EVS solutions drive first-ever 4K coverage for the U.S. Open

EVS solutions drive first-ever 4K coverage for the U.S. Open posted: 07/07/2016

XT3 media servers, sophisticated transfer and transcoding, and advanced highlights tools comprise a vast live production workflow

EVS, the leader in live video technology for broadcast and new media productions, provided a range of sophisticated live video solutions for FOX Sports' production of this year's U.S. Open, which included first-ever 4K coverage of several key holes at the prestigous event.

EVS' XT3 media production servers were at the heart of Game Creek Video's Glory production unit, which served as the base for 4K operations for the three key course holes produced in 4K: holes 3, 15, and 17. EVS' 4K XT3 replay workflow offers the same LSM easy remote capabilities as for HD.

For FOX Sports' primary show production at Game Creek's state-of-the-art Encore remote production truck, 17 XT3 servers with 10Gig Ethernet supported DNxHD, 16 channels of audio and Super Slow Motion Phantom cameras. Eight IPDirector content management suites gave onsite and remote teams the ability to completely control and move assets, including network access for Sky Sports. IPDirector was also used for live streaming to FOX Sports and the USGA (United States Golf Association). Dual XFile3 solutions quickly and easily moved files to and from on-site Avid editing systems equipped with ISIS storage, while XTAccess gateway software provided critical transcoding and archiving functions.

One change in the Encore production unit this year is that EVS' MultiReview system became a part of the official on-air operations, with 80 ISO records split between the front nine holes and the back nine. The system allows for multiple channels of EVS replay for a given time code and event (say a hole in one) to be available to a director or operator so they can quickly create a playlist of clips related to the event.

If there's a camera shooting it, we can find and fix and edit it, said Howard Feinberg, head of replay operations for the event. MultiReview is an absolutely perfect tool for this application. In golf, there are 18 or more stories happening at the same time on every hole; you can only cover so much. With MultiReview we can re-create key moments.

MultiReview provides synchronous access of up to 16 camera angles, empowering operators with automated highlight creation, greatly enhancing and accelerating the production process.

EVS also provided an archive workflow for the USGA, comprising 12-channel XT3 servers, IPDirector and other solutions for easy access to FOX Sports content as well as international feeds.

This year's rights holders and contractors invested heavily to produce the most compelling coverage for golf's most distinguished event, said Quentin Grutman, SVP, the Americas for EVS. It's a massive production that showcases what's possible for live sports coverage but not often deployed for golf, including for the first time, 4K.

The kind of workflow deployed by FOX Sports, from the very best live production tools to 4K highlights to aerial drones, shows a real commitment to using technology to provide the very best possible broadcast moments, added Grutman. It demonstrates an understanding of the desires and expectations of today's sports fans who constantly push for ever more enhanced screen experiences.

LINK:	http://www.live-production.tv/news/4k-8k-arising/evs-solutions-drive-f...
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