special report
ibc 2011 review
exhibits that attracted my attention during IBC2011, generally avoiding those reported in IBE’s coverage of the April 2011 NAB show.
Acquisition
Paris-based manufacturer Aviwest exhibited the IBIS digital mobile newsgathering (DMNG) system which is claimed to ‘put an ENG truck in your pocket’. A compact battery-powered unit which attaches to a camera, it delivers live HD or SD video with embedded audio via 3G or 4G Internet to a broadcast network’s headquarters. An integral SD-card recorder allows video store-and-forward operation in locations where a 3G or 4G link is unavailable. Camera Corps’ new Q-Ball Pre-Set is a
remotely controlled HD/SD camera head which can store up to 18 preset pan, tilt, zoom and focus positions when used with a large PTZF switcher and joystick control unit. Q-Ball Pre-Set is identical in size and shape to the standard Q-Ball but can be switched rapidly from one preset configuration to another, precisely and quietly. Settings are stored to non- volatile memory inside the head so are retained even after a system is powered down. Also introduced was an optical fibre link allowing Q-Ball, Q-Ball Pre-Set and MiniZoom HD/SD cameras to be operated over much longer distances than traditional copper cable. Hitachi announced the SK-HD1200
1080p studio and EFP camera. This has three 2.3 million pixel 2/3 inch imagers, 14-bit A/D converters, optical output and 2000 lux sensitivity at F10. It is available with a choice of 2 inch or 5 inch monochrome CRT viewfinders or 9 inch colour LCD. Ikegami’s new HDL-45E is a three-CCD
1080i camera with automatic video level control (and auto tracing white) image-processing for outdoor image- capture. It includes image-flip capability for use in 3D rigs. Vienna-based Indiecam introduced
the IndiePOV ultra-compact camera. This incorporates a high-grade 2/3 inch CMOS imager and delivers 1080p HDTV at up to 30 frames per second in 10 bit uncompressed 4:2:2 or RAW modes. The camera measures 40x40x100mm and weighs 170 grammes. With a native 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution and 5 micron pixel size, the camera can be configured to output at 23.98, 24, 24.98, 25, 29.97 or 30 frames per second, progressive scan. The camera head includes tri-level sync input, 3G-SDI, and RS-484 optical-isolated digital in/out. Panasonic introduced into Europe the
HDC-Z10000 integrated twin-lens 2D/3D camcorder, described as the world’s first to be compatible with the AVCHD 3D/Progressive standard. Three independent manual rings simplify adjustment of focus, zoom, and iris. A dedicated dial can be used to set 3D
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The most important single development evident at IBC was that standard definition, from a product perspective, is essentially dead. 1080i and 1080p are the new SD but facing imminent competition from higher resolution image formats. NHK’s 8K (7680 x 4320 pixel) ‘Super Hi-Vision’ may still seem wildly over- specification for anything short of IMAX-sized screens but is encouraging serious consideration of 4K (3840 x 2160 pixel) as the next worldwide transmission standard.
convergence. Functions frequently used for recording are arranged on the side of the body as separate buttons for fast operation. Also introduced was the AK- HC3500 HD studio camera which is designed for 1080/59.94i and 1080/50i image acquisition. Polecam’s new Wide motorised head
is designed to accommodate D-SLR cameras or compact camcorders of up to 210mm width, 280mm height and 3.6kg weight. It includes high-precision joystick-controlled pan and tilt with U- shaped acceleration and deceleration as well as a wide range of pan and tilt speeds. Polecam Narrow is conceptually identical to the Polecam Wide head and supports a 2D or 3D camera or camcorder payload totaling up to 105mm total width and 1.5kg weight. Pan and tilt angle can be varied at a wide range of speeds, from four seconds per degree to a seven seconds per complete 360 degree rotation. Integral slip-rings are used to convey power to the camera and to export video for monitoring. Optical pulse encoders fitted to the pan and tilt motors provide feedback to the motor controller, ensuring smooth and stable operation. Sony demonstrated its PMW-TD300
‘mid-to-entry level’ 3D camcorder, shown in prototype at NAB 2011 and available in Europe from November. The PMW-TD300 can record over six hours using four 64 gigabyte SxS cards. Supporting 2D and 3D, the camcorder has an inter-axial distance of 45mm to allow 1.2m close-up 3D capture. Sony also announced the HDC-2500
live production camera. Successor to the HDC-1500R series, this incorporates 2/3-inch CCD imagers and an 16 bit A/D converter. Other features include 3G 1080/50p fibre output and a carbon- fibre chassis. Vision Research exhibited its Phantom
v641 camera which has a 4 megapixel 35mm format sensor and greater than 6 gigapixels per second throughput. It is capable of full-resolution frame rates of 1450 frames per second, and 1920 x 1080 HD-resolution frame rates of 2560 frames per second. Minimum rate is 10 frames per second.
Infrastructure
AJA Video Systems’ Io XT video interface connects to latest-generation Apple computers via Thunderbolt. An additional Thunderbolt port is provided, allowing daisy-chaining to other Thunderbolt peripherals like high bandwidth storage and high-resolution displays via a single interface. In addition to the wide range of supported capture and playback formats, the Io XT can unify disparate formats via its 10-bit hardware up/down/cross conversion capability. EVS announced a live slow-motion
system based on its XT3 LSM and I- Movix X10 Ultra Motion camera system. It is now possible to capture and record the entire output of the I-Movix Ultra Motion camera at frame rates of up to 250 frames per second as well as instantly generate ultra slow motion replays without losing any of the live action. A UMotion software module is required for the existing XT3 server in LSM mode to allow a continuous loop recording of the high frame-rate video stream generated by the X10. The system is up to 10 times slower than the slow motion replays which are available at any moment during a live production. Grass Valley introduced the Karrera
digital 10-bit 4:2:2 video production switcher. Available with up to 96 inputs and 48 outputs, it features HD/SD SDI signal support with optional up/down/cross converters on selected inputs and outputs. Each mix/effects bank has four full-function keyers plus two linear/luminance keyers. Each full- function keyer has two frames of video and key storage to free up image store outputs and reduce the number of external graphics sources. The control panel incorporates OLEDs for source and function names. All buttons have RGB LEDs with colour-coding functions and source grouping. Harmonic exhibited its new Electra
9000 encoder which delivers HD and SD video services using MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) and MPEG-2 compression. Up to four audio/video processing modules can be accommodated per chassis. Each module supports four SD/HD inputs, up to eight broadcast output profiles and 32 multiscreen aligned output profiles. An up/down converter and de-interlacer are incorporated. Hiltron exhibited its new HSACU
satellite newsgathering controller which provides fully-automated satellite auto- acquisition. Azimuth, elevation and polarisation control of three-axis motorised antennae of up to 2.4m diameter are performed entirely in software. The HSACU can be operated locally or via a remote IP browser. Local control is achieved via front-panel pushbuttons and a colour touch-panel graphic display. In IP remote control mode, the entire system can be controlled from wherever is convenient to the SNG workflow. Fully automated acquisition of accessible satellites can be achieved within less than two minutes. An internal DVB-S/S2 tuner is provided for satellite verification. Matrox announced the US$495 MC-
100 dual SDI to HDMI mini converter which supports a wide range of display resolutions through 3G, Dual Link, HD, and SD-SDI. This can be used as an HD- SDI switcher, a distribution amplifier, a multiplexer or a 3D processor. Nevion introduced VideoIPath, a
software-based video services management platform for IP and optical
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