Riedel STX-200 enriches the talent show 'India's Got Talent' with contributions via Skype

STX-200 allows viewers, judges and contestants to connect with the program through Skype with video calls (individual or group), and sending video and instant messages.

The solution of Riedel STX-200, which makes it easy to bring Skype connectivity to a professional broadcast environment, is allowing talent show viewers India’s Got Talent (IGT) participate live via Skype.

Broadcast on ColorsTv channel in Hindi, India’s Got Talent is enriching its live broadcast with contributions from the audience who participate in the program from their homes through a simple Skype connection. STX-200 allows viewers, judges and contestants to connect with the program through Skype with video calls (individual or group), and sending video and instant messages. With the Skype ID “IGTonColors”, viewers can connect with each other and send questions to the judges and show hosts. These users also have access to exclusive content such as outtakes and interviews not broadcast on television.

Exclusive content

Precisely, this is the most unique element of using Skype together with the Riedel STX-200 system since it is possible to create exclusive content such as typical “behind the scenes” shots. A team of Riedel engineers has integrated eight STX-200 units with the Skype TX Studio system on the broadcast set. India’s Got Talent in Mumbai. A MediorNet Compact real-time network and the Artist digital intercom system complete this Riedel project.

Together, the Artist, STX-200 and MediorNet Compact enable the transport of video with embedded audio from the studio to the production mixer at the main control as well as flexible routing of signals to individual Skype users using Surface tablets and other smart devices to facilitate Skype calls between viewers, contestants and judges. With this solution, the host could call the contestants via Skype to let them know they are moving on to the next round in the contest or make surprise calls to family and friends of the contestants.

With the STX-200, Riedel has created an elegant and affordable alternative to bringing audio and video over Skype into a production environment. Thanks to the Skype TX interface, a single operator in the control room can monitor all Skype contributions and control all eight STX-200 units. The operator can preview and monitor the quality of multiple calls.

The STX-200 system allows, even if video quality levels are below a set threshold, to automatically switch to a still image of the interlocutor. It also prevents issues such as audio dropout and provides a clean flow of Skype calls, free of audio or visual notifications, advertisements and pop-ups.