SportsTechBuzz at NAB 2023: Monday’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 2023, with all the top stories gathered in one easy-to-read blog.
Today’s edition features Appear, Black Box, Blackmagic Design, Calrec, Clear-Com, DataCore Software, Deltacast, Domo Broadcast Systems, Evertz, G&D North America, Imagine Communications, Leader Phabrix, LiveU, LucidLink, Magnifi by VideoVerse, Mediakind, NEP Group, NewTek, Perifery, Pliant Technologies, Quantum, Ross Video, Shure, Studio Network Solutions, Vivaro Media, and Wasabi Technologies.
NORTH HALL
Evertz (Booth N2225) used its NAB 2023 press conference to showcase updates to the Studer Vista digital mixing consoles. The Vista now supports ST 2110 and includes a new Video PFL (Pre-Fade–Listen) feature that lets the operator select an input to pre-fade while listening to the audio and seeing the accompanying video for that channel on the multiviewer in the audio-control room. There are developments also within BRAVO Studio, the virtualized live-production platform that is operated through a browser instead of a hardware panel. The key for this product, according to Mo Goyal, senior director, international business development, live media production, is “usability,” allowing small production teams to create high-quality “add-on” content, such as coverage of a single golf hole. New tools include Highlight Factory, with which clips and stories are automatically created using AI.
LucidLink’s Alex Ferris
LucidLink (Booth N1513) has teamed with EVS and Adobe to demo a new live-production workflow for sports. According to Alex Ferris, director, pre-sales engineering/global lead, the workflow combines LucidLink’s Filespaces remote-collaboration technology, EVS’s LiveCeption live-production and MediaCeption content-management systems, and Adobe Premiere Pro NLE to quickly ingest events and edit and stream them to audiences in as near to real time as possible from anywhere in the world. Live footage can be ingested directly into globally accessible storage as it is created, making growing files immediately available to remote editors. This removes the need for complicated networking, file-acceleration technologies, or physical shared storage. The ability to access media instantly, as if it were stored on a local drive, also enables on-premises, hybrid, or cloud-exclusive workflows.
Wasabi Technologies (Booth N3167) and IBM are teaming up on a new initiative to use IBM Cloud Satellite and Wasabi hot cloud storage to drive data innovation across hybrid cloud environments. According to VP, Media and Entertainment, Whit Jackson, the collaboration aims to allow enterprises to run applications across any environment — on-premises, in the cloud, at the edge — and helps enable users to cost-efficiently access and use key business data and analytics in real time. The Boston Red Sox will be the first to use the new joint solution, leveraging Wasabi hot cloud storage across its hybrid cloud infrastructure while piloting IBM Cloud Satellite to house player video, analytics, surveillance data, IoT, and more across Fenway Park and bring the flexibility and agility of public-cloud services to its secured on-premises data center.
Perifery’s Alex Grossman (left) and Abhjit Dey
Having acquired Caringo, Mayastor, and Object Matrix over the past two years, DataCore Software is using NAB 2023 as the formal relaunch of a new brand: Perifery (Booth N1331). The new division is focused on “high-growth edge markets” like media and entertainment, according to VP, Product Management and Product Marketing, Alex Grossman. In addition to M&E, says GM/COO Abhijit Dey, Perifery plans to target healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. Deploying technology and leaders from Caringo, Mayastor, and Object Matrix, Perifery offers edge devices and solutions for M&E that speed content monetization and provide more–cost-predictable storage, AI services, and preprocessing options. At the show, the company has unveiled Perifery AI+, a set of new AI-based application-centric services for content-production workflows that integrate with the Perifery Transporter on-set media appliance, Swarm software, and Perifery Panel for Adobe Premiere Pro.
LiveU (Booth N3058) has rolled into show with a bevy of new workflows powering sports-video production. On the broadcast side, the company’s new On-site Production Solution is refining productions from outdoor/remote locations. LiveU’s solution includes its multi-cam/compact 5G 4K field units and Mobile Receiver in the production truck. The live video is transmitted directly from the units to the truck in a highly resilient manner without the need for cables, fixed internet, or complex networking configurations. The live feeds are transferred via the public internet and the LU-Link cloud service as part of a seamless workflow. “Sports that are outdoor [in remote locations] are usually expensive to produce because of the landscape or the size of the playing surface,” says VP, Sports Sales, Janel Moorefield. “This is an incredible solution to bring in these various camera angles back to your onsite production.” Built atop the easylive.io platform, which LiveU acquired last year, LiveU Studio is the company’s new fully cloud-native IP live-video-production service. Users can create, edit, and distribute shows from their browser anywhere via the intuitive web interface and can generate multiple revenue streams. Residing in the cloud, the service enables teams to work collaboratively on simultaneous projects worldwide, scaling up capabilities to deliver more content while paying only for what they need. “For instances like breaking news, postgame interviews, and press conferences where you can’t get to your control room,” adds Moorefield, “you can now set up this cloud production platform. “We see limitless possibilities with this [product].” Guided tours of the LiveU Ecosystem are available every hour on the show floor.
Quantum’s Skip Levens with new Quantum Myriad
Quantum (Booth N3027) is highlighting a giant leap in storage with the debut of Quantum Myriad. The all-flash, scale-out file- and object-storage software platform is Quantum’s most advanced software-defined storage platform to date and leverages advances in application frameworks and design that were not available even a few years ago, according to Marketing Director, M&E, Skip Levens. Myriad’s cloud-native architecture overcomes the limitations of hardware-centric designs and enables customers to adapt to future storage needs while reducing the burden on IT staff. The new shared-nothing architecture is designed for the latest flash technologies to deliver consistent low-latency performance at any scale, and it introduces inline data services, such as deduplication and compression, snapshots and clones, and metadata tagging to accelerate AI/ML data processing. It uses familiar and proven cloud technologies, like microservices and Kubernetes, to deliver cloud simplicity wherever deployed.
Studio Network Solutions (Booth N2108) has plenty of news to share, headlined by the launch of EVO Cloud, a private cloud storage solution with SNS’s EVO Suite included for unlimited users. According to Marketing Manager Melanie Ciotti, EVO Cloud features secure remote access, media-asset management (MAM), automatic proxy generation, and built-in remote editing tools for a flat monthly price with no egress fees or per-user software license fees. In addition to EVO Cloud, SNS is introducing the MOD personal-size server featuring the EVO Suite, the Transcode Accelerator EVO plug-in to speed transcoding across multi-EVO environments, and updates to its NDI plug-in.
G&D North America’s Karl Johnson (left) and Craig Abram
G&D North America (Booth N1967) is highlighting its wide range of KVM solutions. A pair of products, PersonalWorkplace-Controller and VisionXS, are the focal point of its efforts. PersonalWorkplace-Controller is a new multiviewing tool that combines flexibility and usability. It also enables broadcast professionals to display multiple video signals on one large monitor or multiple displays for individualized design of workplaces. VisionXS extenders are matrix-compatible and offer resolutions of up to 4K at 60 Hz and a broad range of features for an optimal user experience. The series is also being expanded with VisionXS Type-C computer modules, which enable modern sources — USB-C computers, notebooks, tablets, even smartphones — to be incorporated, following the trend toward an improved and universal USB standard. Overall, Director, Business Development, Broadcast/Entertainment, North America, Craig Abrams emphasized that the booth’s focus at NAB 2023 is the gradual migration to IP.
Blackmagic Design (Booth N2601) has a slew of new products at NAB 2023, and President Dan May says the new ATEM Television Studio 4K8 live-production switcher exemplifies a revamped switcher line that can meet a wide variety of needs for sports-production professionals. The Television Studio 4K8 supports UHD up to 2160p60. “The portability means you can lug this in, throw up a couple of cameras, and do a sports event,” says May. “That’s the appeal for these particular type of units.” And coupled with recent intros like the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K G2, the entire ATEM line can pack a cost-effective punch.
Evertz (Booth N2225) is discussing integration of Studer’s Vista audio capabilities with the Evertz DreamCatcher BRAVO Studio virtual-production-control suite. “We’re using our VUE visual user interface to have full control of the Vista audio console to open up remote audio production,” said Evertz Manager, Product Marketing, Mo Goyal. He noted that the new Highlight Factory for BRAVO Studio will be of interest to sports professionals: “As metadata comes in, you can line up to the timecode and automatically package different highlights so you can have a pool of content to draw from for things like catch-me-up features or a player’s highlights.”
Ross Video (Booth N2201) is back at the NAB Show in a big way, says VP, Global Sports and Live Events, Kevin Cottam, with tons of innovation reflecting a company that has grown from 800 employees in 2019 to more than 1,500 now. Thanks to the acquisition of D3 LED, for example, LED display technology is prominently displayed in the 10,000-sq.-ft. booth. Among a bevy of new products is the Ultra 60 Carbonite production switcher. “It’s modular, which Carbonite has never been before, and there are also five different control panels,” says Cottam. “We’re starting to get into the larger-production-switcher realm, and the control panels range from a single M/E to a full 3M/E or three-strip control panel and four mini M/Es, which means it basically is a 7M/E switcher. But, with Ultra Scene, you can take up to four snapshots and feed them back into the M/Es, which means it’s basically an 11M/E switcher.”
CENTRAL HALL
Leader Phabrix’s Martin Mulligan (left) and Kevin Salvidge
Leader Phabrix (Booth C4920) is talking about its QxP portable 12-GB SDI 25G IP waveform analyzer and generator, which has been shipping since the end of March. Commented Kevin Salvidge, sales engineering and technical marketing manager, “The sports-broadcasting world was the first to adapt to 4K, UHD, wide color gamut, and HDR, but the portable test-and-measurement products hadn’t moved on with them. We’ve been asked about this by our customers, and, with QxP, we’ve delivered what they need.”
Deltacast (Booth C3012) is highlighting two new features in Delta-highlight, its sports-game–analysis tool for broadcast and coaching: in V.12, 3D parabolic arrow enhancement and Player Coat are stealing the limelight. Said International Sales Manager Lionel Dutilleux, “Our customers are asking for these functionalities. When looking at our product roadmap, we look at all the parameters available and then ask our customers what they prefer; it’s always about the discussions we have with our customers that are taking this forwards, so we can bring the innovation they need to them.”
NEP Group (Booth C4535) is spotlighting the launch of TFC Link, an addition to its Total Facility Control (TFC) system. Said Casper Choffat, SVP, global product, “TFC is our proprietary inhouse application designed to simplify the complexities of IP 2110 network infrastructures. We have a suite of TFC-supported products: TFC Core, our broadcast controller; TFC Flow, our in-venue signal-flow solution; and now TFC Link, our SDN solution used for network orchestration between facilities via point-to-point technology. The feedback we’re getting is that what we’re doing with TFC, with IP, with the networking; is a generational change.”
Pliant Technologies’ weather-resistant CrewCom radio transceiver
Pliant Technologies (Booth C7521) is showcasing the weather-resistance qualities of its new CrewCom IP-rated radio transceivers. IP here refers not to IP connectivity but to the ingress-protection (IP) code that indicates how well a device is protected against water and dust. “Both kinds of IP are important,” noted VP, Global Sales, Gary Rosen, referring to the ingress protection of the new RTs, which are available in both 900-MHz and 2.4-GHz versions. “The latest RTs are reliable in all types of weather conditions, making them suitable for a variety of outdoor as well as indoor applications.”
Calrec’s (Booth C6107) recently announced ImPulse1 IP audio-processing and -routing engine is making its NAB Show debut. A compact version of the ST 2110-native ImPulse platform, ImPulse1 features an optional second core for redundancy and a new 128-input channel DSP pack offering entry-level pricing. Also on show are ImPulse, RP1 remote production, Assist Remote Working, Brio 36, Type R/Talent Panel, and Artemis. “What Calrec are doing is learning how to support customers in both REMI/at-home and distributed-type environments, especially in a cloud-based environment,” said Henry Goodman, head of sales and marketing. “Production doesn’t happen in just one place anymore, not just the venue or the studio. It’s in the cloud, and the products have to reflect that. Our proof-of-concept approach is collaborative with customers so we can see what they need in each situation and provide the right solutions.”
Shure UniPlex UL4 cardioid lavalier microphones
Shure (Booth C6920) is offering a glimpse the new Wireless Workbench 7 (WWB7) software, Shure’s free software that puts a full suite of RF-spectrum management tools in one place, providing full command of compatible wireless devices. New with WWB7, the Scan Library lets users view recently uploaded RF scans before upcoming productions by accessing an integrated scan-library portal. Users can upload and download past scans to facilitate frequency coordination for their gear before going onsite. Shure is also displaying the UniPlex UL4 cardioid lavalier microphone and the AD600 Axient Digital Spectrum Manager — both nominated for NAB’s Product of the Year Awards. The company is also noting that Shure’s microphones have been getting into sports venues in unique ways. Senior Marketing Development Specialist Ben Escobedo explained how the Shure MX910, MX920, and, more recently, the 710, which were developed for installed-systems applications, have been showing up as capture devices on NBA and Big 10 courts and in the press rooms for after-game interviews. “TBS and Scotiabank Arena are both big users of these products in those applications,” he said. “They’re reliable and easy to use and are Dante-compatible. They check all those boxes. They’re where systems and sports converge.”
Clear-Com Arcadia Central Station
Clear-Com (Booth C5507), which is celebrating its 55th birthday at NAB 2023, has intercom solutions for a lot of sports application. Arcadia Central Station combines C-C’s HelixNet, FreeSpeak, Encore 2W/4W endpoints, and third-party Dante devices in a single scalable, integrated system. But other dynamics drive product development and sales, Regional Sales Manager Mike Franklin pointed out: “Particularly wealthy donors may want very specific sports, like swimming or women’s volleyball on television, and a scalable and affordable platform like Arcadia, which can partition 100 channels into several different sports simultaneously, is a cost-effective way to get more sports on-air.” He added that it’s part of a development strategy the company has dubbed “Clear-Com Connect.” VP, Products, Simon Browne noted wryly the link between sports technology and college funding: “It creates a virtuous circle.”
WEST HALL
Appear (Booth W.2512) is bringing its SRT acceleration solution to the market here at NAB 2023. Said CEO Thomas Bostrøm Jørgensen, “One of the challenges the industry has is capacity and space. SRT is normally implemented on the server, but the SRT solution on our Appear X platform is implemented on FPGA. It’s a complete game-changer on the capacity and number of possible connections it makes available. Broadcasters can do more with less; it’s more dense with less expense.” Added Brian Nelles, executive VP, PSSI Global Services, “The Appear X platform’s flexible feature set and density enable us to scale to meet our client’s increasing volume of camera signals and super-slow-motion feeds for remote replay servers. To be able to encode and transmit within such a small form-factor saves money in power and dramatically reduces costs for shipping our field acquisition kits.”
Magnifi by VideoVerse (Booth W1266) is conducting interactive demonstrations of its AI-powered solutions, including Digital Highlight Pro. This offering features ball-tracking technology and can be used to rapidly create and distribute short-form sports content. The company is also talking about how it is integrating ChatGPT within a video-editing dashboard. This theme will be explored today in the Connect Innovation Theatre in the West Hall (W3421), where company co-founder/COO Saket Dandotia is doing a showcase. In addition, VideoVerse has announced acquisition of Reely.ai, a U.S.-based AI-powered content-creation and social-media–distribution company focused on esports. The Reely.ai platform is capable of automatically identifying highlights and key moments within a videogame.
Mediakind (Booth W2100) is focusing on three key innovations at NAB 2023, particularly on energy efficiency for better sustainability. MediaKind Atlas delivers three significant workflows from the cloud: Live Catch-up and TV recording, AI-powered file-based encoding, and AI-based Upscale. It leverages public-cloud storage along with AI-powered services to aid the rollout of next-generation cloud DVR services. MediaKind Wave expands adaptive bitrate (ABR) to ultra-low-latency streams, provides instant channel change, and uses multicast technology to stream targeted ads to millions of simultaneous viewers. These benefits allow operators to combine their IPTV and streaming distribution networks and give media owners the chance to offer new immersive and interactive live experiences. MediaKind Aquila incorporates hardware acceleration to decrease power consumption and carbon footprint by 70% for live transcoding. A new AI-enabled video-analysis engine optimizes cloud consumption, and the Versatile Video Coding (VVC) codec reduces bandwidth requirements compared with H.264 and HEVC.
Domo Broadcast Systems’ ONYX remote-production solution
UK-based Domo Broadcast Systems (Booth W3459) is highlighting its efforts on ONYX, a remote-production solution based on an IP-based encoder and decoder. Described as “plug-and-play” and having already been used on coverage of Formula E and FA Cup football matches, the pair of rack-mounted devices are designed to dovetail for applications using leased lines or satellite. They can handle four simultaneous HD or one UHD feed with end-to-end latencies as low as 40 ms. Streaming can be in a variety of IP formats, including SRT, at bitrates of up to 120 Mbps, and Genlock input is included for studio synchronization.
Fresh from delivering coverage of the American qualifying tournament for the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major Championship alongside Blast.tv, Vivaro Media (Booth W3921) is talking about its recently expanded service offering. The group not only provides video-distribution services, as CEO Daniel Gonzalez explained, but now also produces TV content in Latin America, as well as organizing, producing, and transmitting esports events. The group includes Vivaro Telecom, Vivaro Media, Vivaro Digital, Vivaro Video, Vivaro Gaming, Vivaro Properties, and Vivaro Comunidad. It operates 247,000 km of fiber network and 13 data centers. Its Liga Ace Esports is the biggest esports league in Latin America, according to Gonzalez. Announcements by the company include development of software that will automate distribution of content for federations and broadcasters.
Black Box (Booth W1322) is debuting its new Emerald DESKVUE solution at NAB 2023. Offering a completely new concept in KVM-over-IP, Emerald DESKVUE eliminates the traditional one-to-one relationship with a transmitter or virtual system and allows users to create a personalized workspace where they can simultaneously view and interact with up to 16 systems. Also on display are Black Box’s Emerald KVM-over-IP Platform, which serves as an infinitely scalable universal-access system and gives users the flexibility to connect to both physical and virtual machines from any location at any time, and Boxilla KVM manager, which offers a complete solution for monitoring system performance, configuring proactive security alerts, checking on real-time device status, and identifying active devices, connections, and users.
Imagine Communications (Booth W2775) is showcasing its new master-control switcher for the Selenio Network Processor (SNP) and a partnership with Amiga to improve ad playout for digital services. CTO/Director, Infrastructure Product Management, John Mailhot said, “We’ve aggregated pretty much every different signal-processing function out there in the Selenio platform, and now we can make a UHD channel out of a trunk of the SNP and dynamically convert inputs into UHD HDR for consistent presentation. And our partnership with Amiga,” he added, “allows users to sell their own advertising and meet all of the normal broadcast rules about frequency and placement and run it into an ecosystem like Roku and all the other platforms or smart TVs. It puts the content owner in the position to sell their own ads and deliver into those platforms, so you don’t have to watch the same ad 10 times in a row.”
NewTek (Booth W2821) is highlighting the latest in its TriCaster line, including the new Flex control panel. According to Senior Content Producer Richard Evans, the Flex control panel is made for the convenience of operators. “It has a portable form-factor, allowing for easy transportation and setup, with NDI audio inputs and outputs, and an NDI-based controller enables the managing of any TriCaster on a network, from anywhere. Flex offers tactile control of audio, PTZ cameras, and virtual camera control. It has the connectivity, control, and ease of use every busy producer needs.”