Explore the Novelty: ASG Presents Their Latest Virtual Truck Service
Advanced Systems Group (ASG) is leading the charge in the live production industry with its innovative cloud-based solution, the Virtual Truck. This groundbreaking system, supported by leading manufacturers such as Vizrt, Gallery Sienna, Audinate, Telos, Solid State Logic, and Grass Valley, is set to revolutionise the way live events are produced.
Claudia Souza, ASG's Chief Cloud Officer, highlights the expertise of their Cloud Team, who have been at the forefront of the industry's transition to software-defined workflows. The Virtual Truck is designed for a wide range of live events, including sports, music, corporate events, esports, and leverages the same technology as the VPCR.
ASG President, Dave Van Hoy, emphasises that the Virtual Truck democratises live production, removing barriers imposed by location-bound, costly, legacy hardware. The system offers greater flexibility and cost savings than traditional on-the-ground broadcast components.
Cloud providers like AWS and GCP offer robust compute and storage technologies for this system. The Virtual Truck, part of ASG's offerings, continues to provide these advantages.
The technology used allows on-site cameras to feed directly into encoders for IP transport into integrated cloud solutions. Broadcasters and streamers can deliver multiple program versions and streaming formats to standard distribution outlets like YouTube, Facebook, or a CDN.
ASG's expert team provides support, from initial setup to full deployment and ongoing maintenance. The first Virtual Truck offering from ASG features a 44-input, eight M/E switcher, eight channels of replay, a flexible graphics station, 64-stereo, 44 bus return, AES67 compatible audio, and a multi-channel beltpack and IFB comms system.
The Virtual Truck by ASG enables seamless content delivery without requiring additional satellite uplink. It expands the potential for live production to a wider range of professionals, from broadcasters to streamers.
Moreover, the Virtual Truck reduces the carbon footprint typically associated with live production due to less travel, less gear shipped, and reduced power consumption.
In essence, cloud-based remote production systems like the Virtual Truck offer significant advantages. These include faster setup and scalability, cost savings, improved collaboration and remote work, automatic updates and maintenance, security, and mobile and remote access capabilities.
These systems are widely used for live sports and event broadcasting, news production, multi-location productions, and disaster recovery and business continuity. The Virtual Truck by ASG exemplifies how cloud infrastructure transforms broadcast production by making it more adaptable, collaborative, and cost-effective compared to traditional on-premise or physical truck-based models.
Surella is the first camera and contribution truck partner for ASG's Virtual Trucks, providing bi-coastal HD and 4K camera and support vehicles. As ASG recognises, there are still events requiring physical trucks, but they are providing a cost-effective and flexible alternative solution for live production.
[1] Cloud-based remote production systems: A game-changer for live events [2] The Virtual Truck: Revolutionising Live Production [3] Cloud-based production: The future of live events [4] Cloud-based remote production: Cost savings and flexibility
Events can be revolutionised through the use of cloud-based remote production systems such as the Virtual Truck, which offers features like faster setup, scalability, cost savings, and reduced carbon footprint.
The Virtual Truck, supported by various leading manufacturers, demonstrates how cloud-based solutions can democratise live production, making it more accessible to a wider range of professionals.
As part of a more sustainable lifestyle, cloud-based production systems like the Virtual Truck can help reduce the environmental impact of live events by reducing travel, energy consumption, and gear shipping.
