The second largest international show for our industry is just around the corner. Running 9-13 September at the Amsterdam RAI center, IBC is well-timed to cater to European stations planning their HD launch. The other big feature will be mobile applications. HD could be considered part of an evolution: monochrome to color, analog to digital, SD to HD. In contrast, mobile could be revolutionary — with a third screen possibly changing our viewing habits, and competing with TV and the PC. There remain many unanswered questions: Who will provide content? How much will the consumer pay? How is the revenue sliced?
IBC has long since diversified from being an international broadcasting convention to one covering the world of content, from creation through management to delivery. This year's conference is split into themes, one for each day. The themes are all about this year's hot topics: HD, mobile and D-cinema. With Europe poised to roll out HD services, attendees will be in a buying mood. As we saw at NAB this year, 2005 has finally seen HD become affordable, and the issues of 720/1080 largely solved through the wide availability of multi-standard equipment.
The first day (Thursday, 8 September) focuses on delivery to the consumer. Topics include the challenges of delivering and displaying HD data rates. Staying with that topic, day two explores all aspects of HD, from technology and standards through to business and production issues. Midway through on Saturday is the theme that is attracting most interest: mobile applications. The day will look at business models and the search for the “killer app.”
Running through all the themes is the need for content protection. Sunday has a theme of content production and protection. The sessions explore the issues for the content creator with the many delivery channels now available.
The conference finishes with digital cinema. IBC used to run the widescreen film festival aimed at producers, but the focus now is more on the technology.
Of course, IBC is not just the conference. The popular Training Zone will again be offering the opportunity for hands-on training on a number of software applications. New this year is the Mobile Zone, a showcase for application developers, where content providers and technology companies can demonstrate their capabilities.
IBC also is an opportunity for attendees to network and visit the stands of the 1000 exhibitors to see the latest products and technologies. Here is a roundup of some of the products you won't want to miss while perusing the floors of RAI Centre. Look for more IBC product coverage in our September IBC Special Report.
GRAPHICS
Pinnacle Systems Deko
Has two hybrid models, both software-switchable between native SD and native HD operation; Deko 1000/Hybrid provides sophisticated, real-time, multilayer text and graphics animation capabilities; Deko 3000/Hybrid expands this functionality with real-time 3-D DVE effects and animations.
+44 1895 442003;www.pinnaclesys.com
Stand: 1.210
BIDIRECTIONAL ANALOG CONVERTER
Blackmagic Design Multibridge
Simultaneously converts from digital to analog, and analog to digital; supports 12 channels of SDI-embedded audio and converts to and from eight channels of AES and four channels of pro analog balanced audio.
+31 20 616 9424
www.blackmagic-design.com
Stand: 7.719
LOUDNESS METER
Dolby Laboratories LM100
Enables users to continuously log short- and long-term speech loudness values in real time, while storing the loudness history data for later analysis; the remote application also includes an event log that allows users to monitor/log several different types of input status, alarm and error conditions.
+44 1793 842100;www.dolby.com
Stand: 2.210
SYNAPSE MODULES
Axon Digital Design TWINS
Synapse cards offer multiple high-quality functions, while TWINS offer dual basic signal processing per module; fit into the 4RU/1RU Synpase housings; function alongside existing Synapse SD and HD modules.
+31 13 511 4151;www.axon.tv
Stand: 10.111
SD/HD EDITOR
Leitch VelocityNX
A full-featured HD/SD craft editor for NEXIO environments; based on the Velocity user interface; integrated into the NEXIO SAN; features the ability to edit Leitch native SD and HD files directly from the NEXIO shared storage architecture.
+44 1344 446 000;www.leitch.com
Stand: 7.621
DYNAMIC AUTOMATION
Salzbrenner STAGETEC AURUS SnapMix
Allows for storing complex mixes or effects as SnapMixes; SnapMixes can be recalled regardless of the presence of external time code, with the internal clock of the AURUS used as a sync reference; allows for asymmetrical fades between two stored snapshots for precisely reproducing complex panning effects.
+49 9545 440 0;www.stagetec.com
Stand: 8.381
CAMERA FOCUSING ASSIST SYSTEM
Fujinon Precision Focus
Camera operators can select size and position of the focus area, which tracks the lens as it moves and zooms; instantly brings objects into focus without searching for focus; can follow objects smoothly while maintaining focus.
+49 2154 924 175;www.fujinon.de
Stand: 11.310
POWER SUPPORT SYSTEM
Anton/Bauer STASIS
Is a lightweight, compact, shoulder support system for mini-DV cameras; its adjustable front plate takes the weight off the operator's hand; rear battery mount counters the forward weight of the camera.
+31 45 5639220;www.antonbauer.com
Stand: 11.411
5.1 SOURCE INPUT HANDLING
Calrec Audio System Plus
Allows for comprehensive adjustment of individual discrete elements via a custom-designed spill panel; using one fader per surround channel, an operator uses the resources of 2x stereo channels for L/R and LS/RS, and 2x mono channels for center and LFE.
+44 1422 842159;www.calrec.com
Stand: 8.570
DIGITAL WIRELESS INTERCOM
Clear-Com FreeSpeak
Features complete programmability with up to six communications routes per beltpack; users can remote and customize coverage areas, as well as connect with two wired party-line and four digital matrix channels.
+44 1223 815000;www.clearcom.com
Stand: 11.521
HD/SDI FOUR-CHANNEL AUDIO EMBEDDER/DISEMBEDDER
AJA HD10AMA
Disembedder provides four analog audio outputs; embedder is user-selectable, on a channel pair basis, to either pass SDI input audio or to embed input analog audio; analog audio levels are selectable.
+1-530-274-2048;www.aja.com
Stand: 7.610
BI-AMPLIFIED MONITORING SYSTEM
Genelec 8120A
The company's smallest speaker system (height with Iso-Pod is 242mm, width is 151mm, and depth is 142mm); designed for monitoring in difficult listening environments, particularly those compromised by lack of space; has a die-cast aluminum minimum diffraction enclosure.
+358 17 83 881;www.genelec.com
Stand: 8.361
SDI-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER WITH GENLOCK
Ensemble Designs BrightEye 15
SDI video input signal is converted to analog composite and then synchronized to the reference signal; analog composite output is timed with respect to the reference, including ScH phase.
+1-530-478-1830
www.ensembledesigns.com
Stand: 2.115
DIGITAL TRANSMITTER
Elti SKY
A COFDM modulator providing DVB-T streams in 2k and 8k mode, and a DVB-H stream in 4k mode; supports applications from 500mW up to 5kW; low-power applications are available in two compact versions, up to 5W in 3U and up to 50W in 4U.
+386 2 564 3200;www.elti.com
Stand: 5.320
SERVER
EVS HD XT[2]
Supports all the current applications of EVS' XT server applications, including the HD Super Motion mode; features up to six reversible channels with VITC and eight embedded audio tracks; designed to offer maximum HD image quality with up to 150Mb/s in the six-channel configuration.
+32 4 361 7000;www.evs.tv
Stand: 8.380
AUTOMATION SOLUTION
Just Edit vsn
A scalable TV automation and digitization solution; conforms to industry standards; can be integrated with existing equipment, including most NLE systems; optimizes running costs; increases production.
+34 937 349 970
www.justedit.es
Stand: 7.710
TRANSMITTERS AND REPEATERS
DMT
Range includes digital and “digital-ready” analog models in VHF and UHF bands, with air or liquid cooling; offer 0.1W to 40kW output power; compatible with all types of digital terrestrial TV networks.
+44 118 986 6123
www.dmtonline.com
Stand: 8.341
MULTI-DISPLAY AND SIGNAL MONITORING SYSTEM
Evertz MVP
Allows users to resize and relocate up to 72 auto-detected HD-SDI, SD-SDI or composite analog video inputs on one or more displays; each input is resizable more than once and shown on the same or multiple displays.
+44 1895 458 444;www.evertz.com
Stand: 10.130/10.135
CONTENT DELIVERY PLATFORM
Harris H-Class
Provides broadcasters and content providers with the means to integrate disparate processes into a single, modular system; handles all content management and delivery enterprise-wide from creation to consumption; based on open standards.
+44 1480 420 200
www.broadcast.harris.com
Stand: 8.291
DIGITAL VIDEO PROCESSING
Terayon DM 6400 Network CherryPicker
Applications include grooming of custom channel line-ups, rate shaping and statistical multiplexing; designed to deliver superior picture quality for both SD and HD digital video services; now features support for the H.264/AVC advanced codec.
+32 16 38 47 01;www.terayon.com
Stand: 8.510
DUAL HD MONITOR SET
Marshall Electronics V-R72P-2HDA
Features high-resolution, 1.2 million pixel screens with digital signal processing; designed specifically for analog applications; accepts DVI and HDMI computer or video signals plus all SD and HD analog video standards and signal types.
+1-310-333-0606;www.lcdracks.com
Stand: 9.251
HD CAMCORDER
Panasonic AG-HVX200 P2 Palmcorder
Switchable between SD and HD and between interlaced and progressive; uses P2 solid-state storage of MXF files; supports all 1080, 720 and 480 signals at 24p and 30p frame rates.
+1-201-348-5300
www.panasonic.com
Stand: 10.431
SOFTWARE CONTROL PLATFORM
Pro-Bel Procion
Now supports router control, modular product monitoring and control, media management, automation, and master control; Web client addition provides access to all the core system functionality through a standard Web browser.
+44 118 986 6123
www.pro-bel.com
Stand: 3.151
HD-SDI TEST SIGNAL GENERATOR
Wohler Technologies Penpal-HD
Produces 32 video test patterns in 18 HD formats, each of which can be combined with three different audio tone settings; capabilities include three moving test patterns, pathologicals and four stereo pairs of AES audio embedded in the HD-SDI signal.
+1-650-589-5676
www.wohler.com
Stand: 9.530
HDV TO HD-SDI INTERFACE
Miranda HD-Bridge DEC
Features a built-in crossconverter for 1080i/720p conversion; accepts HDV via an IEEE-1394 connection; provides dual HD-SDI outputs: one clean feed and one feed with time-code and graticule markers.
+44 1491 820 000
www.miranda.com
Stand: 8.241
VTR
Grass Valley Turbo iDDR
Leverages the digital storage, net-working and media-management capabilities of the company's Profile video servers; fits into any existing environment; users can load content as audio or video, or as files from removable media.
+33 1 34 20 70 00
www.grassvalley.com
Stand: 11.551
MULTIFORMAT ROUTER
Quartz Xenon
New developments include audio and signal processing technology (SPT) modules; SPTs include a multiviewer, multilevel keyer, animated logo inserter and base level master control switcher.
+44 118 935 0200
www.quartzuk.com
Stand: 9.441
HI-MD PORTABLE RECORDERS
Sony MZ-M100 and MZ-M10
Include 1G storage with Hi-MD removable MiniDisc, ECM-DS 70P stereo microphone and mic in jack; can record from multiple sources; feature a USB port for uploading material to Mac or PC computers.
+44 1256 355011
www.sonybiz.com
Stand: 9.410
DVB-T TRANSMITTER
Teko Telecom DVB-T
Equipped with an integrated COFDM modulator, as well as a linear and nonlinear precorrector; features output power up to 0.5W (covering the 50MHz to 860MHz frequency band); can be used as a driver for the DVB-T Teko Telecom power amplifiers.
+39 051 6256148
www.tekotelecom.it
Stand: 5.334
FIBER-OPTIC CONNECTORS
Neutrik OpticalCon
Consists of an all-metal and dirt-protected chassis and cable connector; increases the reliability and maximizes the uptime; offers the choice of using a cost-effective LC connector as a permanent connection.
+423 2325393;www.neutrik.com
Stand: 8.390
NEWSROOM WORKFLOW SYSTEM
OCTOPUS Newsroom Octopus 5
Improved comprehensive search tool now looks for locally stored data, as well as indexes Web content gained from RSS feeds; new feature allows users to store defined filters and create their own piece of main menu.
+420 221 181 511
www.octopus-news.com
Stand: 3.348
DIGITAL/ANALOG RECEIVER
Nucomm CR6D
Comes with an internal MPEG-2 decoder and COFDM demodulator; compatible with most remote controls; capable of multi-band operation when used with block downconverters.
+1-908-852-3700
www.nucomm.com
Stand: 10.436
MODULAR ROUTER
Network Electronics VikinX
Consists of a 128 × 128 AES router and a 64 × 64 analog router; features dual hot-swappable and load-sharing power supplies; supports dual and redundant system control and monitoring tools.
+44 29 2067 1760
www.network-electronics.com
Stand: 8.330
HD MEDIA SERVER
Omneon Spectrum HD
Features integrated capability for the simultaneous playback of SD and HD content on either the same channel or independent channel; HD MediaPort playout modules can support one or two channels of HD MPEG playout of 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 material at bit rates up to 78Mb/s.
+44 1256 884 450;www.omneon.com
Stand: 8.260
PLAYOUT SYSTEM
Telenor Satellite Broadcasting SBc Playout
You provide Telenor with the programming and a schedule; Telenor stores the programming and later broadcasts it according to the specified times; ideal for smaller operators that do not have their own production facilities.
+44 207 923 6500;www.telenorsbc.com
Stand: 1.370
HEAD-END MOBILE RECEIVER
Thales Broadcast & Multimedia SmartCast Mobility
A headend infrastructure; includes an MPEG-4 AVC low bit-rate encoder, a DVB-H IP encapsulator, a DTV multiplexer and a DVB-H transmitter.
www.thales-bm.com
Stand: 8.171
MAM SYSTEM
TransMedia Dynamics Mediaflex Version 3
Supports Windows Media 9, including capturing and viewing time code; ingest content in parallel from multiple systems; scene change recognition operates in high- and low-resolution formats
+44 1296 745 080;www.tmd.tv
Stand: 2.109
MASTER CONTROL PROCESSOR
Utah Scientific HD/SD-2020
Provides digital audio and video processing for master control switching applications; can hold two independent signal processing channels; offers a full range of mixing and keying functionality.
+1-801-575-8801;www.utahscientific.com
Stand: 2.216
OPTICAL SWITCHING PLATFORM
Opticomm OLX-3000
A versatile, multipurpose, non-blocking transparent switch; provides high-speed switching between ports with minimal effect on overall network latency; is capable of switching digital signals up to 4.25Gb/s with any of its 144 ports, all in a compact 4RU chassis.
+1-858-450-0143;www.opticomm.com
Stand: 2.116
Note: Stand numbers are provided by IBC and are current as of press time. Every effort has been made by Broadcast Engineering-World to ensure the accuracy of the listings.
