The Catalan news channel 3/24 takes the step towards IP with Sony's Networked Live

The Catalan Corporation of Audiovisual Media (CCMA) and Sony are collaborating, along with Unitecnic, to provide the 3/24 news channel with the technology and infrastructure necessary for the transition to IP.

The Catalan public, a pioneer in the adoption of the latest technologies, decided a few years ago that the future involved a transformation to IP. To undertake this great project of updating the production infrastructure, the CCMA decided to start with its 3/24 news channel that broadcasts 24 hours a day.

With the objectives of maximize performance of its productions, respond to the different changes and needs in live broadcasting, and obtain maximum flexibility in all broadcast processes, it began a transformation project that has resulted in the broadcast of the first IP programs this past September.

“A news channel that broadcasts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, leaves no room for error and Sony, with its previous experience in similar projects, gave us the necessary confidence to commit to this change,” says Anna. Ochoa, specialist engineer at Channel 3/24. “The VideoIPath software gives us reliability and simplifies operations in an environment where workflows are very dynamic and, therefore, allows us to be more flexible and efficient.”

VideoIPath

For this project, the Sony subsidiary, Nevion, provided a solution based on key components of the Networked Live ecosystem, using the VideoIPath tool as connection manager and the CCU IP HDCE-TX30 from Sony to connect existing cameras to the IP network.

VideoIPath software is a platform for media orchestration that facilitates day-to-day operations for broadcast operators, improving production workflows and enhancing interconnectivity.

Oscar Garcia, Senior Solutions Architect at Nevion, points out that "the integration of Sony and Nevion allows the use of the HDCE-TX30, an IP extension adapter for cameras for remote live production, which facilitates the coexistence of the two formats (SDI and IP) as well as the integration with the equipment that was previously available, without the need to change and with significant cost savings."

Unitecnic integration

Unitecnic, for its part, was the successful integrator for the project. The Mediapro Grup company designed and executed the project, providing the equipment, integrating the parts from the different manufacturers and developing a training program at a technical and operational level. Challenges that have been solved with a lot of communication and the trust and complicity of all parties.

“Training all the workers was a fundamental and at the same time complicated process, since we had to train operators and engineers who work in shifts to provide 24-hour broadcast coverage for the channel,” he comments. Xavier Green, director of Unitecnic Barcelona and CTO.

To facilitate the start-up and implementation of the project, a new studio has been built, identical to the previous one, and a control room from where Channel 3/24 has been broadcasting at full capacity with IP technology since October.

"The transition to IP of Canal 3/24 has been a decisive project that enables us to respond to the different changes and needs on a daily basis. Sony and Nevion have been fundamental partners for this transition and together with the joint work of the integrator Unitecnic, we have managed to overcome all the obstacles that a project of this size presents," he concludes. Anna Ochoa, specialist engineer at Channel 3/24.

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