IBC2024 Interviews

Some of our recent customer project highlights include CCTV’s “Football Connections” - a special telecast where the Chinese broadcaster transported audiences from Beijing Live Hall, across Asia to Europe and the serene and beautiful Alps, while experiencing the excitement of the football matches up close. Disguise’s VX 4 media server and RX II render engine, allowed the team to achieve seamless and precise 4K scene rendering. According to Hologram Jasmine Project Producer Zeng Xiao, “Disguise provides a richness of cases and industry standards that allow us to connect teams from different project phases. In addition, Disguise has a very detailed user manual and a highly active community ecosystem.” Other standout recent projects include the NBA’s debut of a brand new interactive LED court during the All-Star Weekend (Feb 16 - 17) at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. This was powered by Disguise and bought a new dimension to the fan experience. Disguise has powered various standout broadcasts including data-driven graphics for the Mexican elections covered by Televisa+. Disguise’s Chronos solution allowed the team to display data-driven graphics on a video wall.

At IBC2024 Matrox® Video will showcase products that make it easy for users to capture high-quality baseband video and IP video, produce and process content, operate and control computer systems remotely, and deliver media to audiences reliably. One highlight at the show will be a tech preview of the new Matrox Avio 2 IP KVM, the world’s first IPMX- and SMPTE ST 2110-IP KVM extender, which brings broadcast-grade quality to KVM by ensuring unparalleled video quality and performance with uncompressed, realtime remote operation on 10GbE networks, and support for 1G network with optional JPEG XS codec. An NMOS-compatible product that delivers video in an industry-standard format suitable for broadcast and high-quality media production, Matrox Avio 2 opens opportunities for new workflows while enabling users to reduce installation costs and complexity. Another new product is the Matrox Vion IP video gateway, which simplifies working with IP video in many environments. To solve the common problem of moving from one IP video format to another, Vion provides low-latency multichannel encoding, decoding, transcoding, and processing of 4:2:2 10-bit broadcast video as well as 4:4:4 RGB desktop video, with support for standard protocols such as SRT, RTSP, NDI and IPMX. Also designed for ST 2110 and IPMX workflows, the PoE-enabled Matrox ConvertIP video converter/encoder/decoder is a practical and cost-effective solution for integrating the latest IP video formats into existing SDI video infrastructure and 1/10/25GbE data networks. The Matrox DSX LE5 D25 LP and DSX LE6 D100 network interface controller (NIC) cards, the latest additions to the Matrox DSX Developer products lineup of SMPTE ST 2110 cards, power flexible, cost-effective products enabling the broadcast and pro-AV industries’ shift to IP workflows. Another show highlight, the Matrox ORIGIN asynchronous media framework, allows broadcasters and developers to re-architect tier 1-capable live production media facilities to run on standard IT infrastructure at any scale, whether on-prem or in the cloud. Visitors to the Matrox Video booth 7.B15 can see a demo of Matrox ORIGIN powering live workflows that are widely considered impossible when using IT equipment. Matrox ORIGIN will support a large-scale production workflow of 52 live streams, complete with graphics, DVEs, clips, switching, and audio, architected for a no single point of failure, and running on multiple systems in AWS across different availability zones — all in uncompressed. The continually expanding ecosystem of Matrox ORIGIN partners includes industry leaders InSync Technology, Pebble Beach Systems, RT Software, Telos Alliance, and Visual Research. Attendees can also see Matrox ORIGIN in action on Sept. 14, at 11 a.m. CET, in room G106, at the IBC-exclusive seminar, “Your Complete Blueprint for the IT Revolution in Live Production.” The seminar will include a discussion about the future of IT for live production, as well as a presentation about the unique Matrox ORIGIN approach, its architecture, and the latest features and capabilities. After the session, attendees can speak with Matrox Video experts and get technical insights. These and other Matrox Video products stand out for their longevity, scalability, performance, and support for open standards.

New and Upcoming! Thunderbolt™ 5 eGPU Breakaway™ Box: This next-generation eGPU will feature a Thunderbolt™ 5 controller, doubling the PCIe bandwidth of current solutions. This advancement allows for unprecedented graphics performance with laptops and small form factor computers, making high-end graphics capabilities more accessible for mobile and compact setups. And will be on display for the first time at the 2024 IBC show. New and Upcoming! Thunderbolt™ 5 Docking Station – The Echo™ 12 Thunderbolt 5 SSD Dock is equipped with multiple ports including Thunderbolt, USB Type A, and Ethernet, along with an internal PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSD socket. It supports rapid data transfer speeds of up to 6,500 MB/s, enhancing data handling and connectivity for high-performance tasks. Visitors to our booth can get a first look at the Echo 12 Dock at the IBC 2024 Show. New to IBC, Now Shipping! Echo™ II DV Systems: These Thunderbolt™ to PCIe® card expansion systems, available in both desktop and rackmount configurations, are designed for the pro digital video market. They allow for dual Thunderbolt interfaces to provide full PCIe bandwidth to each of the two connected PCIe cards, catering to high-performance video and audio processing needs. New to IBC, Now Shipping! xMac™ Studio/Echo™ II DV Rackmount System: This system integrates a Mac Studio with the Echo II DV Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion module, allowing for the use of two high-performance PCIe cards simultaneously. It fits in standard 19-inch racks and is designed for professional workflow expansion. 25 Gigabit Ethernet (25GbE) Networking Products: Sonnet will present its cost-effective 25GbE networking solutions, including the Twin25G™ dual-port Thunderbolt™ adapter and PCIe® card. These solutions enable high-speed network connectivity and are compatible with various operating systems.

The industry’s focus on cloud and IP adoption will continue to grow, with operational, economic, and environmental factors driving increased interest in scalable, on-demand workflows in the cloud. Using this model to spin entire workflows up and down as needed, broadcasters and other media organizations can reduce unnecessary resource usage while enhancing their flexibility and cost efficiency. The Cerberus Tech provision for cloud-based processing and transport isn't unique in enabling these benefits, but our utilization of third-party best-in-class integrations and other technology solutions allows us to offer uniquely comprehensive and agile cloud workflows that operate as if on-premises. As a result, users can manage, process, monitor, and deliver video streams from within a single cohesive platform. Our Livelink provisioning and orchestration platform for live cloud video transport and processing workflows makes all these capabilities available on an on-demand, pay-as-you-go basis.

NebulaNAS is GB Labs' game-changing cloud storage solution. It provides users with cloud flexibility, on-prem-like performance, global access and collaboration, and enterprise security. Designed by media professionals exclusively for production use, NebulaNAS helps organizations be more efficient and manage costs more effectively due to the solution’s increased workflow flexibility, massive scalability, minimal training requirements, and global collaboration capabilities. NebulaNAS is unique in several ways: Media Centricity — NebulaNAS was developed by media professionals for media professionals. Its file system is uniquely designed to support third-party asset management applications and editorial and effects workflows, regardless of file size, format, or bit rate. By managing and serving up only the pieces of a file the artists and editors are using instead of the whole thing, the NebulaNAS file system supports ultrafast media access regardless of where the file and user are located. This is NebulaNAS’ special sauce. Cloud Flexibility — Based on this unique media-driven file system, NebulaNAS operates from a distributed cloud storage architecture, giving users the flexibility inherent in cloud solutions. Instead of being locked into on-prem storage or enduring a never-ending cycle of forklift upgrades, media companies can rely on NebulaNAS to grow as their requirements grow. NebulaNAS can also interoperate with GB Labs on-prem storage and NVMe, so creatives can mount drives locally and from the cloud, mirroring existing work styles. Local Performance — To end users and administrators, NebulaNAS resembles an on-premises NAS solution with three critical differences. First, artists and editors interact with NebulaNAS regardless of their location. Files are instantly available; people simply mount drives and experience local performance. Second, users can collaborate on the same content concurrently as if they were in the same office. Finally, end-users continue using their customary creative and management applications as they always have; there is little learning curve for using NebulaNAS. Global Collaboration — NebulaNAS supports users working in an office, from home, in a hotel room, on location, and even from a plane. They access only the parts of the file they need, and because of this unique capability, multiple users can collaborate and access the same parts of the file. NebulaNAS manages the latest interaction, ensuring only one version of the content is maintained in the cloud. Enterprise Security — NebulaNAS uses several different types of security. First, it runs on a distributed cloud environment, spreading bits of data files across thousands of servers. This dramatically improves performance and resiliency, ensuring work can continue even if a server experiences an outage. NebulaNAS provides 11 nines of uptime. Second, it maintains file access and credential control regardless of the user’s location. Third, AES 256-bit encryption protects files in flight and rest. Administrators can wipe files remotely even if a user is not connected to the system. Finally, the NebulaNAS audit management system maintains historical data showing who interacted with which files, when, and from what location.

PTZOptics is excited to launch our new remote production camera technology, Hive. Hive is a new platform that allows users to easily remotely control video productions from anywhere in the world. At IBC, we will be releasing our new Hive-Linked cameras which can be set up to connect to the cloud and sent anywhere in the world for remote control. Hive itself will include video switching, recording and remote control for over 400 PTZ cameras, allowing producers to cut down on travel costs and secure production contracts for installed systems.

At IBC 2024, MRMC Broadcast will be showcasing our full range of broadcast and videography robotics, demonstrating our ability to capture every angle through a wide range of compelling camera motion solutions. We are exhibiting alongside Nikon Europe and RED, and partnering with Disguise and ROE to demonstrate a compelling workflow that brings together the very best in image capture, robotics and virtual production. At the show, we will also announce the latest addition to our flagship robotic arm range, the StudioBot LT, which was recently used by ITN in the UK for ITV’s coverage of the general elections. Designed for permanent or semi-permanent studio productions, the StudioBot LT is quick to set up, offers unrivaled flexibility with a wide envelope of motion, and is very cost-effective. With this arm, content creators can drastically increase output quality within a small footprint making it an ideal jib replacement tool or a solution for creating significant motion in a small space.

Atomos will be focusing on three recently announced, and all now shipping, products at IBC: Ninja Phone, Shinobi II, and Sun Dragon. Ninja Phone connects professional cameras and lenses via HDMI to an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max and records directly into 10-bit ProRes or H.265. Shinobi II is the latest addition to Atomos’ monitor line - slimmer than its predecessor and with a brighter, 1500nit touchscreen and camera control. Sun Dragon is the world’s first sun spectrum, HDR, waterproof, wireless DMX controlled, 5-color LED, flexible production and cinema rope light. Atomos will also be showcasing its connected Ninja and Shogun monitor-recorder range that can be used for camera to cloud workflows, remote collaboration, and live production.

At IBC2024, we are exhibiting our fully integrated, AI-enabled solutions that seamlessly integrate storage, asset management, workflow applications and AI to deliver unmatched control over media assets to make search intuitive. Our offerings, which include our newly-launched AI+ 2.0 software, are designed to address the challenges associated with siloed content, duplication of effort, and the inability to automate workflows, as well as addressing increasing data volumes. This gives users unparalleled insight into their content, while significantly improving discoverability and efficiency.

The broadcasting industry is poised for significant transformation in the coming years due to several key trends and developments in technology. At Backlight, we are proactively addressing these trends to ensure we stay ahead of the curve and continue to provide innovative solutions for broadcasters and content creators. The continued shift to cloud-based solutions: The migration to cloud-based solutions is accelerating, driven by the need for scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. Cloud technology enables broadcasters to manage, produce, and distribute content more efficiently. At Backlight, our products like iconik and the Zype Streaming Platform leverage the power of the cloud to offer powerful and accessible media management, content distribution, and collaboration, ensuring our clients can operate with greater agility and efficiency. Iconik is built on the concept of hybrid cloud, empowering users to manage both on-premise and cloud storages from a single point of access. Users can connect their existing owned and managed storage and manage those files via iconik’s UI. It’s a powerful, flexible way of working that’s becoming more necessary in today’s world of distributed assets, systems, and workflows. To enable customers to manage, monetize and distribute their media in the cloud, Zype provides an API-first, end-to-end online video platform that allows customers to build digital streaming products and services. Its suite of cloud-based solutions include a built-in CMS and CRM, embeddable HTML5 video player, and tools for live streaming, encoding, and consumer and content analytics. With Zype Streaming Platform, digital video publishers can centrally operate and grow their video business from anywhere using its browser-based, user-friendly dashboards. AI and automation: AI and machine learning are revolutionizing the broadcasting landscape by automating repetitive tasks, enhancing content curation, and providing deeper insights through data analytics. Iconik’s AI-assisted tagging and transcription capabilities help broadcasters streamline their workflows and improve asset discoverability. And we’re adding more features soon to be announced to make it easier to find what people are talking about in your iconik archive. More news to come on that soon! Iconik is also a robust development platform, with a fully configurable and comprehensive API. With it, users can create customized solutions, craft custom automations, and embed logic to automate away repetitive tasks and create streamlined media systems that fit their unique needs. Media management automation is a big focus for iconik, and we’ll have more exciting news about how we’re bringing it to even more of our users on the show floor. Wildmoka’s automation capabilities help broadcasters create and distribute clips and highlight reels, at scale and speed. These advancements allow our clients to focus more on creativity and strategy rather than manual tasks. With Zype’s API-first suite of software solutions, users can automate their video workflows leveraging Zype’s APIs, triggers, webhooks and more to reduce manual tasks, accelerate their time to market, more easily expand their audience reach, deliver a quality viewer experience, and increase video engagement without needing to grow their internal technical teams. Zype Playout, a cloud-based playout solution that allows users to build and monetize linear TV channels, enables users to automate their playout channel schedule using rules, automate the filling of dynamic program blocks with assets, automate channel graphics based on rules, and more. Live streaming and real-time content: The demand for live streaming and real-time content continues to grow. Audiences expect immediate access to live events, and broadcasters must meet this demand with high-quality, reliable solutions. Wildmoka is designed to simplify live production, event management, and hyper-distribution, enabling broadcasters to deliver engaging live content efficiently across multiple platforms. With Zype Streaming Platform, customers can deliver live video to any digital destination, with tools for live broadcast management, transcoding, distribution, and monetization, all via a centralized dashboard. Personalization and audience engagement: Personalization is becoming increasingly important as audiences seek more tailored content experiences. AI-driven personalization tools and data analytics will play a crucial role in understanding viewer preferences and delivering customized content. Wildmoka and Zype support advanced analytics and audience engagement features, allowing broadcasters to create and distribute content that resonates with their target audiences. Multi-platform distribution: Audiences consume content across a variety of devices and platforms, from traditional TV to mobile and OTT services. Ensuring seamless distribution across these platforms is essential for maximizing reach and engagement. Our solutions, such as Zype Playout and Wildmoka, facilitate the creation and distribution of content across diverse digital-based channels, ensuring our clients can effectively reach their audiences wherever they are. Collaboration: In contemplating the future trends and developments in broadcasting technology, it might seem cliché to emphasize something as fundamental as ‘collaboration.’ However, at Backlight, we truly believe that the ability to collaborate within teams and with clients will be increasingly crucial. As workflows become more integrated and the demand for efficiency grows, the simplicity of being able to discuss work within the place it’s being produced becomes more vital. Our products—iconik, ftrack, and cineSync—are designed to place media review and collaboration at the heart of media workflows. This approach not only helps in pushing projects to completion but also ensures valuable discussions that drive creative work forward actually happen. We’re placing a lot of focus on media review and collaboration, with some exciting things coming from Backlight in the future. To stay ahead of these trends, Backlight is committed to continuous innovation and close collaboration with our clients. We invest in research and development to enhance our products and introduce new features that address emerging needs. By staying attuned to industry developments and leveraging the latest technologies, we ensure our solutions remain cutting-edge and highly effective. Moreover, we actively engage with the broadcasting community, participating in industry events, conferences, and forums to exchange ideas and gain insights. This helps us understand the evolving challenges and opportunities in the industry, allowing us to adapt and refine our offerings accordingly.

farmerswife, a leader in tailored project management solutions for the media sector, alongside its advanced scheduling platform, Cirkus, will present their latest feature updates at Stand 6.C24 at the IBC show this year. Key Updates in Cirkus: Workflows: The enhanced collaboration tools enable optimized workflows which ensure smoother task management and prevent missed emails and deadlines. Automation: New automation features include task assignments, deadline reminders, and progress tracking. All of which free up time for teams to focus on more meaningful work and endeavors. Requests: The new Public Requests feature simplifies project and booking submissions, even for non-users, by gathering all requests in one place – the request portal. farmerswife 7.1: farmerswife 7.1 boasts a range of enhancements. This includes introducing advanced equipment tracking, improved scheduling, and budgeting functionalities. These provide a comprehensive solution for both advanced users and web users. AI Plans: farmerswife will also unveil its AI plans, aiming to integrate AI into their project management tools for enhanced efficiency.

HAND (Human & Digital) will be showcasing our global SaaS-based Talent Identifier framework and registry at IBC 2024 in two IBC Accelerator Innovation projects, both with a host of industry-wide collaborators and champions. The first, which HAND is leading, is: “Digital Replicas and Talent ID: Provenance, Verification and New Automated Workflows.” The second, which HAND is participating in, is: “Design your Weapons in the Fight Against Disinformation.” In both projects, HAND will demonstrate that its ISO-standard level, persistent Talent IDs are an interoperable tool for ID resolution in the media supply chain, addressing current challenges in talent identity verification and automation - and designed to help combat the growing threats to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and Voice Likeness rights infringement from unlicensed AI-based deepfakes. By persistently identifying both legal and natural persons, and their consent-based “digital replicas,” they protect talent rights and curtail fraudulent usage. Designed for seamless integration, our B2B Talent IDs ensure smooth and efficient operations in existing media supply chains. They also automate the tracking and compensation of talent and cast lists, streamlining administrative processes and protecting valuable media assets. By ensuring that all talent representations are legitimate and consent-based, our Talent IDs help studios and content owners maintain the authenticity of their media content.