IBC Show Previews R – S

Rohde & Schwarz – Stand 7.B21

Rohde & Schwarz is bringing the latest technologies in television and radio transmission to IBC2024. The company will show how innovative designs are delivering unprecedented efficiency for transmitters and enabling broadcast network operators to address new business opportunities and make greater strides in sustainability.

The R&S TH1 liquid-cooled high-power transmitter is the solution of choice for a volatile future. It offers the flexibility to adapt to changing requirements and new operational models. The improved amplifier design delivers a dramatic increase in energy efficiency, representing a 15% reduction in power consumption over other current designs.

The liquid cooling concept, allowing more than 90% of all heat generated to be dispersed to the outside atmosphere, further reduces energy requirements and total cost of ownership. The R&S®TH1 is also designed for terrestrial transmission via 5G Broadcast to mobile devices, opening new business opportunities by addressing emerging use cases like live and venue casting, data delivery to IoT and the automotive industry, and more.

Rohde & Schwarz has been a consistent pioneer in DAB+ since the early 1990s, with thousands of its transmitters on-air today serving hundreds of millions of people in Europe. The THV9evo, TMV9evo and TLV9 DAB+ transmitters feature excellent signal quality, and an extremely high transmitter efficiency of 50% enables reduction of operational costs. At IBC2024 Rohde & Schwarz will introduce a DAB+ efficiency calculator, which is an interactive savings tool. When it comes to network optimization, the user can provide their own data and the efficiency tool will simulate a calculation in real-time.

“We are trusted in the broadcast industry as the leader in technology and innovation across terrestrial, 5G Broadcast and DAB+,” said Steven Edwards, Vice President, Broadcast Distribution. “We take our responsibility to innovate both technically and sustainably, very seriously.

“At IBC we will dedicate a space on our stand for a range of presentation sessions together with partners, based on the success we had with our 5G Broadcast sessions at last year’s show,” said Edwards.

Rohde & Schwarz will also present sophisticated solutions for satellite and ground station operators, such as the compact R&S PKU100 Satellite Uplink Amplifier for Ku band and the R&S®GSACSM Realtime Satellite Monitoring solution.

The R&S PKU100 solid-state high-power satellite uplink amplifiers are delivering unparalleled spectrum purity and an excellent power efficiency which enables up to 50% energy savings for 400W and 750W output power.

The R&S GSACSM enables satellite operators to easily implement various remote monitoring use cases like interference identification and SatCom transponder analysis in real-time via a multitude of sensors. It simplifies satellite monitoring by the analysis automation of several SatCom links in parallel.

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Sencore and Showfer – Stand 1.F72

Sencore, renowned for its professional content delivery solutions, is pleased to feature its ongoing partnership with Showfer, a leader in content management platforms, at IBC 2024. This collaboration continues to revolutionize content transport, monitoring, playout, and workflow scheduling with a comprehensive end-to-end solution.

IBC 2024 will be the stage for showcasing this innovative collaboration. Visitors can find Sencore and Showfer at Booth 1.F72, where they will present their advanced solutions in content management and distribution.

Central to this partnership is Showfer’s advanced “ProVision” platform, a content management solution equipped with robust capabilities for content playout, workflow scheduling, and content distribution. Adaptable to both cloud and on-premises environments, Showfer ProVision ensures swift and efficient creation and maintenance of content workflows.

The collaboration extends further with Sencore’s cutting-edge Centra Gateway. This video transport and monitoring platform excels in transporting content over open internet connections and cloud-based systems. Together, these solutions offer a cost-effective method for content contribution and distribution, from camera to viewer, providing broadcasters with the tools needed to thrive in a competitive market.

“We’re thrilled to continue our collaboration with Showfer,” said Aaron Doughten, Director of Technology and Marketing at Sencore. “Our combined efforts empower content providers and broadcasters with a content management and transport platform that serves as a crucial tool in today’s fast-paced media landscape.”

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Sennheiser – Stand 8.D50

Welcoming audio and broadcasting experts from across the globe, the Sennheiser Group with its brands Sennheiser, Neumann, Dear Reality and Merging Technologies will introduce exciting new products and platforms at IBC 2024 in Amsterdam. At stand 8D50 in the Audio Hall, there is plenty to explore between the AMBEO Immersive Zone and the WMAS Discovery Area.

WMAS Discovery Area
​In what is probably the most anticipated presentation this year, Sennheiser will unveil the world’s first wideband, bidirectional wireless ecosystem based on WMAS technology (Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems). Guests are invited to experience the system’s combined mic/IEM bodypacks and revolutionary base station, while the Sennheiser RF experts are happy to answer any questions on this ground-breaking technology.

Neumann and Merging Broadcast Suite
​Stepping into the “interior” of a typical OB van, visitors can experience the world of Neumann and Merging broadcast products for audio control, mixing, editing, and monitoring. Neumann will showcase DSP-powered KH monitors and NDH studio headphones as well as the MT 48 with the new Monitor Mission, which transforms the unit into an immersive audio interface and monitor controller. Merging will present its renowned Pyramix DAW software and Anubis interface, including dedicated Missions (Commentary, Monitor, Music, and Venue) that allow the device to be customized for these typical use cases. On top of that, Merging will also unveil upcoming upgrades with additional network options.

Sennheiser Pro Audio Workbench
​Sennheiser has its broadcast customers covered for ENG and studio applications: The camera-mount EW-DP mic systems are ideal for on-site interviews and news coverage, while the rack-mount Digital 6000 and EW-DX wireless audio solutions are ideal for shows and other live or broadcast studio formats.

The rugged MKH 8000 RF condenser microphone series for sophisticated audio capture will also be on show, as will be Sennheiser’s updated broadcast headset portfolio, which covers the needs of commentators, broadcast engineers and camerapeople alike.

The AMBEO Immersive Zone
​Last but not least, the large AMBEO Immersive Zone, powered by a 5.1.4 Neumann monitor set-up and a Dear Reality headphone station, welcomes guests to discover interoperable spatial audio offerings.

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Shotoku Broadcast Systems – Stand 12.F47

Shotoku Broadcast Systems, is bringing IBC 2024 visitors a glimpse into the future of robotic camera systems. The international manufacturer of high-quality, easy-to-use, and reliable robotic and manual camera support systems will be demonstrating its TR-XT control system that has been enhanced with features that serve today’s live productions and keep pace with tomorrow’s technology advances. The heart of the stand will centre around the Company’s fully-robotic flagship SmartPed pedestal with a spotlight on the Company’s TI-11X elevator pedestal. A complete display of Shotoku’s tried and trusted pan and tilt heads (including the TG-27, TG-47 and TG-18i) and control panels – all that accommodate applications ranging from broadcast to legislatures to Pro AV environments – will also be at show in Stand 12.F47.

“We couldn’t be happier to bring our robotic camera system platform to IBC packed with upgrades and enhancements,” says James Eddershaw, Shotoku MD. “We are consistently asking our customers what they need to deliver flawless broadcasts today and what they need to keep them prepared for tomorrow’s challenges. Our flagship TR-XT control system is a great example; we’ve incorporated features and functionalities to make navigation easier and maximize automation.”

TR-XT – The Launchpad for Future Robotics Control

Shotoku’s TR-XT studio robotics control system has gone from strength to strength as the Company continuously adds features to meet the challenges of today’s 24/7 live studio productions, but also prepares broadcasters to swiftly adapt to emerging technology advances.

This new version retains all the resilience of previous systems, eliminating single failure points and preserving all its unique redundancy, but now offers even more functionality and a substantial UI refresh. The TR-XT is now under a Windows 11 operating system with a fully distributed front-end / back-end architecture and support for virtualized remote database. Despite all the new functionality the system is 100% compatible with existing Shotoku robotics systems, including earlier Linux-based TR-XT installations.

Many of the TR-XT’s upgraded features will be demonstrated, including: Orbit, that immediately translates the X-axis into a perfect arc around an orbital centre point; LiveView, making it possible to see and acquire shots outside the normal field of view; StudioView, that provides shot-planning capability with more powerful multi-camera tools; and of course the fully updated AutoFrame shot framing system.

AutoFrame Face Tracking – Best of All Worlds Saves Resources Without Compromising Quality

With AutoFrame, Shotoku has delivered the best of all worlds. Shotoku’s AutoFrame ensures that a production never suffers from a disruption by building the ability for seamless human intervention into the technology. Aiming to keep the system as autonomous as possible, AutoFrame provides real-time face tracking and shot recall, but also allows for instantaneous human intervention, eliminating the need for dedicated operators. In addition, the capacity for multiple channels simultaneously tracked has been expanded – which is now 10 and counting – as well as intelligently defining and maintaining the desired framing, including live zoom adjustments.

Always at the Centre

Shotoku’s SmartPed fully robotic pedestal is the flagship pedestal of Shotoku’s platform, designed to meet the requirements of most robotic camera applications. SmartPed’s capabilities range from lightweight payloads to fully loaded cameras with large lenses, hand-controls and prompters, and accessories. Supporting super-smooth XY movement, along any complex motion path, SmartPed really is a well-proven, state-of-the-art, fully robotic pedestal.

The Company’s TI-11X is its newest standalone elevator pedestal, aimed at studios where high performance elevation is required, with higher speeds and greater range of travel, but where free-roaming XY movement is not required. The completely self-contained pedestal has everything required to provide exceptional PT and Height control, not to mention the clever laser-point markers for easy and accurate manual repositioning.

If your interest lies with televised legislature proceedings, check out Shotoku’s Orchestra CMS control system and TR-S panel. This system is specifically designed to address the demands of parliamentary TV coverage under high pressure and extended operation periods, flawlessly.

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Simplestream – Stand 5.G60

At IBC 2024, Simplestream is demonstrating new features and enhancements to its award-winning Channel Studio and Livestream Scheduler products, allowing world-class broadcasters, sport organisations and content owners to create new avenues for monetisation, greater audience engagement and increased live viewing figures.

Exhibiting on Stand 5.G60, the company will also highlight its preferred technology partnership with Freely, the new free, live and on-demand streaming service brought to UK households by Britain’s public service broadcasters (BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, and ITV). Simplestream has expanded its live streaming capabilities by onboarding several channels onto the Freely platform, run by Everyone TV. Fully compliant with Freely’s requirements, Simplestream has made the onboarding process for channels straightforward by delivering a smooth end-to-end workflow including: the acquisition of channels from a variety of sources in multiple formats; encoding and normalisation; packaging into DVB-DASH format to meet technical delivery specifications; implementation of the channel’s own tags; and application of the CDN as standard.

Throughout the show, Simplestream will demonstrate its award-winning Channel Studio. Built to create and distribute live linear channels, Channel Studio now has the capability of allowing operators to combine VOD assets and livestreams as part of the same playlist, scheduled for distribution across multiple platforms. Users can add live event placeholders for the scheduler to identify, swapping to a live input as part of the regular channel programming.

Once the playlist is filled with the desired content for a regular 24 hour slot, the published playlist is automatically syndicated to AWS Elemental MediaTailor to be assembled into a functioning virtual channel while also connecting the scheduled live events within Simplestream’s cloud-based online video platform, Media Manager. With optional server-side ad insertion (SSAI) operators can seamlessly serve unique ads to each user, which can’t be blocked or skipped, providing access to new revenue streams and rich tracking of metrics for ad performance reporting.

The company will also show its Livestream Scheduler, a cloud application that enables platform owners of any size to bring multiple event data management capabilities under one roof, with the ease of use of an intuitive UI. First supplied in 2023 to world-leading Canadian communications technology company TELUS, Simplestream’s Livestream Scheduler has been enhanced to seamlessly distribute live events across digital platforms. Fully self-service, the solution delivers significant scalability, appealing to media companies of any size from large telcos to user generated content.

Licensed to platform providers, every one of their live content providers can access an easy-to-navigate interface to manage both events and streams in a cloud-based environment. The backend acts as a middleware, with a branded UI and the added benefit of reducing the margin of error to a minimum, as well as allowing any platform provider to limitlessly expand the number and scale of content providers providing the live feeds.

As well as the Freely announcement, Simplestream will be unveiling details of a large project for a major new customer. Continuing the expansion of its client portfolio, the company will provide a full set of OTT services across multiple platforms, starting in Q3 2024.

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SipRadius – Stand 5.F43

SipRadius, the specialist in live media transport and transcoding, is launching MRTC (Master Router/Real Time Clock) at IBC. This simple, low-cost device solves one of the key issues in remote IP production: the challenge of ensuring signals are synchronized.

IP media architectures have adopted PTP, the precision time protocol, as the mechanism for distributing timing data from a grand master clock to all devices on the network. This works well on a local area network, but it is very hard to transfer PTP over uncontrolled or remote networks, and attempting to implement it takes engineering time and can result in extended latencies.

“What we realized is that you do not need to try to keep every location timed to one grand master clock,” said Sergio Ammirata, Ph.D. founder and chief scientist at SipRadius. “For REMI frame alignment, we are dealing in milliseconds not nanoseconds. There are time sources of accurate-enough timecode everywhere: Partial-GPS and cellular networks. Just create a local PTP or NTP at each site.”

MRTC is a simple, low-cost media router and access gateway that accepts IP signals from a remote location. It uses a proven high-quality, high stability protocol like MPEG-TS over RIST. The MRTC has inputs for a GPS antenna and a cellular SIM to get accurate timecode, and creates its own local PTP and also allows PTP/NTP synchronization to other devices in the network effectively acting as a Master Clock for the remote network.

“The idea of local PTP grand masters is counter-intuitive at first, but this really is a simple, solid and very easily implemented solution,” Ammirata said. “Make MRTC your I/O device and PTP/NTP grand master and you instantly eliminate one of the major roadblocks for IP in live broadcasting.”

MRTC is a compact, standalone device 115 mm x 108 mm x 39 mm. It is compatible with all common IP transmission formats and protocols. In addition to it’s media routing capabilities, the MRTC is also a full blown router with multiple ISP capability, firewalling, tunnelling and port mapping. “You only need one device, plug it to the Internet and start streaming.” said Sergio Ammirata.

See the MRTC alongside the full range of ultra-low latency and highly secure encoding, transport, delivery and visualization platforms at IBC2024, on stand 5.F43.

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