Bahrain TV’s new production systems, handling live IP video projects, make it the region’s first facility to implement IP playout, using master control, switching and editing from Grass Valley.
Broadcast news and entertainment network Bahrain TV, considered a primary source of news and information across the Kingdom of Bahrain, has redesigned its production environment, allowing it to accommodate complex live IP video projects. Part of a wider modernisation project, the conversion of the network’s master control suite makes it the first broadcast facility in the region to implement an IP playout system.
Grass Valley, working with systems integrator First Gulf Company (FGC), played a significant role in the project, which encompassed updates to its live news studio as well as the IP playout environment.
“Grass Valley has been committed to delivering an up-to-date IP broadcast infrastructure tailored to match our requirements as they continue to evolve. In particular, we expect that our modular, scalable Grass Valley IP-based playout system will bring considerable advantages in the years to come,” said Eng. Abdullah Albalooshi, Undersecretary of Technical Affairs at Bahrain TV.
“We anticipate significant cost savings by reducing hardware costs associated with traditional broadcast setups, and by adopting new workflow processes that are faster and simpler. We also expect to gain operational efficiencies and increase productivity by minimizing manual interventions and speeding up content delivery.”
IP-Capable Master Control
The IP playout system is based on Grass Valley’s IP-capable Masterpiece IP UHD master control system, UCP 3901 video gateways, and a 2 rack-unit MV-821 IP standalone multiviewer, set up for four outputs. Masterpiece Master Control switchers are used for master control and channel branding, working across multiple formats, and include audio capabilities.
Masterpiece handles multichannel video program distribution, as well as dynamic visual effects, and its use of FormatFusion3 gives users the capacity to automate feeds of multiformat material into channels. It automatically detects and converts combinations of SD, HD and 1080p to the required output, mixing video signal types across all inputs and outputs.
Masterpiece IP UHD master control
Creating multiple versions of the same material to feed different channel outputs, or investing in external conversion devices, becomes unnecessary, lowering capital outlay and complexity. For example, commercial breaks in HD can be combined with UHD programs, making advertising slots accessible to more clients.
FormatFusion4 also adds HDR capabilities to Masterpiece. Users can select inputs to independently handle HLG, PQ and S-Log3 for colour spaces BT709 SDR and BT2020 HDR in 4K UHD and HD. The core of the switcher can also be set to a diplay’s specific EOTF (electro-optical transfer function) and WCG (wide colour gamut) settings.
Dynamic Orchestration
The suite incorporates GV Orbit as well, configured for dynamic orchestration of the Bahrain TV IP broadcast environment, whether SDI, IP or hybrid. Its underlying architecture is based on open standards, and its functionality helps to keep IP simple for broadcast media networks.
Dynamic orchestration – the ability to build, configure and change systems on-the-fly by adding, removing or re-naming devices – is the main strength of GV Orbit. Fast and efficient deployment and re-purposing of systems for unanticipated tasks or productions is a key requirement for Bahrain TV.
Other advantages the network expects to accrue from their new system include the ability to scale without the need to make large capital investments. They also anticipate advertising revenue growth resulting from a higher quality viewer experience leading to greater audience engagement.
Live News Studio – Switching and Editing
Bahrain TV also upgraded its main live news studio with IP-capable Grass Valley systems. The UHD news studio now operates a Kayenne K-Frame switcher, EDIUS X Pro NLE software and a Sirius 840 576x576 router with integrated multi-viewing capabilities.
Kayenne control panels, used with the K-Frame video processing engine, can be mounted flat or in a banked curve, and configured with multiformat support including 1080p, 4K UHD, HDR and IP. Its design is familiar to most operators, which makes it convenient when freelancers are employed. Depending on requirements, Kayenne can be adapted for productions with up to 192 inputs, 96 outputs and up to 9 M/Es with six keyers in every full M/E.
A primary advantage for Bahrain TV is K-Frame’s software-based, modular approach to switcher frames, which simplifies upgrades, production workflows, configuration and setup changes, and has the potential to increase efficiency.
EDIUS X Pro is also lends itself to updates to features and workflow options due to its modular design. All EDIUS X Version 10.x updates, including new codec and camera release support, become available for download free of charge throughout the EDIUS X lifecycle. Moreover, by customising their editing workflows, users can make more efficient use of multicore CPUs.
The software includes hardware acceleration from Intel QuickSync, and broad support for GPUs. It also has a useful background rendering and export feature – EDIUS X does not require the user to interrupt editing for processing to finish. www.grassvalley.com
