BLT Video Server: Tools for Sports

By Alfredo Barteletti

Review contents:

Slowly and smoothly… Abekas 6000 MultiFlex server from Accom BLT Video Server: Tools for Sports Controllers from DNF Controls Systems of the slow motion on the basis of disk recorders by Doremi Labs EVS systems of slow motion and reply Geevs V4 Sports II Controllers from Hi Tech Systems Multichannel system of replies TimeNRunner of company JC System Integration Whiplash2 video repliy system from Leitch

BLT is an Italian company, with 45 years activity in the television field, and nowadays is leader in the Italian market of Video Server destined to the professional broadcasting industry, distinguished in sport live production events.

Building of BLT Company

BLT product portfolio includes a 4 channel Video Server (SMS-400) allowing simultaneous recording and playback, endless recording with loop, 7 hours per channel recording capability and Super Slow Motion feature, BLT products are well known and installed in the main broadcasting facilities of RAI (the Italian Public Broadcaster) and other primary importance TV companies worldwide.

Control panel for RUS

BLT is full member of the Pro-MPEG Forum and sustaining member of the SMPTE, as well as BLT engineers are member of international study groups.

BLT RUS (Remote Unit System) is a custom control panel designed to unleash the advanced capabilities of the BLT Video Server.

RUS allows, a single operator, the simultaneous or independent control of up to 4 BLT Video Servers (or B75 compatible VTR with hybrid configuration). RUS provides the familiar VTR look-and-feel which videotape operators are familiar with.

RUS was specifically optimized for the Professional end-user to provide the fast and efficient interface necessary for live sports applications. Features include: Clip mark and management, sequences, Play-lists, High-Lights, multi-camera, networking to share Clip data….

Top to bottom: RUS panels used during Olympic Games in Sydney; RUS panels installed in OB Van during Giro d’Italia bike racing; RUS panels installed in OB Van of RAI TV Company

The RUS compact size fits well into limited space available on OB-VAN.

The BLT RUS control panel operation can be extended with the BLT Video Client package WDR, adding graphic GUI interface with thumbnails pictures, data base logging function and Clips management up to 10000 events.

The BLT SMS-400 Super e-Motion Server is a 4 channels Hard Disk based Digital Recorder, with simultaneous recording and playback capability. It combines High Speed / Super Slow Motion Camera native interface (i.e. LDK-23 HS or BVP-9500 WS), advanced disk technology with a VTR style of control and user friendly operation together with BLT RUS remote unit.

The four channels are used as three video inputs to handle the High Speed / Super Slow Motion Camera signals (3 times faster: 150 fields per second) and one as simultaneous playback output channel.

The recording mode can be set in loop-mode for endless recording, while Clip marking with write protection allows to save the relevant recorded segments (application: High Lights).

If not connected to a High Speed / Super Slow Motion Camera, the BLT SMS-400 is used as three simultaneous channel video recorders for multi-camera application, with playback capability while recording. Digital SDI or Analog Composite video formats are accepted for easy interface and channel by channel selectable, while output video is available as SDI, CVBS and YUV Analog Component format.

The BLT SMS-400 adopts internal 4:2:2 processing with I-frame compression scheme with data rate up-to 50 Mbit/Sec per channel. The compression CODEC is used in Constant Quality mode, that is VBR (variable bit rate), for a better and efficient use of disk space. BLT SMS-400 uses 6 SCSI Hard Disk Drives in parallel, with a BLT proprietary array and operating system. The recording time storage, depending by HDD installed, is up to 7 hours per channel in multi-camera application.

The Video output is available in digital and analog format, with a dedicated monitor-output for superimposed on-screen information (Time Code, status and other). Stand alone operation or Gen. Lock through Black-Burst or CVBS.

GUI of WDR application

Each recording channel is equipped with a stereo Analog Audio Input (or 2 monos); during playback Audio follows video (switching channel by channel) or Audio override with priority (same Audio channel while switching Video channel).

Time Code LTC input/output is provided for external time reference (with XLR input and output).

The BLT SMS-400 Digital Recorder is housed in a 19" rack chassis, 5 U high and 48cm long, which include 6 SCSI 3“1/2 HDDs, fitted inside (either Full size 1.6” or SLIM 1"), with capacity of 36GB or 72GB.

The BLT SMS-400 Digital Recorder is provided with one RS-422 serial port for remote control, as VTR style, using the B75 protocol, with BLT extended commands for disk based operation.

SMS-400 video server

Samples of SMS-400 and RUS control panel use: in multicam mode; for SloMo; for SloMo in multicam mode

The BLT SMS-400 is able to handle: up to 255 Clips mark (with extension up to 10000 using the WDR Video Client package), real time Clip protection, Sequence creation and edit, Recording loop, VTR control (Slow, FF, REW, Jog/Shuttle…), instant CUE-UP to any disk frame with CTL or Time Code reference, disk browse, still store…

The BLT SMS-400 is ready to be used with BLT RUS remote unit to obtain a user friendly system for live sport application. Furthermore, the RUS is able to control up to 4 devices, so even a 4 Super Slow Motion/High Speed multi-camera system can be handled by single operator.

The BLT SMS-400 operation can be extended using the BLT Video Client software package WDR, to add graphic GUI interface and data base function for material management. Easy operation for live sports events and extended Clip marking up to 10000 create a powerful tool for any TV program high-lighting.

The BLT SMS-220 is a 2 channels Hard Disk based Digital Recorder, with simultaneous recording and playback capability. It features advanced disk technology with a VTR style of control and user friendly operation together with BLT RUS remote unit.

The two channels are used as one video input and one as simultaneous playback output channel. The recording mode can be set in loop-mode for endless recording, while Clip marking with write protection allows to save the relevant recorded segments (application: High Lights).

Digital SDI or Analog Composite video formats are accepted for easy interface, while output video is available as SDI and CVBS.

The BLT SMS-220 adopts internal 4:2:2 processing with I-frame compression scheme with data rate up-to 50 Mbit/Sec. The compression CODEC is used in Constant Quality mode, that is VBR (variable bit rate), for a better and efficient use of disk space.

BLT SMS-220 uses 2 SCSI Hard Disk Drives in parallel, with a BLT proprietary array and operating system. The recording time storage, depending by HDD installed, is up to 7 hours.

SMS-220 video server

The Video output is available in digital and analog format, with a dedicated monitor-output for superimposed on-screen information (Time Code, status and other). Stand alone operation or Gen. Lock through Black-Burst or CVBS.

Time Code LTC input/output is provided for external time reference (with XLR input and output).

The BLT SMS-220 Digital Recorder is housed in a 19" rack chassis, 3 U high and 48 cm long, which include 2 SCSI 3"1/2 HDDs, fitted inside.

The BLT SMS-220 Digital Recorder is provided with one RS-422 serial port for remote control, as VTR style, using the B75 protocol, with BLT extended commands for disk based operation.

The BLT SMS-220 is able to handle: up to 255 Clips mark (with extension up to 10000 using the WDR Video Client package), real time Clip protection, Sequence creation and edit, Recording loop, VTR control (Slow, FF, REW, Jog/Shuttle…), instant CUE-UP to any disk frame with CTL or Time Code reference, disk browse, still store…

The BLT SMS-220 is ready to be used with BLT RUS remote unit to obtain a user friendly system for live sport application (i.e. high lights, replay, slow-motion), ideal for OB-VAN, play-out, live playback, time shift and news.

The BLT SMS-220 operation can be extended using the BLT Video Client software package WDR, to add graphic GUI interface and data base function for material management. Easy operation for live sports events and extended Clip marking up to 10000 create a powerful tool for any TV program high-lighting.

Material provided by BLT Italia srl