Austrian broadcast corporation ORF has selected Sony's XVS-7000 multi-format IP video switchers, from the XVS series, to modernise and future-proof its broadcasting station and better meet the sophisticated viewing habits of its audience. The first XVS-7000 will be used in ORF's IP OB van scheduled for delivery this year, whilst more than 20 live switchers are likely to be used in the media companies’ main production centre in Vienna and in all its regional studios.
   

Innovative technologies such as 4K, HDR and High Frame Rate pose significant opportunities but also new challenges for broadcasters and their live production workflows. Enabling mixed IP and SDI production and upgradable for 4K and IP at any time, Sony's multi-format switchers offer impressive flexibility to suit any production environment or workflow requirements and help Sony's customer Go Make Tomorrow. With enhanced frame memory, format conversion, multi-viewer capabilities and wide range of input and output video outputs, the XVS series inherits excellent, versatile, features from the widely accepted MVS Series of switchers. Thanks to the modular design of their X-panel, the switchers can flexibly be matched to ORF's individual requirements.

All switchers from Sony's XVS series support SDI as well as the new SMPTE ST 2110 standard for media transport and synchronization and AMWA NMOS for device recognition. This allows IP network technologies to be combined with the latest SDI standard interfaces for video transmission in all resolutions while reducing complex workflows and increasing operational efficiency.

"Requirements for live production systems are changing dramatically," explains Andreas Fraundorfer, Team Lead Central Systems Installation Engineering at ORF. "That's why we were looking for a long-term partner with the expertise and solutions to help future-proof our facility to meet both the current and future challenges of IP live production. The scalability, functionality, user-friendliness and reliability of Sony's solutions has meant we feel ready for today and open for tomorrow."

Sony's and ORF's ongoing partnership includes the current multi-format video switchers as well as their successor models which are complemented by PrimeSupport. With this added service, ORF has gained access to the Sony helpdesk and consultancy services for the XVS series.

Rainer Luthy, Senior Key Account Manager at Sony Professional Solutions Europe comments: “ORF's expectations were high. They needed a solution that would not only deliver in demanding production conditions but that also scored highly on flexibility and safeguarding. Our XVS Series delivered on both requirements and performed well in practical stress tests. By dynamically managing all resources in ORF’s live production network, our superior software solutions have made ORF's workflows even more efficient.”