EVS instant tapeless technology has been chosen by Alfacam, the Belgian TVfacilities and services provider, for HD production at various major upcoming sporting events such as the Beijing Olympics 2008 and the A1 GP motorsport races. Alfacam’s multi-camera OB trucks are being deployed all over the world to make, amongst others, HD recordings of large events in diverse areas: sports, drama and shows, festivals, concerts, and political and cultural happenings, writes Andy Stout.
With this acquisition of more than 30 XT[2] HD servers and dedicated applications, Alfacam leads the high definition deployment of outside production in Europe and some major international events. The systems shall be used during the A1 GP car races and the upcoming Beijing Olympics in 2008 where Alfacam will be a major contributor for outside production. Moreover, Alfacam has embraced the full EVS tapeless production suite by adding IP Director, XFile[2] and MediaXchange. The deal represents an investment of more than EUR5.5 million for Alfacam. Half of the systems will be delivered in 2007 and the remaining half by summer 2008.
“Thanks to our new full EVS set-up based on XT[2] HD servers, we’re able to cope with significant growth of the market demand for HD sport production,” says Gabriel Fehervari, CEO of Alfacam. “EVS is the obvious choice when it comes to reliable and efficient technology for live and near-live production of events. This system allows us to gain on productivity and consequently improve the quality of our programmes.,”
Running on EVS 6-channel XT[2] servers, live feeds and multiple cameras angles are made accessible instantly to the EVS Multicam LSM application to enable ultra fast editing and highlight production, including Live Slow Motion and Super Motion. Additionally, the EVS IP Director Production Management Software is used to ingest, log, manage, search, track, and edit content and create clips and highlights, or browse, and ultimately play to air any video or audio content instantly. Finally, the XFile[2] storage platform combined with XFile software allows for fast and seamless integration with Avid post production based on the Avid DNxHD codec.
“We are proud that Alfacam has chosen EVS instant tapeless technology,” says Henry Alexander, General Manager EMEA of EVS. “The technology they are using has been proven time and time again for the production of some of the world’s most high-profile sports and non-sports events. EVS technology will allow Alfacam to produce high quality HD broadcasts using state-of-the-art material ultimately for viewer pleasure and experience.”
