Broadcast Solutions built its VEGO portable baseband video editing kit using reliable AJA Io 4K Plus and Io X3 interfaces with audio level in the front, analogue audio I/O and Thunderbolt.
For editors working remotely on broadcast and live event content, network reliability can be a major source of challenges to the production workflow. In response, German media consulting and services company Broadcast Solutions has built a portable baseband video editing system called VEGO.
VEGO packages all the necessary editorial kit into a 1RU fly pack on wheels. The editor can plug a laptop into VEGO at the location, and start working right away on fast turnaround edits. Since its release, Broadcast Solutions’ broadcast and live event production clients around the world have adopted VEGO.
The company’s Project Engineer Sebastian Deinhart said, "I've worked behind-the-scenes as an editor, and the pressure to deliver fast is real. When you're travelling and have a spotty internet connection but need to produce ready-to-broadcast video clips with a same-day turnaround, not having the right baseband video editing setup in place is asking for setbacks.
"A dependable turnkey system that you can get in and out of the overhead bin in an aircraft easily, traverse locations with, and get up and running in a few minutes is a must. It's a key reason we wanted to build VEGO and continue to see German public broadcasters, among others, invest in these units."
Inside the Unit
Each VEGO is built inside a custom 1RU case that houses a SmallHD 702 7in monitor and Bose Soundlink speaker. These can be unpacked and placed on top of the unit, alongside a laptop. Integrated into the unit is an audio interface, MakeProX 4-fader controller and AJA Io 4K Plus for 4K/HD I/O, or Io X3 for HD I/O. Interfaces for Avid DNX-IV and RME UCX-II are included as well.
At the front of the unit are two BNC connectors and an HDMI connector for inputting or outputting video. The 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 support in the Io 4K Plus gives productions the ability to use single cables for both input and output. The device handles formats from SD to up to full 4K with frame rates up to 60p, and supports HDR workflows.
On the back, the necessary connecting cables and power supplies are labelled and kept out of sight so that users only need to pull them out, plug them into their laptops and start working in the preferred NLEs – Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro or Apple Final Cut Pro.
Audio Mixing
When Sebastian Deinhart’s team designed the flypack, they took care to ensure that audio levels mix correctly in the moment, while recording voiceovers is underway, so that audio and video are always in sync. One-touch mixing is made possible by hardwired inputs and outputs on the interfaces, which is useful for combined editing, audio dubbing or mixing workflows.
Once the audio recording and edits are complete, VEGO users can mix down the video file, combining the multiple recorded tracks of audio into a single file, while making sure all the layers of sound will blend together. The file can then be sent where it’s needed, or saved to send to air at the right moment.
Speed and Stability
"Our customers need stability and speed, which is why we use AJA gear. Io 4K Plus and Io X3 have the key features, including an audio level in the front, Thunderbolt connectivity and analogue audio for input and output, but beyond that, they are also very reliable," noted Sebastian.
“They are the foundation of VEGO and we were able to integrate them with the help of AJA's Developer Partner Program and SDK. We've seen great enthusiasm for the technology from our customers. Many have reported it's just what they've been looking for."
As Broadcast Solutions continues conversations with present and prospective customers, Sebastian is thinking ahead. His team is exploring how it might create a similar solution that could work in a more file-based or network-based environment, like SMPTE ST 2110 or NDI. www.aja.com
