NEP Sweden launched three new remote operation centres in 2023, leveraging directout for comprehensive audio solutions

Broadcast Service Provider NEP Sweden unveiled three cutting-edge Remote Operation Centres (ROCs) in 2023, for the audio workflow DirectOut is the main supplier of audio systems. The strategic decision to integrate DirectOut’s hardware and software solutions, including an extensive deployment of PRODIGY.MP and PRODIGY.MC units have enabled NEP Sweden to significantly enhance and flexibilize its production infrastructure while minimising reliance on traditional audio hardware.

These new ROCs expand NEP Sweden’s production capabilities and address the logistical challenges posed by the country’s vast geography. The centres are equipped to handle a wide range of production formats, from HD to UHD/HDR. Central to this operation is the SMPTE 2110 standard, which facilitates dynamic, format-specific scaling and ensures seamless interconnectivity with other NEP facilities worldwide.

By enabling on-site and remote production, these centres offer substantial reductions in travel costs, allowing teams to operate locally or remotely while accessing the full infrastructure. This aligns with NEP Sweden’s commitment to reducing the company’s carbon footprint.

The development and deployment of this audio workflow in the ROCs are triggered by NEP Germany’s extensive experience in remote infrastructure, particularly from its work with the new streaming provider DYN. There, multiple PRODIGY.MP units are employed across two decentralised locations to manage the distribution, production, and dissemination of all audio signals for the DYN network. This workflow model has been successfully adapted to NEP Sweden’s ROC infrastructure.

DirectOut’s multifunctional tools play a pivotal role in NEP Sweden’s audio signal production and distribution. The primary hub of these new ROCs is in Stockholm, forming the nexus of a network that includes three additional facilities: ROCsett, ROCwest, and ROCnorth. ROCsett, also in Stockholm, boasts five medium-sized Production Control Rooms (PCRs) and one large PCR. ROCwest in Gothenburg feature one large and one medium PCR and ROCnorth in Umeå feature one large PCR.

The entire infrastructure is built upon SMPTE ST2110, with teams at each ROC having access to all networked resources utilizing NEP’s proprietary TFC software, the powerful broadcast control and networking solution empowering production teams by making IP 2110 technology fast and intuitive. The primary hardware resides in a central equipment room within the ROC, where local productions can be managed, or remote operations across other ROCs can be executed. Small Outside Broadcast (OB) vans, positioned at local venues, function similarly to flypack studios.

DirectOut’s PRODIGY.MP units form the backbone of the audio infrastructure. These are complemented by the globcon control tool and specially designed HCONTROL.16 hardware controllers, effectively rendering conventional audio hardware redundant.

Anders Wikström, Director of Technology at NEP Sweden, highlights the versatility of the DirectOut solutions: “DirectOut provides a cost-effective solution, but that’s just an obvious benefit. The PRODIGY.MP units are true multi-taskers, capable of meeting any requirement you can think of. The system operates seamlessly and has fully validated the positive experiences of NEP Germany here in Sweden.”

Within the PCRs, a total of seven PRODIGY.MP units, each equipped with a RAVENNA card, are operational. The eight OB van kits each house a PRODIGY.MP, which handles local audio signal mixing, interfacing with the OB systems via MADI. In the smaller vans, NEP Sweden employs a combination of one PRODIGY.MP, one PRODIGY.MC, and one EXBOX.MD, delivering a mix of microphone and line-in signals via RAVENNA and Dante. For larger OB productions, the PRODIGY.MP acts as the local mixer, with the OB’s audio/mixer system serving as a stage box.

All audio mixing tasks within the ROC infrastructure are managed through globcon and HCONTROL.16 multifunction consoles, eliminating the need for traditional audio consoles. A single computer in the PCRs handles all audio-related tasks, including music playback and globcon operations, and is directly connected to the HCONTROL.16 units. The RAVENNA format facilitates communication between systems within and across the ROCs, with audio signals embedded for connections between venues and ROCs.

By incorporating the PRODIGY.MP units, DirectOut continues to expand its presence in the remote production landscape by pushing the limits of future-driven installations and setting new benchmarks for future facilities.
BCS Bureau