22 April 2009
During NAB in Las Vegas, German public broadcaster Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR) opted for a campus licence of S4Ms 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 S4Ms 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 MDRs 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 Germanys public broadcaster consortium ARD. As soon as MDRs 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.
22 April 2009
US broadcasters announced at the National Association of Broadcaster’s annual conference in Las Vegas that a new pilot programme is launching in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area that will allow people to watch free mobile digital television on cell phones and other mobile devices.
Local affiliate stations for CBS, NBC, PBS, Ion, and Fox will broadcast their programmes beginning in late summer for mobile devices, which includes cell phones, laptops and car entertainment systems. Broadcasters throughout the country are switching to all-digital transmission in June as part of a government mandate. And as part of the switch, some broadcasters will also broadcast their over-the-air TV signals on a digital sub-channel for mobile devices.
The standard that will be used to transmit the signal is called ATSC Mobile DTV. And the hope is that consumer electronics makers, like cell phone manufacturers, will include the technology in their products so that they can receive the signals.
The trial in the Baltimore-Washington area is expected to kick off later this summer. But it’s only the first step toward offering free mobile DTV. Broadcasters in 28 markets, including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston and Atlanta, said they will be broadcasting their signals in mobile DTV.
22 April 2009
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.
Quantels ground-breaking Stereo3D technology, as used in movie productions such as Disneys 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 Views 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. Its 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 Views autostereoscopic 3D technology over the coming months. The plug-in is scheduled for release this Spring.
22 April 2009
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 services integral ad insertion system which serves targeted, high-value advertising in accordance with each Broadcasters 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
22 April 2009
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 GlobeCasts American growth, Justin is expected to take up the position by 1 June 2009 and will manage the companys 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 companys 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 GlobeCasts dedication to the American market, and opens the region up to even further potential for development.
22 April 2009
The father of Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi says an Iranian court has convicted her of espionage and sentenced her to a lengthy prison term.
Speaking from Tehran, Reza Saberi told RFE/RL’s Radio Farda that his daughter was sentenced to eight years in prison.
He said that he was not allowed into the court, but the family’s lawyer was present with the defendant to hear the verdict on April 18.
“They asked Roxana to sign the verdict, but she refused and said that she does not accept the verdict,” Saberi said. “We are planning to appeal the case.”
Saberi, 31, was arrested in Tehran in January.
Saberi has said she had been arrested for buying alcohol — which is forbidden in the Islamic republic. She was then accused of working without press credentials, but was later charged with spying for the United States.
The trial began on April 13 and was held behind closed doors at a Revolutionary Court.
Reza Saberi said he still hopes the Iranian judiciary will review his daughter’s case and overturn the verdict.
“I hope they will change the verdict and show some degree of fairness and justice. My daughter is innocent, but she has spent almost three months in jail,” Reza Saberi said.
“They put her in jail instead of appreciating what she was doing. She came here [to Iran] to do research on Iran’s history, culture, literature, and the people, but she ended up in jail.”
The government has arrested several Iranian-Americans in the past few years, citing alleged attempts to overthrow its Islamic government. But they were eventually released from prison.
The United States has called for Saberi’s release, dismissing the allegations against her. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton issued a statement on April 18 saying she was “deeply disappointed by the reported sentencing.”
Following the verdict, the Paris-based watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) “firmly” condemned the sentence, saying the conviction was “unjust.”
In a recent interview with RFE/RL, RSF’s Iran researcher, Reza Moini, said the accusations were “baseless.”
“The truth is that no court has been able to prove the spying charges that have been brought not only against Roxana Saberi, but against a number of journalists who since 2000 have been charged with espionage,” Moini said.
“We believe that the charges are baseless and the way the court (trial) was held behind closed doors indicates this,” Moini continued. “Also, the fact that no evidence in the case was provided to journalists and independent observers.”
Saberi has worked as a freelance reporter for several Western news organizations including the U.S. public broadcaster, National Public Radio, and the BBC.
Moini pointed out that seven journalists and two bloggers are currently in jail in Iran. Three of them — Adnan Hassanpur, Mohammad Sadigh Kabudvand, and Mohammad Hassan Falahizadeh — were sentenced to heavy prison terms on the same espionage charge as Saberi.
“Iran is the biggest prison for journalists in the Middle East and freedom of press does not exist in Iran,” Moini said. “Journalists are in a way under a Damocles’ sword of baseless accusations that have nothing to do with their journalistic activities.”
United States severed diplomatic relations with Iran after its 1979 Islamic Revolution and the hostage taking of U.S. diplomats in Iran.
Saberi’s prison sentence could have a negative impact on U.S.-Iran ties. It comes as U.S. President Barack Obama has promised to engage Iran after some 30 years of strained relations.
Iranian officials have reacted by saying that they want to see a change in U.S. actions and not just words.
On April 15, President Mahmud Ahmadinejad said Iran was preparing new proposals aimed at breaking an impasse with the West over its nuclear program.
Saberi is seen by some as a victim of the reluctance by Iranian hard-liners to move towards improving relations with the United States, while others believe Tehran might want to use her as a bargaining chip for its citizens that are in U.S. detention.
