AVNation TV

Tag: Live Broadcasting

  • RED Digital Cinema Brings Groundbreaking Cine-Broadcast Module to IBC V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X with Nikon Z Mount to make IBC Premiere

    RED Digital Cinema Brings Groundbreaking Cine-Broadcast Module to IBC V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X with Nikon Z Mount to make IBC Premiere

    RED Digital Cinema is set to showcase its new Cine-Broadcast Module at IBC 2025 in Amsterdam. The module brings cinematic, full-frame imagery into live broadcast workflows with advanced features like HDR/SDR 4K60P output, IP-based SMPTE ST 2110 streaming, and real-time 8K 120FPS R3D streaming. With seamless EVS server integration, producers can unlock powerful capabilities such as super-slow-motion, multi-camera color matching, and AI/ML-driven enhancements, all while maintaining broadcast reliability and compliance with industry standards.

    Alongside the broadcast innovation, RED will also debut its V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X cameras with Nikon Z Mount at IBC for the first time. The combination offers unmatched low-light performance, dynamic range, and autofocus capabilities, giving creators more flexibility in lens selection and cinematic storytelling. Visitors can explore RED’s latest solutions at stand #11C20A with partners Nikon and MRMC.

    RED DIGITAL CINEMA® will feature its latest breakthroughs in broadcasting technology at the 2025 International Broadcast Convention (IBC), held in Amsterdam from September 12–15. Conference-goers visiting RED (#11C20A) will see RED’s newest innovations demonstrated live and experience the unparalleled cinematic imagery of RED’s advanced camera lineup firsthand.

    RED’s Cine-Broadcast Module with Advanced Color Pipeline and EVS Integration Makes IBC Debut

    Bringing filmic, full-frame imagery to live-broadcast workflows worldwide, RED’s Cine-Broadcast Module supports live broadcasting of up to two channels of 4K 60P (HDR/SDR) via 12G-SDI and IP broadcasting compliant with SMPTE ST 2110 (TR-08) and up to a 4K 60P JPEG-XS feed. It features a robust LEMO SMPTE 311M/304M hybrid fiber optical cable connector linked to a rack-mountable 2U full rack or 4U half rack base station. The module further expands workflows with advanced slow motion, AI/ML enhancements, and real-time 8K 120FPS R3D streaming through the RED Connect license-enabled feature.

    Visitors to the stand will see the advanced Broadcast Color pipeline, which facilitates live painting of RED cameras in broadcast or streaming environments and allows for on-demand adjustments and multi-camera color matching using traditional broadcast controls. This latest functionality comes in a firmware update for RED’s V-RAPTOR XL and V-RAPTOR cameras and utilizes industry-standard RCPs to control painting parameters in real time over IP, while saving information per frame in the recorded file’s metadata.

    New this year, RED will showcase the Cine-Broadcast Module’s seamless integration with EVS’ XT-VIA® live production server, which allows broadcasters to enhance their workflows with up to 4x super-slow-motion at 4K and 8x at 1080p, while simultaneously delivering two baseband channels. This capability is powered by RED’s license-enabled RED Connect feature, which allows IP live streaming of R3Ds and unlocks advanced workflows, including real-time AI/ML augmentation and live-to-headset using 8K 120FPS R3Ds.

    The Cine Broadcast Module has recently been deployed on events broadcast by CBS Sports, NBC Sports Group, and MotoAmerica.

    “The evolution of RED’s Cine-Broadcast solution is redefining creative flexibility in live production,” said Jeff Goodman, vice president of product management. “Producers can now harness the visual power of large-format, cinematic storytelling within live content workflows—without sacrificing speed, reliability or standards compliance. It’s a seamless addition to the traditional broadcast ecosystem, offering a suite of advanced IP-based solutions within a single, integrated product. Whether it’s for sports, concerts, or live events, the Cine-Broadcast system opens new creative possibilities for productions around the world.”

    RED Cameras with Nikon Z Mount at IBC for the First Time

    IBC attendees will see the all-new RED V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X with Nikon’s premier Z Mount. The RED V-RAPTOR [X] features unmatched low-light performance, dynamic range, resolution, high frame rates, and an industry-leading 8K VV global shutter large-format sensor. RED’s KOMODO-X features a 6K S35 global shutter sensor and frame rates at 6K 80P and 4K 120P, all in a form factor measuring only 4x4x5 inches and 2.6 lbs. The Z Mount offers tremendous flexibility in lens selection and provides a comprehensive capture solution—from lens to sensor to codec. With a shallower flange depth and a wider diameter, the Nikon Z Mount supports lens designs with higher sharpness and superior aberration control. The Z lens delivers unrivaled low-light performance and edge-to-edge detail, as well as autofocus performance on both the V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X cameras.

    Visit RED on the show floor, stand #11C20A, alongside brand partners Nikon and Mark Roberts Motion Control (MRMC).

  • Elevating the Game: NBC Sports Enhances Audio Production with Dante

    Elevating the Game: NBC Sports Enhances Audio Production with Dante

    Sports broadcasting demands precision, reliability, and innovation, and few organizations exemplify this better than NBC Sports. Over the years, the network has consistently embraced cutting-edge technology to enhance its productions, delivering seamless coverage to millions of viewers. One of the most transformative technologies in their workflow has been Dante, an AV-over-IP platform designed for cross-brand compatibility, reliability, and efficiency.

    Introduced to NBC Sports in 2016, Dante has become the backbone of their audio and communication systems, revolutionizing how the network handles large-scale, complex productions. Dante empowers the network to push the boundaries of live broadcasting—from intercom systems to audio mixing, playing a crucial role in delivering seamless audio experiences for NBC Sports.

    Dante Networking 

    In 2016, the NBC Sports communications team made a decision to deploy a completely new technology for their intercom backbone. The OMNEO technology, developed by RTS Intercom Systems, combined Dante for audio networking and AES70 for control data. At the time, OMNEO was bleeding edge, and using it at high-profile events was a considerable risk, but it paid huge dividends.

    Afterwards, the communications team, led by John Pastore, NBC Sports’ Senior Director of Broadcast Communications, began integrating more Dante into their workflows, not just in their intercom systems but their audio systems as well. “In terms of bringing on new technology at NBC Sports, there is a very slow and cautious approach, which is typically how we like to do things,” said Pastore.

    Fast forward to today, where, for certain events, NBC Sports has rolled out 10 Dante-enabled audio systems engineered for reliability, flexibility, and ease of deployment. The setup for these types of events have included over 350 Dante-enabled devices, such as announcer consoles, analog-to-Dante converters, and high-density audio console I/O units. Together, Dante’s networked audio and built-in redundancy deliver robust and reliable performance, empowering NBC Sports’ teams to operate with confidence.

    The system has also at times featured 11 RTS Intercom systems that incorporated 140 Omneo keypanels, all tightly integrated with Dante to enable audio sharing between consoles, intercom systems, and engineering endpoints.

    Stamford Operations Center: Dante at the Core

    In Stamford, Connecticut, the NBC Sports Broadcast Operations Center produces coverage of events year-round. The Stamford facility has, at points, featured 100 Dante-enabled announcer consoles, and 18 high-density audio console I/O units, all integrated into the audio network. Fourteen Production Control Room intercom systems have used Dante as primary RTS trunking, enabling a dynamic and responsive production environment. In total, the global system has supported over 14,000 trunked intercom and audio resources—enabled by Dante’s unparalleled channel density and the management capabilities of Dante Domain Manager. Final program mixes have been produced using Calrec Apollo, Artemis, and Brio consoles, each outfitted with Dante connectivity to ensure smooth integration with the overall network.

    Analog to Dante: Scaling with Purpose

    NBC Sports’ Broadcast Operations Center now operates a vast Dante network of roughly 500 devices. But that figure only scratches the surface—the network includes numerous high-channel-count consoles and converters, totaling 10,000 Dante sources and 12,000 Dante destinations. The footprint continues to grow rapidly, as new control rooms come online, and legacy point-to-point audio interfaces are replaced with Dante. “That number will go up substantially,” said Pastore.

    Centralized Production, Distributed Flexibility

    This expansion is largely driven by the organization’s move to a Field Acquisition Unit (FAU) production model, with Dante playing a critical role in enabling this shift. The Stamford facility now includes 12 production control rooms, 15 audio control rooms, and two submix rooms—with additional buildouts happening on a regular basis. Under the FAU approach, mobile units deployed to events handle only signal acquisition, while core production tasks—video switching, audio mixing, graphics and replay are centralized at the Operations Center. “The success of our FAU model is reliant on the ease and repeatability we get from using the Dante infrastructure,” said Mike DiCrescenzo, NBC Sports’ Senior A1 & Audio Design Engineer.

    Modernizing Communications at the Core

    The transition from analog to Dante is especially evident in the Communications Machine Room, where legacy analog intercom systems now operate side by side with their Dante-based counterparts. The contrast is striking. Traditional racks filled with analog patchbays and multipin analog patch panels are steadily being replaced by modern setups featuring RTS Intercom ODIN frames and Cisco network switches. Bringing new intercom frames online has become significantly more efficient, requiring only a few network connections and familiar tools like RTS AZEdit and Dante Controller. “With Dante Controller, we can make a few clicks and drags, and our systems light up quickly,” said Niraj Patel, NBC Sports’ Broadcast Communications Engineer.

    Dante Network Control: Seamless Management at Scale

    Managing a Dante network of this scale requires advanced management and monitoring tools. To handle network segmentation, clocking, and the management of multiple subnets, NBC Sports deployed Dante Domain Manager. “Dante Domain Manager has been the only way we’ve been able to scale to meet our needs,” said Dave Meehl, NBC Sports’ Broadcast Communications Engineer.

    Given the complexity of the network and the number of operators involved in daily operations, the team needed to simplify some of the more intricate tasks. To achieve this, they deployed EVS’s Cerebrum broadcast control system, which makes API calls to Dante Domain Manager via Dante’s Managed API. This allows for real-time route changes without operators needing to interact with Dante Controller.

    To further optimize operations, control rooms across the facility are equipped with Densitron touch panels. These panels provide operators with intuitive XY routing capabilities, but with restricted access to only the sources and destinations they need.  This approach limits the scope of control, reducing the risk of accidental changes. “Tech managers and engineers are predominantly dealing with sources we’ve exposed via the Dante Managed API in Cerebrum,” said Paul Dryden, NBC Sports’ System Design Engineer. “The control side of things is critical, and we couldn’t do this without Dante’s Managed API.”

    Dante’s Evolution at NBC Sports

    For NBC Sports, Dante has become far more than just a technology, it’s a cornerstone of their operations. From its initial adoption to the advanced, high-performance workflows of today, Dante has empowered the team to continually evolve, tackle new challenges, and deliver exceptional sports productions. Its scalability, reliability, and flexible integration have redefined the possibilities of live broadcasting, enhancing both the technical execution behind the scenes and the viewer experience on-air. As the industry pushes forward, NBC Sports’ commitment to Dante reflects a broader truth: investing in the right technology not only enables success but also turns ambitious visions into reality.