Tutorial: How to set up a cloud based high-end live remote multicam production
In VRT’s and RTBF’s departments a lot of research is being done on future broadcast and on how software solutions from the live streaming and gaming world can enhance the workflows of live multicam video production. In one of these projects they explore the readiness of cloud infrastructure for high-end live production. Given the current corona crisis, where many production staff and talent are obliged to work from home, this project was accelerated and quickly found its way onto the screens of our viewers.
This work is the result of an intense collaboration between researchers from VRT and RTBF, under the umbrella of the international Video Snackbar Hub. An international initiative that brings together video production innovators from different broadcasters in Europe and beyond. We believe that working together and sharing insights brings us forward faster, so we jointly wrote a public tutorial summarising VRT’s & RTBF’s work.
What
In this tutorial they explain how to set up a virtual machine (with dedicated GPU) in the cloud, suited for live multicam production and how to set up and run a vMix production on this machine. They also suggest some extra iterations to make your production even more professional and robust. You can do this from your laptop, desktop, without having to leave your home or do any physical installations.
Set up
This set up allows for a high-end live multicam production of up to 4 hosts/guests using SRT contribution. This is especially suited for talk shows and other broadcast-style productions. The hosts, guests and director can talk to each other on a low latency audio intercom communications channel and can get a return image, using a Web RTC web page. On top of this you get to use all the vMix features such as advanced audio routing & processing using VSTs, titles, playout, recording, streaming, slow motion etc. If you have additional ideas on cloud productions or suggestions on how to improve this document: please get in contact with Karel De Bondt (VRT) or Hugo Ortiz (RTBF) - members of the Video Snackbar Hub.
Webinar
On Friday the 3rd of April 2020 we explained this project during the first Video Snackbar Hub webinar, during which 9 storytellers and technologists shared their experiences and the impact of the corona crisis on their work & lives with 600 participants. You can rewatch our talk here.
