Leading technical services supplier MEDIAPRO has chosen the latest 4K technology from Sony for the production and transmission of sports programmes, equipping the two most important OB units in their fleet. The installation was carried out by the integrating companies of the MEDIAPRO group.
   

MEDIAPRO produces and distributes audiovisual content, administers and distributes sporting events, is a film and interactive content producer, plus supplier of post-production services. With activity in 35 venues spread across four continents, it has a team of about 4,450 professionals. Created in 1994, MEDIAPRO makes more than 2,500 productions each year thanks to its own mobile units and broadcast of events in high definition worldwide. Currently, its teams participate in the production of the most important football leagues, emphasising its coverage of global sports championships.

In its role as a leader in innovation in the European audiovisual field, MEDIAPRO needed to have the most advanced 4K technology with the capacity for live HDR production, specifically for sporting events. The technology solutions from Sony allow more efficient use of resources, superior image quality and remote event production through an IP connection.

To meet such needs, MEDIAPRO closed a deal with Sony Professional Solutions for the supply of 4K professional equipment last January, which has included the acquisition of: X33 4K HDC-4300 cameras; X3 PWS-4500 live server system for 4K/UHD live production with IP technology; XVS-8000 4K video mixer; X2 BVM-X300 30-inch 4K TRIMASTER EL OLED critical reference monitor; and X1 PVM-X550 55-inch 4K TRIMASTER EL OLED high grade picture monitor.

Francisco José de la Fuente, Country Manager in Portugal and Responsible for the OB van’s Area of the MEDIAPRO Group, comments: “Our first experience with the HDC-4300 cameras has been very satisfactory in terms of operation and maintenance and has given us a lot of security from the first moment of use.”

“It is undeniable that 4K is going to be imposed, especially in the case of football events, which are one of the biggest audience drivers and require a visual experience of the highest level,” says Francisco José. “Image quality is just as important as content in its impact on the viewer, and that is why we have chosen Sony’s 4K solution.”

The Sony HDC-4300 camera delivers 4K and flexible HD output without sacrificing performance. With its excellent image quality, it integrates seamlessly with existing HD infrastructures and accessories, as well as the most advanced 4K live production workflows on the market. The HDC-4300 also features a 2/3 three-sensor optical system compatible with the next generation ITU-R BT.2020 colour gamut and enables more accurate colour reproduction in live broadcasts.

The PWS-4500 live server system is one of the main elements of the next-generation solution for live 4K / HD production with Sony IP technology, including the high-efficiency XAVC video codec, which offers great image quality with smaller file sizes. Moreover, the system can be configured flexibly, using various optional accessories, allowing it to be used as a highly cost-effective plain HD production recorder with less I/Os, or as a full-featured slow replay server supporting both 4K and HD formats, and both SDI and IP interfaces, depending on users requirements.