ISB REPEATS IN THE 2ND EUROPEAN GAMES IN MINSK 2019 WITH AEQ TECHNOLOGY 02-07-2019
AEQ Intercom and Commentary Audio systems at the 2nd European Games in Minsk with the Host Broadcaster ISB
The Sport Broadcaster ISB was appointed as the Host Broadcaster for the Minsk 2019 2nd European Games and operations in Belarus are currently underway. The European Games sees 4000 athletes from 50 European Countries competing in 15 different Sports and 23 disciplines. 11 venues, some with multiple FOP, plus an IBC is part of the Host Broadcast coverage that ISB is undertaking during these Games.
Esteban Galán, Head of Technical Operations at ISB, explains that the deployment of technical resources for the Broadcasting involve, among other things, AoIP Network interfaces, Intercom Systems, AudioCodecs and Commentary Units for the Audio and communications, and Broadcast Monitors for the production control. The actual broadcast production of the Multilateral Signals is being accomplished with a total of 12 Mobile Units and over 200 Cameras including Specialty Cams, 8 ENG crews and a number of Fly-packs for the Venues with multiple FOP’s. 4 MDS Channels are being produced + one bookable Unilateral Channel whenever required are also part of the resources deployed. 700 Broadcast Professionals are making sure that the signals are produced and are reaching the 190 worldwide Right Holders at the IBC and their Home Countries. In total we are producing over 600 hours of live coverage and close to a total of 800 hours of broadcast production.
In particular, and concerning everything related to communications, we have traditionally been relying on a lot of AEQ and Kroma by AEQ products, and for this occasion we are not making any exception. We feel really comfortable working with AEQ’s equipment and their technical support.
The intercom system deployed by ISB is an AEQ Crossnet based system with Multi-channel AoIP with broadcast quality audio for the communication channels. A total of around 45 User panels have been installed, most of them in the IBC and a few at the most important competition venues. The Dante Network allows for the Crossnet to carry IFB’s originating from basically any point in the network and can be anything from International Sound to Mixed zone feeds or Commentary Guides for the Off Tubes. Signals can be accessed through the NetBox 32 and 8 AD units and also the Netbox 4 MH’s that have been deployed to be able to contribute with signals at Mic. level to the AoIP network for, for example, the Off-Tubes. Signalling in these have been integrated using the Studioboxes allowing for remote control via Classical and also Virtual GPIO’s.
The Venus 3 being capable of connecting locally to AoIP multi-channel networks becomes an ideal solution for the International Contributions of Commentary Program and return Audio. Also, the VENUS 3 is used to interconnect some Venues with the Commentary Unit AEQ Phoenix ALIO. The ALIO is in reality a portable AudioCodec with mixer functions and that allows for either local or remote control. This comes really handy when the Talents at the Commentary position are non-technical and need assistance.
Other Venues, such as the Main Stadium count on the Olympia 3 AoIP Multi-channel Commentary Unit. Olympia 3 is in essence a sound mixer and it can operate as an independent or standalone Commentary Unit or linked to a small, medium or large Commentary System. Connected to a DanteTM based audio IP routing system, receiving and sending audio from/to any device, that can be anything such as a mixing console or NetBox audio interface, a third-party console installed in a mobile unit, or any other type of device manufactured by any of the many manufacturers that are incorporating Audinate’s DanteTM technology or even using AES67 protocol.
The Kroma by AEQ Broadcast Monitors Series 7000 in 18” and 24” for production quality control have, all been integrated in the ISB Fly-packs and in the Central Control in the IBC.
All in all, ISB is using quite a wide range of different products from AEQ and that are integrated for the Commentary Audio, Production Intercom and Quality Control Systems.
