Studio Berlin, a German live TV production solutions provider, has deployed Riedel Communications MediorNet MicroN UHD media distribution and processing solution in its new Ü10 UHD/HDR OB van. Featuring a unique two-vehicle design that enables production crews to maintain social distancing, the Ü10 is outfitted with 38 Riedel MicroN UHD modules for decentralised signal routing.
MicroN UHD is the latest generation of Riedel’s MediorNet MicroN family of modular, high-density signal interfaces, bringing more bandwidth, more I/O, higher resolutions, and more processing power to the MediorNet platform. In Studio Berlin’s Ü10, eight MicroN UHD modules are being used as stage boxes, while several others have been configured as multiviewers using the MicroN UHD MultiViewer App.
To provide production crews with a safe, spread-out working environment in the OB van’s control room, Studio Berlin housed ten racks of complete equipment in a separate trailer, with a fibre optic interlink connecting the two. To save additional space, Riedel’s flexible MediorNet MicroN UHD system is split between the two vehicles. As a result, the Ü10 can accommodate up to 26 workstations — and 24 UHD cameras — while maintaining a maximum distance between them.
“For the unique design of the Ü10 — where space is at a premium to meet social distancing requirements — a decentralised router was a must,” said Studio Berlin Technical Manager, Matthias Alexandru. “While centralised solutions feature large, fixed designs with intensive cooling requirements, the distributed architecture of Riedel’s MediorNet MicroN UHD allows us to start small and scale the system with additional modules as needed. Furthermore, it enables production teams to collect and distribute all stage box signals directly from where they originate. With centralised solutions, this process requires additional hardware that adds weight, reduces flexibility, and increases costs.”
“Live production teams face unprecedented challenges in the COVID-19 era, and Studio Berlin has met them head-on with an unprecedented solution,” said Riedel Communications Senior Account Manager of Broadcast, Tobias Claus. “The company’s Ü10 provides production teams with a safe, socially distanced working environment without hampering their workflow. We couldn’t be prouder to have our MediorNet MicroN UHD working behind the scenes to provide decentralised signal routing.”
Studio Berlin’s Ü10 made its debut at the German Television Awards in Cologne and will primarily be used for live coverage of the Bundesliga and other large sporting and entertainment events.