France Télévisions Enhances Paris 2024 Olympics Coverage with UHD Technology
France Télévisions plans to enhance its coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympics using UHD broadcasting technology powered by Imagine Communications’ Selenio Network Processor. By opting to utilize its own facilities instead of the traditional International Broadcast Center, the broadcaster is implementing a significant upgrade to its infrastructure, ensuring efficient signal processing and improved viewer experiences. The SNP’s versatility and functionality are key to managing the technical complexities associated with the event.
France Télévisions is set to enhance its coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympics by employing a state-of-the-art UHD broadcasting strategy that leverages the capabilities of Imagine Communications’ Selenio Network Processor (SNP). Historically, the French broadcaster established a dedicated facility at the International Broadcast Center (IBC) for Olympic coverage, transmitting signals back to its Paris headquarters. However, with the 2024 Games hosted on home soil, France Télévisions aims to utilize its facilities, eliminating the need for an IBC and integrating UHD technology for an enriched viewing experience. In preparations for the Olympics, France Télévisions opted for a significant technological upgrade to its master control room (MCR). This transition involves shifting from an SDI routing system to a more advanced SMPTE ST 2110-based IP infrastructure. The project includes acquiring several gateways to bridge existing SDI equipment with the new IP network. France Télévisions determined that Imagine Communications’ SNP was the superior choice for this transition. According to Yannick Olivier, technology engineer at France Télévisions, “We published a tender to purchase 2110 gateways for the new MCR, and after testing all the players, we had confirmation that the SNP was indeed the best tool for the job.” For the Olympic broadcast, France Télévisions established a temporary MCR at its headquarters, combining SDI routers for HD signals with the newly acquired SNPs to support UHD broadcasts. In total, France Télévisions deployed thirty SNP units in the MCR, with an additional four in the playout system and one located at the IBC. The broadcasting setup also included two outside broadcast (OB) trucks—one dedicated to UHD production and the other hybrid for both SDI and ST 2110 usage. The versatility of the SNP allowed it to perform multiple functions across the operational setup, including format conversions and signal synchronization. This flexibility is crucial for handling the diverse technical requirements of the broadcasts, which demand high-quality video and audio management across various formats. Moreover, the SNP’s Automatic Changeover (ACO) functionality was utilized to ensure that the output feeds remained robust and of high quality. France Télévisions also capitalized on the SNP’s ability to seamlessly transmit compressed UHD signals over the limited bandwidth from the IBC to Stade de France, which was available only in 10G. Yannick Olivier remarked, “I am not sure how a production of this scale would have been possible without the SNP. All the units across Paris performed flawlessly and the ST 2110 infrastructure they enabled provided us with a great deal of flexibility and efficiency in our workflow.” The integration of multiple SNP units into their infrastructure simplifies configuration and scalability, allowing France Télévisions to pivot back to its MCR transition project following the Olympics without losing the advantages offered by the SNP units.
The article discusses how France Télévisions is preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympics by utilizing a cutting-edge UHD broadcasting system with the Selenio Network Processor (SNP) from Imagine Communications. This innovative approach arises from the broadcaster’s decision to bypass the typical International Broadcast Center (IBC) setup due to hosting the Games domestically. The article details the technical transition from SDI to an IP infrastructure, highlighting the role of SNP in facilitating more efficient broadcasting processes.
In conclusion, France Télévisions is poised to deliver an unprecedented coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympics through its strategic implementation of UHD technology via the Selenio Network Processor. This transition not only signifies an improvement in broadcast quality but also demonstrates the broadcaster’s commitment to enhancing the viewer experience. The operational flexibility and efficiency provided by the SNP will be invaluable for managing the extensive technical demands of the Games, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of sports broadcasting in France.
Original Source: www.svgeurope.org
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