A new immersive facility in Toronto features Calrec Artemis consoles with AoIP ImPulse cores and Gateway technology. The new set-up at Sportsnet Studios provides Sportsnet (part of Rogers Sports & Media) with immediate flexibility and expansion options for the future.

The Calrec consoles are being used for all Sportsnet NHL broadcasting, including Hockey Central pre-game shows and other live Sportsnet programming. ‘We are familiar with Calrec from our first console installed at Rogers Sports & Media some years ago,’ says RSM’s Jim Morrison.

‘We started down the SMPTE 2210 IP path back in 2017 and these innovative new sports studios were the logical next step. From a technical standpoint, Calrec supports AoIP very well, which fits within our media over IP strategy. Using Calrec stageboxes provides full flexibility when working in the non-IP environment as well.’

Housed within two distinct areas, Sportsnet Studios is comprised of two unique spaces – Studio 31 and Studio 32 – which are SDI-based with conversion to IP at the edge. They provide an enhanced sports experience for fans with virtual reality sets, augmented reality, 22 set monitors, a 50ft curved LED wall, 13 cameras, two IP-based production control rooms and more.

To support Sportsnet Studios, two Artemis consoles and ImPulse cores are spread across three buildings and over multiple floors. There are two audio control rooms and several Calrec stageboxes deployed between the two studios. Each audio room has its own signal breakout from AES, Dante (for intercom) and analogue signals. Each room is also integrated with the existing Calrec console and studio boxes, used elsewhere in the facility, via a Calrec H2-IP Gateway.

‘The requirement for native AoIP consoles with serious processing and a distributed SMPTE-2110 I/O network led directly to Calrec,’ says Kypros Christodoulides. Technical Sales & Support at SC Media, who played a pivotal role in the project. ‘The installation and commissioning of this system was quite challenging, not only because of the technology but also because of its scale and physical layout. And, of course, everyone adhering to Covid rules. Through Jim’s lead and everyone’s hard work, an eye-catchingly successful outcome has been achieved.’

‘The advantage of IP is flexibility. IP allows all facilities to have a common core and common distribution mechanism for essence streams, with all deployed based on industry best practices and standards,’ Morrison adds. ‘We know the systems we have implemented have more capacity than we have yet taken advantage of. Also, we have a great relationship with SC Media from past projects and they were extremely supportive on this project from day one.’

‘Having Calrec technology central to a space as sophisticated as Sportsnet Studios is a testament to our Artemis consoles and ImPulse cores,’ says Calrec VP of Sales, Dave Letson. ‘Calrec kit is designed to support however broadcasters want to work, and this project illustrates this well as Sportsnet combines our new IP technology with older legacy products.’

More: http://calrec.com