NEP partners with Lawo for OB Hubs
Published: ASIA
AUSTRALIA: Lawo has entered into an agreement with NEP Australia which sees the German manufacturer serve as a key technology partner for the outsourced broadcast production solutions provider’s new IP-enabled production ‘Hubs’ in Sydney and Melbourne. The Hubs are expected to go live in March 2018 and will reportedly create the world’s largest network of production facilities and enable multiple concurrent outside broadcasts.
Each Hub will allow for remote, distributed production and accommodate the majority of a production team while cameras and microphones will be located at the broadcasted event’s venue. NEP has designed them specifically with large multi-camera sports broadcasts in mind.
Lawo’s involvement will result in the rollout of its V_matrix platform, the Virtual Studio Manager (VSM) control and monitoring solution and theWall multiviewer control tool across the network. In addition, mc296 audio consoles will be installed in six control rooms, while the deal also incorporates the supply of audio and IP processing equipment, including four mc256 consoles, for four new OB trucks as well as the upgrade of seven vehicles in NEP’s existing fleet.
‘We were looking for a flexible and virtualised environment based on IP that would be agile enough for all our sporting codes, scalable for any size project, and integrate well with audio and communications,’ detailed Marc Segar, director of technology at NEP. ‘The deep integration with VSM means we can use the networked capabilities of the Lawo video and audio product lines and also seamlessly integrate with other manufacturers. Another major plus is Lawo’s systems share the common control panels and interfaces that our operators are used to, so it’s no different for staff delivering the events.’
Lawo CEO Philipp Lawo also commented: ‘We are looking forward to delivering on NEP’s vision on this pioneering project and in close cooperation with our local partner, Professional Audio and Television (PAT).’