At an altitude of 2,263 meters, the 2024 LAAX Open snowboarding event took place at Crap Sogn Gion, Switzerland, where 300 of the world’s top freestyle snowboarders competed. As the event’s broadcast partner for nine consecutive years, media production company DropIn-TV once again faced the challenge of capturing live, high-intensity sports action from remote mountain slopes and delivering it to a worldwide audience.

Technical challenges and terrain-based solutions

To meet the demands of this high-altitude production, DropIn-TV deployed separate production and post-production teams. While the main action was directed from the mountaintop, editing teams were stationed down in the valley, requiring robust real-time connectivity between them. CEO of DropIn-TV, Manuel Durst, noted, “The collaboration with Teradek has massively accelerated the efficiency and speed in the production of videos and various assets. We were able to deliver content faster while maintaining the same quality.”

Key production elements for multi-platform broadcasting

DropIn-TV’s production included several key elements to engage audiences across platforms:

– Roundtables: Live talk-show-style segments, streamed on Instagram and YouTube, offered in-depth discussions and competitor analysis.
– Daily Highlights: Video reels featuring top stunts and interviews with athletes, organizers, and event personnel provided daily recaps.
– Live Coverage of Key Rounds: From qualifications to finals, every stage was broadcast live, allowing audiences to follow the competition in real time.

This required the integration of multiple camera angles, transmitted from fixed cameras along the slopes to deliver a more comprehensive viewing experience.

Innovative use of wearable broadcast equipment

To capture every critical moment, DropIn-TV’s camera operators were equipped with high-resolution cameras including the RED Epic-W 8K and Sony FX6 4K. Each camera crew carried a Prism Mobile Backpack featuring Teradek’s Prism Mobile 5G units, allowing for mobility and quick setup. The lightweight backpack design enabled ENG crews to move nimbly through the terrain to follow the action up close.

5G bonded connectivity for seamless streaming

DropIn-TV utilized 5G bonded cellular connectivity to maintain a stable signal across the diverse landscape. Each Prism Mobile Backpack housed Prism Mobile 5G units and Node 5G modems, combining three cellular carriers—Vodafone, O2, and T-Mobile—through Teradek Data SIM cards. This provided reliable, redundant coverage, enabling continuous high-quality streaming despite the challenging environment.

The captured video was sent to two primary platforms:

1. Teradek Core: A cloud-based hub used for live video rerouting and real-time monitoring via Core Share, which enabled stakeholders to review, direct, and provide feedback instantly.
2. Social Media Platforms: Live feeds were also distributed to YouTube, Vimeo, and Instagram, providing direct audience access.

For video switching, the production relied on Tricaster TC2, sending mixed signals back to Teradek Core and then to broadcast stations. Teradek’s Prism Rack encoders allowed for distribution to TV stations via RTMP or SRT streams. Frame.io’s integration further streamlined the upload process, with multiple modems expediting video delivery to post-production teams.

Real-Time post-production with Camera-to-Cloud technology

Leveraging Adobe’s Frame.io and Teradek’s Camera-to-Cloud workflow, the post-production team stationed in the valley accessed recordings in real time, removing the need for physical file transfers. This immediate access allowed editing to begin immediately after footage was captured, using proxy files for quick-turnaround editing for social media and TV distribution. Manuel Durst explained, “By using Camera to Cloud production, we were able to provide viewers with insights and different perspectives of the event much faster than in the past, when transporting the recorded material to the valley was necessary.”

Real-Time supervision and zero-delay wireless transmission

DropIn-TV relied on Teradek Ranger for zero-delay wireless video transmission, which used the 6GHz U-NII-5 band for interference-free, real-time feeds. This allowed for precise direction and supervision across the slopes, crucial for maintaining synchronization between remote team members and adapting to the dynamic environment.

A reliable and flexible broadcast setup

This wireless, efficient setup, including Prism Mobile’s cellular bonding capabilities, allowed DropIn-TV to cover the vast LAAX Open terrain without extensive wiring, ensuring robust connectivity and high-quality footage despite the altitude. The setup reduced costs and logistical demands, while Teradek Data SIM cards provided triple redundancy in coverage.

Streamlined post-production and audience engagement

The integration with Frame.io expedited post-production, allowing real-time access to footage and immediate editing capabilities. With Core Share, crew members could monitor up to nine feeds simultaneously, supported by built-in voice and text chat tools, facilitating seamless communication.

The 2024 LAAX Open drew over 17,000 live viewers worldwide, bringing the action-packed competition to global fans. DropIn-TV’s innovative use of Teradek’s wireless and IP video solutions enabled a smooth, immersive viewing experience that highlighted both the athletes’ skill and DropIn-TV’s adept handling of high-stakes, high-altitude production challenges.