The Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers (SMPTE) has scheduled the first meeting of the newly formed SMPTE United Kingdom section. The meeting will take place tonight at 7pm at Dolby’s London office, 4–6 Soho Square. The event will focus on the formal launch of the section and will include advanced technology demonstrations. There is no charge to attend. However, those interested are asked to register at http://smpteukinaugural.eventbrite.co.uk The UK section was formed by the SMPTE board of governors earlier this year following a petition brought by Richard Welsh, head of operations for digital cinema UK at Technicolor and the SMPTE regional governor. Interim leaders of the new section include Chris Johns (BSkyB), as section chair and Peter Weitzel (weitzel.tv), as secretary/treasurer. Tim Harris (Digital Vision), Bob Gentry (GSTQ), Eric Bastin (Avcom Systems) and Matt Desborough (Dolby Labs) are section managers. “The founding of the section in the UK is representative of SMPTE’s ongoing global expansion. We are delighted to welcome our colleagues from the UK, which has a rich history in broadcast and cinema and is making vital contributions to rapidly evolving digital media ecosystem, including the multiscreen market,” said Peter Ludé, SMPTE president. “We saw the results of the extensive UK knowledge base at work with the exceptionally delivered broadcast of the London Olympics,” said Paul Stechly, SMPTE Sections vice president. “I am looking forward to seeing many quality programmes and growing membership coming from the UK Section in the coming years.” The UK Section has already planned its programme through June 2013.www.smpte.org/sections/united-kingdom
