With a comprehensive new IP Showcase and more interoperability solutions on show, the 2017 edition of IBC is looking readier than ever to push the boundaries of the creative industry when it returns to the RAI this year.

Another 55,000 attendees from more than 170 countries are expected to travel to Amsterdam for IBC between 14-19 September, as the discussion and debate about the challenges facing the entertainment and electronic media industries continues.

The 2017 Exhibition – which covers fifteen halls across the RAI and hosts over 1,700 exhibitors – has built on the successful IP Interoperability Zone from last year’s show with a new ‘IP Showcase’, an area it says will confirm that “real-time IP for production, playout and contribution is a practical, flexible, efficient reality that is rapidly taking hold in mainstream broadcast operations.”

Here, more than 40 vendors will work together to demonstrate real-world IP interoperability based on SMPTE ST 2110 final draft standards and AMWA NMOS specifications – a single set of common IP interop standards and specifications that are enabling the flexibility and efficiency of IP in real time media.

The demonstrations will be divided into application pods – live production signal flows, contribution and playout signal flows, etc. – all shown under the control of familiar user interfaces. Here visitors can learn the business, technical, and creative benefits of IP workflows and media over IP network standards, as well as how others are already leveraging IP in real-world broadcaster applications and how these benefits can be applied to their own operations.

Meanwhile, the integrated IP Showcase theatre, curated by IABM, will run presentations covering the full range of knowledge for real-time IP production and intra-facility distribution.

The Content Everywhere Hub in Hall 14 will also feature an ‘extensive and varied’ programme of presentations, demonstrations and panel sessions designed for especially for broadcasters.

With more companies demonstrating their IP products, and great progress having been made in formalising and universally adopting the SMPTE ST 2110 suite of real-time IP signal flow standards, the IP Showcase is set to be a major destination for visitors to broaden their interoperability horizons.

On the Showfloor

Clear-Com will present the latest updates to its LQ Series of IP interfaces at this year’s IBC exhibition. The enhanced LQ Series adds SIP capability for telephony, connects traditional intercom systems with Agent-IC mobile applications, and increases I/O channel density for the HelixNet digital partyline. The company says that with its LQ Interfaces, a complete communication solution of analogue, digital and IP intercom systems can be fully integrated and connected over reliable IP networks for communication from ‘virtually anywhere.’

Jünger Audio will demonstrate a number of its new networked audio products as well as showing its full range of Smart Audio-enabled D*AP gear at the 2017 show. Netbridge is a series of simple converters that translate established audio formats to networked audio. The first products in the range are UHD-Netbridge that converts 4x 3G-SDI to MADI and Dante and MADI-Netbridge, a bidirectional MADI/Dante converter, both of which will be available as 1U 19-inch rack mounting or standalone units. The German company will also introduce Easy Loudness, a dual stereo Level Magic audio processor with true peak limiting, optional loudness logging, and plug-and-play functionality. Fitted with SDI and AES IO, it is designed for stereo broadcast to ensure consistent loudness is maintained from programme to programme.

NUGEN Audio will demonstrate a new update for its Halo Upmix with a new 3D Immersive Extension that builds on Halo 9.1, adding further options beyond the existing Dolby Atmos bed track capability. Also on display will be Halo Downmix, the company’s downmixing solution for creating the best possible stereo mixes from original surround audio sources.

Sennheiser will display a range of its products including the MK 4 digital microphone for dubbing and podcast applications, as well as the ClipMic digital and MKE 2 digital clip-on microphones for iPhones and iPads. Its portfolio of products is rounded off by shotgun microphones from the MKH series for film production, along with wireless microphones from the Digital 9000, Digital 6000, 2000 and evolution wireless series. Meanwhile, when it comes to 3D productions, the company’s AMBEO VR Mic and Neumann’s binaural KU 100 dummy head are bound to attract interest.

Then there is the Artemis Ray digital audio console from Calrec Audio, which will make its European debut at IBC 2017. Artemis Ray has 456 fully featured input channels and can handle up to 72 faders, the same as the company’s larger Artemis Shine model. Via a new fader/monitor panel, Artemis Ray has a new surface layout that allows more faders in a reduced surface area.

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