As TNDV expanded beyond the Southeast and added more trucks to its fleet, Aspiration adapted to new roles. It became the main truck for small to mid-sized corporate and entertainment events and served as a secondary truck for larger broadcast and in-venue productions.

Complete Infrastructure Refresh

Thirteen years after its debut, TNDV announced a complete refresh of Aspiration’s video, audio, and IT infrastructure, upgrading from 720p/1080i HD to a 12G 4K ecosystem. This upgrade includes HDR processing capabilities and modern systems from Evertz, Studer, Sony, and other vendors. With these enhancements, Aspiration is now equipped for a wider range of production scenarios, including sports events. For example, it was used as the main production truck for a 12-camera Tennis Championship match broadcast on the SEC Network in late April.

First Post-Upgrade Event

Aspiration’s first event after the upgrade was the March Madness Music Fest in April. At this event, held at Hance Park in Phoenix, Aspiration worked alongside TNDV’s Vibration audio truck to produce live performances for the three-day festival, coinciding with the NCAA Final Four. The truck’s updated technology, including Sony HDC-4300L 4K cameras, an Evertz NEXX router, and a Studer Vista 5 audio console, significantly enhanced the in-house AV experience. TNDV also provided live video and audio feeds to a third-party broadcast truck, which aired select performances on CBS affiliates nationwide.

Statement from TNDV President Rob Devlin

TNDV President Rob Devlin expressed pride in bringing Aspiration into the modern broadcast and production world for larger events. “Aspiration had the best gear we could afford as a small company with limited resources,” said Devlin. “We spent years overcoming Aspiration’s technical limitations to create memorable productions for clients and audiences. The lessons we learned fueled us with the insight to reimagine Aspiration as one of the industry’s most flexible trucks of its size for corporate, entertainment, and sports productions.”

Technical Enhancements and Goals

Devlin aimed to increase audio capacity for multitracking, with the Studer Vista V now supporting 128 inputs, double the previous amount. The transition to 12G throughput from the camera to the truck output also simplified the on-board infrastructure. “We wanted to keep the video and audio as pure as possible,” Devlin explained. The NEXX router was a crucial component, integrating tasks such as multiviewing, frame sync, and audio embedding and de-embedding into a compact 5RU frame, maintaining signal traffic without compression. This ensures the best possible audio quality from the Studer Vista 5 for live music and television.

Integration with Other Systems

Like TNDV’s flagship Exclamation truck, Aspiration’s Studer console connects to ProTools and Sound Devices Pix multitracking systems, supporting more discrete audio feeds than the original setup. DirectOut’s Prodigy units have also been added across the fleet, including Aspiration, to support various audio workflow needs such as MADI transport, audio conversions, monitoring, and sample rate processing.

Reflection from TNDV Founder Nic Dugger

Nic Dugger, TNDV’s founder, reflected on Aspiration’s journey and its relevance over the years. “Aspiration has remained relevant because it can navigate tight streets and comfortably fit into small spaces, and remained affordable thanks to its modest technical infrastructure,” said Dugger, who directed the March Madness Fest. “Acting as the director for the new and improved Aspiration’s first event reinforced how much TNDV has grown over 13 years. Our refresh balances the costs of premium core systems with a streamlined infrastructure that can be operated by a small crew. We are seeing strong interest from clients seeking affordable, high-end 1080p and 4K shoots requiring eight or more cameras.”