-
DELIVERY—Apple’s Final Cut Server has finally been released, after having made its presence known way back at NAB in ’07. This is a scalable server app and enables the cataloging of large assets collections as well as searching across multiple disks and SAN volumes. The new software also allows for the viewing, annotation, and approval of content from anywhere. The cross-platform client allows a PC or Mac to use Final Cut Server’s broad search capabilities, which extend from simple keywords to complex combinations of IPTC, XMP and XML metadata. Final Cut Server also configures a range of highly specific access controls that define user permissions on an asset or project basis. Included in the package is Compressor 3, Apple’s digital encoding and compression tool. More info here…—Cupertino, California
-
DELIVERY—Arqiva has announced that it has been selected by VOOM HD Networks to provide fibre connectivity and uplinking of RUSH HD. This is VOOM’s 24/7 high-definition channel devoted to extreme sports and adrenaline action. On April 7th, the channel was launched onto BSkyB’s (Sky) digital satellite platform, the United Kingdom’s most popular digital pay-television service. RUSH HD is a 24/7 HD channel, delivered in 1080i high-definition format with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. The programming includes adrenaline-packed competitions featuring some of the world’s best athletes across a wide range of sports and one-of-a-kind expeditions into remote, uncharted territories. The signal for the 15Mb MPEG-4 1080i format HD channel is sent by fibre from Rainbow Network Communications Broadcasting & Technology Center in New York to Arqiva’s teleport facilities in Chalfont Grove, UK, where the feed is multiplexed and uplinked onto Arqiva’s Eurobird satellite capacity for broadcast on the Sky platform, marking the second VOOM brand to see international distribution. There are additional plans for the channel’s further expansion throughout Europe.
-
CONTENT—There’s a new location for the Cine Gear Expo 2008—Universal Studios Backlot in Universal City. The date is from June 20th through the 21st and more than 200 companies from around the world are expected to participate. Expected are more than 8,000 attendees from the film, video, digital media, broadcast and Internet industries. Offered will be Cine Gear Expo and Premier Seminars, Master Class Seminars and The Film Series Competition. The Premier Seminars are offered at no cost and will run both days of the exposition. For additional info, click on the Cine Gear Expo graphic below…
-
CREATION + DELIVERY—Dalet Digital Media Systems is going to showcase their range of solutions for broadcast and production environments at NAB ’08 in Las Vegas from April 14
to 17. Demos include: Dalet Enterprise Edition | MAM for news, sports and programs, designed as a modular media asset management and production platform, giving broadcasters and content producers the ability to interact with a centralized content catalogue for a comprehensive range of applications. Dalet Enterprise Edition provides a web services, SOA (Services Oriented Architecture) compliant, Application Programming Interface (API) that facilitates the integration of third-party systems and applications. Dalet will also introduce several turn-key packages built on its Dalet Media Library digital archive management software. These Dalet Media Library ARCHIVES-IN-A-BOX solutions are ready-to-rack and include software, hardware and professional services. Dalet Xtend for Apple Final Cut Pro with Dalet NewsPro 2.0 Dalet Xtend is an extension for Apple Final Cut Pro that seamlessly integrates Apple workstations in a MOS-compliant Dalet NewsPro tapeless production and playout workflow. It unleashes the power and ease-of-use of the Apple editing platform in the fast paced world of news and sports. Also demo’d will be advanced SD and HD production and playout workflows showing how such can be implemented using Apple Final Cut Pro editing suites in MOS compliant newsrooms—New York, New York
-
CREATION + DELIVERY—DVC Digital Video Computing has announced their ClipRecorder and Boxxster DDR series will support Bright Systems’ new BrightClip intelligent data recording technology. BrightClip will be shown for the first time at NAB ’08 (#SL14405). Other companies supporting BrightClip include da Vinci Systems, ARRI Film & TV, Thomson Grass Valley and Drastic Technologies. BrightClip represents a major new technology that provides superior disk recording and playback of media within the digital postproduction environment by overcoming the need for disk optimization. DVC Digital Video Computing is the European partner and master distributor for Drastic Technologies of Toronto, Canada, who recently announced support for BrightClip in its upcoming Version 4 DDR software. DVC’s ClipRecorder and Boxxster DDR series are based on software developed by Drastic Technologies and, as such, will also include support for BrightClip. All Drastic and DVC DDRs will ship with BrightClip starting this summer.
- DELIVERY—Harmonic Inc. has revealed that CANALSAT, part of the CANAL+ Group and a fully-owned subsidiary of Vivendi, has expanded its ADSL video service with MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) based digital video solutions from Harmonic. The DiviCom Electra 7000 high definition (HD) and Electra 5400 standard definition (SD) high density encoders enable CANALSAT (the leading digital pay-TV operator in France with more than 10.5 million subscriptions) to provide viewers with superior quality video at ultra-low bit-rates. Using the Harmonic solution, CANALSAT is able to enhance its service portfolio to meet increasing demand for HD programming as well as expand the SD channel lineup and increase the number of households with access to its ADSL video service—Sunnyvale, California
-
DELIVERYMoving Mobile Mainstream—Harris Corporation and LG Electronics have revealed their MPH in-band mobile digital television (DTV) system is deployment-ready. Harris, which accounts for an estimated two of every three DTV transmitters sold and installed in the United States, plans to showcase the multiple features and benefits of MPH at NAB ’08 in Vegas. Early next year, LG Electronics expects to introduce a full range of newgen consumer devices, from handheld digital TVs and mobile phones to DTV-ready notebook computers and in-car DTV systems, capable of receiving and displaying MPH mobile DTV. Developed by LG Electronics, its R&D subsidiary Zenith, and Harris, MPH provides robust, over-the-air, DTV signals to mobile, pedestrian, and handheld devices. This technology allows consumers to watch their favorite programs from local broadcasters, as well as local news, weather and traffic information, even when traveling in fast-moving vehicles or using handheld devices away from home. For broadcasters, mobile DTV has the potential to create lucrative new revenue streams. A recent study commissioned by the NAB predicted that, assuming an industry standard is set by early 2009 and universally adopted, “broadcast television could reap an additional $2 billion in annual revenue by 2012.” The Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC), an ad hoc alliance of U.S. commercial and public broadcasters, is vigorously promoting the development of mobile DTV, and the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) is pursuing an aggressive standardization process expected to yield a single, best-of-the-best, terrestrial mobile/handheld DTV standard by early 2009—Las Vegas, Nevada
-
CREATION + DELIVERY—A success, certainly, as last month the Space Shuttle Endeavour successfully delivered an array of specially modified Harris Corporation NEO VR digital video recorders to the International Space Station (ISS) to help astronauts conduct a variety of scientific experiments. The recorders were the first delivered section of Kibo, a space module developed by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The NEO VR systems, which form part of the Image Processing Unit (IPU) developed by Chiyoda Advanced Solution Co., will record and store video images of experiments conducted at the ISS. Video from Kibo will be played back on NEO VR systems, downlinked through the IPU, and monitored in real time at the Space Station Integration and Promotion Center at the Tsukuba Space Center in Japan. Harris made special modifications to the NEO VR systems to allow the crew to carry removable hard disk drives back to Earth to deliver large volumes of high-quality image data from space experiments. The NEO VR systems were taken to the ISS in the Experiment Logistics Module-Pressurized Section (ELM-PS), the first in a series of Kibo modules that will be delivered to the ISS during three different space shuttle flights and assembled on orbit. The NEO VR systems will be transferred to Kibo’s main experiment module (the Pressurized Module) after it is launched during the second assembly missions planned for May 2008—Cincinnati, Ohio
-
CREATION + DELIVERY—According to Omnia, their Omnia ONE audio processor is “flying out the door”, being purchased by Internet and FM broadcasters. Now the same can be applied to AM broadcasters as the firm has released Omnia ONE for AM. The product uses the latest advances in DSP hardware and manufacturing techniques for full, four-band, AM processing to help any AM station sound more robust. Included is a wideband AGC /leveler followed by four bands of AGC and a separate (not integrated) four-band limiter section with shared precision linear crossover. Also included is an advanced, NRSC compliant, distortion-managed final limiter / clipper with selectable Low Pass filters supporting AM HD transmission installations—Cleveland, Ohio
-
DELIVERY—The RTW DigitalMonitor 10500, a high-performance, cost-effective display system for monitoring digital stereo audio signals, now comes with an integrated loudness display in compliance with ITU guideline BS.1771. Further enhancements include a new full-screen mode for enlarged display that shows the individual instruments being used. All current-production SurroundMonitor 10500 systems leave the factory with the new loudness display options included. The RTW DigitalMonitor 10500 also now features an integrated loudness measurement as per ITU BS.1771 for stereo signals, and these loudness measurements can be selected as an alternative to the usual peakmeter bar graphs. Pre-sets enable the user to switch between the two modes at any time. Selection of the new mode activates an ITU-compliant scale for the loudness display in the program meter area (formerly the peakmeter) calibrated in dB loudness units (LU) from -21 dB LU up to +9 dB LU. The display shows two bar graphs for the individual channels and two additional bargraphs ― one for the combined loudness of the stereo channels, and one for the result of integration over a longer timespan. This integrating display, featuring a dynamic time window, is not affected by periods of silence because signals below a user-adjustable threshold are ignored. Another new feature is the full-screen mode for the “Multi-Instrument 1” display. In normal operation, the display is split into three sections that might show, for example, the peakmeter, the vectorscope, and AES status data. Alternatively, the vectorscope can be displayed full-screen. The new full-screen display is a welcome addition for users who already have high-quality bar graph displays on the audio console or elsewhere—Cologne, Germany
-
CREATION + CONTENT—SAMMA Systems is teaming with IBM to create a cost-effective, streamlined solution for content owners for the automated ingest and encoding of volumes of videotape content. The system will be demonstrated for the first time in IBM’s booth # SU3614, at NAB ’08. The process pairs SAMMA Systems’ Robot, a multi-channel, fully automated, videotape-to-digital file migration system, with IBM’s multi-platform system capable of swiftly ingesting large quantities of content and rapidly encoding the material for instant availability. The system provides streamlined monitoring of content quality with easy-to-read graphical analytics. The Robot detects and automatically corrects many common tape and video problems. The system produces SQL integration for library and asset management systems. For batch management, it produces XML reports on key metrics for every video frame. One operator can produce up to 28 simultaneous digital file recordings from seven videotape recorders. SAMMA will also furnish the ‘sports’ area of the IBM booth at NAB with a single-channel, semi-automated system capable of easily digitizing and accessing assets. The SAMMA Solo can be configured as a single-channel system or easily scaled up to accommodate many channels while still being driven by one operator. Additional Robot info here…—New York, New York
-
CONTENT—Learn about next-generation technology deployments, software developments, applications, and operational solutions that enable you to deliver new services to market at SOFNET 08 at the Olympia National Hall, London, England. SOFNET unites software, technologies and transformation. The Conference is from April 28th – May 1st and the exhibition is from April 29th through April 30th. You can select half-day workshops and breakout sessions, and there are one, two, three and four day sessions. To register and learn more, go here…
-
CREATION + DELIVERY—Ahhh, what would the digital life be without amazing codecs! Now shipping is Zephyr/IP (Z/IP), a new IP codec from Telos Systems. The codec uses Agile Connection Technology (ACT), which combines state-of-the-art loss detection and concealment with dynamic buffering and auto-varying bitrate functions. Z/IP continuously adapts to network conditions. This minimizes packet loss effects as well as varying bandwidth and jitter. Also introduced with Z/IP is AAC-ELD, a new codec based on low-delay AAC. This offers excellent fidelity at low bit rates, nearly inaudible loss concealment, and auto bitrate and jitter tuning. AAC-ELD delivers superior audio for two-way IP apps over non-controlled nets. Included is a studio codec and a PC-based server to address firewall and NAT (Network Address Translation) issues. Further information here…—Cleveland, Ohio
-
DELIVERY—Wegener Corporation is going to unveil their nexgen WEGENER Compel II network control system at NAB ’08 at booth #SU7911. Compel II retains the patented features of the Compel network control system while adding new features designed to enhance the user interface and simplify operations for dynamic media distribution. Compel network control is used by content providers, private network operators, corporations, and broadcasters and unifies many different screens and utilities within a single, user friendly, web-based graphical user interface (GUI). Using the web browser access, operators can control live and file-based media distribution networks from any web-enabled remote location. Built upon a scalable open architecture, Compel II also makes it easier for network administrators to limit access of employees or affiliates to only those features and functions their jobs require. New set-up features allow administrators to create classes of users that designate each user’s level of access. Upon log-in, users are identified by classification, and the GUI is automatically reconfigured. Compel networks manage from ten to over 100,000 receivers. With new support for SQL databases, Compel II enables the search, import, and export of databases for better network management and expanded reporting features. Additionally, a new site addressing feature streamlines data entry in the database for those sites that have multiple receivers—Duluth, Georgia
digiGO!™—The Digital World… does not sell or trade subscribers’ names or personal information to any interested parties.
DISCLAIMER
digiGO! and its agents and distributors used all best efforts to collect and prepare the information published herein. However, digiGO! does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.
Copyright 2006—2008 digiGO! | High Sierra Media Group (HSMG) & SatNews Publishers. All rights reserved.
