DEPLOYING A VIRTUAL TV STUDIO WITH A LINDY MODULAR MATRIX SYSTEM

THE PROJECT: CREATING A STATE-OF-THE-ART PRO AV INSTALLATION FOR SKY TV

The demand for professional audio video signal management solutions is increasing dramatically as complex AV installations become commonplace at events, trade fairs, conferences, airports and shopping centres. The field of broadcasting has been at the forefront of developments in AV signal management. Modern broadcast studios now use sophisticated AV technology such as video projection, 3D mapping and elaborate content management systems to create ‘virtual TV studios’ where almost anything is possible including seamless and on the fly production.

Sky’s TV Studio 6 in Milan has recently undergone an upgrade programme to include the latest in professional AV technology. The studio was equipped with this technology by the AV technology solutions company Events on Stage (EoS). The project was led by Marco Landini who was able to hand over a completely new studio with modern AV systems in just one week.

REQUIREMENTS PROFILE: HIGH PERFORMANCE, RELIABLE COMPONENTS FOR MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY IN SIGNAL MANAGEMENT

The new studio was designed to be enclosed on three sides by 50m projection screens to provide a dynamic and interactive background for different programs. To ensure uniform and continuous projection, six projectors were used and the Dataton Watchout presentation system was selected and installed on 10 media servers to provide multi-display projections.

“Because of the challenges of working within the TV environment, and the complexity of the installation, it was vital that the solution would be 100% reliable and without any failures. All devices were chosen from a narrow range of specialist manufacturers with a reputation for high quality, reliable solutions and excellent customer service” explains Landini. “Lindy’s modular matrix solution was chosen because of its flexibility and reliability, allowing users to combine the input and output of HDMI, DVI, VGA, or HDBaseT signals to Ultra HD resolution displays.”

SOLUTION: POWERFUL, VERSATILE & COST-EFFECTIVE AV SOLUTIONS

The heart of the AV system is the 32 x 32 Modular Matrix from Lindy. This modular matrix solution makes it possible to combine different signal sources and distribute them to each display device. Built-in redundancy provides the highest possible reliability in the event of any unexpected failures, both in the matrix itself and in the inputs and outputs to the sources and projectors.
The new studio also uses two mapping projectors from Panasonic that were installed perpendicular to the floor and are used for projections on horizontal surfaces such as consoles. The projectors function interactively by using capacitive sensor systems that are connected to the transmission software.
Everything within the installation is controlled by software from EoS, which allows the end user to monitor the condition of each device in real time. To compliment this software a closed system of Panasonic HD cameras allow images to be monitored from the production control room.
“The versatility of such a studio not only increases the flexibility in practical use, but also reduces the production costs as stage designs and background scenery become unnecessary to construct and store” explains Landini.