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MillimeterIBC press releases
Sep 6, 2005 3:13 PM
Vizrt and Gizmoz introduce Vizmoz Talking Headz Plug-in
Making its introduction at IBC 2005 is a new plug-in from Vizrt, the world’s leading producer of real-time 2D and true 3D graphics systems for TV, and Gizmoz, the maker of 3D “Talking Headz” messaging platform that enables compelling, lively, animated 3D talking characters for TV broadcast shows, mobile messaging and PC email and instant messaging services.
The new plug-in, Vizmoz Talking Headz, is now available within Vizrt’s Viz|Artist real-time 3D animation software and will be showcased at IBC this month.
Gizmoz’ Talking Headz technology allows an animated 3D character’s lip movements, facial expressions, and gestures to be automatically aligned and synchronized to a real-time voice or converts text into lifelike spoken audio. Thanks to the integration of Gizmoz Talking Headz with Vizrt’s Viz|Artist, animated, photo-realistic characters can now be handled and played with in any Viz scene lip-synched in real-time, while facial expressions are created simultaneously.
With Vizmoz Talking Headz, broadcasters can easily create and add 3D talking characters to live-to-air and live-to-tape productions. 3D talking characters can interact with live actors in real-time. TV producers can easily enhance their programming with the creation and insertion of Talking Headz to virtual studios, game shows, weather shows, live or post production satirical parodies shows with 3D celebrities and political caricatures.
“We’re delighted to form this partnership with Vizrt and bring to market this extremely easy-to-use system for real-time broadcast computer graphics,” said Eyal Gever, Gizmoz’ Founder and CEO. “The marriage of Vizrt’s Viz|Artist and Viz|Engine platform with Gizmoz dynamic Talking Headz system enables TV content producers to create more entertaining and memorable TV shows.
“Believable talking characters can be created in as little as one-tenth the time of a traditional animation production cycle and presented at an extremely high quality within any of the existing Vizrt’s applications. We’re exited about this cooperation with Vizrt, and hope that Vizrt’s customers will be as excited as we are.”
“Using Vizmoz Talking Headz expands the creative possibilities available for producers, as the creation of entertaining Talking Headz is now extremely fast and easy” said David Zerah, vice president of sales, Vizrt. “The Vizmoz Talking Headz plug-in enables our customers around the world to mix and match virtual characters with live actors, live video, and stunning 3D sets - ideal for the new generation of TV programming, mobile video and Webcasts.”
Vizrt is a leading provider of HD/SD real-time 2D and true 3D broadcast graphics. The company’s software suite offers a complete graphics solution, including character generation, content management and newsroom integration, 3D tickers, virtual studio, 3D weather application with data integration, Curious Software map creation tools, virtual sports analysis, information display and virtual effects. All Vizrt’s graphics products are powered by a single core renderer, the Viz|Engine. Vizrt’s graphics solution goes beyond the visual aspect and includes highly customized user interfaces for the designer, operator, journalist and engineer. The world’s leading broadcasters, such as CNN, CBS, Fox, BBC, Sky, ITN, ZDF, Star TV, TV Today, CCTV and NHK as well as Production houses and Corporate institutions, including both the New York and London Stock Exchange, use the Vizrt’s software suite.
Gizmoz is a multimedia communications company that enables an advanced medium of visual expression for consumers and pop culture businesses on any network such as TV/IPTV, Mobile and Internet. Gizmoz is selling its Talking Headz software suite which is a consumer-oriented 3D Talking Headz messaging platform that enables compelling, lively, animated 3D characters for TV broadcast shows, mobile messaging and PC email and Instant messaging services.
Omneon Introduces New Products at IBC 2005
Extending the usability and functionality of the Omneon Spectrum media server system, Omneon will introduce at IBC 2005 a new system for creating and viewing low-resolution versions (proxies) of full-resolution material contained within an Omneon Spectrum system.
The new Omneon ProBrowse System monitors content directories within an Omneon Spectrum server and automatically generates low-resolution versions of all material, including any new material being ingested or copied into the Omneon Spectrum system over FTP. The proxies are then immediately available for viewing by any networked PC using an MPEG-1-based viewer, including Windows Media Player and QuickTime Player. The proxy files created by the Omneon ProBrowse System are also immediately available to any broadcast application such as automation systems, newsroom systems, and content management systems.
The Omneon ProBrowse System includes the new Omneon ProBrowse Player, which, in addition to allowing users to view proxies on a standard PC, allows them to add or change metadata and mark in and out points on clips for playback from the Omneon Spectrum server. An integrated synchronization capability ensures that all metadata modified or added by users in the low-resolution proxies will be applied to the full-resolution versions within the Omneon Spectrum server. The ability to easily browse low-resolution proxies and modify metadata with the new Omneon ProBrowse System gives Omneon Spectrum users and application developers an integrated tool for efficient content selection, previewing, and management.
At IBC 2005 Omneon will introduce the capability to ingest and playback HDV material with the Omneon Spectrum media server. For the first time, users will be able to ingest HDV material--either directly from a camera or deck over IEEE 1394 or from a network attached editor, such as Final Cut Pro--and play back HDV material stored in the system directly to air.
Via a simple software upgrade, Omneon Spectrum media servers will be able to play HDV material directly from the recently introduced MultiPort 4100 Series products. Upon ingest, HDV material is stored in its native format, available to any HDV-capable editor. For playback, the HDV content is automatically scaled to a full 1920-line HD signal. This approach allows both native HD material and HDV material to be mixed on a single timeline for back-to-back playout. HDV support is the latest advancement that continues Omneon's tradition of providing an open system that easily accommodates emerging formats.
Following a successful introduction at NAB 2005, Omneon will show at IBC 2005 the latest version of its media server, which features integrated capability for the simultaneous playback of HD and SD content on either the same channel or independent channels. The advance is made possible by the new MultiPort 4100 series, a family of interface devices for MPEG-2 decoding that can support simultaneous playback of both SD and HD MPEG2 material.
Incorporating built-in up- and downconversion capabilities, the MultiPort 4100 series gives broadcasters the benefit of having SD and HD on the same timeline. Not only can they mix SD and HD material to create a single output channel, but they also can mix SD and HD material to create two simultaneous output channels--one for their SD feed and another one for their HD feed--all from one timeline.
The MultiPort 4100 series modules for the Omneon Spectrum feature outputs for two synchronized channels, one for HD and another for SD, each one having been built from a single timeline that can originate from either SD or HD material (or both). In addition to outputs for SDI video, HD-SDI video, audio, timecode, and control, each MultiPort 4100 also includes connectors to allow for the use of external up- and downconversion equipment if desired. When an external conversion device is used, the MultiPort 4100 series has built-in adjustable frame-delay compensation to maintain audio/video synchronization.
The MultiPort 4100 series can be added to any existing Omneon Spectrum media server to add integrated HD playout capabilities easily. These new interface units further extend the HD capabilities of the Omneon Spectrum media server product line and provide broadcasters with a media server solution that can simultaneously store and play back both SD and HD content.
Adtec showcases ad insertion, DTV, and IPTV products at IBC 2005
Adtec Digital will showcase innovative ad insertion, digital television and IPTV solutions at IBC in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Sept. 9-13, 2005.
Adtec will display its commercial insertion solutions including the DPI-1200 Digital into Transport (DIT) Ad server, designed to simultaneously insert up to twelve programs into a digital cable or digital television service.
“The DPI-1200 seamlessly interfaces with Adtec’s Duet commercial inserters or other analog switching digital insertion systems, offering economical and reliable ad delivery into digital multiplexes,” Cable and Broadcast Sales Manager, Scott Pierce, said. “Pair the DPI-1200 to Adtec’s Traffic and Billing Gateway server for a totally automated Ad Insertion system."
Adtec Digital’s enterprise-level ad insertion solutions offers distinct advantages unavailable elsewhere, supporting digital into analog (DIA), digital into digital (DID) and DIT platforms.”
“Our approach features a scalable architecture, seamless integration with popular traffic and billing packages, flexible, and reliable media distribution with management of data across your entire system,” Pierce said. “By offering innovation, reliability and rapid return on investment, Adtec Digital is uniquely positioned to support the needs of the ad insertion enterprise, regardless of the size or complexity of your operation. Adtec delivers unmatched performance at a significant savings versus our competition.”
Adtec will also show its line of digital television solutions, offering full integration to satellite and terrestrial signals into DVB-ASI and IP services for direct-to-home (DTH) or enterprise delivery of multiple channels for IPTV applications.
“Adtec’s line of Digital Turn Around Media Routers, including the DTA-3050, DTA-3150 and DTA-3250, attribute to the ultimate DTV solution,” Sales Engineer, Michael Bush, said. “All are equipped with Gigabit Ethernet and optional conditional access, and are ideal for aggregating DVB transport streams (MP2, H.264, WM9) and IP data services for delivery to an unlimited number of viewers equipped with low-cost traditional or Ethernet-based IP set tops.”
Adtec’s DTV solutions support AES and DVB-CSA, conditional access (CA) and Adtec’s new EPG server, an electronic program guide that serves as a middleware management solution and is an integral part for any Ethernet-based IP headend.
“The EPG Server facilitates interactive program guides or web pages for delivery along with programming through a multicast enabled switch network,” Bush said. “The EPG Server is the marriage of our DTV and IPTV products and our Ad Insertion products to create a truly innovative, unique, value-added solution."
Adtec Digital is a world-leading designer and manufacturer of innovative technology for ad insertion, digital television delivery, IP streaming and multimedia digital video applications. Our commitment to continually developing new and innovative technology, coupled with twenty years of experience gained from delivering this technology to competitive and diverse global markets, positions us to assume leadership in these markets without compromising our traditional value attribution. Adtec Digital offers customers rock solid engineering, powerful features, scalability and the ability to generate unmatched bottom line revenue. For more information about Adtec Digital, visit www.adtecinc.com.
Automatic Duck partners with AAF Association to promote timeline interchange format
Automatic Duck ( www.automaticduck.com), the creators of Timeline Integration Engine software for digital media artists, today announced that it has partnered with the AAF Association at IBC 2005 in Amsterdam to promote the benefits of the rapidly-emerging digital media file exchange format, and highlight its impact on the future of timeline integration and interchange applications. In its Stand #7.635, and at the AAF Association Stand #2.114, Automatic Duck will demonstrate its award-winning timeline integration solutions leveraging the AAF format.
"Automatic Duck and the AAF Association share the same mission; we embrace the innovations that help bring editing systems together in a way that's meaningful and valuable to editors and digital media designers," said Wes Plate, president of Automatic Duck. "AAF is clearly important to the future of timeline interchange technology and we're partnering with the AAF Association here at IBC 2005 to demonstrate to editors worldwide that we will continue to support the kinds of technological advancements to timeline interchange that will ultimately and continuously make our their livelihoods easier and more efficient."
"It's very affirming to have such industry leaders stand side-by-side with the AAF Association here at IBC 2005 to highlight the innovative nuances the AAF format delivers to editors regardless of platform," added Brad Gilmer, executive director of the AAF Association. "Having Automatic Duck embrace AAF and demonstrate its value to editors sends a very strong message to the marketplace. Automatic Duck has made a huge contribution to the worldwide community of editors and digital media artists with its timeline interchange tools, and with our combined efforts, we're providing a glimpse of just how much more powerful these tools will become in the very near future."
In its stand #7.635, and in the AAF Association stand #2.114, Automatic Duck will demonstrate select timeline integration and interchange solutions enabled by AAF, including Pro Export FCP and Pro Import FCP.
Automatic Duck is the pioneer of Timeline Integration Engine technology and leads the content creation marketplace with powerful solutions for seamless, comprehensive timeline translation capabilities between Avid, Adobe After Effects, combustion, Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Premiere Pro via XML, OMF, and AAF. For more information on Automatic Duck's unique Timeline Integration Engine technology, please visit www.automaticduck.com.
Quantum previews MXF-aware data tape technology at IBC 2005
Quantum Corp., a global leader in storage, will preview its award-winning SDLT 600A data tape drive technology at the International Broadcasters Convention, RAI Centre, Amsterdam, Sept. 9-13, at the Fuji Magnetics’ Stand 11.111. The first IT data tape drive specifically enhanced for professional video, the SDLT 600A with DLTxchange merges the familiar benefits of traditional video tape with the cost-effective performance, reliability and flexibility of Quantum data tape drive technology.
Phil Ritti, VP & general manager of Quantum’s Storage Media Business Unit, will discuss how Quantum specifically developed this technology to help video professionals store the growing volume of data – particularly in High Definition -- they are producing as they evolve from traditional, video tape-based operations to all-digital, file-based workflows.
The DLTxchange enhancement makes SDLT 600A the first MXF-aware data tape drive technology. By integrating MXF, an important industry standard developed by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), the SDLT 600A with DLTxchange supports true IT file-based workflows. Users have direct access to valuable metadata, including timecode, and can retrieve any portion of an archived video clip without having to restore or view the entire file. SDLT 600A is highly interoperable, providing the ready exchange of video assets created and stored with the MXF-enabled acquisition, production and playout equipment now being widely deployed by broadcasters and video professionals.
Quantum Corp., a global leader in storage, delivers highly reliable backup, recovery and archive solutions that meet demanding requirements for data integrity and availability with superior price/performance and comprehensive service and support. Quantum offers customers of all sizes an unparalleled range of solutions, from leading tape drive and media technologies, autoloaders and libraries to disk-based backup systems. Quantum is the world’s largest volume supplier of both tape drives and tape automation and has pioneered the development of disk-based systems optimized for backup and recovery. For more info call (408) 944-4000, or visit www.quantum.com.
For more information about SDLT 600A with DLTxchange please visit www.quantum.com/DLTxchange.
Link Research to launch HD wireless camera system at IBC 2005
Link Research will be showing its first digital wireless camera system for high definition television, LinkHD, at IBC this year. Link Research has added a new HD receiver to the prototype transmitter displayed at NAB this year and is now ready to accept orders for the complete HD wireless camera system. Deliveries are planned for Q1 2006.
LinkHD is an end-to-end high definition system. That is to say, it will maintain the full detail and resolution of HD-format TV pictures throughout transmission. Link Research has achieved this by using the company's own highly efficient MPEG compression and modulation techniques. This has resulted in a high definition wireless camera system with low transmission delay, a low power requirement and a robust diversity signal.
Link Research expects LinkHD to equal the robust RF performance of the award-winning LinkXP standard definition system that Link launched at IBC three years ago, while delivering very high quality HD content. The LinkXP SD wireless camera system is now a well-established product, with hundreds of users in broadcasting companies, equipment rental houses, and specialist wireless camera companies.
Like the LinkXP system, LinkHD's performance and low delay mean that it will be suitable to use alongside non-wireless HD cameras in live broadcast productions.
"LinkHD is what everyone is waiting for - the world's first commercially viable HD wireless camera system," says Dave Remnant, sales manager at Link Research.
LinkHD has bit rate between 18 and 50Mbps and the unit will operate in HQ mode or rugged mode, with bandwidth of 20MHz or 10MHz. The frequency range is 1.95-2.7GHz or 3.4-3.6GHz, and this new system supports all broadcast high-definition formats: 1080i 59.94Hz, 1080i 60Hz, 1080i 50Hz, 720p 59.94Hz, 720p 60Hz, and 720p 50Hz.
For more information please see www.linkres.co.uk.
Lightworks UK and parent company to showcase networked solutions
Lightworks UK Ltd is set to unveil a revolutionary new edit tool at IBC 2005 while parent company, Gee Broadcast Systems Ltd, will introduce its latest ground breaking server technology at the show. The companies will exhibit their networked product solutions on Stand No. 7-130.
Hot on the heels of its powerful Touch M.E. audio upgrade release, Lightworks is announcing the launch of a new multi-resolution system that employs the latest advancements in technology. Lightworks manifested its commitment to open integration support, increased audio functionality and enhanced effects manipulation with Touch 2.0 which had its stateside debut at this year’s NAB conference. That commitment carries forward in the new Lightworks Alacrity MR (Multi Resolution) editing system – bringing freedom of choice options through both HD and SD support – and offering flexible storage solutions. The initial product release is targeted to the television long-form and commercial production markets.
The new Multi Resolution server, Geevs MR, will be networked to the new editing system – showcasing multi-channel ingest and playout capabilities and demonstrating proficiency in handling an increased variety of content. Geevs MR is based on Gee Broadcast’s Geevs range of multi-format video servers, which provide production, post-production, and playout systems for standalone integrated and networked applications in broadcast video. Covering capture and playout applications for both single and multi-channel, multi-format systems, these servers offer a robust tapeless production environment through the SharkNET shared storage environment.
Keith Gee, managing director of Gee Broadcast, says, “Lightworks and Gee Broadcast are united in a commitment to providing the finest networked production solutions. These new technologies introduce an unprecedented freedom of choice and unlimited potential for future expansion -- we are very excited to debut them at IBC 2005.”
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