UK-based HD OB specialists Bow Tie Television has installed a SoundField DSF-2 and DSF-3 digital 5.1 microphone system in its OB2 unit, which recently was refurbished and rebuilt to handle 5.1 audio with the cooperation of satellite broadcaster Sky.
The refurbished broadcast truck and the newly installed SoundField systems are being used to generate 5.1 surround audio for Sky Sports' premier league darts coverage. The SoundField DSF-2 and DSF-3 combination has become Sky’s standard way of originating 5.1 audio for HD transmission from football matches and other sporting events.
Sky's first HD broadcast from the darts premier league was using the DSF-2 microphone, and the DSF-3 digital 5.1 decoder followed in early February 2009. The SoundField systems will be used for the remaining matches during the championship in May at Wembley Arena.