Sports Broadcast Europe examines the latest technology and techniques in sports broadcasting, charting the innovation that manufacturers and broadcasters alike are bringing to sports audiences across the continent.

With the switchover from analogue to digital transmission, the EU and national regulators are keen to sell off spectrum to mobile operators. However, this Digital Dividend will partly be paid for by the loss of frequencies for wireless microphone and talkback systems needed for outside broadcasts and other production use. David Fox talked to some of the companies affected.

The EBU and AMWA are currently developing a Framework for Interoperable Media Services (FIMS), an important step towards Service Oriented Architecture deployment. This has attracted growing support from end users and vendors. We get a perspective on SOA from Bruce Devlin and Mark Horton, of AmberFin

The days of training schemes in broadcast engineering have disappeared. Dick Hobbs talked to the IABM’s Roger Crumpton to find out how the industry vendor body aims to get technology training back onto the digital media industry agenda.

Following last month’s ‘Channel in a Box TV’ debate, industry consultant Russell Grute explores the future of Channel in a Box and asks whether there has been too much emphasis on the ‘box’ rather than ‘channel’ part of the discussion.

Taking advantage of the latest technological advances, VSN believes its Spider project brings a new generation of automation solutions to TV stations, generating important benefits to broadcasters and content producers alike. By Pedro Serrano, vice president, VSN.

Over the last few years IT-based playout and automation systems have become more common. The term ‘channel in a box’ has also been gaining favour and momentum, without much discussion or consensus about what it actually means, writes Mark Errington, Chief Executive Officer, OASYS.

Broadcasters and other television content originators are under unprecedented pressure to reduce the cost of delivering their content. Poor economic conditions in many regions have reduced advertising revenue, squeezing budgets, writes Mark Cousins, product line manager for Omneon (now part of Harmonic).

Pebble Beach Systems offers Dolphin, an integrated channel device. By Alison Pavitt, Pebble Beach Systems.

Autocue specialises in flexible multi-user systems. By Neil Hutchins, CTO, Autocue.

PlayBox Technology's boxes are at the centre of file-based workflows. By Krasimir Dachev, CTO and Kamen Ferdinandov, chief software developer, PlayBox Technology

3DTV Opportunity - Will consumers buy into the saturated promotion by broadcasters and consumer electronics manufacturers and switch on to 3DTV? And are all the pieces in place for them to enjoy a superior experience? Adrian Pennington’s BSkyB interview leads off our 3D Production Special.

3D Post Case Study - Digital Vision Chief Operating Officer, Simon Cuff, explains the post production process behind Europe’s first 3D feature film StreetDance 3D.

3DTV Analysis - From its pioneering U2 3D concert film to initiatives to support Sky3D with stereo tools, 3Ality has stamped its mark on the burgeoning 3D business. Now it is readying for growth as the 3DTV market moves beyond the conceptual stage, reports Carolyn Giardina.

3D OB - Sony is putting together a glass to glass 3D production chain but many elements, including a 3D Processor Box, remain under development. The first production ready truck built for Sky3D coverage contains some clues to the future, reports Adrian Pennington.

Market Analysis - The current lack of a viable business model for the long term future of live 3D undermines its prospects. Charlotte Jones, senior cinema analyst, Screen Digest takes stock.