18 May 2009
Pixelfantastic, the London-based HD film and video production and post production company that specialises in working with high profile music artists such as Kylie Minogue, Westlife, Take That, Mika and many other famous names, has just released a suite of effects plug-ins for Quantels eQ, iQ, Pablo and sQ Edit Plus creative systems.
The initial release includes 12 plug-ins which cover a range of everyday needs from timecode burn in, counters and timers to an instant camcorder viewfinder effect, progressive picture stretch and pause. Unlike many other plug-ins which are sold as sets, the Pixelfantastic plug-ins are available for individual purchase, meaning users only need to purchase the specific plug-in they require.
Plug-ins can be downloaded from Pixelfantastics website at www.pixelfantastic.com.
Pixelfantastic offers free demos of all plug-ins, which allows Quantel artists to download fully working trial versions to ensure that the effect is exactly what they want before buying. A full list of the plug-ins with brief descriptions can be found at the end of this News Release. Pixelfantastic will be adding further plug-ins to the range over the coming weeks and months.
We have developed these plug-ins to meet our own need to automate everyday tasks such as making countdown timers and burning in timecode for copy protection in our own eQ suite, said Barrie Williams, Pixelfantastic MD. Theyre all about time-saving, while producing the highest possible quality results on screen Weve also concentrated on making them fast and easy to set up, using the pen to interact directly with the image on-screen to give users really fine control.
Quantel Director of Marketing, Steve Owen, said, Pixelfantastics new plug-ins are a welcome and really useful addition to the 1000+ that are already available from our other partners. Its great that Pixelfantastic are prepared to share the benefits of their day-to-day experience with other Quantel owners around the world.
18 May 2009
As reported in the GSMA Mobile Business Briefing, India – the world’s fastest-growing mobile market – has seen a lot of contract activity recently, with both state-owned incumbent operators and greenfield players awarding deals. Newcomer Unitech Wireless – soon to be majority-owned by Telenor – confirmed it has awarded five-year deals to Alcatel-Lucent and Huawei. Dow Jones Newswires reports that both deals are valued at US$150 million each, although Alcatel-Lucent’s contract is focused on GSM/EDGE networks in Kerala and Orissa circles whilst Huawei has been awarded a managed network services deal.
Elsewhere, TeleGeography reports that new operator SSTL (Sistema Shyam) has inked a seven-year deal with ZTE for the provision of network equipment and infrastructure. SSTL is aiming to complete its pan-Indian rollout by the third-quarter of 2010. Meanwhile, Alcatel-Lucent and MTNL today announced the commercial launch of the operator’s first IP-based mobile next generation network (NGN) to offer enhanced services to residential and enterprise customers in Mumbai.
18 May 2009
media140 microblogging event: London 20 May
Discuss and debate the future of realtime news
The event will bring together journalists, bloggers, social media advocates and publishers to share and discuss the effects and impact of twitter and other social media tools on mainstream media.
The AIB are attending this event and will be reporting back to members.
14 May 2009
The BBCs Director of Future Media and Technology, Eric Huggers, has revealed plans for the next-generation of its online video service, the iPlayer, which include increased functionality and recommendation possibilities.
Huggers told members of the Broadcasting Press Guild that the new service would be as much a “you player as an iPlayer”, with a recommendation engine that would learn from previous user experience; a new playlist functionality, which enables a programme of interest to be stored for later viewing; the ability to follow items of interest, be they programme, actor or topic related, as well as the ability to trawl for TV content.
On 8 May the BBC announced the launch of CBeebies iPlayer. The specially designed child-friendly BBC iPlayer offers children six years old and under the chance to watch many of the programmes they love, at a time which suits the whole family.
Designed to be a shared and flexible online experience with parents, the new service follows the launch of the popular CBBC iPlayer last year for six to 12-year-olds. Through the CBeebies website, the service provides a dedicated place on the internet for the BBC’s youngest viewers to view BBC children’s programmes on demand. The service is designed to restrict inadvertent access to non-children’s programming and puts children’s viewing priorities first. Most programmes will be available to view for a week after broadcast with some available for up to 13 weeks as “series catch ups”.
The award-winning BBC iPlayer has received over 414 million requests to view BBC television content (TV streams and downloads) since its launch in 2007.
13 May 2009
AP reports that French lawmakers in the parliament’s lower house have adopted a controversial bill that would cut the Internet connections of those who repeatedly download music and films illegally. The house voted Tuesday, 296 to 233, to pass the bill, which is likely to be definitively adopted during a Senate vote Wednesday.
The bill, which is a personal priority of President Nicolas Sarkozy, failed to pass in a vote last month when just a handful of lawmakers were present.
The legislation is hotly opposed by the rival Socialists as well as militants who claim that it kills freedoms by denying accused Internet pirates the right to challenge charges against them. International music labels, film distributors and artists have hailed it.
13 May 2009
Australia Network, Australias international television channel is celebrating its brand new on-air look with the introduction of trial Bahasa-Indonesian subtitles, in partnership with Pay TV provider, Indovision.
Australia Network is excited to be offering our viewers in Indonesia greater access to Australia Network programming, while the brand new on-air look, provides the audience with a bright and contemporary way to embrace their favorite programs. Our subtitled programs have been carefully selected and open a window to the Australian way of life and its view on a variety of issues, as seen through our stimulating and informative content, said Bruce Dover, Australia Networks CEO. Mr. Handhi S. Kentjono,
Vice President Director of PT. MNC Sky Vision added We congratulate the brand new on-air look of Australia Network which includes the trial of Bahasa Indonesia subtitles. We believe it will bring Australian Network closer to Indonesian viewers to enjoy Australian lifestyle through their programs. Australia Network has our sincere appreciation for their partnership and co-operation over all these years. They are one of the choice channels offered on Indovision and we hope to continue this fruitful relationship in the years to come.
Through its multi-genre, high quality programming, viewers can choose to broaden their perspective of the world from the comfort of their living room. Programs such as Travel OZ take viewers on journeys to exotic destinations, while those wanting to savour the best of Australian cuisine can sit back and enjoy the delights of Mecurios Menu. Those seeking to improve their English language skills can also tune in to the unique learning programmes suitable for students of all levels.
Australia Network currently broadcasts on Indovision Channel 47.
