Archive for May 15th, 2012

COMPANY RECEIVES HONORS FROM BROADCAST ENGINEERING AND
TV TECHNOLOGY FOR MULTI-CHANNEL LOUDNESS PROCESSING OVER IP PLATFORM

Las Vegas, NV – Cobalt Digital received double honors at NAB 2012 with awards from the broadcast industry’s leading publications. Both Broadcast Engineering and TV Technology acknowledged the ingenuity of LMNTS™ (Loudness Management for n-Transport Streams) – the manufacturer’s new multi-channel loudness processing over IP platform – with highly sought-after awards presented to only a tiny fraction of products exhibited at the show held in Las Vegas from April 16th – April 19th. NAB is the world’s largest electronic media show covering filmed entertainment and the development, management and delivery of content across all mediums.

“Cobalt’s LMNTS is an exciting “first” in comprehensive transport-based loudness processing,” commented Chris Shaw, Cobalt’s senior vp of sales and marketing. “We are pleased that not only one, but two of our most respected publications recognized LMNTS as a quantum leap in multi-stream loudness processing. It offers broadcasters a much-needed economic, consistent solution that’s easy to integrate.“

Ideal for MVPDs and MSOs where a large number of diverse programming sources must be simultaneously controlled, LMNTS performs automatic loudness processing across many transport streams. It operates at the MPEG IP transport layer to provide a practical loudness management solution without the need or complexity of external codecs transferring between baseband and MPEG external interfaces.

Available in both IP and ASI versions, LMNTS extracts and decodes audio codec packets from the program stream, performs high-quality PCM loudness processing, and then re-encodes and re-packets the audio within its stream. Physically, all data connections to LMNTS are via GigE IP or ASI interfaces using an industry-standard IT hardware platform with no intermediary breakouts.

LMNTS is fully scalable and works with single and multi program streams, and supports all video codecs. Because it uses the same high-quality LINEAR ACOUSTIC® Aeromax™ loudness processing for each stream, perfect loudness consistency is assured for all programming passing through the system.

Broadcast Engineering’s Pick Hits are among the most prestigious technical awards given at NAB. A panel of independent judges not affiliated with the magazine, tours the show floor for three days looking for innovative products and technology. The judges then met to make their selections based on several criteria, including the technical and financial improvements the product can bring to a facility’s operation. At NAB 2012, only 23 products received the final nod.

TV Technology’s STAR Awards (for Superior Technology Award Recipient) are designed to celebrate and showcase the preeminent technological innovations available to the media industry. Editors search the show floor for the most innovative technologies that demonstrate an ability to help advance the acquisition and distribution of entertainment and information across the media spectrum. Finalists were examined by a panel of broadcast industry experts and judged for their technical applications and overall contribution to the industry.

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ABOUT COBALT DIGITAL INC.
Cobalt Digital Inc. designs and manufactures award-winning 3G/HD/SD conversion gear for the broadcast television environment. Distributed through a worldwide network of dealers, system integrators, and other partnerships, Cobalt products are backed with a 5-year warranty. For more information, visit http://www.cobaltdigital.com.

Company Contact: Chris Shaw, VP of Sales and Marketing
+1-217-344-1243 / chris.shaw@cobaltdigital.com

Press Contact: Desert Moon Communications / Harriet Diener
+1-845-512-8283 / harriet@desertmooncomm.com

LQM-471W MONITOR RECEIVES “STAR” AWARD FROM THE EDITORS OF TV TECHNOLOGY
DIGITAL VIDEO PRESENTS “BLACK DIAMOND” AWARD TO COMPANY FOR LVM-074W MONITOR

LAS VEGAS — TVLogic has added another two awards to its growing collection of honors. The manufacturer of LCD and OLED high definition displays received a STAR award from the editors of TV Technology at NAB 2012 for their new LQM-471W monitor; and their LVM-074W was recognized for outstanding achievement with a Black Diamond Award from Digital Video at the same show. NAB, held in Las Vegas from April 16th – April 19th, is the world’s largest electronic media show covering filmed entertainment and the development, management and delivery of content across all mediums.

Now celebrating its 12th anniversary, the STAR Awards (for Superior Technology Award Recipient) are designed to celebrate and showcase the preeminent technological innovations available to the media industry. A judging panel of broadcast industry experts reviewed a variety of products and services, examined the technical applications and their overall contribution to the industry, and then submitted their award nominees.

“The NAB show serves as the launching pad for thousands of new products and services for audio and video professionals,” said Tom Butts, TV Technology Editor-in-Chief. “Our panel of editors walked the show floor in search of the most innovative technologies. The products and services that we selected for the STAR Award made the cut—they demonstrated their ability to help advance the acquisition and distribution of entertainment and information across the media spectrum.”

The award-winning LQM-471W, a 47” 1920×1080 quad input monitor, was designed for multi-source monitoring in control rooms. With four SDI inputs/outputs, the LQM-471W supports multiple display configurations with features like Waveform/Vector Scope, Closed-Caption support, Timecode display, and remote control.

TVLogic also received a Black Diamond Award from Digital Video for their innovative LVM-074W 7″production Viewfinder Monitor. Black Diamonds recognize outstanding achievement in the advancement of video technology. A select panel of engineers, editors, and production and post professionals joined the magazine staff to judge the Best of Show awards. Weighing in at only 1.4lbs., the LVM-074W met the qualifications with its perfect blend of form and functionality.

“Our teams searched the NAB show floor for products that were truly deserving of recognition,” says NewBay Media Broadcast & Video Group Vice President & Group Publisher Eric Trabb. “Recognition with an award at NAB from the Broadcast & Video Group is a strong vote of confidence and admiration from this leading industry publication.”

Both TV Technology and Digital Video are part of NewBay Media’s Broadcast & Video Group of products.

About TV Logic
TVLogic designs and manufactures LCD and OLED High Definition displays from 7″ to 57″ designed specifically for broadcast, production, post-production, digital signage and multi-viewer applications. For further information: www.tvlogicusa.com.

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TV Logic USA Contact: Wes Donahue
818-885-6442 / wes@tvlogicusa.com

Press Contact: Desert Moon Communications / Harriet Diener
845-512-8283 / mailto:harriet@desertmooncomm.com

Hooligan editor Thomas Ostuni was recently honored for creative editorial excellence at the 11th annual AICE Awards Show. In the spec spot category, Ostuni won the top honor for I Am Not You, a moving short film advocating bipartisanship in America. He was also shortlisted in the music video category for editing Joseph Arthur’s Over the Sun, a ground-breaking music video (directed by Rick Knief) shot on a multi-iPhone rig, and captured within iPhone and iPad apps. The AICE Awards ceremony was presented on May 10, 2012 at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey, CA.

To view I Am Not You, please visit: www.iamnotyou.org
To view Over the Sun, please visit: www.vimeo.com/35725171

Hooligan and Ostuni teamed up with a collective of NYC-based ad creatives and filmmakers to create I Am Not You. At its core, the film is a grassroots message to Washington urging bipartisanship. Today, it serves as a modern-day chain-letter at iamnotyou.org. The website’s interactive platform encourages viewers to use the “Agree/Disagree” feature and respond via the comments section.

“I was honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with Table of Content on this project, especially given its poignant message,” remarks Ostuni. “Being acknowledged by the AICE for editing this project made the whole experience that much more special.”

A message from the fellow artists behind the project reads:

“We did it because some members of Congress couldn’t even bring themselves to sit next to each other for one evening. We did it because anger and finger pointing and entrenchment are the new normal in Washington. We did it because there are schools to improve and roads to rebuild and budgets to balance and jobs to create and ideas to nurture. We did it because there are wars to end and troops to bring home. We did it because Congress is filled with good men and women who have lost sight of their job. We did it because we are better than this. How will we be remembered? What will we build? It’s time to reclaim the best of what America stands for. Individual choice. Common goals. “What is it then, between us,” Walt Whitman said. I am you. And you are me.”

About Hooligan: We are an artist-run coalition of award-winning editorial, graphic design and director talent. We launched in 2011, rallying some of the industry’s top editorial boutiques under one roof. Located at NYC’s Union Square, our stomping grounds are in the heart of the creative advertising world. Built around exceptional talent and experience, our manifesto is based on clean, old-fashioned loyalty to our clients. hooligannyc.com

EMERYVILLE, CALIF. – Advanced Systems Group (ASG), a leading West Coast video and film integration firm, added Cullen Quave to its inside sales team in March. He is focused on researching and supporting sales orders for ASG technicians in the field, as well as providing software solutions for ASG clients, specifically Autodesk 3D content creation and creative finishing products.

Quave has worked in the Bay Area film and video community for more than 25 years, including positions with Media Distributors and Steadi Systems. Most recently, he was a sales representative for Calumet Photographic. He has also done freelance film and video production. Quave is based at ASG’s Emeryville office and can be contacted at (510) 654-8300 or via e-mail at cullen@asgllc.com.

About ASG:

Advanced Systems Group LLC of Emeryville, Calif., with offices in the Bay Area and Southern California, has provided engineering, systems, integration, support and training to the broadcast, film, creative, and corporate video markets since 1997. With unmatched experience in Apple-based newsroom systems, shared storage, archiving, editing, finishing, and VFX systems, ASG has become one of largest installers of post production and shared storage systems on the West Coast. The ASG team is highly focused on customer success, and has installed and supported more than 185 SANs, production, and post production systems over the last six years. For more information, visit www.asgllc.com or call 510-654-8300.

Company experiences record breaking sales of loudness control solutions

AudioTools Server from Minnetonka Audio

MINNETONKA, MN – Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc., a leader in production software for motion picture, broadcast surround sound and consumer electronics applications, reported today that their installed base for the AudioTools Server automated audio processor line has outstripped all projections for FY 2011 and sales are setting records for the first half of FY 2012.

AudioTools Server is an enterprise software system for file-based workflows. Though loudness control and quality control automation are the two most sought after configurations, AudioTools Server is designed to automate most audio processing tasks. A complete, turnkey solution for managing and processing linear PCM, Dolby E, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital Plus content, as well as the audio essence in MXF and QuickTime(r) files, AudioTools Server extracts audio essence, processes the data in a wide variety of ways, and reconfigures channel assignments as required prior to repackaging.

John Schur, President of Minnetonka Audio, credits the company’s combined knowledge and experience for the success of their AudioTools Server platform. “Over 25 years of award winning OEM and retail audio development, combined with our close collaborations with system integrators and broadcasters, has given us a deep understanding of file-based workflows,” Schur said. “This has resulted in our ATS platform, the ultimate vehicle for file-based audio post processing. AudioTools Server represents decades of expertise encapsulated in a flexible, focused package of audio specialization with a low cost of entry. Some of the largest broadcasters worldwide have acknowledged that leadership.”

The focused audio expertise embodied in the AudioTools Server product line has been recognized by global broadcasters and post houses as they address recommended practices for loudness control in the face of changing requirements. ARTE, Canal +, Ericsson, France Télévisions, RTL Group, SBS Broadcasting, SKY, Visual Data and WDR Westdeutscher Rundfunk have all purchased AudioTools Server configurations to maximize throughput while maintaining quality and compliance.

Markus Hintz, Director of Global Sales and Business Development, observes that strong sales are a result of AudioTools Loudness Control Server becoming the de facto standard for file-based loudness control. “In the European Union, where governmental efforts to control subjective loudness have been underway for several years, we provide a welcome problem solver that’s scalable and easily integrated into existing production environments.”

AudioTools Server is available now through Minnetonka Audio’s international network of resellers and system integrators. For in-depth information on the AudioTools Server line and all of Minnetonka Audio’s products, visit www.minnetonkaaudio.com on the web or call Minnetonka Audio at 1-952-449-6481 or 49-2162-1062622.

:: About Minnetonka Audio Software ::
An award winning solutions provider for motion picture, video, broadcast, game, and optical disc production, Minnetonka Audio Software creates essential technology for top media professionals around the world. Their SurCode, discWelder and revolutionary AudioTools Server product lines broadly support the CD, DVD, BD and international DTV standards, and represent the definitive leader in OEM audio codec solutions as well as file-based QC and loudness control. Based in Minnetonka, Minnesota and spanning over two decades of operation, Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc. has a subsidiary in Germany in addition to an international network of distributors and channel partners who share their commitment to quality and service.

AudioTools Server, AudioTools Loudness Control Server and the Minnetonka Audio Software logo are trademarks of Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
Minnetonka Audio Software Inc.

Salt Lake City, UT – The Digital Screenmedia Association (DSA) presented two Industry Excellence Awards to Broadcast International (BCST.OB) for its “first-of-its-kind” Managed Media Services Network; a digital signage network designed to accommodate the multi-channel marketing needs of financial institutions. The DSA Industry Excellence Awards recognize the best self-service, digital signage and mobile technology deployments across all vertical market segments.

Broadcast International received awards for “Best Financial Services Deployment – Digital Signage”, and “Best Financial Services Deployment – Self-Service / Interactive Kiosks.” Winners were announced during Customer Engagement Technology World in San Francisco, CA on March 27.

Broadcast InternationaI’s Managed Media Services replaces virtually 90% of an institution’s printed marketing collateral with a digital solution consisting of digital signage and posters, tablets, and music with messaging. The network also has the ability to deliver training and internal communications via live video and video-on-demand to associates. The entire solution consisting of software, equipment, screens, network, management, installation, analytics, and field services, is provided as a turnkey managed service with a single point of contact to facilitate ease-of-operations and reduce costs. These services have already been deployed by several financial institutions and retailers, and were showcased at Digital Signage Expo in early March.

Kevin Lawrence, VP Managed Media Services, was in San Francisco to receive the awards. “I’m honored by these two awards from the DSA and appreciate their efforts to promote the digital signage industry through education, networking, and advocacy. We are focused on creating a more interactive and engaging experience for our customers. It is very gratifying to have that work and innovation recognized by some of the most respected individuals in this industry. These awards validate Broadcast International as an industry leader and establish our services as a new standard for customer engagement and interactivity.”

The Digital Screenmedia Association (DSA) was established to advance the growth and excellence of the global digital signage, interactive kiosk, and mobile community.

About Broadcast International
Broadcast International is a leading provider of managed media services, including digital signage, live and on demand video, and streaming.
BI’s patented CodecSys software is a breakthrough, multi-codec video compression technology that cuts video bandwidth requirements over satellite, cable, IP and wireless networks. By slashing bandwidth needs, CodecSys enables a new generation of applications such as streaming video to cell phones, and offers unprecedented price/ performance benefits for existing applications such as HD video.

Broadcast International is a public company (OTC Bulletin Board:BCST.ob – News) headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT. For more information, visit: www.brin.com and www.codecsys.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this news release that are not based on historical fact are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which Sections were adopted as part of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). While management has based any forward-looking statements contained herein on its current expectations, the information on which such expectations were based may change. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to materially differ from such statements. Such risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, but are not necessarily limited to, those set forth under the caption “Additional Factors That May Affect Our Business” in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K and 10-Q filings, and amendments thereto. In addition, we operate in a highly competitive and rapidly changing environment, and new risks may arise. Accordingly, investors should not place any reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. We disclaim any intention to, and undertake no obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statement.

Contacts:
Broadcast International
Company contact:
Cameron Francis
Vice President Products
Broadcast International
801-562-2252
pr@Brin.com

Press contact:
Harriet Diener
Desert Moon Communications
845-512-8283
harriet@desertmooncomm.com

(London, UK) Renowned Nucoda Colourist Aidan Farrell was presented with BAFTA’s Special Award at the British Academy Television Craft Awards. The award recognises his outstanding creative contribution to the industry and his extensive work and accomplishments in his field.

Farrell, who has a Nucoda suite at The Farm in Soho, has worked on many high-profile television documentaries and dramas in recent years including: The Devil’s Whore, Wallander, Boy A, The Shadow Line and the mutli-award winning Downton Abbey. He says, “I’m extremely honoured to have received this award. The fact that BAFTA has considered my whole portfolio of work to date is incredible and I’m delighted.”

A perfectionist, Farrell likes to push the creative boundaries for his craft giving an edge that moves away from the traditional. When talking about grading Downton Abbey’s first series on Nucoda Film Master he says, “A lot of period features and programmes have a very de-saturated look with soft blacks and highlights. It’s almost as if we have to immediately tell the viewer it’s a period piece from the outset.

“In real life, or in any movie you’re drawn to visually, you don’t see all the detail all the time in every shot. No matter what period the piece that you’re grading is set in, the colour of the trees the sky and the natural habitat was the same colour as it is today. There seems to be a trend to brown and dull down the picture creating colour contamination where there’s no separation of primary or secondary colours and everything blends into each other. With Downton the main objective was to come up with a very modern and fresh approach.”

He’s recently begun test shots on the Nucoda for the third series of Downton Abbey, which is back on UK screens in the autumn.

About Digital Vision
Digital Vision was founded in 1988 in Stockholm, Sweden. With offices in Stockholm, London and Los Angeles, and Linkoping in Sweden, Digital Vision has developed Emmy award winning technology for the Broadcast and Post Production marketplace. In 2005, Digital Vision acquired Nucoda Ltd and integrated its technology into the Nucoda product line. This has resulted in the leading colour grading, finishing and mastering solutions that are used to create much of the world’s high profile television, film and commercials media broadcast today. The Phoenix restoration software solutions and Golden Eye range of scanners – in addition to the Nucoda range – provide innovative tools to create the industry recognized highest quality HD, 2K/4K and stereoscopic 3D images. In April 2011 Digital Vision acquired Image Systems and is now a division of the Image Systems group of companies.

All trademarks used herein, whether recognized or not, are the properties of their respective companies.

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Digital Vision Marketing Contact:
Alexa Maza | alexa.maza@digitalvision.se | Tel: +1 (818) 769-8111

Digital Vision USA PR Contact:
Ignite | Christine Purse | chris@ignite.bz | Tel: +1 818 303 8088 | Mobile: +1 323 806 9696

Digital Vision EMEA & Asia PR Contact:
Jump PR | Kate Ford | kate@jumppr.tv | Tel: +44 (0) 1932 240001 | Mobile: +44 (0) 7740 948 065

RF Management Ensures Interference-Free Coverage for Telemundo’s Broadcast of the Show

MIAMI, MAY 15, 2012—Professional Wireless Systems (PWS), a Masque Sound Company and experts in supplying and supporting wireless systems for live and broadcast events, has been providing wireless solutions and gear onsite at the Billboard Latin Music Awards for the past 13 years. This year, during the Billboard Latin Music Awards at the BankUnited Center in Miami, the PWS team, including Brooks Schroeder and James Stoffo, created a custom wireless communications package for the show, with the company’s frequency coordination team working backstage to ensure all wireless operations went off without a hitch.

“This year’s package included all of the wireless microphones, in-ear monitors and IFBs for the technical production and musical elements, as well as the wireless communication for the production crew for both the main show and pre-awards red carpet show,” says Brooks Schroeder, project manager, PWS.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards grew out of the Billboard Music Awards program from Billboard magazine, an industry publication charting the sales and radio airplay success of musical recordings. Since 1999, the awards ceremony has been broadcast on the Telemundo television network, where it has become the network’s highest-rated music special.

For the main show, PWS used the new Shure Axient wireless microphone system along with the Shure PSM1000 personal monitor system. “The Axient Wireless microphone system provides us with an innovative and fail-safe system,” adds Schroeder. “Features like the advanced planning, setup and control capabilities of the Axient make it an extremely reliable product, especially in the very populated Miami television environment.”

The PSM 1000 brings personal monitoring to its most advanced level yet. The PSM1000’s diversity bodypack receiver is ideally suited for large awards shows and other special events with a high noise floor from LED walls and the other wireless systems. According to Schroeder, “We chose to use the PSM 1000s because it outperforms the other equipment on the market and comes loaded with operational features that no other equipment has. This is critical for live broadcast because you want to hedge your bets as much as you can by using the most reliable equipment available. This equipment allowed us to focus on all of the other things we needed to do.”

Additionally, for the pre-show red carpet activities, PWS’ John Garrido utilized Shure UHF-R wireless microphones and BTR 800 intercoms. In addition to the equipment provided, frequency coordination was another large part of the service PWS performed for the show. During the festivities, PWS’ team of experts was busy monitoring the RF spectrum to ensure there were no issues with the large amount of media covering the event.

“Trying to manage the local and international press that are in attendance and make sure they do not interrupt the frequencies used for the shows is a big challenge,” concludes Schroeder. “Our goal is to have a perfect, interference-free show every time and we do whatever it takes to accomplish that. By using customized gear and bringing in our filtered products, RF monitors and antennas, we are able to pull off these large shows. This year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards was another successful event for us.”

For more information about Professional Wireless Systems, visit http://www.professionalwireless.com.

About Masque Sound
Founded in 1936 by a trio of Broadway stagehands, Masque Sound evolved into one of NYC’s most successful theatrical sound reinforcement, installation and design companies specializing in live concert, television broadcast, corporate, industrial, theatrical, house of worship and sports events. Celebrating more than 75 years in the industry, the company is lead by Geoff Shearing, the firm’s 3rd generation owner, and General Manager Stephanie Hansen. The company also operates Florida-based Professional Wireless Systems, a leader in the development and implementation of wireless technology. Credits range from major Broadway shows and tours including “Phantom of the Opera,” “Mama Mia,” “Jersey Boys,” “Memphis,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Newsies,” and “Once” to yearly Super Bowl broadcasts and installations of varying sizes, including New York’s New Victory Theater, historic St. Bartholomew’s Church and NYU’s James L. Dolan Recording Studio. Masque Sound’s 70,000 sq. ft. corporate headquarters and main assembly facility is located at 21 East Union Ave., East Rutherford, NJ, 20 minutes from midtown Manhattan. For more information, call (201) 939-8666 or visit www.MasqueSound.com.

KOBA 2012, Seoul, Korea
May 29-June 1
Harmonic Product Preview
Stand D312
more

OSLO, Norway — May 15, 2012 — Bridge Technologies will showcase its range of industry-leading monitoring and analysis solutions for cable operators on booth V10 at the ANGA Cable Show 2012. more