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HD Highlights
Microsoft, Intel to support HD-DVD
Oct 5, 2005 11:14 AM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
Microsoft and Intel have announced their support for HD-DVD over Blu-ray, the competing optical high-definition recording and playback format.
The companies will develop the hardware and software needed to add HD-DVD support to personal computers.
The development potentially bolsters Toshiba’s place in the high-definition recorder/player market, which recently seemed to slip with the announcement that HD-DVD hardware availability had been postponed until early 2006.
Academy honors Fujinon
Oct 5, 2005 2:14 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
Fujinon has been honored with a Technical Emmy award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for “Lens Technology Developments for Solid State Imaging Cameras in High Definition Formats” during this year’s ceremony Sept. 29.
Specifically citing the introduction of Fujinon’s GO-Technology and its Precision Focus Assist System, the Academy honored the company for its role in creating new digital production systems that rival traditional filmmaking techniques for high-quality television and motion picture production.
For more information, visit www.fujinonbroadcast.com.
National Mobile Television rolls out SBS2 HD/SD mobile unit
Oct 5, 2005 2:25 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
National Mobile Television has launched its newest side-by-side HD mobile production unit, SBS2.
NMT’s side-by-side concept provides full mobile production facilities for a visiting team, only in a smaller 30ft truck. The new SBS2 unit can also operate completely stand-alone in an SD or HD environment, providing the capabilities of a much larger truck.
Built by Venue Services Group (VSG) in Moonachie, NJ, SBS2 is the second of three trucks developed by NMT in 2005, joining SBS1 which rolled out earlier this year.
SBS2 will serve the Florida market out of NMT’s Orlando office. NMT’s board of directors also recently approved construction of HD11, a new 53ft Expando HD truck.
For more information, visit www.nmtv.com and www.vsg.tv.
Academy recognizes Canon
Oct 5, 2005 2:38 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences presented Canon with an Emmy at the 2005 Technical & Engineering Emmy Awards ceremony in Princeton, NJ, Sept. 29 for its engineering creativity in “Lens Technology Developments for Solid State Imager Cameras in High Definition Formats.”
Fundamental optical design has been combined with innovations in image stabilization, automatic focus and digital servo control systems to produce the production lenses.
For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.
Nordahl.tv rolls out updated version of HD ENG report
Oct 5, 2005 2:44 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
Greater analysis and more details on several HD camcorders have been added to the recently updated “HD ENG News & HDV Technology for TV Broadcasters” report from Nordahl.tv.
Originally released in June, the revised edition provides an in-depth view of the direction of the HD ENG technology market. The report details all new technology HD camcorders and ENG camera back microwave TX units shown and announced at this year’s NAB and IBC.
The updated 110-page report includes new coverage of HD and HDV camcorders, including:
- Canon’s XL H1 HDV camcorder
- Grass Valley’s INFINITY HD camcorder
- Ikegami’s HDN-X10 EditCam camera recorder
- JVC’s GY-HD100U ProHD camcorder and GY-HD7000U ProHD camcorder
- Panasonic’s AG-HVX200 P2 camcorder
- Sony’s HVR-Z1U HDV camcorder and PDW-F330 XDCAM HD camcorder
The report is organized into five chapters: News Delivery in SD & HD; HD Formats, Compression & Storage Analysis; the Ideal HD ENG Camcorder; HD ENG Camcorders at NAB/IBC-2005; and HD ENG Microwave at NAB/IBC-2005.
For more information, visit www.nordahl.tv.
SMPTE to kick off conference with all-day focus on Digital Cinema
Oct 5, 2005 3:19 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
The SMPTE Technical Conference and Exhibition Nov. 9-12 in New York City will kick off its proceedings with a full-day forum on Digital Cinema.
The timeliness of the Digital Cinema focus is underscored by the Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI) consortium’s finalization of its specification that reflects the consensus of the major studios on an end-to-end digital cinema system, as well as their detailed technical specifications and recommendations relating to all of the primary elements that constitute the total system.
SMPTE has asked representatives from DCI to conduct a detailed tutorial explaining the core sections of the specification during the conference’s morning session Nov. 9.
SMPTE will conduct the afternoon session broadening the focus to explore works in progress relating to digital cinema. The session will encompass some in-depth technical tutorials on technologies central to a digital cinema system, including JPEG 2000 compression, color management and security systems. Representatives from National Association of Theater Owners will outline their present thinking on a rollout model for digital cinema.
The subsequent three days of the conference will highlight recent developments in both digital standard-definition and high-definition television.
For more information, visit www.smpte.org.
Trans-Pacific demo shows viability of real-time 4K collaboration
Oct 5, 2005 3:30 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
With systems from Silicon Graphics, an international real-time collaborative 4K digital dailies workflow was demonstrated in San Diego at iGrid 2005.
Using a Silicon Graphics Prism visualization system and SGI InfiniteStorage technology provided by SGI to Keio University in Tokyo, super-high definition 4K digital content was encoded with an experimental JPEG 2000 encoder from NTT Network Innovation Labs at 250-, 400Mb/s and transmitted from the digital cinema laboratory at Keio University in Japan via 9000mi of gigabit optical-fiber networks to the California Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technology (Calit2), University of California, San Diego (UCSD).
NTT Labs also provided prototype Flexcast systems that enable multicast delivery of 4K video and audio over traditional unicast networks.
The demonstration of Trans-Pacific digital cinema post-production at iGrid 2005 was a unique experiment meant to simulate film dailies. The experiment emulated a multi-site production digital dailies session scenario, where the cinematographer is on one continent, the colorist on another and the director on his laptop in a screening room.
For more information, visit www.sgi.com.
HD Spotlight
HD clarity brings a new view of sea floor
Oct 5, 2005 3:37 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
Ocean scientists used an HD television camera Sept. 28 and 29 to capture live views of an area of the sea floor 200 miles off the coast of Washington and British Columbia. Known as the Endeavour Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge, the area is a twisted segment of seabed peppered with volcanic eruptions, eerie spires and chimneys that vent water as hot as 700 degrees Fahrenheit.
The transmissions are the first from the sea floor anywhere in the world to be broadcast live in HD video.
VISIONS '05 (Visually Integrated Science for Interactive Ocean Networked Systems), the expedition studying how tectonic-plate interaction can support exotic and ancient microbial life forms within the sea floor, used a collection a instruments, cameras and robots to study the unusual microorganisms.
HD video from the sea floor was transmitted from Jason II, a remotely operated vehicle, to a research vessel on the surface of the ocean via a 6mi electro-optical tether. An onboard engineering production crew from the ResearchChannel produced the live HD video for distribution to selected research groups in six countries with the high-bandwidth Internet connection capable of receiving the HD feed.
An SD version of the deep sea footage was made available to the public on the University of Washington’s ResearchChannel available on Dish Network.
The University Of Washington and the National Science Foundation organized the HD expedition.
PBS to broadcast piano competition in 1080i
Oct 5, 2005 3:45 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
PBS will present the HD production of “The Twelfth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition: In the Heart of Music” to millions of viewers later this month.
The competition was produced in the 1080i high-definition format. Some of the competitors, including key performers and finalists, were captured using Sony’s HDW-700A camcorder, recording to Sony’s HDCAM videocassettes.
Others were shot using Sony’s new HDV camcorders, a combination of the professional version HVR-Z1U and the consumer version HDR-FX1. The HDV camcorders captured the action on Sony’s new DigtalMaster tape.
The documentary producers downconverted HD footage to SD as it was being shot so that it could be streamed live from the Cliburn competition’s Web site.
For more information, visit www.cliburn.org.
Soundoff
HD technology plays lifesaving role in New Orleans
Oct 5, 2005 5:00 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
 The Helinet Cineflex HD camera system uses a 1140mm lens, every bit of which was needed to “dig out whatever detail” could be found in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. |
While the country watched downconverted images, a small crew from Helinet chronicled the destruction, the flooding and the rescues in HD and in so doing created a visual record with an unprecedented level of resolution and immediacy.
High Definition Technology Update spoke with Helinet Chief Technology Officer J.T. Alpaugh who found himself in the role of impromptu TV reporter in the helicopter — rolling tape, capturing shots and providing descriptions from the skies above New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region.
High Definition Technology Update: How soon after the hurricane struck New Orleans were you gathering footage?
J.T. Alpaugh: It had been about two to two and a half hours since Katrina had blown through. We were behind it. When we got into the area we were absolutely astonished by what we saw. My first instinct was to roll HD tape and use the Cineflex to start looking around to see what we had. Even though the receive truck (which would be used to backhaul live shots) had not yet arrived, it was important to put on tape.
HDTU: What did you see?
Alpaugh: One of the first things we saw was the amount of flooding, and it was substantial even before the levees broke. Numerous people were on rooftops trying to signal to us by waving flags and towels and makeshift signs stating ‘help us.’ People were on rooftops everywhere.
We came in behind four or five Coast Guard helicopters. I felt it was important to report on what I was seeing. By trade I am not a reporter, but this disaster had to have a voice so I started reporting. Little did I know it would last 12 hours per day for 13 days.
HDTU: What role did the helicopter’s HD Cineflex camera play in that initial coverage?
Alpaugh: We were documenting the effects of Katrina for everyone to see and using our HD Cineflex camera system and technology to identify where survivors were. There were arms hanging out of holes in attics waving for help. We used our HD technology to see people that we would not have been able to see with SD. At that point, we would radio in GPS coordinates of what we were seeing to rescue helicopters with hoist equipment. We did that countless times. The Cineflex HD camera system has a 1140mm lens on it, and we were using every bit of it to dig out whatever detail we could — not just for history but for spotting and rescue.
HDTU: What was your initial goal in covering the devastation? I would think the scale of the destruction would make it difficult to know where to start.
Alpaugh: There wasn’t just a couple of things to shoot. There were thousands upon thousands of things. You didn’t know where to start. We rolled two hours of tape.
There were no other media in that area — basically us and four other Coast Guard helicopters. We wanted to make sure our images reflected the enormity of the damage. We wanted to make sure the world saw what was happening so state and federal authorities could get a grasp of what was happening.
And we later learned that was a big factor that helped to establish the rescue efforts that came in later.
We had about three hours of fuel on board. We spent one and a half hours documenting and immediately flew back to Baton Rouge, where we met up with the satellite truck at the airport and fed the tape raw on the bird. Right as it went up numerous networks were taking it raw. It wasn’t five minutes after we had landed and the images were going out to world.
HDTU: So your technology not only provided news footage but information for emergency responders to act on?
Alpaugh: We were most proud of being able to use our technology, and we honestly believe our technology helped save lives. The quality of images and stability of images had a big part to play in painting a picture for people who had to make decisions. We are very, very proud of that, and the technology crossed over to help do that. (It) was extremely gratifying — not only providing news but a service that helped save those people.
A Glance At The Stats
HD, high-speed data service to drive strong growth in last mile fiber
Oct 5, 2005 4:12 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
Higher speed data services and new video offerings such as HDTV, IPTV and video on demand (VOD) will spur worldwide fiber access equipment to reach $1.9 billion in 2009, according to a new study from IDC.
The emergence of triple play — the integration of voice, video and data services on a single broadband connection– is driving service provider demand for more access network bandwidth. IPTV, HDTV and VOD are driving service providers around the world to upgrade their access networks with the capacity of fiber and the equipment that goes with it. A fiber access network refers to the “last mile” technology that connects optical fiber directly to consumers and businesses. In terms of technology, choices for fiber access will be drawn clearly along regional lines.
The IDC study, “Worldwide Fiber Access Equipment 2005-2009 Forecast and Analysis” forecasts the five-year revenue opportunity for fiber access equipment from 2005 to 2009.
Other key findings include:
- The worldwide fiber access networking market will grow at a 16.6 percent compound annual growth rate between 2004 and 2009.
- Ethernet passive optical networking technology has quickly become the technology of choice in Japan.
- Video is a key driver for the move to fiber access in the United States and Europe and to a lesser extent in Asia.
For more information, visit www.idc.com.
CEA filing on video delivery competition reveals HD growth
Oct 5, 2005 4:20 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) shed some light Sept. 19 on its expectation for the growth of HDTV and the transition from analog to digital television service in comments filed with the FCC regarding the state of competition in the video delivery market.
Some of the statistics from the CEA cited in the comments include:
- 32.7 million or 11.5 percent of the 285 million television sets in service in the United States are used to view over-the-air television programming;
- The first six months of 2005 had the greatest volume of digital television sales ever recorded — 3.8 million DTV products accounted for $4.6 billion in retailer investment;
- 85 percent of DTV sets sold in 2004 were capable of displaying a picture in HDTV resolution.
HD Products & Reviews
SOFTIMAGE|XSI version 5.0 now shipping
Oct 5, 2005 5:36 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
 SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.5.0 |
Avid Technology is shipping SOFTIMAGE|XSI version 5.0, the latest edition of its 3-D animation software.
XSI v.5.0 software includes a wide range of new features, including non-destructive character tools and a comprehensive set of migration tools for Maya users.
In addition to a broad range of new features, SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.5.0 includes the GATOR attribute transfer system for re-purposing properties and animation between models; native 64-bit support for XSI and mental ray 3.4 software to create and render extremely complex scenes and a new gigapolygon core that leverages multi-processor and multi-core platforms with a revolutionary memory management system.
For more information, visit www.softimage.com.
Leitch rolls out Platinum routing switchers
Oct 5, 2005 5:51 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
Leitch Technology has launched the Platinum advanced line of multi-format routing switchers for large routing applications.
Providing high-quality signal routing up to 256x256 in 15RU and 512x512 in 28RU, Platinum routing switchers support a mix of almost any type of signal within the same frame, including high definition.
Platinum features redundant, load-sharing power supplies and fans that are individually replaceable without taking the system offline. For further reliability, Platinum scales in increments of eight inputs or outputs.
For more information, visit www.leitch.com.
Rohde & Schwarz unveils handheld TV analyzer
Oct 5, 2005 6:00 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
Rohde & Schwarz debuted its R&S FSH3-TV analyzer in a size that makes it well suited for mobile use.
The R&S FSH3-TV combines the features of a spectrum analyzer with the functions of a TV test receiver. All measurements essential in the field can be performed with one instrument. The R&S FSH3-TV is robust and weatherproof and can be powered from its NiMH battery.
The analyzer comes equipped with a TV board, a preamplifier and a tracking generator. It supports all common analog TV standards such as B, G/H, D/K, N, I, L, M/NTSC and M/PAL, and can be upgraded any time for DVB-C, J.83/B or ATSC/8-VSB.
For more information, visit www.rohde-schwarz.com.
Academy recognizes Litepanels
Oct 5, 2005 6:02 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has awarded the makers of the Litepanels Mini LED light the 2005 Emmy Engineering Plaque.
Since debuting in 2004, Litepanels have been used in television series such as "24," "CSI," "Rescue Me," "The West Wing," "Access Hollywood" and "The Tonight Show." It has also been used as location lighting for ENG news crews, as well as lighting for television news desks.
The Litepanels Mini employs highly efficient LEDs to produce bright, projected soft light lasting 100,000 hours.
For more information, visit www.litepanels.com.
