Groundbreaking project moved from handshake to production in 42 days to make season kickoff

Deltatre, the global leader in OTT, digital, and data technology for media and sport, has deployed one of the first SMPTE ST 2110 IP networks for live graphic production based on Imagine Communications’ Selenio™ Network Processor (SNP). In a major project undertaken for Italy’s Lega Serie A, Deltatre and Imagine worked against an accelerated timeline to ready the new system for the 2024-25 season’s August 17 kickoff — successfully moving from handshake to production in only 42 days.

Deltatre began planning for this project by comparing the capabilities and costs of SDI versus IP, ultimately concluding that an Imagine-based, end-to-end ST 2110 IP system was not only more innovative and scalable but could also match SDI in terms of overall cost. The new workflow is built on Imagine’s SNP Master Control Lite (MCL) personality, which delivers branding, live graphics, and full master control functionality within the framework of the industry-proven SNP platform. In the Deltatre system, which enables native-IP production of all graphics broadcast during the Lega Serie A football matches, the SNP MCLs are configured as industry-first, ST 2110-compatible dual downstream keyers (DSKs), supporting both HD and UHD/4K.

“Imagine IP solutions, being modular, well defined and versatile, allowed us to successfully integrate their technology into an incredibly complex ecosystem of solutions, all within the innovative ST-2110 IP domain,” said Craig Harvey, President, Sport Innovations at Deltatre. “Thanks to a great cooperation between Deltatre and Imagine teams in Italy, we managed to get to air with a new IP workflow despite the exceptionally short timelines. We believe this new approach can revolutionize other sports leagues looking to modernize the way they manage their brand and storytelling around the world.”

The new graphic production workflow is hosted within EI Towers’ International Broadcast Centre (IBC) in Lissone, which supports distribution of Lega Serie A matches to broadcasters and rightsholders in Italy and around the world. One of the largest, most innovative broadcast centers in Europe, the IBC houses a state-of-the-art, fully IP end-to-end workflow designed by EI Towers’ engineering team, eliminating the need for complex IP-SDI conversions.

“To ensure we were ready for the start of the season with top-notch graphics, it was essential to partner with companies well prepared to take on this challenging project and work against an aggressive timeline,” said Luisella Fusco, Lega Serie A Media Operations & Broadcast Director. “Thanks to Deltatre’s commitment to innovation and Imagine’s proven IP technology and experience, we now have a fully integrated, highly reliable, native-IP infrastructure with unlimited possibility for future scale.”

Imagine’s SNP MCL features include full-resolution 10-bit and HDR-capable graphics; four full-frame keyers; three external Key/Fill inputs; full frame sync on every input including Key/Fill; 16 channels of audio processing; and flexible interfaces, including 12G SDI, 2SI-SDI and ST 2110. The SNP MCL selects and manages source inputs by controlling an upstream router through Imagine LRC protocol and the Magellan™ Control System, which supports seamless IP networking and control of ST 2110 devices through the industry-standard NMOS protocol.

The unique SNP design enables it to be easily reconfigured with different personalities and upgraded in the field with new functionality. In Deltatre’s graphic production workflow, some SNPs are configured with the SNP-MV low-latency, HDR-capable production multiviewer personality, which enables content from different video formats and HDR systems to be integrated into a consistent display environment.

“We are enthusiastic football fans at Imagine, so we are proud that our technology is helping Lega Serie A provide viewers with the best possible experience,” said Mathias Eckert, SVP & GM EMEA & APAC at Imagine Communications. “We are also enthusiastic advocates for the rollout of ST 2110, and Deltatre’s groundbreaking deployment marks an important milestone in acceptance of the standard — demonstrating to the industry that IP is a valuable solution for graphics production.

Media companies attending IBC2024 (13-16 September, RAI Amsterdam) can visit the Imagine stand (1.B73) for a hands-on demonstration of SNP and all the latest advances in the company’s industry-proven portfolio, which enables media companies to choose a path and pace to IP that aligns with their specific business requirements.