Sony’s live production proposal on IP gains strength

Sony has announced in Las Vegas several new capabilities within its IP Live production system that further extend the entire IP-based ecosystem. In addition it has released some of the first worldwide projects based on live production over IP.

Broadcasters around the world are increasingly embracing IP for its proven ability to deliver quality live 4K video, audio, synchronisation signals and control data through a single network cable.

Throughout NAB Sony is showed in the “IP Showcase” booth, hosted jointly by AES, AIMS, AMWA, EBU, IABM, MNA, SMPTE and VSF. Visitors were able to discuss to discuss details of the successful interoperability tests Sony has undertaken alongside leading vendors such as Grass Valley, Snell Advanced Media, and Evertz. Sony is also committing its intention to develop capabilities for complying with new technologies such as SMPTE ST2110, which governs Media transport over IP, and NMOS (IS-04), which ensures device discovery and registration. Sony is committed to providing SMPTE ST2110 (currently a draft) compliance in the near future. Attendees will also be able to view a SMPTE ST2110 based system camera prototype on the IP showcase booth at the show.

Sony is also announcing several new capabilities within its IP Live Production System which further expand the entire IP-based ecosystem. New functionality has also been added to the IP Live System Manager capable of integrating with an Ember+ protocol based system such as VSM (Virtual Studio Manager) from LAWO, one of the industry’s leading control and monitoring systems, giving broadcasters greater flexibility to configure the IP system how they want it.

The new version 2.3 of Sony’s XVS-8000 multi-format production switcher introduces resource sharing capabilities as standard. This means that one processor can run dual switcher functions virtually enabling to construct for example 4K/HD simultaneous production.

On the other hand, the new NXLK-IP45F AV Multiplexer/Demultiplexer Board, available later this month, adds the ability to multiplex and de-multiplex video and audio over IP signals, ensuring both systems can be managed across the IP network.

Finally, the new NXL-IP4F SDI-IP Converter Unit, also available later this month, makes it easy to integrate any 4K or HD standalone source or destination with an IP-based production system.

IP Projects

Live broadcasters of all sizes are implementing Live Production over IP to enjoy increased efficiency, reliability and scalability, with reduced system costs. Some of these projects are: BBC Studioworks (UK), is delivering 4K over IP in the BBC’s refurbished Television Centre studios in London; TV Globo (Brazil): broadcasted live “Carnival in Rio” with Sony 4K IP OB truck. 4K HDR and HD SDR simultaneous production was successfully operated by “SR Live for HDR” solution; Sky Perfect JSAT Corporation (Japan), 4K IP routing system is at work to transmit and monitor 4K videos for broadcast in IP; China Central Television (CCTV) (China), Sony will deliver all core components of an IP Live system to CCTV’s first 4K IP OB truck in June 2017; Zhejiang Radio & TV Group (China), has selected Sony to build a 4K IP OB truck for live broadcast in 4K and HDR. The signing ceremony is to be held in March 2018; China Digital Culture Group (China), has purchased a Sony 4K IP OB Truck that will hit the road in August, 2017 and it is used for live theatrical play and entertainment event broadcast; and 4K Garden (China), the major 4K content services platform has purchased 4K IP OB Truck in China from Sony to deliver exciting live contents in 4K. The truck will be ready before Aug. 2017.

Visitors to Sony’s stand at NAB Show were able to witness an operational IP-enabled remote production setup first hand networked with a Broadcast Data Centre. The demonstration system connected a remote live production team at Sony Pictures’ studio in Los Angeles with the team in Las Vegas, highlighting the way that IP Live can connect control rooms within broadcast facilities to live event venues hundreds of miles away, without compromising on latency, switching or reliability.