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Thomson Launches Grass Valley Ignite HD Integrated Production System Tailored For European Broadcasters At IBC2007 (20/9/2007)

New Internationally Driven Functionality Is Ideal For Production Facilities Requiring Automated, Highly Sophisticated Production Control Rooms

At this year's IBC conference, Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS) is bringing the power and flexibility of its Grass Valley(tm) Ignite(tm) high-definition (HD) integrated production system with its official launch into the European market On the show floor, live demonstrations will be running during show hours that will illustrate how it can help international broadcasters large and small increase their channel count, streamline production and improve their on-air look with minimal resources.

Following a significant product development efforts over the past year, to meet the demands of European users, Thomson has developed a variety of new features and functionality that are specifically tailored to the needs of broadcasters and production companies in the region. As broadcasters in Europe look to cost-effectively launch new HDTV channels and televise more live sports and entertainment events, Thomson expects the Ignite HD system to find success equal to that in North America, where the system is now installed at more than 45 stations - with another 21 to be installed by the end of the year.

As the industry's first and most complete link between the control room and the newsroom, the Ignite HD line facilitates a single workflow, multi-distribution model that provides a highly efficient solution for launching new digital channels and generating alternate revenue streams. The system's event-driven technology enables this and more via a single workflow.

New At IBC

In addition to its existing international 625-line SD and HD standards support, new features for European broadcasters now include a new low-cost audio solution (the powerful yet compact Yamaha LS-916 or LS-932 audio mixer) for the Ignite HD system, new time/event triggers, and Ignite IQ, which combine to deliver advanced control room automation that is ideally suited to the international broadcaster producing and distributing live events.

In the stand at IBC, the Ignite HD demo will begin with an overview of what a user should expect of their control room automation solution. Featured highlights include the Ignite's intuitive GUI controlling other Grass Valley products from Thomson, followed by a full news workflow demo. It will also show how a single person can successfully operate an entire newscast.

The demonstration will also show a director's daily responsibilities-from entering TME information into a newsroom computer system, to rundown converting, checking Aurora's playlist on Ignite, to triggering the K2 media server and Ignite SDC/HDC robotic cameras automatically from Ignite's event timeline while efficiently directing a live show.

About The Ignite HD System

The Grass Valley Ignite HD is the industry's first, totally integrated digital HD "live production" control-room system. It allows broadcasters and video production studios to efficiently and cost-effectively migrate from standard-definition to HD, leveraging Grass Valley's Kayak HD compact video production switcher frame. Ignite HD continues to provide broadcasters with the ability to produce more content, while fulfilling the company's commitment to developing products and systems that adhere to a single workflow, multi-distribution strategy.

Because the architecture is modular, the Grass Valley Ignite HD integrated production system can be configured with as many or as few features as is required, and increase in functionality as the need arises. This makes it an ideal fit for large broadcast stations as well as small regional channels looking to expand.

Ignite HD can be ordered with one to four M/Es, up to 32 control ports, and is completely scalable from 24 to 96 video inputs and 24 to 96 audio inputs. The control room system offers an integrated video switcher, audio mixer and teleprompter that simplifies production and allows a single operator run an entire newscast. Optional video and audio panels are available for those broadcasters who want to employ a manually operated system.

Through the integration of the Grass Valley Ignite system, HDC robotic cameras, Aurora (edit, browse and playout) platform, and K2 Medias server, Thomson has created a complete HD production workflow solution for scripted news programming and non-scripted events, such as late-breaking news, election coverage, talk shows, and live entertainment segments. It can also output video and audio feeds to multiple digital distribution platforms.

www.thomsongrassvalley.com

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