Sony enhances IP Live Production Solutions with Live Elements Orchestrator and new SDI-IP Converter Boards

Asia Pacific, 8 April 2019 – At NAB 2019, Sony is introducing Live Element Orchestrator, its first system orchestration solution to increase the performance and utilization of resources, as well as to reduce the system downtime, further improving productivity in content production. Sony is also launching two new SDI-IP converter boards, the NXLK-IP50Y and NXLK-IP51Y, offering support for SMPTE ST 2110 standards with HDR compatibility and the latter, also supporting 12G-SDI. This announcement highlights Sony’s continued commitment to actively invest in IP-based solutions and enables greater efficiency, flexibility and interoperability to empower broadcasters to live their vision.

“The biggest challenge that broadcasters are facing today is the pressure to create high quality content while keeping production costs to a minimum,” explained Takuma Wada, Head of Content Creation Solutions Marketing, Professional Solutions Company (PSAP), Sony Corporation of Hong Kong Limited. “Our Live Element Orchestrator unlocks the full potential of our IP solutions by giving broadcasters and content creators the ability to manage and control devices across multiple locations- minimising downtime and maximising output. With this new solution, we are not only demonstrating our active investment in next-generation IP-enabled solutions but are also creating new ways for customers to take advantage of IP-based infrastructure.”

Resource sharing across multiple locations
Available in June 2019, the Live Element Orchestrator provides overall system management of an IP-based production system. By supporting major industry protocols, the Live Element Orchestrator is compatible with both Sony and third-party solutions. Enabling resources to be shared across multiple locations, configurations to be set-up centrally and operations across all equipment to be monitored, the solution optimises system performance. Sony developed its Live Element Orchestrator in collaboration with Skyline Communications (Belgium), adopting the company’s DataMiner, an end-to-end management and orchestration solution, as core technology. DataMiner has been adopted by numerous media companies and organizations globally, and this collaboration will offer further value and operability to broadcasters who are investing in IP-based live production.

Complete system supporting SMPTE ST2110 in HD and 4K

To support the industry’s transition to IP, Sony continues to support open standards and interoperability. At Sony’s booth (C11001) during the NAB show period, visitors can see the complete system of IP Live production supporting SMPTE ST 2110 standard both in HD and 4K.

Further, Sony’s XVS series of professional switchers with 100G IP interface boards, its camera control units including HDCU-4300 with HKCU-4001 and the new HDCU-5500, HDCU-3500, HDCU-3170, HDCU-3100, as well as its two new SDI-IP converter boards, the NXLK-IP50Y and NXLK-IP51Y, all support the SMTPE ST 2110 standard.

While the NXLK-IP50Y provides 8x 1.5/3G-SDI ports (bi-direction) and 2x SFP28 ports for redundant network connection, the NXLK-IP51Y provides 2x 1.5/3G-SDI ports, 2x 12G-SDI ports (both bi-direction). Future upgrades for both converters will offer optional up/down conversion and/or HDR/SDR conversion. The NXLK-IP50Y is available this July and NLK-IP51Y by the end of 2019.

IP Live System Manager supports NMOS IS-04 and NMOS IS-05

Sony also works with AMWA to support NMOS IS-04 and NMOS IS-05. Therefore, Sony’s IP Live System Manager will now support both NMOS IS-04 and NMOS IS-05 with version 2.2, which will be released in May. This allows third-party devices that are NMOS-ready to be controlled through the IP Live System Manager. Sony’s new camera control units [1] will also support NMOS IS-04 and NMOS IS-05.

Remote Production of eSports tournament
At NAB, Sony will be demonstrating operational IP-enabled remote production of real-time video game tournaments taking place in the eSports’ Arena located at the Luxor Hotel, along with a 4K demonstration managed by Sony’s Live Element Orchestrator at the booth. The remote production signals will be transmitted in SMPTE ST 2110 via 10GbE WAVE provided by Century Link.

This demonstration presents visitors with an opportunity to experience efficient production using one control system for several productions with minimum downtime. When switching between the two production sites, the Live Element Orchestrator can change the configuration of each respective production resource, while seamlessly switching IP networks and system formats.

Global investment in Sony’s IP Live Production System

Sony has seen rapid global adoption of its IP Live Production System and has already proven itself to more than 50 OB trucks/studio systems around the world.

The following companies have recently discovered the benefits of IP:

Europe
• Portuguese commercial broadcaster SIC (Sociedade Independente de Comunicação) has built Portugal’s first IP Live production facility in Lisbon which is one of the earliest large-scale IP Live deployments in Europe – delivered by Sony and its partner Telefónica. The facility leverages the SMPTE ST 2110 suite of standards and the whole system includes programme production, audio, intercom and other functions, plus the integration of Sony’s Media Backbone Hive news system at SIC’s Lisbon and Porto production centres.

Japan
• In December 2018, FUJI TELEVISION NETWORK, INC (FUJI TV) broadcasted live the female relay race tournament in Fuji city, Shizuoka, at the foot of Mt. Fuji. In limited space and with minimum set-up of IP equipment, FUJI TV achieved remote production. The system transmitted AV as well as income and control signals with a single IP cable to the OB van located, which was located in the City Hall – acting as the live broadcasting base. Low latency and interactive transmission allowed seamless operation with other sources provided by different relay points as well as smooth communication between the director at the base and the cameraman on-site. The flexibility of the system set-up and the stable transmission enabled efficient program production.

• Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting Co., Ltd. (UHB) has built a new IP network routing system which manages to feed ingest sources to file-based system, based on Networked Media Interface, Sony’s IP Live transmission technology. UHB accomplished a flexible and expandable routing system and achieved the capability of future migration from HD to 4K. UHB chose Sony for its ability to build multiple IP Live systems and its past contribution towards system development and maintenance to UHB’s current SDI based routing system. UHB also implemented Sony’s Media Backbone Hive news solution for an integrated and efficient News production workflow, while keeping current SDI based network routing operation.

China
• Guizhou province TV has built 4K IP OB Truck featuring 14 camera chains as standard and 20 chains as maximum. The system is capable of 4K/HDR production by IP-based infrastructure supporting SMPTE ST 2110 standard. Simple system configuration and powerful control by IP technology are the key values for Guizhou province TV to select Sony. The OB Truck will hit the road in May.

• GUANGDONG RADIO AND TELEVISION is implementing an IP-based studio system in its master studio room for largescale live studio production. GUANGDONG RADIO AND TELEVISION valued Sony’s IP Live Production System for Its flexibility to expand channels, its support for industry standard SMPTE ST 2110, cost effective commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) system and ensured interoperability. The new studio system will begin operation in June 2019.

• CHINA CENTRAL TELEVISION (CCTV), China’s national broadcasting station will have a new 4K IP OB Truck in September 2019 with 22 camera chains in IP, SMPTE ST 2110 and 6 chains for expansion of High Frame Rate cameras delivered by Sony. The OB Truck will be used to live broadcast nation-wide programs such as news and various other events. CCTV appreciates benefits of IP including future proofed open standard, simplicity in system as well as powerful system management.

Sony will be exhibiting at NAB 2019, Stand C11001 at Central Hall, C-5, Las Vegas Convention Centre from 6th to 11th April 2019. For more information, please visit pro.sony.

[1] HDCU-5500, HDCU-3500, HDCU-3170, HDCU-3100