Sky News Australia has made a major investment in state-of-the-art robotic camera support systems from Vinten and Intelligent Prompting solutions from Autoscript for its six remote studios in Australia. With the latest build-out just completed in Sky News' Canberra Parliament House studio, the Vinten and Autoscript equipment is a vital link in the network's strategy to reduce operational costs through centralised, IP-based control of remote broadcasts.

Sky News is a 24/7 multi-channel network providing international news, local news, and current affairs programmes to viewers throughout Australia and New Zealand. With headquarters, master control, and main studio based in Sydney, the network operates remote studios in Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Sky News has fitted its Canberra Parliament House studio with three Vinten FH-145 robotic pan/tilt camera heads, driven by the Vinten HD-VRC control system, three Vinten Quattro pedestals, and three Autoscript EPIC-IP 19" prompting monitors with integrated talent feedback monitors, driven by Autoscript WinPlus-IP News prompting software. Amber Technology, a Vitec Production Solutions Premier Partner, supplied the Vinten and Autoscript solutions and partnered for the build-out.

Imagine Communications has delivered core technology for a major refresh of an outside broadcast truck for NEP Belgium. As well as providing state-of-the-art and future-proofed solutions, a key part of the challenge was the very tight timescale allocated to complete the refurbishment. Imagine Communications was able to deliver on the tough timetable with the support of its Belgian dealer and partner, VP Media Solutions.

“Our Unit 14 still had many kilometres in it, but with a technology platform that was life-expired,” said Geert Thoelen, transitions manager at NEP Belgium. “We wanted a solution that would fit into the existing space, would give us all the functionality we need today, and be ready for the future, including increasing use of IP connectivity. And we could really only take the truck off the road for little more than a month earlier this year, so our partner had to be capable of moving swiftly to install and commission.”

Imagine Communications was able to comfortably meet the requirements. The new infrastructure is built around the Platinum™ IP3 router. In a single 15RU chassis, this router provides very high-density switching of today’s SDI-HD signals. It is also capable of seamlessly integrating uncompressed video over IP, so is ready to form the basis of a migration to IP connectivity — for example, to introduce Ultra HD signals. In Unit 14, the Platinum IP3 router is also fitted with the Platinum SX Pro multiviewer cards, adding functionality while reducing rack occupancy and power consumption.

Imagine’s Magellan™ SDN Orchestrator provides overall system control in the truck. It is specifically designed to provide unified operational interfaces in a hybrid environment, easing the transition between traditional, SDI-connected technology and software-defined, IP-connected architectures.

bTV Media Group, Bulgaria's TV audience leader, has installed state-of-the-art teleprompter and camera support equipment from Autoscript and Vinten in its all-new innovative studio. Located in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, the futuristic broadcast newsroom incorporates seven Vinten Quartz pedestals with Vector 750 pan-and-tilt heads, along with Autoscript EPIC-IP17 teleprompters.

In addition to bTV, Bulgaria's first private national TV station, the bTV Media Group's television unit consists of market-leading channels bTV Action, bTV Cinema, bTV Comedy, bTV Lady, and RING. The new studio is the largest-scale technological project in the history of bTV and is unique in Central and Eastern Europe, featuring three multifunctional sets, 11 video walls, and a total area of 450 square metres.

The Autoscript and Vinten equipment is part of an overall design based on maximum flexibility in camera choreography and functional efficiency. Each camera setup includes an Autoscript EPIC-IP17 teleprompter sporting a sleek carbon-fibre hood, together with an integrated talent monitor.

vinten.com.

Argosy, a leading international supplier of broadcast cables and infrastructure products, has announced that it has relocated its Dubai office to the city’s Oudmetha area in order to hold more stock and deliver faster and more efficient services to its Middle East customers. The larger facility enables Argosy to locally stock higher volumes of its expanding product portfolio, such as racking and mains distribution units, video audio and data cabling, connectors and patching, SMPTE and fibre assembly equipment, along with KVM and network switches.

BIRTV2019 Show Preview, Vitec Production Solutions, Booth 3022

Coming Soon! Autoscript WinPlus-IP Features
Autoscript is set to release new features within WinPlus-IP, the Intelligent Prompting software adopted by broadcasters worldwide. Intelligent Prompting offers a fully IP-enabled workflow that can also accommodate video workflows. The new features harness the power of IP to enhance remote production and studio workflows, saving users time and money. Watch for an August (pre-BIRTV) announcement!

New! Anton/Bauer's Titon Battery Series
New for IBC2019 will be Anton/Bauer's Titon, a series of V-Mount or Gold Mount batteries designed for on-location productions that provides customers with a versatile solution to "power their story." Offered in both 90Wh and 150Wh models, Titon powers the leading HD-DSLR, mirrorless, ENG, and digital cine cameras as well as LED panels — including Litepanels' new Gemini 1x1 Soft RGBWW light. With P-TAP and high-speed Smart USB ports, Titon can also power accessories such as wireless transmitters, monitors, and smart devices.

DC United, an American pro soccer club based in Washington, D.C., is using ChyronHego's Coach Paint telestration tool throughout the 2019 MLS season. Over the past two years, Coach Paint has become an integral part of DC United's coaching strategy, enabling clear and concise delivery of key coaching points during pre- and post-game video presentations.

RTÉ News, Ireland's leading public-service television network, has unveiled a brand-new look for its main news studio, Studio 3, with Vinten's state-of-the-art robotic camera support systems. The Vinten robotics equipment is a key component in the newly completed, 1.4 million euros refurbishment and technical upgrade project, designed to enhance the storytelling capabilities of Ireland's busiest television studio. Provided by Irish reseller Broadcast Video Services Ltd., the Vinten solution includes ceiling track and floor roaming pedestal systems.