11 April 2005
Quantel has introduced News to Go a brand new concept based on a brand new product – Newsbox. Newsbox is a range of seriously affordable, pre-packaged integrated news production systems.
Never before has such a potent combination of capability, power and efficiency been available off-the-shelf to broadcasters. The pre-packaged approach of Newsbox ensures that server-based production need no longer be regarded as a major systems purchase. Now with Newsbox, every broadcaster can match the look and speed to air of even the largest stations.
Newsbox is a convenient, self-contained unit that comes with all that is needed to ingest material, view rushes, choose shots, edit stories, review finished pieces and play them out to air. Its common progressive user interface and toolset are exactly the same as all the sQ systems from Quantel that are powering the news operations of some of the worlds greatest broadcasters.
New ingest and playout automation from Quantel completes the Newsbox package, making it in effect the worlds first self-automating server. The Newsbox difference comes in the packaging of the server, which has been re-engineered to bring a new level of compactness and affordability a complete and very powerful, one-stop news shop from just $199K. Now every broadcaster, no matter what their market size, can benefit from the magic of the Quantel news workflow.
News to Go has a second meaning and a second application for Newsbox too; Newsbox can literally take news on the road. A complete Newsbox system can fit into two 24 inch flightcases and can be up and running on location in a couple of minutes.
Since Newsbox comes completely pre-configured with standard cables, computers, a switch and the server itself, it can remove the risk of stepping into the world of server based news production systems. In fact, we would aim to have a customer up and running in a matter of hours, says Joe Torelli, Quantel Director of Broadcast Applications. And while the system may be pre-packaged, what it can do for the look of news output is anything but off-the-shelf; Newsbox puts every broadcaster on the same playing field as the majors.
11 April 2005
OmniBus Systems, the award-winning provider of comprehensive automation and content management solutions to the broadcast industry, announced that the company will be integrating its automation systems with the HP broadband and media portfolio. Specifically, OmniBus will standardize its solutions on the HP ProLiant server platform, which is based on Intel. and AMDT processors.
OmniBus will work closely with HP to size and specify ProLiant servers that are required for customers’ specific broadcast automation applications. The two companies will leverage resources to offer consistent and competitively priced solutions to all shared clients while meeting the unique needs of
each.
“Our goal at OmniBus is to provide the best, most economical automation solutions for our customers, and by standardizing on HP servers, we offer broadcasters a wide variety of options — often within the context of agreements they have already established with HP,” said Tim Mendoza, OmniBus Systems director of business development. “HP has set the worldwide standard for server systems, and the company’s experience in delivering high-quality products to clients across the globe will be an invaluable asset as we approach our shared customer base.”
OmniBus Systems’ automation and asset management solutions address every area of television broadcasting, facilitating processes from acquisition and recording of material through low- and high-resolution editing, media asset management, and playout to final archiving. As a software partner in HP’s broadband and media portfolio, OmniBus will receive sales, marketing, and engineering assistance.
In addition to providing solutions for customers requiring automation applications, the two companies will work together in expanding shared sales channels. Other areas of opportunity stemming from this OmniBus initiative include the development of benchmarks based on industry-standard servers that will enable identification of optimal configurations for specific applications and help reduce time to market.
“OmniBus is an important partner in our broadband and media portfolio, and we look forward to working collaboratively in sales within the cable MSO and broadcast entertainment verticals,” said Gabriele DiPiazza, director, Broadband and Media Solutions, HP. “We share with OmniBus a common desire to provide customers with cost-effective, standards-based IT solutions. As a result, we are equipped to deliver flexible solutions that integrate smoothly into broadcast infrastructures.”
The HP broadband and media portfolio provides solutions, including consulting and integration services, in all key phases of the digital content process from content creation, management, and production to distribution and real-time delivery.
11 April 2005
PanAmSat announced on 7 April that Grupo W-Com, a Grupo PEGASO company, has selected PanAmSat to support its new satellite-based broadband Internet service. Pegaso Banda Ancha will provide DTH providers, local telcos and cable television operators with nationwide two-way broadband service for consumers, enterprises and hotels. Pegaso Banda Ancha plans to initiate its service in Mexico and expand to Central and South America as well as the United States.
“The scale and scope of Pegaso Banda Ancha is unprecedented. This project underscores the importance and strength of our partnership with Grupo Pegaso as we team up to bring satellite-based IP services to Mexico,” said Carmen Gonzalez Sanfeliu, vice president, Latin America Operations, PanAmSat. “The unique advantage of satellites is they can be quickly deployed and activated anywhere there is a clear view of the sky. By making this solution affordable and competitive, we are able to bring broadband to many more locations than ever before.”
PanAmSat is supporting Pegaso Banda Ancha with a combination of satellite and terrestrial services including dedicated national Mexican coverage on its PAS-1R spacecraft as well as high speed Internet connectivity and ground support for Pegaso’s Surfbeam hub in PanAmSat’s global customer service center located in Ellenwood, Georgia. “Through this partnership, we can now provide residential customers and corporations with high speed Internet access via satellite at a price that is directly competitive with similar terrestrial offerings,” said Javier Braun Burillo, general director of Pegaso Banda Ancha. “In addition, we are able to reach areas that are currently not served by traditional high speed terrestrial connections. This is truly the first alternative to terrestrial broadband communications in the region.”
Grupo PEGASO and PanAmSat Corporation aligned in 2001 to form PanAmSat de Mexico, Mexico’s first service provider authorized to use non-Mexican satellites, which provides video, data and Internet services as well as the greatest broadband capacity available throughout Mexico. PanAmSat de Mexico also offers access to PanAmSat’s global satellite fleet to deliver solutions to data and video customers in Mexico. “When we forged our partnership with Pegaso four years ago, we shared a common objective of bringing broadband via satellite to Mexico and the Americas.
“Pegaso is an expert in the Mexican market and has perfectly timed the introduction of this service,” said Bruce Haymes, senior vice president, Business Development, PanAmSat. “We are delighted to be their partner and we look forward to expanding our relationship and service offerings with them.”
PanAmSat’s PAS-1R Atlantic Ocean Region spacecraft is a Boeing 702, one of the world’s largest, most powerful commercial geostationary satellites. With 72 transponders, it offers an expanded and enhanced reach throughout the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa. The Atlanta teleport is PanAmSat’s primary satellite transmissions gateway to Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America. It provides crucial turnaround services between the Atlantic Ocean Region and the U.S.
1 April 2005
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty today introduced a new company logo — a silver torch with burnt-orange flame, symbolizing its modern, universal engagement in the fight for democracy. The new logo was unveiled to employees during a ceremony in Prague. During the ceremony, RFE/RL President Thomas A. Dine explained the rationale that guided the companys year-long efforts to replace the blue and silver Freedom Bell that had been RFE/RL’s mark for more than half a century: “Today’s markets require a new and fresh identifying symbol, appealing to new and younger publics.” Dine also stated that “The flaming torch symbolizes the light of truth and information in our multimedia array of information products — on radio, television, the Internet, cell phones and in print media.”
The logo comes in several color combinations of background, lettering and image — all silver on orange, silver and orange on white, all orange on silver, all black on white. It was created by the New York City-based design firm Chermayeff & Geismar, which has designed logos for several U.S. government agencies, as well as multinational conglomerates. Each of RFE/RL’s 27 broadcast languages, for the first time, has a separate logo in the service’s own language and script — Radio Azattyk for Kyrgyzstan, Radio Svoboda for Russia, Radio Europa Libera for Romania, etc. Dine said all printed and online publications, promotion items, television programs, and advertising will be in the language of the broadcast: “This lends new power and coherence to our brand name in the increasingly competitive markets where we operate.”
Dine concluded his remarks by noting that “symbols and metaphors change, but RFE/RL’s mission of spreading democracy and freedom does not. The power of free thought was a potent antidote to communism and such light in a dark world is a dynamic and inspiring countermeasure in today’s world of Islamic jihadists and authoritarian dictators… Let RFE/RL’s logo of a flaming torch illuminate democracy’s spirit and strength in the 21st century.”
For more information on the new logo and the history of the old Freedom Bell, visit RFE/RL’s special website: http://www.rferl.org/about/organization/newlogo.asp
1 April 2005
AAJ TV employs over 350 staff and has fully equipped bureaux in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. AAJ TV is the only digital satellite channel to have an earth station in Pakistan that broadcasts directly to the AsiaSat satellite with a footprint of over 60 countries. Having an earth station provides for exceptional flexibility and control in responding to local and international events.
AAJ TV caters for all tastes by providing three well defined programming blocks of news, current affairs and entertainment. Building on the news reporting experience of the Business Recorder, AAJ TV provides round the clock news coverage from around the world in collaboration with partner news sources in more than 100 countries. On the entertainment front, industry veterans are heading the teams and using one of the best equipped production facilities in the country to create ground breaking programmes.
CITCGI is working with Aaj TV for distribution in the UK on Eurobird or Hot bird. CITCGI will be working with Samacom or another earth station.
1 April 2005
Radio Netherlands is currently constructing three mobile radio stations which will be shipped to Aceh at the end of the month. These will enable three RN partner stations in Banda Aceh, Meulobah and the island of Nias to resume their broadcasts by late April. These radio stations were completely obliterated by the December tsunami. The mobile radio stations have been named “Queen Beatrix”, “Princess Máxima” and “Princess Catherina-Amalia”.
Radio Netherlands is helping with the long-term reconstruction of these partner stations, but this is a slow process. General Director Jan Hoek says: “It is really important that the radio stations in Aceh are back on the air as soon as possible. Radio is a vitally important means of communication in Aceh and a major source of information for listeners. That’s why we started constructing these mobile radio stations a couple of weeks ago”.
“Once they are back on the air, they will also be broadcasting material from our Indonesian service and letting many people in the region hear independent journalism once again.” Radio Netherlands’ Indonesian programmes can be heard in Indonesia on short wave, satellite, internet and via our partner stations.
Radio Netherlands is also giving a modest degree of financial support to the staff of the partner stations who survived the disaster. In future we would like to provide training courses for new and existing employees of our partner stations, since many of their people did not survive.
The mobile radio station or “Radio Station in a Box” was created in collaboration with BFN and StudioBouw VOF. The mobile radio stations are being lent to our partner stations in Aceh. Once they are able to start using their own facilities again, Radio Netherlands will deploy the mobile stations in other parts of the world and for other purposes – for instance, for training purposes or in connection with other natural disasters.
