fast, reliable, and easy to use. K2 Dyno®

CONTENTS

18

21

20

New Products6

Nawaret – The Golden program at mbc10

Smoke the miracle of after effect14

Grass Valley HD obvan for studiovision16

Petrol bags to protect cameras20

Future of TV 22

Crazy lab program24

Evertz26

Sony New Camera28

Apple Tv30

Publisher

Media Street

GM/ Editor in Chief

Hala El KhatibHala@firstframe.me

Managing Editor

Fatima KassemFatima@firstframe.me

Executive Editor

Imane KallassyImane@firstframe.me

Designer

Antoinette Moubarak

Legal Affairs

Nayla NahlehBilal Harb

Consultants - Alphabetical order

Ali Wazani, Bassem Christo, Hassan Chahine, Muhammad Irfan Gondal, Nayef Krayem, Peri Cochin, Salaheddine Awad

UAE

Alaa KrayemWael Haidar

Alaa@firstframe.me

Tel: +971 556 086 948

Cario and Turkey

Salha AlamTel: +20 100 498 4849

USA

Nathalie FaresUSA@firstframe.me

Tel: +1 904 955 5632

France

Mayssaa IsmaelFrance@firstframe.me

Tel: +33695085034

Kuwait

Malak NajemKuwait@firstframe.me

Tel: +69555527499

Address:

Beirut - LebanonBir Hassan - quds street - Cournish Blg.

Tel: +961 1 843 422

Mob: 961 70 929 746

www.firstframe.me

Printed by:Arab Printing Press

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22

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30

Production-Broadcast Technology Magazine

06

launches self powered M2Mtracking and monitoring device

ORBCOMM, a global provider of satellite and cellular-based

machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions, has announced the

availability of the ORBCOMM GT 1100, a self-powered M2M

asset tracking and monitoring device targeted for markets such

as transportation and logistics, heavy equipment and oil and gas.

ORBCOMM’s device is designed to fit in between the indented

spacing on intermodal containers. Its low, one-inch height profile

and small form factor are also ideal for tracking and monitoring

trailers and other types of cargo assets. The GT 1100 is sensor-

compatible and self-powered with solar recharging technology

for low power consumption, which works well for tracking and

monitoring other remote unpowered assets such as construction

and mining equipment.

The ORBCOMM GT 1100 can support three modes of

communication – cellular, satellite and dual-mode, which blends

cellular and satellite capability.

ElitePad 900

GT 1100

Petrol Bags Deca Camera and AccessoriesBag for Sony F65 Alexa and more

Petrol Bags, part of Vitec Videocom, introduces the Deca Camera and Accessories Bag, designed for easy transport, superior protection and quick

access on the set. Featuring an ultra-wide opening, this new wheeled carrier is ideal for toting a fully equipped camera such as the Sony F65 or

ARRI Alexa and is also an easy-to-organize accessories case.

The Camera and Accessories Bag (PA1000) offers a squared design with a smooth rolling built-in wheel and trolley system to facilitate easy

transport to any set or location. For enhanced fortification, this carrier’s internal structure is made from a one-piece honeycomb frame, offering

strength and protection without adding extra weight. Within, the fully-loaded camera or other contents are cushioned with soft padded brushed

polyester in an easy to view orange color.

PA1000

New Release from HP

A new HP release which is HP ElitePad 900. It is a tablet

made for business, similar to iPad but based on Windows

8 for the first time, balances a beautiful design with

enterprise-grade features, functionality and support,

integrates easily with other devices like servers and so it

works as a remote device.

The HP Elite Pad offers a long life cycle, stable image and

HP Global Series Support, all of which IT managers expect

in an enterprise tablet. It also features a one-year standard

warranty, with the option for a three-year warranty via HP

Care Pack Services.

07

TECH NEWS

Sennheiser s Digital 9000 for the first time in Middle East

For the first time in the Middle East Sennheiser’s revolutionary Digital 9000 has been used for a live concert.

Sennheiser Group announced the use of its newly launched Digital 9000 wireless system, it is the result of

the largest R&D project in the company’s history. In addition, a number of Sennheiser’s wireless systems,

microphones and in-ear monitors were used at the concert, as per the technical rider outlined by the production

teams of both the performers. The culmination of a 10-year R&D effort, Sennheiser’s Digital 9000 is an all-digital

wireless system that can transmit completely uncompressed audio, artifact-free and with superb dynamics.

Designed for broadcasting professionals, musical theatres and high-profile live audio events, Digital 9000 sets

a new benchmark in digital wireless transmission. The system has been meticulously designed for the highest

channel counts and operation in dense frequency environments. Infrared (IR) synchronization between receivers

and transmitters greatly aids setting up of the system.

Sennheiser Digital 9000

Sennheiser Digital 9000

New Equipment for Shooting Star Academy

ISOL for Broadcast Lebanon has placed 16 new LDX Elite HD cameras systems, a Kayenne 3 M/E Video Production

Center switcher; the Trinix NXT 128X256 routing switcher with integrated multiviewer and a K2 Summit media server with

Dyno S Elite System - in its new OB van.

After a competitive review, ISOL; the major provider for MBC & LBCI, decided to work with Grass Valley through its local partner

Pharaon Broadcast as they believe that their new LDX Series camera system provides the most advanced performance available on the market

today.

The software-based features of the LDX will help ISOL keep the cameras up-to-date with the latest formats and features, no matter what the

client needs are and will also provide a cost- effective high-performance HD dual-format solution.

A key feature of the LDX Series is its new, Xensium-FT CMOS imagers, designed by Grass Valley. Xensium-FT images provide the high-quality

images in a variety of HD resolutions, while eliminating the rolling shutter effect typically found in CMOS technology.

LDX Camera Series

The Grass Valley LDX Series of camera systems includes the new LDX Flex (1080i50/59.94 or 720p50/59.94), LDX Première (1080i50/60

and 720p50/60), LDX Elite™ (1080PsF25/29.97, 1080i50/60, and 720p50/60), and LDX WorldCam™ (1080p50/60, 1080PsF/25/29.97,

1080i50/60, and 720p50/60) models. Both the LDX Première and LDX Elite models are software upgradable to the next level of LDX Series

performance.

Each LDX Series camera delivers uncompromised performance, full compatibility with Grass Valley’s line and stunning images. The LDX Series

boasts an ergonomic design with time saving features such as improved color management and automated controls, allowing operators to

concentrate on creativity.

Furthermore, the above equipment will be used to shoot the next installment of Star Academy Arabia program for endemol middle east.

ISOL

New Health educational TV channel in Oman

The Sultanate of Oman’s Ministry of Health has announced the launch of a health

education TV channel titled Hayah. The channel was developed by Oman-based IT

firm Anzyma and will engage more than 150,000 people every month including

patients, visitors and staff working in health centres across Muscat in discussions

on health. The content for the channel is centrally controlled and managed through

a remote terminal and includes the installation of SCALA, a content management

system. SCALA includes features such as built-in template, schedule-based

content distribution, a variety of integration possibilities, and media playlists to

control the network remotely through any internet-enabled device.

TV channel

TECH NEWS

Al Jazeera s beIN SPORT ratchets up US offering with online TV service

Al Jazeera’s beIN SPORT has unveiled a streaming TV service for authenticated subscribers across the US.

Launching immediately, the new beIN SPORT Play will be a 24/7 streaming platform dedicated to live, exclusive coverage of

top class football from European leagues and tournaments, plus action from competitions in motor sports, cycling and other

international sports.

Authenticated beIN SPORT fans will gain full access to beIN SPORT and/or beIN SPORT en Español in accordance with their

subscription. Subscribers will receive email notifications 30 minutes prior to kick-offs of relevant news and information on their

favourite teams and games.

All programming from beIN SPORT and beIN SPORT en Español will be streamed in HD and available on any broadband-connected

PC and mobile-connected device such as a tablet or smartphone. In addition, authenticated subscribers will be able to stream live

overflow matches.

online tv

ILS Proton M launches with EUTELSAT 3D

International Launch Services (ILS) have launched their

Proton-M rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in

Kazakhstan May 14 at 16.02 GMT, with lift off. The Proton’s

Briz-M (Breeze-M) Upper Stage successfully carried

out its multi-hour mission to deploy the EUTELSAT 3D

telecommunications satellite into its desired transfer orbit.

EUTELSAT 3D will bring resources, reach and flexibility

for high-growth professional video, data, telecom and

broadband services at 3 degrees east, an orbital position

that sits at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and Asia

EUTELSAT 3D will be located at 3 degrees east until the

launch in 2014 of EUTELSAT 3B that will further extend

coverage to South America. It will subsequently continue

service at 7 degrees east.

proton mproton m

08

I

I

Backstage bustling with movement... These are the

final moments before the Roll: the camera operators

readying themselves behind their cameras, the floor

manager adjusting the ambience according to the

director’s instructions, the sound and lighting team

behind the mixers in the control room and the setup

team in another room waiting for the top camera.

Guests are prepared to enter the studio all while the

fully energetic anchorwoman, Arwa, is ready to manage

a fun and diverse dialogue... The show begins ...

Latest of Technologies

Peri Cochin, the owner of “Periscoop” and the owner of

the concept of “Nawaret” says that the management of

mbc asked her for a talk show after becoming aware

of her technique in coming up with interactive shows

in a fresh and successful manner, so she prepared a

The studio resembles a sophisticated French salon amidst which sits a spiral table, the base of which is golden and the surface of which is black with golden lines. Also, there are six silver, black wood chairs, three huge golden crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, two columns of lighting and seven candles of lighting which go with the chandeliers, two mirrored walls and two other walls in front of which is a small stadium for the audience. Placed on the walls are oval cadres with screens and shiny black floor with an interlarded, golden passageway surrounding the table… this is “Nawaret” studio, the tinted golden colors of which reflect and suffuse both its content and execution completely so that it give the image of a golden show, on mbc channel.

special show which was recorded as a format and submitted it to mbc.

It is known that Peri was actually an interior decorator before she had

entered into the world of television and production. The table which she has

in her home in Paris served as a model for the show’s special décor taking

the form of all-sides mirrors with chandeliers such as those portrayed in

the photos attached.

Peri says that the innovation in “Nawaret” show revealed itself through

the use of a no-cameraman-necessary, single wireless camera, known

as Sam robot cam, First Frame covers in this issue. This camera reveals

all aspects, 360 degrees, of the studio while the rest of the cameras hide

behind screens and mirrors. In addition, the chandeliers are used for the

first time in a talk show, engulfing the ambience of the show with a different

mood. Peri adds, “The contract was renewed for one whole year with mbc

and the show is subject to renewal for several years, especially that the

guests always have new topics to discuss”.

The Golden Show on

10

By: Hala Al Khatib

COVER STORY

Nawaret

screen declaring the beginning of quick questions which go hand in hand

with the red lighting, and the guest has try his/her best to answer as soon

as possible. At the end of the “Ninety Seconds” questions for all guests,

the Screen sections begin where every guest chooses a number from the

ipad screen and presses on it. According to the number, either parts of

the guest’s artistic work or professional work or a topic of controversy are

shown on the large screens. Arwa starts asking questions the time of which

is none specified, and some interaction may take place between the guest

and Arwa, according to content. All sections end with a question for the

audience present. The audience chooses a specific section, which could

be a question of multiple options, or the “Akmil al Kalam” or “Complete

the Sentence” section, where the guest has to complete the beginning of

a song, poem or story, or the VIP questions’ section, where three famous

personalities ask questions the guest has to choose one from. At the end

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Structure of Episode

The show is presented by the famous Singer Arwa,

who manages the dialogue in a light and fun manner

and sings with her guests thus adding a smooth

spirit on the show which receives guests of various

specializations and nationalities, all to enrich and

diversify the episode.

The episode commences with the entering of the five

guests in alphabetical order, who then assume their

places on the round table before Arwa enters and

welcomes them. One chair remains empty until a sixth

guest arrives, intended for one of the five guests, in a

small section known called “Al-Dayf al-Sadis” or “The

Sixth Guest”. The guest’s role in this case is to hold the

specific guest accountable or sing or criticize or praise

or present him/her with a certain point of view.

The dialogue begins with an introductory question for

each guest, followed by the section “At-tis’een Thaniya”

or “Ninety Seconds” where the counter appears on the

Sam Robotcam was created for nawaret

of the episode, the show is concluded with a joint song either all the guests

participate in or only one particular guest, according to Arwa’s selection.

Shooting and Directing

10 cameras, belonging to the type LDK 8000 Grass Valley, were used in

“Nawaret”. These are modern HD cameras distributed in a hidden manner

behind the studio and the mirrors. The 10 combine one Luma craned

camera, a handheld camera, Sam robot cam, in addition to the seven fixed

cameras behind the decor. These depict 360 degrees of the studio in a

way that shows every single detail. The difficulty lies in the reflection of

the whole studio, which is of guests, audience and mirrors’ décor, exactly

why the cameramen and lighting engineers must take this factor into

consideration and avoid unwanted reflections.

Bassem Christo, the director, discusses harnessing of mirrors which are of

spy glass type, and says, “This show required brainstorming and its details

were tackled together, which resulted in a harmonious, integrated show

with no gaps whatsoever.”

Also, Christo shares with First Frame, that “Behind the spy glass, which

forms two walls of the studio, screen leds are used to present reports

selected by the guest through the ipad screen. Behind it, there’s also a

black fabric to make it reflective and hide cameras, equipment and all

the details of the backstage nearby. These mirrors soften the effect of the

screens. Moreover, the lighting was designed after fully taking into account

the reflections caused by mirrors. Also, the lighting

doesn’t quite face the mirrors but rather is placed on a

specific angle which prevents reflection”.

Christo believes, “This type of show is easy and

smooth, in such a manner that it portrays a simplicity

in shape though the implementation is very accurate,

and we have adopted the robot cam to wirelessly roam

in the center of the studio and cover shots which are

difficult for the other cameras to access.”

As for the Mixer, it’s of the type Kaynne XL, from Grass

Valley company, and is known to be one of the latest,

and Bassem Christo says, “This mixer has infinite

COVER STORY

Sam Robotcam

Bassem, Rita Christo, & Georges Asmar

at the control room

possibilities and sources, and it is connected to the

ipads, monitors and control devices in the hands of

the audience, and through it we can send different

things with different windows, all at the same time”.

He adds, “The screens located within the oval cadres

are inverted 90 degrees to be linearly proportionate

with the shape of the cadre, and the mixer is capable

of turning the image in a linear manner while keeping

it intact and straight”.

13

Ipad Applications

“Nawaret” show is characterized with special ipad applications, and it uses

in its ipad sections a special system which depends on apple tv and a

special router in such a way that the data (voice, image, video) is sent from

a laptop plugged directly to the apple tv which is connected in turn to the

ipad in a wireless mode

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”.

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10 HD cameras, special Ipad system, spy glass and a lot of creativity

Cameras behind the spy glass

The band

Control roomAudio control room

Chantal Ayoub explains how Ipad application works

The beginning of year 2013 was fruitful technologically par excellence, as the needs of professional editors working in video production, corporate video, online video and other competitive creative environments, were met by the Smoke 2013 which was designed for editing and effects requirements.

14

Reality with “Smoke”

Smoke got rid of the property of exporting files and

moving data between different creative applications

for editing, effects and plug-ins. Smoke combines a

familiar non-linear timeline editorial workflow with

the effects tools editor needs for compositing, color

correction, 3D effects, titling, and motion graphics. “In

the existence of Avid and Final cut, Autodesk decided

to compete them by creating in Smoke 2013 a timeline

which allow the users to easily edit then composite

(Connect FX). It turned normal montage to impressive”

said Joe Chahine, MBC Lebanon supervisor and senior

editor that First Frame met him lately.

“Smoke is basically about layering and compositing.

It can move any person from a layer to another. For

example, Bahlam Beek , a program that is broadcasted

on MBC, is done by Smoke software to produce a high

quality and introduce uncompressed photo”, Chahine

added”. Smoke is capable of receiving camera red

photos which are used in advertisements and video

clips, and Smoke is the only software that can endure

it”.

The best benefit of this software which attracts professional and new users

is having a one package that integrates editing and effects. The new Smoke

offers editing and effects within a single, efficient timeline-based workflow,

a sleek user interface and runs on only Apple MacBook Pro and Apple

iMac computers. The difficulty is that this software needs a very powerful

machine to process or render the video, while its new features include

the ability to drag and drop a clip from the source player into the timeline;

ability to expand/collapse the timeline FX pipeline area; and redesign and

streamlining of the UI and interface elements to speed up workflows.

“Smoke” in Lebanon

Smoke was used on two Academy Award nominated movies from this

year: “Prometheus” nominated for Best Visual Effects and “Silver Linings

Playbook” nominated for 8 Academy Awards including Best Picture.

The first Fire (father of smoke) sold in Lebanon was in March 1997, at that

time Fire was running on a big Sgi Onyx (a computer that was looking like a

“fridge”) at LBC/Lebanese Broadcasting corporation. Its little “son”, Smoke,

was released a couple of years later when Sgi released a smaller computer

named Octane. The earliest trace of the first smoke that arrived to Lebanon

would be around the end of the year 2000.

SOFTWARE

Autodesk Smoke 2013

The Professional Video Editing Affordable software at last

Twinning editing and effects

By: Fatima Kassem

UI combines familiar track-based editorial and powerful node-based compositing to connect editing and effects in a single cohesive workflow.

SOFTWARE

15

Features of Smoke 2013

“Smoke 2013 features new creative workflow that

connects traditional track based (NLE) editorial with

the power of Autodesk visual effects, compositing,

color grading and 3D tools. Now editors have a

single application that puts powerful post production

tools right inside the editorial timeline so they can

work faster and deliver high-end work without the

headache of inefficient workflows built from multiple

task-specific applications. Autodesk started the Smoke

redesign with the UI to give editors a unified creative

environment that adjusts its context around creative

tasks – letting editors stay creative and work quickly

in a single application. This new UI offers a creative

workflow for editing and effects purpose built for

editors. So anyone that can edit in Final Cut Pro, Avid

Media Composer or any track-based editing application

will be able to sit down and start using Smoke right

away”, said Marc Hamaker, Senior Product Marketing

Manager, Professional Video to First Frame Magazine.

“Editors can optionally choose to pair Smoke with high-

speed Thunderbolt storage or the AJA ioXT for video

and broadcast monitoring via Thunderbolt. Our goal is

to make sure Smoke meets the needs of the broadest

possible professional video workflows”, Hamaker said.

As a professional editor, Joe Chahine also described

Smoke’s features, “the most obstructive element when

shooting is lighting, the software created the technology

of relighting and lighting the photo. It allows changing

and making new colours, and separate them as no

other program can. Keying is a special feature too, the

points that compose the target move with it through Tracking, for instance

the programs that gather figures from different times. Tracking can change

identikit through dividing the photo into infinite divisions (subdivide), and it

can slim or fatten the target”.

Smoke software requires the tools:

Touchable tablet with a pen

Smoke media/ external hard disk 32 terra bites

Optic fiber to connect external hard disk, for quick data sharing

Driver, e.g. AJA Kona 3g

Even though Smoke software does not create three-dimensional picture, it

is derived from Autodesk family which lets the Maya software to make the

3D, then charming Smoke moves, lights and colors

Smoke is the only software that can endure receiving camera red photos which are used in adver tisements and video clips

Mask points can be tracked automatically to reduce the need to manually adjust when

cutting out elements from a background or cleaning up chroma keyed shots.

Joe Chahine - Supervisor and senior editor at mbc Lebanon

Color correction tools includes RGB color correction and the advanced Colour Warper.

Editors can perform primary and multiple secondary color corrections using a “gap” or

adjustment layer.

With growing consumer demand for high-definition (HD) content, Studiovision Lebanon looked to Grass Valley, to provide the latest outside broadcast (OB) solutions for its new state-of-the-art production truck.

Grass Valley and Studiovision’s managers

Studiovision Lebanon has installed 14 cameras (12 new

LDX WorldCam multiformat HD cameras and 2 LDK 8000

Elite camera systems), a Kayenne 3 M/E Video Production

Center switcher, a Trinix NXT 256X512 routing switcher

with integrated multiviewer, a K2 Summit 3G media server,

and a K2 Dyno S Elite Replay System in its new OB vans,

making them the first 3G-capable OB vans in the region.

“It’s critical for us to be at the forefront of innovation in the

industry and to have the leading-edge production tools that

are needed to fully accomplish the creative concept of the

program, whatever it might be,” said Michel El Murr, CEO

of Studiovision. “And that’s why after a competitive review,

we decided to work with Grass Valley as we believe that

their new LDX Series™ camera system provides the most

advanced performance available on the market today.”

“Studiovision’s productions are among the best in the region and we’re

excited to be working with them as they use the LDX WorldCam to further

push their production boundaries,” said Alan Wright, Regional President for

Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Grass Valley. “With Grass Valley’s

HD and 3G production solutions Studiovision has placed

itself ahead of its competitors.”

OB VAN

A key feature of the LDX Series is its Xensium-FT

CMOS imagers, designed by Grass Valley.

Xensium-FT imagers provide high-sensitivity in a

variety of HD resolutions, and eliminate the rolling

shutter effect typically found in CMOS technology.

LDX Camera Series

The Grass Valley LDX Series is comprised of four

models: the new LDX Flex (1080i50/59.94 or

720p50/59.94), LDX Première (1080i50/59.94

and 720p50/59.94), LDX Elite (1080PsF25/29.97,

1080i50/59.94, and 720p50/59.94), and LDX

WorldCam (1080p50/59.94,

1080PsF/25/29.97, 1080i50/59.94,

720p50/59.94). The LDX Flex,

LDX Première and LDX Elite

models are software upgradable

to the next level of LDX Series

performance

Studiovision Lebanon Selects Grass Valley’s first 3G Capable OBVAN in the region

push their production boundaries,” said Alan Wright, Regional President for

Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Grass Valley. “With Grass Valley’s

HD and 3G production solutions Studiovision has placed

itself ahead of its competitors.” A key feature of the LDX Series is

CMOS imagers, designed by Grass V

Xensium-FT imagers provide high

variety of HD resolutions, and elim

shutter effect typically found in CMO

LDX Camera Series

The Grass Valley LDX Series is c

models: the new LDX Flex (10

720p50/59.94), LDX Première

and 720p50/59.94), LDX Elite (10

1080i50/59.94, and 720p50/59.94)

WorldCam (1080

1080PsF/25/29.97

720p50/59.94)

LDX Première

models are soft

to the next leve

performance

16

RASHA MZANAR

TV stations are considered most in need to use technology and be continuously updated concerning the newest releases in technology equipments. One of which a TV station mostly needs to achieve its goals safely is the server. We hear about web servers, print servers, mail servers, dedicated servers, shared servers, media servers and more. So let’s know how does the television use servers? And what is the newest issue of servers that is offered now?

16

How does the television use servers?

Depending on the uses and applications that it runs,

a media server may require large amounts of RAM,

or a powerful, multicore CPU. A RAID configuration

may be used to prevent loss of the media files due to

disk failure as well. Many Media servers also have the

ability to capture the media with specialized hardware

such as TV tuner cards. Analog TV tuner cards can

capture video from analog broadcast TV and output

from cable/satellite set top boxes. This analog video

then needs to be encoded in digital format to be stored

on the Media server. This encoding can be done with

software running on the Media server computer or by

hardware on the TV tuner card. Digital TV tuner cards

take input from broadcast digital TV. In the USA, the

ATSC standard is used. In most of the rest of the

world, DVB-T is the accepted standard. Since these

transmissions are already digital, they do not need to

be encoded

According to Wissam Abbas, the HP division manager in ICC Company, “a

server is a storage system used to save data. A media server which is used

by TV stations differs from other servers that are only capable to store data

in a way that a TV server is a regular server working with a higher level of

storage because videos, audios and motion graphics needs more space. A

TV server is a high speed server that provides a live and direct storage of

the program or any event that is running on the station with a redundancy

so that if a server stops working for any reason, another should replace it

without any interruption. This new server should be always prepared and

placed as stand by”. Abbas states that the HP Company divided the server

cabinet to four main servers: database server, internet server, SQL server

and security server as stand by servers. This way each user can link to

one specific server of the server cabinet without causing traffic in the other

servers. This allows the operation system in a company or an institution

to be more successful than others and prevent it from shutting down or

becoming slower.

Lines of Servers

This company has three lines of servers: HP Proliant servers, HP Integrity

systems which are blade servers and Telco and carrier-grade servers. Each

line provides different kinds of servers with different specifications to meet

the various needs of the costumers, and a TV station can use HP servers

from both lines according to its needs and budget. However, HP Company

provides professional consultants who can help in choosing the right kind

of servers that a customer may need.

New HP Server Generation soon

Speaking of evolution of servers, Abbas says “we had 8 generations of

servers since 1997 in a frequency of a new generation every 18 to 24

months, and each new generation should lead to a fundamental change

in performance in order to replace the old generation. However, every new

generation is developed to meet the latest needs of the costumers as a

higher speed processor, more developed main board and a higher capacity

of the memory in order to update the rapid development of software

compared to hardware. However, in June or July of this year we expect a

new generation of servers which is generation 9 of servers”.

EQUIPMENTS

In 1996, director Bassem Christo used the one shot technique for the first

time in the Arab world, and that was during the filming a clip for singer the

Mary Suleiman. The clip’s idea was executed inside a house where Mary

moves from one room to another to come out afterwards to the house lawn.

This footage was not edited or clipped; her video appeared to be so natural,

as if the viewer was with her on-site.

The Hologram technique

During the last month of Ramadan in 2012, the Arab world witnessed

a new technique for Christo. In the program “Ana wi’l A’asal”, he used

the hologram technique that attracted viewers who were interested in

technology, yet its application remained a mystery for them. In this regard,

Christo says,“ It is not the real scientific hologram. What we presented

in “Ana wi’l A’asal” was a different technique, or I’d rather say a fake

hologram. In a real hologram you see the person in front of you as if he’s

real, while in the program, we saw the person’s shape”.

“The first technique needs a very well thought out lighting that is usually

dim, with a black background to block out any light leakage. While in the

alternative method I implemented, I was shooting the person (the hologram)

in a different location, while the guest is in the studio. The visual trick I

adopted so the alternative method will look similar to the original one was

based on choosing well the right shooting angles, the standing position

of the guest in the studio, and the other guest who will face him virtually

from another location, in addition to focusing on the harmonious lighting

between the two locations which is the most important element in the

application of this technique. I used to shoot two opposite angles; one from

the behind of the person and another in front of him, so both images will

seem to be in one frame as if they are opposite to each other.”

Christo adds,“ the difficulty in the technique lies in implementing it live on

air, it’s a sensitive delicate technique; the previous filmed footage like those

RABIH DAMAJ

18

DIRECTOR

Techniques & Effects are the success keys of any program

in “Bahlam Bik” program, are less difficult though their

preparation takes more time, for we had to choose

scenes from the archives of descendent artists that

suit the trick intended to apply with the guest artist

who will perform with the late singer. Based on these

elements, we set up the scene, which also needs

the appropriate shooting angles, lighting and sound

volume, meaning that we set up the new scene with

the general ambiance of the original old scene”.

Visual Effects

In the program “A’al akid” that is aired on Future

channel, Christo used one visual effect where the light

shed on the audience is in black and white, while the

light on the interlocutor and guests is kept natural.

Christo explains that “this is not a technique in itself,

but merely a visual effect applied through special

programs, such as the “After effects”, where a general

scene of the audience is taken, and then the scene is

de-saturated, which does not require any effort, but its

usage is artistic and adds a new and unique ambiance,

different from the prevailing routine.

Robot Cam

Christo is known to be on top of the list when it comes

to the camera and its shots; he used it in its various

forms including “Sam Robot Cam” and “Wireless

Cam”, and he is currently willing to use the technique

of Spider Cam that is being used lately in international

Bassem Christo

His work formed a quantum leap in television series, he exploited modern technology for the sake of the innovative best picture he sought for, he was the pioneer in the domain of techniques’ integration with the works of art like video clips and TV programs, he was the first to use the one shot technique in the Arab world, and recently he implemented the hologram technique in some of his latest programs. First Frame Magazine met the well-known director Bassem Christo.

programs. Christo explains the difference between each one of

them: in “Nawaret” program, we used Sam Robot Cam for the first

time; it is a small robot with a small camera installed inside of it that

moves in all directions, which gives the viewer the feeling that he is

rotating with the camera. This type of filming is used in programs

and artistic works that include action scenes. The cam is of the full

wireless type, which means it can be controlled remotely without the

need of wires or rails. This technique is very practical and facilitates

the movement of the camera in certain corners, as it shoots every

small detail. It was invented by the Lebanese Sam Abdel Sater.

Wireless Cam

A Wireless Cam is a camera that does not need wires like the

Steady Cam, which is a small camera that can be placed inside

a person’s shirt or his clothes in a consistent manner, and it films

all his movements however he walked or moved. This camera was

used by Christo with Michel Fadel while playing the piano, and it

transferred his emotions and interaction with music, which was considered

a renewal in the image transfer technique for it engaged the viewer with

the feelings of Fadel.

Spider Camera

He adds: “the technique I aspire to use in my future programs is the Spider

Cam, which is a camera suspended in the air with four big cables and

captures the scene from all angles, both horizontally and vertically, and

left and right. It is usually used to transfer the general scene from above,

exactly like the cameras that capture the images via the helicopter, but here

we are inside a locked studio”.

HD and 3D

Since the prevalence of the cameras that include the feature of HD, Christo

was one of the first who used them and talked about their advantages:

“Today, most of the filming methods include HD and Full HD technologies,

and some stations in Lebanon and the Arab world broadcast using the HD,

but in fact TV screens in our markets do not support this feature, and only

few support it”.

He continued, “the purity of the picture that the viewer sees from home has

nothing to do with this technology but rather with the stations that use high

definition cameras, in addition to well-shed lighting and bandwidth; the

broader the bandwidth the purest the image”.

Bassem Christo is a Lebanese director who directed some of the most famous programs at LBC. He also

directed a large number of musical concerts including the “Beat Machine” series, Scorpions, Julio Iglesias, and

Raúl di Blasio. Outside of TV work, Christo began to direct music videos. In 2000, he began freelancing as a

director of TV programs, music videos, festivals and events. Since then, Christo has signed more than 40 TV shows, 50 music

videos and 300 concerts.

In 2006, he went into TV production and co-founded a production house called “PERIBA” (PERI-Bassem) with the renowned

French Lebanese TV producer Péri Cochin. He is currently the managing partner and Periba has since produced many of the

most famous TV programs in the Arab world, such as “Chako Mako”, “Taratata”, “Sawalefna Helwa”, “Number One Fan”

known as “Moojab Ajib”, “Zahrat Al Khalij”, “Najm Al Khalij 4 & 5”, “Hadith AL Balad”, “Nawwaret”, “Bahlam Beek”, etc...

Since 2008, Christo became a partner of Bright I; a specialized media training center that provides professional high quality

workshops and castings for “anchors-to be”.

WHO?

“On the other hand, same thing applies to the 3D

technique, but our TV screens are not equipped to

receive and understand this language. What we

actually see is 2D in a 3D way, and to see it as it’s

supposed to be, we have to buy special screens with

special glasses made for this technology”.

Regarding the best technology he ever used in his

career, Christo assures that Sam Robot Cam is his

most preferable until today. Christo reveals that he is

against copying the foreign formula of the programs

and applying it entirely to the Arabized programs, so

he is trying to diversify or leave a certain margin to

move within”. If the idea is totally local, then change is

possible, as sometimes the basic formula of the foreign

program is adopted but a new different idea is provided

with different sections, decoration and presentation.

Currently, Christo is preparing to shoot his first

movie under the title of “Sodfa” for the writer Claudia

Marchilian, and is now looking for a technician crew

that will share him this work.

He also signed his new program “Ana w Hayaty”, with

the Lebanese presenter Nishan Derharoutyounian

20

Rain and water proof

The filming of Cold Sunday was threatening for the

central character, played by the new talent Adéla

Petrekova, as well as for the camera: “We had to

compete with high humidity and thick fog. That’s why

the Petrol Bags rain cover was in constant use. It has a

special water-proof zipper on the viewfinder protector

with which the cover can be almost completely sealed.

With this feature, rain and splashing water are no

problem. We were even able to cope with very windy

trips with the jeep in the rain – the hotshoe connection

on the rigid front hood section enables the one-piece

cover to be securely stabilized on the camera,” explains

German director of photography Armin Dierolf.

Quick access and a clear view

“Cold Sunday” takes place on one cold, damp day

during the Czech fall season. A dark and threatening

atmosphere defines the film. Only 16 days were

planned for the filming of the thriller; that’s why the

equipment had to function perfectly and withstand

adverse conditions. The water-proof nylon of the rain

cover protects large full-format cameras from moisture

penetration – and does so without putting restrictions

on the camera operator. “I especially like that the

CASE STUDY

Petrol Bags make stormy weather not an obstacle for shooting the Thriller

“Cold Sunday”

The transparent Deca rain cover protects PS-Cam X35 from rain during the shooting of

“Cold Sunday”

At an old, remote mill 40 km (25 miles) away from Prague, sludge and mud are everywhere while moisture penetrates the bones. These are the filming conditions on the main set of the psychological thriller “Cold Sunday”. Autumn in the Czech Republic is damp and foggy, and the higher the altitude, the

more piercing and rainy the climate is. The other shooting locations on the Elbe, Ústí nad Labem and Decín, also have dreary weather conditions with an average of 14 days of rain per month. It is the perfect atmosphere for the film by director Ivan Pokorny, but it also poses great danger on the equipment of the director of photography Armin Dierolf’s. For this reason, he protects his PS-Cam X35 with the PR425 rain cover from the Deca product line by Petrol Bags, part of Vitec Videocom, a Vitec Group company.

^^

rain cover by Petrol Bags is almost completely transparent; this way it is

suitable for all cameras and their accessories, monitors, etc. The camera

doesn’t disappear in the bag. It is still visible with all of its displays,” says

Dierolf while explaining the advantages of the rain cover.

The sophisticated one-piece design with transparent polyurethane provides

Dierolf with especially quick and comfortable access to all of the camera

functions and optimal visibility. For example, the tally light is always clearly

recognizable on the front side of the cover in thick fog and constant rain.

On the upper part of the cover, there is also a 15 cm (6 in) long track made

of polypropylene on which a camera light, for example, can be mounted

when wet weather is combined with darkness

15

SERIES

F O X S E R I E SO’CONNOR’S SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL

Cinematographer Gordon Lonsdale, ASC, credits

O’Connor’s support for allowing his operators to

keep moves fresh and innovative on the long running

Fox series “Bones”. “Actually, I’ve been a big fan of

O’Connor throughout my career”, he says. “When I

was an assistant I used the 50 and 100, then when

the lightweight 100 came out, I thought I’d died and

gone to heaven”. O’Connor is part of Vitec Videocom,

a Vitec Group company.

Bones is filmed with ARRI Alexa cameras, Optimo

zooms and Leica primes. Lonsdale’s two operators

use 120EX OConnor heads, supplied by Otto Nemenz,

and set them up in completely different configurations.

Greg Collier, A-camera/2nd unit DP will tighten the

drag quite a bit and operate that way.

Andy Shuttleworth, B-camera/Steadicam,

has his head very loose. “Still, they both do

beautiful work,” Lonsdale says.

To keep the series fresh, he is

often putting his cameras in very

challenging positions, especially

on shots where the lead actors

are investigating some sort of grizzly

death. “This is often where the strength of the

heads allows us to use the long lenses and to put my Z-plate on

the head and hang it upside down with the camera, complete with

zoom, skimming across the ground for many shots,” he explains.

Bones, a darkly amusing procedural drama based on real-life forensic

anthropologist and novelist Kathy Reichs, opened its eighth season on

Fox in January

Bones series cast: T.J Thyne, Tamara Taylor, John Francis Daley, Michaela Conlin

Cinematographer Gordon Lonsdale

Stars of Bones: Emily Descharel

& David Boreanaz

Television has been a major success for entertainment and gaming. TV has over 80 years of history since the original BBC broadcasts of 1929. It was thought that TV technology was almost mature with analog color TV and broadcasting on air.

22

Visions for the Future Television

A Vision of the Future of Interactive/Social Television

As we complete fifty-five years since the broadcast

of the first interactive TV service, it is worthwhile to

offer a glimpse into the future of interactive

Television. It has been argued that Television

is not interactive enough and that it is

primarily viewed as a household commodity.

In light of this, one can foresee five axes of

development described below with some ideas

extracted from Phil Leigh’s book “The Future of

Television” that describes how television will be

changing in the future.

After introducing digital technology with high-speed IP-based networking,

additional “freedom” to view content has been introduced. Users will

experience this freedom through multiple devices and sources of content.

However, it seems that this technology is still below average levels for

customers, because the gap between current TVs and the customer’s

demand is too large.

And as Pablo Cesar said that more “freedom” is necessary to be introduced

in display technology to meet users’ expectations during the “Consumer

Communications and Networking Conference (CCNC), on Jan 2011. The

aim of this article, and after reviewing many related studies and technical

researches, is trying to set a vision for the technologies that are necessary

to allow customers to enjoy future TV content from the viewpoints of

service, platform, and device.

TV

By: Mahmoud Awwad

03. Personalized Television: the User-Authored Content Era

Personalized Television would become a very common trend in the near

future. Personalization would spread beyond interactive Television features

and services to include TV programs too. Television has been designed to

accommodate single user interaction and selection of services. However

in most households several users actually interact with their TV sets and

set-top box and each one of them has a different set of preferences in

terms of programs and services.

04. Smart Space Television: the New Frontier

As wireless networks enter the household environment, it is anticipated

that the house of the future would consist of a collection of networked

devices and electronic appliances. In such a networked household one can

envisage a smart space Television, which apart from the prime purpose

of watching TV programs would be utilized as a media center for sharing

content amongst the household members. In such a scenario, the TV would

be aware of other networked devices of audiovisual content and would

automatically either store them locally or create a link with the devices

(iPod, Mp3 players, MP4 players, video cameras, photo cameras, mobile

phone, etc.), where the content is hosted.

05. 3D Television: Seeing Future in Depth

Content creators (“Vision for future television,” Solid-State Circuits

Conference Digest of Technical Papers (ISSCC), 2012 IEEE International,

Feb. 2012) always look for new forms and ways for improving their content

and adding new sensations to the viewer experience. High-Definition and

Ultra High-Definition video have been the latest innovation in the area of

content enrichment. 3D is the next single greatest innovation in program-

making. There has been a trend in cinema in producing films with 3D

enriched content.

As a final word the issue of spectrum allocation is also seen as one of the

key thrusts for the future development of interactive Television especially

as there are more ways to broadcast than ever before, namely, terrestrial,

cable, satellite, mobile, and the Internet. Finally, a new vision for the

future of interactive Television has been offered. As the principal drive and

innovation of the 1990s was bringing the Internet in the TV environment,

the 21st century would be about bringing the TV into the Internet and 3D

into TV to create an ambient and immersive personalized user experience.

Yet at the end of the day, no revolution ever came cheap. Your living room

is no exception

3D is the next single greatest innovation in program making

15

TV

01. IPTV: the

Internet Revolution

The Internet Protocol (IP)

is a data-oriented protocol

used for communicating data

across packet-switched networks.

The Internet Protocol is transforming

Television into a new format for content

that encapsulates TV signals within an IP

packet data stream. Since IPTV or Internet

Television employs the same protocol for the

delivery of content such as the Internet, this indicates

that IPTV content (realized as IPTV data packets) could

potentially be distributed over any IP-capable network,

such as ADSL over a cable or telephone broadband

connection or as wireless (Wi-Fi, Wi-Max). This will

result new form of webisodes would be very popular

to the “snacking” culture attributed to our current and

future busy way of life.

02. Mobile Television: the Next Trend

The proliferation of nomadic use of embedded

computing devices, along with the introduction of

Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)

and 3rd generation (3G) mobile phones, offers for

the first time the opportunity of interactive Television

services for mobile terminals. This new opportunity for

interactive Television on the move is further expanded

with the creation of the DVB-H and DMB standards

that are aimed at providing broadcast content to low

power mobile devices. Mobile Television is one of the

most prominent areas in the context of iTV.

15

There is no doubt that a studio with standard technical measurements would not work for an experimental show as Crazy Lab; the Lebanese one-hour long family show that is filled with chemical trials and “do it yourself” experiments. The program of explosions, laughter and surprises is broadcasted on mtv channel; a Lebanese local channel where the program is filmed in one of its studios (Studiovision) which are equipped to fit all the elements that accompany each episode.

24

Crazy Lab Show:

Special Equipped Studio to Fit its Criteria

such water, oil, liquid oxygen, and liquid nitrogen. It has

the sound proofed walls and a runway in the ceiling for

the cameras.

“Before each episode, outdoor experiments are carried

out to configure the reactions, as area blast, water or

oil splash, etc… then we locate how far should we put

the cameras and what equipments to use, this way we

know if the equipment will be damaged” said Bejjani,

and added “during the production phase for example,

an experiment was done in microwave to see if the

oven will burn in case we put grapes or a lamp, or a

brandy or Cognac glass with a fork. By pre-experiment

The Experimental Studio

“The studio covers an area of about 750 meter square, and it is ten meters

high which means that the light is higher than the blast area, hence the

blast doesn’t exceed nine meters. This studio has an to access on an

elevator that bears weight up to 7 tons; it can hold a car” said Ralph Bejjani,

producer of Crazy Lab. “We use this studio on purpose because we might

have to move heavy loads down, in addition, there is a huge hood which

disposes smoke in seconds”.

A movable circular table covers the floor of the studio, and according to

Bejjani shooting is done on that floor to endure different substances used

PROGRAM

By: Fatima Kassem

25

PROGRAM

we noticed that it’s harmful and decided not to close

the glass. The blast force of such experiments can’t

be expected”.

Michelle Saliba, the program director, described how

the light is affected in such shows “the lighting is in

5 meters extra height which affects the picture, but

that is for the safety of the equipment. Unlike most

programs, we use cool light as the hosts aren’t stable,

they move so much during shooting”.

“There are ten Panasonic cameras used in shooting

Crazy Lab, which are located according to each scene,

in addition to GoPro minicameras. For the outdoor

shooting, 5 D cameras are used”, said Saliba.

The host of Crazy lab,the chemist, Nancy Iskandar and the co-host, actor Elie Mitri, told First Frame about their enjoyable experience in this program.

Nancy, how hard is for a chemist to host a program? It was a dream to have my own science show, it is great! It was easy and

good because it’s interesting for me and I can pass my messages through it.

On what bases do you choose the ideas? We prepare the experiments and Elie Mitri creates the crazy script to

perform it in funny way.

I am responsible for the whole experiments with their results and reactions.

I used to study chemistry and teaching methods; how to deliver information

in funny and easy way.

Are you aware of finding more ideas for further episodes?There are too many ideas, but the problem in Lebanon lies in providing the

material, especially the chemicals, because a list of chemicals have been

forbidden lately by the Ministry of Health.We can’t use or buy them even

in small quantities, because they’re used in manufacturing bombs. On the

other hand, sometimes the materials require longtime to be available. For

example Dry ice in Lebanon is available in only few companies.

Do you include risky experiments in the show?In this program I am the “NO”, I forbid Elie to do the hazardous experiments.

this kind of science is serious, although the studio is equipped to be safe

for all of us.

Elie, Are you bothered from being exposed to danger? It’s a lovely job! There are some experiments that I’m forbidden to do it for

my own safety.

Elie, Are you committing to the safety measurements?

People are not accustomed to such procedures, thus seeing or practicing

will let them get along with it. We try harmless experiments, because

getting hurt will cancel the episode which is not our goal.

The show’s team reminds the audience to try some of the safe experiments and share their trials on social media

Studio covers an area of about 750 meter square, and it is ten meters high which means the light is higher than the blast area

Simulsat is the world’s only true full-arc multiple satellite antenna that is capable of receiving satellite transmissions from 35 or more satellites simultaneously, without adjustment or degradation in performance from one satellite to the next. Simulsat is 2° compliant with the ability to capture signals from all C & Ku Band satellites within a 70° view arc.

26

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Over the last 20 years, ATCi has been the world leader in multibeam

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Because satellite programming is constantly changing, satellite broadcast

users need to constantly adapt to new and different channels and

satellites. Simulsat antennas have long provided the ultimate multibeam

antenna solution to these needs. The Simulsat improves user’s ability to

take advantage of immediate and future revenue opportunities without the

need for an antenna farm and without the trouble of additional permits or

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Many systems have retrofitted parabolic dishes with dual or triple feeds

in order to view more than one satellite. Multi-feed parabolics can view

satellites across a 10° arc. However, since parabolics have but one true

focal point, the adjacent satellites are offset, resulting in a degradation in

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70° View ArcThe unique design of the Simulsat captures signals

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SATELLITE

WHAT IS : SIMULTAT How simultat views 35 Satellites Simultaneously

Simulsat 5 B

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Antennas

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Saves SpaceOne Simulsat does the work of 35 parabolic antennas in the total coverage

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Visual AppealSimulsat’s single antenna approach is more aesthetically pleasing than an

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Sees More TranspondersSimulsat receives nearly 1,000 satellite channels simultaneously. Parabolic

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Lowers Overall CostsReturn on initial investment is immediate.

27

SATELLITE

Solution vs. FarmSIMULTAT

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arc

The latest addition to Sony’s widely-used XDCAM HD422 line-up, the new PMW-400 incorporates a 2/3-inch Exmor Full HD 3CMOS sensor for capturing beautiful images with high sensitivity and low noise. It has been designed with a host of features that make it a great fit for applications like ENG or live production. Sony announced its camcorder at the NAB Show 2013 in Las Vegas.

28

Higher Picture Quality with HD422 Codec

Capable of MPEG HD422 50Mbps recording, the PMW-400 is unique among

the field of 2/3-type camcorders thanks to its noise reduction capabilities

and rich selection of formats that it can handle. Its 3 Dimensional Noise

Reducer (3DNR) accurately detects and processes images to reduce noise,

achieving a Signal-to-Noise (S/N) ratio of 60dB which is outstanding among

2/3-type camcorders. A wide variety of formats are supported by the PMW-

400, including MPEG2 HD422@50Mbps, HD420@35Mbps/25Mbps,

MPEG IMX@50Mbps, and DVCAM. The PMW-400 will also offer future

XAVC support for HD2 so users can be well-placed to meet the ever-

increasing demands for high quality image capture.

Improved Viewfinder

The supplied viewfinder features improved panel resolution of quarter HD

960(H) x 540(V) compared to previous models that had a resolution of VGA

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Flash Band Compensation via Internal Processing

The PMW-400 incorporates a valuable new feature – an internal Flash

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In addition to current flash band reducing processes via content browser

CAMERA

A New PMW-400 Shoulder Camcorder from Sony to enhance

XDCAM Range

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To enhance convenience and flexibility during

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15

PROGRAM

ITV:A Whole Different

Experience

have focused on releasing a smart

watch. It seemed as if Apple had set

aside its TV ambitions.

The information below was collected

by cross referencing the most reliable

sources in the industry:

- Release Date: The iTV may be

ready by the end of this year, though

it’s more likely to be released at the

beginning of 2014.

- Design: The iTV is supposed to be

an astounding ultra-thin LED smart TV.

- Size: 37, 46 and 55 inches.

- Price: Analysts expect the price to

range between $1500 and $2000 for US residents.

Speculated Features:

Remote Control via the traditional remote control device, iPhone, iPod

and iPad. And of course, Siri voice control!

Facetime video, iTunes and iCloud.

Using an App Store-like experience; users will be able to buy specific

channels that they want to watch rather than having hundreds or thousands

of cable channels that they don’t need or they don’t even want!

Wouldn’t it be nice to have all the remote controls centralized in one

piece? It would be even better to get rid of all the cables connecting the

DVD player and other devices to the TV.

Gaming maybe a major feature.

According to John Sculley, a former Apple CEO, “the problem with current

TV sets is that as the picture gets better and the choice of content gets

broader, the complexity of the experience of using the television gets more

complicated. And if anyone is going to change the experience of what the

first principles are, it is going to be Apple.”

In conclusion, Apple iTV speculations imply a

revolutionary product that will change our whole TV

experience, but will it succeed? We’ll have to wait

and see. And if rumors speculate the U.S. release

date at a late stage this year, this means that Apple

fans in the Middle East won’t be able to sit face to

face with an iTV before 2014 to say the least, and

they will definitely won’t be able to make the most

out of its features, which is the case with most of

iOS devices

NIZAR HAKEEM

If you are planning to shop for a new smart TV, you’ll soon have an additional smart TV brand to choose: Apple. After dominating the market of smart phones and electronic tablets, and in line with the continuous battle with Samsung, it won’t be surprising to know that Apple is planning on launching an iTV soon.

30

During various occasions in year 2012, Apple’s chief

executive officer, Tim Cook made many announcements

in which he clearly implied Apple’s intentions to hit the

smart TV market and that the current Apple TV remains

a “hobby”, said Cook. It is worth noting that Apple sold

5 million units of this TV in 2012! The number is shy

compared to iOS devices sales; however, it is good

compared to competing devices of other brands.

In fact, Steve Jobs, Apple’s former CEO and co-founder

was the first to draw attention to iTV concept; after all,

he hunted for ways to alter the tv market.

Steve “cracked it”, so Apple was not willing to settle

for a small black box (Apple TV) to assume its place

under a Sony or Samsung LED Smart TV. Apple TV unit

was testing the water of the television sector and the

company is working on something “special” in order to

turn iTV into a serious category for Apple.

iTV Specs:

We are used to rumors and speculations that

accompany each and every release of an Apple

product. And with iTV being a totally new release,

analysts and Apple fans all around the globe can’t stop

predicting and speculating about what’s supposed to

be a revolutionary TV set. According to their “industry

supply chain sources” the TV is likely to support

Ultra HD, or 4K, which is the next generation of high

definition, as it will have voice and motion controls.

Apple was aiming to get TV panels that are close to 4K

quality without the 4K cost.

So far, most of the rumors on Apple products this year

TV