Archive for April 18th, 2012

Charlotte, NC – April 18, 2012: Recognized by Outreach Magazine as one of the fastest-growing churches in the United States, Elevation Church serves over 10,000 congregants each weekend and maintains six worship campuses — four of which are ‘portable.’ To keep pace with this growth, Elevation has had to establish itself on a solid technology footing and has maintained a strong relationship with Sennheiser since opening its doors in 2005. Recently, Elevation became an official Sennheiser endorsed worship facility and was among the first to put the new Neumann KK 205 capsules — which are designed for the Sennheiser 2000 series wireless transmitters — through their paces.

Brian Poole is technical director at Elevation Church and has worked closely with Sennheiser to ensure that the clarity and sonic integrity of the facility is all that it can be, no matter which campus congregants are attending. Recently, Elevation added five Neumann KK 205 microphone capsules to its arsenal of live performance and recording tools. Poole discusses how he has helped Elevation continue to deliver superior sound with Sennheiser and Neumann.

Can you describe some of the challenges that go along with the growth that Elevation has experienced?
We are six years old and have six campuses in the Charlotte area. All in all, we are running at about 10 or 11 thousand people every weekend. With that growth, there have been a lot of rapid changes we have had to make, especially considering that audio is a very big part of what we do. Sennheiser has been there for us the entire time and has provided the best product and support we could ask for — and even more so now that we are endorsed. A big challenge as a multi-campus church is ensuring that we will have gear that we know will be reliable and sound great. Four of our campuses are portable, so we are lugging gear in and out all weekend; when we plug it all in and turn it on, we know it is going to work. Sennheiser has also helped us through our RF coordination, which can be very complex.

How familiar are you with Neumann microphone capsules?
We have always loved Neumann microphones and already had the KK 105 capsules on our pastor’s [Steven Furtick] speaking mic with a Sennheiser SKM 5200 transmitter. Our pastor does a lot of singing as well, and the performance of the SKM 5200 / KK 105 combination has been fantastic. By making a Neumann capsule that works with an SKM 2000 transmitter is really a game changer for us. Now we can have Neumann sound not only for the pastor, but all our other lead singers and it is a very economical solution.

Tell me about your first impressions with the KK 205s.
We just received them three weeks ago, and they are already on our primary lead vocal microphones [used in combination with the Sennheiser SKM 2000 handheld transmitters] at our two permanent campuses. One of these campuses is a warehouse with low ceilings, and the acoustics aren’t ideal. The KK 205 has a supercardioid pattern so we are able to get plenty of gain before feedback — this is huge for us because we like it loud and we like it to sound good. I was 100 percent comfortable that I could take the KK 205 right to the stage without going through weeks of rehearsals first.

For our Easter service, the new Neumann capsules went into our broadcast facility. We have a big spoken word element in our Easter service, and this is the first thing right out of the gate during our worship experience. All our main worship leaders were on the KK 205s and the feed went out to all six of our campuses. It was also put online for everyone to see and participate in. Everything worked out great and all the voices were very rich.

Do you intend to use the KK 205s in other applications?
We do a lot of recording both for CDs and streaming on our website. In fact, our worship band has just signed a pretty big record deal and we expect the KK 205s and the SKM 2000s will be used on future live recordings. Our first live album and live DVD was a big deal for us and it is very exciting that Sennheiser has released a ‘Neumann for the Masses,’ if you will.

How has your experience been with Sennheiser overall, including with the new Neumann KK 205s?
First of all, Sennheiser has rock solid RF and the sound quality is best of the best. We’ve got 36 channels in our auditorium of Sennheiser wireless and I’ve never had a single issue of anything dropping out. Now, with the KK 205s, we can put Neumann performance in the reach of all our singers, increasing the overall quality of our worship experience. Audio quality has always been an incredibly important component of worship for Elevation Church and the KK 205 capsules truly represent quality for the masses — the cost/performance ratio cannot be beat. All in all, our relationship with Sennheiser has been fantastic and we feel very blessed.

Caption:
Brad Hudson, Worship Leader at Elevation Church, uses a KK 205 on a SKM 2000 during Easter rehearsals at Elevation’s Blakeney campus.

Huntsville, Alabama – PESA, a leading U.S.-based custom design and build manufacturing company for professional audio and video signal distribution, today announced a new concept in fiber optic backplane design that uses MiniCube™ Miniature Form Pluggable (MFP) transmitter technology from Advanced Fiber Products, LLC. Introduced as the world’s first 3G-SDI MFP fiber routing switcher, the MFP option backplane for PESA’s Jaguar 3 64×64 series will be on display at the 2012 NAB Show (Booth SL9615), which runs through April 19 in Las Vegas, Nev.

MFP technology establishes a new approach to LC-type fiber connectivity. Traditional Small Form Pluggable (SFP) modules use right-angle card cages that take up valuable board space during the design process. With MFP modules, both vertical and right-angle pluggable cages are available, resulting in a 50 percent smaller footprint. With vertical mount cages, hot pluggable fiber connections can be loaded in the same backplane space as a standard BNC port, which simplifies product packaging and increases product performance.

Offering up to 64×64 high-speed fiber optic ports, PESA’s Jaguar 3 is the first routing switcher to incorporate MFP technology. With its unique backplane design, the Jaguar 3 can offer fiber and coax connections in the same chassis. Two shared backplanes allow I/O ports in groups of 32.

“Our MFP video transceiver works with existing infrastructures, but it uses about half the space and up to 40 percent less power than traditional video optical transceivers,” explained Mark Benton, general manager, Advanced Fiber Products. “As a result, it helps to create a very dense backplane offering pluggable modules, such as what you can find on the Jaguar 3. PESA has shown a lot of interest in this technology, and we appreciate working with them on this first MiniCube video router application.”

The Jaguar 3 can route all SMPTE and ITU standard serial digital video signals, plus it supports embedded audio and other ancillary data for SDI, HD-SDI, and DVB/ASI broadcast sources. For digital cinema, the Jaguar can easily be configured to support SMPTE S372 for dual-link HD-SDI. With the MFP optional fiber backplane, HD signals can be transmitted up to 10Km.

Although the 2 RU Jaguar 3 is small in size, it is big on performance. Data rates from 50 Mbps up to 3 Gbps are supported. All inputs are auto-equalized, while outputs are auto-sensed and re-clocked to the appropriate transport stream. For non-standard formats, re-clockers can be bypassed to allow any data rate up to 3 Gbps. Two independent reference inputs allow easy selection of sync using either black burst or tri-level sync source. The compact frame design features front load, hot-swappable card sets and includes slots for optional redundant power supply/control modules. The routing switcher frame can be configured to support a variety of control interfaces, including Ethernet, RS-232, or PESA’s PERC2000 control system.

The Jaguar 3 includes PESA’s user-friendly CATTRAX software, which provides a simple interface for diagnostics, setup, and switching. With CATTRAX, multiple users can operate the Jaguar control system from anywhere on the network. For pushbutton control, the Jaguar offers three styles of local or remote panels.

“Advanced Fiber Products has pioneered the next-generation fiber solution for flexible switching systems,” said Dan Holland, PESA vice president of product marketing. “The new MFP concept capitalizes on a miniature form factor technology that allows PESA to deliver the best possible video performance for fiber optic routing. As a result, long distance routing for high-end, high-speed video distribution is available in a more compact solutionfor military, government, production facilities, and sporting venues.”

About Advanced Fiber Products

Advanced Fiber Products, Ltd. (AFP) is a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of optical and optoelectronic and specialized products for telecom, enterprise, industrial, military and broadcast markets. The company headquartered at Haverhill, near Cambridge in the United Kingdom has developed a wide variety of novel and secure connectivity products, both fiber and copper for use in sensitive and adverse operating environments

Advanced Fiber Products, LLC., a wholly owned subsidiary of AFP, Ltd., designs, develops and manufactures HD/3G-SDI active video distance extending fiber optic products and multi-signal products for fixed and portable broadcast applications as well as oil and gas exploration and military applications. AFP, LLC is located near Chicago, Illinois in the United States.

About PESA

As a leading provider of audio/video connectivity, PESA offers a wide selection of routing switchers, matrix switchers, extenders, converters, media extenders, and signal processing gear to support government, military, industrial, commercial, broadcast and mobile truck applications. PESA offers one of the widest ranges of AV products – from large scale fiber optic routing to single-point CAT-5 DVI extenders – each with the integrity and innovative high performance technology expected from PESA. Our products are available around the world from a leading team of channel partners offering local support and installation; and all of our products are supported by 24/7 technical support. To learn more about our technologies and services visit www.pesa.com. PESA is located in Huntsville, Alabama with regional offices throughout the United States.

All products mentioned herein are trademarked property of their respective owners.

Huntsville, Alabama – PESA, a leading U.S.-based custom design and build manufacturing company for professional audio and video signal distribution, showcased its new HDcctv 16×16 matrix switch last month at ISC West 2012 in Las Vegas, Nev. The world’s first HDcctv-compliant matrix switch, it was the focal point of a technology demonstration conducted by the HDcctv Alliance®.

During the demonstration, PESA’s HDcctv 16×16 was connected via HD-SDI to cameras and DVRs from several manufacturers. Attendees were then able to select a DVR input and show any HDcctv camera source – with no signal delays or adjustments.

“The HDcctv Gallery at ISC West presented the highest-quality HD surveillance interoperability demonstration in history, facilitated by PESA’s HDcctv-compliant matrix,” said Todd E. Rockoff, Ph.D., executive director, HDcctv Alliance. “Exhibiting zero-latency viewing and seamless operation among a variety of manufacturers’ cameras and DVRs, the ISC West interoperability demonstration introduced hundreds of people to the quality of HDcctv equipment.

“What makes the result even more impressive, and which bodes well for the rapid adoption of HDcctv equipment in the surveillance industry, is that it was achieved without any fussing or custom adjustment of any of the cameras or DVRs,” Rockoff continued. “HDcctv products are truly plug and play, and makers of HDcctv-compliant products can guarantee electrical performance and 100 percent multi-vendor interoperability, even across versions of the standard.”

Founded in 2009, the nonprofit HDcctv Alliance develops and manages the technical interface specification for HDcctv, which was developed from broadcast industry standards and specialized for surveillance needs. The industry association promotes the adoption of HDcctv-compliant products and provides education for equipment manufacturers and their customers.

“We were proud to be part of the technology demonstration at ISC West,” said Dan Holland, PESA vice president of product marketing. “As the security industry continues to move toward high definition video surveillance solutions, it’s more important than ever to foster interoperability between equipment from different manufacturers. With the world’s first HDcctv-compliant matrix switch, PESA has taken an important step toward advancing this important specification.”

Designed specifically for HD video over coax, the HDcctv 16×16 features a compact 1 RU enclosure, local or remote network control options, and a redundant power supply and control card option. With a single RG-59 coax cable for each port, users can connect up to 16 HDcctv-compliant video cameras to the PESA HDcctv matrix switch and output up to 16 individual coax connections for HDcctv DVR or display devices. With the 1.5 Gbps enabled transport for each port, video resolutions for 720p and 1080p are evenly distributed without compression.

About PESA

As a leading provider of audio/video connectivity, PESA offers a wide selection of routing switchers, matrix switchers, extenders, converters, media extenders, and signal processing gear to support government, military, industrial, commercial, broadcast and mobile truck applications. PESA offers one of the widest ranges of AV products – from large scale fiber optic routing to single-point CAT-5 DVI extenders – each with the integrity and innovative high performance technology expected from PESA. Our products are available around the world from a leading team of channel partners offering local support and installation; and all of our products are supported by 24/7 technical support. To learn more about our technologies and services visit www.pesa.com. PESA is located in Huntsville, Alabama with regional offices throughout the United States.

All products mentioned herein are trademarked property of their respective owners.

Event produced by Zacuto and Kessler includes side-by-side comparisons of cameras made by Sony, Arri, Alexa, Canon and others.

CHICAGO—Filmworkers recently took part in a unique event testing the performance of the current generation of digital motion picture cameras, from leading edge camera systems used to shoot Hollywood blockbusters to the humble iPhone. The Revenge of the Great Camera Shootout was produced by Zacuto Films, a division of the Zacuto USA, highend camera accessories manufacturer and crane manufacturer Kessler Cranes. Like similar events produced by Zacuto in the past, RGCSO features side-by-side tests of camera systems made by Sony, Arri, Red, Canon, Panasonic and Apple. Filmworkers provided color grading services necessary to make direct comparisons between the output of the cameras. Grading was performed by colorist Jimmy Cadenas with additional grading by colorist Brian “Crash” Carlucci. more

4K workflow used in the production of “After Earth” for capture, back-up and dailies processing.

Culver City, Calif.—Colorworks, Sony Pictures Entertainments’ digital intermediate facility, is currently working with several service providers to offer efficient 4K workflow support for Sony’s new F65 CineAlta™ digital motion picture camera.

Color management and color grading developer FilmLight, camera supplier Otto Nemenz, production services company The Creative-Cartel, and post production services provider Technicolor are involved in the effort, whose aim is to support productions using the F65 “from the sensor to the screen.” The companies have developed a workflow based on the ACES format utilizing their complementary services and encompassing such processes as data recording and backup, on-set and near-set dailies processing, post production deliverables, and digital intermediate color grading and finishing.

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Hollywood, CA, April 18, 2012– City Films’ award winning filmmaker/director Sandy Smolan, working in conjunction with Creative Director John Di Minico, has completed production on two, 30-second PSA spots which were shot in Tanzania. The spots, sponsored by Hewlett-Packard, help to promote a 20-year effort in that country to develop a safe syringe that has the potential to save millions of lives annually.

Produced in conjunction with “LIFESAVER,” a non-profit organization based in the UK, the the City Films/Sandy Smolan HP PSA spots were shot concurrently with Smolan’s documentary, “1.3 Million Reasons to Re-Invent the Syringe.” Smolan also directs features and television series, and is exclusively repped commercially by City Films, Hollywood.

To view these PSA spots, please see:

https://vimeo.com/40565211

https://vimeo.com/40565212

The high-energy montage PSA spot entitled “The Code” focuses on an innovative short code text messaging system developed by HP to promote an innovative health care sponsored by The Tanzanian Ministry of Health and Lifesaver. This spot is a direct “call to action” to the people of Tanzania to send a text whenever they receive a safe injection.

In “The Code,” we hear the VO announcer say, “These five numbers are saving lives in East Africa every day.” A montage of the digits “15055” is seen, and the announcer declares, “HP is helping assure that all injections in East Africa are safe and sterile, by developing an innovative text messaging system that uses a simple five digit code that connects patients and health care workers,” as we see a young boy receive an injection at his local clinic. The VO continues, “With the ‘Lifesaver’ single use syringe, every time.” Five soccer players wearing the
important numbers “15055” jump into the air, and a montage of natives repeats the refrain “One, five, zero, five, five” several times. The VO concludes, “HP, using the power of information technology to help people connect and create a better world.”

In the PSA entitled “Phone,” we see a Tanzanian woman awaken her sleeping son, as the two then take a walk through their village to their local clinic. The child receives an injection, then takes his mother’s cell phone and presses the digits “15055.” The VO announcer again states, “HP has developed an innovative text messaging system that uses a simple five digit code to unite patients and health care workers with a ‘Lifesaver’ single use syringe, assuring that all injections are safe and sterile, every time.”

Regarding the HP PSAs, City Films’ co-founders Sheila Tighe and Josie Leonard said, “We were honored to have worked with HP by helping produce these important messages for the residents of Tanzania, a country that has, for too long, had to contend with people sharing used needles and spreading disease needlessly.”

Adds Smolan, “Shooting these spots was a remarkable experience. We were filming in remote villages, places without running water or electricity, yet sill almost everyone had cell phones! Technology, like the text messaging system that HP developed for use in East Africa, is connecting people in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago. These spots truly capture the far-reaching impact technology is having on lives across the world.”

Said John Di Minico, Creative Director for the spots, “Our goal was to be informational, instructional and inspirational. We felt it was essential to keep the spots very human – to inform and inspire the people of East Africa to participate in the program – while also integrating the technology and acknowledging HP’s tremendous contribution to this project.”

Credits for Two New HP PSA Spots:

Director: Sandy Smolan
Executive Producer: Sheila Tighe & Josie Leonard
Producer: Bill Medsker
Creative Director: John Di Minico
Editorial: Rock Paper Scissors
Music: Nylon Studios
Visual Effects: @52

ABOUT THE EFFORT BEHIND SAFE SYRINGES IN TANZANIA:

After learning that the leading cause of AIDS and Hepatitis would be through syringe transmission, Lifesaver founder Marc Kosca redesigned existing syringes so that they can’t be reused. Though the device has proven to be remarkably effective in stopping the spread of infectious diseases, he has had to wage a twenty-year battle again the major medical supply manufacturers and government bureaucracies in order to get the syringes accepted world-wide. With the decision this month by the government of Tanzania to adopt the AD syringe, he’s now on the verge of achieving that goal.

ABOUT SANDY SMOLAN:

An award-winning director whose work spans features, commercials, television, documentaries and web series, Sandy Smolan’s critically acclaimed debut feature film “Rachel River” was nominated for the “Grand Jury Prize” at the Sundance Film Festival, and also took awards for “Best Cinematography” and a “Special Jury Prize” for actress Viveca Lindfors. Smolan’s documentary “12 Stones”, about the remarkable transformation of a group of illiterate women in southern Nepal, recently won the “Jury Prize” for “Best Short Documentary” at the Tallahassee and Newport Beach Film Festivals.

Smolan recently directed the ten-part web series “In Gayle We Trust” for American Family Insurance on NBC.com, and the web series “First Day” for K-Mart. He also just completed producing and directing three short films for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and four short films about sustainability development in India, Georgia, Rwanda and Peru for Heifer International.

In the area of Corporate Social Responsibility, Smolan produced and directed seven films for the Tech Museum sponsored by Intel, Microsoft, Applied Materials, BD Biosciences and Nokia. He was a featured speaker at the 2010 EG Conference in Monterey, CA, and the 2010 INK Conference in Association with TED, in Lavasa, India. For more information about Sandy Smolan, please see
www.cityfilmsonline.com

ABOUT CITY FILMS:

City Films is an award-winning production company based in Hollywood, specializing in producing commercials, branded content, corporate social responsibility projects and documentaries for various media platforms. The company’s diverse and talented group of filmmakers combine current broadcast-quality production styles and techniques with great storytelling to deliver the message of its clients, which range from advertising and creative agencies, to non-profits, organizations, and government agencies around the world.

For more information, please call 310/567-8518 or visit
www.cityfilmsonline.com

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Smaller, Cost-Effective Solutions for Long-Distance ENG Transmission Proves to Be Affordable Alternative Option

LAS VEGAS, APRIL 18, 2012 – When Integrated Microwave Technologies, LLC (IMT), a Business Unit within the Vitec Group’s Videocom Division, and a leader in advanced digital microwave systems serving the Broadcast, Sports & Entertainment and MAG (Military, Aerospace & Government) markets, rolled out its first Ford Transit Connect MMRP ENG vehicle four years ago, it aimed to instill confidence in the smaller ENG platform as a viable asset for broadcast outlets. The cost of ownership of Ford Transit Connect ENG truck over a five year period is over $20,000 less when compared to similar larger ENG platforms, like Chevrolet Suburban and Ford E-150 Cargo van. Today, IMT has announced that it has expanded its MMRP offering with the design and customization of additional vehicle makes and models for all ENG sizes and budgets. IMT’s fully-equipped Ford Transit Connect MMRP ENG news vehicle will be on display at the 2012 NAB show (Booth OE1569). IMT will offer a special NAB price for the ENG truck, starting at $69,000 throughout the duration of the show. Additional microwave central receive and transmission systems will be on display at the company’s booth in Central Hall (C6432).

With the design for its MMRP ENG vehicles, IMT focuses on providing broadcasters with a variety of options and configurations for on-the-run applications in a flexible, cost-effective and turnkey package. Among the company’s recently customized vehicles are Chevrolet Suburbans, Tahoes, Trailblazers, HHRs, Ford Explorers, Expeditions and even an Audi Q7 and Buick Enclave. IMT has customized the vehicles for media outlets around the country, including broadcasters in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and New York.

“After successfully introducing the Ford Transit Connect as an ENG news vehicle, we started receiving numerous inquiries about whether we could customize vehicles broadcasters already owned,” says Integrated Microwave Technologies Divisional Chief Executive Stephen Shpock. “Our engineers worked out the logistics and we are now rolling out customized MMRP vehicles for broadcasters in markets all over the country.”

As the leading manufacturer of microwave video systems for the broadcast industry, IMT has unsurpassed expertise to handle custom newsgathering requests. IMT can transfer existing gear or provide options for full HD or SD audio/video/RF equipment packages. IMT’s customization includes a compact Will-Burt Nightscan mast. The compact pneumatic mast, low-maintenance design and efficient workflow platform come together in a cost-effective system.

With the addition of the Newscoder 4 to the MMRP, broadcasters are now able to transmit HD content efficiently over the same infrastructure used to transmit SD content. The Newscoder 4 is a compact, low-power, HD/SD, video/audio encoder with AES encryption. At just 3.7 cubic inches in size, Newscoder 4 delivers superior MPEG-4 H.264 SD and HD encoding.

Defining the next level of video compression, the Newscoder 4 provides an additional 30-percent bit rate reduction, low delays and video quality improvement over a baseline encoder. It also has the advantage of supporting a full main profile.

In addition to the Newscoder 4, standard features include a 2000-watt inverter, a standard extra-wide editing bench with flip-up lid and camera storage, an optional 275-amp alternator and optional LED scene lighting.

“Our ENG news vehicle customization is all about efficiency through simplicity,” adds Shpock. “In today’s market, budgets are extremely tight and broadcasters need to be able to adapt to the ever-changing environment. IMT has recognized the need and is proud to provide this cost-saving alternative to the broadcast industry.”

About Integrated Microwave Technologies, LLC
Integrated Microwave Technologies, LLC (IMT) is a Business Unit within the Vitec Group’s Videocom Division. The company comprises the leading microwave brands Nucomm, RF Central and Microwave Service Company (MSC), offering broadcasters worldwide complete broadcast solutions. Nucomm is a premium brand of digital microwave video systems (including COFDM and VSB) for portable and fixed link applications. RF Central is an innovative brand of compact microwave video equipment for licensed and license free broadcast applications. MSC is a premier provider of engineering, integration, technical support, installation and commissioning services. IMT is an ISO 9001:2008 certified QMS organization and recipient of multiple industry awards for design and innovations.

More information can be found at www.imt-broadcast.com.

A Snapshot of The Vitec Group
Vitec is an international Group principally serving customers in the broadcast, photographic and military, aerospace and government (MAG) markets. Listed on the London Stock Exchange with 2011 revenue of £351 million, Vitec is based on strong, well known, premium brands on which its customers worldwide rely. Vitec is organised in three divisions: Imaging & Staging, Videocom and Services.

Imaging & Staging designs, manufactures and distributes equipment and accessories for photography, video and events.

Videocom designs and distributes systems and products used in broadcasting and live entertainment, film and video production and MAG.

Services provides equipment rental, workflow design and technical support for camera, video, audio, fibre optic and wireless technology used by TV production teams and film crews.

More information can be found at www.vitecgroup.com.

Swiss Broadcast Service Provider Furnishes Edit Suites with Latest Model from RTW’s TouchMonitor Range

ZURICH, APRIL 18, 2012 – RTW, a leading manufacturer and distributor of professional audio metering and control devices for studio recording and radio and TV broadcast applications, today announced that technology and production center (tpc) in Zurich, Switzerland, has ordered seven TM3 units from RTW’s TouchMonitor range, prior to the official introduction of the product. tpc is the first company to take delivery of the long-awaited entry-level audio meter. Decibel S.A., RTW’s Swiss distributor, supplied the TM3s to the production facility.The company will employ the units in its newly installed edit suites, which will be used primarily for sports programming. tpc ordered the six-channel version of the TM3, as it needs to monitor multiple stereo outputs in parallel.

Alfio Di Fazio, audio-project manager, tpc, ordered the RTW devices long before the actual market launch. “When the larger TM7 and TM9 TouchMonitors were first introduced, the R128 national group and I talked with Michael Kahsnitz, head of engineering at RTW, about a smaller version specifically made for video edit suites,” he says. “The TM3 seems to meet our requirements in this area perfectly.”

tpc is so pleased with the TM3 units that it is considering purchasing more units for its numerous studios, ensuring all of its audio monitoring needs are covered.
An independent subsidiary of SRG SSR, tpc oversees TV, radio, and multimedia productions and systems, and provides custom broadcasting solutions for Swiss broadcaster Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF). tpc is Switzerland’s largest and best-equipped broadcast service provider. As a general contractor, it offers all services required for producing, publishing and managing high-quality broadcast and video projects.
“tpc is a world-renowned service provider in the broadcast industry,” says Andreas Tweitmann, CEO, RTW. “We are very happy to have them as the first TM3 TouchMonitor user worldwide. RTW designed the new TM3 as a technologically sophisticated yet reasonably priced solution specifically for broadcast journalist work spaces, edit suites and small control rooms.”
The RTW TM3 TouchMonitor enables quick and easy loudness metering. It comprises a display unit featuring a 4.3-inch touch screen for horizontal or vertical use and a separate interface box. The easy-to-learn operating concept allows for fast selection of presets that are configured using the Device DC1 software, which is available for Mac and Windows. In addition to PPM and true-peak instruments, the TM3 offers comprehensive loudness metering in compliance with all globally relevant standards, including EBU R128, ITU BS.1770-2/1771, ATSC A/85 and ARIB. Instruments include single-channel and summing bar graphs, loudness range and numerical displays. The TM3 stereo version handles analog and digital audio, while the TM3-6CH version also supports six-channel digital input (an upgrade option for stereo units is also available).

Field Template™, the industry’s leading source for theatrical lighting symbols, is pleased to announce the release of significant upgrades to its popular SoftSymbol™ packages of ETC, ETC Selador, and USITT for use in the Vectorworks® environment. Designed by Steve Shelley, these upgrades include the latest equipment for all three libraries, and the 3D components possess Focus Functionality® in the Vw2011 environment.

The ETC symbol library includes all emitter configurations of the Source Four LED ellipsoidal, the Source Four Fresnel, the XT Zoom ellipsoidal, and all wattage variations for the HPL and HID Source Four fixture series.

The ETC Selador symbol library includes all variations of the Desire D40, D40XT, and D60 fixtures, and all lengths of Lustr+, Paletta, Pearl, Vivid Fire, Vivid Ice, and Vivd-R fixtures.

All 3D symbol components of the USITT object library have been upgraded to accurately reflect the symbols in the library. Shelley has also added another 60 basic symbols, which increases basic drafting functionality.

All three libraries include graphic SoftMaps© and SoftData© in PDF format. They also include Sam Jones’ fabulous Data Conversion macros, which convert all lighting elements from imperial to metric and back again in a single click.

The three libraries are available in two editions; the Legacy Edition is designed for Vectorworks 2008, 2009, and 2010. The Vw2011 Edition is designed for the Vectorworks 2011 and 2012 environments—in any 3D view, and lighting devices automatically aim to a Spotlight focus point.

These upgrades reflect Field Templates and Shelley’s continuing commitment to maintaining SoftSymbol as a trusted tool for designers by providing the most current and useful theatrical lighting symbols throughout the industry.

All three new object libraries can be viewed and downloaded from the Field Template website: www.fieldtemplate.com.

About SoftSymbols
SoftSymbols™ is a CAD-based theatrical lighting symbol package created in the Vectorworks® environment. Lighting and Template Designer Steve Shelley designed the symbols with the patented icons used to create his award-winning series of Field Templates™. With over 3,700 symbols, it is the most complete and unified symbol library available.

Las Vegas, NV – April 18, 2012 – Brevity, a venture-backed NYC start-up serving the Media & Entertainment industry announced today a strategic partnership with TRANZXL, a bi-coastal service company that is launching the first Brevity powered service bureaus, drop-off rentals and on-location packages designed to speed and simplify HD file conversion and delivery. Recognizing the growing need for time and cost savings associated with file-based HD production for TV, film, live and web, TRANZXL will allow producers, broadcasters and creators to use and rent units at TRANZXL’s New York and Los Angeles facilities for short periods of time on a per project basis.

“Brevity’s V3 technology was developed to transform the current state of the broadcast and production industry,” said Jake Bronstein, CEO, Brevity. “TRANZXL is working along the same ideal as us to further the opportunity for those in the video production and media industry who may only need a Brevity unit for a specific project.”

Debuting at NAB 2012, Brevity V3 is a breakthrough technology that delivers simultaneous transcoding and highly accelerated transport of high-resolution video as an integrated process on any network. V3 delivers this capability through a Web based enterprise video management solution that utilizes automated project-driven workflows, advanced algorithms, virtual storage, Web-based interfaces, and teraflops of computing power.

TRANZXL is utilizing the Brevity solution to meet a very specific audience of professional HD producers, delivering their content to TV, film and the web. Production companies, live event producers and commercial agencies all struggle with the format complexities and wasted time that it takes to service the growing amount of HD footage being created everyday. By collaborating with Brevity to customize and develop their technologies for the specific needs of these HD producers, TRANZXL can provide a faster, more automated and collaborative approach to many workflow steps that are currently executed manually on costly edit systems, dramatically improving production efficiencies while lowering costs.

“I’ve been a hands-on producer and editor for over 20 years. I’ve seen tape to tape, to digital, to cards and files…more shooting and HD cameras than imaginable,” said Paul G Goldberg, CEO, TRANZXL. “Working with Brevity to develop unique solutions for HD content production will have an immediate impact on our industry saving even small and independent producers and creative talent significant time, money and resources spent on the editing and post process.”

A Brevity demo will be available at the TRANZXL booth located in the Lower South Hall, SL12807. Brevity will be located at booth SL13316 at NAB from April 16, 2012 to April 19, 2012.

Brevity is based in New York City and has a sales office in Los Angeles and a development office in the Portland, Oregon area.

ABOUT BREVITY
Brevity provides breakthrough technology that offers for the first time the ability to simultaneous transcode while transporting video at incredibly fast speeds- over any network- Internet, fiber, or data satellite. Founded in 2010 by Jacob Bronstein and Abdul Sulieman, Brevity transforms media production and distribution workflows and redefines the time, cost, and efficiency required to support M&E operations. Brevity is working with leading networks, studios, content providers, sports teams, and production houses to redefine media production and distribution around the world. For more information please visit us at www.brevityv.com or follow us @BrevityV.

ABOUT TRANZXL
TRANZXL was developed by experienced production and post people to help producers eliminate wasted time, money and opportunity cost by automating and quickening the overwhelming process of conversion, transport and management of HD media from shoot to final delivery. We believe innovative technology and ideas that support media conversion, transport, management and collaboration, will change our industry in a substantial way and our goal is for TRANZXL to be a pioneer in this movement into the future of digital HD production. For more information please visit us at www.tranzxl.com or follow us @TRANZXL.