20 March 2007
Scopus Video Networks Ltd., a provider of digital video networking products, announced today that RRSat Global Communications Network Ltd. has selected Scopus IP-based solutions for new Video-over-IP projects.
RRSat is deploying Scopus’ solutions for a number of applications including:
Video over IP Contribution and Distribution (C&D) delivery between their Points of Presence (POPs) and teleports, contribution from studios to their teleport for satellite distribution and satellite turnaround. In 2006, RRSat has deployed close to $900K worth of Scopus gear.
Scopus’ IP-based systems used for the IP contribution and distribution applications include Encoders, IRD-2900 Integrated Receiver Decoders and IVG-7100 Intelligent Video Gateways. The systems are managed by Scopus’
Network Management System (NMS).
RRSat CTO Ziv Mor commented, “The fast growth of our Global Network combining Satellites and fiber delivery platforms requires highly reliable and promptly deployed equipment. Scopus’ IP-based platforms enhance our ability to quickly address market needs and offer cost-effective and innovative technology solutions to a wide variety of clients. Our working relationship with Scopus is excellent, both in regards to the technology and the service they provide us.”
“We are proud to work with RRSat, which is a leading and fast growing end-to-end service provider for TV and Radio channels. 2006 was a banner year for our relationship,” said Ms. Elya Presman, Scopus AVP Sales EMEA.
“As a sophisticated customer, RRSat wants both performance and technology in one package. Their teaming with Scopus reinforces our position in the market and shows the growth capabilities offered by our technology platforms and comprehensive systems.”
14 March 2007
Pharos will be exhibiting on Booth SU8905 (South Hall, Upper), UK Pavilion, NAB 2007, Las Vegas Convention Center, Nevada, April 16-19
Pharos Communications will demonstrate the latest additions to its Mediator broadcast workflow management system at NAB2007 in Las Vegas. Offering massive benefits over tape-based working routines, Pharos Mediator is an easily-understood and easily-implemented system enabling broadcasters to operate more efficiently and productively.
“Mediator is a modular system which can be tailored to a broadcaster’s exact requirements and then upscaled in line with a fast-evolving market,” comments Pharos Mediator product manager Jason King. “Ingest, quality-control, editing, compliance, on-line storage, archiving and transcoding are all handled by a single system. Mediator’s web-based user interface is inherently easy to operate, giving all the information required for each process, from programme acquisition to playout. On successful completion of each task the material is automatically delivered to the next operator in the right format. In this way, content is forwarded for transmission at the right time with alerts being raised to inform supervisors of any items missing from the playlist before they are required on-air”.
“Mediator eliminates the engineering issues that distract creative staff in traditional broadcast workflow environments,” adds Pharos’ Technical Director Spencer Rodd. “Based on standard IT platforms and networked digital storage with a high level of integral redundancy, it is easy to monitor and maintain. All source material is converted into a digital file on first arrival using Mediator’s comprehensive suite of ingest tools. This removes the problem of lost tapes and immediately makes the resultant files available to every user, effectively sharing material which previously could only be accessed by the tape holder. File-based operation also reduces the cost of running and maintaining the system.”
8 March 2007
Harris Corporation has strengthened its leadership position in the Middle East region with an order in Lebanon from leading pan-Arab satellite broadcasting network, Orbit, for a range of products from the Harris SD/HD-compliant portfolio. Products purchased include the Harris IconMaster modular master control and branding solution, IconLogo channel branding solution, Inscriber RTX custom broadcast graphics systems, Integrator router and a range of solutions for infrastructure support. Orbit Satellite Television and Radio Network is the worlds first fully digital, multi-channel, multilingual, pay television service. With digital technology able to support a total of 45 television and 21 radio channels, Orbit provides premier programming including movies, live sporting events and up-to-the-minute news from around the world.
As a pan-Arab satellite broadcaster, Orbit is received in most countries in the Middle East and North Africa. The company also offers a select bouquet of Arabic-language services in Europe with plans to expand this service into Asia and North America.
8 March 2007
Vizrt has signed a deal with Australia’s Network TEN to provide a comprehensive Media Asset Management (MAM) system from Vizrt’s recently-acquired subsidiary, Ardendo, for a total contract value of US$5m, to be delivered during 2007 and 2008. This deal follows hard on the heels of a previous contract with Network TEN for a large Vizrt graphic system signed during Q4 2006, for a total value of US$1.7m, which is due to be fulfilled during this year. Vizrt holds the lead position in the Australian broadcast graphics and MAM market sectors and now has the following major customers in Australia:
Network TEN: graphics & MAM
ABC – Australia’s national broadcaster: video archive
Channel 7: graphics
Channel 9: graphics
Sky Channel: MAM
Premier Media Group: MAM
The strategic acquisition of the leading MAM (video storage) and electronic map software providers by Vizrt over recent years is now starting to pay dividends as broadcasters like TEN realise the benefits of investing in a fully-integrated system from a single supplier.
8 March 2007
Peter Winkler, a Director in PricewaterhouseCoopers Entertainment & Media Advisory Practice with more than 15 years of marketing, brand strategy and management consulting experience, has been appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Teletrax, the global broadcast intelligence company. Teletrax is a subsidiary of Medialink and provides digital video watermarking and content tracking service offering vital television intelligence on a global scale to video providers such as entertainment studios, news organisations, sports leagues, TV syndicators and the advertising industry.
Winkler served for six years in New York, London and Los Angeles as Global Marketing Director of PwCs Entertainment & Media Practice, leading all marketing and business development efforts. In this role, he oversaw PwCs Global Entertainment & Media Outlook, the industrys top five-year international market forecast. He has been a frequent press commentator on the Outlook and entertainment and media industry trends, speaker at industry conferences, and author of numerous white papers and articles on industry topics. More recently, Winkler was a management consulting Director in PwCs Entertainment & Media Advisory Practice, where he specialised in advising multinational companies regarding the impacts of digital technology and industry convergence on their businesses. His clients included some of the leading international entertainment and media conglomerates, as well as top software, telecommunications and technology services companies.
Peter is emblematic of the world-class breed of senior talent that Teletrax is now attracting, said Laurence Moskowitz, chairman of Teletrax and chief executive officer of its parent, Medialink. He has proven himself to be not only a leader of media in the 21st Century, but a visionary who now will bring that skill, along with his experience, energy and enthusiasm to the management team of Teletrax.
