In Broadcast - May 2020 - 40

www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 10 - Issue 5 | May 2020

InStudio

Full-IP OB Twins Usher in a
New Era for Belgium's RTBF
Belgian broadcaster RTBF has taken delivery of the
first of a pair of groundbreaking full-IP OB trucks...

n early April 2020, RTBF, Belgium's and 512 DSP channels provided
public broadcaster for the country's by A__UHD Core. Audio and video
French-speaking community, took signals can be sourced from six video
delivery of the first of two full-IP OB stageboxes equipped with V__matrix
trucks.
Silent frames and A__mic8 audio I/O
Due to the covid-19 lockdown, the edge devices. In addition, there are
12m long trailer had to be configured eight audio stageboxes containing
remotely using TeamViewer, a few maxed-out Power Core units as well
web cameras and microphones for as two stageboxes with one DALLIS
confirmation purposes as well as via I/O frame each, providing 128dB
VPN in order to be delivered on time. microphone inputs for exacting audio
The second identical OB truck will quality requirements. All of the above
arrive on 1 July.
run in ST2110.
Masterminded by Geert Thoelen
While reading through the tender
of NEP Belgium and Dirk Sykora of documents, Geert Thoelen and Maxime
Lawo, the vehicles built by Broadcast Delobe of NEP Belgium realised that
Solutions in Germany will be leased to RTBF was expecting highly efficient
RTBF for eight years.
and future-proof "dream trucks".
The twins come equipped with a Given that an IP backbone had
100Gbps Arista-powered network been specified, Thoelen and Delobe
core (audio, video and matrix) that suggested basing the two vehicles on
revolves around Lawo's V__matrix C100 ST2110-20 for video and ST2110-30
platform for SDI- and IP-based video for audio. In response to a request
and audio input/output as well as for Dolby E signal compatibility, Lawo
processing.
proposed to make all audio streams
A Sony XVS-8000 IP vision mixer also available in the ST2110-31 format.
provides powerful video control for "This way, the OB trucks cater to both
the 16 Sony cameras. The Sony Live 24-bit and 32-bit audio needs in any
System Manager provides the control combination: the ST2110-30 or ST2110interface to Lawo's VSM and NMOS- 31 audio stream versions can be
IS04/05 protocols as required. The selected at the press of a button on a
LSM allowed Sony to remotely access VSM soft- or hardware panel," explains
the Switcher network to configure the Lawo's Dirk Sykora. "This user-friendly
IP routing and XVS setups from its approach eliminates time-consuming
engineer's home during
the unfortunate events of
covid-19 and pan European
lockdowns.
Each truck offers 36
vm_dmv heads delivered
by V__matrix C100 blades
for multiviewing purposes.
Overarching control and
orchestration is managed
by Lawo's VSM IP control RTBF OB Audio Mixing on Lawo mc256 console
system.
Mixed Audio
Both OB trucks support
all
audio
formats
(analogue, AES3, MADI
with SRC, Dante with SRC
and
AES67/RAVENNA),
which are mixed using a
48-channel-strip
mc256
audio production console

RTBF OB Rack with V__matrix

Broadcast
Solutions:
"Building an IP- and
ST2110-based OB truck
is still the exception that
confirms the rule. By laying
a solid IP foundation, the
Broadcast Solutions team
proved that it was up to
this challenging task."
The experience gained
with the first OB truck is
RTBF OB Production Control Area
now being "copied and
pasted" to the second
vehicle. Dirk Sykora of
Lawo: "Explaining the vast
capabilities and flexibility
of the V__matrix platform
at the onset of the project
was
highly
beneficial
for a swift and effective
configuration phase. Both
HD trucks are 4K/UHDRTBF OB Vision Control Area
ready, which-from Lawo's
and costly system reconfigurations perspective-is a simple matter of
before an upcoming event," adds Geert retasking existing C100 blades."
Thoelen.
Sony's Account Manager Daan
Herreman: "Being recognised as a
Total Coverage
trusted and innovative technology
According to Olivier Malevez, Project partner for many years to RTBF and
Manager New IP Outside Broadcast NEP Belgium, we were delighted Sony
at RTBF, the decision to order two was the preferred choice for this
identical OB trucks was partially based unique IP project. We can fully support
on the expected possibility to use them the SMPTE ST2110 & AMWA NMOS
as one giant system for major events Series of open standards to provide
when necessary. Used as stand-alone necessary interoperability for our
trucks, they cover all applications customers."
ranging from compact six-camera
NEP Belgium's Geert Thoelen:
assignments to big live concerts "RTBF's two new OB trucks are among
and sporting events. Both OB trucks the most advanced on the planet and
can be docked to RTBF's broadcast reflect the innovative ways in which
building via SDI or IP: "We also NEP consistently implements the latest
wanted the option of using the two technologies.
OB trucks as additional control rooms
"Building relationships on mutual
on our premises in peak situations," trust and innovation has always
explains Jean Vanbraekel, RTBF's been at the heart of NEP's activities.
Head of Technology Operations and RTBF's ST2110-based approach has
Distribution.
resulted in highly flexible tools for OB
assignments of any scale."
Construction Challenge
Cécile Gonfroid, CIO at RTBF:
For Broadcast Solutions in Germany, "We obviously knew that an IP
planning and configuring the 100G infrastructure was the answer to
Arista network core as well as building our current and future needs. NEP
and delivering the first full-IP OB truck Belgium's guidance was invaluable,
posed two challenges: equipping it and their proposals were based on
with an SMPTE 2110 fabric and meeting what ultimately provided the highest
the deadline despite the worldwide benefit for RTBF. We consider our
covid-19 lockdown, while also carrying two full-IP OB trucks the first building
out all requested amendments. blocks of our future Media Square
Matthias Hahn, Project Leader at facility."

http://www.inbroadcast.com http://www.lawo.com http://www.lawo.com http://www.lawo.com http://www.lawo.com http://www.lawo.com http://www.lawo.com http://www.lawo.com http://www.lawo.com http://www.lawo.com

In Broadcast - May 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of In Broadcast - May 2020