2016 : REBOOTING MINDSET ON IP
IP is ready for primetime
It is accepted that companies need to migrate operations away from rigid , single-purpose components and towards software-based common computing resources . In recent years , many advantages of migrating media operations and processes from broadcast-specific systems to commercial-off-the-shelf ( COTS ) platforms have been well documented and IP ’ s praises sung in terms of flexibility , agility , adaptability , cost-efficiency and versatility . B Y J O E K HO D EIR
IP-based broadcast is real and broadcasters can now transition operations to an IT-based infrastructure without compromising current benchmarks for quality , performance or reliability . However , a chasm of trust remains to be crossed . Some media professionals remain skeptical about their ability to replace SDI-based infrastructure with COTS computing and networking platforms .
This year ’ s IBC show was a turning point in the transition of live production to IP-based networks . It was impossible to experience the atmosphere at the show without recognising that the industry has turned a corner . That energy is also present on the ground , where in the past few months Imagine Communications has unveiled multiple commercial deployments , which illustrate the success of IP-based infrastructures in live , critical broadcast environments .
For the Rio 2016 Games , for example , Globo , the largest broadcaster in Latin America , turned to Imagine Communications to equip an outside broadcast ( OB ) truck for 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ) production . This deployment delivered the first 4K / UHD- and IP-capable production vehicle to Latin America , and also marked the commercial debut of the Imagine Communications Platinum IP3 15RU router .
Imagine Communications also collaborated closely with Sony to ensure that Globo ’ s new OB truck would be capable of broadcasting the images and sounds of the Summer Games in 4K / UHD over an IP-based infrastructure . In addition , Imagine Communications teamed with Sony by participating in the launch of a dedicated IP Live Studio at Sony ’ s Digital Motion Picture Centre Europe ( DMPCE ) at Pinewood Film Studios near London on June 17 this year .
Clark Media , which provides HD mobile trucks and broadcast equipment rentals including custom-built HD and 4K / UHD production systems across the US , also partnered with Imagine Communications to build a next-generation mobile production unit capable of switching between HD and 4K / UHD resolutions nearly on-the-fly . “ With so much still up in the air concerning the latest technologies , I wanted a platform that would be state-of-the-art when things solidified ,” commented Gary Snyder of Clark Media . “ After seeing the Platinum IP3 router at NAB Show last year , I knew Imagine was up to the challenge .”
In addition to investing in a production vehicle that would still be a workhorse five to seven years into the future , Clark required the flexibility to accommodate the production needs of current clients as they navigate the transition from HD to 4K / UHD . With the Platinum IP3 router at the heart of the OB vehicle ,
The deployment of Imagine Communications ’ cloud-native �ersio IP-enabled playout solution at Disney� ABC Television Group demonstrates how IP has journeyed into the world of playout and substantiates the move to IP across work�ows .
“ This year ’ s IBC show was a turning point in the transition of live production to IPbased networks .”
— Joe Khodeir VP Sales Asia-Pacific
Imagine Communications
w hic h stores an d in stan tl y retriev es a v ariety of configurations , the mobile production company can essentially shift between HD and 4K / UHD in a matter of minutes to meet the exacting requirements of each customer .
Flexibility was also a chief objective of leading mobile sports production company NEP UK , who partnered with Imagine Communications for a fleet of OB vehicles . The new trucks are capable of HD , 1080p HD and 4K / UHD production , as well as easily switching between HD and 4K / UHD resolutions as assignments required .
The seamless integration of the SDI and IP signalling planes , allowing for a gradual and cost-efficient transition to next-generation architectures , is also contributing to the transformation of today ’ s live production landscape .
Disney / ABC Television Group made history in 2015 as the first major combo broadcaster and cable programmer to move playout and master control operations to a virtualised environment . Its deployment of Imagine Communications ’ cloud-native Versio fully IP-enabled integrated playout solution demonstrates how the evolution of IP has journeyed into the world of playout , and substantiates the overall move to IP across different segments of the workflow .
Imagine Communications , as evidenced by the sampling of live production deployments , is at the forefront of this transformation . The good news for media companies is that no matter when they decide , it makes sense to transition operations — today , tomorrow or a few years in the future . IP-based video production facilities are ready now for primetime .
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