Vendor News

by TVB Staff

Harris taps Freescale’s LDMOS
AUG. 28, 2008--Harris Corp. of Melbourne, Fla. (NYSE: HRS) will integrate technology from Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE: FSL) into a new line of TV transmitters. Harris is using Freescale’s laterally diffused metal-oxide semiconductors to create a line of compact and power-efficient UHF transmitters.

According to Freescale, LDMOS transistors “allow fewer ‘gain stages’ to be used than in previous designs, reducing the physical space required while improving reliability.” The Austin, Texas, company said the technology will allow Harris to build transmitters with a “footprint of less than half of the previous size.”

Telestream takes Vara Software
AUG. 28, 2008--Telestream, maker of FlipFactory, has acquired Vara Software, a European concern specializing in Web streaming products for an undisclosed sum. Both companies are privately held; Telestream is based in Nevada City, Calif.

Vara Software provides real-time production tools such as Webcasting, “screencasting” and rich media presentation products for entertainment, corporate communications, education and training. Telestream CEO Dan Castles said the products are “well-suited to easily migrate to enterprise-level solutions,” where Telestream plays but previously had no similar Web tools.

Avid advanced 3D
AUG. 28, 2008--Avid (NASDAQ: AVID) has rolled out a 3D-capable version of its DS system. Avid DS v. 10 combines editing, compositing, keying, image retouching, paint and graphics with advanced features including a new 3D container. It supports 2K/4K file-based editing and real-time 2K playback.

Version 10 is built on a new platform powered by HP’s xw8600 with dual-quad 3 GHz CPUs and 8 GB of RAM; an NVidia QuadroFX 3700 card and a dual-link I/O card, among other features. The system is designed to provide real-time processing. The system is expected to ship in September at just under $60,000 for a “turnkey solution,” according to Tewkesbury, Mass.-based Avid.

Panasonic scores Avid support for AVC-Intra
AUG. 28, 2008--Panasonic (NYSE: MC) said this week that new editing systems from Avid will support its AVC-Intra codec. AVC-Intra is Panasonic’s own flavor of H.264 MPEG-4 compression technology. The company’s higher-end P2 solid-state camcorders feature AVC-Intra capability.

Avid will accommodate AVC-Intra in its versions of Media Composer, Symphony and NewsCutter.

Azden expands ENG line
AUG. 28, 2008--Azden Corp. said it has “just completed the largest model changeover in its history” in preparation for the digital transition. The company said it’s now carrying three types of ENG packages--broadcast, professional videography and entry level/prosumer.

The Franklin Square, N.Y., integrator said its new ENG receivers are designed to be sued with Panasonic or Ikegami “slot-in” cameras, Sony V-mounts or cameras equipped with Anton Bauer Gold Mount systems. They start at $1,360. The videographer models include two receivers and three transmitters starting at $550 for single- and $995 for dual-channel packages. The 105 series targets the prosumer side.