How to guarantee reliable, optimised audiovisual coverage for a multi-site event?

Multi-site events, which account for 34% of major productions according to the Futuresource Consulting 2024 report, require rigorous technical planning and redundant infrastructure to succeed. A well-designed strategy rests on robust technology, smooth coordination and centralised supervision.

Connectivity is the pillar of multi-site productions. A solid, well-designed network infrastructure guarantees stable, high-performance transmission between sites, even in the event of a technical failure. Here are the key elements:

• Optical fibre: Using dual SMPTE 2110 rings with automated A/B paths provides active redundancy. This means that if one path fails, the second takes over immediately.
• Backbone: The backbone is the main framework of the network. It is a very high-speed link that connects the different sites. A minimum speed of 10 Gbps per site is recommended to support high-resolution video and audio streams without loss of quality.
• QoS (Quality of Service): This system prioritises critical streams (such as live video or audio) by allocating enough bandwidth. It prevents lower-priority applications (such as downloads or browsing) from disrupting essential transmissions.

Network resilience is crucial for a multi-site event. Here are the three most common configurations:

1. Star topology: Each site is connected directly to a central hub. This configuration is simple to manage but vulnerable if the central hub goes down.
2. Ring topology: All the sites are connected in a loop, providing an alternative path in case of failure. This considerably increases reliability.
3. Hybrid mesh: This configuration combines several topologies to guarantee maximum redundancy, ideal for critical or complex productions.

Modern infrastructure often combines dedicated fibre and mobile networks (4G/5G) for optimal stability. Redundancy becomes indispensable as soon as part of the audience follows a hybrid event, with no possibility of a retake.

To minimise interruptions, a layered transmission system is indispensable:

• Primary: Dedicated optical fibre remains the preferred solution for its reliability and its ability to carry very high-quality streams.
• Backup 1: 4G/5G bonding, which aggregates several mobile connections from different operators, offers a fast, adaptable backup solution.
• Backup 2: Satellites equipped with HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding) compression make it possible to maintain transmission even in remote areas or in the event of a major failure of terrestrial networks.

Recent tests have shown that a switchover between these systems can take place in under 2 frames (about 0.08 seconds), guaranteeing a smooth experience for viewers.

Orchestrating technical teams spread across several sites calls for robust communication tools and flawless organisation. Here are the essential elements:

• Digital matrix: These high-capacity communication systems let technical teams talk in real time without saturation, even in complex configurations.
• RF coverage: Radio frequency planning is crucial to avoid interference and guarantee coverage with no blind spots.
• Dedicated workflows: Specific communication groups (audio, video, logistics) make coordination easier and reduce the risk of errors.

Communication between sites is the lifeblood of handling the unexpected and ensuring smooth execution.

Centralised supervision, often organised through an MCR (Master Control Room), is indispensable to guarantee the quality and reliability of the event. Here are its main functions:

• Stream monitoring: Real-time control of audio and video signals to detect and resolve problems quickly.
• Switching matrix management: Makes it possible to switch from one source to another without interruption in case of failure.
• Supervision of links between sites: Constant checking of the stability of network connections.

Modern supervision tools include:

• Real-time dashboards: They display key metrics such as latency, bandwidth used or stream errors.
• Predictive alerting: Systems based on artificial intelligence can anticipate failures by analysing anomalies, reducing technical incidents by 47% according to a 2023 IEEE study.

The MCR acts as a true “control tower”, ensuring coordination and overall quality.

The success of a multi-site event rests on three pillars:

1. Advanced technology: To guarantee transmission and redundancy.
2. Human coordination: Smooth communication between teams on site and remote.
3. Centralised supervision: To anticipate and resolve technical problems in real time.

With careful planning, suitable infrastructure and modern tools, multi-site events deliver an immersive and reliable experience, meeting the ever-growing expectations of audiences.

To illustrate good practice, let us look at the case of a car manufacturer that organised a multi-site event for the worldwide launch of its new electric model.

The event took place simultaneously in three key cities: Paris, New York and Tokyo, with thousands of participants on site and an online audience of more than 500,000 viewers.

The goal was to broadcast synchronised high-resolution content across the three sites, while guaranteeing live interaction between the teams and the participants.

The main difficulty lay in coordinating the video and audio streams in real time across different time zones, while avoiding interruptions.

1. Network infrastructure:
   • A 10 Gbps optical fibre backbone connected the three sites.
   • A QoS system prioritised the transmission of 4K video streams for the live presentations.
   • Backups via 5G bonding ensured complete redundancy.
2. Centralised supervision: An MCR based in London supervised the whole transmission, monitoring the streams and coordinating automatic switchovers in case of failure.
3. Interactive engagement:
   • A dedicated app let online participants ask questions live, relayed simultaneously on the three sites.
   • A social media campaign with the hashtag #FutureDrive2024 generated more than 50,000 interactions before the end of the event.

The event was a major success:

• 99.8% network availability thanks to a redundant architecture.
• A reduction in the switchover time between backups to 1.5 frames, imperceptible to the audience.
• A 35% increase in leads generated compared with their previous launches.

This case shows how careful planning, advanced technology and smooth coordination can turn a multi-site event into a real worldwide success.