Report-IT for Sideline Commentary

Tieline Report-IT App is Perfect for Sideline Commentary

Tieline’s Report-IT Enterprise application provides simple and reliable reporting and newsgathering solutions for broadcasters. What is perhaps not as well-known, is that the Report-IT app is also used by broadcasters for sideline commentary at live sports events during radio and TV broadcasts.  How does this work? There are two common setups that can be implemented, depending on whether a commentary team is co-located at a venue, or located remotely off-site.

Report-IT for Sideline Commentary with a Tieline ViA at a Stadium

Tieline’s ViA remote codec has a touch screen digital matrix router which supports using Report-IT as a sideline commentary input source. In this mode, program audio from Report-IT can be mixed with outgoing commentary audio from ViA, to send a complete mix of commentary position audio and sideline commentary back to the studio.

To use Report-IT in this mode:

1. Connect ViA to a studio codec such as the Gateway or Gateway 4, to stream bidirectional mono or stereo audio. Note: the return path from the studio can be a mix-minus feed of studio program mixed with IFB communications.
2. Create a mono audio stream connection from a sideline commentator using Report-IT to the ViA in a commentary position at a sporting event. Note: the ViA codec touch screen matrix editor can be used to create a unique mix minus onsite. In the following example, encoder 3 in the ViA is used to send mix-minus commentary audio to the sideline commentator using Report-IT. The sideline commentator’s program audio is being routed to the commentator headphones and into encoders 1 and 2 using decoder 3.

3. The sideline commentator’s audio is mixed with ViA commentary position audio and in this example a stereo program stream is sent back to the studio codec.

Requirements:

• A remote ViA codec and a Tieline codec at the studio, e.g. Gateway, which sends commentator mix-minus audio and receives program audio from the remote ViA codec
• Report-IT Enterprise app on the sideline commentator’s smartphone
• Optional smartphone cable adapter, with an XLR mic connector for a dynamic mic, plus a headphone output e.g. Shure MOTIV MVi adapter, or iRig
• Optional headphone amp to increase gain in loud environments

Advantages:

• Portable and lightweight solution
• The Report-IT app supports hitless packet switching using SmartStream PLUS redundant streaming. For example, the app can use a cellular data connection and WiFi connection simultaneously and stream over both for redundancy.
• ViA codec offers simple touch screen mix-minus and program routing at the remote event and interfaces with the codec at the studio
• Report-IT is simple for non-technical announcers to use; launch the app and tap ‘Connect’ to stream crystal clear and high quality live audio. All settings are configured by an administrator at the studio, so no technical knowledge is required at the remote site.
• No need to purchase expensive radio microphones and IFB receivers for on-field sideline commentary talent
• Connect using cellular or private/public Wi-Fi networks to broadcast live. These days is it possible to organize and use prioritized cellular data using providers such as MaxxKonnect in the US, or Telstra LANES in Australia. Or set up a private WiFi network link at the stadium.
• Use the Cloud Codec Controller to remotely connect and disconnect Report-IT and ViA, You can also remotely start and stop recordings, monitor and adjust input and record levels, lock and unlock controls and observe link quality.
• Long battery life on cell phones and external power banks can extend battery life.

Report-IT for Sideline Commentary with a Remotely Located Commentary Team

These days it’s not uncommon for broadcast commentary teams to be located away from a stadium and mixed and switched from a hub at home-base ‘off-tube’. This not uncommon for interstate events, or large international sporting events, which host multiple venues from which vision feeds are accessed via the host broadcaster. Commentary can now be added downstream in a broadcaster’s home city or country before the mixed feed of audio and video is transmitted or streamed to audiences. If a commentary team is located in a home city or hub, it may still be a requirement to provide a sideline commentator and receive a unilateral feed from a remote stadium to integrate directly from the event. This may include general commentary, or perhaps sideline interviews and expert opinion.

In this scenario:

1. The sideline commentator using the Report-IT Enterprise app connects to a studio codec directly, e.g. Gateway codec. A mono program feed is sent from the sideline commentator and a mono mix-minus feed is sent on the return path.
2. The ViA codec is connected directly to the studio codec for play-by-play commentary and this may be at the main studio, a hub, or even at an announcer’s home. A mono or stereo program feed is sent from the ViA and mix-minus feed is sent on the return path.
3. Incoming audio from the sideline commentator (Report-IT app) and the play-by-play commentary team (ViA codec) is mixed at the studio.
4. A separate sound effects feed may be supplied by the host broadcaster at large international sporting events, along with a vision feed.

Remote Control Capability

The Cloud Codec Controller allows all network codecs and the Report-IT app to be controlled remotely in real-time from the studio, or anywhere with an internet connection. As long as codecs or Report-IT Enterprise app users have access to the internet, they can be identified and controlled within the Cloud Codec Controller. This simplifies network management of codecs and remote control of all devices from anywhere, anytime.

For more information on these Tieline products and solutions visit https://tieline.com/product/, or contact Tieline sales:

• For USA, Canada & Latin America contact: sales@tieline.com
• For Australia and International: info@tieline.com

(Report-IT for Sideline Commentary first published on 19th May, 2025)