Newsletter from 16/12/2012
One of the Most Important Information Sources for the TV Live Production Community
MOBILE PRODUCTION
Kodiak Mobile Television
Oklahoma-based Kodiak Mobile Television, specializing in live event production, has built out a new mobile production truck. The new lightweight mobile production truck has hit the road in December, and can service anywhere in the contiguous U.S. The main focus is on coverage of college and NBA basketball, gymnastics and Grand Prix swimming events. Kodak has hired Levi Phillippe as the company’s Engineer in Charge (EIC). Phillippe comes to Kodiak from Level 3 Communications where he was a lead remote engineer. Levi’s list of events include Super Bowls, multiple Olympics, the 2008 National Democratic convention, the US Open Tennis Championships, the Emmys, and countless sporting events for networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, HDNET, and ESPN. He has engineered mobile units for Game Creek Video, Mobile TV Group and HDNET. Production veterans Paul Bronsteader and David Kearnes started Kodiak Mobile Television in 2011 and sister company Kodiak Production Group four years ago and have since produced both posted shows and live events across the country.
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Crosscreek Television Productions Chooses EVS for Voyager 11
Crosscreek Television Productions has invested in EVS systems to upgrade its SD Voyager 6 mobile production truck to a state-of-the-art HD Voyager 11 unit. The new truck was completed in time for the start of this year’s football season. Crosscreek Television replaced its SD EVS servers with EVS XT series servers including a four-channel SpotBox for complete media control from ingest to playout. The remote television production company has also invested in EVS’ XFile application, enabling them to carry all show elements on a portable hard drive and upload them to the XT servers. They can then download the highlights packages they create on the XT servers to the portable drive, freeing up Voyager 11 for its next event.
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Triofilm TV Selects Grass Valley's New LDX Series Cameras
Triofilm TV, a long-time Grass Valley customer, wanted to ensure that the new OB van would be future-proof, in terms of technology, features, and formats, in order to realize a fast return on itsinvestment. It chose the LDX Première™, an economical high-performance dual-format HD camera optimized for today's typical broadcast applications. One of the main features of the LDX Series are three new, in-house developed, Xensium-FT CMOS imagers, which provide pristine images in a variety of HD resolutions while eliminating typical CMOS artifacts, especially the “rolling shutter effect.” The flexibility of the camera system was also paramount to Triofilm, as the LDX Première delivers functionality in software that can be simply and easily upgraded.
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Zest4.TV Upgrades OB Intercom for Maximum Flexibility
Portable production specialist Zest4.TV has unlocked its communications with the purchase of a Trilogy Orator intercom. This new addition enhances production efficiency for the company in two ways: by making it easy to connect directly to other production systems in use at the event; and by providing comprehensive and easy to use functionality ensuring everyone who needs it, has the right communication tools for the job in hand. Orator is a compact digital matrix system, providing for up to 36 ports in a 2U cabinet, including as many as 18 cameras. Panels allow users to determine who they are going to talk and listen to, and every user has individual level controls to ensure their comfort. This is particularly important for camera operators who may be working in different parts of the production and in different noise environments. Anyone on the camera ring can listen to the separate AV production ring.
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Yemen Today Chooses Utah Scientific Compact Router for Newsgathering Truck
Yemen TODAY commissioned the truck from Istanbul-based manufacturer and system integrator PALS, one of the few companies in the region to deliver SNG vehicles that are certified to meet the ASBU-MENOS OpenDSNG standard. This enables the vehicles to be used in the MENOS network operated by the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) on Arabsat satellite capacity. The UTAH-100 Series offers a variety of switchers and distribution amplifier packages in compact 1-RU and 2-RU fixed-frame configurations. Using a unique one-piece frame design that is only 2 inches deep, the UTAH-100 Series units can be mounted easily in consoles and mobile racks where space is limited. All UTAH-100 switchers are supplied with a built-in Ethernet control module, allowing the switcher to be operated via a browser interface. Options include built-in control panels, remote control panels, redundant power, and control interface adapters to external Utah Scientific control systems.
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STUDIO PRODUCTION
ITV Meridian News Studio
ITV Meridian, previously Meridian Broadcasting from its inception in 1993 until 2002, is the holder of the ITV franchise for the South and South East of England. The station launched on 1 January 1993, replacing previous broadcaster Television South, and is presently owned and operated by ITV plc, under the licensee of ITV Broadcasting Limited. The company broadcasts to the region from the Hannington, Midhurst, Rowridge, Whitehawk Hill, Hastings, Heathfield, Tunbridge Wells, Bluebell Hill and Dover transmitters. The company also broadcasts their news service to viewers served by the Oxford transmitting station despite this area being in the neighboring ITV Central region. Meridian operates from Whiteley, Hampshire, producing regional news and current affairs programmes in addition to occasional networked productions for the ITV network.
Get the specs of the ITV Meridian News Studio here
Park Media Studios Sant Just Desvern
The company provides all the necessary services for television, film and advertising production at its three audiovisual centres located in Sant Just Desvern, Cornellà de Llobregat and the 22@ district in Barcelona. In total, there are over 7,000m² of studio space distributed between 12 studios, 8 production control rooms in SD and HD, Avid and Final Cut post-production rooms, dressing rooms, make-up and production offices. The Park Media Studios in Sant Just Desvern consist of a HD Master Control Room, non-linear post-production facilities, a centralised storage system 8 TB Avid Unity and the neccessary production offices, meeting rooms, restaurant/cafeteria, hair, make-up and dressing-rooms, VIP section, laundry facilities with washer and dryer.
Get the specs of the Park Media Studio here
Mediatec Oslo Broadcast Center
In late 2011 Broadcast Solutions implemented a complete TV playout center for Mediatec Broadcast AS in Oslo/Norway. The studio consists of a master control room and a central control room with 52 decoders, 28 encoders, 16 up/down/cross converters with DolbyE encoding and decoding, one 288×576 Snell Cygnus video router and one 576×576 Snell Cygnus video router. Four stations are handled with the Probel Morpheus automation system and seven EVS servers: the “Rikstoto” sports channel and three Viasat channels. Two production studios, each with six cameras are onnected to the main control room, an external connection to an OB truck is also provided. 12 NLE tations are available in 16 combined cut and commentator rooms. The new studio was built parallel to the 24/7 broadcasting, some existing equipment was carried over from e old studio. During the commissioning of the new studio the transmission was andled by an OB van, handover of the project took place on time and switchover was seamless.
Get the specs of the Mediatec Studio here
Pinewood Studios
Pinewood Studios is a major British film studio situated in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, approximately 20 miles (32 km) west of central London. The studios have played host to many productions over the years from huge blockbuster films to television shows, commercials and pop promos and is well known as the home of the Carry On..., the Superman and James Bond film series. As well as the world famous 007 Stage, which is the largest stage at any of the studios under The Pinewood Studios Group at 59,000 sq ft, the studio has fifteen other stages ranging from just 1,728 sq ft, to cater for productions of all sizes. One of those studios, the T Stage, is a specialist stage for both television and film productions and the Studios second largest stage at 30,000 sq ft. The studio also has two specialist TV studios, named TV One and TV Two, complete with integral galleries, TV studio floors, TV lighting grids and HD facilities. Both studios stand at just under 9,000 sq ft.
Get the specs of the Pinewood Studio here
Middlesex University TV Studios
Middlesex University, London has one of the UK's most focused and hands-on television degrees. Our BA Television Production degree with Honours begins with you acquiring the basic knowledge and skills required to make TV, and goes on to develop skills to enable you to work at a highly creative and professional level. We provide an in-depth course covering the production of documentary, drama, news, and entertainment formats, as well researching and producing, writing, directing and production for multi-platform delivery. This is a practical and production focused degree which also benefits from running in parallel with BA Television Production - Technical Arts. Our visiting lecturers include professional directors, producers and broadcasters - ensuring that you are in close contact with the industry throughout the course.
Get the specs of the Middlesex University TV Studios here
An Outstanding Virtual Reality Studio
Media & Communication Systems GmbH (MCS) Thüringen provides technical services to the Landesfunkhaus (LFH) Thuringia region of the Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (Central German Broadcasting, MDR) in Erfurt and the Children`s Broadcast Station (KiKa) of ARD and ZDF. When MDR LFH wanted to create a new modern and fresh look to its daily news magazine program, MDR Thüringen Journal, they turned to MCS. The solution had to be cost effective, flexible for different program subjects, reliable, and high quality to uphold the MDR brand image. Together MCS, MCR LFH Thüringen, RT Software Ltd., and Chyron GmbH made it possible for the daily newscast Thüringen MDR to successfully go on air with a new Virtual Reality set on the 1st of June 2012. An overview of the studio technology involved and the operation of the VR-System is detailed in this case study.
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SPORTS
EPC Speeds Ahead: World Rally Championship with Quantel
EPC, a subsidiary of the European Broadcast Union (EBU), is based in Grand-Saconnex, Switzerland. EPC is the production arm of EBU, the premier distributor of sports and news content for many of the world’s leading broadcast and media platforms. EBU produces over 20,000 hours of live sports programming every year, including the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champion’s League, the Tour de France and the IOC Olympic Games, as well as highlights and distribution packages for many others. With the EBU’s ability to reach over 650 million viewers in over 70 countries through some of the world’s top channels, it was vital that EPC chose a broadcast production system that could deliver outstanding results. Quantel’s Enterprise sQ fast-turnaround production system was selected as the winning tender, successfully meeting EPC’s key criteria.Quantel Enterprise sQ will be used for the remainder of the WRC season in Italy and Spain.
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Red Bulls Salute
Fans across key ice hockey markets in Central and Northern Europe as well as the United States will be able to follow the Red Bulls Salute – European Trophy Finals live on television. The international sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media, acting as the event’s media and marketing partner, has secured a significant amount of free-TV coverage. Overall, the Red Bulls Salute – European Trophy Finals, taking place in Vienna (Austria) and Bratislava (Slovakia) from 13 to 16 December 2012, will be broadcast in more than 30 countries. The Red Bulls Salute is the final tournament of the European Trophy which in 2012 saw 32 teams from seven European nations compete for the final of the club-level European tournament in ice hockey. The quarter finals start this Thursday and feature the following teams: Luleå Hockey (SWE), Brynäs IF Gävle (SWE), HV71 Jönköping (SWE), Tappara Tampere (FIN), UPC Vienna Capitals (AUT), Eisbären Berlin (GER), HC Slovan Bratislava (SVK) and Färjestad BK Karlstad (SWE). The winner will be played out in the final game to take place in Bratislava on Sunday.
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Mobeon Selects Telestream and Matrox to Live Stream World Latin Dance Cup Finals
Mobeon was selected to stream the World Latin Dance Cup this year because of its experience in live video productions and its success streaming last year's event for Albert Torres Productions. With over 20 years of experience developing, producing and marketing digital content, Mobeon is a boutique new media consultancy, as well as a full service broadcast and production studio. The company develops film/video, interactive, and internet content catering to the advertising, new media, corporate and entertainment sector. Last month Telestream and Matrox announced turnkey live video streaming solutions based on Wirecast Pro for Windows live streaming production software and the Matrox VS4 four-channel video capture card available from Certifled System Builders starting under $5000. Systems of comparable quality and value were not available at this price point prior to these turnkey offerings. The turnkey solutions bring affordable, high-quality, multi-camera live video production and broadcasting capabilities to sports groups, churches, schools, corporations, and other live event producers.
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SHOWS
W-DMX™ at the 58th Barretos Cowboy Festival in Brazil
Wireless Solution Sweden AB held center stage at the 58th Barretos Cowboy Festival (Festa do Peão de Boiadeiro de Barretos), one of the largest rodeo and music events in Brazil, held at the Super Bull arena in the city of Barretos. For ten nights, rodeo activities were followed by a long lineup of popular music acts, often lasting until dawn. Lighting designer Francisco “Pincel” Gabriel designed an enormous cube suspended over the main arena floor for maximum visibility by the entire crowd without interfering with the rodeo activities or blocking any sightlines to the main stage for the evening concerts. The cube held LED screens accentuated with Robe moving lights to allow spectators to view the rodeo events up close.
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TABALUGA and the Signs of Time: A Small Dragon on a Very Big Tour
During autumn and winter 2012, TABALUGA embarked on a huge farewell tour accompanied by some well-known guests. Actor Heinz Hoenig shone as the evil snowman, “Der Graf”, frontman of German band “Unheilig”, portrayed Death with good humour, and former Monrose singer Mandy Capristo was convincing as Lilli, the great love of TABALUGA’s life. During the tour, musical friends such as Jule Neigel, Helene Fischer, Uwe Ochsenknecht and Laith al-Deen took turns in joining the dragon on stage at various venues around the country. The link between a small green dragon and Sennheiser could be clearly heard during the farewell tour of TABALUGA at over 50 concerts across Germany. For almost 30 years TABALUGA has enthralled fans both young and old; the lovable green dragon has sold around three million albums and more than 1.5 million concert tickets – an incredible success that TABALUGA’s creators (rock singer Peter Maffay, children’s songwriter Rolf Zuckowski, author Gregor Rottschalk and illustrator Helme Heine) barely dared to dream of when they first created him back in 1983.
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Trees and Vs: Lighting the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Christmas in New York is iconic. Shopping on 34th street. Silver bells ringing as people bustle about. The city feels alive. For the last eighty years, the start of the holiday season has been officially marked with the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Decorated with over forty five thousand LED lights and met by the famous Rockefeller Center ice skating rink, the largest New York City tree stands as a symbol of holiday cheer. The night of November 28th, an eighty foot tall spruce stood proud, waiting for the ceremony. Hundreds of thousands of people huddled in the streets surrounding Rockefeller Plaza, all brimming with excitement, all counting down to the start of the holidays. New York mayor Michael Bloomberg pressed the button and the plaza was bathed in the soft winter lights. As onlookers exploded in applause, carols filled the air from the d&b V-Series, and the festive season officially began.
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PRODUCTS
Mexico’s Multimedios Televisión Invests in EVS Servers
Multimedios Televisión, part of Grupo Multimedios, produces more than 20 hours of programming everyday, including news, sports, children’s shows and general mass appeal programming. Along with its network affiliates it spans most of North Eastern Mexico and the southern United States. Multimedios Televisión has installed four EVS XS four-channel studio production servers and an EVS XT series four-channel server, each controlled by EVS’ IPDirector suite of video production management applications. The servers record individual cameras or the entire program, which include morning or afternoon live shows, reality shows or sports retransmissions. The clips created on the EVS servers are used to produce program highlights over the weekend, or to create alternative feeds for transmission in the Houston area, with localized logos and advertising. All content is shared through near-line storage with Final Cut Pro non-linear editing systems.
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ATEME Teams up with Sony to Fit out Multiscreen Playout Center for France Télévisions
ATEME is providing the encoding and decoding for France Televisions’ new broadcast centers in Paris as part of a major playout and distribution project in partnership with Sony Europe as the systems integrator. The new facilities, called Centre de Diffusion et d’Echange (CDE), will equip France Télévisions for TV Everywhere, with the ability to reach multiple screens over all distribution platforms including terrestrial, satellite, cable, IPTV, and also OTT (Over The Top) via adaptive streaming. The CDE installation is currently taking place at two different sites in Paris, thus catering for disaster recovery. ATEME provided its Kyrion Live encoders for delivery over traditional broadcast infrastructure, and its TITAN Live for OTT, both platforms fitted with the highest performance hardware available to date and entirely future proof.
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Coldest Journey: Panasonic Equipment in Training and Testing
Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ groundbreaking expedition to traverse the Antarctic in winter will see man and machine pitched against the most hostile conditions on Earth. Conducted in almost total darkness and with temperatures routinely dipping below -70°C, this is one adventure for which only the best of breed need apply. Panasonic was chosen as the technology partner for the expedition precisely because it is uniquely able to provide professional broadcast cameras, broadcast quality handheld camcorders, Toughbook rugged PCs and Lumix and Lumix-G digital imaging equipment up to the task. But how do you train explorers and scientists to become unflappable cameramen and what hardships must the world’s best imaging equipment go through before being allowed to document such an important mission?
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3D / 4K ARISING
4K London Chooses Leader LV5330 and LV5380 Test Instruments
4K London, one of Britain's most active providers of digital cinematography support services, has invested in Leader LV5330 and LV5380 multi-standard video signal analysers for integration into its high-specification electronic imaging systems. The sales were made via Leader's UK reseller Thameside TV which is based in Shepperton. Designed for on-camera operation, the Leader LV5330 is compatible with over 20 HD-SDI/SD-SDI formats, including SMPTE 259M, 274M, 292M, and 296M. Its 6 inch XGA TFT screen can be set to display YCbCr, YRGB, YGBR, GBR or RGB luminance waveform, colour vector, five-bar, surround-sound level, status or video source. Freeze mode allows comparisons of different SDI input signals. Thumbnail picture display can be selected with other multi-display operating modes for easy source identification. Input format, colorimetry, black burst or tri-level external reference input are auto-sensed.
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