November 2012 www.tvbeurope.com


TVBEurope 57 The Workflow


SINCE 1969 RTL Group (former CLT) has been responsible for producing a television service in the Luxembourgish language. In 1995, the channel was re- launched as RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg with a daily schedule of information and entertainment programmes for the Luxembourg market. One year later, RTL was one


of the first channels to start using server-based news production and broadcasting technology. By 2006, the switch to a tapeless operation had been completed. Starting in 2010 RTL introduced broadcasts in high definition and moved into full HD production a year later. “We operate three studios in


Luxembourg city,” explains Jacques van Luijk, Technical and Production manager for the channel. “In addition, we run two OB units through our technical provider, BCE. Our programmes are carried by DVB-T, DVB-S (via Astra) and cable. Editing within RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg is carried out using a Quantel SQ server system with SQ edit plus craft editors.”


A major part of the server- based operation centres on a number of Orad graphics and media asset management systems that have been designed and implemented through systems integrator BCE. At the heart of the Orad system is its HDVG video-graphics platform. In fact, all of Orad’s broadcast graphics products rely on the HDVG for character generation, 3D graphics, tickers, MCR graphics, channel branding and virtual sets. In its standard


configuration the HDVG contains one HDVG I/O board that could be scaled up to three I/O boards. “When we switched to HD in 2010 an Orad Maestro system was put into place to generate all the CG-type inserts,” says van Luijk. “Soon after that we decided to boost our on air graphics using Orad 3D-Play system. We had looked at one or two other suppliers. But Orad offered the most interesting solution in terms of functionality and value for money.” 3DPlay is an action-based


graphics controller that enables the user to create and combine graphics, content, and animation into a screen-based button and then define its performance. For example, when the action is cued, graphics can be prepared and updated with the latest data. Once the action ‘button’ is played, the animation is executed with all the relevant graphics.


Control and flow In order to handle the increasing graphic demands of the station’s evening news and magazine programmes, the channel introduced Maestro 2010, along with the installation of the ActiveX plug-in element working in conjunction with the existing Norcom Newsroom system. Again, the entire system was supplied through BCE. Then in 2011 an updated


3DPlay and Interact were added as control applications to produce all graphics for the Luxembourg elections programmes. This enables presenters to interact with the graphics using their iPads and control the content and flow of production while freely moving around the studio. While the presenter is interacting with the graphics, there is realtime video feedback to the iPad screen.


Starting in 2013, RTL weather will come from its new virtual studio


Weather set fair for Luxembourg


RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg has ambitious plans to present multiple programme genres from a new virtual studio. Philip Stevens traces this move to virtual reality TV using Orad technology


This allows the presenter to reference the graphics with which he or she is interacting. Early in 2012, Orad 3D Weather


was introduced as part of a further development of the graphics presentation at the Luxembourg channel. The station’s graphic designers create 2D and 3D graphic templates and animations that are then overlaid with weather data. 3DWeather automatically populates the templates with data and visualises it in realtime. On a daily basis, weather data


“As far as workflow


management is


concerned, we are now able to make ‘impossible’ things possible” Jacques van Luijk


provider Meteomedia delivers information that is read directly by 3DWeather. This data includes satellite images, ISO curves for pressure, temperature, wind speeds and direction, and specific city forecast information. “In the playout 3DWeather templates are controlled by 3DPlay,” explains van Luijk. “With this information, we are able to show weather details on a global perspective, as well as for the local Luxembourg


region.” But there was


a need for even further expansion of


this graphics-based presentation. And based on the weather programming experience, the channel is using similar technology to develop other production ideas.


Virtual production “We have been looking at the introduction of a virtual studio for some time. As a result, we expanded our Orad system to allow us to work on concepts using virtual sets together with augmented reality elements. The most recent acquisition has involved both hard- and software to extend Maestro to Proset — Orad’s virtual studio solution. “Our plans are for the weather


forecasting programmes to come from the virtual studio — which is a conversion of one of the existing studios — starting in January 2013. After that, we will expand our Virtual Reality programming to include other production genres.” ProSet’s architecture allows triggering of simultaneous multiple graphic scenes using the same system. This means, for example, that a virtual background can be generated from one scene while foreground objects—such as lower third and tickers—can be generated from an additional source. Control of the integrated


3DWeather/Proset set up will be


handled by 3DPlay or Maestro, depending on the nature of the graphics. At present, Proset is working with one Vinten 3D pedestal, although plans call for the system to be extended to three camera channels during 2013. The cameras used in the VR studio will be Grass Valley 4000, fed through the existing Kayak vision mixer. “We feel that the benefits we


gain from the combination of products within this same system are considerable,” confirms van Luijk. “These include fast turnaround, complex graphics rendered live, to produce an on-air feel that is dynamic. As far as workflow management is concerned, we are now able to make ‘impossible’ things possible in a reasonable amount of time.” He concludes, “with one general


hardware platform for all graphics tasks we are able to achieve maximum efficiency. We produce daily on-air, weather, and interactive graphics with the iPad and, soon, there will be virtual shows. The modularity of the system helped us face all upcoming tasks by going step by step. We are very satisfied and are looking forward to the new challenge of virtual studio production.” www.rtl.lu www.orad.tv www.bce.lu


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60