The official launch of Cinegy Air Express for the European market occurs at IBC2010. Cinegy’s latest playout server and automation software is changing the broadcast space by slashing a digit or two of what would be the normal going rate for a comparable solution while offering more features. Cinegy Air Express is based on the existing, proven Cinegy Air product range that is already powering hundreds of TV channels around the globe. Cinegy Air Express aims at smaller TV stations, studio production environments, and also at new markets such as IPTV, info channels, hotel TV, education and digital signage solutions. Cinegy Air Express includes a fully featured broadcast automation software suite with broadcast playout server software, for the first time making a Channel in a Box truly affordable for everyone. Cinegy Air Express comes with features such as logo insertion, remote operation capability, studio playback mode, Internet streaming, and RTP/UDP streaming. Different format codecs and aspect ratios can be mixed in a playlist back to back. The studio playback mode enables the use of slow motion, multi-speed forward and reverse playback, bounce and loop playback. In studio mode the playback can be controlled by keyboard, mouse, and jog & shuttle devices from vendors such as JL Cooper, DNF and others. Cinegy Air Express is a software solution that turns any Intel or AMD based Windows PC or server into a broadcast playout server. The Cinegy Air control component, for managing playout and automation, can be run on the same machine running the Cinegy Air playout server component. Alternatively, it can reside on any other machine connected to the playout server via an IP connection (Ethernet, WLAN, WAN). This facilitates remote operation of the playout server. For SDI playout, various popular cards from multiple vendors such as AJA, BlackMagic, DVS and others are supported. For those who want to broadcast via the Internet or create MPEG transport streams to directly feed into ATSC or DVB workflows, this is also possible without requiring additional software or hardware. Trial versions of all Cinegy products are available on DVD which can be obtained at the Cinegy booth at IBC or via request from the Cinegy website.

Harmonic Inc. (NASDAQ: HLIT) and Cinnafilm, Inc. have teamed up to integrate Cinnafilm’s Dark Energy image processing tools with Harmonic’s Rhozet(r) universal media transcoding solutions. The integrated solution allows post-production studios, media companies, broadcasters and service providers to produce superior quality video for delivery to TVs, PCs and mobile devices, while saving bandwidth. The integrated Dark Energy Convert, Optimize and Resize plug-ins are powered by Cinnafilm’s Pixel Strings motion estimation engine, which harnesses the power of GPU parallel processing to deliver unmatched accuracy and performance. The Dark Energy plug-ins are integrated with the full Rhozet product family, which includes Carbon Coder™, Rhozet Workflow System (WFS) and Rhozet Quality Control System (QCS), Harmonic’s Rhozet product family works together to optimize the transcoding process. Carbon Coder handles transcoding tasks and provides a host of additional functions, including standards conversion, logo insertion, timecode burn-in and digital rights management. Rhozet WFS manages a network of Carbon Coder engines in a distributed “farm” configuration, providing massive scaling for high-volume operations. Meanwhile, the fully integrated and automated Rhozet QCS provides file-based analysis before, during and after the transcode process. Rhozet transcoding solutions facilitate the creation of multi-format video for Internet, mobile and broadcast applications and are used by leading media companies including Ascent Media Group, British Sky Broadcasting (BskyB), Lifetime Networks, MTV, NBC, YouTube and Yahoo! The full range of Rhozet transcoding solutions will be on display at Harmonic’s stand #1.C61 during IBC 2010 in Amsterdam, September 10-14.

Snell has released Sirius 830, the newest member of the company's acclaimed Sirius 800 series of large-scale, multi-format expandable routers. At 16RU, the Sirius 830 offers a more compact 288 x 288 frame size for mid- to large-scale studio or OB productions, with the ability to add an additional 144 independently controllable outputs for connection to Snell's MV-Series or any third-party multiviewer solution. The new router will be on display during IBC2010 at Snell's stand, 8.B60. Like all routers in the Sirius 800 family, the Sirius 830 features high-performance crosspoint modules for flexible routing of SD, HD, ASI, 3Gbps, and embedded audio signals. Optional redundant crosspoints use intelligent path monitoring, which in the event of a failure can automatically switch to the redundant path and issue a user alarm through Snell's system-wide Centra control and monitoring application. The intuitive touch-screen interface on the Sirius 830's front panel allows quick and easy access to a comprehensive range of status and diagnostic information. All this information can be linked to Snell's Centra system, allowing remote access to the same information, or through the Centra rules engine for automatic re-routing of signals — making the routing system truly self-healing. Snell's unique Catsii technology provides immediate indication of router input and output status, and four independent monitoring outputs enable users to monitor signal health at both the input and output stages of the Sirius 830.

3DTV is here to stay, and at this year's Analyst Forum, Strategy Analytics will be unveiling the first results from its brand new consumer research studies focusing on user awareness and interest in 3DTV. Described will be current perceptions of and attitudes towards 3D and examine its potential in the residential market. Strategy Analytics partner, D.I.S. Consulting, will also be releasing the results of its latest global study into the state of the 3D transition — called 3D Production World™ 2010 — within the television production and post-production industry. D.I.S. will also present its latest forecasts on the impact of 3D in switcher, camera, camcorder, rigs and server markets. BSkyB is, of course, one of world's pioneers in this fast emerging market, and Strategy Analytics is delighted to announce that BSkyB's Brian Lenz, Director, Product Design & TV Product Development, who is driving the firm's leadership in 3D broadcasting, will join us at this year's event. Brian will offer his thoughts on our research findings, and share the latest news from Sky as it prepares for its consumer launch of 3DTV services on October 1st. This event is free of charge but, due to limited space, those interested in attending are asked to register in advance — acceptances will be on a first-come-first-served basis. Register here...