Why it's crucial to optimize the timing of signals in IP remote production posted: 20/04/2021
by Andy Rayner
IP remote production has gradually begun to revolutionize the economics and logistics of production by transforming the transmission of feeds across the globe, and this trend has only been accelerated by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. With an increasing number of production companies now able to utilize more cost-effective bandwidth over high-performance IP-based networks, fewer resources such as equipment and staff are needed on-site. Instead, resources in central facilities are fully utilized and higher efficiency is achieved.
It's all about timing
Timing is everything for live coverage. Popular events need to be shown in as close to real-time as possible to deliver the immediacy that makes them so compelling to viewers. This means its crucial to keep latency at its lowest possible level throughout the whole process, from lens to lens. But latency is most important in the actual production workflows, as people need make key decisions and communicate together remotely in real-time.
Ensuring the synchronization of video and audio signals is also key for timing. In a traditional outside broadcast production, this is comparatively easy to assure, as local timing is used on-site, and ready-produced composite feeds (combining synchronized video and audio, e.g. using SMPTE ST 2022-6) are returned to the central location. However, with remote production, timing needs to be reconciled between multiple, sometimes very distant, sites.
Dealing with the video compression juggling act
Higher transmission capacity is now possible due to decreased bandwidth costs, but challenges can still be presented by the increased number of feeds and the expanding quality of signals transmitted. 4K and HDR signals usually require video compression to ensure bandwidth requirements are kept to a minimum and costs kept low. Compression does however impact on latency.
H.265 and H.264 and other traditional codecs used for distribution and some contribution introduce high levels of latency that are too large for live remote production. JPEG 2000, while not resulting in as high a compression ratio, offers much lower latency, but that can still be too significant for remote production. However, a new candidate for video encoding, JPEG XS, is now gaining traction in remote production by enabling decent compression capabilities (similar to JPEG 2000) with a latency of a tiny fraction of a frame. This ensures optimum latency is maintained while not compromising on video quality. An early example of deployment was for the esport final of the League of Legends in Paris, which was remote-produced by Riot Games 9,000km away from the event at its base in Los Angeles!
The importance of signal synchronization
A long-established part of live production has been signal synchronization, and a local timing reference is distributed by equipment during an onsite project. IP remote production presents its own challenges as it involves multiple geographically diverse locations, namely the venue(s), a central production location and sometimes regional locations (for commentators or vox-pop for example). These locations need to be frequency-aligned through a GNSS reference and also phase-aligned, enabling any transit delays to be compensated for via appropriate buffering in the IP media edge at the location of central production.
SMPTE ST 2110 is able to define absolute time through the RTP timestamp, which is referenced to PTP. In contrast, SDI and AES3 can only implicitly convey relative time. Each essence therefore has a timestamp on the point of capture, so alignment can take place at any stage of the workflow with total certainty.
It remains the case however that many pieces of equipment do not honor the maintenance of origination timing with RTP timestamps, and production companies need to take this into account. However, a recent revision of SMPTE ST 2110-10 may be about to change all that, as this encourages the practice of maintaining origination timing through the production chain, and it is hoped that more manufacturers will adopt this approach moving forward.
Aligning time-domains
It used to be the case that live production involved the handling of signals in the same time-domain for production teams, with no noticeable delay between the camera, microphone and production gallery captures. Now, new technologies such as augmented reality has shown that live production chains can deal with delays and different time domains.
In terms of timing optimization, this means that solutions are now embracing delay as part of the balance in reducing transit bandwidth costs. By running the remote gallery production in the central location on proxy images (with reduced definition) in a delayed time domain, the full-resolution processing can remain onsite. The time-offset vision and audio controls from the gallery can then be applied retrospectively to buffered versions of the full resolution signals back at the origination site. Timing compensation can then account for transport and processing delays. Adopting this method removes the need for all full-resolution flows to be transported from the site to the central facilities, resulting in bandwidth and cost savings.
Taking the bigger picture into account
Careful consideration of several key factors can ultimately enable production companies to optimize all aspects of timing their signals to meet the required levels of operational efficiency in IP remote production. This is crucial to match the unique demands of live events. IP remote production can also be a smaller part of a bigger production process and presents a unique solution while lockdowns and social distancing measures remain across different countries. Distributed production allows studios,
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
19/08/2026
Studio owners invited to have their say on rates cuts
The Music Producers Guild (MPG) are inviting UK-based studios to take part in an in-depth survey that ...
19/08/2026
Vintage-inspired desktop interface revealed
Harrison's latest hardware offering sees them head into the world of audio interfaces, delivering a 10-in/12...
19/08/2026
Granular effect remains locked to scale and tempo
Described as your dream granular effect , Minimal Audio's latest creation is capable of turning any s...
19/08/2026
First polyphonic SWAM instrument incoming
Audio Modeling's latest physical-modelling orchestral instrument is just around the corner, and is now availab...
19/08/2026
There's an early Christmas gift for Bookish fans, as UKTV confirms the re-commission of the hit U&alibi drama, created by and starring Mark Gatiss. Viewers ...
19/08/2026
Wednesday 19 August 2026
Sky gives sports fans the chance to watch multiple liv...
19/08/2026
On Saturday September 5 Katie Taylor will step into the ring for the fight of her life against Flora Pili in front of 80,000 fans in Croke Park. A legendary fig...
18/08/2026
Company launch with stereo-imaging tool
Panoramic is the debut release from Panorama Labs, a new company formed by mastering engineer Nicholas Di Lorenzo. C...
18/08/2026
Control software now available for older interfaces
Focusrite have just announced the launch of an update that extends Control 2 software support their Scar...
18/08/2026
Tuesday 18 August 2026
Sky Sports and The Fast and the Curious announce new partnership
Sky Sports and The Fast and the Curious have announced a new long-term...
18/08/2026
Wuppertal August 18, 2026
Riedel Brings Professional Live Production Into the Classrooms of ECURiedel Communications today announced that Edith Cowan Universi...
18/08/2026
Apple today announced changes to its business terms for apps in the European Uni...
18/08/2026
THE HEALY RAES: BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS AIRS WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19 ON RT ONE AT 9:35PM
A new documentary The Healy-Raes: Blood, Sweat & Tears airs on RT One and ...
18/08/2026
Stunning Irish performances at European Athletics and Swimming Championships rea...
18/08/2026
The two-part series begins Sunday 23 August at 6.30pm on RT One and RT Player
...
17/08/2026
New MIDI processor & macro controller revealed
SHIK have announced that they have opened pre-orders for the S32, a standalone MIDI processor and macro contr...
17/08/2026
Cover extended on innovative motorised pot system
Melbourne Instruments have just revealed that the innovative motorised pot system used in their synths and...
17/08/2026
Latest firmware version now available
1010music have just released a free firmware update that brings some nice new features to their renowned Bluebox digit...
17/08/2026
Rohde & Schwarz showcases integrated defense and test solutions at DALO Industry...
17/08/2026
Calrec's ImPulseV Virtualised Audio Mixing Engine joins NEP Platform, the industry's largest ecosystem of trusted production software, bringing scalable...
17/08/2026
Visitors to IBC 2026 will see how FilmLight is reshaping the modern post pipelin...
17/08/2026
Visitors to Stand 1.C41 can explore innovations in areas such as addressable advertising, hybrid distribution, managed services and operational simplification.
...
16/08/2026
Virtual drummer joins line-up
The latest release from Gospel Musicians adds a virtual drummer to the company's line-up, combining a pair of meticulously...
15/08/2026
In-ear monitoring line-up gains new universal models
In-ear monitoring experts JH Audio have just announced a significant expansion of their Universal-Fit r...
14/08/2026
Latest instalment delivers disco-inspired grooves
The latest addition to UJAM's virtual drum line-up has been designed with contemporary pop, disco, dan...
14/08/2026
Elite range gains giant 24-inch powered sub
The latest expansion of Yorkville's Elite range introduces what the company say is the world's first act...
14/08/2026
Friday 14 August 2026
Breaking news! Sky releases trailer for The Paper, return...
14/08/2026
It's been one year since our client, Cotswolds Designer Outlet, opened its doors and we've loved seeing the scheme come to life. Together, we've hel...
13/08/2026
Company preview bio-interactive' synthesizer
VAEMI have announced the upcoming launch of a new standalone bio-interactive' generative synthesizer....
13/08/2026
Plug-in host gains new Slot Scenes feature
Ravine DSP have recently updated their innovative plug-in host, kitting it out with a new feature that brings yet...
13/08/2026
New U and U&W Documentary Features Kathleen Richards, One of the Last Surviving Witnesses to Fred and Rose West
Kathleen is Reunited with Childhood Friend and ...
13/08/2026
Thursday 13 August 2026
Official trailer released for the return of Tea with Ju...
13/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
13/08/2026
Wenvoe serves over 1 million people across South Wales
13 August 2026, Winchester, UK - Vale of Glamorgan MP, Kanishka Narayan, has praised the engineering exp...
13/08/2026
RT 's Miriam O'Callaghan welcomed a range of specially invited guests to the National Concert Hall last week for a unique event to mark a new season wit...
13/08/2026
August 13 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Seattle Seahawks Become First Team to Bring Dolby O...
12/08/2026
Enhanced DAW & plug-in control for the UC1, UF8 and UF1
The software that powers SSL's range of control surfaces has just received a major update that d...
12/08/2026
In-line preamp features one-knob EQ
In addition to their range of in-line preamps, Triton Audio recently managed to squeeze a compressor into an enclosure t...
12/08/2026
Captures system audio with or without a DAW
Depending on your setup, capturing system audio in a DAW can be a tedious process, so much so that Arvital Audio...
12/08/2026
Comscore Reports Second Quarter 2026 ResultsRESTON, Va., August 12, 2026 Comscore, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCOR), a trusted partner for planning, transacting and evalu...
12/08/2026
NEW BOOKSHOP OPENING IN LONDON THAT OFFERS NEW IDENTITIES, NOT BOOKS, WITH FREE ...
12/08/2026
Brand-new trailer unveiled as Sky announces SNL UK ticket ballot will open on 14...
12/08/2026
Wednesday 12 August 2026
Sky Sports agrees deal to show Laver Cup from London's O2
Sky Sports has agreed a deal with Trident8 to show all three days of th...
12/08/2026
Wednesday 12 August 2026
Pre-order the new Google Pixel 11 range from today and...
11/08/2026
Free library captures pro classical string section
There's no shortage of freebies in The Crow Hill Company's line-up, with their Vaults series offe...
11/08/2026
Percussion instrument introduces all-new engine
Emergence Audio have just introduced an instrument that brings together a vast collection of percussive anal...
Why it's crucial to optimize the timing of signals in IP remote production posted: 20/04/2021 
