You can only be successful in such a production by applying the highest quality standards and Barco met these standards hands down.
Faber chooses for Barco Eventmaster platform on Eurovision 2021
Rotterdam, NL - 2021
With 2020’s event being canceled, the 2021 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest couldn’t have been more anticipated. On May 18 and 20, artists from 39 countries were trying to convince European audiences with their best performances during the semi-finals, and the last 26 battled again on May 22 during the Grand Final.
Barco solutions:
- 2 x E2 with 4K60 Tri-Combo input cards
- 2 x PDS-4K
- 5 x ImagePro-4K
- UDX-4K32 laser phosphor projectors
Key benefits:
- Uncompromising image quality and reliability
- True life-savers during the live shows when it comes to scaling, converting and switching images
- Modular and scalable architecture to support a wide variety of show configurations
Just like in many recent editions, Barco’s projection and image processing technology was used to turn the three live shows into a spectacular audiovisual experience. The different Barco solutions were chosen by Dutch AV specialist Faber Audiovisuals, the official video partner for the 2020 and 2021 Eurovision Song Contest.
Following a European tender, Faber Audiovisuals was selected in 2020 as the video partner for the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest. Following the cancelation due to the pandemic, Faber remained the technical supplier for the 65th edition, taking place in 2021. Faber Audiovisuals provided all LED screens, video projections, media servers, image processing and supporting technicians for the three live shows.
“The Eurovision Song Contest is a mega production equaled by very few worldwide,” says project manager Ben Augenbroe. “You can only be successful in this production with so many viewers and so many organizers and participants, by applying the highest quality standards, and Barco was able to meet these standards hands down.”
High-quality image processing
The Barco equipment used to present the brightest images on the audience screens included two Barco E2 image processors, with 4K60 Tri-Combo input cards, two Barco PDS-4K presentation switchers and five Barco ImagePro-4K image scalers/converters. Barco’s UDX-4K32 laser phosphor projector also ensured reliable image quality during the live shows and in the press room.
“For Eurovision, only quality technology is good enough, and that’s exactly what we found with Barco,” says Ben Augenbroe. “Barco’s PDS-4K presentation switcher is the only solution in its class which allows us to monitor all media server feeds in 4K. Also, Barco’s ImagePro-4K image processors have proven to be true life-savers during the live shows when it comes to scaling, scan converting and switching images.”
Millimeter perfection
Belgian company Visual Solutions was also subcontracted by Faber Audiovisuals to program and operate the media servers for the Eurovision Song Contest. “The stage of the Rotterdam Ahoy arena was filled with a wide variety of large screens. Every country and song had its own visuals, which needed to be displayed with accurate timing and with millimeter perfection,” says Jo Pauly, manager at Visual Solutions. “Barco’s image processing products have enabled my team to make this possible.”
Barco would like to extend special thanks to the following people for making Eurovision 2021 a spectacular success: Erwin Rintjema (ESC Head of Production), Hans Cromheecke (ESC Head of Video), and Ben Augenbroe, Steve Ackein, and Jeroen Jongenelen at Faber Audiovisuals.
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