NEW DELHI: The ongoing pandemic has brought about many changes to the world of live broadcast. Live sport events around the world, like the IPL 2020, have been held without audiences and the lack of attendees has required many innovative approaches across the industry. Therefore, Dolby Laboratories worked closely with Star India to deliver enhanced audio experiences for its broadcast and digital platform during the cricketing tournament.
The sports production team at Star India used the Dolby On app extensively through the IPL to remotely record voice-overs and reactions from commentators and fans to replicate a stadium-like experience for viewers at home.
In parallel, Dolby has been working with Star India for over a decade to help create and deliver spectacular broadcast experiences that leverage the company’s end-to-end production and delivery workflow powered by Dolby Audio. This long-etched relationship has grown further with the implementation of enhanced audio technologies across the chain, starting with on-ground and studio production workflows that delivered superior viewer experiences during the recently concluded 13th edition of the IPL. Through Dolby On and Dolby Audio, Star India was able to create an engaging fan experience that brought the thrill of a live stadium to the comfort of viewers’ homes.
Dolby Laboratories MD emerging markets Pankaj Kedia said, “It has been a fantastic experience to first usher in the HD revolution in 2011 with Dolby Audio, followed by delivering a live cricket broadcast in Dolby Audio and many others. We are excited to be working with the very talented team to explore and deliver enhanced audio experiences to Star India’s viewers.”
For IPL 2020, Dolby also carried out a complete assessment of the stadiums, pre-production, post-production, audio production, and transmission chain for live and post-produced content. The assessment involved studying the entire audio workflow from its origin at the ground, through the audio mixing tables to transmission and editing stations, playout, and final delivery. Some of the audio processes and workflows were redesigned to better synergise audio from various sources like live matches, on-air promos, and advertising content was optimized for native as well as enhanced 5.1 viewing experience, to ensure that the final audio delivered to the consumer was consistent and maintained a uniform loudness level and clarity regardless of its origin. Extensive audio training modules were designed and delivered to production and technical staff to ensure that they were fully equipped with the knowledge to handle the complexities of live sports broadcasting especially during IPL 2020.
