News

Teradek releases a new wireless camera controller, the Bolt 4K Monitor

The Bolt 4K Monitor Module TX is a new SmallHD-integrated system with which camera operators can take remote control of the ARRI Camera with a distance up to 750 feet away. The Bolt is able to integrate into any SmallHD Smart 7 Monitor which unifies everything in one assembly.

Powered by Teradek’s BB3 chipset, the Bolt 4K Monitor Module TX is fully compatible with the entire Bolt 4K series of products. Existing users of SmallHD’s camera control software can take advantage of the new wireless functionality with an upcoming firmware update, as long as they are using their monitors with a Bolt 4K Monitor Module TX/RX set.

“The launch of the Monitor Module TX is the culmination of a multiyear R&D effort to completely overhaul our Bolt wireless ecosystem based around our new 4K Chipset”, said Greg Smokler, GM of Cine Products at Creative Solutions. “The Bolt 4K Monitor Modules are a breakthrough in simplifying on-set workflows. For the first time, we’re announcing a revolutionary new feature: wireless camera control”. 

Broadpeak achieves world-first cache mobility through 5G networks

Broadpeak has recently announced that it has completed the industryfirst trial for its Cache Orchestrator. Automatic cache instance deployment and termination, edge cache relocation, and the first inter-cache user mobility tests were successfully achieved. This tool offers a CDN solution for cache allocation on 5G Networks.

“The key to delivering the best video experience over mobile networks is to bring content as close as possible to the end user. We are very excited to have accomplished the first phase of our Cache Orchestrator trial, aimed at optimizing further the quality of experience on every screen”, said Jacques Le Mancq, CEO at Broadpeak.

Broadpeak’s Cache Orchestrator offers a complete orchestration framework that is videoservice-aware, Kubernetes-based, 100% virtualized, and configurable through a standardized API. The Broadpeak’s solution automatically and seamlessly reallocates video sessions when instances shift around, and their configurations are constantly fine-tuned through a centralized process based on realtime usage analytics collected at every tier of the system.

“We are thrilled to complete the first step in this groundbreaking project and are already working on the next phase of Cache Orchestrator, which will focus on testing the solution based on the latest 5G edge-related standardization”, said Guillaume Bichot, principal engineer and head of exploration at Broadpeak.

ETV Bharat adds Grass Valley’s Stratus and Edius to their facilities on premise and remote

ETV Bharat has taken a wide range of Grass Valley solutions to underpin its upgraded production and editing operations. The new setup includes GV Srtratus with nonlinear editing software EDIUS. GV Stratus is a video production and content management tool that gives future-ready capability, allowing it to scale its operations both on-premise and remotely off-site.

ETV Bharat delivers information services across mobile apps and web portals to 24 Indian states with programming in 13 languages. GV Stratus will give to central production facility in Hyderabad a combination of tools and customization for fast ingest to on-air, efficient asset management, integrated social media publishing and management of metadata. GV Stratus manages media on premise and remote broadcast applications. All ingested content is formatted in lower resolution proxy on the fly by Stratus transcoders. For on premise use, ETV purchased 400 EDIUS Pro licenses for editing. 200 Remote users utilize

EDIUS XS for secure editing via VPN and user access control while rendering their edits from the field.

“We pride ourselves on innovation, and the ETV Bharat service is a first-ofits-kind offering in India in terms of diversity and depth. To remain productive during the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to implement a reliable and trustworthy production and asset management solution that could enable our operators to work on-site and at home as needed. With its proven reputation, Grass Valley was the perfect choice for us, and its future-proof product features enabled the digital platform to manage and operate 16 language channels — across multiple platforms — with greater scalability, flexibility and efficiency”, said Bharath K, CTO, ETV Bharat. 

Bahrain Radio modernizes with Lawo VSM and radio radio technology

Built in 1980, Bahrain radio, with seven radio stations, was long due for a revamp. The recent USD6,5m turnkey project, which is the first phase, has launched this facility into the digital realm. The entire facility has been refurbished, from nine radio studios and control rooms to the MCR (Master Control Room) and CAR (Central Apparatus Room), with a parallel overhaul of furniture, equipment, automation systems, radio library and acoustics.

By deploying digital solutions in all areas of the facility, the radio section of the Ministry of Information Affairs (MIA) has essentially migrated out of an analogue environment. Dubai systems integrator GloCom was tasked with the challenge of undertaking this overhaul right in the midst of the 2020 lockdown, and it delivered, ensuring that the existing service was not disrupted at any point in time, and also digitizing the department’s radio library archive. While the main centre of the project was in Isa Town, related civil work also took place at various other sites.

“Bahrain Radio is one of many projects the MIA has completed in recent months, with more due for completion this year and next. Much of this renovation has been possible thanks to the support of Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain,” says Eng Abdulla Ahmed Abalooshi, Assistant Undersecretary for Technical Affairs at the MIA.

“Our radio station and studios were built in 1980. They were really old, and we used to have the occasional breakdown with no support available for them. All our FM and AM stations are processed in these studios and go through the MCR; our radio channels are also available

on satellite and OTT. With this project, we have transferred our entire radio technology to a digital platform and have added a few elements that will make life easier for the production people in our radio department,” he explains.

At the core of the set-up is a Lawobased MADI architecture that covers all seven on-air studios and allows the control room to serve as a self-operating studio.

These on-air studios can also be connected to two of the production studios for music or drama. A third production studio has been redesigned for mix-mastering. All seven on-air studios are designed to enable any FM station to log in and go live from any studio.

The MCR, the heart of the station, includes a 15 FM station automation system with full redundancy, enabling the department to scale up in the future and add another six FM stations. It also includes four 80’’ LED walls, a brand-new Lawo Vistool for audio monitoring and a Lawo VSM monitoring solution. A big part of the project was the replacement of a legacy Dalet system with the latest radio automation system from RCS.

The studios are connected with the MCR through fibre (MADI) with physical AES/ANA cables for redundancy. The CAR was also designed with a centralized audio router (MADI) from Lawo. 

Logic Media Solutions orchestrate an IP migration in ZDF and ARD German broadcasters

German broadcasters ZDF and ARD have upgraded to full IP functionality the essential core components of their mobile production units. Logic Media Solutions has been in charge of this IP migration process. These mobile production units are used jointly by ZDF and ARD for events which, due to their size and complexity, cannot be handled with conventional OB vans or onsite studio.

The system offers flexibility and scalability, making unexpected expansions and the temporary integration of additional rental equipment possible. The system is currently in use at the EURO 2020, providing the production infrastructure at the National Broadcast Centre (NBC) in Mainz after receiving signals from the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) located near

Amsterdam. And for UEFA Euro 2021, the system has been scalated with the use of additional EVS servers.

During the configuration for the European Championship Logic implemented components from its partners and third-party devices. The MPE racks operate based on SMPTE 2110, SMPTE 2022-7 redundant, including NMOS (IS-04/IS-05). They are PTP-compliant and can handle 1500 video connections and up to 5000 audio connections in their entirety.

About the technology in detail, Logic implemented Grass Valley IQUCP systems as gateways and Grass Valley MV821 multiviewers in the racks. Other third-party devices were also used as gateways, multiviewers and processing devices, as 1080i to 1080p converters. Nevion Virtuoso devices serve as gateways and for advanced monitoring of incoming and outgoing lines. The audio matrix is also realised with two additional Nevion Virtuoso units, which allow 2048×2048 MADI connections. Interestingly, Nevion’s VideoIPath is used as an SDN orchestration layer, providing a control layer for the broadcast controller between the end devices and the network. 

Technology changes Olympic storytelling

The world turns its eyes every time a new edition of the Olympic Games takes place. Not only to enjoy elite sports. It also attracts the attention of all of us who have broadcasting as our way of life. Each edition is a step forward in terms of the technology used for broadcasting. In this magazine we are going to show you how OBS has once again changed the production standards.

The technological advances that are part of the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are based on five fundamental pillars: the first Olympic experience in HDR, the transition from HD to UHD, the implementation of cloud solutions for production and broadcasting, 5G connections for communications and Artificial Intelligence applied to sport. 1A HDR Olympic experience: this standard capture content that contains four times more pixels than current High Definition. For the audience, this will translate into more realistic detail, richer and more lifelike colours and greater contrast and sharpness. OBS will implement this technology on 42 of the Olympic competition venues. Broadcasting

content in HDR and UHD combined requires the adaptation of mobile units and workflows. Overall the broadcasting services will use a total of 31 OB vans and 22 flyaway systems that have been prepared for the occasion.

2Ultra High Defined sports: the challenge has been huge. OBS aimed many technological improvements. Firstly, developing and delivering a single HDR/SDR workflow. Considering the previous one, it was necessary a full IP migration through the whole OB fleet. Nevertheless, implementing every broadcaster immersive audio and not sacrificing any quality standard. As well as, in order to ensure the content, OBS will contribute with an extra SDR signal to every broadcaster. But even 1080i signal will be different because it is really a conversion from the UHD feed.

3OBS goes cloud: in collaboration with Alibaba Group, OBS has created a suite of cloud services designed specifically for dataintensive broadcast workflows. Times are changing and the necessity to extract production and distribution workflows from home has become necessary. For that reason, OBS has launched OBS Cloud and this has become an inflexion point for many broadcasters who, in this edition of the Olympics, will not need to create or move infrastructure.

45G connected production teams: 5G has the capacity of handle large volumes of data including UHD transport with ultralow latency and higher video quality. This connection allows production teams to be located virtually anywhere. The wireless connection provided by 5G also means that cameras can be untethered, can be placed in more creative positions and angles and, also very important, 5G will reduce camera set-up times. For broadcasters, 5G connectivity gives the opportunity to UHD contribution thanks to its high bandwidth and the ultra-low latency required.

5AI, the biggest documentation provider ever: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the use of computer capabilities to automate manual tasks to drive efficiency. For Tokyo 2020, OBS will run an Automatic Media Description (AMD) pilot project based on athlete recognition and combine it with speech-to-text technology to complement and enhance the tagging of media assets. Also, this technology will help OBS to deliver more personalised experiences. It means that, instead of RHBs searching for content, the IA will automatically push content to them. Overall, AI-driven technology is making the content discovery process faster and more accurate.

These five major technologies are changing the global landscape. In previous numbers of our magazine, you have seen how we have dedicated many pages to IP migrations, HDR / UHD transformation and the advantages and the disadvantages it brings or the implementation of cloud solutions for storage, production or broadcasting processes. The world is changing and we want to tell you about its technological change.

To achieve this, we are already working on a very complete report on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. In the next number, you will be able to enjoy a detailed chronicle on the technological innovations that this edition of the Olympic Games has brought to the broadcast and we will share with you the testimonies of the great minds that have contributed to make them possible. In addition, you will enjoy our exclusive interview with Sotiris Salamouris, CTO of OBS, who has been kind enough to share a conversation with us. 