ATG Danmon announces the completion of a full broadcast-quality news studio facility for Cardiff University's School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies. The project coincides with a relocation to new city-centre premises situated next to BBC facilities. Cardiff University will use the facility to train the next generation of television, radio, online and printed-media journalists. Herefordshire based CJP Broadcast Service Solutionsprovided the installation services for the project.

Rajamangala University of Technology (RMUT) in Thailand has chosen a Neo-19 series Channel-in-a-Box playout system as the heart of a new online TV channel. Operated by staff and students of the university's Mass Communication Technology faculty, the channel will form a basis for training in the techniques of broadcast television content production and distribution.

Working in partnership with UK based broadcast system integrator Megahertz Ltd, Custom Consoles has completed a new production gallery desk, engineering control desk and a MediaWall monitor display for the Royal Opera House in London's Covent Garden. The project forms part of an extensive UHD/HDR upgrade to the facilities used by the ROH to relay performances of over 12 events each season for live viewing by cinema audiences in Europe and for distribution to other venues around the world. The ROH also live streams frequently from the main house, Linbury theatre and other studios in the building.

DVB, an industry consortium that develops open, interoperable technical specifications for the delivery of digital media and broadcast services, today announced the approval of its DVB-I specification by the DVB Steering Board in Geneva. It has been published as DVB BlueBook A177.

The DVB-I specification aims to ensure that linear television delivered over the internet is as user-friendly and robust as a traditional broadcast television experience. It offers the possibility for linear television services to be delivered to any device with a suitable internet connection and media player, including TV sets, smartphones, tablets and media streaming devices.

"In developing an internet-centric solution for linear television services, we are providing the industry with a crucial missing piece that raises internet-based delivery to the same level in the DVB ecosystem as RF-based content delivery," said DVB Chair Peter MacAvock. "With these building blocks, addressing the discovery of DVB-I services and the delivery of programme metadata, DVB offers broadcasters and operators an exciting new deployment option."

The DVB-I specification defines DVB-I Service Lists, a means for internet-connected devices to find curated sets of linear television services that may be delivered through broadband or broadcast mechanisms. It also defines the methods to retrieve electronic programme data for those services, which can be integrated into a single coherent offering that is accessed through a consistent user interface.

The AVer EP65 is an interactive flat panel featuring Zoom Rooms integration to go along with the latest AVer camera and audio technology, this 65” display can transform any meeting room into a streamlined collaboration hub for both video conferencing and face-to-face brainstorming. The EP65 allows users to interact, take notes, annotate on a shared screen and enable split-screen multitasking.

There’s no need to connect external devices to make a video call, as it comes equipped with a 4K camera with Sony Exmor™ 4K CMOS sensor, 13-element microphone array, and PC module powered by a Windows 10 IoT Intel i7-7700 Processor for true all-in-one capability. The EP65 is a cinch to set up; simply plug in one power cord and enjoy an extremely intuitive user experience in seconds.

Features 4K P-CAP touchscreen with 20 touch points, made of level 7 MoHS toughened glass that is resistant to glare and fingerprints. Users can mount the EP65 on the wall or affix it to a mobile rolling stand to take its powerful features all over the office and create a truly agile workplace.

Gravity Media, the leading global provider of complex live broadcast facilities and production services to content owners, creators and distributors, has appointed former Pac-12 Networks Sr. Director, Content Production Laura Podolak Waddell as its new Director, Strategic Partnership Management for North America. Laura joins the team to enhance brand relationships with a focus on an ongoing studio operations project that Gravity Media is overseeing for a major media and technology brand.

After nearly a decade of local news production for radio stations in Colorado and California, Laura became part of Pac-12 Networks’ launch team in 2012. The considerable amount of broadcasting experience she gained during her time there has led her to join Gravity Media where she will bring teams across the country closer together to streamline production processes and improve content output for clients. As Laura emphasises, the role comprises everything that fascinates her about production; “compelling content, a fast-paced environment and all the unique personalities of content creators.”

Laura’s past seven years at Pac-12 Networks were focused on relationship building, enhancing communication across content teams and implementing production best practices. The biggest challenge she’s seen in the broadcasting industry over that time was engaging a young audience, finding out where the younger viewers are consuming content and what sports they’re most interested in watching to entice the next generation of fans. “Nobody can predict exactly where media consumption is going, but what we do know, is that people want to watch engaging content,” she notes.

Viaccess-Orca (VO), an Orange Group company and a global leader providing OTT and TV platforms, content protection, and advanced data solutions, announced today that the Malian Transmission and Broadcasting Corporation (SMTD) in West Africa has chosen VO's cardless Conditional Access System (CAS) to secure its free-to-view and pay-TV platforms as part of a nationwide government initiative to roll out digital terrestrial television (DTT). Thomson Broadcast has been tasked with handling the deployment for SMTD's new infrastructure, while also supplying the video headend, contribution and distribution network, and TV transmitters.

"We are excited about offering digital terrestrial television in Mali, as it will significantly improve our viewers' quality of experience while offering a broader range of content choices," said Ismaila Togola, CEO of SMTD. "Working with Thomson Broadcast and Viaccess-Orca, both leaders in their respective industries, will help us get this new DTT service securely deployed to market."

More than a third (36%) of broadcasters are failing to utilize their content library despite facing increasing competition from streaming services, according to research by ATEME, the emerging leader in video delivery solutions for broadcast, cable, DTH, IPTV and OTT.

Although almost all (98%) of the broadcasters surveyed use their content library to create new channels for particular events or occasions, the majority (82%) are impeded in the ability to do it quickly, unlike their streaming counterparts. 44% of broadcasters revealed it takes them up to three days to create a new channel, while over a third (38%) say it takes them up to a week, which not only hinders their ability to capitalize on events but could result in potential revenue loss.

“With a continuous influx of competition from all angles, broadcasters must begin to do more with their content libraries. Creating new, virtual channels would allow broadcasters to take advantage of topical and cultural events, such as award season, during which they could use their back catalogue to quickly develop one-off channels to celebrate winners as they are announced,” commented Remi Beaudouin, Chief Strategy Officer, ATEME.

As broadcasters explore ways to use technology to maximize their content, almost two-thirds (60%) of broadcasters are utilizing virtual broadcasting to create one-off channels, while of the broadcasters not currently doing virtual broadcasting 70% said they will do so within a year.

Nevion, award-winning provider of virtualized media production solutions, has experienced a growth in bookings in its Americas region of 34% so far in 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. Sales of software and services in the region have also more than quadrupled in the period, reflecting the increased demand for IP solutions, based on Nevion’s flagship software-defined products.

In 2019, Nevion has signed several significant deals with new and existing customers in in the Americas, most notably with a US national broadcast network and a leading international satellite services provider. These high-profile projects are currently in the process of being delivered.

To build on that growth, and to meet the surge in interest in workflow-transforming IP solutions, two seasoned and highly-regarded sales executives, Edward McGivern and Ron Rosenthal, have recently joined Nevion’s Americas team.

With 20 years’ experience selling high-value technology solutions in the broadcast market, McGivern has held senior sales positions at Snell Advanced Media, Imagine Communications and Grass Valley. Most recently, he was the director of Tektronix’s video sales division for the Americas.

Today NewTek introduced the next generation TriCaster® Mini, the newest addition to the TriCaster product line and the world’s most complete and compact video production system.

The plug-and-play setup of TriCaster Mini allows new video producers to get started quickly, and easily work their way up to creating more sophisticated programs, in resolutions up to 4K, for delivery to all of today’s screens. Its small size and light weight allows storytellers to take it anywhere, set up and get started in minutes. Also included are hundreds of entry-level and advanced production tools like built-in virtual sets, amazing animated transition effects, replay for sporting events, streaming, recording, projecting, one-touch social media publishing, and much more.

“Everyone has amazing stories to tell, and video is the most powerful way to deliver your message. That’s why we strive to make it fun and exciting to create,” said Dr. Andrew Cross, president of R&D for Vizrt Group, parent brand of NewTek and NDI®. “Whether you’re a student, a corporate communications manager, or a seasoned video professional, TriCaster Mini has everything to get you going and make broadcast quality shows you can stream to all your favorite social media outlets.”