ORF chooses Viz|Trio for complete CG replacement

Vizrt has announced that ORF, Austria’s public service broadcaster, has signed a contract valued at approximately $2.8 million (US) to replace its existing 82 character generators with approximately 60 Vizrt Viz|Trio standalone character generators, making this the largest single sale in the company’s history.
In addition, ORF has ordered 50 Viz|Trio nonlinear editing plug-ins for use in ORF’s editing suites with Pinnacle and Avid NLE systems. The first 20 systems will be installed by the end of this year. The remainder will be installed over the next two years.
There were many factors that moved Vizrt ahead of the competition during the highly competitive, several-month-long evaluation process.
“We’re looking at this purchase as a very long-term investment,” said Michael Suessmayer, Technical Manager, Design Department, ORF). “Viz|Trio is based on standard PC hardware, with an intuitive software for graphic designers (Viz|Artist), and easy-to-use interface (Viz|Trio) for producers to bring graphics to air. Transferring projects over the network is very easy to handle. And because of Viz|Trio’s flexible control language, we can customize our own control applications for special broadcasts like elections.
It’s the most powerful system on the market in terms of graphical features and ease of use. We’re 100 percent confident with our selection of Vizrt as our graphics vendor of choice.”
As a long-time customer of Vizrt, Suessmayer also pointed to the responsive customer service they’ve enjoyed over the past four years as another reason for Vizrt’s selection. ORF currently employs a variety of Vizrt software for virtual studio productions; data graphics for sports broadcasts; and real-time, automated graphics for news and sports programs. Vizrt’s Austrian office, located in Schwaz, is also in close proximity to ORF’s Vienna-based facility.
Through its template-based architecture, ORF designers can produce many more compelling graphics in a shorter timeframe. The design and operation process are well differentiated, enabling operators to change factual content quickly but to leave the visual appearance and corporate identity of ORF intact. Plus, Viz|Trio does not require additional devices like still stores, DVEs and clip players that traditional CGs would need. Viz|Trio handles all of those associated tasks, further streamlining the production of real-time 3Dgraphics.
“ORF is a highly prestigious broadcaster with a history of early adoption,” said Christian Huber, Head of Operations/Austria, Vizrt. “What ORF was looking for is exactly what all broadcasters are now or will soon be asking for: 3D capability, real-time operation, ease of use, easy upgradeability to HD, clip playback, and DVE effects. ORF is at the forefront of networks around the world who will soon replace ageing, proprietary CGs with more open systems. Vizrt has the most advanced system available, and we are setting the world standard in graphics thanks to the open nature and power of Viz|Trio.”
(GB)