SRG and Broadcast Solutions develop Commentary Control Room integrated into OB vehicle
Swiss public broadcaster SRG SSR has recently developed, jointly with Broadcast Solutions, a Commentary Control Room solution. The companies have created a solution incorporating the necessary technology and various connection possibilities into a compact vehicle.
Equipped with a 4-wheel drive, air conditioning, UPS, cable drums and equipment, the new production tool, called Cosmo, weighs less than 3.5 tonnes and offers a maximum of workflows and equipment in the smallest possible space.
The vehicle offers teams on location more flexibility to run parts of the programme independently. On the technology aspect, compatibility with SRG production formats (audio/video / IP) and connection to the unilateral broadcasters’ home studios (Internet, WAN, stadium) are of the highest importance.
Cosmo is designed, primarily, as a mobile commentary control room that collects commentary signals from venues, processes them and then forwards them to OB vans, SNGs or data lines. However, the vehicle can also be used as a technical operation centre. In this case, the focus is on receiving and distributing audio and video signals to broadcast networks, WAN connections or IT networks and the Internet.
The OB Vehicle interconnectivity is ensured via a Riedel Mediornet MicroN system plus NetInsights Nimbra solution. The audio/video network is implemented via Mediornet and provides connectivity and signal distribution in the broadcast network. Three remote audio/video stageboxes can be connected to the vehicle for signal pickup. Riedel’s decentralised router solution processes a maximum of 72×72 HD-SDI video signals, including the corresponding audio tracks (embedding and de-embedding), with MircoN units in the vehicle and the stageboxes. NetInsight’s Nimbra system provides signal transmission via the Internet or GbE line. The audio network rests on the Dante format managing up to 220×228 audio signals. All audio signals coming from the commentary stations are collected, controlled and processed in the vehicle. For this purpose, a DHD mixer plus software panel, effects, and monitor are available. A monitor wall and video measuring devices are in place for monitoring the video signals.
