ITN COMPLETE PURCHASE OF VIZ RT EQUIPMENT

ITN, one of the UK's largest dedicated commercial news services, have completed the purchase of a viz [virtual studio]TM and viz [live event]TM system in time for the UK's heavily anticipated general election.
The general election, called for June 7th 2001, is one of the most important and complex broadcasting events in the UK. To create a new look and feel to their programming for this major event, ITN have opted for the industry leading viz [virtual studio]TM and viz [live event]TM systems. viz [virtual studio] is a real-time virtual studio and 3D graphics system and viz [live event] is a dedicated control system for a single live event.
Kevin Morrison, Special Projects at ITN, said: "There were a number of key performance criteria that we were looking to fulfil. Not only would the system have to be robust and easy to use, but it also needed to be able to support the automation of data feeds and help us build data rich presentations from templates, quickly and easily.
"We aim to have the best election programme in 2001 and one of the key elements will be its look and feel. Therefore, we have opted for the vizrt systems which are clearly market leaders and will help us deliver the richest and best looking system for this big event."
For the General Election ITN have constructed a 225 sq metre blue screen studio using four individually tracked 3D cameras. The studio will host an imaginative range of real-time graphics including a photo-realistic model of the interior of the British Parliament. Throughout the eight hours of live coverage the graphic scenes will be dynamically updated from an on-line election results database, drawing the viewer into the unfolding political drama. (CD)