Newsletter from 11/08/2020
"Throw us a line" on Tuesday 11 August
On 11th August, the live events industry across the UK will come together in solidarity to host a series of creative action to help save the live events and entertainment sector, which is on the verge of collapsing without financial support from the government. Hundreds of venues are expected to turn their lights red, along with other creative activities being staged in over 20 cities across the UK to symbolise the industry going into red alert, and a final call to action titled ‘Throw us a line’ will be taking centre stage on London’s South Bank.
"Throw us a line" on Tuesday 11 August
advertisement
MOBILE PRODUCTION
Rwanda OBVan
Broadcast Solutions GmbH has handed over the first model of a Streamline S12T OB, a new member of the Streamline family of OB vans, to a customer in Africa. Home-base of the new Streamline model is the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA). The Streamline S12T is designed as a truck/box body combination with one extension. Thanks to the perfectly fitting dimensions and thought-out room and workflow concepts, it offers space for up to 14 workplaces and can be operated with up to 12 cameras; a unique combination for OB vans of this size. Arthur Asiimwe, Director General at Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, about the new OB truck: "We were looking for an OB truck that is flexible and quick to use and easy to operate. With this Streamline S12T, we have found the perfect production vehicle for our purposes. The fast delivery time and the optimal price-performance ratio of the OB truck were further decisive criteria for contracting Broadcast Solutions with the production and delivery."
advertisement
Ross and ARET Deliver New 4K-UHD OB Van for Qatar Cultural and Heritage Events Center
ARET Video and Audio Engineering is Ross Video’s Platinum Premier partner in Italy, but the Milan-based company has also carved out an international reputation for the supply of OB vehicles. ARET is currently delivering a nine-meter 4K-UHD OB production unit to a client in Qatar with an innovative workflow that will offer new creative potential to the operators and enhance the quality of productions. This OB unit features a layout that maximizes the internal space, allowing interoperability between the different production areas: the main production area (comprising a monitor wall and a replay and character generator station), the audio room with its custom acoustic insulation, and the engineering and camera control area that enables control of up to eight fibre plus two wireless cameras. Each area, including the racks, has a fully redundant air conditioning system in order to help the unit endure the challenging weather conditions and operate under any circumstances. In addition, as per ARET standards, the OB unit has an automatic levelling and stabilisation system that can be operated by remote control, and a logic system for controlling mechanical movements and transport conditions.
advertisement
OneSoccer to provide complete coverage of CPL's “The Island Games” tournament
The Canadian Premier League is returning to play, and OneSoccer will be bringing you full coverage of the 2020 season, broadcasting every game of “The Island Games” and giving Canadian soccer fans exclusive content from inside the tournament bubble in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. OneSoccer – the home of Canadian soccer – will be broadcasting every single match and providing Canadian soccer fans with unparalleled access to the Charlottetown bubble, including cameras embedded within team training camps. Our Canadian soccer expert Oliver Platt will be reporting from inside the bubble, and OneSoccer will also debut its new, soccer-specific studio sets, programs and an expanded team of Canadian soccer experts who are set to provide unprecedented coverage of Canada’s top tier. We're pleased to add a distinguished list of on-air personalities to an already impressive group that did a tremendous job bringing Canadian fans first-class coverage of their top-tier league, domestic cup and national teams in 2019," said OneSoccer General Manager Victor Rodriguez. "Our mandate to continue expanding the Canadian game through our coverage is backed up by significant investment in our fresh, soccer-specific sets in time for The Island Games and Concacaf World Cup qualifying."
advertisement
STUDIO / REMOTE PRODUCTION
PWL Gets Lucky with Wheel of Fortune
PWL’s creative director Luc Peumans produced the lighting and video design and worked closely with Dries Hermans of Deusjevoo on the set design, the latter involving substantial quantities of inbuilt practical lighting. These custom LED set elements were all painstakingly installed by the PWL team working in close conjunction with Deusjevoo … a complex and diligent job that paid off with vibrant, eye-catching results! Céline Cuypers designed and engineered a special wheel lighting and audio trigger control. Luc and Dries took a brief from the show’s creative director Lieven van Overbeke in terms of the aesthetic required, some of which related to the classic Wheel of Fortune style book which has been adapted and contemporised over the years since first launching in the US back in 1975!
Mars 2020 Rover to Capture Sound on the Red Planet For the First Time Ever with DPA Microphones
DPA won the contract from JPL based on its products ability to perform under demanding environments and the ability to deliver industry standard communication interfaces. DPA microphones can withstand the extreme conditions associated with space travel, leave a small footprint and connect to a computer with a USB interface. “These products will be in space indefinitely, which is a testament to DPA’s quality and resiliency,” says René Mørch, product manager at DPA Microphones. “We are honored to be a part of this mission.” The trip to Mars is expected to take seven months and will subject the Rover to extreme temperatures (environments could be -100 degrees Celsius/-148 degrees Fahrenheit), travel pressure both in and out of the atmosphere and intense vibrations associated with traveling in a rocket. The spacecraft design team has created a specialized enclosure to mount the MMA-A interface inside the rover chassis and in cooperation with JPL/NASA, the DPA R&D team created a custom MMP-G amplifier housing to bolt onto the exterior of the Rover. The microphone will allow the public as well as project engineers and scientists to hear sounds as the Rover descends to the surface of Mars.
NiTRo Streamlines 8K Editing Workflows With AJA’s KUMO 3232-12G 12G-SDI Router
n the new NiTRo SHIBUYA post-production facility, the high density KUMO 3232-12G device is capable of routing and distributing 12G-SDI inputs to multiple destinations in the studio, with 32x 12G-SDI inputs and 32x 12G-SDI outputs. Simple configuration for ganged dual- or quad-link grouping enables users to group multiple inputs and outputs to route 8K or 4K signals as needed. KUMO 3232-12G is housed in the studio’s machine room, and three companion KUMO CP control panels connected to the network and located in editing suites allow colorists and editors to easily control the input and output signals remotely. Additionally, KUMO 3232-12G salvo support further simplifies workflows by enabling post-production staff to configure and save up to eight salvos in the device to automate routing of sources to specific destinations.
SPORT EVENTS
Drone Champions League: APEX amazes with win against XBlades in thrilling finale
When the action opened on Saturday, the racing was so tight that placement in one heat came down to ten-thousandths of a second. At the end of the day, with a single heat left in the Grand Final between XBlades and APEX, the score was tied. XBlades’ Ashton Gamble, just 14, had the race of his young life, claiming the win to secure his team a 7-6 victory. APEX was second, and Quad Force One, who had scored a race win over XBlades at the season opener, was third. On Sunday, XBlades defeated Quad Force One in the Semi Finals for the second consecutive day, then launched a Grand Final rematch with APEX. Neither team gave an inch, and just when it seemed like XBlades might pull away, Tomass Petersons of APEX stepped up and found another level, winning the last four heats to give the Danish team a 9-7 triumph.
ISG Fills Stands for Lega Serie A Using ChyronHego's Virtual Placement to Enhance Storytelling and Sponsorship Options
"We have been working with Lega for many years, and we are extremely proud to be supplying new virtual media solutions that help clubs and their sponsors continue successful fan engagement in these challenging times," said Simon Burgess, joint CEO and co-founder of ISG. "The relationship we have with ChyronHego has allowed us to adapt our virtual graphics solution not only to today's very different in-stadium environment, but also to the unique technical and business requirements of each club and venue." With the COVID-19 crisis forcing football clubs to play in empty stadiums, ISG is using Virtual Placement to expand the branding and sponsorship opportunities open to its customers. The ChyronHego technology enables placement of virtual graphics that appear as if they are actually part of the empty stadium space. The visual storytelling and revenue generation solution makes it easy for ISG to create and insert data-enriched 3D graphics and other sponsored enhancements on the field while still capturing fans' attention.
PT SportSuite Delivers 3 Team Cricket Solidarity Cup Live Stream with AJA HELO
Earlier this summer Cricket South Africa debuted a new 3 Team Cricket (3TC) format, with PT SportSuite – AWS (Amazon Web Services) partners and developers of a modular digital media ecosystem for sports organizations – bringing coverage of the historic event to remote audiences. Providing their technological expertise, three AJA HELO H.264 streamers/recorders, and other services, PT SportSuite delivered a live feed of the first-ever 3TC match to a fan microsite that its team developed for the event. Held at SuperSport Park in Centurion, South Africa on Nelson Mandela International Day (July 18, 2020), the event provided a launchpad for the new 3TC format, which includes three teams, playing two halves in one match. Drawing in a number of South African cricket heavyweights, the match attracted a broad audience, who were encouraged to donate to the Hardship Fund, an initiative to help those in the cricket community affected by the pandemic.
SHOW EVENTS
SMT Provides the Total Solution for the Louis Vuitton S/S Men's Show 2021
This is also the first time in the history of Louis Vuitton menswear that the show has moved to a place outside of Paris. The first stop was Shanghai, and Shanghai Media Tech (SMT) was chosen to tell the story of the naughty ghost and fashion in the drifting bottle to the Shanghai scene, as well as the audience who are unable to appear on the scene and wait in front of the screen. SMT provided the signals in three formats of 4K horizontal, 2K horizontal and 2K vertical screens for the Louis Vuitton show, and offered multiple formats such as satellite and network streaming for domestic and foreign distribution that helped to promote global sharing of this Louis Vuitton show. Meanwhile, the show has brought a live broadcast with richer viewing channels and a more intimate viewing experience for global audiences which helped the Louis Vuitton show become a global hot topic.
Robe Supports NeFestival in Ostrava
Colours of Ostrava is usually the largest multi-genre live music and performance festival in the Czech Republic and one of the most popular events on the European festival calendar, offering 22 stages of diverse and vibrant entertainment across four days in mid-July. It is staged in the stunning raw industrial environment of the former Dolní Vitkovice (DOV) steelworks – now tastefully reimagined as an important cultural and heritage centre – near Ostrava in the north-east of the country. This year, like all European festivals, it was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic and rescheduled for 2021. However, with the government allowing gatherings of up to 1000 people after June 22nd, it seemed that compact events could become feasible, and so ‘NeFestival’ (NoFestival) was planned as a much smaller event at the same site to bring the spirit and essence of Colours – music, theatre, lighting art vibes, discussion, etc. – to a small but enthusiastic audience.
Bastille Day 2020: Concert de Paris Mixed with Lawo mc² Consoles for a 10 Million TV Audience
All of France marks the beginning of the modern French Nation each year on 14 July, with events taking place all over the country – but this year’s National Holiday was quite different due to the pandemic felt everywhere in the world. Lawo mixing consoles provided the highest possible audio quality for the traditional Concert de Paris taking place on the Champs du Mars at the foot of the Eiffel Tower – Lawo’s sixth successive year serving both the live and broadcast sound requirements. The FOH consoles used were a 48-fader mc²56 production console for the orchestra mix, and an mc²36 all-in-one console for the soloists. A 48-fader mc²56 took over the monitor tasks in a setup with a 16-fader mc² extender that was used in order to allow social distancing between the two operators. Working over the Optocore fiber-optic network deployed by Radio France for the live sound system to connect the event’s mixing consoles and I/O systems, the Concert de Paris proved again to shift audio standards and operating efficiencies to a new level.
PRODUCTS
Ikegami announces UHL-F4000 Separate-Optics Compact Multi-Role 4K HDR Camera
Ikegami announces a new addition to its range of broadcast-quality cameras. The UHL-F4000 is a compact and lightweight 4K HDR camera with very low power consumption. Designed for use in applications such as aerial video capture and studio robotics, it is capable of capturing broadcast quality colour video across an extremely wide range of night or daytime conditions. Image adjustment capabilities include haze removal, image sharpening and digital zoom functions. Developed from Ikegami's established high-definition HDL-F3000, the UHL-F4000’s image sensor unit uses three CMOS global shutter elements so there is no rolling shutter distortion even in aerial imaging applications where subjects are constantly moving in parallel. Minimum illumination level in standard operating mode is 0.0015 lux at F12. A focus-assist function places the edge components of the 4K image on a high-definition monitor output feed to guarantee exact focus determination on small HD monitors.
Simple and flexible KVM signal extension for dual-head DisplayPort monitors
The DisplayPort 1.1 Dual-Head (DPDH) extender is the perfect solution to separate a dual-head workplace from its associated computer. Users are able to access and operate a remote computer in real time using their workplaces’ keyboard, mouse and monitors. Locating source computers in an environmentally-controlled server room protects them from unauthorized access and adverse environmental influences including dust, moisture and heat. It also frees working environments from computers that take up space and emit heat and fan noise.
Ghielmetti Dante Monitoring System
Ghiemetti, a manufacturer recognized worldwide for the quality of this equipment, provides a simple and effective solution to this problem. The GMS 3164 Dante monitoring system allows the visualization of 16 to 64 channels simultaneously thanks to its dual front displays. And if that is not enough, access to the same information in real time is possible via a remote display on a Web browser. Many configuration options are available allowing customization of the display. The Dante channel assignment function has been designed to make the user experience as pleasant as possible. Not only does Ghielmetti's GMS 3164 Dante offer a powerful monitoring solution, but it also offers 16 on-board mixers. These mixers allow you to mix and push up to 64 signals into the network. And that's not all, its innovative time tracking function will allow you to monitor up to 10 minutes of recorded signals, nothing can escape you.
4K / 8K ARISING
PXW-FS7 II shoots 4K HDR inside world's largest cave
Vietnam’s Sơn Đoòng Cave is the world’s largest at over 5km long, 150m wide and, at its tallest, over 200m high – able to accommodate the Statue of Liberty twice over. Estimated to be 2-5 million years old with a fast flowing subterranean river, it only became internationally known in 2009. It’s the perfect subject for WOWOW Inc’s 4K documentary series with an experimental 8K broadcast. For the documentary, Sony’s FS7 II Super 35 camcorder was the production’s first choice. Able to shoot high quality 4K at a cinematic 23.98P, the FS7 II is also robust enough to withstand the harshest conditions and has an ergonomic design ideal for shooting on uneven terrain. Alongside the FS7 II, an α7S II was used for shooting in ultra-low light conditions. We talked to production director Sota Koshino and camera operator Masahiro Hariu about their impressions of the FS7 II.
"He Luting" Starting Up, SMT Magic Digital Studio Leads 8K Panoramic Sound Film Production
China’s first 8K panoramic sound real-life original opera movie "He Luting", jointly produced by Shanghai Conservatory of Music and Shanghai Media Group (SMG) and manufactured by SMT Magic Digital (Magic D) Studio, was officially launched on July 30 in front of the bronze statue of He Luting at Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and decided to release in 2021. SMT Magic D Studio participated in or led many films such as "Farewell My Concubine", "Xiao He pursues Han Xin by the moonlight", "Cao Cao and Yang Xiu", "Zhen Guan Flourishing Age", "Catch and Release Cao", etc. Experienced and trained a professional film production team that dares to break through and innovate.
The Panasonic AK-UC3300 UHD studio camera system achieves resolution of 2,000 TV lines
The AK-UC3300 UHD Camera system is designed for optimal video production in dynamic environments. In addition to the 2x high-speed HD shooting function, the skew reduction function - realised through high speed scans operating at 1/100 of a second - provides excellent operability when shooting rapid movements such as during sports and live events. The camera system has been developed with a new 1/5-type Remote Operation Panel (AK-HRP1015GJ) featuring Colour LCD readout display, which allows GUI operation and also supports PoE+ and IP control. The system is also compatible with the existing Panasonic AK-HRP1000/AK-HRP1005 Remote Operation Panels. For comfortable, high-quality, on-site shooting, a high-resolution 1.78 cm (0.7 inches) Full HD OLED Colour Viewfinder AJ-CVF70GJ has been developed for use with the camera system.