In Broadcast - October 2016 - 70


70

www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 6 - Issue 10 | October 2016

InMedia

Take Control With BLINK Hub
By Paul Scurrell,
CEO of Timecode Systems Limited

Y

ou have a locked off wide angle
camera slung from the lighting
grid, GoPros rigged in all manner of
nooks and crannies, a main camera and
separate sound recording, two further
crews are expected to join later for the
big finale of the shoot, and a roaming
self-shooter could pop up at any time.
Ever feel like you're losing control?
Timecode Systems' multiplatform
BLINK Hub app is designed specifically
to give busy crews on multicamera
shoots more power over the
production workflow.
When we first launched the BLINK
RF network late last year, we used
our long-range RF protocol purely for
one-way timecode and genlock, but we
knew that with development, we could
make better use of the bandwidth and
multiplex two-way communication in
between the sync data. Our customers
can now not only gather and share
timecode and production metadata
wirelessly, but also remotely view and
adjust the settings of all Timecode
Systems devices on the network.

With a :pulse or :wave set as the
timecode master unit, Timecode
Systems' users can use the integral
Wi-Fi of either product, or a wired
connection to the :pulse's Ethernet
port, to open the BLINK Hub app from
their smartphone (iOS or Android),
tablet or Mac computer.
This launches a dashboard that
centrally displays all Timecode
Systems' timecode sources on set.
From here, users can monitor and
control the battery levels, sync status,
and change the settings of multiple
Timecode Systems' devices centrally
from a single screen.
We're now building on this core
wireless sync and control capability by
adding the functionality to remotely
monitor and operate from BLINK Hub
the camera and audio equipment to
which Timecode Systems' devices
are connected. For example, we've
developed a bespoke solution for
Sound Devices 6-Series users that
allows them to use a :pulse or :wave
to connect to the BLINK Hub app. This

BLINK Hub - a free, multiplatform production dashboard and device control app.

not only enables remote access to
basic transport controls for 6-Series
mixer/recorders, but also the ability
to view all audio tracks, arm tracks,
assign track names, mark false takes,
and much more, centrally from any
smartphone, tablet or Mac.
We're also developing similar
remote control solutions for a whole
range of cameras, including GoPro.
With a :pulse as a mini base-station
and SyncBac PROs attached to the

cameras, it's now possible to see
and remotely control multiple GoPro
HERO4 Black and Silver cameras
centrally from the BLINK Hub app. This
includes the ability to start recording
remotely or put the camera to sleep
when not required.
With the number of sound and video
sources on set capturing content
increasing, the BLINK Hub app can put
busy crews back in control of even the
most complex set-up.

Novus Selects Ericsson Mediaroom
For IPTV Launch

E

ricsson has been selected by
Novus Entertainment, a Canadian
telecommunications company, to
deploy its end-to-end IPTV service.
Starting October, Novus will offer
IP-based TV services, powered by
Ericsson Mediaroom, to selected
IPTV ready buildings in the greater
Vancouver area.
According to Ericsson's TV & Media
ConsumerLab Report, while linear TV
remains key, consumers have difficulty
finding content to watch on a daily
basis and want a more personalised
experience. Ericsson Mediaroom,
the most deployed IPTV platform
globally, enables operators to deliver
high quality, engaging live, video on
demand and time-shifted television
experiences with a new, visually
rich user interface and search and
recommendation capabilities.
Co-Presidents, Doug Holman and

Donna Robertson of Novus said:
"Ericsson is a market leader in the
IPTV industry, and our investment in
the best television delivery technology
demonstrates our commitment to
delivering transformative solutions
for our customers and expanding
our business. Novus' pure fibre
optic network, combined with its
metro Ethernet method of delivering
internet, is ideal for offering an IPbased TV service. The transition to
IPTV will enable Novus to deliver newly
innovated and personalised viewing
experiences."
Novus provides premium television,
Internet and digital phone services
to thousands of residents in multidwelling unit buildings throughout
Metro Vancouver. Novus has been at
the forefront of the regulatory changes
in Canada, which have provided more
affordable and flexible television

Novus will deliver "personalised viewing experiences"

packages for its customers. Its new
IPTV service will further enhance its
customers' ability to customise their
services.
Graham Osborne, President, Ericsson
Canada, said: "Ericsson Mediaroom
stands at the forefront of the IPTV
industry in empowering all operators,
from small to the largest ones
worldwide with the tools they need to
deliver standout viewing experiences.
Ericsson has a long history of
deploying unparalleled TV services
with Canadian operators and we look

forward to deploying Mediaroom with
Novus."
Ericsson Mediaroom is a key part
of Ericsson's TV Platforms portfolio
which
also
includes
Ericsson
MediaFirst.
Ericsson
MediaFirst
is a next-generation, cloud-based
Pay TV platform that is used for
delivering constantly optimised, device
agnostic and highly personalised
TV experiences.
Ericsson's TV
platforms provide the best TV viewing
experiences across all devices while
addressing various operator needs.
http://www.inbroadcast.com http://www.timecodesystems.com/products-home/blink/ https://www.ericsson.com/us/ourportfolio/telecom-operators/mediaroom
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