10 July 2017
NEWS & VIEWS
Why coherent control is key
A lot of the headlines in our industry at the moment are being taken by the shift to IP and software-based products . But if you talk to broadcasters on the ground , while they acknowledge that this transition is important , their top goal at the moment is to work more effectively , and to gain business efficiencies by making smarter use of technologies .
One way to achieve that efficiency is through a more rational approach to control at a system level . This is possible because even traditional broadcast hardware tends to use software to provide the control layer . Take the production switcher : where once it would have a bundle of multi-core cables connecting the panel to the electronics , today the operator actions travel as data , to be handled in a software control layer in the rack .
If you look back 30 years to the first automated playout systems , a central computer talked to the software control layers in routers and switchers , robotic tape players and graphics generators , all from different vendors .
It worked then , as it works now , because it is in the interests of each vendor to make their equipment ready to integrate . So they publish an API , an application programming interface , which tells other vendors how to get their particular box to do something .
Today , some vendors will make their API cleaner and simpler by using Web services , or writing their API in a modern interface language like RESTful or SOAP . But the effect is the same : using the published API , a separate control system can access all the functionality of a device , operating it just as if you were using the specific control panel .
Now we are in a position whereby processing power and communications speeds have risen to a point where it is both desirable and practical to use this control connectivity to build simple operational systems to do clever things , by bringing multiple systems together . As an independent vendor , TSL has access to the APIs from all the leading vendors , giving us the ability to control complex , multi-vendor systems from a single point .
For example , imagine you are a news broadcaster , and want to set up
Dan Bailey , Product Manager , Control Systems , TSL Products
multiple remote contribution studios where one or two people can be connected into a broadcast network . In the past , the cost of providing a permanent staff , or the impracticalities of sending staff when required , made this economically unviable .
At TSL , using our TallyMan platform , we have delivered this functionality for a number of broadcasters . You simply give the contributor the access code to the studio ; then , from a simple Web services screen , you turn on the studio lights , for which you may have more than one lighting set-up , for one or multiple contributors .
From the same screen you can tweak the positions , zoom and focus of the cameras . On-screen faders allow you to set microphone levels . Buttons route audio to earpieces .
And all of this is accomplished , in real time , from a single computer screen , at the production base . No engineers or operators are required at the remote studio , yet no compromises in control or quality are made .
The same technology could be used for multiple monitor wall set-ups . Or to configure an outside broadcast truck . Or switch router paths from single line HD-SDI to four-wire 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ).
The TallyMan controller provides the logic engine to gang multiple events , like audio-follow-video . A very simple drag-and-drop interface lets you build control surfaces to meet precisely your needs . Privileges ensure those who need to dig deep into the technology can , while ensuring occasional operators are never confused .
Broadcasters need simple and familiar operations , whatever the underlying technology . Increasingly , the trend is to minimise operational costs by providing simple , readily-configured , multi-vendor control systems . q
All systems go for Broadcast IP Inter-Op Lab
One of the highlights at Broadcast Asia2017 was the inaugural Broadcast IP Inter-Op Lab , which was set up by APB , systems integrator Ideal Systems and BroadcastAsia2017 .
One of the key objectives of the IP Lab was to showcase what is working in IP today while highlighting interoperability between different manufacturers . It also offered participants a hands-on experience of working on an all- IP ecosystem , and was supported by some of the leading broadcast equipment and solutions providers in the world .
These include : Arista , ARRI ,
❝ I think in Asia-Pacific particularly , the transition to IP is going to be faster than anywhere else in the world . The reason for this is really 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ) because the Asian region is focusing so much on being able to create and deliver 4K / UHD content to viewers and the only practical way of doing so is going to be over IP .
Hence , I think in Asia-Pacific , we ’ re going to see a faster embracing of IP solutions simply because broadcasters need to get to 4K / UHD sooner than most other regions in the world .❞
— Erling Hedkvist , Senior Vice-President & Business
Development Manager , Lawo
❝ The transition to IP is not going to be different in Asia-Pacific than other regions of the world because the customer decision-making process is similar worldwide . With our experience at SAM , we ’ ve built many small and large systems in IP . So if media operators are going to build a large-scale system , or if they ’ re building a greenfield site , they tend to look at IP , especially in fixed facilities such as broadcast infrastructures , studio complexes and playout facilities .
They tend to look at future-proofing themselves , so it ’ s a natural consequence that they ’ ll look at IP , as it is more flexible and adaptable for the future .❞
— Tim Felstead , Head of Product Marketing , Snell Advanced Media ( SAM )
Caton Technology , Cisco , Dejero , Dell EMC , Embrionix , Evertz , Grass Valley , Imagine Communications , Lawo , Ooyala , Riedel , Snell Advanced Media ( SAM ), Sony and Tektronix .
And judging by the responses of both the participants and sponsors , the Broadcast IP Inter-Op Lab may just provide a timely boost for Asia-Pacific ’ s transition to broadcast IP , as broadcasters look to begin embracing the technology .