Grass Valley, CenturyLink Demo Remote Production Capabilities Over 100G High-Speed Link

Grass Valley joined forces with CenturyLink to successfully run an ultra-high bandwidth test directly from cameras at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida to a remote production location in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Using CenturyLink’s 100 Gbps high-speed Vyvx network and Grass Valley’s DirectIP feature, the test demonstrates that uncompressed multi-camera signals can be delivered to and controlled from a remote production facility, eliminating the need for large production crews and complex outside broadcast (OB) set-ups on location, according to the two companies.

During the test, multiple Grass Valley LDX 86N cameras were deployed in Miami running at high-speed  – 10 Gbps each – demonstrating a robust IP workflow between cameras, switchers and XCU Universe XF base stations, even with high bandwidth usage. Using Grass Valley’s unique DirectIP configuration, uncompressed signals were transmitted via CenturyLink’s 100 Gbps Vyvx network to base stations and operational control panels (OCPs) located in a remote production facility in Tulsa. 

“With Grass Valley’s DirectIP, we have demonstrated how our Vyvx network can enable broadcasters in the US and select global locations to achieve the advantages of remote production to produce large scale live events,” said Bill Wohnoutka, vice president internet and content delivery services, CenturyLink. “CenturyLink is known for its expansive global network and we continue to make significant investments to scale our Vyvx network to enable production workflow transformation across the majority of professional and select college sports venues in the U.S, along with some of most widely used international venues.”

The DirectIP configuration on the Grass Valley cameras delivers a robust and reliable way to handle signal distribution at higher bandwidths. It is easy to set up and maintain via a centralized control roomto ensure the highest performance levels. DirectIP allows the remote site to integrate seamlessly with the production, regardless of the distance.

“Recent projects, such as the 2019 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, have cemented the role of IP-based remote/at-home production as a field-proven way to meet the growing demand for captivating viewing experiences,” said Mark Hilton, vice president of live production, Grass Valley. “As the only camera manufacturer that delivers all-IP communication between a camera head and its base station, we enable our customers to push the boundaries of what is possible, allowing them to focus on high impact tasks that create truly compelling viewing experiences without the need for unwieldy infrastructures and workflows. We are very proud to have joined forces with CenturyLink to bring this model to customers in the US, giving them the ability to eliminate the need for compression equipment or trucks at the live venue.”

CenturyLink and Grass Valley will be undertaking additional tests in the coming months. These will further demonstrate that even the largest productions can be supported with a remote/at-home model, delivering valuable cost savings and cutting down set-up times.