Mediaproxy, the leading provider of software-based IP broadcast solutions, will show the latest upgrades to its LogServer IP logging, monitoring and analysis system on booth A4-10 during CABSAT 2020 from 31 March to 2 April at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

CABSAT is the leading broadcast, satellite and content exhibition for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia markets. The show is a major draw for manufacturers of production, delivery and digital media technology. Now arranged to showcase three key broadcast sectors, CABSAT covers Content Creation, Content Production and Post-Production and Content Distribution and Delivery.

Mediaproxy produces technology that plays a major role in ensuring material leaving playout systems meets technical compliance standards. Platforms such as LogServer are also able to analyze and correct any problems or faults in the distribution chain. To perform these tasks more quickly and efficiently, Mediaproxy recently added exception-based monitoring to LogServer's feature set. This uses IP penalty boxes that allow broadcasters and MSOs (multiple system operators) working at scale to deal with QC and compliance more efficiently.

Interactivity is also a major consideration for broadcasters and service providers, particularly because social media is how many people access video today. Outlets such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube have different, specific requirements for how material is prepared and Mediaproxy has incorporated dedicated tools for this into LogServer. These include features for cropping the image and altering the aspect ratio to make it better suited to mobile devices, in addition to the capability for inserting ad bumpers.

Nevion, award-winning provider of virtualized media production solutions, has announced that 2019 was a record year for the company with sales orders up 52% compared to the previous year.

In addition to this, software and services now represent almost half (48%) of Nevion’s sales. This is a significant increase from 2014 when software and services represented just 16% of the company’s sales – underlining the move from dedicated hardware to software-defined IP solutions. This shift is further illustrated by the fact that two-thirds of the hardware being sold by Nevion is now IP equipment.

In 2019, Nevion provided workflow-transforming solutions, products and services to over 150 customers in around 50 countries. One of the ground-breaking projects delivered was for the organization behind the League of Legends (LoL) esports tournament, Riot Games who used Nevion’s software-defined media node Virtuoso with JPEG XS for part of its remote production of the LoL World Championship Final. 

One other highlight of 2019 for Nevion was signing a strategic partnership with Sony Imaging Products & Solutions Inc. (“Sony”), in the area of IP-based solutions for broadcasters and other industries. As part of the deal, Sony acquired a minority stake in the company through a share purchase agreement making it a leading investor in Nevion.

As a leader in its field, Nevion also spearheaded the VIRTUOSA consortium which received a €2 million grant from the European Commission in 2019 to explore 5G and virtualization remote production.

Broadcast transcription, translation and access services company, Take 1, has unveiled a new brand identity and website.  The rebrand and updated online presence is part of the company’s ongoing digital expansion and positions the company as a modern, technology-enabled business.       

Over the last few years Take 1 has evolved from a simple service provider to a technology company, having designed, developed and deployed a number of their own systems which combine a human workforce with AI capabilities to deliver operational efficiencies and maintain unrivalled accuracy.  As well as serving a marketing and shop-front function, the new website will provide a secure and seamless gateway to these platforms for new and existing customers.     

These updates also reflect Take 1’s diversification into new services over recent years.  While the company was originally established to provide transcriptions, translations and post-production scripts to the broadcast industry, they now also provide localisation and access services, including audio descriptions, to the wider media sector.        

Globecast, the global solutions provider for media, is haling the emergence of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) as a gamechanger for the media entertainment industry and has begun deployment of the technology.

IaC is the process of creating and managing cloud-based technologies using scripts – hence code – to do so. The script is then “read”, or accepted, by systems like AWS’ CloudFormation or the cloud-agnostic solution from Terraform. The systems created using IaC can be as simple or as complex as required i.e. entirely cloud-based complex playout infrastructure can be generated far more quickly and cost-effectively via this method.

Ian Redgewell, Head of Media Management, Globecast, said, “Take the example of deploying a new cloud-based platform for a customer using Infrastructure as Code. Everything that needs to happen – the 50 servers we need, the software we need to run on those servers, the network, all the IP addresses, the user accounts, the security permissions – all of these can be written into a single document using the correct code. That is then run through the aforementioned systems and the infrastructure is created.”

On Booth SL7409 at the 2020 NAB Show Crystal Vision will be showing the latest picture processing software apps for its MARBLE-V1 media processor hardware, all of which can work with IP, with SDI or with both IP and SDI at the same time. The functionality offered by these apps – which support ST 2022, ST 2110 video and 31 different SDI standards including 1080p – includes web browser keying, linear keying, picture-in-picture, clean switching, video delay, colour correction and up and down conversion. Their support for multiple signal formats gives the easiest possible SDI to IP upgrade, while also making the apps perfect for mixed SDI and IP installations as well as fully IP environments. One of the booth highlights will be the unique M-WEBKEY IP/SDI web browser keyer app, which provides a cost-effective alternative to a full graphics system. Other SDI products on show include the popular Cleanit profanity delays and Safire 3 real-time chroma keyer.

OTT and IPTV software solutions provider Anevia has appointed Alexandre Nitu as Vice President Operations. In this role, he will be responsible for leading and growing Anevia’s Operations teams, guiding them with his technical vision to identify areas for improvement to maximise quality of deployments and ensure customer satisfaction. He will also be a key member of Anevia’s Executive Committee.

With over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Alexandre Nitu brings strong leadership and team management skills as well as significant experience in project management and operational support. Prior to joining Anevia he was VP Customer Operations for eServGlobal, a software company serving mobile operators, where he led teams of software and systems engineers in charge of designing, deploying, and providing operational support for the company’s electronic recharging, voucher management, and mobile money solutions.

“We are excited to welcome Alexandre to Anevia,” says Anevia CEO Laurent Lafarge. “His proven track record of leading operations teams towards continuous improvement and innovation will be a great asset to Anevia.”

“I am delighted to join Anevia, a company whose values of ambition, innovation and transparency are dear to me,” says Alexandre Nitu. “I look forward to working with the already excellent Operations teams and helping them sustain their success when facing the challenges of the future.”

Arena Television has purchased four Leader LV5350 waveform monitors for its new OB17 vehicle which operates from Arena's Redhill Aerodrome headquarters in Surrey. One of Europe's largest and most capable HD trucks, OB17 is a 16.5 metre long 32 tonne articulated vehicle with twin full-length expanding sides.

Primarily operating in HD-SDI SDR and HDR, with Quad HD as an option, OB17 incorporates an IP layer in key areas to add extra flexibility. Onboard features include a 240 square foot production gallery, 16 camera channels, an 80 input Sony vision mixer, a Grass Valley hybrid router with 365 video inputs and 798 video outputs, a monitor wall with up to 180 configurable video preview windows, and a Calrec Artemis Beam audio console.

"OB17 is a powerful HD-HDR/SDR truck built for assignments such as light entertainment," says Dafydd (Daf) Rees, Deputy Director of Operations at Arena Television. "Its first job was for ITV's coverage of the Royal Variety Performance last November. HD-SDR is still the dominant production format but we are seeing a steady increase in demand for HD-HDR. We chose Leader LV5350 waveform monitors for the shading suite because they support both standards."

TAG Video Systems, the world leader in integrated software-based IP Probing, Monitoring and Multiviewer solutions, has announced plans to be at VidTrans 2020, an annual event that attracts broadcast industry decision makers seeking the latest IP media technologies. TAG, represented by newly appointed Chief Architect, Paul Briscoe and Chief Technology Officer, Tomer Schechter, will join its valued partner Arista Networks, leading provider of software-driven, cognitive cloud networking solutions in Booth #1. VidTrans will be held at the Marina del Rey Marriott in Los Angeles, CA, February 25 to 27.

The theme of this year’s conference, “Delivering the Benefits of IP for Media Production” will focus on many innovative types of IP networking and video technologies and their application both for long-haul video transport and for production studios.

“VidTrans is a perfect venue for TAG to speak directly with television professionals from around the world, all focused on the latest technologies for transporting video and audio over IP networks,” explained Tomer Schechter, TAG CTO. “We’re especially excited this year because we will have Paul at the show demonstrating the interoperability between our Probing, Monitoring and Multiviewer solutions and Arista’s switcher. It's truly as easy as plug and play and a perfect illustration of Zer0 Friction - our concept that allows customers to overcome technical obstacles and constraints by providing one product that addresses any or all applications with absolutely no resistance.”

In Booth 14 at VidTrans20, Artel will feature products that simplify broadcasters' shift to hybrid IP/SDI and all-IP operations. Visitors to the Artel booth will have the opportunity to see firsthand how new features and capabilities recently added to the company's award-winning SMART Media Delivery Platform™ bring even greater operational simplicity, flexibility, and scalability. Artel also will exhibit the FiberLink® family of media transport products.

With expansive product lines supporting 4K, 12G, HDR, and IP workflows, FOR-A Corporation of America will offer a “World of Possibilities” to attendees at the 2020 NAB Show (Booth C5016) in April in Las Vegas, Nev. Making its NAB debut, the new MFR-6100 routing switcher was built to support 12G-SDI infrastructures. It provides single-cable transfer of 4K video for less complex cabling. The MFR-6100 also includes multi-format I/O support, auto signal detection, and SNMP monitoring support. Add up to 16 I/O cards (nine channels per card) to configure a matrix up to 144x144.

Processing remains an important part of today’s multi-format broadcast environment. Designed to support live HDR broadcast production, the FA-9600 multi-purpose signal processor provides HDR and Wide Color Gamut support and conversion of multiple formats, including 12G, 4K, 1080p, and HD/SD. FOR-A also offers frame rate converters such as the FRC-9100, which supports 3G, HD, and SD content, including upconversion and interlace-to-progressive conversion. The FRC-9100 can also support 12G-SDI and 4K content with optional software.

Additionally, FOR-A will demonstrate efficient HD integration with third-party graphics, replay systems, and production servers, including partner products such as the ODYSSEY Insight video server, ClassX content creation and graphics playout solution, Variant Systems Group's Envivo Replay sports and live event replay solution, and InSync's frame synchronizer, frame rate converter, and up/down converters.

Axon’s proven Neuron IP processing and Cerebrum control & monitoring technology will be demonstrated with equipment from EVS, Sony, Arista, Calrec and Meinberg during this 22-day Outside Broadcast truck tour.

The Axon PRE-NABSHOW TOUR 2020, which runs across 16 locations in eight different European countries, kicks off on March 2nd. It allows broadcasters to experience tomorrow’s workflows by getting on board today. The products demonstrated on the truck will be exactly the same as those on display at Axon’s booth at NAB, so this will also provide a perfect opportunity for people who are not going to Las Vegas to get up-close and personal with Axon’s solutions.

For further information about the tour and to access a full schedule, please follow this link: https://www.axon.tv/knowledge/axon-pre-nab-tour-2020/

Calrec has announced Graham Murray as Business Development Manager, effective immediately. Murray now represents Calrec in the Middle East. His goal is to further develop Calrec’s business in this territory and maintain its already strong presence. Murray has over 30 years of sales experience across the broadcast, studio and post-production industries in the UK and around the globe. 

Cinegy GmbH, the premier provider of media technology and production solutions, has announced the opening of a new office in Istanbul - Cinegy Medya A - in order to provide faster and higher quality customer services to its business partners, system integrators and customers in the local region.

Cinegy's extensive customer base in Turkey includes the area’s largest media groups, training institutions and corporate customers. In order to respond to the ever-changing and developing workflow and transformational needs of these customers, Cinegy has put together a local team of experienced technical and sales personnel.

Cinegy GmbH Manager Director Daniella Weigner says: "We decided to open a local office in Turkey as it’s always been at the forefront of new technologies, research and practice for us and we’ve helped carry out a number of comprehensive and important projects there. We’re proud to have Murat Küçüksaraç heading up Cinegy Medya A as Chief Operating Officer who is building an innovative and experienced team. We are excited about this new structuring and the opportunities it will bring."

Leader Europe has provided two LV7300 rasterizing waveform monitors to the Royal Opera House in London's Covent Garden. They were chosen as part of an extensive UHD/HDR upgrade carried out to the facilities used to relay stage performances for live viewing by cinema audiences in Europe and for distribution to other venues around the world.

"We needed instruments that would operate reliably in our current HD-SDR production environment and in the 4K-HDR standard to which we aspire," comments ROH Media broadcast engineer and production mixer Mark Thackeray. "The Royal Opera House in London has been broadcasting live to cinemas in 5.1 surround sound for 10 years. In any one season we transmit 12 or more productions."

"Our first 4K-HDR project was a documentary in 2017 for NHK. Leader lent us an LV5490 portable waveform monitor for that production as we needed the ability to capture, monitor and deliver Rec. 2020 wide color gamut video. The instrument functioned well both as an engineering reference and with its intuitive CINEZONE and CINELITE toolsets which are particularly useful during live production.

"For permanent installation, we decided on two LV7300 rasterizers which provide a full set of 12G/3G/HD/SD-SDI measurement facilities that our production staff can view on a larger display screen. The instruments are useful both to ensure accurate color matching of camera channels and for ensuring that we are delivering the best possible signal quality right through the production chain."

Ikegami representatives head to the Dubai World Trade Centre in March for CABSAT 2020, the largest broadcast media show in the Middle East region. The exhibition together with its supporting conference and workshop will be held from March 31st through April 2nd. Highlights of the Ikegami exhibit on stand C4-20 will be the UHL-43 compact HDR camera which was shown in prototype at CABSAT 2019 and is now fully deliverable, the UHK-430 system camera with IP interface and the HQLM-3125X master grade video monitor.

The Ikegami UHL-43 is a compact HDR camera designed for applications such as robotic studios, outside broadcasting of live events, parliamentary television and point-of-view image capture.

Ikegami's UHK-430 is a 4K-native studio camera system with simultaneous HDR/SDR processing. Its three 2/3 inch CMOS sensors provide full 3840 x 2160 UHD resolution plus the depth of field needed for studio and outdoor production. The camera is equipped with a B4 bayonet mount compatible with 2/3 inch UHD and HD lenses. An optional SE-U430 expander accommodates large studio or OB lenses.

Ikegami's recently introduced HQLM-3125X is a 31 inch 4K-UHD master-grade monitor with 4,096 × 2,160 pixel 10-bit resolution and high brightness (1,000 candela per square metre).