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Ultra-HD production and distribution
On site, the matches on the Chatrier, Lenglen, Mathieu and C14 courts are captured natively in UHD, the other 12 in HD.
Our partner HBS supplies the signal to the OBvan UM1 also on site. UM1 is responsible for the graphics and production of the broadcasts on set near the courts. UHD signals are HDR High Dynamic Range HLG standard. They are then sent to the France Télévisions headquarters via dark fiber. After passing through the hub, they arrive at the final control room for broadcast on France 4 and France 2 in HD and France 2 UHD (DTT channel 52).
Dolby Atmos
These images are associated with immersive 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos sound, an audio standard which allows spatialized sound reproduction (5 horizontal speakers, 1 subwoofer, 4 vertical speakers). This standard also allows you, if you have compatible equipment, to personalize your sound experience: you can choose the language of the commentary and do your own mixing with the ambient sound, for example. This required some adjustments in the OBvan UM1 coach such as the installation of 5.1.4 monitoring in the audio control room and a SADM processor, which allows the management and generation of metadata accompanying the audio stream, all to the ST-2110 standard.
SMPTE ST-2110
In the world of television, we are witnessing a technological break. Until then, we transport the signals according to the SDI standard, specific to broadcast. This standard has limitations, starting with the complexity of transporting very heavy UHD signals. More flexible and scalable, with increased capacities, we are now turning to SMPTE ST-2110, an IT type standard. France Télévisions is working on the implementation of this new standard and dedicated equipment is already installed in its data centers.
But it is at hub that ST-2110 investments are most significant. Entry point for external signals, these pass through a switch which will evolve from traditional SDI to the ST-2110 standard. The equipment mainly concerns the acquisition of switches (Cisco), infrastructure (technical bays, fiber optic mesh) and Gateways (allowing SDI signals to be converted into 2110).
The Roland Garros tournament is an opportunity to activate this new network. For the first time, production will be based on the ST-2110 from end to end: signals exchanges from the UM1 to the hub to broadcast by the final control room.
This constitutes a first step in the migration process, with the aim of 2028 when the entire France Télévisions headquarter will be up to the 2110 standard.
