German Broadcaster WELT Builds Studios On Black Box Emerald

Private German broadcaster WELT (formerly N24) is deploying the full Emerald Unified KVM product line and Boxilla centralized KVM manager to support modern broadcast operations across its new studio headquarters in Berlin.

Designed, supplied and installed by the project’s master systems integrator Qvest Media, the Black Box solution will enable reliable, flexible IP-based signal switching and extension for two large broadcast studios and one smaller studio, all of which rely entirely on remotely operated robotic systems.

“The Emerald KVM platform is unique in supporting both virtual and physical machines, and this capability — along with anytime, anywhere access via the Remote App software receiver — has opened up a whole new way of approaching our studio infrastructure,” said Thorsten Prohm, chief technical officer at WELT. “The Black Box system’s ability to support both HD and 4K likewise gives us valuable flexibility in managing signals and format types as we deliver news broadcasts with an innovative look and feel.”

WELT will take broadcasts live from the new facility this year. With Emerald transmitters and receivers connecting operator workstations to computers in the facility’s equipment rooms — and eventually to virtual machines — operators working anywhere will enjoy fast access to any sources they need to do their jobs. The Remote App securely extends access to the KVM network so that authorized users can connect to the studio or other broadcast facilities and remotely perform the same job they do when working on site.

“We’re thrilled to be working with WELT on their exciting new facility build to redefine live news broadcasting — from an overhaul of the conventional studio model to the integration of user-generated content and modern news production,” said Norman Tettenborn, principal at Qvest Media. 

You might also like...

Live Sports Production: Part 1 - New Sports Production Workflows

Welcome to Part 1 of ‘Live Sports Production’ - This new multi-part series uses a round table style format to explore the technology of live sports production with some of the industry’s leading system designers. It is a fascinating insight i…

Building Software Defined Infrastructure: Virtualization Vs Microservices

How virtualization and microservices differ, and workflows where virtualization and microservices would be used or avoided in terms of reliability, flexibility and security.

IP Security For Broadcasters: Part 8 - RADIUS Network Access

Maintaining controlled access is critical for any secure network, especially when working with high-value media in broadcast environments.

Standards: Part 25 - Designing Client-Side Video Players

Here we chart the historical development of client-side video players, describe the building blocks used to create them and the relevant standards.

Microphones: Part 5 - The Variable Directivity Microphone

The variable directivity microphone is very popular for studio work. What goes on inside is very clever and not widely appreciated.