Millburn, New Jersey – T-VIPS America Inc, a global leader in professional video transport solutions for contribution, distribution, and DTV, announced that Azzurro HD, a New York-based provider of broadcast-quality video transmission services, recently purchased T-VIPS’ TVG450 JPEG2000 Video Gateways to provide a real-time contribution link for HD video streams over IP for Glenn Beck’s new, online HD video network, GBTV. GBTV, www.gbtv.com, features Beck’s daily show, plus original programming, news, documentaries, reality and behind-the-scenes shows.

The managed network solution for GBTV was completed in early March, allowing video to be transmitted between GBTV – broadcasting from CRM Studios in Irving, TX – and Azzurro HD in New York. As the program is being fed live to New York from the studio in Texas, Azzurro’s Network Operations Center provides a backhaul to Texas in real time.

“Transporting HD video over IP using the T-VIPS Gateways is a great way for our customers to control costs while providing consistently high-quality HD video. Both the hardware and bandwidth are fixed expenses. They’re both always available, always on 24/7, 365 days a year,” said Mark C. Lowden, Vice President of Sales for Azzurro HD, a division of The Azzurro Group. “We’re providing GBTV with a highly reliable and efficient way to broadcast live HD video. As we continue to count on T-VIPS’ and its scalable video over IP transport solutions, we look to T-VIPS as a valued partner in achieving our mission.”

From its all-digital ASI, SD and HD-SDI video switching facility in New York City, Azzurro HD provides and manages real-time switching and transmission of broadcast-quality video via long-haul fiber and satellite links so that its customers can send feeds to any point domestically or globally. Azzurro HD services range from comprehensive, 24/7 networking solutions to real-time transport of contribution quality video for occasional services.

TVG450 Gateways utilize JPEG2000 wavelet compression technology for the transport of compressed 3G, 3D, HDTV and SD television signals over Gigabit Ethernet links. Designed for real-time contribution and distribution of broadcast-quality video over IP networks the TVG450 supports lossless and visually lossless compression. The TVG450 comes in a high density solution with up to one 3G-SDI, two HD-SDI or four SDI channels in the same unit. The units are user configurable as encoders or decoders.

Azzurro HD has relied upon T-VIPS JPEG2000 Gateways for previous managed network solutions. Late last year, T-VIPS’ TVG430 Video Gateways were selected to facilitate real-time HD-SDI video contribution over a fiber network between Marist College, in Poughkeepsie, NY and Azzurro HD.

To view a promotional video for Azzurro HD, please go to:

http://youtu.be/8O9AwPqDVEw

For further information:

Robin Hoffman, Pipeline Communications, +1 973 746 6970, robinhoffman@pipecomm.com.

About T-VIPS

T-VIPS is a global leader in professional video transport solutions. We help our customers deliver next-generation TV services such as 3D, HDTV, live events and local content. Our IP based video transport and Digital Terrestrial TV solutions allow network operators, broadcasters, and content providers to deliver the highest picture quality at the lowest cost.

Leveraging our technology expertise in video over IP, video compression, transport stream processing, monitoring and seamless switching we deliver products and solutions that improve Quality of Service (QoS), ensure high quality in live contribution workflows and enable state of the art DTV.

Our wide range of products enables fast time-to-market, increased reliability and improved video quality. We also provide fully customizable solutions, tailored to customer needs to deliver increased efficiency in video transport infrastructures.

T-VIPS is driven by innovation, customer success, and the application of new technologies to enhance both traditional video transport and Over The Top infrastructures and ensure the delivery of high quality content to TV ready mobile devices. For further information, visit: www.t-vips.com

About Azzurro HD

Azzurro HD operates the first all-digital, HD-enabled aggregation and switching facility for video content in the USA. Located in “The Hub” at 32 Avenue of the Americas in New York City, the Azzurro HD facility provides all-digital transport and switching, with a clear forward path to serve the growing need for uncompressed HDTV transport. For more information, visit: www.azzurrohd.com

HOLLYWOOD — As it marks its 20th anniversary this year, Hollywood-based Soundelux Design Music Group (“DMG”), which creates sound for games, commercials and location-based entertainment, has plenty of reason to celebrate. It’s coming off a year in which it worked on several of the video game industry’s biggest releases, including Microsoft/Epic’s Gears of War 3 (a Golden Reel Award and G.A.N.G. Award nominee) and Activision/Toys for Bob’s Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure (also a Golden Reel Award nominee). The group also recently received a Golden Reel Award for the Electronic Arts title Need for Speed: The Run, adding to the multitude of awards and nominations it has received for its game work. And, it is ready to open a second production facility on Los Angeles’ Westside.

more…

Latest releases of Actus Clip Factory, QualiTV, Actus View, Adwatch and Mobile Link on display at Asia’s largest broadcast and media event
 
Tel-Aviv, Israel — May 14, 2012 — Actus Digital, a developer of web-based media monitoring, content repurposing and verification solutions for broadcasters, today announced its lineup for the Broadcast Asia 2012 exhibition to be held in Singapore from June 19-22. On display at Stand 4M2-01, are the latest solutions powered by the enterprise Actus 4 Monitoring and Analysis platform; Actus Clip Factory v3.7, Actus QualiTV v2.1, Actus View v6, Actus Adwatch v5.2, and Mobile Link™ v3.2.
 
Actus Clip Factory (CF) for content repurposing at full HD quality
Actus CF brings the optimal workflow for repurposing content: recording from any input, supporting any format and any resolution, editing media, transcoding the required clips to any format, and delivering the content to any destination. According to Actus CEO Sima Levy, “One of the challenges broadcasters and content owners are facing today is to repurpose linear content for web/mobile/rebroadcast. Mainly it means taking a linear broadcast, creating multiple segments clips in the shortest time possible, removing ads if needed, while maintaining and adding metadata to those clips, and then publishing it to different platforms: website, mobile, YouTube or any other OTT service. Actus Clip Factory offers the best balance between efficiency, ease of use and cost.” With a simple-to-use interface, a single person can produce an entire VOD database rather than needing a full team for each clip. Moreover, this process can be fully automated; all users need to do is create the profile for the desired clips. Actus CF also automates content production for new media platforms, making sure content will be available on the new platforms in seconds, automatically, with no human intervention. It’s fast, accurate, and cost-effective.
 
Actus QualiTV for monitoring DVB transmissions
Actus QualiTV is designed for broadcasters and facilities that distribute content through DVB technology. QualiTV gives the operator a true and complete image as well as verification of the quality of the signal reception on the consumers’ TV sets, as the subscribers get it, across the entire distribution area.
 
QualiTV provides information and statistics on the following three layers: 1) the DVB Signal layer, signal strength, SNR, MER, BER and others; 2) the transport Stream layer, PAT, MPT and more; and 3) the Baseband layer with actual image and sound. The information comes from as many destinations as the user requires.
 
Actus View for monitoring and analysis
The new Actus View update offers enhanced support for multiple audio tracks and multiple subtitles. It also supports Transport Streams (TS) recordings. According to Levy, “Broadcasters and operators have to do more than record audio and video. On one hand, they must be able to record multiple audio tracks, and on the other, they must be able to allow the user to select the audio to be played along with the selected video. It’s a similar situation with the subtitles; users need to be able to record multiple subtitles and select from the subtitles menu different languages. The suitable language then needs to be presented and synchronized with the selected video. This is where Actus View shines.” The new Actus View capabilities record the Transport Stream (TS), allowing broadcasters and operators to record the transport stream “as is” from any input (MPEG-2, MPEG-4) and in the same high resolution.
 
Adwatch v5.2 expands new advert detection automation capabilities
Adwatch v5.2 automatically detects adverts aired on all relevant TV and radio channels, providing simple-to-use media monitoring tools to verify that advertising content is broadcasted according to plan over local and remote affiliate channels. Levy comments, “Adwatch is unique as it is the only solution able to detect new ads, even if they have not been previously fingerprinted, thus saving manual labor and costs. It also enables the operator to make sure the results are in real time and accurate.” Adwatch detects unknown advertisements within commercial blocks (inside advertising breaks) and presents them to the operator for approval. Once approved, the new commercial content is detected in both future feeds and within the past recorded content stored in the archives.
 
With Adwatch, users can create visual proofing reports, have visibility on the actual advertising income, benchmark if their ads got more airtime than their competitors’ ads, and more. A flexible report generator is included, allowing users to create and file any report they may need.
 
Actus MobileLink: media monitoring from your mobile device
MobileLink is the new Actus Monitoring solution for mobile devices. Feature highlights include full and recorded media playback, rating analysis, and alert and monitoring using iPhone, Android and iPad or any other smart phone.
 
Levy notes, “For a while now, our customers have been asking us to help them take Actus’ great capabilities with them anywhere and everywhere they go. Technicians wanted the ability to check the quality of the broadcast while they’re in meetings or on the spot if they suspect that something is wrong—even when a computer is not immediately available. Executives wanted the capability to check and show rating information on their iPads in management meetings. Now, all that is possible with Actus’ new MobileLink.”
 
For more information or to book a private product demonstration, please contact info@actusdigital.com.
 
About Actus Digital
Actus Digital, a subsidiary of Taya Media Group, Israel’s premier video media and visual communication content and technologies company, is a developer of web-based media monitoring, content repurposing and verification for broadcasters, cable and satellite providers, IPTV, media and monitoring agencies, governments and content producers. Leveraging emerging web technologies and IT standard hardware, Actus’ solutions are highly scalable systems ideal for cross-organizational content analysis and content repurposing. Actus’ next-generation solutions compliment any broadcast workflow, empowering operators with purpose-built tools for acquiring, viewing, analyzing and repurposing transmissions from channels around the world. Their impressive customer list includes global media conglomerates among the likes of AirTel, FOX, SKY and Zee Networks. For more information, please visit: http://www.actusdigital.com.
 
Press Contact:
Janice Dolan
Zazil Media Group
janice@zazilmediagroup.com
(cell) 617.817.6595
(fax) 617.812.7683
(Skype) janicedolan
www.zazilmediagroup.com
 
####

Quote: “Broadcast Asia is the ideal opportunity to catch up with the most exciting advances in test and monitoring technology, at the Bridge Technologies booth. If you’re in broadcasting, OTT, or telecoms, make sure you see the state-of-the-art solutions from Bridge Technologies.” Philip Burnham, Sales Director

Company Overview

Bridge Technologies (www.bridgetech.tv) creates advanced analysis, measurement, and monitoring solutions for the digital broadcast and telecommunications industries. The company’s award-winning products and solutions provide an advanced platform for converging digital media services employing stream-based IP packets. Compatible with all major industrial standards, the system is the most comprehensive monitoring and analysis environment available, with probes for DVB-T/T2, DVB-C, VSB, DVB-S/S2, analog RF, ASI, all IP streams including OTT services, and unique portable field probes for RF and IP monitoring.

New Products for BroadcastAsia2012
Bridge Technologies launches major advances in OTT service analysis, and the world’s first complete DVB-T2 monitoring and analysis solution — increasing the company’s industry lead in truly comprehensive monitoring systems for the world of digital media.

At BroadcastAsia2012 the world’s first complete monitoring solution for DVB-T2 will be introduced to the Asian market. DVB-T2 is the system used in 70 percent of the contribution infrastructure currently under construction, and is replacing DVB-T in many recent deployments in EMEA, Asia, and South America. DVB-T2 is already in use by operators in Europe, chosen for its outstanding characteristics in single frequency networks, and for the 30 percent bandwidth efficiency gain of DVB-T2 over DVB-T. Bridge Technologies has solved the complex monitoring challenge posed by the DVB-T2-MI format, and T2-MI monitoring is now available as an option across the range of Bridge Technologies’ probes.

VB330 — Industry’s Most Powerful Media Monitoring Probe
Bridge Technologies will display the VB330, the industry’s most powerful monitoring and analysis probe to date. The VB330 is the first product to be based on Bridge Technologies’ entirely new 10GB architecture, and it offers the highest performance-to-form-factor ratio available in the monitoring and analysis sector. With three blades fitting in a single 1-RU chassis and each VB330 probe having two 10GB interfaces, the system can deliver a massive 60GB monitoring capability. Designed for extremely high-density applications at points of maximum data throughput in today’s 10GB core networks, the VB330′s enormous capacity offers telcos, network operators, and digital media organizations a monitoring solution with the potential for scaling to match almost any level of throughput.

Image Link: www.wallstcom.com/Bridge/VB330.zip
Image Caption: VB330
Image Description: VB330, the industry’s most powerful monitoring and analysis probe to date, based on 10GB architecture

VB12-RF — Ruggedized, Portable Broadcast-IP Probe for Cable and Terrestrial Diagnostics
The new VB12-RF is the most portable comprehensive monitoring/measurement appliance available. Designed for real-world use by engineers on the road, the VB12-RF packs every required broadcast and IP interface into a ruggedized chassis with a form factor smaller than a laptop computer. It is smaller, lighter, and tougher than any alternative, with the widest range of built-in interfaces for RF, ASI, and IP, full TR 101 290 alarming and analysis, and support for all media transportation codecs. The VB12-RF is far more practical, complete, and robust than traditional larger, heavier, and fragile PC-based alternatives.

Image Link: www.wallstcom.com/Bridge/VB12RF.zip
Image Caption: VB12-RF
Image Description: Ruggedized, Portable Broadcast-IP Probe for Cable and Terrestrial Diagnostics

VB252
The new VB252 is the monitoring probe for DVB-T2 networks, and part of the industry’s first complete monitoring solution for DVB-T2, including the T2-MI protocol. The dual-input VB252 provides external GPS lock for accurate drift monitoring for SFN networks, high-quality MER measurement, and level readings. For monitoring at transmitter sites and field locations for quality validation, the VB252 is available from Q4 2011.

The New 4.9 Software
The new 4.9 software release adds new and exciting enhancements and upgrades for the complete range of products. At the show, highlights and previews of upcoming versions of the system will be demonstrated including powerful SQL database features, advanced graphic displays, probe auto-discovery, enhanced device control, and more.

DETROIT, Michigan – To create brand identity for high-end clients such as Serta, Pennzoil and others, Detroit-based full-service advertising agency, Doner, relies on Fairlight’s Constellation console and recently upgraded to the CC-1 FPGA media engine for all in-house post-production needs.

Some of Doner’s most notable work can be seen in the popular commercials for Serta with the counting sheep and their work with Choice Hotels and other high end brands. Doner’s work ranges from television and radio to video production for client presentations.

Doner recently upgraded both of its studios with the CC-1 media engine, allowing more flexibility and support while also allowing members of the Doner team to work in both studios utilizing the same console. “With Doner having a variety of clients, every day is different,” states Ken Warzybok, Senior Audio Engineer, Doner. “Doner encourages creative input at every level from concept to post-production. Being in-house, we actually get to see a project grow from its original concept and we continue to assist in the creative evolution of the idea all the way to the final product.”

One aspect of the Constellation that Warzybok has taken a liking to is the ability to use plug-ins as a mix function or clip function. “I find this really handy because it allows flexibility in how I want to finesse the mix,” Warzybok says.

When copying a clip, Warzybok mentioned that it is extremely useful for the automation to be copied with it. “This is great when working on a commercial with alternate versions. It saves me a great amount of time, knowing that the automation has followed every element for consistent levels and dynamics among versions.”

Warzybok explained that while working on a series of spots for Pennzoil he was working with multiple sound design tracks, which were utilized in several TV and radio spots. “We were able to position the sound effects in each of the spots without altering the integrity of the original mix levels and plug-in processing, thanks to the ability to copy automation by clip.”

The board is very intuitive for the entire Doner team, Warzybok adds. “With so many options, I don’t have to adjust my thinking to the software. We all have different backgrounds, so it helps that we can work on the same projects while doing things our own way. With deadlines to meet, sharing projects between studios happens frequently. With Fairlight, the process is seamless and I can be confident that as we pick up each other’s projects, the information, elements, and automation will remain intact.”

It’s the little things that give Doner the confidence to continue with Fairlight throughout the years, such as the System Mix safety guard. “It’s a great safety net if you didn’t happen to save the last mix. It came in handy recently when I needed to restore a six-year old project,” Warzybok adds. “Everything was precisely the same as when it was last worked on.”

As far as service, the very few problems that the Doner team has had have been resolved as quickly as possible. “All it takes is a phone call, Fairlight’s support team connects to our system directly and fixes the problem remotely with no hold up to us or our clients,” Warzybok summed up.

For more information on Doner, please visit: http://www.doner.com

For more information on FairlightUS, please visit: http://www.fairlightus.com

-ends-

About FairlightUS:
FairlightUS is headquartered in New Jersey USA and is the exclusive distributor for Fairlight products in the North American market. Fairlight has been at the forefront of digital audio development since its inception in 1975. Fairlight designs and manufactures media creation tools including digital audio recording, editing and mixing systems for standard and high definition audio post, broadcast and music production applications. www.fairlightus.com

About Fairlight:
Headquartered in Sydney, Australia Fairlight designs and manufactures media production systems powered by the company’s groundbreaking CC-1 FPGA digital processing engine. The Fairlight product range includes EVO, Xynergi and the new PyxisG2, all of which feature in the world’s leading broadcasters, commercial post facilities, music studios and film production studios. Fairlight has a rich tradition of innovation and development and is at the forefront of green computing technology.

About Doner
Based in Detroit, Doner is a member of the MDC Partners network and serves clients including ADT, AutoTrader.com, Avery Dennison, Choice Hotels International, Chrysler Group LLC, The Coca-Cola Company, The Coleman Company, Cox Communications, DuPont, Harman, Serta, Sherwin Williams, Shell Lubricants and The UPS Store. With over $1 billion in billings Doner has built on its strong creative legacy to create a modern, integrated creative network with offices in Detroit, Cleveland, London and Newport Beach. As a full-service, performance-driven agency, Doner focuses on creating ideas that change the destiny of brands through creativity.

Christie Digital Systems Japan (Christie) in co-operation with NHK Enterprises Ltd., WOW and Sigma A&V and Rental Corporation, played a key role in creating Sunday’s NHK documentary broadcast – “See Everything That Makes Tokyo Sky Tree Special!” – in advance of the Tokyo Sky Tree’s official public opening on May 22, 2012.

Christie’s expertise in ‘projection mapping’ was leveraged during the shooting of the documentary to deploy and operate 27 Christie Roadie HD+35K projectors, the world’s brightest and best DLP projectors, to project images created by NHK onto a 4,500 square-meter area on the East Tower, over a distance of up to 130 meters. Set on the rooftop of the eighth floor of the Tokyo Sky Town shopping mall, each projector is capable of 35,000 lumens output.

“As a professional-use projector manufacturer, it is an honor to provide technical cooperation for projection mapping in a locale that is as large in scale and as topical as the Tokyo Sky Tree,” said Mamoru Hanzawa, general manager, Christie Digital Systems Japan. “Projection mapping allows large numbers of people to share the excitement of seeing an image projection that, although far larger in scale than conventional uses, requires no screen setup and takedown, and does not interfere with the building or other object on which it is projected.”

Eye-Pleasing Projection Mapping Now Within Reach
Christie projectors have the reputation for image quality, reliability and brightness that artists, designers and rental stagers count on for their displays and events, and the firm is pleased to be the projector manufacturer of choice that helps create many spectacular displays, including those used in “See Everything That Makes Tokyo Sky Tree Special!”

Primitive forms of projection mapping have been around for more than a decade. Originally, projection mapping was used to project static images onto buildings and exterior structures using slide-projector setups and film to create lighting effects. Mapping to these surfaces was difficult since the designers were required to use technology that used camera obscura-type manipulations. The light sources were often not bright enough, so the result images could not been seen very well.

To eliminate these problems, Christie developed advanced technologies that help enable today’s complex and stunning mapping displays to be created. Technologies like Christie Twist and Christie AutoStack allow the projected images to be warped and edge-blended into irregular shapes and surfaces, as well as enable the set up and maintenance to be accomplished more accurately and quickly using cameras, projectors and software.

For advertising, events and ceremonies, projection mapping continues to be an engaging way of transforming buildings and facades in order to attract and excite people. As more displays emerge for advertising and entertainment, more and more people are deciding to use this type of environmental modification for weddings, ballrooms and corporate events. It’s the imagination and creativity of people working with the capabilities of today’s digital projectors that is helping to make projection mapping displays go mainstream.

“Projection mapping goes further than just providing content for television programs and for displays at events. It is a projection method with enormous and yet to be fully realized potential,” said Mamoru Hanzawa, general manager, Christie Digital Systems Japan.

“Furthermore, in the age of the personal computer, the smart phone, and the tablet, where each individual has come to enjoy watching still and moving images on his or her small device alone, visual experiences able to be shared by large numbers of people at once are, I believe, of great significance and value.

“As a leading manufacturing company of professional-use projectors, Christie wishes to contribute to the future of such shared visual experiences made possible by the use of projectors,” Hanzawa continued.

“Projectors are used not only in the entertainment sector, such as with image projection of this type here and movies, and the like. They are also used in a wide range of other fields such as pharmaceuticals, medicine, and for academic and technical research. It will be greatly satisfying if the application of projectors in this project can serve to show as many people as possible the enormous possibilities they have for image projection in general.”

About Christie
Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc. is a global visual technologies company and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ushio, Inc., Japan, (JP:6925). Consistently setting the standards by being the first to market some of the world’s most advanced projectors and complete system displays, Christie is recognized as one of the most innovative visual technology companies in the world. From retail displays to Hollywood, mission critical command centers to classrooms and training simulators, Christie display solutions and projectors capture the attention of audiences around the world with dynamic and stunning images. Visit www.christiedigital.com.

Magic Bullet Arsenal for iPad Creates Elegant, Connected Portfolios 

for Digital Media Artists and Creative Professionals

 

Portland, OR (May 14, 2012) – Red Giant today released Magic Bullet Arsenal, an elegant new presentation app designed for Apple’s iPad that shows and shares creative work. For every professional who uses photos and videos to communicate, Arsenal creates rich, customized portfolios on an iPad, then easily shares each portfolio using Dropbox, FTP or email. Arsenal works on all versions of the iPad, and is beautifully optimized for the new iPad and its Retina display.

To view an introductory video about Arsenal, please visit:  https://vimeo.com/41173233

 

Magic Bullet Arsenal organizes media into easy graphic Collections which can be browsed as full-screen images or as slideshows using a unique Light Table display. Each Collection can be branded for a personalized, professional look, and instantly shared with an unlimited group of people using DropBox, FTP or email.

 

A free Arsenal Reader app makes Collections available to every iPad user. Arsenal keeps Collections in sync and updated for everyone, making it a simple way to share a professional portfolio across the cloud.

 

“Ever since I got my first iPad, I’ve used it as a mobile portfolio. But I was missing an app for organizing both stills and video into simple, beautiful presentations,” said Stu Maschwitz, filmmaker and Red Giant’s Magic Bullet Creative Director. “Arsenal lets me show off and share my customized visual presentations, and update them on the fly, even after I’ve sent them off.”

 

A Simple, Elegant Way for Filmmakers and Photographers to Share Creative Work

 

• Brilliant Clarity with Retina Display Support. Arsenal is fully ready for the new iPad, showing simple, gorgeous presentations that look incredible on its Retina display.
• Arsenal is Easy to Browse. The Light Table display is a unique way of browsing images and movies, and Collections can browse unlimited slideshow ‘Strips’ that scroll and view independently.
• Arsenal Files are Tiny. An Arsenal Collection can be emailed from the app, then opened by recipients to show exactly the presentation that was designed, including a logo or brand.
• Collections are Always in Sync. Once Arsenal shares a Collection to Dropbox, FTP or an exported file, it keeps that Collection updated for every viewer, so the presentation can be changed anytime.
• The Arsenal Reader App is Free. Share an Arsenal project file with anyone — all each colleague needs is an iPad and a network connection.
• Ideal for Professionals in a Client-Based Business. From an editor showing dailies to a director, to a real estate agent updating house photos, Arsenal provides a simple, elegant way to show a business’s best work. Collections are easily customized by adding logos, custom fonts and themes that give a polished, professional look.

 

Pricing and Availability

Magic Bullet Arsenal for the iPad is available immediately from the Apple App Store and is priced at $4.99 USD. The Magic Bullet Arsenal Reader app is a free download from the Apple App Store, and available now to share Arsenal files with iPad users who don’t own Arsenal.

 

For more information or to purchase Magic Bullet Arsenal, please visit http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/products/all/arsenal/.

 

The Red Pledge

At Red Giant, we love working with artists, and we love giving you the tools and resources to help you do great work. We’re inspired by, and share in, your passion because Red Giant is made up of filmmakers, animators and designers just like you. It’s that level of passion which flows through everything we do as a company, and ensures that everything about our relationship with you just works. And that’s Red Pledge — our full-on commitment to your complete happiness. The Red Pledge is our guarantee that we will always be reasonable and fair. We believe in no hassles. Just happiness.

 

About Red Giant 

Founded in 2002, Red Giant (www.redgiant.com) creates an ever-expanding universe of effects tools ranging from plug-in suites, applications and mobile apps to Guru Presets, free products and sharing communities. We provide software for motion design, photography and color correction that is used for everything from major motion pictures to worldwide television programming to web production. Red Giant offers the industry-leading Trapcode tools for broadcast design; Magic Bullet Suite for color correction; and over 60 products that run in After Effects, Final Cut Pro, Motion, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Lightroom, Aperture, Avid, Vegas, Nuke, and Avid Studio. Our effects have enhanced dozens of feature films such as Angels & Demons and The Social Network, and added sparkle to networks like NBC Universal, ESPN, Disney, CNN, Comedy Central, MTV, and TNT. Join us on Facebook (RedGiantSoftware), follow us on Twitter (@RedGiantNews) and get free content at Redgiantpeople.com.

 

###

Christie, the official contents sponsor for Expo 2012 Yeosu Expo, is pleased to announce the Organizing Committee for Expo 2012 has selected Christie Roadie HD+35K projectors for its signature multimedia night show. Set against the natural backdrop of the Yeosu Sea, the 47-meter high Big-O is the world’s largest water curtain and the landmark installation at the expo.

Designed and directed by France-based ECA2, who were involved in shows such as the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1998 World Cup in France and the Eiffel Tower Millennium Show, the “O” stands for the ocean and resembles the numerical zero to illustrate a new beginning for the sea. The show is expected to remain as a permanent centerpiece after Expo.

Two sets of triple-stacked Christie Roadie HD+35Ks, the world’s brightest and best DLP projectors, project a short animated film about ocean conservation onto the water screen at the internal rim of the “O,” which is located about 100 meters away. To complete this show, the “Fountain Show,” staged by the US-based WET Design, also utilizes four sets of dual-stacked Christie HD+35Ks projecting content onto three sets of fountain jets located at distances of 20 meters, 25 meters and 30 meters respectively. The nightly multimedia show also includes other special effects such as moving water jets, mist, flames, lighting, and laser works.

“Christie HD+35K projectors are wonderful. They’re bright and offer superior quality. We’re getting a brightness level of more than 200 nits, which is more than what we expect. Even under strong wind conditions which affect the water screen, we’re still getting the clarity and the exact image focal point,” comments Guillaume Duflot, chief of operations & technical director, ECA2. “We have an excellent ongoing relationship with Christie, having collaborated with them on many projects in many parts of the world including Singapore and China over the last five years. As a company, they’re ultra-responsive and offer products of the highest quality.”

“Projecting onto moving waters is a challenging task. The Christie projectors are able to fully maximize the potential of our fountain show by adding a surreal touch. We’re very happy with the results as they really bring the whole show to life,” comments Helen Park, senior vice president, WET Design.

“The images projected by the Christie projectors are visually stunning and they have definitely met or even surpassed the requirements set out by the Organizing Committee for Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea for the Big-O show. I’ve always been working with some of the world’s best companies and, in this case, Christie is the company who can offer the best visual solution for this show,” comments Yves Pepin, creative consultant to the Yeosu Expo 2012 Committee on the Big-O project.

“We wanted the best possible solution for the Big-O show and all the companies that we were working with – including ECA2, Electrosonic and Wet – unanimously proposed Christie. In this case, we decided to select Christie as a partner for this event. We would never be able to forget the visual impact that the show had on us when we first saw it. The projected images were brilliant and crisp even when we did the trial projection in the rain. The visual projection not only tells an entertaining story but most importantly, it helps to visually convey the expo’s core message – the need for ocean protection,” comments Berni Cho, Project Manager, Big-O installation.

Under the expo’s theme “Living Ocean and Coast,” various promotional locations and pavilions at Yeosu Expo have deployed close to 250 Christie visual solutions for the 93-day event taking place May 12 to August 12, 2012. Christie J Series, Christie M Series, Christie E Series, Christie Roadie HD+35Ks, Christie Roadster S+20Ks, Christie LX Series and Christie MicroTiles are used to help visually convey the message about the need for ocean conservation to an estimated turnout of eight million visitors from around the world.

“We’re very fortunate to be selected as the contents sponsor for the Expo 2012 Yeosu Expo and to be involved in one of the biggest events in Korea this year. Most importantly, we’re able to transfer our knowledge and experience gained from our strong participation in the similar expo event in Shanghai during 2010,” comments Lin Yu, vice president, Christie Asia Pacific. “We started working on this event early last year and we’re pleased that our groundbreaking visual solutions are present in some of most significant installations including the Big-O, the Denmark Pavilion, the China Pavilion as well as corporate pavilions.”

As early as May 2011, Christie MicroTiles were selected by the Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea Organizing Committee to promote the event at the Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport. These visual solutions will remain in use until the end of Expo.

About Christie
Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc. is a global visual technologies company and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ushio, Inc., Japan, (JP:6925). Consistently setting the standards by being the first to market some of the world’s most advanced projectors and complete system displays, Christie is recognized as one of the most innovative visual technology companies in the world. From retail displays to Hollywood, mission critical command centers to classrooms and training simulators, Christie display solutions and projectors capture the attention of audiences around the world with dynamic and stunning images. Visit www.christiedigital.com.

EMERYVILLE, CALIF. – Advanced Systems Group (ASG), a leading West Coast video and film integration firm, today announced that pro audio veteran Mark Haynes has joined the company, effective April 2. Haynes is part of ASG’s expansion of its audio business, and he will specialize in contributing an audio perspective to video-centric projects.

Prior to joining ASG, Haynes was vice president of sales for Leo’s Professional Audio in Oakland, Calif., where he worked for 26 years. He began his career in the early 1970s with Showco, Inc., one of the pioneers in large-scale sound reinforcement, where he toured nationally and internationally as FOH engineer for Willie Nelson, Diana Ross, Jefferson Airplane, and other headliners.

“Mark has spent decades in the audio industry, and he’s helping ASG enhance our audio offerings across the board,” explained Dave Van Hoy, president, ASG. “Audio is a vital part of any video system solution, and we want to make sure it receives the attention it deserves.”

“I’m here to contribute a perspective on audio’s importance as an integral element in any project,” Haynes added. “It’s exciting to join such an experienced team of colleagues at ASG, and it’s gratifying to receive the support and encouragement of the many audio vendors who share our passion for sound and all of its related disciplines.”

Haynes is based at ASG’s Emeryville office and can be contacted at (510) 654-8300 or via e-mail at mh@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.

A.C.T Lighting, Inc. has named George Masek Vice President, Automated Lighting for the company. He will be based in Dallas, Texas. A.C.T Lighting is the distributor of Clay Paky lighting in North America.

“We are delighted to welcome George to A.C.T Lighting,” says president and CEO Bob Gordon. “George strengthens our knowledge base on automated stage lighting and brings with him first hand knowledge of the history of automated lights. He knows how to take care of lighting professionals and how to provide exactly what they need to be successful. He has more than 20 years experience in the lighting industry and we expect him to strengthen our position as the number one Clay Paky distributor in the world.”

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the folks from A.C.T Lighting and to have the chance to be associated with the powerful brands they represent,” says Masek. “I saw joining A.C.T Lighting as a great chance for growth and an opportunity to work with a group of professionals I truly admire. I’m looking forward to combining my knowledge base in automated lighting with their great products and talented people.”

Masek started as a road tech for Philips VARI*LITE in 1990. He toured with Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith, INXS, Depeche Mode, Gloria Estefan and other top bands and designed lighting for the Incredible Acrobats of China. He became a charter member of The 500 Club, an exclusive group of staff members who worked on shows featuring more than 500 VARI*LITE fixtures.

He later moved over to manufacturing and tech support becoming head of the company’s tech support department. He became an account manager for touring, handling Jimmy Buffet and Lords of the Dance, among others. Subsequently, Masek took a position in long-term leases and installation support and was named Product Manager in 2001.

“The various positions I held allowed me to work in rock ‘n roll touring, on Broadway, for feature films and television, as well as on installations and corporate tradeshow projects,” he notes. “If you can use an automated light for it, I’ve done it!”

A 1989 graduate of Southern Methodist University with a B.A. degree in Radio/Television, Masek is a member of IATSE Local 82.

About A.C.T Lighting

A leading importer and distributor of lighting products, A.C.T Lighting, Inc. strives to identify future trends and cutting-edge products, and stock, sell and support their inventory. The company provides superior customer service and value for money to all of its clients.

For more information call 818-707-0884.

George Masek can be reached by email at george@actlighting.com