obtain unique footage of the predators and their interaction.
The graphic elements within the programme have been used to illustrate
the shark’s anatomy and demonstrate the ways in which it can interpret
and navigate its surroundings. The stylised creature is a representation
of a generic shark and is intended to show sharks’ anatomy. Graphical
devices are also used to show how sharks use their senses.
David Cox and Christopher Vass of BBC Post Production - Design
Bristol created all of the graphics using Maya. Paint Effects were used
for a particularly complex graphic sequence, depicting the shark’s point
of view as it navigates the waters using its sense of smell, magnetism
and pattern recognition.
DavidCox, 3Danimator, BBCPost ProductionDesignBristol, comments
on the project: “To differentiate between the original footage and the
analysis of the anatomy, brain patterns and senses, the shark and its
features were stylised although we animated it with natural movement”.
Mark Brownlow, Producer, BBCNatural History Unit adds: “We included
graphic sequences in the documentary to clearly demonstrate shark
behaviour to the viewer”.
Klotz Digitalhasannouncedthe introductionofwhatthecompanydescribes
as the first true, fully digital commentary system– VoiCE. Based on Klotz
Digital’s successful VADISplatformVoiCE isaneasy touse, powerful control
surface. VoiCE offers the user high quality 24bit audiowith isolated splits,
adjustable peak indication and
configurability on theVoiCEunit or at
the VADIS frame, giving
broadcasters farmore flexibility than
ever before.
The VoiCE commentary unit is a
natural extension of the VADIS
platform, each unit delivering
multiple channels of digital audio in
a live broadcast application. VoiCE
utilizes a revolutionary digital bus, enabling monitoring and control of an
infinite number of VoiCE units. VoiCE gives the user total control of the
complete signal path from the commentator’s seat through to the
broadcaster’s production facility.
Earlier this year Christopher Farmer was appointed to oversee the
conceptual design and product brief for VoiCE. Christopher has extensive
knowledge and experience in commentary applications for large
broadcast events, having worked on the last two Olympic Games and
last year’s successful Football WorldCup for the host broadcaster. Market
research conducted by offices worldwide and Christopher’s hands-on
knowledge has inspired the design of a systemwhere the user can be in
total control of his or her broadcast.
Farmer believes that finally there is a system that can deliver the quality
and flexibility that today’s highly demanding Radio and Television
Broadcasters expect, and he commented: “VoiCE is very simple to
operate and extremely powerful and configurable.”
AIB Member Dalet Digital Media Systems will be hosting a special
“New Technology Seminar” during IBC this year. The special event will
take place at 16:00 on 14 September at the Novotel Hotel.
The event is titled
Media Asset Management (MAM) - Measuring Quality
and Success of Integrated Newsrooms
and will look at what the true
benefit of an integrated environment is - one where editing, rundown,
mediamanagement and automation tools are easily accessible through
a single client interface. Is this multipurpose software architecture a key
factor critical for success?Will the evolution of TV during the years 2003
-2010 tell the same story as ERP for IT did during the years 1993-2000
or IT for Radio during this same timeframe?
Well known industry consultant Charles Bebert has created a
Matrix of
Criteria
for evaluating the quality of server-based newsroom and MAM
installations. Through thisMatrixof Criteria, Bebert translatesbest practices
and user experience. During the course of his presentation, he will test
the quality and user experience of a Dalet Media Asset Management
customer by using this new evaluation tool.
Since 2000, Bebert has interviewed more than 70 technical managers
and visited 50 sites located throughout North America and Europe. On
this impressive list of interviews are CNN, NewYork 1, NBC, CBS, ABC,
BBC, ITN, SkyNews, ARD, ZDF, France Televisions, Telecinco, Mediaset,
RTL (Tvi, Luxemburg and Germany), Sat1Pro7, and SVT.
Major news agencies and broadcasters, including ABC, APTN, CNN,
ITN, Kuwait TV, Oman TV, Nippon TV and NHK TV used more than 35
SWE-DISHSatellite News Gathering systems during the recent Iraq war,
of which tenwere the highly compact IPT Suitcases. Some broadcasters
used more than five systems simultaneously, the SNG equipment
manufacturer reports.
“The way journalists broadcast from the field has definitely changed.
Rapiddeployment of smaller teams and lighter equipment with full capacity
is the new name of the game,” declares the company.
According to Lars Jehrlander, president of SWE-DISHSatellite Systems:
“Today broadcasters are looking for compactness, high mobility, and
ease-of-use - without losing stability and ruggedness. The goal is to get
all aspects of the story by being everywhere, first.
”The technology that brings the world into living rooms is the most
advanced we have ever seen. Amajority of the material broadcast [from
Iraq] was relayed unedited as the stories were evolving.”
SATMODE is on its way and it is set to deliver a wealth of new revenue-
generatingopportunitiesforsatellitebroadcastersthroughviewer interactivity.
This revolutionary product makes possible all the exciting enhance-
ments offered through iTV to provide a new, active and value-added
television experience for the viewer. SATMODE is an easy-to-use, ultra
low cost satellite-based response channel for direct-to-home set-top-
boxes. It provides a permanently connected satellite return link to deliver
instant interactivity to viewers in their homes.
SATMODEgivessatellitebroadcasterstheabilitytorejuvenatetheirsubscrip-
tionandadvertising revenuemodels throughavarietyof interactiveproducts
andservices.ItencouragesrealtimeresponsesbyTVviewerstoprogrammes
andwillsupportgrowingaudience interactiontocontentsuchasrealityshows.
Further revenue-enhancing services include SMSmessaging and email,
video on demand, gaming and other impulse transactions without the
use of telephone or other terrestrial return channels.
This ground-breaking technology will be completed by December 2003
andwill undergo technical and commercial field trials in 2004. SATMODE
is the result of a •49 million project funded by a consortium of partners
and the European Space Agency. ASTRA will lead the project (to be run
using ASTRA 1H Ka-band capacity at 19.2° East) and will release the
system interface specification to allow other industries and broadcasters
to benefit from new interactive applications.
The SATMODE partners are the ESA, SES ASTRA, CANAL SATELLITE,
CANAL+TECHNOLOGIES, Newtec, STMicroelectronics andTHOMSON.
Technology brief
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