23 April 2009
NorCom Information Technology AG presents a new member of the NCPower product family at the NAB show 2009 in Las Vegas:
the ready-to-use media asset management system NCPower Compact.
NCPower Compact is the end-to-end technical solution for TV, special-interest and Internet broadcasters as well as corporate TV and post-production companies. The media asset management system provides all functions from ingesting to playing out in a single appliance.
Pre-installed and fully equipped with hardware and software, the system can be put into operation with minimum effort.
NCPower Compact is a standard version of NCPower Pro, the individually configured editorial and production system numerous broadcast companies already use. NCPower Compact is based on IBM BladeCenter technology; currently the world’s most modern computing system. This way system interfaces can be avoided. As a result NCPower Compact is highly available, scalable and low-maintenance. NCPower Compact delivers proven workflows for TV, web, mobile and postproduction applications and supports along the entire media production chain. The user interface conveniently integrates all necessary information and tools, allowing the editor to concentrate on what really counts in media production.
‘NCPower Compact allows an affordable entry in the broadcast business’, explains Dr. Tobias Abthoff, a member of NorCom AG’s Management Board. ‘We are pleased to introduce our new end-to-end technical solution at the NAB.
This widget enables us to explore new markets and target groups and we want to address potential clients as well as possible sales partners.’
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.
22 April 2009
VT Communications (VTC) in partnership with the BBC World Service has won the prestigious Team of the Year – Professional and Support Services at the BBC Global News Reith Awards.
The partnership between the two organisations was rewarded for its dedication and commitment in the re-engineering of the BBC World Services Control Room and establishing a new Network Operations Centre (NOC) within timescales whilst maintaining high levels of service availability. This was the first time an external supplier has won an award at this event.
These internal awards celebrate excellence, innovation and creativity across BBC Global News. Sir David Attenborough presented the award at a ceremony in London on 11 March.
BBC World Service needed to meet the growing needs of its global audience of 182 million listeners, and prepare for its delivery of its first television services in Arabic and Persian.
At the same time, VTC was looking for an opportunity to broaden its service offering to a wider range of broadcast platforms and invested in a state-of-the-art Media Management Centre (MMC) in London.
VTCs strong heritage of connecting broadcasters with their global audiences, and its long term relationship with the BBC World Service meant that the success of each project was reliant on a partnership approach to deliver successful results.
Throughout 2008, the companies worked together to implement the technological, operational and structural changes required. Despite the physical disruption, service availability reached its highest ever level never less than 99.99%.
The BBC NOC is now jointly staffed by a team of dedicated BBC Duty Operations Managers with round-the-clock support from highly-trained VTC Operational and Broadcast Support teams, providing the best ever programme availability to the BBC World Service audience.
Mike Cronk, Controller Future Media, Technology & Distribution at BBC Global News, said: This was the largest re-engineering of the BBC Control Room in 15 years and was only possible through the close collaboration of the BBC and VT teams. Its been a period of huge change with the Network Operations centre now handling BBC World Service Arabic TV and Persian TV services. The new technology coupled with the way the teams are now working means output performance is at an all time high.
Bryan Coombes, Director of Broadcast at VT Communications, said: At VTC we work in partnership with broadcasters to manage their current needs, and plan together for the future. This project is a great example of how effective the partnership is with the BBC World Service and how it delivers mutually beneficial results. We were able to provide staff to the BBC to allow for peak workload periods, training, leave and other ad hoc projects, something that could only have succeeded with complete dedication on both sides.
