25 April 2005
Deutsche Welle has sold a six-part TV documentary about the causes and effects of the global water shortage to the Qatar-based satellite TV station Al Jazeera.
The The Thirsty Planet, produced by reporters from DW-TV, was also purchased by CNBC Arabia.
DW-TV programmes have received substantial interest in the Middle East from Morocco to Saudi Arabia, with over 300 programming hours sold in Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Algeria, Morocco, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates.
Director of DW-TV, Christoph Lanz, said: We are pleased about the great interest our productions encounter in the Middle East. This is another example of cultural dialogue with the Arabic world.
In addition to the Arabic-language services on DW-RADIO and DW-WORLD.DE, DW-TV broadcasts three hours daily in Arabic. DW-TV is the first European TV broadcaster to present news with Arabic anchors in the Arabic language.
25 April 2005
Radio New Zealand, together with the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, Thales Corp and THL-Australia, has launched a project to investigate the appropriate Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) implementation strategies for radio broadcasters in the region. The technical investigation, which started last week in Wellington, is being carried out on digital radio transmissions in the medium wave band using the DRM digital system. An analogue medium wave radio transmitter of RNZ has been converted for digital transmissions in this project. This is to facilitate investigations on simulcast transmission of analogue and digital radio programmes.
A Digital Radio Symposium and Demonstration has also been organised as part of the project. Around 70 experts from the radio industry in the region will meet from 27-29 April to provide technical information on digital radio and the conversion of transmitters to digital mode. The symposium also aims to provide an opportunity for the participants to carry out measurements of various technical parameters.
25 April 2005
Autocue announced on 13 April the sale of their QNet software to Wachovia
Bank, in Charlotte, North Carolina. QNet is a networked scripting and prompting system that provides a comprehensive range of specialized scriptwriting and rundown management tools. All of these are fully integrated with state-of-the-art digital prompting. The system will be implemented second quarter of 2005 at the Wachovia Video Network, their in-house television station, which broadcasts to Wachovia locations.
QNet is appropriate for any speech-based programming, news, production, corporate or political presentation, or any other environment where a number of people work together on scripts and rundowns. Wachovia also purchased flat screen QTV prompter LCD monitors with a TFT screen that delivers clear, bright text, even in conditions of high ambient light, with a smooth scroll that facilitates delivery and legibility. The complete system uses Autocues proprietary Automation Control Center (ACC). Autocue is the only newsroom automation solution provider that automates the entire newscast with all the automation elements built into the software, as well as fully integrated built-in prompting. This enables the airing of CG’s, video clips, still stores, etc. with just the click of a mouse.
Autocue is pleased to be part of Wachovias internal television station as it continues to advance technologically, producing improved broadcasts,” said Peter Gould, CEO, Autocue Systems, “QNet is an excellent solution for Wachovias scriptwriting needs, providing the same state-of-the art productivity and quality advantages used by international television networks broadcasting around the world to millions of
viewers.
In March, Autocue announced the implementation of the Qscore data ingest and presentation system at one of Canadas leading national sports television broadcasters. QScore is a new application from the Autocue development team and is the latest to be designed collaboratively with a broadcast facility. It enables users to organize and streamline the collection and handling of data, including results and league, team and player statistics, either automatically from a number of sources or manually through user input and then automatically populates customizable caption generator (CG) templates for broadcast during the show. Autocue developed QScore from a functional specification designed in partnership with the customers management and production teams in Toronto.
21 April 2005
CNN has announced changes to its newsgathering operations with a number of key appointments to strengthen its global newsgathering team. Changes include a new managing editor in Hong Kong, the creation of two new reporting roles in Africa and a new international correspondent for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Jill Dougherty, CNN’s Moscow bureau chief, has been appointed managing editor for CNN’s operations in Asia Pacific, based at CNN’s newsgathering and production centre in Hong Kong. She takes up the new position in May 2005. Moscow bureau chief since 1997, she now oversees all of CNN’s programming and production facilities in Hong Kong and also coordinates coverage from all of CNN’s correspondents and bureaux across the Asia Pacific region.
In Africa, Jeff Koinange, CNNs Lagos bureau chief, has been appointed to the role of Africa Correspondent in order to significantly increase the coverage of Africa across all of CNNs services. Koinange will lead CNNs coverage of Africa in this new position, supported by Alphonso Van Marsh who will be based in Johannesburg as a CNN Video Correspondent. Alphonsos brief is to find, develop and deliver compelling stories from inside South Africa.
In addition, CNN has appointed Jennifer Eccleston as a new international correspondent for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, based in Rome. Eccleston will work across all of CNN’s services internationally and in the US.
In March 2005 CNN also appointed Max Foster from BBC Breakfast to join the London-based team of anchors and correspondents covering news and business from the international networks European headquarters.
21 April 2005
Mr. David Johnson has joined Wohler Technologies as Chief Operating
Officer. A San Francisco native, Mr. Johnson has held senior management
positions with several high-technology companies including Maxtor,
Iomega, and Amdahl.
At NAB 2005, Wohler Technologies announced the release of a complete high quality audio/video monitoring system concentrated in a space-saving 2 RU by Wohler Technologies. The VAMP2-S8MDA offers premium quality 8 channel Analog, AES/EBU, HD-SDI/ SD-SDI digital multi-channel audio monitoring & conversion with professional level metering.
Wohler also introduced a uniquely designed full broadcast quality HD test signal generator that has all the functionality for most HD standards and several other user friendly features. The Penpal-HD is ideal for checking signal path integrity or to determine system performance and calibration.
Another new Wohler Technologies product is the series of high resolution HD-SDI LCD video monitors. The HR-3270W and HR-T170W feature as many pixels as you will find in most modern HD plasmas, but in 7 LCD. The high resolution HD-SDI LCD video monitors are ideal for mobile trucks, news and transmission control rooms, duplication and post production applications. The two series of high resolution LCD video monitors give you the benefit from the crystal clear picture and high resolution from the all digital signal features. The HR-3270W has 16:9 aspect ratio, fits in the standard 3U rack space, with 2 HD-SDI Inputs with reclocked HD-SDI outputs, 2 outputs for your computer monitor in the original input resolution. The HR-T170W conveniently fits in the standard Tektronix half tub form factor alongside your scope or other HD monitoring equipment. The 1 HD-SDI input with reclocked HD-SDI output.
Wohler Technologies also showcased a sunlight viewable LCD Video Monitor LCD monitor, the Daylite Series, which gives exceptionally, clear picture quality in all sunlight conditions.
