28 CREATION
May-June 2016
Linear Acoustic to provide audio upmixing for Rio Olympics
NBC Olympics , a division of the NBC Sports Group , has selected Linear Acoustic to provide audio upmixing and technical support for its production of the XXXI Olympiad , which will take place this year in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil , from August 5-21 .
More than 40 Linear Acoustic UPMAX v4 units , along with remote controls , have been delivered to NBC Olympics for its coverage of the Rio Games . Linear Acoustic is also providing MT2000 multichannel bitstream analysers and on-site technical support .
Tim Carroll , founder of Linear Acoustic , said : “ Linear Acoustic has been part of delivering engaging 5.1-channel surround experiences to NBC ’ s viewers of the Olympics since the Beijing Games in 2008 ,
FilmLight has introduced the Baselight 5.0 , which is equipped with a new set of tools to optimise both HDR ( high dynamic range ) grading and extended colour gamut .
Baselight 5.0 has been designed to overcome the few hurdles that remain in grading and mastering in HDR . Wolfgang Lempp , CEO of FilmLight , explained : “ You have to give the colourist an intuitive way of interacting with the extra dynamic range , to grade in a way that is natural . You also want to minimise the extra effort of grading for other deliverables while matching as closely as possible the high-quality , HDR image viewing experience . The Baselight 5.0 toolset meets these challenges head-on .”
Developed for Baselight 5.0 is the Base Grade , which accurately mimics the way the eye appreciates colour . Providing an instinctive and predictable response to image adjustment controlled by base , ex- and we are excited to be a part of that experience again in Rio de Janeiro .”
Describing NBC as being “ fortunate ” to be working with Linear Acoustic for the Rio Olympics , Karl Malone , director , Sound Design , NBC Sports , added that the NBC- Linear Acoustic relationship is borne out of a mutual desire to give listeners the most engaging sound experience for the biggest 5.1 surround sound sporting events in the world .
He concluded : “ Linear Acoustic has always worked with NBC to help advance our surround sound capabilities , forecast what we ’ ll want to see in the future , and actively listen to what the producers of high-quality TV audio want .
“ Linear Acoustic will help us to
blend , control and shape our 5.1 content into the high-quality product it is . We are delighted to have them support us on our coverage of yet another Olympic Games .”
Baselight 5.0 extends HDR grading capabilities
posure and tint , Base Grade is the “ natural choice ” for grading HDR images , said FilmLight .
“ The ‘ feel ’ for the users is the same no matter what the choice of working colour space ,” added Martin Tlaskal , lead developer of Base Grade . “ It works in a perceptually linear space , so it ’ s perfect for grading RAW formats , OpenEXRs and other scene-referred data for both HDR and standard range displays .”
The new gamut optimisation feature in Baselight 5.0 also
Linear Acoustic ’ s MT2000 multi-channel bitstream analysers will be deployed by NBC Olympics for its coverage of the Rio Olympics this August .
Baselight 5.0 is equipped with a new set of tools to optimise both HDR grading and extended colour gamut .
provides “ essential and simple-toimplement ” gamut mapping for wide dynamic range images , which form part of the new generation of HDR displays .
Lempp concluded : “ The new range of high-end cameras are extremely powerful , but this also means they ’ re capable of capturing all sorts of colours that could never be displayed on current TV screens . Our new gamut optimisation feature makes this simple to fix , providing natural gamut mapping for deliverables .”
Genelec celebrates a decade of SAM concept
Having invested in active monitoring technology for more than 35 years , Genelec is celebrating 10 years of its Smart Active Monitor ( SAM ) concept .
Models in the SAM range are capable of automatically adapting to acoustical environments to offer tools for sound professionals in broadcasting , post production , music studios and more .
SAM systems are controlled with digital networking , enabling users to build highly flexible systems of audio monitors from two-channel stereo to immersive 3D audio .
In 2006 , the SAM line of active DSP monitors initially included the TEC Award-winning 8240 and 8250 bi-amplified models , and 7260 , 7270 and 2717 subwoofers . This has since been expanded to include the latest generation 8300 and IP 8430 models , the 1236 Main Monitor SAM system , the recently introduced 8340 and 8350 smart monitors , as well as 7360 and 7370 smart subwoofers .
Will Eggleston , Genelec ’ s marketing director , stated : “ SAM bundles all the benefits of Genelec ’ s advanced monitoring systems to a single , easily understandable and descriptive term . The rise of digital technology and evolving market expectations about the possibilities of audio monitors put Genelec in a position to roll out what became our SAM concept 10 years ago .”
The acoustical features of SAMs can be optimised with automatic calibration for different working styles or client demands , according to Genelec .
Such adaptations include aligning levels at the listening position , adjusting delays from the loudspeakers to the listening location , and compensating for the acoustical room influences in the frequency responses ( equalisation ).
One of these proprietary tools is AutoCal , Genelec ’ s acoustic calibration solution that is supplied alongside the Genelec Loudspeaker Management software package , GLM .
Eggleston concluded : “ Designers of systems have shown that digital monitors have some notable capabilities beyond the analogue realm , and SAM embodies the shift from the analogue to the digital world , looking at increasing sound quality and the listening experience of the user while allowing the integration of monitors and subs into a correctly aligned reproduction system .”
Models in Genelec ’ s SAM range are capable of automatically adapting to acoustical environments to offer tools for sound professionals in broadcasting , post production , music studios and more .
50 years and counting : Mark Roberts Motion Control continues to design and manufacture motion control rigs , pan-tilt and multi-axis robotic heads and controllers for multiple industries .
Half of a decade of robotics support
Mark Roberts Motion Control ( MRMC ), which designs , manufactures and assembles motion control rigs , is celebrating a semi centennial this year .
Over the years , MRMC solutions have been deployed in several major blockbuster movies , including Avengers , Skyfall , X-Men and Harry Potter . It also creates pan-tilt and multi-axis robotic heads and controllers , along with tracking technologies for multiple industries such as TV , sports , security and surveillance .
MRMC was founded in 1966 by Australian born engineer , inventor and part-time racing driver Mark Roberts , who set up a company servicing early rostrum camera systems , many of which were mostly manually controlled .
Roberts later found that by using very early computers — analogue and later digital — he was able to automate much of the process of using an animation stand and “ dramatically increase ” its speed and ease of use . He then proceeded to develop new and better mechanics , which “ revolutionised ” the use of rostrums / animation stands , especially in TV stations .
Assaff Rawner , managing director , MRMC , said : “ We are proud to reach this 50-year milestone ! While we are at the forefront of the market , we still retain the core values that put us on the map — providing robust robotics and systems that give our customers the tools they need to realise their creative visions .”