Mediaset chose IP-enabled Sony XVS-7000 switchers and PVM-X2400 4K HDR monitors to support the progressive migration of its SDI TV production infrastructure to ST.2110 standards.
At Mediaset's Centro Safa Palatino studios in Rome.
Italian broadcaster Mediaset has undertaken a progressive migration of its SDI TV production infrastructure to ST.2110 open standards, supporting IP production workflows. Mediaset is a multiplatform media provider, operating a range of free-to-air DTT, satellite, and free or subscription-based VOD OTT channels.
Among the various changes and upgrades needed for the transition, Mediaset has purchased IP-enabled Sony XVS-7000 video switchers and PVM-X2400 24-inch 4K HDR TRIMASTER monitors for picture quality control. The existing switchers at the broadcaster’s three studio sites in Milan and Rome are being replaced with the XVS-7000 switchers and a further unit will be installed in Mediaset’s IP19 OB vehicle that services live entertainment productions.
Supporting Open Standards
Sony XVS-7000 switcher at Mediaset Studio Cologno Monzese in Milan.
Compliant with SMPTE ST.2110 and NMOS standards for IP media production, the multiformat switchers are fitted with 100G input/output boards to support simultaneous 4K and HD operations in a single stream with on-board format conversion. A total of five XVS-7000 units have been supplied and commissioned by systems integrator Professional Show from Padua, who has been assisting Mediaset with its IP upgrade project including installation and training.
“We have become familiar with the quality and reliability of Sony vision mixers over a very long time, and therefore the XVS-7000 was a logical choice for Mediaset,” said Marco Di Concetto, Head of Broadcast Production Systems at Mediaset. “As the first production switcher with 100G I/O capability, as well as support for both ST.2110 and NMOS, it fits well into our new IP-based studio infrastructure, which operated on open standards.”
Enrico De Capitani, Key Account Manager, Media Solutions, Sony IPSE said, “In the early stages of choosing the equipment for Mediaset's systems, Sony and Professional Show cooperated on the evaluation and interoperability of equipment with respect to SMPTE and AMWA standards.”
Centro Safa Palatino, Rome
Flexible and Configurable
The XVS-7000 is one of the central components of Sony’s IP Live production system, supporting the ST.2110 standards and enabling a mixed IP and SDI production environment, including 12G-SDI interfaces, that aids Mediasest’s progressive approach to the transition. Its simultaneous, single stream 4K and HD operation allows it to adapt to in-house studios, OB vehicles and flypacks.
The switcher features 6 M/E, 112 inputs, 48 assignable outputs and format converter outputs, plus up to 24 keyers in HD, and is upgradable to 4K production functionality. Due to the ICP-X7000 X-Panel’s assignable, modular design, Mediaset can configure the control panel to suit specific operations, or even split the panel into two. It includes an OLED display, RGB XPT buttons and LCD button pad.
Centro Safa Palatino
Colour Consistency and Monitoring
Sony has delivered 25 of the PVM-X2400 24-inch 4K HDR TRIMASTER picture monitors, which are now installed in studio control rooms and OB vehicles at the broadcaster’s Milan and Rome sites, replacing Mediaset’s previous monitors.
Chosen for their image quality and accurate grey scale reproduction, colour consistency between the monitors is also important. With V3.0 firmware, once one of the PVM-X2400 units has been congigured, those settings can be copied to multiple X2400 units and any others in the PVM-X series. This will save configuration time for Mediaset’s studios. Its support for SR Live workflows and metadata means the PVM-X2400 monitor settings can be matched to the incoming signal as well.
Studio Cologno Monzese, Milan
While their teams are currently producing content in 1080P HDR, the monitors include a path to working in 4KHDR as well. Sony’s HDR-SDR conversion license, which activates 4K to HD down-conversion, colour space, OETF and other conversions is also available and allows the converted output to be displayed on local or remote 4K or HD monitors.
Mediaset uses Sony’s LMD-A170 and LMD-A220 HD LCD monitors to complement the PVM-X2400, maintaining colour consistency through the production workflow from shooting to distribution.
“At the outset of this project Mediaset set the goal of selecting reliable systems and equipment, together with the involvement of partners to guarantee efficient operations and a clear evolutionary path,” said Enrico Beoni, Sales Manager EMEA at Professional Show. “With Sony, we have found an excellent partner to best meet Mediaset's requirements and look forward to developments counting on a first-class vision.” pro.sony
Centro Safa Palatino
