1 May 2007
Vizrt, a leading provider of real-time, integrated broadcast graphics software, announces significant enhances to its Viz|Artist 3.0 design software. Among them: RTT Advanced Materials plug-ins for photo-realistic rendering of 3D objects and materials, a database within Viz|Artist for the storage of the complex materials associated with the RTT shaders, the entire Vizrt product line is now fully Viz|Artist compliant, new Visual Data Tools (VDT) plug-ins for increased financial and statistic database functionality, and enhanced interactivity with touch screen devices.
At the recent NAB convention in Las Vegas, Vizrt demoed new RTT Advanced Materials plug-ins for Viz|Artist for the first time. RTT AG is a Munich-based provider of real-time visualization technologies and services. This exclusive package of RTT shaders allows Vizrt users to visualize 3D objects and surfaces in cutting-edge photorealistic quality. With the new shaders, graphic artists now have a wide selection of new background materials, computer-generated objects, and animation to create photo-realistic graphics.
The integration of RTT’s leading-edge visualization know-how with Vizrt’s 3D real-time design application represents an important step forward for broadcast-oriented photorealistic real-time rendering, said Christian Huber, Director of Operations, Vizrt. This plug-in package offers broadcasters more choice in visual quality and photorealism than has ever been possible before. RTT plug-ins will be the tool kit of choice to achieve the ultimate in realism, particularly when working in HD resolution.
The plug-in package provides Vizrt users with an extensive selection of materials including carbon, lacquered wood, metal, glass, bump maps and many more effects. The RTT shaders react to light sources, basis textures, settings and materials specific to Viz|Artist 3.0, such as color, shininess and opacity. In addition, the user can draw on a wide selection of presets, such as ready-made wood alternatives. To better manage the RTT Advanced Material shaders, there is a new object type in Viz|Artist that enables the user to store complex material consisting of the basic color settings, textures and shaders into the Viz|Artist database.
Vizrt plans to expand upon the “RTT Advanced Materials” package systematically in the future.
Additionally, the entire Vizrt product line is fully Viz|Artist 3.0 compliant. Viz|Artist is now supported from Viz|Trio CG, Viz|Content Pilot content management, Viz|Ticker, and Viz|NLE plug-ins. All products can utilize the enhanced feature set of Viz|Artist 3.0.
Also new to Viz|Artist 3.0, Visual Data Tools (VDT) plug-ins for Viz|Artist 3.0 can be used to display any type of statistic or financial data. VDT plug-ins enable the creation of charts and diagrams. It also includes plug-ins for modifying, importing, exporting and storing data from databases such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, etc. Viz|Artist 3.0 now supports multi-touch devices, such as when multiple users simultaneously interact with graphics on a touch screen for sports results or stock prices, for example. This interactivity was also shown within Vizrts NAB booth. Another new plug-in called Action Model, created in collaboration between Vizrt and Media Seasons, was shown for the first time at NAB. This plug-in is designed to animate complex 3D models and characters, such as animated football players, horses in motion, etc.
26 April 2007
President Bush has named a nominee for new chairman of the US government board that oversees the Voice of America and other international broadcasting.
The White House said in a statement on 25 April that Mr. Bush intends to nominate American journalist James Glassman from Connecticut for the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) post.
If confirmed by the Senate, Glassman would serve the remainder of a three-year term left by his predecessor, Kenneth Tomlinson and a full three year term ending in 2010.
Earlier this year, Tomlinson asked Mr. Bush not to renominate him for another term. Tomlinson has been BBG chairman since 2002.
24 April 2007
The Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) Consortium, All India Radio (AIR) and the ABU will showcase DRM digital radio transmissions in the medium wave band using the Single Channel Simulcast (SCS) and Multi-Channel Simulcast (MCS) technologies. The trial, targeted to medium wave radio broadcasters, equipment manufacturers, radio receiver manufacturers as well as retailers is scheduled to be launched in Delhi on 7-12 May 2007.
The showcase would also trial local DRM radio transmissions in the 26 MHz band, Near Vertical Incidence transmissions and DRM shortwave radio transmissions. ABU and AIR are assisted by the DRM Consortium and DRMs members, Thomson and Hitachi Electric Kokusai as well as Universidad del Pais Vasco based in Spain.
The project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of the relatively new technology of SCS and MSC, while broadcasting analogue and digital radio signals using only one transmitter. Given that this region has some of the largest number of medium wave radio broadcasters, we believe that successful trials and measurements will pave the way for easy and cost effective transition to DRM transmissions, said Sharad Sadhu, Head of Transmission, Technology and Spectrum in the ABU.
The associated training workshop would provide medium wave radio broadcasters exposure to the implementation issues and identify problem areas so that they can carry out similar trials back in their own countries.
The trial will be conducted on AIR transmitters in New Delhi where a new DRM compatible MW transmitter has recently been commissioned. DRM Chairman Peter F. Senger welcomes the Digital Radio Mondiale Medium Wave tests carried out by All India Radio and the ABU: We are proud and very happy that these tests become a reality now and we would like to thank all parties involved. We see a great potential for the Digital Radio Mondiale system in Asia. DRM is the worlds only open standard, universal, digital on-air system for short-wave, medium-wave/AM and long-wave.
As a long-term partner of All India Radio, we are excited to assist in these trials, said David Birrer, Thomson Radio Broadcasting Marketing & Strategy. A smooth transition to DRM will bring All India Radio a lot of new possibilities for local and national services while generally enhancing the popularity of the medium. In addition, DRM makes possible a much more efficient use of the existing broadcast infrastructure.
20 April 2007
GlobeCast announced at NAB 2007 that it successfully provided the first-ever live HD contribution service from Saint Peter’s square to CTV (Centro Televisivo Vaticano – the official television station of the Vatican), on the occasion of Pope Benedict XVI’s 80th birthday this past Sunday.
GlobeCast Italy dispatched an HDTV SNG truck to the Vatican for the event, and provided uplink and space capacity on the Atlantic Bird 3 satellite. The feed was picked up by several major European bouquets, including Sky Italia, which carried the event live on one of its four HDTV channels.
20 April 2007
At NAB2007, Harris Corporation , an international communications and information technology company, is introducing a wide range of innovative new solutions for broadcast workflows that enable broadcasters to create new revenue models, improve customer workflows and reduce the cost of operations. As the ONE answer for change across the industry, Harris is unveiling the following new initiatives at NAB2007:
Video Servers A new version of the NEXIO server system (v 3.5), which offers significantly enhanced features and functionality including up/down/cross conversion; video aspect ratio conversion; 16 channels of embedded audio support; three channels of HD output or mixed HD/SD; QuickTime® file exchange DV25/50; MXF file transfer support; and compatibility with the Harris® QuiC media analysis server and Isilon® clustered storage.
Newsroom and Editing NewsForce, a complete, file-based newsroom solution built on the NEXIO XS server, which includes three new Harris editors optimized for fast cutting, voicing and airing of news, and provides a streamlined, MOS-enabled infrastructure for producing, processing, distributing and managing SD/HD content. Introduced at NAB2007 will be NewsForce, a full-featured online NLE; the NewsForce Desktop networked browse editor; and the NewsForce XNG field/networked NLE.
Integration of Apple’s industry-leading Final Cut Studio® production suite with NewsForce, creating an optimized, truly collaborative newsroom environment. NewsForce will take advantage of the open XML API in Final Cut Pro®, the Emmy® award-winning editing software at the heart of Final Cut Studio®, to provide tight integration with the NEXIO storage area network (SAN).
Graphics Inscriber® G-Scribe 5.0, an enhanced software system that features an updated, full-featured CG, animation tools, 3d fly by, and a feature-rich media store for managing digital assets.
Digital Signage The latest version of InfoCaster (v 3.0) digital signage solution. InfoCaster offers the ability to create, schedule, manage, distribute and deliver graphics for large-screen presentations to a single plasma monitor or thousands of remote plasma monitors across the country.
Business Operations and Media Management H-Class standards-based interoperability, which provides customers with a common structure with which to communicate and share information across applications and includes playout automation, media management, airtime sales, scheduling, digital asset management and traffic/billing.
Broadcast Workflow Solutions Harris Assured Designs combine best-in-class, field-proven SD/HD hardware and software into cost-effective, fully interoperable, easy-to-use broadcast workflow systems.
Core Processing CENTRIO a breakthrough multi-image processor designed to streamline complex, large-system broadcast monitoring applications. CENTRIO provides superior graphics capabilities in a robust, broadcast-quality router. Expanded functionality in the 6800+ core processing platform to address satellite and IP applications brings the value of this well-established modular series to the distribution market. 3Gb/s capability across the Harris signal processing and distribution product portfolio providing cost-effective, HD-compatible products that support emerging standards such as 1080p. Low-cost broadcast solutions for precision video test and measurement, including HD-STAR, a portable, HD/SD generator and test monitor; OPTO TEST, a series of portable, optical test and measurement instruments for field/mobile applications; and the 1RU VTM-2400 HD/SD on-screen monitor, which adds a low-cost alternative to the Videotek® VTM Series.
Channel Release Harris Channel ONE the first offering in a series of integrated channel release solutions combines a high-quality graphics playout server, animations, live video, video clips, audio, real-time external data feeds and master control functionality in a single chassis, enabling broadcasters to produce and air complete television channels in HD or SD. The latest addition to the Digital Turnaround Processor (DTP) product line, the DTP-300, allows broadcasters to add local branding, insert commercials, manage EAS and rate-shape MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 program streams without having to decode and re-encode at the local station level. Addition of data-analysis parameters/file-correction tools to the Videotek® QuiC media analysis server, enabling file analysis during ingest and correction of file problems on the fly with no operator intervention.
Media Transport NetVX ENC-A21 HD/SD and ENC-A11 SD encoders, which bring the latest high-performance H.264 video encoding technology into the successful Harris® NetVX video networking system. An efficient end-to-end IPTV system solution, including IPTV personalized ad splicing, IPTV encoding in H.264 SD HD and an IPTV end-to-end system (Harris® NetVX integrated with IPTV ecosystem partners).
Transmission for TV Cool Play DVB-H 1670 MHz, DVB-H transmitter, featuring Convection Cool Technology for low-cost, reliable outdoor installations.
Mobile TV New in-band mobile DTV technology the MPH in-band mobile DTV system, dubbed “MPH” for “Mobile-Pedestrian-Handheld.” The MPH in-band mobile DTV system was jointly developed by Harris Corporation and LG Electronics Inc. and its U.S. research subsidiary, Zenith Electronics Corp., and will be prominently featured in two high-profile NAB exhibits: the Harris booth (N2502, Las Vegas Convention Center) and the Advanced Television Systems Committee “Hot Spot” (South Hall upper lobby).
20 April 2007
Al Jazeera is present this year at MIPTV to showcase a range of its programmes and documentaries in both Arabic and English. This is the first time that Al Jazeera has made its leading edge content available for distribution at MIPTV. This includes an array of premier programming such as Riz Khans One on One, Richard Gizberts Listening Post, Frost Over the World, Sami Haddads More than One Opinion, Faisal Kasems Opposite Direction, and the award-winning documentary Prisoner 345.
Abdullah Al Najjar, Director of Al Jazeeras Commercial Affairs Division stated Al Jazeera is taking a large step forward in making its content accessible and available to the world. Our unique brand and spirit of journalism and programming already reaches over 40 million viewers on a daily basis in the Arab world and over 90 million households in the global English-speaking world. Our presence here at MIPTV will extend our reach with a greater engagement with broadcasters around the world looking for cutting-edge content. The initial response to our presence at MIPTV has been overwhelming.
Al Jazeeras stand is located at L01 15.18 – 17.11 at MIPTV.
