Pixel Power has secured a major graphics technology contract from SABC, for initial use on the broadcaster’s World Cup coverage, then for deployment across its output.
Overseen by Pixel Power’s South African partner Zimele Broadcasting, the deal has seen SABC order four premium Clarity 5000 hardware units specified with audio, four-stream clip player and 3D graphics capabilities. SABC has also purchased four Clarity 3000 units, again specified with audio, clips and 3D options, and Pixel Control Toolbox, a drag-and-drop development environment for creating custom data entry and control programmes. This has placed the building of GUI controllers for the Clarity systems in the hands of SABC’s graphics department, a cost-effective and technologically elegant solution.
Ivan Marks, manager, Pre-Production and Graphic Resources in SABC’s Technology Division, said: “We are using an HD OB unit for our FIFA World Cup coverage on SABC 1 equipped with two Clarity 5000s. This facilitates the back-to-back production of more than 10 hours per day of live content. Two more Clarity 5000s are installed in a preparation area within a post production facility specifically built for the World Cup at the Sandton Convention Centre. Our graphics operators have been able to deliver brilliant content to air and the bar has been raised by SABC graphically. ”
