LDX 135 cameras deliver clearer visual presentation following competitive European tender led by integration partner VP Media Solutions
Grass Valley, the pioneering media and entertainment technology innovator, has won a competitive NATO-wide tender to provide the new camera system for NATO’s main broadcast studio at its Brussels headquarters. The project, delivered in partnership with VP Media Solutions, marks an important new customer relationship for Grass Valley and provides a full upgrade on the facility’s incumbent camera system.
The deployment includes five Grass Valley LDX 135 studio camera channels, supporting daily world-wide press conferences and broadcast operations from NATO’s headquarters. The system has already been fully installed and is now in live operation.
Grass Valley’s Belgian integration partner VP Media Solutions led the tender response and was responsible for system design, installation, commissioning, training coordination and ongoing support. VP Media Solutions also managed logistics and on-site delivery, including security screening prior to equipment entering NATO’s broadcast facilities.
The tender specified requirements for a 4K/HD portable studio camera system with SMPTE fiber connectivity and compatibility with existing baseband SDI workflows.
In cooperation with Bart Vandendorpe, Head Broadcast at NATO, Grass Valley’s LDX 135 cameras were selected as they met the technical requirements and delivered a clear improvement in image quality, including sharpness, contrast, and color reproduction. The set-up, including Creative Grading, Grass Valley’s intuitive and graphical camera shading solution, is easy to operate, and integrates seamlessly into NATO’s existing studio environment.
The deployment was completed within a tight timeframe, requiring the replacement of five existing camera chains and the installation of the new systems over a four-day period. The intuitive system required only one day of training for the NATO production team enabling a rapid transition to live operation.
“This project required precise coordination and careful planning due to the operational and security constraints of the site,” said Emmanuel Charlet, CEO of VP Media Solutions. “By working closely with NATO and Grass Valley, we were able to deliver the full upgrade within the required timeframe, while ensuring a smooth handover to the broadcast team.”
The system is currently operating in a baseband SDI architecture, with a clear pathway to IP-based workflows through optional NativeIP licensing, supporting NATO’s future infrastructure plans.
“Establishing a new partnership with NATO following a formal NATO-wide tender is a significant milestone for Grass Valley, and we’re delighted to be supporting Bart Vandendorpe and the team with their production capabilities,” said Rene Hueber, Director of Global Channel Sales at Grass Valley. “Working alongside VP Media Solutions, this project demonstrates the flexibility and efficiency of the LDX platform in meeting strict technical specifications while delivering clear operational and image-quality benefits.”