Tokyo-based leading expert in motion picture and multimedia broadcasting production NTV Technical Resources Inc (NiTRo) is a major technical provider to the Japanese broadcasting industry with a range of media services, including production engineering, postproduction and broadcast operations and management. Following the launch of 8K broadcast channels in Japan in December 2018, NiTRo broke ground on a new state-of-the-art facility for 8K/UltraHD2 post-production in response to a surge in client requests for editing and delivery of 8K content.
   

During development of the studio, NiTRo examined robust and flexible solutions that could manage both 8K/UltraHD2 and 4K/UltraHD post-production, without requiring separate tools for each workflow. In pursuit of the most streamlined workflow possible, NiTRo selected AJA KUMO 3232-12G for the device’s versatile signal control capabilities to route 8K or 4K SDI signals throughout the new video editing facility, with the added benefit of 12G-SDI connectivity for simplified cabling and transport of high-bandwidth content.

In the new NiTRo SHIBUYA post-production facility, the high density KUMO 3232-12G device is capable of routing and distributing 12G-SDI inputs to multiple destinations in the studio, with 32x 12G-SDI inputs and 32x 12G-SDI outputs. Simple configuration for ganged dual- or quad-link grouping enables users to group multiple inputs and outputs to route 8K or 4K signals as needed. KUMO 3232-12G is housed in the studio’s machine room, and three companion KUMO CP control panels connected to the network and located in editing suites allow colorists and editors to easily control the input and output signals remotely. Additionally, KUMO 3232-12G salvo support further simplifies workflows by enabling post-production staff to configure and save up to eight salvos in the device to automate routing of sources to specific destinations. 

During postproduction, all 8K sources are fed into KUMO 3232-12G, including 12G-SDI quad-link outputs from NLE and mastering applications and 12G-SDI quad-link I/O from an 8K Panasonic AJ-ZS0580 recorder and player. All color grading and editing are viewed on HDR monitors, including Sony 4K and Sharp 8K displays. Once grading is complete, content is transcoded and exported to P2 cards with Colorfront Transkoder and played back on the AJ-ZS0580 for final review, prior to delivery to the client.

In addition to KUMO, NiTRo uses a range of additional AJA solutions throughout production facilities, including the KONA 5 PCIe card for 8K I/O, and 4K2HD and 3G-AM Mini-Converters for reliable AES embedding/disembedding of digital audio signals.