Crystal Vision has introduced a unique new way to do broadcast graphics. Rather than using video sources for the key and fill signals like traditional linear keyers, the M-WEBKEY web page keyer can key a web page on to an IP or SDI video stream – using the power of HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, AJAX, XML and JSON to add still and animated on-screen text and graphics as well as sophisticated data-driven graphics. The M-WEBKEY is already causing broadcasters to rethink their graphics workflows. Compared to traditional linear keying, this new method of keying is lower cost (no need for an expensive character generator or graphics PC), provides an easier workflow (with less video sources to deal with), simplifies the network (web pages use very little bandwidth compared to uncompressed video), makes efficient use of resources (the broadcaster's website and programmes can share the same graphics) and makes it easier to find suitable operators (with web page design a common skill). The M-WEBKEY is a software app that runs on the MARBLE-V1 media processor hardware, a card housed in the Vision frame which features a powerful CPU/GPU processor and both SDI and 10GbE IP network interface connections.

Television production service provider HD BROADCAST, based near Mainz, has invested in Leader LV5600 waveform monitors for installation in its new UHD OB2 outside broadcast production vehicle. The instruments will be used to ensure precise matching of incoming signal feeds and to maintain the highest possible video and audio signal quality through to the transmitted output. Six units were supplied by Leader Europe distribution partner LOGIC Media Solutions.

"UHD gives content producers the ability to deliver a level of picture quality akin to the real-world live experience," says HD BROADCAST MD Constantin Novotny. "The initial challenge production teams face is to ensure every camera is fully aligned and matched to any others being used, not least in terms of colour temperature. Using the LV5600 instruments we can check those parameters quickly and accurately both in terms of signal levels and chroma vectors."

"Each LV5600 also includes a very useful tool for checking that the captured image is in perfect focus. This is especially valuable given the tremendous amount of detail UHD can resolve. The instruments also provide the measurement capabilities needed to handle additional parameters such as high dynamic range and wide color gamut."

London, UK, 19 June 2020: Mo-Sys Engineering, a global leader in real time camera tracking and remote systems, has announced a revolutionary approach to bringing the atmosphere back to live sport amid covid-19 restrictions. Providing precision, zero-latency tracking for any camera (including ultra-long box lenses for sport), the Mo-Sys camera tracking kit interfaces directly to the Unreal Engine or any broadcast render engine, allowing production companies to add virtual crowds to stands.

“After so many weeks, sports fans are desperate for any action,” said Michael Geissler, CEO of Mo-Sys. “But the frustration will turn to disappointment if the atmosphere of the game falls flat because of empty stands. We have developed a camera tracking kit which any outside broadcast can implement quickly and simply, capable of filling the stands with a virtual, but enthusiastic, crowd.”

The Mo-Sys camera tracking encoders are quickly mounted onto broadcast standard Vinten Vector heads, with no impact on the camera’s perfect balance and no backlash when panning and tilting. Zoom data is collected either by gear encoders or by a serial data link to digital lenses. The combined tracking data is sent over ethernet to the workstation hosting the augmented reality software.

“We are known for the absolute precision and stability of our camera tracking – that’s why Hollywood relies on our technology,” Geissler added. “In this application, we deliver precise tracking, including compensation for lens distortion, even when a 100:1 lens is zoomed fully.”

Mo-Sys has worked with Epic Games to develop a tight interface to the Unreal Engine, including support for the latest version 4.25 software. The result is that highly photo-realistic augmented reality – such as crowds filling the stands – can be integrated into live production with no limitations and negligible latency. The kit includes the bolt-on encoding kit for Vinten heads and the lens calibration tools.

Users can see the technology in action in a Mo-Sys LiveLab webinar, which will also include contributions from Epic Games and Canon. The webinars are on 30 June, at 10.00 (register at https://bit.ly/2N1Ve44) and repeated at 18.00 (register at https://bit.ly/30GqFZP). Michael Geissler of Mo-Sys will also join a distinguished panel with the RTS Thames Valley Creative Centre’s look at production techniques for audience shows in a time of pandemic on Thursday 25 June at 17.00 (register free at https://rts.org.uk/event/future-studio-audience).

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About Mo-Sys:

Mo-Sys is a world-leading provider of camera tracking and camera robotic systems supplying to broadcasters such as BBC, Sky, Fox, ESPN, CNN Discovery Channel, The Weather Channel and Netflix among many more. With a passion for innovation and design, Mo-Sys is at the forefront of live AR and virtual production technology with their StarTracker camera tracking system now powering more than 100 virtual TV studios around the world. For further information, www.mo-sys.com

Mo-Sys Company Contact:

Adam Smith, Marketing

adam@mo-sys.com

+44 (0) 208 858 3205

Mo-Sys Media Contact:

Jennie Marwick-Evans

jennie@manormarketing.tv

+44 (0) 7748 636 171

Leader Electronics announces the addition of MaxFALL and MaxCLL HDR metadata error logging tools for production studios, postproduction suites and media laboratories working with SMPTE ST.2086 metadata to grade high dynamic range video. This new feature complements the recently launched SER31 Colorimetry Zone Display ‘real-time’ false-colour display plug-in module. It is fully compatible with Leader ZEN series broadcast test and measurement instruments which comprise the LV5300, LV5350 and LV5600 waveform monitors plus the LV7300 and LV7600 rasterizers.
With this enhancement, Leader ZEN series instruments allow operators to ensure that the MaxFALL and MaxCLL HDR metadata accurately reflect the content of their productions by specifying limits for MaxFALL and MaxCLL values. The integral Cinelite Advanced light meter can be used to locate out-of-range pixels and confirm their values both on the picture display and on the waveform monitor.

MaxFALL Metadata - Maximum Frame Average Light Level – defines the maximum average light level, in nits, for any single frame within an encoded HDR video stream or file.

Crystal Vision has released its most feature-packed colour corrector and legaliser to date. The M-COCO-2 is Crystal Vision's first dual channel colour corrector, helping broadcasters save money by being 24% cheaper per channel than the company's alternative product. The M-COCO-2's ability to work with IP, with SDI or with both IP and SDI at the same time makes it the industry's first colour corrector to offer IP connectivity (supporting both SMPTE ST 2022 and ST 2110 video), while its extensive features also make it a good solution for hybrid systems as well as fully SDI installations. 

Leader Electronics is pleased to announce a new addition to its team with the appointment of Neil Coles as European Regional Development Manager. Based in London, he will be working directly with customers and via the Leader network of distribution partners to extend the company's presence across the continent.

"Neil is a popular and highly respected member of the broadcast industry with a good knowledge of the creative and commercial aspects as well as the technology on which our customers depend," comments Leader Europe Managing Director Koichi Fukagawa. "His areas of responsibility will include promoting the wide range of test and measurement solutions to the existing Leader user base and helping increase our share of the broadcast, digital film and web-TV market."

"Accurate, repeatable and cost-efficient test and measurement are essential in the highly competitive sphere of content creation, postproduction, storage and distribution," Neil Coles adds. "I am delighted to be joining a company which is clearly living up to its name as a world-leading producer of innovative, intuitive and affordable instrumentation. Leader has already made significant advances in the OB market which we see as an area with considerable growth potential both into the 4K UHD domain and, longer term, into 8K Hi-Vision."

CTV, one of Europe's longest established providers of mobile television production facilities, has chosen Leader LV7300 and LV7600 rasterizing waveform monitors as master reference instruments for its OB3 and OB12 outside broadcast vehicles.

"Leader test instruments have proved highly reliable, efficient and operator friendly right back to our first purchase of LV7770 multi-SDI rasterizers six years ago," comments Paul Francis, CTV's Chief Technical Officer. "Some of the projects we work on are massive in scale, taking in feeds from well over 100 cameras. High-precision monitoring of HD and UHD signal flow is vital, both to achieve accurate matching of incoming feeds and to ensure that we are maintaining the full available dynamic range from source right through to output. This latest purchase comprises 12 LV7300 and two LV7600 instruments. Both models can be fully operated from the front panel which, combined with their compact size, makes them ideal for use in OB suites.  The LV7300 and LV7600 have a very similar control menu structure so operators can move freely between them. The resultant measurements are precise, repeatable and can be copied off to USB memory for easy logging or sharing."

Leader LV5350 portable waveform monitors and LV7300 rasterizers have been chosen as reference test instruments for broadcast television coverage of a major football tournament scheduled to be held next year in Cameroon. The games are scheduled to take place in January and February at city venues for live transmission across Africa and around the world. The instruments are being provided by Leader Europe's Brussels-based distribution partner Studiotech SA.

"The LV5350 encapsulates in a compact and portable unit all the features OB and studio gallery colorists need for matching multiple camera channels," says Studiotech's General Manager Nicolas Tardieu. "Live stage and sports events send adrenaline levels very high for TV production teams as well as the contestants. Dependable and easy-to-navigate tools are essential. With its integral multi-view monitor screen, the LV5350 is exceptionally easy to configure and control. The LV5350 and LV7300 incorporate practically every reference tool OB technicians need for live signal evaluation plus the drill-down facilities required during initial system line-up and continuity checks."

Autodesk today unveiled Flame® 2021, introducing new features aimed at innovating and accelerating creative workflows for VFX, color grading, look development, and editorial finishing. Flame 2021 increases workflow flexibility for artists, expands A.I. capabilities with new machine learning-powered human face segmentation, and simplifies finishing for streaming services with new functionality for Dolby Vision HDR authoring and display. By popular demand, the release also adds a new GPU-accelerated Physical Defocus effect as well as finishing enhancements to make it easier to adjust looks across many shots, share updates with clients, and create beautiful work, faster. Flame®, Flare™ and Flame® Assist 2021 are available at no additional cost to Flame Family 2020 subscribers. To learn more, visit: https://www.autodesk.com/flame/

Crystal Vision continues its commitment to being the leading video delay provider with the release of four variable video delays that can work with IP, with SDI or with both IP and SDI at the same time and provide up to 32 seconds of delay. Designed to match any equipment with a processing delay, Crystal Vision's latest video delays are software apps that run on the MARBLE-V1 media processor hardware and can easily be replaced if needs change. Broadcast engineers can choose a version with the features they need, selecting the required number of channels (single, dual or triple) and the required amount of delay (up to 100, 200, 400 or 800 frames). These are the industry's first video delays to offer IP connectivity (supporting both SMPTE ST 2022 and ST 2110 video over 10GbE IP networks), while for those working with SDI they introduce a 3G/HD/SD-capable video delay to the Vision frame system for the first time – with the easiest possible upgrade path to IP. The inclusion of IP to SDI and SDI to IP gateway functionality also makes them the ideal video delay for hybrid systems.