Fremont, CA – November 24, 2021 – Blackmagic Design today announced that live sports specialist Specmedia has upgraded its production capabilities with an Ultra HD OB truck built around ATEM production switchers and URSA Broadcast.
Designed to expand and enhance Specmedia’s partnership with the Football Federation of Belarus, the HD and 4K capable OB truck is used to broadcast fixtures for both the men’s leagues and women’s championships.
“We have worked closely with the federation for some years now and had ambitious plans for the season ahead as to how we might enhance the viewers’ experience,” begins Dmitry Sergeev, chief executive at Specmedia. “That includes adding new camera positions behind the goals and at offside positions.”
“This became our springboard to move from our previous PPU set up, which we would have to build and configure at each match day venue, to a more comprehensive and flexible OB solution.”
Up to ten camera channels comprised of URSA Broadcast and Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K can now be deployed at each venue using a 10G SFP fiber network via Mini Converter Optical Fiber 12G converters and ATEM Talkback Converter 4K to transmit camera signals back to the truck’s Smart Videohub 20×20 router.
Operated by a five person crew, content is split out to the OB seats for program mixing, action replays and broadcast graphics. The match feed is vision mixed on an ATEM 1 M/E Production Studio 4K with ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel. Graphics and titles are added to PGM1, with PGM2 providing a backup and then sent to broadcast encoders via SRT or RTMP.
“Our transmission format is typically 1080p50, as much of our coverage is for online delivery, where progressive scan is the standard requirement,” continues Dmitry. “When we are required to provide something for the network broadcasters, we convert to interlaced using Teranex standard converters.”
The OB truck also supports tournaments for the Belarus Ice Hockey Association and Belarusian Boxing Federation and various conferences and concerts.
“Flexibility was vital, as was the ability to set up quickly, so we configured the OB in a way that allows us to connect to any broadcast point, at any indoor or outdoor venue, anywhere in the country,” explains Dmitry. “We’ve even built in three different options to power the OB for added flexibility.”
“Basing our solution around a Blackmagic Design workflow means we have been able to implement a powerful yet cost effective OB that gives our clients access to high end production capabilities,” concludes Dmitry. “As a workflow, it is straightforward and easy to operate, ensuring we can match our clients’ ambition and deliver great content.”
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.
