New Release Adds Integration with Vizrt’s Viz Ticker3D, Multi-language Support, and a New Settings User Interface

Bergen, Norway, Vizrt Ltd. (Frankfurt Prime Standard, Oslo Main List: VIZ)
Vizrt announces that Viz Multichannel 2.5—the lastest version of its powerful channel branding software—will be unveiled during the company’s invitation-only “Amsterdam Sessions,� held from September 10th-15th in the Hotel Okura in Amsterdam. Viz Multichannel integrates Vizrt’s realtime 2D/3D graphics and effects with industry-leading broadcast automation, traffic, and delivery systems, giving broadcasters an effective, hands-off workflow for presenting tickers, banners, snipes and program schedule graphics for more dynamic channel branding.
“This new version makes the creation, scheduling, and delivery of channel branding an automated, cost-effective process that will benefit broadcasters in today’s demanding, multi-channel business environment,� said Ran Yakir, head of R&D Israel, Vizrt. “Creating and delivering effective, visually compelling channel branding is essential to attract and retain loyal TV viewers.�
Multichannel more

SEATAC, WA — Premier systems integration firm Advanced Broadcast Solutions (ABS) has launched ABS TV, an online series of short video newsletters that highlight industry news, innovative products, production techniques, and ABS customers. Episodes can be seen at www.advancedbroadcastsolutions.com.

“We are in the business of helping broadcasters improve their on-air content through technology and innovation,� said Mark Siegel, President of ABS. “What better way to share information with the industry than with our own newscast?�

Content Creation Advisor Tom Layson, who spent more than 20 years as a TV news reporter and anchor in various markets, is producing and hosting ABS TV. While some stories are shot on location, much of the program is produced at the new ABS facility in SeaTac.

ABS will produce monthly installments of the video newsletter, and viewers can sign up for e-mail notification when each new episode is posted online. The more

FORT LEE, NEW JERSEY — FOR-A Corporation of America, a leading manufacturer of video and audio systems for the broadcast and professional video industries, has hired Thomas Yuhas as National Sales Director. He will be based out of FOR-A’s East Coast office in Fort Lee, N.J.

Yuhas spent the last 28 years in a variety of sales management positions at Sony Electronics, most recently as National Account Manager in its Broadcast and Professional Division and National Sales Manager for its Security Products and Visual Imaging Group. “I’m excited to join FOR-A and work with its customers,� said Yuhas. “FOR-A is a leader in the professional AV marketplace, with its video switchers, multi-viewer display processing, frame rate conversion technology, and so much more. I look forward to sharing our solutions with broadcasters and other AV professionals.�

“We’re thrilled to have Thomas join us at FOR-A,� said more

WAYNE, NJ – Law enforcement officials for the Township of River Vale, N.J., now have a better view of prisoners who enter the police station. The River Vale Police Department recently installed digital video surveillance equipment from JVC Professional Products to enhance – and eventually replace – its antiquated analog system.

With a mix of interior and exterior cameras, the department maintains watch over any area at the station where police officers and visitors would be, including the entrances, dispatch, jail, and parking lot. Before installing the JVC equipment, the station was monitored for about nine years using a variety of analog cameras managed through a 16-channel digital video multiplexer/recorder (DVMR). The new cameras and recorders utilize IP (Internet protocol) digital signals that provide cleaner, higher resolution images and more flexibility of storage and analysis.

The new equipment includes a JVC VR-N900U network video recorder, more

WAYNE, NJ— Fujinon and NHK will be awarded an Engineering Emmy Award for Fujinon’s Precision Focus Assist System by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences during this year’s ceremony on Aug. 22 in Hollywood, CA. Fujinon and co-developer NHK won for “Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Development.� Precision Focus Assist is a built-in feature within a lens that enables camera operators the ability to ensure fast, accurate focusing of high definition images under varying conditions.

“We’re honored to have been recognized by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for our efforts to advance HD imaging,� said Hank Hayashi, President & CEO, Fujinon Inc. “We have continued to advance our Precision Focus Assist technology, and we’re extremely proud of the performance it provides our customers.

Developed in 2001, Precision Focus Assist addresses critical focus issues in HDTV production stemming from the format’s shallow depth more

(MIDLOTHIAN, TEX.) July 22, 2009 – The Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association (LEVA) has announced its preliminary schedule for its 20th Anniversary Training Conference, which will be held in Nov. 18-20 in Forth Worth, Tex., at the Fort Worth Hilton. The exhibit hall will be open Nov. 18-19, and pre-conference workshops run Nov. 15-17. more

ZDF Now Boasts One of Europe’s Largest, Most Advanced Virtual Studios

BERGEN, NORWAY, July 23, 2009- Vizrt announces that ZDF (Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen), one of two large public broadcasters in Germany, recently began broadcasting from two virtual studios within its new 30 million Euro broadcast complex in Mainz, Germany. With its extensive, customized complement of Viz Virtual Studio and broadcast graphics solutions from Vizrt, ZDF is now broadcasting from one of Europe’s largest, most advanced virtual studios. more

(Billerica, Massachusetts) July 21, 2009. Broadcast Pixâ„¢ will showcase its new 3G Switcher Frame, a 3Gbps 1080p upgrade for its Slateâ„¢ live video production systems, during IBC2009, which runs Sept. 11-15 at the RAI Centre in Amsterdam (Stand 7.A15). The new upgrade will provide simultaneous multi-definition SDI I/O for 1080p, 1080i, 720p and standard definition. It will create the first 3G 1080p integrated production system, including switcher, multi-view, 100-hour clip store, graphics stores, Inscriber character generator and Fluentâ„¢ workflow software. more

SYDNEY, Australia, July 21, 2009 (SMPTE Australia, Stand No. D11) — Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), an international communications and information technology company, announced the sale and installation of its DMB 670 transmitters to support the build out of DAB+ digital radio services in Australia, the largest such service in the Southern Hemisphere. Installed and commissioned for Broadcast Australia pty Ltd by local Harris agent — The Bridge Networks (TBN) — the transmitters form the infrastructure foundation for the provision of DAB+ service to Australia’s national broadcasters — the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Special Broadcasting Service (SBS). more

BOSTON, July 21, 2009 – Technomad LLC, a leader in weatherproof loudspeakers and audio systems since 1995, announces that Chattanooga Sound, a sound contractor based in Chattanooga, Tenn., has installed two Berlin weatherproof loudspeakers on a new soccer field for the Tennessee State Soccer Association in the nearby town of Cleveland.

The Berlin is the most powerful loudspeaker Technomad offers, offering unmatched projection, fidelity and power in an all-environment, IP56-compliant design. According to Charlie Rhodes, president of Chattanooga Sound, the soccer association approached him to procure and design the end-to-end system after discovering Technomad online. The Berlins are mounted on opposite sideline poles, one pointing in each direction toward the field to cover the entire venue. more