Evertz announces new live video production tools

VUE Anywhere is said to simplify control of broadcast infrastructure

Evertz has announced that it has several new live video production tools to assist sports broadcasters in addressing  new challenges and workflows due to the global pandemic.

Evertz notes that it has become clear that remote operation of broadcast plants is not easy. Vue Anywhere, the latest operations control interface added to the Vue family of software defined control panels, is said to simplify control of broadcast infrastructure by bringing the control room to the user located anywhere in the world.

Vue Anywhere can be accessed from any desktop or mobile web browser to accomplish tasks (playout, head end services, transmission, production, router control, content origination, and more) that were previously spread to many people over many different control surfaces.  Vue Anywhere brings different control and monitoring elements, including router control, video/audio proc controls, multi-viewers, and video/audio feeds together in a single operational interface. It is said to be easy to setup over LAN or WAN connections, and can be hosted on an on-prem server or on public cloud.

Travel restrictions as a result of the ongoing pandemic have also put additional strain on the ability to bring production staff on-site, Evertz notes – and in response, DC-Anywhere is now available for the DreamCatcher platform.

The IP-based design and flexibility of the DreamCatcher platform has allowed Evertz developers to add functionality for existing customers. The DC-Anywhere functionality is a testament to this. Using existing DreamCatcher operator nodes, the DreamCatcher platform can extend to the operator surface to any device locally, with the use of any web browser.

Whether the need is to disperse production staff to other areas of a facility or to allow production staff to access their system remotely, DC-Anywhere software provides a low latency, low bandwidth ability to extend operator surfaces to any end point on the LAN or WAN network. It works with existing DreamCatcher clusters, providing new and old customers with an ability to socially distance their production staff, while maintaining an identical operator experience to locally-operated DreamCatcher interfaces.

The EQX family of compact enterprise class routers with their modular design, redundancy concepts, support for full 4K and UHD 12G-SDI single–wire, and many I/O options make the router’s traditional frame sizes (10RU, 16RU, 26RU) a perfect solution for any mid–sized UHD/4K application where space is a concern, Evertz claims.

For live productions that require stringent social and physical distancing, Evertz’ MAGNUM control and orchestration platform allows operators and switchers to connect to EQX routers via virtual and traditional router control panels, as well as Vue touch panels and Vue Anywhere.

Further flexibility can be realised, Evertz says, with the EQX-IP18AD and EQX-OP18AE, EQX’s next generation of input and output UHD capable modules, supporting single–wire 12G–SDI and Video over IP connection to Evertz and COTS IP cores using industry standards (ST 2110 and more). Both 18–port cards provide audio de–embedders and license keys to enable IP gateway functionality for 25/100GbE, 18x independent frame sync paths, UHD and other additional processing capabilities. EQX-IP18AD and EQXOP18AE are also JPEG XS-ready and can be leveraged for live production and future cloud applications.

Sports may have returned, Evertz notes, but fans have not, and without the benefit of white noise from fans inside stadiums, the chance of profanity being picked up by broadcast microphones has intensified.

Evertz ProGuard enables broadcasters to protect their live telecasts from offensive video or audio content. With ProGuard, broadcasters of live content can guard against unexpected or unwanted events (nudity, offensive images/language or technical issues) going to air by providing up to 30 seconds of delay for UHD or 1080p formats. This flexible delay allows operators to correct the offensive material to meet regulations and maintain program continuity.