While the goal of some companies is to put a cinch on their niche spot in the broadcast chain, other companies are looking to be a one-stop shop for broadcasters and their needs.

Is it a plot to swallow up as many companies as possible to eliminate the competition, or is it really just one savvy business move after another? Harmonic company reps assured its media audience at a press conference last night that it’s definitely not trying to take over the broadcast world. It just makes sense that if the company already has a presence in multiple places in the broadcast chain, why not partner with other companies that fill in those gaps? more

Trinix 3Gb/s router

Get ready for the future with the new Thomson Grass Valley Trinix 3 Gb/s router, which scales up to 2048 squared, and that’s with zero signal blocking. Another important feature of this router is its ability to drive longer I/O lines. Previously most 3Gb/s equipment could only drive digital video about 100m (350ft). This new router incorporates the latest Gennum chips that permit video to travel 40% farther, 140m.

Jeff Rosica said a German test lab confirmed that the Trinix router “blew away the competition”. While he couldn’t comment on the specific test lab, we’ll did it up and make it available so you can view the results yourself.

By Phil Kurz

Cloud computing and software as a service offer broadcasters the solutions they need to transform their business from one of high fixed costs to that of low variable costs, which will allow them to compete more effectively with the onslaught of new media entrants. At least those are the prescriptions Chyron executives outlined April 19 during their press conference the day before the NAB Show opens in Las Vegas.

To kick off the press event, Chyron CEO and president Michael Wellesley-Wesley said the days of broadcasters accepting –and in some cases even embracing- high fixed costs as a cost of doing business and a way to limit competition are over. New competitors can leverage software tools and new distribution platforms, like the Internet, to sidestep the high fixed costs of traditional media distribution and compete with a lower cost structure with stations.

To stay competitive broadcasters must change the way they create content, said Wellesley-Wesley. “Chyron must help them (broadcasters) navigate this change, and we have the tools at hand to help them do that,” he said. more

The Grass Valley booth is filled with new solutions and products.

The Thomson Grass Valley (SL106) press conference, seemed to have fewer news people than in previous years. Do you suppose even some of the news types couldn’t make the show? more

Yet the Brits are clueless about this jewel.

Like millions of other Americans I first learned of Susan Boyle from watching a news story on television. The program which has so changed her life isn’t on American television. Rather, it’s a British show much like American Idol. However, after seeing a 90second clip about her on cable news, I had to see her sing.

I found her entire performance on YouTube and was able to watch her performance from the UK show Britain’s Got Talent. I tear up and smile every time I view it.

Boyle, is a 47-year old homebody from Scotland who has turned out to be one of the most surprising successes in the show’s history. As of this morning, her performance has been seen 33million times on YouTube. more

The Panasonic (C3712, C3327) press conference was wall-to-wall people as the staff presented (for this year) a long list of new products. In fact, while it’s still early in the show, Panasonic revealed more new products than has any other company with weekend press conferences.

Large among the announcements were the new P2 “E” cards. This series, subtitled “E”, means economy. A 64GB card will cost less than $1000, the 32GB card $665 and the 16GB card will cost only $420.

John Baisley, president announced that more than 110,000 units of P2 have been sold worldwide with almost half, 50,000 in the US. He said that 320 stations are currently using P2 technology.

As mentioned in an earlier post (February), Panasonic is highlighting what they call the world’s first affordable 10-bit, 4:2:2 professional HD camcorder, the AG-HPX-300. Suggested list price is $10,700. more