NEP Rolls Out Ultra-Flexible EN3 With SMPTE ST 2110 IP Core for ESPN Design emphasizes REMI/GREMI approach By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor
Tuesday, May 8, 2018 - 11:53 am
Print This Story
Story Highlights
Every NEP launch pushes the technological envelope. The debut of EN3 for ESPN on March 30, however, was historic: it's the first truck in North America built around a SMPTE ST 2110 IP routing core. After a long standardization process, SMPTE officially published the first standards within ST 2110 Professional Media Over Managed IP Networks in December, and EN3 is the first mobile unit to be designed and integrated specifically around the new standards suite.
Of course, installing the first SMPTE 2110 core was about much more than bragging rights for NEP. Rather, the IP infrastructure in EN3 allowed NEP to create one of the most flexible mobile units ever. The ability to function as a twin-trailer or a single-trailer unit will enable ESPN to assign this resource to just about every level of show, says ESPN VP, Remote Operations, Chris Calcinari.
EN3's main production room
The primary concern that ESPN had was the flexibility of the mobile unit, explains Nick Romano, engineering manager, NEP U.S. Mobile Units. They wanted to be able to do a remote show [ranging] from a very large show to a GREMI [graphics remote integration] to a REMI [remotely integrated at-home production], which would lessen the amount of people onsite and allow more people work [on the show from] Bristol. It needed to be very versatile in terms of the systems integration. We gathered that information and sat down with our systems-integration team, who did a phenomenal job in hearing the requests and coming up with one of the most flexible units that I've seen in the industry.
Single or Double? It's All Up to ESPN
The two-trailer EN3 builds on NEP and ESPN's previous two top-level projects - EN1 (home of Monday Night Football) and EN2 (home of Sunday Night Baseball) - and will be used primarily for the network's NBA coverage.
With EN3, ESPN has the option of multiple configurations: as a twin, the A unit as a standalone truck, or, in confined areas, with the B unit's expanding side closed.
For ESPN's changing production workflows, it had to have the firepower and production space to do a big-level NBA on ABC show but also the scalability and flexibility to go in and operate as a single-truck unit for a regional broadcast or a collegiate-sports broadcast, where we don't necessarily need to utilize a B unit, says NEP Senior Account Manager Michael Pean. [Joe Signorino, VP, systems integration, NEP U.S. Mobile Units] and his team have done an amazing job of giving us the flexibility to be able to do any type of show [that ESPN] needs in this truck.
The B unit houses several flex console positions, allowing workstations ranging from replay to graphics to be positioned anywhere in the truck. In addition, all monitors at the individual workstations are on rails, so that they can slide together to build a production-monitor wall for a second control room if need be.
NEP designed EN3 to have flexible workstations that allow the unit to adapt to the needs of the client.
The technical flexibility is important because the future is packed full of different execution models and potential standards, says Calcinari. One day, we could be doing a REMI or GREMI from this truck, and, the next, we could be doing a 1080p or 4K HDR show. The IP backbone, along with the most recent multi-standard production tools in every single area, will ensure that we are prepared to handle whatever comes our way.
From a workspace perspective, he continues, NEP has done an incredible job allowing each space to be customized for a particular show. We required this system to run with or without the B unit, which allows us to maximize this resource across large as well as mid-level shows.
Although EN3 is NEP's fourth truck to feature an IP router, it's the first with a classic footprint.
We learned a lot over the last several years in relation to IP, Signorino explains. This is the fourth IP-based truck we've done, but they were primarily huge, five-truck systems. We always had an eye towards creating a more [classic] footprint and a lot quicker setup and strike. I think this unit helps define the near future for what we'll be doing at NEP.
Inside the Truck: IP Core and Much More
Built around an Evertz EXE router (732 732 HD video) and Grass Valley Kayenne K-Frame switcher (128 inputs/96 outputs, 5.5M/E), EN3 is the first North American truck in which the router and switcher are fully interconnected via SMPTE 2110.
NEP EN3 is the first truck in North America in which the switcher (the Grass Valley Kayenne K-Frame shown here) is tied to the router (Evertz
EXE) via SMPTE 2110.
When we started on the project [over a year ago], SMPTE 2110 was well on its way to completion of the video and audio portions of the standards, says Signorino. Obviously, we didn't want to build something that we'd have to end up changing shortly, so we pushed several manufacturers to get on the bandwagon with us for a 2110 deployment and started getting more equipment connected via IP. You have to [accept that] certain gear may not be ready to work in the standard yet, but we decided to focus on a couple of key things. One was working very closely with Grass Valley and Evertz on the interface between the switcher and the router so that we could have those two devices connected together.
By installing the IP router, NEP not only saved weight and space but also reduced power needs, noise, and heat. Nearly all the louder, heat-generating components are centrally isolated in the engine room behind a slider door, significantly reducing ambient noise and excessive heat.
EN3's p
Most recent headlines
09/11/2025
Dalet today announced a transformative leap forward for media operations: Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) that unifies the Dalet ecosystem under one natura...
23/10/2025
A deadline is looming for a new carriage deal between Verizon's Fios TV and Nexstar, with both Verizon and the pay TV-backed American Television Alliance bl...
23/10/2025
NEW YORK During a high-profile session at NAB Show New York, new survey data was shared that revealed significant public concern over artificial intelligence (A...
23/10/2025
BELLEVUE, Wash. and NEW YORK Fox Weather has tapped T-Mobile has as its preferred communications provider and announced that all Fox Weather reporters are being...
23/10/2025
PBS and Amazon Web Services have announced the network is using generative AI to provide enhanced search results to viewers on the PBS App and PBS LearningMedia...
23/10/2025
Series three of the award winning, hit comedy entertainment series The 2 Johnnies Late Night Lock In is back on your screens, celebrating the very best of all t...
23/10/2025
Performances by Michael Flatley, Andy Irvine, Cuckoo's Nest, Foster and Allen and more
Friday 24 October, 8pm on RT One and RT Player
Fleadh Cheoil re...
23/10/2025
The nights grow longer and the shadows get bolder with Vampire The Masquerade: B...
22/10/2025
Prime Video Inks Deal To Present NFL Black Friday Game Worldwide By SVG Staff
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - 10:06 am
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story ...
22/10/2025
NBA Tip-Off: ESPN Goes 1080p HDR End-to-End, Flipping HDR Switch on REMI and REM...
22/10/2025
FloSports Empowers Division II, III Athletic Departments With Turnkey Production...
22/10/2025
Wall Street Video Summit Debuts, Bringing Together 200 Financial Enterprise Vide...
22/10/2025
Dueling Pianos: International Chopin Piano Competition Is as Competitive as a Ba...
22/10/2025
In 1995, a young Colombian artist released an album that would change Latin pop ...
22/10/2025
Over the past few months, a photovoltaic system has been installed on a three-he...
22/10/2025
The Orion spacecraft for NASA's Artemis II mission is stacked on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket in High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kenn...
22/10/2025
L3Harris' Hybrid SATCOM is resilient by design, offering path diversity that eliminates vulnerabilities by routing data across the best available networks i...
22/10/2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. Organizers of NAB Show New York said they are expecting more than 12,000 registered attendees from about 100 countries along with 260 exhibitor...
22/10/2025
WASHINGTON, D.C The organizers of The 2025 NAB Show New York have announced that they are expecting more than 12,000 registered attendees from about 100 countr...
22/10/2025
Masque Sound, a leading theatrical sound reinforcement, installation and design company, supplied an extensive gear package of professional-grade equipment for ...
22/10/2025
Lightware, a global leader in signal management and AV connectivity solutions, is seeing strong market momentum for the UCX-3x3-TPX-RX20, a compact transmitter-...
22/10/2025
MELVILLE, N.Y. Chyron has released PAINT 10.2, the latest update for its telestration platform, adding support for SMPTE ST 2110 IP workflows, expanding brandin...
22/10/2025
WASHINGTON Run3TV today said NBCUniversal is joining as an investor in the ATSC 3.0 Framework Authority, which develops the Run3TV NextGen TV application platfo...
22/10/2025
ATLANTA swXtch.io will feature two new networking solutions extending the company's reach across more cloud and on-prem workflows at NAB Show New York, set ...
22/10/2025
The Warner Bros. Discoverys HBO Max streaming services has increased prices for all its streaming tiers effectively immediately for new customers. Existing cust...
22/10/2025
LOS ANGELES OpenDrives has signed a new distribution partnership deal with Versatile Distribution Services (VDS) to strengthen its channel and streamline how it...
22/10/2025
WASHINGTON, D.C The organizers of The 2025 NAB Show New York have announced that they are expecting more than 12,000 registered attendees from about 100 countr...
22/10/2025
Samora Pinderhughes Brings Immersive Sound to Berklee's Signature Series The artist and composer, who's worked with Herbie Hancock, Robert Glasper, Co...
22/10/2025
BMI Day at Berklee Celebrates Composer Fil Eisler and Awards Scholarship to Stud...
22/10/2025
October 22nd, 2025 TRIBECA ANNOUNCES STAR-STUDDED LINEUP OF MEMBERSHIP EVENTS F...
22/10/2025
Rohde & Schwarz and TRUMPF cooperate in drone defense Rohde & Schwarz and TRUMPF partner to deliver a comprehensive drone defense solution combining Rohde & S...
22/10/2025
European Broadcaster Upgrades To Grass Valley's NativeIP LDX 135 Cameras And...
22/10/2025
Everyone Gets a Better Deal on Verizon with New FOX One Perk The $15 FOX One streaming service perk is yet another way Verizon continues to add savings for cu...
22/10/2025
First Look Hidden Assets Series 3
Premieres on 9th November 9:30pm on RT One & RT Player
WATCH HERE Promo Link: Hidden Assets Series 3 | RT
The Crimin...
21/10/2025
NAB New York 2025: Although AES Show Is on Its Own, Audio Will Be a Major Part o...
21/10/2025
NAB New York 2025: Business of Broadcast and Media,' Future of Content'...
21/10/2025
SVG All-Stars: Ethan Folz, Senior Director, Digital Operations and Quality of Ex...
21/10/2025
NBA on NBC/Peacock: Livestream Offers Graphic Overlays, Predictive Gaming, Ancil...
21/10/2025
NBA on NBC/Peacock: At the Front Bench With Producer Frank DiGraci and Director ...
21/10/2025
NBA on NBC/Peacock: NBC Sports, NEP Build Ultra-Flexible Production Plan That Se...
21/10/2025
Indigenous storytelling has been at the heart of the work of the Sundance Instit...
21/10/2025
Top L-R: Mysterious Skin, American Dream Second Row L-R: Little Miss Sunshine, D...
21/10/2025
Last week, Spotify and Columbia Records transformed Pier 4 at the Brooklyn Army ...
21/10/2025
SBS Learn's Dharug Ngurra resource empowers classrooms to meaningfully celeb...
21/10/2025
As global operators simplify and evolve their digital platforms, NPS improvement...
21/10/2025
Critical Design Review completion is a key milestone on the path toward Wideband Global Satellite Communications certification for the network in 2026, opening ...
21/10/2025
New Australian undersea training range to implement and improve warfighting tactics, proficiency and safety; enable joint/allied training that contributes to pr...
21/10/2025
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({...
21/10/2025
September, the beginning of autumn, brought an expected revival to the TV market, largely due to the new fall TV schedules. The time spent in front of the TV sc...
NEP Rolls Out Ultra-Flexible EN3 With SMPTE ST 2110 IP Core for ESPN Design emphasizes REMI/GREMI approach By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor 
