PRAGUE, Czech Republic—CS live is a Czech Republic–based outside broadcast company that covers domestic soccer and ice hockey leagues, international UEFA competitions and large-scale mixed martial arts events. As our production work has grown in scale and complexity, we reached a point where our existing setup no longer matched how we needed to operate day to day.

When we started planning our newest OB van, the real question wasn’t just what equipment to use but how it would all work together once it was in the truck.

OB trucks have always pulled from multiple vendors—audio consoles, switchers, replay, monitoring—and each comes with its own way of working.

In practice, that often means juggling several control systems simultaneously. Operators learn each one separately, and even small changes, such as swapping out a device or reworking a setup between shows, can take more effort than necessary.

Streamlined Control
That complexity was becoming harder to manage across productions, so we set out to simplify it.

After thorough planning with Czech integrator Smart Informatics, we went for a Riedel solution. including the company’s “hi human interface” control system, a browser-based, platform-independent control layer that enables operators to manage a wide range of devices. Part of that decision came from prior experience with Riedel technology, but just as important was their approach to tying systems together rather than treating them as isolated components.

At the core of the truck is a MediorNet-distributed network built on 12 MicroN UHD nodes. Seven nodes handle signal routing, while five are configured as multiviewers. Two additional MicroN Standard nodes act as stageboxes, linking the truck to stadiums and other sources over a single fiber connection. SDI, MADI and Ethernet all run together, which helps keep the physical side of the build manageable.

For us, another advantage is flexibility going forward. We’re still working in baseband today, but the system gives us a way to move toward IP at our own pace without having to rethink the entire build.

On top of that sits hi, Riedel’s control system, which we use as a single layer across the truck. It brings control of audio, switching, replay, monitoring, GPI triggers and signaling together into one interface. Instead of moving between systems, operators stay in the same environment.

The setup includes five hiPush18 panels, a hiPush32 Shading panel, a hiPush36 panel and three hiContact panels, along with tablet control where it makes sense. We also use Riedel 1200 Series panels, where the intercom can sit on one layer and routing or device control on another—a practical option when space is tight.

From Days to Just Hours
The biggest operational change for us has been how hi separates the operator experience from the underlying hardware. The interface behaves the same way regardless of what’s behind it. In most cases, when a device changes or is reassigned, that update carries through automatically across the system.

What used to take days to reconfigure can now usually be handled in hours. That shows up most clearly in how we manage tight production schedules. Moving between venues or back-to-back events often means adjusting sources or workflows quickly. With a unified control layer, those changes are easier to implement without forcing operators to adapt at the same time.

There’s also a practical benefit in staffing. Because the interface stays consistent, operators don’t need deep familiarity with each system in the truck. That gives us more flexibility in how we crew productions.

This is the first deployment of hi in the Czech Republic, and it’s already shaped how we think about future builds. Moving to a distributed signal backbone combined with a single control layer changes the day-to-day experience of working in the truck in a meaningful way.

The system we’ve put together—MediorNet, hi, Artist intercom and Bolero wireless—isn’t tied to a fixed way of working. Instead of locking ourselves into one approach, we’ve built something we can adjust over time as our needs evolve.

More information is available on Riedel’s website.

WUPPERTAL, Germany—Riedel Communications has expanded its MediorNet video networking device family with 13 new hardware products and nine new software apps.

The company’s new MicroN UHD builds on Riedel’s distributed, software-defined concept, adding more bandwidth, more I/Os, higher resolution and more processing power to the MediorNet platform. 

Working with its Riedel Montreal engineering and management teams, formerly Embrionix, the company also has released the MediorNet MuoN, VirtU and FusioN product series. The new additions are processing modules and hubs featuring ultra-dense SFP technologies that complement intelligent MediorNet signal interfaces and core switches.

"Since Embrionix joined the Riedel family late last year, we have worked relentlessly to integrate their powerful technologies into our video solutions portfolio,” said Thomas Riedel, founder and CEO, Riedel Communications. "We are really proud of what we have achieved as a team, and we are happy to present our common vision for the future of video networks with the MuoN, VirtU, and FusioN series."

The MuoN SFPs are at the heart of MediorNet products. The compact, pluggable gateway and processing device can be used inside VirtU frames or off-the-shelf IP switches. Software-defined MuoN hardware is available in different input and output configurations, including BNC, fiber or HDMI. It can be configured with different apps, and with a software license change it can act as an up/down/cross-converter, a JPEG-2000/XS encoder or decoder, audio router or multiviewer, the company said.

Riedel’s VirtU IP core infrastructure platform can host a large number of MuoN SFP processors in 1RU. It can be used as a bulk gateway and a high-density processing unit. The company’s FusioN product series is a series of compact, standalone I/O and processing devices that can be configured with a range of apps, the company said.

The company also has launched several new apps for up/down/cross-conversion, encoding/decoding, audio routing and multiviewing, as well as a series of IP gateway apps.

More information is available on the company’s website.

BURBANK, Calif.—Customization is the name of the game for the entertainment production services provider Touring Video’s new truck, which according to the company has utilized Riedel’s MediorNet as the base for taking advantage of distributed routing, allowing for the outboarding of gear for greater production flexibility.

Installed on Touring Video’s TV-2 truck, the MediorNet signal backbone consists of 34 nodes made up of four MetroN core routers and 30 MicroN software-defined, high-density media distribution network devices. The setup includes 20 MicroN set up with its Standard app, eight with its MultiViewer app and two use the Processing app.

Additional Riedel equipment installed in the TV-2 truck includes an Artist mainframe and a mix of the 1200 series hybrid lever key SmartPanels, 2300 series SmartPanels and Bolero wireless intercom.

Distributed routing allows for Touring Video to remove the control room out of the truck if needed and enables the production to add additional equipment, like a second 4ME switcher.

According to Touring Video’s President Doug Armstrong, the MediorNet technology has not been overly applied in the North America OB market, but that his company’s use of it thus far has been successful.

WUPPERTAL, GERMANY—HD Broadcast’s HD1 mobile production truck has received a new upgrade with the installation of Riedel Communication’s MediroNet real-time network.

The HD1 now features three MediorNet Compact Pro frames and six MicroN media distribution networks connected over a 10 Gbps optical fiber network for a fully redundant, decentralized routing matrix. Working with HD Broadcast’s previously installed Riedel Artist digital matrix intercom system, the MediroNet infrastructure combines fully integrated signal transport, routing and processing with communications.

The new MediorNet-based network infrastructure provides the HD1 truck improved flexibility and capacity through higher bandwidth and additional connectivity options. The fiber-based network also allows HD broadcast to minimize cabling, setup and logistics.

HD Broadcast CEO Constantin Novotny said in the company’s press release that the MediorNet infrastructure has helped create a foundation for an IP-based networking infrastructure and support for future 4K productions.