, process it and send it. There’s just one big but: you can fit it inside any passenger car. When stowed, OB1 measures at around the size of two large shopping bags side-by-side. When in use, it’s about twice as big.
Reliability
Being easy to use doesn’t mean something has to be unreliable. OB1 has a dual-battery backup system, with exactly the same parts we use in our satellite network’s backup powering. OB1 can run up to four hours in a broadcast workflow, however, in optimal conditions the system is able to run up to ten hours on battery.
OB1 uses SRT as the main transmission protocol. It’s designed especially for live content streaming, meaning no matter the quality of the cellular connection, you’re getting a pristine connection most of the time. SRT is always encrypted with 128/256-bit AES encryption, and never requires any ports to be opened in a firewall.
Integration
By default, OB1 integrates seamlessly with our A26 autonomous radio infrastructure. OB1 can as well be used as the main studio user interface in stations that use A26. That’s why OB1 can control everything in A26, making it a very powerful companion for all kinds of radio broadcast.
OB1 can also be integrated with most legacy systems, such as stations that rely on Icecast. OB1 can also act as a streaming server, for example if FM-links need to get their signal straight from the unit.
By default, OB1 has four microphone inputs, four headphone outputs, one stereo line out, USB and Bluetooth connectivity. OB1 also has an optional hardware input add-on, which is either 20 inputs, 10 outputs or 40 inputs, 20 outputs.
Why should we be interested?
With OB1 you save money on productions, while doing more of them at the same time. In minimum, OB1 requires just one person to operate, and because it’s so easy to use, the show hosts can operate the system themselves. It saves money by alleviating your station from maintaining your OB vans, maybe even allowing you to sell them, and allocating your technical staff to stuff that requires human attention.
Read more about OB1.
Read more about A26.
Contact: Mika Säppi, Head of Technology, mika.sappi@collinsgroup.fi
About Collins Group
Collins Group is a broadcasting technology company that removes technical headaches from radio operations. Our autonomous systems take over the roles that used to require dedicated technical staff, freeing stations to operate like media companies instead of engineering departments.