TVU Networks Partners With Blackbird for Integration of Real-time Editing Tools; Teams With DRONERESPONDERS to Promote UAV Use for Wildfire Assessment

TVU Networks and Blackbird are partnering to add access to Blackbird’s real-time editing tools into the TVU Producer cloud-based live production platform. In addition, the company has partnered with DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Alliance to promote the use of UAVs with real-time video transmission by public safety agencies for assessing wildfires.

Blackbird
Improved access to content for editors reinforces TVU’s commitment to making its cloud-based solutions as robust as possible. Without leaving the TVU ecosystem, sports productions have immediate access to multiple ISO recordings, which makes it faster and easier to edit timely highlight reels that can be included in the production as well as shared on social media platforms, OTT and the web.

“Partnering with TVU provides an exciting opportunity for Blackbird users,” says Ian McDonough, Blackbird CEO. “The ability to access live video from TVU Producer, TVU Grid and other areas of the TVU cloud-based platform makes it easier and faster for editors to access content from multiple sources. Immediacy is an important element in today’s broadcast environment. Working within TVU means Blackbird editors can deliver polished packages faster than ever.”

Blackbird provides frame-accurate editing with a fully-featured professional video editor for all skill levels. The browser-based platform supports up to 12 video and 36 audio tracks with real-time video and audio transitions, alpha channel overlays, colour correction, and subtitles and closed captions. Blackbird also features direct publishing to social media platforms, as well as OTT, web and other digital platforms.

“TVU continues to partner with industry leaders to provide more functionality and creative freedom for our customers,” adds Greg Doggett, director of sports and entertainment and strategic partnerships, TVU Networks. “The integration of Blackbird brings essential editing tools directly into the TVU ecosystem, which can save editors valuable time while producing packages during live events.”

DRONERESPONDERS
The white paper, “Tactical Live Video Streaming Adds Missing Ingredient for Effective UAV Wildfire Assessment,” details the advantages of using drones to assess wildfires, as well as the challenges of transmitting video from UAVs in remote areas where many wildfires occur. It also includes a detailed case study of California’s Fremont Fire Department, which uses a TVU solution with its UAV program to transport live video to the command center and first responders on the scene for actionable intelligence. Unlike streaming solutions that suffer from latency and signal loss issues, TVU’s professional broadcast system provides real-time situational awareness that can substantially improve tactical decision making during incidents.

“UAVs are quickly becoming indispensable tools for fighting wildfires, because they improve situational awareness,” explains Chief Charles L. Werner (Ret.), director of DRONERESPONDERS. “Live overhead video helps first responders determine the scale of the fire and find hotspots. Those real-time images help firefighters deploy resources where they are most needed without risking the lives of helicopter pilots and other firefighting aircraft personnel.”

“We’re proud to be working with DRONERESPONDERS to spread the word about the effectiveness of UAV programs for public safety agencies. Wildfires burn millions of acres in the United States every year, but UAVs can help firefighters work smarter to minimize damage,” adds Fred Poole, TVU director of government markets. “When coupled with drones, our video broadcast technology provides a simple solution that dramatically improves situational awareness by transmitting and distributing high definition live video to the proper personnel.”