19 November 2008
Autocue, the leading provider of teleprompting and newsroom automation solutions, features new prompting software developments at IBC to cater for the growing number of customers working on Windows Vista and Mac operating platforms.
Autocues in-house software development team has responded to increasing requests from customers of its Professional and Starter ranges for compatibility with Windows Vista and Mac operating systems. QPro and QStart, the prompting software for the respective ranges, are now fully tested and compatible with these operating systems including Macs running Windows-emulating software.
According to Autocue CEO Hyman, Mac and Vista have become much more prominent over the last year. A major benefit of having a large in-house software development team is that we can respond quickly to our changing customer needs.
The upgrade to the new version of the software will be offered at a greatly reduced cost to existing customers, and available via a single download from the website.
19 November 2008
Autocue, the leading provider of teleprompting and newsroom automation solutions, will launch a major development of QMaster/ QBox IP-based prompting solution, at IBC in response to demand from Middle Eastern and Asian customers.
CEO Hyman says Autocue have seen massive growth in the last 18 months in the Middle East and Asia, particularly the Indian sub-continent. Hyman adds, Until now, we have only been able to offer our legacy software product based on the traditional PCI card – the technology still used by our competitors. The demand for a version of QMaster/ QBox that works with complex languages is clear and we have a list of customers waiting to upgrade as soon as its ready.
Autocue will use IBC 2008 to launch Arabic and Hindi language handling, but the core of the development work for these languages mean that all other complex languages will follow with minimal new development work.
Hyman continues, Weve had incredible success in launching QMaster/ QBox to our European language customers, who have fully embraced its unique benefits such as remote prompting and in-built resilience. The new language handling provides us with clear product differentiation in the biggest growth markets of the Middle East and Asia.
19 November 2008
Autocue, the leading provider of teleprompting and newsroom automation solutions, will showcase a prototype LED backlit MSP20 at IBC 2008 and present their initial assessment of the much-hyped technology. Customers will be invited to compare the features and pricing with the more traditional TFT technology.
Autocue CEO Frank Hyman adds a word of caution, We have again led the way in opening up new prompting technology to our customers. At the same time, we are realistic about the infancy of this particular technology and the proclaimed benefits from manufacturers that are yet to be proven by panel suppliers.
The new generation of LED backlit panels use hundreds of individual LED lights rather than traditional fluorescent tubing to give a more consistent distribution of brightness and greater contrast, making text easier to read even at lower levels of brightness. It is claimed that the panels will also dramatically reduce the on-camera weight and power consumption.
Hyman continues, Our initial tests have shown very marginal results compared to the claims weve seen elsewhere only a 10% reduction in weight, yet the power consumption is actually 8% higher at comparable levels of brightness and the panels will be up to 20% more expensive. Our panel suppliers have also warned us that the end of life is unknown at this stage.
Autocue want their customers to judge the results for themselves and will only launch when the technology is proven. Hyman concludes, Its important that our customers dont get swept up in the idea of the new technology without understanding if it will truly benefit them. We are ready to launch at any time, but first and foremost we want to ensure these products can balance technical superiority with economic viability. Come and judge for yourselves at hall 11, stand F60.
18 November 2008
Radio Netherlands Worldwide has launching its Arabic radio programme at a ceremony in the Moroccan capital Rabat.
Dutch Deputy Social Affairs Minister Ahmed Aboutaleb, who was born in Morocco, officially launched ‘Huna Amsterdam’, which means ‘this is Amsterdam calling’.
The purpose of Huna Amsterdam is to provide listeners with an independent source of information. The programme can be heard in the Middle East and North Africa.
After the opening ceremony in Rabat, Moroccan and Dutch journalists debated image forming and stereotypes in the Arab and Western media. The title of the debate was ‘Moroccan scoundrels and Dutch contempt’; problems with youths of Moroccan origin are covered extensively in the Dutch media.
RRNW has had an Arabic internet site for a number of years. RNW, which had an Arabic radio programme for more than 20 years (until 1994) has decided to broadcast again in Arabic. Broadcasts can be received via short wave, satellite, podcasts and audio streams. Local partner stations will also broadcast some of the station’s programmes.
18 November 2008
Deutsche Welle is increasing the Arabic programming on DW-TV once again. Starting 3 November 2008, Germany’s international broadcaster will offer 12 hours of programming in Arabic – instead of the eight hours that were offered up until now.
“We are increasing Germany’s media presence in one of the most important regions and media markets in the world,” says Deutsche Welle Director General Erik Bettermann. “Deutsche Welle will communicate the values and perspectives that represent our country throughout the world – including human rights, freedom and democratic development.” The expansion of the programming volume is accompanied by more regionalized content. “By tailoring our content for Northern Africa, Sudan, the Arabic countries and Iraq we can help improve the intercultural dialogue there,” says Bettermann. “This is a very heterogeneous region that differs not only geographically, but in its political and cultural characteristics as well – our content needs to represent that.”
The 12-hour programming schedule for DW-TV ARABIA will be characterized by the latest news from politics, business, culture, society and sport. The schedule will be complemented by documentaries and features dubbed in Arabic and magazines with Arabic subtitles.
DW-TV ARABIA is broadcast via Nilesat 102 and Hotbird 8. Its balanced mix of English and Arabic reaches more than 10 million viewers in more than 20 countries from Morocco to Saudi Arabia and Iraq. A live stream is also available on the Internet.
New: Culture Salon in Morocco
In conjunction with the programming expansion, Bettermann announced a joint project with a partner in the Arabic world. “We will start working with the Moroccan national broadcaster SNRT to produce Culture Salon – a show that examines the world of art and culture in Europe and Arabic countries.” This is the third co-production that has been developed by Deutsche Welle and its partners in the Arabic world in the last year.
In May 2008, the company partnered with Egyptian television station ERTU in Egypt to produce “Youth Across Borders”. This talk show brings younger individuals from Germany and Egypt together to discuss current affairs and show short films that they created themselves. The monthly talk show will alternate being produced in Berlin and Cairo. In March 2008, Deutsche Welle partnered with the Algerian broadcaster EPTV to produce an Arabic talk show: “North-South Dialogue”. In both cases, the partners agreed to a long-term partnership. In addition, Deutsche Welle has been producing a radio program with Radio Dishla in Iraq since 2005. Hosts discuss current events from politics, culture and business with listeners and guests.
“The populace in Arabic countries is young – around 50 percent of the people are under 25 years of age,” explains Bettermann. Co-production projects with partners in these countries are especially interesting for a younger audience – a market that DW-TV is looking to for the future.
All of these co-productions are funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. “Working with select partner stations is an essential part of our sales strategy,” says Bettermann. “It helps us to reach the people who represent our most important target audience.”
By increasing the amount of programming in Arabic countries, Deutsche Welle will be able to intensify the examination of societal developments in those countries and further develop the dialogue with people who are interested in Europe and Germany. “We are going along this path knowing that there are similarities and differences,” Bettermann emphasized.
