Sony/Nevion, distributed in Italy by CVE, Communication Video Engineering, expanded the capabilities of Virtuoso in 2024 by introducing low-latency H.265/HEVC encoding and decoding, optimising workflows for high quality and low bitrate.
Additionally, the software-defined media node saw enhanced versatility with new signal processing capabilities.
Also noteworthy is the launch of Virtuoso UplinX 100G, an add-on module designed to enable scalable aggregation of IP streams.
Product Innovations
On the VideoIPath front, new cloud routing functionalities were added with dynamic processing resources, supporting smooth hybrid production. Broadcast control capabilities were significantly improved, ensuring major commercial success.
Revolutionary Projects
Sony/Nevion executed large-scale projects for global sporting events, which cannot be disclosed due to contractual reasons. Among the most innovative projects are the redefinition of NRK’s live production workflows and Riot Games’ pioneering “follow-the-sun” production model.
Sony/Nevion at IBC 2024: Innovation and Sustainability at the Forefront
IBC 2024 was a great success for Nevion, showcasing its latest advancements at Sony’s dedicated stand. Key highlights include:
Product Innovations:
• Virtuoso: New features such as HEVC codec, audio improvements, and 100G aggregation were introduced.
• VideoIPath: Major updates included advanced broadcast control, hybrid orchestration, and live metrics.
• eMerge SDN Media Fabric: Announcement of the upcoming version with 400G capabilities.
Focus on Sustainability:
“A key aspect of the presentation,” emphasised Luca Catalano, CEO of CVE, Communication Video Engineering, “was the commitment to sustainability. The standby modes of Virtuoso and eMerge can reduce energy consumption by up to 80%, demonstrating a clear focus on energy efficiency.”
Technological Focus:
Sony/Nevion explored the implications of the innovations, including:
• The impact of HEVC on content transport, including 5G and remote production.
• “Ground-to-cloud” workflows offering flexible resource orchestration and real-time monitoring.
These advancements strengthen Nevion and Sony’s position in shaping the future of the broadcast industry.
In 2024, Nevion also outlined “Dynamic Bandwidth Optimisation for 5G Live TV Production,” bringing it to life with Deutsche Telekom’s proof of concept (PoC).
The use of mobile technology in broadcasting, simplifying camera connections and enabling unprecedented mobility, has garnered significant interest.
Luca Catalano adds:
“5G networks, whether public or private, are particularly compelling for real-time television production, thanks to their high bandwidth and low latency. Specifically, regarding ‘Production with 5G,’ we at Sony/Nevion, together with CVE and other partners, are actively experimenting in Italy. We anticipate these technologies will soon gain traction in production environments.”
The Challenge:
To be viable for live production, mobile networks must reliably transport video signals from all cameras with millisecond-level latency. Despite the high performance of 5G networks, challenges remain that ongoing trials aim to address.
Real-time data transmission often exceeds network capacity: an uncompressed HD video signal requires over 3 Gbps, with many productions using multiple cameras, often at higher resolutions. Additionally, the “best effort” nature of IP networks like 5G is not ideal for reliable video transport with consistent latency.
The Solution:
The solution, tested as part of Deutsche Telekom’s PoC in Krakow, Poland, and presented at the 2024 Mobile World Congress, addresses these challenges. Building on previous collaborations, it incorporates Sony/Nevion’s ultra-low-latency HEVC compression technology, compressing video by approximately 1:200 within milliseconds, allowing multiple high-quality video streams to fit within the 5G bandwidth.
The solution also integrates Nevion’s VideoIPath media network orchestration platform, dynamically adjusting QoS on the RAN via Deutsche Telekom’s CAMARA Quality on Demand (QoD) APIs, prioritising video signals over other traffic or specific live streams.
In 2025, CVE and Sony will continue to assess the outcomes of these experiments.
Conclusion:
This collaborative project demonstrates the potential of 5G networks for multi-camera productions, offering simplified connectivity and enhanced mobility essential for broadcasters. For Deutsche Telekom, it represents a strong example of the potential of third-party applications leveraging their network APIs.
INFO: nevion.com
INFO: cve-italy.com
Synopsis:
Collaboration between Sony and Deutsche Telekom: demonstrating the viability of 5G networks for efficient, low-latency multi-camera live productions.Tags:
#5Gbroadcast #Sony #DeutscheTelekom #VideoIPath #HEVC #Virtuoso #eMerge #Broadcast #RemoteProduction #Sustainability
