Why Dry Hire Might Be the Smarter Choice for Your Next Production
There is a version of every video project where you do not need a full crew. Maybe you have an in-house videographer who knows what they are doing. Maybe you just need a second camera for a shoot you are already running. Maybe your budget is tight but your standards are not.
That is exactly what dry hire exists for.
We have been running kit out of Cardiff for a while now, and the honest truth is that a lot of productions do not need everything a full service package comes with. They just need access to broadcast-grade equipment, properly maintained, with everything included so they are not scrambling for accessories on the morning of a shoot.
What we actually stock
The hire catalogue at AOTV covers cameras, lenses, audio, lighting, grip and support, live production, monitors, cables, and power. That last category matters more than people expect. Running out of battery options or the wrong cable on a live event day is not a minor inconvenience.
On the camera side we have the Canon Cinema line including the C50, C70, C80, and R5C, alongside the Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 for anyone shooting for broadcast delivery. Every camera goes out with the accessories it actually needs. The C50 for example comes with a SmallRig cage, a 512GB CFexpress card, V-mount battery plate, and audio handle. You should not have to build a shopping list just to make a hire work.
You can also add multiple items to a single enquiry, so your whole production is covered in one go rather than going back and forth for each piece of kit.
Kit built with real industry knowledge
Everything in the catalogue is well maintained with strong prep and deprep processes. That is not just a hygiene thing. It means when kit arrives on site it is ready to go, and when it comes back it is properly checked and prepped for the next job.
A lot of what we have built reflects how productions actually run rather than what looks good on a spec sheet. The PPU is a good example. The 12G Blackmagic Portable Production Unit works alongside an ATEM Advanced Panel in a custom flight case with two monitors. The result is a system that rolls out quickly, sets up quickly, and gets out of the way so you can concentrate on getting the best shots rather than wrestling with infrastructure.
That kind of thinking goes into everything. The ATEM Constellation 4K, six HyperDeck Studio 4K Pros, 40x40 Videohub, SmartView 4K, and Stream Deck XL are all there because they earn their place in a live production environment. Nothing is in the catalogue because it seemed like a good idea at the time.
How the enquiry process works
Every item has a direct enquiry form. Add your hire dates, include any notes about the project, and send it through. The team is notified and we turn quotes around quickly. If you are not sure exactly what you need for a specific job, include that in the notes and we will come back with a recommendation.
Trade enquiries are welcome. If you are a freelancer or small production company supplementing your own kit for a larger job, we are used to working with other professionals and happy to talk availability and rates.
Browse the full catalogue at aotv.co.uk/hire.