Vizrt Introduces High-Resolution Video Wall at NAB 2007

Vizrt will introduce Viz|Video Wall ER at NAB 2007 (Booth #SL4810), a software solution that automatically distributes scenes from any Vizrt graphic software application to a shared cluster of Viz|Engine renderers. The Viz|Engines output graphics of unlimited resolution to a large-scale video wall for live operation. It can be used interactively in a live broadcast if desired.

"Extremely large video walls used as studio backdrops have become a very fast-growing trend in graphic production," said Petter Ole Jakobsen, CTO, Vizrt. "A large, high-resolution surface creates the possibility of close-ups and more creative shooting angles. It completely unleashes the creative potential of broadcast designers."

Vizrt will have a Barco 5.5mX2m interactive video wall utilizing Viz|Video Wall ER technology on display within its NAB 2007 booth. The demonstration will highlight a complete production workflow solution, including integration with the full line of Vizrt software, including new offerings -- Viz|Multi-Platform Suite (MPS) for real-time graphics and video content delivery to mobile devices; Viz|Curious Maps mapping software; and Viz|Quattro, a still and clip store workflow solution.

"This demonstration will completely change the look of our NAB booth from previous years," explained Jakobsen. "We'll have demo artists working directly on the live video and graphics displayed on the large, high-resolution Barco screen."

Several broadcasters currently use Vizrt technology for large-scale video wall presentations. For its U.S. 2006 election coverage, CNN used an interactive touch screen to display what the "balance of power" would look like should Democrats, Republicans, or Independents win specific Senate and House of Representatives seats.

The newly launched Spanish channel, La Sexta, uses a video wall powered by Vizrt solutions as a backdrop for both news and sports programs. José Sancho, art director at La Sexta, explained that Viz|Video Wall, combined with Vizrt's "look ahead" Transition Logic saves time during production, particularly with sports programming: "The procedure to change graphics is fast and simple. We just open a template, change the photo or the object, and launch it immediately." With Vizrt's "Look Ahead" transition logic, users can stack arbitrary pages and automatically create seamless transitions, using just one video output channel, removing the need to take graphics off-air before bringing new graphics to air.