August 16, 2013
Snell releases Alchemist OD software productREADING, U.K.–Snell has announced the release of Alchemist OD, the software-only version of Snell’s standards converter and the first product to utilize Snell’s On Demand technology. On Demand is a media processing framework that provides instant access to Snell’s signal processing algorithms in file-based, virtualized broadcast, and digital media environments. With the launch of the Alchemist Ph.C-HD (phase correlation) motion-compensated standards converter onto the Snell On Demand platform, Snell brings the best of frame-rate conversion to the software realm, enabling instant access to high-quality, rapid, anytime processing of media files.
“Alchemist, with its fantastic Ph.C motion-compensation technology, has set the standard for hardware-based processing, and the introduction of Alchemist OD offers this exceptional conversion tool in a software solution that can be deployed on a platform of the user’s choice,” said Paola Hobson, senior product manager at Snell. “Supporting a wide range of content standards and file formats, with software available in a convenient, user-configurable package, Alchemist OD is the next leap forward in Snell’s long heritage of providing world-leading standards conversion.”
With Snell On Demand software solutions, users can rapidly enter new markets and create new services that open up additional revenue-generation opportunities. This approach enables cost savings through the use of standard IT hardware and supports highly efficient operations that enable 24/7 asset use.
Alchemist OD makes it easy to bring frame-rate conversion seamlessly into file-based workflows. In applications ranging from international program delivery to integration of movies or user-generated material into content schedules, Alchemist OD provides quality software-based frame-rate conversion. The processing within Alchemist OD means that users don’t need to change modes of operation to suit particular material, whether it’s fast-paced sports, live events, or breaking news coverage.
Supporting a wide range of content standards, and using Snell’s unique Ph.C technology, Alchemist OD converts incoming files into the standards, formats, and wrappers required by users — all on their preferred deployment platforms. Using industry-standard interfaces, and with a service-oriented architecture (SOA) approach, Alchemist OD allows conversions to be accessed from media asset management (MAM) systems, thereby allowing conversions to run unattended in an automated workflow, 24/7.
Snell OD products are completely scalable and can be deployed on a single PC or implemented in a virtualized machine environment. Snell’s flexible licensing assures that users are not locked into specific hardware configurations (cores/CPUs/GPUs).
Emmy nominee Baum opts for Schneider Optics Classic Soft
VAN NUYS, Calif.–Keeping a consistent and pleasing look on a multi-camera shoot is always a challenge. However, multi-Emmy Award nominated cinematographer Gary Baum has found that shooting four HD cameras simultaneously, might not give him the luxury of multiple lighting setups within a scene, but he can get the lighting and lenses to match perfectly by using Schneider Optics Classic Soft 1/8 and ๏ฟฝ filters.
For the “Mike and Molly” episode “Molly’s Birthday” which was nominated for a Best Cinematography Emmy this year, Baum faced two nighttime street scenes. “There was snow, fire, and steam, 80 feet of dolly track, a blue screen and four cameras,” he recalled. “With all of the production expense and time, everything, including special effects, had to be coordinated and planned down to each camera angle.
“I had to fine tune the filtration to achieve a uniform look for the cameras, without imparting any artifacts that could potentially contaminate the blue screen and falling snow,” he explains. “I was able to achieve this by using slightly different grades of filtration at different focal lengths.
“It’s the Schneider quality control that gives me confidence,” he continued. “It is unsurpassed from batch to batch. I can always count on the same level of quality each time. The water white glass doesn’t impart artifacts, nor any additional color. The overall effect is subtle, while not blossoming the highlights or stepping on the contrast. The incremental strengths that the filters offer allowed me to do the tuning necessary to match the four cameras.”
This is Gary Baum’s fourth Emmy nomination. He was nominated for “Mike & Molly” and “2 Broke Girls” in 2012, and for “Gary Unmarried” in 2010. He is currently shooting “Mike & Molly,” which airs on CBS and has just finished TV Land’s “Hot In Cleveland.” He will be using his Schneider filters on two other shows this season, “Sullivan & Son” on TBS, and “The Millers,” for CBS in the fall.
Winners of 2013 IABM Engineering Student Awards Announced
GLOUCESTERSHIRE, U.K.–The IABM (International Association of Broadcasting Manufacturers) today announced the winners of the 2013 IABM Engineering Student Awards. Presented to 10 students, the IABM-sponsored awards programme recognizes high-achieving college students in the fields of broadcast engineering or media technology and offers each winner full financial support for attendance at IBC 2013, Sept. 12-17 in Amsterdam.
The winners of the 2013 IABM Engineering Student Awards are Zoe Wyeth of the University of Salford, Julian Theis of the RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, Adam Plowden and Amy Tinker of Kingston University, Pierre Hamme-Gerome and Antonin Morel of the Universit๏ฟฝ de Valenciennes, Kathryn Savage of Southampton Solent University, Lennard Bredenkamp of HTWK Leipzig, and Evgenii Smirnov and Anna Nikolaeva of St. Petersburg State University of Film and Television. Each award winner will receive funding to cover travel, accommodation, and daily expenses for a five-day trip to Amsterdam and registration to attend the IBC2013 conference and exhibition.
“Winning an IABM Engineering Student Award not only has provided me with the fantastic opportunity to attend IBC, but also has given me confidence in myself as a graduate broadcast engineer,” said Zoe Wyeth. “I hope to leave the conference knowing more about cutting-edge broadcast technology, having new contacts and friends within the industry, and having had an enjoyable week in Amsterdam!”
“I am very proud of winning an IABM Engineering Student Award, which presents a student like me with a unique opportunity to attend the IBC show,” said Pierre Hamme-Gerome. “In Amsterdam I will have the chance to meet some of the most influential people from the broadcast world, to network with professionals and other students, and to discover the latest media technologies for myself.”
The IABM Engineering Student Awards are part of the IABM’s global training initiative, a growing and evolving program that was created to help increase the industry’s available pool of skilled broadcast engineers and technical staff. The awards program is open to any student undertaking a full-time course of study directly related to broadcast engineering and media technology. This year’s winners were selected based on a 500-word essay explaining how the student would be able to benefit from attending IBC 2013.
“Once again, the IABM Engineering Student Awards recognize a remarkable group of young men and women and provides them with the resources to see the latest developments in broadcast and media technology, learn from senior industry figures, and perhaps even meet a future employer,” said Roger Crumpton, a founding director and trustee of the IABM Educational Foundation which funds the program. “The Awards are designed to showcase the broadcast and media technology industry to some of the brightest and best students from around the world. While the individual winners gain a significant personal benefit, the awards program itself promotes the sector and encourages others to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue the exciting career opportunities available. In this sense, the program benefits not only the 10 winners named today, but the field as a whole.”
Camera Stabilizer Workshops in Chicago, L.A.
SHELTON, Conn.–Sachtler, part of Vitec Videocom, a Vitec Group company, announces two upcoming artemis camera stabilizer system workshops in the US. The first will be held in Chicago from September 25-29 at Atomic Imaging, Inc. studios. On December 5-8 the course will be held at RED Studios in Los Angeles.
The four-day basic camera stabilizer system workshop is designed to guide attendees through setup of the modular artemis camera stabilizer system and its use in providing smooth camera moves in cinema and video productions.
The workshops begin with a theoretical introduction to basic professional operating and a presentation of the entire system. The program encompasses the professional configuration of the sled, vest and spring arm and provides valuable hands-on experience in practical situations. To perfect walking and dolly shots, special operation and walking techniques are taught and intensively practiced in the workshop under expert supervision. In-depth exercises, matched to the interests of the participants, complete the course. Additionally, the workshop participants will be prepared for the use of related tools like wireless lens controls, etc.
Artemis developer Curt O. Schaller will be on hand to guide workshop attendees through the basics of filming with the Sachtler artemis camera stabilizer systems. And as head of Sachtler’s artemis development team, Schaller is in an excellent position to describe the latest innovations built into the artemis products, as well as what to expect in stabilizer designs in the future.
To learn more about the theory and practice of filming with artemis camera stabilizer systems and to register for workshops contact: academy@sachtler.com.
Xytech Unveills IBC lineup
MISSION HILLS, Calif.–Xytech, a specialist in facility management software for the broadcast, production, media services and video transmission, will unveil its latest product developments in their flagship MediaPulse platform at IBC.
MediaPulse automates functionality across the entire production ecosystem, fusing operational automation, asset management, order management, resource management and crew management into a coherent, multi-discipline product. Platform independent, mobile and adaptive to the rapid evolution of workflows, MediaPulse has been proven in hundreds of projects, enabling atomic workflows and asset management functions to work with planning, scheduling, and financial management tools providing the only comprehensive management tool on the market. All tasks in the workflow are managed in the product by a modular architecture. Templated and dynamic workflows are driven by Xytech’s unique event orchestration technology, managing all activities in an order and automatically monitoring individual tasks for operational status and financial impact.
At IBC, the company will unveil a new Competitive Upgrade initiative, offering customers with competitor’s legacy systems new ways to upgrade to MediaPulse and take advantage of Xytech’s ability to deliver across the enterprise.
The major advancements and additions to Xytech’s MediaPulse Platform that will be on demonstration at IBC include:
o MediaPulse SKY–A platform independent, browser independent, cloud ready, HTML5 compliant new user interface delivering complete MediaPulse functionality to Xytech users.
o MediaPulse Transmission–The fastest growing Transmission Solution has been enhanced with the inclusion of interfaces to Miranda iControl, Net Insight and Avid Capture for the control of Airspeeds.
o MediaPulse Personnel Rules–Personnel Rules automates the personnel management tasks of any facility.
o MediaPulse Fuse & MediaPulse Fuse Connect–Fuse is a robust platform offering the unique ability to interface with other systems across a network or over the cloud.
