To end this series of articles on IBC 2009, we will take a look at the future. What will tomorrow bring? How will technology companies influence tomorrow's content and vice-versa? Then we will come back to earth and take a quick look at the presentations of TWIST members this year in Amsterdam.

Future trends

IBC arranged for the 2009 visitor to be able to gather the best possible information about projects of tomorrow and beyond. The New Technology Campus featured advanced research centres and several round-table conferences with the ambitious goal to make a large number of experts think on the future. The 4 big lines of thought were the following: “Consumer Oriented Innovation” (practical solutions for the delivery of improved content); “Agents of Change” (new technologies permit a radical change in the creation and commercialisation of contents); “Technology to the Rescue” (technologies improving quality and reducing costs) ; “Innovation for Tomorrow” (presentation of new ways to make the world of media function).

Evidently, these are vast research fields. However, there are several domains in which novelties will probably be best implemented and most beneficial. One must be 'consumer-oriented', by working at reduced cost and by taking a whole new approach to media.

We also checked with the consortia and task forces working on 21^st Century television, which, through the DVB-standard, will combine satellite, mobile and terrestrial lines (www.celtic-initiative.org/projects/b21c) as well as with those working on the development of an open and intelligent service platform, to allow different groups of people to share media in a simple and integrated way (iNEM4U). Also note that, amid the presented research programmes, several display their attention for aged people, a very important target group in Europe (www.vitalmind-project.eu/).

Presence of TWIST members

This year again EVS gathered as much means as possible to present its new products at IBC. Explained in a few words, EVS insisted on graphic innovations for sports (Offside Line Creator); on capacities in HD and even in 3D relief (Live 3D HD Replays). Also there is the new XS Multi-format Studio Server as a real system without tapes. Finally, XT2web, a combination of Internet and Television options which offers direct access to all content on the XT(2) server at all times.

IntoPIX presented its new range of JPEG 2000 encoders and decoders dedicated to the new generation of FPGA Xilinx Virtex-6 & Spartan-6 electronic components. This new range of IP-cores allows much better performances in terms of costs, effectiveness and consuming: solutions for broadband HD, extremely fast and at a very high quality for video acquisition, stocking and professional transmissions. intoPIX can encode up to 240 images per second on a single chip. Options for Digital Cinema accepting high resolutions up to 4K which are today selected by nearly 60% of equipment manufacturers. Options for audiovisual archiving accepting very large resolutions, ideal for film preservation (HD, 2K+, 4K+), capable of encoding in JPEG2000 mathematically without loss as to keep the unaltered image. And finally options for Ultra High Resolutions in 8K: a new range for the most demanding applications like geospatial imaging or Super Hi Vision.

IntoPIX also presented their new JPEG 2000 accelerator card, capable of recording any HD resolution up to 4K+. Using their new PRISTINE card and its JPEG2000 technological hearts, intoPIX presented two demos, one JPEG2000 transmission demo (SD, HD and 3G) with data packaging in a MPEG2-TS flux and one streaming JPEG 2000 demo in 4K resolution.

It was the first top quality live JPEG2000 streaming compatible with the future VSF JPEG 2000 standard and the the first real time encoding – streaming – decoding in 4K using the new PRISTINE card and using an EYEVIS EYE-LCD6400 screen in a 4K resolution (4096x2160 pixels), currently the biggest in the world.
NeuroTV presented its new range of virtual studio incorporating virtual camera movements and internal chromakey in a multi HD camera studio. NeuroTV also exposed its character generator which is entirely integrated in NeuroVS.

As a reminder, let's note that the Virtualis S.A. production centre has 4 HD NeuroVS systems from NeuroTV. The 500 sqm studio will consist of 4 NeuroVS units with the new NeuroTV character generator, Cartoni coded fluid heads and Ultimatte HD 1.1. chromakeyers. Virtualis S.A. is the first real time 3D production centre set up in Belgium. It will start its activities in October 2009.

Internationally, NeuroTV also provides the German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle which chose NeuroVS in a 3 camera set-up for its Berlin production centre. The DW virtual studio will consist of 3 NeuroVS units, together with the 700 robotic systems from Cambotics and 3 HD 1.1. Chromakeyers from Ultimatte. Deutsche Welle is the German international television chain. It offers its viewers throughout the world a European content and promotes intercultural dialogue.

Finally, iMovix mentions that important international contracts are about to be concluded. They just sold two SprintCam V3 HD systems to Brazil, for the GLOBO television client. TV GLOBO is Brazil's leading television chain and the network ranks among the 5 most important players in the world. We are keeping an eye on the evolution with each of the TWIST members after a very productive IBC conference!
Benoît RENSONNET