Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/668746
B r o a d c a s t e r s S h o w D a i l y M o n d a y , A p r i l 1 8 , 2 0 1 6 8 PHANTOM FLEX4K AT NAB High-speed camera manufacturer Vision Research is featuring the Phantom Flex4K at this year's NAB. Since its launch, the camera has been used in sev- eral TV and motion picture productions around the world – for projects such as commercials, music videos, multimedia ad campaigns, special effects in movies and live event broadcast. Vision Research recently announced new firmware that enables a scaled 2K ProRes HQ recording format and dual- save functionality. With this, users can record 4K Raw and automatically get a 4K or 2K scaled ProRes HQ version of the same shot on the CineMag IV. Another recent feature includes in-cam- era audio recording for sync-sound frame rates and above. This new firmware is available for free to existing camera own- ers. The camera has proven to be a valu- able tool for not only high end 4K pro- ductions, but also projects finishing in 2K and HD. The Flex4K sensor makes it an ideal choice for VFX work because of its excellent dynamic range, low-noise per- formance and versatility with frame rates, cap- ture resolutions and out- put formats. The Flex4K is also a great camera for sports broadcast appli- cations. Vision Research works with inte- grators that specialize in super slow-mo broadcast, who are now offering com- plete 4K systems built around the Flex4K that can capture at 4K or 1080p. The camera's sharpness, color matching and low noise performance makes this an excep- tional camera for both live action and super slow-motion replays. The Flex4K can run in full 4K mode, compat- ible with pan and scan systems, or in a win- dowed 1080p mode, allowing for 1080p capture under a B4 mount. Stop by booth #C8615 and visit www.visionresearch.com to learn about the Flex4K. Follow the camera on twitter @PhantomFlex4K for all the latest news. BACKBONE TARGETS TALK RADIO PRODUCERS TO JOIN THE CLOUD By Richard A. Cerny, Backbone Networks Corporation, Westborough, Massachusetts Amid the dizzying confusion and litiga- tion surrounding music services and the direction of radio, Backbone Networks has instead established itself as the tech- nology partner for emerging online sports, news and talk radio stations. For NAB 2016, the company is announcing Backbone Production Suite™, an inte- grated set of cloud-based talk radio tools now used by online and AM/FM stations, promising "Your Station Anywhere." Backbone's key objective at NAB 2016 is to connect with radio producers and engineers who understand the oppor- tunity unleashed by cloud-based radio broadcasting. The company will illustrate how cloud-based production is turning radio "inside out" and how this nexus can turn terrestrial and online radio organiza- tions into allies rather than adversaries. While we all use the cloud for one purpose or another, independent radio producers are actively developing busi- nesses by creating online radio stations for veteran radio personalities in different cities, without having to leave town themselves. Using Production Suite, pro- ducers are able to tweak the audio, exe- cute stop sets, screen callers, tie in remote hosts and guests who are on smartphones, record shows and publish podcasts, program automation in the cloud, stream archives and deliver shows to AM/FM stations anywhere on Earth. Creating unique, live radio today requires capturing content where and when the action is taking place. With mobile devices, virtually everyone can be on the scene and broadcast in studio qual- ity. To turn that into a professional broad- cast, however, still requires a profession- al producer. With Backbone Production Suite, that producer can stay home and work in the cloud. "The idea that I can very easily pro- gram, schedule and tweak a radio station from wherever I am with my MacBook ® is cool and amazing enough, but the idea that we can go live from any- where with broadband is just awesome," said John McDermott, Vice President, Programming at DGital Media, Founder of Alternative Sports Talk Radio, and Former Vice President, Comedy & Entertainment at Sirius/XM. For existing AM/FM stations, this presents an array of new opportunities in offering new programs by tapping into an even larger world of independent talent and outsourced production. Taken indi- vidually, the elements of the Production Suite – Backbone Radio[TM], Backbone Talk[TM] and Backbone Co-Host™ – are similarly relevant for production in terrestrial stations, providing radio pro- duction and streaming, phones and reportage, respectively. Backbone Networks Corporation is a technology company that provides soft- ware as a service for radio production, automation, hosting and streaming. At NAB 2016, Backbone will also be offer- ing a sneak preview of its cloud-based syndication capability, which operates on a central switching software fabric called the Backbone Bridge™. Backbone will also demonstrate how Production Suite integrates with an inno- vative, new service called LUCI Global[R] by Technica del Arte, that gives stations access to remote reporters, guests and co-hosts, in studio quality, using the free iPhone app. Backbone clients are primarily in the sports, news and talk radio space. Among them are major league sports teams, leagues, including MLL Radio and FNTSY Radio, and independent sports- casters; news organizations, including The Boston Herald Radio (the Associated Press' Innovator of Year for 2015) and Omaha World-Herald Radio; and numer- ous talks show programs, including MotorWeek's Goss' Garage. Backbone also provides the technology powering our nation's largest online network of college and high school student-run radio stations, the IBS-SRN, for the Intercollegiate Broadcast System. Learn more at booth #N6732 or www.backbone.com. PCTV SERVES UP LOCAL PROGRAMMING WITH TIGHTROPE MEDIA SYSTEMS Pittsfield Community Television (PCTV), a local 24/7 provider of three PEG (Public, educational and government access) channels serving more than 20,000 cable TV subscribers in the Pittsfield, Dalton and Richmond, Massachusetts area, has upgraded its video production and playout capabilities with the latest version of Cablecast automation and playout software from Tightrope Media Systems. Cablecast 6.0 offers a substantial improvement over previous generations, including a completely redesigned user interface to help users work across more devices, including cell phones and tablets. These improvements help the modest PCTV staff work far more efficiently – and achieve more operationally – across the broadcast and production workflow. "So many of us now use mobile devices when interacting with the Cablecast software, so this was a helpful addition that comes at the perfect time," said Shawn T. Serre, Education Coordinator and Chief Engineer at Pittsfield Community Television. "We also still use desktops to schedule our pro- gramming, and the software automatical- ly adapts to whatever screen we use. Also, many of the menus and toolbars have been updated, making the user experience far more intuitive." PCTV seamlessly integrated Cablecast 6.0 software with its existing Tightrope hardware, which the broad- caster has leveraged and gradually upgraded for program scheduling, automation and playout since 2003. PCTV's complete Tightrope system includes a Cablecast Pro VOD server (which also includes Cablecast automa- tion software) and two Cablecast SX2HD 2x1 video servers. These servers provide PCTV with a total of four playout channels (HD or SD), and two encode channels. "We started with the basic Tightrope PEG channel configuration, using Cablecast for our main server and automation platform, and the Carousel digital signage system for bulletin boards. We later added downstream keying, VOD, live streaming, high-definition server playback, and separately added Tightrope's ZEPLAY instant replay sys- tem for our sports production," said Serre. "Tightrope products are integrated to pro- vide maximum impact with minimal workflow effort, and the software upgrades provide a level of enhancement one might expect with an entirely new system." That minimal workflow effort is achieved through the system's ability to intelligently automate and update infor- mation across the various Tightrope prod- ucts. Serre points to how Carousel bul- letins are updated with new information as schedule changes are made in Cablecast, with VOD les created at the click of a button. Additionally, PCTV's web schedules update automatically, with effortless downstream key branding. Serre adds that as a long-time Tightrope customer, PCTV has grown to rely on and appreciate its focus on cus- tomer service. "The technical support and customer service are first-rate. On the rare occasion where I have had to reach out for help, they have been a phone call or remote desktop away, and issues normally get resolved very quickly. The products are fairly priced, the technology is straight- forward and easy to master and the relia- bility is unparalleled. We never have to worry that our workflow, from scheduling to on-air playback, will fail. It is truly 'set it and forget it.'" About Tightrope Media Systems Founded in 1997, Tightrope Media Systems is the pioneer of web-centric dig- ital signage and broadcast automation systems. It provides station automation, video servers, internet video on demand, live streaming, the Carousel Digital Signage system and ZEPLAY, a multi- channel instant replay machine for stadi- ums, arenas and outside broadcast vehi- cles. Tightrope's award winning systems are used throughout the world. For more information, visit www.trms.com.