The Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS), the largest news organization in the Netherlands, has undertaken a significant upgrade of its three biggest television studios, integrating multi-screen display walls capable of ultra-high-resolution media playback. This high-profile installation, designed to meet the demanding signal distribution requirements of modern broadcasting, utilizes the x4 display wall controller from Datapath.
Transforming News Broadcasting
The NOS, or Netherlands Broadcasting Foundation, is mandated to deliver independent and reliable output across three Dutch public television channels, including daily news bulletins, parliamentary reports, and sports event coverage. Recognized as a critical national media service, the NOS also assumes control of public networks during emergencies to provide continuous coverage.
To maintain its leading role in media and communications, the NOS embarked on a comprehensive modernization project in early 2012, launching a high-profile design contest aimed at revolutionizing its news broadcasting style. The winning design, submitted by Fisheye of Ghent, Belgium, aligned perfectly with the NOS’s vision for a modern, dynamic news presentation that brings the broadcaster closer to its viewers.
Innovative Studio Design
Fisheye, an experienced studio designer and constructor, collaborated with Blinkblink, a Datapath distributor and studio integration consultant, to realize the ambitious project. Blinkblink’s expertise in digital signage, multi-screen setups, and broadcast solutions was crucial, especially with the incorporation of the Datapath x4 display wall controller.
“The NOS wanted a solution that could deliver 12 x HD displays,” says Kris Goubert, Blinkblink’s owner and managing director. “The Datapath x4 was the perfect match for these expectations.”
Advanced Display Technology
The upgraded studios feature a stratified video rear wall with horizontal LED stripes, creating an impression of floating space. The setup consists of 274 separate video cubes, with studio 8 boasting a total playback resolution equivalent to 12 x HD. This configuration relies on the playback power of a Picturall Octo media server, which outputs HD DVI at 1920 x 1080 resolution. Each server output is connected to a Datapath x4, which multiplies the resolution to a custom HD resolution of 3840 x 1080 at 50 Hz.
The Datapath x4 controllers offer critical functionality for the NOS studios. Each output can represent an arbitrary crop region of the original input image, with the option to upscale and convert frame rates independently. This flexibility is essential for achieving the desired visual effects in the new studio designs.
Efficient and Cost-Effective Solution
Blinkblink conducted extensive testing with high-resolution media files to ensure the system’s reliability and performance before installation. The final setup features six Datapath x4 controllers, each managing a group of 6 x 5 video cubes, creating a video wall capable of 12 x HD media playback. Custom software allows the NOS crew to manage media playback efficiently.
“Using the Datapath x4 allowed us to deliver a cost-effective solution without compromising performance,” explains Goubert. “This efficiency and our practical approach were key to winning the project.”
Enhanced Viewer Experience
The NOS studios went live in July 2012, with the most notable changes visible in the 8 o’clock NOS Journaal, the organization’s flagship news broadcast. The new studio setup enables the news anchor to move around the studio, making the broadcast more dynamic and engaging for viewers.
