Lawo and L-S-B take Swedish Radio into the future with IP technology

SR issued an EU tender about the mutual development for a pilot installation which was won by German manufacturer Lawo, a company renowned for its future-oriented approach, innovative IP solutions and products. For the overall control system, Lawo will use products and services of L-S-B Broadcast, another innovative company from Germany. The pilot project comprises the regional studio of Uddevalla and the close-by Gothenburg HUB, the latter to serve as control center for Uddevalla and – in a later step – for other regional studios around Gothenburg. All companies participating for this pilot installation – SR, Lawo, L-S-B – have been involved in all aspects of the project.

After the modernization, all SR regional studios will be able to act independently from the central broadcast operation with access from everywhere in the region by using IP technology. The self-operators will produce their own radio material using “instant” newsgathering, and broadcast via their regional antennas. Reporters will be located around the region, conducting interviews, directly reporting on events and newsworthy incidents. There will be no master control room for the regional studios – SR correspondents will use their tools, and in special cases even own mobile phones, to go on-air directly from their location, sending input to a studio or directly to the antenna via the relevant regional HUB.

Jarle Felin, Regional Director at Lawo, states that it was a difficult task to specify the contract content with a “floating” technology description, but that many of SR’s ideas for the future match technologies that are already part of Lawo’s portfolio and roadmap. Lars Hedh, Head of R&D at SR states: “I am very pleased with both the procurement process and the outcome of it, and I am looking forward to cooperate with a company that shares Swedish Radio’s vision of how radio will be made in the future.”

Lawo AG
Lawo designs and manufactures pioneering audio and video technology for TV and radio broadcast production, post-production, as well as live performance and theatrical applications. Products include digital audio mixing consoles, routers, video processing tools as well as IP-based video and audio transport solutions. All products are developed and manufactured according to highest quality standards at the company’s headquarters in the Rhine valley town of Rastatt, Germany.