Radio Bremen launches an innovative studio that effectively combines real and virtual images

Manufacturers such as Ross Video, Imagine, Grass Valley, Fujinon, Sony, TV-Logic, Panasonic, Lynx, Stagetec, Nexus Audio, Vizrt, AJA, Vidigo, Autoscript, Sennheiser, Wohler, Riedel, Clear-Com, Eyeheight, Plura, Apple and Harmonic have participated in this ambitious project, which makes the most of virtual reality.

In the summer of 2017, the public broadcaster of the city-state of Bremen (Germany) launched a tender for the renovation of its main television production complex. Radio Bremen finally awarded to MCI an ambitious project that was officially inaugurated on February 9.

The German integrator finally prevailed in autumn 2017 over other offers thanks to its detailed migration and resource optimization concept when implementing a fully HD workflow, with great operational reliability and significant cost savings.

Under a 3G HD infrastructure, Radio Bremen has implemented for the first time a Mosart automation control (Vizrt). The new OpenMedia editorial system, necessary for broadcast planning, has also been part of this project with a large number of interfaces for processing information on third-party rights, archiving… In addition, the VPMS content management system is connected to OpenMedia.

The new television studio masterfully combines real and virtual image. To combine virtual objects on screen with real presenters and guests, Radio Bremen is using the Virtual Studio Solution (XPression with MOS workflow) of Ross Video. To further improve the production process, the studio has been equipped with three Ross Furio SE robotics on rails.

Regarding editorial, OpenMedia It covers the entire workflow, from research and cross-media planning of regional topics for television, radio and online television to broadcasting. Additionally, the editorial system is used for the transfer of post-production data to third-party systems in exchange for fees, third-party rights, and archiving workflows. OpenMedia's StudioDirector plugin also supports automated studio production workflows.

“Hot” migration

The total renovation of the studio has been carried out without interrupting the production of programs at any time. To this end, Radio Bremen and MCI developed a “hot” migration concept based on a parallel operation of old and new technology. Durante la transición se implantó un sistema matricial de KVM que constaba de dos ControlCenter-Compact 80Ports de G&D.

Using bridge functionality, the new CATCenter Neo combined analog KVM components from the previous installation with two new digital matrixes in the complex. This way, existing analog KVM components could continue to function. The control system, AV matrices, graphics systems and many other systems were also integrated step by step, changed and old equipment was uninstalled.

The change from the old SD matrix to the new proposal (Imagine Platinum IP3 with IP capability) also took place in several phases and did not interfere with transmission operations at any time. External areas such as SAW or HSR were also connected during the operation, partly via fiber optic cables.

Radio Bremen also chose LDX cameras Grass Valley, including optics Fujinon, displays de TV-Logic y Panasonic, Lynx infrastructure, an audio mixer Stagetc Nexus Audio, a studio mixer Sony MVS and many other components from manufacturers such as AJA, Vidigo, Autoscript, Sennheiser, Wohler, Riedel, Clear-Com, Eyeheight, plura, Apple y Harmonic.

A new hybrid set design with new lighting elements was introduced in the studio. The studio design and studio building were provided by Radio Bremen. To this end, MCI has supplied new LED stepped lens spotlights, ARRI and a control system MA Lighting.

In this project, MCI was responsible for the creation of a complete specification (consisting of the parts control system, automation, editorial system with connections to VPMS, robotics and VR system) and the associated conformance matrix, for the integration and connection of the editorial system and studio automation, implementation planning, installation, configuration, commissioning and formation of the new TV complex.

André Busjaeger, head of technical coordination at Radio Bremen and general director of the project, assured that "despite the difficult conditions, we stayed within the planned deadlines, as did the financial budget. Even the unpredictable and sometimes very complex issues that always arise in a project of this type were worked on together in a serious and goal-oriented manner."

Lars Rosentreter, editorial project manager, has been very satisfied with the work developed "between MCI, production, technology and the editorial team. We now have a modern studio that gives us the opportunity to present topics in a modern and vivid way. There is a lot of potential in the virtual world in particular."