July 28, 2022 - For more than three decades, GAHRENS + BATTERMANN (G+B) has helped the German live events industry deliver standout experiences powered by innovative technology solutions. One of the company’s most recent advancements, mobile UltraHD HDR control rooms, are starting to gain favor, and we got a chance to chat with G+B Broadcast Specialist Daniela Böhmer about the kit, her experience in the industry, and more.
Tell us more about GAHRENS + BATTERMANN.
In business since 1983, G+B is one of Germany's leading event technology and service providers. Our team of 230 employees specializes in creating memorable digital, hybrid, and live events that impress. We work closely with every client to deliver tailor-made solutions that meet the needs of their unique event, whether on location, at one of our partner studios, or in a G+B studio. If you want to learn more, check out our website.
What is your role, and how’d you get into the live events business?
I joined G+B as a Media Design Trainee in 2007 and started learning the tools and techniques of the trade. Eventually I became a Broadcast Specialist, a role in which I research and manage the broadcast equipment for our rental fleet. I also help with events as an Image Engineer when needed.
Describe a recent project you’ve worked on.
Last year we completed a massive project for one of Germany’s most well-known automotive brands. We helped them live stream a press conference from the IAA Exhibition in Munich, Germany – complete with key/fill overlays for lower thirds – as well as a separate program. The project required a dedicated live production workflow including a switcher and playback systems, and signal distribution to six large LED screens on the client’s exhibition booth. Considering the nature of the project, audio and video demands, and space restrictions, we relied extensively on a 3G-SDI-equipped mobile UltraHD HDR-capable control room built by our team. It allowed us to fit all the necessary tools – like AJA FS-HDR, FS4, KUMO, Mini-Converters, and Ki Pro Ultra Plus – into a compact rack.
What challenges do you encounter on projects like this?
One of the biggest challenges we face on any project is managing unexpected shifts in production equipment needs. For instance, a customer might request an additional recording of a single camera feed on-site, which needs audio-embedding, or the event director might request a key/fill feed for lower-thirds, requiring signal conversion from HDMI to SDI. We must be ready to address these requests, which is why we built the control rooms to support many different signal types and formats. AJA gear has been helpful in this respect, providing high-performance, reliable, and cost-effective conversion that allows us to adapt.
Tell us more about G+B’s control rooms and how they are used.
Every project is unique in its location and requirements, but across the board, clients expect high quality audio and video. This requires compact, versatile control rooms that we can travel with and that can deliver content that meets client expectations. Every mobile control room includes pre-wired control racks, a professional production switcher, and cameras, with high-quality signal distribution, conversion, analysis, and recording technology backbone.
Why is it important for the control rooms to support UltraHD and HDR?
Modern video technology has always been at the heart of everything G+B does. An early adopter of UltraHD and HDR technology, we recognized their potential for delivering high quality video with brilliant color. Now our team has in-depth knowledge that we can pass on to our customers and we’re able to push new technical boundaries in the live event space.
How would you describe industry demand for UltraHD and HDR?
UltraHD HDR live event production is still nascent, and most of the productions that we work on are HD SDR. However, every year, UltraHD HDR is gaining traction, especially as the industry begins to see its potential. In time, as the cost of equipment comes down and implementation becomes more practical, we expect it to become an industry standard practice, and having already worked with it, we’re better positioned for this future reality.
Tell us more about the signal distribution, conversion, analysis, and recording technology that make up your mobile control rooms.
Conversion is key across projects, especially when working with various HDR standards and camera formats. For this reason, we lean heavily on AJA FS-HDR, which has been part of our fleet since 2019. It’s not our first experience with AJA’s FS line, though, as we still use the FS2. The entire FS line is amazing in that it provides so much flexibility. Whether de-/embedding audio or converting video, we can achieve so many different signals and formats in different ways. FS-HDR has proven especially useful in that it allows us to up/down/cross convert four channels of 2K/HD, and gives us the tools we need to realize 4K productions for our customers in the future. HDR-SDR cross conversions and associated LUT processing is also intuitive with the device.
AJA HDR Image Analyzer is another key component of our control rooms. As an Image Engineer, it’s a great relief to have one, because it allows me to view the important data of the attached video signal in a structured way. It’s useful during camera matching, as I often switch between settings and views of the waveform representation to get the best picture out of the camera. Prefabricated shortcuts also provide quick access to my tool’s display possibilities.
No control room is complete without an SDI router, and we use AJA KUMO 3232-12G. We love the compact, reliable nature of the device, plus it makes it easy to replace defective cables at any time. Also, the web interface and adjustable control panel make on the fly changes quick and simple. We also use a range of AJA Mini-Converters, which despite their compact size, pack a punch; they allow many settings via the USB remote control and provide precise values for signals they receive or send. Rounding out the technology stack are our AJA Ki Pro recorders. The Ki Pro family has been a part of our rental fleet for a long time, from the Ki Pro Classic to the Ki Pro Rack, the Ki Pro GO and Ki Pro Ultra Plus. The Ki Pro GO, with H.264 USB drive recording, enables rapid turnover for customers.
Why did you opt to incorprorate 12G-SDI technology in the control rooms?
12G-SDI makes it easy to transmit UltraHD signals over a single cable, which is advantageous for live events. Most projects last 3-14 days, without any existing infrastructure for signal transmission, so quad split SDI technology isn’t practical. It would mean four times the cables, complex troubleshooting, and potential differences in runtime between the individual cables. The single-cable simplicity of 12G-SDI is just easier and more reliable for our use cases.
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A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
