2016 : REBOOTING MINDSET ON IP
With the right support , it ’ s systems go
Paul Weiser , VP , Sales and Marketing , Americas and Asia-Pacific , Vitec Group , explains to APB how Vitec Videocom , a Vitec Group division , continues to be at the forefront of addressing the production needs of content producers .
V it ec V id eo c o m d es ig ns and m anu f ac t u r es a r ang e o f c am er a s u p p o r t s ys t em s , inc l u d ing �atteries and power supplies� teleprompters� l ig ht s , t r ip o d s and p ed es t al s , f o r b r o ad c as t er s and filmmakers around the world� What has �een the key �or the company in de�eloping production e�uipment solutions that continue to meet the e�ol�ing needs o� these c o nt ent p r o d u c er s ?
Paul Weiser� Our innovation is fuelled by our customers ’ needs and demands . Since our original brand ’ s conception over a hundred years ago , we ’ ve always tried to listen to our customers and think about how we can improve their day-to-day life on-set or onlocation , as well as improve the broadcasting workflow with our products .
Our newest product , the Vinten Vantage , really illustrates this . Our engineering team , who have long been at the forefront of the industry , noticed that cameras continue to become more powerful and more compact at the same time . While the latest cameras are now producing 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ) -quality images , studios are also getting smaller . Our customers needed a better solution than a PT� ( pan-tilt-�oom ); they need technology that can keep up with the latest camera trends but is compact enough to fit in a smaller studio environment . The Vantage is an answer to these needs and it ’ s a great example of how we develop production equipment solutions with our customers in mind .
Du e t o t he em er g enc e o f t ec hno l o g ies s u c h as 4 K / UH D and V R , p r o d u c t l if e c yc l es ar e continuing to shorten� What are some o� the production trends that you ha�e o�ser�ed� and what are s o m e o f t he c hal l eng es
�aced not only �y content producers� who ha�e to redefine work�ows� �ut also �or �itec �ideocom� as a company pro�iding solutions to support these work�ows�
Weiser� Some of the production trends we ’ ve noticed is that both studios and cameras are getting smaller , but the production value is increasing . Studios are also being asked to be more flexible . We have also noticed continued growth in virtual reality ( VR )/ augmented reality ( AR ) and how these technologies are being used .
As cameras become lighter and more powerful , there is a greater need to invest in premium camera support that offer very fluid , consistent , stable movement because the camera will pick up every shake and jerk . We have long been creating premium camera supports that answer this need .
In the studio environment , traditional solutions like the PT� camera are lightweight and compact , but they don ’ t offer high-quality images that today ’ s viewers have come to expect . On the other hand , traditional robotic solutions are costly and not in line with the price point of the latest digital cameras , which are becoming increasingly cost-effective with high production values .
In response to this , we created the Vinten Vantage , which goes one step further than a PT� and offers completely smooth movement that enables broadcast-quality video . As it is camera and lens-agnostic , the head is compatible with traditional cameras and lenses , as well as the latest pro-camcorders like the Canon C100 or the Sony FS7 . Right now , no one else is offering broadcast studios a product like this . In fact , no one is offering a solution like this to anyone�
Finally , the Vantage product
The �inten �antage robotic head is camera and lens-agnostic , and is compatible with traditional cameras and lenses , as well as the latest pro-camcorders like the Canon C100 or the Sony FS� .
“ Our innovation is fuelled by our customers ’ needs and demands . Since our original brand ’ s conception over a hundred years ago , we ’ ve always tried to listen to our customers .”
— Paul Weiser VP , Sales and Marketing , Americas and Asia-Pacific , Vitec Group
is already VR-compatible and tracking data is available for any virtual or augmented set .
Ano t her t ec hno l o g y d is c u s s io n g r ip p ing t he �roadcast and media industries is IP� Autocue� a �itec �rand� recently adopted NewTek�s N�I standard �or IP-�ased production work�ows� How do you see this trend de�eloping� and how will this impact product strategies across the entire �itec �rand�
Weiser� The understanding and reliability of IP is at such a level that it is now the standard in the broadcast environment , particularly in studios . IP devices need to have the ability to be located anywhere and talk to everything . With Autocue adopting NewTek ’ s NDI standard for IP-based production workflows , this allows a great deal of flexibility in the broadcast environment and clearly shows the benefits of an IP-based workflow . One of the most obvious benefits is that it now removes the need for the computer running the teleprompting software and a TriCaster to be physically connected , which enables the teleprompter operator to be positioned in any location with a network connection .
Apart from teleprompters , our robotic products are all IP-based , and our HD-VRC control system is already compatible with IP workflows , which means that the playout systems can control the robotic supports , without the need for manual intervention .
We believe that eventually , video will move to IP . When this happens , it will be revolutionary . However , right now , this is still not as seamless as it should be .
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