Broadcasting Center Europe (BCE), Level 3 communications and Sony teamed up to demonstrate a 4K Live production broadcasting spanning 320 km from Amsterdam to Luxembourg over IP during the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) 2014. The Ultra High Definition (UHD) transmission at a 50p rate broadcast demo was setup using state-of-the-art equipment from Sony and fiber links from Level 3 Communications, while BCE configured the production platform and studio in Luxembourg.
Luxemberg-based BCE, a major European player providing technical services in the fields of TV, radio, telecommunications and IT said that the live 4k/50p UHD production over IP demonstrated bi-directional transmission of 4K signals including audio and real-time remote control (pan, tilt and zoom) with no latency and delay.
According to BCE, the successful demo opens a new era for live video production and for broadcasters, increasing mobility and flexibility as well as reducing production costs, since live video transmission over IP cuts down staffing as well as equipment, trucks and cabling requirements.
Gusty Feinen, Manager of New Technologies at BCE
We see live over IP as a real game-changer, since it provides broadcasters with a potent combination of format flexibility, creative control and ‘access-from-anywhere’ mobility. We think this technology will play a significant role over the coming months and years as live broadcasters increasingly look today to Video-over-IP solutions as a differentiator today and to 4K in near future,while still aiming to keep their costs and logistical operations to a manageable level.
Patrick Bernard, Head of Technical Services at BCE
With this 4K live production over IP, BCE continues to demonstrate its expertise in finding and testing new solutions for the future of broadcasting. Technology is in constant evolution and it is important that our customers would be the first informed about new strengths to serve their audience thus minimizing their infrastructure costs..
