BVE 2018 Marks The Start Of A New Chapter

With disruptive technology revolutionising the industry, and rapid changes and innovations in the broadcast infrastructure, it promises to be an interesting show. Broadcast Film & Video's Editor, Jacqueline Purse, selects her highlights from this year's exhibition and seminar programme.



ATG Danmon (G39) will present its system integration services including consultancy, project planning, workflow design, system installation, testing and commissioning, documentation, training and technical support. "In addition to our role as an international systems integrator, ATG Danmon also promotes selected third-party products," said ATG Danmon Managing Director Russell Peirson-Hagger. These include the Ross Video portfolio of production equipment and the latest range of Telestream and Vidcheck file-based products for transcoding, automated quality control and correction of video and audio, as well as Storage Network Solutions workflow defined storage packages and the Dalet Amberfin range of broadcast file management and transcoding tools.



Axon Digital Design (G44) will continue to help broadcasters with the transition to IP workflows. On display will be the NUG220 and NGU220 – 4K Ethernet bridges with TICO encoding. These Synapse cards can bridge up to 2x 4K/UHD (4-wire) into a single 10Gb/s Ethernet using TICO compression. The SynView Multiview solution, capable of handling both 4K and any IP video formats, will also be on show, while the UK launch of the company's MPEG TS multiviewer is also expected. Utah Scientific's new 400 Series 3 platform, meanwhile, will be on display for the first time at BVE; this can handle any number of IP and SDI professional video signal formats along with a number of audio and data formats. 


Among the products on the BenQ stand (M26) will be the SW271 and the PV3200PT. The SW271 is a 27" 4K UHD monitor that offers filmmakers unprecedented colour accuracy through new AQCOLOR technology. Building on the success of its predecessor the SW2700PT, the SW271 is a HDR10-enabled monitor that allows users to see their images and videos in a wider dynamic range than a typical monitor. BenQ's AQCOLOR technology enables users to have complete colour control over images. It uses a combination of hardware calibration, BenQ's Palette Master Elements software and Technicolor Color Certification, which ensures the monitor meets the strict colour accuracy standards used in Hollywood and the entertainment media. 


The team at Boxer (J08) will be on hand to demonstrate its media production solutions, and discuss features, workflows and implementation. Also featuring on the stand will be V-Nova, with whom Boxer recently announced a new partnership. The agreement will see Boxer represent V-Nova's line of PERSEUS-powered P.Link products. 



As LiveU's UK partner, Garland Partners (K08) will present the company's LU600 portable transmission solution. When paired with the 4K HEVC Pro Card, the LU600 offers video performance with extreme bandwidth efficiency, utilising one of the smallest portable cellular bonding units in the market. The LiveU Solo will also be at BVE. This is a plug-and-play live-streaming device that lets users seamlessly live stream directly to Facebook Live, Twitter, YouTube Live, and other popular social media and online video platforms. Solo is managed and controlled remotely via a web interface or smart device, and is built on LiveU's bonding technology. 



Hawk-Woods (P23) will highlight the Mini V-Lok. The small battery fits comfortably in the palm of a hand and is flight safe. It is available in three sizes – 50Wh, 100Wh and 150Wh – which are capable of powering cameras, monitors, lights, gimbals, etc. When used in tandem with an optional dual hot-swappable adaptor, Mini V-Lok can deliver up to 300Wh of power. In addition to the release of the Mini V-Lok batteries, there will be a range of Mini V-Lok charging solutions to keep the solution as compact as possible. The 3A fast chargers will be available in single, dual and quad versions, simultaneously charging numerous batteries at once.

JVC Professional Europe (H51) will demonstrate its end-to-end live production solutions, including live-streaming camcorders for news and events, cine-style shooting and studio production. The GY-LS300CHE Super35 camcorder now offers live 4K 4:2:2 50P output, while the GY-HM200ESB now features a built-in full-screen graphics overlay with no additional hardware required. Also on display will be the KY-PZ100 PTZ camera which can be controlled by the RM-LP100 controller. Two upgraded models in the 600 Series of ProHD mobile news camcorders, the GY-HM620 and GY-HM660, will be shown, while a120fps HD slow motion recording upgrade for its GY-HM170, GY-HM200 and GY-LS300 4KCAM camcorders will be demonstrated. Alongside the cameras will be JVC's range of production monitors, including the latest 4K models, Streamstar's live IP production system and JVCVIDEOCLOUD online video and live streaming platform.

Another company sharing stand space with Boxer will be Leader Electronics as the company has selected BVE as the UK launchpad for its enhanced LV5490 4K HDR waveform monitor. The instrument now provides full direct support for ITU-R BT.2408-0 'Operational practices in HDR television production'. The LV5490 4K/HDR waveform monitor supports preconfigured settings to ensure the reference levels are correct for both PQ and HLG production. A 75% HLG or 58% PQ marker is also displayed automatically on the waveform monitor graticule, representing the reference level and ensuring that any object placed at the centre of interest within a scene occupies the appropriate signal range and that sufficient headroom is reserved for specular highlights. Also now added to the LV5490 is system gamma Optical-Optical Transfer Function functionality for HLG and Sony's SR-Live for HDR production technology. 



NewTek (M40, J08) will present its 2018 UK Education Awards at BVE. The awards recognise excellence in creating engaging and inspiring videos and live streams by students and staff at colleges and universities across the country; and are open to any UK educational establishment faculties – regardless of discipline – and to students (with the permission of their tutor). They offer five entry categories: Media Production, Sports, News and Community, Teaching Materials, and Distance Learning.


Highlights on the SAM stand (L16) include the IP Routing System, LiveTouch instant replay and sports production workflow, playout automation, and SAM VIBE.



SoftPanels (Q21) will exhibit their in-house designed lights. Said to be the next generation in LED panels, each fixture has a color meter built in which guarantees accurate CCT output manually. The “AUTO” button measures the scene and automatically matches the light output to the correct CCT, ensuring a faster let up and less time in post-production.


TSL Products (H22) will exhibit the new MPA1 Mix SDI audio monitor. As part of the Monitor Plus Audio (MPA) range, users are provided with a flexible audio monitoring tool for the easy creation of audio monitor mixes comprised on embedded SDI audio, AES and analogue audio sources. At just 1RU high and 100mm deep, the MPA1 Mix SDI is ideal for use in OB vehicles and lightweight flight-packs. It also comes equipped with two 3G/HD/SD-SDI inputs, as well as AES and analogue audio inputs, enabling customers to simultaneously monitor as many as 16 audio channels of their choosing. 



Having first launched their voiceover booking system at BVE in 2012, VoxPress (Q47) will this year launch their next generation voiceover search engine. Clients will be able to type in keywords in a similar fashion to popular search engines and will be presented with a list of artists. This list will have example clips in that voiceover style that can be played or downloaded. Users will then be able to book a session straightaway with all the prices displayed so they know what they pay before they book.

Zeiss (L30) will present the CP.3 XD lenses. There's one area in matching live action to CGI in particular where there is room for improvement: the process of matching the characteristics and settings of lenses to the computer-generated world. With ZEISS eXtended Data technology implemented in the CP.3 XD lenses, this process is, as far as possible, completely automatic. Real-time metadata for focus, iris, shading and distortion is easily transferred to the applications that need to make use of it, providing an accessible lens to all levels of professional filmmaking. 



Shifting attention away from the exhibition floor, BVE also promises a packed seminar programme across all six of its theatres: The Storytellers Stage, Business of Production, Craft of Capture, Techflow Futures, Post in Practice, and Connected Media. 



The Storytellers Stage will look at how storytellers – and technologies – are transforming content into impactful experiences. A highlight of the theatre will be 'Blue Planet II: Creating the story of the ocean' which takes place on Day 2 (Wednesday 28 February). Last year, Blue Planet II dominated viewing figures and was described as a masterclass in documentary storytelling. BVE will be joined by Mark Brownlow, Series Producer, Blue Planet II, as he explains how the team overcame the challenges involved with going to places no cameras have ever been before, to capture on film animals that have never been seen before. 



The Business of Production will explore the trends and industry developments shaping content production and distribution. Thursday 1 March will feature the session 'What I wish I knew before starting a production company'. A panel of experts – including Eline Van der Velden (Founder and Producer, Particle6 Productions) and Josh Wilson (Managing Director and Founder, Wilson Worldwide Productions) – will share how they overcame obstacles along the path to success; from building a team, to buying kit, winning commissions and finally delivering the goods. 



Craft of Capture promises to showcase innovative cinematography, lighting and audio techniques. One highlight of the programme takes place on Day 1 (Tuesday 27 Feb), with cinematographer Eben Bolter. During 'Realising the vision – The Woman in White' Eben will discuss how he lit 'The Woman in White', by combining LED panels with ambient and gas lighting. 



The future of technology in workflow is under the spotlight in Techflow Futures. On Tues 27 Feb, Steve MacPherson, CTO, Framestore will be joined by Tim Bertioli, VP International Operations, VICE Media and Robert Ambrose, Managing Consultant, High Green Media. Together, they will participate in the session 'CTO view: Technologies impact on workflow', exploring strategic decisions behind optimising new technologies, new ways of working and future proofing investment. The conversation comes at a time when technology, a move away from linear workflows and an increasing demand for content and evolving consumption patterns are accelerating change within media. 



Post in Practice offers a practical look at the newest techniques in post production. A key session on Tuesday 27 February will be 'DEMO: Facebook – designing spatial sound for 360 video and VR'. This will explore some of the basics of spatial audio mixing for headphones, as applicable to linear 360 video and VR content utilising the Facebook 360 Spatial Workstation plugins. An overview of mixing ambisonic audio for VR-nuances with personal listening over headphones, head tracking and platform playback compatibility/fragmentation. Speaking on the issue will be Abesh Thakur, Product Manager, Facebook 360.



Staying with Post in Practice, Wednesday 28 Feb sees 'The BVE Creators Challenge: Post in actual practice'. In the final stage of the BVE creative challenge, visitors will be taken through how user generated content has been collated and edited live. Intended to be hands on and interactive, the final live edit will demonstrate how to make sense of, and edit, multiple content sources and just how quickly content can be turned into a creative piece.

Lastly, Thursday 1 March will welcome the panel 'DEMO: Dolby Atmos – designing immersive sound for TV & Film'. With the demand for higher quality content, next generation audio is mating the emergence of 4K UHD and HDR technologies. This session – featuring Tim Hoogennakker, Re-recording Mixer, Formosa Group, whose credits include Game of Thrones, The Hunger Games and OKJA – will break down clips from TV and film, exploring the Dolby Atmos mix and demonstrating how to work with the latest audio innovations. 



Another talking point of the show is sure to be a presentation by the Digital Production Partnership (DPP) regarding the latest insights, predictions and advice from its members. The conference sessions take place in the Business of Production theatre on Day 2. They are: 'The Trends That Matter: The DPP Predictions 2018' on Wed 28 Feb, 10:30 – 11:00 which will be presented by Mark Harrison, Managing Director of the DPP. The second discussion takes place from 16:10 – 17:00 and will be hosted by Andy Wilson, Head of Business Development at the DPP. 'How to be Big Online – The Secrets of Success from the Online Producers Who Know' will reveal the secrets of how to generate and maintain online success, with insights from key producers with proven track records.


BVE 2018 takes place at London ExCel from Tuesday 27 February – Thursday 1 March.

www.bvexpo.com