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The pandemic and economic recession continue to reshape TV production and the television industry. During the pandemic, the entire TV industry was forced to turn towards remote production. If before 2020 industry stakeholders were aware of all the pros and cons of remote production, then in 2021 they all decided to ignore the cons, adapted and benefited from its advantages.
In the vast majority of cases, the remote production was based on H.264/265 codecs and streaming protocols like SRT, RTMP, RTSP, etc. Such solutions worked fine in those cases where video delivery time was not crucial. Some of the solutions are still in use today, even though pandemic-related restrictions have already been removed in many countries. This can serve as proof that these solutions were really needed and matched the price/performance expectations of users.
When it comes to sports video production, one of the most important parts of the modern TV world, solutions based on Long GOP MPEG-based codecs and SRT, RTMP, RTSP protocols are not suitable for use in live broadcasts because of the high latency. Using SRT/H.264 is a good example. For comfortable operation with relatively unnoticeable latency, both with control interfaces and with live two-way communication, the latency should not exceed 300 milliseconds. In fact, working with interfaces, a comfortable latency, determined by human physiology, is no more than 150 milliseconds.
In this case, a simple enough solution seems to use an intra frame codec, preferably with line-by-line coding. Such a codec is JPEG-XS, which is characterised by a very low latency: up to 32 lines. However, on the other hand, being a lightweight codec, it has a low compression rate and, therefore, a larger stream.
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The idea and development of remote workplace technology began quite a long time ago. For optimal locations of the video referee workplace and the server, a proprietary system for a remote workplace was developed. It included a Full HD referee monitor with a remote console connected to a Linux-driven box. The server and remote workplace were connected using standard IP technology via gigabit LAN. When sports leagues wanted to have a centralised location capable of remotely serving sports arenas, this solution had to be modernised.
First of all, the DCT-based i-frame codec was replaced by H.264 compression, significantly reducing video data flow, which allowed for painless switching from LAN to internet. It also defined the criteria for comfortable operation of the system – ping should not exceed 200 milliseconds.
In this case the video referee does not feel the difference between working remotely or on site. (The 300 milliseconds ping is the maximum value for comfortable work). In order to meet the requirements of football VAR systems, the next step in the development of the technology was providing the signal for two monitors in the command centre from the server.
In fact, from this moment on, the technology has become fully capable of setting up a remote replay operator workplace for sports broadcasts. A Linux-driven box, which is the basis of a remote workplace, two monitors, a keyboard, a replay remote console and a high-speed internet with acceptable ping are all you need now to enable the replay operator to work from any place.
The work is possible even if ping is high enough. In this case it is recommended to do replays using GPIO interfaces.
How does it benefit the user?
During the pandemic, broadcasting companies are able to continue working while reducing the number of staff present in the studio, OB van or at the broadcast site. It also reduces the possibility of infecting personnel or those people staff come into contact with on the way to the workplace. The only requirement at the moment is to provide a fast internet connection with minimal ping from the arena to the operator’s location.
Another benefit is avoiding the usually limited space in OB vans. Sometimes it is just impossible to provide two large monitors for each replay operator. In the case of remote replay production, it is easy to place two monitors of any size at the operator’s location, while the operator works in comfortable conditions.
With this set up, the same replay functions remain available for broadcasters as with all members of the creative team in person, however the requirements for remote work are observed, there is no need to come to the studio or to the site, travel expenses are reduced.
Does this technology have a future?
This technology is not just a temporary solution while there are limitations; it will not lose its relevance after the pandemic. The idea of sending employees to remote work to reduce traffic volume, reduce costs associated with flights and hotel accommodation, rental of large OB vans, office maintenance, payment for business trips for staff is not new.
It is also worth understanding that remote replay production provides the possibility of using the same operator on the same day on two or more different events taking place in different parts of the world.
The pandemic unexpectedly contributed to making a huge step forward in remote workflow and creating the necessary infrastructure in various industries.
Switching to remote replay production allows making broadcasting and video-refereeing more cost-effective without sacrificing quality and operational speed.
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The international governing body for the sport of amateur wrestling, United World Wrestling (UWW) has selected slomo.tv as its technology partner for video-refereeing in all its matches.
Based in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland, UWW includes representatives from 176 national federations and its duties include overseeing wrestling at the Olympics. It presides over international competitions for various forms of wrestling, including Greco-Roman wrestling, freestyle wrestling for men and women, as well as others.
For the last two years, UWW has been cooperating with slomo.tv on implementation of video-refereeing at its international competitions. To date, the systems have been deployed at more than 20 world competitions and will be used for Olympic cycle through 2024.
After making the decision to implement video-refereeing, UWW tested systems from various manufacturers before selecting the videoReferee®-SR. The system's compact size and lightweight was a significant factor needed to transport between competitions in many different parts of the world.
Greco-Roman, freestyle and women's wrestling competitions have unique features, so the requirements for video judging differ from other sports, such as ice hockey, basketball and handball that use the technology. It is frequent for competitions to have simultaneous matches on nearby mats, so the video-refereeing system needs to cover two mats, each with four cameras. In response, slomo.tv modified the videoReferee®-SR system, designed to work with 8 HD cameras, adding the ability to cover two independent matches with four cameras each by one compact 1U server.
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Slomo.tv, a leading manufacturer of slow-motion instant replay servers and video refereeing solutions reports that the worldwide implementation of video-refereeing into various sports continues to gain momentum. Recently, the international swimming federation, FINA, has implemented video-refereeing technology in water polo in search of fair play and error-free refereeing in international tournaments.
After testing various solutions slomo.tv was selected as the preferred technology provider. The company markets complete video-refereeing solutions, including specialized servers and cameras, and has extensive experience in video-refereeing in a range of different sports. The result of long-term cooperation between FINA and Slomo.tv is the creation of a complete solution for water polo by adapting Slomo's videoReferee®-SR system and developing specialized mini vR-Cam cameras for use in water sports.
"Slomo.tv is actively working with international leagues and federations to meet the needs of every sport and to provide affordable systems in response to the growing demand" said Igor Vitiorets, CTO of slomo.tv.
According to the requirements of FINA Technical Water Polo Committee, the hardware component of the video-refereeing system should include a compact server capable of supporting eight channels of incoming video with 3G resolution (1920x1080 50p) and intuitive, easy to install cameras.
FINA's Technical Water Polo Committee chose Slomo's videoReferee®-SR system with mini vR-Cam cameras. The compact 1U system meets the League's technical requirements for supporting eight 3G channels, and in addition it enables simultaneous 4-channel search and playback at various speeds. To suppress the water light glares and improve image quality the cameras include polarization filters.
The video-refereeing system was pre-tested in real competition environments at the FINA Men's Water Polo World League Super Final 2019 tournament in Belgrade. As part of the testing, slomo.tv’s specialists provided training. In a short period of time, the referees gained sufficient theoretical and practical experience to work the system at the matches with minimal support.
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Slomo.tv will introduce a new entry level model of its Video Assistant Referee solution at the 2019 NAB Show, videoReferee®-ST.
Said to be the market’s most affordable VAR system, the compact system – even in this base configuration – meets all FIFA/IFAB requirements for VAR at an attractive price of $39,950.
Built on the success of its fully-featured predecessor, videoReferee®-ST represents a technology evolution that makes sport video refereeing less expensive for professional sports teams. The obligatory use of video judging VAR systems in major soccer tournaments, such as the World/European Championships and the Champions League has spurred many vendors to develop VAR products.
Since 2007, slomo.tv server solutions for video judging have been successfully used in various sports such as ice hockey, basketball and canoe racing. In each application, slomo.tv is recognised for its ease of intuitive simple operation with international sports leagues and federations including the Continental Hockey League, United World Wrestling and the International Handball Federation.
A critical factor in deterring VAR installations in the majority of soccer championships at any level and any league is the budget constraint. So, Slomo.tv has addressed this market need by designing a new affordable system, videoReferee®-ST. Having 12 SDI video inputs it meets the minimum FIFA/IFAB VAR requirements of supporting at least eight cameras, one of which is High Speed. The system includes a SuperMotion option which allows configuration with SSM cameras. Super speed cameras are used in working with difficult, controversial moments in which resolution of 60 phases of movement per second is not enough and therefore having at least one such camera in the VAR system is very important.
As with videoReferee®-FC and all large slomo.tv VAR systems, videoReferee®-ST has an adjustable input delay for the referee’s monitor, multiviewer and special buttons for the VAR and RO (red, green and blue). The system supports gesture control via the touchscreen referee monitor and also provides SDI Output for the replay review area (RRA) monitor on the side of the playing field and broadcasters.
Also available is a hardware option for working with Vokkero intercoms and a virtual offside line option. These options are not currently mandatory.
When it is necessary to increase the number of input channels, users can expand the capabilities of the system to 16 inputs by purchasing an additional license. Also, the system can have the optional second workplace for VAR assistant (AVAR). The second workplace allows two replay operators (RO) to simultaneously and independently work with different questionable moments or on the same moment with different camera angles. This can significantly speed up the referring process – one RO works with VAR, the other one – with AVAR.
The four graphical system outputs provide flexibility in organising any configuration of interfaces. This compact server is 4U, 56sm and weighs 19.5kg.
