Live production isn’t static – it never has been. Workflows and the processes they enable are constantly evolving. With the introduction of UHD-4K, the adoption of IP for the deployment of infrastructures and the roll out of workflows that support new, more immersive consumer-facing formats, outside broadcast facilities are facing more challenges than ever before.

Systems integrator and coachbuilder TVC and outside broadcast production company Croatel continue their long lasting and successful relationship. Last year both companies embarked to build the UHD 4K OB van. This was the first 4K endeavour for both companies with numerous challenges and tough technical decisions along the way. Croatel OB5 UHD 4K has been in operations for a year already and lessons learned can now be shared with the broadcast audience.

ORF is the national broadcaster of Austria. Established in 1955, the television and radio broadcaster transmits across the country. With a strong focus on news, the broadcaster operated a series of small outside broadcast (OB) vans, mainly with audio programming capabilities, to deliver news from across the country. However, after over a decade in use, there was a strong need to update these vehicles and in doing so incorporate audio and video capabilities, as well as online newsgathering features. The new vans would incorporate internet, video, and radio production and IP-based streaming.

The cyclists on the Tour de Suisse pick up the pace. More and more people are gathering on the side of the road. The participants seem tense. They go faster and faster. Soon there are just a few meters to go before the finish line. Now is not the time to show any weakness. Find whatever strength is left. The spectators cheer. Nerves are on edge. Just a few centimeters separate the cyclists. Who will emerge victorious? Cut.

Every year on a weekend in May over 150 cars will race the ADAC Zurich 24h of Nürburgring on the combined Nordschleife and Grand Prix track. Cars range from the SP9 GT3 class (from which the winner is expected), to a humble Golf GTI and an Opel Manta. The top cars the past couple of years have been Porsche 911 variants, the Audi R8, Mercedes SLS, and BMW Z4. New this year was the Bentley Continental, with two cars from Bentley Motorsport. Notably absent is the McLaren 12c, which qualified well last year but failed to finish due to reliability and accidents this year.

The America’s Cup sailing race is the oldest trophy in international sport, dating back to 1851. And for the 35^th edition, presented by Louis Vuitton, the location was Bermuda, as the event moved to the iconic Great Sound.

We are glad that we decided to invest in a G&D KVM system for our full KVM replacement solution. In addition to the system features and the product quality, we have enjoyed working with G&D. We have not only been treated as an important customer, G&D worked with us as a trusted partner on Phase One of the project. The sales team and the support team work in lock step and have answered all our questions about the G&D systems in a prompt and accurate manner. The support during the planning and implementation phases was impressive. - Steven Rittenberg, Director of Engineering

Genelec, the pioneer in Active Monitoring technology, is celebrating nearly 40 years of designing and manufacturing active loudspeakers for true and accurate sound reproduction. Genelec is credited with promoting the concept of active transducer technology, which many manufacturers are just now incorporating into their products. Since its inception in 1978, Genelec has concentrated its efforts and resources into creating active monitors with unparalleled sonic integrity. The result is an active speaker system that has earned global acclaim for its accurate imaging, extremely high acoustic output from small enclosures, true high-fidelity with low distortion, and deep, rich bass.

Celebro Media specialises in live production, providing studio space, galleries, uplink facilities, staff and everything required producing and transmitting live content. The rapidly growing studio facility has five studios at its central London location with further facilities in Moscow. By Autumn 2017, Celebro Media will have completed works on an additional five studios in London and two in New York. Also, its has recently begun trials of a new OB service that allows multi camera switching down a single transmission line. The service is currently being offered to international broadcaster on a trial basis.

For the 12^th consecutive year, communications and signal distribution solutions from Riedel played a starring role in the Eurovision Song Contest, the world's longest-running international television song competition. Riedel's MediorNet real-time media network provided the redundant and decentralized signal routing and transport infrastructure from start to finish of the production, broadcast live from the International Exhibition Centre in Kiev, Ukraine in May. Plus, Riedel's all-new Bolero wireless intercom system was relied on for all crew communications, only six weeks after it was introduced to the market.

From the Oscars to the Olympics NEP provides the expertise, people and next generation broadcast IT facilities to help its clients develop and deliver the world’s biggest and best live broadcast events. Every day content creators, production companies, broadcasters and telcos rely on NEP’s managed services for OB, studio and cloud production; host broadcasting; and playout to reach their global audiences.

tpc switzerland ag is the leading broadcast service provider in Switzerland, with extensive expertise in planning, creating and managing audiovisual projects. The company is focused on production for Swiss broadcasters, as well as live production of major national and international events for the Swiss and global markets. tpc manages TV studios, news operations and a fleet of OB trucks.

The Isle of Wight (IOW) Festival is the first major event that sets the UK Music festival season into motion. In its early years, it played host to such leading lights as Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell. Since the festival’s revival in 2002, it has stayed true to its heritage of drawing some of the biggest acts in the music business. Headliners have included everyone from The Who, Robert Plant and the Rolling Stones to Paul Weller, Stereophonics and Pearl Jam.

Mediacorp pioneered the development of Singapore’s broadcasting industry, beginning with radio broadcast in 1936 followed by television broadcast in 1963.  As over-the-top media distribution evolved, the organisation embraced new technology and transmission methodology. Today, it is the leading Singapore-based media company covering the widest range of media platforms; spanning digital, television, radio, print and out-of-home media with over 50 products and brands in four languages (English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil). The organisation’s recent move to Singapore’s ultra-modern media hub at Mediapolis@One-North instigated a new era of broadcasting, radio and online operations for Mediacorp.

The move to 4K is the biggest challenge faced by the live production industry since the advent of HD over a decade ago. And even though the majority of viewing is still in HD or even SD, demand for UHD – driven in part by a consumer market already hooked on 4K, HDR content from IP-based VOD providers such as Amazon and Netflix – is only increasing. This brings an unavoidable necessity for outside broadcast companies to be able to call upon the latest UHD technology – from cameras and lenses to production servers and monitors. In striving to support 4K live production by stocking a large and diverse 4K hire fleet, ES Broadcast Hire is helping to pioneer the UHD upgrade – and positioning itself as one of the UK and Europe’s leading 4K hire companies.