Al Jazeera International opts for Vizrt graphics

Vizrt Ltd has announced that Al Jazeera International, the 24-hour English-language news and current affairs channel, which will broadcast globally from the 1st quarter of 2006, has ordered a sophisticated, hi-definition Vizrt package as the core graphics system for its four broadcast centres in Doha (HQ), London, Kuala Lumpur and Washington DC.
The deal is the second biggest in Vizrt’s history, it will be carried out over Q3 and Q4 of 2005.
Vizrt specialises in real-time 3D graphics and this HD system will be installed in Al Jazeera International's broadcast centres strategically placed across the world. Vizrt will provide its latest technology for breaking news graphics, maps and template graphics, all accessible through an Octopus newsroom system.
News Producers will be able to access animations and template files created in any of the broadcast centres through constantly mirrored graphics file servers permanently connected to one another across the globe.
Nigel Parsons, Managing Director for the new channel, said: “Vizrt have set the standard for real-time 3D news graphics throughout the world. A forward-thinking new channel like Al Jazeera International can really benefit from the efficient graphics workflow Vizrt's template and mapping system provides. We can generate a large volume of consistently high quality graphics to enhance our constantly changing news agenda and still allow our talented designers to create genuinely original animations, because the more routine graphics are all derived from pre-designed templates.”
Steve Jedowski, Director of Technology for Al Jazeera International, added: “We spent a lot of time considering all the graphics options available to us. Switching operations to four international broadcast centres in sequence presents us with unique challenges. Deciding to go HD added an extra list of requirements to our specifications. In the end, only Vizrt could offer proven template graphics technology that could deliver high-quality real-time 3D in HD just as effectively as it does in SD.”
The order was placed on behalf of Al Jazeera International by the local systems integrator, Salam Media Cast.
(GB)