Newsletter from 03/11/2011
New Entries in the Live Production Catalogues
The Live Production Catalogues
All Mobile Video Epic 3D
As the demand for live sports and entertainment productions to be captured in 3D continues to increase, compatible facilities to support this are now becoming readily available. Major sports productions like the FIFA World Cup tournament or the 2012 Olympics in London as well as a number of entertainment events in stadiums and theatres are driving this demand. All Mobile Video (AMV), a veteran mobile production company based in New York City that has been at the forefront of a number of industry transitions (they built the first all-digital, standard definition truck ‘Celebrity’ in 1998), is meeting the challenge with a new 3D-centric truck that promises to not only help producers bring 3D to homes and theatres across the United States, but will also serve as a teaching tool.
Find the technical specs here
OB-Team HD4
OB-Team AS is Norway’s largest and most experienced private provider of services for studio, multi-camera and OB productions. This also makes OB-Team one of Scandinavia’s largest and most experienced OB services providers. The company is owned by the national broadcaster and EBU member, TV 2 Norge. Even though Norway is a small country with few TV viewers, the demand for quality, reliability and modern production technology is just as great as in other, far larger TV markets. In such a situation, being versatile is just as important a qualification as being a niche supplier for a specific type of production. OB-Team has, therefore, attached importance to dynamics and flexibility with regard to both the qualifications of the employees and the construction of the OBVans.
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XD-Motion
XD motion is an expert in aerial filming and multi-dimensional travelling solutions. XD motion is determined to listen to customers, thoroughly understand their demands and offer the best technical, innovative solution, either with its own devices or through specialized partners of the AllDimensions consortium. The scope of the services allows XD motion to use different techniques in the field of 35mm or IMAX film, Broadcast HD, 3D stereo, Time Lapse or Slow motion. XD motion's expertise to analyze custome projects will help to ensure to select the right solution to fit the budget. Aerial shots from helicopters, tracking shots, multi-dimensional cable or travelling tracks, robotic travelling vehicles and drones: XD motion is using the latest camera head technology: 3 and 5-axis, GPS referenced gyro-stabilized heads and open architecture to accommodate all sizes and models of cameras & optical systems on the market.
Find the company overview here
C2S Systems
C2S Systems brings together years of experience in the international broadcast TV and media sectors to provide a complete broadcast systems integration service. From the two locations, Leeds and London, C2S offers the full range of broadcast services including technical consultancy, system design, planning and construction. But C2S don't stop there, they also provide a complete project management service, include training of both technical and operational personnel, and work in partnership with their clients so that they get the cost effective service they need, when and where they need it. From all sizes of OB vehicles, tender vans and satellite services, television studio complexes and broadcast transmission centres, to edit suites and post production facilities, C2S designed, sourced and built hundreds of turnkey solutions for broadcast and production companies the world over.
Find the company overview here
SPORTS
Olympic Games 2012: Pentathlon
The modern pentathlon is a sports contest that includes five events: fencing, 200m freestyle swimming, horse riding, and a 3km cross-country run in combination with pistol shooting. The sport is governed by the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM), the International Modern Pentathlon Union. Modern pentathlon is an Olympic event. Originally the competition took place over four or five days; however in 1996 a one-day format was adopted in an effort to be more audience-friendly.[1] In spite of the event's strong pedigree in the modern Olympics, and its status as the only event created specifically for the modern Olympic Games, its lack of widespread popularity outside Eastern Europe has led to calls for its removal from the Olympic Games in recent years; however, a vote by the IOC on July 8, 2005, keeps it in the Olympic program at least until 2012.
Find the complete case study here
Olympic Games 2012: Triathlon
The Olympic triathlon is composed of two medal events. One is for men and the other is for women. Both use the same distances of 1.5 km, 40 km, and 10 km. Mass starts are used and drafting is allowed during the cycling phase. More than half a million spectators lined the Sydney streets to watch the first ever Olympic Triathlon at the 2000 Games. The six Triathlon events held since the sport’s Olympic debut have been won by athletes from six different countries: Canada and Switzerland in 2000; New Zealand and Austria in 2004; and Germany and Australia in 2008. At London 2012, the Triathlon will begin and end in Hyde Park. The events will begin with a 1,500m swim in the Serpentine; continue with a seven-lap, 40km bike ride around a course that takes in Buckingham Palace and the Wellington Arch; and end with a four-lap, 10km run around the Serpentine to the finish.
Find the complete case study here
Flying High With Riedel at the Breitling Sion Air Show
The Breitling Sion Air-Show with its spectacular maneuvers was one of largest events in Switzerland in 2011. The comprehensive communications infrastructure of the event integrated the organizing team, the pilot's radio network or the local security such as police or fire fighters. The system combined Riedel Artist digital matrix intercom and digital trunked radio. At the heart of the installation were three Artist 64 mainframes. They provided the fibre backbone for a total of 16 Artist control panels that were used at various different departments such as security or the event organization. The redundant network infrastructure of Riedel's Artist digital matrix intercom system guarantees a reliable communication and is secured against system failures.
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SHOWS
Red TX Records Michael Forever For Live TV Broadcast
The concert featured performances from a variety of artists including Christina Aguilera, Leona Lewis Smokey Robinson, JLS, Ne-Yo, JLS, Pixie Lott and Cee Lo Green. The fans, many of whom were dressed in Michael Jackson attire, were treated to spectacular performances on a huge stage, which was billed as the largest event rig ever used at a European stadium. Behind the scenes, broadcast sound specialists Red TX were on hand to record the live audio for subsequent broadcast on Sky Arts and various other television channels around the world. The company employed its new Red II truck, which was manned by Red TX director Tim Summerhayes with assistance from Ollie Nesham and Ben Summerhayes.
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Star Academy Arab World to Perform at TROPFEST Arabia
2011 marks the first year that TROPFEST has been held in the Arab world. TROPFEST Arabia 2011 covers the Middle East and North Africa region and is open to Nationals of Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian territories (the West Bank and Gaza Strip), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The event is supported by twofour54 Abu Dhabi whose aim is to establish a sustainable Arabic media and entertainment content creation industry. TROPFEST Arabia’s aim is to contribute to the development of the Arab film industry by providing an opportunity for the region’s filmmakers to bring their short films to the community. As well as a public screening in Abu Dhabi on 4th November 2011, shortlisted films will be available for viewing online providing an excellent opportunity to showcase the talent that exists in the region.
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HES Plays Part in Ben Hur Live
Preworks’ General Manager Andreas Reinbacher said, “Ben Hur Live has raised the bar of live spectacles so high, it requires creating a new word for its classification in the production industry: monu-tainment. Monumental entertainment.” Live chariot races are just one part of the monutainment - with 100 performers and 100 animals, specially trained horses, and special effects with fire, water and wind. Among the many on the design team are Mark Fisher, who designed the stage, scenery and props, and LD Patrick Woodroffe, who designed the lighting. Ben Hur Live, organized by the company New Arts Concerts, plays until Dec. 4 in Rome. It then moves Dec. 9 to Cologne, Germany. Other producers have visited the show in Rome and expressed interest in bringing the production to the U.S., Asia and other countries.
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Bolshoi Theatre: Curtain up with audio technology by the MEDIAGROUP
If ever there was a theatre which is considered a national icon it is the Bolshoi in Moscow. Built in 1856 in its current form, the Bolshoi was the showplace of the Tsar and the Soviets and was reputed to have - as it was equipped originally - one of the best auditoriums in the world acoustically. On Friday, 28th October, the Bolshoi Theatre will reopen after six years of refurbishment. As a partner of the Russian general contractor SALZBRENNER STAGETEC MEDIAGROUP designed, delivered and installed major parts of the new audio technology. Three large AURUS audio consoles with full channel counts were installed. One is at the heart of the theatre in the sound control room of the grand auditorium, where the outstanding acoustic properties have been restored. A second went into a central sound control room for the entire building complex with its numerous smaller stages, conference and rehearsal rooms. The third AURUS is a mobile console for flexible use, for example during rehearsals in the grand auditorium.
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PRODUCTS
A Great Success – World Premieres Included!
A total of 20 speakers from Europe, Russia, Australia and the USA made the two events of the 9th audio seminar at Banz monastery – with a focus on broadcast (11th and 12th October) and theatre and live sound (13th and 14th October), respectively – a real success. The seminar programme was accompanied by an exhibition where the Mediagroup member companies and participating firms including Audinate, Concept A, Georg Neumann, KS Audio, KS Digital, Müller-BBM, Pinguin Ingenieurbüro, Schoeps Mikrofone, Sennheiser electronic, Smyth Research, Stage Entertainment, VDT, and Zactrack presented their current product ranges. Both the lecture and workshop programme and the exhibition showed real innovation. For example, Sennheiser electronic chose the Banz seminar as a platform for the world-wide launch of a prototype of their new digital wireless microphone systems! Also for the first time, Smyth Research presented a professional version of their Smyth Realizer binaural headphones-playback system to the public.
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Turner Studios Takes Delivery of Lawo mc²90 Production Console
Rick Perry, Studio Audio Manager at Turner Studios, reports the new console will be used for live sports studio shows and sports integration, including NBA, MLB, NCAA, NASCAR, PGA, and broadband programming. Perry notes, “Among the numerous shows we’ll be producing here, the new system will be used in the production of NBA Gametime Live, which is the flagship program of NBA TV. Additionally, the new system will be used for musical performance programs, talk shows, and as part of our video production facility’s live and post operations.” Physical installation and wiring for the new Lawo mc²90 was completed August 1st. The first shows using the console were taped the week of August 15th—even as training for operators new to the console and a refresher for those familiar with it from ACR22 was taking place. Reflecting on the successful deployment of the new console and expanded router capabilities, Perry offered this final thought, “Right from the start, the operators felt very comfortable working on the new console. The biggest challenge we encountered was deciding which way they wanted to execute their setups because of the console’s versatility. Furthermore, the built the rights-management system is well designed with expansion in mind, so incorporating additional hardware in the future can be handled with little or no downtime required.”
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Livetools Introduced the HD Runner III at the Milpol Fair
This 3rd generation RF transmitter was developed to meet EMF’s specific requirements. It addresses real problems encountered in the broadcast world. HD Runner III is a highly modular and portable transmitter which can be plugged directly onto the back of professional video cameras, installed in a vehicle or integrated in a rack system. he HD Runner III includes 422/420 MPEG2 low delay encoding, COFDM digital modulation and RF transmission with up to 630mW RF output power in a compact and convenient package. It provides many flexible audio, video and data interfaces as well as an optional wireless camera control system. It offers user-interchangeable RF modules for 1310-2000, 1990-2700 and 3400-3800 MHz frequency bands.
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Nowell Calls on Pictorvision’s Rain Spinner for Major Wet Work Aerials
Aerial cameraman David B. Nowell, ASC has been using Pictorvision’s Eclipse for major features since the system first came out. The gyro-stabilized system has allowed him to capture exciting one-of-a-kind shots. Recently however, he was tasked to put the system to the test while shooting off the West Coast of Vancouver Island. “Once we met the boat it was time to shoot. The weather was terrible, pouring rain and heavy winds causing 30-foot seas. It was exactly what we wanted. With the spinner on, the spinning glass approaches a speed of close to 5,000 rpm and the rain does not stay on the glass. The shots were magnificent with the waves crashing over the boat’s bow and covering the cab.”Once Nowell and pilot Fred North landed they looked inside the Eclipse ball and found that the lens and camera “were surprisingly dry with only a few ounces of water pooled in the bottom of the ball,” says Nowell. “It was the first time I’ve used the spinner and it worked perfectly.”
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3D ARISING
So You "WARNER" Be A Record Breaker?
Anticipated for months by hordes of fans, the French premier of the last instalment of the Harry Potter saga could only be a major event for the public, but also for the technical service providers who, in close collaboration with Warner Bros. technical services, had to implement the record-breaking digital 3D cinema projection. More than just a challenge, this project involved transforming an arena usually used for concerts and indoor sporting events into a gargantuan outdoor cinema equipped with a giant display and, for the first time, 5.1 surround sound. And there was just one goal: To provide an unforgettable experience under extraordinary visual conditions. "Our goal was to make the audience feel that they were participating in a historic event," noted Olivier Snanoudj, Vice President of Warner Bros. France. Given the scale of the event, and the large number of spectators counting on a 3D experience, the organisers opted for a 3D system using passive glasses. This choice was bolstered by logistical concerns: "We had a hard time getting back over 8000 pairs of glasses at the end of the film," said Pascal Vinial, President and CEO of 2Avi, a company specialising in large-screen 3D cinema projection.
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TV3 Awarded for its Participation in a Pioneering 3D Project
The broadcast in 3D format and 5.1 sound of the concert of the hip hop group Violadores del verso took place on 10th June in Saragossa and meant an unprecedented technological milestone. The broadcast was carried out and supervised at the technical level by a team from TV3, led by Paulí Subirà, Head of Image and Artistic Services. The feat meant the overcoming a new technological challenge along the lines opened up by TV3 of producing and broadcasting big events in 3D, such as the first Champions League final that was broadcast using this format. The prize distinguishes the most innovative TV programme from the point of view of its technical contribution or production, a category in which the “5” project competed with the production of Telecinco “Piratas”; “Verano directo”, produced by Mediapro for La Sexta; “14 d'abril. La República”, produced by Diagonal TV for TVE, and “Hispania, la leyenda”, by Bambú Producciones for Antena 3.
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A Real 3D Adventure!
As 2011 is the year of the overseas territories, EMF has decided to honour their extraordinary diversity of forests. After French Guiana (Amazon rainforest), it is planned to go to New Caledonia (dry forest/wet forest), Réunion/Mayotte (Mangrove), Guadeloupe/Martinique (Caribbean Mangrove), Polynesia (underwater coral forests) and Saint Pierre and Miquelon (boreal forest). The series will be shown simultaneously on France Ô (this will be the first 3D service from France Télévisions) and on Orange’s 3D channel. It will also be shown later on Ushuaia TV and TV5 Monde. The team of explorers left last month for French Guiana, to spend 3 weeks providing the technical equipment and human resources needed for the production in 3D of the first documentary in the series. The team took with them 2 dedicated 3D cameras (double lens, double zoom but with just one camera body: the Panasonic AG3DA1) and separate P2 AVC Intra 100 recorders. Meanwhile, Hélicoptère de France provided us with 2 helicopters.
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Elbow – Live in 3D: Convergence Grading for Stereoscopic 3D Broadcast with DaVinci Resolve
UK band Elbow was shown off 3D on Sky on 12 June 2011, after the team invited the 3D cameras to film a couple of dress rehearsals of their last tour. 75 minutes of talk program features discussions with the team making their latest album Build A Rocket Boys! , and had performances of “Lippy Kids,” “Neat Little Rows” and other songs from the album. The material was shot with Panasonic professional broadcast equipment, including AG-3DA1 integrated 3D cameras. Fans were thrilled to hear that Elbow favourites ‘One Day Like This’, ‘Puncture Repair’ and ‘Grounds For Divorce’. Three camcorders were used alongside a mirrored 3D Swiss rig and one side-by-side Element Technica Quasar loaded with AJ-HPX3100 P2 cameras. Three BT-3DLH2250 field 3D broadcast monitors were used on site as well as three TX-P50VT20 3D Viera consumer plasma televisions. The production used five hours of footage shot over three days. Peter Van Hooke directed HDMusic.tv’s production for Universal music in association with Panasonic.
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The Meduza TITAN: A Single Camera 3D Solution for TV Production
“The desire of the consumer for an enhanced 3D television entertainment experience and the pressure on hardware manufacturers and retailers to sell the new 3D enabled hardware, is mandating the broadcaster to deliver,” says Cary. “There is no doubt that content is king when it comes to driving the television market and right now there clearly isn’t enough 3D television content being produced. An unquestionable demand has been established in the 3D equipment marketplace where currently there is a void for a camera with the versatility of the TITAN.” Featuring two 1080p CMOS sensors, TITAN is capable of a full range of frame rates, from 24 fps to 120 fps in 10 bit, and has fast, fully motorized inter-axial (the distance between the lenses) and convergence, both essential to quality S3D film making. Convergence is accurate to 1/1000 of a degree and the inter-axial to 1 micron. Meduza can also provide motors for Iris and focus control. At only 7.5 lbs (3.5 kilos), the robust and compact TITAN is crafted of a unique titanium body for lightness and durability.
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