Entries Being Accepted Now; Winners Identify State of TV and Cinema Technology in 2016, Centennial Anniversary of SMPTE’s Founding

LAS VEGAS — April 7, 2013 — The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), the worldwide leader in motion-imaging standards and education for the communications, media, entertainment, and technology industries, today announced the launch of its Centennial Predict-the-Future Contest. Participants’ projections regarding the state of television and cinema technology in 2016, the 100-year anniversary of SMPTE’s founding, will be collected from April 7 to Nov. 1, 2013, and the winners — identified by renowned analysts — will be recognized during the Gala SMPTE Centennial Event in 2016.

“In 1916 C. Francis Jenkins filed the SMPTE founding papers, establishing our organization and its commitment to advancing theory and development in the motion-imaging field,” said Peter Ludé, past president of SMPTE. “Over the past century, SMPTE’s pioneering work has helped to guide the development and implementation of motion-imaging technologies and systems. The Centennial Predict-the-Future Contest celebrates this achievement by looking ahead to further advances in an exciting and dynamic industry.”

“Over the past 100 years, the hundreds of standards, recommended practices, and engineering guidelines developed by SMPTE have shaped all areas of motion imaging, from television production, filmmaking, digital cinema, and audio recording to information technology and medical imaging,” said Charles Jablonski, chair of the SMPTE Centennial Committee. “The Centennial Predict-the-Future Contest offers anyone the opportunity to express their expert opinions about the state of motion-imaging technology as the organization moves forward into its next century of innovation.”

Open to all interested participants, the Centennial Predict-the-Future Contest asks 15 questions about the future of television and cinema technology. The list of questions, compiled from SMPTE member suggestions, is available at www.smpte100.org. At the contest entry deadline on Nov. 1, 2013, the answers submitted will be sealed until 2016 when a select group of analysts and their firms will identify the correct answers to the contest questions and determine the winners. Prizes will be awarded to those who answer questions correctly.

Participants are invited to complete the list of questions to be found at www.smpte100.org. Contest terms and conditions are also available from that URL.

The Society is currently planning other events to celebrate its 100th anniversary, including a gala banquet event. Stay tuned to the SMPTE website to learn of further developments.

More information about SMPTE and its many programs and resources is available at www.smpte.org.

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About the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers
The Oscar(R) and Emmy(R) Award-winning Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), a professional membership association, is the worldwide leader in developing and providing motion-imaging standards and education for the communications, technology, media, and entertainment industries. An internationally recognized and accredited organization, SMPTE advances moving-imagery education and engineering across the broadband, broadcast, cinema, and IT disciplines. Since its founding in 1916, SMPTE has published the SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal and developed more than 600 standards, recommended practices, and engineering guidelines. SMPTE members include motion-imaging executives, engineers, creative and technology professionals, researchers, scientists, educators, and students from around the world. Information on joining SMPTE is available at www.smpte.org/join.

Photo Link: www.wallstcom.com/SMPTE/Centennial.zip

First Snell On Demand Product, Alchemist OD, Makes Best-in-Class Standards Conversion Available on Commodity IT Infrastructure

READING, U.K. — April 5, 2013 — Snell today announced its Snell On Demand platform, a completely new media processing framework designed to provide on-demand access to Snell’s award-winning image processing algorithms in file, virtualized broadcast, and digital media environments.

The launch of the Snell On Demand framework is a bold step that marks the beginning of the company’s migration of its image-processing tools from dedicated hardware platforms to software-based applications that can be elastically provisioned in file, cloud-based, and virtualized infrastructures.

By taking advantage of advances in cloud computing and virtual machine technologies, the Snell On Demand framework enables immensely scalable solutions, from a single computing instance to a cloud-computing environment delivering a service over a network. Snell On Demand allows users to deploy processing solutions on reliable, cost-effective commodity IT infrastructure rather than employ dedicated hardware for discrete processing operations. By providing access to Snell’s world-class signal-processing algorithms and tools as flexible, highly efficient software implementations, Snell On Demand enables users to differentiate their service offerings for their clients and end users.

“Snell On Demand offers the broadcast and media industry the opportunity to take a major step forward in service innovation and workflow efficiency,” said Simon Derry, CEO at Snell. “With Snell On Demand, Snell is putting the cost/benefit equation fairly and squarely into the hands of the customer. It’s very simple — customers can choose to buy as much or as little processing resource as fits their business model secure in the knowledge that Snell products derived from the Snell On Demand framework will give them the best possible quality results from world-leading media processing tools.”

Users can scale Snell On Demand according to their needs. To increase performance, users may add acceleration hardware or commercially available off-the-shelf products such as graphics processing units (GPUs), or they may choose to distribute processing applications across multiple virtual machines or server farms. The framework assures ease of integration with cloud providers, thus supporting delivery of Snell product solutions as a service on a network.

The first Snell On Demand product, which will be demonstrated at the 2013 NAB Show, is Alchemist OD, a software-based frame-rate converter that offers rapid conversion of media files. For international program delivery or integration of international content into domestic schedules, Alchemist OD will provide the world’s best quality frame-rate conversion. The initial product implementation will support broadcast standards from SD to 3G 1080p, with frame-rate and format conversion between common broadcast file formats.

Snell On Demand standards conversion software can be deployed on a single server node, with optional GPUs. To further improve efficiency, the user may run parallel conversion jobs on a server farm. Because Snell offers OpenStack compatibility, the software may be implemented in either a public or private cloud.

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About Snell:
Snell is a leading innovator in digital media technology, providing broadcasters and global media companies with a comprehensive range of solutions for creating, managing, and streamlining the distribution of content for today’s multi-screen world. Specializing in TV Everywhere and Live TV applications, Snell provides the necessary tools to transition seamlessly and cost-effectively to 4K UHDTV, file-based, and 3Gbps operations, while enabling broadcasters to monetize and deliver their media assets across multiple distribution platforms. Headquartered in the U.K., Snell serves more than 2,000 broadcasters, post facilities, and global media companies in more than 100 countries through its worldwide team of sales

All trademarks mentioned herein are acknowledged as property of their respective owners.

Front Porch Digital’s CSM and Migration Suite Enables VISTA to Offer Online Archiving and Content Management Services

LOUISVILLE, Colo. — April 5, 2013 — Front Porch Digital, the global leader in cloud-based content storage management (CSM) solutions, today announced that global media solutions service provider VISTA Worldlink (formerly VISTA Satellite Communications) has installed a complete CSM and migration suite that includes an advanced DIVArchive(R) CSM system, a DIVAdirector(R) media asset manager (MAM), a SAMMAsolo migration appliance, and access to the LYNXSM cloud-based disaster recovery (DR) and media asset storage service. With the new system in place, VISTA now includes online archival service and management in its portfolio of services available to clients around the world.

“Many of our clients had been asking about digital archiving, disaster recovery, and tapeless workflows, so we decided to put a system in place that would give them a customizable way to organize and manage their asset libraries online,” said VISTA President Roy Liemer. “By offering content storage management to our clients, we’re taking something that has typically been a capital purchase and turning it into an economical service. Our service supports all of a customer’s locations without the expense of multiple location-specific capital investments. With secure access to VISTA, users have instant online access to their content from anywhere in the world.”

VISTA serves a wide variety of clients with many different types of content and differing CSM requirements. Using Front Porch Digital’s CSM solution, VISTA’s service enables the customer to digitize and archive each individual asset in a single pass, thus preserving the value of the content and the original asset. The SAMMA process moves the unprotected content from videotape to digital files, creating preservation and intermediate (edit) masters, as well as proxy and XML metadata files. SAMMAsolo delivers the files to DIVArchive for management and protection and, at the same time, delivers proxies and content metadata to DIVAdirector for online access.

“A lot of what we do is time-sensitive, so it’s important to do it as quickly as possible,” Liemer said. “Whereas before it would have taken multiple passes to process a given piece of content, now we can process content more efficiently — whether it’s a live event or recorded material — because the system performs multiple processes simultaneously and automatically, which saves us both time and manpower and meets our clients’ needs for urgency.”

The DIVAdirector MAM offers a browser-based search interface for keyword searching of client archives. Search results are viewable using the archive proxies, allowing authorized users to see the video before ordering restoration. Clients order the content for restoration via DIVAdirector, which triggers DIVArchive to deliver the restored content to FTP sites or to specific areas within VISTA for copying to hard drives or other physical media.

With LYNX, VISTA offers clients an additional level of library protection via a hosted, off-site content protection service. Content that has been migrated by VISTA’s SAMMAsolo and managed by its DIVArchive CSM can be automatically replicated to LYNX, or VISTA can ship data tapes to the LYNX site. Depending on client requirements, VISTA can also use LYNX and DIVAdirector together as the access and distribution point for client content.

Front Porch Digital’s CSM and migration suite met all of VISTA’s requirements for a complete, robust CSM solution — the most important of these requirements being reliability, service, and scalability. The CSM system has the flexibility to integrate with VISTA’s existing MAM system, and it provides a customizable, intuitive interface with processes and actions that are familiar to clients. The technology is backward-compatible and flexible enough to evolve and grow with VISTA’s needs.

“Front Porch Digital has supplied VISTA with an end-to-end solution that has allowed it to expand its business into content preservation and library management — a new endeavor,” said Mike Knaisch, president and CEO of Front Porch Digital. “VISTA started with the cost-effective suite to launch its service, knowing that our solutions can expand to any size required to match growth.”

Front Porch Digital will display its products at the 2013 NAB Show in booths SU3602 and SU3605. More information about Front Porch Digital products is available at fpdigital.com.

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About VISTA Satellite
VISTA Worldlink (formerly VISTA Satellite Communications Inc.) is a leading service provider in space segment, transmission, production, and archival services. From production to postproduction to distribution to storage, VISTA is uniquely positioned to provide true “end-to-end” services. As a premier solutions provider to the communications industry, VISTA is renowned for its prompt and professional customer service. With 25 years in the industry, VISTA has provisioned services to a large array of customers including government, education, sports and entertainment, and Fortune 500 companies. VISTA announced its new brand identity in spring 2013. More information is available at www.vistaworldlink.com.

About Front Porch Digital
Front Porch Digital is the global leader in solutions for migrating, managing, and monetizing media content. Operating on site and in the cloud, the company’s purpose-built software employs the latest technologies to deliver truly flexible and scalable media workflows. Solutions delivered by Front Porch Digital appropriately manage large and complex media files and workflows while ensuring optimal performance and utmost security. More information is available at fpdigital.com.

All trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.

Photo Link: www.wallstcom.com/FrontPorch/VISTA.zip
Photo Caption: Amanda Robinson of VISTA works with Front Porch Digital’s SAMMAsolo system.

Company Booth Will Feature Newest Encoder/Modulator Solutions and Offer Product Demonstrations

HAWTHORNE, N.Y. — April 4, 2013 — BTX Technologies, a value-added distributor and manufacturer of interface, integration, and system products, announced today that it will showcase ZeeVee’s new HDbridge(TM) 2000 Series encoders/modulators for smarter, higher-density HD video distribution at the 2013 NAB Show. more

Upgraded Tool Enables Automatic Handling of Multiple Channel Configurations Within a Single MXF

LEEDS, U.K. — April 4, 2013 — NUGEN Audio, creator of intuitive tools for audio professionals, announces Loudness Management Batch (LMB) version 1.5, an upgrade to its LMB processor for powerful, network-based, automated loudness processing of large numbers of audio and video files with no user intervention. The new version, which will make its debut at the 2013 NAB Show, will allow users to set LMB to demux the audio from MXF files, and handle various configurations of stereo and 5.1 for up to eight channels in one file.

“Audio engineers the world over are busier than ever now that they must answer to mandatory loudness standards. LMB gives busy post-production operations a way to automate part of their loudness processing by acting as a rapid fail-safe system and internal QC,” said Jon Schorah, creative director of NUGEN Audio. “The latest version introduces a new level of MXF automation, saving even more time in a busy post-production environment.”

The new update also includes support for native AIFF and compressed WAV files.

Based on NUGEN Audio’s loudness monitoring and correction engine, and serving as a complementary tool to NUGEN Audio’s VisLM and LM-Correct plug-ins, LMB operates faster than real time on batches of files, saving time and preventing human error. For streamlined video processing, LMB can automatically demux video to analyze the audio content without changing the original file. LMB’s Watched Folders automate file processing, and optional command-line operation allows for full integration into existing asset management systems and procedures.

Other LMB features include individual file handling for the simultaneous consideration of de-interleaved files in stereo and 5.1 configurations with user-definable file suffix identification. LMB also has a pass tolerance window for file analysis and correction, allowing existing audio within tolerance to pass without correction, and ultimately enabling more sophisticated workflow automation. LMB’s summary and detailed logs have a user-definable log frequency that specifies the time interval between selected parameter log entries, and optional corrected file suffixes can be added to output files to assist with file identification in unified I/O folder setups. LMB can also ignore test/alignment tones during analysis and processing.

A highly versatile tool for mixing, mastering, post-production, film, and broadcast, LMB is typically used as part of a content management workflow, as a stage of QC to check compliance of incoming content from third parties, or as a routine way of double-checking content when editors are using other loudness tools in the studio. LMB can also be configured to establish loudness parity of batches of files prior to mixing and editing.

LMB is fully compliant with the latest loudness standards including CALM Act (ATSC A/85) ITU-R BS.1770, EBU R128, and many other regional localizations, offering a complete professional solution for loudness and true peak compliance. LMB checks and corrects for integrated program loudness, short-term loudness, and even loudness range (LRA) targeting, which is highly effective when optimizing material with a wide loudness range — such as movie soundtracks, some sports, and live music — for consumer systems. LMB also takes care of true peak levels using a built-in back-stop limiter.

LMB will be on display and available at the 2013 NAB Show in booth SU8918. LMB works with OS X(R) and Windows(R) operating systems. More information about LMB and other NUGEN Audio products is available at www.nugenaudio.com.

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About NUGEN Audio
NUGEN Audio creates innovative, intuitive professional audio tools for high-end music producers, post-production engineers, and broadcasters. Reflecting the real-world production experience of the design team, the company’s products make it easier to deliver better quality, save time, and reduce costs. NUGEN Audio’s tools for audio analysis, loudness metering, mixing/mastering, and tracking are used by the world’s top names in broadcast, music, and audio production. More information is available at www.nugenaudio.com.

Photo Link: www.wallstcom.com/NUGEN/LMB.zip

MINNETONKA, Minn. — April 4, 2013 — Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc. (MASI) today announced that Matrox(R) Video will include Minnetonka Audio’s SurCode for Dolby(R) E encoder/decoder software development kit (SDK) with the Matrox DSX family of cutting-edge HD and SD digital video hardware and software development tools. The Matrox DSX brand offers hardware tools and an SDK for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of gear for broadcast, medical, and industrial applications. Matrox OEM customers will work directly with Minnetonka Audio to create certified Dolby E solutions using SurCode for Dolby E. The SurCode for Dolby E SDK is one member of Minnetonka Audio’s extensive collection of tools and technologies for OEMs.

“Matrox DSX Developer Products are renowned among broadcast equipment manufacturers for high-performance I/O hardware, a comprehensive SDK, and outstanding applications-engineering support,” said Alberto Cieri, senior director of sales and marketing at Matrox Video. “Our collaboration with Minnetonka on its SurCode for Dolby E codec will allow our OEM customers to add even greater functionality to their broadcast video server and graphics systems.”

Minnetonka Audio serves the industry with ready-to-use, licensed, and certified professional software solutions, improving time-to-market and adding the value of its technology within an affordable purchase plan. As the world’s most comprehensive collection of professional audio codecs, Minnetonka Audio’s SurCode family for Dolby technologies includes Dolby Pro Logic(R) II, Dolby Digital, Dolby E, and Dolby Digital Plus.

“By collaborating with Matrox, we’re providing a framework that allows Matrox customers to make direct use of the SurCode for Dolby E SDK within the Matrox DSX SDK,” said Jayson Tomlin, vice president of business operations at Minnetonka Audio. “Matrox customers will save valuable integration time and be able to bring products to market much faster than by starting from scratch.”

Dolby E support will be available to developers in the 9.4 release of the Matrox DSX SDK, which is scheduled for July 2013.

More information about Minnetonka Audio products is available at www.minnetonkaaudio.com.

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About Matrox(R) Video
Matrox(R) Video is a technology and market leader in the field of HD and SD digital video hardware and software for accelerated H.264 encoding, real-time editing, audio/video input/output, streaming, A/V signal conversion, capture/playout servers, channel-in-a box systems, and CGs. Matrox’s Emmy(R) Award-winning technology powers a full range of multiscreen content creation and delivery platforms used by broadcasters, telcos, cable operators, postproduction facilities, videographers, and A/V professionals worldwide. Founded in 1976, Matrox is a privately held company headquartered in Montreal. For more information, visit www.matrox.com/video.

About Minnetonka Audio Software
An award-winning solutions provider for motion picture, video, broadcast, game, and optical disc production, Minnetonka Audio Software creates essential technology for the world’s top media professionals. Its revolutionary AudioTools Server is the file-based software alternative to hardware program optimizers, bringing expert audio automation to existing media production infrastructures. The AudioTools Server, SurCode, and discWelder product lines support the full array of audio codecs, file types, and standards for CD, DVD, Blu-ray(TM), broadcast, and digital television. The company is the leading provider of professional OEM audio solutions as well as file-based QC and loudness control. Spanning more than two decades of operation, the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based company has a subsidiary in Germany and an international network of distributors and channel partners who share its commitment to quality and service. More information is available at www.minnetonkaaudio.com.

The Minnetonka Audio Software logo is a trademark of Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

IRVINE, Calif. — April 3, 2013 — BenQ America Corp., an internationally renowned provider of digital lifestyle innovations and global DLP(R) projector leader, today announced its new M7 Series of high-brightness, high-performance projectors. Designed for education and other large-venue settings, the product line comprised of the MX720, MW721, MX722, MX766, and MW767 features up to 4,200 ANSI lumens of brightness, contrast ratios extending to 13,000:1, and power-saving technology to cut energy consumption by up to 70 percent. Additionally, the projectors feature LAN control for easy maintenance, complete multimedia connectivity options, and thoughtful innovations in higher models, such as USB camera integration and remote desktop capabilities to facilitate classroom management, wireless display for cable-free connections, and projection templates to make presentations easier. more

SUDBURY, Mass. — April 3, 2013 — Revolabs Inc. today announced that it has named FVC as a distributor of the company’s wireless audio systems for unified communications in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Under the agreement, FVC now offers Revolabs’ plug-and-play, desktop, and wireless unified communications products to its network of partners in a wide range of MENA markets, including education, oil and gas, government and defense, finance, and healthcare. more

Solution Consolidates Processes Across Brands and Introduces Improved New Customer Portal

PETALUMA, Calif. — April 3, 2013 — Core Brands today announced that the group has gone live with its new enterprise resources planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) software. Using NetSuite(R) OneWorld, Core Brands can now manage its entire portfolio of brands, products, and processes using a single cloud solution while offering customers enhanced functionalities related to pricing, ordering, and shipping via the introduction of a new customer portal. Effective immediately, all orders will be processed using the new system across the group’s five warehouse locations. more

GLENDALE, Calif. — April 2, 2013 — Bittree, a manufacturer of high-quality audio and video patching systems, today unveiled a new set of product builders on its website that simplify the product specification process. With just a few mouse clicks, customers can create patching systems that are tailored to their project requirements.

“Bittree is well-known for having one of the most highly customizable product sets — and indeed, our customers seek us out because we can provide the tailored patching solutions to meet their specific needs. With these new product builders, customers can instantly create the custom solutions they need simply by inputting a few parameters,” said Glenn Garrard, CEO of Bittree. “The new product builders are one more example of how we are continually evolving our online presence to make working with Bittree as easy and efficient as possible.”

Users can access the product builders directly from the Bittree home page by selecting products from video and audio patchbays. By clicking “Shop Now” in one of the product areas, users are taken to a page with all of the products in that series. Next, users can choose from a list of popular patchbays in the series, or they can select the “Build Your Patchbay” option, which allows them to select the options they need, including panel height, number of patch ports, and normalling method, as well as a range of other specifications. From there, the system builds the product based on the input specifications and also suggests accessories, such as patch cords, tools, and adapters that are suitable for that exact patchbay configuration.

Within its booth at the 2013 NAB Show, Bittree will feature a product builder kiosk that will enable users to test the new system directly from the show floor. Bittree’s knowledgeable sales consultants will be available to assist attendees with the new website’s various features.

The product builder and complete information about Bittree’s full range of patchbays and data system panels is available online at www.bittree.com.

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About Bittree
Bittree offers a complete line of patching products, including audio, video, data, and integrated patchbays, as well as a variety of patch cords, tools, and accessories. Tailored for use in the postproduction, pro A/V, systems integration, and radio and television broadcasting fields, Bittree’s patching solutions are rigorously tested to ensure long-term functionality and dependability, especially for mission-critical operations and live events. To ensure consistency, performance, and adherence to rigid quality standards, all of the company’s patching products are designed, manufactured, and tested in its state-of-the-art facility in Glendale, Calif. More information is available at www.bittree.com.

Photo Link: www.wallstcom.com/Bittree/Bittree_website_home_page.zip
Photo Caption: Bittree Home Page With Product Categories