 |
News
Shortage of trained broadcast captioners predicted
Oct 3, 2005 4:43 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
A critical shortage of qualified broadcast captioners will leave millions of Americans without access to vital information — despite the mandates of a decade-old law — if Congress does not act to provide the funding necessary for training, said a new report from the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA).
The shortage could, in a matter of months, cause many television stations in the country to run the risk of operating out of compliance with the 1996 Telecommunications Act.
The 1996 Telecommunications Act mandates that all new English-language programming be closed captioned by next January, and by 2010 all new Spanish-language programming likewise must be captioned.
Implementing the act will face a serious problem, the group found. “Captioning and CART services are provided by professionals trained in state-of-the-art techniques of real-time and stenographic court reporting. Currently there is a severe shortage of reporters — a shortage compounded by the fact that there are too few training programs to meet the demand for additional reporters and little awareness of reporting as a career option,” the report said.
There are only about 400 reporters doing captioning today. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that opportunities in captioning and real-time reporting are expected to grow by a minimum of 10-20 percent during the next decade.
For additional information, visit www.NCRAonline.org.
Prospects for multichannel must-carry fades in Congress
Oct 3, 2005 5:28 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
Lobbyists for movie and recording industries are pushing Senate Commerce Chairman Ted Stevens, (R-Alaska), to give the FCC authority to mandate copy protection technology for movies and music, a public advocacy group has revealed. The provision is being sought in the pending DTV legislation that is set to be completed this month.
Public Knowledge, a public advocacy group focusing on digital copyright issues, circulated draft language that it said the Motion Picture Association of America and the Recording Industry Association of America are floating on Capitol Hill.
The movie studios want the FCC to have regulatory authority over television equipment in order to prevent the mass, online redistribution of high-definition entertainment, the National Journal
reported. The RIAA and other artist and music groups are worried that consumers will be able to use software to record and create libraries of high-quality music via digital radio. Some artists worry the practice could undermine revenue they could earn through digital downloads.
Mitch Glazier, senior vice president for the RIAA, told the <>Journal
that his group has not yet presented the final language to Stevens. The document circulated by Public Knowledge would authorize the FCC to regulate both digital audio broadcasts and receiving devices. It responds to a court decision earlier in the year.
The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in May overturned FCC rules mandating that all digital TV sets contain technology to prevent the piracy of “flagged” content. The court said the FCC had exceeded its regulatory jurisdiction because Congress never authorized it to mandate copy protection schemes for TV manufacturers.
Glazier said RIAA wants Congress to specifically give the agency such authority over copy protection standards for fear of future lawsuits. Both Public Knowledge and the Consumer Electronic Association are against the proposal.
Michael Petricone, CEA’s vice president of technology policy, told the Journal
the phrase “unauthorized copying and redistribution of digital audio content” included in the RIAA’s communications would even ban making copies for personal use and shifting content between devices inside the home. These, he said, are long-established consumer rights that are protected by fair use standards for copyrighted content.
Lobbyists try to raise broadcast flag again
Oct 3, 2005 5:33 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
Lobbyists for movie and recording industries are pushing Senate Commerce Chairman Ted Stevens, (R-AK), to give the FCC authority to mandate copy protection technology for movies and music, a public advocacy group has revealed. The provision is being sought in the pending DTV legislation that is set to be completed this month.
Public Knowledge, a public advocacy group focusing on digital copyright issues, circulated draft language that it said the Motion Picture Association of America and the Recording Industry Association of America are floating on Capitol Hill.
The movie studios want the FCC to have regulatory authority over television equipment in order to prevent the mass, online redistribution of high-definition entertainment, the National Journal reported. The RIAA and other artist and music groups are worried that consumers will be able to use software to record and create libraries of high-quality music via digital radio. Some artists worry the practice could undermine revenue they could earn through digital downloads.
Mitch Glazier, senior vice president for the RIAA, told the <>Journal that his group has not yet presented the final language to Stevens. The document circulated by Public Knowledge would authorize the FCC to regulate both digital audio broadcasts and receiving devices.
The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in May overturned FCC rules mandating that all digital TV sets contain technology to prevent the piracy of flagged content. The court said the FCC had exceeded its regulatory jurisdiction because Congress never authorized it to mandate copy protection schemes for TV manufacturers.
Glazier said the RIAA wants Congress to specifically give the agency such authority over copy protection standards for fear of future lawsuits. Both Public Knowledge and the Consumer Electronics Association are against the proposal.
Michael Petricone, CEA’s vice president of technology policy, told the Journal the phrase “unauthorized copying and redistribution of digital audio content” included in the RIAA’s communications would even ban making copies for personal use and shifting content between devices inside the home. These, he said, are long-established consumer rights that are protected by fair use standards for copyrighted content.
Another voice for an earlier DTV transition
Oct 3, 2005 5:43 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
A former Homeland Security official is advocating that Congress should direct television broadcasters to return their analog spectrum by early 2008 in order to improve emergency communications.
The call, from Asa Hutchinson, a former undersecretary of the Department of Homeland Security, joined other voices — including Sen. John McCain, (R-AZ) — in calling for an expedited deadline for the turnoff of analog television.
Hutchinson supports the acceleration of freeing parts of the wireless radio spectrum previously allocated for public safety use but not yet available. Moving broadcasters out, moving public safety in, and auctioning the remainder will be highly complex, but could begin earlier than now scheduled, Hutchinson said, referring to a proposed 2009 DTV transition deadline.
He said Congress can and should use the spectrum auctions to fund interoperability of emergency communications. The DTV transition plans anticipate auctioning the rest of the 700MHz band to licensed wireless service providers of both voice and broadband applications.
For technical reasons, Hutchinson said, this section of 700MHz spectrum is unusually valuable. An auction could raise billions, funding both public safety interoperability and the television set-top converter boxes necessary for older TV sets to receive DTV signals after broadcasters vacate the analog spectrum.
WMHT-TV is now first working PBS ACE station
Oct 3, 2005 5:47 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
 WMHT-TV in New York, is the first of six public stations scheduled to launch with BroadView business software this year. |
ACE is an IT-based broadcast model designed to streamline operations and be easily replicated at a number of participating PBS member stations by automating repetitive tasks and time-consuming manual processes. PBS Technology & Operations and a consortium of vendors including BroadView Software, Accenture, Ascent Media, Intel, MassTech, Microsoft, Miranda Technologies, Omneon Video Networks, OmniBus Systems and SES AMERICOM designed the ACE system.
Among the new computer-based technology and systems in use, WMHT is using traffic and programming software from BroadView Software. It’s the first of six public stations scheduled to launch with BroadView technology by the end of this year. BroadView Software supports five channels at WMHT, including a high-definition channel, by providing locally hosted traffic, scheduling and underwriting capabilities. The software gives WMHT a simple interface for viewing schedules for video feeds sent from PBS headquarters in Alexandria, VA.
Once programs on the schedule are selected for local airing, they instantly appear on the local broadcast schedule along with associated metadata including episode title and duration.
For more information, visit www.BroadViewSoftware.com.
Microsoft, Intel to back Toshiba format
Oct 3, 2005 6:01 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
Microsoft and Intel have thrown their weight behind Toshiba in the battle to determine the next generation of high-definition DVDs.
Last week, the two companies announced that they are backing the HD-DVD format developed by Toshiba over the Blu-ray standard touted by Sony, Matsushita Electric, Samsung and others.
Microsoft announced in June that it would work with Toshiba to develop HD-DVD players. Now, Microsoft and Intel said they would develop software and chips that will allow personal computers to play the next-generation DVDs from Toshiba.
The companies said they had not ruled out incorporating Blu-ray technology in their operating systems and on their chips in the future. But they are convinced that as of now, the HD-DVD format discs can be produced cheaper and faster than the Blu-ray discs, and are therefore likely to become the dominant technology, the New York Times reported.
For the last two years, Microsoft and Intel have been careful not to alienate either camp in the format battle because they sell software and components to companies on each side. They also hoped that the electronics makers and Hollywood studios developing the formats would reach a compromise.
But the major Hollywood studios are now split between the formats, and electronics companies on both sides plan to start selling next-generation DVD players as early as Christmas. Sony also plans to include Blu-ray technology in its new PlayStation 3 game console to be released next spring.
As the format standoff deepened, demand for the current generation of DVDs and DVD players have slowed, alarming Hollywood studios, which have come to depend heavily on disc sales. The studios, as well as electronics makers and computer manufacturers, expect high-definition discs to restart sales growth. But the lack of a resolution over the future format has slowed the changeover.
Their decision to support Toshiba’s HD-DVD format also creates a huge split in the PC industry. Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and Sun Microsystems are part of the Blu-ray group. Their computers, assuming they include Microsoft and Intel products, will be capable of playing HD-DVD discs. But if they want their machines to play Blu-ray discs, they may have to find a third-party to design software for them. Also endorsing Blu-ray is Apple Computer, creator of the Macintosh platform.
Last week, Toshiba said it would delay its launch of next-generation HD-DVD players in the U.S. market to around February or March 2006 revising its prior plan for a year-end start date. The company said it would introduce HD-DVD players in the Japanese market by the end of 2005.
FCC & Industry Updates
Technical Emmy Awards honor broadcast pioneers
Oct 3, 2005 6:11 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
For its 57th annual ceremony, The National Television Academy handed out its Technology and Engineering Emmy awards at a gala event in Princeton, NJ last week. In addition to awarding pioneering efforts from the early days of television, the Academy has initiated two new categories, recognizing advanced media technology and video gaming.
Among the noteworthy early pioneers, the Academy recognized the five members of the original Chicago Project team that, after nearly two years of trial and error, developed the first practical videotape recorder (VTR-1000, later named the Ampex Mark IV) for Ampex in 1955. The technology had been honored previously, but this year the Academy presented its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Awards to: Charlie Ginsberg, Ray Dolby, Alex Maxey, Charlie Anderson, Fred Pfost and Shelby Henderson. Although Ginsberg and Maxey are now deceased, the other four appeared personally to accept the award.
Among this year’s winners:
For slow-motion color recording and playback for broadcast:
- Ampex
- ABC
For closed caption standardization:
- ABC
- PBS
- CEA
For pioneering development of locally integrated and branded content using IP store and forward technology:
- The WB
- IBM
For lens technology developments for solid-state imagers cameras in high-definition formats:
- Canon
- Fujinon
- Thales Angenieux
For the first intercontinental satellite TV transmission:
- AT&T
The winner for Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Enhancement of Original Television Content was TOURCast, an Internet-based application that allows TV viewers to follow their favorite golfer from hole to hole on their PC. Also nominated in the category were:
The winner for Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Non-Synchronous Enhancement of Original Television Content was ImageGuide/www.living.com – EAT.tv/Scripps Networks.
The winner for Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Creation of Non-Traditional Programs or Platforms was Moxi Media Center (Digeo), a home media center device. Also nominated were:
For more information, visit www.emmyonline.tv.
ESPN to use Sanyo handsets for mobile video service
Oct 3, 2005 6:17 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
Sports broadcaster ESPN revealed details of a long-planned mobile phone service last week, announcing that it would use Sanyo handsets to launch the service by the end of the year.
Mobile ESPN, in the works for nearly a year, will deliver sports scores, audio and video clips, and headlines to subscribers via their cell phones, CNET News reported. Walt Disney's ESPN first unveiled plans for the service last year, announcing it would work with Sprint to develop it.
As the first handset partner for Mobile ESPN, Sanyo said it would produce an MVP phone that can deliver video, audio and text at high speeds. The phone will also feature a high-resolution display, a 1.3-megapixel digital camera, a video and voice recorder, and an MP3 music player.
The phone and the Mobile ESPN service will be available online in limited quantities by the end of the year. The company is planning for a national retail launch on Feb. 5.
The phone uses new Sprint technology that will provide broadband-like speeds, and will offer Internet browsing and e-mail access. ESPN is tapping West Corp., a customer service specialist, to assist with purchasing, phone activation, billing and other customer service matters.
Walt Disney and Sprint are developing another wireless service, called Disney Mobile, aimed at distributing family entertainment via mobile phones. The availability of that service is expected sometime next year.
Google offers primetime video streamcasts
Oct 3, 2005 6:22 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
Google continued its foray into television last week, offering an Internet streamcast of the television premiere of Chris Rock’s new comedy, “Everybody Hates Chris”.
The series premiere — 21 minutes after removing commercials — was offered through Google’s servers Monday through Thursday, when the new episode broadcast on UPN. To prevent further distribution, the video was available as an on-demand stream rather than a download, which could be stored on a computer and copied, the Associated Press reported.
For UPN, the offering was an opportunity to reach viewers, particularly younger ones, who might have missed the premiere on broadcast TV. For Google, it was a chance to demonstrate that its Google Video service, still in a beta test phase, is more than a collection of home videos, which users are encouraged to upload, the AP said.
Through Google Video, professionals and amateurs alike may submit video that is indexed and then displayed through a browser-based video player. All the currently available videos are free, but Google hopes to eventually charge for some material in partnership with the content providers.
The Webcast was the result of a deal Google made with UPN. Larry Kramer, president of CBS Digital Media, which oversees UPN’s Web site, said the network had to work out special rights with the production company, UPN affiliates and owners of music featured on the show.
Earlier this year, the WB debuted its new series “Supernatural” on Yahoo before airing it on television, and last year it showed “Jack & Bobby” on America Online first. Yahoo also streamed the pilot of Kirstie Alley’s “Fat Actress” at the same time it debuted on Showtime.
The BBC also is experimenting with video online and plans to eventually let Web users watch its programs up to a week after they have aired. In addition, studios have been adapting their hit shows for new media. Fox developed original, one-minute episodes of “24” for mobile devices.
Report: Broadband will displace broadcast TV
Oct 3, 2005 6:29 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
A new report warns that broadband video services will eventually displace broadcast distribution, but telecommunications providers may not be the ultimate winners of the network television revolution.
The report, “IPTV: Broadband meets Broadcast,” by consulting firm informitv, also predicts that Internet protocol television (IPTV) will transform both television and the Internet for the delivery of digital television and other audio and video services.
The report said telecommunications companies are rushing to roll out television services, while online providers are ramping up their video offerings. But broadcasters appear to be largely oblivious to this significant threat and opportunity.
The report predicts that within a decade, video services delivered over broadband networks will be firmly established as an alternative platform to digital satellite, terrestrial and cable transmission. It suggests the real competition will come not between operators of rival platforms, but between closed and open networks.
Television, the report said, will become more like the Web, as scheduled broadcast channels are displaced by a choice of millions of download and on-demand programs. Telco TV services will be challenged by an open source TV distribution model, offering a much more diverse choice of free and pay programming over the Internet.
The 200-page report includes 25 case studies and provides a comprehensive assessment of the fast-emerging and intensely competitive landscape. For more information, visit http://iptv-report.com.
New Products & Reviews
Fox Television Stations standardize on Pilat Media business software
Oct 3, 2005 6:36 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
Pilat Media’s Integrated Broadcast Management System (IBMS) has been chosen by the Fox Television Stations.
The physical implementation, including customization to fit Fox’s requirements across its stations and sport networks, is expected to take more than two years to complete. The contract is valued at $15 million and covers the IBMS licenses and implementation services.
Additional long-term support and maintenance revenues will commence as the system goes live.
For more information, visit www.pilatmedia.com.
Video Networks deploys MPEG-4 AVC IPTV service
Oct 3, 2005 6:42 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
 VNL has deployed Harmonic’s DiviCom MV 100 real-time encoding platform and its own set-top box for the new HomeChoice IPTV service. |
The broadband IPTV service is enabled by Harmonic’s DiviCom MV 100 real-time, multi-codec encoding platform. In early 2004, VNL deployed the MV 100 and its multi-codec set-top box for its new HomeChoice IPTV service.
The platform gives VNL the ability to create differentiated video services with MPEG-2 and build a foundation for future growth. Since April 2005, VNL has incrementally migrated groups of the operational MV 100 encoders to MPEG-4 in a process that was recently completed.
VNL is also using Harmonic’s NMX Digital Service Manager to monitor and control its complete digital television infrastructure as a series of services.
For more information, visit www.harmonicinc.com.
Tamblin integrates Inscriber graphics for i-ZoneTV Gallery
Oct 3, 2005 6:48 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
 As part of the new i-ZoneTV Gallery product, broadcasters can create 2-D/3-D text/graphics to screen applications and games using an Inscriber Inca RTX character generator. |
As part of the new i-ZoneTV Gallery product, broadcasters can create 2-D/3-D text/graphics to screen applications and games using an Inscriber character generator. Inca RTX allows users to provide up-to-the-minute data in sports, weather and elections, as well as graphics and effects within interactive programs, games shows and shopping channels, or for covering live-on-location events.
It combines six tools, including a broadcast quality character generator, motion effects module, paint system, media browser, event sequencer and Quartz, an application that independently controls multiple logos, clocks bugs and crawls.
Tamblin’s i-ZoneTV Gallery is a text-to-screen system utilizing i-ZoneTV Core to pre-produce interactive services for broadcast graphics systems and then play them out against programming content. The i-ZoneTV Gallery will allow producers to synchronize interactive content with their television programs while receiving real-time messages from viewers at home. It includes SMS-to-TV templates for votes, quizzes and competitions.
For more information, visit www.tamblin.com.
Archion debuts Synergy Plus storage system
Sep 27, 2005 8:00 AM, Strategic Content Management e-newsletter
 Archion’s new Synergy Plus lets Avid Unity users convert Unity from a mirroring software platform to a hardware RAID-based system, extending storage capacity and system reliability. |
Archion has announced a new storage array, called Synergy Plus‚ that’s designed for Avid Unity users. Synergy Plus enables users to convert Unity from a mirroring software platform to a hardware RAID-based system.
The Synergy Plus product offers Unity users hardware RAID protection within a Unity environment, adding significant data storage expansion, without doubling the storage requirements and without any additional software cost.
Synergy Plus is a fully compatible with Avid’s Unity system, including the latest version of Medianetwork (4.1). It’s a full-featured SATA II to Fiber Channel (FC) RAID storage unit designed for networking digital video systems. The product comes pre-configured with from 1TB and up of RAID storage, 2 ports of 2GB Fiber Channel connectivity, and is compatible with Windows, Macintosh OS 9, X and Tiger, Linux and UNIX operating systems.
During the past six years, Archion storage has helped the production of more than 75 feature films, working with every major motion picture studio and dozens of television shows.
For more information, visit www.archion.com.
OmniBus automates new Kuwait channel
Oct 3, 2005 6:57 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
OmniBus Systems has supplied newsroom, media asset management, and playout technologies to a new TV station in Kuwait, Al Rai Television.
OmniBus products form part of the main broadcasting infrastructure contract that was managed, designed, and delivered by Sony Professional Services as the prime contractor and systems integrator. OmniBus supplied its G3 modular architecture with desktop control, low-resolution browse capabilities, and the HeadLine Media Editor with voiceover recording functionality.
Al Rai is using the system to coordinate the operation of a wide range of equipment including Leitch video servers and AP’s Electronic News Production System (ENPS) via the MOS protocol.
For more information, visit www.omnibus.com.
SGL partners with Ascent Media Systems & Technology Services
Oct 3, 2005 7:01 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
Software Generation (SGL), a supplier of video storage management software, has announced an alliance for digital asset management solutions with Ascent Media Systems & Technology Services, a global systems integrator.
Part of Ascent Media Group, Ascent Media Systems & Technology Services specializes in engineering and systems integration services for broadcast, cable, telecom, and other electronic media industries. Based in New Jersey, Ascent Media Systems & Technology Services will offer SGL FlashNet as one option in end-to-end digital asset management solutions.
FlashNet works with asset management systems to communicate with all areas of a broadcast facility. Integrated asset management systems, such as those offered by Blue Order, Konan Technology and TransMedia Dynamics, can make calls to the SGL FlashNet-managed archive via the FlashNet API.
This allows the MAM software to determine the location of a clip within the archive, and to restore previously archived clips to the playout server for transmission as and when required, automatically and without user intervention. The archive is thus transparent to the asset management software.
For more information, visit www.ascentmedia.com/systems and www.sgluk.com.
KVVU-TV selects Sundance Digital for newsroom integration
Oct 3, 2005 7:04 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
 The Fox affiliate will operate NewsLink in conjunction with Avid’s Unity nonlinear news production system. |
KVVU-TV, a Meredith Broadcasting station located in Las Vegas, has purchased and installed a Sundance Digital NewsLink system.
The Fox affiliate will operate NewsLink in conjunction with Avid’s Unity nonlinear news production system and control two Avid AirSpeed multi-purpose media platform servers for play-to-air. The combined configuration will go on-air by the end of the year.
NewsLink, an automation solution for live newscasts, offers the news and production staffs an array of workflow applications that link essential devices with an intuitive graphical interface. All daily tools are immediately accessible via tabbed screens on the newsroom computer.
For more information, visit www.sundancedigital.com.
Reuters standardizes on Pro-Bel for London routing
Oct 3, 2005 7:07 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
 Reuters has installed a Sirius 256 x 256 router to manage its complex signal distribution. It also purchased a Halo router for HD capability. |
Reuters recently moved from a number of locations in Central London, to bring its staff under one roof.
Reuters purchased and installed a Sirius 256x256. The company has also upgraded to the latest Procion control system which is interfacing with Pro-Bel’s Aurora router control technology. Also purchased was a Halo router for high-definition capability.
For more information, visit www.pro-bel.com.
