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TORRANCE, CA (June 15, 2017) – "Cybersport is winning eyeballs across the globe. Analysts estimate that it will gain parity in viewing audiences with regular sporting events by the end of 2018. And no wonder, besides the magnetic attraction of gaming, an average person without outstanding physical abilities can easily become a top cybersport performer," said Yegor Voronin, General Manager of Moscow-based production company, LiveSignal.Ru. Voronin was speaking after the announcement that his production company has selected Slomo.tv to provide its BlackJack AT/3G replay servers for this summer's Warface Championship, one of Europe's leading cybersport events.
Any major sports broadcast needs action replays and cybersport is no exception. However, cybersport broadcasting places special demands on the event producers. Whereas most conventional TV broadcasts utilize interlace scan systems, cybersport works exclusively with progressive scan and requires 3G SDI signals. As a result, broadcasters must use 3G SDI systems or employ additional HDMI or DVI converters to 3G SDI.
LiveSignal.Ru, the broadcaster of the Warface Championships in Moscow, has selected Slomo.tv's BlackJack AT/3G servers to provide all replays during its programs. "Slomo.tv was the obvious choice for cybersport replays: powerful, easy to operate and compact, it fulfils all our needs and allows us to make significant savings in equipment and staff costs," explains Yegor Voronin.
Besides its ability to support progressive scan images, another key factor in LiveSignal's selection of BlackJack AT/3G is the relatively large number of 3G SDI replay channels that it offers. Blackjack provides 12 replay channels compared with other systems which offer just four 3G SDI replay channels. This capability translates to a need for just one replay operator instead of two or three, which is commonplace with other systems.
Also, a built-in multiviewer function of the BlackJack AT/3G enables the broadcast’s editor to sit alongside the replay operator and monitor in real-time the entire game, quickly and efficiently creating replays.
In addition, BlackJack AT/3G provides a unique feature: automatic playlist creation from instant replays. With this functionality, the two-person team can quickly prepare analysis of each game in the form of playlists for presentation after each round of the tournament.
Another factor influencing LiveSignal’s decision is the form factor of the BlackJack AT/3G server. It occupies 4U of rack space and weighs 21kg, compared with conventional 18U systems, which weigh over 100kg, so space, power consumption and transportation costs are minimized. In addition, BlackJack requires one operator to work with all 12 channels, whilst 266 hours of SSD HD video storage allows all the content shot over the three days of the tournament to be stored within the server. Newly developed system architecture and the availability of four video ports provide the user with significant scope to create the optimum 3G video workflows for their productions with no additional equipment requirements.
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Slomo.tv, a supplier of server-based video recording and replay systems, has provided its new Dominator AT/3G production servers to the Kazakhstan state broadcaster. The servers provide content record, storage and replay facilities to the televising of the Astana-based international exhibition, EXPO 2017, which is currently underway.
With 115 participant countries and over two million visitors predicted to attend, the EXPO 2017 takes on great political as well as cultural significance in the central Asian region. Televising the EXPO 2017 opening ceremony posed significant challenges for host Broadcaster – Kazakhstan Public TV & Radio Corporation, and its flagship TV channel, 'Kazakhstan'. The first was one of scale: the opening ceremony involved several hundred actors and special effects, and included Kazakhstan President Nazarbaev welcoming exhibitors and participants to the event.
Another significant challenge presented itself in terms of restricted opportunities for rehearsal of the opening ceremony. There were very few occasions for the artistic teams and TV production teams to rehearse together. The cost and logistical challenges prevented several re-takes, but with Slomo.tv’s Dominator AT/3G servers the broadcaster’s team could "turn the clock back" and review the live material to select the best camera positions, focus, shot sequences and many other parameters. The broadcaster used a Dominator feature called ‘The Academy’. This software-based option enables the Dominator system operator to synchronously replay and mark all recorded channels in order to choose the best shots to be included within the live broadcast stream.
During the rehearsal, two Dominator servers took live feeds from 16 HD production cameras. Immediately after capturing content the production director and producer could replay and mark up all the streams to create the best combination of shots. Also, this facility provided the broadcaster with a backup copy of all of the opening ceremony for contingency purposes.
Introduced at NAB 2017, each Dominator AT/3G server system provides SSD storage of 266 hours of 100mbit HD video. At EXPO 2017, this large storage capacity enabled the production team to record and store several days filming material with no need for back-up the material to external storage systems. As well as recording up to 12 3G SDI video channels, Dominator AT/3G can simultaneously replay any channel with smooth speed control. An embedded multi-viewer provides ultra-fast access to all recorded material on both HDMI and/or SDI output.
"With Dominator servers we created a opportunity to train and rehearse the entire team from directors and cameramen through to replay system operators," commented Eduard Tkachenko, Head of Technology for the Ceremony Videoproduction EXPO 2017. "With Slomo.tv technology we've managed to find the best camera combination and create within a live broadcast a 'presence feeling' for our audience around the Globe".
Dominator AT/3G
Representing the next generation Slomo.tv's multichannel 3G/HD/SD video recording server system, Dominator AT/3G was introduced at NAB 2017. The compact server system enables advanced slow motion and instant replay capabilities as well as direct recording for editing 'on site'. Dominator AT/3G supports up to 10 3G/HD/SD channels in replay mode, four playback channels and powerful search capabilities on up to 10 channels without disrupting the core recording and playback functions. In 'record for editing mode' this server system can record up to 12 channels of HD/SD video.
The new AT/3G line offers enhanced replay capabilities, where two operators can work simultaneously on the same unit. Since the system has four independent graphic outputs each operator can work on the main GUI and a separate multi-viewer monitor simultaneously. In replay mode, the operator can display up to six recording channels and two video playback channels, as well as having access to five channels for clip marking and playlist editing.
Importantly, when operating in SuperMo mode, the new Dominator AT/3G can simultaneously support three Sony, Hitachi or GVG 3X Super Motion and one ISO cameras, or alternatively two Panasonic 4X Super Motion AK-H5000 plus two regular ISO cameras.
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With a recent software update slomo.tv has added a new feature to its videoReferee®
judging system for displaying scoreboard data during replay. In order to make the scoreboard available to the judges a selected portion of the scoreboard can be included as a Picture In Picture (PIP) during search and playback. This image can be selected from any recording channel containing the scoreboard or from a separate channel dedicated to scoreboard recording.
VideoReferee, which was recently used as the main video judging system during the IHF 2017 Handball World Championships in France, has added this important feature following the demands of the video judges.
During most competitions where video-assisted judging is used the videoReferee® system is usually connected to the arena scoreboard controller for receiving the pertinent data (time, period, score, etc.). Quite often there are situations when, for some reason, such direct connection cannot be accomplished but are critical for synchronising video and scoreboard timing. A typical example is judging the validity of a throw in basketball at the end-of-shot clock. Only if the throw was made before the end of this time-slot is the throw valid.
In order to deal with such situations a new feature is added to videoReferee® – displaying a selected portion of the scoreboard as a PIP during search and playback. The operator will select the scoreboard area to be displayed at system setup. During playback/search of any channel this part of the scoreboard will be displayed in the corner of the screen.
For systems with a limited number of channels (videoReferee® -B, -Jr. or -SR) there is a special Scoreboard Camera Option, providing an additional external input channel via the USB interface. Any camera with SDI or HDMI output or even consumer camcorders can be used to capture the scoreboard.
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Fremont, CA - October 08, 2016 - Blackmagic Design today announced that its DeckLink Quad 2, DeckLink 4K Pro and UltraStudio 4K Extreme capture and playback devices are used with Slomo.tv Inc.’s sports officiating system, videoReferee®. The system has become hugely popular with broadcasters and sports leagues, including the recent Rio Summer Olympics. Slomo.tv’s videoReferee®-IIM3 system, which is based around three DeckLink Quad 2 cards, was used to judge canoe competitions at the Rio games, and the DeckLink Quad 2’s real-time performance was a key feature.
Slomo.tv is a manufacturer of high quality multi-channel professional video recording products, including the popular videoReferee® line: a specialized multi-channel system for officiating sport events, providing a way to resolve complicated game situations and creating a video document of an entire event. The system also works with official time, score and game logs from scoreboard control systems and is used as part of sports events and broadcasts around the globe.
At NAB 2016, Slomo.tv introduced the videoReferee®-4, a new family of products that includes the world's first 16/18 channel sports video judging systems. Slomo.tv builds each videoReferee®-4/4G/4K around two DeckLink Quad 2 and a DeckLink 4K Pro PCIe cards, which provide the real-time capture and playback performance needed by sports officials and broadcasters as they make split-second decisions. Slomo.tv also introduced a new model of its all-in-one videoReferee®-Jr. based around the DeckLink Quad 2, which captures up to eight cameras in real time.
Many popular sports are now switching to video refereeing technologies for decision-making in contentious situations. The most notable is the transition to video assistant refereeing in soccer.
At the FIFA seminar recently held in Zurich, the referees were introduced to this technology with the Slomo.tv videoRefere®-4A server. It differs from the systems presented at NAB by having additional HDMI/SDI video output based on the Thunderbolt and PCIe-based UltraStudio 4K Extreme, which allows output to HD video via SDI and HDMI outputs simultaneously.
"We have been using Blackmagic Design boards for more than 11 years. Our very first replay server was based on one of the first DeckLink models, and we have been using the DeckLink technology ever since,” said Igor Vitiorets, CTO of Slomo.tv. “Throughout the years of working with Blackmagic Design, we know that Blackmagic will always make precisely the boards we need. When we first saw the DeckLink Quad 2, we were able to come up with the design for the new and videoReferee®-Jr. We are grateful to Blackmagic for being at the forefront of industry needs."
DeckLink Quad 2 is a high performance capture and playback solution that puts the power of eight DeckLink cards onto a single circuit board that plugs into a single PCI Express slot. It provides four independent capture and playback channels, but also four extra channels that developers, such as Slomo.tv, can use for configuring the card in any combination of up to eight capture or eight playback channels. The DeckLink 4K Pro is a PCIe capture and playback card with advanced 12G-SDI for working in SD, HD, Ultra HD and 4K DCI at up to 60 frames per second.
videoReferee®-IIM3 system, which is based around three DeckLink Quad 2 cards, was recently used for judging canoe competitions at the Olympic Games in Rio.
Press Photography
Product photos of DeckLink Quad 2, DeckLink 4K Pro and UltraStudio 4K Extreme and all other Blackmagic Design products are available at www.blackmagicdesign.com.
About Slomo
Slomo.tv produces multichannel recording and instant replay systems for live production and recognized around the world specialized systems «videoReferee®» for sport video judging.
The company’s products include budget «Arrow», the most compact «Simple R» and powerful 4K servers for 2/3/4 4K inputs. Slomo.tv systems provide simultaneously up to 24 channels continues recording, search on one or all channels, replay of 2 channels with transitions and parallel recording in native NLE format of HD video and SD proxy.
About Blackmagic Design
Blackmagic Design creates the world’s highest quality video editing products, digital film cameras, color correctors, video converters, video monitoring, routers, live production switchers, disk recorders, waveform monitors and real time film scanners for the feature film, post production and television broadcast industries. Blackmagic Design’s DeckLink capture cards launched a revolution in quality and affordability in post production, while the company’s Emmy™ award winning DaVinci color correction products have dominated the television and film industry since 1984. Blackmagic Design continues ground breaking innovations including 6G-SDI and 12G-SDI products and stereoscopic 3D and Ultra HD workflows. Founded by world leading post production editors and engineers, Blackmagic Design has offices in the USA, UK, Japan, Singapore and Australia. For more information, please go to www.blackmagicdesign.com.
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As entertainment, sports, fashion, science, food and more info-junkies, people are fast using video as a quick, easy way to satisfy their needs to stay informed and connected about the things they care about. Whether viewing via the internet, TV or mobile devices—video is a part of everyday life. And how do you make it an excellent experience for millions of viewers?
Video solution providers are vying in this space to deliver real-time, reliable content available everywhere, and at high-quality with brilliant colors and immersive experiences—all with an efficiency that allows room for profits, innovation, growth, and more reach. And sports is the perfect place to show this evidence.
Open the hood to see how it’s done, and you’ll see it’s all driven by computing—from data centers to encoders/decoders, to edge devices. This is where Intel® Xeon® processors with built-in media accelerators best fit the bill for performance, coupled with Intel’s media software tools to speed video transcoding, deliver efficient/high-density streaming, and help video solution vendors build competitive features for their products and services. Video acceleration is fast growing with game-changing results in the world of sports—below is a key example of just how.
Innovation by Design, Technology provides Video Replay Advantage
We all remember viscerally that one play where the referee got the game-changing call wrong and our favorite team lost the competition. It’s human error. It happens. But it doesn’t need to anymore. Now, new solutions with the latest Intel technologies can help resolve challenging referee decision moments with fast, high-quality specialized video replay systems.
Slomo.tv, a producer of instant replay servers, innovated a family of videoReferee® that provide instant high-quality video replays from up to 18 cameras direct to referee viewing systems—allowing it to join the sports competition sidelines.
Built with Intel® Xeon® processors (E3-1500 v5) for extreme processing power, and optimized by Intel® Media Server Studio software for fast, high-quality video transcoding helped the company transform its solutions, which are being used around the world.
In addition to the server and video cameras placed around the sports play area, the system includes a monitor and an easy-to-use control panel that any referee can learn in less than an hour. Video can be reviewed in Quad mode simultaneously from 4 cameras at different angles, in slow motion, or using zoom function for objective, error-free gameplay analysis.
Helping Referees across a Diversity of Sports
Sports organizations like Kontinental Hockey League; basketball leagues in Korea, Russia, and Lithuania; and even canoe racing at the Rio Olympics in 2016 took notice of videoReferee®—using it to help get their sports judging right. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is also testing similar systems for possible use in its worldwide football (known as soccer in some parts of the world) competitions.
What makes slomo.tv’s solution different from those offered by other video solution providers and manufacturers, is how it manages video compression. By using Intel’s Media Server Studio (a tool suite that provides the Intel® Media SDK, runtimes, and advanced analysis tools for media, video and broadcast application development), to optimize, accelerate and compress its video streams, the company sees flexibility and an efficiency advantage over traditional hardware-only designs to manage that function.
Slomo.tv CTO Igor Vitiorets says, "Without the Intel® Media SDK, we could not have created our innovative video replay and server products now in use worldwide, as it was the cornerstone for our software development and innovation."
Today, instant replays are in the center of sports. What could be ahead? Providing fans and sports consumers a more in-depth, insightful view of key support sports decision-making process than available today, or even more immersive virtual reality views on-the-spot.
