Archive for August 20th, 2012

Avio F120 KVM extender joins Maevex Series Encoder/Decoder pair and DualHead2Go Digital ME external multi-monitor adapter at Europe’s premier broadcasting conference

Montreal, Canada — Matrox Graphics announced today the Matrox Avio F120 KVM extender will serve as just one of many high-performance solutions managing visually impressive digital media and entertainment content at International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) 2012, stand #7.B29. New Matrox Maevex Series video distribution over IP technology will also be showcased, extending 1080p video to a network of Maevex Decoders. The Matrox DualHead2Go™ Digital ME external multi-monitor adapter will meanwhile expand a Mac notebook’s onscreen space through the addition of two external DVI displays, enhancing the workspace and overall computing experience of users in the process.

The Avio F120 KVM extender will demonstrate how a high-end workstation can be placed in a secure, climate-controlled machine room and extend its dual-HD video, keyboard, mouse, and audio over a single fiber-optic cable by up to 2 km. This is done without compromising the computing experience of the user or the security of the content. Avio’s uncompressed transmission maintains system performance and ensures the playback of HD, 2K, and 4K video without any dropped frames or added latency — a critical requirement of editing, production, and broadcast environments.

New Maevex Series technology will also be highlighted. Maevex Encoder and Decoder units will be demonstrated delivering one-to-many multicast Blu-ray quality video over standard TCP/IP networks with minimal network bandwidth consumption. The Decoder unit can notably serve as a standalone media player, driving content from local or networked sources. PowerStream software meanwhile lets users intuitively and effectively leverage Maevex, with applications ranging from digital signage to acting in collaboration with solutions such as scalable video walls in a vast array of other sectors.

Also at the Matrox booth, the DualHead2Go Digital ME will yield a cost-effective multi-monitor platform for more-effective multitasking across two 23″ high-resolution DVI monitors. Connecting to the Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt™ output of a Mac® notebook, the DualHead2Go Digital ME is must-have productivity-enhancing gear for video editors and design artists in any content-creation or multimedia capacity.

Matrox Video Products Group will also be on hand showcasing H.264 encoding accelerators; A/V input/output/monitoring devices for use with the latest Adobe®, Apple®, and Avid® editing applications; video streaming solutions; cost-effective HD-SDI scan converters; versatile mini-converters; and multiviewers.

What:
IBC 2012

When:
Friday, September 7, 2012 – Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Where:
Stand #7.B29
RAI Amsterdam
Europaplein NL 1078 GZ
Amsterdam
Netherlands

About Matrox Graphics Inc.
Matrox Graphics is a leading manufacturer of graphics solutions for professional markets. In-house design expertise, top-to-bottom manufacturing, and dedicated customer support make our solutions the premier choice in industries that require stable, high-reliability products. Founded in 1976, Matrox is a privately held company headquartered in Montreal, Canada, with representation and offices in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

For more information, visit www.matrox.com/graphics/ibc_2012 or contact graphics@matrox.com.

Matrox and Matrox product names are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of Matrox Electronic Systems, Ltd. and/or Matrox Graphics Inc. in Canada and/or other countries.
All other company and product names are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of their respective owners. Mac is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Colorist John Persichetti helps cinematographer Anastas N. Michos, ASC recreate the look of Motown.

Culver City, Calif.— Colorworks, Sony Pictures Entertainments’ digital intermediate facility, recently completed final post work for Sparkle, the new movie from Tri-Star Pictures, starring Jordin Sparks and Whitney Houston. Digital intermediate colorist John Persichetti worked under the supervision of director Salim Akil and cinematographer Anastas N. Michos, ASC in performing final color grading for the film. more

Company to Showcase and Demo Its Nucomm and RF Central Wireless Gear

BEIJING, CHINA, AUGUST 20, 2012 — 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, showcases its Nucomm and RF Central state-of-the-art digital microwave video systems for portable and fixed-link applications at BIRTV 2012 (Booth 8B15), China’s premier radio, film and television industry exhibition.

“We are thrilled to bring our state-of-the-art wireless equipment to BIRTV 2012,” says Integrated Microwave Technologies Divisional Chief Executive Stephen Shpock. “We are committed to the Asia market, and this show is an excellent opportunity for us to create not only new business relationships, but to further support our existing business partners and resellers.”

IMT demonstrates its next-generation Nucomm CamPac2 Plus (CP2 Plus) HD/SD COFDM microwave transmitter at BIRTV. Intended for such wireless camera applications as sports coverage and electronic news-gathering (ENG), the CP2 Plus offers MPEG-4 encoding/decoding, superb HD and low-power consumption. It is available in licensed and other bands upon request. Its stylish and rugged machined housing provides durability and exceptional thermal characteristics for operation in the harshest of conditions. The CP2 Plus offers the same quality transmission as its predecessor, in half the amount of bandwidth, utilizing MPEG-4. It also allows more video paths in the same amount of bandwidth, a feature attractive to stations in markets with high amounts of RF congestion.

Also on display is Nucomm’s Newscaster DR2, a split-box HD/SD COFDM diversity microwave receiver intended for outside broadcast and other mobile video applications. Its stylish rugged machined housing provides durability and excellent thermal characteristics for operation in the harshest of conditions. The receiver has four RF inputs that communicate directly with the system’s external intelligent receivers in the 1.99- to 2.70-GHz and 6.40- to 7.75-GHz bands, with other bands also available. The use of external intelligent receivers allows the receive antennas to be remotely mounted.

IMT is also showcasing its RF Central Direct VU COFDM (DVB-T compliant) diversity handheld receiver/monitor. Direct VU offers exceptional RF performance and durability, combined with true ease of operation and superb H.264 and MPEG-2 decoding. The unit displays COFDM video transmissions using a built-in internal nine-inch 16:9 format screen using bright, high-resolution LCD technology. The display also features an easy to use menu-driven interface.

Much more than a COFDM handheld receiver, the Direct VU HD can send video over Ethernet to remote software or hardware decoders. This allows multiple remote viewers to monitor the same video simultaneously. An SDI output enables the user to view the incoming video on an external monitor if needed.

“As the Chinese market continues to grow, BIRTV is an excellent opportunity for IMT to showcase its equipment and services,” says KS Tan, regional sales manager, Asia, Integrated Microwave Technologies. “With an office and dedicated staff in the region, IMT is able to provide broadcasters and production professionals with quicker response times and more cost-effective solutions.”

Also at BIRTV 2012, IMT features its RF Central microLite HD Elite system, an MPEG-4 ultra-miniature wireless camera system for today’s smaller digital cameras. The system is a complete HD video link in a portable case, with all the accessories chosen to optimize total system performance. The microLite HD transmitters and receivers have received multiple awards for design and technological innovation and now come packaged with antennas, which are optimized for high gain, durability and low weight. An ergonomic Manfrotto Magic Arm mount is included, allowing users to mount the receiver even in the most challenging locations. The HD transmitter is available in the 2-GHz or license-free 5.8-GHz bands.

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 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.

NAB Show Continues its Support of the Highly Regarded Engineering Honor

(Los Angeles, CA) The Hollywood Post Alliance(r) – the trade association for the post production community – has announced that the NAB Show will once again sponsor the HPA Engineering Excellence Award. NAB Show, held annually in Las Vegas, is the world’s largest electronic media show covering filmed entertainment and the development, management and delivery of content across all mediums. With more than 90,000 attendees and 1,500 exhibitors from 156 countries, NAB Show is the ultimate marketplace for digital media and entertainment. From creation to consumption, across multiple platforms and countless nationalities, NAB Show is home to the solutions that transcend traditional broadcasting and embrace content delivery to new screens in new ways. Complete details are available at www.nabshow.com.

Launched in 2006, the HPA Awards were created to cultivate awareness of post production, promote creative and technical excellence, recognize the achievements of post production talent and build involvement in the Hollywood Post Alliance. The Engineering Excellence Award is a coveted honor that spotlights the companies and individuals who draw upon technical and creative ingenuity and apply it to real world post production demands. The Award is recognized by the technical and post production community as a gold standard of accomplishment.

Chris Brown, Executive Vice President, Conventions & Business Operations of NAB stated, “We are pleased to announce our continuing sponsorship of the HPA Engineering Excellence Award. We consider this Award to be the most esteemed in the post industry and believe it will continue to point the direction to the most innovative and best technology the industry has to offer.

Leon Silverman, President of the HPA, noted, “We are honored and pleased that NAB Show has again lent their support and prestigious name in honoring the technology and innovation that is recognized in the HPA Engineering Excellence Award. This award is another way in which we honor the role that tools and the creative use of technology plays in helping to fuel and enable our creative industry and artists.”

The winners of the Engineering Excellence Award will be announced in September and the honorees will be awarded at the Seventh Annual HPA Awards Show, a gala event set for November 1 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, CA. The 2011 winners included Sony for the OLED Monitor, Lightcraft for Previzion, Dolby for the Professional Reference Monitor and IBM for Linear Tape File System.

For more information about the HPA Awards, visit www.hpaawards.net or call 213.614.0860.

About the Hollywood Post Alliance(r)
Hollywood Post Alliance (HPA) serves the professional community of businesses and individuals who provide expertise, support, tools and the infrastructure for the creation and finishing of motion pictures, television, commercials, digital media and other dynamic media content.

About the HPA(r) Awards
The HPA Awards were created to foster awareness of post production, promote creative and technical excellence, recognize the achievements of post production talent, and build involvement in the Hollywood Post Alliance. The HPA Awards will be presented with generous support from Premier Sponsor, NAB Show and Bronze Sponsor RED.

About NAB Show
The NAB Show, held annually in Las Vegas, is the world’s largest electronic media show covering filmed entertainment and the development, management and delivery of content across all mediums. With nearly 90,000 attendees from 151 countries and more than 1,500 exhibitors, the NAB Show is the ultimate marketplace for digital media and entertainment. From creation to consumption, across multiple platforms and countless nationalities, the NAB Show is home to the solutions that transcend traditional broadcasting and embrace content delivery to new screens in new ways. Complete details are available at www.nabshow.com.

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Media Contact:
Ignite strategic communications
p: 818.303.8088
Christine Purse, chris@ignite.bz or
Mimi Rossi, mimi@ignite.bz

BEIJING, CHINA, AUGUST 20, 2012—Anton/Bauer®, part of Vitec Videocom, a Vitec Group company, and a premier global provider of batteries, chargers, lighting and other mobile power systems for the professional broadcast, video and film industries, will demonstrate its latest portable power, lighting and transmission products to attendees at BIRTV 2012 (Videocom Booth 8B15). The company will highlight its new AB-HDRF transmitter system, CINE VCLX battery system and new Gold Mount® solutions for the Canon C300/C500 and RED EPIC digital cinema cameras.

“BIRTV brings together some of the leading professionals in the film and television industry,” says Shin Minowa, vice president of marketing and business development, Anton/Bauer. “We look forward to meeting with attendees to help identify the appropriate power solutions for their individual applications. Our latest offerings are aimed to help further protect their investments while providing seamless power and compatibility.”)

• The AB-HDRF system is a compact 5.8 GHz COFDM RF system capable of transmitting a robust HD signal over great distances all while being powered by Anton/Bauer batteries. Anton/Bauer collaborated with Vitec Group sister company Integrated Microwave Technologies, LLC (IMT) to develop an RF system that could mount directly onto the camera, using a camera’s existing Anton/Bauer Gold Mount solution. The AB-HDTX sends its signal directly to the AB-HDRX dual-diversity receiver or the DirectVu handheld confidence monitor/receiver. It has an RF output of 100 mW and is capable of accepting a wide range of HD/SD video formats, along with embedded audio from the camera’s HD SDI output. The use of MPEG-4 compression allows the signal to travel a half-mile in line-of-site applications. The system offers users the flexibility to choose from 12 different channels in which to transmit, ensuring the least amount of interference. The unit’s size makes it ideal for reality-based, ENG/EFP and live event coverage.

• The QRC-CA940 Gold Mount solution was designed to help streamline battery management for Canon EOS C300 and C500 digital cinema camera users, providing 7.2V of power to the camera via a DC connector and 14.4V on three PowerTap® connectors. It is compatible with Anton/Bauer’s mounting bracket for 15mm or 19mm rod systems, the MATRIX Cheese Plate. It can also be adapted to third-party support systems (15mm or 19mm clamp kits sold separately).

• The QRC-EPIC Gold Mount was developed to power the RED EPIC and SCARLET cameras. It features one 6-pin LEMO connector and two PowerTap connectors for accessories. Using the QRC-EPIC Gold Mount, the battery communicates directly with the camera, providing precise and accurate runtime directly into the viewfinder, allowing the user to keep their eye on a shot instead of their battery.

• The CINE VCLX battery incorporates all the features of the Logic Series Batteries to provide superior run-time and service life for the power demands of today’s cinema production and lighting equipment. All the safety and high-power-draw performance of Nickel Metal Hydride cell chemistry technology is available in a power package specifically designed for the integration of 24V film and 14V video equipment. CINE VCLX batteries are powerful enough to run for extended periods of time with many of the most popular cameras for film and digital cinematography, including ARRI 16 and 35mm film cameras, ALEXA, RED ONE, EPIC, Scarlett, Phantom HD, Genesis, Weisscam and P&S Technik. The high-power 28V output is also capable of powering 200w HMI lights, LED panels and portable microwave units. All Anton/Bauer CINE batteries feature a new RealTime® LCD that accurately displays remaining run-time and a visual LED warning indicator when 15 minutes of run-time remain. The CINE VCLX can be transported without restriction under the IATA and DOT safety regulations (http://www.antonbauer.com/Support/TransportationInformation.

For more information, please visit www.antonbauer.com or call (800) 422-3473.

About Anton/Bauer
Anton/Bauer is recognized as the world’s innovator and a premier provider of batteries, chargers, lighting and other key mobile power systems for the professional broadcast, video and film industries. Based in the United States in Shelton, CT with offices in Europe and Asia, Anton/Bauer was established in 1970 and has expanded its product offerings to include many signature lines such as its leading Gold Mount® system, InterActive® chargers and Logic Series® batteries such as the HyTRON® 50, 100 and 140, and DIONIC® 90, 160, HC and HCX. Their products are compatible with every camera brand on the market today. Other Anton/Bauer high performance products include the Ultralight® 2, ElipZ®, CINE VCLX and the Tandem 150 Modular Charging System. Their superior-quality products have become an industry standard. For more information on Anton/Bauer, visit www.antonbauer.com.

About Vitec Videocom
Vitec Videocom brings together some of the most respected, most innovative and most sought-after brands in the industry: Anton/Bauer, Autoscript, Litepanels, OConnor, Petrol, Sachtler, Vinten and Vinten Radamec. It acts as an endorsing brand for these market-leading broadcast, film and pro video products, encouraging multi-brand system sales and simplifying the way that customers worldwide do business.

Vitec Videocom is an operating division within the Vitec Group, an international business serving customers in the broadcast, photographic and military aerospace and government markets. Vitec is based on strong, well known, premium brands on which its customers rely on worldwide.

Vitec Videocom – innovative products around the camera.

Electrosonic has helped the twin Hindhead Tunnels in Southern England deliver on their promise of roadway efficiency by installing a large overview videowall display and operator consoles in the control room at the tunnels’ northern end.

Before the tunnels were opened in July 2011, the main A3 London-to-Portsmouth road in the south of England had suffered from delays as drivers passed through the Hindhead area, which includes a site of special scientific interest and the Devil’s Punchbowl beauty spot. Now a four-mile bypass, of which 1.14 miles comprise the twin-bore tunnels, makes the route safer and more efficient.

Working with main contractor Balfour Beatty Engineering Services for the Highways Agency, Electrosonic engineered and installed the videowall plus a series of operator consoles. In the control room, operators can monitor images from 104 cameras and review data supplied by the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system, which supervises the lighting, ventilation, incident detection and other support systems.

The Highways Agency wanted the control room to operate in a similar fashion to other traffic control rooms on the major road network, but with the additional stipulation that data relating to non-traffic aspects of the tunnel – such as live CCTV images – be accessible at the same time. Electrosonic devised a solution based on ergonomic operator consoles and a videowall display. Electrosonic produced graphic visualizations to help the client see how the control system would fit in the available space. The finished result corresponds almost exactly to the visualizations.

The videowall features six, 50-inch Planar Clarity Margay II DLP projection cubes arranged in a 3×2 array. The format, along with the cubes’ 16:9 aspect ratio, ensures that the maximum amount of information can be displayed in a space with relatively low ceiling height. The cubes give a pixel perfect, near seamless image surface with a total resolution of 5760×2160 pixels while requiring just 18 inches in depth.

An Extron VN-Quantum image processor feeds the display. It is configured to receive 36 video inputs and four computer graphics images. The processor can display any required combination of images, each of which can be any size and positioned anywhere on the display. Multiple pre-sets optimize the display for different situations or monitoring requirements; operators select them at the click of a mouse on the display control computer.

Graphics reach the processor via a standard Ethernet network, but the video inputs are derived from a switching matrix, which is part of the CCTV system.

Electrosonic supplied the mounting frame for the videowall cubes complete with cladding and a base unit outfitted with storage space.

The company also provided electronically-operated “sit-stand” type operator consoles, which allow operators to choose the most comfortable operating height. The SBFI Equinox consoles are equipped with Axiom universal screen mounts.

To ensure many years of reliable service, Electrosonic is providing support service for the next five years through the facility managers, Enterprise Mouchel. The fixed-price support covers lamp replacement, 24/7 emergency call out with a four-hour response time, and routine preventative maintenance.

About Electrosonic
Electrosonic is an international AV company with a strong reputation for working on complex projects, both large and small, and has through its 47 year history developed lasting partnerships with customers and suppliers. Electrosonic brings a unique breadth of experience to each project; backed by solid engineering skills, project management and quality production facilities. Beyond complete integrated systems, Electrosonic can provide a wide range of services including technical design, maintenance and operational support.

Learn more about Electrosonic. Visit http://www.electrosonic.com

Young colorist brings experience with Baselight grading system and a credit list that includes Bridgestone, Southwest Airlines, and McDonald’s.

NASHVILLE— In the first step in a new effort to grow and expand services, Filmworkers, Nashville, has added Jimmy Cadenas as Senior Colorist. Cadenas spent the past seven years at Filmworkers’ facilities in Chicago and Dallas where he learned his craft from some of the industry’s top colorists, and worked on projects ranging from national television commercials to music videos and feature films. more

Hollywood, CA, August 20, 2012 –Hollywood-based VFX company Dilated Pixels (DP) was the sole visual effects vendor for the new feature film “Sparkle” from Sony Pictures. “Sparkle” is Whitney Houston’s final film project. Dilated Pixels’ founding members, TJ Sakasegawa, Jeff Balis, Rhoades Rader and PJ Foley made the announcement.

For “Sparkle,” the Dilated Pixels team produced over 50 VFX shots.

Dilated Pixels worked closely with the studio and Salim Akil, the director of “Sparkle,” to provide a seamless and organic authenticity to the “Sparkle” world. Said the Dilated Pixels Founders, “We’re honored to have had the opportunity to contribute our visual effects imagery to what is sure to become a ‘must see’ movie.”

ABOUT “SPARKLE:”

Detroit, 1968: The Motown sound is sweeping the nation. Girl groups are hotter than ever. Over their mother’s (Whitney Houston) objections, three beautiful sisters—Delores (Tika Sumpter), Sister (Carmen Ejogo) and Sparkle (Jordin Sparks) —are taking the local music scene by storm. But their dreams are bigger than Detroit. Their manager, Stix (Derek Luke), is just as ambitious and will do whatever it takes to make it to the big time, even if it means using the girls—and his love for Sparkle—as the foundation of a new musical empire.

Behind the music and lights, the recording industry is a ruthless and unforgiving place, just as Mama had warned her girls. Sister, with her good looks and voice, is the natural headliner of the trio, yet her complicated personal life threatens to overshadow her talent; Delores has her sights set on a different kind of life outside the spotlight; and young Sparkle must push past her deepest fears if she is to fulfill her destiny—does she really have what it takes to go all the way? Riveting and soul-stirring, this timeless tale reminds us of the unbreakable bonds between family, the high price of fame and what can happen when we dare to show the world how brightly we can sparkle.

“SPARKLE” CREDITS:

Directed by: Salim Akil
Screenplay by: Mara Brock Akil
Story by: Joel Schumacher and Howard Rosenman
Produced by: Debra Martin Chase
T.D. Jakes
Salim Akil
Mara Brock Akil
Curtis Wallace
Cast:
Jordin Sparks
Whitney Houston
Derek Luke
Mike Epps
Carmen Ejogo
Tika Sumpter
Omari Hardwick
And CeeLo Green as Black

ABOUT DILATED PIXELS:

Founded in 2007 by Rhoades Rader, Jeff Balis, TJ Sakasegawa and PJ Foley, Dilated Pixels is a full service visual effects, motion graphics, main title and live action production company based in Hollywood, CA. Since its founding, the company has blossomed not only as a noted visual effects house, but also as a one-stop production shop for commercials, music videos, and short-form web content from videogame companies, advertising agencies, brands, and notable directors.

The company’s staff is comprised of VFX artists and supervisors with a wide range of experience across all areas of computer generated visual effects. Dilated Pixels handles all aspects of any size CGI production, including concept design in pre-production, to on-set VFX supervision, and through to the creation of the final CGI elements for film, TV and web. Also featuring HD editing facilities, Dilated Pixels can deliver high-end visual effects through a highly efficient means of creation, maximizing the CGI- production-to-cost ratio for its diverse group of clients.

Clients of Dilated Pixels include FOX, Discovery, SyFy, Sony, Screen Gems, Lionsgate, Universal, Warner Bros., and CBS. The company is located at 6121 Sunset Blvd., Suite # 103, Hollywood, CA, 90028. The phone is 323/466-0930, and the web is www.dilatedpixels.net

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