Gfinity esports broadcasts move to cloud-based production

Gfinity is using cloud-based production for its multi-day live esports broadcasts.

Using Grass Valley’s cloud-based SaaS platform GV AMPP (Agile Media Processing Platform), Gfinity is handling production and delivery, entirely in the cloud, for one of its virtual professional motorsports series, which is distributed for live broadcast on both OTT and linear channels around the world.

Each racing event uses remotely controlled camera feeds from multiple individual player locations across Europe that are sent to AMPP in the cloud through LiveU’s portable cellular units. The feeds are then immediately available in a web browser for monitoring by the entire production team, racing support teams, game observers and officials via AMPP Multiviewers.

AMPP Master Control is accessed using the same AMPP switching fabric, which also provides feed synchronization. 

Streams are then delivered, with RTMP and SRT via AMPP to video platforms. AMPP I/O at Gfinity’s London studio will then bring it out of the cloud and send it on to linear television channels. 

Michael Valentine, head of esports technology at Gfinity, said: “Initially, due to COVID-19 – but also looking ahead to longer-term flexibility and scalability – we wanted to put a cloud-based production and delivery workflow in place that could meet the high-end production values that our gamers, fans and broadcast partners expect.

“Being able to handle everything from live switching to multiviewers in the cloud through AMPP extends our ability to produce content remotely and delivers improved utilization of resources throughout a race weekend.”

Mike Cronk, vice president, advanced technology at Grass Valley, added: “Having seen other deployments of AMPP – that enabled scalable and flexible cloud-based productions – the team at Gfinity were assured Grass Valley would be the technology partner that could take their workflow into the cloud. We’re thrilled to work with this innovative esports pioneer.”