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Summit28 CAMERA CHANNELS

COP28 UN Climate Summit

Global Unilateral & Host Broadcaster Transmission Matrix

Expo City Dubai, UAE
Abu Dhabi TV / UNFCCC Host Broadcast
Nov 30 – Dec 13, 2023
SAMIR'S ROLE & MISSION

Lead OB Systems Engineer & Signal Routing Lead

Engineered zero-latency international distribution matrix across 35+ multilateral feeds, high-security presidential plenary halls, and global network unilateral cabins with 100% transmission continuity.

1.2B+
Global Audience
35+
Unilateral Feeds
312 Hrs
Continuous On-Air
0
Signal Loss Incidents

Master Hardware & Signal Architecture

VIDEO FORMAT & ENCODING1080p50 HDR / 12G-SDI & SMPTE 2110 Hybrid
VISION MIXERSony MVS-8000X (4 M/E Main Plenary + 2 M/E Side Halls)
REPLAY & SLOW-MOTIONEVS XT-VIA & XT3 (8 Channel Speech Loggers)
MASTER SYNC & ROUTINGEvertz 5600SPG Dual Redundant Master Sync + Nevion Sublime 128x128

Technical Approach

Designed a dual-ring fiber backbone connecting the Plenary Hall OB Compound to International Media Centre (IMC) distribution hubs.
Configured redundant Evertz SPG synchronizers with GPS locking to guarantee jitter-free reference across 28 multi-vendor camera channels.
Established strict CCU colorimetry matching calibrated for low-glare presidential lighting and 4K HDR projection backdrops.

Signal Flow Chain

01.
Optical Ingest28 SMPTE hybrid fiber camera runs terminated at tactical patch-wall
02.
CCU Paint BoxSony RCP-1500 master rack aligned to D65 color temp
03.
Matrix RoutingNevion 128x128 HD-SDI router with automated fallback switching
04.
Vision MixingSony MVS-8000X delivering 4 distinct international clean & graphic feeds
05.
Satellite Uplink & Fiber TxDual redundant encoders routed to EBU and Abu Dhabi Media playout

High-Pressure Live Faults & Engineering Solutions

CHALLENGE ENCOUNTERED:Unannounced VIP arrival caused spontaneous room reassignment 20 minutes before world leaders address.
REAL-TIME ENGINEERING FIX:Triggered emergency flyaway optical multiplexer preset, re-patching 6 CCU channels and RTS intercom panels over dark fiber trunk in 8 minutes.
Impact on Broadcast: Zero transmission delay; world feed went live flawlessly with synchronized tally and graphics.
CHALLENGE ENCOUNTERED:Severe thermal fluctuations in external outdoor fiber termination hubs reaching 42°C ambient.
REAL-TIME ENGINEERING FIX:Implemented active thermoelectric spot cooling and optical power margin monitoring on all tactical SMPTE cables.
Impact on Broadcast: Prevented optical dB attenuation drops throughout the 14-day summit.
HONEST ENGINEERING RETROSPECTIVE — “WHAT I'D IMPROVE NEXT TIME”

In future mega-summits, I would deploy automated SMPTE ST 2110 NMOS IS-04/05 discovery for unilateral client trucks to cut initial patching times by another 40%.

Planning a Similar Live Broadcast Production?

Samir Elgammal is available for OB Truck, CCU, and EVS operations across UAE and GCC.

Inquire For Dates & Roles →