Newsletter from 26/08/2020
Rebirth of Live Performances: Initiatives in Kyiv and Shanghai
Shanghai: The SMT S2 OB van arrived at Mercedes-Benz Arena, the 818 live broadcast venue. As the core part of the broadcast, the S2 and B1 systems connect almost all the technical work in the live broadcasting and provide the full-process technical service. More than 27 types of cameras, 20+ on-site surveillance equipment, and 50+ diverse feeds interconnection were set up on site. In addition, there are 8 groups of live subtitles and packaging, centralized FOH feed coordination system, AR foreground virtual scene presentation, visual design which coordinated with the lighting, full coverage of internal and external wireless calls, real-time control of special equipment, live TV signal distribution, hidden track, and AR Jib…. have built a solid "cornerstone" for the wonderful pictures of the 818 Super Show.
Kyiv:There is absolutely no lack of creativity or ideas when it comes to artists performing in the world of Covid-19 lockdowns and other restrictions … In Kyiv, Ukraine, ‘Vertical Concerts’ were initiated by rock band Green Grey who performed on the rooftop of a building opposite the city’s Bratislava Hotel … where fans occupied 9 stories of rooms with separate balconies, each with a fantastic socially distanced view of the gig! Leading Ukraine rental and technical production company Alight was asked to provide lighting for the rooftop stage – actually atop the Hotel Bratislava’s separate restaurant building – with a production lighting design created by Eugene Kostyra which included 10 x Robe MegaPointes. The biggest challenge was to make the show amazing and throw the energy across the void to the audience so they felt close to the artists and like it was a regular arena show ... rather than on another building! The lighting and video treatment created by Eugene and the team made that happen as much as possible.
MOBILE PRODUCTION
HD Broadcast UHD-2 German broadcast production company HD BROADCAST presents its new UHD 2 OB van, which is now the new main production tool of the company. In close cooperation with HD BROADCAST, Broadcast Solutions planned and built the 30-camera UHD / HDR OB truck. The mobile production tool is unique in many respects. The vehicle construction, the technical planning, the workflow concept, the design and the overall interior layout are adapted to the customer’s wishes down to the smallest detail. Broadcast Solutions and HD BROADCAST planned the OB van from scratch. The new UHD 2 is currently one of the largest OBs available in Germany. The OB unit can work with a maximum of 30 cameras (UHD / HDR) and with an interior space of around 60 m2, the OB van offers up to 28 staff members a spacious and relaxed working environment. The vehicle uses a multi-format production system based on 4K / 3G-SDI Quad Link / HD / HDR formats. HD BROADCAST’s new flagship is designed as a trailer with three extensions covering the complete trailer length, thus providing two full control rooms, many engineering and slomo workstations and VIP workplaces. A third control room is available with the support van.
CTVS HD 4 China Television Service Co. Ltd. [CTVS] is a professional media production and technical solutions company serving both consumer and corporate clients. CTVS specialize in TV commercials, corporate productions, digital content, news ENG, TV production as well as live broadcasts, crew hire, equipment rental and rental of audio/video editing facilities. Our mission is to provide the highest quality digital production, graphic design and technical solutions to businesses and individuals both inside and outside of China. To meet that mission, CTVS works individually with our clients to achieve a set criteria of goals as a minimum, then we work to surpass those expectations while providing the highest level of service possible.
Kyodo TV KR Supreme Kyodo Television is one of the most trusted and comprehensive video production company in Japan. We can produce all manner of media programming such as drama and variety, documentary TV programs, movies, and web and mobile content. We also plan and produce a variety of corporate promotional videos, including commercials. In addition, we facilitate media-related events in a wide range of fields. At Kyodo Television, there is no video production we cannot handle. Employing satellite technology, Kyodo Television can handle a variety of broadcasting needs. News & Information and Variety programs are a couple examples of the type of programs Kyodo broadcasts via small-scale satellites. However, we also handle recorded and live broadcasts such as sporting events, theatrical performances, and musical concerts. In addition, we offer super-slow motion image technology, which is ideal for watching live action entertainment. Moreover, we can broadcast from places that are inaccessible by an OB Van by using portable satellite broadcasting technology.
SMT UHD S1
The truck is equipped with SONY brand-new full SMPTE 2110 IP 4K core. It has dual
production areas, the secondary produce area can be adjusted by actual needs. The
enhanced technical power truck will meet diverse client with 32 IP 4K video cameras,
supporting more than 50 external signal access, and video format like UHD, HD, SD and
etc. It’s production and broadcasting process will support many HDR format as HLG\Slog3,
also HDR and SDR production at the same time.
STUDIO / REMOTE PRODUCTION
SUCCESSFUL VIRTUAL PRODUCTION SHOWCASE USES ROE VISUAL LED SCREENS
With the demand for virtual production space steeply rising, ETC and MMC Studios organized an informative event to update their clients on the latest available technology and hardware, involved in creating successful virtual film productions or events. The cooperation partners MMC Studios, LAVAlabs Moving Images and Entertainment Technology Concepts GmbH presented their Virtual production showcase on July 30 and 31 on MMC’s soundstage 32 in Cologne. The Virtual Production Set offers a dynamic backdrop for a variety of productions, e.g. series, films, entertainment shows, corporate events, virtual events. MMC Studios operates the Coloneum in Cologne, Germany, one of Europe’s largest and most advanced TV and film studio facilities. With its excellent studio infrastructure and equipped with state-of-the-art production and post-production technologies, MMC Studios Köln GmbH is the leading full-service provider for entertainment shows, TV series and film production in Germany.
LTN Global powered interactive production at the 2020 Democratic National Convention
“LTN Global’s technology enabled us to include audience reactions, despite being unable to gather in person,” said Andrew Binns, Chief Operating Officer, 2020 Democratic National Convention Committee. “Embracing virtual production meant we could engage live with many people who may never have been able to come to the Convention in person. We were able to include so many people across the country in a ground-breaking, historic event.” LVC provided the DNC with limitless live video acquisition, routing, and distribution capabilities. By harnessing the power of the cloud, LVC enabled remote presenters and viewers to be seamlessly combined to create the experience of being part of a live event.
CF's 12th Anniversary Ceremony, Virtual AR Technology Makes the Competition More Passionate
The 2020 Cross Fire's 12th Anniversary Ceremony was held in Shanghai. This time, the end game and mobile game competition system were integrated, and the brand-new CFM Super League was upgraded to a professional league. With a larger scale and more intense competition, the top ten teams were put on the league stage. In the CF double-end autumn finals which ended this year in March, SMT Virtual AR Studio together with VSPN, the organizer of the event, completed the first large-scale application of virtual technology in the field of e-sports through the innovative production method of the virtual studio witch caused attention of the industry. In half a year, the CF 12th Anniversary Ceremony, in order to create a grander online event immersive viewing experience, SMT Virtual AR Studio and VSPN once again cooperated, using the upgraded production method of the virtual studio, presenting the prosperity of Shanghai in 120 years through splendid scene switching, "fighting" in the future, but "as passionate as the first time"!
SPORT EVENTS
StarTimes to bring Canadian Premier League’s Island Games tournament to audiences across Africa
The CPL’s appeal to African audiences is enhanced by the presence of a number of players of African origin, including Elimane Cissé of Senegal, who started his career with Diambars FC in the domestic Ligue 1, and had call-ups to the Senegalese U21 and senior national teams before signing with Forge FC, the reigning CPL champion. Another high-profile player is Valour FC’s Arnold Bouka Moutu, a Congolese national who represented his country in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and in a series of CAF qualifying matches in 2016 and 2017. Other top players include Jeannot Esua, voted FC Edmonton’s player of the year in 2019 (Cameroon); Edem Mortosi (FC Edmonton/Ghana); Solomom Kojo Antwi (Valour FC/Ghana); Mohamed Kourouma (Atlético Ottawa/Guinea); Ibrahima Sanoh (HFX Wanderers/Guinea); and Aboubacar Sissoko (HFX Wanderers/Mali).
SHOW EVENTS
Robe Gets UNLOCKED in Perth
The event encapsulated a moment in time of the pandemic and was hugely well received by music fans and all associated elements of the live event industry that has been starved of live action for the past five months! Showscreens is a regular technical provider for Zaccaria Concerts. Ryan, Bryce and the team had “an open brief for the production design” of this highly significant show. With Robe as the main moving light of choice for their normally busy schedule – which includes providing lighting, video, staging and rigging for everything from corporate events to festivals, music shows and concert tours – these three types of fixtures were a natural choice for this event.
Bandit Lights Elvie Shane Virtual Radio Tour
Lighting designer Keith Hoagland crafted a lighting design that would translate on camera and computer screens all the while matching the energy of soulful vocals, rollicking guitar tones and pounding beat. Hoagland chose iWhite LED fixtures as the key lights due to their dual warm and cool color temperatures. Color Chorus 48 units, with their lower power consumption and bright output. Six Par 200 fixtures backlight Elvie Shane and the band as well as supply key light for the musicians located within ISO recording booths off the main room. Nitro 510c units were chosen for their small footprint and nice output for the ISO booth back wall splash of color.
Always Playing: London Symphony Orchestra and Yamaha Keep Classical Music Live
A number of the LSO players are official Yamaha Artists, with the company’s flagship CFX Concert Grand Piano also installed at LSO St. Luke’s, the orchestra’s rehearsal and performance space in Islington, London. And with 30 years as the world’s leading producer of digital sound mixers, Yamaha is helping to mix and broadcast the live lunchtime recitals of LSO’s Always Playing summer programme online, thanks to a state-of-the-art RIVAGE PM10 digital mixing system installed at LSO St Luke’s. “At Yamaha we connect technology, art and audiences at the highest level,” says Alex Warren of Yamaha Music Europe. “In partnership with the LSO, we are working towards bringing live music to as wide an audience as possible, at a time when the entire entertainment industry is facing unprecedented challenges.
Elation lighting, Obsidian control on American Ninja Warrior Season 12
Season 12 of American Ninja Warrior was filmed at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis during the middle of July and will air this fall on NBC. This was the first time a season has been shot in just one location as they usually film from three or four different cities across multiple weeks. Season 12 should have started in Los Angeles before moving to St. Louis and Washington, D.C. with the finale in Las Vegas. Instead, four preliminary rounds, two semifinals and a finale were taped at the multi-purpose Dome in St. Louis. Elation under Obsidian control The eight days of broadcasts featured a nearly all Elation lighting rig, which ran on a complete Obsidian Control Systems network. An Obsidian NX4™ console served as the main controller with a compact NX2™ used as a tracking backup with Netron EN12™ and EN4™ Ethernet to DMX gateways used for data distribution. In addition, an interview area was under Onyx control using a laptop and a two-port dongle.
PRODUCTS
New POV system camera HDC P31
The flexible and lightweight new HD model is ideal for studio, faith and rental applications, and sports production. The HDC-P31 can be mounted in hard to access locations or used on a crane, rail or robotics system. It incorporates a global shutter three 2/3-inch CMOS sensor system for enhanced optical performance that provides high sensitivity and low noise. In addition, the camera is designed to be used as an integral part of Sony’s HDC series ecosystem creating the same stunning images, while ensuring the consistent workflow with employing a POV form factor. Remote access via WEB UI(*1) enables menu setting, status monitoring, log files and firmware updates of the camera, when installed in hard-to-access sites. The back focus of the supported lens(*2) can be adjusted remotely from the Sony master setup unit (MSU) or remote control panel (RCP) and IP tally supports flexible and longer connection via network cable. These features help to achieve more efficient workflow.
AVITENG Deploys Hybrid Baseband/IP Architecture for Turkey’s ATV Broadcast Network with AJA Solutions
A selection of AJA Corvid and KONA devices, including 47 Corvid 44 12G BNC, 10 Corvid 22, 10 KONA IP and 23 KONA LHi cards, provide versatile interconnectivity between production servers and workstations with broadcast production and automation equipment in ATV’s upgraded media facilities for both baseband and IP workflows. ATV news, ingest, playout and MAM automations are built on Cinegy production workflow software, with flexible video and audio I/O powered by Corvid and KONA. For live broadcast graphics, Corvid and KONA are also used as the hardware I/O solutions in conjunction with Ross XPression real-time graphics software. Corvid 44 12G BNC features four bidirectional 12G-SDI BNC connections for single-cable input and output of high-bandwidth content, including HFR, HDR and high raster video up 8K, further simplifying latency-free transport of uncompressed signals. To future-proof workflows, KONA IP offers flexible SMPTE ST 2110 I/O support up to 4K/UltraHD as ATV transitions to increased adoption of IP pipelines.
ControlCenter-IP packed with new features
As from now, it is possible to integrate Generic USB devices into the ControlCenter-IP to make it even easier for users to connect mass storage devices. Operators can also flexibly decide whether the matrix should support HID (keyboard/mouse) or mass storage devices and define this accordingly from Generic HID to Generic USB (or vice versa) in the configuration interface.The manufacturer also has a fitting solution for high-speed USB 2.0 requirements. Since the launch of the new U2-LAN-04 extender, users can integrate high-speed USB 2.0 signals with a speed of up to 480Mbit/s into their ControlCenter-IP installations. U2-LAN-04 end devices can be paired with KVM-over-IP extenders and switched synchronously or separately via the IP-Control-API.
Riedel Managed Technology Staff Maintains Safe Social Distancing With New DisTag Distance Monitors
Featuring a compact and minimalist design (measuring only 93 millimeters by 41 millimeters and weighing only 61 grams), DisTag is ideal for media and event production, industrial operations, retailers, medical facilities, public and cultural institutions, and schools and universities. The device offers three signal levels: a vibration alarm (haptic), a three-stage LED signal (visual), and a three-stage sound signal (acoustic). The proximity limits of the warning signals can be individually defined and adjusted in accordance with local regulations for social distance. In addition, individual tags can be divided into compatible groups using the Friendly Function. Within these special groups, no alarms are triggered even if users come into close contact with each other. DisTag can be used virtually anywhere, indoors or out, and its integrated battery provides power for up to 12 hours.