The IP Live production system continues to be adopted worldwide by Sony

In order to strengthen its commitment to compatibility with open standards, Sony is expanding its range of live -based live production solutions.

Sony Continue to invest in IP Live production solutions totally interoperable by expanding its high-end live production solution portfolio and the compatibility offer with the SMPTE ST 2110 multimedia transfer standard and the NMMOS I IS-04/05 Device Protocols applied to the development of Networked Media Interface.

In order to strengthen its commitment to compatibility with open standards, Sony is expanding its range of live production solutions. System cameras, multiformate mixers and production servers will be compatible with IP and 12G-SDI interfaces to offer maximum flexibility. Live production solutions are also expanded with the addition of new remote control panels and a system controller license.

As the transition from the sector to IP accelerates its march, Sony presents in NAB 2018 a new and video mixer, the XVS-9000, which will admit both IP (SMPTE ST 2110) and 12G-SDI in 4K, as well as a hybrid system of both, ideal for great sporting and entertainment events. With up to 80 inputs and 40 outputs in 4K and up to 160 inputs and 80 HD departures, the XVS-9000 responds to the demand for productions in 4K and HD advanced and the increase of high dynamic range content (HDR) with the possibility of choosing between the latest interfaces.

The new HDCU-3100 camera control unit will also be compatible with SMPTE ST 2110 in HD and offer IP capacity to a wide variety of system chambers, from the HDC-4300 with the BPU-4000 series, which includes the new BPU-4500A band processing unit, to the HSC fiber system and the HDC-2000 fiber system cameras. This new camera control unit, in addition to offering the usual functions, is compatible with Tally, intercom and audio return and video on IP.

Sony also offers compatibility with SMPTE ST 2110 in HD to the current family multiformate mixers, while compatibility with the HDCU-4300 camera control unit will be added as of 2019.

On the other hand, it is developing other products compatible with SMPTE ST 2110 4K to meet the growing demand for 4K live content productions. Its new BPU-4500A base band processing unit is created from all the functions and specifications of the BPU-4500 and add an optional slot to incorporate the optional SMPTE ST 2110 or Networked Media Interface plates. This provides flexibility to customers to use one or another interface depending on the system requirements.

To increase the updates of its IP Live production solutions, Sony is also improving IP Live System Manager, a software that rationalizes not only the control and configuration of network production devices, but also the management of the network itself to meet the demanding requirements of professional live production in IP networks.

The system is now also compatible with NS-Bus an open routing control protocol that allows you to communicate with other equipment and systems. This IP -based management protocol offers compatibility with Tally, names of sources and crossing point change from an external management system to facilitate the supervision of several transmissions while producing on the network from any location.

In addition, three new control panels are shown in NAB. This is the MKS-R3210, the MKS-R1620 and the MKS-R1630, all controlled by IP Live System Manager and compatible with the new NS-Bus. This makes the production system a key solution to enruption video and audio transmissions while operating in a traditional way.

An agile and prepared solution for the future

Sony's purpose of becoming a pioneer in the creation of interoperable solutions that meet the present and future needs of the chains without giving up the variety in their offer has determined its investment in IP and SDI technologies.

In order to offer greater flexibility and diversity to its customers, Sony will expand its range of products compatible with 12G-SDI. In 2018, the 12G-SDI interface will be available for multiformate mixers XVS-9000, XVS-8000, XVS-7000 and XVS-6000, as well as for the BPU-4500A and BPU-4000 Base Band-Band processing units PWS-4500.

Sony is the founder of the IP Alliance, to which more 70 manufacturers belong, founding member of the Association of Advanced Media Flows (Advanced Media Workflow Association or AMWA) and member of the SMPTE, and plays an active role in the development, adoption, normalization and improvement of standards and protocols for live production through IP. The company continues to work with AMWA to offer compatibility with NMOS IS-04 and NMOS IS-05 specifications and make other future improvements.

First implantations

NEP Australia has decided to install the HDCU-3100 with theHDC-4300 and the Base Band Band Processing Unit in its IP mobile unit. NEP uses HDC-4300 cameras in four IP mobile units that are connected with a central location with XVS mixers in Sydney and Melbourne. NEP has been using this equipment several times a week for regular transmissions that, after production, are also sent to the chain by SMPTE ST 2110.

On the other hand, Public Television Service Foundation (PTS) in Taiwan has understood that the key to success lies in having an efficient workflow and a reliable equipment that offers the best. In this way, the growing and changing demand of the sector can be satisfied. As a consequence, STP has chosen Sony as a partner for its 4K/IP mobile unit and its study, with Sony IP Live at the workflow center. The equipment includes HDC-4300 cameras, XVS-8000/7000/6000 mixers, PWS-4500 servers, OLEDBVM-X300 monitors, the NXL series converter as well as IP Live System Manager (LSM).

Other IP projects are the creative content agency of Korea (Kocca), Touch Video Live Broadcast (TVLB) in China and Shangdong TV in China.