While IP-based production is increasingly commonplace, it’s arguable that manufacturers are continuing to reach new heights in terms of developing solutions that assist streamlined production. David Davies spoke to a quartet of vendors about their latest launches for IP.
Dejero
What is your latest solution for IP production/contribution/etc?
EnGo 265, an LTE mobile transmitter and internet gateway two-in-one device that delivers ‘unmatched’ wireless connectivity by aggregating IP networks in the most challenging environments.
What are its standout features?
Two-in-one: EnGo 265 not only delivers broadcast-quality live transmissions, but also dependable wireless broadband internet connectivity to help streamline the communications between mobile news/production teams in the field and the studio. Then there is reliability and productivity, with field crews able to use the new GateWay mode to achieve reliable, high-bandwidth internet access. They only need to carry an EnGo 265 — in a backpack or mounted in a vehicle — to go live, quickly send or receive large files, and securely access private newsroom systems and cloud services from any location. Other features include security measures – such as AES 256 encryption, a security-hardened Linux OS and a crypto-processor to authenticate the hardware and keep video content protected – while glass-to-glass latency can be as low as 0.5 seconds over bonded cellular connections, even in challenging network environments.
What are the target applications?
With a single EnGo 265, field crews can broadcast breaking news, quickly transfer large files and set up high-bandwidth access points for multiple devices. Dejero also sees relevance for film, television and commercial production crews, as well as live event transmission.
“Financial pressure on M&E organisations will continue to increase, making transformation essential for companies looking to keep up with the trend towards IP and cloud services,” Yvonne Monterroso, Dejero
Has industry migration to IP been accelerated by the pandemic?
Yvonne Monterroso, Director Product Management, Dejero: “Since the pandemic, the need for on-the-fly collaboration has increased, which has accelerated the transition to remote, virtual and cloud production using IP technology. At the height of the pandemic, Dejero technology was implemented into new workflows, not just classic remote productions, but in creative ways for broadcasters and content producers all over the globe to continue ‘business as usual’. This includes news, sports and live events where reliable connectivity is absolutely critical, and for remote TV, commercial and film production.”
What are your future forecasts for IP adoption in M&E?
“Financial pressure on M&E organisations will continue to increase, making transformation essential for companies looking to keep up with the trend towards IP and cloud services. Without the entrenched legacies of traditional broadcasters, digital platforms can assist as well as disrupt, using their cloud capabilities to provide reliable, agile solutions,” says Monterroso.
Imagine Communications
What is your latest solution for IP production/contribution/etc?
John Mailhot, CTO Networking & Infrastructure at Imagine Communications, comments: “We remain 100% committed to the SMPTE ST2110 ecosystem for content production, and we support the 2110 standards in our Selenio Network Processor (SNP), multiviewers (SNP-MV), across applications including standards converters, master control, branding and more. We recently added JPEG XS compression support into the SNP platform, leveraging the VSF TR-08 specification. We also strongly advocate use of the AMWA NMOS specifications for systemisation, including fully supporting AMWA NMOS in our Magellan Control System. Every project we deploy uses NMOS for connection management of third-party devices.”
What are its standout features?
“The most unique feature about SMPTE ST2110 and NMOS is the near-ubiquity of support in the industry. In every project we deploy, we’re using NMOS to integrate the endpoints, generally with great success. The ST2110/NMOS technologies have reached a level of stability and maturity such that multi-vendor projects are straightforward. Even with the addition of ST2110-22-based JPEG XS (TR-08), the interoperability appears to be very good because it leverages the 2110/NMOS technology base. Our Magellan Control System uses NMOS to integrate new endpoints in every new project. We’re fast approaching the point where we won’t have to write new drivers anymore because new equipment supports NMOS. It’s a great thing!”
Has industry migration to IP been accelerated by the pandemic? And what are your future forecasts for IP adoption in M&E?
“Yes, the industry’s migration to IP has been accelerated by the pandemic, and IP adoption will continue to be robust – driven by scalability, and particularly driven by UHD and HDR workflows or at least the requirement to be able to support UHD and HDR. The critical mass of ST2110/NMOS-capable products has been reached, such that full IP implementations can be reasonably deployed,” says Mailhot.
Mediaproxy
What is your latest solution for IP production/contribution/etc?
Mediaproxy LogServer provides a comprehensive suite of software-based solutions for IP compliance, monitoring and analysis. The software includes support for all modern IP transport stream formats, OTT (HLS/DASH), NDI and SMPTE 2110/2022-6. The software can be run on COTS equipment and is fully virtualisable, offering a flexible solution for broadcasters as well as MVPDs. Latest additions are support for NMOS (IS04/05), 4K HDR and a new concept for pooled clusters of distributed systems at scale.
What are its standout features?
LogServer’s core engine is highly optimised for large-scale IP multicast and SMPTE 2110 deployments in standard networking environments. According to Mediaproxy CEO Erik Otto: “While higher-level features are always desirable, reliability and resilience remain the most important feature in live broadcast. It’s designed to deal with a large number of MPEG transport streams in both ATSC and DVB variants, even during interruptions featuring seamless auto-recovery.”
“Broadcasters are naturally gravitating more to IP-based workflows due to the flexibility and longer-term cost savings,” Erik Otto, Mediaproxy
What are the target applications for this product?
Compliance recording, off-air broadcast and OTT monitoring, ad insertion trigger monitoring, schedule reconciliation, etc.
Has industry migration to IP been accelerated by the pandemic? Otto remarks: “I don’t think IP as a transport has been affected by the pandemic. Broadcasters are naturally gravitating more to IP-based workflows due to the flexibility and longer-term cost savings. We see customers ramping down the investment in SDI for contribution, distribution and internal use. Depending on workflows and requirements, IP formats such as RTP, SRT, Zixi, etc, are becoming more widely used, especially in conjunction with a steep rise in cloud deployment, which has been the real winner out of the pandemic.”
What are your future forecasts for IP adoption in M&E?
“The only way is up!”
Phabrix
What is your latest solution for IP production/contribution/etc?
The V4.5 software release for the Qx and QxL hybrid IP/SDI, 4K/UHD and HDR/WCG rasterisers.
What are its standout features?
The release extends and enhances the Qx Series’ existing ST2110 NMOS toolset, adding generation and transmission capabilities for the QxL. Also included are enhanced configuration controls, NMOS node status overviews and access to an IS-05 JSON tree view for both the Qx and QxL. This release also provides the Qx and QxL with optional PCAP utility and selectable display of either ATC-LTC or ATC-VITC for mixed ANC timecode environments. In addition, the QxL now has the option for detection and analysis of 444 Extended UHD (EUHD) video formats for LED wall and graphics card applications.
What are the target applications for this product?
A wide range of applications where “business and operational flexibility” are critical, indicates Phabrix Product Manager Prinyar Boon: “R&D departments [inside broadcast manufacturers] is one segment; another would be people who are putting together POCs for IP systems. We also see there being demand from organisations commissioning staging systems, as well as broadcast facilities such as studios and trucks.”
Has industry migration to IP been accelerated by the pandemic?
“Absolutely, and there are plenty of documented examples. You did see some ‘quick fixes’ occurring [due to pandemic circumstances], but now you see broadcasters seeking [more permanent solutions]. One example would be remote operation and production centres in the UK that mean more people can work remotely and fewer need to travel to the sports venue. This is something that the industry has been wanting for a while, but then the technology and impetus came together at the same time, so now it’s being built into business models.”
What are your future forecasts for IP adoption in M&E?
“We are seeing a very healthy IP business. We have had the early adopters and now I think we are on to the next wave of ‘follower adopters’ who are starting POCs, getting staff trained up and gaining experience under the hood. It’s looking very positive.”
- Watch Webinar: Embracing IP
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