Sportscasting is generally acknowledged to have started more than a century ago. The first voice broadcast of a sporting event took place on April 11th 1921 when Westinghouse radio station KDKA, Pennsylvania, transmitted live ringside coverage of a boxing match in Pittsburgh between Johnny Dundee and Johnny Ray.

The event was reported by Florent Gibson who thus became the first broadcast commentator. A contemporary report by the Associated Press noted that listeners could hear all the action from the match, including “the sounds of the conflict, the clang of the gong and the shouts of the fans.” **

Television sportscasting commenced in the mid 1930s, followed in 1951 by the first color sports program: a baseball game between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Braves. The introduction of HDTV from 1989 onwards in Japan, and from 1998 onwards globally, allowed broadcasters to deliver coverage that closely matches the excitement of attending live sports events.

Operational and technical challenges

Live event sportscasting from remote locations is a challenging activity which requires careful preplanning, coordinated teamwork, plus reliable local and long-distance communications. Test and measurement are essential elements of any broadcast or digital cinematography process to ensure that every point in the workflow is operating optimally. This applies equally whether the project is being coordinated by a full-scale production team where the event is taking place or delegated to online-connected colleagues at a near-to-home control hub.

The adoption of IP standards such as SMPTE ST 2110 for live production has become commonplace throughout the sportscast sector. Secure IP links allow video and audio content to be networked quickly, securely and cost-efficiently between multiple locations. This requires careful management to ensure each feed is delivering the desired quality of service. An additional factor is the need to embrace the high-dynamic-range signal standards which are being adopted by an increasing number of terrestrial, satellite and online broadcasters.

A large outside broadcast system can easily comprise more than 30 cameras positioned at various locations, feeding a central control vehicle or onsite production management hub. The first challenge is simply getting the vehicle, or vehicles, to the relevant location. Once onsite, the technical challenges begin:

  1. Choosing the production format

Basic production choices include whether to capture in 1080i or 1080p high definition for easy transmission, or in 4K ultra high definition to maximize the commercial longevity of the master recordings. Next comes the choice of whether to capture in standard or wide dynamic range, standard or wide color gamut, normal or high frame rate, and uncompressed or compressed local networking. Audio formats, metadata formats and connectivity protocols also need to be selected and confirmed.

A further issue is local connectivity: SDI, IP or a combination of the two. Leader Electronics and its sister company, PHABRIX, offer a complementary range of portable and rack-mountable test and measurement instruments for use in media content production, compliance monitoring and product manufacturing. These are used with great success by many of the world’s leading broadcasters, mobile production service providers and REMI service providers. Leader and PHABRIX test instruments are designed to support all origination, postproduction and delivery formats currently in industry-wide use.

  1. Preproduction alignment

OB projects generally begin with the installation of cameras at selected locations in or around a stadium. Each camera is then being connected to the production control hub via fibre, cable or wireless link. Every link needs to be checked for signal continuity to ensure that the digital waveform reaches its destination in a clean and readable form. The ultra-compact PHABRIX Sx TAG (Figure 1) provides an easy way to generate signals to test the links before a camera is connected. A Leader or PHABRIX test instrument is then commonly used in the control hub to ensure that the connection is fully within the required specification. This can be performed visually or by checking the eye-pattern of the incoming digital signals. Audio timing can also be evaluated to ensure that the picture and sound feeds arrive in perfect synchronization. Cameras feeds can then be aligned so that the transmitted images remain subjectively constant when the producer switches between video sources. 

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  1. Live capture

Leader’s CINELITE allows video and film creatives to check and adjust their lighting and exposure quickly and confidently without needing to inspect video waveforms. CINEZONE enables them to spot overexposure or underexposure practically instantly. CINEZONE uses the color spectrum to represent luminance values on an otherwise normal and recognizable picture. CINEZONE also reveals variations in luminance levels across dark areas.

A separate concern for all camera crews is the need to maintain precise camera focus, especially challenging when working in 4K-UHD. A focus detection algorithm can be implemented within instruments such as Leader’s ZEN series to ensure precise camera adjustment when working with low-contrast sources where traditional focus is difficult. The focus-assist algorithm uses a real-time, false color display on the picture which highlights the image according to the number of detected edges (Figure 2).

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  1. Live shading

Simultaneous management of HDR and SDR shading has become an essential element of a unified HDR/SDR production workflow. This task is normally assigned to an HDR supervisor who monitors the outgoing HDR and SDR video images, ensuring that both feeds are visually clean. Figure 3 is an example of the color correction tool showing picture, waveform, RGB vector and vectorscope displaying green correction.

A bidirectional conversion tool integrated into Leader’s ZEN Series test instruments allows HDR content to be viewed in SDR, and vice versa. Processing is based on the desired 3D color lookup table which can be imported via plug-in USB memory. The 3D LUT capabilities simplify live production workflows by integrating HDR/SDR conversion for applications such as camera shading and HDR supervision. On-set DITs can integrate 3D LUTs instead of relying on external LUT boxes. Postproduction colorists can view the 3D LUTs for OTT and OTA deliverables prior to creating the final master.

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  1. Forwarding

With the increasing use of IP-centric OB trucks, the engineer in charge now requires a suite of monitoring and analysis tools that can be used to check IP source and PTP references as well as traditional SDI sources and their black-and-burst or tri-level sync references. It is essential to be able to monitor IP and SDI feeds simultaneously on a single side-by-side display. The Leader LV5600 and LV7600 provide the freedom to configure the test and measurement display and position and size the analysis tools. Being able to display two or more related measurements onscreen simultaneously allows precise comparison and rapid adjustment or channel re-assignment. PHABRIX Rx and (seen in Figure 4) Qx instruments present up to 16 tools simultaneously at sizes ranging from full screen down to 1/16 screen. Designed for HD/3G/6G/12-SDI and IP ST 2110/2022-7/2022-6 environments, as well as 4K/UHD production and advanced HDR analysis, the Qx includes tools for rapid fault diagnosis, compliance monitoring and product development.

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Industry-proven solutions

Leader and PHABRIX products are helping the broadcast industry to define the next generation of HDR/SDR workflows, allowing OB producers to deliver more realistic coverage than ever before from major events. Many streaming services are now transmitting HDR to home viewers, with satellite and terrestrial digital broadcasters increasingly gearing for hybrid log-gamma. The following examples describe some of the many sportscast applications of Leader and PHABRIX solutions:

Cromorama

One of Europe’s most experienced specialists in film and television color management, Cromorama pioneered the implementation of multi-delivery HDR and SDR for large sports events. In recent years the company has become a worldwide reference on color control technology for broadcast and digital cinematography productions. “I have been a keen user of Leader test equipment for many years,” comments Pablo Garcia Soriano, Cromorama’s founder. “Leader ZEN series instruments helped us create the ORION-CONVERT LUT algorithm which we use to support OB coverage of major sporting events. Our role is to ensure precise simultaneous management of HDR and SDR shading in a unified HDR/SDR production workflow. A crucial advantage of the LV5600 its compactness and versatility. It accommodates all the tools we need, for even the most complex projects, in a robust and easily transportable unit. Everything is accessible quickly from the front panel, including a video monitor that can be configured to allow side-by-side comparison of multiple HDR transfer characteristics as well as SDR.

EMG United Kingdom

A globally active provider of broadcast services for sports and live events as well as studio-based production, EMG UK chose Leader multiscreen rasterizerizing waveform monitors for integration into three new OB vehicles including NOVA 119 which is equipped for HDR video and Dolby Atmos immersive audio production. A total of 16 LV7300 instruments, two of which can be seen in Figure 5, are used for master reference during live transmissions and related postproduction. “Leader test instruments have been our preferred choice for nearly 10 years,” says Paul Francis, Director of Engineering. “They have proved consistently reliable, accurate and operator friendly. Many of the projects we work on are very large scale with feeds sometimes exceeding 100 cameras. Precise and repeatable monitoring of video signal flow is vital to ensure accurate matching of camera channels. The LV7300 rasterizers also ensure that we maintain the full available video and audio dynamic range from source right through to output. The rasterizers are connected to large-screen monitors which allow easy inspection of displayed detail. The LV7300 has a similar menu structure to Leader instruments in our other OB vehicles so operators can move freely between them. Multiple display tools can be combined in a single screen view to allow easy side-by-side comparison of related parameters or channels.”

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Leader LV7300 rasterizers come in a 1U half-rack-width footprint. They provide signal generation plus a wide range of measurement tools and support SDI signals from SD through 12G. Waveform, vector, picture, audio, and SD-SDI to 12G-SDI eye-pattern displays enable comprehensive measurement and quality control of a wide range of audio and video formats. Measurement tools also include phase comparison, five-bar gamut display. A focus detection algorithm can be implemented to ensure precise camera adjustment when working with low-contrast source where traditional focus is difficult. Also included in the instrument are Leader’s CINELITE and CINEZONE.

NEP Group

NEP purchased more than 30 PHABRIX top-of-the-range Rx 2000 rasterizing analyzer/generator units to support its broadcast of professional football in the United States. They were required for testing signals from broadcast trucks and other onsite systems at football stadiums. Impetus for the purchase was the need to verify and validate signals during NEP’s work covering games across the country. As well as enabling the quick and effective generation and testing of signals from central points in the operational systems, the rasterizers provide accurate feedback to technicians and operators onsite at each game. Each Rx 2000 offers up to four channels of 2K/3G/HD/SD-SDI video/audio analysis and monitoring (dual inputs per analyzer) and can also provide signal generation. Up to 16 instruments can be presented simultaneously for video analysis and eye/jitter testing via an external display. Monitoring can be performed on dual built-in screens and audio speakers. Among the benefits of using the Rx 2000 instruments are more accurate troubleshooting and diagnosis of issues, plus the ability to reduce costs by resolving issues more quickly when technicians are onsite.

TVN

TVN is one of Europe’s leading providers of mobile television services with long experience in working on high-profile productions including football tournaments and music festivals. The adoption of UHD and HDR production workflows provided the impetus for new investment in test and measurement equipment. Working closely with Christophe Bingemer, Managing Director of Leader/PHABRIX reseller LOGIC Media Solutions, TVN decided on an investment comprising PHABRIX Qx rasterizers, Leader LV5600 waveform monitors and LV7600 rasterizers.

“With the beginning of the era of UHD and HDR, it was an easy decision to choose PHABRIX instruments for our technical positions, and Leader instruments for our operator positions,” says TVN CEO Markus Osthaus. “TVN applies Leader and PHABRIX measurement equipment at all Bundesliga matches, as well as UEFA tournaments such as Champions League, Europa League and Conference League – thus always providing the best picture quality and signal quality for our customers.”

Leader’s LV5600 waveform monitor incorporates the tools needed to monitor SDI as well as video-over-IP signals seamlessly in a hybrid operating environment. Housed in a half-rack width 3U rackmount or desktop chassis with a touchscreen front panel display, it includes test pattern generation, eye-pattern display, closed caption monitoring, CIE chroma chart, HDR measurement, focus-assist and a customizable screen layout plus support for 4K/UHD operation as well as 10G/25G IP input and 12G-SDI interfaces. SMPTE 2022-6, SMPTE 2022-7 and SMPTE 2110 protocols are all supported. Also incorporated are CINEZONE and CINELITE. The Leader LV7600 rasterizer offers the same capabilities as the LV5600 but in a low-profile 19 inch 1U form-factor for easy rack or desk mounting.

Ongoing Leader and PHABRIX developments

A recent addition to the PHABRIX Qx family is the QxP mains/battery portable waveform monitor, generator and analyzer (Figure 6). Using the flexible architecture of the QxL rasterizer, the QxP offers an integral 3U multitouch LCD screen with integral V-Mount or Gold-mount battery plates for portability. Designed for all production workflows and to meet the ever-changing demands of today’s hybrid environments, the QxP offers the latest PHABRIX patented waveform technology. It features a high-resolution image processing pipeline with support for deep color sources up to 12-bits, delivering the fine detail needed for camera shading or image grading. Users can access a choice of overlay, stacked and parade display modes, with the option of multicolored, highlighted, green or monochrome traces. Nits scales and user-controlled nits markers are provided for SDR, HLG, PQ, S-Log3 and SR-live HDR formats. Rec 709 and Rec 2020 colorimetry is supported over a wide range of YCbCr:422, RGB:444, SDI, 2110 and HD/2K/UHD/4K/EUHD formats.

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Leader products introduced during 2024 include the ZEN-W Series waveform 3U high half-rack width LV5600W waveform monitor with integral 7 inch touchscreen, plus the 1U full rack width LV7600W version for connection to an external display. Both are shown in Figure 7. Developed from the established LV5600 and LV7600, ZEN-W instruments incorporate a wide range of new features plus a WebRTC interface which allows browser-based remote control and monitoring. The LV5600W and LV7600W support all the test and measurement tools and options of the original ZEN Series, including traditional picture, waveform, vectorscope and ancillary data display, IP traffic analysis and JPEG-XS analysis. They provide all the tools needed to monitor 4K/UHD/2K/HD/SD SDI as well as video-over-IP signals seamlessly in a true-hybrid operating environment. New production related and postproduction related capabilities include SDR Full Range display of black error, CIE, gamut error, histogram, level error, audio/video timing offset, noise level, test signals, vector and waveform. Also fully supporting SDR Full Range are CINELITE and CINEZONE, including five-bar, frame capture and image quality adjustment. CINEZONE is further enhanced with new presets specifically for ARRI and RED camera users.

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Leader’s recently introduced LT4670 (Figure 8), is a 1U full-rack width synchronous SDI/IP reference and test signal generator for use in traditional SDI broadcast facilities as well as hybrid SDI/IP facilities. The standard LT4670 toolset includes genlocked black burst signals and tri-level sync pulse generation plus a stay-in-sync function for use in the event of an error in the incoming genlock signal and slow-lock stabilization when returning to genlock from stay-in-sync. Optional tools available for the LT4670 include GNSS sync, PTP sync, support for four multiple-rate SDI test signal outputs (up to 12G) plus two 10G/25G Ethernet ports for ST 2110 test signal streams with ST 2022-7 redundancy. A Lip-Sync Pattern option enables measurement of video and audio timing discrepancies on SDI signal transmission.

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Housed in a compact 1U, Leader’s LVB440 IP Analyzer (Figure 9) allows efficient analysis of SD, HD, HD HDR, 4K and 4K HDR data flow over media networks of any size. Designed to monitor and analyze high-bitrate media traffic in broadcast production studios, OB vehicles, master control facilities and transmission networks, the analyzer supports data rates of 10, 25, 40 and 50 gigabit/s, extending up to 100 gigabit/s via dual interfaces. The core processor is more than capable of handling the 48 gigabit/s data rate required for full bandwidth source 8K. Recently announced expansions to its toolset include extended support for decoding Serial ADM in SMPTE ST 2110-31 data channels as defined in ST 2116. A new video facility uses deep color drawing buffers when available, supported by Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge 122 browsers and later on suitable hardware. Also new is Canvas which enables simultaneous viewing of video images, waveforms, chromas vectors and audio signal levels from up to four separate services in a user-configurable layout. The Leader LVB440 is controlled via an HTML-5 browser and provides full support for up to eight local or remote users. It gives production teams the ability to perform real-time checks on large numbers of streams and multiple resolutions in parallel at multiple locations. Operators can survey multiple media transport layers of an IP network simultaneously, allowing issues to be rectified before they impact the quality of service experienced by program viewers.

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Summary

Athletics, baseball, basketball, billiards, boxing, cricket, cycling, electronic gaming, football, futsal, golf, hockey, horse racing, motor racing, rugby, sailing, skating, skiing, snooker, surfing, swimming, tennis, and more types of wrestling than you could shake a stick at: television makes these and other sports accessible to a global audience. New sporting events emerge with every passing year, and new technical standards to advance the science of program capture, production and transmission. Leader and PHABRIX are the instruments of choice for many of the world’s major broadcasters, event management organizations and sportscast service providers. We are with you all the way.

* Kevin Salvidge commenced his broadcast industry career in 1986 as a commissioning engineer at Marconi Instruments, progressing to Sony Transcom, Tektronix, GVG/Thomson and Sony Broadcast. He joined Leader in August 2015 and is now Sales Engineering & Marketing Manager at Leader Electronics of Europe.

** https://lostmediawiki.com/Johnny_Ray_vs_Johnny_Dundee_(lost_radio_coverage_of_boxing_match;_1921)