PANELLISTS
18
April June 2018 2012
IP transformation starts with audio
Miller partners RØDE Microphones for My RØDE Reel
Inaugurated in 2014 , My RØDE Reel is a short film contest that has seen over 12,000 video submissions from 90 countries . For its fifth edition this year , My RØDE Reel is being supported by Miller Tripods , which supplies the CX2 fluid head and CX2 Solo 75 two-stage alloy as part of the Art Director categories . Charles Montesin , global sales and marketing manager , Miller Camera Support Equipment , said : “ We aim to unlock the creative potential of innovators by supplying them with the best equipment for their artistic endeavours .”
Stage Tec on tour with Hans Zimmer soundtracks
Stage Tec ’ s Aurus and Nexus have joined The World of Hans Zimmer — A Symphonic Celebration concert tour , which premiered in Germany at the end of April . A 48-fader Aurus platinum was installed at the FOH position . The console is embedded in a Nexus system with six base devices , three for the FOH side rack and three for I / O . Additionally , the network is supported by two additional Nexus Star routers , one for Aurus processing at the FOH position , and the other for monitoring with a MADI connection and for the remaining three Nexus base devices .
Next Month @ Creation
Newsroom Automation Systems
PANELLISTS
Dr Ahmad Zaki Mohd Salleh
Group GM , Engineering Media Prima
Phan Tien Dung
CTO Vietnam Digital Television
Mike Whittaker
Executive Vice-President and CTO , Asia-Pacific and the Middle East , Fox Networks Group Asia
When it comes to the history of broadcast transmission , audio has had a more storied history than video . Radio broadcasting , for instance , was one of the first broadcast mediums for people to obtain news and information . In terms of IP transformation sweeping the broadcast and media industry today , audio has arguably surpassed video in terms of audio-over-IP
( AoIP ) networking technologies , media transportation and of course , interoperability . Josephine Tan finds out more .
signal distribution technology , and is the only way to ensure a future-proof infrastructure design in these dynamic times , declares Andreas Hilmer , director , marketing and communications , Lawo .
IP per se is generic , Hilmer tells APB , as the technology is neutral with the media formats that are encapsulated in the packets the network is transporting ; and with AES67 and SMPTE ST 2110-30 unified open standards defined , it ensures interoperability between different vendors and AoIP formats such as Ravenna and Dante .
Suggesting that AoIP is one of the pre-conditions to create a future-proof and flexible broadcast ecosystem today , Hilmer highlights that the beauty of IP — both AoIP and video-over-IP — lies in the optimisation of workflows by deeper integration of audio , video , control and monitoring . He continues : “ These formerly completely separate worlds are with IP , now using the same infrastructure , offering benefits of flex-
As the primary distribution approach of digital audio signals across an IP network , audio-over-IP ( AoIP ) has been increasingly embraced by the installed sound , live , radio and broadcast industries . One standard that has emerged to enable AoIP streaming is AES67 , which was published by the Audio Engineering Society ( AES ) in September 2013 .
AES67 empowers interoperability between the various IP-based audio networking products , based on existing standards such as Dante , Livewire , Q-LAN and Ravenna . Although AES67 is not a new technology , it is a bridging compliance mode common to all IP networks that operate over standard layer 3 Ethernet networks , and is routable like other common modern IT networks .
In Mediacorp ’ s new media centre , it hosts facilities for 12 radio and eight TV stations , as well as originating a number of online streaming channels . The centrepiece of the new facility is a central newsroom , which is designed around an open workspace concept that allows reporters , producers and talents to create content at dozens of production workstations .
To power these workstations , the Singapore terrestrial broadcaster installed 50 copies of Lawo ’ s RƎLAY VRX4 virtual radio mixer software . Each computer is connected to the facility ’ s AoIP network , giving each workstation ’ s RƎLAY mixer access to audio from network-attached devices such as playout computers , codecs and voice-over-IP ( VoIP ) servers , as well as audio from local sources .
Designed to empower broadcasters to build “ virtual broadcast studios ”, the RƎLAY family includes the VRX8 eightfader and VRX4 four-fader virtual radio mixer , the VPB virtual patch bay , and the VSC virtual sound card software . These solutions are AES67 / Ravenna-compliant , and feature a multi-touchscreen interface for users ’ ease of use .
AoIP is undoubtedly the next step in
ibility and efficiency when it comes to managing costs for cabling , dedicated infrastructure technology , personnel and time .”
In addition to the technical advantages of IP technology , Hilmer points out that IP enables broadcast production workflow designs like remote production , as it is able to streamline workflows to allow users to create more content with less resources .
“ The key to fully embracing the benefits of IP technology lies within the workflows that can be changed completely ,” he continues . “ IP is not just a modernised one-by-one replacement for SDI or AES baseband technology , it ’ s a complete game changer .”
And where standards are concerned , Hilmer says that the AES67-native Ravenna standard is dominating the broadcast market , while Dante leads in the AV install and live performance markets . He adds : “ However , with AES67 and SMPTE ST 2110-30 as part of the Alliance for IP Media Solutions ( AIMS ) roadmap , there are now defined open standards for interoperability between Ravenna , Dante and other IP-based devices .
“ So today , the different AoIP standards basically represent different ways for vendors to integrate AoIP technology into their devices , either by an open technology approach like Ravenna , or a proprietary module approach like Dante , or even by any self-developed AES67 interfacing . Therefore , there ’ s no threat of an AoIP format war anymore — AES67 and SMPTE ST 2110-30 are the agreed and safe basis to build on .”
Another company that has continued to demonstrate support for AES67 is Gatesair . Keyur Parikh , director , Intraplex products of GatesAir , explains :
Singapore terrestrial broadcaster Mediacorp has installed 50 copies of Lawo ’ s RƎLAY VRX4 virtual radio mixer software to power an open workspace concept that allows reporters , producers and talents to create content at dozens of production workstations .