Innovation Awards 2004
The RTS Technical Innovation Awards 2004 were presented by David Lowen, Honorary Secretary, RTS, on Monday 1 November 2004 at the Cavendish Conference Centre in central London.
And the winners were...
INNOVATIVE APPLICATIONS:
Theatre for News – ITV News
ITN
[Picture: David Lowen with ITN's Keith Cass]
“During the summer of 2003, ITV News set about planning a complete revamp of its news programmes for ITV1. It had to be complete by 2 February 2004."
"The aim was to move away from the traditional window and graphic presentation style, into a “theatre for news” using a curved 22m by 3m high video wall. This would provide a canvas on which the unfolding events would be told in a unique and innovative way."
"A challenging task requiring real innovation, for which ITN’s engineering and computer graphics departments proposed a combination of virtual reality and real set."
"The curved translucent screen is rear illuminated with green light for the chromakey. The virtual parts of the set utilise this screen as a background onto which any combination of up to four live sources can appear over a moving background - the live sources being shaped by the VR system to place them in the correct perspective in their designated place on the background."
"There is also a so-far unused capability to provide a 3D foreground image if required."
"An additional feature is the provision of visual information to the presenter via the screen from four back projectors. Low-level inlaid pictures, which do not interfere with main keying, provide the presenters with the relevant pictures or information so that they can interact fully with what is being displayed on the main screen."
"ITN provided custom-designed software to ensure a smooth operation, utilising 24 standard PCs in total."
"The judges were impressed by the fact that the technology does not intrude into the story being told. This appears to be the result of close co-operation between the users and the providers in the planning of the project and the provision of training in new production techniques required for a much more involved studio operation. The judges also noted that the project had achieved the difficult task of operating complex chromakey operations in a live and near-live environment.”
Other Nominees
Death in Rome, Interactive TV – BBC Learning & Interactive & BBC Media
HomeChoice – Video Networks Ltd
INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES:
BBC iMP Technical Trial
BBC
“This trial was set up to assess the viability of a new system of providing TV programmes for viewing via the Internet after transmission."
"Copyright is cleared for UK viewing for up to seven days after the normal transmission, with the download booking being available up to seven days before the programme transmission date, and it would be managed by a digital rights management system."
"The Interactive Media Player is an application that would allow Internet users in the UK to download BBC TV and Radio programmes via a BBC channel schedule."
"Users could also view a trailer and then request a download."
"A technical trial was held between May and August 2004, with 1000 external users. Peer-to-peer networking is used and all programmes are encrypted using DRM. Each viewer has a unique login and password."
"The judges noted the way that the ubiquitous Internet has been used for TV distribution. The broadcaster distributes the programmes to ISPs rather than individual subscribers. They also noted the thought given to making programme selection easy once the user had been accepted as bona fide. The trial has been successfully completed, proving that the concept was well designed and implemented.”
JUDGES’ AWARD:
Pro-MPEG Forum
“The Judges had a clear view that this year one organisation should be rewarded for its innovative actions in contributing with increasing significance to the advancement of digital broadcasting."
"This year’s winner is a truly international group whose work has found its proper place as a great enabler - because the RTS Technology Judges’ Award for 2004 goes to the Pro-MPEG Forum.”