Leader Zen Series waveform monitors power Mediaset’s transition to IP-based UHD HDR
Italy’s Mediaset has chosen Leader Zen Series LV5600 waveform monitors for integration into two fully-IP-interfaced mobile control vehicles and also for some MCR and studio applications. The vehicles are configured to operate alongside the network’s Milan and Rome production centres and on location. Eleven LV5600 units have been supplied by Leader’s Italian distribution partner Communication Video Engineering (CVE).
“Our aim is to deploy a fully IP infrastructure for the transmission of signals between our various studio, fixed and mobile facilities,” said Mauro Cassanmagnago, director of Mediaset’s production & broadcasting technologies department. “This will allow uncompressed baseband signals up to and including UHD to be made available to all relevant staff simply without having to route audio, video, data and intercom signals separately. Our IP-connected galleries will even be able to handle remote productions.”
“Leader LV5600 waveform monitors allow a very wide range of signal measurements to be performed quickly and accurately within a compact equipment footprint,” said CVE CEO Luca Catalano. “Their small size and easy front-panel control make them ideal for freestanding or integrated use. Being able to handle IP and SDI in a single test environment is especially useful for today’s largely hybrid media production world, augmented by the ability to configure the LV5600 display screen for easy comparison of several signal sources or multiple test parameters. Measurements can be viewed on the built-in monitor or fed direct to an external screen for group viewing. Most important of all is repeatability: Leader measurements are consistent, easy to capture and easy to share.”
“The instruments requested by Mediaset included combinations of three options: the LV5600-SER05 10 gigabit/s IP interface, LV5600-SER23 HDR software licence and LV5600-SER28 4K/UHD software licence,” explained Djamel Djadi, Leader’s European business development manager. “These enable customers to specify which hardware and firmware features they require when initially purchasing the waveform monitors, at the same time retaining the ability to add new functions or to accommodate new file formats and transmission protocols. 4K-UHD HDR is the logical format in which to create new programme content given the increasing affordability of 4K-UHD consumer TV sets. IP networking is in turn gaining traction both for new-build production studios and, as at Mediaset, for existing studios looking to invest for the future.”
Leader’s LV5600 is a mains-powered SDI/IP waveform monitor in a half-rack width 3U desktop chassis with a touchscreen front panel display. It provides all the facilities needed to monitor UHD/HD/SD SDI as well as video-over-IP signals seamlessly in a hybrid operating environment. Engineering-related features include test pattern generation, eye pattern display, closed-caption monitoring, CIE colour chart, high dynamic range measurement, focus assist, adjustable screen layout, tally interface, 4K/UHD operation, 10 gigabit/s IP input and 12G-SDI interfaces. SMPTE 2022-6, SMPTE 2022-7 and SMPTE 2110 protocols are all supported.