New SMPTE U.K. Section to Host Seminar on Automating Multi-platform, Multi-display Content Generation

Sponsored locally by the BBC Academy and Ericsson Broadcast Services and by global SMPTE Regional Seminar sponsors Tektronix, Digital Rapids, AmberFin, Cox Media Group, and Harris, the seminar is free to SMPTE members.

"Today's consumers of motion-imaging content have many options when it comes to service providers and display devices, and with this change have come many new challenges in producing and managing content," said industry expert Bruce Devlin, AmberFin CTO and a SMPTE fellow. "Addressing these challenges, the SMPTE Regional Seminar will examine strategy and provide practical guidance for efficient production and management of content for multiple platforms and displays. We are very pleased that, through SMPTE seminar sponsorship on both local and international levels, we're able to bring this timely and valuable information to a broad audience."

The SMPTE U.K. section, which was re-established in 2012, has seen a high degree of interest and support from across the creative, manufacturing, and service companies in the U.K.'s thriving media landscape. Widespread support for the section and its work is evident in seminar sponsorship by the BBC Academy and Ericsson locally and by Tektronix, Digital Rapids, AmberFin, Cox Media Group, and Harris, all dedicated to providing training and development for the wider broadcast industry, equipping people in Europe and beyond with the skills they need in a rapidly evolving field.

At this first SMPTE U.K. Regional Seminar, Devlin and Ben Davenport of AmberFin will lead a daylong interactive experience that covers topics including an overview of the technical differences between various multi-platform distribution systems and display devices. This overview will be followed by in-depth technical discussions about transitioning workflows, technologies, and processes for automating content generation, which in turn enable time and cost savings, despite the need for numerous versions of the content for various display devices such as smartphones, set-top boxes, satellite receivers, or computers.

The seminar also will touch on the potential impact of new and emerging standards — from SMPTE and other organizations — on multi-platform content generation. Attendees will learn about recent developments such as the Interoperable Master Format (IMF), which creates a set of master files and associated metadata for the interchange and automated creation of downstream distribution packages and the SMPTE Timed Text (SMPTE-TT) standard for the captioning of Internet-distributed video content.

The 6 February seminar will be held at BBC White City, 201 Wood Lane in London, and the 7 February seminar will be held at BBC MediaCity U.K. in the Q5 Space, 5th Floor, Quay House, in Salford, Manchester. Space for each seminar is limited. SMPTE members may register for free at www.smpte.org/seminars. Non-members of SMPTE may visit www.smpte.org/membership/individual to join and attend this important seminar, and to gain all the benefits of SMPTE membership.

About the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers
The Oscar® and Emmy® Award-winning Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), a professional membership association, is the worldwide leader in developing and providing motion-imaging standards and education for the communications, technology, media, and entertainment industries. An internationally recognized and accredited organization, SMPTE advances moving-imagery education and engineering across the broadband, broadcast, cinema, and IT disciplines. Since its founding in 1916, SMPTE has published the SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal and developed more than 600 standards, recommended practices, and engineering guidelines. SMPTE members include motion-imaging executives, engineers, creative and technology professionals, researchers, scientists, educators, and students from around the world.