Italian broadcaster Rai is migrating its production and playout infrastructure to IP, using Imagine’s SNP as gateway, conversion, multiviewing and MC devices for new IP environments
As part of a wider modernisation strategy, Italy’s national public broadcaster Radiotelevisione Italiana (Rai) is migrating key areas of its production and playout infrastructure from SDI to IP. The process involves carefully choosing and integrating systems, products and technology that will result in a scalable, operationally sound transition.
Consequently, Rai has awarded Imagine Communications a three-year framework contract to support the transition, establishing the requirements and contract conditions that will apply to future orders from Imagine. The agreement, finalised via local systems integrator Allyn Srl, will use Imagine’s Selenio Network Processor (SNP) as a core building block of the new infrastructure as Rai evolves its master control room and production control room operations toward SMPTE ST 2110.
A Reconfigurable Foundation
Under the framework, the processors will serve variously as gateway, conversion, multiviewing and master control devices for new IP environments Rai will deploy. The company will be using the SNP with JPEG XS compression to support low-latency connectivity between facilities, including links to outside broadcast vehicles, while maintaining and controlling production quality.
SNP Multiviewer
“Our move to IP is a long-term transformation, and we need a platform that will let us migrate at our own pace without disrupting operations,” said Stefano Marchetti, head of playout and network engineering at Rai. “Imagine’s SNP serves as a practical foundation for how we want to build and manage our IP environments going forward — that is, enabling incremental deployment, operational continuity and long-term scalability.”
Rai selected SNP for its ability to consolidate multiple critical functions into a single, flexible platform, which helps to simplify workflows in IP-based MCR environments. Users can reconfigure the processor with different characteristics, and upgrade it in the field with new functionality. Its interoperability with a broad range of third-party ST 2110 equipment was another key factor in meeting Rai’s tender requirements.
IP Gateways, Live Graphics, JPEG XS
At Rai, some of the SNPs will serve as high-density, reprogammable IP gateways between different types of networks, and some as low-latency, HDR-capable production multiviewers. The multiviewers make it possible to integrate content from different video formats and HDR systems into a consistent display environment.
Other SNP devices will be configured as the Master Control Lite (MCL) version, which supplies branding, live graphics and full master control functionality within the physical platform. When composing channels for release, broadcasters need to make professional-looking transitions between content, using branding and graphics to make a finished program. SNP’s Master Control Lite includes four layers for keying with an internal graphics generator assigned to each layer. Three external Key/Fill inputs are also available, and autokey is supported on the external fill.
Master Control Lite control panels
Using the SNPs that have been configured with JPEG XS compression, Rai will be able to control the cost of video connectivity between facilities by using less bandwidth for signal transport.
Initial Deployments
“We are pleased to support this multiyear project – a good example of how broadcasters are approaching IP migration now in a thoughtful, incremental way,” said Mathias Eckert, SVP and GM EMEA and APAC for Imagine Communications. “SNP was designed specifically for this kind of transition, allowing organisers to move from SDI to IP with confidence and interoperability, as well as operational benefits.”
The initial SNP orders will support deployments at two sites. One is a project creating an IP backbone for Rai’s Turin MCR. and the other is an IP infrastructure build-out at a facility in Rome. Over the duration of the three-year contract, several further orders are anticipated as Rai expands its IP transition across a wider network of sites. Ultimately, they expect to span more than 25 locations across Italy. www.imaginecommunications.com
