EVS participates in 4G Broadcast trial during FA Cup Final
As previously reported on SVG Europe, the FA Cup Final held on Saturday (30 May) witnessed a significant demo of new 4G Broadcast technology. The trial saw EVS partner with digital communications company EE to provide fans at Wembley Stadium with enriched media content over 4G Broadcast for the first time.
EVS’ FanCast solution used the EE 4G network to deliver replays, highlights and live camera feeds to the mobile app available inside the stadium. EVS’ FanCast comprises an XT3 live production server, IPDirector content management suite and the cloud-based multimedia distribution platform, C-Cast.
FanCast brought in key moments from the game from host broadcaster BBC via Arena TV’s OB trucks in the television compound. It then distributed this content to a mobile app specifically developed by EVS partner Intellicore – winners of the first ever C-Cast APPlied challenge – which was available in dedicated areas of the stadium.
Input Media, one of Europe’s leading sports production companies, also provided a match day big-screen service for the final using EVS technology. An XT3 production server ingested feeds from the BBC’s host OB facilities to quickly and efficiently turn around replays. These were played back for audiences to watch on the stadium’s 13 by eight metre big screen.
The BBC acted as host broadcasters for the match with Arena TV’s OB services also using a number of XT3 servers in the facility to ingest feeds from the stadium’s 30 cameras. These included five Super Slow Motion and two Ultra Motion cameras, which captured the match’s action at an extremely high frame rate. The ingest of these cameras’ output requires robust facilities to assure of the quality of the feed.
Matt Stagg, head of video at EE and founder of the Mobile Video Alliance, said: “Momentum is growing around 4G Broadcast as companies from mobile, broadcast and content industries recognise how it can finally be the way to more efficiently deliver a truly great TV experience to large numbers of mobile viewers. This wasn’t possible with 3G, but it is part of the 4G roadmap and we’re investing in this innovation to give customers a great mobile video experience, wherever they are. EVS has been a fantastic technology partner during this project, constantly innovating to bring us new ideas, new solutions and new features that wow our customers.”
Laurent Petit, vp products at EVS, said: “Live broadcasting has changed immeasurably. Today, live production solutions must be more agile and efficient to deliver creatively enriched content to a range of multiple devices. EVS solutions, like FanCast, allow our partners to enrich live multimedia content and create an immersive experience to generate a return on that emotion.”