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News
No additional DTV legislation expected in 2006
Jan 13, 2006 4:14 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
While the legislation setting a hard date to end analog television remains in Congressional limbo through January, a key House leader has signaled that over-the-air television broadcasters can forget about such issues as multichannel must-carry and the broadcast flag this year.
Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on telecommunications and the Internet, said his panel would not consider additional legislation this year relating to digital television, the National Journal reported. Upton’s comments came during an appearance at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Upton said he doesn’t see Congress opening up the DTV legislation within a second bill, and noted that an upcoming rewrite of the 1996 Telecommunications Act will dominate the time of legislators this year.
Although last year’s legislation is still waiting for final House approval, Congress has agreed upon a bill that would terminate analog television broadcasting as of Feb. 17, 2009, and offer a consumer subsidy of up to $1.5 billion for the purchase of set-top boxes necessary for analog-based televisions to receive over-the-air digital signals.
Upton said the Republican-controlled House intends to simply pass the Senate version of the reconciliation bill Feb. 1, the House’s first full day back in session this year.
However, in reaching a House-Senate compromise on DTV late last year, a major provision of the original House bill was removed. The provision would have allowed cable operators to downconvert high-definition signals for analog cable customers.
By removing that provision, the final DTV bill would require as many as 40 million television households to upgrade and pay additional fees for digital cable service.
Upton acknowledged that and other more minor provisions missing from the bill, but said those issues are simply not important enough to be addressed this year.
For broadcasters, however, the lack of a second DTV bill means several major initiatives are now indefinitely stalled. Multichannel must-carry, an issue broadcasters have claimed is essential to their future, appears dead, at least for the foreseeable future. Ditto for the controversial broadcast flag, an embedded copy protection system for broadcast programming.
Non-exclusive viewing emerges in network content distribution
Jan 13, 2006 4:41 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
Until now, the first viewing of premium television content has been reserved for broadcasters. However, a new partnership between FOX Entertainment Group and DIRECTV will allow viewers to pay to see a program before its initial mass broadcast on a network.
In an industry first, beginning in March, viewers with a DIRECTV Plus digital video recorder will be able to get a first look at primetime programming from FOX’s FX network a full 24-48 hours prior to their initial broadcasts. The cost will be $2.99.
Later in the year, DIRECTV subscribers will gain post-air access to FOX shows. For 99 cents, a viewer can watch a show six to seven days following its first national broadcast.
Peter Chernin, president of News Corp., said that FOX has the ability to create different cuts of programs for the pre-air audience — versions with additional scenes and materials not included in the network broadcast.
The DIRECTV Plus DVR features network programming on demand, one-touch pause, rewind and fast-forward functionality and 100 hours of recording capacity and interactive functionality.
Apple sells 8 million TV shows, fuels cross platform migration
Jan 13, 2006 4:53 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
Steve Jobs, Apple Computer’s CEO, said last week that his company’s iTunes Online Store had sold more than 8 million video and television shows at $1.99 each since the debut of the new TV distribution service three months ago.
The soaring sales figures helped explain the aggressive rush by broadcast content owners to expand to new pay-per-program distribution platforms.
Apple’s content options seemed to expand overnight, as the company added new programming ranging from skits from NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” to the Sci Fi Channel, Disney and USA Network. Most of the content is being made available for sale one day after initial broadcast.
In an indication of the global impact of the trend, the British Broadcasting Corporation announced last week that it would make about 40 video news clips available daily in the United States and Canada for Internet and cell phone subscribers through a deal with ABC News.
BBC News producers will choose segments on top world and British news, along with topical items like entertainment, business and technology news. ABC, which is part of the Walt Disney Company, did not say when it would begin offering the clips, nor did it disclose pricing details.
Also last week, Google announced the Google Video Store, the first open video marketplace enabling consumers to buy and rent a wide range of video content from CBS, the National Basketball Association, cable programmers, independent producers and filmmakers.
With Google video, subscribers can watch high quality video on the Web. For video producers and anyone with a video camera, Google Video provides a platform to publish to the entire Google audience for free.
Google’s service is also available to independent video producers. Video producers can upload their content and distribute it for free or at a price. The content provider with no minimum or maximum dollar limit sets video prices. Owners also have the choice to offer their content with or without copy protection.
Yahoo moves to TV and phones with “Go”
Jan 13, 2006 4:58 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
Yahoo is seeking to move beyond the Web to television and mobile phones. Last week, the Internet information service announced the Yahoo “Go” brand, an attempt to expand personalized information and media services to new platforms.
Yahoo’s new products include Yahoo Go Mobile and Yahoo Go TV. A third, Yahoo Go Desktop, will tie the phone and TV services to the personal computer.
Yahoo Go TV seeks to expand Yahoo to the television set. The service would allow users to link their existing base of Yahoo contacts and resources directly into television receivers — enabling the viewing of digital photos, news, sports or other Yahoo services.
The phone system would bring the service to mobile phone users with an Internet connection. The Yahoo Go Mobile service will be embedded in millions of new Nokia phones sold worldwide and will initially be offered through Cingular Wireless.
Vizrt to acquire asset management company Ardendo
Jan 13, 2006 5:02 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
Vizrt has signed a Letter of Intent to acquire Ardendo, a software developer that provides media asset management solutions for broadcasters. Based in Stockholm, Ardendo offers a range of software solutions for digital archiving, ingest, transcoding, browsing, and system integration media management for stations moving to IT-based production and archiving.
Under terms of the deal, Vizrt will acquire all outstanding shares of Ardendo. The deal is expected to close in April and is subject to due diligence and board approval of both companies.
Incorporating Ardendo’s range of media asset management solutions will extend Vizrt’s offering of graphics-specific products to a full broadcast production system that targets the entire workflow from ingest to visualization.
Ardendo’ ingest, media management and archive solutions include ARDOME for media management and archiving; the DART ingest scheduler; the ARDCAP ingest station and play-out control; the ARDENC transcoder; and ARDEON, an entry-level archive solution. The company’s customer base represents those in news, general program production, playout services and postproduction.
For more information, visit www.vizrt.com.
FCC & Industry Updates
Live TV coming to airborne laptops
Jan 13, 2006 5:07 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
Those addicted to live TV are about to get a new global fix. Connexion by Boeing’s in-flight Internet service is about to bring live TV to many airborne laptops.
Beginning Jan. 23, nine foreign airlines that offer the Connexion service will offer live programs from BBC World, CNBC, Eurosportnews, and either EuroNews or MSNBC. Access to the service will cost $26.95 for up to 24 hours.
The airlines to offer the service are Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines; Japan Airlines; Singapore Airlines; All Nippon Airways; China Airlines; Korean Air; Asiana Airlines; and El Al Israel Airlines. Austrian Airlines and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways will soon launch the service as well.
JetBlue Airways and Frontier Airlines already offer similar live programming viewable on TV screens on the backs of passengers’ seats.
More people are watching TV
Jan 13, 2006 5:10 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
The average television viewing time has risen four minutes a day so far this season over the same period last season, according to new research from Nielsen Media Research.
The increase in viewing, measured from Sept. 19, 2005, through Dec. 18, 2005, represents a two percent gain over the same time period in 2004.
TV watching is flat for younger people, but up for those 35 and older, said Paul Donato, the chief research officer for Nielsen. He told the The New York Times that news is driving the increased viewership.
During the study's time period, the news was covering Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the trial of Saddam Hussein and the deaths of Supreme Court Justice William H. Rehnquist and the civil rights activist Rosa M. Parks.
Autodesk completes acquisition of Alias
Jan 13, 2006 5:14 PM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
Autodesk has completed the acquisition of Alias, announced in October 2005, for approximately $197 million in cash. Alias develops 3-D graphics technology.
The combined company has more than 7 million users. Alias’ products, technology and services will be integrated with Autodesk’s Manufacturing Solutions and Media & Entertainment divisions as well as its Consulting organization. The acquisition also increases Autodesk's media and entertainment portfolio with Alias’ Maya software, Alias MotionBuilder 3-D character animation software, and FBX, a format used for the exchange and use of 3-D content.
Several Alias management team members have joined Autodesk, including Dave Wharry and Michel Besner. Wharry, formerly Alias vice president of Global Sales and Marketing, is now vice president of Sales for Autodesk’s Media & Entertainment Division. Besner, formerly Alias vice president of Business Development and Emerging Markets, is now leading product management for Autodesk’s Media & Entertainment Division 3-D product portfolio.
Alias’ former global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, will remain as a key development center for Autodesk.
For more information, visit www.autodesk.com.
Neural Audio presents surround sound broadcasting award to KVBC-TV
Jan 17, 2006 9:54 AM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
The latest recipient of Neural Audio's Broadcast Brain Award is KVBC-TV3/DT, the NBC affiliate in Las Vegas. The station was awarded for broadcasting 5.1 surround sound, 24-hours a day, utilizing Neural’s MultiMerge product. KVBC has been broadcasting 5.1 since early 2005, and is the first NBC affiliate to use the Neural technology.
Using neural networks, MultiMerge swiftly categorizes the content spatial type and takes appropriate action to enable an uninterrupted stream of 5.1 content regardless of content origin including mono, stereo, matrix stereo or 5.1 discrete surround sound. Neural’s MultiMerge seamlessly merges 2.0 and 5.1 sources using a non-matrix upmix solution that is stable while remedying current interface/interoperability challenges.
KVBC-TV/DT, Las Vegas, an NBC affiliate, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary of operation in the Las Vegas community. The station is owned and operated by Sunbelt Communications.
For more information, visit www.neuralaudio.com.
New Products & Reviews
Apple begins migration to Intel platform
Jan 17, 2006 9:57 AM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
Apple Computer last week began its move to the Intel platform by unveiling the first models of new Macintosh computers to run on the new Intel Core Duo processor. New iMac and laptop models got significant speed boosts with no increase in price.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs said the entire Apple line would make the Intel transition by year’s end. In order to take advantage of native performance on the new Intel processor, all Macintosh software must be converted to a universal binary form.
Macintosh OS X version 10.4.4, a new version that works on the Intel platform, was joined last week by Apple’s iLife ‘06 and iWork ‘06 application packages. All were immediately available as universal binaries.
Apple said its professional applications, including the Final Cut Pro professional video editing suite, will be available in universal binary versions starting in March. Owners of the current pro software can trade up to the new versions for $49.
Intel versions of Apple’s pro model Macintosh computers are not expected until later in the year.
On the software side, Apple enhanced its multi-application iLife ‘06 package to further embrace professional quality audio and video podcasting. Enhancing its Garageband audio editing application, Apple added a Podcast Recording Studio module. A new iWeb application makes allows users to publish podcasts on Web pages and Apple iTunes online store.
Apple also enhanced its low-end video editing application to iMovie HD 6, adding real-time effects and video podcasting tools. Added to iLife ‘06 was iDVD 6 for authoring custom DVDs for 16:9 TV displays.
Sinclair monitors DTV stations with Modulation Sciences technology
Jan 17, 2006 10:03 AM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
 The msi-4400 8-VSB signal analyzer |
Sinclair Broadcast Group has purchased an 8-VSB analyzer product, the msi-4400, from Modulation Sciences (MSI) to monitor the DTV signals distributed by its DTV stations across the country.
The msi-4400 includes features such as remote Web access and control, eye pattern and constellation displays, complete tap weight analysis, data logging and user configurable alarms.
For more information, visit www.modsci.com.
CNN Pipeline selects Leitch SD/HD server system
Jan 17, 2006 10:30 AM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
 In addition to the NEXIO HD server system, CNN Pipeline is using processing, branding, master control, routing and transmission products from Leitch as well. |
Leitch is supplying CNN.com with a complete SD/HD broadcast solution to support the network's on-demand broadband video service, CNN Pipeline.
Incorporating Leitch's Nexio HD server system, CNN Pipeline includes processing, branding, master control, routing and transmission products from Leitch's line of SD/HD broadcast solutions.
CNN Pipeline is an on-demand broadband video service that allows users to control multiple live video streams from CNN's video archives and on-demand news clips from CNN’s newsgathering operations.
Leitch is part of the Broadcast Communications Division of Harris. For more information, visit www.harris.com.
For-A color correction system gains traction in New York
Jan 17, 2006 10:35 AM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
 The For-A DCC-70HS color correction system is ideal for facilities that use both HD and SD signals and is fully upgradeable. |
ESPN, based in Bristol, CT, recently received 12 DCC-70HS color correctors and 12 DCC-OU remote control units for the DCC-70HS. ABC Network in New York installed five DCC-70HS color correction systems and two DCC-OU remote control units. The NBC Network in New York chose four DCC-70HS. Disney’s Times Square Studios recently purchased 12 DCC-70HS color correction systems for its new HD studio in New York City. Additionally, MSNBC, based in Secaucus, NJ, purchased two DCC-700 serial digital color correctors.
The DCC-70HS is the latest addition to For-A’s color corrector family. It’s ideal for facilities that use both HD and SD signals and is fully upgradeable.
The DCC-700 is a digital I/O system, providing balanced, differential, or sepia color enhancement of all types of video signals. It offers 32-bit, 4:4:4 component processing for balanced, differential or sepia color correction.
For more information, visit www.for-a.com.
Snell & Wilcox intros 3-D DVE option for Kahuna switcher
Jan 17, 2006 10:53 AM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
 To minimize setup time, Kahuna IMPAKT comes in ready-made models that allow operators to quickly and easily create compelling, dynamic transitions. |
The DVE can work in source-based or bus-based modes, allowing both background and fill-and-key manipulation. Kahuna IMPAKT provides a variety of effects including spheres, slabs, zooms, warps, tiling, ripples, rolls and peels, fragmentation, lighting effects and corner pinning. All these options are housed in the Kahuna’s 11RU mainframe and require no additional connections or extra rack space.
Kahuna’s networked architecture offers users the option of controlling the switcher’s DVEs directly from the main Kahuna control surface or from a separate 1-M/E Kahuna control panel for productions requiring a separate DVE operator. These DVEs can also be timelined, allowing for full key-frameable control, easy editing and pausing, and play/store recalls.
To minimize setup time, Kahuna IMPAKT comes with ready-made models that allow operators to quickly and easily create compelling, dynamic transitions.
For further information, visit www.snellwilcox.com.
KTBC chooses Scopus encoder for live events coverage
Jan 17, 2006 10:58 AM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
Scopus Video Networks’ CODICO E-1720 digital satellite newsgathering (DSNG) encoder is being used at FOX affiliate KTBC FOX 7 in Austin, TX, to help cover central Texas for local and national FOX news programming.
The DSNG truck was built and designed by Shook Mobile Technology, and is operated by a crew of two KTBC news photographers.
The truck is equipped with the Scopus CODICO E-1720 encoder and has been used to contribute live shots for FOX to cover Hurricane Rita as it moved through Texas. KTBC FOX 7 also used the new truck to launch a high school football program that brings viewers coverage of different games each week. The station will also cover the Texas state legislature.
The E-1720 allows newsgathering teams to relay footage from almost anywhere, using state-of-the-art telemetry. With the L-band output and MPEG-2 codec, it enables transmission of audio and video converted for satellite transmission.
For more information, visit www.scopusamericas.com.
Virtual Katy updates VK2 audio software
Jan 17, 2006 11:01 AM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
Virtual Katy Development, a Digidesign development partner delivering workflow solutions for audio professionals, has announced the next version of VK2, its sound post assistant.
With the new version, users will be able to trace the history of a shot, sequence, or any one element through the entire history of their project.
VK2 users will also be able to easily view the impact of picture edits within their Pro Tools session and adjust the parameters accordingly. In addition, core VK2 updates automatically process up to 2500 picture edits in less than a second.
The VK2 sound post assistant manages an extensive range of formats, including EDLs, Avid Cut Lists, Avid Change Notes and OMF/AAF files. The software will ship April.
For more information, visit www.virtualkaty.com.
Telestream debuts Flip4Mac WMV version 2.0
Jan 17, 2006 11:05 AM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
 Flip4Mac WMV enables Mac OS X users to play, import, and export Windows Media video and audio files within native QuickTime-based media applications. |
Designed to bridge incompatibility gaps between Microsoft Windows Media formats and the Apple Macintosh platform, the Flip4Mac WMV Version 2.0 software release includes a new product and pricing structure and new features. Major new features include full-playback of HD Windows Media content within QuickTime Player on a Macintosh, expanded preset encoding profiles, and the ability to save custom encoding profiles.
The Flip4Mac WMV Player Component is now free. It allows Mac users to play Windows Media files using QuickTime Player and view Windows Media content on the Internet using Safari Web browser. Optional upgrades add the ability to import Windows Media files for editing and encode Windows Media files for distribution. These features are available in trial mode until users are ready to purchase an upgrade.
For more information, visit www.flip4mac.com.
Pixel Nation offers cross-platform access to Quantel products
Jan 17, 2006 11:14 AM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
 HttQ allows users to browse media on a Quantel system and to import and export media to and from network destinations in the background. |
HttQ exploits the available Quantel QXMLnet utilities to enable users to work with media in the Quantel workspace via any modern Web browser. HttQ is cross-platform, giving users of Apple, Linux, Irix, Solaris and Windows-based systems open access to all media held in the Quantel workspace.
HttQ allows users of these systems to browse media on the Quantel system and to import and export media to and from network destinations in the background, all without requiring the involvement of the Quantel operator. Both batch and scheduled transfers are supported.
HttQ runs on Pablo, iQ, eQ, QEffects and Paintbox systems running V3 or later Quantel software.
For more information, visit www.pixelnation.com.
Vizrt graphics illuminate Chilean elections
Jan 17, 2006 11:24 AM, Beyond The Headlines e-newsletter
Two of Chile’s television networks, Television Nacional de Chile (TVN) and Channel 13 at the Catholic University (UCTV), used Vizrt graphics systems in the recent Chilean elections.
Real-time elections results came from the Viz|Virtual Studio, Viz|Trio and Viz|Content Pilot graphics systems during the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections. Comprised of more than 450 candidates in 60 districts, the amount of data and information collected for the event was extensive.
For this year’s elections, TVN deployed a new version of Viz|Virtual Studio to display election results in real-time, using graphics such as pie charts, bars, and images of the candidates. The virtual studio is controlled using Viz|Content Pilot content management and control software. For graphic creation, TVN used Viz|Trio real-time 3-D character generator to show lower thirds, over-the-shoulder shots and graphics that were updated in real-time. Both the virtual studio and graphics systems were fed directly from the official information source and from a database TVN built to tally election results.
UCTV also used Viz|Content Pilot and Viz|Trio in a similar scenario to TVN for its election coverage. UCTV recently purchased three licenses for Vizrt’s Viz|Trio and Viz|Content Pilot, which it has integrated with its current newsroom system, Avid’s iNEWS.
For more information, visit www.vizrt.com.
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