EVS Deploys Solutions for Chile’s TVN, Télévision de Radio-Canada

Chile’s state-owned broadcaster TVN has deployed a multi-camera ingest solution from EVS, a leading provider of live video production systems. The new workflow is being used for popular TVN productions such as talent show El Mejor de Chile and game show Apuesto Por Ti.

In close partnership with its Chile representative Intervideo, EVS delivered a solution consisting of a six-channel XT series server along with the IPDirector suite of video production management applications, LSM remote controller and XTAccess gateway. The solution is integrated with Avid storage and non-linear editing systems working in XDCam.

TVN was interested in developing a new workflow in Santiago following their experience using the same tools for multi-camera ingest at the Summer Games in London last year. “The EVS solution is robust, field-proven and reliable,” said Mauricio Rojo, vice president of engineering at TVN. “It enables us to increase our storage capacity, automate the workflow and select content easily. It integrates very well with Avid storage and editing systems, which facilitates production and saves a lot of time.”

The XT server is configured with four channels for ingest and two for output. IPDirector logs the incoming content and sends it to an Avid ISIS 5000 storage system, while XTAccess facilitates media exchange with the Avid systems.

“Broadcasters and production companies are under pressure to turn around high-quality entertainment programming as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Bejamin Mariage, sales manager for EVS Latin America. “After deploying an EVS multi-camera ingest solution for the world’s biggest sporting competition, TVN realized that it could use a similar workflow to achieve the same time-saving benefits for some of its most popular entertainment shows. Our flexible solutions are suited to any kind of live or fast-turnaround production environment and integrate easily with third-party tools.”

After extensive testing in Santiago, TVN deployed the EVS solution at The Summer Games in London – the first time it had used an EVS system at such a high-profile event. Used for a mixture of programming including news updates from the competitions, EVS XT and XS servers were configured with five channels for ingest and one for playout. One IPDirector suite was used for ingest, logging and browsing feeds, with another managing playout control. Integration with Avid editing and storage systems was a key requirement which was facilitated by XT Access.

EVS’ XT series servers offer complete media control from ingest to playout, including live editing, slow-motion replays, multi-channel playback and media exchange with third-party systems, in demanding live and near-live production environments.

French-language television network, Télévision de Radio-Canada, has replaced its tape-based workflow with a file-based system from EVS. The EVS solution, which is being used to produce its popular, long-running talk show, Tout le Monde en Parle, enables Radio-Canada to benefit from the flexibility, efficiency and cost savings of a file-based workflow.

Radio-Canada’s new workflow is based on EVS XT3 and XS servers, which record the camera feeds. EVS’ IPDirector suite of video production management applications controls media ingest, while its XTAccess gateway delivers the media to Radio-Canada’s Avid post-production system. Low-resolution proxies are created for multicam editing, which are then replaced with high-resolution material after the edit is completed. All the EVS servers are installed in a centralized location. While each server is usually dedicated to one studio, any server can be allocated to another studio. This flexibility enables more cameras to be used in any of the studios when needed – for example, for special event and award shows.

“We selected the EVS solution based on the reliability and flexibility of EVS servers, and their ability to integrate seamlessly with various post-production tools, said Pierre Lemieux, director of post-production operations, Radio-Canada. “Like many other television companies in the industry we also needed to reduce our overall assets while being able to produce more content.”

Martin Bonenfant, chief of post-production operations, added: “EVS servers require very little maintenance, and the new workflow has delivered invaluable time and cost savings.”

Radio-Canada’s previous tape-based production workflow of the two-and-a-half-hour show consisted of eight ISO cameras that were recorded directly onto HDCAM SR tapes, which were then digitized and transcoded into the appropriate format for its editing suites. The process took around 24-30 hours to complete. With its new EVS workflow, the cameras are recorded onto EVS servers, and the media is delivered to its Avid Interplay system ready for creative operations within two hours of the last interview being recorded. As well as achieving significant time savings, the new workflow also eliminates the cost of tapes.

As well as using its studios for its own productions, Radio-Canada also rents its facilities to external production companies. While Radio-Canada uses Avid editing suites, some of its clients take their content away to be edited on Final Cut Pro. The EVS servers’ native multi-codec support makes it easy for Radio-Canada to cater to different clients’ needs.

“The flexibility of EVS servers enables Radio-Canada to adapt to different set-ups and codecs to cater to its own, and its clients’, different production needs,” said Pierre Mestrez, entertainment market specialist at EVS. “By moving to a file-based workflow, Radio-Canada has vastly reduced production times and costs, enabling it to focus its time and resources on enriching its most popular programs like Tout le Monde en Parle.”

EVS’ XT3 server gives Radio-Canada complete control over the entire production process, from ingest to playout, including live editing, slow-motion replays, multi-channel playback and transfer to third-party systems, enabling collaborative workflows with post-production, automation, archiving and storage. The XT3 is the first sever to natively support a wide range of codes without requiring hardware changes.

Designed for studio applications, EVS’ XS server helps simplify the transition to tapeless production. It can be controlled either by EVS’ IPDirector suite for instant review, selection, or playback of multiple video feeds, or using third-party tools such as automation systems, linear or hybrid editors, switchers and controllers. It makes recorded media instantly and directly available throughout the production network for simultaneous preview, rough editing, archiving, playback or post-production. It supports a wide range of formats and codecs to fit all types of workflows, streamline media transfer and preserve quality.