BBC HD Launches Tomorrow!

BBC HD, the UK’s first free-to-air high definition television channel, launches tomorrow (Saturday 1 December) on satellite and cable.

Jana Bennett, Director of BBC Vision said: “I am delighted that BBC HD, the UK's first public service HD channel, is officially launching tomorrow, after the BBC Trust gave its approval last week. HD is the next generation of television and a real opportunity for programme makers to reach out to the audience in ways they have never done before. HD is a real creative enabler making our programmes even more powerful and outstanding."

Seetha Kumar, Head of BBC HD, said “We are already recognised for setting the benchmark for quality in HD programming. We start with a fabulous weekend of TV – Strictly Come Dancing, Electric Proms with Paul McCartney, Earth - Power of the Planet and Cranford to name a few.

Our Christmas schedule is also fantastic, with the likes of Extras Christmas Special, major blockbuster movies such as Kill Bill, Sin City and The History Boys alongside shows like The Tales Of Beatrix Potter With The Royal Ballet, Lessons And Carols From King's College Cambridge, Carmen, Jools Holland’s Hootenanny and To the Manor Born and, for the first time, The Queen’s Christmas Broadcast. There really is something for everyone.”

BBC HD is available on channel 143 on Sky and on channel 108 on Virgin Media.

RED Dawn!

If you thought the RED camera was going to be as scarce as the Wii console this Christmas, here is the proof that stocks are building.

RED promises to deliver ten times as many cameras as this from early March - from reduser.net

Harris Corp Buy Zandar

Press release:

Harris Corporation has acquired Zandar Technologies, a privately held developer and provider of high-quality multi-image display processors for television broadcast and professional video markets.

Zandar systems are used for virtual display walls for master control and situation rooms and broadcast trucks — providing centralised video and audio monitoring, alarms and corrective action. Customers include BBC and BSkyB, Alfacam, ESPN/STAR Sports (Singapore), ESPN (USA) and non-broadcast customers such as the FBI.

"We know Zandar very well and have high regard for their products,” said Tim Thorsteinson, president, Harris Broadcast Communications. “Combining our product portfolios will provide us with immediate new opportunities and put us in a leadership position in a very attractive, growing worldwide market.

“The multi-image display processor market has grown rapidly over the past decade, as increasing numbers of video and audio channels require more monitoring consolidation and a flexible, scalable system for the prevention, detection and correction of signal errors. Zandar’s compact, scalable systems, such as the new Predator II™ and QS100™ series introduced at IBC, combined with the larger-format Harris® CENTRIO™ systems, represent a great complement of product lines and an excellent platform for future growth through market expansion,” he added.

Deirdre Smith, chief executive officer of Zandar, said, “The combination of Zandar and Harris creates an organization capable of providing exceptional system creativity, quality and value for the multi-image display processor market — with Harris world-class sales, channels distribution, service and support. Multi-format, multi-resolution, and multi-channel broadcast environments continue to present new challenges in video and audio monitoring, and we are delighted to be part of an organization that is making the long-term commitment necessary to lead the industry transition to multi-image display systems. Harris has been a great partner during the past several years, and we believe our customers and employees will benefit greatly from the size, resources, and the research and development capabilities they bring to ongoing market pursuits.”

More on the Sony F35 Digital Cinema Camera

From Band Pro's Michael Bravin posting CML:

"F23 Chassis with 35mm full aperture size striped CCD sensor and PL mount, camera has 1920 X 1080 output. Currently available only in Japan from Omnibus, rest of world after late 2008/Early 2009. 50P 4:4:4 maximum frame rate vs 60P 4:4:4 with F23. F35 is 1 Chip with Stripped CCD array vs 3 dedicated RGB sensors on F23. 35mm DOF vs 2/3" with DigiPrimes DOF."

Sony Launch Their Own Genesis Camera - the f35

At the recent Japanese InterBee Trade show Sony announced their new Digital Cinema camera the f35. The 35 refers to the size of the sensor as in the f23 (2/3inch). The guess is that the sensor is the CCD from inside the Panavision Genesis camera which was always a Sony design.

More information when we have it.

Sony at InterBee:

http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/200711/07-129E/index.html

3D Beowulf Gets UK Cineworld Release

Cineworld Group plc, which has the largest portfolio of digital screens of any cinema operator in the UK, has signed a deal with REAL D to bring 3D to its customers. REAL D is one of the world leaders in 3D technology.

REAL D 3D systems will initially be installed into 30 of Cineworld’s 72 digital auditoria. The deal will see Cineworld continue to add REAL D systems to bring the most advanced 3D experience to its moviegoers as Cineworld finalises its deals with studios on the business terms of digital deployment.

Steve Wiener, CEO of Cineworld Group plc, said, “The impact of 3D on the film industry can be compared to the move from black and white to colour. After reviewing all of the latest technologies in the market we are delighted to be partnering with REAL D in spearheading the UK’s move to 3D. “

DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. announced its intention to produce all of its films in 3D starting in 2009. Visionary filmmakers including Robert Zemeckis, James Cameron, and Peter Jackson have embraced 3D as a natural enhancement to their cinematic storytelling. In addition, George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, announced his intention to remaster the original Star Wars movies in digital 3D, although no date has been set at this stage.

The REAL D cinema platform enables a single digital projector to beam images that seem to move toward or away from viewers when wearing special, comfortable, lightweight glasses. Unlike traditional anaglyph (red and blue) 3-D, REAL D leverages digital cinema projection technology to eliminate eye fatigue ensuring that moviegoers enjoy the most comfortable 3-D viewing experience possible. The company’s breakthrough technology was 25 years in the making and is used in scientific applications by NASA and Fortune 500 companies. For more information, visit www.REALD.com.

Participating Cinemas

Joint Freeview HD statement from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five

Press release:

The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five have today announced that they have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding that, if agreed, would deliver High Definition (HD) channels on Freeview by the projected completion of Digital Switchover in 2012.

Potentially from late-2009/2010, BBC HD (approved yesterday by the BBC Trust), ITV HD and Channel 4 HD could all be available on Freeview, with Five HD launching as soon afterwards as capacity is available and by 2012 at the latest, subject to the relevant regulatory agreements and conditional on the necessary Board approvals.

The agreement encompasses:

the use of new technologies, which will increase the capacity available on Freeview

a rearrangement of some of the channels carried on Freeview, in line with Ofcom's suggestion, setting aside one of the BBC's two multiplexes for the carriage of not only BBC HD but also ITV HD, Channel 4 HD and – as soon as technically possible – Five HD.

The agreement follows discussions with Ofcom and Government to launch the new services consumers want, in particular free-to-air High Definition.

A variation of the relevant BBC multiplex licence to carry HD services will be subject to approval from Ofcom.

The proposed agreement would also require approval by the BBC Trust.

BBC's HD Channel Gets Approval

The BBC's proposals for a mixed-genre high definition channel have been approved today by the BBC Trust.

Press release here

Production 2.0 event links Pinewood and Soho

Codex Digital, in association with Sohonet and The Hat Factory, is to host Production 2.0 – a ‘live’ production and post event linking Pinewood Studios and Soho on December 6th, 2007. The three companies will show a range of cost-effective options for high-resolution, tapeless digital production between camera and post production.

Taking place simultaneously between Pinewood and The Hat Factory, Production 2.0 will demonstrate how the production and post-production processes can be brought into parallel for the first time, offering directors, producers, DP, editors and post houses gains in speed, cost, efficiency and flexibility.

With the Codex Recording/Production System at the hub of the demonstration, HD/2K rushes shot on a set at Pinewood will be transferred via Sohonet to The Hat Factory for editing, and a DI grade. The results will then be sent back to Pinewood for on-set composting, and viewing, before distribution in lower resolution formats to PCs and hand-held PDAs. All within minutes.

“The point of the exercise is to show production companies the wide range of possibilities they have available to them today,” said Paul Bamborough, a co-founder of Codex Digital. “Whether they implement some or all of the options we are going to demonstrate, working digitally delivers tangible improvements to the quality and efficiency of a production. It can be much cheaper than shooting on film or tape, and it can all be done now.”

Principal photography has recently been completed on several productions handled by the Codex Recording/Production System. As the production industry moves towards full digital cinematography, Production 2.0 will also examine the efficient and secure management of digital data throughout the entire life of a production.

More details about Production 2.0 will be released shortly at… www.productiontwozero.com.

Codex Digital is a specialist in high-resolution media recording systems for digital motion picture and broadcast productions.

Sohonet is the largest high-bandwidth connector for the global media and entertainment industries, and the world’s surest path for safely transferring digital content.

The Hat Factory is a digital film grading and finishing facility based in central Soho, owned by Joe and Lester Dunton, offering one of the largest screens for DI grading and preview.

Cooke Optics Introduce Lenses for the RED ONE Camera

Press release:

Leicester, UK – 13 November, 2007. Cooke Optics Ltd., a premier manufacturer of precision lenses for the motion picture industry, today announced the Cooke RED Set, a package of four standard Cooke S4/i lenses offering a range of focal lengths from 15mm through 100 mm, specially engraved with red lettering. The lenses incorporate /i metadata capture technology that can be read directly by the /i contacts of the RED camera lens mount, and come with a rigid carrying case and protective glass for the CXX Zoom Lens.


The lenses included in the Cooke RED Set are:

· Cooke S4/i 15–40mm, T2.0 CXX Zoom Lens
· Cooke S4/i 50mm, T2.0 Prime Lens
· Cooke S4/i 75mm, T2.0 Prime Lens
· Cooke S4/i 100mm, T2.0 Prime Lens


The lenses come fully equipped with Cooke’s /i “Intelligent” Technology that enables film and digital cameras to automatically record key lens and camera data for every film frame, which can then be provided digitally to post production teams. The technology streamlines both production and post, saving significant time and costs and eliminating guesswork, whilst enabling greater creative freedom. As RED has built support for Cooke’s /i Technology into the /i contacts of the RED camera lens mount, no additional equipment is needed.


Scheduled delivery of the Cooke RED Set begins in January 2008 from Cooke Optics and authorised resellers. Users can reserve the Cooke RED Set now with 10% fully refundable deposit. As a standard lens package, it will work with any camera system.

Visit www.cookeoptics.com for information.

Avid Announces Major Shift in 2008

Press Release:

November 13, 2007 – Avid Technology today announced that it will introduce a major shift in its approach to serving industry professionals in the digital content creation, management, and distribution industries.

Based on extensive market research, Avid plans to announce a series of customer-focused initiatives in 2008 – all of which will be designed to make it easier for customers, prospects and the media to interact with the company. The company said it would reveal the full details of its 2008 plan to the public in February, which will set the stage for a blitz of new user-community initiatives, technical support programs, highly-personalized events, and innovative product announcements throughout the year. The company also announced that it will not have an exhibition booth at the 2008 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Convention, but plans to be in Las Vegas next April to meet with customers.

“We are always evaluating the most effective ways to build closer relationships with our customers and keep pace with the ever-changing media market. Over the past few months, we’ve been collecting data from all of our constituents, and the findings have been clear – we need to connect with users in new ways,” said Graham Sharp, vice president and general manager of Avid’s Video division. “As a result, we’ll unveil a series of initiatives in 2008, which we believe will shake things up for our industry – in every region of the world and across all facets of our business. In the past, we’ve seen how investing marketing resources in alternative, customer-focused activities can be more effective with our users – and to our bottom line. It’s time for Avid to start giving something back to the industry and these activities will create a more vibrant community where customers and newcomers can learn, share, and understand where the industry is headed – and how they can help shape it.”

Those who are interested in receiving more information about Avid’s customer-focused initiatives in 2008 can register for e-mail alerts at: www.avid.com/we-are-listening.