Nab Portlet : NAB Product News

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Thomson adds facial tracking to Ignite Apr 9, 2008 - 11:54:17 AM

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Thomson is revamping some of its production systems and will be displaying shipping and fully functional versions of its Infinity acquisition systems as well. Topping the list of enhanced products is Ignite, the SD and HD integrated production system finding sales success at regional sports networks and TV stations. The system streamlines the process to make live newscasts and other types of video productions fast and error-free.

New Thomson Grass Valley Ignite IQ software adds more automation capabilities to speed production-data entry and resources management. Also to be introduced at NAB 2008 are several digital audio options, sophisticated facial-tracking technology for the Ignite system’s complementary robotic camera systems, and the ability for existing users of Thomson Grass Valley Kayak switcher to take advantage of Ignite’s automated-production capabilities in a new version called Ignite Lite.

With the system’s Transition Macro Element (TME) technology—which establishes news segments and transitions as “events” on a timeline—all segments of a live sportscast can be preprogrammed and previewed prior to a show’s going to air.

The new autoCORRECT facial-tracking technology for the Ignite’s SDC/HDC robotic camera systems enables unmanned, automatic tracking of anchors and other on-air talent in a studio environment. The autoCORRECT technology automatically makes adjustments to pan, tilt, and zoom functions to keep the talent properly framed within the shot. This functionality will be available as a hardware and software option for the cameras, operating in tandem with the Thomson Grass Valley JSC-2300 SHOT Director joystick controller.

Also keep an eye out for the latest release of software for the Thomson Grass Valley EDIUS Broadcast editing platform, which, without Apple and Avid on the show floor, will be one of the top NLE options on display.

Version 4.6 of the EDIUS Broadcast software includes functionality based on the JPEG 2000 codec used in the Thomson Grass Valley Infinity system, allowing multi-layer editing of EFP-quality high-definition content, even on a laptop computer.

The workflow for Sony’s XDCAM has also been enhanced to support the new EX range of camcorders. EDIUS Broadcast is the first NLE to take advantage of Sony’s Simple Access Mode (SAM), whereby low-resolution video can be used in conjunction with high-resolution audio. It can also work with Panasonic’s P2 format.

Jeff Rosica, senior VP of Thomson’s Broadcast & Professional Solutions business unit, says the new release provides an open, standards-based platform with seamless workflows whatever the acquisition format. “And,” he adds, “it provides unrivaled flexibility and editing power when using the high-quality JPEG 2000 codec implemented in our Infinity system.”