Recent Bridge Technologies’ latest news include the integration of Cromorama’s Orion-Convert™ into Bridge’s VB440 ST 2110 production probe, showcased at IBC 2024, and their entry into the RAVENNA Partner Community

At latest IBC edition, Bridge Technologies showcased a significant enhancement to live production workflows with the integration of Cromorama’s Orion-Convert™ colour management system into its widely acclaimed ST 2110 production probe, the VB440. According to the company, this development marks a pivotal step forward in maintaining consistent, high-quality colour grading across both HDR and SDR formats, simplifying the production process for broadcasters managing multiple cameras and formats in large-scale productions. Recently, the tech company has announced that it has joined the RAVENNA Partner Community.

The collaboration with RAVENNA, an open technology for real-time audio distribution over IP networks, was demonstrated live at IBC 2024. Bridge’s VB440 probe played a key role in a next-generation audio production demo at RAVENNA’s booth, featuring SMPTE ST 2110-41 metadata transport. This partnership reflects Bridge Technologies’ commitment to supporting a full range of industry standards, providing comprehensive monitoring solutions for broadcast networks, regardless of infrastructure or technology. The VB440, renowned for its extensive monitoring capabilities, now includes RAVENNA support, enhancing its ability to deliver low-latency, high-reliability audio for global broadcasters.

The Orion-Convert™ system, developed by Cromorama, offers an innovative approach to HDR/SDR conversion. It incorporates a three-step conversion algorithm, streamlining the traditional LUT-based workflow, and comes with intuitive user controls. The system includes a variety of presets for broadcasters, such as NBCU and British TV, along with specialized “look” presets like HLG mild, HLG live, SLog3 mild, and SLog3 live. Designed for ease of use in live production environments, it enables smoother transitions between different production requirements.

One of the standout features of Orion-Convert™ is its ability to ensure consistency between SDR and HDR outputs. Using either down-conversion or up-conversion, the algorithm can create a mathematically precise “round-trip” transformation between the two formats at the touch of a button. This capability is especially valuable when integrating specialty cameras, such as slow-motion or mini-cams, that may not support HDR, ensuring uniform colour management across all camera feeds.

Besides, as the tech firm signaled, this seamless integration pairs perfectly with its VB440, an IP-based production probe that supports advanced production tasks through the ST 2110 standard. The VB440 provides production teams—ranging from camera operators to audio engineers—with a suite of tools accessible via an HTML5 web interface. Up to eight users can simultaneously interact with the system in real-time from any location, eliminating the need for bulky, single-function hardware like waveform monitors and additional cabling. This streamlined solution helps reduce operational costs, truck weight, and energy consumption, while also minimizing electronic waste.

The new integration enhances the VB440’s long-standing ability to preview HDR content on SDR monitors, a feature that has been invaluable for productions requiring simultaneous SDR/HDR outputs without specialized equipment.

Simen Frostad, Chairman of Bridge Technologies, highlighted the importance of this development: “Global live sports production is incredibly complex, and the VB440 was designed to manage this level of complexity. Our collaboration with Cromorama further strengthens the VB440’s capabilities. For example, at a recent major sports event, the production pipeline involved converting 4K images from cameras into SDR and HDR, adapting colourimetry based on the style of different segments and time-of-day preferences. Thanks to Orion-Convert™, all of these conversions can now be managed seamlessly through the VB440, ensuring absolute consistency and reliability—critical for high-profile, global productions.”

Cromorama’s CEO/CTO, Pablo García Soriano, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Cromorama has transformed how colour production is handled, while the VB440 revolutionizes live production workflows. The combination of these two technologies is a perfect fit, delivering enhanced workflows in fast-paced environments. We’re eager to demonstrate this at Bridge’s booth during IBC 2024.”