NAB 2014: Driving A Transformative Agenda (Part 2)

George Jarrett previews an NAB show that will feature 200 first time exhibitors.

Vizrt (SL2419) will lead its NAB exhibits with the Viz virtual studio, improvements to its broadcast newsroom graphics workflow, and improvements to the Viz One MAM solution.
Within the graphics workflow the key tools are the Viz Trio CG, Viz Content Pilot template-driven graphics, and video management for quick and creative content creation that is totally independent from the design department. Viz One provides the media management and multiplatform publishing.
The new Viz will be introduced as the only scalable, open and complete virtual studio production system on the market. The new version features easy set-up and design and a new defocus shader that emulates the focus effects of optical lenses.
Viz One now offers an innovative non-burned in workflow, and it allows broadcast users to make edits to video and graphics from within their native newsroom system until the moment content is sent live to air.
The EDL and graphic information are stored as metadata, with the video and graphics playlist then sent to the control room, with the final piece played back in real-time on-air - automatically sized and distributed online and to mobile devices. The workflow saves space by storing only original files, and saves time by performing the conforming process live with automatic multiplatform distribution.

Eyeheight (C9511) will be launching its LEGAL-8 video and audio legaliser. Developed from the popular LEGAL-6, it gives users extended audio capabilities. The key elements are the eight loudness level control channels configured as four AES stereo pairs.
LEGAL-8 provides automatic real-time control of perceptual loudness and true peak level using multi-channel loudness and true-peak computations. This is coupled with correction algorithms as the embedded stereo or surround audio loudness are continuously monitored, system gain being seamlessly adjusted across all channels to stay within the loudness limit while preserving audio imaging.
There are six user memories plus common presets. Video legalisation features include automatic luma overshoot and undershoot suppression, luma and chroma gain, black level adjustment, hue rotation, adjustable clipping levels and soft-clipping-knee levels.

Tedial (N5711), which specialises in MAM technology solutions, will lead a set of live booth shows with its Global Search Engine, a set of intuitive desktop search tools that are also media context ready so that searches can be focused to return only relevant results. Because Tedial also drives the workflow, search results are workflow aware and can track masters, programs and commercials throughout their lifecycle and can also check if rights are cleared, or QC is complete.
Tedial will boost its support of multiple third-party plug-ins with the launch of its unique integration with Adobe Premiere. Using the powerful Adobe SDK, it can greatly increase edit workgroup performance by completing the postproduction process within a single application via Premiere’s toolset.
Using the Tedial connected mode, editors can now search for content anywhere in the MAM system. Search results are displayed in a configurable template that includes thumbnails as well as workflow status in the MAM. Premiere edits can be automatically exported to the MAM archive or sent directly to play out.

ARRI Inc’s (C4337) latest boosts to the performance of the Alexa camera range are the software update packet 9.1 and the ARRIRAW Converter (ARC) 3.0.
The converter is a free reference tool for processing ARRIRAW files in the optimal quality. The release includes the ability to upres to 4K or UHD-1. For ALEXA XT and ALEXA Classic cameras with the XR module upgrade, SUP 9.1 increases the DNxHD 444 recording capabilities and provides a better user experience.
SUP 9.0 brought new features like CFast 2.0 card support, ProRes 4444 at 120 fps, DNxHD 444 and ProRes pre-recording to thousands of ALEXA owners, and SUP 9.1 now brings high-speed frame rates for DNxHD of up to 96 fps to ALEXA XT cameras and to ALEXA Classic cameras that have been upgraded with the XR Module. In addition, SUP 9.1 contains a number of refinements and bug fixes for all ALEXA cameras.

Cooke Optics (C6144) is now shipping the first sets of the Anamorphic/i range it previewed last year. These will appear together with Cooke’s range of miniS4/i, S4/i, and 5/i lenses and the Cooke Metrology lens test projector. Expect to see the test footage shot by John de Borman BSC and Patrick Blossier using Anamorphic/i lenses on an ARRI Alexa Studio camera, along with the range of 32mm, 40mm, 50mm, 75mm and 100mm Anamorphic/i lenses.
These are approximately the size of Cooke’s industry standard S4/i lenses, and are colour matched with the Cooke 5/i, S4/i and miniS4/i ranges. They come equipped with /i Technology to capture lens metadata. The 25mm and 135mm lenses will be available later in the year. Progress continues in the development of /i Squared, the next generation of /i Technology, which is planned for release later in the year.  /i Squared will include inertial tracking data to greatly enhance the metadata’s usefulness to postproduction and VFX teams.

Telestream (SL3905) will have a set of product news. TrafficManager, which simplifies ad ingest and media management, is now on the Vantage platform. Post Producer, which automates repetitive content assembly and production tasks, is also powered by Vantage. Vantage Cloud will be released shortly after NAB. Introducing Switch is a new multi-format media player, inspection and conversion tool for professionals.
MacCaption and CaptionMaker have become Telestream offerings since its acquisition of CPC. HEVC/4K support will also be a big factor.

TSL Products (N1123) will offer examples of how a broadcast facility can migrate to an audio/video-over-IP infrastructure. The lead technology on show will be for AVB audio monitoring, and new managed Ethernet switches, developed to transport signals over IP. A workflow demonstration will show how connectivity can be simplified within a broadcast facility using AVB technology. Specific products to check out are the TSL PAM1 AVB and PAM2 AVB audio monitoring units: TSL has a new audio/video-over-IP switch technology developed in partnership with telecoms experts A.R.G ElectroDesign Ltd.

Miranda Technologies (N2513) will introduce its new NVISION 8500 baseband IP Gateway cards at NAB 2014, the purpose being to help broadcasters future proof their facilities as they transition from SDI to IP infrastructures. The IP Gateway converts and ‘packetises’ real-time, uncompressed, baseband video using SMPTE 2022-6 for transport over 10 GbE Ethernet networks. The cards will run in any NVISION 8500 hybrid router.

SGO (SL9021) will focus on new V8 tools it has developed for the Mistika finishing system and its Mamba FX compositing software.
The Mistika becomes a new range – Mistika Post, Mistika Optima, and Mistika Ultima – to cover all the bases in grading, compositing and editing. The fastest will be the Ultima, for handling HFR, 4K and then beyond, that is 8K. New tools to check out are the spatial keyer, the node-based compositing interface, and the support for multiple formats. Mistika Air is tailored for broadcaster requirements.
Mamba FX, launched at IBC, can be extended with OFX plug-ins and addition options such as DCP creation.

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