NAB 2023: New Replay Server from Hawk-Eye Innovations Offers 16 I/Os, New Controller and Sidecar

NAB 2023: New Replay Server from Hawk-Eye Innovations Offers 16 I/Os, New Controller and Sidecar Three server versions allow for integration of SDI feeds, ST-2110 or a hybrid of the two By Ken Kerschbaumer

Thursday, April 13, 2023 - 9:00 am

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Hawk-Eye Innovations is taking a big step forward at NAB with a company first: a broadcast replay system that is available as an out-of-the-box product. It will be available in three versions: one for SDI-based users, one for those who use ST-2110 IP, and a third hybrid server for those working in mixed SDI/IP environments.

The SDI server offers 16 bidirectional paths over 3G and the cards in the server are also capable of doing 12G, says Trey Carter, Hawk-Eye Innovations, accounts lead for broadcast systems. The servers are capable of being used in a UHD workflow but of course the number of I/O paths will be lessened.

The ST-2110 server and the hybrid server option both feature a 22-7 Red/Blue compatible 25Gb 2110 card and are capable of 16 total I/O pathways. A special feature to Hawk-Eye Innovations' hybrid server is the ability for the I/O pathways to be split over SDI and ST-2110 feeds.

If you wanted to do four paths of SDI and 12 paths of ST-2110 you can configure it that way or any other way you want, says Carter. A hybrid server option was always in the back of our minds as something that we wanted to do, but we weren't positive people wanted it. However, in talking to various clients there are some that plan to remain SDI for the next 12 to 18 months but will be making the move to ST-2110 in the future. It was our priority to make sure that any system we brought to market served the needs of the industry and took into account the potential changes in the near future.

Along with the new servers are two newly designed replay controllers. The controllers being unveiled at NAB will include a standard replay controller, designed for seasoned replay operators who don't want to learn a new controller, as well as an 18 customizable button sidecar controller allowing for macro-styled commands to control various functions within the system.

The button structure is very similar to other replay controllers, says Carter. The controller also features a numpad for Take ID styled control over the clip library and playlists; as well as a 360-degree jog wheel that can be used to browse in the operators screen.

Carter says current broadcast replay operators provided a lot of feedback on the system design and that the most important thing throughout the build process was to focus on operator comfort with both the physical controller and the user interface.

Everything is modular, everything's customizable, he says. When the operator logs in for the first time, the second time, and the third time they can know it's built for them and looks like what they're used to seeing. Even inside the controller button there is a little haptic feedback that as you push the buttons will spring back at you a little so that, for example, when you hit live, you know that you're actually going live.

The sidecar controller, although only consists of the visible 18 buttons, is capable of activating 54 customized commands.

That's not including the three customizable buttons that are on the actual replay controller interface itself, says Carter.

As for software enhancements, users can expect to see improvements to playlisting and clip libraries, clip ingest and storage functionality as well as native SDR and HDR recording and playback.

There's no licensing for SDR and HDR I/O formats, says Carter.

Carter says Hawk-Eye's replay system will also include data integration as it can integrate ShotLink or NFL (GSIS) data. It also allows operators to use that data field to recall a point in time when a play happened.

That also presents an ease of use in the editing and media management areas as all the tags and metadata will be tied directly into the clip, says Carter.

Also look for more pre-set features to be rolled out in the future.

We're making sure that this Broadcast Replay System is good for our clients, their future productions, and that it is somewhat future-proofed, he says.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2023/04/13/new-replay-server-from-hawk-eye...
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