Italian Broadcaster Mediaset launches OB truck with Evertz at its IP core

Italian broadcaster Mediaset has launched a new outside broadcast (OB) truck with an Evertz IP core based on the company’s Software Defined Video Networking (SDVN) IP technology.

Mediaset is a major Italian media company specialising in news, entertainment and sports broadcasting. Mediaset began a project to design a new OB truck for live production events, and Evertz’ SDVN IP technology was selected as it was the only solution that met the critical requirements of the broadcaster.

Evertz’ SDVN IP technology features comprehensive support for industry standards and, in order to facilitate interoperability between internal and external systems, this truck makes the most of SMPTE ST 2110 for the routing of video, audio and data.

Two Evertz 3080IPX-128-25G switch fabrics in a redundant configuration are utilised as the OB trucks’s central routing core. This ultra compact routing core enables deterministic switching of signals which is critical in live production environments. In addition, the high bandwidth 25G core enables UHD, HDR and HD production while still maintaining a compact form factor which is an important consideration in an OB truck environment where space is at a premium.

In addition, Evertz’ IP multiviewer, the 3067VIP10G, is used for monitoring capabilities in all areas of the OB truck. In order to interface baseband SDI systems into the IP routing core, Evertz 570IPG SDI gateways are used. Evertz’ evEDGE virtualised media processing platform is utilised for signal processing capabilities and, with its ability to provision new microservices on demand, is ideal in environments with constantly changing workflow requirements.

Additionally, Evertz’ DreamCatcher IP live media and production platform is used for live production events and provides 36 channels of recording and eight channels of playback, which enables production capability for the largest events.
Orchestration is a critical component of every IP system and Evertz’ Magnum Orchestration and Control platform was used to provide a unified point of control and resource management for the entire infrastructure.

“We wanted an OB Truck with an IP core in order to take advantage of everything IP has to offer,” said Mauro Cassanmagnago, Mediaset production and broadcasting technologies department director. “Evertz’ SDVN IP, live media and production technology, was the only end to end solution that met all of our requirements.”

Added Frank Magarelli, Evertz sales manager for Italy: “Mediaset required an OB truck with a scalable and flexible architecture that would enable them to meet their production requirements for the foreseeable future. We are honoured that Mediaset selected Evertz’ SDVN IP technology and congratulate them on the deployment of their latest ‘IPVAN18’ Truck.”