More than 50,000 professionals from over 160 countries engaged in the content creation, management and delivery of electronic media and entertainment will convene at IBC 2013 in Amsterdam this month. As well as the usual extensive conference programme and showfloor product launches, this year’s event will see a number of firsts.
New for 2013 is IBC Workflow Connexions, an exclusive club that brings together professionals from the workflow community all in one place, both online and onsite at IBC. Using NFC technology called ‘Touch & Connect’ the 1,000+ Workflow Connexions club members can exchange and collect data in a single touch in the IBC Workflow Solutions area and on stands around the RAI.
Also launching this year, IBC Workflow Solutions – located in Hall 9 – is dedicated to file-based technologies and provides attendees with the opportunity to track the creation management journey. Visitors to IBC Workflow Solutions will find a presentation theatre housing case studies covering topics such as live sports, automated QC, and Cloud creation for brands and broadcasters as well as presentations from current users.
The conference programme begins on Thursday 12 September and will cover themes including ‘The new language of Digital Spaces’ and ‘Understanding the power of big data’. Of particular interest is ‘The next wave of technology’ at 17:00, which looks at the lessons learned from the apparent failure of stereo 3D; the practicalities of Cloud production; the revenue-generating possibilities of metadata; and the costs of moves towards higher than HD resolution content.
Other highlights across the six-day programme include ‘The great quality debate: do we really need to go beyond HD?’ at 11:00 on 14 September; ‘How to launch a TV service in the Cloud’ at 13:15 on the 15th; and ‘Immersive audio – advancing sound through healthy competition or an unwanted standards war?’ at 13:30 on 16 September.
In addition, visitors to the Future Zone in Park Foyer, next to Hall 8, will have the opportunity to experience concepts and prototypes not yet commercially available. Exhibitors in this area include BBC R&D, whose researchers will be on hand to discuss a range of experimental projects currently being undertaken, and Cisco whose Project Fresco is looking at the next steps in display technology with unobtrusive, frameless, ambient and ultra-high-definition screens.
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Showfloor highlights
coolux will present its new Pandoras Box Version 5.5 and the new Widget Designer Version 4.5 as well as presenting a powerful 3G QUAD Broadcast Server system for the first time.
With Pandoras Box Version 5.5, users can access HTML pages and make them visible on graphic or video layers. It is also possible to make any layer react to mouse, touch and keyboard input. The newly integrated Web Server adds the ability to host web pages on any Pandoras Box Master system, and to remotely control any Pandoras Box system via HTML pages.
It is also now possible to attach ‘warper markers’ to 3D objects. Once at least four points have been defined on a 3D projection surface, the corresponding 2D markers can be positioned, and the software will automatically generate the 3D projector position and orientation based on the physical lens settings.
Turning to Widget Designer Version 4.5, new features include TUIO input support, which enhances compatibility with third-party devices, software sensors and so on. Camera tracking, AirScan and/or TUIO inputs can be used to directly interact with any Pandoras Box display output.
Gesture support has been improved – Kinect, AirScan and other multitouch applications can work more easily with gesture-based actions. Additionally, touch data can be collected from a large number of input sources to make massive multi-device tracking scenarios even more precise.
coolux CEO Jan Huewel comments: “Whether it is creating interactive applications, live 3D compositing and keying, or even advanced virtual studio camera tracking, Pandoras Box systems can play an important and cost-effective role. Every year IBC has become more interesting for us, and with a great number of successful customer showcases under our belt, it is almost needless to say that we are really looking forward to it this year as well.”
DPA will be showing the new d:dicate 4017C shotgun microphone, a shorter version of the popular d:dicate 4017B shotgun mic. Thanks to the modularity of this new d:dicate range, DPA has been able to team the 4017 shotgun capsule with its compact C preamp to create a microphone that is said to be ideal for boom recording in tight spaces and rooms where ceiling height is limited. Offering the same functionality as the 4017B-R, which is the shotgun microphone in a Rycote Windshield, the 4017C-R offers the same solution, just with the 4017C and a smaller Rycote Windshield.
The d:dicate series has also been expanded with another preamplifier solution, two modular active cables (MMP-ER with rear cable entry and MMP-ES with side cable entry), plus a number of modular active booms (MMP-F). The active booms come in several lengths and configurations with flexible gooseneck and XLR termination.
eyevis says it will be presenting a world first: a 70in LED-lit rear-projection cube with WQXGA resolution. This is eyevis’ highest-definition solution for creating seamless videowalls in TV studio backgrounds and elsewhere. The new model, the EC-LWQX-1000-Cube, has a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution (and a 16:10 aspect ratio). This ultra-high resolution means that with multiviewer output, it is possible to display several signals in the highest resolution on one screen.
Thanks to innovative cluster-LED technology, the cube versions from the EC-1000 series provide up to 30% brighter pictures than those with standard LED technology. Their high-quality screens offer stable brightness and colours from various viewing angles, even for concave walls.
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eyevis’ new 84in 4K Ultra HD EYE-LCD-8400-QHD LCD display has a native display resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels. The company’s 4K LCD display series also includes 31.5in and 60in models. Further novelties on the stand will be 55in ultra super narrow bezel LCD screens for videowalls, optimised with a colour temperature of 3,200K; and new 46in and 55in LCD monitors with Edge-LED backlight.
Features highlighted by eyevis as making its DLP cubes particularly suited to demanding applications include precise adjustment to required colour temperature values (such as 3,200K in a TV studio), long-term stable colours thanks to automatic readjustment, high and uniform brightness levels, technology to prevent hot-spot effects on the screens, and the possibility to genlock the displayed signals.
Gefen will be displaying a wide range of signal distribution, extension and integration solutions for those working in 4K Ultra HD – as well as video-over-IP solutions and customisable matrix switchers.
Ultra HD Splitters for HDMI 4K/2K enable a single 4K source to be split to two, four or eight 4K displays. Each splitter includes automatic EDID management to support the size and resolution of each output display. By contrast, the 4×1 Ultra HD Switcher for HDMI 4K/2K enables users to switch between up to four 4K sources on the same high-def or Ultra HD display.
The 4×4 Ultra HD Matrix switches between four sources and four displays, while the 6×2 Ultra HD Matrix switches between six sources and two displays. Any source can be routed to any or all displays at any time. Both use a new Ultra HD chip technology that produces seamless switching.
IP video recording, encoding and streaming company Haivision will show the new Haivision Video Cloud – an integrated end-to-end online video management platform that enables live encoding of events, Cloud transcoding, automated video content management and publishing to any connected device. It is designed to address the complexities associated with delivering and managing video content on multiple platforms and devices and give companies a straightforward package for getting their video in the Cloud.
Haivision will also showcase the Calypso multi-source network video recorder, which makes it possible to view, record and share live video content to empower mission-critical decision making, collaboration and assessment.
Also on show will be the latest version of the Viper all-in-one appliance, designed for on-premise and Cloud performance recording and streaming solutions. Aimed at corporate presentations, classrooms and medical procedures, Viper is a compact, integrated platform for capturing, streaming, reviewing, distributing and publishing rich, multi-stream high-definition content. It is available either as a standalone appliance or as a companion contribution appliance for the Furnace IP video distribution system.
HHB Communications will make several announcements at IBC 2013 with co-exhibitors TC Electronic, DynaudioProfessional and Mogami Cables. The company will be demonstrating a range of MADI, audio and loudness metering, measurement and correction tools, in addition to a selection of portable audio recorders, consoles, loudspeakers and microphones, and Mogami Cable for Life cables.
TC Electronic will be highlighting its range of audio loudness monitoring products, including the DB6 loudness management solution. The Dynaudio Professional DBM-50 studio monitors, featuring a front baffle tilt for perfect desktop placement, will also be exhibited.
HHB will also show the latest products from Yellowtec, and a range of innovative microphones from RØDE, including the new Broadcaster and the iXY and smartLav iPhone microphones. Genelec loudspeakers with advanced power-saving technology will also be on display.
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Philips Entertainment’s premier lighting brands – Selecon, Showline and Strand Lighting – will all be showing their wares at IBC. This includes the PL range of LED luminaires from Philips Selecon, designed for TV studios, small theatres, museums and multipurpose venues. The PLCyc2 offers twin single-source 120W RGBW LED engines, which enable inventive, consistent colour mixing for stunning cyc and wash lighting effects.
In addition, the PLprofile4 LED luminaire will join the PL LED lighting range. The PLprofile4 combines the same LED source technology that is applied across the PL range, with precision optical design. Four 120W high-power RGBW LED engines deliver super-bright colour options with exact beam control and pattern projection.
Joining the PL range will be Selecon’s broadcast-focused Studio Panel. This offers a compact LED solution that is designed for studio and location use. Units feature tunable white colour temperature control from 3,000K to 6,000K. Requiring just 50W, the unit will operate on AC or DC voltage. A range of holographic diffusers can provide beam angle control with minimal light loss.
Complementing the Philips Selecon range will be the Showline range including the SL NITRO 510 LED strobe. This delivers super bright, intense bursts of light (over 68,000 lumens of output) and dynamic effects via over 1,300 high-powered LEDs – as well as continuous ‘on’ operation and six unique zones of control.
Philips Strand Lighting will be exhibiting the 250ML moving light control. This features four encoders and an LCD display screen for quick and easy automated lighting and LED control, making it suitable for multipurpose venues, smaller TV studios and smaller theatres.
Riedel Communications will feature the European premiere of the Grass Valley Camera Interface Card for MediorNet Compact real-time networks. The new MN-C-OPT-GV-2 for MediorNet Compact allows the user to connect Grass Valley LDK and LDX cameras and their base stations directly to MediorNet. This provides a solution to route bidirectional camera signals, including all embedded audio and telemetry control data, through the MediorNet fibre infrastructure. MediorNet’s network approach allows the free assignment of cameras to any base station or CCU within the network, providing unparalleled flexibility in set-ups and eliminating the need for rewiring when production needs change. The MN-C-OPT-GV-2 for MediorNet Compact fits into a MediorNet Compact expansion slot. It provides two Grass Valley ports that connect either to cameras or base stations.
IBC will see the European debut of the Messenger intercom system from Trilogy Communications. Messenger is described as an affordable yet powerful matrix-based intercom that includes the comprehensive features and functionality typically found in far more expensive systems.
Messenger bridges the gap between the constraints of low-end, two-wire party line systems and the cost and complexity of high-end communication systems. The Messenger package is said to be easy to install, simple to use, cost effective and equally at home in small-scale, simple installations or highly demanding multi-studio applications.
Taking centre stage on the stand will be Gemini, Trilogy’s distributed matrix intercom and IP panel range. Designed to satisfy the needs of the broadcast and professional media markets, each Gemini unit combines the benefits of a large-scale, non-blocking matrix with integrated IP connectivity.
The Nuage audio post-production system will feature on the Yamaha stand. Also on show will be the CL Series mixing consoles, R-series i/o units and CL Editor software, DUGAN-MY16 auto mic mixing card, HS series studio monitors, StageMix Version 4 iPad app and Steinberg’s Nuendo Live multitrack recording software. As in 2012, Yamaha equipment will also be used to deliver many of the events and seminars held during the show.
