The equipment

For the mildly curious to the technologically savvy, here's the list of items that are going to transform a Chevy Trailblazer into a mobile newsroom:

The heart of the beast
Dell Latitude D820 -Duo Core processor - 2 Gigs Ram
This Dell laptop computer will serve as the central hub of the mobile newsroom. The computer will allow reporters to link online, upload stories, videos and pictures from wherever they are and tell stories as they happen. From it, they will be able to edit video and pictures, access their blogs and do anything else they need to get information to the public.

Nitix Micro Network Appliance
A "bureau in a box" — it’s pretty much a computer server that offers a hard drive for storage, FTP server, Mail server, file sharing application.

LaCie Rugged All-Terrain Hard Drive
A portable hard drive that can be connected via firewire to any computer for additional storage.

Photoshop CS3
This photo editing program will be loaded onto the Star Car’s laptop, and will let reporters edit pictures they took on scene before posting them online.

Make a connection
Hawking Tech Outdoor 9dbi Antenna
This will be used to send out the wi-fi hotspot signal.

Trendnet LMR200 Reverse SMA to N-type cable
This is the cable that connects the rooftop array to the equipment.

498-DB Multi-Band Mobile Phone Antenna
This will actually be used for both the mobile phone and in broadband wi-fi hotspots.

Hawking Technology Wireless-G Range Extender
Can be used in the case of a reporter having to move further from the vehicle. Plug it in to the computer and it extends your ability to connect to the wi-fi from further away.

Linksys Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge
This will convert a wired Ethernet cell phone connection to become a wi-fi hotspot.

Canary Wireless Digital Hotspotter
This device can find and display any broadband wireless hotspots that might be available in the area.

Zip-Linq Retractable Cat5e Twisted Pair RJ45 Networking Cable
Basically an self-retracting Ethernet cable.

GoldX Firewire Active Extension Cable
Allows us to extend the range of firewire for use with the external hard drive or your Sony digital video camera.

Our office on wheels
Eqitome Multi-Articulating In-vehicle desk
This will be installed in the front passenger seat and will allow a reporter to work on a laptop (kind of like what you find in police cars)

RAM Mount Rear Seat Laptop Desk
Connects to the back of the front seats to allow passengers in the rear area to work from a laptop, etc.

HP Photosmart Multifunction Printer
Provides printing, scanning, emailing and faxing from anywhere.

Thermaltake XJOG USB White Dual LED Light
Connects to any USB port and provides lighting to the user.

Belkin Surgemaster Superior Series UPS
You will be using an American version of this device and it provides surge protection and power to equipment.


Eyes and ears in the county
Nikon Coolpix P2 Wifi
Provides remote picture shooting and instant transfer to a computer via wireless Internet. Pictures are high quality as well … with 7.2 megapixels, photos taken with the camera are full of detail.

Linksys WVC200 Wireless PTZ Internet Camera
This will be mounted at the front of the car and will provide video and still imagery. It can pan/tilt/zoom and also be remotely controlled. It connects to the wi-fi.

Sony HDR-SR1 Hard Disk Recorder
With a 2.1 megapixel sensor and an 80X digital zoom, this video camera will let us record high definition footage and then quickly upload the footage to a computer to be edited. It can shoot in low-light situations, take high quality still pictures and burn DVDs on the spot.

M-Audio Micro Track Audio Recorder
The MicroTrack is a rugged high-fidelity mobile 2-channel digital recorder that records WAV and MP3 files to CompactFlash or microdrives. It’s perfect for everything from professional field recording to corporate meetings, training, education and worship … in other words, anywhere the Star Car can go, reporters can get clear, crisp recordings of all the action.

Samson USB Studio Condenser Microphone
This can be connected to any computer via USB and provides a great sound microphone for voice-over and even interviews.