IBC 2003 Streaming Products Wrap-Up

Image Monitoring
While many companies showcased multi-image monitoring displays, two lower-cost solutions caught my eye.

Miranda, makes of the Kaleido K2 multi-image monitoring display, demonstrated a pre-release version of the Kaleido Alto, a standard definition SDI / composite monitoring and routing system. The system has many of the features of its big brother, the K2, but at a price point more compatible with corporate broadcasting studios.

Darim showcased HotActions, an authoring tool that nicely integrates virtual sets, 3D rendering and multiple streams of audio/video into a virtual monitoring solution. Ideal for surveillance or multi-image monitoring, 3D rendering of buildings or virtual racks of studio displays can be navigated via a touchscreen or joystick; once a particular building or object is selected, the camera’s view of the live stream can be viewed in scaled or full-screen modes. An added benefit is the seamless automated requests the system makes for particular streams as they come into screen view, limiting the bandwidth requirements. For example, if twenty virtual monitors are available but only four are viewed on screen at any given time, only the four visible virtual screens will stream, with requests for the other screens initiated as needed.

In summary, like NAB2003, IBC2003 represented a renewed worldwide interest in streaming media as part of the broadcast workflow. As is often the case, the tools that work in the broadcasting space often trickle down to corporate early adopters within twelve months, so it would be wise for these companies to begin the process of courting corporate streaming media at shows like Streaming Media California 2003.