Broadcasters today face a staggering lack of resources – financial, equipment and human. Even large companies are struggling, and for smaller TV productions, participating in the market today is even more daunting. Many different constraints arise from resource scarcity.
For example, for a broadcaster using a standard OB van it is sometimes impossible to provide dedicated workstations for two or three replay operators. Renting or outfitting a larger OB van with enough workstations requires a significant investment.
Another common situation is that a replay operator usually needs to travel to a distant broadcast location, so it's impossible to get the same operator to cover different events in different areas on the same day. As a result, the TV company has to employ more operators and fund their business trips to the production sites every time there is an event to be broadcast, which is quite costly.
To provide a solution to many of the challenges posed by scarce resources, SLOMO.TV offers a new remote production option that allows operators to work over the Internet while being physically distant from the server. The new feature is available on all modern systems and only requires an internet connection.
For replay, video refereeing and VAR systems, it is critical that the remote interface ensures low latency and fast response. Software developed by SLOMO.TV provides a delay of just 0.1 sec for remote production over long distances without the need for external devices or third-party software. The software itself is a thin client that runs on any average modern PC.
There are a lot of possible applications for remote production:
- Separation of the equipped OB van from the staff – the server can be installed in the OB van and the production crew's workplaces can be in a nearby room, event venue, or their own homes, as long as there is a stable internet connection.
Running the workflow over the internet means there is no need to spend extra money on a larger OB van or staff travel. With remote production, fewer operators are needed, as a single specialist can cover multiple events at different venues on the same day.
As the most compact systems in the world, SLOMO.TV servers also free up space in the OB van for other equipment, allowing the use of smaller vehicles. - Hybrid VAR solution. The hybrid solution allows the Video Operation Room (VOR) and VAR team workstations to be set up outside the competition venue, wherever a stable broadband internet connection is available, while the server remains in place.
The VAR team can use the control panel, the referee buttons, the keyboard and the mouse to manage the system from the remote VOR or from the VAR center. If there are additional monitors available, the server can transmit not only the operator interface, but also a Multiviewer and the Main Camera, making the remote VOR fully functional. - Sports league supervisors can now work independently of the arena and VAR center staff with the user interface connected to their office computer, PC or laptop.
The supervisor's PC becomes the 2nd/3rd/4th remote workplace running on the SLOMO.TV video server installed at the competition venue. League supervisors can interact with the video feed like any other fully functional user, without interfering with the work of the arena and VOR staff. - The possibility of remote Academy training.
Today, due to a lack of educational resources, there is a shortage of broadcasting professionals. Academy is our system-based solution for the development and growth of your broadcast team.
Trainees can connect to our Academy server, which provides training and educational materials necessary to master the competencies of a TV production or VAR team member. SLOMO.TV instructors are available online to help you learn how to operate our systems. All you need to use the Academy at home or in the office is the control panel and a PC connected to the internet. - There is no need to travel to the SLOMO.TV office to get a demo of our systems anymore. An online demonstration option allows the customer to test our key system features while being guided by our specialists.
The rapid evolution of remote workflows has been underway for several years, and the pandemic unexpectedly helped to accelerate the creation of the necessary infrastructure in various industries, including TV production. The use of remote production for both TV broadcasting and video refereeing is a cost-effective solution without sacrificing quality or operational speed.
