5 September 2011
Vizrt and LiberoVision announce the launch of a sports analysis tool with unparalled speed the Libero Playbook at the IBC 2011 convention in Amsterdam (Hall 2, Stand A31). From September 9th to 14th, LiberoVision will showcase its new Libero Playbook, an ultra-fast version of Libero Highlight, offering 3D game analysis in less than 60 seconds.
Analyze the action as the game unfolds
Depending upon setup, in-game analysis can go live, on-air in as little as 30 seconds. LiberoVisions powerful 3D annotations work in the same way as Libero Highlight, seamlessly combining live camera feeds. All major annotations are included, such as arrows, areas, player marks, etc.
Instead of a typical replay, Libero Playbook provides its users with the option of telling the viewer at home exactly why a players movement disrupted his teams entire offensive or why a tiny movement of the ball prevented his defense from conceeding, said Stephan Würmling Stadler, CEO at LiberoVision. The product is our direct response to a huge demand in the market. We feel confident that both new and existing customers will appreciate the extra dimension it adds to in-game analysis.
Key Features of Libero Playbook:
· In-game 3D replays
· Typical turnaround time of 30-60 seconds
· Fast playbook analysis
· Powerful 3D annotations
All LiberoVision products come as one-box-solutions for easy integration into a production environment. No additional infrastructure is required inside the stadium.
Tighter Integration with the Vizrt workflow
In addition to the new Playbook features, LiberoVisions incorporation into the Vizrt workflow will reach new levels in Amsterdam. Through its Viz Engine real-time renderer and Viz Trio CG software, Vizrt already supports bringing Libero Highlight clips into a Vizrt workflow. With Viz Anchor, on-air talent can start sports analysis from an iPad. And as of September 2011, Vizrt will also offer an interactive sports studio application enabling the Viz Engine renderer to smoothly interact with Libero Highlight clips. Analysts and presenters can interact with the Libero clips using a touch screen, for example showing arrows on the field, highlighting certain players, and describing their movement, all in perspective and tied to the field.
With this product integration, sportscasters can deliver Libero clips with defined starts/stops and annotationsinto the Vizrt workflow. They can then control the playback of the clips from any Vizrt control software and play it out, embedded in graphics, through the Viz Engine. Metadata, such as short text, can be exported and then rendered by Viz Engine. LiberoVision analysis can reach videowalls, virtual sets and can be distributed to mobile devices by using the device-optimized delivery of video to all devices.
About LiberoVision
Fully acquired by Vizrt, LiberoVision provides integrated hardware and software products to generate unique 3D imagery for several types of sports broadcasts. LiberoVision’s Emmy nominated technology is available for football, American football, basketball, ice hockey, baseball, rugby, and handball. Broadcasters around the world such as ESPN, NBC, Univision, ZDF, Canal+, and Globosat use LiberoVision to enhance their sport analysis.
5 September 2011
During the IFA international trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances, in Berlin, euronews announced the signing of international agreements and predicts that the merging of television and internet will revolutionize the future of traditional channels.
After Panasonic in 2010, euronews is consolidating its progress in 2011 by integrating the offers of global giants of connected television: Philips, Samsung, Toshiba and LG as well as Vestel and Loewe via NetRange MMH, Europe’s # 1 independent manufacturer of white-label portals.
euronews is becoming the most distributed international channel on connected television in an exponential market estimated to reach over 123 million sets by 2014 and cover 100% of the market by 2016.
Panasonic
Since June 2010, owners of Panasonic’s Viera Connect range have had access to the English, French, German, Italian and Spanish editions of euronews.
Viewers can access all the latest news in ‘News’, as well as the magazines ‘Cinema’ and ‘Le Mag’ as well as the programme ‘No Comment’, one of euronews’ most symbolic programmes with its award-winning and unique concept: striking images of current events from around the globe, unedited with their original sound.
This service has been available with Panasonic for over a year now and has proved a great success with viewers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Philips
euronews has launched on Philips Smart TV products in June 2011. With the exception of the USA and Canada, owners of Philips connected Blu-Ray televisions and Home Theatre Systems around the globe can access 4 editions of euronews: English, French, German and Italian (other editions will be gradually added). Across Europe, Russia, and in Argentina and Brazil, euronews is placed in premium position on the manufacturer’s Smart TVs.
Viewers can consult the latest events via ‘News’ whenever they want, they can also watch the magazines ‘Cinema’ and ‘Le Mag’. Furthermore, they will have access to the channel’s most recent episodes of ‘No Comment’. euronews is also part of Philips’ new offer, MediaSuite, aimed specifically at the hotel sector.
Samsung
Samsung Electronics, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, and euronews have signed a partnership agreement, which will see the channel join Samsung’s Smart TV application offering. The euronews App will be rolled out across European markets in the coming months. euronews broadcasts will begin with 4 programmes: ‘News’, ‘No Comment’, ‘Le Mag’ and ‘Cinema’ in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish editions. euronews programmes will also be part of the Samsung Smart@TV solution for the hospitality industry.
Toshiba
euronews will also integrate Toshiba Places, Toshiba’s connected TV solution. On the menu: ‘News’, ‘No Comment’, ‘Le Mag’ and ‘Cinema’ available in English, French, German, and Italian in France during the launch phase, and then later across the rest of Europe.
LG
euronews is joining LG connected TV offer, to be launched primarily in France and then expected to be extended to all Europe. The manufacturer will offer euronews’ application in 5 editions – English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish – within all LG NetCast TV sets. Owners of connected LG devices such as LCD TV, Plasma TV, BD Player and BD HTS will have the opportunity to watch 4 euronews programmes: ‘News’, ‘No Comment’, ‘Le Mag’ and ‘Cinema’.
Vestel and Loewe via a NetRange MMH solution
And last, but not least, euronews will be integrated in the NetRange offer by MMH, Europe’s largest independent operator of white-label portals for online interactive services and television. This agreement makes euronews accessible worldwide with Vestel (leader in mass-marketed white-label LCD TVs) and top-of-the-range Loewe.
These key partnership agreements mark an important phase in the international news channel’s progression its brand deployment. The strategy was presented at the beginning of the 2011 during a European tour and will be significantly reinforced in 2012.
This also represents new opportunities for the channel’s advertisers with new spots and new target audiences, both globally and locally.
euronews is currently under discussion with all major world manufacturers of connected TV and will specify new partnerships in upcoming communications.
5 September 2011
As reported by AFP, US online video service Hulu.com has begun streaming movies and television shows in Japan in its first expansion outside the United States.
Hulu, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Co., NBC Universal, News Corp. and Providence Equity Partners, a private equity firm, said the popular video service will cost Japanese subscribers 1,480 yen ($19) a month.
Unlike in the United States, where Hulu provides both free and premium services, the offering in Japan is subscription-only.
Japanese subscribers can watch advertising-free Hulu programming using personal computers, tablet computers, Web-connected TVs, video game consoles, Blu-ray players and smartphones.
Hulu senior vice president Johannes Larcher said in a blog post that Hulu’s launch in Japan is part of the service’s plan to become a “global brand.”
“We are taking a first, but important step to make good on our aspiration to serve customers all over the world,” Larcher said. “This is just the first of more markets outside of the US for Hulu.”
Hulu said it plans to eventually add Japanese-produced content and content from across the Asian region to the service in Japan.
“We are in Japan for the long term, and excited to continue building our product for Japanese consumers,” Larcher said.
Hulu’s owners have reportedly been seeking to sell the company and potential suitors include Google, Yahoo!, Amazon and DirecTV, according to the Wall Street Journal.
