TVN chose the EVS LiveCeption set-up for control, replays and highlights on board their new OB van, and adopted MediaInfra IP infrastructure for real-time signal processing and conversions.
TVN Group have developed a new outside broadcast vehicle, the TVN Ü8, that has thoroughly updated and extended their production processes. Launched in the middle of 2024 and shown at IBC2024, the new Ü8 is capable of managing multiple independent signal workflows to broadcast both national and international events.
TVN’s CEO Markus Osthaus commented on TVN’s involvement in producing a range of soccer competitions, like the German Bundesliga Champions Leagues and National matches. “We often find ourselves with two customers who need an OB van at the same time,” he said.
“Due to the great customer experiences we’ve had with our existing truck, called the Ü6, and because we were receiving so many new requests, we realised we would need another truck to increase our capacity enough to handle more productions.”
Work Space
They chose to build it as big as the Ü6, which is designed with two large galleries, as having the space to host customers in the vehicle with TVN’s operators has been a big advantage for everyone. In order to give the National teams as much room to work in as the International teams, and to fit everybody in from the customer side, they decided to build and operate the two very big trucks.
“We’ve already had very positive customer feedback about the Ü8’s size,” said Markus. “As people step into the truck they notice the height of the first gallery, which is something we altered from the Ü6 – now we have close to 2.7m overhead so you don't really feel like you’re in an OB van. It’s more like a normal studio that we would use for our external workflows.”
Media Infrastructure and Control
Major factors in the Ü8’s fit-out are the EVS LiveCeption set-up for control, replays and highlights, and the EVS MediaInfra system, adopted as the media infrastructure for their productions. The LiveCeption system comprises XT-VIA and XS-VIA servers, and supports UHD recording. The servers are controlled by the LSM-VIA controller for replay and highlights production. LSM VIA uses IP to connect signals to its manual controls, while operators manage and visualize multi-angle live content from any server on the network.
The LSM-VIA is combined with EVS’ MultiReview, an application with an interface that allows the operators to instantly review up to 16 camera angles and select footage they need. They can take those clips, append them to a playlist and export them quickly to an edit suite for use in the production workflow.
On the MediaInfra side, the Ü8 houses two compact Neuron frames, which handle real-time signal processing and up, down and cross conversions with the flexibility needed for complex live broadcasts. These frames not only increase performance but are also power- and space-efficient, making the most of the truck’s resources.
Production Workflow
Felix Rumpf, Managing System Engineer, remarked on TVN’s choice of infrastructure components. “Our Ü8 is based on EVS XT VIA servers that work with an XS VIA server and the new LSM-VIA controller for operating,” he said. “Using the controller in combination with MultiReview is very helpful when journalists need to choose between different local or network camera angles.”
He also said that, to add visual interest to the storytelling, they find it's very convenient to be able to send clips directly to their XtraMotion system, a service that transforms regular-speed live footage into super slow-motion replays. In TVN’s case, they have installed XtraMotion on the truck as an edge service. Replay operators can clip content from different feeds on the network, render it to super slow-motion and, within a few seconds, play it back from their replay server.
EVS LSM-VIA
The extra frames needed to smoothly slow the footage down are interpolated by and generated from an AI engine. Felix said, “You only need to press one button to send your content to the system and receive back the rendered clip, before you bring it on air.”
Reliable Program Feed
The first production completed on the Ű8 truck was significant – content delivered from the UEFA Euro 2024. They finished the preparation just in time for the first match and from that point, even the closing ceremony for UEFA was produced in the truck.
“We have enough rack space to install up to 10 XTs, and the one XS server for UHD recording, at once,” Felix said. “In another rack we’re using two Neuron frames for up down cross conversion for our TX lines. Since it's very important to have a constant program feed without any errors, EVS became our first choice for equipment. The reliability of the system is critical – having this very compact, powerful set-up is really helpful in saving rack space.
“We have integrated two Xfile3 systems to import files from from hard drives – such as a USB stick – as well as extract files from all the EVS systems to our editing suites.” XFile3 handles the file transfers and archiving during live productions, giving control and visibility of all file transfers, locally or through the connected live workflows, from a single interface. Archive, transforming and restoring content – in any format and between multiple sources and destinations – can be performed automatically. evs.com
