Sky Sport Germany has embarked on a major technical revamp, placing Lawo’s equipment at its core.
The project is led by Christian Barth, Director of Production Platforms, Origination & Distribution, Florian Hennig, Head of Production Architecture, and Chris Hermann, Senior Manager of Production Architecture. Wolfgang Götz from promediatools is advising on behalf of Lawo.
Innovative Equipment for Enhanced Broadcasts The sports network is integrating 12 IP-native Lawo diamond broadcast mixing consoles, significantly enhancing its sports broadcasting capabilities and TV workflows. These consoles adhere to AES67/RAVENNA Audio-over-IP, ST2110-30/-31, and ST2022-7 standards. The network is also incorporating Lawo Power Core units for DSP processing and expanded I/O connectivity, compatible with AES67, MADI, analog, AES3, and Dante® sources. Sky Sport has chosen the VSM system (Virtual Studio Manager) for broadcast control, offering comprehensive control and workflow solutions for IP-based broadcasting.
Selection Criteria and Decision-Making The decision to select Lawo’s equipment followed a proof-of-concept session with multiple manufacturers. Sky Sport opted for the diamond broadcast console, the VisTool graphical software interface, and VSM, introduced in late 2021. This choice was influenced by Sky Sport’s goal to streamline workflows and fully utilize their new backbone infrastructure with VSM.
Focus on Integration and Scalability Christian Barth emphasized the need for high technological integration and scalability. The selected mixing consoles are versatile, covering a range from mono voice-overs to Dolby Atmos productions and are user-friendly. Florian Hennig highlighted the consoles’ compatibility with Sky Sport’s audio-processing stack and their ability to handle diverse timing challenges in remote production scenarios.
Streamlining Operations and Monitoring Chris Hermann and Wolfgang Götz’s design aims to combine several functions for efficiency. The new system allows one console to handle up to four sports events, a significant improvement over the previous one-sport-per-console limitation. A dedicated monitoring control room, equipped with a Power Core unit, will centralize information and manage intercom systems.
Implementation Timeline and Training After finalizing system selection, workflow definition, and technical implementation, extensive training was conducted in late 2023. Full installation and commissioning are planned for 2024. The new system will operate alongside the existing infrastructure until the transition is complete.
Project Reflection and In-House Expertise Development
Christian Barth noted that preparing for the installation took about a year, including setting up and understanding the new infrastructure and VSM control. Wolfgang Götz emphasized the importance of in-house expertise, which Lawo supported through extensive training and support during the project.
News source: https://lawo.com/
