CBS Relies On New HD Avid Solutions For National Convention Coverage

Avid Technology, a leading provider of tools for film, video, audio, 3D animation, gaming and broadcast professionals, has announced that CBS News is relying on Avid's new HD editing and storage solutions for coverage of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions taking place August 25-28 in Denver and September 1-4 in Minneapolis, respectively.
CBS News has deployed Avid NewsCutter Nitris DX systems, connected to Avid VideoRAID storage systems connected to Avid VideoRAID storage systems on site to be able to quickly turnaround and play-to-air high-definition (HD) news segments.
CBS is working with the Avid DNxHD 145 codec, which will enable the production team to work with mastering quality HD material in real-time.
Frank Governale, VP of CBS News Operations, said: "For an event as demanding as the Presidential conventions, we need the performance and familiarity that Avid provides. The combination of NewsCutter, VideoRAID and (Avid) DNxHD (codec) - along with the portability - creates an effective solution for us, and allows our team to work comfortably with an interface that's very familiar to everyone.
"CBS Evening News with Katie Couric is also now broadcasting HD using the Avid DNxHD 145 codec. Being able to edit remotely in the field with (Avid) DNxHD 145 allows us to keep an integrated format."
Mel Olinsky, director of Bureau Operation at CBS News, said: "Although our HD field crews are shooting 1080i, some continue to shoot in SD, and being part of a five network pool requires some flexibility and possible need to combine multiple HD resolutions. NewsCutter Nitris DX gives us both capabilities. That alone is a big time saver and will enable us to bring quality HD programming to air more quickly."
Kirk Arnold, EVP of Customer Operations, Avid Technology, Inc, said: "With extremely time-sensitive production cycles for the National convention broadcasts, it's imperative that CBS has the full production functionality and service that Avid is able to deliver in such a complex and mission-critical environment. We're pleased to see our solutions helping customers like CBS get the best final product to air every time."
(KMcA/JM)