DMC Production Selects Grass Valley

DMC Production has successfully implemented an innovative remote production workflow using Grass Valley AMPP for the Nordea Open tennis tournament.

This new approach has revolutionised sports broadcasting, delivering significant improvements in efficiency, cost reduction, and environmental sustainability.

DMC has refined its production workflow by processing all signals on-site, a substantial shift from the previous method of transporting signals to an off-site location for processing. Utilizing six Grass Valley LDX 98 cameras, LiveTouch X replay systems, Audiomix X audiomixer and a Maverik X production switcher running on the AMPP platform, this streamlined approach ensures a simplified and cost-effective operation. Last year, we carried all the signals from the venue to Oslo for processing, which required significant bandwidth and logistical effort," explained Johan Hedblom, MD – DMC Sweden. "This year, by processing everything on-site using AMPP, we only need to carry a single world feed signal out from the venue. This not only reduces bandwidth requirements but also simplifies the overall setup."

The new workflow has drastically reduced the need for on-site personnel and equipment. Only six crew members, including four cameramen, an assistant engineer, and a broadcast coordinator, are required at the venue. Camera control and shading are managed remotely from Norway, while the director, sound engineer and replay operator work from DMC's facilities in Stockholm. For the world feed, ATP-Media are adding international commentary and graphics via London. Adam Marshall, CPO at Grass Valley, commented, "We are thrilled to see DMC leveraging our AMPP solution to push the boundaries of what's possible in remote production. This setup not only showcases the flexibility and power of AMPP but also aligns with our commitment to providing sustainable and cost-effective broadcasting solutions."

The environmental and economic benefits of this new approach are significant. By reducing the number of personnel on-site and minimizing the transportation of equipment, DMC has significantly cut down on travel and accommodation expenses. This method also reduces the environmental footprint of the production, aligning with broader industry goals for sustainability.

The crew's feedback from the Nordea Open has been overwhelmingly positive, noting the ease of setup and management compared to previous years. This successful implementation sets a new standard for future events, including the upcoming CEV Eurobeach Volley in the Netherlands from August 13-18 where the AMPP solution will produce one court, the Swedish Championship in Padel and the PBA Bowling Tournament in Sweden on September 1. "The difference this year is remarkable," added Johan Hedblom from DMC. "The reduced need for high-bandwidth connectivity and the simplified logistics have not only made the production process much smoother, but also more cost-effective. This new approach is enabling DMC to have a new revenue stream by undertaking events like the Padel and the Bowling for the first time. We are eager to apply these learnings to other events and continue improving our workflows."

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