EVS proposes more speed, control and collaboration between professionals and locations at IBC

Far from a company focused on systems for repetition in live sports broadcasts as it was in its beginnings, EVS is now emerging as the ideal partner to gain speed, control and collaboration in the different workflows that unite professionals who carry out their work in different locations.

An IBC 2016, EVS showcases its latest solutions for 4K storage and replay systems, critical sports decision analysis, and other tools for 4K UHD production. Furthermore, its solutions not only focus on producers and broadcasters but also reach other corporate environments such as sports clubs, turning fans into potential audiences and consumers of on-site content.

Nicolas Bourdon, vice president of marketing at EVS, underlined at the IBC kick-off press conference the importance that the company has gained throughout the production chain in major sporting events. To give an example, during the last European Championship in France, its technology made it possible to record up to 16 live sources, distribute more than 9,000 clips on a multi-platform basis, create more than 120,000 logs and transfer more than 62,000 files between different teams and locations throughout.

EVS with VRT in the IPLive project

At the beginning of this IBC, Karel Debondt, project manager at the Belgian broadcaster VRT, highlighted the role of EVS in its LiveIP project. “Since we started the project with a single camera until this summer where we have worked with four live cameras with production of events such as the Olympic Games or the Euro Cup, we have verified that a totally IP workflow… works!”, assured Debondt.
At IBC 2016, EVS technology is demonstrating its contribution to the infrastructure of the VRT-EBU LiveIP studio project being demonstrated in Amsterdam these days.

During IBC 2016, EVS acts as an IP-enabled hub, presenting live media streams, connecting live sports venues, broadcast central control rooms and consumers. By connecting the live environment, EVS technology enables better storytelling as well as an enriched viewing experience. Introduced this summer at iconic international sporting events, C-Next is the brand's new live connection tool that reflects the potential of EVS' IP4Live strategic initiative. This contribution to the network platform offers remote teams the ability to share file content and metadata over IP, from any mobile unit, broadcast center or production site.

EVS will also demonstrate the next generation of its IPWeb, a remote control application that allows users to navigate and select content no matter where they are, as well as the fully scalable IT/software-based architecture of DYVI, its innovative production switcher. DYVI, which enables more creative and productive program assembly based on a shared resource model, will be demonstrated in full 4K/UHD mode at the EVS booth.

EVS news production solutions, including the latest features of IPDirector, its live content management system for multi-format and multi-source capture, will be demonstrated at booth 8.B90 and will involve the use of IBC TV capture, playback and broadcast. The EVS booth will also have a data center connected by fiber to the IBC TV studio in hall 13 and the VRT-EBU LiveIP studio.

The #EVSlamDunk Experience will be present for the first time at IBC, presenting the efficient and fast nature of Xeebra, EVS' live trading tool. “Immersive” basketball courts employ EVS technology to put visitors in the center of the action. Try shooting a shot on the FIBA-sponsored court and see how EVS live tools can improve your users' decision-making and storytelling.

Two new XT4K servers

As the star of this IBC 2016 we find two new XT servers for 4K resolutions.

The XT4K is a 4K production and playback server that uses uncompressed 12G SDI input and output ports and integrated IP input/output options to offer flexible new ways to design production facility infrastructures. The new UHD server will offer users the ability to build upon future engine software updates that enable even more flexible UHD/HD configurations through greater channel density options.

The XT4K offers users up to four 4K channels or eight HD channels and delivers HDR-capable live content via its native 10-bit XAVC-4K codec. The XT4K's flexible use of SDI and IP connections allows operators to use the server with native IP, traditional SDI or hybrid workflows. The XT4K is also built to support current and future SuperMotion cameras, as well as common native codecs that provide speed and flexibility.

Based on the same proprietary loop recording as all EVS live production servers, the XT4K has the ability to reliably record over 130 hours of 4K-UHD content with the same speed and functionality as existing LSM playback and highlight production systems. It has never been easier to captivate audiences with higher quality images, allowing broadcast operators to tell better stories.

Furthermore, optimized to enable a smart transition to an IP-connected studio environment, the XS4K features hybrid SDI/IP technology. The server features a flexible four 4K channel and eight HD channel configuration that enables seamless capture and playback of multi-format content in studio operations.

EVS' XS4K is available in Quad-SDI or 12G-SDI configurations, while a new built-in XIP option enables simple integration with native IP workflows of future production infrastructure. Also based on EVS's unique loop recording, the new server supports the XAVC codec for 4K and will support AVC-Intra, DNxHD and ProRes codecs for HD workflows. Enabling simple media exchange with post-production workflows, the XS4K is perfect for a fixed studio production environment.

C-Cast opens new opportunities

As is becoming evident in this IBC 2016, C-Cast is consolidating itself as a cloud-based multimedia distribution platform. This EVS proposal also demonstrates that moving content to the cloud provides benefits such as having a syndication model between affiliates and viewers.
At the EVS press conference at the start of IBC, Fabio Gallo, director of digital products at Deltatre, spoke about the new television experiences that C-Cast makes possible. “C-cast is fantastic software that provides truly fascinating experiences,” he said.

With C-Cast's new syndication operation, digital media owners using this platform can grant regional rights holders, clubs/stadiums and sponsors access to content shared with Central C-Cast. This allows them to quickly create Video On Demand (VOD) packages with content that interests their respective audiences. Using an extensive publishing tool and C-Cast API, digital media teams can easily manage custom content collections for publishing to any partner or client application, providing a completely new fan experience.

Carlo De Marchis, director of product and marketing at Deltatre, highlights that "immediate access to content and the ability to deliver and monetize that content in new ways is vital within the rapidly changing live sports environment. At IBC, attendees will be able to see how the latest technology not only enables completely new viewing experiences, but paves the way to new business models."

Deltatre is present at the EVS stand presenting the UEFA Next Generation Services that will be offered to broadcasters to cover the next UEFA Champions League. C-Cast will help drive a range of services including web and mobile application solutions, enriched with Deltatre's enhanced video player for live streaming and VOD, as well as results, statistics and editorial content. A new Apple TV app will also be introduced as part of Deltatre's OTT offering, taking football coverage to a new “beyond TV” experience.

Spanish LaLiga, with EVS

EVS has announced at IBC that Mediapro has purchased ten XT4K live production servers intended for Ultra High Definition production of the Spanish LaLiga.

Two of the newly announced live production servers have already been installed at Mobile Unit 39 (the unit that produced Mediapro's first UHD broadcast of “El Clásico” in the 2015 season). With the installation of these servers, Mobile Unit 39 will be used for the production and weekly broadcast of La Liga matches in 4K.

Another five XT4K servers will be integrated into Mobile Unit 33, a new unit that Mediapro is currently building and which will go into operation in November, with the capacity to produce UHD multicast with up to 16 cameras. The remaining three live production servers will be installed in Mobile Unit 40, an HD production center that is currently being modernized to generate UHD content.

Francisco José de la Fuente, director of operations of Mobile Units at Mediapro, highlights that "after a series of successful UHD tests, including two installments of “El Clásico", La Liga wanted to provide higher resolution content to football fans. When 4K content is produced every week, it is important that the design staff has the right tools. With EVS technology in the Mobile Unit 39, we are convinced that we will be able to offer UHD content fluidly.”

Each XT4K provides Mediapro with up to four 4K channels in variable input/output configurations, XNet SDTI media sharing and support for market-leading super motion cameras. The EVS server brand's 24/7 loop recording implemented in the XT4K means that sources are recorded continuously, so Mediapro never misses what's happening in the field. For its joint operation with the XT4K, EVS will also offer multiple LSM Connect systems so Mediapro can enhance ultra-high resolution storytelling.

De la Fuente añadió que “durante los 20 años que he trabajado con EVS, estos han desarrollado una comprensión de nuestras expectativas y de nuestro deseo de construir de forma continuada infraestructuras innovadoras. La implementación de estos nuevos servidores proporcionará la fiabilidad y funcionalidad en la producción en directo que sabemos obtendremos de EVS. Usar XT4K significa que los aficionados de La Liga experimentarán el nivel más alto posible de narración en 4K”.