In 2022, Sony and Nevion introduced essential broadcast control functionality into the VideoIPath media orchestration platform, to complement its existing extensive network orchestration capabilities.
Typical application areas
Initially, the focus is on providing essential broadcast control functionality for small to medium deployments, such as IP based broadcast facilities, MCRs, outside production (OB) trucks and other mobile production units.
Benefits
For broadcasters, the combination of network control and essential broadcast control functionality provides:
- A consistent system for both areas of functionality, from a user perspective, with support for existing interfaces, such as control surfaces
- Support for the complete production lifecycle (engineering, set-up, production, tear-down)
- Simpler and more cost-effective deployment, roll-out and upgrade
- An easier business relationship as it’s a single piece of software, provided by a single supplier
- A vision for the future (distributed production)
VideoIPath remains vendor-independent, so customers can also choose to use their own broadcast control or one from any other leading vendor.
The broadcast control capability are being added in VideoIPath over time. In the initial release, the following features are included.
Operator user interfaces
The broadcast control functionality can be accessed in a variety of ways, including:
- The VideoIPath Matrix App, which shows X and Y connections
- The new VideoIPath Operate App, which allows customizable soft panels for touch screens to fit with the user requirements
- Sony panels – see below
Sony panels and devices
VideoIPath provides support for Sony equipment:
- Sony panels (MKS-R1620/R1630/ R3210/R4020), to establish connectivity using single and grouped endpoints
- Sony XVS switcher series, for example for tally and direct matrix – see below
- Sony’s IP50Y/IP51Y SDI/IP gateways
Alias naming
VideoIPath supports Alias naming, as a way to define multiple names for sources or destination. The names are distributed via TSL v5 and with this feature VideoIPath can now act as the master of endpoint name in the system.
Salvos
VideoIPath now supports salvos, i.e. the ability to pre-define a set of connections. This allows multiple and complex connections to be established or removed in one go, for example from VideoIPath’s Operate App, for a specific event or production.
Tally and tally text (UMD)
VideoIPath can now act as the master for tally and tally text (UMD) distribution. The system support green, yellow and red for each source and destination and is updated based on VideoIPath connections status. VideoIPath can receive tally status from the Sony XVS switcher and distribute tally and tally text (UMD) to multi viewer and cameras based on TSL v5 protocol.
Destination monitor
VideoIPath can create a virtual source representing the signals received by a particular destination, and then direct that source towards another monitoring device, such as a multiviewer or a speaker. This allows the monitoring of the input into a destination, for example into a switcher..
Grouping of endpoints
VideoIPath allows the grouping of sources or endpoints together to simplify connectivity. So for example, a camera’s uncompressed and compressed video and audio outputs can be grouped together to make it easy to connect the camera to a switcher and mixer combination. The solution also supports the concept of breakaway, whereby an endpoint can virtually be withdrawn from a group.
Direct matrix (network orchestration)
VideoIPath now supports an alternative to the way connectivity is established. Instead of controlling the network (which is makes optimum use of resources but can be too slow for some time critical requirements), VideoIPath can control the matrix of a video switcher or audio mixer directly (which is fast, though not as optimum resource-wise). In the initial version, VideoIPath can control:
- The AUX bus in an XVS switcher for video
- The audio matrix in Virtuoso
Usual VideoIPath features
Like all other VideoIPath functionality, it is server based, secure, and scalable – it can scale for example from small outside broadcast (OB) trucks to large national-wide systems.
