Channel 9 Chooses Techtel to Transform their Digital Preservation Practices and Leverage Genetic Diversity in Storage

(Sydney, Australia, 18 June 2018) Nine Network (“Channel 9”), Australia’s largest commercial free-to-air television network selected Techtel as the systems integrator of choice to develop a seamless interface between their Media Asset Management (MAM) platforms and deep storage across their news and production studios and playout centre at two different locations.  This transition will make Channel 9 the first Australian broadcaster to switch from a traditional HSM (Hierarchical Storage Manager) architecture to an on-premise Spectra Logic object storage solution, enabling the company to significantly reduce asset restoration times, utilise genetically diverse media and separate their storage geographically – all via one purpose-built and highly flexible solution.

Developed by Spectra Logic, the BlackPearl® Converged Storage System allows for data storage on multiple targets, including Spectra LTO tape libraries and disk, and multi-site replication for data protection and MAM redundancy. Coupled with a new and seamless integration with Imagine Communications’ Nexio® Motion™ workflow and media management system, as well as combining with Avid Interplay’s existing BlackPearl client, the Spectra Logic system provides a new, long-term storage solution to preserve Channel 9’s persistent data, which is growing from 5PB.

In addition, the newly integrated content management system is expected to lower storage costs by reducing the overhead of multiple software and hardware systems running independently, as well as cutting out the need for multiple vendors and middleware.

“Living in the age of highly sophisticated cyber threats and where digital content outlasts its storage technology, it is critical to have a failsafe storage solution in place, which is also scalable across its capacities, technologies and interfaces. We are confident that Techtel is the ideal broadcast technology systems specialist to provide the optimal mix of hardware, software and integration expertise to serve this purpose,” said David Bowers, CTO Channel 9.

Mal Chandler, CEO of Techtel says: “By entrusting Techtel, Channel 9 can store their data with a greater sense of confidence knowing that their solution is growth-enabling, redundant and genetically diverse.  This project illustrates our unique position to independently choose strategic partners and their technology, and deliver the critical project management, commissioning and support that our customers expect.”

Media Contact:
Katia Gryadunova
0414422371
kgryadunova@techtel.com.au

Techtel Announces ABC Melbourne and Perth News Studios On-Air

(Sydney, Australia, 10 May 2018) Australian broadcast systems integrator, Techtel, is pleased to announce that one of ABC News busiest studios (Studio 38) went live this week in Melbourne with Techtel’s comprehensive broadcast automation solution. This comes as the next step of a multi-year project - integrated, managed and supported by Techtel, covering ABC news studios nationwide and involving a global range of strategically chosen software and hardware technology partners.

The Melbourne studio features Telemetrics cameras with both a manual and automatic capability, which can be quickly switched between manual and automatic modes by the same operator, making Studio 38 the first Australian newsroom to employ this cutting-edge technology. ABC News is also the first ever news broadcaster to benefit from CueScript’s on screen timer within the prompter monitor, which enables operators to add in messages, clocks and timers without disrupting the prompting script.

Studio 38 is one of ABC’s largest and busiest, news studios producing local and national programs including News Breakfast, Melbourne 7PM News and The World and News Tonight. Therefore, it was imperative for Techtel to implement a fast and seamless transition.

“33 years of experience in a fast-paced news environment have allowed us to complete the entire transition with zero impact to on-air broadcasting. We’ve accomplished the changeover on Sunday night, and the 6am News Breakfast Show on Monday morning aired from the brand new, enhanced system”, said Matt Feeney, Director of Projects at Techtel.

 “We continue to invest in our vendor partnerships to ensure that we can support the technological growth for our customers, such as ABC News, who are now at the forefront of automation in news broadcasting”, added Mal Chandler, Techtel CEO.

Studio 38 is ABC’s 5th studio to go live using the latest, fully automated broadcast technology commissioned, integrated and supported by Techtel.   Techtel also commissioned the Perth news studio (Studio 62) in the same week as Melbourne making it a big week for the ABC and Techtel! Other sites already using the new systems include studios in Canberra, Brisbane and Hobart that are already on air from 2017.

For More Information Contact:
Katia Gryadunova
0414422371
kgryadunova@techtel.com.au

Techtel Facilitates Remote Production for Seven Network During Australian Open

Techtel partners up with Gearhouse Broadcast and Net Insight to create the first operational remote broadcast centre in Australia for the Australian Open.

Read the full coverage by BroadcastPRO Middle East

Techtel pioneers Australian legislative VOD market

The Telemetrics Clerk control panel is designed for non-technical users and provides the necessary tools to enable or disable the various output signals when necessary.

Sydney, Australia – Techtel was recently selected by an Australian state government (end user details withheld) to build the country’s first digital, file-based video-on-demand service for parliamentary proceedings. Techtel’s solution was based on the pioneering design from consultancy firm Australian Systems Integration and installed midway through 2017, giving rise to a new front runner in legislative broadcasting in Australia.

Parliament members, broadcasters and journalists from around the globe are now able to remotely log in to a secure online portal from Actus Digital, where they can view the live feed of proceedings or search for past material, then transcode and download the footage from either house of parliament in both high and low resolution. Prior to the installation of the new system, the state parliament had no in-house video recording capability so it represents a vast improvement for those requiring access to content.

Adding to the system’s ease-of-access, journalists can search for material based on a range of metadata fields such as the speaker’s name, date range, bill subject matter, party and electorate. By comparison, journalists interstate are either required to record the parliamentary material themselves or request specific content if they know exactly what time the material they require was recorded.

“They have managed to do what no other Australian parliamentary facility has done, in their deployment of a video-on-demand system that is truly customer driven", commented Mal Chandler, Techtel CEO. “We are excited at the potential this system has for other parliaments across Asia and Oceania and we look forward to seeing more and more similar facilities embrace the same system”.

Techtel’s parliamentary broadcast solution is based largely around the Telemetrics suite of camera control solutions, including custom development by the US-manufacturer that gives the in-chamber clerk unprecedented control over the live-to-air output. The purpose-built Telemetrics Clerk control panel is designed for non-technical users and provides the clerk with the necessary tools to enable or disable the various output signals when necessary, as well as providing them with visual monitoring of the final live program output on the panel. In the control room, the Telemetrics RCCP-1 panel gives the director the ability to control a number of Panasonic AWHE130 HD PTZ cameras which were painted custom colours to match the building interior, ensuring compliance with building regulations in the 134-year-old heritage-listed building. The Telemetrics system is also responsible for triggering graphics that it automatically generates and updates on-the-fly as a result of full integration with the parliamentary Hansard reporting system. The project also represents the first time that Telemetrics has controlled audio levels as they are received over IP into the BSS virtual audio mixer.

The cameras, vision mixer, and lower-third graphics can operate in three different modes; fully automatic, semi-automatic or manual, which can be adjusted based on operator availability and house mode, whether it be question time, estimates, and so on.
The parliament’s production systems have been designed and deployed in a fully redundant configuration so that either house can be controlled from any of the control rooms, while the controls themselves can be seamlessly swapped between rooms in case of failure in either signal path. All failover processes are actioned automatically via the central automation system.

The new broadcast facility also features TVLogic monitors, LYNX Technik’s yellobrik DAs and converters, Spectra Logic Verde NAS storage, Apantac signal processing equipment, Panasonic’s AVHS450E vision switcher and highly-customised desks from TBC Consoles.

The install is now complete following technical handover of the system and training of staff. Techtel will provide ongoing support for the parliament’s production systems.

Fremantle Football Club builds first-class multimedia facility with Techtel

Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe takes Channel Seven on a tour of Freo's new facility at Cockburn.

Sydney, Australia, 27th September 2017 – Techtel was selected by the Fremantle Dockers Football Club (FDFC) to build a state-of-the-art multimedia centre to be used by both the AFL club and wider sporting community for interviews, media conferences, post-game analysis and to produce more innovative training tools. The AFL is leading other sports for their use of technology and it is becoming increasingly common for clubs to utilise these means to gain a competitive advantage and allow for greater exposure of their sponsors. FDFC’s Perth facility is part of the new Cockburn Aquatic and Recreation Centre (Cockburn ARC), a fully integrated sporting complex that caters for a full range of aquatic, indoor and outdoor sports for the Cockburn community and surrounding areas of Perth.

Through a tender process, Techtel was selected to build FDFC’s new TV studio, control room, multiple edit suites, interview rooms and a theatrette. Drawing on both their technical and production consultancy capabilities, Techtel was responsible for the detailed design, system build and configuration, and then ultimately the final installation.

The FDFC studio features a Panasonic AJ-PX380G HD camera with Fujinon lens, CueScript EMCP15M prompting system and lighting from Lumos, while in the control room there is a Panasonic AV-HS6000 2ME vision switcher and a turnkey VidiGo graphics system from ChyronHego. Storage is provided by the Verde Enterprise NAS from Spectra Logic, monitoring by TVLogic and video terminal gear by LYNX Technik, as well as a number of converters from Apantac.

Those attending sessions in the new theatrette will enjoy 7.1 channel surround sound and a 140” deluxe screen wall. The Medialon Showmaster LE Embedded Show Controller will automate and synchronise dimmers, lighting desks, video projectors, video servers and sound processors within the lecture theatre to allow for a seamless transition between the various presentation tools available. Players will also benefit from post-game analysis and strategy sessions in the theatrette with ChyronHego’s Coach Paint, an easy-to-use visualisation tool helping coaches improve their players’ technique. 

"Working with Techtel has been a great experience”, commented Adrian Lacquiere, Strategic Projects & Facilities Manager at the Fremantle Football Club. “They had to work within our building programme over a 9 month period to deliver the final solution and the feedback of the end result from the coaching and playing group has been positive. The club saw the need to significantly invest in multimedia due to the exponential growth of the industry as well as the increasing amount of content being delivered by the club. As a result, we now have state-of-the-art facilities that have set the benchmark for the next generation of elite sporting facilities. We continue to develop new ways to use the system all the time and we're working closely with Techtel to draw from their experience in the media business”.

”Fremantle’s new facility has really put them up there as a team that embraces technology to improve their fans’ engagement and involvement with the club, said Techtel’s CEO, Mal Chandler. “The added benefit of all this technology also affords the players easier access to coaching aids and analysis.  Techtel was thrilled to have the chance to work with the club and we’ll be cheering them on in the years to come”.

The install is now complete following technical handover of the system and training of staff. Techtel will provide ongoing support for the facility.

SMPTE 17: Techtel Booth Preview

There will be plenty to get excited about on Techtel booth C40 at SMPTE 2017, with a range of new products and new releases from some of our long standing business partners. We will have three key areas of focus on our booth at the new International Convention Centre in Sydney:

Techtel’s IPTV partners will exhibit plenty of new tools and new ideas to improve efficiency and maximise returns for service providers and platform operators. We’ll be showing compressed video monitoring solutions from Bridge Technologies, while media networks and scheduling expert Net Insight will be on hand to show off their latest turnkey remote production solutions. Edgeware returns to challenge the Content Delivery Network providers by offering a means to build your own CDN. Techtel has developed a custom Appear TV integrated Amino STB solution for a turnkey campus-based IPTV platform with options for integrated Conditional Access from Verimatrix – ask to take a look when you visit the booth!

File-based workflows are fast becoming the dominant means for content distribution, so we’ll be showing Vidispine’s media discovery tools, designed to be part of a true open-stack media architecture. Aligning with Vidispine will be complimentary software micro-services like Venera Technologies who make Pulsar™ for file-based quality control. Spectra will be showing their cloud-friendly BlackPearl object storage platform which uniquely allows for either cost-effective LTO tape or disc architectures. Masstech Innovations will be on hand with their storage & archive solutions for news and GrayMeta return to exhibit IRIS™, a true end-to-end production collaboration solution for TV or feature films. Etere, loved for their TV automation, sales and traffic software will also show off their latest MAM and production workflow tools. 

Live Production also plays a key role on the booth, with Techtel showing the collection of studio software and hardware elements that formed part of the latest national ABC News technology refresh, including the AP ENPS newsroom software, CueScript teleprompting, Telemetrics robotics, Apantac multiviewers, Lynx Technik terminal gear and Viz Mosart studio automation.

LYNX Technik Launches H.264 Streaming & Recording yellobrik at NAB 2017

April 11, 2017 – Weiterstadt, Germany -- LYNX Technik AG, provider of modular interfaces for broadcast and professional AV signal processing applications, today announces a new yellobrik, an SDI/HDMI to H.264 encoder for live streaming & recording. LYNX Technik will showcase the new yellobrik at NAB 2017 on booth SL10321.

The PEC 1864 H.264 encoder provides a solution for users to simultaneously stream content while recording it, an ideal solution for delivering, streaming and archiving content efficiently and affordably. The module houses two independent encoders; a stream encoder and a record encoder. Users can stream content with simultaneous recording, stream-only, or record-only. The independent encoders support different quality settings for the streamer and the recorder. For example: a user may wish to simultaneously stream content directly to the web in lower quality due to limited bandwidth, and record at a higher master quality for further editing or archiving.

The yellobrik accepts either an SDI or an HDMI input supporting up to 3G (1080p @60 Hz) and compresses it using the H.264 encoding standard. It supports a variety of popular streaming outputs including RTMP for streaming to Content Delivery Networks. Using this streaming format, a user enters their CDN log-in credentials into the yellobrik’s web-browser based GUI, and streams the content live on their CDN Channel; e.g. Wowza, YouTube, Facebook.

The PEC 1864 also supports RTP/RTSP streaming, TS over UDP and TS over RTP. These three steaming formats can be configured as unicast or multicast. A forward error correction (FEC) can be activated for the TS over RTP stream. In addition, the PEC 1864 supports the HLS (HTTP Live) streaming protocol.

The module records to a micro SD memory card or USB stick as a .mp4 or .ts.

Two channels of audio are deembedded from the incoming video signal, which can then be embedded into the streamed and/or recorded video signal. An alternative audio source is provided via the stereo audio input.

Each video encoder includes a region of interest (ROI) scaler, enabling the user to crop the image and stream/record only that portion of the image. Users can even insert a logo into the content stream, ideal for branding & copywriting content and when the Content Delivery Network provider doesn’t provide a logo insertion tool.

The new yellobrik fits the needs of broadcast-quality streaming applications, for example: electronic news gathering, head-end encoding for TV stations and lower budget broadcast streaming. It is also suitable for a wide variety of ProAV applications including: live event streaming and media delivery over the Internet using a Content Delivery Network provider (e.g. Wowza, YouTube, Facebook), corporate or enterprise broadcast/streaming of media assets, presentation and conferencing, digital signage, houses of worship proceedings streaming, AV system monitoring, security camera streaming for monitoring and so many more.

As with all yellobriks, the PEC 1864 comes in a portable brick form factor and is easy to use with all instructions printed directly on the module. Users can configure it remotely via a web GUI on any computer or mobile device with a web browser. Recording can also be controlled using the push buttons on the unit.

About LYNX Technik:

LYNX Technik AG is an industry leader and technology provider of modular interface solutions for broadcast and professional use. LYNX Technik AG is an independent privately owned company with its headquarters, research and manufacturing facilities based in Weiterstadt, Germany. Sales and Support is covered through secondary distribution channels managed from its headquarters in Germany, USA (California), and Asia (Singapore).

Product brands include: Series 5000 rack and card based series, APPolo control system, yellobrik standalone plug-and play modules, the Testor | lite 3G digital test signal generator and the new greenMachine.

Products include: audio / video / fiber conversion, audio / video distribution, fiber splitters, CWDM mux/demux, audio embedding / de-embedding, audio delay, image processing, frame synchronizers, test generators, 4K transmission solutions, as well as a line of rack frames and accessories.

LYNX Technik launches 12G capable yellobriks

WEITERSTADT, GERMANY — LYNX Technik AG announced that it enhanced its yellobrik series with three new single link SDI 12G capable modules. A fiber transmitter (OTX 1410), fiber receiver (ORX 1400) and fiber transceiver (OTR 1410). 

LYNX Technik’s line-up of fiber-optic transport platforms are now augmented with three new technologies that provide error-free transmitting and receiving of 12G (4096 x 2160 @60 Hz), plus 6G, and 3G signals if required, all with full uncompressed video quality. All modules provide support for a maximum distance of approximately 10 Km (6.2 miles) using LC single-mode fiber. 

The complete video payload, (including any embedded audio and metadata) is converted and transmitted transparently over fiber. No settings are needed as the modules auto detect the video standard (12G, 6G or 3G) and adapt accordingly for complete plug and play functionality. 

As with all yellobriks, they are intuitive and easy to use with all connections clearly indicated on the module. They are fully compatible with the unique yellobrik rack frame and all standard yellobrik accessories. 

The 12G capable yellobriks help facilitate and support 4K infrastructure applications that send and receive content with exceptionally high data rates. They are perfect additions to the LYNX Technik 4K yellobrik portfolio, which also includes the self-contained quad link 4K fiber transmission kits that support 4x SDI signals (12G uncompressed).

Contact Techtel for more information and pricing for the new 12G capable yellobriks. 

Techtel to install for nationwide news and current affairs replacement project for the ABC

Sydney, Australia – Techtel today announced that it has been selected by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) to replace their legacy newsroom automation systems with a brand new technology solution from a consortium of vendor partners led by Techtel.

The new solution is a turnkey systems integration project, employing VizRT Mosart live production automation software, Telemetrics camera robotics, CueScript teleprompters, Panasonic cameras, Canon lenses, Apantac multiviewers, Yamaha audio mixers, TVLogic broadcast monitors and LYNX Technik terminal equipment.

Techtel, a leading independent broadcast technology systems specialist, was chosen by the ABC after an exhaustive selection process. The Techtel solutions implementation includes the provision of a zero downtime migration from the old legacy system onto the new VizRT Mosart automation. The Mosart automation system chosen has a simple interface and proven interoperability.

Techtel CEO Mal Chandler said “We are very excited to be working closely with the ABC on this important new project. Our solution seamlessly integrates Mosart with other best-of-breed products to create an elegant and user friendly environment for news creation”.

The solution features widespread use of Telemetrics camera robotics. The Telemetrics RCCP-1 control panel with studio software provides a flexible architecture for studio automation and provides an integrated and intuitive robotics control surface. This control system is mated with a number of Telemetrics PT-LP-S5 robotic heads, EP6-600 elevating pedestals and TG4 TeleGlide tracks.

Panasonic AJ-PX5000G ENG camcorders comprehensively feature. The camcorders combine excellent image quality with cost-efficient operation while offering the flexibility for varied use in the news environment. The camcorders support comprehensive remote control operation under the Telemetrics control panels while also providing contemporary network workflows such as media card recording, automatic FTP transmission and on-air streaming. The camcorders are equipped with Canon HJ24EX7.5B IASE S lenses, CueScript CSP17L on-camera prompters and CSTM19 19" talent monitors. 

A Grass Valley Karrera K-Frame switcher features at each studio as does a Yamaha CL5 or QL5 audio mixing console. The Yamaha audio consoles offer all-in-one mixing, processing, and routing capability, making them idea for the application.  All audio connections and cabling will use the revolutionary Dante standard that leverages the network fabric for maximum flexibility for routing and transporting audio throughout the facility.

Interfacing comes courtesy of Apantac and LYNX Technik equipment. There is extensive use of Apantac T# (T-sharp) multiviewers, including the T# 64x8 which is capable of accepting 64 inputs and displaying any input to any one of up to 8 monitors. Also widely used are various products from the LYNX Technik stable, such as the DVD 5820 3Gbit dual channel SDI/ASI distribution amplifier and the PDM 5280 3G/HD/SD 16 Channel AES audio embedder/de-embedder.

TVLogic monitors also feature widely. In programme preview roles the LVM-245W HD broadcast monitor utilises a state-of-art high definition TFT-LCD panel with 10bit colour depth, while the TVLogic VFM-058W 5.5” full HD monitor does duty in viewfinder roles.

The project commenced in Canberra at the end of 2016 and will continue to roll out across the nation over a period of 18 months.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation selects AP ENPS for nationwide news system

Sydney, Australia – Techtel today announced that it has been selected by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation to supply and support the AP ENPS multi-platform newsroom computer system as part of one of the largest single system technology upgrades ever undertaken in Australia. ENPS will drive nationwide collaboration between radio, TV and online news production through its seamless integration with Grass Valley’s STRATUS video production and Nétia’s Radio-Assist 8 radio automation, and will revolutionise workflows with the ability for journalists to access scripts, wires, media and messaging from the desktop or in the field.

As the authorised representative for ENPS in the region, Techtel was chosen after an exhaustive selection process. “The tender procedure was designed to evaluate all available technology and vendors, followed by rigorous testing and proof of concept phases”, commented David Elsmore, Managing Director at Techtel. “This is truly a milestone event for ENPS and for Techtel as we work closely with other partners and prime contractor Grass Valley on the project”.

Following a detailed design phase, ENPS will be rolled out at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's major news and current affairs facilities throughout the country with over 3000 staff to be trained on the system across News, Radio and Regional divisions. The new roll out will include ENPS 8, ENPS Mobile 3 and ENPS Open API, providing the ABC with the ability to create and deliver content efficiently and across all platforms. “We are excited to be at the heart of the ABC’s news production, connecting the reporter in the field to the newsroom, to the online output, to the presenter in front of camera – delivering on our ‘ENPS anywhere’ promise,” said Paddy Payne, Director of International Business Development for AP ENPS.

AP ENPS 8 enables journalists and content makers throughout the enterprise and across various divisions to easily share and gather content needed to produce compelling news and other programs. The system allows text and media to be combined into stories from the field or newsroom using any device, offering greater flexibility to improve operational efficiency. Real-time updates allow the team to see news wires and amendments to the running order or script changes instantaneously. The ENPS Open API further extends the power and reach of ENPS by providing an easy method to create and deploy custom applications that leverage the data stored in AP ENPS.

ENPS will be deployed alongside Grass Valley and Nétia systems, beginning in August 2016 and will continue to be rolled out across all metropolitan and regional ABC sites over the next couple of years.

##

About Techtel
Techtel is a leading independent broadcast technology systems specialist, providing dedicated hardware and software to the Asia Pacific broadcast and telecommunications industries. Techtel’s expertise extends from consulting and systems integration through to the supply, installation and support of solutions from an elite class of worldwide partners. The Techtel Group has regional offices in Sydney and Singapore with branches in Auckland and Melbourne. Visit www.techtel.tv.

About AP ENPS
AP ENPS is the world’s leading news production system, used by over 65,000 news professionals in 900 newsrooms globally.

About AP
The Associated Press is the essential global news network, delivering fast, unbiased news from every corner of the world to all media platforms and formats. Founded in 1846, AP today is the most trusted source of independent news and information. On any given day, more than half the world’s population sees news from AP. On the web: www.ap.org 

NAB SHOW: Spectra Logic Announces BlackPearl Enhancements and BlackPearl Certification Program

LAS VEGAS, NAB SHOW, Booth SL11816 – Spectra Logic, the deep storage experts, today announced several feature enhancements to its BlackPearl™ Deep Storage Gateway and Client Certification Program. Spectra BlackPearl, which provides a single interface to tape and disk using cloud protocols, has gained traction across multiple vertical markets since its introduction in 2013. The BlackPearl ecosystem is rapidly becoming a popular choice for end users and resellers alike, as content and data management continue to play an increasingly pivotal role in our digital age.

Three key BlackPearl features now available include:

• Public Cloud Storage: BlackPearl can now automatically send a copy of data to the public cloud for customers who seek content distribution with a cloud initiative, or who use cloud for disaster recovery.
• Replication: BlackPearl now has the ability to automatically replicate from one BlackPearl system to another, allowing an active/active geographical separation of data.
• Access Content Faster: BlackPearl now delivers online archive expansion, which enables nearly instant access to content, and accelerates the overall workflow and system response time. Less frequently accessed content can be stored on Spectra ArcticBlue™ nearline disk, and rarely accessed content can be archived indefinitely on Spectra’s tape library family. This feature includes an automatic time-based delete feature that can be customized by the storage administrator.

The BlackPearl Certification Program was created to ensure the clients created by our partners and customers are robust and reliable. The program includes comprehensive testing of all key features and any optional features needed to support the use of BlackPearl in a customer environment. Testing is conducted at Spectra’s dedicated certification test lab located at its global headquarters, to offer partners and customers an option for fast, cost-effective client testing and certification.

“Because Spectra customers often trust multiple vendors in their workflows, it is critical that products from multiple vendors work together seamlessly. Our Certification Program ensures this seamless integration,” said Matt Starr, Spectra Logic’s CTO. “Additionally, in BlackPearl’s latest version, customers will benefit from increased throughput, simplified workflows and an improved overall user experience.”

Spectra’s BlackPearl is deployed across a wide range of private and public sectors in markets as diverse as genomics and healthcare, general IT management, high-performance computing, media and entertainment, research and education and video surveillance. Some current BlackPearl customers include The British Film Institute, the Imperial War Museum, Pacific Biosciences, The University of Chicago and WCBS, the flagship station of the CBS Television Network.

“Marquis’s Project Parking allows Avid users to archive their projects into BlackPearl. The solution provides an easy-to-use archiving system which is scalable and resilient while remaining very cost effective. Customers of all sizes can benefit from this simple archive solution that seamlessly uploads and restores both project and media files between BlackPearl and Avid,” said Simon Fearn, product manager at Marquis.

“CatDV’s clients come from a range of sectors including broadcast and production, commerce, education, house of worship, historic archives and libraries, as well as retail and sports. All of our customers need to organize and secure their valuable content, typically across collaborating teams, at reasonable cost. Content creators using CatDV with BlackPearl can quickly and efficiently search off line content—including previewing lower resolution proxies—then find, retrieve and repurpose original material. CatDV’s latest integration with BlackPearl provides fast and intuitive web, desktop, mobile and embedded NLE tools that save time, money and stress as new content is made,” said Dave Clack CEO of Square Box Systems Ltd., developer of the CatDV media asset management system.

“The integration with Spectra’s BlackPearl with Tiger Series shared storage solutions provides an easy to operate and transparent system for media, and volume management and backup. The direct connection between BlackPearl and Tiger Replication & Tiering gives our customers working in media and entertainment, security and surveillance, and STEM markets an easy and complete solution for storing and securing their high-resolution digital media files,” said Angus Mackay, marketing director at Tiger Technology.

“IPV and Spectra offer an intelligent archive solution for media and entertainment customers looking to integrate an archiving system or migrate legacy HSM systems. The system’s built-in intelligence and BlackPearl ensure that assets reside on the most appropriate storage media from on premise systems to the cloud. Aligned with this intelligent storage is predictive retrieval, which provides a number of facilities to different scenarios: in a dynamic news-based environment, IPV’s Curator allows easy re-use of media assets, thereby increasing their value in these fast-turnaround workflows. Retrospectively, Curator enables the easy re-use/re-purposing of media assets on the web and within other programs or advertising campaigns,” said Nigel Booth EVP sales and marketing at IPV.

“Spectra’s BlackPearl plays a crucial role in the delivery of our solution. Broadcast footage that is delivered to Empress Media Asset Management is automatically archived on the BlackPearl. The BlackPearl is extremely user friendly and is an ideal product to archive broadcast data and to manage that across multiple locations,” said Chuck Buelow, vice president of business development at Empress Media Asset Management.

VISIT US AT #NABSHOW THIS WEEK

ArcticBlue, a part of the BlackPearl ecosystem, has been shortlisted as an IABM Game Changer Awards Finalist 2016 in the Storage category. Winners will be announced during the IABM Awards Reception on Tuesday 19th April at 5:00 p.m. at #NABShow.

To learn more about BlackPearl, visit Spectra Logic and its partners at the following booth numbers this week at #NABShow: Spectra (SL11816), Marquis (SL8730), IPV (N4520), CatDV (SL5025), Tiger Technology (SL13613) and Empress (SL13010).

1300SMILES Stadium chooses Techtel to upgrade big screen for Cowboys

Australia’s leading independent broadcast and enterprise audio visual integrator, Techtel, congratulates the North Queensland Cowboys on their momentous NRL Grand Final 2015 victory.

In early 2015, Techtel was chosen from a field of contenders to supply, design and construct a new scoreboard at 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville, home of the North Queensland Cowboys. The project involved the removal of an older scoreboard on the Northern Stand which was replaced with a new, full colour LED scoreboard designed for all weather conditions. As part of the project Techtel was also required to install a scoreboard computer system that would supply the screen with match statistics, clocks and advertising.

Crucial to the project's success was the design and construction of the scoreboard frame, built in Townsville to exacting specifications and then craned into place for a perfect fit with the stadium support structures. The steel frame received a special treatment to protect the screen against the harsh North Queensland elements and to match existing fixtures throughout the stadium.

The LED screen, manufactured by Absen, uses DIP P10 LED technology that can produce an impressive brightness of up to 7000 nits. The screen is fully front-serviceable, as required by the stadium to ensure easy maintenance in the future. A smart power controller is connected to the stadium LAN which allows for PC control and monitoring of the screen’s power supply and ventilation system, giving the stadium total confidence that the system is operating normally.

The Scoreline™ computer system, manufactured by Pump Interactive, provides the stadium with a PC console to operate all screen graphics. Scoreline™ integrates with the match field statistics to offer the stadium an array of information that can be displayed on the screen to accompany the match clock and current game score.

Glenn Arboit, Manager, 1300SMILES Stadium  said “We needed to ensure that the screen upgrade met the requirements of hirers including the Cowboys but most importantly we wanted to make sure the fans enjoy a better product and experience at the game. On all counts we feel that we’ve successfully met the aims of this project and we’re very happy with the end product delivered”.

“Although only a small screen, this project has offered all the same challenges we face with any larger screen installation in the tropics”, commented Mal Chandler, Head of Sales at Techtel. “We’re very proud of the successful implementation and even more pleased to have been involved with the stadium and the Cowboys during their premiership season”.

The 1300Smiles Stadium LED screen was installed in July 2015, enhancing the at-game experience for fans at the last five home games of the Cowboys’ 2015 NRL season.

Screen Systems "Wincaps Q-Live" Listed in Editor’s Best of 2015

Techtel and vendor partner, Screen Systems, are delighted to learn that Screen's professional live subtitle and caption creation software Wincaps Q-Live has been selected to feature in TM Broadcast International’s round-up of the best products of 2015.

With a professional respeaker (voicewriter) demonstrating the accuracy of the the voice-recognition in Q-Live, the TM Broadcast editorial team were shown at NAB 2015 how software supports the creation and preparation of subtitling for live and fast-turnaround programmes bringing together high-end live and offline subtitling techniques in a single package.

Read the TM Broadcast International Best of 2015 Here

Want more information on Wincaps Q-Live? Click here.

Bridge Technologies Partners with Techtel for Asia Pacific

Oslo, Norway - Bridge Technologies has added Techtel to its network of business partners. Techtel will supply and support the full range of Bridge Technologies’ media monitoring and analysis solutions in the Asia Pacific market.

From its offices in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, Techtel services high-profile clients in the broadcast and telecommunications industry with solutions for television multi-stream playout and asset management, television live production and post production, newsroom production, radio automation, transmission and content delivery through terrestrial and satellite systems.

"We have a long history with monitoring and quality assurance products which we plan to take to the next level with the dynamic and progressive team at Bridge Technologies,” said Techtel’s Head of Sales, Mal Chandler.

“Techtel already integrates complex content delivery solutions and Bridge Technologies’ portfolio of products will extend our capability to ensure that quality of service is maintained from end-to-end.”

Bridge Technologies’ family of media monitoring and analysis solutions range from advanced network core monitoring systems for national and international networks to edge-specific and even customer premises applications with central server based correlation and aggregation.

“This new partnership will leverage Techtel’s vendor partner relationships throughout the broadcast telecommunications sector,” said James Chance, Regional Manager APAC of Bridge Technologies. “Techtel is the kind of company that can bring a wide range of expertise to the task, ensuring that the solutions they supply really meet the customer’s needs, well into the future.”

Bridge Technologies recently won Best of Show awards at both IBC and NAB for its Gold TS Protection monitoring technology which was launched earlier in 2015.

NASA TV UHD channel launches with advanced 4K technologies from Harmonic

View fullsize

Ambient Video Channel Provides Viewers With Breathtaking Imagery of Space Leveraging Advanced 4K UHD Technologies From Harmonic.

Harmonic, the worldwide leader in video delivery infrastructure, today announced that NASA TV UHD, the first consumer Ultra HD (UHD) channel in North America, is now available. Leveraging an end-to-end UHD delivery system from Harmonic, NASA’s ambient video channel provides consumers with a wide array of out-of-this-world linear 2160p60 video content, capturing the breathtaking beauty of the space program.

Transmitted in the clear via the SES AMC-18C satellite, NASA TV UHD is remotely produced by Harmonic and jointly operated with NASA. Harmonic is currently in discussions with pay-TV operators to carry the channel on their satellite DTH, cable and optical networks. Tests are underway to enable consumption on a wide range of television and IP-connected devices. The channel will also be available for OTT streaming at a later date, to be determined.

NASA TV UHD consists of eight brand-new TV series designed to explore the various facets of NASA’s space program. These include: “ISS Life,” documenting life on the space station from the first-person perspective of the astronauts; “Earth View,” the astronauts’ unique perception of our planet; “Solar System,” showing vibrant imagery of the earth’s neighboring planets and the sun, including time-lapse videos using solar dynamics observatory images; “Deep Space,” animated UHD still imagery captured from the Hubble telescope and other telescopic platforms; “NASA Classics,” important highlights from NASA's history, such as the Apollo program; “Mars,” an entire program dedicated to the intriguing red planet; “Liftoff,” an up-close look at spacecraft launches, including rocket tests; and “Development,” detailing the training and R&D efforts that take place before each NASA mission.

“Not only is NASA TV UHD the first consumer UHD channel in North America, the ambient nature of the channel is unlike anything anyone has ever seen before, taking the consumer entertainment experience to a whole new level,” said Peter Alexander, chief marketing officer at Harmonic. “Each program featured on NASA TV UHD is composed of long, beautiful shots that can only be described as breathtaking. Delivered in the eight million pixel resolution of the UHD format, it truly is a remarkable viewing experience that would not have been possible without Harmonic’s complete solution for Ultra HD video production and delivery. We’re happy that the channel is now operational with the first tranche of content.”

The NASA TV UHD utilizes an end-to-end solution that includes Harmonic’s Ellipse® 3000 contribution encoder, ProView™ 7100 integrated receiver-decoder (IRD), MediaGrid shared storage system, Polaris™ playout management suite, Spectrum™ X advanced media server system, Electra™ X2 and Electra X3 advanced media processors, ProMedia® Origin packager and streaming video server and NSG™ Exo distributed CCAP system.

At the heart of the UHD workflow is Harmonic’s Electra X3 advanced media processor, the industry’s first converged media processor for UHD content with live, full-frame, full-GOP UHD encoding. Powered by the Harmonic PURE Compression Engine™, an advanced encoding technology that supports resolutions up to 2160p60 (HEVC Main 10) for broadcast and OTT multiscreen delivery, the Electra X3 enables superior video quality at minimum bandwidth.

For more information on Harmonic, instructions for gaining access to the NASA TV UHD channel, and to view the trailer, visit: http://info.harmonicinc.com/nasa-uhd.
 

Monash University builds state-of-the-art broadcast facility with Techtel

in the control room at monash university

Sydney, Australia, 30th October 2015 – Monash University in Melbourne has selected Techtel to build a state-of-the-art broadcast facility as part of a major upgrade to their School of Media, Film and Journalism. The facility will provide students with a MOS-integrated newsroom environment, complete with a TV studio, two radio studios, five edit suites and three voiceover booths.

Recently celebrated as the 5th highest ranking university in Australia and 73rd worldwide in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings of the top 800 higher education institutions, Monash University’s media and journalism students will soon have access to one of the most sophisticated media production facilities in the country where they can gain invaluable practical experience with the systems that are used throughout Australia’s major broadcasters and future employers of today’s media students.

In accordance with the university’s design guidelines, Techtel proposed a cost-effective turnkey broadcast solution which includes the industry standard in newsroom systems, AP ENPS in addition to the SIENNA Media Asset Management system, Panasonic’s AV-HS450 switcher, CueScript teleprompters and Yamaha mixing & speakers.

ENPS workstations in the simulated newsroom environment at monash university

Australian broadcasters depend on the market leading ENPS to deliver their news every day so it makes sense for universities to train their students on the software to prepare them for a career in the industry. Tightly integrated to ENPS via MOS is the SIENNA production system, a complete end-to-end digital media infrastructure for newsroom environments. Workflow elements include ingest, asset management, video editing integration, ENPS client integration, automation, playout and archive. SIENNA offers outstanding support for virtually every MOS profile and feature, including the ability for students to edit ENPS stories from the Adobe Premier desktop.

“We welcome Monash University to the growing family of ENPS users and educators throughout Australia and New Zealand”, commented Mal Chandler, Head of Sales at Techtel. “The turnkey solution Techtel has provided to Monash has demonstrated our capability to deliver innovative solutions to educate the next generation of talented producers and journalists.”

Monash University’s new broadcast system was commissioned in October 2015 with the official launch planned for early 2016.
 

MORE IMAGES:

Cuescript prompters in the studio at monash university

Allianz Stadium keeps score with Techtel

Sydney, Australia, 30th October 2015 – ALLIANZ Stadium is Australia’s most high-tech sporting venue, boasting a cutting edge media server solution that integrates the ground’s 277m2 super-screens with its extensive digital assets, including its LED ribbon board and 1200-screen IPTV networks.

The Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust selected the UK’s 7thSense Design to provide their media server solution as part of a landmark technology upgrade to Allianz Stadium in Moore Park, Sydney. 

Systems integrator Techtel was successful in its bid for the Allianz Stadium control room upgrade project and was later selected to supply and install the 7thSense® Delta Infinity II Media Server to feed the high definition LED video boards at the north and south ends of the stadium. 7thSense systems also serve LED displays located at the pitch and along the terrace barriers throughout the stadium, used to offer unrivalled digital fan engagement and match-day experience as well as advertising and sponsorship branding.

The Delta Infinity II solution at Allianz provides 4 SDI in and 4 SDI out channels which deliver content to the stadium LED screens. The single device solution means all video overlays are simultaneous and allows for independent synchronisation of outputs to compensate for any downstream delay.

Delta Infinity II integrates with Cisco’s StadiumVision, the innovative video and digital content distribution solution used at Allianz Stadium to centrally manage and target delivery of customised content to any combination of monitors throughout the venue. Delta Infinity II can trigger the playback of predefined content – such as a goal or try – on the 1200 StadiumVision connected screens in the venue to match the SDI output overlay shown on the large scale stadium screens.

The Delta WebService interface from 7thSense has also played an important role in the newly upgraded control room, providing a fully customisable web-based control to manage the media server. As NSW’s favourite place to watch rugby league, union and football, WebService provides Allianz Stadium with simple, flexible control over the team branding that is displayed when an operator triggers various events during the match.
Allianz Stadium’s self-funded $20 million upgrade was successfully completed in March 2015 and boasts two giant high-definition superscreens, free wi-fi and a 1200-screen IPTV network.

About Techtel
Techtel is a leading independent broadcast technology systems specialist, providing dedicated hardware and software to the Asia Pacific broadcast and telecommunications industries. Techtel’s expertise extends from consulting and systems integration through to the supply, installation and support of solutions from an elite class of worldwide partners. The Techtel Group has regional offices in Sydney and Singapore with branches in Auckland and Melbourne. Visit www.techtel.tv.

About the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust
The SCG Trust is responsible for managing two of Australia’s most celebrated sporting venues, the Sydney Cricket Ground and Allianz Stadium. In addition to the two grounds, there is a central sports precinct of international standing that includes the headquarters of several major sporting franchises and codes, as well as a fitness centre, club facilities and sports museum. 
The Sydney Cricket Ground recently received to global accolades at the Stadium Business Awards in Barcelona including, Sports Event of the Year for the 2014 Major League Baseball Opening Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the LA Dodgers, and Project of the Year for the MA Noble, Don Bradman and Dally Messenger stand redevelopment. Visit www.scgt.nsw.gov.au for further detail or follow our Twitter accounts @scg and @AllianzStadium. 

# # #

For more information on this press release please contact Jenna Clark at Techtel on (02) 9906 1488 or email jclark@techtel.com.au.

Lynx Technik launches new 4K and 8K solutions at IBC 2015

Lynx Technik, famous for its feature-rich, brick-style line of production and transport products, demonstrated several new 4K/3D/3G/HD/SD and fiber and signal processing solutions at IBC 2015.

Among them was the PMV 1841 Quad-Split yellobrik. It is a compact, portable quad-split processor that supports the display of 4x 3G/HD/SDI-SDI inputs on a single HDMI display. It includes an integrated 4K down converter, for applications that require 4K (12G, quad-link) HDMI monitoring.

The OTR 1442 yellobrik 4K transmission system is LYNX Techniks new 4K fiber solution. It can address a number of signal applications such as 4 x SDI (4K 12G) Fiber Transport, with the option of adding Ethernet or Serial RS232 plus GPI.

Connecting the OTR 1441 4K transmission solution into the OTR 1442 expansion port will add 4x more SDI channels to the system. This enables the transport of uncompressed 8 x SDI (8K 24G) over a single fiber link. The OTR 1441 and OTR 1442 can also be combined to send and receive 4K (12G) over a single fiber link to form an 8 x SDI (2x 12G) 4K Bi-Directional Fiber Transport. The products are ideal for the transmission of 4K over long distances up to 20 kilometers (12 miles).

The new release of yelloGUI (version 2.3.0) is now Windows 10 compatible. The yelloGUI software application is a free download which provides extended and enhanced access to internal yellobrik settings and controls, many of which are not accessible from the provided local controls and switches.

The new release of our APPolo software (version 8.4.0) is also Windows 10 compatible. The LYNX APPolo control system is a powerful yet simple solution in terms of implementation and use. It facilitates remote control, status monitoring and error reporting of all connected LYNX hardware within one centralized system.

Techtel partner Net Insight acquires US software company ScheduALL

A letter from Net Insight CEO, Fredrik Tumegård:

Today we are starting a new chapter in our lives. Earlier today we announced an agreement in which Net Insight will acquire 100% of the US software company ScheduALL. Together we will not only be a more innovative and competitive company, with a wider reach, we will become the market leader in our industry.

The global media industry is changing rapidly. We are convinced that this new company structure will create a more attractive, cohesive and seamless offering, which will contribute to shaping the future of television. This means that we will be able to offer a more in-depth and unique know-how in media transport and workflows, as well as a broader and more integrated solution to service providers and media companies around the world.

As you know, Net Insight is the leading provider of live, interactive and on-demand media transport. Due to our successful long-time strategic partnership with ScheduALL, we are sure that the integration will be smooth for everyone involved, including our portfolio of 500 customers.

Earlier this year we launched a new brand platform, which is acting as the foundation of our company. We were pleased to recognize that the employees of ScheduALL already share our values and the way we do business. With all the passionate, experienced and skilled employees in the joint business, we have taken a giant leap closer to our vision “to enable a live and interactive media experience for anyone on Earth”.

Fredrik Tumegård
Chief Executive Officer
Net Insight