Has IBC come at a good time for the electronic media industry? Why? Absolutely, IBC as the most important tradeshow for broadcasters comes at a perfect time. We are seeing a strong interest in Ultra HDTV and 4K – and it is picking up speed. During the FIFA world cup, test runs were shot in 4K and this was a chance to gather further experience in doing so live. Not only the resolution plays an important role when it comes to the visual image quality but also higher frame rates that may even reach up to 120 fps. To process these high resolutions and frame rates, more efficient coding algorithms are necessary. This also means that besides the required performance the video format variety is once again expanding next to already established HD and SD formats. So it comes as no surprise that there’s an ever-increasing need for high-performance multi-format systems, since you won’t lose time with complex transforming processes. And this goes for the entire media food chain, starting with ingest, processing and storing data to its distribution in movie and TV environments.
What do you think are the key developments in, or threats to, your market sector at the current time? Crucial to the success of 4K content is a clearly defined mastering format. Whereas SD and HD content were mastered on videotapes, it only makes sense to master 4K content as a file package. New mastering formats such as IMF (Interoperable Master Format) offer ideal conditions to do so. A standardised and well established mastering format enables optimum content exchange – here we could take DCI as a successful example in the digital cinema area. With regard to the future it is important that the new mastering format is expandable to upcoming needs. IMF is on the right track and stands a good chance to be successful.
Why should delegates visit your stand at IBC? Visitors to the Rohde & Schwarz booth can experience innovative 4K solutions. Our reliable mastering station Clipster for DCI and IMF is now equipped with watermarking capabilities for standardized and secured content exchange up to 4K. The high-end presentation player Pronto4K-HFR supports up to 120 fps in 4K and offers an incredible immersive experience for projections used at tradeshows or theme parks. The new SpycerBox Cell is a standout storage solution that is scalable both in performance and capacity and ideal for handling demanding data in movie and TV production environments. Our successful Venice ingest and production server offers new features for efficient multi-format file-based live workflows in TV studios.
