Archive of the HDTV Category

At IBC2008, Quantel announced support for several newer camera formats. Support for the Red camera includes;

• Previewing of r3d files before importing – enabling shot selection and speeding workflow
• Partial file import – operators can selective clip ingest by simply setting in and out points
• Import at 4K, 2K or 1K resolution (full, half and quarter res) with different quality options
• Full use of all RED options including exposure, colorspace and color temperature.

Thomson Grass Valley has expanded its line of Triton compact routing switchers with the debut of the new Thomson Grass Valley Triton Plus series. Triton Plus has a reduced frame size, but expanded scalability and support for the highest quality AES110 Ohm audio and 3 Gb/s video signals. The new small footprint router is ideal for demanding AV environments where small size, low weight and affordability are critical. more

Thomson Grass Valley released the K2 Dyno replay controller. The compact, cost-effective next-generation controller coupled with the new K2 Summit production client is designed to help sports producers and other professionals capture live events in crystal-clear HD resolutions and instantly play them out at variable speeds for critical analysis during fast-paced events. It is ideally suited for HD sports production trucks and shared storage production facilities. more

Thomson announced three new models to the LDK series of cameras. They include the Thomson Grass Valley LDK 4000 Elite, LDK 8000 Elite (in Standard and WorldCam versions), and the LDK 8000 SportElite.

Among the new enhancements, the LDK Elite and SportElite HD series significantly improve on the existing cameras’ internal DSPs with new DSP circuits. It’s a completely updated software platform that performs all camera image management functions — such as knee, gamma, contours, and variable matrix — with three channel 22-bit digital precision. The SportElite adds 2x Super Slow-Motion sampling functionality in both 720p and 1080i HD formats. more

One of only a few hot topics at this year’s show was stereoscopic or 3D television. Leading in that arena is Quantel. The company was demonstrating the world’s first Stereo3D broadcast server. The development adds a key component to the broadcast Stereo3D production chain as interest in Stereo3D broadcasting rapidly increases.

The Stereo3D server is based on Quantel’s existing sQ server platform and supports realtime ingest and playout of multiple channels of stereo HD content under the control of Quantel’s own sQ Record and sQ Play applications. more

Ross Video announced at IBC the launch of the compact CrossOver series production mixer. Four models of the new production switcher will be released. CrossOver production switchers are targeted at mobile and other space-constrained professional production environments.

Other important applications for the CrossOver switchers include MCR branding for TV production and live mixing and on-set monitors and IMag screens.

CrossOver comes in four configurations. The CrossOver 6 supports 6

Multi-Definition inputs, 2 keyers and has 6 source selection buttons. The CrossOver 12 supports 12 MD inputs, 3 keyers and has 10 source selection buttons as well as a rugged positioner. CrossOver 6 SD and CrossOver 12 SD offer similar connectivity to their respective peer devices, in cost reduced, SD-only versions. Ross Video will also be offering an unprecedented MD upgrade migration program for the SD models.

All models feature intuitive, easy-to-use interfaces; the UltraChrome chroma keyer; dual animation stores; two 2D DVEs; four up/down converters; three SDI outputs, one down-converted analog and 3 aux outputs, all in a 2RU package.

Ross Video is showcasing version 7.0 of their OverDrive automated production control system. The production platform includes applications for news, sports, worship and live events. Version 7.0 increases the power and flexibility of the OverDrive system by adding MOS integration for graphic and video server systems, an enhanced Client/Server architecture, and sideCar.

SideCar is a compact remote control panel, which adds multiple user-programmable timers, preview custom controls and the ability to enable or disable remote control of mixers or robotic cameras on-the-fly.

Other new key features include support for the company’s Vision QMD/X switcher family, including integration of internal MLE and global still stores, mis-matched panel and frame configuration support. This feature enables 1 or 2 MLE panels running 3 or 4 MLE frames, and several new enhancements for the RundownControl client and NRCS ActiveX plug-in.

Related articles: Ross Video, Autocue collaborate on a MOS interface; Calrec consoles now controlled by Ross switchers

The Thomson Grass Valley Infinity Digital Media Camcorder (DMC) now includes MPEG-2 HD Long GOP as a codec choice. The addition of MPEG-2 Long GOP creates a low bit rate recording choice to complement the existing high-quality, high bit rates within the Infinity DMC. This allows Infinity users to choose among a range of HD choices from 18 Mb/sec up to 100 Mb/sec — all in the same camcorder, which can all be recorded to the same piece of media.

Thomson has now added a Long GOP MPEG-2 codec with user selectable bit rates of 18Mb/s, 25Mb/s, 35Mb/s and 50Mb/s. The MPEG-2 Long GOP choice gives users additional file-based workflow options that are compatible with industry NLEs and expands the options for recording and transmission. more

Sencore introduced the company’s new DMS 3503B digital media streamer at IBC. The streamer will ingest any MPEG-2 or H.264-compatible transport stream and then stream it out to a variety of output formats; ASI GigE, 8-VSB or QPSK.

The server is controlled via a web interface. Users can customize files with playlists. It comes in both rack and bench mounted configurations. The system supports SNMP traps, event logging and error indications.

One task where many TV stations need help is getting weather and traffic information from the studios and newsroom to both the web and mobile platforms. Weather Central is now providing SilmuCAST, an integrated solution that allows a station to create content, once for air, and then automatically have that content repurposed for use on other devices and channels. The platform has several other modules.

RouteCast HD helps stations develop an integrated traffic and weather data solution. NewsNavigator permits news staffs to take the same maps from their broadcasts and automatically reuse them in a station’s Web site with Microsoft Virtual Earth.

ReportStorms.com helps stations interact with their viewers, especially for storm coverage. The platform provides an easy way for viewers to post videos and photos of storms and storm damage. Broadcasters can then quickly move these assets to air over a simple GUI.