IP Live production system continues to be adopted around the world by Sony

Reinforcing its commitment to supporting open standards, Sony is expanding its range of IP-based live production solutions.

Sony continues to invest in fully interoperable IP Live production solutions by expanding its portfolio of high-end live production solutions and offering support for the SMPTE ST 2110 media transfer standard and NMOS IS-04/05 device discovery and management protocols applied to the development of the Networked Media Interface.

Reinforcing its commitment to supporting open standards, Sony is expanding its range of live production solutions. System cameras, multi-format switchers and production servers will support IP and 12G-SDI interfaces for maximum flexibility. Live production solutions are also expanded with the addition of new remote control panels and a system controller license.

As the industry's transition to IP accelerates, Sony is introducing a new video switcher at NAB 2018, the With up to 80 inputs and 40 outputs in 4K and up to 160 inputs and 80 outputs in HD, the

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

Sony is also bringing HD SMPTE ST 2110 support to existing XVS-family multi-format switchers, while support for the HDCU-4300 camera control unit will be added from 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. Your new BPU-4500A baseband processing unit builds on all the features and specifications of the BPU-4500 and adds an optional slot to accommodate the optional SMPTE ST 2110 or Networked Media Interface boards. This provides flexibility to customers to use one interface or another depending on system requirements.

To further upgrade its IP Live production solutions, Sony is also enhancing IP Live System Manager, software that streamlines not only the control and configuration of networked production devices, but also the management of the network itself to meet the demanding requirements of professional live production on IP networks.

The system now also supports NS-BUS, an open routing control protocol that allows communication with other equipment and systems. This IP-based management protocol offers support for Tally, source naming, and crosspoint switching from an external management system to facilitate monitoring of multiple transmissions as they occur on the network from any location.

Additionally, three new dashboards are displayed at NAB. These are 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 for routing video and audio streams while operating in a traditional way.

An agile and future-proof solution

Sony's purpose of becoming a pioneer in the creation of interoperable solutions that satisfy the present and future needs of networks without giving up variety in its 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 12G-SDI compatible products. In 2018, the 12G-SDI interface will be available for the XVS-9000, XVS-8000, XVS-7000 and PWS-4500 multi-format AV.

Sony is a founder of the IP Alliance, which includes more than 70 manufacturers, a founding member of the Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA) and a member of SMPTE, and plays an active role in the development, adoption, standardization and refinement of standards and protocols for live production over IP. The company continues to work with AMWA to support the NMOS IS-04 and NMOS IS-05 specifications and make other future improvements.

First implementations

NEP Australia has decided to install the HDCU-3100 with the HDC-4300 and baseband processing unit in its IP mobile unit. NEP uses HDC-4300 cameras on four IP mobile units that link back to a central location with XVS switchers in Sydney and Melbourne. NEP has been using this equipment several times a week for regular broadcasts which, after production, are also sent to the network via SMPTE ST 2110.

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

Other IP projects include Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), Touch Video Live Broadcast (TVLB) in China and Shangdong TV in China.