RGB Communications the exclusive UK and Ireland Distributor of the signagelive web-based Digital Signage platform is offering new resellers the opportunity to purchase a signagelive player HD complete with 1 year licence for an amazing price of £600. The offer is limited to one signagelive player HD per reseller and has been subsidised by Remote Media the manufacturer of signagelive in a show of support to AV and IT resellers looking to move into the fast growing Digital Signage sector.

To find out more about this offer contact the RGB signagelive team on 0844 8800 765 or email sales@rgbcomms.co.uk

To find out more about signagelive visit www.signagelive.com

BEAVERTON, Ore.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display systems, today announced it has been awarded a digital display contract by the leading provider of television networks at retail, Thomson’s Premier Retail Networks, Inc. (PRN). In alignment with Planar’s corporate strategy to provide innovative display solutions for retail applications, PRN chose Planar for its unique ability to provide a myriad of specialty displays that meet the exact requirements of PRN. Under the agreement, Planar will provide customized small format touch-screen displays and customized large-format displays.

Serving PRN’s multiple display categories as part of its retail media network systems solution, Planar display solutions will now be used in a large percentage of the in-store networks operated by PRN. PRN works with retailers, content partners and advertisers to create in-store programming that engages, informs and motivates consumers where they shop. PRN’s programming alliances include major television networks and other media properties, as well as movie studios, record labels and magazine and newspaper publishers. PRN’s retailer customers include ACME, Albertsons, Best Buy, Carrefour, Circuit City, Costco, Jewel-Osco, Pathmark, Sam’s Club, Shaw’s and Star Market, ShopRite and Walmart Stores.

“PRN selected Planar because of its years of proven display innovation and because it has been extremely responsive to our schedule requirements,” said Scott Francis, Chief Technology Officer for PRN. “We wanted to work with a manufacturer who could combine the quality assurance systems and capabilities of a large vendor with the flexibility and speed of a smaller supplier. The Display System is a critical component in the PRN solution and we’ve found Planar to be a nimble and valuable partner.”

With headquarters in the United States and multiple specialty display technologies and applications served by its four business units (commercial, industrial, home theater and control room & digital signage), Planar offers display solutions that fit the most demanding applications, ranging from ruggedized industrial products found in airplane cockpits to massive video wall displays found worldwide in major mass-transit systems.

“Planar’s partnership with PRN validates our strategy to provide unique display products for challenging applications,” said Doug Barnes, general manager and vice president of Planar’s industrial business unit. “We have assembled the right engineering expertise and platform of products to serve the demanding needs of customers like PRN and their retail partners. Our ability to provide customized display solutions makes us ideally suited for projects that require more than a plain vanilla display.”

ABOUT PLANAR

Planar Systems, Inc (NASDAQ:PLNR) is a global leader of specialty display technology providing hardware and software solutions for the world’s most demanding environments. Hospitals, space and military programs, utility and transportation hubs, shopping centers, banks, government agencies, businesses, and home theater enthusiasts all depend on Planar to provide superior performance when image experience is of the highest importance. Founded in 1983, Planar is headquartered in Oregon, USA, with offices, manufacturing partners, and customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.planar.com.

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 7, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) — Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:RNIN), a Minneapolis-based digital signage provider, announced today that the company has been selected for testing of its dynamic digital signage menu board program by Priszm Income Fund (TSX:QSR) at three KFC locations in Toronto, Canada. With dynamic digital signage, menu board updates are instantaneous and easy and deployment costs are virtually eliminated.

Testing of the system has already commenced in two locations in Canada with one more location to be added in October. Program evaluation is scheduled for 2009 with potential rollout to more than 300 locations commencing thereafter.

“As a result of our efforts and success with KFC U.S., Priszm Income Fund, the largest franchisee of KFC in Canada and one of the largest franchisees in the world, has selected Wireless Ronin for the new program in Canada,” said Jeffrey Mack, chairman, president and CEO of Wireless Ronin. “As part of the test, Wireless Ronin will provide a variety of services, including consulting, content development, hardware procurement, installation, and ongoing support through its Network Operations Center. This represents an important international opportunity for Wireless Ronin.”

“We are very excited to be working with Wireless Ronin,” said Steve Langford, president KFC/Taco Bell Canada. “Wireless Ronin’s state-of-the-art digital menu board allows us to easily and quickly highlight featured products, specials and other promotions as well as schedule different menu options specific to certain times of day — all at the touch of a button. Effectively targeting customers at the point where purchase decisions are being made is critical and Wireless Ronin’s in-store digital signage is making this easier and affordable.”

About Priszm Income Fund

Priszm Income Fund (TSX:QSR) has a 60.3 per cent interest in Priszm LP, which owns and operates 465 quick service restaurants in seven provinces across Canada. The KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut restaurants under Priszm serve 1.5 million customers a week and employ more than 9,000 people. Currently, 101 locations are multi-branded, combining two or more of the Fund’s restaurant concepts. To find out more about Priszm Income Fund (TSX:QSR), visit our website at http://www.priszm.com.

About Wireless Ronin Technologies

Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc. (www.wirelessronin.com) is the developer of RoninCast(r), a complete digital signage software solution designed to address the evolving digital signage marketplace. RoninCast digital signage software provides clients with the ability to manage a digital signage network from one central location. The software suite allows for customized distribution with network management, playlist creation and scheduling, and database integration. Wireless Ronin offers an array of services to support RoninCast digital signage software, including consulting, creative development, project management, installation, hosting and training. The company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “RNIN”.

The Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc. logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3208

This release contains certain forward-looking statements of expected future developments, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations and are based on currently available data; however, actual results are subject to future risks and uncertainties, which could materially affect actual performance. Risks and uncertainties that could affect such performance include, but are not limited to, the following: estimates of future expenses, revenue and profitability; the pace at which the Company completes installations and recognizes revenue; trends affecting financial condition and results of operations; ability to convert proposals into customer orders; the ability of customers to pay for products and services; the revenue recognition impact of changing customer requirements; customer cancellations; the availability and terms of additional capital; ability to develop new products; dependence on key suppliers, manufacturers and strategic partners; industry trends and the competitive environment; and the impact of losing one or more senior executives or failing to attract additional key personnel. These and other risk factors are discussed in detail in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, on May 9, 2008.

Wireless Ronin(r) and RoninCast(r) are registered trademarks of Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks referred to above are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT:  Wireless Ronin Technologies
Media
Holly Heitkamp - Marketing Specialist
(952) 564-3560
hheitkamp@wirelessronin.com

Padilla Spear Beardsley
Investors
Al Galgano - Investor Relations
(612) 455-1720
agalgano@PSBPR.com

Priszm Income Fund
Investors
Trish Moran
(416) 739-2906
trish.moran@priszm.com

Wilcox Group
Media
(416) 203-6666
priszm@wilcoxgroup.com

NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Palm Coast, FL, United States, 08/07/2008 - Digital Signage Expo East, DSE’s first regional show scheduled at the Philadelphia Convention Center will present the newest, most cutting edge technology in the digital signage, interactive technologies and out-of-home network industry on 9/16-18/08.

In addition to the full day “Content Showcase”, three “Super Sessions”, 16 Conference workshops and a new “Lunch & Learn” Program, attendees at Digital Signage Expo East will have the opportunity to be the first to see:
- Data Display System’s 1080 Player, which optimizes HD video.
- EnQii’s new OnSight Messaging, which enables staff at every network site to post messages, daily promotions, schedule changes and announcements.
- Gener8 Digital Media’s new Genr8 Channels Content Selection System, which offers 10 themed channels on lifestyle, fashion, business, and other content.
- Fairfield Display and Lighting’s Low Voltage Wire-Free Compact Flash Players, for space and energy saving displays.
- Kramer Electronics’ new Cobra Twisted Pair Products, which are high quality transmitters, receivers, matrix switchers and a distributor for sending high res signals over long distances.
- Navori’s new Tycoon 3.04 Version, which has optimized the product and integrated the most requested features.
- Netkey’s new Digital Signage 4.9, which makes deploying and operating a DS network easier and more efficient, including expanded multi-zone content.
- Roku’s new BrightSign HD2000, a fully integrated, high definition digital sign controller that offers plug-n-play networking to streamline content management.
- Scala’s new Ad Manager Product, which provides a complete advertising management solution for the out-of-home industry.
- Trident’s new MicroTouch DST, which makes interacting with surfaces fast and accurate.
- Wireless Ronin’s RoninCast Wayfinding, which provides creative and interactive directional mapping; Interactive Product Selection functionality to showcase products with an internet-like selection tool; RoninCast Meeting Room Presentation, which links software to third-party calendaring software .asp pages or databases; and RoninCast 3D Capability, which includes the added capability of managing 3D files.

Chris Gibbs, Executive Vice President of ExpoNation, LLC the producer of Digital Signage Expo and DSE East said, “DSE East is going to have a lot of ‘wow’ — the amazing developments in technology continue to expand applications possibilities and create new marketing and merchandising opportunities at retail and beyond.”

Digital Signage Expo/East and Interactive Technology Expo/East will be co-located at the Philadelphia Convention Center to run September 16-18, 2008.
To exhibit or attend Digital Signage Expo/East and/or Interactive Technologies Expo/East 2008, contact Chris Gibbs at (770) 649-0300 x17.

LONDON — Microsoft and Samsung have announced that the companies will be present at KioskCom Self Service Expo Europe and the Digital Signage Show Europe. The show will be held for the third time in the UK in October, with a focus on the retail technology and interactive marketing sectors.

Joining Microsoft and Samsung on the exhibitor list are the likes of 3M, Cammax, Protouch, Dicoll, Box Technologies, Ritall, Verifone, GWD Media, YesPay, Rafi, St. Clair and Star Micronics, among others.

“With the announcement that both Microsoft and Samsung are exhibiting at Self Service Expo, we can safely say that both the way we shop and the way the advertisers want us to shop is set for a revolution,” said Phil Hunter, managing director, KioskCom Ltd.

Audio Video Planners is proud to announce our recent installation of D3 Digital Signage to the new Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. Watch for it this fall featuring AirTran Aiways.

Digital signage is the next step in communications. Advertise on your own point-of- purchase network (POP), create your own retail displays, or broadcast internal corporate messages. No matter what your application, X20 Media has the platform, the content design, management, distribution, monitoring and support services for your digital signage implementation. Join Matt McLeod from JB&A as he present the Complete Digital Signage Solution, X20. Registration is free for a 1 hour session, contact Steve Becker for more detail or visit our website. www.pvskc.com / 918.877.2661.

China’s Growth in Out-of-Home Media Seen Across All Consumer Touchpoints
With just over 1.3 billion people, China is the world’s largest and most populous country, it is also home to the world’s largest out-of-home digital signage networks. China is a country on the move, from mass transportation systems to elevators to hotels and shopping malls, out-of-home media has experienced tremendous growth in a country where only one household in three currently owns a television.

If you’re attending the Beijing Olympics your first exposure to digital signage will likely happen at the Beijing Capital International Airport, Terminal 3. Terminal 3 was constructed to handle international arrivals and departures for the 2008 Summer Games and is the primary hub for Air China, Lufthansa, American Airlines, Air Canada, and British Airways. The terminal is expected to handle more than 43 million passengers per year with the addition of 120 gates. Air travel in China is currently growing at a rate of 10% annually, with 131 million inbound travelers in 2007. Growth in tourism and rising domestic incomes are expected to increase air travel to more than 200 million travelers in 2008. The government has announced plans to build 100 additional airports by 2020. It is with this background that Airmedia Group has become one of the major players in China’s digital signage marketplace.

Airmedia operates of the largest digital media network in China dedicated to the air travel industry. Airmedia currently has the concession rights to operate signage systems in 52 airports across China, including China’s five largest airports. In addition to operating digital signage networks, Airmedia offers advertisers other media platforms that include light boxes, 3D Displays, and 360-degree LED displays. It also places media on inflight screens on the routes of 9 Chinese airlines giving Airmedia more than 16,000 screens inflight. The length of AirMedia’s in-flight programing typically ranges from approximately 45 minutes to an hour per flight, approximately 5 to 16 minutes of which consist of advertising content.

At the Beijing Capital International Airport more than Five hundred thirty-eight digital signage displays have been installed with the help of several key suppliers. A major portion of Airmedia’s system uses DT Research’s WebDT Signage System that includes industrial-grade signage hardware, content management software, and device management software. Using the WebDT Signage System enables the delivery of dynamic advertising, information, news, and training that can be displayed in up to eight zones on each screen. Content scheduling and playback are all controlled remotely via secure wireless media players. Additional LCD panel suppliers also included Samsung, Haier, and HPC International.

Airmedia Group has grown through several key acquisitions and partnerships, in July it acquired Excel Lead International and Flying Dragon Media Advertising. The acquisitions diversified Airmedia’s offerings to include advertising on gate bridges in 10 airports in mainland China. Airmedia announced a strategic partnership with the WingsMedia, a division of Shanghai Media Group, one of the largest media companies in China to provide content for Airmedia’s network. AirMedia obtained the exclusive right to show selected news, theme programs, and documentary clips provided by SMG in airports and on airplanes from March 2008 to February 2010. AirMedia’s standard programs in airports currently include 25 minutes of advertising content and 35 minutes of non-advertising content during each hour of programming, and are shown for approximately 16 hours per day.

Business Media China (BMC), one of the largest media placement agencies in China reported that almost all of its inventory has been sold out at Terminal 3 through the end of 2010. Advertisers include Samsung, Coca-Cola, and Ferrari. BMC is also working with Zeno Global, a company holding a patent on a new kind of light box advertising. Based on a phenomenon known as “persistence of vision”, advertisements appears to move when passengers approach the panels from any direction, they see a sequence of moving images that react to each person individually. If a viewer stops, the image stops. If a viewer’s head moves back and forth, the image corresponds. Content can be sourced from film, video or computer animation, including TV commercials. Advertisers supply Zeno with a short video clip which Zeno converts to an encoded, 2D poster using proprietary software. Examples of image sequences might include car companies showing their products from different sides and changing the color of the car.

Through a combination of growth and acquisition, Focus Media has become the largest out-of-home provider in China with a broad portfolio of advertising platforms. Their portfolio includes more than 200 outdoor LED displays in Shanghai and more than 112,000 flat-panel displays in high-traffic areas, such as elevators, hotels, and shopping malls in over 90 cities across China. An in-store network with more than 50,000 flat-panel displays in approximately 4,000 hypermarkets, supermarkets, and convenience stores was established in 2005. In 2007 Focus Media acquired CGEN Digital Media expanding its in-store digital advertising network to large chain stores across China.

5.6 million people use the Shanghai Metro on a daily basis and view more than 4,237 flat-panel public information displays (PIDS) across 4 subway lines and 85 stations. The system includes platform-based and train-based displays and was developed and managed by Digital Media Group (DMG). DMG operates signage systems in six urban areas including Hong Kong with 308 displays on 11 subway trains. Programming includes news, weather, community and transportation updates. DMG has recently formed a partnership with New Media Information Communications Ltd. to operate more than 800 high-tech plasma displays at bus stops across Shanghai increasing DMGs reach to include more than 5 million additional passengers above ground.

The Hong Kong Airport Express is a high-speed rail link that runs between Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong’s Central business district. The 28-minute trip includes information and entertainment programs that reach more than 10.2 million passengers per year from The Elite Channel using 23-inch LCD monitors.

According to a study conducted by CTR Market Research (CTR) in September 2007, over 25 million trips were taken daily on public buses with digital television displays in China. VisionChina Media operates one of the largest out-of-home advertising networks using real-time mobile digital television broadcasts to deliver content and advertising on mass transportation systems in China. The company’s network consists of over 33,000 digital TV displays reaching 14 of China’s most affluent cities The company’s network offers the ability to deliver real-time, location-specific news, stock quotes, weather and traffic updates, sports highlights, and entertainment programs.

Billboards are getting a makeover, and not just at the mall or your local bank: On university campuses from coast to coast, administrators are realizing there’s more to digital signage than just a pretty picture–it can enhance communication and maybe even help save lives.

Electronic digital signage (EDS) includes LED, OLED, LCD, CRT, plasma, digital, or e-link displays and digital projection devices.

Often, the technology uses a computer-routing system made up of hardware and software that channels content to the system’s director, who forwards the coded signals to the display.

From a central management distribution center, multimedia display systems are fed electronic messaging (created by image and graphics software) by either telephone or IP network lines or a wireless narrowcasting system to display changeable (animated, video, or still) messages from a real-time or prerecorded source.

Designers of digital signage projects look out for “dwell zones,” or those spots where people pause to watch a video display and are likely to be influenced by the message.

Dale Smith, director of business development for Peerless Industries, says today’s ad dollars are being shifted from “at home” content to content viewed away from the home. “Content providers must take into account specific viewing times, repeat trips, and the need to inform, educate, and influence,” he said.

In fact, spending on out-of-home video advertising in the United States reached $1.28 billion in 2007 and is projected to reach $3.22 billion by 2011. A study conducted last year by Online Testing Exchange said that digital signage catches the attention of more people than any other comparable advertising medium.

And that’s one reason a growing number of colleges, universities, and even K-12 schools are opting for digital signage.

According to Sanju Khatri, a principal analyst at iSuppli, the top three venues for digital signage use are retail, transportation, and indoor venues; however, many businesses and universities also are adopting the technology.

“More universities are looking at this technology,” agreed Ron Snaidauf, vice president of commercial products for LG Electronics USA, “especially as a means of security and safety for students and staff. Digital signage also has great possibilities for [giving directions], scheduling, class information, and more.”

John Holmes, marketing manager for public displays at Sony Electronics, says that while emergency warning capabilities make digital signage a smart choice for campuses, the signs also can help create school spirit. “There’s not one student out there who wouldn’t love to see rotating images from last night’s game, read news articles about [his or her] university’s achievements, or see ticketing schedules,” he said.

Another perk is the reduced need for printed advertisements on campus. “It can really help cut down on waste from posters and signs that are thrown in the trash, helping a campus to conserve paper and resources,” Snaidauf explained.

Trade media says metrics for digital signage that can be accepted by media buyers, are becoming a reality. Here is a brief overview of what the press has written on the subject in the past couple of months.

Nielsen is about to launch a new service that will provide monthly audience ratings for digital out-of-home networks in a format similar to that of TV ratings “pocketpieces” (booklets that you can fit into your pocket).

According to MediaWeek, “Nielsen has already issued its first report for Ideacast’s health club network. Sources confirmed other networks have also signed up for the service, among them Gas Station TV, Arena Media Networks and CBS Outernet.”

Katy Bachman, the author of the MediaWeek’s article, continues: “…standardized metrics could be a game changer for a medium advertisers find attractive but that lacks the metrics to give it a fair evaluation.”

“Measurement will bring some order to the whole medium,” said Jim Spaeth, president of Sequent Partners, a research consultancy hired by the Out-of-Home Video Advertising Bureau to write research standards to be released later this summer.

MediaWeek says Nielsen will issue reports free to agency clients, which it does with its cinema reports. For Ideacast, it takes the business to the next level. “Nielsen has a database of 30,000 planners and buyers, and they’re sending this to their entire database,” said Jason Brown, president, sales and marketing at Ideacast, which has already begun selling with the data. “Our business plan and internal projections are based [on these reports]. It’s now our currency.”

MediaPost wrote that, “… perhaps the most important aspect of the new pocketpieces will be Nielsen’s imprimatur, a stamp of approval that would provide legitimacy and authenticity for place-based networks calling on advertisers and agencies.”

Another advantage, according to Paul Lindsrom, Senior Vice President-Nielsen Strategic Media Research, would be “the ability to flow place-based TV audience estimates into media-planning software from firms such as Nielsen’s IMS unit, or various media and marketing mix modeling systems.

Lindstrom called the plan a “fairly simple, fairly straightforward approach” that would enable place-based TV networks to be planned and bought alongside traditional TV outlets, writes MediaPost.

MediaBuyerPlanner.com explains: “Whereas television and internet audience estimates are taken from consumer panels, Nielsen will gather data for the out-of-home video networks primarily from compiling and modeling third-party data, and combining that with Nielsen research conducted by telephone.”

MediaWeek says Nielsen already has competition in digital signage measurement: “While Nielsen is the first research firm to try to establish currency for the medium, it may not go unchallenged. Several other players, including Arbitron, Knowledge Networks, Edison Research, Peoplecount and MRI, as well as TruMedia and Quividi, have developed research and have worked with OVAB to develop guidelines.

“There are a lot of companies out there [looking to measure OOH video]—two companies may also work together,” said Suzanne Alecia, OVAB’s president. “Our guidelines are a rule book for any research provider to use,”” writes MediaWeek.

Advertising Age pointed out on June 23 that, “While out-of-home video advertising was estimated by PQ Media to take in $1.28 billion in spending in 2007, the emerging media sector did so with no standardized metrics for advertisers and agencies to buy it efficiently. The 18-month-old Out-of-Home Video Advertising Bureau is working with more than two dozen vendor and measurement partners (including Nielsen, Arbitron, Screenvision and CBS Outernet) to help create a universal measurement checklist for out-of-home media buyers. But even after the metrics receive official approval from the American Association of Advertisers and Agencies, they’re not likely to be employed until early 2009.”

My colleague Brian Dusho and I were part of several rounds of discussions of the OVAB’s Audience Metrics Guidelines, and I can testify that the document absorbed input from all stakeholders: the largest networks, research firms, technology providers, agencies and advertisers. Once endorsed by trade organizations and published, it will be a solid starting point for standardizing the digital signage ad space.

A smaller company who’s claim to fame are those quiz programs that are so popular at bars and louder restaurants around the country, these guys have been working hard to reach profitability for a while now. Working… but not quite there yet, as this press release notes. Revenues declined 8% from the same time last year to $7M even, though they had an operating loss of “only” $2.1M — seems small compared to Planar, but then again, this time last year NTN only lost $377K.

A smaller company who’s claim to fame are those quiz programs that are so popular at bars and louder restaurants around the country, these guys have been working hard to reach profitability for a while now. Working… but not quite there yet, as this press release notes. Revenues declined 8% from the same time last year to $7M even, though they had an operating loss of “only” $2.1M — seems small compared to Planar, but then again, this time last year NTN only lost $377K.

As they do a lot more than just digital signage, it’s tough to speculate how much money comes directly from sales of Coolsign software and monitors destined for the digital out-of-home world. So how’d they do? Well, not too good, as Bizjournals tells us. The good news is that revenues for Q3 of their year were up to $75M from $68.2M last year. The bad news is that it was mostly due to an acquisition, and what’s more, they managed to somehow lose $62M in the process of making all that money. Unfortunately, it looks like a good deal of that loss stemmed from their control room and signage business, which is essentially what’s left of their $56.1M acquisition of Clarity Visual Systems (who had themselves acquired Coolsign from Adspace in an earlier transaction). The company is selling off a medical imaging unit in the hopes of raising some much needed cash.

Carphone Warehouse is no longer just a mobile phone supplier, it also caters for Apple’s iPhone, the Slingbox and the Blackberry. Wanting to pass this message to its customers, Carphone Warehouse decided to use digital signage at its flagship store in London’s Oxford Street.

Interactive windows

Synnex Corp. announced this week that it has reached an agreement to become an authorized distributor for products made by ViewSonic. The products covered by the agreement include LCD TVs, signage and digital photo frames.

“We selected Synnex… for its seasoned management team, consistent devotion to the channel and innovative digital signage and audio/visual initiatives,” Steve Woo, the vice president and general manager for ViewSonic’s VTV CE products division, said in a statement.

The deal is part of a strategy by Synnex to further diversify its business strategy, following its purchase earlier this year of New Age Electronics.

“Education and Digital Signage” is a new publication from Digital Signage Today offering tips for marketers on best practices for emergency messaging systems, interactive whiteboards and entertainment networks and other signage intended for college campuses.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands/WINNERSH, England, August 8, 2008 — Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), an international communications and information technology company, will show the latest developments in the Harris ONE™ approach at the 2008 International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) taking place September 12-16 in Amsterdam. (Stand 7.G20, RAI Centre). At IBC2008, Harris will address the industry’s most pressing challenges — including file-based workflows, 3 Gb/s infrastructure and multiplatform delivery — by demonstrating integrated technology solutions that enable broadcasters to move content and information seamlessly among products, systems and facilities. This creates efficiencies that allow broadcasters to stay competitive.

File-Based Workflows
Streamlined, file-based workflows have become essential to broadcasters looking to efficiently manage resources, assets and revenues and stay competitive. Harris is the one company capable of integrating core services and business operations into a unified system of interoperable broadcast and media applications — providing software-based infrastructure that facilitates rich media delivery across multiple networks, channels, formats and devices.

Media Software
IBC2008 marks the European debut of the new ADC-1000™ and D-Series DSX™ automation systems — next-generation products that feature tools for advanced digital file sharing and multiplatform support. Using standards such as BXF, both ADC-1000™ and D-Series DSX™ enable broadcasters to streamline workflows and increase profitability through integration with Comperio™ and Invenio® digital asset management systems, Enterprise Management and Harris business systems.

Harris also will demonstrate new media and VOD sales tool prototypes for its Landmark™ air-time sales system, enabling the system to handle multimode, nonlinear ad sales, as well as nonlinear inventory with Vision scheduling.

Sneak Preview: Visitors to the Harris stand will also see a new version of the Broadcast Master™ scheduling and sales suite, offering major advances that enable its Sales Master™ application to better support sales bookings for growing television markets. More detail to follow.

Servers
Harris will introduce NEXIO AMP™ 2.0, the powerful new version of the award-winning advanced media platform, which pairs a high-performance, HD/SD server architecture with best-in-class content protection. NEXIO AMP™ 2.0 features the industry-leading ability to support four high-definition video channels, including two HD ingest channels; and host integrated, software-enabled media applications, which allows customers to reduce hardware expenditures and improve overall workflow efficiency. The first media applications to be introduced — and demonstrated at IBC — will focus on automation, channel branding, audio track manipulation and multiviewer I/O monitoring.

A number of file-based workflow enhancements for the NEXIO AMP advanced media platform will also be showcased. Enhancements include integrated codec support for the P2®AVC-Intra™ and XDCAM® HD 35/50 formats; native support for compressed Pinnacle Mediastream files; MXF file exchange improvements; and support for GXF file import.

Also introduced will be new options that dramatically improve scalability of the NEXIO™ storage area network (SAN). Shared storage capacity is tripling from 24 TB to 72 TB, and Harris NXIQ near-line storage is growing by 60 percent, from 1 PB to 1.6 PB. In addition, a new Media Host architecture option employs Gigabit Ethernet connectivity to extend the number of clients that can attach to the SAN by an order of magnitude.

News Production
Visitors to the Harris stand will see an end-to-end demonstration of the full NewsForce™ HD/SD news workflow, showcasing transparent HD/SD operations from ingest through editing to air. NewsForce™ features a comprehensive range of editors - the Velocity ESX™ on-SAN high-resolution editor, the Velocity XNG™ field editor and the Velocity PRX™ low-resolution proxy editor — all of which offer seamless integration with leading newsroom computer systems to streamline the newsroom workflow. NewsForce™ also features full integration of Apple® Final Cut Pro® onto the NEXIO SAN — including P2® and XDCAM® file support — allowing editing to begin during ingest and the sharing of media and timelines with other NewsForce™ and Final Cut Pro® editors.

Also on display will be a new suite of interoperable NEXIO browse products, allowing broadcasters to implement a complete low-resolution workflow. The family of NEXIO browse systems includes support for in-server, low-resolution proxy generation; the Velocity PRX proxy editor; and InstantOnline III™, an offline render farm for conforming low- and high-resolution EDLs (including Final Cut Pro®) into high-resolution clips, and third-party media files into NEXIO clips.

3 Gb/s Infrastructure
With 1080p the next major step in HDTV, implementing 3 Gb/s technology provides broadcasters with an insurance policy for their future. Harris has made it easy and affordable to migrate to 1080p; since most Harris 3 Gb/s products are software-keyed, customers don’t pay for 1080p support until they need it. From signal processing and routing to multiviewers and video servers, Harris offers the industry’s most comprehensive range of cost-effective 3 Gb/s-ready products.

Highlights in the Harris “3 Gb/s Zone” at IBC2008 include:

* Servers — NEXIO AMP™, the industry’s first video server to offer 1080p support

* Converters — NEO® XHD-3903, the industry’s first HDTV converter available with built-in 3 Gb/s 1080p 50/59.94 processing and conversion capabilities

* Processors — X85™ 1RU all-in-one converter/synchronizer with optional HD frame rate conversion

* Synchronizers — SFS6800+, industry’s first 3 Gb/s audio/video synchronizer

* Test and Measurement — a new 3 Gb/s dual-input module with built-in signal source for the Videotek® TVM/VTM series and AVM-717 self-contained test and measurement solution

* Routers — Platinum MX™, new 5RU version of the industry-proven 3 Gb/s Platinum™ router series, offering high-end options such as an integrated multiviewer and mux/demux

Multiplatform Delivery
As consumers increasingly demand content on multiple devices in multiple formats — from HD and SD to IPTV, Internet TV and Mobile TV — today’s broadcasters are challenged with readying their content for multiple applications and channeling it through the right pipe, in the right format, at the right time. Whether the requirement is to move content within a facility or across the country, Harris provides broadcasters with the tools to streamline any delivery workflow.

TV Transmitters
At IBC2008, Harris will once again assert its leadership position in transmitter technology with the worldwide launch of the industry’s most power-dense, solid-state TV transmitter. With digital power levels up to 18.9 kW COFDM and analog levels up to 62.8 kW, the new Harris UHF liquid-cooled transmitter offers the best footprint-to-power ratio in the industry — allowing for simplified installation, easier maintenance and reduced total cost of ownership over the life of the transmitter. The new transmitter incorporates the Harris® Apex M2X™ multimedia exciter, providing multimedia broadcasters with one transmitter platform capable of multiple modulation schemes, including mobile standards. Harris will also launch an air-cooled series transmitter that leverages the liquid-cooled architecture and platform and provides a low-cost UHF transmission solution with power levels from 10 W to 2 kW.

Radio Transmitters
For broadcasters seeking to deliver digital radio and mobile TV programming over the same transmitter to mobile, handheld consumer devices, Harris will introduce the European market to its expanded DMB 670 transmitter line — with power levels from 125 W to 8 kW. The DMB 670 transmitter series offers best-in-class power-density levels and enables support of DMB mobile TV and DAB digital radio programming over the same transmission channel. At IBC, Harris will be demonstrating the air-cooled 4 kW DMB 670-4000 model.

Networking / Media Transport
Harris is leveraging the value and versatility of its industry-leading 6800+™ core processing platform to offer a range of cost-effective, modular solutions that address IP traffic, satellite demodulation and advanced video decoding applications. At IBC2008, Harris will highlight the IPS6800+, a two-channel, bidirectional IP video gateway module that provides a cost-effective alternative to transporting uncompressed SDI video; and the MFD6800+ MPEG-2/H.264 multiformat decoder module, which provides the flexibility of ASI or IP-based MPEG-2 or H.264 SD or HD decoding.

Addressing broadcast transmitter site security, Harris will show a new video surveillance application for its Intraplex® NetXpress™ audio over IP platform. The AVC-1 uses low bit-rate MPEG-4/H.264 video compression and built-in video analytics to send multicast or unicast video, which can be viewed on one or more PCs anywhere on the IP network.

Digital Signage
As media companies extend the services they provide to include digital signage, Harris has extended its capabilities to support the content delivery chain for out-of-home displays — addressing the entire workflow from production and scheduling through distribution and presentation. Harris will present an extensive digital signage demonstration featuring its InfoCaster™ product line at the IBC Digital Signage Zone and at its own booth, where it will used to convey the Harris brand and messaging.

Broadcast Graphics and Master Control
Harris will demonstrate a range of advanced graphics and master control solutions that enable today’s broadcast operation to differentiate its on-air look and protect its brand.

Harris is introducing its most advanced broadcast graphics system to the European market — Inscriber® G7™ — which runs the latest G-Scribe™ creation and playout software; delivers 2D and 3D real-time graphics in SD or HD over two channels; streamlines workflows by integrating DVE and Media Store for managing, retrieving and playing out stills, templates, clips and animations; and drives third-party specialized applications without needing a separate playout device.

Also new is Inscriber Network Manager, which centrally publishes media content to various Inscriber graphics systems from any system on a local network, a wide area network, or across the Internet, giving operators complete control over where resources are stored and how they are distributed.

Launching at IBC2008 is Inscriber RTX™ v2.0, providing more flexibility and power for developing custom broadcast graphics applications. RTX™ v2.0 runs on the new Altitude™ Express hardware platform, features a new interface as a native.NET API and includes support for Unicode. The new real-time 3D engine supports G-Scribe™ layouts that can also be created with the G7™, allowing users to import, design, create and control 3D scenes with advanced graphics treatments.

Harris also introduces version 3.0 of its IconMaster™ master control switcher, which provides flexible control in multichannel environments. IconMaster™ v 3.0 leverages the new IconMaster™ SCP, a touch panel-driven software control panel that connects multiple IconMaster module sets and controls multiple channels. Other features include CENTRIO™ multiviewer control and router control over Ethernet.

Advanced Audio Processing
At IBC2008, Harris will demonstrate a range of advanced audio solutions for TV that can reduce costs for broadcasters and improving the listening experience for consumers, including the Videotek® QuiC™ media analysis server, which now combines loudness monitoring technology with automated quality control and correction tools to form a unique market offering that eliminates unacceptable volume swells for the home viewer.

Harris will also introduce the world’s first embedded audio processing router, which combines Harris TDM MAX audio routing and wideband video within the Harris® Platinum™ routing platform — eliminating the need to use separate routers and external signal processing equipment to manipulate embedded solutions. IBC2008 also will see the introduction of Dolby® processing to the popular 6800+™ platform.

Visitors to the Harris stand will also see a compact loudness control solution that combines the Neural THX®-Surround Multimerge product, which provides a 5.1 mix no matter what audio signal is provided at the input, and Neural Loudness Control™, which enables broadcasters to manage perceived loudness levels within a specific desired volume range.

Multi-Source Display Processing
At IBC2008, Harris will showcase the industry’s broadest portfolio of multiviewers — including products from Zandar Technologies, which Harris acquired in November 2007. The Harris offer ranges from the award-winning CENTRIO™ multiviewer to the first-of-its-kind Zandar™ QS100HD Quad™ multiviewer in a card, which is specially designed for the Sony® LMD range of monitors.

At IBC, Harris will introduce a 1RU version (4, 8, 12 inputs) of its Zandar Predator II™ range, which offers highly scalable, auto-sensing solution for control rooms, production centers and monitoring facilities, and will showcase new integration between its multiviewer offering and its CCS Navigator™ monitoring and control software and NUCLEUS™ user-configurable network control panels.

Test & Measurement
Harris will showcase a full range of precision test and measurement solutions that enable broadcast and cable engineers to simplify and automate the quality control process.

With its Videotek® STAR range of handheld products, Harris will showcase a full range of portable test and measurement solutions for broadcast and cable engineers. New introductions include ASI-STAR™, a troubleshooting device for pinpointing failures and other problems in an ASI transport stream, offering ETR 290 priority 1 alarms and PSIP table information; and GEN-STAR™, which offers HD-SDI/SD-SDI generation, discrete AES audio output, and genlock capabilities through a reference input. Harris will also add the TVM-4DG low-cost, HD signal monitor to its Videotek TVM series of test instruments.

Harris Broadcast Communications offers products, systems and services that provide interoperable workflow solutions that span the entire media delivery chain. The Harris ONE™ approach brings together highly integrated and cost-effective products that are ideal for emerging media business models and for customers upgrading media operations to digital and high-definition services.

About Harris Corporation
Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has annual revenue of more than $5 billion and 16,000 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications®; products, systems, and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.