Norcom launches ready-to-use media asset management system NCPower Compact

NorCom Information Technology AG presents a new member of the NCPower product family at the NAB show 2009 in Las Vegas:
the ready-to-use media asset management system NCPower Compact.

NCPower Compact is the end-to-end technical solution for TV, special-interest and Internet broadcasters as well as corporate TV and post-production companies. The media asset management system provides all functions from ingesting to playing out in a single appliance.
Pre-installed and fully equipped with hardware and software, the system can be put into operation with minimum effort.

NCPower Compact is a standard version of NCPower Pro, the individually configured editorial and production system numerous broadcast companies already use. NCPower Compact is based on IBM BladeCenter technology; currently the world’s most modern computing system. This way system interfaces can be avoided. As a result NCPower Compact is highly available, scalable and low-maintenance. NCPower Compact delivers proven workflows for TV, web, mobile and postproduction applications and supports along the entire media production chain. The user interface conveniently integrates all necessary information and tools, allowing the editor to concentrate on what really counts in media production.

‘NCPower Compact allows an affordable entry in the broadcast business’, explains Dr. Tobias Abthoff, a member of NorCom AG’s Management Board. ‘We are pleased to introduce our new end-to-end technical solution at the NAB.

This widget enables us to explore new markets and target groups and we want to address potential clients as well as possible sales partners.’

German public broadcaster MDR goes for S4M's studio production tool

During NAB in Las Vegas, German public broadcaster “Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk” (MDR) opted for a campus licence of S4M’s ClipJOCKEY System.The studio production tool covers all workflows in TV control rooms and is supposed to be applied to all sites of “Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk”.

MDR has used S4M’s Video Production Management System (VPMS) since 2003. Amongst other things VPMS controls video capture and manages the complete HiRes storage for high resolution broadcast quality video. Hitherto, the module “Playout Control” was applied in order to pilot the processes in control rooms; now it will be replaced by the new ClipJOCKEY solution. ClipJOCKEY supports the daily processes carried out in TV control rooms, allows to work throughout within a file-based environment and offers MDR’s users a variety of new features and functions.

For instance, the system supports all MDR server platforms (Omneon, Grass Valley K2), administers several active playlists simultaneously, provides a time-delayed playout of video material while it is still recorded (playout while record) and it enables to import ingest lists in different formats (ALE, EDL).

In addition the pre-production of magazines can be accomplished without tapes. Especially to that end, S4M has developed the “add-on mode” offering the same comfort that was hitherto only possible in a tape-based context. A multi channel link feature also supports key-fill applications and multi camera productions.

In a first step ClipJOCKEY will be installed in the HD- ready control room 1 in Leipzig. MDR will use this location to provide the 2010 Winter Olympics’ program for Germany’s public broadcaster consortium “ARD”. As soon as MDR’s main office in Leipzig is equipped with the system, the regional broadcasting studios in Dresden, Magdeburg and Erfurt including the “ARD/ZDF Kinderkanal” (kids channel) are supposed to employ ClipJOCKEY as well.

Quantel and Spatial View announce Stereo3D technology strategic partnership

Quantel and Spatial View Inc. have entered into a strategic partnership agreement that will make it easier and more cost-effective for content creators of any size to accelerate 3D development projects. The first partnership project will be a plug-in that enables Stereo3D material produced on Quantel systems to be displayed on a wide variety of Spatial View devices, including 3D displays, computer screens, and the iPhone 3G, without the need for 3D glasses.

Quantel’s ground-breaking Stereo3D technology, as used in movie productions such as Disney’s spectacularly successful ‘Hannah Montana’ concert movie, has enabled the industry to handle the post production of live action, high resolution Stereo3D media in manageable timescales for the first time. Spatial View is a leading developer of autostereoscopic 3D image processing and display technologies that enable glasses-free presentation of 3D-rich content for key markets, including retail/POS, digital signage, professional design, gaming, entertainment and animation. Spatial View’s latest product, the Wazabee 3DeeShell, enables 3D content to be viewed on the iPhone 3G, glasses-free.

“We are pleased to partner with Quantel to enhance their leading content creation system with our advanced 3D display technology,” said Brad Casemore, VP Business Development at Spatial View. “With at least 14 3D films scheduled for release this year, 40 expected to be released over the next three years and industry anticipation that 70% of film admissions will be in 3D by 2010*, this timely partnership is set to benefit production studios as they ramp up these 3D productions. Additionally, content creators will now have a 3D solution that can be viewed across multiple distribution platforms, from display screens to the iPhone 3G.”

“How Stereo3D gets delivered is a real issue for many of the people we are talking to,” said Steve Owen, Quantel Director of Marketing. “Spatial View provides an innovative range of solutions that both bypass and complement the traditional broadcast delivery chain. It’s all about getting great stereo in front of as many people as possible as quickly as possible. Our partnership with Spatial View will help to achieve this and drive this exciting new business area.”

In addition to the development of the plug-in, Quantel will offer demonstrations featuring Spatial View’s autostereoscopic 3D technology over the coming months. The plug-in is scheduled for release this Spring.

RRsat launches Global Internet TV

RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd., a rapidly growing provider of comprehensive content management and global distribution services to the television and radio broadcasting industries, has launched a new service: RRsat Global Internet TV (www.RRsatGlobalInternet.tv). This is a global, managed, end-to-end TV service solution, which delivers TV from broadcasters anywhere in the world to viewers throughout the world, for viewing on television screens, PCs and mobile devices, using the infrastructure of the Public Internet.

RRsat Global Internet TV offers a broad content platform to attract viewers from all over the globe, providing content unavailable from local TV Operators, with viewing on all three screens: TV set, PC and mobile phone.

To Broadcasters, RRsat Global Internet TV affords worldwide exposure through a single global solution. The system utilizes cutting-edge technology to achieve highly-economical, reliable delivery of TV over the public Internet, to unlimited numbers of viewers. RRsat Global Internet TV also enables Broadcasters to further monetize their channels via the service’s integral ad insertion system – which serves targeted, high-value advertising in accordance with each Broadcaster’s policy.

David Rivel, Founder and CEO of RRsat, commented: “We are proud to offer our broadcasting customers an additional category of services, which affords them easy access to audiences worldwide, exposure across all viewing devices, and new revenue streams. We bring to this new service the same responsiveness, quality and reliability that our customers always expect and receive from RRsat”.

IN MARCH, RRSAT WON THE 2009 INDEPENDENT TELEPORT OPERATOR OF
THE YEAR AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

GlobeCast America appoints David Justin as CEO

GlobeCast has strengthened its position in the Americas with the appointment of two key executives. Former GlobeCast Asia CEO David Justin has been named as CEO America while industry veteran Catherine Palaia has joined the company as Senior Director, Business and Product Development.

Charged with boosting GlobeCast’s American growth, Justin is expected to take up the position by 1 June 2009 and will manage the company’s operations in the region, including facilities in Los Angeles, New York, Sunrise (Florida) and São Paulo.

In his most recent role as CEO of GlobeCast Asia, Justin was the driving force behind the company’s 100 % growth in less than three years and its geographic expansion. Justin initiated and carried out the acquisition of PCM in Hong Kong and the opening of a playout and origination center in Singapore. He was also instrumental in the success of several large-scale broadcasting events, most recently the 2008 Beijing Games. Darby Sanchez replaced Justin as CEO of GlobeCast Asia earlier this year.

Palaia, tasked with strengthening and managing the business and product development of GlobeCast America, brings more than 20 years’ experience with some of the big names in broadcast, media and telecommunications. Palaia spent more than 14 years with satellite giant PanAmSat and later Intelsat, working her way up from Account Manager to VP of Broadcast Services. She has recently worked as a consultant to broadcast companies including VISTA Satellite Communications and Azzuro HD.

The appointment of these two high-profile individuals, whose experience and knowledge are renowned within the industry, shows GlobeCast’s dedication to the American market, and opens the region up to even further potential for development.