DMC utilises Grass Valley AMPP for Nordea Open tennis
DMC Production has successfully implemented a remote production workflow using Grass Valley AMPP for the Nordea Open tennis tournament, which took place in Sweden from 14-21 July. This new approach is said to have delivered significant improvements in efficiency, cost reduction and environmental sustainability.
DMC refined its production workflow by processing all signals on-site, a substantial shift from the previous method of transporting signals to an off-site location for processing. Utilising six Grass Valley LDX 98 cameras, LiveTouch X replay systems, Audiomix X audio mixer and a Maverik X production switcher running on the AMPP platform, this streamlined approach ensured a simplified and cost-effective operation.
“Last year, we carried all the signals from the venue to Oslo for processing, which required significant bandwidth and logistical effort,” explained Johan Hedblom, MD, DMC Sweden. “This year, by processing everything on-site using AMPP, we only need to carry a single world feed signal out from the venue. This not only reduces bandwidth requirements but also simplifies the overall setup.”
The new workflow drastically reduced the need for on-site personnel and equipment. Only six crew members, including four camera operators, an assistant engineer and a broadcast coordinator, were required at the venue. Camera control and shading were managed remotely from Norway, while the director, sound engineer and replay operator worked from DMC’s facilities in Stockholm. For the world feed, ATP Media added international commentary and graphics via London.
Adam Marshall, CPO at Grass Valley, commented: “We are thrilled to see DMC leveraging our AMPP solution to push the boundaries of what’s possible in remote production. This setup not only showcases the flexibility and power of AMPP but also aligns with our commitment to providing sustainable and cost-effective broadcasting solutions.”
The crew’s feedback from the Nordea Open has been overwhelmingly positive, noting the ease of setup and management compared to previous years. This successful implementation sets a new standard for future events, including the upcoming Eurobeach Volley in the Netherlands from 13-18 August where the AMPP solution will produce one court, the Swedish Championship in padel and the PBA Tour bowling tournament, taking place in Sweden on 1 September.
“The difference this year is remarkable,” added Hedblom. “The reduced need for high-bandwidth connectivity and the simplified logistics have not only made the production process much smoother, but also more cost-effective. This new approach is enabling DMC to have a new revenue stream by undertaking events like padel and bowling for the first time. We are eager to apply these learnings to other events and continue improving our workflows.”