Newsletter from 01/10/2019
Colour Sound for Perry’s Stage at Lollapalooza Berlin
The West London-based technical specialist has been involved with the 2-day event since 2015 when the Berlin edition of the popular music extravaganza started. It was the second year for Lolla Berlin at the Olympiapark site, and once again Perry’s Stage was inside the Stadium arena itself, where a fantastic line-up was headlined by Underworld on Saturday and Martin Garrix on Sunday, with many more great sounds smashing it through the weekend including Don Diablo, Scooter, TV Noise and others. Ricardo Lorenzini (crew chief) and Dave Ross led the Colour Sound crew, who sub hung three LX trusses from the roof plus four vertical tower trusses per side in the mid-stage area. Another lighting truss was rigged either side above the left and right IMAG video screens, and the rest of the fixtures were positioned on the deck along the front of the stage lip and in the stage wings.
MOBILE PRODUCTION
Cinevideo Dolphin 7.0
Dolphin 7.0 is a 24-camera, fully 4K-capable vehicle with the ability to support full 12G workflows. The truck's two Artemis Lights provide Cinevideo clients with two separate fader surfaces (the 56-fader desk provides the main audio feed, with the 24-fader console supplying secondary audio) and two separate audio router cores, guaranteeing full redundancy for a single production or two simultaneous productions. The two router cores share all audio connections via Calrec's Hydra2 network, and the two fader surfaces can be joined to create one huge console for large-scale productions.
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Studio Berlin Ü9 UHD
Studio Berlin-Adlershof GmbH is a studio and TV production company located in Berlin-Adlershof. With nine TV studios (two independent HD regions) and five HD outside broadcast vehicles, Studio Berlin- Adlershof is one of the largest TV service providers in Germany. With 130 employees, it has provided a reliable production environment for the technical implementation of shows and events as well as movie and TV formats since 1998. Its current studio projects include "The Voice of Germany", "Anne Will", "Hart aber Fair", "Willkommen bei Mario Barth" and "Klein gegen Groß".
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EXPRESS OB 808
The future state of the broadcasting industry, that has been said to change for sure, finally has come into our view. Not only that video camera became available for people at large, but also the live broadcasting has been uploaded by individuals. It makes the broadcast no longer limited to the special equipments and techniques.
This trend will expand the range of broadcasting in the future. The TV broadcasting network at the top of the industry must evolve into a giant player. The positioning of the independent production companies like us may be between the top and the bottom of the industry. But there are staggering amount of video production needs that can be handled not by the top or the bottom players but only by us.
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Game Creek Video Expands HDR Capabilities with major Investment in XT-VIA Servers
Game Creek Video, a leading provider of state-of-the-art mobile production units for large-scale live events, has chosen an extensive offering of EVS solutions to support its full HDR capability, including UHD-4K and 1080p productions. The new solutions, anchored by EVS’ XT-VIA servers, have been deployed for the first time by FOX Sports at the start of the new college football season. The new solutions will also help Game Creek support other leading broadcasters putting on large-scale productions to cover major U.S. sporting events.
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CP Communications and DC Rentals Partner for Turnkey Live Event Productions
CP Communications and DC Rentals bring complementary skillsets to the table; the former is a renowned live broadcast and production expert, and the latter is a leading, multi-faceted communications solutions provider. The partnership ensures that all technology, crewing and expertise is in one place to support all audio, video, data and content delivery (broadcast, streaming) elements, as well as comprehensive event security and communications.
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Riedel's Artist and MediorNet Enable Flexibility and Agility for Austria's Uppercut Broadcast
Uppercut Broadcast GmbH, a division of the Austria-based Uppercut Group, has adopted Riedel's Artist digital matrix intercom and MediorNet real-time signal transport, processing, and routing technology for its two new OB trucks. These two smaller-footprint trucks are capable of covering events that larger OB trucks simply could not access. By leveraging the scalability of Riedel technology, they can operate independently or combined, connected with a single fiber optic cable. The larger of the two OB trucks is a 12-ton vehicle that was launched in April of 2018. It has the capacity to handle productions with up to eight cameras. Its state-of-the-art communications equipment includes an Artist-32 node with 12 panels, a Performer digital partyline, and a RiFace radio interface. Video transport, processing, and routing are accomplished by two MediorNet MicroN software-defined media devices. Replacing a traditional monolithic router, MicroN is able to reduce system complexity and weight by allowing I/O to be placed where it is needed, while the use of Apps allows users to load exactly the capabilities they need. Uppercut Broadcast employs the MultiViewer and Control Apps to simplify its workflows and avoid single-purpose boxes.
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Imagine Communications Infrastructure Underpins New 4K HDR Truck for Videe
Videe, a leader in outside broadcast production for 40 years, now provides facilities to broadcasters around the world, covering some of the leading sporting events, as well as music and culture. Interest in 4K and HDR was rapidly growing among its clients, but at the same time, they wanted extended production capabilities and ever more cameras. Chromaline was handed the challenge of maximizing the internal space, by designing an efficient yet reliable infrastructure. Central to this is the Platinum™ IP3 router from Imagine Communications, which in OBX has 512 x 1024 video I/O and 8000 x 8000 audio I/O. The video signals can be HD or 4K Ultra HD, in either quad link or 2SI formats. As well as switching, the Platinum IP3 also hosts audio and video signal processing, and drives the 14 multiviewer displays inside the production area.
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Three Cheers for Ovation in China
The advantages of IP in an OB Van have been fully realized in what was the first 4K all-IP truck in China. Here the RAVENNA/AES67 network features Merging’s Pyramix connected to the Lawo MC² console for capturing high quality multitrack recordings of various TV programs. Pyramix and Ovation are not just to be found in China’s premier broadcast locations, Ovation has also taken its place in many prestigious live venues, museums and art galleries, theme parks and even a wedding hall. Its ability to control the whole show as well as providing an immersive sound experience has been key to this success.
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NEP Group Signs Agreement to Acquire Aerial Video Systems
The addition of AVS will be consistent with NEP’s stated strategy to become the worldwide leader in Broadcast Services. Camera capture, both traditional and wireless, is an important part of the broadcast value chain. AVS’s solutions will complement and build upon BSI’s wireless AV capabilities, adding their innovative RF solutions in HD, 1080p, HDR and 4K/UHD wireless systems, turnkey live and recorded aerial coverage, and fiber optic connectivity to NEP’s U.S. Specialty Capture division. Founded in 1981 and like NEP, AVS has a history of market leadership and deep, long-standing customer relationships with special expertise working with the entertainment industry. From the gridiron to the red carpet, AVS supports a wide range of high-profile events and productions with aerial and on the ground coverage. AVS is fully licensed by the FCC for regular broadcast bands and additional portions of the wireless spectrum for large events.
SPORT EVENTS
FIBA delivers ambitious Basketball World Cup 2019 production with Gearhouse
The 32-team tournament ttook place across China between 31 August – 15 September.In what FIBA Media describes as its biggest and most ambitious TV, digital and social media coverage global production plan ever, this World Cup marks a momentous change in the production, coverage, presentation and multi-platform availability of the event. It’s featuring a host of innovations, including augmented reality, referee-audio, and a broadcast SuperFeed.
Full remote production of LPL live
Shanghai Media Tech (SMT) alone with the event organizer Teng Jing Sports successfully completed the first full-scale remote production in China, using the international advanced IP remote production technology in the broadcast of the 8th anniversary of the League of Legends. This is the first time in China that a full-range of remote production broadcasting application for large-scale electric competitions, and also a successful case of the full-scale remote production of the system with the most complex system scale, the highest technical difficulty, and the highest signal technology quality requirement in the history of domestic broadcasting.
Vislink Technologies Announces Further Three-Year Contract with Dorna Sports as Official RF Systems Supplier for MotoGP
The MotoGP racing series showcases many of the fastest riders and innovative motorcycle technology available today. MotoGP events are carried by over 100 broadcasters and are seen by over 400 million viewers worldwide. Vislink has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Dorna, the exclusive commercial and television rights holder for MotoGP, that dates back to 2002. “The continuation of our engagement with Dorna is testament to our leadership in live sports broadcasting, and delivering reliable, crystal-clear video to MotoGP fans around the globe,” said John Payne, President and COO of Vislink.
SHOW EVENTS
Rammstein on the Road with Robe
Roland Greil from Woodroffe Basset Design (WBD) created the lighting design together with Patrick Woodroffe and specified 56 x Robe BMFL WashBeams, 12 x BMFL Follow Spot LTs (long throws) and six LEDBeam 150 moving lights – among many others – for this much-anticipated tour. WBD was contracted to produce and coordinate the tour’s production design including lighting, set and video design plus technical integration. The lighting was a collaboration between Roland and Patrick Woodroffe who is also the show designer. Florian Wieder and Cuno von Hahn looked after the set design, and Jeremy Lloyd from Wonder Works directed the technical aspects of the design and integration.
Large Complement of Claypaky Fixtures Shine on Rammstein’s 2019 European Stadium Tour
German rock band Rammstein just finished its first ever stadium tour in Europe with Claypaky HY B-EYE K25, Scenius Unico, Mythos 2 and Sharpy lighting fixtures, selected by Lighting Designers Ronald Greil and Patrick Woodroffe of Woodroffe Bassett Design, accompanying the show across the continent. Neg Earth Lights, London was the lighting vendor. Rammstein began the stadium tour in Germany in May and wrapped in Vienna in August; the band will resume the tour next spring and summer. Rammstein’s seventh studio album is in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 in the US.
Elation IP65 lighting for Montana’s inaugural Peak to Sky festival
When your inaugural event has rock icons like Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses), Josh Klinghoffer (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) on the bill, let’s just say you’re off to a good start. But you also know you need to deliver lighting worthy of that all-star status, and in a western environment where harsh weather is to be expected. That was the challenge local event producers Outlaw Partners and lighting suppliers Jereco Studios were up against at the first annual Peak to Sky festival in Montana in early July.
PRODUCTS
Panasonic presents new Broadcast CamCorder AJ-CX4000GJ
The AJ-CX4000GJ is a B4 lens mount, interchangeable lens camera recorder that is typical for broadcast use. It is equipped with a large-sized 11MP image sensor and enables high quality 4K (UHD) image recording with a horizontal resolution of 2000 TV lines. It is also compatible with HDR, compliant with BT.2100 and BT.2020. The high efficiency and high image quality “HEVC” CODEC is adopted for the recording of 4K images. Long time recording with 4K/10-bit high image quality is possible whilst keeping bitrate and storage size under control. The high speed transfer and reliable “expressP2” card or the low running cost “microP2” card (SDXC memory card can also be used) can be selected for recording media. It also supports the recording of the “AVC-ULTRA” CODEC (HD) from the conventional P2HD Series. UHD 60p/50p 10-bit 4:2:2 output via a 12G-SDI output is also possible.
ITV Studios selects the latest Sony HDC-3500 4K/HD HDR Live Production system cameras to shoot ‘Coronation Street’
ITV Studios, a television production company owned by the British television broadcaster ITV PLC, has invested in 21 Sony
HDC-3500 system camera chains supplied by broadcast and film industry equipment provider, Top-Teks. The 2/3-inch 4K CMOS sensor portable system cameras will be used to shoot ‘Coronation Street’, ITV’s flagship soap that has graced screens for almost 60 years. The cameras were selected as part of ITV Studios’ latest camera refresh aimed towards future-proofing production by offering greater flexibility and picture quality. Offering a new benchmark in creative flexibility, the HDC-3500 system camera, unveiled at IBC 2018, brings a new level of image quality, portability and creative flexibility. Thanks to offering the world’s first 2/3-inch 4K CMOS sensor with global shutter technology, the production team is future-proofed with the capacity to shoot in premium 4K/HD/HDR picture quality.
ES Broadcast makes record-breaking Grass Valley camera purchase
Leading broadcast technology manufacturer Grass Valley today announced that ES Broadcast has made the single biggest purchase of its LDX 86N UHD cameras to date. The company has invested in 151 cameras and 15 Kahuna production switchers to prepare for major sporting events in 2020 and to meet increasing demand for UHD. The new LDX 86N cameras will form the largest component of ES Broadcast’s fleet of UHD equipment and will be available to clients in Europe and the US. The cameras deliver native UHD and 3G/HD image capture, while optional IP outputs provide clients with a seamless migration path from SDI to IP.