The most significant change to the production, storage, and distribution of TV content since DTV and SDI was introduced is network technologies. Among other pioneers, we can thank SMPTE for standards and protocols, the Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) for coding and compression standards, and Steve Jobs for developing and releasing HTTP-based adaptive bitrate streaming video in 2009.

According to Nielsen recently, Americans are now watching more streaming video than watching cable TV. Streaming hours in July 2022 surpassed their peak from the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. In fact, ATSC 3.0 is streaming video but it’s OTA component is not counted as streaming video.

Utilization of new network technologies and higher network speeds continues to dominate many of the technical advancements at most TV facilities. Most stations and production facilities have learned to adapt to IP video by necessity due to the pandemic, and because IP is becoming a proven solution that multiplies opportunities and convenience. Virtually all TV engineers and administrators agree that IP access to system and solution settings is a tremendous benefit.

At IBC, Evertz (Stand 1.F76) will be showing IP-based end-to-end solutions around its Software Defined Video Networking (SDVN) portfolio, which has been installed in over 500 broadcast facilities worldwide.

For large IP deployments, Evertz will be highlighting its MAGNUM-OS orchestration, control and analytics system, designed to simplify workflows, reduce operating costs, and increase efficiency. The system’s bandwidth management ensures that large volumes of SMPTE ST 2110 signals, including critical PTP signals, can be moved and managed to and from devices spread across facilities, or multiple facilities, using 25/50/100/400 GbE network connections, without compromise.

Evertz will also highlight its evertz.io platform, a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution that is helping live sports, live entertainment and linear channel customers launch new channels and monetize content across a wide range of Over-the-Top (OTT), Direct-to-Consumer (DTC), Connected TV and traditional Broadcast distribution/streaming applications.

Evertz.io uses hyper-scalable serverless microservices to offer a high level of agility and flexibility. With evertz.io, customers can grow, scale, and launch channels with confidence, knowing they will only pay for the services they use.

Also featured prominently on the Evertz IBC stand is Studer Audio. Over the past few months, Evertz has focused on integrating the legendary Studer technology into its own live production workflows. Studer Vista digital consoles and Infinity Core audio mixing and processing are now part of Evertz Software Defined Video Networking (SDVN) solutions.

Engineer Peter Lawo founded Lawo in 1970 as a development firm for technologies used in the making of electronic music. At IBC, Lawo (Stand 8.B90) will be showing its V__matrix software-defined IP core routing, processing and multi-viewing platform. It offers a completely virtualized real-time routing and processing infrastructure.

Instead of connecting single-purpose modular products in elaborate production chains, the V__matrix is based on the data center principles of flexibility, fabric computing and COTS economics and makes these available to any live production broadcast environment. It is an ecosystem that scales linearly from tens to thousands of I/O and processing functions, making it ideal for any size live broadcast facility, small or large. An entire production workflow can be remapped in minutes when requirements change from production to production. The functionality of any processing blade can be exchanged, enabling system capabilities to easily be modified or upgraded to address your constantly changing business requirements.

Lawo will also show its V__remote4, all-in-one solution for IP-based remote productions. The Lawo V__remote4 combines a bi-directional, four-channel video-over-IP interface, four local SDI inputs and outputs, along with all the processing tools usually needed when contributing video and audio via WAN or LAN to a broadcast production.

Also in the spotlight at Lawo is the .edge Hyper-Density SDI/IP Conversion and Routing Platform. It includes .edge Frame, .edge Processing Blades, and .edge Rear I/O Plate. Designed as the ideal replacement for legacy SDI routing infrastructure, .edge offers the convenience and reliability of native SDI/IP conversion for long-haul signal transport. It is also a good solution for users who need to scale up to UHD and quickly find themselves limited by existing router infrastructure. It supports the SMPTE ST2110 suite of standards with SMPTE ST 2022-7 redundancy built in.

Meinberg (Stand 8.B63) will demonstrate its new meinbergOS Web Interface, which users can use to directly configure and monitor their microSync hardware.

The meinbergOS Web Interface provides direct access to microSync's configuration and monitoring features from any browser-equipped device, enabling administrators to tweak signal outputs, install firmware updates, and add or block users from the comfort of a tablet, for example. Configuration panels provide dependable guidance to ensure PTP profile-compliant settings or authenticate NTP traffic for improved security.

A dashboard provides the essential information at a glance, including up-to-date information on upstream synchronization signals and network connectivity, providing assurance that your timekeeping infrastructure is working without a hitch, while an accurate visual representation of the microSync enables users to easily identify which signals are output through which physical ports and access the corresponding configuration page with just a click on the port.

Meinberg will also show its LANTIME family of ready-to-run Network Time Protocol (NTP) server appliances, ideal for synchronizing networks of any size. Users can choose between several different external reference sources such as globally available satellite systems GPS, GLONASS, future planned also Beidou and Galileo, Central European DCF77 and IRIG.

Riedel Communications (Stand 10.A31) will showcase its video side. Riedel is well known for state-of-the-art comms, but they also apply their innovative engineering to video, audio and data distribution. 

MediorNet IP further enhances Riedel’s distributed network approach to video distribution using TDM and fiber by adding standardized IP solutions to their collection. At the heart of the MediorNet IP solution is the flexible, small form-factor MuoN SFP technology, offering a plethora of processing, such as encoding/decoding, up/down/cross conversion, ST 2110 gateways and even multiviewers. These highly scalable solutions not only fit in the palm of your hand, providing density, but also offer sustainable reprogrammable solutions capable of tailoring systems as never before.

On the comms side, Riedel’s wired and wireless intercom solutions, Artist, Director and Bolero will be highlighting new features and innovations complimenting their durability, reliability and clarity. Riedel will also showcase new additions and updates to their SmartPanel portfolio including the newly developed Audio Monitoring App. This App for the 1200 Series SmartPanels allows users to easily monitor their audio, for confidence and quality, while simultaneously performing their typical intercom workflows via the Intercom App. Users can select up to 16 stereo AES67 channels in parallel from a total of 256 channels which they can swiftly organize within the app‘s browser-based configuration tool. As the Audio Monitoring App takes its sources directly from the ST 2110 (AES67) network, users gain flexibility in selecting monitoring sources while saving ports on their matrix.

TSL Products (Stand 10.B41) will showcase its portfolio of Audio solutions at IBC 2022. Ranging from its MPA1 line to its SAM-Q and PAM offerings, TSL will show audio monitoring options that will fit varying workflows and budgets.

TSL’s SAM-Q-NET audio monitor is the company’s latest audio product release and introduces TSL’s SAM-Q advanced audio monitoring capabilities to an IP networked world, with native support for ST 2110-30, ST 2022-7 and multiple control options including NMOS. One of the benefits of SAM-Q-NET is that the on board redundant 1G Ethernet connectivity reduces the cost of deployment for audio specific installations.

Supporting several operational modes, which can be dynamically enabled and disabled as required, SAM-Q is equally at home in operational positions in studio facilities, OB trucks, master control rooms and playout facilities.

Control is a key consideration when it comes to broadcast IP installations, and TSL made sure to equip SAM-Q-NET with both in-band and out-of-band control options, including NMOS support and a TSL RESTful API, with more planned for the future. By maximizing the number of control systems that the unit can be integrated with, TSL is providing users choice and flexibility when it comes to planning their installation, allowing them to choose the right equipment for the task in hand.

TSL will also showcase its PAM-IP range at IBC. With the growing adoption of IP infrastructures, customers can monitor ST 2110, ST 2022-6 and Dante AoIP, alongside SDI, AES3 and analogue sources, all from a single unit. For customers working with traditional infrastructures, the PAM MK2 audio monitors provide the same interface and operational experience as the PAM-IP, including comprehensive loudness monitoring and Dolby decoding capability.

The TSL stand also includes DNF Controls products.

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