Lawo launches new audio and video solutions for IP environments

At IBC 2018, Lawo exhibits new solutions such as audio over IP interfaces with WAN capability, an IP multi-display, the mc²56 production console, a Dante interface for Power Core, a 4K converter and network monitoring and analysis systems.

Theirs is exhibiting in IBC 2018 important new features aimed at IP broadcast production environments.

The new WAN version of the family A__line of audio interfaces for IP in networks is one of the launches of this edition. They are 1RU devices capable of transmitting broadcast-quality audio in real time over WAN and LAN connections. A__line nodes convert microphone, line-level, AES3 and even digitally encoded MADI baseband audio for audio streaming over IP, using the open standard SMPTE 2110-30/31, AES67 and RAVENNA protocols. IP audio streaming is managed using the open source Ember+ or Ravenna control API.

Dual RJ45 ports use SMPTE 2022-7 full protective switching (SPS) to provide two redundant and discrete network connection paths, ensuring error-free stream transmission. Redundant dual power is also available. Extensive receive buffer capacities meet ST2022-7 class C specifications, with redundant path differentials of up to 150ms supported; Additionally, up to 160ms of jitter buffer is provided for each received audio channel. Line units can even synchronize and convert between PTPv2 and wordclock reference signals.

The A__line family is presented in three models:

• A__mic8, with eight Lawo-grade line/mic inputs and four line-level analog outputs on XLR connectors, eight GPIOs, redundant dual-stream ports, and wordclock input and output. The unit is powered by PoE and fanless.
• A__digital8 It has eight AES3 inputs with sample rate conversion, four AES3 outputs on XLR connectors, eight GPIOs, redundant dual-stream ports and wordclock input and output. The unit is powered by PoE and fanless.
• A__madi4 Provides two pairs of redundant MADI interfaces on the SFP, two pairs of redundant SFP/RJ45 dual media streaming ports and wordclock input and output. The A__madi4 comes from the factory with a dual redundant power supply.

DSP for mc² consoles

Lawo also reveals at IBC its innovative A_UHD Core, a network-based software-defined audio DSP with processing density that elevates the Lawo mc2 56 and mc2 96 consoles to a new dimension.

Using the IP network as an extension of the console core rear panel, the Lawo UHD Core can be located anywhere on the network. Its ultra-high processing density can be used by a single mc2 console to handle the most challenging productions or shared across up to four consoles. Due to a flexible licensing model, UHD Core is ideal for both mobile applications and on-premises use.

For mobile productions, the scalable performance of DSP with temporary licenses is a great way to convert CAPEX into OPEX, while in installation applications the possibility of resource pooling and flexible allocation of DSP resources for multiple consoles can significantly increase the utilization of audio infrastructure investments. The UHD core has low noise cooling and is configured to meet the highest demands on production quality and reliability. Eight independent 10/1GbE network interfaces with SFPs enable the use of redundant networks via ST2022-7.

The total network I/O capacity of the A__UHD Core is equal to 40,000 channels of 48kHz/24-bit audio. For management, the unit provides two redundant 1GbE RJ45 management ports. Additionally, full hardware redundancy is achieved by a second spare unit that permanently mirrors all configurations. System latency is comparable to conventional backplane-connected architectures: a special high-performance Ravenna profile provides network round-trip latency in milliseconds while the processing power and speed of the UHD core exceeds the processing latency of many DSP devices. Because the UHD Core is functionally defined by its software, it is a future-proof investment with a feature set designed for expansion.

Multipantalla IP ampliable

Lawo also debuts the first infinitely expandable IP multiscreen, the vm_dmv64-4.

The new virtual module (VM) vm_dmv64-4 for la routing, processing and multi-display platform Lawo's V__matrix breaks the mold of conventional multiviewers, providing unlimited inputs and outputs, as well as full support of IP and SDI sources in 4K/UHD, 3G, HD and SD. The solution supports integrated and discrete audio and works with pixel-perfect tiles with ultra-low latency. Intuitive drag-and-drop tile setup is easily done with the company’s “theWALL.”

Lawo's vm_dmv64-4 is a multi-display distributed so that several modules are connected in a network. These modules can be hosted on the same V__matrix frame, on different frames, or even in different geographic locations as long as they are networked over IP. Each vm_dmv64-4 has an input stage capable of receiving up to 24 sources of any combination of 4K/3G/HD/SD, which is limited only by the physical (up to 18 SDI inputs) or network (2x 40GbE) inputs. These sources are reduced by vm_dmv64-4 and returned to the network as encapsulated IP mipmaps (RFC 4175). In parallel to the input stage, each vm_dmv64-4 also has an output stage capable of creating up to four 3G tiles (or two UHD tiles) with up to 64 sources/PIPs each (128 each in UHD).

A console optimized for IP production

Lawo debuts the third generation mc²56 production console at the IBC, Their mc²56. This solution is optimized for the IP video production environment with full native support for SMPTE 2110, AES67/RAVENNA, DANTE and MADI audio streams. New features include IP-Share gain compensation and DSCA Dynamic Surface to Core Allocation. As reliability is critical, the console's local I/O provides two redundant IP network interfaces to provide two identical simultaneous connections to the Nova73 router, following the SMPTE 2022-7 “Hitless Merge” standard for flow and port redundancy.

As for connectivity, it includes 16 Lawo-grade mic/line inputs, 16 line outputs, eight AES3 inputs and outputs, eight GPIOs, and one local MADI port (SFP). By using shared DALLIS I/O, Lawo's exclusive IP-Share network gain compensation prevents unexpected gain changes for up to eight network consoles when individual users are adjusting their gain settings.

DALLIS I/O communicates with all networked consoles and its IP-Share algorithm defines the ideal analog gain for various customer requirements. Additionally, IP-Share ensures that the corresponding gain compensation is applied to the digital gain stages of all consoles when adjusting the preamplifier's analog gain. The work surface of the mc256 has also been improved.

A new extended free control section gives operators direct access to four parameters, in addition to gaining control to balance between centralized and decentralized control workflows, and allows global and individual parameter assignments to the free controls of each channel track. For recording applications, the mc256 offers dynamic timecode automation, microfilm and Lawo-grade processing, DAW remote control, and a customizable signal chain with four independent dynamic modules.

Remote production

Lawo presents the newest addition to its portfolio of flexible remote production tools at IBC 2018: Power Core RP, a 1RU device with integrated high-tech I/O functions, eight modular I/O expansion slots, dozens of DSP channels, IP streaming via WAN or LAN, and network link redundancy via SMPTE 2022-7 without amendment.

Power Core RP is an ideal companion for Lawo mc² audio consoles deployed in remote production roles, thanks to its signal density and advanced networking features. Its implementation of the ST2022-7 standard – also known as hitless merge – helps protect against network link failures with dual redundant, auto-switching NICs.

The Power Core RP also adheres to full Class C jitter/network latency specifications, eliminating the need for third-party WAN gateways and dramatically simplifying remote configuration. The Power Core RP is fully standards-based, complying with ST2110-30/-31, AES67 and RAVENNA AoIP standards. In addition to being suitable for mc2's remote production tasks, it is also a partner for Lawo's video contribution solution, V__remote4, which provides WAN-compatible bi-directional signal transport for 4K/3G/HD/SD-SDI video.

The Power Core RP also stands out thanks to its wide range of possible audio connections: two redundant 1GbE SFP ports for AoIP and four HD MADI ports are standard; Eight modular I/O slots can be populated with any combination of Mic/Line, AES3, MADI or DANTE cards. A convenient Studio I/O board is still available, each providing two Mic/Line inputs, two Line outputs, and two dedicated headphone outputs for remote production operators. DSP capabilities can be controlled remotely from Lawo mc2 consoles connected to the WAN.

Real-time telemetry

Lawo also exhibits its new system for real-time monitoring and telemetry at its stand at IBC 2018 smartDASH, a vendor-neutral software suite designed to provide full network and media visibility across IP, SDI or hybrid WAN/LAN broadcast infrastructures.

Strategically positioned to bridge the gap between IT and video engineering, smartDASH addresses both sides of the operation to provide a complete view of what a network is doing and how media streams flow through it. Based on a UNIX operating system, this software-defined networking solution uses a robust and powerful database to quickly document and search any aspect of network operation, from a simple cable identification number to the path of a multicast over a multinational wide area network (WAN).

Additionally, leveraging an extensive library of hardware communication protocols, the system automatically interrogates active and inactive path connections to create the most intuitive and data-rich presentation layers of a hybrid COTS infrastructure. With its deep packet inspection microstrokes, smartDASH supports monitoring and decoding a wide variety of media formats, from low bitrate OTT/ABR streams to ST2110 studio production streams, as well as characterizing packet output from the delivery network.

4K Converter

IBC 2018 marks, on the other hand, the world premiere of Lawo's 4K format converter. The new virtual module for V__matrix Designed for the V__matrix ecosystem, it provides independent conversion between SD, HD and 4K formats, includes audio embedding/de-embedding, frame synchronization, and RGB color correction.

Each format conversion path provides audio sample rate and video full frame conversion, as well as audio and video delay functionality. Each path also has audio cut-in/cut-out features with audio gain, surround for stereo downmix (5.1 and 7.1), and x/y-fade functionality for all outputs.

A 5,312 × 5,312 mono audio router offers ample room for inclusion/removal of audio in video, as well as reshaping of the audio channel, if desired. Fundamentally designed with IP networking in mind, vm_udx natively supports ST2022-6 and ST2110-20 IP videos, as well as ST2110-30/-31/AES67 and RAVENNA IP audio streams. Conversion between IP video and IP audio standards is also possible, for example. ST2022 to/from ST2110.

To ensure high availability, the ST2022-7 hitless protection swap is natively supported. With available io_bnc backplanes, the vm_udx allows legacy connection with SD, HD and 4K-SDI. For 4K, single-link 12G-SDI and quad-link (2SI and SQD) are supported. Additionally, the vm_udx is also capable of single link to quad and 2SI to SQD cross conversion.

Access to the IBC 2018 SPECIAL in Panorama