In Parts 1 & 2 of this content collection we discussed the big picture questions of where we are in the evolutionary cycle of live sports production. Our panel discussed some key themes; the rise of remote production techniques and the balance of Full OB, Full Remote, REMCO and Hybrid production models in use. We discussed how IP has not entirely eclipsed SDI, but joined it in a hybrid networking ecosystem. We looked at the ongoing transition from dedicated hardware processing towards flexible COTS compute resource running a software ecosystem. We examined the evolution of the Broadcast Controller as the central command and control interface of the modern broadcast ecosystem. Our discussion featured contribution from participants at Broadcast Solutions, Diversified and NEP.

Part 3 of this series, delivered here, digs into some of the detail of how these production techniques are achieved, and the practicalities of deploying the technology required within the various production models. It is a conversation in three parts; what are the differences between the technology required at the venue across the different production models, and the new OB vehicle designs emerging to support it. Has on site connectivity between the camera and the truck changed with the arrival of IP & how do the different models impact backhaul encoding. How do the various production models impacts latency and the flow of monitoring and comms. We are helped in our exploration by two individuals from NEP, who are each responsible for technical management of OB and venue systems day-to-day, one in the USA and one in the UK. 

Live Sports Production published in four parts. Details of all four parts can be found HERE.

About Part 3 - Evolving OB Infrastructure

Part 3 is a free PDF download which contains five original articles:

Article 1 : Exploring The Evolving OB
Comparing what technology is required in OBs and other venue systems to support the various approaches to live sports production.

Article 2 : Backhaul Solutions Engineering
Here we introduce a vendor perspective with an interview with David Walker, VP Solutions Engineering EMEA at Appear, whose team have supported some of the largest global sports productions in recent years.

Article 3 : Camera To Truck
Much of the OB production infrastructure has moved to IP, but has the connectivity between the cameras and the OB or backhaul also migrated to IP?

Article 4 : Simple Scalable Live Sports Production With SimplyLive
Meeting the requirements for simple, scalable and rapidly deployable live sports production systems is a challenge that Riedel’s Simply Live Production Suite is ready to beat.

Article 5 : Latency, Monitoring & The Future
Latency has always been a fact of life in broadcast infrastructure. It is something for operators to learn to adjust to and for engineering to effectively manage… but is it more of a challenge in remote production models?