Advancements in technology over the last decade have decidedly changed the atmosphere for broadcasters when it comes to network infrastructure. The next step towards an IP based infrastructure - after the already well established distribution and file-based IP workflows - is live production. Although many issues need to be solved for mainstream deployment, the “networked studio” is gaining ground, with more and more viable options available to production studios.
This year, at IBC, the EBU Technology & Innovation team will host a demonstration (Stand 10.F20) from BBC, Stagebox, Cisco and Tektronix called the “All IP Live Production.” This demonstration will show the next step being taken towards an IP-based network infrastructure. It will emphasize how multi-vendor live production architectures have become feasible and practical to use by staff in production studios.
The demonstration will also highlight how a Cisco Nexus 3548-based network infrastructure enables Stagebox devices to deliver video, audio, tally and a remote camera control over IP. Leveraging the built-in hardware support for the IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) in the Cisco Nexus 3548, combined with the Tektronix hybrid Sync Pulse Generator / PTP Grandmaster delivering facility reference signals and ensuring a stable timing source, this demonstration uses Stagebox as a PTP slave clock to produce the same ‘Genlock’ functionality (with the required precision) as that found in traditional live broadcast infrastructure.
Since many broadcast facilities remain at the beginning of this long-term transition to an IP-based network infrastructure for live production, this year’s demonstration is meant to give visitors a taste of what is possible, using today’s off-the-shelf infrastructures.
The cooperation between a leading broadcaster, an infrastructure vendor and a video test vendor to develop the technology being demonstrated provides an ideal way to combine skills and experience to create a forward-looking and credible reference proposal for others to consider. This is in line with the industry and standardization efforts to define multi-vendor professional media networks built on IT infrastructure.
Please, stop by and see for yourself!