Impulse Creative Group Directs GreenWaves III Multimedia Concert with Broadcast Pix Granite 5000

Billerica, Massachusetts –  Broadcast Pix™ today announced that Impulse Creative Group, a systems integrator based in North Hollywood, Calif., used a Granite™ 5000 Video Control Center™ for GreenWaves III, a multimedia concert event, on April 11 at UCF Arena in Orlando, Fla. Presented by the University of Central Florida’s Campus Activities Board, GreenWaves is an annual event that promotes “green” sustainability awareness and initiatives.

Impulse Creative Group handles production design and show management for live events, as well as system design and installation for commercial and residential environments. While the company has installed a number of Broadcast Pix Video Control Centers in schools, GreenWaves III was the first time the company used a Granite 5000 for a live show. The system was rented from Complete Production Resources in Orlando.

Nate Selvidio, co-owner of Impulse Creative Group, said Granite 5000 was the ideal production system for the concert, which featured a 40-foot, triangle-shaped projection screen on stage. “All the video projection was controlled and masked from the Broadcast Pix, and the side screens were controlled from it, too,” he explained. “We used DVE effects to position robotic cameras to be in different areas of the on-stage video wall.”

There were 12 sources in use during the show, including robotic and handheld cameras, computer-based graphics, and a Grass Valley iDDR digital playout center. Fluent™ Macros were used for camera recalls and simultaneous playback of multiple sources. “The show was very content heavy, a lot of HD video playback,” Selvidio said. “Everything was in sync, everything could be controlled through one unit, and video quality was awesome.”

Impulse Creative Group also handled production for comedian Aziz Ansari, who had his opening U.S. tour date at UCF Arena the night before GreenWaves III. “The show was the same day as load in, so having everything in one box definitely saved a lot of time,” added Selvidio, who directed both shows. “Setup was fast and easy, everything worked great, and it was awesome having such a reliable and versatile switching system for these two shows.”

About Impulse Creative Group Impulse Creative provides clients with unique designs using modern ideas and concepts that give all our clients that extra touch of creativity. We offer full service project management – meaning that we meet with clients to determine their specific needs and then design and install a complete technology solution. Find out more at www.impulsecreativegroup.com.

About Broadcast Pix Broadcast Pix is a leader in live video production systems. Its Video Control Centers™ empower operators with patented techniques that combine cameras, clips and graphics to create compelling live video. The integration of a multi-format switcher, clip store, graphics system with a Harris or Chyron CG, and device controls provides the lowest cost of ownership at a fraction of the cost of a conventional control room to buy, staff and operate. Systems range from compact systems controlled by a touch-screen or voice-automation to sophisticated 2 M/E control panels. Customers include leading broadcast, corporate, education, religious, government, webcast, entertainment and mobile studios in more than 100 countries. Learn more at www.broadcastpix.com.

Broadcast Pix, Granite, Fluent, and Video Control Centers are trademarks of Broadcast Pix, Inc. Patented.

 

Azzurro HD Returns to Trusted Supplier, T-VIPS, for Reliable Real Time Video Transport over IP of Glenn Beck’s Video Network

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

 

 

Advanced Systems Group Hires Industry Veteran Mark Haynes, Expands Audio Department

EMERYVILLE, CALIF., May 10, 2012 – 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.

 

 

Victor Abramson Joins ABS as National Sales Manager for Cable TV Solutions

SEATAC, WA — Professional video and audio systems integration firm Advanced Broadcast Solutions (ABS) has hired Victor Abramson to serve as national sales manager for CATV solutions, effective April 16. He will be based out of the ABS office in Portland, Ore.

Abramson has worked in cable television sales for more than a decade. Most recently, he served as a regional sales manager for Satellite Engineering Group, a division of TVC Communications, where he established a new regional sales office, led sales efforts for audio and video test equipment, and initiated a national installation, integration, and certification program for cable and broadcast customers. He also worked as a senior account manager for Mega Hertz, LLC, focusing on complex networking, video, and transport solutions for cable operators and independent regional telecommunications companies.

“Not only will Victor lead our efforts to increase our cable business, he will strengthen our account coverage in Oregon,” said Mark Siegel, president of ABS. “He is very familiar with the cable industry, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, and will be a valuable resource for our clients.”

Abramson can be reached at (503) 701-2323 or via e-mail at victor@abs-cablesolutions.com.

About ABS:

Based in SeaTac, WA, ABS (Advanced Broadcast Solutions) delivers customized, technologically superior solutions for broadcast, corporate, house of worship, entertainment, government, and educational facilities – from design and integration to installation and support services. Since 1982, its experienced technical staff has installed more than 200 systems for clients including Fisher Communications, Cowles California Media, Real Networks, Cisco Systems, and Microsoft Studios. For more information, call 206-870-0244 or visit www.advancedbroadcastsolutions.com.

 

 

WCFT Launches Local HD New With JVC ProHD Cameras

WAYNE, NJ (May 8, 2012) – JVC Professional Products Company, a division of JVC Americas Corp., today announced that ABC affiliate WCFT/WJSU/WBMA in Birmingham-Anniston-Tuscaloosa, Ala. (DMA #39), has purchased 20 GY-HM790 ProHD camcorders for studio and ENG work as part of an overall transition to local HD news production.

Ron Thomas, director of engineering, WCFT/TV Alabama, Inc., said the station began using four of the new cameras in its studio in SD mode last July, then made the switch to HD production on Sept. 12. “The picture quality has been great, a drastic improvement,” said Thomas, who noted the integration between the new ProHD cameras and the studio’s Vinten robotic camera support system has been “flawless.”

WCFT began using GY-HM790 camcorders in the field on Sept. 12 as well, replacing a fleet of aging Philips LDK 700 DVCPRO camcorders. Not only are the units lighter than the previous cameras, but Thomas said they balance well when paired with the station’s new Anton/Bauer DIONIC batteries. “Our shooters really like the cameras,” he added.

While Thomas admitted station personnel faced a learning curve when they moved from a tape-based workflow, he said they quickly embraced the use of JVC’s native file recording on SDHC solid-state media cards. “It has really made it faster for our news department to turn around news, especially breaking news,” he said.

WCFT is affiliated with Allbritton Communications Company, which is based in Arlington, Va., and recently standardized on JVC ProHD cameras for studio and ENG work at six of its stations. The new cameras are part of an overall transition to local HD news production for all stations in the group.

Ideal for multicore or fiber-based studios, the GY-HM790 offers an innovative modular design and a redesigned studio adapter sled. Its three, 1/3-inch progressive scan CCDs produce 1280×720 and 1920×1080 images, and its proprietary MPEG-2 encoder supports 1080i, 720p, and even SD (480i) for operations that have not yet made the move to HD. The compact, shoulder-mount camera is also an outstanding choice for ENG use, with a dual card slot design that records to low-cost, non-proprietary SDHC media cards in ready-to-edit file formats for Apple Final Cut Pro (.MOV) and other major NLE systems (.MP4).

ABOUT JVC PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS COMPANY

Headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey, JVC Professional Products Company is a division of JVC Americas Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of JVC Kenwood Corporation. JVC is a leading manufacturer and distributor of broadcast and professional video and audio equipment. For further product information, visit JVC’s Web site at http://pro.jvc.com or call (800)582-5825.

 

 

Broadcast Pix Hires Damon Stewart as Western Region Sales Manager

Billerica, Massachusetts –  Broadcast Pix™ today announced that Damon Stewart has joined the company as its western region sales manager, effective May 1.

Stewart has spent more than 15 years working in the professional video industry, including 10 years at Apple in several management positions. For three years, he managed Apple’s pro video and film value added reseller channel for the Western United States. Most recently, he worked at Advanced Digital Video in Roseville, Calif., where he provided video production consulting to several California state agencies.

“I am very excited about Damon joining our organization. We’ve added another all-star industry vet,” said Don Riegle, director of North American sales. “He will help Broadcast Pix aggressively strengthen relationships in the western region, working alongside sales engineer Chuck Williamson.”

Stewart will be based in Roseville, Calif. He can be reached at (916) 837-0530 or via e-mail at damon@broadcastpix.com.

About Broadcast Pix Broadcast Pix is a leader in live video production systems. Its Video Control Centers™ empower operators with patented techniques that combine cameras, clips and graphics to create compelling live video. The integration of a multi-format switcher, clip store, graphics system with a Harris or Chyron CG, and device controls provides the lowest cost of ownership at a fraction of the cost of a conventional control room to buy, staff and operate. Systems range from compact systems controlled by a touch-screen or voice-automation to sophisticated 2 M/E control panels. Customers include leading broadcast, corporate, education, religious, government, webcast, entertainment and mobile studios in more than 100 countries. Learn more at www.broadcastpix.com.

Broadcast Pix is a trademark of Broadcast Pix, Inc. Patented.

 

Broadway Systems To Exhibit at Media Finance Focus 2012

Grand Rapids, Mich. – Broadway Systems, the leading provider of advertising management software for cable networks, will exhibit at Media Finance Focus 2012, the 52nd annual conference of the Media Financial Management Association (MFM) and Broadcast Cable Credit Association (BCCA). The three-day conference runs May 21-23 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev., and presents industry information for media financial and business executives.

“Media Finance Focus is targeted toward CFOs and business managers, not engineers,” explained John Sorensen, president of Broadway Systems. “It’s an ideal venue to showcase the value of Broadway’s fully integrated advertising management platform to the financial executives of cable networks. We look forward to discussing the benefits of our end-to-end solution with attendees.”

Founded in 1961, the MFM is dedicated to the unique interests and needs of media business and finance executives. The BCCA is a subsidiary of MFM and functions as a local and national clearinghouse for credit information on advertisers, agencies, and buying services. Beyond its exhibit hall, Media Finance Focus 2012 will include general sessions, roundtable discussions, and breakout sessions that discuss specific industry trends and issues.

About Broadway Systems

Since 2002, Broadway Systems has collaborated with cable networks to engineer a contemporary and fully integrated programming, sales, traffic, stewardship, and billing software system. Today, this platform is used to manage some of the top brands in industry and more than $3 billion in advertising revenues for top 20 rated cable networks and startups alike. Broadway Systems offers cable networks a strategic alternative to existing vendors, one that is dedicated to their business and keeps pace with the changing needs of this dynamic industry. Find out more at www.broadwaysystems.com.

 

 

ABS Helps KMVT-TV Update Control Room with Ross Gear

SEATAC, WA — Professional video and audio systems integration firm ABS (Advanced Broadcast Solutions) today announced that KMVT-TV, the CBS affiliate serving Twin Falls, Idaho (DMA #191), has updated its control room with a Ross Carbonite production switcher, XPression CG, and BlackStorm playout server. The gear was purchased through ABS in March and was the final step of the station’s migration to local HD news production.

According to Chris Pruitt, KMVT general manager, the new switcher and CG replaced a 20-year-old Grass Valley switcher and aging Pinnacle Deko and Scala graphics systems. Prior to the new server, video packages were played to air through an NLE system. KMVT chief engineer Shawn Butler installed the new equipment, which went live on April 9.

“We are more than pleased with the entire system,” said Pruitt. “ABS was extremely helpful as they evaluated our needs, understood our goals, and then recommended the gear that would accomplish our goals while staying within budget.” 

About ABS:

Based in SeaTac, WA, ABS (Advanced Broadcast Solutions) delivers customized, technologically superior solutions for broadcast, corporate, house of worship, entertainment, government, and educational facilities – from design and integration to installation and support services. Since 1982, its experienced technical staff has installed more than 200 systems for clients including Fisher Communications, Cowles California Media, Real Networks, Cisco Systems, and Microsoft Studios. For more information, call 206-870-0244 or visit www.advancedbroadcastsolutions.com.

 

Tualatin Valley Community TV Adds Broadcast Pix Mica Video Control Centers to New Control Rooms

Billerica, Massachusetts – April 26, 2012 – Based in Beaverton, Ore., Tualatin Valley Community TV (TVCTV) produces PEG (public, educational, and government) programming for cable subscribers in 14 cities and Washington County. Earlier this year, TVCTV moved from a three-studio setup it shared with a magnet school to its own two-studio facility. Each new studio has its own control room, which is anchored by a Broadcast Pix™ Mica™ Video Control Center™.

A division of the Metropolitan Area Communications Commission, TVCTV produces more than 400 local programs each year for its five cable channels. Its main studio is dedicated to community programming, while a second studio is used for government programs, in-house productions, and contract work.

By design, both control rooms are very similar. “We do a bunch of outreach programs for each community,” explained Thaddeus Girard, TVCTV production services manager. “We have 14 freelancers and five in-house producers. Both studios running the same platform is huge. Two Micas in house will help volunteers by easily cross-training and reducing crew costs.”

The move to the new facility also included a move to a file-based workflow, which allows TVCTV to take advantage of Mica’s built-in Fluent™ Clip Store. “One of the most exciting things for us is having so much stuff stored in one unit,” Girard said. “What we’d used before was a ton of monitors and decks – and it took a lot of engineering and tweaking. Now we can use internal clip stores instead of three DVCPRO decks. I’m excited to have it so tightly integrated with Fluent-View and get rid of so many crummy black-and-white monitors.”

TVCTV is also exploiting the capabilities of its new production switchers to improve its on-air look. “We want to try to spice it up as much as we can. There’s so much power, we can do so many things,” Girard said. “It’s fun to program your own vision and have it show up almost immediately. Mica has just made our workflow much more sensible, creative, and easier.”

TVCTV implemented the Mica workflow in March. They were purchased through Professional Video and Tape in Tigard, Ore., and installed by Delta AV in Portland, Ore. One of TVCTV’s new studios features robotic HD cameras, but programming is down-converted and broadcast in SD. Mica’s multi-definition switcher can mix eight HD/SD-SDI inputs with seven channels of internal clips, animations, and graphics.

Beyond its new studios, TVCTV produces live coverage of city council meetings for seven cities, and Girard plans to begin migrating existing local city council control rooms to Broadcast Pix systems later this year. “Mica fits that perfect niche, allowing us to expand a little bit but keeps us within budget,” Girard added. “All around it’s been a fantastic piece of equipment for our new facility.”

About Broadcast Pix Broadcast Pix is a leader in live video production systems. Its Video Control Centers™ empower operators with patented techniques that combine cameras, clips and graphics to create compelling live video. The integration of a multi-format switcher, clip store, graphics system with a Harris or Chyron CG, and device controls provides the lowest cost of ownership at a fraction of the cost of a conventional control room to buy, staff and operate. Systems range from compact systems controlled by a touch-screen or voice-automation to sophisticated 2 M/E control panels. Customers include leading broadcast, corporate, education, religious, government, webcast, entertainment and mobile studios in more than 100 countries. Learn more at www.broadcastpix.com.

Broadcast Pix, Mica, Fluent, and Video Control Centers are trademarks of Broadcast Pix, Inc. Patented.

 

Tulsa’s KTUL Invests in JVC ProHD Cameras for Transition to Local HD News

WAYNE, NJ  – JVC Professional Products Company, a division of JVC Americas Corp., today announced that KTUL, the ABC affiliate in Tulsa, Okla. (DMA #59), has purchased 18 GY-HM790 ProHD cameras, as well as two GY-HM750Us, to produce its local newscasts in HD. The new cameras were first used in SD mode when they were delivered in March, but the station transitioned to full HD for ENG and studio production on Aug. 22.

KTUL is affiliated with Allbritton Communications Company, which is based in Arlington, Va., and recently standardized on JVC ProHD cameras at six of its stations. The new cameras are part of an overall transition to local HD news production for all stations in the group.

KTUL uses four of its new GY-HM790 cameras in the studio, along with a GY-HM250 on a jib. Roger Herring, KTUL director of broadcast operations, said the picture quality is a “huge improvement from where we were.” The studio cameras are connected via fiber optic cable, which allows the station to send all signals over a single cable – no triax or additional cable bundles necessary.

Herring said the station’s ENG shooters are pleased with the quality and weight of the ProHD cameras. KTUL uses Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 and Apple Final Cut Pro editing systems, and recording ready-to-edit footage on non-proprietary SDHC cards has improved the station’s workflow. “Native file recording makes moving from camera to editor extremely quick,” Herring explained. “It allows us to edit quickly in the field as well.”

An ideal solution for multicore or fiber-based studios, the GY-HM790 offers an innovative modular design and a redesigned studio adapter sled. Its three, 1/3-inch progressive scan CCDs produce 1280×720 and 1920×1080 images, and its proprietary MPEG-2 encoder supports 1080i, 720p, and even SD (480i) for operations that have not yet made the move to HD. The compact, shoulder-mount camera is also an outstanding choice for ENG use, with a dual card slot design that records to low-cost, non-proprietary SDHC solid-state media cards in ready-to-edit file formats (.MOV and .MP4) for major NLE systems.

ABOUT JVC PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS COMPANY

Headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey, JVC Professional Products Company is a division of JVC Americas Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of JVC Kenwood Corporation. JVC is a leading manufacturer and distributor of broadcast and professional video and audio equipment. For further product information, visit JVC’s Web site at http://pro.jvc.com or call (800) 582-5825.