Newsletter from 20/02/2011
HD Production: FIS Alpine Ski World Championships 2011
The opening ceremony on 7th February was produced by the Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) on behalf of the host broadcaster in 1080i/50Hz and 5.1 surround sound: Alpine skiing was presented as a sport defined by a sense of family and friendship between competitors from past and present, but also as a dynamic sport driven by continuous innovation. The complete opening ceremony was produced with projection technology including the largest available video projectors (Barco) using the landing area of the ski-jump as a gigantic snow-screen.
The Vision Mixers Show
The Vision Mixers Guild UK & Ireland) today announced details of the first ever 'VISIONMIXERS SHOW'. The show will be held at Ravensbourne College (beside the O2 Dome) London on 21st & 22nd March 2011. The show brings together the 5 main Vision Mixing Manufacturers (Sony, Grass Valley, Snell, Ross & For-A) each showing their latest High Definition Broadcast Vision Mixing Desks in the one room. The event will be FREE to attend for Vision Mixers, Engineers, Facility Managers and other Broadcast Professionals. The show is set to run for two days, with the first day set aside for just Vision Mixers attending and the second day for all groups. The concept is very simple, you have the people who operate and engineer Vision Mixing desks in Studios and Outside Broadcast facilities (many of whom are freelance) coming together to meet the mixer specialists with a view to gaining more knowledge about the desks. Since most Broadcast Professionals are freelance, training and information on the latest mixer software updates don't always filter down to the end-user.
Sony Builds Third 3D Outside Broadcast Truck for Telegenic
At the BVE in London Sony Professional announced that it has been selected by Telegenic to build a third 3D Outside Broadcast (OB) truck, for delivery this year. Following the successes of the world’s first 3D OB trucks last year that were built exclusively for BSkyB and Telegenic and revolutionized how live 3D was produced. The third truck is being built in response to growing demand for 3D content across market segments including Sports, concerts, general entertainment and Arts. This year it is predicated that the growth in cinema for alternative content such as ballet and opera will also shift to 3D production. The 3D Outside Broadcast Truck has been designed from the ground up by Sony’s Professional Services team in conjunction with the Telegenic Engineering team, to deliver a bespoke solution that pushes the boundaries of innovation in live 3D production and brings 3D content to a whole new genre. As well as being used to deliver some of 2011’s most high-profile sporting events in live 3D, the new truck will fulfill increased demand for alternative 3D content from high-end arts and live theatrical events, to ballet and opera.
S3D Production in Theory and Practice
S3D Campus training sessions provide real-world solutions to the technological, artistic and financial aspects of S3D (digital stereoscopic images), from shooting to broadcast. The courses are open to audiovisual professionals and teachers eager to learn and master the global stereoscopic production chain (producers, directors, assistants, cinematographers, editors...).The courses, sponsored by the EU’s MEDIA program, are coached by international experts: stereographer consultants, production managers, editors S3D. The training sessions offered by S3D Campus in 2011 will takes place in the Paris region from May 30 to June 3. The Campus alternates between conferences, practical shooting workshops, 3D post-production, and networking events. Open to thirty participants, this course will accommodate up to 7 scholarship holders from European countries that take part in the MEDIA program. The scholarships will cover training fees, accommodation and partial transport costs. Interested candidates should submit an application before April 11, 2011.
Underwater 3D a Reality with Element Technica Neutron
Element Technica, leading designer and manufacturer of 3D rigs designed to mount digital camera and lens pairs stereoscopically, announces that its Technica 3D Neutron rig, mounted with Silicon Imaging SI-2K cameras, can now be enclosed in the purpose-built Neutron BORG 3D underwater housing system from HydroFlex. The underwater 3D camera system incorporates a Cinedeck recorder inside the housing. The Neutron 3D rig’s small form-factor is particularly desirable for underwater use because it makes a compact underwater housing possible. Previously, underwater 3D camera crews had to wrestle behemoth underwater systems enclosing large rigs and cameras. The small Neutron rig and tiny Silicon Imaging SI-2K cameras allowed HydroFlex to design an anodized aluminum cuboid-shaped housing that measures just 15” wide, 17” long, and 16” tall. Renowned for his underwater work, Pete Romano ASC currently is using the first production model of the Neutron BORG 3D system on a major feature. “It is easy to move in the water and follow the action,” said Romano. “It is balanced well for handheld use and I couldn't be happier.”
ACS Return from Asian Winter Games 2011
A large team of personnel from ACS have recently returned from a successful Winter Asian Games where they were responsible for delivering one of the largest and diverse projects to date for the company. The 7th Asian Winter Games was held in Kazakhstan and ACS was chosen by host broadcaster International Games Broadcasting Services (IGBS) to exclusively provide specialist camera facilities for all venues in and around the city of Almaty. With over 30 ACS crew including camera operators, the specialist cameras included 100m Railcam, Wirecam, Steadicams, Jimmy Jibs, Hi-Mo cameras, Polecam, Minicams as well as the ACS Tethered Blimp covering a range of sports from Cross Country, Biathlon, Alpine and Freestyle Skiing to Ski Jumping, Bandy and Ice Hockey. Five of ACS’ HD Cineflex V14 stabilised mounts were part of the provision along with ACS’ in-house designed remote heads, SMARThead™. Coverage also included over thirty hours of helicopter aerials with ACS’ Emmy award winning camera operator, David Manton.
Broadcast Networks Completes 4x4 HD Vehicle
Systems Integration specialist Broadcast Networks recently completed the design and build of a 4-camera High Definition Digital Satellite News Gathering vehicle for the National TV and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus (BTRC). Designed as a dual-path digital uplink system and mounted on a 4-wheel-drive chassis, this truck can go anywhere. Rugged and flexible, BTRC now deploys this new addition to its fleet at various sports and entertainment events. The system offers full production and audio facilities, with Sony HDC-1550 HD cameras and a PDW-F800 XDCAM HD camcorder with Link Research wireless system; a Sony MFS-2000 Multi-format switcher, Evertz EQT 32x32 video router and a Yamaha DM1000 digital audio console. Uplink facilities include CPI Satcom amplifiiers, Tandberg encoders and Newtec up-converters. The vehicle is able to operate autonomously with an on-board 24KVA generator and crane.
Broadcast Solutions GmbH Signs Frame Contract with Mediatec
In the beginning of 2011 the system integrator and OB-vehicle specialist Broadcast Solutions GmbH delivered two production-ready OB-trailers to the Mediatec subsidiaries Digi TV (Germany) and Mediatec Switzerland AG. The trailers are the first of the new “streamline-concept”, which was developed and realized together with Mediatec and Wireworx GmbH. The implementation of the latest cost effective technology and the efficient room concept are the main ingredients of the streamline concept, which makes the system integration much more cost-effective at a high quality level for OB-trailers up to 10 Cameras. Broadcast Solutions and Mediatec signed a frame contract about 10 or more OB-trailers. This contract was finalized during IBC 2010 and introduces a new unique middle class HD OB production vehicle to the market. Stefan Breder, CEO of Broadcast Solutions GmbH, points out: „This frame contract is the result of years of hard work establishing Broadcast Solutions as reliable and flexible system integrator on the international market and we are pleased to be working with Mediatec for the years to come“.
3D OBVan Directory
In April we will release our first directory on 3D Live Production featuring about 20 3D OBVans from the US, Europe and Australia. We also give a comprehensive overview of available 3D camera rigs, and will feature some of the recent 3D productions. You also will find a listing of on air 3D broadcasters. Every registered user of www.live-production.tv who has subscribed to our newsletter and have also opted for “receive prints” will receive her/his copy in April around NAB time.