Grass Valley has successfully deployed its DirectIP connectivity solution to establish a remote link between cameras based in Telstra’s Tokyo office with an XCU base station in IMG Studios’ London headquarters, delivering uncompressed, ultra-low latency video over 20,000km.
The longest true remote IP production connection on record, the Tokyo-London link is said by Grass Valley to demonstrate a robust IP workflow between camera, IP switches and XCU that supports HD, 3G, UHD and SlowMotion feeds over large distances.
Using a centralised control room to ensure high performance levels and easy set-up/maintenance, DirectIP ensures that signal availability is unaffected, allowing the remote site to integrate seamlessly with the production, regardless of distance.
Trevor Boal, head of Telstra broadcast services, said: “This trial confirms that resolution and speed are not a barrier to remote production. Getting signals from one side of the world to the other with low latency and assured quality over the Telstra network is now a reality. The transmission of remote signals via the Telstra network over such long distances between Grass Valley’s cameras and the production centre is a real gamechanger that will enable productions and workflows that were not previously possible.”
Grass Valley live production VP Mark Hilton added: “IP-based remote production is a great way to address the cost pressures of live productions as they strive to meet the growing demand for first-class content and immersive viewing experiences.
“This unique real-life field test strongly underscores the unmatched capability of Grass Valley’s DirectIP workflow. As the only camera manufacturer that delivers all-IP communication between a camera head and its base station, our customers can achieve enormous savings on time, budget and resources by only sending camera heads to on-site production venues. This model maximises equipment usage at their production facilities for a higher return on investment while still supporting high-end productions – it really is a major win for them and with that, a win for the whole industry.”
