It is now clear that tomorrow’s programme production studios will use ‘IP’ interconnections, drawing on the computer and Internet world, rather than the traditional interconnection technology (‘SDI’ and ’HD-SDI`’) that has been used in studios since the 1990s. This new era will allow greater flexibility. Content will be prepared more efficiently and rapidly for the ever wider range of services that the public will demand.
The Joint Task Force on Network Media (aka JT-NM) has today published a forward-looking requirements analysis for UHD Sports production in an IP studio, taking the clear trend towards IP into account. The analysis is titled WebFirst because the operational scenario covers production when delivery by Internet is at least as important as broadcast delivery - and possibly more so.
In the future, broadcasters will have revolutionary new tools to help provide their services. They include using more ‘two-way’ connections with the viewer that Internet allows, and being able to use data about how the programmes are being enjoyed by Internet viewers – the use of ‘big data’ - to help shape programme plans. The WebFirst Scenario has been created with this in mind, with the need to offer much more than today’s services.
Also, with this scenario in hand, the JT-NM has a document it can use to test its previously published Reference Architecture (RA) to ensure that this fundamental document supports content production in facilities that go beyond just an IP-for-SDI-replacement scenario.
This exciting new era of IP production will require new ways of thinking about programme content delivery- as well as new ways of using it to meet customer needs. The JT-NM is helping to make this possible.
The JT-NM WebFirst UHD Sport Scenario Analysis is available for download at jt-nm.org.
NOTE: The JT-NM is sponsored by the Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA), the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), and the Video Services Forum (VSF). The Task Force was formed to assist the professional media industry in the transition from traditional SDI-based technologies to network-based IP technologies, with a focus on identifying where a high degree of interoperability is desirable.
For more information contact jt-nm-info@videoservicesforum.org.