September 18, 2023 | Leave a comment Live event broadcasting requires a suite of reliable, high-quality equipment to capture and distribute content in real time. As a professional live event broadcaster, having the right mix of new and used broadcast gear in your kit is essential for delivering polished, engaging broadcasts within budget. At Allied Broadcast Group, our decades of experience outfitting video crews means we know quality used gear is key for broadcasters needing to maximize resources. Based on extensive knowledge equipping productions of all sizes, here are our top 10 recommendations for must-have used broadcast pieces for live event coverage in 2023/2024: Used Production Switchers: The production switcher is the backbone of any live broadcast operation, allowing seamless transitions and mixing between cameras, graphics, clips, and more. Look for a used switcher from leading brands like Ross Video, Blackmagic Design, and NewTek that offers essentials like downstream keyers, multi-view outputs, and built-in media players while fitting your budget. Used PTZ Cameras: Robotic pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) cameras provide dynamic shots for live events at a fraction of the cost of manned cameras. A used PTZ camera from Sony, Panasonic, or Canon with 1080p resolution, 20x optical zoom or better, and IP-based control will give you versatility in a compact form factor. Used Video Mixers: A reliable used video mixer like the Roland VR-50HD Mk II or Blackmagic ATEM Television Studio Pro combines switching, video and audio mixing, recording, and streaming abilities in a portable unit perfect for modest live broadcasts. This flexibility makes it a versatile, budget-friendly live production hub. Used Video Recorders: Capturing your live event for post-production and rebroadcast requires a high-quality field recorder like the Blackmagic HyperDeck Studio or AJA Ki Pro Ultra Plus. These portable units deliver pristine 10-bit recording and broadcast connections at a fraction of the cost of new. Used Wireless Mics: Clear audio is non-negotiable for live broadcasting. Quality used wireless mic systems from industry leaders like Audio-Technica, Sennheiser, and Shure will provide interference-free performance for interviews, audience Q&A, and voiceovers. Used Prompters: Used professional teleprompters from Autoscript and QTV allow presenters to smoothly deliver scripts and narration within the camera’s field of view. Compact “presidential” prompter setups are ideal for single-camera productions. Used Intercom Systems: Used two- and four-channel intercom systems from RTS, ClearCom, or Telex keep your production team connected and communicating clearly. Wireless setups allow flexibility while wired units provide reliability at a great used price. Used Lighting Kits: Professional used lighting kits from ARRI, Kino Flo, Photoflex and others provide the brightness and color control needed to achieve polished lighting aesthetics. Look for tungsten and LED fixtures, softboxes, and stands. Used Lenses: Premium used lenses from Canon, Fujinon, or Angenieux go beyond the standard kit lens, allowing you to capture highly cinematic shots with shallow depth of field and dynamic zooming abilities. Used Audio Mixers: An affordable used audio mixer like the Mackie PROFX12V2 provides the inputs and routing needed to combine microphones, playback devices and external audio feeds into professional broadcast sound. Investing in the right used gear allows live event broadcasters to deliver professional production value on modest budgets. For personalized guidance building a customized used broadcast package, contact the experts at Allied Broadcast Group. With decades of experience equipping video professionals across markets and industries, we can help assemble gear tailored to your specific live production needs. Reach out today to learn more!
