OB provider Timeline Television relied on Axon’s 4K Synapse processing and Cerebrum advanced monitoring and control system to deliver UK sports broadcaster BT Sport’s first live 4K match-day production earlier this month.
BT Sport and Timeline collaborated on the build of a bespoke OB vehicle with an innovative 4K production workflow featuring a number of technology firsts, including a new range of 4K signal processing and distribution tools from Axon. BT Sport launched Europe’s first live sports Ultra HD (4K) channel, BT Sport Ultra HD, in early August, with its first live broadcast being the FA Community Shield match at Wembley on August 2 between Chelsea and Arsenal.
Developed in close cooperation with BT Sport, Axon’s Synapse 4K Production Tool Boxes (U4T100 & U4T140) ease the challenges of a 4-wire production setup by carrying Vanc and Hanc data such as timecode and embedded audio. The U4T140 also provides a Dolby© E encoder and decoder. The team also worked together to develop a new card (GDR416) to accommodate 4K signal distribution in the Timeline vehicle.
“The Synapse 4K cards Axon developed and custom-built for us intelligently manage embedding and line routing,” said Dan McDonnell, Timeline Television’s Managing Director. “Our delivery schedule was tight, but Axon met the deadline and provided us not only with the functionality we needed but also excellent technical support. With their expertise, we were able to produce a 4K football match to the same quality of HD and showcase the best immersive viewer experience.”
Other Synapse modules deployed include 4K up-converters and down- converters. All other Synapse video processing units supplied are capable of handling 3Gb/s signals. A number of these video-processing modules have been executed with fibre-enabled I/O-panels, allowing conversion from video to fibre without the need of additional equipment. To handle Dolby© requirements in the truck, Axon also supplied the Synapse DEE28, a multi-format Dolby stream decoder and Dolby E encoder with voice-over module.
BT Sport also deployed Cerebrum, Axon’s customizable monitoring and control system. By linking together all the main broadcast equipment from major manufacturers, Cerebrum’s advanced functionality and broad range of features simplifies multi device control onto one easy-to-use interface. It supports a wide range of devices including routers, production switchers, servers, audio desks, camera control units, receiver decoders, multiviewers and waveform monitors – using either SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) or third party protocols.
“We used Cerebrum to control all of the matrix, multiviewers, tally, all of the glue and lots of other pieces in the production chain, all via 10-inch touch-screens. I believe that we’re the first OB company to replace hardware with touch-screens and really embrace advanced control,” explained McDonnell. “It’s enabled us to do complicated routing with ease – just with a press of a button. Cerebrum is an amazing system.”
Commenting on the project, Axon’s CEO Jan Eveleens said, “For a long time our industry has been talking about the rollout of Ultra HD, so we’re proud to be a key partner in the delivery of this game-changer in sports broadcast. And with more companies seeing the benefits of Cerebrum control in mobile production, we’re thrilled to see
Axon will be showcasing the latest Synapse 4K signal processing range and Cerebrum advanced control and monitoring system at IBC 11-15 September on Stand 10.A21 and B21.
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About Axon
Headquartered in The Netherlands, and with offices across the world, Axon develops, manufactures and markets high quality broadcast equipment for the conversion, processing and compliance recording of audio and video signals. Products integrate advanced signal processing techniques, innovative engineering and modular flexibility and provide high quality, affordability and reliability within mission-critical broadcast applications. For more information please visit www.axon.tv.
About Timeline
Timeline has worked with all the major UK and International networks to deliver technical and creative facilities for programmes as diverse as live music and awards shows, political conferences, global and domestic sporting competitions, light entertainment and current affairs.
Timeline has the ability to provide facilities from concept to completion, including: outside broadcasts, post production and tapeless solutions.
With two large post production facilities in London and a third in MediaCityUK, Timeline provides state-of-the-art facilities to major broadcasters including BBC, BT Sport and ITV.
Timeline is the industry’s leading authority on shared server systems and specialises in the delivery of IP Director networks. Timeline has installed systems on outside broadcasts and designed and built permanent installations for clients such as studio builds, including Racing UK at Ealing Studios.
Visit www.timeline.tv for further information
