MALAYSIA: The recommencement of professional sports without audiences posed a new challenge for broadcaster Astro during the Covid-19 pandemic. The broadcaster was challenged with a demanding schedule featuring more live sports events, but with fewer resources and lower budgets.

Accordingly, the Astro Arena required a portable MCP video system. Following internal technical discussions, Astro’s management team specified an all-in-one, portable, recording and broadcast system that would provide ease of operator use. The 4K UHD-ready format platform would also need to incorporate 4 M/E and production automation with concurrent livestreaming to multiple social media platforms. A Replay system was also required for the four HDMI 4K or six 3G HDSDI camera setup.

Subang Jaya-based dealer and turnkey provider JAA Systems was approached to offer a solution. As Newtek’s Malaysian dealer, JAA successfully demonstrated the Tricaster TC1 video production system to the Astro Arena technical team. Based upon NDI IP software technology, Tricaster matched the exact requirements demanded by Astro Arena and the tender bid was approved. The proposed solution also incorporates Kiloviews encoders together with converters.

“JAA Systems was required to customise a portable system that would accommodate the whole Tricaster TC1 including a switcher panel, 3Play Replay system, external devices, internal integration and cabling within a portable 16u flightcase system,” explained JAA Systems’ senior sales engineer, Said Kaartigaiyan. “Owing to the NDI IP technology, the cabling infrastructure is simplified to make integration straightforward. Now, the compact system is fully integrated for a quick setup and operation including side tables attached to the flight case.”

As a customised portable broadcast solutions provider for many years, JAA System’s has supplied fully localised and integrated radio production systems in OB vans for RTM, portable OB radio-in-a-box for Manis FM and a mobile hand-carry video switcher for Astro Awani. “With the fully integrated portable live video production system now operating in Astro Arena, we have added a notable reference,” said David Chan, director of JAA Systems. “Tricaster is a true IP network system that simplifies all integration within the live production environments. It was an honour to be chosen to work on this Astro Arena project.”

Added Macking Domain (M), distributor of NewTek, MD Tan Yoke Tee: “We are proud that JAA Systems has innovatively integrated our Tricaster TC1 and 3Play into a single compact, flight case. This now allows the Astro Arena to create quality live sports productions with ease.”

“We have never had such a complete video production platform that is able to deliver sports production with so much flexibility and with so many features,” said Samsol Bassin, head of Astro Arena Broadcast Engineering. “With the cost advantage, Newtek’s Tricaster paired with 3Play is the way to go.”

Source: www.proavl-asia.com/details/67446-jaa-systems-integrates-tricaster-systems-into-astro-arena