ON-AIR systems to launch notebook broadcasting at NAB

Broadcast automation systems developer ON-AIR Systems is to launch a revolutionary notebook broadcasting tool, as well as a major new version of its ON-AIR Central suite of broadcast automation applications, at NAB 2003.
ON-AIR Systems will launch the first ever notebook-based broadcast preparation and playout solution at NAB 2003. The application, code-named ON-AIR NBTV, has been ported as a software-only solution to enable operation from a standard laptop or desktop computer equipped with a dual port VGA card. It is a revolutionary solution for fast scheduling, editing and playout and is an ideal tool for remote contributions, broadcast newsroom and programming, as well as being the first viable solution for corporate TV. ON-AIR NBTV uses a second VGA port set-up for PAL, NTSC or HD output. When used with a DVI (digital VGA) to SDI/HDSDI converter, it offers broadcast quality playout from a high-end notebook PC. It supports MPEG-1, MPEG-2, Windows Media 9, DV, DVCPRO, TGA, JPEG and BMP formats in both standard and high definition.
ON-AIR Systems will also unveil version 3 of its ON-AIR Central suite of applications. The new release is the result of five years of development and extensive consultation with broadcast customers, and includes major new features and enhancements as well as two brand new modules, ON-AIR VR and ON-AIR MediaManager.
ON-AIR VR is a new application for easy 2D VR and DVE. It supports three channels of chromakey with three static or motion backgrounds and three channels of 2D DVE.
ON-AIR MediaManager is an application module that automatically tracks media files and transfers them to the playout system as per playlist requirements. It has built-in bandwidth control to enable reliable central storage operation, even over a 100Mbits Ethernet network.
Other new features include an XML interface for ON-AIR Studio and TxCG, enabling third party elements to be integrated with ON-AIR’s playout and graphics solutions; a Spanish user interface for ON-AIR Studio and TxCG.
The InfoChannel application, which delivers graphical information and live video/audio, will be shown with a new feature to automatically pick up data directly from websites.
Pricing and availability have yet to be announced. For more information about ON-AIR Systems, visit www.on-air-systems.com.
(SP)