CABSAT welcomed more than 11,000 visitors between February 28 and March 1, 2012 in Dubai. The event generally enjoys 11-12% year-on-year increase in visitors. One remarkable trend over the years has been CABSATs African attendance. We are making massive inroads into the African market, said David Roberts, Industry Group Manager, CABSAT. Our African attendance has […]
CABSAT welcomed more than 11,000 visitors between February 28 and March 1, 2012 in Dubai. The event generally enjoys 11-12% year-on-year increase in visitors. One remarkable trend over the years has been CABSATs African attendance.
We are making massive inroads into the African market, said David Roberts, Industry Group Manager, CABSAT.
Our African attendance has increased 61% year-on-year and specifically, our Sub Saharan attendance is up 42% year-on-year. It is a significant jump year-on-year and we are doing two African roadshows for CABSAT 2013. Just before NAB, we will be travelling to Kenya, for the first roadshow. At the end of May, we will cover Nigeria and most of North Africa including Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and so on.
CABSAT is also appointing a representative to support its African clients. This year, the show hosted more than 150 new exhibitors and proved to be a worthy platform to build connections and network with leading players in the MENA market.
One of the reasons we believe that the Middle East broadcasting show has become significant in the international arena is because manufacturers are now using this show to announce the global launch of their products.
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
Harris, for one, launched the Selenio platform at CABSAT last year and was back this year to unveil its HView SX Pro multi-display management solution for broadcast and production ahead of NAB 2012.
Another much-awaited product at CABSAT was the Canon C300, which made a sensational entry at CABSAT.
The launch of the Cinema EOS System in the Middle East has been highly anticipated by the regions media production professionals and enthusiasts, since the new motion picture camera was announced at Hollywood in November last year. It has got great image processing and lenses re-imagined to tailor the experience to suit the demands of a cinematographer. Its a game changer for the entire Middle East industry, Hendrik Verbrugghe, marketing director of Canon Middle East commented at CABSAT 2012.
Hitachi unveiled its new high-speed slow motion system for the first time at CABSAT. The new slow mo system includes a full 1080/150i system operation with 6G transmission over SMPTE standard optical fiber cable; HD-SDI(1080/50i) available from the camera head; high-speed HD link A/B/C(1.5G x 3) SDI outputs available from CCU; newly developed 2.3M pixels progressive IT 3CCDs ; and advanced ergonomics and low centre of gravity chassis. It has a two-piece dockable design, is light weight (4.4kg) and consumes very little power.
Sony showcased its F65 camera; Nevion announced its new VideoIpath solution for IP and optical networks while Autoscript debuted its Arabic voice-activated prompting in addition to wireless foot control. There were new developments in optical technologies from Fujinon and live demos from Humax of its latest features including digital Personal Video Recorders (PVRs). Ross Video launched the BlackStorm Playout servers while Calrec Audio showcased its brand new Artemis Light console, and its award-winning Apollo console.
Security solutions provider Conax spoke about the levels of security it offered clients in the region. The Norwegian-based company said its new parameters have simplified what is fundamentally, a complex security issue.
Speaking to BroadcastPro ME at CABSAT 2012, Hans Kwaaitaal, VP of Strategic Partner Relations at Conax said: To combat the hackers, we needed to look the knowledge level of the hacker, the equipment they were using and the time frame for their operations. We used these parameters to apply the security levels to the set-top boxes.
He said every customer did not require the same level of security.
The highest level of security is clearly the most expensive and every environment does not require that, he stated, adding that the biggest concern for security experts in the region at present was the introduction of hybrid boxes with internet connection. This can be difficult to protect, it can be done but more skilled engineering is needed.
These were only some of the new launches at the show.
CABSATs first outside broadcast area saw Best Broadcast Hire (BBH) showcase the first OB van built in the UAE. Based on the experience of a rental company for broadcast equipment serving the local market already for several years, BBH decided to build an OB van exactly that caters to the needs of a local operating company.
We didnt plan to build an OB van here as we do it normally in Europe and ship it to the Emirates. However, we built it here in our Dubai warehouse, with our local people based on the needs of our people and their experience, said Anders Frandsen, project manager for BBH.
Even the size of the cars sometimes matters in this region, where the criteria for an OB van is quite different. It has to fulfil the everyday issue of heat and sand, which affects the productions on some locations near the desert. Because of those restrictions, every piece that can reduce space and heat generation was welcomed in this project. It was also important that most of the parts could easily be replaced fro here instead of being flown in, in case of an emergency, he added.
This ambitious project started in December to be ready for CABSAT. Immediately after completing the project, the new BBH OB van was taken for its first production at JBR before being driven to CABSAT. Systems integrator Qvest Media also showcased an OB van and an SNG van at the show.
A dynamic composition of CABSAT over the past two years has been live production. Live HD production services and outdoor broadcast facilities was at the show to demonstrate its capabilities and show that it had produced more than 100 football matches in HD.
We provide a number of production vans, mobile studios cameras and also supply manpower to our clients, stated Imane Yaseen, operational assistant at LIVE.
Swedish company Net Insight had a very good show and was especially pleased that H.H. Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, Director General of the Dubai Department of Information had visited its stand after the opening ceremony. Sultan Al-Mashouq from ACES, Net Insights partner in Saudi Arabia, gave Sheikh Hasher a brief overview of the joint Live HD demo in Net Insights and Salam Media Casts stands.
A number of Middle East telecom operators were curious to experience our live network demo of HD over IP MPLS, altering between MPEG-4 and JPEG2000 compression. As the Middle East broadcasting market is growing and quality is on the agenda, our Nimbra technology is highly appreciated for production, contribution and distribution, stated Tomas Delden, sales director, Net Insight.
NEW APPOINTMENTS
We also saw several people shift to different organisations. Derek Holland and Charles Maasry have recently joined Salam MediaCast. Sami El Shafai, who was heading Salam MediaCast will retire from his post on April 1 and stay on the board of Salam International.
Miranda recently recruited Ahmed Shanti as regional sales manager of the Middle East. He will be responsible for sales across the Middle East but with special focus on the Saudi Arabian broadcast market.
LIVE 3G STUDIO
Unleashing a new pedestal of technological expansion, Sony returned to CABSAT 2012 with a live studio and 4K technologies in digital cameras.
The 200 sqm studio was an attempt to showcase a practical and professional illustration for budding media learners, apprentice engineers as well as professionals, stated Awad Mousa, head of Product Marketing, Sony Professional Solutions MEA.
This professional live production studio staged the best studio equipment including Sonys HDC-2500. State-of-the-art equipment, including 3G fibre transmission, 16-bit A/D converter and double-speed acquisition assisting in time lapse motion picture were part of the project.
Sony Professionals business partners in the UAE AMT and UBMS showcased a range of Sony products such as the F65 to PMW-F3, NEX-FS100, MCS-8M entry level switcher, PMW-TD300 3D shoulder camcorder, HXR-NX3D1 compact 3D camcorder and several other NXCAM, XDCAM products.
CONFERENCES
Perhaps one of the attractions at CABSAT this year was the quality of its workshops. Besides the GVF Satellite MENA summit, the twofour54 tadreeb workshops and masterclasses in association with BBC Academy were well received. CABSAT also featured some vendor presentations this time. Additionally, the Thought Incubator from Dubai Studio City attracted several attendees.
twofour54 Tadreeb offered a series of free workshops delivered in conjunction with the BBC Academy. The core element of one of their workshops was how certain organisations have given their staff the option to use their own devices. Andy Wilson from BBC Academy spoke about the bring-your-own-device phenomenon and the various challenges involving using a personal device. He also talked about the software LUCCI LIVE, wherein an individual or a reporter can use their iPhone to update any current or ongoing situation by being as close to the venue as possible, without having to carry any large equipment. This also plays a major role in safe guarding an individuals life in crucial times.
In a second session, he acquainted the audience with interactive services and production workflows across IP platforms including mobile phones and TV sets.
In the third session, Wilson explained the step-by-step process of the art, science and the techniques that go into 3D production.
An INA workshop was conducted by Didier Giraud who shed light on the various concepts the institute deals with such as digitising the original archives so it can be in sync with the latest technology.
The institute legally archives materials for French television and radio, which has original endangered memory material. Its USP is its ability to convert the old content into a modern format like JPEG 2k Pivot format, MAM, HSM. They also provide higher education and research in audio/visual fields, with both BA and MA degrees courses.
The workshop also introduced the audience to the processes involved to utilising the digital archive content for new media platforms. Giraud shared information about their archiving formats in detail like the Pivot format, MAM, HSM. He also explained the Riding the long tail concept of selling less of more, which increases the sales and the business in this field.
Trikona Technologies Pvt. Ltd, which works extensively in the colouration and restoration of films and television series from the 70s spoke extensively about the process at CABSAT.
With the invention of HDTV, viewers no longer accept damaged content or content fit for normal TV. We aim at providing clean content to viewers, said C. Jagan Mohan, CEO of Trikona Technologies.
Danish company Best Flow Factory showcased a Host Broadcasting service aimed at offering media services and managing the host broadcast contracts for world events, from production equipment and studio facilities to providing production staff.
NEW DEALS
Several new contracts and deals were also announced at CABSAT this year. Harris was at the forefront with announcements about deals with Jordan TV, Al Rayyan in Qatar and Sky News Arabia in Abu Dhabi.
Yahsat launched YahCarrier, a dedicated business carrier in the region in conjunction with the launch of its first KA- band IP trunking service. Yahsat also announced a partnership with the Belgium-based firm Newtec. The partnership will help YAHSAT provide ground segment technology for YAHCarrier.
YAHCarrier will be the first cost-effective IP trunking service on KA band for carriers in 28 countries providing a reliable back up option for load balancing IP traffic through our satellites, stated CEO Tareq Al Hosani, adding that the association with Newtec would help the company to provide its customers with a variety of services in the coming years.
In the meantime, YahLive, Yahsats commercial arm announced a few partnerships at CABSAT. One key partnership was signed with Abu Dhabi Media to broadcast six of its channels in HD through YahLives satellite service. The agreement will enable viewers across the MENA region to access their Abu Dhabi programmes in HD.
The addition of exclusive Abu Dhabi Media channels means that our customers will be able to view some of the biggest sporting events and leading entertainment all in the highest-quality HD. We also believe it is important to collaborate with UAE-based organisations to further strengthen the countrys position as the regions leading media hub, stated Mohammed Youssif, CEO of YahLive.
Dubai-based distributor UBMS also announced at CABSAT that it is now a Harris Specialist Partner.
The title will mean that UBMS and Harris will now conduct co-marketing activities as well as work more closely together on certain business opportunities.
The benefits of this relationship from a company specific perspective will be that UBMS can now offer its target audience with a large range Harris products, thus providing our valued customers with solutions from another great brand, commented Peter Kyriakos, head of Marketing, United Broadcast.
Harris will benefit from our distribution channels and showroom facilities that will be particularly useful for the test and measurement equipment, graphics and other standalone products. In addition, customers will now deal with an authorised representative of Harris, which will subsequently have the knowledge to provide local support.
NEW OFFICE LAUNCHES
Canford used the show as an opportunity to announce the launch of its Dubai sales office. Jonathan Keith, who heads the new sales operation, has lived in Dubai for several years and worked in the AV industry previously.
Canfords Dubai office will provide close support to its growing number of key players in the regional industry with whom it is already working. It will also offer a platform to service some of the rapidly emerging East and North African markets. Canfords clients in the region include Education City in Doha and the television centre in Riyadh.
Wasp3D, which had taken a much larger stand at CABSAT this year, was delighted with its success at the show. The companys customer base in the Middle East has also grown over the years with Taj Television, Al Rai, Al Watan, Future TV, Kuwait Television, Al Quds, Twofour54, ADMC and Al-Rayyan joining the list. Wasp also recently worked with Kuwait TV for live analysis and presentation of Kuwait parliamentary elections. As a result, Wasp3D recently set up an office in Dubai Media City and will be scaling its operations in the region.
BroadcastPro had the most successful CABSAT with the launch of our inaugural edition of Pro50, a sleek coffee table book and the success of our roundtable on digital archiving and storage.
Visit our web site www.broadcastprome.com to watch the full action at CABSAT 2012 along with special video interviews and blogs done in conjunction with Manipal University students.
BroadcastPro Middle East worked closely with the final year TV students of Manipal University to produce some videos of the show while journalism students wrote blogs on the show and helped compile this article. Contributors include Christine Cherian, Fathima Layeek, Heena Makhijani, Maria Hussain, Mary Joy, Nazia Fatma, Qudsiya Siddiqui, Rabab Kazi, Samiha S. Naaz, Zainab Akbarali, Fatema Khokha, Ateeb Ahmed, Eleanor Almeida, Joshua John, Maha Husain, Nabila Sharani, Neha Kalvani, Nikhita Ramchandani, Nikita Arora, Presley Viegas, Rachel Lewis, Zuhair Lokhandwala and Megna Kalvani.
BroadcastPro Middle East worked closely with the final year TV students of Manipal University to produce some videos of the show while journalism students wrote blogs on the show and helped compile this article. Contributors include Christine Cherian, Fathima Layeek, Heena Makhijani, Maria Hussain, Mary Joy, Nazia Fatma, Qudsiya Siddiqui, Rabab Kazi, Samiha S. Naaz, Zainab Akbarali, Fatema Khokha, Ateeb Ahmed, Eleanor Almeida, Joshua John, Maha Husain, Nabila Sharani, Neha Kalvani, Nikhita Ramchandani, Nikita Arora, Presley Viegas, Rachel Lewis, Zuhair Lokhandwala and Megna Kalvani.
