A Case Study for Sports and Live Television Event Broadcasting
INTRODUCTION
HOW CAN THE I-MIX G3 CODEC BE USED IN SPORTS BROADCASTS?
INDIVIDUAL SPORTS BROADCASTS
LARGE SPORTING EVENTS
FEATURES OF THE I-MIX G3
FRONT PANEL DETAIL OF THE I-MIX G3
REAR PANEL DETAIL OF THE I-MIX G3
HOW DOES THE I-MIX G3 WORK?
THE MATRIX EDITOR
ISDN CONFIGURATION
PRECEDING ISDN CONFIGURATION EXPLAINED
STANDBY PROGRAM VIA A POTS FAILOVER CONNECTION
FLEXIBLE COMMUNICATIONS
INTEGRATING INDIVIDUAL COMMENTATOR TALKBACK
THE PHONE COUPLER
FLEXIBLE HEADPHONE MONITORING
POTS CONFIGURATION
POTS CONFIGURATION EXPLAINED
STANDBY PROGRAM VIA A GSM CONNECTION
IP BROADCAST POSSIBILITIES
VIDEOLINK AG’S 2004 EUROPEAN FOOTBALL BROADCAST SOLUTION
OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
HOW IT WAS ACHIEVED
SUMMARY
REFERENCES
Introduction
In a multitude of situations, the Tieline i-Mix G3 codec proves time and
again that it
is at the cutting edge of codec technology in delivering reliable, high
bandwidth
stereo audio using POTS, ISDN, GSM and satellite ISDN connections. A sports
broadcast technology revolution is taking place and the i-Mix G3 is driving
this
paradigm shift in broadcast thinking.
Designed by sports and event broadcasting specialists, the i-Mix G3
integrates communications, control and programming functions, while significantly
reducing setup time, personnel, wiring and signal distribution costs.
The i-Mix G3 is a digital mixer, flexible signal router and codec, all
combined into
one compact unit. It has been used successfully in a variety of sports
broadcast
applications, highlighting the flexible setup capabilities of the codec.
The diverse nature of today’s sports broadcast requirements, and
the increasing
demands upon broadcasters, ensure the i-Mix G3 will continue to provide
creative
and reliable sports commentary solutions.
The i-Mix G3 Codec
How Can the
I-Mix G3 Codec be used in Sports Broadcasts?
The i-Mix G3 codec has been used in a variety sports broadcast situations.
Codec
audio streams have been integrated successfully either ‘live to air’
or ‘live to tape’
into Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) transmissions.
Each broadcast has individual requirements in relation to the following
elements:
The
i-Mix G3 can accommodate complex routing requirements to create seamless
sports broadcast solutions. In addition, ToolBox PC software can program
the
studio or master (local) codec to control individual input functions of
an i-Mix G3
broadcasting from a remote venue. This means you don’t even need
any broadcast
personnel on site to adjust codec program or communications functions
– it can all
be done remotely! Never before has this level of flexibility been available.
Individual Sports Broadcasts
The i-Mix G3 is used on individual sports event broadcasts such as baseball,
athletics, diving, swimming, gymnastics, college football and equestrian
events. In
these setups it is used primarily as a commentary unit that provides program
audio
from commentators and facilitates communication and IFB circuits to and
from the
commentator’s codec.
Large Sporting Events
The i-Mix G3 has also been used very successfully on major sporting events
like the 2004 Athens games and the 2004 European football championships.
During these sorts of events, the codec has been used to integrate an
individual broadcaster’s commentary audio with multilateral ‘World’
or ‘Pool’ feeds. These feeds are provided to ‘rights
holders’ at major sporting events by a ‘Host Broadcaster’.
The Host Broadcaster usually provides a video feed of a sporting event,
and associated stereo sound effects, to any rights holder who has purchased
the rights to broadcast a particular event.
The i-Mix G3 can integrate World or Pool feeds with commentator audio
and communications circuits to create a total broadcast audio solution
at a venue. The ability of the codec to be controlled remotely, allows
codecs from many remote sites to be controlled from a central commentary
control area. This helps to reduce crewing requirements in large event
setups.
In addition, if you want to make a change to your commentary setup, ToolBox
PC software will allow you to quickly change the setup on each codec from
the central commentary control area – saving many hours in changing
settings. This software based commentary control solution is the future
of broadcasting for large scale sports television events.
Features of the I-Mix G3
Flexibility is the key to the success of the i-Mix G3. Never before has
a sports
commentary unit with so many setup options been available. Some of the
features of
the i-Mix G3 include:
- Your choice of
POTS, ISDN, GSM or IP configurations offering 15kHz audio in mono or
stereo over POTS, ISDN and IP, or either two channels of 7 kHz audio
or one channel of 15 kHz audio over GSM in HSCSD mode, and one
channel of 7 kHz audio in CSD mode. - A configurable 16 x 11 Cross Point Digital Matrix Audio Router (DMR).
- A comprehensive and configurable bi-directional talkback and communications facility.
- An RJ 11 telephone coupler interface for taking live callers in the field or for communications.
- 5 balanced XLR
mic/line inputs with selectable 15 volts of phantom power, 1 RCA auxiliary
input and output, and four 6.5 mm RTS headphone outputs.
Two balanced XLR program outputs. - An on-board POTS line port and LAN, USB and CAN interfaces.
- An on-board relay control system featuring two input control ports and two optoisolated CMOS contact closures (expandable using the optional Tieline CAN 8+8 relay box) for local and remote control of equipment at either end of your codec link.
- ToolBox PC software, which is a comprehensive PC software package used to configure and control codec functions – both locally and remotely. The Connection Manager initiates connections at the touch of a button, as well as providing failover redundancy to ensure program signals are maintained if a connection is lost.
- Only Tieline codecs can send two channels of high bandwidth 15 kHz audio over a single ISDN B channel. This is done using the Tieline Music algorithm with only 100 milliseconds delay.
- Intelligent Gain Control (IGC) gives broadcasters the confidence of knowing that when commentators get excited, the codec will automatically adjust input levels to avoid clipping the audio.
- The following algorithms are available to suit every sports broadcast application: Music, Voice G3, G.711, G.722, MP2 Mono, MP2 Stereo, MP2 J-Stereo and Other.
- A flexible ganging function allows each input digipot on the codec to control the input gain of another input on the codec, or to control the input level of a codec input at a remote broadcast site. This is great for controlling the levels of stereo sources, or for easy adjustment of a remote codec’s input levels.
- It is easy to program predetermined ‘user functions’ which can activate different codec functions with the touch of a button. Some preset user functions include initiating codec renegotiation up and down depending on line quality. They can also be programmed to activate alarms if connections are lost (etc).
- A programmable cough button can be enabled for commentators.
- Programmable PPM meters provide flexible monitoring of audio feeds.
- The codec can run off a 12 volt vehicle battery power source or the Tieline battery module in remote locations.
Front Panel Detail of the I-Mix G3:
Rear Panel Detail of the I-Mix G3:
How Does the
I-Mix G3 Work?
Each broadcast venue has common setup characteristics but there are always
unique requirements in each location. Whether changes are foreseen or
due to factors out of a broadcaster’s control, adaptable and flexible
broadcast equipment is increasingly important.
These issues are solved easily by using Tieline’s ‘Connection
Manager’ and different ‘profiles’. There are five different
preset software profiles that allow you to configure your codec based
on your individual requirements. A profile contains all the routing and
connection settings to operate the codec effectively. Profiles can be
saved, amended and copied easily using ToolBox PC software.
The five preset software profiles include:
- Mono mode: delivers high bandwidth mono audio over a single POTS, ISDN or GSM connection, or via IP streaming;
- Stereo mode: delivers separate left and right channels over either a single ISDN B channel or two B channels. The i-Mix G3 can also achieve 15 kHz of phase locked stereo over two POTS lines.
- Mono/IFB mode: delivers a bi-directional mono program feed and a separate full bandwidth off-air communications channel. This can be achieved over two POTS lines, or two ISDN B channels, or a single GSM connection (in HSCSD mode).
- Dual mono: delivers two mono program feeds over two POTS lines, two ISDN B channels or a single GSM connection (in HSCSD mode).
- Bonded mono: delivers one high bandwidth mono audio connection by bonding two POTS telephone lines together and combining their low bit-rates into a single high bandwidth channel. This software profile also bonds two ISDN B channels together to achieve better quality (128 kbps) mono MP2 connections.
The drop-down menu for selecting profiles in ToolBox PC software.
Following is a brief discussion of the Matrix Editor which routes signals within the i-Mix G3.
The Matrix Editor
The Matrix Editor in the i-Mix G3 codec is a fully configurable 16 x 11
cross point digital matrix audio router, and it is where signal path routing
is defined within the codec. Preset matrices are supplied with the i-Mix
G3 for most standard broadcast configurations. This makes configuring
the codec simple for most broadcast
applications.
Matrices can be modified, copied and pasted easily using the optional
Tieline Matrix Enable Key with ToolBox PC software. This provides broadcasters
with extremely
flexible signal routing and the ability to easily replicate profile requirements
for similar broadcast locations.
Matrix settings on the i-Mix G3 use the familiar ‘check the box
to activate routing’ format. As the following image shows, inputs
or sources are on the left of the matrix (i.e. Inputs 1-5, Decoder 1 etc.)
and outputs or destinations are at the top of the matrix (i.e. Encoder
1, CH 1 Out, HP1 L etc.).
You will note that
the remote codec matrix settings show that inputs 1-5 and the Phone Aux
input are being sent to Encoder 1, which is then being sent to the local
codec. The audio from these inputs is also being monitored via the headphone
outputs and will be displayed on the PPM 1 meter on the codec. The Phone
Out and Auxiliary output are also sending audio from inputs 1-5.
This is just one of several matrices that are programmable within the
i-Mix G3 codec.
ISDN Configuration
Following is a typical example of how you could set up the i-Mix G3 codec
using two ISDN B channels. In the example shown below, a POTS line is
connected to the codec to create a ‘failover’ program redundancy
facility in case the main ISDN connections are lost for some reason. The
i-Mix G3 failover facility can automatically detect a lost main program
connection and switch to a predetermined failover connection. The codec
at the sports venue is referred to as the ‘remote’ codec and
the studio codec is referred to as the ‘local’ codec.
Preceding
ISDN Configuration Explained
The i-Mix G3 codec can be programmed for simple as well as complex broadcast
situations. There are several configuration possibilities for connecting
using ISDN B channels. In the preceding configuration, the i-Mix G3 codec
uses two ISDN B channels to provide:
- High-bandwidth 15 kHz program audio;
- High-bandwidth bi-directional communications;
- A return mix minus feed; and
- A dedicated mix minus IFB circuit.
Standby
Program via a POTS Failover Connection
Any connection (POTS, ISDN or GSM) can be programmed to be a ‘failover’
redundancy circuit in case a main program feed is lost for some reason
(in this
example POTS). The great thing about the i-Mix G3 codec is that if a main
program feed is lost, the Tieline ‘Connection Manager’ can
automatically detect the
interruption and switch to a preprogrammed backup or ‘failover’
connection almost
instantaneously.
In the event of an ISDN failure, program and talkback to a remote venue
codec can
be maintained over a single POTS line! This ensures continuity of the
essential
program circuit and basic communications, while the reason for an ISDN
failure can
be traced.
The drop-down menu in ToolBox software for selecting the codec failover profile.
Flexible Communications
The previous ISDN example demonstrates the comprehensive and flexible
communications capabilities of the i-Mix G3 codec. It is easy for commentators
to
monitor and adjust program, sound effects and comms feeds in their headphones.
Some of the features you can integrate into your communications setups
with the i-
Mix G3 include:
To outline how communications circuits are routed in the
codec, following is an example of ToolBox PC software which shows the Input
1 factory default matrix setting for the Cue/Comms facility.
You will note that when the Cue/Comms button for Input 1 on the codec is pressed it sends outgoing comms audio via Encoder 2. Comms audio is also sent to the right side of each commentator’s headphones and to PPM 2 for monitoring audio levels.
Integrating Individual Commentator Talkback
It is easy to set up talk back and send it to all commentators. In addition,
bidirectional
communications capabilities can be expanded with the use of the Tieline
CAN 8+8 relay box. This will allow you to integrate talkback to individual
commentators at a venue.
The relay box connects to the CAN port on the rear panel of the codec
and operates
in conjunction with codec ‘user functions’. User functions
can be programmed into
the codec to activate predetermined codec functions when relays are activated.
When integrated with talkback systems like RTS™ii, the CAN 8+8 allows
individual
communications between a producer and commentators at a venue.
The way this works is as follows. First, each commentator at a venue should
have
their own talkback circuit allocated on a talkback system and the talkback
unit should
be connected to an i-Mix G3 and a Tieline CAN 8+8 relay box. When a particular
commentator’s circuit is activated by a producer, (or anyone using
the talkback
system) a relay on the CAN 8+8 can trigger a preprogrammed ‘user
function’ on the
local codec. This user function can activate the talkback listen function
for a
particular commentator at the remote venue codec. Therefore a producer
can either
talk to an individual commentator or all commentators at the same time.
The best part is that there is no requirement for any other hardware at
the
commentator’s venue. Flexible discreet communications at the remote
venue codec
can be achieved using only the i-Mix G3 codec!
Following is an example of a codec ‘user function’ to facilitate
individual talkback to a
commentator.
The Phone
Coupler
Another great feature is the ability to integrate live callers into program
signals via
the i-Mix G3 Phone Coupler. The codec allows you to talk to callers ‘off-line’
and
then go live with them at the touch of a button. The Phone Coupler can
also be used
as a bi-directional communications circuit or for IFB if required.
Flexible Headphone Monitoring
i-Mix G3 headphone monitoring is extremely flexible and
has its own routing matrix. The Send/Return digipot on the
front panel of the codec allows commentators to adjust the
balance between audio being sent, and that being received
by the codec. In addition, the Mix (Send/Return) Pan Matrix
in ToolBox software allows you allocate which audio sources
are allocated to ‘Send’ and ‘Return’.
The Send/Return digipot provides a balance in level between
the ‘checked’ Send sources and the ‘checked’ Return
sources.
POTS Configuration
It is not always possible to use ISDN lines when broadcasting from remote
locations.
Using two POTS lines is a simple and cost effective alternative and following
is a
typical example of how you could configure the i-Mix G3 codec. In this
example, a
GSM phone is connected to the codec to provide a ‘failover’
program connection in
case the POTS connections are lost for some reason. The program matrix
used for
this POTS configuration is the one displayed in the Matrix Editor section
of this case
study.
POTS Configuration
Explained
In the preceding configuration, the i-Mix G3 codec is using two POTS line
connections to provide:
- High-bandwidth mono 15 kHz program audio;
- A return mix-minus IFB feed; and
- High-bandwidth bi-directional communications.
You could even use a third POTS connection attached to the in-built phone coupler as an additional talkback circuit, or to integrate live callers into the program feed from the venue. It could also be used as an additional IFB circuit. Never before has this level of broadcast flexibility been available - all in a single portable unit.
Standby Program via a GSM Connection
As already mentioned, any connection type (ISDN, POTS or GSM) can be used
as a
‘failover’ redundancy circuit in case a main program connection
is lost for some
reason. In this POTS setup, if the POTS program and comms connections
are lost,
program and talkback can be maintained by failing over to a single GSM
connection
via a Nokia®iii 6310i cell-phone connected to the codec serial port
(in HSCSD
mode). This would ensure continuity of the program circuit and communications,
while the reason for the POTS failure can be traced.
The Tieline ‘Connection Manager’ can automatically detect
the interruption and
switch to a preprogrammed backup or ‘failover’ connection
almost instantaneously.
IP Broadcast Possibilities
It is also possible to configure your i-Mix G3 codec so that you can broadcast
via
an IP connection over a Local Area Network (LAN). This setup will provide
high
bandwidth codec to codec bi-directional audio streaming with low delay.
Tieline now delivers unprecedented flexibility by allowing you to connect
over either
POTS, ISDN, GSM or IP connections – and all of these functions are
possible using
only the compact i-Mix G3 codec.
Videolink AG’siv 2004 European Football Broadcast Solution
During major international sports events, radio and television
reporters use special
areas called ‘Mixed Zones’ to interview athletes after an
event has been completed.
Sometimes these interviews are recorded and in many situations they are
conducted
live.
For the 2004 European football championships, Videolink AG designed an
ENG
VandA Flight-case for live use in the Mixed Zone areas. It provided all
the elements
necessary to interview people and provide video and audio signals back
to the
Remote truck or studio for integration into live broadcasts.
The i-Mix G3 ENG-Live VandA Flight Case
Operational
Requirements
The requirements in the Mixed Zone were as follows:
The i-Mix G3 codec was able to easily provide all of this functionality with flexibility.
How it was Achieved
An ISDN B channel was used to provide 4-wire communications to and from
the
Mixed Zone. In addition, the camera operator used the Auxiliary input
and Channel
2 analog output for 4-wire communications. Analog output Channel 1 was
used to
provide the reporter’s program audio out of the codec and
this was fed into a
Leitch®v MXA-3901-A audio multiplexer, which embedded the audio signal
into an
SDI signal for transmission to the Remote truck or studio.
Following is a diagram showing the rear panel configuration incorporating the i- Mix G3 codec and the Leitch® MXA-3901-A audio multiplexer.
Separate internal matrices for program and cue feeds provided the flexibility required. In addition, a user function was created in the codec so that when the reporter activated their belt pack, it activated the cue circuit in the codec to send comms to the studio via Encoder 1 and to the camera operator via Channel 2 out. The incoming mix-minus program feed, sent to both the reporter and camera operator, was provided via Decoder 1. The matrix settings for this configuration are displayed in the following image:
In summary, the ENG
VandA Flight Case provided a compact and flexible audio and
communications solution for a roving reporter in a live interview situation.
Following is a circuit diagram showing the configuration used during the
2004
European football championships.
Summary
In summary, the i-Mix G3 codec is the sports broadcaster’s ultimate
commentary
unit for the provision of high bandwidth program audio, accompanied by
high quality
bi-directional communications.
Tieline’s i-Mix G3 codec integrates seamlessly into broadcast streams
with
impressive functionality and flexibility. The i-Mix G3 is able to operate
as a mixer, a
codec and flexible signal router, ensuring timely and reliable delivery
of broadcast
signals. ISDN program feeds are high quality and allow comprehensive integrated
communications to be set up. POTS and analog program feeds provide failover
redundancy in the event of ISDN line drop-outs, or can also provide high
bandwidth
program and communication feeds. ToolBox software combines to provide
the
ultimate in setup flexibility.
The i-Mix G3 codec has proved itself to be a reliable, highly effective
and userfriendly
broadcast unit under the spotlight of some of the world’s premier
sporting
events. Erwin Honegger, Live Event Design Engineer and President of Videolink
AG,
had this to say about the i-Mix G3 at the 2004 European football championships.
“Our development partnership with Tieline enabled us to fit a complete
ENG
portable audio, video and communications studio into a single suitcase
for use at
studios across Europe during the football championships.”
TV Technology published a story on 8th October 2004 featuring the i-Mix
G3 setup used at the 2004 Athens games. To view this article, please visit
our website at http://www.tieline.com/Tieline_04/codecs/imixG3.html
The i-Mix G3 is at the leading edge of codec technology and sound design,
and is cutting-edge in the solutions it provides. For further information
on how the i-Mix G3 codec can provide you with broadcast solutions, or
to conduct a free trial, please visit Tieline’s website at www.tieline.com.au
for the contact details of your nearest distributor.
References
ii RTS™ is a subsidiary of Telex Communications, Inc., 12000 Portland
Ave, South Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 USA. www.telex.com
iii Nokia® Corporation, Keilalahdentie 2-4, P.O. Box 226, FIN-00045
Nokia Group, Finland. www.nokia.com
iv Images and information kindly provided by Videolink AG, Zurcherstrasse
68, 8800 Thalwil, Switzerland; Phone +41 (0) 44 723 38 80 or visit www.videolink.ch
v Leitch® Technology Corporation, 150 Ferrand Drive, Suite 700, Toronto,
Ontario M3C 3E5 Canada. www.leitch.com