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E News
Clear Channel to offer local weather, news to cell phones in Q1
Jan 19, 2006 11:16 AM
Clear Channel Television, which owns and operates 40 TV stations, has joined mobile weather content provider Weathernews’ WNI Network, which delivers personalized local video coverage of weather, news, traffic and sports to the cell phones of subscribers.
By joining the WNI Network, Clear Channel Television can deliver its local TV content on demand from WNI’s LiveLocal mobile application offered on major U.S. wireless carriers for $4.99 per month.
Content from Clear Channel broadcast affiliates is scheduled to roll out within the LiveLocal mobile video application from WNI when it launches in the first quarter of 2006.
For more information, visit www.clearchannel.com and www.weathernews.com.
KDTN becomes 500th station to submit inventory
Jan 19, 2006 11:19 AM
Progress on 2GHz Broadcast Auxiliary Service relocation continues. Sprint Nextel received its 500th equipment inventory, a necessary step in the process of retooling broadcasters with new 2GHz transmitters, receivers and related equipment.
According to Sprint Nextel, it received the 500th equipment inventory from KDTN in Denton, TX, on Dec. 12.
The BAS transition, which will relocate broadcasters' ENG operations within the 2025MHz to 2110MHz band must be completed within 31.5 months from Jan. 21, 2005.
For more information, visit www.2ghzrelocation.com.
IBC2006 seeks conference proposals
Jan 19, 2006 11:20 AM
The IBC has issued a call for contributions for its IBC2006 Conference via online submission.
The IBC is seeking proposals for technical papers, complete sessions and speaking opportunities on a diverse range of topics, including:
- Archives and restoration
- Citizen journalism
- Content production
- HDTV
- Mobile and portable devices
- News and sports
- Use of spectrum and the digital dividend
- WiMAX and micro broadcasting.
For a complete list of topics and detailed instructions on how to submit a proposal, visit www.ibc.org.
ENG
Co-sponsored digital ENG seminar nears
Jan 19, 2006 11:24 AM
The ATSC and SBE are co-sponsoring a half-day seminar on digital electronic news gathering Feb. 21 in Palm Springs, CA.
The event, which will be held as part of the 11th Annual Hollywood Post Alliance Technology Retreat, will feature presentations from such industry luminaries as Dane Ericksen of Hammett and Edison, Merrill Weiss of the Merrill Weiss Group, Matthew Goldberg of TANDBERG Television, Pat Waddell of Harmonic, John Wood of MRC, Kurt Loheit of Boeing and Mark Dale.
The seminar will include sessions on:
- Progress on development of data return link systems with a report on the current work of the ATSC to develop specifications for DRL use and systems
- DRL system implementation, including an outline of possible application extensions for data return link systems
- The next generation of video codecs, including an overview and comparison
- What advanced codecs mean to digital ENG
- HDTV via ENG
- The challenges and solutions of transmitting uncompressed HD via line-of-sight systems
- DVB-S2, the next-generation satellite transmission standard
- ENG spectrum issues, including what broadcasters might face in the future.
Online registration ends Feb. 16, or when the event is full.
To register, visit www.hpaonline.com/mc/page.do?sitePageId=24025.
HD wireless camera system takes the plunge
Jan 19, 2006 11:26 AM
 Two Link Research LinkHD wireless HD transmitter/receiver stations, supplied by Presteigne Broadcast Hire, were put to the test last month during the West Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. |
Last month, the West Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, were the site of one of the first live HD transmissions from a wireless camera.
Two HD wireless systems, composed of Thomson LDK 6000 HD cameras and Link Research LinkHD wireless transmitter and receiver stations, provided live HD coverage of swimming events at the competition.
The LDK 6000 cameras were fitted with L1403 HD encoder transmitters and were used to cover competitive events at the main pool and diving areas. No dropouts were observed, and overall HD video quality compared favorably with HD video sent via triax. The longest delay the LinkHD system introduced was less than 50ms - a little more than one frame.
Presteigne Broadcast Hire provided the Link Research wireless systems and crew to cover the event in HD.
For more information, visit www.linkres.co.uk.
Special-purpose camera, microwave system capture what the goalie sees
Jan 19, 2006 11:33 AM
Last weekend’s NBC Sports production of the New York Rangers vs. Detroit Red Wings NHL game saw the debut of Goalie-Cam, a tiny SD video camera and microwave transmitter system used to capture the goaltender’s view of the action.
Goalie-Cam is the handiwork of Jeff Silverman, a principal at Inertia Unlimited of Jacksonville, VT. Using a Sony XC-555 1/2in CCD camera that was “highly modified to reduce weight” and a re-engineered Elmo lens, Silverman pieced together a system that, along with the Global Microwave Systems TX transmitter and batteries, weighs less than 6oz.
A primary design consideration in producing Goalie-Cam was maintenance of all the protective properties of the goalie’s helmet. Silverman modified standard goalie helmets by drilling a pencil-sized hole below the chin portion for the lens assembly. A small Elmo lens is inserted in the mask and connected to the camera body affixed to a spot on the helmet where the side and back meet. The GMS transmitter, which puts out 10mw, and antenna are mounted to the top back portion of the helmet. A Gigawave antenna above the rink action picks up the signal.
Working with hockey equipment manufacturer ITECH, Silverman tested the integrity of the helmets to ensure safety. Before last Saturday’s use of Goalie-Cam on national television, the concept was tested during minor league AHL games in Pittsburgh.
Photo lithium batteries soldered in a series powers the system. The $10 battery load is good for one hour, but just to be safe, a fresh load is installed between periods.
NBC Sports plans to use the Goalie-Cam system throughout its league coverage this year.
Wireless technology plays critical role in race coverage
Jan 19, 2006 11:35 AM
Automaker Volvo has selected Livewire Digital to devise a complete broadcast system, including wireless camera equipment, to transmit coverage of the Volvo Ocean Race to yachting fans worldwide.
The advanced, remote control wireless digital electronic news gathering system turns the yachts into mobile media centers during the nine legs of the 31,000-nautical-mile race.
The TANDBERG Television CT2100 compact digital transmitter technology is playing a central role in the effort. The CT2100 is a wireless solution for remote, on-location filming and has been used for more than six years to cover many sports and news events from the field.
Each yacht has seven fixed on-board cameras, which are remotely controlled by the production team onshore. Video and audio are sent from an onboard transmitter to the onshore media center via point-to-point antennas, or when the boats are in the middle of the ocean, to a helicopter or follow boat. This allows the broadcast of both live and highlight footage.
On-board video delay lines are used to capture exciting and dramatic situations. Crew members can activate one of the multiple crash buttons to record video from the delay line, a two-minute history of what happened before the button was pressed. This year, in-port media centers and Race HQ are part of a single global IP network designed by Livewire Digital, allowing the entire operation to be accessed and controlled from the Volvo Ocean Race HQ Media Center in Southampton, NY.
For more information, visit www.tandbergtv.com.
ENG Products
MRC offers LinkHD low-latency wireless system in U.S.
Jan 19, 2006 12:02 PM
 LinkHD, the wireless HD camera system, transmits HD footage during “Monday Night Football” between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons Dec. 12. |
Microwave Radio Communications, the U.S. supplier of Link Research, now offers the ultra-low-delay HD camera transmission system at events in the United States and abroad.
Production of the “Monday Night Football” game between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons Dec. 12 relied on the Link Research high-definition video encoder and wireless camera. (See “Low-delay HD wireless camera system gets high marks during MNF.”)
Additionally live, international, true HD transmission recently took place at the West Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. Currently, system latency is about 60 milliseconds or slightly less than two frames for domestic broadcast. (See “HD wireless camera system takes the plunge.”)
For more information, visit www.mrcbroadcast.com.
New book offers guidance on craft of shooting video
Jan 19, 2006 12:09 PM
 "Video Shooter," from Barry Braverman and CMP Books, offers insights on the craft and technology of video acquisition for the professional. |
Braverman, a veteran director of photography with more than 20 years of experience, offers his insights into the craft in his new book, “Video Shooter,” from CMP Books.
Braverman offers his knowledge to help new camera operators select and use the right camera and accessories, as well as master the techniques and tools of the trade to succeed in telling a story with video.
Topics include equipment selection, camera setup and operation, shooting techniques and working with lighting and audio. The book focuses on using popular 3-CCD DV and HDV cameras and offers guidance on DVD output.
For more information, visit www.cmpbooks.com/product/1460.
Dart Helicopter Services to offer Wysong mounts
Jan 19, 2006 1:55 PM
Dart Helicopter Services has reached an agreement with Wysong Enterprises to add the company’s line of mounts and brackets to its line-up of products. Wysong, offers systems for airborne law enforcement and electronic news gathering, and used its experience with emerging audio-visual technology specifically designed for aviation to develop a series of high-quality, easy-to-install equipment mounts and brackets to better serve the rotary wing industry. Aircraft currently served are the Bell 206 Series, 407, OH-58 and Eurocopter AS 350/AS 355.
For more information, visit www.darthelicopterservices.com and www.wysongusa.com.
Radyne wins $1 million contract for Brazilian SNG integration
Jan 19, 2006 1:57 PM
Radyne’s Tiernan and Xicom Technology subsidiaries have received a new order valued at more than $1 million for HDTV and SDTV encoders and high-power amplifiers from a major satellite integrator in Brazil. The equipment will be used in satellite news gathering trucks.
Although Xicom has maintained a strong presence in Brazil, the order represents a major expansion of Tiernan's TV encoder sales in the country.
For more information, visit www.radn.com
Bogen offers Carbon Gitzo 6X tripod line
Jan 19, 2006 1:59 PM
Gitzo has introduced the Carbon 6X, a new range of carbon fiber tripods using a new design process that reduces overall tripod weight up to 17 percent without sacrificing strength or stability.
The tripods feature a new six-crossed multilayer tube and a unique Anti-Leg Rotation system. For the tripods, Gitzo developed a new, six-crossed multilayer carbon fiber that’s 30 percent lighter than the previous generation. With advanced parameters in terms of pressure, temperature and bonding resins, the six-crossed multilayer tubes measure only 1mm, but are equally as strong and as stable as the 1.5mm, three-layer carbon fiber tubes.
For more information, visit www.bogenimaging.us.
