ATG Danmon announces the completion of a broadcast-quality production facility for the London headquarters of That Lot, one of Europe's leading providers of social media content production support. Core of this project is a multi-camera studio plus a fully equipped control room including lighting, vision and audio mixing, routing, recording, monitoring and archiving.

"Working with ATG Danmon, we have been able to create the most flexible possible system for use across our wide range of creative services," comments Ben Forder, Head of Video at That Lot. "The new studio and its control suite enable us to offer our clients versatile resources for creating broadcast-quality content for a wide range of media applications."

"A full-colour back-lit LED cyclorama, which we believe is the first of its kind in Europe, provides sharp chroma-key superimposition onto on any background. Lighting is from a ceiling-mounted rig which can be adjusted to get the exact style of illumination we need for live-streaming or recording sketches, scripted videos, interviews, podcasts, vodcasts and social media photoshoots. That includes 360 degree surround video and audio capture if specified."

Argentine telecommunications facilities provider Servicios y Telecomunicaciones SA (SYT) has chosen a complete mediaClass OTT TV Everywhere solution as the core of a newly launched Rocstar TV Everywhere platform. The system is designed to allow carriers, cable operators and ISPs to offer own-brand TV Everywhere OTT products based on a strong channel line-up and premium content. All functions are provided through an operator-class version of mediaClass software, customised and integrated into servers at SYT's headquarters in Buenos Aires.

"We signed the agreement with SYT at the April 2019 NAB Show and have been very busy adding specific features for Rocstar TV local markets," says mediaClass EVP Manelli Hosseini. "This new service will allow easy white-labeling for carriers, ISPs and cable operators to offer full TV Everywhere OTT and IPTV with their own brand and their own app. The system includes all the advanced TV Everywhere features – content source processing and storage, digital rights management, subscriber management, viewer analytics and an AI-based recommendation engine. We have also built in true multi-tenancy which is often claimed but not delivered. The resultant service is very easy to use, includes automatic configuration, and is highly cost efficient."

Anevia, a leading provider of OTT and IPTV software solutions, for the expansion of its multiscreen TV service.

The expansion was driven by the exponential growth of the market locally, as well as geographical inroads of the multiscreen TV service into other South American countries. To scale up, the telecommunication service provider chose the Anevia Embedded Distributed Storage (EDS) technology, where the same servers are used for both computing and storage. This enables costs to be kept under control by halving the number of physical rack units needed.

The operator has also continued expanding its CDN infrastructure using Anevia’s NEA-CDN® solution which enables it to ensure high quality during football matches and other peak traffic events as well as supporting the cutting-edge features required for interactive OTT television.

"We are thrilled that Anevia’s technology has once again been trusted to deliver premium services for OTT television, after four years of spectacular success with this OTT offering in Argentina," says Anevia CEO Laurent Lafarge. "Our EDS technology is widely recognised to be much more reliable and scalable than a traditional NAS architecture. It enables TV operators to thrive as they scale up."

PlayBox Neo Ltd reports a buoyant 2019 with strong demand for its Channel-in-a-Box and software-based TV channel branding and playout systems. Total unit deliveries reached and surpassed 18,500, supported by product demonstrations at NAB Las Vegas, Broadcast Asia, IBC, NAB New York and regional events in various countries.

"Our Channel-in-Box series, refined over 20 years, continues to sustain us as one of the strongest performing companies in the global playout solutions market," says PlayBox Neo CEO Pavlin Rahnev. "Success in the media playout sector stems from paying close attention to the industry's needs. The primary demand in the playout sector is for operational flexibility. PlayBox Neo Channel-in-a-Box can be configured from a wide range of software modules to match practically any workflow and any required level of backup security. With our SaaS-based Cloud2TV offering, we also offer great flexibility in the way channel managers can handle supplementary aspects such as intelligent archiving, event-specific channels and emergency recovery.

Sony Imaging Products & Solutions Inc., Sony Mobile Communications Inc. and Verizon joined forces with NBC Sports to test how 5G can change the way live sports broadcasts are captured and produced. During the Houston Texans vs New England Patriots football game at NRG Stadium on December 1st, 2019, a camera person from NBC Sports captured video of the game on the field using Sony’s PXW-Z450 shoulder camcorder. The video was streamed through Sony’s prototype transmitter box and Xperia 5G mmWave device, via Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network to a production room in the stadium.

The test proved that 5G-connected cameras can be a reliable and beneficial option for future live sports broadcasts. Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband’s low latency and high bandwidth combined with Sony’s mobile device, video, and encoding expertise enabled low-latency high-quality video to be transmitted in near real time to producers. The test showed the potential for remote production teams to be located anywhere, regardless of where the game’s taking place. Furthermore, 5G’s essentially instant wireless connectivity means that cameras can be untethered, allowing for more creative camera positions and angles throughout the game and reducing set-up time and costs required for camera system integration.

Brightline, a leading manufacturer of energy efficient lighting systems, now offers technical support through Zoom for its resellers, integrators, and clients. The cloud-based videoconferencing system allows Brightline to program light fixtures remotely, re-focus, visually diagnose potential issues, and perform other troubleshooting. 

“Zoom service is ideal for time-critical issues,” explained Kathy Katz, Brightline managing partner. “You don’t have to struggle through a phone call without visuals or schedule onsite service. Zoom gives us ‘eyes’ in the room.”

To request a free Zoom technical call, contact technical support at techservice@brightlines.com.

Magewell will launch a powerful new model in its Eco Capture family of ultra-compact, power-efficient, M.2 video capture cards at the upcoming ISE 2020 exhibition in Amsterdam. The high-performance Eco Capture SDI 4K Plus M.2 captures one channel of 4K video up to 4096x2160 at full 60 frames per second over a single-link, 12G-SDI interface. The new card will make its global debut in stand 8-G475 at the event, taking place February 11-14, 2020.

Ideal for use in small and embedded systems where full-sized PCIe slots are not available, the cost-effective Eco Capture family offers systems integrators and OEM developers a robust capture solution with low power consumption for space-constrained applications. The low-latency Eco Capture devices feature a high-speed PCIe 2.0 bus interface with an M.2 connector and measure just 22x80mm (0.87x3.15in), matching the M.2 2280 size specification.

The new 4K 12G-SDI model joins four existing Eco Capture M.2 configurations: a single-channel model that captures 4K video at 30fps via an HDMI interface; dual-channel models that capture HD and 2K video over HDMI or SDI; and a quad-channel HD/2K model with SDI inputs. All five Eco Capture products also support up to eight channels of embedded audio per input.

Color Finale (www.colorfinale.com), the highly popular macOS-only colour grading plug-in for Final Cut Pro X (FCPX) from UK company ColorTrix, has been superseded by Color Finale 2 and Color Finale 2 Pro.

The new Color Finale 2 toolset adds a host of new color grading and image processing tools above the standard color grading tools that ship with FCPX, and has been specifically designed to remove the need for Editors to move themselves and their content to an external dedicated colour grading system.

Key new Color Finale 2 features include:

• Masking – shape based and free form keying for selective color grading

• Area Tracker – track masks on moving picture elements

• Film Emulation Tools – add customizable digital grain

• Shot Matching toolset – semi-automate primary color correction for shot matching

• LUT Manager – auto-locate, live preview, and export of LUTs and Presets

• Modern Sharpening algorithm – enhance perception of focus in soft areas of shots

• Video Analysis Tools – locate and correct technical image anomalies

Color Finale 2 for Mac ($99) and Color Finale 2 Pro for Mac ($149) are available to purchase now from www.colorfinale.com

Broadcast metadata and transcription service provider, Take 1, has hired Stephen Stewart to fill the newly created position of chief operating officer.  The appointment is part of a broader restructure of the company’s senior management teamto support their ambitious service and technology expansion plans.   

With the previous role as vice president of global content operations for the BBC as well as positions at Red Bee Media and Deluxe, Stewart is a broadcast and production operations specialist with broad experience.      

As Take 1 COO, Stewart will lead the transition of Take 1 Cloudsolutions into production and implement processes to both maintain the company’s security credentials and secure additional industry accreditations.  He will also be responsible for developing the company’s access services department and for implementing efficiencies across their global workforce.  Stewart will join Take 1 on 16 December 2019 and will report directly to Take 1 CEO, Louise Tapia, from their UK head office.

“Stephen is a respected and accomplished leader and we’re thrilled that he’s chosen to join the Take 1 team,” said Take 1 CEO, Louise Tapia.  “His global operations experience in the broadcast and broader media industry makes him a perfect fit for our future growth plans across our international sites.” 

www.take1.tv

MaryTV, a lay apostolate that produces a full-time OTT television channel broadcasting Masses, prayers, rosaries, adorations, press conferences and other events on a daily basis, has integrated Medialooks Video Transport into the channel’s workflow. Medialooks is a specialist provider of ground-breaking video transport streaming solutions known for high-quality and low-latency remote production, ability to work seamlessly and reliably over the public Internet without any dedicated infrastructure, and its ability to integrate easily with SDI or NDI-based workflows.

MaryTV, established in 2010, operates a professional 400 square meters studio adjacent to the St. James Church in Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 24/7 channel plays pre-recorded content 18 hours per day with the remaining airtime streamed live from Medjugorje. Programming is available on their web site, via Apple TV, iOS and Android and reaches thousands of people every day. An additional remote stream of a daily Rosary is led by the MaryTV founders and originates from Notre Dame, Indiana.

The channel is using Medialooks Video Transport to successfully deliver the final studio mixdown from Medjugorje to a studio in the U.S., where it is published as NDI® and automatically picked up by XPlayout—a Medialooks-based product from Axel Technology. From there the stream is contributed to a CDN and distributed to a global audience.

AMS Neve is showcasing its new and exciting Neve GenesysControl plugin at NAMM 2020, where it will be demonstrated on booth 14008 with the company’s versatile Genesys Black console.

Designed to future proof analogue workflows, the Neve GenesysControl plugin provides the final link to total integration between Genesys and Genesys Black consoles and the DAW.

This powerful and versatile plugin allows recording professionals to mix traditionally using the console, work in-the-box, or combine both approaches in a highly effective hybrid workflow. With the Neve GenesysControl plugin installed, it is entirely feasible to have all the speed and flexibility of working in-the-box without sacrificing the undeniable sonic benefits of using a real Neve analogue console.

The Neve GenesysControl plugin supports Pro Tools (AAX) and Cubase/Nuendo (VST). It can be applied in the DAW to a mono, stereo or master track and assigned to control selected channels on the console where it provides and controls automation of parameters such as EQ, dynamics, AUX and INSert switching, both large and small fader levels, effects return levels and 8-Track and Main Mix fader levels.

A 30-day free trial version of the Neve GenesysConrol plugin is available at ams-neve.com and a full license costs $695.

NEP Group, the leading outsourced technical production partner supporting premier content producers of live sports and entertainment, announced today that Lise Heidal, Managing Director of NEP Norway AS, has been promoted to SVP, Global Media Solutions. In her new role, she will lead NEP’s Global Media Solutions Team and the company’s strategic initiative in 2020 and beyond. She will report to Mike Werteen, Global President for NEP’s Broadcast Services and Media Solutions, and become part of NEP’s senior leadership team.

Nanna-Karina Schleimann has become one of the first sound designers to make use of DPA’s new Binaural Headset Microphone, which gives sound technicians, vloggers, film makes and YouTubers an accurate and reliable tool to capture authentic immersive audio in real time.

Delivering the superior sound quality for which DPA products are internationally renowned, this new headset allows film, theatre and online content creators to capture exactly what each ear is hearing so that those consuming the content on headphones can experience full immersive sound. Earlier this year, while the 4560 Binaural Headset Microphone was still in development, Schleimann was given the opportunity to beta test it during her graduation performance from the Danish National School of Performing Arts in Copenhagen.

Three Binaural Headset Microphones were used to amplify the voices, actions and movements of the actors performing on stage in Good For Nothing, her graduation performance production. Each member of the audience was given a pair of headphones so they could hear the sound from each actor via a wireless system.

“The binaural microphones allowed the audience to hear exactly what the actors were hearing, as if they were standing on the stage and being whispered to,” Schleimann says.

Amino, the global media and entertainment technology solutions provider and sister-company 24i,the innovator of next-generation video experiences, today announced that they have entered into an agreement with the Dutch MVNO Youfone to provide a fully-integrated, end-to-end video solution to refresh and expand its TV and OTT offering.

The Dutch TV challenger launched its TV services in 2017 and will now rely on 24i and Amino to create a next-generation viewing experience to meet and exceed the increasing demands of modern TV consumers. Youfone will deploy an end-to-end solution that combines Amino’s IPTV and TV Everywhere expertise with 24i’s leadership in video experience design and application development. 24i became an Amino group company in July 2019 and Youfone is the first joint-solution deployment to be announced. The Amino and 24i solution is expected to be live at Youfone in Q2 2020.

The solution will combine 24i’s Smart Video and Smart App video experience products as well as Amino’s Amigo 7x Android STBs running on AminoOS, all managed through ENGAGE, Amino’s cloud-based service management platform.The deployment will provide transcoding, middleware, CDN and front-end applications for Android, iOS phones and tablets enabling live TV, catchup, restart and nPVR of approximately 100 channels.

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.