A unified IP infrastructure that acts as the foundation of the entire content lifecycle, from production to contribution and distribution, is the strategic vision of video production systems specialist Communication Video Engineering (CVE), CEO Luca Catalano, revealed during a round table at last month’s Milan Audiovisual Forum.
The company’s goal is to build an open, scalable and interoperable ecosystem, capable of ensuring efficiency, sustainability and flexibility, while supporting broadcasters and operators towards increasingly dynamic, decentralised and monetisation-oriented production models.
This is not without its challenges, however, both technological and cultural as workflows must be designed to be truly convergent, sustainable and open to innovation, he said.
IP for event production infrastructures
The introduction of IP networks and 5G bubble architectures enables the creation of temporary, agile and highly reliable contribution solutions in any operational context. Through wireless networks offering high bandwidth and low latency, it becomes possible to carry out live or remote productions with reduced setup times and consistent broadcast quality.
CVE tested these architectures during the Turin Winter World University Games earlier this year, in collaboration with partners such as Neutral Wireless, Sony and Haivision, creating a flexible and resilient IP network able to ensure operational continuity even in complex and dynamic environments.
According to Gravity Media Italy CTO, Francesco Donato, these technologies make it possible to work in full mobility while integrating seamlessly with the complex workflows typical of demanding sports productions, maintaining the quality and reliability characteristic of traditional broadcasting.
IP for contribution infrastructures
The contribution architectures developed by CVE combine stability and flexibility, covering both fixed-site transmission scenarios — such as stadiums and production centres — and temporary or mobile setups.
Through technologies from partners such as Harmonic, Haivision, Domo, Nevion and Sony, the solutions deliver high-quality, low-latency transmissions, with video over IP flows that may use high bitrates for UHD feeds over fibre, or lower bitrate feeds using bonded connections for mobility while maintaining low latency.
The IBC Lissone – Serie A project is a key example of this approach: the management of live IP-based feeds enabled optimisation of time and resources, ensuring greater efficiency and service continuity.
EI Towers CTO, Piercarlo Invernizzi, noted that adopting IP in contribution overcomes the physical constraints of transmission, allowing simultaneous management of multiple real-time UHD-quality feeds.
IP for distribution infrastructures
In the distribution phase, CVE has developed integrated headend solutions for signal compression and delivery over DVB-S/S2, DTT and OTT networks.
The company integrates advanced monitoring and analytics systems, allowing end-to-end content tracking and optimisation of service quality.
Monetisation is becoming increasingly relevant in this area. CVE addresses it through platforms that track content, optimise delivery and customise stream management according to each client’s strategy.
Among its technology partners are Harmonic, TAG, NPAW and Broadpeak, while significant projects include several DTT headends for national and international broadcasters, as well as OTT systems for content aggregators.
According to Mauro D’Amato, head of multimedia and digital services engineering at TIM, the value of content today is also measured by the ability to distribute it in a targeted, traceable and sustainable way. IP makes it possible to achieve this balance between quality, efficiency and economic sustainability.
A unified vision
With the ongoing convergence of networks, production and distribution, CVE’s strategy stands as a reference model for the media industry, combining technological innovation with a systemic approach.
As Catalano concludes, from live sports to OTT platforms, IP becomes the connecting element uniting all levels of contemporary broadcasting, paving the way for a more flexible, sustainable and future-oriented ecosystem.
