In Broadcast - February 2016 - 24

www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 6 - Issue 2 | February 2016

InStudio

Systems Integration - Part I
Systems integrators are at the cutting edge of new technology implementation.
In the first of a two-part examination of the sector, Contributing Editor Adrian Pennington
charts recent business expansion and projects...

owadays the benefits of media
technology and IT go far beyond
simplifying work and processes.
Modern, IT-based media systems form
the basis for entire value chains or
represent the business model outright.
That's why a systems integrator
is expected to deliver expertise in
networking high-tech products and
IT systems as well as in developing
technology
platforms.
Because
solutions for content production
and distribution, media networks
and device management, IT layer
systems, multi-channel contribution
and distribution, media management
and backend systems are not just
ends in themselves. Each one is part
of an integrated system environment,
which is why the optimum combination
of this type of system makes such a
significant contribution to business
success.
In this article we take a look at recent
business expansion and projects, and
in March InBroadcast will assess the
demands and opportunities for SI's as
the industry moves to IP.
Relocate To Expand
In autumn, German system architects
Wellen+Nöthen rebranded as Qvest
Media to better reflect the new
international reach of the company.
With several offices in Germany,
Qvest already has bases in Dubai
and Singapore with staff numbers
almost trebling from 60 to over 170
employees.
"By focusing on the brand name
Qvest Media, we are achieving more
transparency for our international
customers and partners as well as a
common identity for our employees,"
explained co-owner Peter Nöthen.
"The new name is also a clear signal

"...achieving more
transparency for
our international
customers and
partners"
Peter Nöthen
Co-Owner Wellen+Nöthen Group

to customers, suppliers and partners
to see the Group as a global enterprise
that is known locally for quality,
competence and reliability."
Qvest Media's Singapore division
won a key design and implementation
of the new technology and production
systems at MediaCorp. This included
moving to the New Media Complex,
a brand new plant at Singapore's
One North technology park, to which
it is relocating from the Caldecott
Broadcast Centre. The campus
includes two news production studios
incorporating technology from Dalet,
Vizrt and Octopus plus Snell Kahuna
vision mixers, EVS playout servers
and twinned Shotoku robotic camera
pedestals on the studio floor.
Two other leading SI's have also
undergone expansion in the past
few months. TSL Systems has new
premises in Marlow capable of holding
three full size OB trucks, hiring new
engineers in both the UK and Dubai to
support business growth.
"Our new premises have allowed us
to progress our Life-Cycle Services,
which we have been perfecting for
some time now," explained Bharat
Kerai, Business Development Manager
for TSL. "We have leveraged our
expertise in large systems integration
and extended that into post
integration services and support to the
whole market, not just our SI clients.
Services offered include auditing and
building asset register, and managing
the associated equipment warranties
and maintenance; trouble shooting
hardware and software integration
issues; and managing upgrade
contracts and processes to provide
customers with operational security
and peace of mind."
WTS has moved out of its central
London sales operation to premises
in New Zealand House, overlooking
Trafalgar Square. The move sees the
central London sales team located
alongside the London TV studios
of WTS sister company TIMA, and
continues the company's commitment
to broadcast and production industries
close to Soho.

WTS eight-camera truck
for Video Europe OB5

In December, WTS
hosted a discussion
forum focusing on high
dynamic range (HDR),
looking at the impact
it is expected to have,
and the challenges that it throws up.
The event brought together panellists
including WTS' workflow specialist
Michael Byrne, colourist and Sony
4K workflow specialist Pablo Garcia
Soriano and freelance cameraman
Patrick van Weeren.
"4K might be the buzzword, but it
will take IP to deliver it," says van
Weeren. "With IP being able to deal
with the increased amount of data, the
chances are high that UHD will have
an increased market share in the near
future. Added, to that, 4K compression
in the delivery part of the industry
seems to be slowly settling down into
the HEVC codec - but having learned
from the past, we have to be flexible
to adjust to new technologies on the
market.
"Nevertheless, the other aspects
of this technological advancement -
HDR, higher frame rates and wider
colour space - are actually the ones
that are likely to be more convincing
for end-users. Slowly we are able to
combine all the different evolving
technologies that are needed or have
been restricting this development."
The big news at Gearhouse
Broadcast is that in December its

parent company Gravity Media
Group acquired Hampshire-based kit
and services provider Hyperactive
Broadcast.
The addition not only substantially
expands
Gearhouse
Broadcast's
existing live and near-live broadcast
hire business, but also adds a
nonlinear editing and post-production
focus for the long-form TV and feature
film markets.
"With Hyperactive, we gain a highly
respected service provider with a
very loyal customer base," explained
Kevin Moorhouse, MD of Gearhouse
in the UK. "It means customers will
benefit from a one-stop global shop
for equipment rental, equipment
sales, project solutions and systems
integration."

"...Our new premises
have allowed us
to progress our
Life-Cycle
Services"
Bharat Kerai
TSL

http://www.inbroadcast.com http://www.wtsbroadcast.com/systems-integration/outside-broadcast-vehicles/

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of In Broadcast - February 2016