Broadcast Bridge
Amsterdam-headquartered software developer VidiGo is on track to release a cloud-based live multi-camera production workflow. The company’s CTO Peter Ijkhout, CTO talks to The Broadcast Bridge about technology he believes will change live TV production forever. https://www.thebroadcastbridge.com/content/entry/2661/disney-abc-moves-control-room-and-playout-to-the-cloud?cat_id=66
VidiGo states its aim is to develop software which allows more flexible, scalable and effective TV production. The target market is live (or live on tape) production, such as news and sports. Its software falls into two categories: the core engine (for processing audio/video) and workflow elements (such as user interfaces).
“We 're-created' the most important key devices traditionally found in the control room as software modules,” explains Ijkhout of the company's existing product portfolio which includes VidiGo Studio Automation.
“The software turns any ordinary PC workstation into a vision mixer, audio mixer, playback server and graphic engine. Using off-the-shelf standard I/O cards, users can connect cameras and other key production equipment all in full HD over SDI.”
He claims that the power of the system's software engine is such that when applied to a modern workstation it can operate with 12 full HD-SDI inputs, provide four independent video-playback channels, audio and two graphics engines without the need for any extra hardware.
“The engine uses our GPU-optimized process to create the output signals, mostly again over SDI,” he says. “At present the maximum output per server is two, servers can be linked together to create as many outputs as required. All signal processing inside the software is done 100 per cent uncompressed to meet the high quality demands of the professional broadcaster.”
On top of the engine, users can work with what is called the 'core UI' – an interface which presents a personal full blown control room. The interface includes two full HD multiviewers that users can adapt to use needs from within the software.This latest development, to be released at IBC, focuses on this combination.
“Of course, not every programme can be produced by a single person, so the system can expand through automation modules, such as the company's LIVE Assist which offers full running order automation between the newsroom and the engine,” he said.
Further manual operation can be achieved through a web-based control server for live production launched at NAB and built on the existing API. This brings control of the system to iPad, Android devices or any computer running a standard web-browser.
“The Video Control Center completely separates control from the actual VidiGo Servers,” explains Ijkhout. “This provides the possibility to truly virtualize parts of the workflow, tailor the level of automation and create the perfect mix between manual and automated operations.
“The true genius is the fact that it uses standard URL’s to communicate,” he says. “This way any web-designer can build control modules. The possibilities are endless: allow true remote control from anywhere or build specialized control panels fitting very specific workflow requirements. All this without having to hire a very expensive IT specialist.”
Because parts or all of the software workflow modules can already be used inside a web browser, Ijkhout says VidiGo is frequently asked about the possibilities of using it to create remote-production workflows. Indeed the browser-based controls could already be used over the internet but the lack of visual feedback (multiviewers) has prevented practical use to date.
Inspired by OnLive (a cloud gaming service for rental and streaming of computer games acquired by Sony last month) Ijkhout got to work adapting VidiGo's core technology.
“OnLive had apparently succeeded in combining a good image quality with a latency or lag low enough to provide a good gaming experience over the internet,” he explains. “Since our challenges in video are not so different from theirs, I began a research project to find out if we could create a broadcast-centered variant using similar techniques. This is what the latest developments provide. Both the multiviewers and core user interface are now available as low latency streams/proxies allowing full separation between the core engine and the control room. At a sport event, for example, you could simply, send out the SDI input box, and log into it using your in-house control room.”
VidiGo's next step is to work on the multiviewer and core UI ahead of launched at IBC in September. Following that it will develop a means for smaller productions to use a 'control-room in the cloud'.
“Now we have both the visual feedback from the cameras fully streaming and the UI streaming, we can really say we have created the first cloud service in live TV production,” he declared. “ I am convinced that this will create a complete mind-shift in TV production, especially in the mid-end market. If I were responsible for production, I would not invest in a new OB van anymore. That really comes to an end real quickly. ”
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