Sapporo Television upgrades its network infrastructure with MediorNet and MicroN from Riedel

Riedel has deployed an extensive media distribution network at Sapporo Television Broadcasting (STV) featuring MediorNet and MicroN.

Sapporo Television Broadcasting has deployed 17 MicroN media distribution network devices along with two MetroN core routers in a distributed MediorNet network that spans across two control rooms, master playout control, news editing and other areas of the station. With this deployment, STV becomes the first Riedel customer in Japan to use the MicroN media distribution network device as a core video router.

STV had initially considered integrating a traditional baseband router and a video over IP router. However, the broadcaster decided in favor of the Riedel MediorNet network with the MetroN and MicroN. In addition to keeping operating and maintenance costs low and significantly reducing cabling requirements, the MediorNet system offers processing functions, MADI input/output options and redundancy that contribute to the overall flexibility and reliability of the Japanese broadcaster’s system.

STV currently uses Riedel’s infrastructure to aggregate video resources from inside and outside the broadcaster, and make them available to different departments as needed. The broadcaster has also deployed the Bolero wireless intercom system from Riedel for “flexible and effective” communications throughout the station.

MicroN: “large-scale” video router

Within the MediorNet network infrastructure, MicroN can serve as a junction box for a MetroN router and extend connectivity beyond fiber I/O to any type of video and audio I/O needed. By connecting 17 MicroN devices with a few optical cables, STV has been able to “quickly and easily” configure the devices to function as a “single large-scale video router.” With its integrated video processing and MADI input/output functions, MicroN enables “smart”design and configuration of the devices in the control room, allowing STV to reduce the number of converters, for example.

Yasutaka Tashiro, manager of technical operations department at Sapporo Television, details his first steps with Riedel: “In selecting the MediorNet system for our core facilities, we were cautious at first, but after extensive evaluation, we were convinced that the advantages of MediorNet would prevail. MediorNet offers a very innovative and effective way to build a system. It also met all our requirements and is cost-effective. In actual operation, we have taken full advantage of MediorNet’s functions, and we feel that the selection was justified.”

“Once we establish a track record of stable use of MediorNet over a long period of time, then the decentralized distributed router will become the norm when we upgrade our facilities in the future. I think it is very significant that we already have a good track record, and in the future, we would also like to expand the network into our remote production system,” adds Tashiro.

Meanwhile, Takako Konishi, senior sales manager for Riedel in Japan, welcomes the agreement with Sapporo Television: “As broadcasters such as STV consider their move toward IP, MediorNet allows them to take a progressive approach — building on their SDI foundation and implementing IP when the time is right. Only Riedel can provide a hybrid solution combining SDI and IP, and we look forward to offering this future-proof option to more customers in Japan as the country’s broadcasters undertake the transition to IP.”