Newsletter from 01/04/2021
The Integration of www.Live-Production.tv into the Ebner Media Group
As already announced in our last Newsletter on 10th March 2021 https://www.live-production.tv/newsletter/live-production-joins-ebner-media-group.html www.live-production.tv will become part of the Ebner Media Group.
Due to our Customer Privacy Policy we need to highlight the following
“Your personal information is always protected by us. We prioritize the protection of all information you entrust us with and comply with the laws and regulations that exist to protect your privacy, such as the General Data Protection Regulation. Only a limited number of persons working at Live-Production with special privileges have access to the information. All information is stored on secure servers and protected by firewalls as well as other information- and IT-security best practises.”
We inform you that your email address will be transferred to the Ebner Media Group. If you do not agree with this, please unsubscribe your name from the live-production.tv newsletter subscriber list. This assures that your email address will not be transferred to the Ebner Media Group however you no longer will receive the live-production.tv newsletters in the future. The first live-production.tv Newsletter by Ebner Media Group will be sent out on 13th April 2021. Any way you can re-subscribe to the Newsletter again at any time.
MOBILE PRODUCTION
CINEVIDEO Waves
Cinevideo is a key broadcast services provider in Italy. Recognized for its know-how and experience over the years, Cinevideo offers multicameras OB Van and SNG services in high definition to major national broadcasters. Reliability and quality of the services offered are the driving forces of the company. he new 12-meters, dual-expanding unit provides up to 60 square metres of internal space. The truck accommodates two production and two audio control rooms, giving Cinevideo the flexibility to provide multiple versions of an event, or to provide both coverage of a sporting event and the commentary from one truck. To deliver optimum flexibility and versatility, Cinevideo required that its new truck handle HD and 4k/UHD resolutions, as well as standard and high dynamic range signals, simultaneously.
120dB ST1 Sound Truck
Michal Mika, the owner of 120dB Sound Engineering, realised that a dedicated audio van was needed as it became apparent that demand for his company’s services was growing rapidly. 120dB's business in eSports broadcast is strong - with regular broadcasts for Turtle Entertainment and ESL TV, and as the main audio provider for the Intel Extreme Masters Championships in Katowice. The music side is active as well, with large events such as the popular Męskie Granie Tour now part of the regular schedule. So it was logical to move from lengthy set-ups with lifted-in kit to a fully mobile solution that offers a consistent, controlled monitoring environment.
OBStv OBS1
The fully integrated 3G HD truck, OBS 1, is the first 3G truck in Observe's fleet. The 45-foot single-expander truck rolled out just after Christmas 2013 to cover rugby's Heineken Cup and RBS 6 Nations matches throughout Europe. OBSTV installed a 48-fader Artemis Light desk with a complement of Hydra I/O, which includes a ruggedized remote stagebox with mic splits designed specifically for Observe's requirements for large events. The console is also equipped with high-density Hydra I/O containing 3G de-embedders and Dolby E decoders.
Stage Tec AURUS platinum Mobile and Flexible in NEP's MusicOne Audio Truck
A collaboration of the NEP R&D team, audio engineers and music industry professionals worked together to develop the specifications for the truck and quickly decided on the AURUS platinum from Berlin-based manufacturer of professional audio equipment Stage Tec. The 48-fader mixing console offers three internal base units for connecting ample outboard, multitrack and play-out. IP SMPTE 2110 technology integrates a NEXUS network into the broadcast IP backbone. This is a particularly handy feature when the audio truck is equipped with a video flypack and can then be used as an OBV for other broadcast or live events. The NEXUS is completed with 2 mobile racks, each with 64 mic + return lines in various formats.
Riedel’s MicroN UHD Provides Decentralized Signal Routing and Processing for Betamobil’s Newly Upgraded UHD5 Truck
n addition to the MicroN UHD-based signal routing backbone, Betamobil has chosen Riedel’s Bolero wireless intercom to form a fully integrated point-to-point intercom ecosystem with an existing Artist frame. With the ability to deploy up to three Bolero antennas and eight beltpacks, Betamobil is able to extend crystal-clear communications capabilities to its production crews for many types and sizes of live events. he MicroN UHD- and Bolero-equipped UHD5 provided live televised coverage of a special performance of Jazzfest Berlin, linking venues in Berlin and Brooklyn, New York, in a two-day concert marathon. With the goal of boosting trans-Atlantic dialogue in defiance of the coronavirus crisis and celebrating the cutting-edge creative scenes in Berlin and New York, the event consisted of six tandem performances.
A first in France: the connection of two OB vans for an exceptional set-up for the PSG-Barcelona Champions League
On the occasion of the PSG - Barcelona matche at the Parc des Princes for the Champions League, AMP VISUAL TV is making this major new tool available to RMC Sport. The two OB vans are linked by an interconnection module which allows more than 96m² of work surface in one piece and thus constitute two production spaces for the production of the international signal and the private signal for RMC Sport. These spaces accommodate a team of 45 people and a UHD set-up with over 30 cameras including 5 180 ° and 360 ° cameras for the channel's VR application, as well as our new “Pelicam's” solution: a mini arm equipped with 'a slowmotion micro camera installed behind each goal.
STUDIO PRODUCTION
NEP Launches New Production Centre on London’s Famed Gray’s Inn Road
“This facility was designed, implicitly, in a way that allows us to mould it to meet the needs of any
production, even as they change day-to-day.” says Steve Jenkins, President, NEP UK & Ireland. “But
perhaps more important is the capability and power of the infrastructure backing it up. The NEP
Production Centre – London is integrated into NEP’s global network of data centres and production
facilities, which provides access to the full range and depth of our resources and media
solutions around the world, real-time. We can also rapidly deploy new, innovative products and
services as they launch. This flexibility, combined with the power of NEP’s infrastructure, greatly
expands the creative possibilities available to our clients.”
Hand in hand with technology and fashion, SMT's "fashion journey"
The fusion of fashion and technology has become a new form of SMT business layout in recent years. The once professional and rigorous "technical" people have entered into the fashion circle. Appearing at one after another international luxury brand conferences, step by step to subvert people’s stereotypes of "technical people", SMT is not only aspiring to become the “darling of the fashion circle", but to build its own brand value. The brand-new attempt is an exploration and development of new ecological business areas. The Hermès Fall/Winter 2021 Women's Show held at the Hermès House in Shanghai on March 6, and presented in conjunction with the New York Park Avenue Armory and the Paris Republic Guard. Relying on the mature technology and rich practical experience in remote production, SMT has joined hands with Creative Technology to undertake the signal transmission business of the Shanghai station of the Hermes event.
VERO Launches Immersive Virtual Production Studio
VERO enables directors to see the visual backdrop in real-time during filming on set, with the powerful graphics engine tracking technology meaning the action is always realistic and moves with the subject. “We’re thrilled to help bring VERO to reality,” says 3D animation and motion graphics expert Robert Tyler, from MadeWithVero. “We’ve pulled out all the stops to combine the latest camera tracking, gaming engines, and LED screen technology with high definition, lifelike graphic creation to shape VERO. “The bright screens and great colour reproduction means that the lighting is truer to the intended location with no green spill. This gives the director and actors the ability to see the world they are in, and compose the shot in camera. Decisions can be taken quickly, and shots can be re-composed on the fly to ensure the directors vision is captured. It’s enabling filmmakers to bridge the gap between imagination and reality.”
Brompton Technology helps XR Studios create new possibilities for live performance and entertainment in XR
Providing a well-rounded XR (extended reality) production service, the XR Studios team works closely with artists, producers, creators and creative directors to deliver their vision in a cost effective and visually stunning manner. “We wanted to be a creatively agnostic group that allows production to bring in its own team, help them get to the finish line and deliver a successful production. With a high level of service with predetermined workflows to keep things consistent and reliable, we know large-scale productions will happen on time, on schedule, and on budget,” Rooney shares. XR Studios runs a tight schedule. One day could see the perfect delivery of a large music event, such as the MTV VMAs, followed two days later by a corporate brand piece such as the FalCon with CrowdStrike. This could then give way to a large E-sports livestream such as GlitchCon, a nine-hour long online event organised by Twitch, the live streaming platform for gamers, and broadcast live from XR Studios’ centre stage.
SPORT EVENTS
BLACKMAGIC DESIGN POWERS PGL’S INTERNATIONAL GAMING TOURNAMENTS
PGL’s 2021 schedule will be a hybrid of online and offline events, as restrictions lift. With such a varied and complex schedule, the team needed a robust, modular live production solution that could deliver the high quality, multilayered esports content that PGL’s audiences expect, whether taking place online or in a venue. “The bar for esports production is raised with every tournament; people want to see new features at every event, and we strive to create memorable live experiences for our fans,” explains Silviu Stroie, CEO, PGL. “The global pandemic meant that we had to rethink how to deliver a balance of exciting entertainment formats with incredible video quality, whether that be the gameplay or the players and casters in action. We’ve always put our trust in Blackmagic Design to help us maintain our reputation as innovators in the esports arena, and this was true throughout the 2020 restrictions.” The four identical kits form the foundation layer for PGL’s live productions, with bespoke playout and graphics packages devised for each specific tournament.
IOC congratulates Tokyo 2020 as Olympic Torch Relay gets underway in Japan
The Olympic Torch Relay for Tokyo 2020 began with the kindling of the Olympic flame by the rays of the sun in Olympia, Greece, on 12 March 2020, before it was transported by a special “Tokyo 2020 Go” jet to Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Watch every minute of the Olympic Torch Relay live on the Tokyo 2020 website, starting Thursday 25 March 2021. *The schedule and dates in the footage are based on the original schedule of the Olympic Torch Relay prior to its postponement. Following the postponement, the scheduled dates will be one day earlier than those in the previous schedule (the days of the week will match the previous schedule). The concept for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay across Japan will be "Hope Lights Our Way", uniting the Japanese people around messages about supporting, accepting and encouraging one another.
Infront Productions applies Lawo IP solutions for winter sports production
In the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2021, held from February 8-21, 2021 in Cortina d'Ampezzo (Italy), the medal table shows Austria, Switzerland and France as the most successful nations of the competition. Behind the scenes of this major skiing event, the championship was won by a setup of prime technical equipment, installed and looked after by a technical team of experts. For IBC/MCR operations and feed distribution, Infront Productions, the broadcast partner of the FIS Championships, relied on the Lawo IP broadcast infrastructure with V__matrix, Lawo’s Software defined IP Core routing, Processing & Multi-viewing Platform, and the V__matrix vm_dmv Distributed 4K IP Multiviewer as major pillars. For overall broadcast control, Infront Productions deployed Lawo’s Virtual Studio Manager (VSM) as IP Broadcast Control and Workflow Solution.
Video Assistant Referee in Africa came of age at the recent CHAN in Cameroon
For the first time, an African football federation developed and deployed its own VAR video operations room (or VARVOR) infrastructure. Local systems integrator Optimum was mandated in 2019 by the State of Cameroon to design, deploy and operate VAR infrastructure for the competition. In-line with Confederation of African Football (CAF) recommendations, Optimum selected EVS’ Xeebra as its core VAR platform. They then contracted Broadcast Solutions to design and integrate the video operations rooms that could meet the requirements of an international event such as the CHAN. As a FIFA certified VAR technology provider and with EVS as a key technology partner, Broadcast Solutions was keen to step up to the plate and support Optimum, the Cameroon Federation and CAF.
SHOW EVENTS
Robe RoboSpots in New League for LOL Worlds 2020 Final
League of Legends’ World Championship 2020 Finals was staged at the new Pudong Football Stadium in Shanghai, China, a high-profile, hi-energy event notable for many things, which – in addition to being an eSports calendar highlight – included a spectacular production lighting design by Mat Stovall of LampedUp and his team who helped produce dazzling opening and closing ceremonies plus seat-edge atmospheric engineering, boosting the buzz, thrills and spills of the gaming action. Thirty-seven Robe RoboSpot systems were part of a large lighting rig for the event, specified by Mat and associate LD Trevor Stirlin Burk of Visual Noise Creative, and supplied by Christie Lites out of their UK and US bases … to the event’s main technical contractor, Creative Technology (CT) Shanghai.
Verge Aero provides a drone show education for Innovation Nation
As a pioneer in the field, Verge Aero’s drone fleets have been seen performing aerial celebrations at high-profile events including Joe Biden’s victory speech in Wilmington, Delaware, back in November. Presenter Alie Ward visited the company’s headquarters at Pennovation Works, part of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Alie met with Verge Aero founder Nils Thorjussen to see how the team “choreographed their engineering, artistic, computing and aviation skills to create a dance of lights in the sky”. They discussed the process of design and preparation, and the powerful proprietary software that makes it all possible. As she found out, it’s not just about complex choreography.
L-Acoustics delivers ultimate energy boosting sound experience for Egyptian MegaStar Amr Diab
For four consecutive years, Egyptian MegaStar Amr Diab has performed to capacity crowds as part of January’s highly popular Dubai Shopping Festival. This year’s show was no less popular, despite current Covid safety restrictions. Organizer SIA was quick to adapt, moving this year’s concert to the 25,000-capacity Dubai Sports City Stadium for a socially distanced audience of 6,000. To retain the same energy level and give fans the best experience, the leading regional AV supplier, THE Technology, supplied a substantial L-Acoustics K Series system, ensuring a quality, energetic audio experience for this new arena audience ratio and size. The design also changed almost daily to accommodate new health and safety measures and modifications in the audience seating plan. “Because of the health and safety restrictions, we weren’t able to bring in external help from L-Acoustics as we would normally do, but by using the manufacturer’s Soundvision software, we were still able to achieve great results,” notes Walid.
PRODUCTS
RTS introduces DBP (Digital Beltpack) – new member of the RTS Digital Partyline intercom product family
DBP is a four-channel/four-button wired beltpack that runs on PoE+ (Power over Ethernet 802.3af and 802.3at) and connects using OMNEO IP technology. Its unique hybrid design supports both digital partyline and matrix keypanel modes: for use as a digital partyline device, DBP connects to an OMS; for use as a portable keypanel, including functionality like point-to-point communication, DBP can be connected to any RTS digital/IP matrix product using OMNEO – including OMI cards in ADAM/ADAM-M frames or OMNEO ports on ODIN frames. DBP automatically selects the correct mode of operation (digital partyline/OMS or keypanel/matrix) when connected and switched on.
Riedel’s Bolero Provides Crisp, Clear, and Future-Proof Wireless Comms for Historic Opéra de Lille in France
The stand-alone Bolero system at the Opéra de Lille consists of 20 wireless beltpacks and seven antennas connected in a ring topology to enable full coverage of the opera house. Like many historic structures, the Opéra de Lille lacks a modern Cat7 or Cat8 infrastructure; therefore, the facility leverages Riedel’s NSA-002A Network Stream Adapter interface to facilitate bidirectional audio signal transport over RJ45 wiring. Members of Opéra de Lille production crew appreciate the user-friendliness and robust capabilities of the Bolero beltpacks, which have made communications much easier and more efficient. While the previous system only allowed for two conferences, Bolero enables up to six channels to be designated to different user groups, such as stage, lighting, and sound.
XVS-G1 Powerful and Compact Live Production Switcher
A high-potential platform for maximum creativity realised by the optional GPU and modular software structure The XVS-G1 offers new creative features including a built-in clip player, 3D digital multi-effects, extra still logo keys, and new multi-viewer functionality. HDR is also supported with Sony’s SR Live workflow and multiple HDR format conversion options. 16 keyers are provided, each with its own 2.5D resizer. These full-function keyers can be deployed in various configurations across 1 to 4 M/E banks. An additional dedicated Clip Transition keyer is available on each M/E. Other functions provided by the GPU include 4 channels of full 3D digital multi-effects in HD mode or 2 channels in 4K(UHD), and four still logo keyers.
CCTV Celebrates Year of the Ox with Ross Video
The CCTV broadcast – a national tradition in China – has featured Augmented Reality as part of its format for the last nine years and Ross has been a proud technology partner, supporting CCTV as the scale and complexity of the shows have increased with each passing year. This year’s broadcast featured more than twenty different scenes that were shot in 4K HDR using multiple cameras. Ross Video’s Voyager graphics rendering solution (based of the Unreal engine from Epic Games) was again at the heart of the production as the audience was taken through a variety of different natural landscapes, including bamboo forests, mountains, deserts, the Great Wall and a spectacular martial arts sequence called ‘Heaven and Earth’. This segment was particularly impressive given the volume texture method used by the Voyager rendering solution to produce clouds that had highly realistic thickness and texture in the physical space. In each of the twenty scenes featuring AR, the augmented elements were vivid, dynamic and realistic, with Voyager effectively blurring the edges between the physical sets and the computer-generated graphics.