SABC Upgrades to IP-Based Production with Ikegami UHK-X60...

Ikegami announces that the South African Broadcasting Corporation, SABC, has chosen Ikegami UHK-X600 camera systems as part of an advance to IP-based operation at its main production centre in Johannesburg. The transition to IP will commence in four studios assigned to news, presentation and production, progressing gradually to all 11 studios at the facility. The order, confirmed in mid September at IBC2026, Amsterdam, will be managed in cooperation with local distributor and systems integrator Harambe Technologies.

SABCs transition to IP-based production coincides with the 90th anniversary of the corporations Q3 1936 establishment. The network has evolved from traditional radio broadcasting into a multimedia organisation currently serving audiences through its 6 television channels, 19 radio stations, and online platforms including SABC Plus. SABC plays a vital role in promoting South Africa's 12 official languages, music, traditions, and stories, while creating opportunities for journalists, producers, presenters, actors, creatives, and other professionals in the broadcasting space.

The move to IP, initially in a hybrid approach, is being driven by our adoption of an Evertz ST 2110 core router, comments Lesetja Lekgotho, GM Technology Operations (TV), SABC. Everything has to work with that as we are building our IP capability from the inside out. We decided to go on a modular upgrade approach because of the funding challenges. The camera is the natural place to start with, being visible to viewers eyes. This will be a rolling project that will cover all the studios. They won't all necessarily use the same cameras, as drama and sport may need other equipment. Based on the performance of the cameras we have chosen, I think Ikegami stands a good chance in those applications as well.

We have a very long relationship with SABC going back more than 30 years, adds Michael Laetzsch, Broadcast & Professional Video Division Manager, Ikegami Europe.

One of my colleagues reminded me that, when Nelson Mandela was released in February 1990, SABC was using Ikegami to shoot on that day, and we have a big picture of the camera during that time still hanging on the wall, adds Dr Vuyo Nyembezi, Group Executive of Technology, SABC.

Fourteen cameras have been ordered for this latest project, each to include a VFL-P700AD 7-inch HD-native LCD viewfinder plus an OCP-500 Ethernet-connectable remote control panel. The project also comprises two MCP-300 network master control panels and two BSX-100 base stations. Both BSX-100 units will incorporate a media-over-IP board supporting SMPTE ST 2100. SABC plans initially to operate the cameras in SDI and then gradually migrate to IP connectivity.

Developed from Ikegamis UHK-X700, the UHK-X600 is a 4K upgradeable HD portable system camera incorporating three 2/3-inch oversampling UHD CMOS sensors. It delivers 1000 TVL resolution, minimal aliasing, plus 2000 lux sensitivity at F11 (50p). Standard features include full support for Hybrid Log Gamma HDR with the ability to select between BT.2020 and BT.709 chroma spaces. Global shutter imagers minimise artifacts when televising LED screen walls or flash/strobe illuminated stage environments.

Core of the UHK-X600 electronics is a power-efficient ASIC which encapsulates a wide range of high-grade video processing functions. Measuring a compact 34 x 24.5 x 15.5 cm and weighing only 5 kg, the camera accepts a wide range of B4 lenses and supports chromatic aberration correction, vignetting correction, ramping compensation and remote control of backfocus when the latter is also supported by the lens.

When combined with the Ikegami BSX-100 type-S base station, the camera optionally supports simultaneous output in UHD and HD video formats. Future-proofing options for the UHK-X600 enable customers to invest in additional capabilities as or when required. Among the license-key based options is support for 2x, 3x and 4x high frame rate capture plus optional 4K processing delivering 2000 TVL resolution when operating in 2160p. Plug-in hardware-based options include a SMPTE ST 2110 compatible media-over-IP interface board and optional 12G output board.

www.ikegami.de

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