SportTech Buzz from IBC 2019: Sunday's latest from Amsterdam By SVG Staff Saturday, September 14, 2019 - 21:04
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IBC is in full swing, and the SVG Europe and SVG editorial teams are chasing down the hottest stories at Rai Amsterdam. To make the onslaught of announcements easily digestible for our readers, SVG Europe is sending you a daily SportsTechBuzz at IBC 2019, with all the top stories from our reporters assembled into one easy-to-read blog.
Today's edition features Blackmagic, BroaMan, BT, Canon, ChyronHego, Deltacast, Digital Video Sud, EcoDigital, EVS, Genelec, IHSE, LiveU, Marshall Electronics, Matrox, MediaEdge, Multidyne Fiber Optics Solutions, Simplylive, Speedcast, Synamedia, Telestream, Tellyo, Teradek, The Switch, Veritone, Verizon Media, Zixi.
HALLS 1-3
LiveU (3.B62) is showing a 5G version of its LU600 cellular transmission device. Designed for newsgathering and live sports coverage, the LU600 5G has internal 5G modems and high-efficiency antennas covering all sub-6 GHz frequencies for 5G and 4G and makes use of 4K HEVC technology. The super-low latency enabled by 5G is particularly beneficial for 4K live sports productions, according to the company. LiveU has been testing the technology in the U.S. with AT&T, trialling it on live news and sport. Also at IBC, LiveU is touting the multicamera remote-production capabilities of the LU600 and discussing the company's dedicated offerings for live motorsport coverage.
Simplylive (3.B19) is highlighting its replay-networking capabilities, and Greg Macchia, VP, sales and operations, America, says that replay is a major focus because it is a big part of the industry. We are also showing our first UI gateway that offers a much lower bitrate required for a remote user, as we can now work from a range of 5 to 50 Mbps, although the sweet spot is 20-25 Mbps.
HALLS 4-7
Telestream (7.C14) is showing off its new Optiq platform for managing live infrastructure in the cloud. The framework for Optiq was announced in February and is now being productised, the first application being Optiq Monitor, which was announced just prior to IBC 2019. Says Director, Product Management, Ken Haren, We created Optiq in response to market demand to enable pop-up infrastructure. This is needed as broadcasters and sports rightsholders are looking to provide more content, to be more compelling, to gain viewership. For instance, ESPN in the States might have 30-40 concurrent events available in their key channels on any one day; before, on three or four channels, they'd have three or four events and could therefore send teams out to cover those. Now they want a smaller on-premises or at-home footprint [to cover all those events efficiently]. That's the demand we're looking to address with Optiq. If I have 40 concurrent events in one night, I want to test and monitor all of them at the same time; Optiq Monitor allows you to do that and use it on an on-demand basis. The next Optiq application, Optiq Channel, will be launched by the end of the year to create streams; it will also be self-healing and self-optimising.
A new family of character generators for live sport and event production are being showcased by Deltacast (7.C01). The Delta-cg range allows users to build playlists, control graphics, and update content. Unlike previous Deltacast cards, these additions are designed to be affordable and appropriate for different parts of the market, from the low end upwards. Models include the Easy and the Sport and News, with more variants to follow. We were very active at the high end of the sports market, says Chief Executive Christian Dutilleux. But now we have recognised the need for products for the lower and middle end. We have decided to bring to market a full range of products that takes our experience of the high end and applies it to [these other areas]. Deltacast is also highlighting its virtual offside system, which can be used as an add-on for VAR.
Updated applications for real-time data visualisation in live sports broadcasts are being showcased by ChyronHego (7.C21). The Paint telestration and analysis tool now features an automatic chroma keyer for clips, as well as style and UI updates. Controllable via mobile app, it also offers the ability to stream an output, tools, or a UI over a network in order to use Paint's open control API for remote production. At the same time, Virtual Placement, which is used to create tied-to-field virtual graphics on live productions, has been updated with an automatic chroma keyer as well as a built-in Red Zone for in-game advertising. ChyronHego's new chief executive, Ariel Garcia, is on the booth, sharing his vision for the company. His appointment was announced at IBC 2019 on Friday.
At an IBC Show where the rise of AI is buzzing throughout the halls, a bona fide veteran of the technology, Veritone (5.C24), is showing off its Attribute near-real-time media-attribution solution. The service was an award winner when it debuted at NAB 2019. Attribute offers a compelling option for broadcasters and other media companies looking to measure and apply valuable metrics to on-air advertising campaigns and logo placements through the use of artificial intelligence. Essentially, we're helping create metadata where metadata doesn't exist, says Drew Hillis, SVP, Veritone. That's where AI really shines.
The backbone powering delivery of many major sports-broadcasting properties in the U.S. (including this past summer's FIFA Women's World Cup on Fox Sports), Verizon Media (5.B64) is enjoying a productive IBC Show around the release of its new Media Platform. Although the service excels at many of the categories that sports clients expect from Verizon Media (delivery optimization, ad-performance visibility, content personalization, and bl
