Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Video-Assistant Replay Relies on Comms for Critical Audio Component

26/11/2024

Video-Assistant Replay Relies on Comms for Critical Audio Component Riedel and Clear-Com are among vendors supporting sound in a changing officiating picture By Dan Daley, Audio Editor

Tuesday, November 26, 2024 - 7:00 am

Print This Story | Subscribe

Story Highlights

Video replay has changed sports. Not just broadcast sports - the television-replay infrastructure has been integrated into league-review protocols - but sports itself: fans in the stands perch on the edge of their seats watching the big screen after a challenged call. They're accustomed to awaiting a ruling from a distant commissioner's office on a close, perhaps outcome-defining play. Technology asks fans, as Chico Marx was fond of saying, Who you gonna believe: me or your own eyes?

And fans are listening as well: for instance, since 2022, MLB umpires use a lavalier-type microphone and bodypack to announce decisions made by the replay booth.

Intercoms Enter the Picture As video-assistant-replay systems became ubiquitous, intercom systems were called on to provide the audio backbone for the VAR platforms, with audio playing an increased role. Riedel Communications has staked out a sizable footprint in the sector, providing encrypted communications between field and home-office officials for both the Premier League and Germany's Bundesliga. It now provides those services for the NFL and MLB as well, and other U.S. leagues are in discussions, according to Jan Schaffner, program manager, Americas, Managed Technology Division, Riedel.

Riedel's Jan Schaffner: What about putting what is talked about [between officials] live on-air? We suggested, Why not take [fans] with them on a journey?

We're providing the bidirectional wireless communication system that goes onto the [bodypack] with a push-to-talk button, which allows hands-free operations, as well as the headset that is used, he explains, referring to the Bolero S product, a more compact iteration of Riedel's regular Bolero platform. They can use that to talk to another referee or to talk to the PA system.

It's also fully encrypted, using AES standards. That feature is especially critical now that sports betting has become extremely granular - so-called microbetting - with wagers placed on the outcomes of even individual pitch velocities.

Is There a Doctor in the House? According to Kristopher Koch, business development director, broadcast, network, and media production, Clear-Com, whose systems are now in use with the MLS and NWSL, the key requirements for this application of comms are real time and reliable, as well as secure. Our ability to connect remotely over LAN, WAN, or internet securely is an advantage when we're working on projects.

Intercom-type back-channel systems in this area are expanding their range of application. For instance, Koch notes, they're increasingly used to alert first responders to possible injury situations.

Clear-Com's Kristopher Koch points out that intercom-type back-channel VAR systems are used to alert first responders to possible injury situations.

If somebody in the replay center knows that a player may have suffered a concussion, for instance, you can immediately call the doctor on the field, he explains. The doctor on the field can get to that player faster and do an evaluation sooner. That has real implications for all sports.

The audio systems can be integrated into any of several goal-line technologies on the market, such as SloMo's VideoReferee and SporTec Solutions (STS); for instance, , Bolero S is integrated with STS for the Bundesliga, Schaffner says. We work with several providers and are flexible when it comes to integrating our system into theirs. He adds that, although Riedel has its own standalone, FIFA-certified replay solution, it supplies Bolero S only as part of larger VAR systems.

The Importance of VAR Increasingly, the video replay determines the result of the play. Once simply a happy benefit of televised sports, it has now been built into its own platform across a growing number of sports. The Premier League wrote the Video-Assistant Referee platform and process into its rulebook in 2018, following extensive trialing in major competitions. The process has become virtually transparent in European soccer, where VAR systems automatically check, quietly in the background, every on-field-referee decision falling under the four reviewable categories.

Although video replays have been a regular part of the officiating protocol in the NFL for some years, the league this year adopted a Premier League-style VAR system to review and correct miscalls by on-field officials.

In what some call collaborative officiating, active VAR is blurring the line between on-field refs and the replay booth, essentially making league officials active participants in post-play field-call adjudication. MLB has been using video replays since 2014, following a 2012 missed call that mistakenly extended NY Mets pitcher Johan Santana's franchise-first no-hitter. A subsequent and seemingly endless list of could-have-beens have solidified the case for VAR across sports.

Fans in the Loop There is also a fan-engagement aspect. Waiting to hear an official announce a decision from a higher authority during a critical moment in a game heightens the drama. In fact, says Schaffner, that contributed to leagues' originally agreeing to put some of the process into the PA system: Whenever a decision is challenged, [fans] are kind of in the dark and just have to wait until the decision is announced. What about putting what is talked about [between officials] live on-air? We suggested, Why not take [fans] with them on a journey?

Remote officiating is also paralleled by remote management of the audio quality. Certain games deploying Riedel systems are connected to the company
LINK: https://www.sportsvideo.org/2024/11/26/video-assistant-replay-relies-o...
See more stories from svg

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

04/08/2026

Dalet Announces Commercial Availability of Dalia, Bringing Media-Aware Agentic AI to Enterprise Productions

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

04/07/2026

Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in Dolby Cinemas Across Japan, Presented in Dolby Atmos and Dolby ...

April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026

January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026 Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...

02/05/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Search, Faster Editing, and an AI-Ready Foundation for Modern Media

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

01/05/2026

NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to Integrate Dolby's Full Suite of Premium Picture and Sound Innovations

January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...

23/04/2026

NAB Honors Rob Lowe and John Tesh With Hall of Fame Induction

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

23/04/2026

Roku, Samsung Dominate CTV Platform Market in U.S.

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

23/04/2026

G&D and VuWall Strengthen International Sales Team

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

23/04/2026

The 2026 NAB Show Reports More than 58,000 Attendees

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

23/04/2026

SmallHD Monitor Overlay License for Hi-5 and Hi-5 SX deli...

Partnership between ARRI and SmallHD brings new Hi-5 license Configurable monitor overlays adapt to individual working styles Supported by SmallHD monitors ru...

23/04/2026

Jeff Cronenweth ASC Sheds Light on Tron Ares with Astera

Lighting Master Cronenweth ASC brings a unique look to each grid world with the help of Astera Jeff Cronenweth on the set of Disney's TRON: ARES. Photo by...

23/04/2026

ZEISS Supreme Primes Shine in Star-Driven Short Dr Sam

DP Chloe Smolkin ( The Late Show, Kidz Bop ) joins director Danielle Beckmann and writer/actor Raji Ahsan behind the camera for the heartfelt short comedy Dr...

23/04/2026

Apply now to join the 2026 Producer Delegation to TIFF: The Market

Apply now to join the 2026 Producer Delegation to TIFF: The Market 23 April 2026 Screen Australia, in partnership with Ontario Creates, has opened application...

23/04/2026

Tag, You're It: GeForce NOW Levels Up Game Discovery With Xbox Game Pass and Ubisoft+ Labels

GeForce NOW is doubling down on what matters most: gamers. This week's upgra...

22/04/2026

Live From NAB 2026: Solid State Logics Berny Carpenter on Expanding System T With Virtual DSP, Cloud Workflows

Solid State Logic is advancing its System T platform with a stronger focus on IP...

22/04/2026

Live From NAB 2026: Dolbys Giles Baker on the Growth of Dolby OptiView, Immersive Vision and Audio for Live Sports

From immersive audio to live streaming, Dolby Laboratories is focused on the fut...

22/04/2026

Live From NAB 2026: Blackmagic Design's Bob Caniglia on Implementing Cinematic Looks in Live Broadcasts

Shallow depth-of-field cameras have taken the industry by storm. Its debut a han...

22/04/2026

NAB 2026: Eastern Kentucky University deploys campus-wide ST 2110 network with Riedel and Bridge Digital

Riedel Communications (Booth C4908) announced that Eastern Kentucky University (...

22/04/2026

SportsTechBuzz at NAB 2026, Day 4: Live Reports From the Show Floor in Vegas

The NAB Show is in full swing, and the SVG and SVG Europe editorial teams are chasing down the hottest stories from all over the Las Vegas Convention Center. He...

22/04/2026

NAB 2026: Blackmagic Design Announces URSA Cine 12K LF 100G

Blackmagic Design has announced the URSA Cine 12K LF 100G, a new model in the URSA Cine family adding 100G Ethernet for SMPTE 2110 live production output up to ...

22/04/2026

Live From NAB 2026: NEPs Martin Stewart Talks 40 Years, the NEP Platform, and Scaling for FIFA World Cup

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, NEP is leaning into hybrid production with the...

22/04/2026

Live From NAB 2026: NEPs Dan Murphy on NEP Platform, TFC, and the Shift to Software-Defined Workflows

NEP VP, Platform Dan Murphy sits down at the 2026 NAB Show to unpack what NEP P...

22/04/2026

Spotify and WNBA's New York Liberty Bring Basketball and Music Together With New Partnership

Spotify and the New York Liberty are teaming up to give music and basketball fan...

22/04/2026

The story of the Focusrite ISA preamp

New 20-minute documentary explores iconic design The Focusrite Room in Mesa, Arizona, where John Aquilino hosts the Studio Console 005. In 2025, Focusrite co...

22/04/2026

EverSync SP-10 wireless from Cloudvocal

Offers compact wireless solution for pedalboards Taiwanese audio brand Cloudvocal have announced the availability of a new pedalboard-friendly wireless syst...

22/04/2026

Arturia release Augmented Persia

Latest hybrid sampling/synthesis instrument arrives Arturia's Augmented series offerings rely on a mixture of sampling and synthesis, allowing users to ...

22/04/2026

Acustica Audio launch Salt 2

Combines three distinct analogue EQ emulations The latest addition to Acustica Audio's ever-expanding collection of analogue-emulation plug-ins combines...

22/04/2026

Analog Empire: Bass & Lead from Melda Production

Final instalment in vintage-inspired instrument series Analog Empire: Bass & Lead marks the final instalment in Melda Production's vintage hardware-insp...

22/04/2026

Strymon reveal the Canoga

Fuzz pedal joins all-analogue Series A line Given that Strymons reputation was built on unapologetically digital pedals, it was a little surprising to see t...

22/04/2026

SBS names shortlisted brands for 2026 SBS Media Sustainability Challenge

SBS names shortlisted brands for 2026 SBS Media Sustainability Challenge 22 April, 2026 Media releases National broadcaster also releases its second annual...

22/04/2026

The Frequency That Decides the Fight

Why Low Band Electronic Warfare Matters...

22/04/2026

Polish national football team play-off games top monthly programme list

The nation unites around football team's World Cup dream Warsaw, Poland, 20.04.26: Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement, data, and media intell...

22/04/2026

Nielsen and the Polish Organisation of Advertisers announce strategic partnership to elevate marketing standards in Poland

Warsaw, Poland, 22.04.26: Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement, data...

22/04/2026

Nielsen helps New Zealand brands expand internationally with greater clarity and confidence

New market intelligence offering gives businesses a clearer view of local consum...

22/04/2026

Glookast Unveils New UX, YouTube and Social Media Connectors, Premiere Panel, Cinnafilm Tachyon Plugin and More at NAB

Glookast Unveils New UX, YouTube and Social Media Connectors, Premiere Panel, Ci...

22/04/2026

Lightcraft Technology to Preview Spark Story at NAB 2026 with Interactive Previs Experience

Lightcraft Technology to Preview Spark Story at NAB 2026 with Interactive Previs...

22/04/2026

Bolin Demos New PTZ Cameras and Controller at 2026 NAB Show

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

22/04/2026

Anchor Audio Launches Beacon 3

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

22/04/2026

FCC Grants WSWB TV License Transfer to Sinclair

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

22/04/2026

Telemundo Puerto Rico Streaming Channel Launches On Prime Video

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

22/04/2026

Chyron Announces PRIME Translate

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

22/04/2026

TV Tech Announces Winners of Best of Show Awards at 2026 NAB Show

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

22/04/2026

VEON's Banglalink to Bring Starlink Mobile to Customers in Bangladesh

22 Apr 2026 VEON's Banglalink to Bring Starlink Mobile to Customers in Bangladesh Bangladesh becomes the third market where VEON and Starlink Mobile partne...

22/04/2026

FIRST LOOK FOR NEW U DRAMA SERIES HIT POINT

U have unveiled exclusive first-look images for their six-part police thriller Hit Point, starring Nick Blood (Day of the Jackal) and BAFTA nominee Saffron Hock...

22/04/2026

UKTV Highlights: Saturday May 9th -15th 2026

What can I watch on UKTV and stream on U this week? This week on UKTV and the free streaming service U, viewers can watch a range of new and returning programm...

22/04/2026

Sky announces fifth year of WNT Fund with 30,000 bursary supporting players and grassroots football

Wednesday 22 April 2026 Sky announces fifth year of WNT Fund with 30,000 bursa...

22/04/2026

This Earth Day, Discover the Sustainable Productions Behind Our Films and Series

Back to All News This Earth Day, Discover the Sustainable Productions Behind Our Films and Series Emma Stewart, Ph.D. Netflix Sustainability Officer Enterta...

22/04/2026

Retail Media Standards Are Expanding Into Commerce Media - Here's Why That Matters for Measurement

The move from Retail Media to Commerce Media is about broadening the scope of th...