
In early April 2020, RTBF, Belgium's public broadcaster for the country's French-speaking community, took delivery of the first of two groundbreaking, full-IP OB trucks. Due to the covid-19 lockdown, the 12m long trailer had to be configured remotely using TeamViewer, a few web cameras and microphones for confirmation purposes as well as via VPN in order to be delivered on time. The second identical OB truck will arrive on 1 July.
Masterminded by Geert Thoelen of NEP Belgium and Dirk Sykora of Lawo, the vehicles built by Broadcast Solutions in Germany will be leased to RTBF for eight years.
The twins come equipped with a 100Gbps Arista-powered network core (audio, video and matrix) that revolves around Lawo's V__matrix C100 platform for SDI- and IP-based video and audio input/output as well as processing.
A Sony XVS-8000 IP vision mixer provides powerful video control for the 16 Sony cameras. The Sony Live System Manager provides the control interface to Lawos VSM and NMOS-IS04/05 protocols as required. The LSM allowed Sony to remotely access the Switcher network to configure the IP routing and XVS setups from its engineers home during the unfortunate events of covid-19 and pan European lockdowns.
Each truck offers 36 vm_dmv heads delivered by V__matrix C100 blades for multiviewing purposes. Overarching control and orchestration is managed by Lawo's VSM IP control system.
Both OB trucks support all audio formats (analog, AES3, MADI with SRC, Dante with SRC and AES67/RAVENNA), which are mixed using a 48-channel-strip mc 56 audio production console and 512 DSP channels provided by A__UHD Core. Audio and video signals can be sourced from six video stageboxes equipped with V__matrix Silent frames and A__mic8 audio I/O edge devices. In addition, there are eight audio stageboxes containing maxed-out Power Core units as well as two stageboxes with one DALLIS I/O frame each, providing 128dB microphone inputs for exacting audio quality requirements. All of the above run in ST2110.
While reading through the tender documents, Geert Thoelen and Maxime Delobe of NEP Belgium realized that RTBF was expecting highly efficient and future-proof dream trucks . Given that an IP backbone had been specified, Thoelen and Delobe suggested basing the two vehicles on ST2110-20 for video and ST2110-30 for audio. In response to a request for Dolby E signal compatibility, Lawo proposed to make all audio streams also available in the ST2110-31 format. This way, the OB trucks cater to both 24-bit and 32-bit audio needs in any combination: the ST2110-30 or ST2110-31 audio stream versions can be selected at the press of a button on a VSM soft- or hardware panel, explains Lawo's Dirk Sykora. This user-friendly approach eliminates time-consuming and costly system reconfigurations before an upcoming event, adds Geert Thoelen.
According to Olivier Malevez, Project Manager New IP Outside Broadcast at RTBF, the decision to order two identical OB trucks was partially based on the expected possibility to use them as one giant system for major events when necessary. Used as stand-alone trucks, they cover all applications ranging from compact six-camera assignments to big live concerts and sporting events. Both OB trucks can be docked to RTBF's broadcast building via SDI or IP: We also wanted the option of using the two OB trucks as additional control rooms on our premises in peak situations, explains Jean Vanbraekel, RTBF's Head of Technology Operations and Distribution.
For Broadcast Solutions in Germany, planning and configuring the 100G Arista network core as well as building and delivering the first full-IP OB truck posed two challenges: equipping it with an SMPTE 2110 fabric and meeting the deadline despite the worldwide covid-19 lockdown, while also carrying out all requested amendments. Matthias Hahn, Project Leader at Broadcast Solutions: Building an IP- and ST2110-based OB truck is still the exception that confirms the rule. By laying a solid IP foundation, the Broadcast Solutions team proved that it was up to this challenging task.
The experience gained with the first OB truck is now being copied and pasted to the second vehicle. Dirk Sykora of Lawo: Explaining the vast capabilities and flexibility of the V__matrix platform at the onset of the project was highly beneficial for a swift and effective configuration phase. Both HD trucks are 4K/UHD-ready, which-from Lawo's perspective-is a simple matter of retasking existing C100 blades.
Sony's Account Manager Daan Herreman: Being recognized as a trusted and innovative technology partner for many years to RTBF and NEP Belgium, we were delighted Sony was the preferred choice for this unique IP project. We can fully support the SMPTE ST2110 & AMWA NMOS Series of open standards to provide necessary interoperability for our customers.
NEP Belgium's Geert Thoelen: RTBF's two new OB trucks are among the most advanced on the planet and reflect the innovative ways in which NEP consistently implements the latest technologies. Building relationships on mutual trust and innovation has always been at the heart of NEP's activities. RTBF's ST2110-based approach has resulted in highly flexible tools for OB assignments of any scale.
C cile Gonfroid, CIO at RTBF: We obviously knew that an IP infrastructure was the answer to our current and future needs. NEP Belgium's guidance was invaluable, and their proposals were based on what ultimately provided the highest benefit for RTBF. We consider our two full-IP OB trucks the first building blocks of our future Media Square facility.
About RTBF
RTBF is the Belgian radio and television of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, an autonomous public enterprise of a cultural nature. Active in television, radio, the web and social networks, RTBF acts as a global media
More from Lawo
11/12/2020
IP Audio Monitoring...
03/12/2020
IP Audio Monitoring...
19/11/2020
IP Audio Monitoring...
13/11/2020
A Lawo 24-fader mc 36 All-in-One console and two compact Lawo stageboxes are at the heart the new 4K OB truck that Lawo partner ARET Video & Audio Engineering h...
22/10/2020
With virtualization a hot topic for broadcasters, Lawo rolls out a new version of the R LAY virtual radio software suite that is optimized to run in Virtual Mac...
15/10/2020
Lawo today announced the release 4.4 of Lawo's innovative theWall multiviewer control software. Beside regular improvements it comprises powerful new featur...
13/10/2020
Lawo mixing consoles provided sublime audio quality for the traditional Concert de Paris at Champs du Mars, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
Pour la version fr...
13/10/2020
Brazilian broadcaster R dio Itatiaia, with a network of 52 affiliate stations in the state of Minas Gerais, has installed a new Lawo routing system to switch, p...
13/10/2020
Basel Music Academy's renowned Electronic Studio Basel (ESB) is being upgraded with Lawo IP technology, enabling future prospective sound engineers to be tr...
13/10/2020
Korean Broadcast System (KBS), South Korea's public broadcaster, has upgraded TV production facilities at its headquarters in Seoul with IP technology from ...
13/10/2020
In the age of social distancing, how can an orchestra and choir create a great musical performance when they cannot be in close proximity to each other? During ...
13/10/2020
We mourn the premature passing of our colleague, team member, and friend, Michael Mueller (66); a truly unique colleague, with whom we at Lawo had the pleasure ...
29/07/2020
Lawo mixing consoles provided the highest possible audio quality for the traditi...
24/07/2020
Bi-lingual Swiss radio station Canal 3, which broadcasts on two frequencies in t...
21/07/2020
The first S12T Streamline OB van for the African continent features the first Lawo mc 56 MkIII console for the African continent. The first S12T Streamline OB v...
16/07/2020
Lawo has just released new software for its line of radio mixing consoles, RAVENNA / AES67 mixing engines, and VisTool GUI Builder software. Lawo, the German ma...
10/07/2020
Mediapro Argentina, Latin American audiovisual services company, based in Buenos Aires, has recently turned to IP for a comprehensive technical upgrade of their...
02/07/2020
The Vienna Volksoper ( Volksoper Wien ), Vienna's grand house for operetta, opera, musicals and ballet, is a cultural treasure. Housed in an equally treas...
26/06/2020
China's first full-IP video mobile system for video production uses the Lawo V__matrix software-defined IP-Routing, Processing & Multi-Viewing Platform as i...
25/06/2020
China's first full IP video mobile system for video production uses the Lawo V__matrix software-defined IP-Routing, Processing & Multi-Viewing Platform as i...
23/06/2020
Lawo, German innovator and manufacturer of pioneering IP-based broadcast technology, proudly announces that its mc -series audio production consoles as well as ...
18/06/2020
Lawo, German innovator and manufacturer of pioneering IP-based broadcast technology, has started organizing weekly Lawo Lounge (Wednesdays) and How-To (Thursday...
20/05/2020
Unusual times call for unusual measures. For several months, the broadcast community has lived in unusual times, and Lawo is actively working to help customers ...
14/05/2020
Radio has always been a vital source of news and information when crises hit. California's public broadcasters have traditionally been prepared for nearly a...
28/04/2020
In early April 2020, RTBF, Belgium's public broadcaster for the country's French-speaking community, took delivery of the first of two groundbreaking, f...
16/04/2020
Physical And Virtual Radio Consoles In The Mix Virtualization is a hot topic in radio, as more and more broadcasters discover the flexibility, and economy of vi...
10/04/2020
Lawo engineers conducted a fully-remote FAT (Factory Acceptance Test), using carefully selected online conferencing media to interact with NRK's on-site pro...
08/04/2020
Lawo engineers conducted a fully-remote FAT (Factory Acceptance Test), using carefully selected online conferencing media to interact with NRK's on-site pro...
02/04/2020
The new, fully IP-based Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) F 1 is optimally equipped for ambitious production of sports and cultural events. Central to its...
31/03/2020
Lawo, the German manufacturer of pioneering IP audio, video and control infrastructure solutions, announces the appointment of Johan Boqvist to the post of Seni...
12/03/2020
Lawo announces a new software license package for its versatile Power Core AoIP ...
19/02/2020
Specializing in dance music's harder side, such as hardstyle and hardcore, Q-dance is responsible for some of the world's biggest harder styles events a...
11/02/2020
Lawo launched its 50th anniversary celebrations in January with a Michelin-star studded party for its 300-plus employees in the company's hometown in Rastat...
16/01/2020
Mulembe is not only the guiding principle of the Luhya communities of Western Kenya but also a traditional greeting, literally meaning peace . This spirit ext...
10/01/2020
Fuzhou Radio and Television, one of the foremost broadcasters of China's Fujian Province, has upgraded their Fuzhou Radio channels to AES67-compliant RAVENN...
03/12/2019
Lithuania system integrator TVC has completed construction of an OB Trailer for Norwegian public broadcaster NRK around a Lawo IP audio infrastructure, includin...
28/11/2019
On Friday, November 22nd 2019, Coldplay performed two epoch-making Sunrise and...
22/11/2019
In autumn 2019, the Maxim Gorki Theater (MGT) adopted a new audio infrastructure. Central to this is a Lawo mc 96 production console as FOH console in the main ...
19/11/2019
Channel One installed two full-DSP-option Lawo mc 96 Grand Production Consoles with 72 channel strips and over 800 DSP channels each as well as two 12-fader, fu...
12/11/2019
Solid German engineering and innovative state-of-the-art IP technology are behind the Suzhou Municipal Government's selection of a Lawo mc 36 mixing desk an...
25/10/2019
The Radio Africa Group in Nairobi recently chose Lawo R LAY Virtual Radio technology to modernize their extremely popular flagship radio station, KISS FM. Kenya...
18/10/2019
The European Parliament and Lawo are among the winners of a coveted AV Award, wi...
11/10/2019
In order to enrich its capabilities for dedicated audio production and broadcast of both sports and music - and especially for large-scale sports tournaments su...
30/09/2019
DPG Media in Belgium is in the process of completing an all-new ST2110-based IP production facility at Medialaan in Vilvoorde, dedicated to its entertainment of...
19/09/2019
In a world premiere at IBC, Lawo's A__madi6 and the A__digital64 joined the German broadcast innovator's A__line series of WAN-capable Audio-over-IP nod...
19/09/2019
At IBC 2019 Lawo was showcasing the new Xtra Fader Version of their mc 96 Grand Production Console - providing an increased fader count in the Central Control S...
04/09/2019
What's better than lots of power? Maximum power! Announcing Power Core MAX, the AES67 mixing engine that supports up to four independent Lawo mixing surface...
29/08/2019
Lawo participated in the ultimate test for IP-based equipment, the recently run JT-NM Interop', organized by VSF, SMPTE, AMWA and EBU, and passed, fulfilli...
22/08/2019
Broadcasters using the AES67 AoIP standard in their studios and production facilities finally have an easy way to keep themselves informed about the state of th...
15/08/2019
Swiss private broadcasters RadioFr and La T l have completed construction of a ...