Studio Berlin goes green by implementing remote workflows for its EHF European Handball League broadcast in Germany
From two years ago, Studio Berlin has been responsible for producing and creating the world feed of all matches of the Handball EHF European League in Germany on behalf of Infront Productions. Since February 2022, the german production company has been using a self-developed remote production concept using only cameras and atmo microphones in the venues. The actual production -including editing, control, integration of graphics and slomo, and the sound mix- is realised with a fixed control room at the Berlin Adlershof facilities.
The production format for the games is HD 1080i/50, stereo. Only the camera and audio signals are created on-site in the venues. Studio Berlin uses the infrastructure of network provider MTI to transmit the signals to the control room in Berlin Adlershof, running through a bidirectional connection with a maximum bandwidth of 100 Mbit/s. RIEDEL BOLERO is used for communication between the control room and the venue. For signal contribution, Studio Berlin uses the SRT protocol. Signal distribution continues to take place via satellite. However, the SNG is no longer located at the venue but on the Studio Berlin premises at Berlin Adlershof.
Studio Berlin has decreased the production effort for each game – while maintaining the same high production standard. The concept offers further advantages. Firstly, two games from different venues are produced directly one after the other – managed by the same director and the same staff in Berlin Adlershof. Secondly, the graphics operator controls the graphics machine by remote either from the headquarters in Copenhagen or, as in this case, from the home office of the respective graphics operator. Finally, remote production allows Studio Berlin to realise another important goal that the company has set for itself: CO2 emissions from handball production have been reduced by 2/3 and production now is greener.
“With this workflow, which we developed especially for this production, we have taken a first, obvious step in introducing remote production services at Studio Berlin,” comments Nick Zimmermann, Managing Director Studio Berlin. “The concept handles the available resources sparingly, without accepting a reduction in the usual production quality. For the Studio Berlin team and directors and camera operators, this resulted in a learning process, with working methods and processes being rethought and adapted. Together, we developed a workflow that functions and is a true alternative to using an OB van in many production formats.”
