Azzurro Group Continues Support of Major Networks During Coronavirus

During these unprecedented times, Azzurro has helped their customers carry out contingency plans for broadcasting on-air talent from their homes. In direct response to the COVID-19 Crisis, Azzurro’s entire fleet of ‘AzzurroTX’ and ‘Pop Up Studio’ systems were quickly deployed across the US to talent and anchor’s private residences. These portable insert studios use the home’s existing public internet connection for transmission. Each system includes everything necessary to produce broadcast quality live shots.

This turnkey solution has allowed Major Networks to keep national broadcast shows ‘on the air’ with seamless transition. In preparation for the upcoming NFL Draft, one Major Sports Network has expanded their home analyst count to twenty, allowing them to provide their in-depth, expert coverage that NFL fans have come to rely on.

With access into homes understandably restricted, Azzurro is focused on building new systems that can be shipped directly to the talent’s doorstep. They are designed for easy self-install, supported by Azzurro Engineers via video call. The new ‘Azzurro UTX’ system is a smaller version of the ‘PopUp Studio’. It includes a high-end Panasonic PTZ camera, a monitor for network return or prompter, professional lighting, mic, and IFB kit. Once installed, full control of the system is managed remotely via Azzurro software. Its small footprint offers a perfect in-home broadcast solution.

Each UTX system is powered by HaiVision’s Makito X video encoding platform. These video encoders and decoders meet the challenges often found with consumer cable modems while keeping video quality at its best. Utilizing HaiVision’s own open-source SRT video streaming protocol, the devices provide high quality, low latency video even in low bandwidth or unpredictable environments.

Azzurro’s 24/7/365 Network Operations Center (NOC) based in NYC has maintained full operations during these challenging times. In efforts to protect customer service and company employees, Azzurro has fortified their operations by building a secondary switching center in Connecticut. This remote operation is staffed and equipped to bring in multiple feeds while maintaining full capabilities. The Network Operations Center manages and monitors the health of all remote camera systems. The NOC continues to support IP and traditional video transmission for domestic and international broadcast entities.

For more information on Azzurro Group, please contact Anthony Sotomayor at [email protected].