SportsTechBuzz at NAB 2024: Tuesday’s Latest From Vegas
The NAB Show is in full swing, and the SVG and SVG Europe editorial teams are chasing down the hottest stories from all over the Las Vegas Convention Center. To make the flood of announcements easily digestible for our readers, SVG is sending you a daily roundup in SportsTechBuzz at NAB 2024, with all the top stories gathered in one easy-to-read blog.
Today’s edition features 10TX, AJA, Appear, arkona, Ateme, Audio-Technica, AWS, Brainstorm, Christy Media, Cobalt Digital, Dizplai, Evertz, Fonn Group, Grass Valley, Hitomi, Intel, Joseph Electronics, Lawo, Leader, M2A Media, Multidyne, Net Insight, Nextologies, Panasonic, Ross Video, RT Software, Sencore, Sennheiser, Skyline Communications, Solid State Logic, TATA Communications, Tinkerlist, The Switch, TSL, Veritone, VidOvation, Wasabi Technologies, Wisycom, and XD Motion.
CENTRAL HALL
Sennheiser (Booth C4732, N204LMR) is introducing its new MKH 8030 figure-8 RF condenser mic to the U.S. market. The MKH 8030 unlocks M-S, double M-S, and Blumlein stereo-recording option and can provide high attenuation of neighboring sound sources. The MKH 8030 shares the qualities of the MKH 8000 family and its RF-condenser principle with the unique push-pull transducer. The qualities include high resistance to moisture; a fully floating, balanced output signal; extended low- and high-frequency response (30 Hz–50,000 Hz), and extremely low inherent self-noise, enabling capture of a sound event in its entirety and with all its intricate detail, with wide dynamics, extremely low distortion, and a frequency-independent polar pattern to avoid coloration. Senior Product Manager Kai Lange notes that motorsports have been using the 8030 on a regular basis recently.
Leader Europe’s Kevin Salvidge at Leader booth
Leader (Booth C5521) has expanded its product range with three “major” additions designed to ease the industry’s migration from SDI to IP, HD to UHD, and SDR to HDR. Making their first-ever NAB Show appearance are the ZEN-W Series SDI/IP LV5600W waveform monitor and the LV7600W rasterizer. Says Kevin Salvidge, sales engineering and technical marketing manager, Leader Europe, “The WebRTC remote-control interface has been added because we are seeing more and more customers looking to install test and measurement equipment in a data-centre environment, whether as part of a remote production or general on-prem operation. We are certainly seeing within sports production not necessarily a rush to remote production but a gradual shift in that direction. We launched the W-Series to address that and provide remote connectivity.” NAB 2024 is also the U.S. debut of the LT4670 1U full-rack width SDI/IP synchronous test-signal generator for use in traditional SDI broadcast facilities as well as the next generation of hybrid SDI/IP facilities.
TSL (Booth C2119) is showing off the MPA1-MIX-NET-V-R audio-monitoring unit. Best of Show Winner at September’s IBC, the MIX-NET extends ST 2022-7 functionality to ST 2110 AoIP networks and has been the company’s fastest-selling new product ever launched. TSL CEO Matthew Quade notes the unique genesis of the unit’s interface design. “The V-shaped layout of the controls for accurate fingertip navigation in low-light environments,” he says, reaching over his shoulder to simulate an A1’s adjusting one of the front panel’s eight rotary knobs, locating them solely by touch according to their placement on the panel. “We researched that by talking with potential customers and users of the unit, and that was an important conclusion.”
Wisycom’s Geoff Baynard shows off the BFL1 module.
Wisycom’s (Booth C7507) BFL1 single RF-over-fiber module offers selectable filters and extended-range Bluetooth and is equipped with an optical laser that transforms an RF signal to an optical one. It’s also, according to Product Marketing Manager Geoff Baynard, a pivotal product for Wisycom’s efforts in wireless systems for broadcast sports. “It’s excellent for both wireless microphone and IFB applications on the field. It adds considerable range for things like parabolic and sideline-reporter microphones.
”If you are looking for ways to make fiber installs quicker and easier, then check out Joseph Electronics (Booth C1708) and the SHAXX-JBT Series. Built from the company’s flagship SHAXX-TOTE, it enables broadcast cameras fitted with standard SMPTE 304M hybrid connectors to be deployed using ordinary single-mode fibers and installed into standard JBT enclosures typically found in outdoor and indoor stadium locations. The result is no need to install associated SMPTE copper wiring or to carry and store additional external camera accessories during events. The company says the SHAXX-JBT is the ideal remote camera solution with only a 2U rack height and a depth of 6 in., with recessed side power and fiber connections. It is available for various camera models, and Joseph Electronics also is showing products from Bluebell Opticom Ltd., DirectOut GmbH, and Videosys at its booth.
Multidyne’s (Booth C7107) new MDoG-6060 Series gateways offer SMPTE ST -2110 network interface and low-latency JPEG-XS codec modules to efficiently manage uncompressed and compressed signals as they move between legacy systems and IP networks. The products are Multidyne’s first IP gateway solutions for uncompressed ST 2110 networks, and the modules provide a reliable SDI-to-IP network interface with exceptionally wide bandwidth, helping broadcast and media companies optimize throughput for uncompressed 4K and HD video transport. There are multiple I/O configurations and two 25-GB network interfaces for a redundant transport stream. New designs for the SilverBack camera mount allows the gateway to act as the base station for next-generation workflows. Also, Multidyne’s famous SilverBullet transmission solution for SD, HD, 3G, and 12G SDI over fiber is updated with enhanced performance and better specs, including 16 CWDM wavelengths.
Panasonic (Booth C3310) is introducing the mainframe KAIROS Core 200 AT-KC200L1 and the latest software update (version 1.7), which includes smart-routing functionality. The AT-KC200L1 supports SDI I/O as standard, and the new smart-routing functionality provides improved video quality and productivity when KAIROS is used. Other features include 24-input/12-output support (Full HD) with the ability to go to 32 inputs/16 outputs. In addition, making its NAB Show debut, the AV-HSW10 compact live switcher combines a professional hardware switcher with the scalability of a software solution. The new software control panel allows switcher functions to be conveniently controlled from a PC or tablet, and detailed settings and confirmation of input/output sources, conventionally performed with buttons and knobs, can be easily executed with a PC keyboard or touchscreen.
Grass Valley (Booth C2308) has unveiled the LDX 135 RF and LDX 150 RF camera solutions, providing the same camera technology as their sibling devices, with integrated wireless transmission via RF or 5G bonded cellular. The native-UHD cameras were designed in cooperation with industry-leading RF-system vendors and offer a reliable, EMI-approved mechanical interface that accommodates third-party transmission modules without the need for external cables or great mechanical effort. Recently announced updates to GV’s Framelight X SaaS asset-management solution are intended to make it easier to record, manage, edit, find, and deliver content more quickly and efficiently.
SSL’s Berny Carpenter at the company’s booth
Solid State Logic (Booth C6307) launched the System T Cloud, a virtualized audio-mixing solution for live-to-air broadcast. The complete and comprehensive broadcast-audio solution enables seamless management of live productions from multiple venues via the cloud. “System T is a distributed platform comprising a control surface, processing, and I/O,” explains Berny Carpenter, broadcast product manager, SSL. “We’ve added processing, which can run in the cloud, so all of these elements can be joined together. And any of these elements can be anywhere. It’s all modular and all IP-based so it can go over distances.”
Lawo (Booth C4110) is showcasing its enhanced IP-platform solutions, reflecting the company’s decision to focus its hardware and software products around the HOME management platform for IP infrastructures: HOME multiviewer, HOME UDX converter, HOME stream transcoder, HOME graphic inserter, and the free Test Pattern/Test Tone Generator apps. The HOME Apps support SMPTE ST 2110, SRT, JPEG XS, and NDI for increasingly mixed-technology environments, ensuring instant integration with a variety of workflows. Lawo is also presenting the .edge hyper-density SDI/IP conversion and routing platform, which is able to handle 8K workflows and offers licensable options — proxy generation, JPEG XS compression —that address bandwidth constraints, streamline IP pipeline use, and optimize workflows directly at the source with edge computing. Lawo CMO Andreas Hilmer notes that Lawo’s Powercore RP remote-production solution for mc² audio consoles is being regularly updated and that AI for automated mixing is on the company’s — and the industry’s —radar but is not there yet. But its implications are already clear: it can present both a challenge and a benefit to A1s and broadcasters. “It will bring benefits to the broadcasters because it will allow them to create more content,” he says. “And third-tier sports production will also profit from this.”
Audio-Technica’s (Booth C5532) BP 3600 mic is gaining momentum among sports considering immersive audio for upcoming seasons, says an A-T representative: “The ease and quickness of setup sets it apart from other immersive-microphone solutions. It’s getting them the immersive image they’re looking for faster and easier.”
SOUTH HALL
RT Software (Booth SL5088) is displaying its full range of real-time graphics solutions for news, sports, entertainment, and channel branding. It’s providing a sneak peek at the next release in the Swift suite of graphics editors. A new web-based editor will “complement the Swift Live web-based operator interface,” say Commercial Director Mike Fredriksen. RT Software’s products include editors/CG, sports telestrator, election and newsroom graphics, augmented reality, and virtual studios with control interfaces for PC or browser. An enhancement to Tactic v7.1, its established sports-analysis telestrator, adds Team ID, allowing it to automatically identify the two teams, and Slow-Mo, a replay feature to sit alongside the record-to-disc function. Customers include BBC, Sky News, and TNT Sports. Says Fredriksen, “We are having a very successful NAB. It has been great to connect with people and to show them what we have and what we are developing.”
Ross Video RVS 16-4, the first switcher built by company founder John Ross, is on display.
As part of Ross Video’s (Booth SL2005) 50th-anniversary celebrations, the company has a switcher museum in its booth. Taking pride of place is the RVS 16-4, the first switcher built by company founder John Ross. The 1MLE switcher in the 2RU chassis was “unheard of” when it launched in 1974, the company says. Some 40 years later, Ross is using NAB 2024 to introduce Carbonite Code, a software-based production switcher with NDI I/O, providing 30 NDI inputs, 6 NDI outputs, plus 3 MEs and 6 keyers per ME for 18 DVEs in total.
Hitomi (Booth SL5080) specializes in streamlining the lineup process of lip synchronization, latency coherence, and channel identification. At NAB 2024, it is offering live demonstrations of its new 2110 version of Matchbox and the Matchbox Glass app, a product designed to quickly solve lip-sync, coherence, line-identification, and audio-level–monitoring problems. Live demos of Matchbox are being used to measure latency and lip sync on IP networks. Says Hitomi Director Russell Johnson, “What makes this unique is that it is aimed squarely at the live-production world. Its real value is that Matchbox provides scientific proof for the timing. You don’t need to guess it.” Matchbox has been deployed in many major sports events, Johnson notes, from rugby, women’s football, and sailing to the MTV Europe Music Awards and recent elections. “Broadcasting companies have come to rely on the speed and accuracy from the MatchBox range when broadcasting live events.”
XD Motion’s Arcam robotic cameras are demonstrated with Brainstorm’s InfinitySet virtual-set solution at the Brainstorm booth.
Brainstorm (Booth SL4097) has been announced as the initial technical partner of XD Motion. At NAB 2024, the two companies are offering a demo showcasing the new dual-GPU capabilities of Brainstorm’s InfinitySet virtual-set solution and XD Motion’s Arcam robotic cameras. The Arcam 10 and Arcam 20 are being used with the newly released IOBOT 1.5 broadcasting-automation tool. In the demonstration, a mixed environment combines a chroma screen and a large LED volume to create a broadcast show — including in-context AR motion graphics, fully immersive talent tele-transport, and multi-background content — with the presenter controlling the show. The two Arcam robotics are synchronised to enable highly realistic virtual-talent integration.
For Fonn Group (Booth SL2124), a central focus at NAB 2024 is on its cloud-based Mimir video-collaboration and -production tool for professionals. Demonstrations highlight for the first time Mimir’s new Semantic Search capability, which allows users to search their media assets and have results returned on the “meaning” of the question, not its exact wording. The approach uses “Gen AI,” says Fonn Group VP, Product Marketing, Andre Torsvik, “and, in doing so, does not generate content; it finds what you have and makes intelligent suggestions. AI describes it, embeds it, and understands the context of the clip. It adds flexibility for the user and frees up editors to be more creative.” Mimir has been used by Formula E and the Philadelphia Eagles amongst other sports clients. Also being shown, Dina is a story-centric newsroom rundown and multiplatform publishing tool running in the browser, built on true cloud-native web technologies. The Fonn Group comprises the Mimir, Mediability, Dina, and Kunnusta brands. The latest addition to the Fonn Group family is everviz, which offers data visualisation and engaging storytelling with charts.
Wasabi’s David Friend talks up the new Wasabi AiR AI-enabled intelligent media storage.
After acquiring Curio AI in January, Wasabi Technologies (Booth SL8117) is launching what it calls “the industry’s first AI-enabled intelligent media storage.” Dubbed Wasabi AiR, the new platform combines Wasabi’s high-performance, low-cost object storage with Curio’s advanced AI metadata auto-tagging and multilingual searchable speech-to-text transcription. Video files uploaded to Wasabi AiR are immediately analyzed, and a second-by-second metadata index is created, enabling users to quickly find what they are looking for. According to President/CEO/Co-Founder David Friend, Wasabi AiR (which comes at no additional charge for users) greatly reduces the cost of metadata creation; customers pay only for the storage. Video archives currently stored on tape can be uploaded to Wasabi AiR storage, and formerly “dead” content can become a new source of revenue and user engagement.”
Dizplai (Booth SL4086) is responding to the growth in digital-first live programming in sports and the increasing amount of content created before, during and after games, says Dizplai Commercial Director Peter Cassidy. He cites new cricket format The Hundred, which the ECB (English Cricket Board) opted to show not on linear TV but on YouTube and TikTok. Production company Little Dot and Dizplai produced coverage of the competition’s draft, with Dizplai co-designing a set of dynamic graphics and implementing a custom workflow on the Dizplai platform for use by the production team. “It changes the requirement in terms of expectation for engagement and what the graphics look like and that’s where we come into our own,” says Cassidy. “Similarly, football [soccer] clubs are doing more and more live pregame, adding graphics to press conferences and training and making that content more interactive. That whole trend is what we are riding at the moment.”
Christy Media (Booth SL3085) is showcasing its range of recruitment services at NAB 2024. Christy provides both contract and permanent solutions from graduate to senior management and C-suite and works with all aspects of the broadcast and media industry, including broadcasters, live-production and OB-facilities providers, distributors, OTT/VOD platforms, manufacturers, vendors, and system integrators. Operations Director Tilly Magill notes that sales and business development and engineering are areas with vacancies, with clients particularly keen to find software developers with AI experience.
Tinkerlist (Booth SU5062) is demonstrating its cloud-based script and rundown platform CUEZ. Described as a user-friendly, gallery-agnostic newsroom system, CUEZ allows journalists and creatives to upload videos, graphics, story ideas, and textual information to a single, unified platform. According to the company, the platform’s hybrid capability allows an easy transition between on-premises and cloud-based work, making it ideal for diverse broadcasting needs and unforeseen circumstances. Features specifically for live coverage of sport include a shared link that can be made available to rightsholders that need access to view — but not edit — an up-to-date rundown. Meanwhile, the Tinkerlist brand is being phased out, with the company set to be known as CUEZ.
In Las Vegas, AJA (Booth SL3065) is showcasing ColorBox, a portable converter for color-managed workflows that supports low latency, in-line HDR/SDR algorithmic, and LUT color transforms for live production, live event, in-studio, and on-set applications. Visitors will also see the company’s FS-HDR HDR/WCG converter and frame synchronizer and the AJA HDR image analyzer 12G HDR monitoring and analysis solution. Key products on exhibit include the AJA KONA X and KONA 5, Io X3 and Io 4K Plus, and T-TAP Pro. AJA also is introducing a Stream Deck plug-in for its compact HELO PlusH.264 streaming and recording device. The software allows streamers to use the popular Elgato Stream Deck desktop controller for simple, immediate hardware-based control of HELO Plus.
Cobalt Digital (Booth SU4027) is furthering its work in the openGear initiative with the release of two new form-factor cards: ARIA OG-AUD4-DANTE and INDIGO OG-2110-BIDI4-GATEWAY. The former is a quad-channel unit (also available as a dual-channel version) with up to 12G Dante/AES/MADI/embed and de-embed functions with frame-sync capabilities. The latter is a quad-channel bidirectional ST 2110 gateway offering four independent processing paths on a single openGear card or 40 independent processing paths on a single openGear frame. The company is also offering the SMPTE ST 2110 interface as an add-on to Cobalt’s 9905-MPx or 9904-UDX-4K popular openGear processing cards with the simple addition of the Indigo 2110-DC-01 daughter-card option and ST 2110 input option on its Pacific 9992-ENC encoder with the addition of the Indigo 2110-DC-02 daughter-card option.
Evertz (Booth SU2027) is staying busy on the show floor with a handful of product releases and announcements. Leading off is DreamCatcher BRAVO Studio, a complete production platform suitable for customers in the entertainment, sports, and corporate space and combines the independent elements required for high–quality, broadcast–ready live production into a suite of tools accessible through Evertz’s VUE interface. In addition, the company’s NEXX is a compact processing-capable routing platform for SD/HD/3G/6G/12G-SDI for venues, arenas, and stadiums. For NAB 2024, NEXX has been expanded with the addition of two new processing modules: NEXX-670 to enable high-density frame synchronization, up/down/crossconversion, IP gateways, and advanced multiviewers; and NEXX-SCORPION to support four dual-slot SCORPION modular I/O (MIO)s and providing new interface support for the NEXX.
With the aim of reducing the complexity of live production workflows, arkona (Booth SU6037) has unveiled BLADE//master, an intuitive and scalable software-based service included for free with the company’s BLADE//runner suite of live-broadcast-production hardware and software tools for ease of control and orchestration. Making its NAB Show debut, BLADE//master is intended to simplify integration of the BLADE//runner ecosystem into legacy broadcast-control systems by exposing a customisable subset of its tools as an Ember+ parameter tree, a protocol that allows devices to be remotely controlled via the network.
WEST HALL
Appear (Booth W2130) is demonstrating how its accelerated SRT solution enables one of Brazil’s Grupo RBS subsidiaries to reduce its playout facilities from 13 to just one (in addition to the ongoing opex reductions from replacing satellite and leased circuits with Internet connectivity). Appear is also launching its new JPEG XS module, which enables the delivery of eight Full HD channels per module equaling a possible 96 JPEG XS Full HD channels across a single 2RU chassis. The team is also demonstrating its X Platform, which enables 96 Full HD HEVC feeds to be contributed from a single 2RU chassis. The booth also features a 100-Gb IP Gateway switch module and showcases how X Platform seamlessly integrates with monitoring, management, and analytics solutions from Dataminer, Grafana, and Prometheus.
From left: Chad Hassler, VP, sales, Sencore; Lenny King, COO, Showfer Media; Brandon Baker, account manager, Sencore
Sencore (Booth W2401) is highlighting its new partnership with Showfer to “redefine the landscape of content transport, monitoring, playout, and workflow scheduling with a full end-to-end solution.” At the heart of this collaboration is Showfer’s ProVision platform, a content-management solution featuring capabilities for content playout, workflow scheduling, and content distribution. Adaptable to both cloud and on-premises environments, Showfer ProVision ensures that content workflows can be created and maintained swiftly and efficiently. Paired with Sencore’s Centra Gateway video-transport and -monitoring platform, this solution is capable of transporting content over open internet connections and cloud-based systems. This pairing enables cost-effective contribution and distribution of content from the camera to the viewer.
VidOvation (Booth W2230) is demonstrating the Celona private 5G solution, combining VidOvation’s bonded-cellular technology with Celona’s 5G LAN system using shared cellular spectrum. The demonstration shows how Celona technology integrates with Haivision’s Pro and Air mobile encoders to deliver more-reliable video transport and video transmission over private 5G. Attendees can see public 5G and private 5G work together using bonded cellular. VidOvation also now represents a new product line: Advanced Image Robotics’ robotic cinema cameras for live television and production. On display at NAB 2024, the cameras are intended to be easy to set up and have a direct cloud connection to streamline workflow.
Intel’s booth (Booth W239LMR) offers attendees an opportunity to see how the company can help the industry during a significant shift in production and delivery of live production of sports and media events. Instead of using traditional fixed appliances, Intel is helping host broadcasters use software applications running on Intel-based commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware. The company says this move signifies a crucial step toward a more sustainable production model. Intel and other industry leaders are working together to create a software-defined broadcasting platform applicable across the entire workflow. In addition to these developments, AI is a transformative force that enhances sports and entertainment events, improving broadcasting capabilities and, ultimately, the fan experience. Intel’s ecosystem can accelerate the future of AI and software-defined broadcasting through real-world deployments anytime, anywhere.
Ateme’s Sassan Pejhan shows off the TITAN encoder, which delivers stereoscopic 3D content on Apple Vision Pro.
Leveraging tjhe Ateme (Booth W1721) Gen 7 compression engine to support spatial computing through the MV-HEVC standard, the company’s TITAN encoders can now deliver stereoscopic 3D content for spatial computing on the Apple Vision Pro platform. Ateme’s TITAN encoders enable content providers and rightsholders to deliver immersive true-to-life experiences featuring 3D stereoscopic video and immersive audio. According to VP, Technology, Sassan Pejhan, by embracing the MV-HEVC standard and leveraging Ateme’s expertise in multilayer HEVC formats for video compression, Ateme can offer seamless compatibility and high quality for 3D video on the Apple Vision Pro platform. Representatives of Ateme are speaking on the topic during multiple sessions at NAB 2024 alongside speakers from Apple, Disney, Dolby Laboratories. and Akamai.
AWS (Booth W1701) has returned to its double-decker layout, with expanded booth space to accommodate a new “Builder Zone,” where attendees can connect with experts from AWS service teams to help build bespoke solutions for M&E challenges. The booth offers application-tailored demos: broadcast and live production, content production, monetization, direct-to-consumer, media supply chain and archive, and data science and analytics. Also, in the “generative-AI playground,” Amazon Bedrock, Amazon Q, and Partyrock (an Amazon Bedrock Playground) are featured to further educate attendees on AWS’s generative-AI capabilities, offerings, and differentiators.
Nextologies/10TX (Booth W2713) is shedding light on recent work in the sports industry: the opening of a Network Operations Center (NOC) at UFC APEX in Las Vegas. The project allows the UFC APEX facility and the 10TX team to offer broadcast solutions for other productions, maximize use of the Broadcast Operations Center (BOC) for event space located at top-tier venues on and off the Strip, and provide more signals and less latency for remote contributors. The company is also hosting numerous demos, including the HITC (Headend in the Cloud) live-video–delivery infrastructure, the Control Panel (CP) intelligent operation system, and the NexToMeet instant web/mobile-to-SDI video network.
The convergence of The Switch and TATA Communications (Booth W2601) continues to progress since the former was acquired last May, according to Kevin O Meara, VP, marketing, The Switch. “There’s the aspiration of the deal, and there’s the reality of the deal, and they very rarely meet,” he says. “The aspiration of the deal is amazing. You’ve got a world-class services company in live production and distribution with the opportunity to roll that over TATA’s global infrastructure. But you’ve now got two completely different organisations that do completely different things to completely different people, and it’s taking a while to work through that. But we are starting to land our first big projects with both organisations,. Recent developments for the company include the launch of Victory, a new facility with studios, NOCs, playout and REMI services, in L.A. “That’s the blueprint for us to launch one in London and another one in India,” O Meara adds. “Those will give us three world-class, cutting-edge facilities to run our global video network and provide playout services, REMI production services, studios, and event spaces for our customers.”
Skyline Communications (Booth W2413) is using NAB 2024 as the launchpad for dataminer.MediaOps, its new product set that simplifies and automates operations across the media supply chain. According to Steven Soenens, VP, product marketing, dataminer.MediaOps “harmonizes” ICT and media, changing how media and entertainment (M&E) companies plan, execute, and manage their live- and file-media operations from glass to glass. Built on Skyline’s DataMiner platform, dataminer.MediaOps enables managing technical resources, personnel, and satellite-transponder slots; planning functions facilitating production and news events across various platforms; infrastructure provisioning; intelligent monitoring; and comprehensive reporting on resource utilization and billing.
Veritone (Booth W1642) is debuting Ask Veri, a new conversational intelligence solution that allows users of the company’s Digital Media Hub (DMH) MAM and monetization platform to quickly extract actionable insights and execute dynamic workflows from their media archive data through a generative-AI–enabled, chat-based tool. Ask Veri is an integrated solution on the aiWARE platform and soon will be available across the majority of Veritone’s commercial and public-sector applications. It leverages generative AI to swiftly respond to queries and can provide customers with in-depth analysis, insightful summaries, and key findings for their digital-media collection. With Ask Veri, customers can formulate their own questions — for example, “Source all available footage of Caitlin Clark during the NCAA tournament” — or use the interface’s intuitive, suggested queries to remove guesswork and provide a starting point for gathering the right content insights.
Developments in the areas of managed hardware networks and cloud networks are on show by Net Insight (Booth W2421). On the cloud front, the recently launched Nimbra Connect It platform is designed to be quickly integrated into existing workflows while offering easy entry into the cloud market. “It has been well received,” says Jonathan Smith, solution area expert, cloud, Net Insight. “We’re trying to make this a simple entry to market, and people are keen to get started.” On the hardware side, Nimbra 400 is also a talking point. Explains David Edwards, product manager, Net Insight, “We’ve upscaled it to support UHD and UHD 4K and going onwards from that. That provides a bidirectional node because we know a lot of our customers want to get camera feeds out of a stadium but also want to get feeds back into the stadium to support the opening-presentation elements.”
EBAM (encoder-based ad manipulation), launched by M2A Media (Booth W2345), is designed to help broadcasters increase revenue by inserting ad content at the encoder side of a live-video workflow. It is a clean and secure solution that guarantees the placement and high quality of regionalised ads and content. Says Matthew Broome-Hughes, chief commercial officer, M2A, “Instead of doing ad insertion at the device, we’ve moved that flow to the encoder. We’re putting it on the encoder because it’ll keep that broadcast quality throughout the entire chain. It’s much less expensive than SSAI, and you’re guaranteed to play those ads because you know that you’ve got them earlier in the broadcast chain.”