Pac-12 Networks Continues To Blaze Remote-Production Trail With New Software-Defined-Production Model Software-defined workflow leverages NDI and vMix, builds on Multicam' model By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor
Monday, February 7, 2022 - 2:25 pm
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Upon launching in 2012, Pac-12 Networks instantly established itself as a pioneer in remote-production techniques. Its groundbreaking Multicam production model was a precursor of the remote-production revolution the industry has experienced in recent years, and the centralized-production model has allowed Pac-12 Networks to produce thousands of live events from its San Francisco headquarters for a fraction of the cost of traditional production. Now the conference-owned network is taking it to the next level with its new Software Defined Production (SDP) model.
Pac-12 Networks has been exploring new, efficient ways to streamline the entire production package since its inception with the Multicam model [pioneered] by Leon Schweir [the late SVP, production and digital content, Pac-12 Networks], says Don McKinney, senior director, production operations, Pac-12 Networks. SDP is essentially the next iteration of this [concept] but streamlined even further with the idea of having just the transmission stack onsite and no truck. And it's a truly software-defined approach because it is separated from control surfaces like switchers and audio boards.
This SDP prototype room became Pac-12 Networks' Production-Control Room X at Pac-12 Networks headquarters in San Francisco.
The SDP ecosystem is built on vMix live-production software and tied together via extensive NDI IP connectivity. The model is already in full operation, and Pac-12 Networks is on pace for 225 productions this year and looking to expand to 400+ productions next season.
Early Development: Searching for Multicam 2.0 Although COVID drastically accelerated its development over the past two years, SDP was conceived prior to the pandemic. McKinney and Senior Director, Remote Operations, Sarah Backerman were brainstorming on how to streamline the Multicam model by eliminating the production truck and finding another solution using Internet2 (I2) connectivity (which links more than 140 Pac-12 venues across the country) and campus resources. They began searching for a production stack that would allow multiple cameras and mics on campuses to be connected to a remote-control room without a truck onsite.
Essentially, we were looking for Multicam 2.0, McKinney explains. We needed a way to reduce the cost point, not only for our own productions but also for our universities' productions. We went out to look for a system that would accomplish all of our goals. Unfortunately, it didn't exist.
David Hasselfeld is Pac-12 Networks' first SDP operator.
We evaluated a variety of software platforms. he continues, but none of them could do exactly what we wanted end to end. And most of them ended up costing more than our existing Multicams anyway. So the only solution for us was to find a several individual products and build it ourselves.
Despite initial development hurdles, the idea of a Software Defined Production model that was separated from control surfaces like switchers and audio boards promised a powerful and flexible approach. So McKinney persevered, and, eventually, his team discovered vMix, a live-production solution offering an open structure that allowed unlimited customization at a low price point. The vMix-based model was presented to senior leadership, and the project was approved for testing.
With vMix in place, McKinney and company began building a transmission stack that was portable, easily moved, feature-rich, stable, and flexible for multiple sports. The NDI video-over-IP transport protocol played an integral role in development of this stack and the overall SDP ecosystem.
Located at Pac 12 Networks HQ, Jackson Haselnus handles live production of a University of Utah volleyball game.
NDI is not something that is necessarily used very much in broadcast, but [SDP] would not have been possible without it, says McKinney. It eliminated a lot of the baseband-video issues, and it was very complementary to the software platforms that we're using and the I2 network we use to transfer everything around. I think one of the big hurdles in the initial phases was that NDI is focused on local networks and we needed to trick it into being a network running over much larger distances. That was a lot of our early experimentation.
With the SDP model still in its infancy, soccer was selected as the template for developing the system initially, and a three-game test series (later expanded to 14 games) was marked on the calendar for early 2020.
Pandemic Effect: SDP Model Gets Fast-Tracked However, in the midst of testing, the pandemic arrived, and what was previously an evolutionary project defined to succeed the Multicam model suddenly became a top priority since the SDP model could dramatically reduce the number of people needed both onsite and in San Francisco for live game productions. SDP development was fast-tracked, and, following an initial demo on April 1, 2020, McKinney's team completed its first soccer demo on April 22 and its first full live-game test on Aug. 4.
Pac-12 Network's development of SDP was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
What was initially a small series of tests was quickly expanded to a goal of 250+ live game productions with plans for a 2021 Q1 debut. To get it all done in time, Pac-12 Networks had to work quickly to set up the necessary equipment and assets at all Pac-12 universities - constructing three control rooms, assembling all 12 schools' remote kits, and training all operators in just 64 days.
We began training operators like crazy to get them
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Pac-12 Networks Continues To Blaze Remote-Production Trail With New Software-Defined-Production Model Software-defined workflow leverages NDI and vMix, builds on Multicam' model By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor 
