Rohde & Schwarz has equipped 3/24, the 24-hour news channel of Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals (3Cat), with its R&S PRISMON multiviewer.
This networked platform allows 3/24 to efficiently monitor uncompressed IP feeds alongside SDI and NDI signals.
Technological Advancements at 3Cat
3Cat, the leading television network in Catalonia, broadcasts a diverse range of content from its studios in Barcelona. Recently, the 24-hour news channel transitioned to HD, integrating SMPTE 2110 technology while maintaining compatibility with SDI and other IP formats such as NDI and transport streams.
Architecture and Benefits of R&S PRISMON
The R&S PRISMON system uses networked servers to create numerous customizable multiviewer displays. Each server can process a mix of SDI and IP feeds, eliminating the need for external converters, which reduces both capital costs and the carbon footprint. Once connected to a server, mosaic tile feeds are shared across the network, simplifying processing and allowing flexible display setups.
Flexibility and Customization for Engineers
Engineers at 3Cat can configure multiviewer displays to meet specific operational needs without worrying about the source format. The system supports monitoring feeds side by side with audio VU meters, tally signs, countdowns, stopwatches, clocks, and warnings.
User Experience and Testimonials
Marc Sanclimens, Specialist Engineer at 3Cat, praised R&S PRISMON for its versatility. “Rohde & Schwarz demonstrated how Prismon could provide all the different layouts we required from just three servers, allowing us to freely mix SDI, NDI, ST2110, and other feeds. Prismon gives us the complete freedom to set up and dynamically change our monitoring.”
Product Manager Insights
Marcus Ruoff, Product Manager for Multiviewing and Monitoring at Rohde & Schwarz, highlighted the system’s low latency and flexible mosaic design, tailored for critical live production applications. “We designed Prismon to meet the demands of a busy media facility, integrating everything into the networked server and eliminating the need for external converters and additional router paths.”
Additional Features and Integration
R&S PRISMON operates on COTS hardware and is cloud-ready, supporting Ultra HD for both inputs and displays. Its networked design ensures each feed is processed only once in complex applications. The system integrates seamlessly with control and automation systems and links directly with IP-based tally and UMD signals for live production.
Implementation by Unitecnic
The installation at 3Cat was managed by distributor and systems integrator Unitecnic, which provides ongoing support from its Barcelona office.
About Rohde & Schwarz
Rohde & Schwarz is a global technology group headquartered in Munich, Germany, renowned for its expertise in electronic test, measurement, and communications equipment. The company primarily operates through three divisions: Test & Measurement, Technology Systems, and Networks & Cybersecurity.
About 3Cat
3Cat, officially known as the Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals (CCMA), is a public organization responsible for managing the audiovisual media of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Established by a founding act passed by the Parliament of Catalonia on May 18, 1983, CCMA operates under the supervision of the Parliamentary Control Commission and the Catalan Audiovisual Council.
News source: Rohde & Schwarz
