Newsletter from 13/08/2019
IBC2019 to feature new Esports Showcase and live esports tournament
IBC2019, will explore the technical and commercial opportunities and challenges of the rapidly growing world of Esports, with its first ever Esports Showcase on Tuesday 17 September. The IBC Esports showcase powered by ESL, EVS and Lagardère will feature a live esports tournament in the RAI Auditorium taking advantage of a unique combination of world-class tech placing spectators at the heart of the action. ESL's National Championship teams from Germany and Spain will go head-to head in a live Counter-Strike tournament on the big cinema screen in Dolby stereo.
Before the tournament, as part of the IBC Esports Showcase, IBC will bring together some of the most influential people in the world of esports, to explore the latest trends and development, considering the business case for esports from stretch targets, challenges and opportunities for esports players and the technical delivery of esports programs. Speakers include Chester King, CEO - British Esports Association, Michiel Bakker, CEO - GINX Esports TV Canada, Jonas Gundersen, CCO - North A/S, Henrik Nyhuis, Head of Ran Esports - ProSiebenSat.1 Sports GmbH, Jens Fischer - EVS, Simon Eicher, Executive Producer, Director of Broadcast, eSports Services – ESL, Ryan Chaply, Senior Esports Program Manager - Twitch, Peter Emminger, VP Global Broadcast – Blizzard.
IBC2019 opens in 4 weeks at the RAI Exhibition Centre in Amsterdam. As of today we feature 37 companies and their approach at the IBC2019 Show. This list is continuously updated.
Argosy - Allied Telesys - AVIWEST - Axon - BR Remote - Calrec - ChyronHego - Clear-Com - CyanView - dB Broadcast - Dejero - Densitron - Draka - DTC Broadcast - EVS - FOR-A - G&D - Globecast - LiveU - Megahertz - MultiDyne - Phabrix - Photonia - Rohde & SDchwarz - Ross Video - SSL - Sonnet - Sony - Stage Tec - TAG VS - TSL - TVU - Video Progetti - Videosys - VITEC - Vizrt - VSN
The link "IBC2019" will always show you the featured companies and events in alphabetical order
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MOBILE PRODUCTION
Global Production ob7
Euro Media Group S.A. (EMG) has announced the acquisition of Global Production, a major player in the Italian and European Outside broadcasting Market Based in Turin, Italy, Global Production operates a fleet of 3 Outside Broadcast trucks equipped with the most advanced technology available for HD and UHD HDR productions providing services to some of the world’s leading sports and entertainment clients. This acquisition is part of the EMG’s strategy to consolidate its business in the very fragmented Italian market, as well as to expand its range of production capacities and services thus enabling the Group to better cover major events at a global level. EMG will rely on the experience and expertise of the current Global Production management team to continue developing the business with the support of the Group.
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Kingvarp OB11
Kringvarp Føroya (KvF) (English: Broadcasting Faroe Islands) is the national public broadcasting company of the Faroe Islands. It was founded on 1 January 2005 after a merger of the national radio and television networks, Útvarp Føroya and Sjónvarp Føroya. OB11 caN HANDLE 8 cameras and is layed out for eight seeting positions. I is build with a Sony SBS-Switcher and Sony HDC-1700 and HDC-2400 cameras.
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Mobile TV Group 45 Flex
Mobile TV Group, a leading live production facilities provider, is using EVS’ latest technology to power its new 45 Flex truck. Due to be officially unveiled at the 2019 NAB Show, where it will be on display on outdoor booth OE2000, 45 Flex is described as the industry’s first end-to-end SMPTE 2110 uncompressed IP-based mobile production unit. Among its IP interconnected infrastructure are four EVS XT-VIA and one XS-VIA live production servers.By interconnecting the servers to XNet-VIA, operators will benefit from faster transfers via the 10Gbps bi-directional ethernet-based network that is optimized for high-resolution formats and super motion content. The network is quick and simple to deploy, taking the complexity associated with IP away, as it handles discovery and IP address assignments automatically.
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NEP Selects LAWO IP Routing for new M15 Truck
NEP US, a division of NEP Group, has released M15, the latest in NEP’s lineup of next-generation regional sports mobile units, featuring a full IP infrastructure. This powerful, versatile single-truck-unit was designed to streamline regional sports workflows – but is flexible enough to scale up for mid-sized and large events as well. NEP has chosen the Lawo V__matrix IP routing and processing platform loaded with function-specific software handling all IP I/O, SDI I/O, audio processing, and multiviewers.
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STUDIO PRODUCTION
MMC Studios Sold to Novum Capital
The Cologne-based film and TV studio operator MMC Studios Köln GmbH ("MMC") was sold by the Luxembourg-based private equity fund Lenbach Equity Opportunities I. SCSp ("LEO I.") to the Frankfurt-based investment company Novum Capital. The takeover of MMC (as well as other entities of the MMC Group), which has its Studios located in Cologne-Ossendorf, was carried out by an acquisition vehicle, in which all shares of the specialist company for external broadcasting Crosscast are planned to be brought in. The merger will provide new growth impulses based on the strong existing studio business. As a result, MMC strengthens its market position as a leading service provider for the production of TV and film. In the future, existing business operations will be expanded in the field of external transmission and the production facility in Cologne will be strengthened by innovative production technologies. The MMC management team will in the future be supported by Crosscast managing directors Jens Wolf and Hacik Kölcü.
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SIC selects Sony for IP based TV production centre and cloud based multiplatform delivery
Sony Professional Solutions was proud to be working with Telefónica, its partner for this project, and other key suppliers to deliver core components of Portugal’s first all-IP TV and multimedia production facility for commercial broadcaster SIC. One of the earliest large-scale IP Live deployments in Europe, the all-new site was constructed on the outskirts of Lisbon, with commissioning planned by the end of 2018. Scope of the project includes programme production, audio, intercom and other functions, plus the integration of Sony’s Hive news system at SIC’s Lisbon and Porto production centres. Today Sony is pleased to say the project has come to fruition and was successfully delivered on time and on budget: Portugal’s first all-IP TV and multimedia production facility for commercial broadcaster SIC is OnAir.
MediaPro Middle East Makes Massive Robe Investment
This all led to the purchase of 86 x Spiider LED wash beams, 76 x MegaPointes and three RoboSpot systems complete with the BMFL FollowSpot LT (long throw) fixture with integral camera, which has been especially designed for large arenas and stadiums. These are the first of these special BMFL FollowSpots in the UAE! MediaPro’s initial relationship with Robe dates back to 2006. Established in the UAE in 2004, the company’s modest owner has worked hard on steadily building a world-class operation with a prominent presence throughout the Middle East and Asia which is driven by his vision and commitment to delivering cool and creative results.
SPORT EVENTS
Bannister Lake Takes on the Gran Turismo esports Championships at the Legendary Nürburgring Track in Germany
For the second year in a row, Bannister Lake has partnered with Montreal’s Boombox Group to provide live data management and populate graphics for the FIA-Certified Gran Turismo Championships 2019 Series. The June 21-22 event took place at the renowned Nürburgring Track in Germany, home of the world’s most challenging 24-hour motorsports endurance race. Bannister Lake software and expertise in live data management were used extensively throughout the event to read Google Sheets, ingest and moderate real-time social media feeds, and consolidate data for the competition’s various races. The solution’s data was used to drive graphics both in-venue and on the various broadcast streams.
Esports Hub Launches Staffordshire University into a New League
“Whatever equipment our students use—whatever facilities we put in place—we always make sure we’re meeting one expectation: that students will get the best possible experience they can get for the jobs they want when they graduate.” That’s according to Christopher Leese, Technical Specialist for the Media & Communications department at Staffordshire University. It’s not an uncommon mission statement for anyone in higher education. But what’s not so common is that the jobs Mr. Leese is referring to are in an industry that didn’t even exist just a few years ago. So when it came time for the University to build a new facility to prepare students for their future careers, he and his colleagues had to put aside equipment that had worked for decades in the past. Instead, they focused all their attention on future-looking technology—technology that didn’t even exist, just a few years ago.
Evertz Wins At Royal Ascot Racing
Evertz DreamCatcher™ Production Suite technology made its Royal Ascot debut this year when it was deployed by RaceTech to televise this world-famous racing event for live production, archiving and VAR support for racecourse officials. RaceTech, a company owned by the British Racecourse Association, provides Outside Broadcast vehicles, cameras and crews to capture the action at all of the main horse racing venues around the UK. In October 2018, RaceTech introduced DreamCatcher™ into six of its fleet of high spec fully HD mobile control units and is now using Evertz technology on over 770 horse races each year. At Royal Ascot, an annual highlight of the flat racing season, RaceTech delivered broadcast coverage to Sky Sports Racing, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Ascot TV’s large screens at the racecourse. It also supported independent productions by bookmakers throughout the meeting and its feeds were made available to ITV Racing. Two Outside Broadcast vehicles, both equipped with DreamCatcher™, were used throughout the event, including OBX, RaceTech’s largest and latest vehicle that can seat a crew of 17 in two separate production areas and monitor up to 32 cameras.
NEP Connect Celebrates 10 Years of Broadcasting the Tour De France with Vsquared TV
NEP Connect (formerly SIS LIVE), the leader in critical broadcast connectivity, provided bespoke production solutions and satellite connectivity for the 106th Tour De France bicycle road race broadcast daily on ITV4. For 10 years, NEP Connect has worked in partnership with specialist producer and distributor of road and track cycling, Vsquared TV, to deliver onsite satellite connectivity and multi-camera studio presentation using a uniquely designed production vehicle to tackle the challenging route through the Pyrenees and Alps, covering 3500 kilometres over 21 stages. With the production relocating no less than 20 times in just 22 days in order to be in position to capture the action and finish of each stage, the versatile 13 metre articulated trailer contains voiceover and production spaces, a VT area and technical sound, vision and satellite uplink facilities. This set-up allows the Vsquared team to deliver over 65 hours of live onsite interviews, analysis and commentary and to produce the exclusive unilateral parts of the show, bringing exciting live coverage to the viewers at home.
SHOW EVENTS
disguise drives video content for Muse’s ‘Simulation Theory’ World Tour
Multi-award-winning rock band Muse has embarked on their ‘Simulation Theory’ World Tour in support of their eighth studio album. The tour began in February 2019 in Houston, Texas, USA playing 53 dates across North America, Europe, Asia and South America along the way before concluding in Santiago, Chile in October 2019. A disguise gx 2 media server, provided by PRG, drives video and real-time Notch content for the show, which is currently on its European leg, playing at stadium venues. Creative Director Jesse Lee Stout of Metaform Studio partnered with the band, and Muse’s frontman and lead vocalist, Matt Bellamy, on the concept and style of the tour based on the recent album. Sooner Routhier and Robert Long are the show’s Lighting Designers, Aaron Luke the Lighting Director, and George Reeves the Production Manager, with Tom Kirk as the Video Director.
MEPTIK Unleashes Extended Reality Experience for New Fleurie Music Video
MEPTIK, an Atlanta-based experience design agency specializing in dynamic live environments, is modernizing the video production workflow through the use of Extended Reality environments — an innovative technique visualized in a powerful new music video by the Nashville-based singer/songwriter and musician Fleurie. The powerful new video for “A World Beyond” places Fleurie in an XR (Extended Reality) experience that surrounds her with outer space and underwater elements, among other dynamic visuals. However, unlike traditional greenscreen productions, the greenscreen is replaced altogether with imagery that is generated in real-time, on-set.
Over 100 Elation fixtures set the party atmosphere for Nicky Jam “Intimo Tour” in Honduras
Reggaeton singer and Latin Grammy Award-winner, Nicky Jam, took his “Intimo Tour” to the city of San Pedro Sula in Honduras for a May 15th show at Morazán Stadium that featured an Elation Professional lighting rig designed by Juan David Guerrero. Nicky Jam, one of the most prominent urban singer-songwriters of the genre, brought to his fans a new show full of surprises and impactful energy. Setting the party atmosphere with brilliant color and high-energy visual excitement was a dynamic lighting rig made up of 36 Platinum FLX™ moving heads, 48 ACL 360 Bar™ LED battens, 16 Protron 3K™ strobes, 8 DTW Blinder 700 IP™ and 8 DTW Blinder 350 IP™ blinders with atmospheric haze from a pair of Antari F-7 Smaze machines.
PRODUCTS
Expanded Riedel Intercoms Take to the Ice at Lanxess Arena
The Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany, relies on a comprehensive, Artist-based communications network from Riedel to streamline its broadcast and event production workflows. As Germany’s largest multifunctional arena, with up to 20,000 seats and 83,700 square meters of usable space, the Lanxess Arena has been hosting major events of all kinds for over 20 years. Since the very beginning, the arena has also been the home of the eight-time German ice hockey champion Cologne Sharks. After extensive testing, Arena Management GmbH chose a decentralized Riedel comms solution based on two Artist-32 digital matrix intercom nodes, with one Artist frame in the production control room and a second one in the central technical area below the arena. This two-frame strategy allowed technicians to access an existing network infrastructure beneath the facility to create required redundancies.
Visual Media Broadcast Spain is the first European user of new LaON GENIE intercom system – distributed throughout Europe by Broadcast Solutions
Distributed in Spain exclusively by Broadcast Solutions, the GENIE intercom system supplied to VMB comprises a base station, several repeaters, 16 beltpacks and various accessories, and will improve VMB’s production capabilities. Visual Media Broadcast was established nine years ago in Madrid, and has since become a leading strategic partner for TV networks, production companies, advertising and market research companies, as well as universities and educational institutions across Spain. Among the first television shows Visual Media Broadcast will produce using its new LaON GENIE system, is the third season of a very popular children’s entertainment show broadcasted by Spain’s biggest Pay-TV station.
Stage Tec launches AVATUS IP console
With AVATUS - a new mixing console interface based on IP technology - Stage Tec is relying on a completely new operating concept. Unlike previous consoles, there is no need for a centre control section. 12 colour-coded faders, two 21" multi-touch displays, and 36 dual concentric encoders per unit can be combined to form sizes ranging from 12 to 96 faders. Modular, decentralized and yet freely configurable, users can access all parameters at any time. The channel parameters’ colour coding guides the user intuitively through the functions of the mixing console. On each multi-touch display, audio channels parameters can be controlled in a large detailed view and the monitoring functions or current status of audio channels can be called up. Visual feedback on a wide range of operator actions gives the user confidence and an overview of their work. With its new patented concept of colour coding the faders, Stage Tec supports a fast workflow.
4K 7 8K ARISING
HDC-5500
The HDC-5500 system camera brings new levels of image quality, portability and creative flexibility to live production environments. Enjoy premium 4K/HD/HDR picture quality – and anticipate tomorrow’s production needs while maintaining full compatibility with today’s workflows and system hardware. A newly-developed on-board signal processor allows the HDC-5500 to output 4K signals directly without the addition of a dedicated external baseband processor unit, saving rack space in the confines of an OB vehicle or studio environment. It can also output 4K signals directly via 12G-SDI. Thanks to an all-new 4K baseband transmission system, the compact camera is ideal for use in steadicam and wireless camera systems
Arena Television Streamlines Simultaneous HDR and SDR Production for FA Cup Final with AJA FS-HDR
As broadcasters across Europe look to reinvigorate the audience experience, production professionals are rapidly getting on board with HDR. Although HDR displays are not yet standard in most homes, video acquired in HDR and delivered in SDR can still enhance the viewing experience, which has production teams looking at how they can best deliver simultaneous live HDR and SDR feeds. This trend introduces new challenges that Outside Broadcast (OB) powerhouse Arena Television is looking to solve. Drawing on its experiences with clients like the BBC, ITV and Sky Sports, the company has established a single HDR workflow concept to deliver live broadcasts in HDR and SDR, with SDR gaining from the HDR source and transformation. Recently deployed during the FA Cup Final broadcast, the workflow harnesses AJA’s FS-HDR HDR converter/frame sync, FS4 converter/frame-sync, and Hi5-4K-Plus Mini-Converters.
The Look Future-Proofs Post Production Pipeline with Grass Valley Rio 8K
London-based bespoke post production facility, The Look, has upgraded its six Grass Valley Rio high performance online editing and post production systems to support multiple, simultaneous streams of 4K and 8K playback. Rio forms the heart of the facility’s Dolby Vision certified post production pipeline along with the Rio Connect collaborative workflow engine and Rio Assist software. The Look decided to future-proof its facility after winning contracts to post several major drama series for 2019 and 2020. As consumer investment in 4K and HDR-enabled television sets rise, there is pressure on broadcasters and content providers to invest in and produce programming in higher resolution formats, including HDR, 4K and 8K. With the push from studios to deliver more high-end, big-budget television series in 4K and HDR, the newly upgraded Rio suites allow The Look to significantly speed up its 4K and HDR pipelines to meet this demand.