CinecolorSAT Orders IDC’s Digital Cinema Distribution Products

Pro Cinema solution enables CinecolorSAT, part of Grupo Chilefilms to expand 

South American satellite distribution network 

Ottawa, ON –International Datacasting (TSX: IDC), a global leader in digital content distribution for the world’s premiere radio and television broadcasters, announces the sale of its market-leading digital cinema products to CinecolorSAT—the leading digital cinema content distribution network in Latin America—part of Grupo Chilefims. IDC’s SuperFlex Pro Cinema receivers form the basis of its complete digital cinema content distribution system.

Grupo Chilefilms, which owns and operates the CinecolorSAT digital cinema satellite distribution network—delivers motion pictures, trailers, advertising and alternative content such as sports events to cinemas in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina and Chile. To establish this network, last year Grupo Chilefilms deployed a large complement of IDC SuperFlex Pro Cinema Cache Servers and Event Players.

With its most recent IDC order, Grupo Chilefilms will expand its CinecolorSAT network to include digital cinemas in Brazil, Argentina, Chile and The Caribbean. The new equipment includes: SuperFlex Pro Cinema Cache Servers and SuperFlex Pro Cinema Event Players for Cinecolor Brazil and Cinecolor Chile; and SuperFlex Pro Cinema Event Players for Cinecolor Argentina.

“The digital cinema market throughout Latin America, especially in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile is extremely strong and growing rapidly,” said Stefano Levera, Engineering Director of Grupo Chilefilms. “As an international distributor of digital cinema content, it’s vital that we select a solution tailored to the unique demands of this business, which is why we chose IDC’s SuperFlex Pro Cinema solution as the infrastructure for CinecolorSAT.

“We’ve ordered additional units because our existing IDC head-end and receivers have proven to be a feature-rich end-to-end platform that lets us control and manage every aspect of our operation, and exhibitors are demanding stability and quality.”

As a store-and-forward server, the SuperFlex Pro Cinema Cache Server meets the quality standards for Digital Cinema Package (DCP) file delivery and transfer, as well as live event distribution via DVB-S/S2 satellite and IP networks. When the SuperFlex Pro Cinema Event Player receives an IP video stream from the companion Cache Server, it delivers a high-quality 2D or 3D image to digital cinema projectors.

“This new order from Grupo Chilefilms for our SuperFlex Pro Cinema solution as part of its CinecolorSAT distribution network demonstrates their continued trust in our brand and technology,” said Doug Lowther, President and CEO at IDC. “Their upcoming rollout into the Brazilian, Argentinian and Chilean markets underscores their remarkable success as a leader in the rapidly growing digital cinema industry in Latin America.”

About International Datacasting Corporation:

International Datacasting Corporation (TSX: IDC) is a global leader in digital content distribution for the world’s premiere broadcasters in radio, television, data and digital cinema. IDC offers a broad portfolio of advanced solutions including the STAR Pro Audio solution, LASER^TM Targeted Ad Insertion platform, and the Digital Tattoo^TM DTH Over IP Gateway. The company’s products and solutions are in demand for radio and television networks, targeted ad insertion, digital cinema, 3D live events, satellite news gathering, sports contribution, VOD, and IPTV. IDC is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with regional offices in Arnhem, the Netherlands and in San Diego, California. The company has installations in over 100 countries and service offices in Thailand and Singapore, and an international network of value-added partners and resellers. For more information visit: www.datacast.com.

About CinecolorSAT:

CinecolorSAT is a business branch of CINECOLOR, the international business brand under which Grupo Chilefilms operates its digital and film services offices in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Chile. Its footprint covers from Mexico to Tierra del Fuego.

Founded last year, CinecolorSAT began its satellite content distribution operation in October 2012, successfully delivering DCPs, alternative content, trailers and advertising to cinema complexes that are part of its network.

Major studios have committed with CinecolorSat to deliver test content after Cinemacon meetings.  The Other Screen signed a regional contract to deliver all of its alternative content using the CinecolorSat network.

For more information, visit: www.cinecolorsat.com

 

 

Pacific Television Center Simplifies its Productions with FOR-A’s UFM-30FRC Frame Rate Converter

Cypress, CA, May 16, 2013 – FOR-A Corporation of America announces that Pacific Television Center (PacTV), a leading provider of global transmission and live broadcast production services, is relying on its UFM-30FRC HD/SD frame rate converter for the company’s operations.  PacTV owns three UFM-30FRC units and has been using its up/down/cross converting capabilities for wide-ranging format conversions to transmit feeds around the world. 

As PacTV constantly works with incoming feeds via satellite and their proprietary global fiber network, the UFM-30FRC’s built-in frame synchronizer is an important tool for the service provider.  This feature clears up any drops in incoming signals that have the potential to cause issues in signal conversion and distribution. Both the frame sync and ‘any format in/out’ functions of the UFM-30FRC minimize the need for additional processing gear and simplify PacTV’s conversions of various standards. Another feature of the UFM-30FRC that makes production simpler for PacTV operators is the Web graphical user interface (GUI), which affords them quick, easy setup and control from any of their three facilities.

“The UFM-30FRC offers motion compensation that rivals that of top-of-the-line converters while being very affordable,” said Jakob Nielsen, PacTV’s Projects Coordinator. “PacTV is a longtime user of FOR-A’s products. In addition to the UFM-30FRC, we also rely on other FOR-A solutions, such as their video switchers, playback systems and other frame rate converter units. We have always found their quality, delivery, and technical support to be exceptional.  The bottom line is that FOR-A enables us to better support our broadcast clients.”

PacTV has utilized FOR-A’s UFM-30FRC for numerous international sports broadcasts, including boxing, tennis, golf, wrestling, racecar driving, and martial arts events, as well as live news productions. The UFM-30FRC is part of FOR-A’s UFM Modular product series and can be installed into a FOR-A UFM universal frame.

About FOR-A

FOR-A is a major manufacturer and distributor of video and audio systems to the broadcast, postproduction and professional video markets. For more information about FOR-A’s product line, call 714-894-3311 or visit our web site at www.for-a.com.

 

PESA Xstream Sets New Standard for Multi-Source Synchronized Presentations for IP Distribution

Huntsville, Alabama –  PESA, a leading U.S.-based custom design and  manufacturing company for professional audio and video signal distribution, recently introduced PESA Xstream, a cost effective, comprehensive package for digital media capture, processing, distribution, and storage. Housed in a compact, 1 RU form factor, PESA Xstream simultaneously encodes up to five independent video sources and eight audio sources concurrently from live or recorded video for multi-path H.264 IP distribution over six independent video streams – with no sync or latency issues. PESA will demonstrate the new streaming media appliance at InfoComm 2013 (Booth 2958), June 12-14 in Orlando, Fla.

PESA Xstream captures H.264 IP camera streams, NTSC/PAL or SDI video up to 1080p resolution, video playback, and even computer-based content such as PowerPoint slides, then prepares high-bandwidth MPEG-4/H.264 broadcast streams for enterprise distribution and archive. When multiple sources are captured simultaneously, the streams remain associated and synchronized during the event. Storage options include a PESA internal 2.5-inch SATA drive.

With five individually addressable video outputs as well as an integrated quad-view output, PESA Xstream allows operators to stream live content over IP while simultaneously transmitting live digital content to a quad-view display and/or full screen display. PESA Xstream can also synchronize discrete audio inputs to discrete video and IP video inputs, and offers adjustable audio delay.

PESA Xstream is an ideal solution for varied market applications, including court recording, rental and staging events, telemedicine, virtual classrooms, security and surveillance, and webcasting and remote production. An intuitive Web browser management and control interface provides complete remote capabilities, which can eliminate the need for on-site personnel to stream content to a production facility.

“Producing mixed format, multi-source presentations for IP distribution used to be a logistical nightmare,” said Howard Sutton, PESA executive chairman. “You had multiple vendors, multiple components, sync issues, too much cabling, and multiple management and control systems. PESA Xstream is so much more than a codec. In one box with integrated Web browser management and control, it handles everything – capture, scaling, sync, and more – which improves the viewing experience for your audiences and simplifies installation and operation. The purpose-built PESA Xstream sets a new standard in price and performance.”

PESA also provides access to its Application Programming Interface (API), allowing integrators to tailor applications to specific market segments. For example, PANAX develops video communication solutions for education, government, and healthcare. The company is a PESA Xstream Partner, and has developed its VTW 5080 Digital Media System solution for the education market based around the new appliance.

“I have never encountered a single device such as the PESA Xstream that can adapt to so many multiple video and audio standards, inputs and outputs, in one box,” said Paul Culbertson, vice president of PANAX. “It’s great to not have to use adapters to convert everything before it hits the unit. PESA Xstream provides configuration simplicity and the best streaming video I have seen. We are thrilled to introduce it to the education marketplace.”

“PESA Xstream is a game-changer,” added Malcolm Macallum, CTO of VIQ Solutions, Inc., another PESA Xstream Partner, which is incorporating the system into an end-to-end content management and distribution solution. “The unit simplifies the technology, yet provides a sophisticated combination of features and functions. No other device offers multiple HD video and audio capture from local and remote sources while eliminating associated latency at this price point.”

Pricing for PESA Xstream starts at $9,995 (United States and Canada). For more information, visit PESAXSTREAM.com or contact John T. Wright, senior vice president of sales and business development, at PESAXSTREAM@pesa.com.

 

FUJIFILM Optical Devices Division to Show 4K Cine Zooms and Compact Cabrio Lenses at Cine Gear Expo 2013

Wayne, N.J. – FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Optical Devices Division will demo several of its latest products ideal for the film and video production community at the Cine Gear Expo, to be held at The Studios at Paramount in Hollywood from May 31-June 1. The company will be in booth #43 and will showcase its Premier PL 4K+ cine lenses and Cabrio cine/ENG-Style lens series.

The Premier PL 4K+ Series features the fastest T speeds available in a family of zooms, with unprecedented color matched 4K and beyond optical performance. The Premier PL lenses are available in 14.5-45mm T2.0, 18-85mm T2.0, 24-180mm T2.6, and 75-400 mm T2.8-T3.8. All four PL Mount zooms are similar in size and weight, and uniform gear placement and front barrel diameters (136mm). Focus, zoom, and iris gears are all in the same position—which speeds up lens changes, since follow focus accessories and lens motors can stay in the same position on the rods. Focus barrel rotation is a uniform 280 degrees on all four zooms.

Premier PL 4K lenses have been used by several acclaimed DPs for feature films including Oblivion and Iron Man 3.

In its Cabrio series, the PL 19-90 (model ZK4.7×19) and PL 85-300 (model ZK3.5×85) will be on hand at Cine Gear. These Cabrio lenses feature an exclusive detachable servo drive unit, making them ideal for use as standard PL lenses or as ENG-style lenses. The PL 19-90 and PL 85-300 FUJINON lenses offer exceptional optical performance with a 200-degree focus rotation, are equipped with flange focal distance adjustment, self-aligning servo drive, a macro function for extreme close-up focus, and coverage of a 31.5mm diagonal sensor. The digital servo on both lenses has 16-bit encoding, so operators can be assured that all lens data output is extremely accurate. Each lens can be controlled using cinema industry standard wireless controllers or with existing FUJINON wired and wireless units.

With a 19-90mm focal range and weight of only 2.7kg including servo motors, the compact PL-19-90 boasts the longest focal range available in a light weight zoom. The PL 85-300 Cabrio offers a longer lens that makes it ideal for shooting in demanding production environments, such as documentaries, wildlife and car commercials.

Cabrio lenses are being used in TV series and feature film production, including several 3D features currently in production.

“Cine Gear always provides a great opportunity to connect with our current and with potential customers,” said Thom Calabro, director, marketing and product development, FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Optical Devices Division. “The expo continually draws an audience of key decision makers in entertainment production, and we look forward to showing off our popular products and latest technologies at this year’s show.”

Fujifilm on Cine Gear Panel

The Digital Cinema Society will hold a panel during Cine Gear on Friday, May 31^st at 2:15pm in the Sherry Lansing Theater. Among the topics to be addressed will be the challenges inherent in lens design with the need for increased coverage areas and resolution while camera pricing is decreasing. Chuck Lee, Technology Manager, will participate on behalf of the Optical Devices Division of FUJIFILM. Representatives from Angenieux, Canon, Cooke, Leica, Schneider Optics, Service Vision, and Zeiss will also participate in this event.

To learn more about Fujifilm’s lenses, please go to:  https://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/optical_devices/

About Fujifilm
FUJIFILM North America Corporation, a marketing subsidiary of FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation consists of four operating divisions and one subsidiary company. The Imaging Division provides consumer and commercial photographic products and services, including:  photographic paper; digital printing equipment, along with service and support; personalized photo products; film; and one-time-use cameras; and also markets motion picture archival film and on-set color management solutions to the motion picture, broadcast and production industries. The Electronic Imaging Division markets consumer digital cameras, and the Graphic Systems Division supplies products and services to the graphic printing industry. The Optical Devices Division provides optical lenses for the broadcast, cinematography, closed circuit television, videography and industrial markets, and also markets binoculars. FUJIFILM Canada Inc. sells and markets a range of Fujifilm products and services in Canada. For more information, please visit www.fujifilmusa.com/northamerica, go to www.twitter.com/fujifilmus to follow Fujifilm on Twitter, or go to www.facebook.com/FujifilmNorthAmerica to Like Fujifilm on Facebook.  To receive news and information direct from Fujifilm via RSS, subscribe at www.fujifilmusa.com/rss.

FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries, including electronic imaging, digital printing equipment, medical systems, life sciences, graphic arts, flat panel display materials, and office products, based on a vast portfolio of digital, optical, fine chemical and thin film coating technologies. The company was among the top 10 companies around the world granted U.S. patents in 2012, and in the year ended March 31, 2013, had global revenues of $26.7 billion*. Fujifilm is committed to environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, please visit www.fujifilmholdings.com.

* At an exchange rate of 83 yen to the dollar.

 

CCI to Install Escenic Content Engine Companywide at McClatchy

As part of a corporate strategy to streamline its multichannel publishing workflow, The McClatchy Company, the third-largest newspaper publisher in the United States with leading digital operations in each of its markets, will move the websites of all of its daily newspapers to a common Escenic Content Engine platform. The project, which is being carried out by CCI, will result in one of the largest Escenic Content Engine installations in the world.

Escenic Content Engine is part of the Vizrt Online Suite and will replace a number of homegrown online content management systems and become an integrated part of the CCI NewsGate-based editorial publishing platform at McClatchy.

Christian A. Hendricks, vice president, interactive media for McClatchy, said moving to the Escenic Content Engine will provide faster development cycles and enhanced publishing tools.  Another important factor in the decision to adopt the Escenic Content Engine, Hendricks said, is the seamless integration between Escenic Content Engine and NewsGate.

“The NewsGate-Escenic Content Engine combination will further accelerate our move away from linear-based publishing workflows to continuous and concurrent publishing workflows. This will be beneficial both to our readers and to our advertisers,” Hendricks said. Currently, a number of McClatchy titles, including The Charlotte Observer, The Miami Herald and The Kansas City Star, are using the common NewsGate publishing platform. The implementation of the combined NewsGate- Escenic Content Engine solution will extend NewsGate to McClatchy’s remaining papers and replace a number of different front-end systems and homegrown online systems.

The move to the NewsGate-Escenic Content Engine is expected to improve editorial workflow and enhance McClatchy’s mobile publishing. The objective is to publish McClatchy content to multiple digital channels as a story develops and not as an additional step after the publishing cycle is completed.

Moving to NewsGate-Escenic Content Engine is also part of a long-term strategy to react quickly to new technology and market changes.

“Ultimately, we believe that systems have to be flexible and advanced enough to enable us to meet both today’s requirements and those that are going to come down the road,” Hendricks said. “With the NewsGate-Escenic Content Engine solution, we will be able to more easily integrate any future editorial tools required to publish to new channels.”

In the combined solution, NewsGate is the core editorial system for creating and editing content and metadata, whereas Escenic Content Engine handles the digital publishing component.

Dan Korsgaard, CEO of CCI, said: “It is greatly satisfying that The McClatchy Company has chosen the NewsGate-Escenic platform as a vehicle to pursue important strategic objectives.  The Escenic Content Engine project at McClatchy is proof of the value of the strong partnership between Vizrt and CCI and the tight integration between our respective solutions, Escenic Content Engine and NewsGate, that has resulted from this partnership.”

Martin Burkhalter, CEO of Vizrt, said: “We regard CCI as an important strategic partner in the market for multichannel publishing solutions for the news industry. Our long-standing collaboration has allowed us to develop a flexible and efficient publishing platform that combines two best-of-breed systems, and we are confident that CCI’s implementation of Escenic Content Engine at McClatchy will be successful.”

The first rollout of the combined publishing solution is scheduled for October 2013 at The Kansas City Star.

About CCI

CCI is the leading provider of editorial and advertising solutions for multimedia news environments. Our CCI AdDesk, CCI NewsGate and CCI NewsDesk products are the most robust and powerful systems in the industry, and are implemented in news organizations across five continents. We provide the platform to support evolving needs of the world’s largest news organizations, and scalable solutions to help growing media brands optimize their business strategies. Constant innovation and strong customer commitment remain the cornerstones of CCI’s business model. CCI is part of the Stibo Group, which holds a D&B AAA rating. CCI is an Oracle Certified Partner, an Adobe Gold Solution Partner and a Vizrt (Online) Partner.

About Vizrt:

Vizrt provides real-time 3D graphics and asset management tools for the broadcast industry – from award-winning animations & maps to online publishing tools. Vizrt’s products are used by the world’s leading broadcasters and publishing houses, including: CNN, CBS, Fox, the BBC, BSkyB, ITN, ZDF, Star TV, Network 18, TV Today, CCTV, NHK, The Globe and Mail, Times Online, The Telegraph, and Welt Online. Furthermore, many world-class production houses and corporate institutions such as the Stock Exchanges in New York and London use Vizrt systems.

Vizrt is a public company traded on the Oslo Main List: VIZ, ISIN: IL0010838154. For further information please refer to www.vizrt.com

 

Zylight Demos New F8 LED Fresnel at 2013 Cine Gear Expo Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES  – Zylight, a leading manufacturer of innovative LED lighting solutions, will demonstrate its new F8 LED Fresnel at 2013 Cine Gear Expo Los Angeles (Booth 325), which runs May 31 – June 2 in Hollywood, Calif. Available in tungsten (3200K) or daylight (5600K) versions, the compact lighting instrument collapses to less than four inches thick for easy transport and storage.

Equipped with an eight-inch SCHOTT glass lens, the fully dimmable F8 maintains single shadow traditional Fresnel beam shaping, and offers a patented focusing system for spot and flood operations. Its beam spread is adjustable between 16-70 degrees for even coverage for widescreen productions. Like other Zylight models, the F8 is equipped with ZyLink wireless technology, which makes it easy to link multiple Zylights for simultaneous remote control.

While the F8 draws only 100 watts, it has close to the light output of a traditional 1000-watt Fresnel. It is also water resistant (IP54) for use in challenging location conditions, and can be powered by a worldwide AC adapter or standard 14.4V camera battery. The F8 ships with barn doors and yoke mount, but additional accessories are available separately.

“Cine Gear Expo is an ideal venue to showcase the innovative F8 LED Fresnel for the motion picture industry,” said Charlie Collias, senior vice president, worldwide sales. “We’ve replaced the traditionally hot and bulky Fresnel with compact LED technology. The F8 delivers all the performance of a traditional Fresnel but in a much more compact and energy efficient design.”

Zylight will also showcase its IS3c LED light, an updated version of Zylight’s acclaimed IS3 large panel cyclorama and beauty light, at Cine Gear Expo. Now shipping with a custom soft box produced exclusively by Chimera for Zylight, the fully dimmable IS3c is a wide, high-output soft light with built-in controls for adjusting color temperature, color correction, and Zylight’s Color Mode, which produces millions of colors without gels or filters.

ABOUT ZYLIGHT LLC

Zylight was founded in 2003 with one mission: Bring truly intelligent, time-saving lighting to the entertainment production industry. Our award-winning team has more than 80 years of combined industry experience, and we continue to develop innovative LED lighting solutions to help make your job easier. With more than 50 dealers worldwide, Zylight continues to grow its brand to a large international audience. More Than Bright – Zylight. Find out more at www.zylight.com.

 

 

TSD Video to Represent Hybrid’s Virtual Studio and Robotic Camera Solutions in Canada

TSD and Hybrid Sign Dealer Agreement to Expand Virtual Studio Business

Across Canada

Montrouge, France – Hybrid, a leading provider of real-time graphics and robotic camera systems, has entered into a dealer agreement with TSD Video—a leading systems integrator/reseller with offices in Montreal, Toronto, and Nova Scotia—to market Hybrid virtual studios and robotic camera products throughout Canada. The two companies signed the deal during the 2013 NAB Show last month in Las Vegas.

“This is a great opportunity for both companies,” said Maurice Pauzé, principal and co-founder of TSD Video. “We’re both looking to expand the market for the virtual studio business in Canada. We’re always looking to represent exciting, innovative products that can enhance our customers’ studio broadcast and production workflows cost-effectively.”

TSD Video will represent Hybrid virtual studio solutions including Krypton, Hybrid’s flagship 3D virtual studio solution with camera tracking, and the Hybrid Neon trackless 3D virtual studio solution.

Krypton is a high-end HD/SD virtual set system with a powerful realtime 3D engine. It interfaces with XYZ motion tracking devices, including opto-mechanical and pattern recognition, with no video or audio delays.

The Hybrid Neon trackless virtual studio is an affordable, user-friendly system consisting of software running on a PC. Rather than camera tracking and calibration, Neon enables virtual camera movements in realtime from fixed cameras on set. Despite its simplicity, Neon produces 3D virtual scenes that are photorealistic and anti-aliased. Both virtual studios give users the flexibility to import 3D models from popular, third party 3D animation programs.

TSD Video will also represent Hybrid’s broadcast-grade robotic camera technology, including Chrome, Silver, and Titanium robotic jibs and PTZF camera heads. These systems enable precise, repeatable camera moves and tracking—for virtual studio and special effects applications—without introducing video/audio delays or noise during use.

“We’re extremely pleased to join forces with Maurice Pauzé, Jacques Besner, and everyone at TSD Video to expand the virtual studio market throughout the country,” said Olivier Cohen, CEO, Hybrid. “We rely upon our partners to help sell, install, and service our robotic camera and virtual studio solutions. With their extensive experience and knowledge of the pro-video market in Canada, this partnership will be mutually beneficial for both organizations, as well as for customers looking for affordable, high-performance virtual studio and robotic camera tracking solutions.”

About TSD Video

TSD Video was founded in 2004 through the partnership of Tele-Syn Video Inc. and Digitec Inc.  Between them, TSD Video Co-Founders Jacques Besner and Maurice Pauzé have over 50 years of experience as systems designers and integrators. As video equipment resellers, they also represent and service high-end broadcast solutions by top vendors, including  Boland, Hitachi, Snell, Harmonic, Penta, Chyron, Cobalt Digital, Utah Scientific—and now Hybrid’s virtual studio and robotic camera technology. Visit the company website for more information.

About Hybrid

Hybrid is a leading manufacturer of broadcast production technologies. The company’s mission is to develop solutions and products that allow the digital media market to produce value-added content within an integrated workflow. Our product range includes virtual studio and augmented reality solutions and broadcast robotic camera supports. Hybrid consistently develops new products and solutions that push the limits of content creation while providing a clear rationalization of costs. Further information is available at www.hybridtv.tv.