As the broadcast and live production industry navigates the gradual yet inevitable transition from SDI to IP, hybrid solutions have emerged as a smart convergence of traditional and modern workflows. These solutions bridge baseband systems with cutting-edge IP technologies, enabling operators to leverage the best of both worlds. At Riedel Communications, our mission is to simplify this migration and empower our clients to meet the demands of modern production environments without unnecessary disruption. One of the most compelling examples of this approach is Videlio Events recent deployment of our award-winning MediorNet HorizoN platform, which enabled them to build temporary hybrid environments for back-to-back productions across France.

A Modular Approach For Flexibility And Agility

Videlio, a renowned French systems integrator and service provider specializing in live productions for events, sports, and corporate applications, has broken new ground with Riedel’s MediorNet HorizoN and MicroN UHD platforms. For the creation of their next-generation flyaway control rooms, Videlio Events sought a solution that could simplify operations, provide scalability, and prepare their team for a gradual, risk-free migration to IP. Their vision was clear: a hybrid approach that ensured agility and operational continuity while reducing complexity and maintaining performance.

To meet this challenge, Videlio designed three standalone flyaway video control rooms, each built around MediorNet HorizoN providing IP gateways and UDX & SDR/HDR conversion, as well as MediorNet MicroN UHD for routing and multiviewing. MediorNet’s modular architecture allows the control rooms to function independently or to interconnect seamlessly – even across distances – offering unparalleled flexibility. This innovation proved critical during major multi-site events such as the 2024 multi-sport opening ceremonies in Paris or the WorldSkills competition in Lyon, where the flyaway kits first demonstrated their exceptional adaptability.

“We were already familiar with the benefits of MediorNet product line and especially its valuable decentralized architecture. That’s why we knew that it would be the right choice for our modular control rooms. HorizoN then sealed the deal: The sheer amount of horsepower we get out of this amazing 1RU processing platform is impressive.” Vincent Varoquier, Technical Director, Videlio Events.

Streamlined Operations In Constricted Environments

A key benefit of the MediorNet solution lies in its ability to dramatically simplify signal management. A traditional setup would have required extensive cabling — up to 100 cables in some cases — for interconnections between the control room and video mixer. With MediorNet, Videlio reduced this to just two cables, freeing valuable space in the compact and often challenging environments of flyaway kits. Moreover, HorizoN’s Up-Down-Cross and HDR-SDR conversion capabilities and MicroN UHD’s built-in glue features like frame sync, embedders/de-embedders and test pattern generators, minimized the need for additional hardware, further streamlining workflows and reducing operational expenses.

This simplification is not merely about convenience. It allows Videlio to focus on delivering premium service to their clients, knowing that the technology will function reliably in the background. The reduction in setup and teardown times also proved invaluable, enabling the team to quickly reconfigure and redeploy assets for back-to-back events.

“One of the greatest benefits of HorizoN has been how drastically it simplified our signal management process. What used to take us hours with hundreds of cables now takes just minutes with two. It’s a game-changer for our flyaway kits.” Vincent Varoquier, Technical Director, Videlio.

A Pragmatic Pathway To IP Adoption

The hybrid nature of HorizoN provides Videlio Events with a practical and phased approach to IP adoption. By supporting both SDI and SMPTE-2110 IP technologies within a single frame, HorizoN enables the team to continue leveraging familiar SDI workflows while gradually integrating IP capabilities. This allows Videlio Events to take advantage of IP’s scalability, flexibility, and efficiency without overburdening operators or introducing unnecessary risks.

As Videlio’s operators were not all IP experts, the ability to maintain confidence and comfort in their workflows was critical. HorizoN empowered them to explore the benefits of IP at their own pace, ensuring that their transition was both smooth and controlled. For Videlio, this pragmatic approach underscored a broader industry truth: IP adoption should be driven by tangible operational benefits, not by industry trends.

“IP must be adopted for its real operational benefits and not because it’s a trend. Over the last few years, we’ve seen Riedel embrace the SMPTE-2110 video over IP shift with amazing products such as MuoN, FusioN or VirtU, but we opted to hold out for a true hybrid solution because going full IP at once would have been a radical change for our organization and our teams. As a business, our achievements rely on our people: making them feel at home with their new tools and workflows was a key part of our transition equation. We knew we needed a proper migration plan that gives us full control over risk, pace and budget considerations. The expanded MediorNet family delivered all that and more.” Vincent Varoquier, Technical Director, Videlio.

Modular Production Islands For Back-to-Back Events

The interconnection capabilities of HorizoN and MicroN UHD enables Videlio to create flexible production “islands” that can be grouped or separated based on specific project needs. With Riedel’s MediorMind orchestration layer, operators can manage these islands with ease, benefiting from features like offline configuration and intuitive workflow management. Those features, alongside the capability to add or remove preconfigured MediorNet frames or to save the Multiviewer layouts across the network, helped bringing the setup and teardown times down to a minimum. This proved instrumental during the 2024 WorldSkills event in Lyon, where Videlio redeployed assets originally used for the Paris multi-sport ceremonies. Despite the tight turnaround, the HorizoN-enabled control rooms delivered high-quality production support for both the live and broadcast elements of the event, reinforcing Videlio’s reputation as a leader in live production.

“With HorizoN, we’ve achieved the agility to reconfigure and redeploy assets between events in record time. From the Paris Games to Lyon Worldskills within 5 days – with our new hybrid MediorNet solution, we know we can deliver the premium-quality service our clients expect.” Vincent Varoquier, Technical Director, Videlio.

Empowering People Through Technology

At Riedel, we believe that successful technology deployment hinges on empowering the people who use it. The hybrid design of HorizoN reflects this philosophy, enabling operators to remain productive and confident as they transition to new workflows. As Videlio Events team experienced firsthand, HorizoN simplifies day-to-day operations while providing a robust foundation for future innovation. This project demonstrates that hybrid solutions like HorizoN are not just a bridge to IP but a comprehensive answer to the challenges of modern live production. By combining the reliability of SDI with the potential of IP, HorizoN delivers the best of both worlds – allowing teams like Videlio’s to embrace the future without losing sight of their present goals.

“The relationship between Videlio and Riedel has grown over more than 10 years, which is certainly a proof of mutual trust. By always keeping an open ear for the challenges we face, Riedel has become more than our technology provider, but our trusted advisor.” Vincent Varoquier, Technical Director, Videlio.