Introduction | Conferences | Previews

Acterna's DTS-330 -- a more powerful, in-depth, and accurate digital stream analysis tool center stage at IBC2004 will be the DTS-330, a digital broadcast test platform that offers multiple combinations of MPEG-2 (DVB and ATSC) transport stream generation, capture, stream creation, and analysis capabilities, as well as the ability to analyze up to seven unique streams simultaneously across as many different interfaces. The DTS-330 supports up to seven different combinations of inputs and outputs, such as QPSK, DVB-T, QAM, ASI, SMTPE-310, DHEI, and full-bandwidth Gigabit Ethernet with both optical and copper interfaces. With the DTS-330 platform, cable providers, broadcast technicians, and equipment manufacturers can enjoy the benefits of a more durable and robust chassis, along with the most up-to-date hardware and a significant increase in computing and processing power.

Acterna will announce additions to the DTS product line:

Video Decode Functionality gives network operators the ability to view all the programs present in the transport stream in real time, to monitor the MPEG stream, and to analyze the raw data/numbers, factors, and parameters of the signaling. This exciting new feature is attractive because it provides actual visual verification of the program (just as if the user were watching TV), and at the same time it performs and presents an accurate analysis of the streams to ensure the best signal is being presented.

Multimedia Home Platform (MHP) is now supported by the DTS-330. MHP is the critical standard that allows operators to make interactive services available and to provide multimedia applications on set-top boxes. Acterna's DTS product line is designed to support the analysis of the object and data carousels going through the MPEG streams while operators -- either terrestrial, cable, telco, or satellite - host multiple services for consumers on one set (such as for users who watch a sports program and on the same screen play interactive games or trivia). Accuracy of testing is critical in ensuring the highest quality even when multiple applications are in use on one TV set.

New Interfaces on the DTS product line allow it to meet more precisely the demands of digital video deployment within the satellite broadcast and terrestrial broadcast industries. The DTS product line now supports both the COFDM and 8VSB modulation called for in the European and North American standards respectively. In addition, Acterna will also launch a new satellite interface to its MPEG product line that will extend QPSK and 8PSK Turbo code support to all DTS interfaces.

MPEG-4 Analysis is now available within the DTS product line, keeping pace with the advancements and changes in the industry. The DTS product line can now test and monitor both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 streams seamlessly. This support is in both the transport stream layer, as well as in the underlying program and elementary stream layers. In addition, the video quality analysis of MPEG-4 video streams, including the Part 10 (H.264) standards, is also available.
Back to top

Acterna, a provider of communications test solutions for telecommunications and cable network operators, today announced that its DTS 200 and DTS 330 remote test solutions for MPEG-2 transport streams have been enhanced with interfaces for Digital Video Broadcasting -- Terrestrial (DVB T) testing and measurement. Acterna's DTS 200 and DTS 330 now enable pinpoint analysis of digital video transport streams transported over terrestrial broadcasts and provide the RF layer measurements that facilitate simple correlation between the physical and MPEG protocol layers.

Acterna's complete suite of broadcast and cable network testing tools and solutions will be displayed at IBC2004 stand 8.375.

By adding DVB T testing functionality to the DTS 200 and DTS 330 systems, Acterna becomes the first provider of MPEG protocol test and measurement solutions to all industries -- including satellite, cable, telco, terrestrial broadcast, and OEMs -- working with the MPEG compression format.

"The broadcast industry is exploring every option available for content producers to maximize today's digital media experience," said Kevin Oliver, vice president of marketing for Acterna's Cable Networks Division. "The new DVB T interface to Acterna's DTS products allows broadcasters in Europe and Asia, as well as Community Antenna Television (CATV) and telecom clients worldwide, to analyze accurately Digital Video (DV) transport streams coming off air, ensuring that those feeds are error-free. The DVB-T interface allows a customer to identify and isolate problems in the distribution and multiplexing chain quickly, saving time, labor, and cost. As a result, our customers can optimize programming on a given frequency while maintaining the highest standards of quality for their broadcast signals."

The DTS 200 allows digital network operators and associated equipment vendors to gain remote visibility into their MPEG streams and perform various test applications for rapid provisioning of networks and easy identification of problems with equipment and content. Acterna's DTS 330 digital broadcast test system offers multiple combinations of MPEG 2 -- both DVB and Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) -- transport stream generation, capture, stream creation, and analysis to meet broadcasters' specific needs. This new test platform also analyzes up to seven unique streams simultaneously across as many different interfaces.
Back to top

Acterna wins two Readers' Choice awards

Acterna announced that the company has won two Communications Technology Readers' Choice Awards, an annual program sponsored by the official trade journal of the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE), honoring the industry's most innovative new products.

In the category of Cable Telephony, Acterna's Digital Service Activation Meter (DSAM) 3500 and 3600 were selected for multiple features that include testing cable modem services, digital video, analog video, and PacketCableè-based voice over IP (VoIP). Acterna's TechComplete Closeout Testing Solution, with the ability to not only automate testing on the Acterna Digital Service Activation Meter (DSAM) family of test instruments, but also integrate test results with work orders, won in the program's Operations Support System category.

"The 2004 Readers' Choice Awards is a distinct honor. Communications Technology and its seasoned panel of judges have validated Acterna's continued commitment to deliver test solutions that drive results for our customers," said Kevin Oliver, vice president of marketing for Acterna's Cable Networks Division. "With a competitive field, we are very pleased that our DSAM 3500/3600 was recognized for its ability to introduce ease and efficiency to operators when deploying advanced new services such as VoIP and VoD. We are also pleased that an additional award recognized Acterna's TechComplete Closeout Testing Solution for its ability to deliver automation and integration into the test process, supporting a cable technician's goal to deploy services right the first time."

"Cable-Tec Expo attendees were very impressed with this year's round of Readers' Choice finalists, with a record number of broadband professionals casting votes," said Jerry Gunderson, publisher of Communications Technology. "The competition was stiff, and the winners in each category exemplify the best new technologies our industry has to offer. Communications Technology congratulates all winners and commends the top-notch products that competed as finalists."
Back to top

Activa3 presents DigitionSuite in the IBC event

Activa3 will present its newest digital production and archiving system, DigitionSuite, during its third exposition in the IBC event, from September 10 to 14 in Amsterdam. This is a system specially designed for television broadcasters, news agencies and audiovisual archives, which offers a wide range of possibilities regarding digital professional production. It includes video ingest, video editing, complete asset management, archive and play-out.

DigitionSuite is based on integrated standard and open hardware and software, which allows it to freely choose its suppliers. Due to its high-degree of scalability and versatility it is nowadays being used in the production and archive of TV3 -the main television in Catalonia-, as well as in the process of digitalising and managing huge audiovisual archives such as those of Parlament de Catalunya -Catalonia's government-, of Filmoteca de Catalunya -Catalonia's film library-, and of Forum Universal de les Cultures Barcelona 2004.

Activa3, the software and technology trademark of Corporacio Catalana de Radio i Televisio -CCRTV- (Radio and Television Catalan Company), got specialized in providing the most state-of-the-art solutions to broadcasting companies. It has twenty years experience in the development of applications and systems for companies in the broadcast environment, and it stands out from other technology companies as regards to expertise and closeness to radio and TV media from CCRTV.
Back to top

"Adtec has the ability to deliver solutions for customers with a diversity of needs," Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Ron Johnson, said. "We will offer hands-on opportunities to experience our scalable, cost-effective, digital television delivery solutions, secure IP distribution and digital ad-insertion solutions."

Adtec will introduce the edje-3100 and edje-3200 multiplexers designed for digital television and IP backhaul applications.

The edje-3100 and the edje-3200 include two QPSK receivers with CACI interface for descrambling and routing ASI and DVB-S feeds, and output ASI and IP concurrently.

The 3100, designed for the international market, also includes two DVB-T receivers. The 3200, designed for use in the United States, is equipped with two 8VSB receivers for processing ATSC signals and also includes SMPTE 310M inputs and outputs. Both models output multiplexed ASI and IP streams over a Gigabit Ethernet interface.

All models on Adtec's multiplexer product line have the ability to route MPEG transport streams over a GIGE interface for digital television applications.

Adtec will also exhibit digital ad-insertion solutions including Digital into Analog (DIA), Digital into Digital (DID) and Digital into Transport (DIT).

DIT as a solution is new for Adtec, although Adtec helped author the SCTE 30 and SCTE 35 standards, defining the splicing of transport streams nearly four years ago.

Adtec will introduce the DPI-1200 Digital into Transport (DIT) Ad server, designed to simultaneously insert up to twelve programs into a digital cable or digital television service.

Adtec will demonstrate the Traffic and Billing Gateway Server (TBGS) at IBC.

"The TBGS allows seamless integration with a variety of popular analog and digital ad insertion systems," Cable and Broadcast Sales Manager, Scott Pierce said. "The real value of the TBGS is that it facilitates easy distribution and management of commercial content via a Wide Area Network."

Adtec will debut its second generation edje-PDP digital video player and network appliance designed to fit inside the Pioneer's fourth generation PureVision Plasma displays.

Adtec will also introduce the Soloist 3 Digital Media Server, a product combining the functions of a digital video recorder, player, switcher and server in one device.

"The product offers users powerful features including multiple-layer with multiple-region text and graphic overlays, advanced video scaling and broadcast time delay (time shifting)," President, KevinAncelin, said. "The innovative two slot design allows for implementation of one of each encoder and decoder module or two of an encoder or decoder, providing flexibility in a system configuration."
Back to top

Video Systems will demonstrate new desktop video products and six new converters that have never been seen at IBC. Additionally, AJA will show its full line of desktop video products for the Mac and professional broadcast quality video converters.

New Products at IBC2004:

Desktop Video Products:

Kona 2 The new dual rate HD/SD 133 MHz PCI-X capture card, Kona 2 supports uncompressed 10 bit SDI, HD-SDI, and dual link 4:4:4 HD at both 10 and 12 bits. Kona 2 has eight channel AES audio, HD/SD component analog video output, and Broadcast Quality HD/SD hardware up/down-conversion. Kona 2 also features AJA's new Qrez hardware codec, which provides excellent quality at a 4:1 compression ratio. Kona 2's extensive hardware support means these functions are always active and they significantly reduce the host CPU load - allowing more RT Effects power. Offering features and capabilities at unprecedented prices, Kona 2 is the highest quality and most flexible HD/SD video capture solution available for editing on the Power Mac G5.

K Box A rack mountable 1RU enclosure, which supports all of Kona 2's I/O connectors, K Box has the added functions of both XLR and BNC AES connections and 2 channel RCA style analog audio monitoring. K Box easily fits in a studio facility rack or sits on top of a desktop editing setup.

Converters:

RH10UC The RH10UC is a 10-bit SD to HD up-converter. Using motion-adaptive de-interlacing and high quality digital scalers, the RH10UC provides excellent Broadcast quality HD video from SD sources. Output HD video is selectable between 720p and 1080I formats. 4:3 to 16:9 aspect ratio conversion is selectable between 4:3 pillarbox, 14:9 crop, 16:9 anamorphic, and 16:9 zoom. Input SD ITU Rec. 601 color space is converted to ITU Rec. 709. The RH10UC passes 8 channel embedded audio with a compensating delay. Additionally, the RH10UC can operate as a stand-alone HD or SD Frame Synchronizer. The RH10UC is compatible with AJA's FR1 or FR2 frames.

RH10DA The RH10DA is a multi-standard Dual Rate 1x8 SDI/HD-SDI Distribution Amplifier. The input is re-clocked and equalized to 100/300 meters (HD/SD) of coax cable. The RH10DA automatically configures to 143, 177, 270, 360mb, or 1.485gb SDI inputs. The re-clock function can be by-passed with an on-board jumper.

R10CE The R10CE is a SDI distribution amplifier and universal monitoring D/A converter. The R10CE provides four equalized and re-clocked SDI outputs along with fouranalog monitoring outputs. The four analog outputs can be configured to a widevariety of formats including NTSC/PAL, YC (S-Video), YPbPr (SMPTE, EBU-N10), Betacam or RGB. A PLL jitter filter/memory reduces the effects of SD jitter on theanalog outputs. The R10CE fits the AJA R-Series Rack Mount Frames, and is compatible with other standard racks.

HD10DA The HD10DA is a miniature, low-cost 1x6 SD/HD (dual-rate) re-clocking distribution amplifier. featuring six separately buffered HD-SDI outputs, the HD10DA provides automatic input cable re-clocking and equalization to 125 meters.
Back to top

ATG Broadcast, one of Europe's broadcast system integrators, has upgraded the BBC's Newsround Digital studio and relocated it from Studio 2 at Television Centre to the East Tower. Located within the Children's Post Production Village on the first floor, the new studio will produce content for digital transmission on The CBBC Channel.

The expanded Newsround Digital facility comprises a single-camera studio with a sound and vision control room, voiceover booth and apparatus room. A new Custom Consoles desk in the control room houses a Snell & Wilcox Switchpack vision mixer, Yamaha digital audio mixer, Pro-Bel routing and Trilogy Orator talkback. The desk itself is 4 metres in width; beech-veneered with a hard-wearing Marmoleum worksurface, it was designed specifically to suit the studio dimensions.

ATG Broadcast engineer Scott Adams comments:

"The contract was completed within a very tight timescale, just five weeks from start to mid-August completion, including the design of purpose-built furniture. The result gives BBC Newsround Digital substantially improved technical resources within its own specially designed space."
Back to top

Executives from BBC Broadcast Limited, a commercial subsidiary of the BBC, will present a masterclass at IBC 2004 in Amsterdam on Friday, 10 September on the design and build of the Broadcast Centre, the most technologically advanced playout facility in Europe. The session, titled, "Into a Tapeless Wonderland - The Design Behind the Largest Migration Project in TV History" will be chaired by Brad Dick, the editorial director of Broadcast Engineering.

Chris Howe, Head of Technology, and Ian Wimsett, Technology Manager, will co-present a 90 minute session detailing the technology architecture in the building, reasons for building the Broadcast Centre, new ways of working for BBC Broadcast staff and the complex project of migrating 51 channels and interactive streams from Television Centre to the Broadcast Centre.

Chris Howe, Head of Technology, says," I have been involved in this project from day one, and evaluated technology across the industry to make this vision a reality. I look forward to sharing the story behind the building and our approach to systems design with the rest of the industry."

Details of the session are: WHO: Chris Howe, BBC Broadcast Head of Technology and Ian Wimsett, BBC Broadcast Technology Manager WHAT: IBC Masterclass: "Into a Tapeless Wonderland" WHEN: 10 September | 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. WHERE: Room L, RAI Exhibition and Congress Centre, Amsterdam
Back to top

BBC Technology, provider of products and services to media-driven organisations, will showcase its portfolio, including the Colledia products, media communications, internet solutions, and consulting services, at this year's IBC conference. Enabling broadcasters to create, manage, distribute and archive content, the booth demonstrations encapsulate the company's philosophy of Media Lifecycle Management.

As part of BBC Technology's product strategy to work with best-of-breed applications for customers, the company will also be demonstrating how it is integrating Quantel, Avid, Apple's Final Cut Pro and Window's Media Player into Colledia Workflow.

BBC Technology will also be participating in a number of conference sessions at IBC: Martin Farrimond will be presenting ‘Content To Mobiles - Who is Supplying, Buying and Regulating It?' on Friday 11 September, 11.30am - 1.00pm in Conference Room L. In addition, BBC Technology's senior consultants will be presenting a series of half hour training seminars focusing on key issues facing the broadcasting industry today; these will take place in the IBC Training Zone - Hall 7 - on Friday 11 September from 1.00pm.
Back to top

Belden CDT has introduced three NanoSkew UTP cables for video display (only – non-broadcast quality video) aimed at IP and KVM applications.

The NanoSkew Brilliance VideoTwist UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pairs) cables, to be launched on to the European market at IBC 2004, are a more efficient solution than the established bundled coax as they distribute component RGB video as well as providing for premise LAN wiring which eliminates the requirement for two separate cables.

Component RGB video systems transmit each part of a video signal through separate cables ie: one for red, one for green and one for blue. Transmissions require each signal to arrive simultaneously for a clearer, sharper video image.

The UTP cables feature different twist lengths for each pair. This difference causes a signal delay from pair to pair known as skew. The resultant skew limits overall transmission distance with current cabling restricted to distances of 328 to 600 feet.

NanoSkew Brilliance VideoTwist UTP cables, which meet with applicable TIA/EIA standards, can extend video transmission distances out to 1300 feet and beyond dependant on the equipment parameters. In addition the cables lead to better pixel alignment, reduced ghosting and vertical shading bands as well as offering reliable performance levels for Ethernet installations and blade edge computing / KVM (Keyboard Video Mouse) applications.

UTP cables are stressed during installation with unbonded pairs often experiencing gaps that affect performance. Belden CDT solution offers Installable Performance as a result of its bonded pair construction that offers precise conductor to conductor spacing.
Back to top

BeldenCDT has come up with the perfect solution to bulky, heavy cabling for outside broadcast vehicles in the form of Brilliance Digitruck179DT Lightweight.

This new lightweight RG179 Type 75 ohm coaxial cable lightens the truck's load, lessens the amount of space needed and improves both air flow and gas mileage.

Brilliance Digitruck 179DT Lightweight weighs 7.25 pounds per 1000 feet of coax which is 60 per cent less than standard Mini RG-59/U type cables. In addition the new product takes up only 40 per cent of the space freeing up valuable space within fully loaded broadcast vans.

Designed for use in analog, SDI, HD video and AES/EBU digital audio transmissions, DigiTruck has a guaranteed return loss (RL) minimum of 21dB and is sweep tested to 3 GHz and mimics the performance of BeldenCDT's popular precision video cables that provide 6dB of RL headroom against SMPTE 292M specifications.

This new coax also features a highly crush-resistant, foamed high density polyethylene dielectric to maximise cable durability - a vital prerequisite for broadcast trucks. A versatile shield, consisting of a lightly bonded Duobond® tape, can either be left bonded to simplify termination with one-piece connectors or be removed for use with multi-piece designs.
Back to top

BigBand Networks, will be showcasing its portfolio of solutions, announcing new customer wins and outlining its plans for the European market. Its advanced solutions enable broadband network operators to converge the delivery of video, voice and data services over a unified network platform sourcing content from any location and delivering it via any access method.

BigBand, whose solutions serve tens of millions of subscribers in North America, Europe and Asia, will for the first time, showcase triple play service solution demonstrations that incorporate its BMR (Broadband Multimedia-Service Router) and BME (Broadband Multimedia-Service Edge) video service platforms together with the Cuda CMTS system gained from the recent acquisition of the ADC IP Cable division.

Live demonstrations will highlight how by deploying BigBand solutions to meet today's requirements, broadband network operators of all sizes will be investing in a flexible infrastructure that is uniquely capable of supporting their transition to an integrated multiservice delivery architecture enabling new services and efficiencies.
Back to top

Broadcast Technology selected for Iraq media network project

Broadcast Technology to announce that it has been chosen by Harris Corporation to supply equipment for the Iraqi Media Network Project.

The IMN project, on behalf of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) currently governing Iraq, is developing an existing but antiquated media network into a modern media organisation for the Iraqi people. The Iraqi Media Network (IMN) program includes equipment, operation, training, and provisioning of programming for two national radio and television networks and a national newspaper with operating locations in Baghdad and more than 30 other locations throughout the country. Harris Corporation's Broadcast Communications Division is currently constructing studios, satellite distribution network and transmitter sites for installation throughout Iraq.

Broadcast Technology Showman 5000 analogue TV demodulators will be used across the country at transmission sites to provide monitoring capabilities.
Back to top

Broadcast Technology announces a new multichannel MPEG audio decoder designed for large-scale audio applications. The DTAD 3000 provides simultaneous decoding of up to four stereo sound channels from MPEG1 & 2, Layer 2 & 3, sources. Two different DVB-ASI input configurations (either dual input or loopthrough) and two different output options (either quad analogue stereo pair outputs or quad AES/EBU) are available. The dual DVB-ASI interface enables the DTAD 3000 to be deployed in redundancy architectures alongside other Broadcast Technology 3000 series modules. A single-slot hot-swappable unit, the DTAD 3000 can be controlled via DARTnet within the 3000 series modular rack or externally via RS-232.

Broadcast Technology's International Sales Manager, Martin Altham, comments: "The DTAD 3000 is ideal for broadcast monitoring, cable-head-ends and other pay TV applications where decoding of multiple audio and radio channels is required. It combines the high quality, power-efficiency and compactness that have made the 3000 series a natural choice for systems builders worldwide."
Back to top

Following a several-year absence and a flurry of acquisitions, C-COR Incorporated (Nasdaq: CCBL) returns next month as an exhibitor at the 2004 IBC Exhibition in Amsterdam (September 11 -14, Hall 4, Stand 348), showcasing the advanced network transport and software solutions that have propelled the Company into a top-tier industry vendor with a global customer base.

The spotlight this year will be on the first-ever demonstration in Europe of C-COR's modular software applications under its flagship ISM(Integrated Services Management) system, the industry's most comprehensive OSS (Operations Support System) solution with network, workforce, subscriber, and service assurance management capabilities. Complementing its software showcase, C-COR will also have on display its end-to-end digital video transport delivery systems with live demonstrations of the latest enhancements to its DV6000 Universal Digital Fiber Optic Transport System and CHP Max5000 converged, high-density headend platform.One-Stop OSS
In a powerful consolidation of industry-leading OSS offerings, C-COR and its recent acquisitions, Alopa Networks and Stargus, will feature at IBC the superior value and benefit of their combined solution for management of the network infrastructure, subscribers, workforce, and services in the emerging digital environment. Specifically, C-COR will demonstrate four modular software applications under its ISM umbrella system:

Network Service Manager (NSM): a revolutionary solution to fault management issues inside the HFC network. This indispensable application is a customer-centric solution focused on proactively solving network and service management problems. NSM integrates the best-in-class standards-based network management technology with customer care and billing data sources to give operators a vehicle to proactively monitor the health of their network infrastructure and prioritize alarm resolutions by the number of customer(s) impacted. By using the thresholds and alarms that are defined for each specific device in the network, NSM is able to pinpoint potential failure point, by location and device, within the network allowing network maintenance personnel to quickly locate and rectify these potential failures before they become major outages.

Service Activation Manager (SAM) (formerly, Alopa's MetaServ Provisioning System): a fully integrated, end-to-end provisioning and IP management solution. SAM is the industry's only end-to-end OSS product that automates the entire subscriber lifecycle--from equipment qualification through customer support--and integrates all layers of the IT infrastructure, including billing, order entry, customer–care, and network management. In addition, its framework deploys high speed data, Internet telephony, multimedia, home networks, and more in one robust, highly scalable platform.

CableEdge (formerly, the Stargus product line): a service assurance management solution that includes network optimization, subscriber usage reporting, abuse control, performance management, and capacity planning. CableEdge allows broadband operators to take control of cable's last mile by reducing operating costs and revenue leakage, enabling new revenue-generating services such as VoIP, and improving customer satisfaction. The system is currently in use managing over 5 million DOCSIS devices worldwide.

Mobile Workforce Manager (MWM): a suite of field service management tools that takes advantage of the latest advances in handheld PCs, wireless communications, and a suite of work force management software applications to maximize the potential of the operator's mobile workforce. MWM includes automated scheduling, routing, and workflow management tools combined with real-time communications between the operations center, back-office systems and the mobile workforce. MWM is available to broadband service providers as either a stand-alone system or as a hosted application service offering.
Back to top

Hyperex - HD/SD: New, award winning character generator platform, the new HyperX accepts both HD and SD video cards allowing real-time 2D & 3D playout of standard definition 4:3 or 16:9 graphics, or multi-format 4:3 or 16:9 high definition graphics.

Clyps HD: New real-time, HD clip server with uncompressed HD video and key, in and out. The Clyps HD has up to 1.3 TB of storage enabling up to 180 minutes of lower third animations or 60 minutes of full frame video.

C-Mix HD: New award winning, layering mixer with simultaneous SD and HD outputs. C-Mix HD includes 4 SD video and key inputs, plus a background layer, an SD mixer and an HD upconverter.

Advanced Lyric: Latest version of Chyron's premier broadcast software. New Lyric features include dramatically improved 3D rendering and effects and multi-channel back-to-back clips.

Lyricstore: Chyron and Proximity Corporation have developed integrated connectivity between Proximity‚s Xenostore product and Chyron's Lyric software to search, transfer, convert and manage lyric graphical assets, as well as integrate Lyric software into graphics operations with legacy equipment from Adobe, Avid, Chyron, Discreet, Grass Valley, Leitch, Omneon, Pinnacle, Quantel, Sundance and others.
Back to top

da Vinci Systems announced that Imagica, one of Japan's high-end post-production facilities, is using da Vinci's 2K Plus color enhancement system for commercials, music videos, and 24p HD film projects finished at the Tokyo-based facility.

"24p HD is the ideal mastering format for film, DVD releases, archiving, and even HD presentations or screenings, and da Vinci's 2K Plus gives me powerful grading capabilities while working with this very versatile format," said Imagica Post-Production Consultant Mitsuhiro Takano. "Working in a digital intermediate environment is becoming increasingly popular here in Japan, and the 2K Plus' power windows and Kilovectors give me the tools I need to help filmmakers make their visions a reality. I can use multiple power windows on a single scene and the 2K Plus' Kilovectors to make just the right adjustments to lighting and color balance."

Takano has been working with da Vinci color correction and enhancement systems since 1994. Imagica currently has nine da Vinci systems including the Classic, Renaissance, DUI, 2K, and 2K Plus, which Takano and others at the facility use in conjunction with Cintel C-Reality, Sony Vialta, Ursa Diamond, and Cintel Turbo 3 telecines and a Thomson Spirit datacine.

The 2K Plus is an extension of da Vinci's Emmy award-winning 2K product, a real-time color enhancement system with support for multiple standards and resolutions. In addition to improvements in the primary and secondary color correction feature set, the 2K Plus provides increased flexibility through an enhanced key bus, improved gamma curve adjustment, and dedicated Kilovector key outputs.
Back to top

DayPort, will premiere the first video content management solution developed from the ground up at the International Broadcaster Conference in Amsterdam from September 10-14. DayPort’s core technology enables the integration of broadcast opportunities while customizing assets within the same organizations. DayPort services are customizable for each country and language. Stop by booth 4.155 to experience this cutting edge technology for yourself.

"Europe has traditionally been ahead of the rest of the world in the implementation of new broadcast technology solutions. While the recognition that DAM is a key requirement in today’s broadcast world, many people fail to realize that Asset Management has been around for many years in one form or another. So why reinvent the wheel?" said Andy Ioannou, DayPort vice president of new business development. "DayPort has simply looked at what has worked for many years and adapted it for broadcast. In addition, other content delivery mechanisms, including video streaming and progressive download are still in their infancy stages."

As broadcasters throughout the world are looking to do more with the same resources and increase revenue from enhanced and expanded services through a wide variety of platforms, DayPort technology has the ability to deliver low cost, automated and totally integrated solutions. These are ideally suited to the new requirements and at the same time address the new challenges and needs brought about by new broadcast technologies. Disillusioned with the scattergun approach of conventional broadcasting, advertisers worldwide are now looking at alternative vehicles to get their message to the consumer. DayPort Enterprise Solutions for delivery of content over IP systems has the unique ability to integrate advertising content with graphic and video content consistently achieving high response figures.
Back to top

Six Digital Rapids StreamZ server units are now in daily use at Starz, the largest provider of premium movie services in the United States with approximately 164 million pay units. Starz offerings include the Starz Super PakR, with up to 13 digital movie channels and more than 750 movies per month, Starz On DemandR, the only on-demand pay TV subscription service available on cable, satellite, and broadband platforms, and a suite of advanced video offerings.

Starz has recently announced the immediate availability of the first premium subscription movie service - STARZ! Ticket on Real Movies, which offers major, recently released motion pictures delivered over high-speed broadband connections to PCs.

Says James Porter, Executive Director, Post Production and Broadcast Operation at Starz: "In order to make this happen, we needed a solution that provided the best encode quality for Real 10, as well as a suite of tools that would meet the needs of a traditional broadcast facility. When saw a demonstration of the Digital Rapids StreamZ we knew we had found the solution. The quality of the video encoding was the best we had seen - in fact, it is fabulous - and the features of the StreamEnterprise software, such as RS422 control with frame accurate VTR control, audio controls, video proc amp controls, and graphics overlay, were features our production facility had to have.

"At Starz, StreamZ is used for many projects: to create media files for internal approvals on projects, provide media files for video promotion and download on our Starz web sites (such as for Starz!Ticket), as well as other marketing web initiatives that require video and audio encodes.

"A bonus in having the Digital Rapids unit is that we require high quality encoding not only for Real but for Windows Media as well, and Digital Rapids gives us this."
Back to top

e-mediavision.com is showing POINT at IBC 2004

POINT now features a holographic video screen version for use in broadcast, AV and corporate presentations, and a touch screen laptop version for sports training applications. New for IBC 2004 is an additional selection of POINT graphics tools including a recording system for easy playback on air.

POINT is a touch screen system that allows operators to draw onto a TV picture in real time, giving immediacy and extra content to any broadcast and has recently been seen at Euro 2004 and Sky cricket broadcasts.

Applications include Sport (football, baseball, soccer, cricket, tennis, basketball and more), News, Weather, Conferences, Training and Corporate presentations.

POINT is ideally suited to live productions due to its ease of operation. The control surface is a touch sensitive LCD (or Plasma for in-shot use) screen or holographic screen with a simple graphical interface allowing fast and error free operation. In a live situation waiting for things to happen is not an option, so the tools in POINT operate instantly, enabling the presenter to concentrate on the commentary or presentation. The touch screen allows the user to instantly draw freehand, place animated arrows, and even recall previously saved graphics and animations. It is easy to freehand draw by simply touching and moving a finger across the screen.
Back to top

One of the most rigorous components of creating interactive TV content is ensuring that it will be viewable on a multitude of different set top boxes (STBs). At IBC2004, attendees are invited to learn about how Ensequence helps ensure the success of interactive programs and commercials by offering their customers the unique opportunity to book time in their STB testing facilities. The London- and Portland-based facilities allow customers to conduct their own quality assurance testing on multiple STB platforms prior to sending their interactive content to operators for distribution.

"Usage of our interactive testing facilities helps facilitate passage through intensive testing phases and enables the rapid deployment of interactive TV applications," said Ben Collins, deployment and integration architect at Ensequence.

Six broadcast head ends -- providing the highest level of testing possible -- complement Ensequence's STB testing facilities in Portland. For creatives delivering content to operators, the testing facilities provide an advantage because customers have the opportunity to test functionality and view their content the same way that viewers will.

"The testing centers are part of the Ensequence drive to enable the rapid, successful, and simple deployment of interactive TV applications," said John Holland, Ensequence's United Kingdom sales and marketing director. "This follows the recent launch of the Ensequence Developer Program, which dramatically lowers the entry costs for producers wishing to create interactive television content."
Back to top

Espial, Myrio and nCUBE to demonstrate end-to-end IPTV solution at IBC

What: The Espial-Myrio-nCUBE demonstration combines the core components of an end-to-end Internet Protocol (IP) television solution with the Espial Escape browser software, enabling Web browsing and Internet on TV, the Myrio IP Video Platform, which provides the essential software platform for the management and delivery of IP video applications, and nCUBE's n4x video server, which serves content on demand to IP video subscribers. The solution enables the delivery of advanced video services including: IP video set up and menu applications, Video on Demand (VOD), network personal video recorder (nPVR), and Web portals that enable full-fledged Internet email, Web browsing and chat capabilities. See how the combined solutions are a complete no-risk offering with modular architectures allowing component selection that is completely customizable, enabling new revenue opportunities and competitive advantages for broadband service providers.

Who: Espial, Myrio and nCUBE Executives: Roger Shanafelt, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Myrio Tom Siegel, Vice President of Sales, Espial Ken Pike, General Manager, EMEA, nCUBE

Where: IBC 2004 in Amsterdam , The Espial Meeting Room B22
Back to top

Fast Forward Video, (FFV), a recognized innovator of digital video recorder (DVR) technology for professional broadcast, industrial video, presentation, and military applications, announced that Australia's G.D.B. International, a Canberra-based firm specializing in providing multimedia and video solutions to consumer/broadcast markets, has signed on as an FFV distributor for the whole of Australia. Through its extensive professional video dealer network, G.D.B. International will provide sales and support of FFV products, as well as direct consultation in specialized projects.

FFV was one of the first companies to bring digital computer technology to the video industry by applying random-access disk storage to a video device. The company's cost-effective DVR solutions, including the award-winning OMEGA Decka DVR, ultra-compact Recona DVR board, and DigiDeck Digital Video Recordera provide high-performance technology and rugged, reliable operation for sporting events, security and remote monitoring, and other remote and mobile broadcast applications.

"G.D.B. International consists of three separate divisions that include consumer video products, broadcast and professional products, and security and surveillance equipment, and FFV's digital video recording technologies are very valuable in the latter two of these market sectors," continued Bridge. "We look forward to introducing the company's products to new users throughout Australia."
Back to top

At IBC2004, Fast Forward Video (FFV), a recognized innovator of digital video recorder (DVR) technology for industrial video, presentation, military, and professional broadcast applications, will debut its new ultra-compact, board-level Outrider DVR. The Outrider, measuring only 4.69 in.x 2.21 in., is designed for OEM applications and is ideal for high-resolution recording for surveillance, law enforcement, emergency first responders, and portable broadcast systems.

The Outrider DVR is available with two Compact Flash slots, providing easy removal and transfer of recorded video. It is also available with a 2.5 in. IDE hard drive and has a USB 2.0 port for file transfer.

The Outrider is designed with the same leading-edge digital video technology that has established Fast Forward Video's reputation as a leader in the broadcast industry. The Outrider DVR is powered by four AA batteries or via a DC power source.

Featuring video capture and playback at 60 frames per second, the Outrider offers a resolution greater than 550 lines at 4:1 compression, user-selectable compression ratios ranging from 4:1 to 20:1, and recording times averaging from 4 to 20 minutes per gigabyte. The GPI control panel's options include record; seek or scan forward/backward; single-frame forward/reverse; delete clips; and play/pause.

The Outrider also features a time/date stamp and character display, time-lapse recording, NTSC/PAL compatibility, composite and Y/C inputs and outputs, pre-event record, and loop record of PC-viewable or secure video files. External control is available via two external triggers or with optional machine control software.
Back to top

Fusion reveal added-value solutions for pay TV services at IBC 2004

At this year's IBC, Fusion Digital Technology are showcasing to Pay TV operators how to create additional revenue streams through their supplementary product range including an innovative Portable Personal Video Recorder (pPVR) and highly versatile, world-first Broadband Videophone.

The pPVR is a portable media centre, allowing users to access both audio and video content whilst on the move, and the ability to store such content on its internal Hard Disk Drive without the need to interface with a PC. In addition to the conventional USB port route, content can be transferred by direct connection to an audio or composite / S-VHS video source using the unit's inbuilt MPEG encoder, and by direct digital connection to a dedicated Digifusion set top box or Digital Video recorder. This allows a plethora of new revenue streams for broadcasters and cable operators by offering a library of music and videos to their customers on a per-download basis.

The cost-effective broadband Videophone developed by Fusion and new technology partner RedCom, is the first of its kind to utilise the new compression standard H.264, enabling high quality video calls, as well as increased audio call quality, over existing broadband networks. With a plug-in wireless option, the Videophone can be attached to any TV set in a wireless broadband-enabled home, offering excellent flexibility and ease of use.

Broadband represents a high value growth industry however, analysts predict that future revenue growth will be fuelled via additional added value services such as video telephony rather than access costs. The usage of such services is expected to rise dramatically in the next 3 years, with UK's BT already having committed to convert its whole national network to being Internet Protocol-based by 2009, fully supporting VoiP. The Videophone therefore presents an ideal solution for broadband operators and ISPs across the globe seeking innovative offerings to stimulate consumer demand, creating additional revenue streams. The unit's secure billing and ability to interface with telecoms networks allows seamless access to mobile and landline networks.

FVRT200 Digital Video Recorder

Ian Ward, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Fusion commented, "Most Pay TV operators and ISPs are continually looking for ways to drive revenue and reduce churn. In addition to our comprehensive range of PVR and dual-decode set top boxes, we're offering IBC's visitors the opportunity to learn how our supplementary products really can help achieve these objectives."
Back to top

Gefen to premiere new products at IBC

Gefen delivers audio/video connectivity solutions that augment computer and
video systems.

At IBC, newly engineered products that cater to digital video and, most
recently, high definition television (HDTV) displays, will premier. These
include:

2:8 HDTV Distribution Amplifier that can switch between two sources
1:2 HDMI Splitter that sends one video source to two displays
HDMI Switchers that connect multiple sources to one display
Long distance extenders that enable DVI or HDMI displays to remain connected
and functioning hundreds of meters from the source
Digital video and computer component extenders that enable remote operation
and control using CAT-5 cables
Fiber optic-based computer component extenders for USB and Firewire devices
A revolutionary digital video extender that uses CAT-5 cable to send HDTV up
to 50 meters from the source
Back to top

When one high definition video display isn't sufficient, Gefen's ex-tend-it HDMI Splitter outputs two video signals from a single video input. An effective solution for supplying two displays with high definition data in multiple resolutions up to 1080p, Gefen's HDMI Splitter works with video sources and displays that utilize DVI (digital video interface) or HDMI (high definition multimedia interface) to connect to each other with cable.

For more complex applications such as video walls, Gefen's 2:8 HDTV Distribution Amplifier sends the same high definition video source to eight displays at the same time. An added-value feature of this unit is its ability to accept two source inputs and switch between them. When both inputs are connected, the 2:8 HDTV DA can automatically switch to the other input when the first one ends. Another bonus is its ability to support display extension up to 100 meters from the source. Long distance extension would require the use of an appropriate extension product, such as Gefen's DVI Repeater, HDTV Extender or the DVI or HDMI-1000 HD Extender plus fiber optic cables, available in varied lengths from Gefen.
Back to top

Harris Corporation's Broadcast Communications Division, a provider of innovative digital solutions for both radio and television, will demonstrate its latest offerings in network access, automation, digital transmission technology, studios, and systems at IBC 2004.

For Television, on display will be the latest developments in its Atlas(tm) family of analogue and digital transmitters, updates to NetVX(tm), the revolutionary one-box networking solution, and more upgrades to the Harris Resource Suite (hrs), which is broadcasting's first ingest-to-air workflow automation system.

For Radio, customers will be able to see developments to Synchrony, Harris's second generation DVB-T single frequency network (SFN) and D-MOVIN, a DAB module for video insertion, designed to broadcast Korean T-DMB video services for mobile or handheld terminals, inside a DAB transmission system.
Back to top

Huge Systems, a storage solutions provider for the content creation, broadcast and delivery arenas, will make its IBC debut next month. The California based manufacturer has received accolades for its line of optimized MediaVault RAID storage arrays. At the IBC expo, Huge Systems will demo the MediaVault U-320R Max and U320RX Dual Max RAID storage arrays. Huge Systems will be located in Hall 7, booth 701. If you cover storage in any form for your publication or outlet, I urge you to give consideration to Huge Systems - the company's price vs. performance ratio is unmatched by any manufacturer.

The company recently announced the retention of German based Psiber, for the countries of Germany and Austria, and Polar Graphics for the United Kingdom and Ireland. Several new additions to Huge Systems' global network of distributors will be announced at IBC.

The MediaVault U-320R Max and U320RX Dual Max RAID disk arrays bring broadcast quality performance and reliability to the desktop and are designed to give the boutique to mid level studio professional the same competitive edge in performance, versatility and scalable capacity that was, up until now, largely enjoyed by the higher end production community. The U320R and U320RX are specifically designed to address the performance and capacity requirements of SD (Standard Definition) and HD (High Definition) production work, and have set new benchmarks in performance and capacity vs. price since their debut in North America earlier in 2004.
Back to top

At IBC i3 micro will be unveiling: 1) Our next-generation IP set-top box - with support for Windows Media 9, MPEG 4 and dual-stream video processing. Pls see enclosed picture. 2) Two major European customer wins. 3) Launch of a new version of i3 Centre system management software for building TV portals - with support for new hardware platforms 4) Advanced integrated access devices for ADSL networks - with added functionality and support for ADSL2+

i3 micro provides a full range of CPEs (Customer Premise Equipment) for both VoIP and IP-TV. In the Nordic market, TELIA-SONERA and recently TELE2 have chosen our equipment for their service launches.

i3 continues to lead the broadband IP media industry with new products and features that set the standard for integrated "Triple Play". All our products will be on display in our booth (Hall 4, booth 264) including a TV-over-ADSL2+ demo with dual-stream from a single set-top box.
Back to top

i3 micro technology (i3), a provider of Voice-over-IP (VoIP) and IP-TV products and solutions, will demonstrate its Vood IAD 423 and Mood 300 set top box using the increasingly deployed ADSL2+ technology. The demonstration during the IBC tradeshow will deliver Internet access and telephony, plus dual-stream IP-TV from a single set top box for the cost of one unit.

The new ADSL2+ standard, capable of 24 Mbps downstream, extends more bandwidth to more households – opening new markets for IP-based Triple Play services. Used in combination, i3's new IAD 423 and new Mood 300 set top box are market-ready products targeted for homes subscribing to ADSL, ADSL2 or ADSL2+ services. The IAD 423 has a built-in ADSL modem and the Mood 300 set top box has built-in decoding hardware, capable of processing two standard definition MPEG-2 streams simultaneously.

Like all i3 micro products, the IAD 423 and Mood 300 are multi-vendor compatible and managed by the award-winning i3 Centre provisioning system, which with the release of version 4 can now be installed on selected Sun and HP servers. i3's integrated CPE management solution is designed to lower the total cost of ownership for operators.
Back to top

IBC will also see the winner of the 2004 Peter Wayne Award, the eagerly sought after recognition of leadership in design and innovation, announced at a special gala evening reception. Inaugurated in 1990, the award, in memory of a former deputy chairman of the IABM, attracts entries from around the world and is judged by a panel of internationally renowned experts. The recipient(s) of the Tom McGann Training Bursary, designed to foster future broadcasting talent, will also be announced.

Established in 1976, the IABM exists to foster the interests of broadcast equipment manufacturers and suppliers of broadcast-related services. In so doing, it endeavours to strengthen its members' ability to support their customers. The IABM's activities include liaising with radio and television programme originators and broadcasters on engineering, operational, political, commercial and training issues, determining and sustaining technical standards, advising members on relevant changes in legislation and encouraging innovative product design.
Back to top

Native language support is now available across the range of IBIS applications enabling integration of Arabic, Chinese and Cyrillic in news, playout and channel management.
Back to top

Inscriber will be showcasing several new solutions, including worldwide product launches, for the television broadcast, post-production and digital signage industry at IBC 2004. Inscriber solutions are showing at stand number 211 in hall 7.

Inscriber's Inca Station is making its worldwide debut at IBC. Inscriber Inca Station is a new multi-layer branding and insertion solution that incorporates the latest in graphic developments to maximize viewer impact and retention. Inca Station is specifically designed for Master Control, Satellite Uplink, Mobile Broadcast Centers and Small Station Automation. Inca Station streamlines on-air branding by introducing an innovative layout editor that allows production designers to easily create a professional, custom layout that is used for multi-layer insertion of graphics, promotional clips, moving backgrounds, emergency programming, local news and advertising. Bugs, clocks, crawls, logos, graphics, clips, video and animations can now be seamlessly combined into presentations that are as simple or complex as necessary for brand promotion.

Inscriber Inca AutoCG HD' Responding to the increasing interest of HD to European industry, Inscriber's Inca AutoCG HD is making its worldwide debut at IBC. Inscriber Inca AutoCG HD empowers operators to remotely control rich HD Inscriber graphics using the flexible Direct Control application or under the command of Newsroom Automation Systems. Broadcast environments need more sophisticated graphics solutions with less operator involvement. As new stories develop within the news vendor, tagged layouts are filled with the corresponding graphics and text for presentation to air. Inca AutoCG HD allows a low cost player platform to be integrated in the signal path for easy play-out of template intensive programming like news or special events without tying up a character generator with rudimentary automation control.
Back to top

IBC 2004 will see Inmedia launch new solutions designed to ease market entry for new players and create stronger delivery platforms for existing broadcasters and channel owners. A highlight of the Inmedia stand (1:239) will be live, hands-on demonstrations that will include a new development in playout and content delivery.

Designed to target niche audiences in individual countries or regions with increased efficiency, the innovation complements Inmedia's Customer Controlled Playout solution, that allows channel owners to control programme scheduling and ingest from their own premises over a VPN connection.

"Our entire philosophy is based on combining our understanding of content management and video distribution, which together provide our customers with more efficient solutions. At IBC we will raise the bar yet again with innovative transmission and playout services designed to further enhance our co-located broadcast centre," says Nick Thompson, CEO of Inmedia.

Inmedia comes to IBC 2004 following an exciting year that saw the company acquired in a leveraged buyout in April 2004 by the existing management and The Carlyle Group, a global private equity firm. 2004 has been eventful in many ways. The company has established itself as the leading independent provider of transmission and playout services for the UK and European digital TV market. It has grown its position in the distribution of programmes and channels to European cable head-ends, as well as further afield with the launch of Nigeria's first DTH platform, by focusing on services that enable broadcasters and channel owners to increase revenue and maximise investment.
Back to top

Irdeto Access' content protection solution for IP, Irdeto PIright, is designed to provide the highest levels of protection possible against the theft of premium video content deployed over DSL and FTTH infrastructures. Irdeto PIright utilizes real-time encryption, pre-encryption, copy protection, and rights management technologies in order to provide end-to-end security for premium video content. Content is securely distributed across any IP network, and transactions are enabled through secure payment features.

At IBC2004, the company will unveil a new important component of Irdeto PIright: the Irdeto secure software client. Utilizing the bi-directional nature of DSL and fibre networks, the Irdeto secure software client offers the superior security for which Irdeto Access is known but without the need for a smart card.

Irdeto will provide a demonstration of the Irdeto PIright solution featuring the secure software client. In addition it will feature the integration of Irdeto PIright with solutions from the company's partners, e.g., Minerva Networks' IP television solution, Kasenna's patented on-demand video delivery platform, and Amino's AmiNET digital set-top boxes, as used by Roseville, Calif.-based SureWest Communications for simultaneous deployment of video over DSL and FTTH.

Irdeto Epsilon Card with Irdeto FlexiFlash Irdeto Access is proud to announce the industry's most advanced smart card technology, the Irdeto Epsilon Card. Building on the success of the company's Version 2 and Delta Cards, which today secure the revenue of more than 120 operators worldwide, the Epsilon Card incorporates the latest advanced security features and is a key part of delivering Irdeto Access' security strategy of delivering a new smart card every 12 to 18 months. This strategy limits the impact of piracy by mixing card types within the network as subscribers are added, and it saves the operator money by reducing the number of cards that need to be swapped in case of a security breach.

The Epsilon Card offers the revolutionary new Irdeto FlexiFlash technology, which can securely and efficiently update key software code over the air, allowing for a quicker and more effective response to piracy, as well as the rapid delivery of new features. FlexiFlash will offer the operator the option of software-based solutions in response to piracy, saving the substantial operational costs associated with card swaps while providing subscribers with a seamless viewing experience.

Irdeto Conditional Access for Mobile Devices Irdeto Access will also host a presentation of the first ever conditional access system (CAS) for mobile applications, engineered for SK Telecom's TU Media service. This service enables subscribers to enjoy multichannel, multimedia broadcasting at any place, any time via personalized mobile or vehicle devices. Irdeto Access' new CAS for mobile applications protects and secures this content, and allows consumers a choice of devices such as PDAs, mobile phones, and in-vehicle systems on which to receive it. Unique to the solution is Irdeto Access' Dual Key Hierarchy Protection, a technique that reduces conditional access-related bandwidth consumption significantly while also improving security integrity. Irdeto Access will show the actual mobile devices that will be used by SKT's TU Media service.

Embedded Solutions: Smart Chip and Irdeto Chip On Board (ICOB) The unique, brand-new Smart Chip and Irdeto Chip On Board solutions will debut at Irdeto Access' IBC2004 stand.

Smart Chip, developed by Irdeto Access, is an embedded access-control solution for any operator wishing to deploy large numbers of low-cost set-top boxes (STBs) with a single-tier subscription service. It enables both enforced collection of subscriber access fees, and in the case of free-to-air services, geographical restriction of content distribution in order to comply with content licensing agreements. The smart chip solution costs much less than traditional CA systems but is easily upgradeable to full conditional access at a later date through the addition of a smart card.

ICOB offers niche content providers the opportunity to distribute Common Interface Conditional Access Modules (CI-CAMs) with an embedded Irdeto Access smart card inside. The CI-CAMs will work in any compliant STB and are ideal for allowing an auto-expiring "free-trial" viewing period as well as a normal subscription. When the free trial expires, an Irdeto Access smart card can be introduced into the CI-CAM to extend the subscription. The all-in-one solution makes for a convenient and attractive purchase proposition for consumers.
Back to top

Irdeto Access will demonstrate its HDTV conditional access solutions together with its partners. HDTV is reaching significant market penetration in the United States, Japan, Korea, and Brazil. While HDTV is in an earlier stage of development in Europe, deployments are beginning to accelerate with the HDTV broadcast of Euro1080, which started in May 2004. Irdeto Access plays a pivotal role in the European HDTV arena and several other HDTV markets worldwide.

Irdeto M-Crypt: Conditional Access for Small to Medium Operators With more than 80 customers worldwide, Irdeto M-Crypt is the industry's preferred solution for the quick, efficient, and cost-effective launch of secure digital television services for up to 100,000 subscribers. The basic package runs on a standard PC, is DVB compliant, and includes a compact subscriber management system at no additional cost. Add-on modules provide scheduling and EPG applications. It can be installed within days and requires minimal maintenance while still offering the highest degree of security. Growth can be achieved through a seamless upgrade to Irdeto Access' CA system for large operators, Irdeto PIsys, using the same STBs and smart cards already deployed.
Back to top

Kreatel Communications AB, a provider of IP set-top box solutions, is demonstrating its reliable, leading-edge IP set top boxes and software at IBC2004. The product range enables telecom operators and broadband service providers to reach further with TV-centric services over IP.

Kreatel is showing its new IP-based set-top platform, the Kreatel IP-STB 1700, which support advanced video codecs for low bit rate video such as Microsoft Windows Media 9 and H.264/MPEG4 AVC. Through an integrated digital signal processor (DSP) and software codecs it helps telecom operators to make better use of limited bandwidth and reach more consumers.

Kreatel will also demonstrate its combined IP set-top box and DVB-T receiver, the Kreatel IP-STB 1520. Since the launch in May 2004, the product has yielded much interest for its ability to combine compelling IP services with free-to-air digital terrestrial TV channels.

All set-top boxes are running the Kreatel TV Software, a robust multi-application software platform based on open standards. The single software strategy bring the benefits of reduced maintenance and operation costs for operators, while its open interfaces and software development kits make it possible for any third party to develop applications for all hardware versions. Third party applications already developed on the platform include games, chat client, mail client, web radio and customized portals.
Back to top

A major product announcement scheduled for IBC 2004 in September, Leader's new LV5750 ultra-compact HD-SDI/SD-SDI digital video waveform monitor offers on-location production crews full studio-quality broadcast signal measurement. It provides all the key features and user-friendly ergonomics of the multiple-award-winning LV5700A in just a quarter of the front-to-back chassis size.

Ideal for HD/SD field operation and space-efficient edit suites, the LV5750 enables camera crews and directors to make accurate adjustments of colour balance while shooting instead of losing time and money in extensive post-production colour-correction. The unit is 12 V DC powered and can be attached to a camera tripod to double as a high quality quality 6.5 inch XGA TFT viewfinder.
Back to top

RTBF has a long track record of technical excellence and is actively studying the prospects of both HD acquisition and postproduction with the eventual aim of direct-to-home 16:9 digital HD transmission.

Etienne Bastin, senior engineer at RTBF, comments:

"The LV5700A was selected following intensive pre-purchase evaluation. It is is used to check the timing precision of equipment by measuring optical chroma dispersion. The instrument is operationally intuitive and efficient with controls which can be learnt quickly and easily.

"A key reason for the choice was the high resolution 6.5 inch 1024 x 768 pixel XGA TFT screen. This allows rapid overview of four simultaneous display modes, switchable to full-screen zoom mode for maximum measurement accuracy.

Paul Vos, managing director of elQuip BV, adds:

"Introduced in 2003, the LV5700A is already used by HD broadcast equipment manufacturers and systems integrators. It is one of several innovative products that have made Leader the natural choice for broadcast-quality HD signal analysis. Leader's patented equivalent-cable-length measurement allows the robustness of a digital signal line to be checked quickly and easily, a feature of particular importance in HD-SDI systems where cable length and layout are more critical than for SD."

RTFB is confident that the LV5700A will serve all operational needs as the network moves forward from SD into HD programme acquisition and distribution.

Leader's LV5700A is equipped with analogue NTSC/PAL composite and 525/625 component I/O. Two composite inputs and one switched output are provided. When operated in component mode, the LV5700A can display Y/Pb/Pr levels as RGB. Analogue monitoring functions include picture, waveform and vector displays.

The LV5700A's analogue processing option makes it one of the most powerful dual-mode broadcast signal analysers on the market. Measuring just 215 x 133 x 448 mm WHD, the instrument can handle a wide range of HD-SDI video formats and both SD-SDI systems. Analytical capabilities include transmission error detection, gamut error detection, data dump display and voice control packet analysis. Video sampling rate can be switched automatically between 74.25 and 74.25/1.001 MHz in HD mode or to 13.5 MHz SD. An optional Eye Pattern Module displays the eye pattern on screen.
Back to top

elQuip, Master Distributor Europe for Leader, celebrates Leader Electronics Corporation's half-century this year with a competition open to all IBC2004 visitors. The elQuip Broadcast Industry Genius (B.I.G.) Award 2004 will be presented to the contestant who most accurately completes a 12-question quiz testing visitors' knowledge of broadcast engineering from 1954 to today. elQuip Managing Director Paul Vos:

"Leader has won no less than 11 awards for its SD and HD broadcast test equipment over the past three years. We felt it was time to create an award of our own, encouraging the broadcast industry's awareness of its own rich technical heritage.

"In case more than one contestant gets all the questions correct, we have included a tie-breaker by asking participants to predict the official total of IBC2004 visitors. Appropriate to IBC's location, the elQuip B.I.G. Award will be based on a 3/4 litre decorated Amsterdam bierpul.

"Independently of the elQuip BIG 2004 Award, all visitors to Leader's IBC stand celebrating their personal 50th birthday during 2004 will receive a gift designed to enhance their business skills. Bring your passport or ID card!"
Back to top

Leitch Technology Corporation (TSX:LTV), along with its recently acquired company, Videotek, will demonstrate how the company is uniquely capable of meeting the needs of customers using a full range of products to provide the experience of an Integrated Content Environment a streamlined workflow for the production, processing, transmission, management, measurement and storage of content.

With an extensive range of HD solutions throughout transmission, master control, editing, test and measurement Leitch empowers broadcasters to store, process, edit and route in both standard and high-definition formats. Transitioning facilities to high definition is now simple using the flexible, future-proof platforms from Leitch.

Post Production Editors and Producers can experience the award-winning VelocityHD non-linear editing system alongside the latest VelocityQ(tm) SD multi-stream system in the Content Production area. Also making an instant impact will be Leitch‚s NewsNet(tm), from the new Nexio server platform. NewsNet is the fastest and most efficient system for news editing making content available only three seconds after ingest, to all nodes, all the time and with no restrictions. NewsNet demonstrates enhanced newsroom workflow with exceptional security, flexibility and openness. Key to NEXIO's scalability is MediaNet(tm), a fully integrated content management application.

In Content Processing Leitch will demonstrate the completely re-engineered 6800+modular processing platform including HD and Fibre Optic and the exclusive NEO modular platform for speciality products including HD. For colour correction Leitch will display the Videotek DL-850HD HD/SD Legalizer.
Back to top

Today over 93 per cent of European web users can instantly view Flash video content. Macromedia invites you to meet the people charged with changing the face of video on the Web at IBC, 10-14th September.

With an increased demand on high-resolution, low-bandwidth rich interactive content, Macromedia has introduced technologies and features in its products to meet the needs of the design, broadcast and corporate communities.

Chris Hock, Product Manager and Greg Stern, VP Developer Relations would like to meet with you and demonstrate the power of Flash video and discuss the next generation of video content for the web.
Back to top

At IBC2004, the International Broadcasters Convention, Microsoft Corp. is highlighting a range of new broadcast technologies and delivery solutions built for the Microsoft TV Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), Windows Media 9 Series and Windows CE platforms.

Microsoft announced significant progress in its IPTV-based initiatives, unveiling the first set-top boxes to support its IPTV platform from Thomson. In addition, Microsoft's Mobile and Embedded Devices Division announced eight additional original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that will use Windows CE to power their IP set-top boxes.

Microsoft's Windows Digital Media Division announced that leading product vendors will demonstrate end-to-end, high-definition (HD) encoding and playback solutions using Microsoft Windows Media 9 Series, showcasing real-time software- and hardware-based HD encoding solutions, as well as Microsoft's gaining momentum in standards development organisations.

Microsoft Booths at IBC 2004:
Microsoft has two booths at IBC2004 highlighting a variety of partners, customers and solutions such as the BBC, Canopus Co. Ltd., Harmonic Inc., SeaChange International Inc., Sonic Solutions, TANDBERG Television and Thomson. Video production solutions and partners will be demonstrated in Hall 7 in Booth 821, while IPTV solutions and partners will be located in Hall 1 in Booth 548.
Back to top

At IBC 2004, Mindhouse is unveiling Mindset, its flagship cross-platform content and workflow management solution, demonstrating how it is helping global clients such as CNN to cost-effectively manage the deployment of interactive television services across EMEA.

Addressing the proprietary nature of end-to-end systems used throughout the iTV application lifecycle enables broadcasters like CNN to centrally manage and deliver on the different technology and commercial requirements presented to them across EMEA. Mindset provides them with the capability to source, manage and distribute scheduled and real-time dynamic content from any content management system.

Mindset breaks up the delivery chain traditionally dominated by end-to-end proprietary solution vendors, providing broadcasters with best-of-breed choice at every link in the broadcast chain, from application authoring through traffic and scheduling to return path management and billing.

Mindhouse will be demonstrating the management of multiple applications simultaneously running across OpenTV, MHP and Liberate, including real-time updating of content in multiple languages sourced via a variety of content management systems.
Back to top

This year's IBC exhibition will see Miranda further extending its range of Densite interfaces with advanced control over IP and strengthening its master control and branding range with the PresStation multi-channel master control switcher panel.

Extended Densite Series Interfaces Miranda's range of space-efficient, multi-format Densite Series interfaces has been further extended and now offers all the essential functions, including video/audio signal processing, frame synchronization, SD-analog conversion, HD downconversion, embedding/de-embedding, signal-measurement probes, fiber optic interfacing, and DAs. The modules feature advanced control over IP, with many cards providing streaming of video plus waveform/vector scopes over a standard network using the iControl desktop monitoring and control system. The new MSB internal monitoring router option for the Densite frame simplifies infrastructure monitoring by allowing the input video/audio to any module, in one or more Densite frames, to be monitored with a conventional scope and monitor.

The new, awarding-winning Imaging Series XVP-801i Universal Video and Audio Processor simplifies incoming feed processing with multiple SD and HD formats. This single module offers high-quality up-, down-, and cross-format-conversion, as well as HD/SD signal processing, frame synchronization and 16-channel audio processing using embedded audio or separate AES (with the new DAP-781i audio processing module launched at IBC2004).

The new PresStation HD/SD Master Control Switcher Panel for Miranda's Oxtel Series HD and SD channel-branding processors combines an ultra-compact hard panel for transition control with a separate, soft control screen for parameter adjustment and system monitoring. PresStation provides easy control of multiple transmission channels, and can be used to control all the mixing, DVE, and graphics playout features of the branding processors.

Miranda's Kaleido-K2 32-input, multi-image display processor for mission critical applications has also been improved with multiple new features, including the display of subtitling text, AFD detection, encoder automation support, and enhanced K-Edit display configuration software.

The DVC series of workflow-enhancing monitoring interfaces for Sony and Panasonic HD cameras also has been extended with the new MDC-900/920 downconverter and the SER-900 HD serializer. These two new interfaces are lower-cost, reduced-functionality versions of Miranda's successful DVC-800 downconversion and DV encoding interface for HD cameras.
Back to top

Modulus Video, has responded to vigorous global interest in its broadcast quality MPEG-4 AVC video compression systems for high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) television, by expanding its operations into Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Mike Bennett, a broadcast, satellite, cable and broadband distribution industry veteran and a well- recognized leader in international broadcasting and engineering organizations has been called upon to establish the company's operations and develop sales channels from offices in the UK.

"Modulus has had a tremendous response to its SD and HD AVC solutions since demonstrations began earlier this year," said Modulus Video CEO Bob Wilson. "Growing demand for digital services and HD programming has broadcasters and telecommunications companies searching for solutions that enable them to capitalize on that opportunity. AVC is proving to be extremely attractive. We are fortunate to have Mike Bennett's experience and market knowledge to help us meet that demand by establishing our presence in these critical markets."

Recently Mike Bennett was the regional sales manager for EMEA at Path1 Network Technologies. Prior to that he held roles as Regional Sales Director for EMEA at Scientific Atlanta, General Manager for Panasonic Broadcast Europe, as well as sales and operations positions with Snell & Wilcox and Sony Broadcast. Mike also brings significant industry oversight experience including current roles as a Director of the International Broadcasting Convention and Director of the British Section of the Audio Engineering Society Ltd.

"MPEG-4 AVC is a logical choice for expanding broadcast services and Modulus Video has a clear lead in the development of these solutions," said Bennett. "Broadcasters and telecommunications companies want to purchase new technology knowing that it has been designed, manufactured and will be supported from a company with vast experience in their industry."
Back to top

Demonstrations on the NDS stand 1.171 will include:

NDS VideoGuard conditional access for Operators: By ensuring that NDS VideoGuard conditional access software is already built into a wide range of set top boxes (STBs), operators can use highly secure solutions and ensure the choices, features and prices are right for their business. See why leading providers have switched to VideoGuard.

NDS MediaHighway Middleware: A feature rich solution that runs on numerous STBs.

MediaHighway Core aids quick and easy deployment that is also cost-effective
and offers a wide choice of low-cost STBs that are ready to deploy. It also includes high performance EPGs (Electronic Program Guide), HTML and JavaScript applications, a low footprint Virtual Machine (VM) engine, as well as provisions for complex character sets.

MediaHighway Advanced is designed for enhanced and fully featured STBs. It complies with the latest MHP and OCAP digital TV standards and secures long-term middleware investment. MediaHighway Advanced is Java DVB MHP compliant and supports authoring tools including HTML and JavaScript.

NDS XTV PVR Solution: XTV, an integrated PVR solution is based on NDS's proven PVR technology. NDS will show new ways to attract subscribers and generate revenues through advanced PVR applications and show XTV as the center of the future entertainment home network.

NDS Value@TV Interactive solutions: See the latest interactive games and sports applications from NDS. NDS Value@TV enables TV channels to consistently increase channel ratings and generate additional revenues. NDS XtreamPlay games will feature streaming video games and the ultimate, "play against your favorite sportsperson head to head".

NDS Broadband IP Entertainment: Broadband operators increasingly understand that security is a 'must' when looking to deploy a TV entertainment system. NDS Synamedia, with VideoGuard content protection, is a customer proven content security solution with endorsement by major studios and premium TV channels.

NDS Mobile Solutions: NDS will show, with their Mobile DRM solution, how the reach of the TV can be extended to enable the reliable distribution and secure consumption of content from DTV networks to mobile devices.

NDS Advertising Solutions: Included are the Audience Measurement System (NDS AMS) which provides rich information to help TV operators and their content and advertising partners gather accurate viewer behavior data – and tailor their offerings accordingly. Also NDS RapiAd which makes interactive TV advertising easy and cost effective for broadcasters, agencies and brands.
Back to top

At IBC2004, NetCentrex will be co-exhibiting with its partner Envivio, a provider of MPEG-4 and H.264 broadcast and streaming solutions, on stand 1.469. Together the two companies will run a live demonstration of a single, fully integrated Triple Play solution that enables service providers to provide value-added voice and video services on top of high-speed Internet offering.

Delivered by the IPlay3 consortium, this solution merges the market-leading VoIP, IP-TV, IP-VOD and OSS/BSS technologies from Envivio, NetCentrex and Highdeal, the leading provider of pricing, high performance rating and settlement solution for emerging services. The IPlay3 solution will bring new opportunities to service providers as they move to offer value-added voice and video services on top op a high-speed Internet offering.
Back to top

Omneon Spectrum HD Continuing to deliver on an HD roadmap laid out at NAB2004, Omneon will unveil at IBC2004 a new HD media server configuration, the Omneon Spectrum HD. This new server delivers integrated native playback of HD MPEG media. The Omneon Spectrum HD includes two new media interface adapters: the MultiPort 4000 Series for one or two channels of HD MPEG playback and the MediaPort 4010 for material acquisition. These new interface units further extend the HD capabilities of the Omneon Spectrum media server product line and provide broadcasters with a media server solution that can simultaneously store and play back both SD and HD content. In addition, any existing Omneon system can be upgraded -- without disrupting operations -- to an Omneon Spectrum HD through the simple addition of these new interface units.

MultiPort 4000 Series The MultiPort 4000 Series is a new family of HD MPEG decoders for playback of HD material ingested into an Omneon Spectrum media server. The MultiPort 4001 provides a single channel of HD playback. The MultiPort 4002 provides for two independent channels of HD playback in either 4:2:0 or 4:2:2 profiles. Each MultiPort 4000 Series device includes outputs for HD-SDI video, audio, timecode, and control.

MediaPort 4010 Along with the new MultiPort 4000 Series for HD playback, Omneon is introducing a new MediaPort for HD material acquisition. The new MediaPort 4010 accepts an incoming ASI-based transport stream and demuxes it into HD MPEG essence material. By utilizing this new MediaPort, broadcasters can use the HD encoder of their choice to ingest HD MPEG material while using the integrated HD playback capability provided by the MultiPort 4000 Series for direct playback.

HD in Any Format In addition to the integrated HD capabilities available with its new HD interface devices, Omneon also has recently introduced enhancements to its SDTI media interface adapter, the MediaPort 1002, to enable support for Panasonic's compressed HD format, DVCPRO-HD. With this new capability, the Omneon Spectrum system becomes the first media server capable of supporting all leading HD formats simultaneously, including HD MPEG, HDCAM, and DVCPRO-HD. Incorporating Omneon's Smart Scalability, the Omneon Spectrum allows broadcasters to deploy a server infrastructure for HD and SD playback today and gain the flexibility to add channels or services at any point in the future. The complete investment protection delivered by the Omneon Spectrum media server enables current Omneon customers to add new HD services, including DVCPRO-HD, to their existing media server implementations easily and cost-effectively.
Back to top

Omneon Video Networks announced that the Cologne Broadcasting Center (CBC) has installed an Omneon Spectrum media server system in its new Munich broadcast facility for playout of RTL II programming, which includes youth-oriented, German-language movies; lifestyle and infotainment magazines; series; music programs; and cartoons for children and young adults. The new RTL II building and Omneon server system went live on July 1.

"In building our new playout facility, we sought a flexible and scalable server system that would integrate easily with other advanced broadcast technologies and provide native MXF support," said Mido Fayad, Head of Broadcast Operations and Engineering at CBC. "It was critical that we could work with an IT-based archive using the MXF format, and the Omneon Spectrum server gave us this capability while also providing a good foundation on which we can continue to build our operations."

A fully redundant ingest and playout server, the Omneon Spectrum server at CBC is configured to provide three input channels, six output channels, and 120 hours of storage in 50-Mbit/s IMX format. The Omneon Spectrum system will operate with Abit Present It automation using VDCP and exchange material with an IT-based archive in MXF format.
Back to top

OmniBus Systems, the award-winning provider of comprehensive automation and video content management solutions to the global broadcast industry, today reported a dramatic increase in revenue for the first half of 2004, up 50 percent over the same period in 2003, with contracted sales orders for the period up 127 percent. The company also announced the appointment of Mike Oldham to its board of directors. Oldham, who joined the company in January of 2003 as CEO for the Americas, has been serving as global CEO since January 2004.

"The success we are having now is based on the groundwork we started laying last year," said CEO Mike Oldham. "Workflow-based software solutions developed in our G3 technology are exactly what digital television operations need for flexible and scalable automation and video content management. That, combined with our expanded international sales and support infrastructure, has positioned us as the company that can help broadcasters transition to efficient automated digital operations."

The first products based on the company's G3 architecture have created significant customer demand as they address the industry's need for modular products that are scalable and flexible. Recent sales wins that have already been made public include the BBC Broadcast Centre in the UK, WDR in Germany, NOB in Holland, Crawford Communications and the PBS ACE project in the USA, and Network 10 in Australia. Other major sales in Europe, Asia, and the United States will be announced in coming months as new customers go online.
Back to top

onTV's metadata includes key new features (TVA grouping, genre and keywords) and demonstrates cross-platform functionality for BBC and ITV channels carried on Freeview. The TVA metadata standard is the result of an industry initiative to promote platform-independent interoperability for personal digital recorders (PDRs) and network digital recorders (NDRs).

The demonstration is an initiative of members of the TVA Test Group of the U.K.'s Digital Television Action Group (DTG TTG), all of whom are also currently involved in technical testing of the implications of implementing TVA on the Freeview digital terrestrial platform.

The metadata service that is being demonstrated shows some of the key features of the "post-EPG" metadata services that PDR users can expect in the years to come. The channel-centric approach of traditional EPGs is likely to be complemented by metadata services that focus on the nature of each programme or content item. The demonstration includes group navigation, in which programmes with similar content are organised in a browsable hierarchy of groups. For example, selecting "News" at the top level will present a further list of options including "National and international", "Local", "Business and finance", "Sports" etc. Each of these may offer the option of further homing in, for example by time of day. The user can then select news programmes to be automatically recorded in future, or set reminders for newscasts (such as sports results) to be watched live.
Back to top

This is part of an interoperability demonstration being presented by onTV Europe Ltd and other members of the TV-Anytime Forum in cooperation with the MXF tools provider MOG Solutions

Colin Moorcraft, onTV CTO, comments: "onTV was closely involved in technical liaison, on behalf of TV-Anytime, with the MXF community to ensure that all of the end-user oriented metadata that can be expressed using the TV-Anytime format can also be expressed early on, in the content production process, in DMS-1 - MXF’s native metadata format.

We are delighted to have now had the chance to undertake what we believe to be the first 100 per cent conversion from DMS-1 to TVA, thereby demonstrating the practicality of capturing metadata once and passing it down the production chain all the way to viewers."

In the IBC demonstration a programme provided by NTT was annotated using MOG’s tool Scribe to generate metadata in DMS-1 format. This was then 100% converted by onTV into TVA format and published in EPGs on set-top boxes provided by Pioneer and Philips. Capture metadata once – publish it many times, in many formats Following its demonstration of the ability to convert 100 per cent of end-user metadata captured during content creation in the MXF DMS-1 format into the TV-Anytime format, onTV Europe Ltd. will upgrade the Import module of its flagship product, onTV:meta, to enable comprehensive MXF import functionality in Q4 2004.
Back to top

Pace Micro Technology will unveil future advances in HDTV, Personal Video Recorder (PVR) and entry-level set-top box technology at IBC 2004. European broadcasters will be the first to see how Pace's cutting-edge innovations can be used now to enable them to deliver compelling new services and exploit lucrative new opportunities.

Pace will showcase its very latest advances in PVR technology. Pace is a leading developer of PVR technology and delivered the world's first payTV PVR for BSkyB in the UK. European broadcasters will witness live demonstrations of Pace's new, extended range of next-generation PVR solutions.

Visitors will also see how Pace has drawn on its pioneering US HDTV experience to develop Europe's first range of HDTV cable and satellite boxes. HD is rapidly moving up the agenda of all major European payTV operators. At IBC, Pace will demonstrate the compelling HD features that are proving a winner with US viewers including better quality picture. Operators will also see how HDTV enables them to differentiate their service offerings from competing platforms and generate revenues from premium HDTV channels.

Pace will also demonstrate how its next-generation entry-level set-top box range reflects the needs of European broadcasters and will drive opportunities to deliver even more revenue-generating services.

European telcos and broadband IP operators will witness first-hand how Pace's Digital Broadband Media (DBM) technology will enable them to launch advanced television and multimedia services over existing telecommunications networks. Pace's DBM440 incorporates the latest in compression technologies and provides a range of multimedia and interactive services including low bit rate video based on Windows Media 9, broadcast TV, entertainment on demand, games and Internet access.
Back to top

Join Pace as it explores the four hottest digital TV technologies that will make digital TV 'pay' for European broadcasters in 2005.

Entry-level set-top boxes - low-cost for a large scale rollout Many European broadcasters are still at early-launch stage:

How do they build a critical mass of customers?
How can broadcasters reduce investment risk, tempt subscribers & quickly move to mass-scale deployment?
Does a low-cost box mean compromising on quality & security?
Can scalability be factored in at launch?
Should PVR be on every broadcaster's radar?
Find our more at IBC
Back to top

Pharos will introduce major extensions to its range of broadcast media publishing systems, centred on Automation, Control and Media-Management (ACM):

Pharos adds a new dimensions to its Playtime innovative presentation playout system. Playtime interActive reduces production costs through the addition of rule-based tracks. These allow playout to vary dynamically according to data such as voting or pricing. For example, a voiceover can be selected automatically according to a winning vote.

Pharos Pilot MCR is being expanded to offer multi viewer router control plus a new central monitoring and control system which can greatly increase the efficiency of network switching centres.

New off-site remote ingest and automatic file-transfer features make Mediator a complete standalone system, ideal for network service providers and for use with existing video server systems.

Pharos Communications recently enabled BBC World Service to achieve major savings in the time taken to produce between-programme announcements. With the exception of live news, practically all world service output goes to air via a Pharos Programme Assembling Matrix from six Pharos Audio Servers, each equipped with four outputs. Programmes are now supplied to BBC World Service on CD. Pharos ingest equipment converts the CD at 14x real time into a 48 kHz BWAV file format. Interstitials are added using Adobe Audition and the edited BWAV is then exported into the Pharos Audio Server.
Back to top

A major advance in broadcast playout technology will be introduced by Pharos at IBC 2004. Playtime iA (interActive) enables broadcasters to deliver dynamic presentation such as viewer-controlled games and vote-enabled content. Complex interactive audience-participation effects can be achieved reliably and efficiently under automated control.

Playtime has already advanced broadcast playout beyond the current linear playlist, using the 'package' concept unique to Pharos. Each package has independent tracks for every element required to make up the presented playout. Every track can be displayed on the Playtime control screen as a separate timeline, typically representing main video, backup video, discrete voiceover languages, GPIs, mix/effects, logo and subtitles.

Pharos Technical Director Spencer Rodd explains:

"Playtime iA adds rules-based operation to the package principle developed for the original Playtime. Broadcaster-definable rules-based tracks allow interactive non-linear presentation, offering tremendous creative opportunity to programme designers.

"The system operates at multiple levels, selecting appropriate voiceover and graphic content, for example, to accompany a clip chosen by a majority of viewers. The system also enables channel promotions to be kept fully up to date with little or no scheduling. The concept is to record many different voiceover modules and integrate them as appropriate."

"Playtime iA combines dynamic viewer-responsive presentation with reduced overall production costs. Next event to air can be based on aggregated audience feedback or other data. Playtime iA is also ideal for managing audience reactions and playout from live studios."
Back to top

This IBC sees the launch of the new Sirius 512 x 512 router, expanding the capabilities of this highly flexible multi-format range. Also being featured for the first time is Sirius Fusion - a new technology that combines networking technologies with crosspoint capabilities.

The latest breakthrough in master control technology, from a renowned expert in the field, will be unveiled at this year‚s IBC. HD and SD compatible, it combines hard panels with a soft TFT interface. Visit the stand for full details.

Via its ongoing partnership with display specialists Vutrix, Pro-Bel is launching the VX SDI Quad Split, which provides four-channel, multi-viewer functionality without the need for an external combining unit. A number of TFT HD and SD display monitors from Pro-Bel‚s Vutrix range will be on the stand. Additionally, a range of free-standing multi-view units are being launched with a four-input box on display.

Also on display:

Pro-Bel's recently launched fourth generation automation system, Morpheus, is on display and the company is revealing more about its Morpheus partnership programme, along with the latest members.

The latest advances in the dynamic Procion router control system are available to view on the stand as well as a large selection of ICON cards from this widely deployed signal processing line.
Back to top

IBC 2004 will see the European introduction of Proximity's Artbox, a breakthrough video asset management system for broadcast television and post production creative departments. The first system of its kind, Artbox enables artists and producers alike, to manage all of their work from one interface, resulting in a more efficient and accurate content production workflow and higher quality creative work output.

A new graphical user interface has been designed for Artbox since its NAB2004 introduction. The new GUI will be on display for the first time during the IBC 2004 convention. The interface offers a more intuitive operation based upon direct feedback from many of today's top creative artists, producers and journalists.

Artbox brings its unique set of tools to IBC at a time when worldwide news production is at its most innovative, filled with technical challenges, and efficient workflow remains paramount. With the proliferation of new distribution channels for media content in Europe, content creators here are constantly being asked to produce more with existing resources. Using Artbox a creative team can remove up to a third of the non-creative activity in their daily routines, leaving more time to create content and less time managing it.

Traditionally, the lifecycle of creative production (request, creation, use and deletion of creative assets) requires manual interventions with a variety of hardware and software platforms. Artbox integrates format conversion, storage, workflow management, and search and retrieval of artwork (video, graphics, script or audio) into a single device. Users can search, locate, transfer and transcode, edit clips, generate EDL's and manage media across multiple formats and platforms. Artbox's workflow management module, introduces the concept of a "project," enabling the user the ability to associate multiple assets that exist in different formats and across multiple devices within a single story. allows artists to spend more time creating artwork, and less time performing mundane administrative tasks.

"With this new product, we've taken our past years of experience in asset management to create a solution that changes the production process from a 'job shop' mentality to an automated, user friendly and much more efficient way of working," explained Luke Tristram, CEO, Proximity Corporation. "Thanks to Artbox's powerful content search capability and ability to transfer and transcode across multiple formats, artists will save a great deal of time in the creative process and no longer be burdened with the most time-consuming elements of their job.
Back to top

QuVIS, a designer and manufacturer of servers for recording, storage and playback of digital motion imaging as well as developer of ASIC technology for OEM and licensing, will introduce four new servers for 2004 at IBC at the Amsterdam RAI, September 10 - 14. In addition to taking part in the IBC Exhibition, QuVIS will provide servers for digital cinema screenings in conjunction with the IBC Cinema initiative in the RAI theatre. Saturday evening will include a screening of DreamWorks "Shrek 2" and on Monday will play the Warner Bros. digitally remastered classic, "Singin' in the Rain."

QuVIS is showing four new server products for 2004 beginning with the introduction of the all new QuVIS Encore. Joining the QuVIS Encore in this comprehensive offering are the QuVIS Acuity, the QuVIS Cinema Player and the QuVIS Ovation introduced earlier in 2004. QuVIS will demonstrate the digital-intermediate and post-production capabilities of the new QuVIS Acuity. Additionally, the enhanced functionality of the award winning QuVIS Digital Mastering Codec (QDMC) -an ASIC chip- will debut.

The new QuVIS Encore is a disk recorder that records and plays HD and SD (more than 50 video and graphics formats including 720p, 1080 i, P and PsF, PAL and NTSC) in realtime and is the ideal HD recorder for production and post applications as well as the perfect playback device for large high-resolution display venues. Other features include RS-422 control, up to 12 channels of digital audio, virtual tape editing and hot swappable removable drives. The optional dual-link HD-SDI (SMPTE 372M) inputs can be used to master 4:4:4:4 full resolution digital feature releases and for archive applications. This flexibility makes the QuVIS Encore the logical choice for high definition post, HD production truck and rental and staging applications.

The QuVIS Acuity, specifically designed for the production and post-production industries, offers a single platform, virtual tape architecture allowing users to move incrementally to a digital, disk-based workflow. The QuVIS Acuity provides the ideal post-production working environment for storage, transport and archive. The QuVIS Acuity, on display at IBC, includes support for SD, HD, and 2K (from 2048 1080 to 2048 1556) images. The scalable architecture of the product provides the ability for future upgrades to 4K academy and beyond. The QuVIS Acuity is also the first practical solution for real time high-resolution 3D mastering in a variety of resolutions up to 2048 x 1080 including the ability to edit and jog shuttle through both 3D streams simultaneously.

For large screen display applications where outstanding image quality is required, the QuVIS Ovation is the best server available, supporting up to 12-bit per channel image quality, reliability and ease of use. The QuVIS Ovation is the ultimate player for fixed display, providing an ideal solution for 3D and multi screen applications, trade shows, museums, theme parks and entertainment venues. The QuVIS Ovation supports more than 50 formats up to and including 2K.
Back to top

RadioScape has leveraged its unique, end-to-end DAB systems knowledge to create the latest version of its highly successful DAB broadcast platform that has been designed for robust delivery of next generation data services, such as Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB). RadioScape provided the world‚s first demonstration of DMB at NAB 2003 in conjunction with TANBERG Television, Microsoft and NTL Broadcast, which was followed by an enhanced version at IBC 2003 and at 3GSM 2004 with a PDA showing DMB broadcasts.

The architecture of RadioScape‚s Broadcast System 5.0 has been designed to build on this pioneering work and ensures seamless integration of data applications over DAB from content provider to consumer.

"The data aspects of Digital Radio are rapidly gaining attention as broadcasters and commercial operators are realising the power of broadcast data solutions to deliver a new generation of mobile data applications," said Nigel Oakley, VP of Marketing at RadioScape.

"DAB was designed from the outset to provide excellent mobile reception in poor reception conditions. Combining this capability with its strengths in delivering data makes many new applications possible -- ranging from new multimedia and information requirements for emergency services through to mobile information updates such as stock information and even video through the recent innovations in Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB). Broadcast System 5.0 has been designed from the ground up to support the demands of these innovative new services. This is very exciting for the Digital Radio industry as it provides for the first time a standard, open platform for developers. This will dramatically increase the speed of innovation in Digital Radio as it opens the doors for many more companies to write software for Digital Radio applications."
Back to top

S4M (Solutions for Media) presents its fully integrated cross-media software suite and the latest cutting edge applications.

Some highlights: S4AdSales, S4M's cross media (air time) sales system, now features automated planning of GRP-campaigns as well as automated spot- and inventory optimisation. In a live test the system was able to reduce the over delivery of manual GRP-bookings by more than 13 percent while keeping the customers' placement preferences. That way, customers' needs have been fulfilled completely although using 30 per cent less airtime, most of it being part of primetime slots.

EasyMedia pro is S4M's reporting tool for TV media and audience analysis. It now even combines ratings information with video and allows at a glance ratings and content comparison. You can watch five different channels and the corresponding ratings at once. VPMS (Video Production Management System) is a comprehensive Video Content Management solution. Its latest version not only allows voice-overs, but also broadcast recording MPEG-2 including DVD authoring or automated report editing.
Back to top

Scopus Network Technologies, a supplier of digital compression technology to the broadcasting industry, announced today that its IBC offerings are adding new perspectives and a wider scope to the digital broadcasting industry. At IBC, Scopus will be showing a new DVB-S2 based decoding platform for satellite broadcasting, conducting the first live demonstrations of its Universal Encoding platform, and highlighting its IP Contribution Broadcasting Video over IP Infrastructure offerings.

Scopus CEO David Mahlab said, "At IBC, Scopus is re-affirming our commitment to technological prowess. We are providing answers to growing market needs for highly advanced transmission tools for digital broadcasters that are easy to implement and cost-effective. We are excited by our DVB-S2 solutions for the expanding satellite market and our new Broadcasting Video over IP Infrastructure technologies to which the market has given its approval."

Scopus VP Marketing Ovadia Cohen added, "Scopus' reputation for high quality and cost effective platforms is an integral facet of our vision for the future. Our compression platforms are built for emerging standards and provide superior technologies that save space and reduce costs for broadcastors around the world. I have always been proud of Scopus' commitment to quality and technological leadership and remain so, today, more than ever."
Back to top

Hong Kong's Digital Media Centre (DMC) has taken the next step towards becoming Asia's hub for digital content creation, with its purchase of Alchemist Platinum�, the Snell & Wilcox high-end, phase correlation-based, motion-compensated standards converter.

Dr. Krates Hing-Ngok Ng, centre manager, Digital Media Centre, Hong Kong Cyberport, said, "By nurturing a new generation of multimedia talent, we will not only further enhance and expand upon Hong Kong's reputation for cutting-edge film and visual production, but we also will greatly empower Hong Kong's SMEs to compete and win projects anywhere on the planet that require world-class quality and low production costs."

The Alchemist Platinum, delivered in Hong Kong by Broadcast Technology Limited (BTL), is unique in its ability to upconvert high-quality 625 material to HD with artefact-free, high-resolution images, producing clear and crisp outputs from the widest range of video input material. As a result, DMC is able to seamlessly remaster content created in Hong Kong's native standard of 625/50Hz SD and repurpose it for distribution in the lucrative 1080i 60Hz HD formats of Japan, Korea, and the U.S.A. The first content creator at DMC to make use of the Alchemist Platinum transferred a 35-episode, one-hour length TV series from standard-definition to high-definition format.

Phase correlation is a unique motion-compensation technology for delivering high quality no matter what output format is required -- HD or SD, PAL, or NTSC -- and the Alchemist Platinum is the first of its kind in North Asia.
Back to top

Snell & Wilcox announced that its Alchemist Platinum Ph.C motion-compensated standards converter was successfully used to change standards and upconvert standard-definition footage of The Open Championship 2004 for broadcast on TNT in HD, the new high-definition presentation of the TNT East Coast feed.

"Viewer online forums were very positive in their reviews of TNT's high-definition production of the British Open, with many comments questioning why TNT's broadcast was in HD while others were not," said Rick Ackermans, director of engineering for Turner Entertainment.

TNT had several options for upconverting the video feed, which was produced by the BBC in PAL 16:9 widescreen. The first option considered by TNT relied on a two-stage process with the programming first would be converted from PAL to NTSC and then upconverted from SD to HD. Because the NTSC standard supports only 525 lines, 100 lines of resolution would have been discarded in the first conversion phase, reducing the amount of detail available during the upconversion to the 1080-line HD format.

For the Open Championship, TNT ran the 625-line, 50-Hz European feed into a Snell & Wilcox Alchemist Platinum Ph.C, which upconverted the images in a single step to 1080i at 60 Hz for HD broadcast in the United States.

"The single conversion step enabled by the Alchemist Platinum Ph.C also meant that we could avoid having to de-interlace the video twice, which would have further deteriorated the video quality," added Ackermans.

"We expect that this will now become a very popular way of upconverting SD PAL to 1080i HD in NTSC," said Bob Protzman, Turner's director of Broadcast Transmission Services. "While we had less resolution to work with than if we'd started with a native HD feed, it was a significant improvement over the previously considered two-stage process that threw away valuable data."
Back to top

Sony to display the their latest products at IBC

IBC 2004 will showcase Sony's latest generation of products and solutions which are set to revitalise European broadcasting. At a critical time for the broadcast community, with cost and quality constantly driving improvement in all areas of workflow and content production, Sony is uniquely placed with its industry expertise and technology innovation to deliver increased productivity and better looking content - the perfect partnership.

"As we move further into the digital age our customers underline their trust in Sony by continuing to base their most mission critical business operations around our technology and solutions. Sony continuously strives to be the perfect partner." Alain Pecot, Media Business Director, Sony Europe.

Sony's latest technology offerings to be featured at IBC 2004 include:
High Definition production tools, from the new HDV entry level lineup, to the latest HDCAM camcorders aimed at mainstream and prestige TV production – proving Sony HD's suitability for every type of production.

XDCAM - An extensive showcase of Sony's revolutionary Professional Disc based production tools, and the discernible workflow benefits of file based acquisition.

XPRI non-linear editors: Sony's range of ready-to-run non-linear editing for Standard and High Definition production. Powerful new features include the world's only HD video board for real-time processing of Secondary Colour Grading and sophisticated 3D effects.
SONAPS – a new and sophisticated programme production system that harnesses the power and capabilities of IT network architectures for content production.

New LCD Monitors – the brand new range of LMD monitors for professional use
High Definition (HD)

HD production is integral to the IBC stand, where Sony will explain the migration path and associated benefits. Sony's question to broadcasters is not just whether to produce in HD, but rather which form of HD best suits the user's needs, as there is an entire range of HD solutions for the spectrum of different programme productions.

The range of HDCAM tools for mainstream and prestige TV, as well as the first showing in Europe of the new entry level HD production tools – Sony HDV, reinforces the fact that now really is the time that HD goes hand-in-hand with affordability and working smart.
Back to top

Highlight of this year's new SPL products is the MixDream, a cascadable, 16-in-2 analog outboard mixer in a 19inch/2U format. Any DAW or digital console can be expanded with active analog stereo summing and comfortable insert functionality.
Its 16 balanced inserts allow for integration of analog units, enabling to reduce necessary A/D conversions to the stereo output signal only. Channel adjustments and automations remain controlled from the DAW, so the user loses no digital comfort.
Sophisticated Class A/60V technology delivers a dynamic range of up to 125dB. Additional features comprise a stereo expansion control, an analog peak limiter, master inserts and switchable output transformers from Lundahl.

Last year's SMC Surround Monitor Controller 2381 was re-designed with a new front panel and a mighty volume knob. The new SMC 2489 (left) is now accompanied by the stereo version MTC Monitor & Talkback Controller. Both controllers are nifty DAW extension to provide all necessary monitoring functions such as source and speaker management as well as volume control. The MTC also offers cue mixing and talkback functionality. Direct analog signal processing dispenses with DACs or VCAs for neutral sound results, dynamic and frequency range specifications above SACD standard ensure straight monitoring quality for all audio formats.

The GainStation Class A preamp (single or eight-channel versions) combines separate solid state and tube preamp stages. With this enhanced variety of sound characteristic, the engineer can rely on best-of-both-worlds results in any recording situation, e. g. in order to accommodate the GainStation to different microphones. The GainStation1 comes in an extremely compact housing which is perfectly suited also for mobile or desktop use.
Back to top

According to a recent Strategy Analytics report, broadband subscribers report significant declines in time spent watching television. The report concludes that broadcasters should expect ratings declines as broadband penetration continues to grow rapidly. It also recommends ways in which broadcasters can respond to this threat as well as embrace broadband as part of an integrated communications strategy.

IBC attendees are invited to join Strategy Analytics to examine broadband's impact on television and other traditional media. Senior analysts will present key findings from European and US research and in-depth analysis of market drivers and inhibitors. Attendees will gain access to demand forecasts and insights used by senior strategy planners at the world's leading media and communications companies.

Presentation details are as follows:

Date: Saturday 11th September, 2004

Time: 08.00-09.00 (registration and breakfast from 07.30)

Place: Madison Room, Holiday Inn Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 2, Amsterdam (The hotel is a short walk from the RAI train/tram/metro station and just 500 meters from the entrance to the RAI Exhibition and Congress Centre)

Each attendee will receive a full set of presentation slides, together with a complimentary copy of Strategy Analytics's report, 'Broadcasters Beware: Broadband Is Stealing Your Viewers'. We will not be sending copies of our presentation or report to non-attendees.

Click here <http://alert.c.topica.com/maacCjraa9Ivlb5KvNocaehnQk/> to register for your free place at this presentation.

We look forward to seeing you in Amsterdam!
Back to top

IBC 2004 will see TANDBERG Television hit new heights for professional video compression and TV delivery efficiency as the company launches a number of new products and shows live demonstrations of end to end systems for cable, satellite, terrestrial and telco networks, across all professional encoding platforms. TANDBERG Television will continue its lead in the advanced compression arena with the launch of a High Definition version of its award-winning Intelligent Compression Engine (ICE) for MPEG-4 part-10/AVC and Windows Media 9 Series.

“High Definition will be a major focus at IBC, as content providers, broadcasters and network operators look to HD to deliver a new wave in digital TV take-up. HD solutions will be present and visible all around our stand, from our new HD ICE platform for advanced compression, to improved efficiencies for High Definition delivery on existing MPEG-2 DTH and contribution and distribution platforms,” says Eric Cooney, CEO of TANDBERG Television.

As well as advanced compression and HD innovations, TANDBERG Television will be showing a wide range of solutions including an end-to-end VOD system, which delivers the industry's lowest cost per stream solution for cable operators, as well as Telco TV providers. TANDBERG Television's new On Demand ecosystem includes the company's Encoding Studio for content ingest; N2 Broadband's market leading back office systems, the latest Entone video server and TANDBERG's EQ6800 newly enhanced high density cable EdgeQAM. TANDBERG Television, together with its partners, has all the components necessary to deliver a successful VoD system, in one easy to deploy package.

TANDBERG Television's stand will feature a number of zones, each designed to provide visitors with working demonstrations of the latest solutions. The following zones will be on the stand: Advanced Compression for both SD and HD Telco TV Cable and On Demand solutions Satellite Solutions Telco Contribution and Distribution, including HD C&D Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) Digital Electronic News Gathering (DENG) / Wireless Links

In addition to its own stand presence, TANDBERG Television will also be present on a number of partner's booths, showing its technology working in systems from integrators and other leading broadcast and communications vendors.
Back to top

IBC 2004 will see the public debut of TANDBERG Television's open Video on Demand (VoD) platform. The platform has been designed to provide European cable operators with the freedom to choose best of breed technologies and to avoid proprietary architectures with all the associated downsides of vendor lock-in, non-competitive pricing schedules and higher support costs. By combining zero compromise solutions from leading equipment vendors, cable companies can benefit from demonstrably lower cost of entry into the VoD space and reduced operational expenditure, as well as create a dynamic on demand environment to support future growth and meet changing consumer needs.

On TANDBERG Television's IBC stand (Hall 1:461) visitors will be able to see the on demand content platform in operation, including live demos of the OpenStream digital services platform from N2 Broadband. As an open, standards-based system, OpenStream allows cable operators to easily deploy on demand services using VoD servers, applications, billing systems, and other system components of their choice. TANDBERG Television recently signed an exclusive agreement to market OpenStream throughout EMEA, as well as to work with N2 Broadband to provide Euro-centric solutions for the content on demand marketplace.

“In a financial environment of increasing constraints on capital, it is imperative that new technologies are available at the lowest possible total cost of ownership. That is why we have developed our VoD platform to utilise open architectures, without sacrificing performance, security, privacy, or freedom of choice,” says Eric Cooney, CEO of TANDBERG Television. “N2 Broadband's OpenStream platform is the only standards based, completely open architecture solution for Video on Demand back office management. Its open approach compliments our own commitment to non-proprietary architectures and combined with Entone's VOD servers, we are providing the optimal solution for flexible, low-cost VOD deployment.”

TANDBERG Television has worked with N2 Broadband to modify OpenStream for the European market, including consideration for core network differences, multilingual support and conditional access, as well as geographical and cultural differences. TANDBERG Television's position as the market-leading cable head-end provider in Europe means the company brings considerable in-depth experience of many of the practical solutions that have allowed Europe's major cable companies such as Auna, KDG, and Telenet to deliver class-leading services in a highly competitive market.

"As European cable operators start to roll-out VoD services, they are in a position to benefit from the lessons learned in the US and to avoid the pitfalls of proprietary technology. By working with Europe's leading cable technology provider, TANDBERG Television, we can rapidly extend the benefits of open systems to the European market,” says Reggie Bradford, president and chief executive officer of N2 Broadband.
Back to top

At IBC 2004 Tektronix will be showing its broad range of Video and MPEG test, monitoring and measurement products. Taking pride of place will be enhancements to Tektronix‚ Waveform Rasterizer family aimed at broadcast confidence monitoring and production applications. Supporting mixed analogue and digital, video and audio environments and fitted with alarm and logging capabilities, these products are revolutionising video and audio monitoring using Tektronix‚ FlexVu technology and comprehensive error alarms and logging. Also at the show will be Tektronix' recently launched SPG600 and SPG300 Sync Signal Generators, using Stay GenLock technology to provide the best signal synchronization available in the video industry. This provides stable synchronization signals, which are critical to maintaining system timing required by digital and traditional broadcast facilities.

Additionally on display will be new Tektronix AD953A portable MPEG-2 test system. The AD953A includes an integrated high-resolution display, making it easy and convenient to move the test system from lab to lab or offsite for commissioning tests. The new MPEG tool addresses H.264 and Windows Media 9 Series, enabling video equipment manufacturers to verify emerging video applications.

Addressing customer needs in production and post, network deployment and operation, and those designing and manufacturing components, Tektronix has over 55 years of innovation and several Emmy(r) awards to its name.
Back to top

Telecast Fiber Systems announced that its Viper, Adder, and DiamondBack video and audio multiplexers were successfully deployed by London-based Gearhouse Broadcast to facilitate broadcast of the 2004 European Football Championship. Gearhouse Broadcast specializes in providing technical infrastructure and production facilities for major televised events and was awarded the contract by host broadcaster Euro Broadcast Services (EBS) earlier this year.

The Telecast equipment was used to transmit and receive analog audio along with SDI and analog video signals of each UEFA EURO 2004 match from a Technical Operations Centre (TOC) to a Commentary Control Room (CCR), where Gearhouse Broadcast distributed the exclusive signals to broadcasters for airing worldwide.

With games staged in 10 stadiums across host country Portugal, Gearhouse Broadcast needed to provide a TOC for every venue. Imperviousness to distance limitations made fiber optics a natural fit for transmitting the signals, often over distances as great as 1500 meters between a TOC and CCR. Three of the TOCs were equipped with 64x64 video and audio routing matrixes that incorporated four Telecast Viper units for distributing SDI video signals, four Adders to transmit and receive analog audio signals, and a DiamondBack for analog video signals. Cambridge-based Mi Broadcast, Telecast's UK and Ireland distributor, supplied the Telecast equipment to Gearhouse.

"Telecast has been tried and tested," said Kevin Moorhouse, technical director at Gearhouse Broadcast. "We've used it on other projects, and it's the most widely used fiber product in the industry."

That global presence of Telecast, plus the flexibility of its products, helped Gearhouse Broadcast build the perfect system for its needs. "Each Telecast system is made up of little modules so you can change configuration with ease, and most engineers are familiar with it because they've worked with it on other jobs as well," added Moorhouse.

With data from only 12 of the 52 television markets collected, the audience of Euro 2004 reached over 70 million, a figure that does not include people watching the games in pubs and bars. It peaked with 20.3 million viewers watching coverage of the England-France game, the third-largest figure of any football game on broadcast network ITV.
Back to top

Telecast Fiber Systems, announced that the company's Mamba product line will make its European debut at IBC2004 Sept. 10-14 in Amsterdam. First introduced at NAB2004 and now shipping, Mamba is Telecast's new product family for fully integrated fiber optic infrastructures in mobile production, stadium, campus, and fixed broadcast facilities. The Mamba components provide a complete audio and HD "superhighway" infrastructure that makes it easier than ever to change, move, and add fiber optic components.

"Mamba represents a major advance in fiber optic technology within a television broadcast facility by fully integrating patchbays, media converters, and fiber optics," said Telecast Fiber Systems President Richard A. Cerny. "Whether it's within a fixed or mobile facility, each Mamba component helps broadcasters significantly trim cable weight and congestion, boost signal capacity, and streamline setup, reconfiguration, and maintenance operations by providing a fiber optic broadcasting backbone."

The Mamba family is an end-to-end fiber optic infrastructure well-suited for a wide range of broadcast applications in both mobile and fixed facilities. At its center are low-profile video and audio patchbays that are integrated directly into a facility or mobile production truck, enabling an entirely fiber optic interframe cable structure with reduced size, weight, and complexity compared to coaxial-based systems. When used with Telecast's new TAC-48 cable assemblies, the Mamba makes truck-to-truck interconnection fast and easy.
Back to top

TSL (Television System Ltd) debuts its remodelled and upgraded audio monitoring range. This is significantly expanded and now benefits from larger, clearer controls which are self-legendable. It also has a new, high quality metallic blue finish.

TSL is also launching a brand new 1RU high-end, low-cost digital monitoring unit with built-in active loudspeakers and metering. Concentrating on sound quality and designed by Celtic Audio, this is designed as the best sounding 1RU audio monitoring unit ever.

Also on display:

Rack Intelligence - TSL is highlighting the recently launched range of new intelligent mains distribution units. Available in four models, the range offers a cost-effective entry level unit right up to a unit with full remote monitoring and control using Ethernet connectivity via a standard web browser and SNMP alarm monitoring. A further model in the range allows the addition of a unique output relay latching facility.

The company is also exhibiting its industry leading UMD and Tally management systems, now used by over 150 broadcasters and facilities worldwide. This will include the innovative TallyMan system that allows open system configuration and network control at a lower price.
Back to top

Cameo compliments the existing TSL range of high quality audio monitoring units by offering compact and cost effective reference quality sound monitoring. Available as the AMU1-CA (analogue) and the AMU1-CD (analogue, AES and SDI), the Cameo has to be heard to be believed. The reference-standard sound output is achieved using bespoke loud-speaker components, active filtering and a unique compact acoustic enclosure. Nothing has been left to chance - as users would expect of a TSL unit with design by John Watkinson and the team at Celtic Audio.

TSL's commitment to the high-end audio monitoring market reflects the
growing importance of true sound quality as consumers the world over increasingly recognise and expect the very high quality that the latest delivery, reception and playback devices can achieve.

With the flexible powering options available (110-240 Mains AC and 12V DC) and the compact 1RU size, the units have obvious appeal where space is at a premium such as OBs and post-production. Cameo has also been designed to meet the needs of new broadcast applications such as server ingestion or media digitisation where accurate quality control is required. A Cameo unit can also be heard in action on the TMD booth 9.431 where it is being used with the MediaFlex media asset management system.
Back to top

TVC Multimedia presents the findings of the first DTT pilot test in Spain

TVC Multimedia will present the results of Micromarkets, the first Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) pilot project in Spain tested with real users at IBC, from September 10 to 14 in Amsterdam. The Catalan company played an active role in the testing which took place during the first half of 2004 in 100 Catalan homes.

The conclusions are proof of just how efficient DTT technology is. The testing included films broadcast in panoramic (16:9) format and Dolby sound, real interactive advertising campaigns, and a range of interactive MHP applications. Thanks to the Micromarkets project, minor glitches detected in installation procedures and in systems for encrypting signals were resolved. At the start of the testing, TVC Multimedia invited developmental engineers from major manufacturers of decodifiers from around the world to take part in an international conference on MHP interoperability which helped advance in the technological functions of DTT.

A study of the results concluded that viewers consider the improved quality of digital broadcasts as their main attraction. A growing demand for contents on new channels was also detected in addition to high participation in interactive services. This will all be key in swaying the public to switch over to DTT. The users' choice of interactive services was followed minute by minute thanks to a tracking application specially developed for this purpose.
Back to top

Recently launched at NAB2004, VertigoXmedia's turnkey election system debuts in Europe at IBC2004. It comes complete with all the hardware and software required for creating dynamic graphics that keep pace with up-to-the-minute election developments. Ideal for smaller stations that may not have the resources for custom election systems, the election package incorporates a CG graphics system, editorial screens that enable journalists to preview election results using a Web browser, an authoring station for customizing graphics, a control station for controlling playout of graphics and more. Based on the company's Producer Xmedia graphics automation platform, proven in the most demanding of election environments, the election package contains election-specific templates and pre-built graphics to provide fast and targeted coverage. Once the elections are complete, the election package can be repurposed for other news graphics.

Also launched at NAB2004 and making its European debut is VertigoXmedia's new multichannel control solution. Designed to provide a soft panel approach to controlling centralized graphics, the new system allows station groups and large networks to manage and deploy graphics at both central and remote sites. Featuring a new soft control panel, Xpanel, the Xmedia multichannel control system allows operators to manage and control data-driven graphics across a number of different channels, from asset ingest to final broadcast. The system is built around a central server, where a number of different media are managed from a common location. This significantly streamlines the process as it eliminates the need to store and copy media files on independent systems. Media can include images, video clips and audio files. The system is MOS-complaint and therefore integrates easily with existing newsroom computer systems such as ENPS and iNEWS. It can be controlled by automation systems using industry-standard protocols or operated manually. The system will work with standard character generators as well as Vertigo's own VertigoCG.
Back to top

MEPG-4 IPTV : Viaccess has partnered with Ateme, a European provider of audio/video compression on DSP, to introduce an innovative MPEG-4 solution for IPTV. The demonstration to be presented at IBC2004 will showcase Ateme's live streaming MPEG-4/H.264 encoder linked to an IP set-top box reference design. Viaccess provides an hybrid CAS-DRM solution that protects MPEG-4 streams through AES encryption encapsulated in MPEG-4 IPMP (Intellectual Property Management and Protection). Rights management is secured with a Viaccess smart card.

Will also be in demonstration on the Viaccess booth :

Viaccess-Suite : the ultimate content protection solution for MPEG-2 DVB live and on-demand delivery. Viaccess-Suite combines the Viaccess-PC2.5 Conditional Access System and Viaccess-VOD, the 2004 Cable and Satellite International magazine “Product of the Year” prize winner in the “Best content-on-demand solution” category.

purple-DRM : a turn-key DRM platform for on-demand music and video stores, purple-DRM is an open and multi-DRM solution, fully compliant with all industry-standard DRM clients and players. And in the back-office, web-based tools ensure seamless integration for CRM, billing, provisioning, report to right holders and payment.
Back to top

Videotek, a division of Leitch Technology Corporation (TSX:LTV) and a leader in innovative test and measurement technology, is pleased to announced the debut of the VTM-310G, the latest addition to its broad suite of advanced test and measurement instruments.

Designed for cost-conscious serial digital facilities, the VTM-310G offers an unsurpassed feature set at a maximum cost benefit. The VTM-310G provides two serial digital 525/625 (601) passive looping inputs, Videotek's intuitive Digital Gamut and unique relative timing displays. Other features include your choice of audio options such as full and mixed-down Dolby decode, metadata display, waveform and vector variable gain, A/B parade and overlay, plus EIA 608 (CC1-4, T1-4 and XDS) closed captioning detection/display.

The VTM-310G generates real-time signal quality alarms, based on user-adjustable limits, with time stamps (timecode or internal real-time clock) into a log for evaluation and reporting of signal quality. Interfacing to the VTM-310G is easy with SNMP, serial router control ports and GPI. Beyond the front panel, the VTM-310G offers flexible operation by local mouse control or remote control panel (RCU-310G). A single connection package of Videotek's acclaimed SpyderWeb(r) PC software, used for control, unattended networked monitoring/verification and logging from a central location, is included.
Back to top

Interactive Video Network (IVN) -- Comprehensive and Versatile Video Networks A revolutionary approach to integrating multiple video applications, ViewCast IVN brings diverse technologies and interfaces together in one simple, highly tailored solution, thereby transforming local and global video networks into a dynamic video communications platform. ViewCast IVN provides intelligent, IP-controlled video switching and distribution for digital signage, training, and video communications projects.

ViewCast IVN seamlessly integrates technologies that source, switch, distribute, and manage live and stored video assets in applications including videoconferencing, on-site video distribution, distance learning, video resource sharing, and personal video communication for broadcasting, education, finance, government and business institutions.

At IBC, ViewCast will be demonstrating IVN in a small office configuration able to manage and control digital billboards and electronic signage.

Niagara SCX Version 3.3 Offers Superior Control of Streaming Encoder Servers Niagara SCX Version 3.3 now provides added features for an improved streaming production experience, including better encoder control and access to more encoder features. Niagara SCX allows any Osprey-based streaming video encoder system to be monitored and controlled remotely across a network. Users can access and control any or all of the encoders from any remote location attached to the encoder network. New features include video preview of encoding sessions independent of encoder mode/type, push-and-pull capability for delivering content to streaming servers, and increased performance enabled by reducing demand on Windows resources.

Mobile Streaming Video ViewCast is offering a wide range of streaming media solutions that deliver digital video to mobile phones, PDAs, and laptops. Product demonstrations showing how ViewCast products provide high-quality streaming for wireless delivery to mobile networked devices will be highlighted during IBC.

Remote Monitoring and Archiving of Security & Surveillance Video ViewCast provides a bundle solution for security video applications where security alerts can be emailed with photo attachments and security cameras can be monitored via IP video on PCs, laptops, and PDAs. This allows remote monitoring of many cameras from any IP-networked device. Video frames are time-stamped and archived in high-resolution JPEG formats. Users can browse and retrieve images based on motion activity or time and date.
Back to top

High Definition will be very visible on the Vistek stand at this year's IBC. After a successful launch at NAB, Vistek will be demonstrating production versions of their HD products, which are already in use by a number of broadcasters around the world. A high performance synchroniser, plus up, down and cross converters, all designed to mix and match with existing standard definition Vistek modules allowing an easy upgrade path to HD.

ViewNet, Vistek's remarkable control system gains several new features, including the ability to display live video and signal waveforms. A specific demonstration of the system working to control an incoming lines suite will form the centrepiece of the Vistek stand. Vistek's Fibre Optic products continue to attract customers and there will be comprehensive demonstrations of the way that fibre can be implemented to provide an efficient and future-proof signal distribution system.
Back to top

Vistek's ViewNet Control System has been widely recognised as one of the most user-friendly around, and at this year's IBC, there will be a demonstration of recent enhancements.

Most visible will be the introduction of live video in the control display. A wide variety of video objects are supported, and the demonstration will include streaming video via IP (VoIP), and directly injected video sourced locally. The video objects will also support waveform displays, and the demonstration will include this.

Commenting on the new objects, Andrew Osmond, Vistek's MD, said, "it seems an obvious step - creating the facility to view video within the ViewNet control window. There's still a place for regular displays, but this allows thumbnail images to be directly associated with their signal controls. And because the ViewNet video objects are signal type & format agnostic, almost any form of moving or static image can be displayed. It's open for the user to decide how best to utilise this facility."
Back to top

On show at this year's IBC in Amsterdam is Wood & Douglas's radio and interface equipment that extends ATM circuits for Outside Broadcast applications. National Network ATM termination points are often inconveniently located for Broadcasters. By extending the circuit through reliable OFDM radio equipment, users can enjoy the freedom of full studio facilities at remote OB sites.

The bi-directional radio link uses dVMo digital radio transmission to provide multiple services in addition to the main contribution feed including, forward and reverse talkback, ethernet for office schedule updates, cue and other prompts.

This latest addition has been developed in partnership with Audix Broadcast to allow routing and control of remote mixers from a central studio and/or control room.
Back to top

At this year's IBC in Amsterdam, Wood & Douglas is launching an extension to its range of Studio and Outside Broadcast RadioTalkback equipment through the addition of remote linear amplifiers that will enhance studio production capability.

Programme requirements frequently call for 'shoots' outside the normal studio into other parts of the main buildings such as 'reception' areas etc. The most flexible and economic way to do this is by using existing studio frequencies and floor equipment enhanced by Wood & Douglas's new linear booster amplifiers for transmitters and pre-amplifiers for receivers. These new amplifiers can be wall-mounted or hidden in ceiling voids and are powered down aerial feeder cables.

Already a number of UK studios are using this method to extend the 'studio' production capability including the largest UK studio refurbishment project.
Back to top

On show for the first time at this year's IBC in Amsterdam, Wood & Douglas Ltd will be demonstrating its new generation of cue facilities for Outside Broadcast, Sports and News coverage for radio and television.

Current systems use a wide range of frequencies to give forward and reverse programme and talkback facilities.

The new system groups multiple services on one channel at low microwave frequencies to carry:

-Reverse PAL video feed Programme audio
-Talkback Ethernet for schedules etc. using UDP on I/P or TCP I/P for bi-directional links
-Optional modules offer:
-Multiple mono audio channels
-Additional reverse video feeds

The equipment is based on the highly successful Wood & Douglas dVMo product range that uses rugged OFDM digital transmission methods to overcome multipath propagation effects.
Back to top

WorldDAB is to host the first European demonstration of DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) on its stand at the IBC in Amsterdam.

As DAB continues to grow around the world, WorldDAB, the association supporting and promoting the DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) standard globally and representing over 80 organisations across 25 countries, is demonstrating something new on its stand at the IBC in Amsterdam.

Co-exhibitor KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) is on hand to deliver the first European demonstration of terrestrial DMB using DAB over handheld receivers from Samsung, PersTel and onTimetek. T-DMB uses DAB technology to deliver television, video, audio and data to mobile devices.

Recently, the Korean government approved the introduction of terrestrial DMB broadcasts of television programmes to mobile devices, and later this year, commercial products are expected to be available from manufacturers such as Samsung, PersTel and LG. Services, which will launch in Korea by the end of 2004, will initially include 48 channels delivered to consumers free of charge.

For those who wish to learn more about DMB products and services, KBS will host a presentation on digital lifestyles, while manufacturer Samsung will chair a panel discussion on DMB. WorldDAB President, Annika Nyberg will be chairing the session on digital lifestyles. The DAB Digital Radio market continues to grow, especially in the UK where it is predicted that more than one million radios will be in homes by the end of 2004.
Back to top

Mobile phone owners are enjoying a summer of sport with video clips sent direct to them from some of the world's top events thanks to a pioneering new partnership supported by Yorkshire Forward.

Grimsby-based East Coast Media, a digital media start-up project, has joined forces with the country's largest news provider the Press Association (PA) to process highlights from the forthcoming Olympics providing 45 second updates from the games to O2 subscribers.

It will be followed by coverage of the Premiership and Ryder Cup as the "Sports Phone" service grows.

Around 30 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are registered at East Coast Media which purchased computer equipment, cameras and processing equipment following a grant of £750,000 from Yorkshire Forward, £500,000 of which was capital and invested in equipment and technology.

The SMEs will be sub-contracted to process the video clips from PA – repackaging them as mpeg files for the new 3G generation of Nokia 'phones.

The new technology and Sports Phone will be demonstrated by Yorkshire Forward at this year's international IBC conference in Amsterdam between September 9-14, at Stand 510 in Hall 7 attended by more than 40,000 people from 120 countries in the fields of entertainment content, creativity and management.
Back to top

Introduction | Conferences | Previews