Mediatech Africa to focus on media over IP
Published: MEA
SOUTH AFRICA: The global move to media over IP has been identified as ‘the biggest shift in recent film and broadcast history’. As such, this will be a focus of Mediatech Africa 2015. The media and entertainment technology expo takes place from 15 to 17 July at the TicketPro Dome at Northgate, Johannesburg. This year, over 7,000 visitors are expected to attend the show, which will feature over 140 exhibits representing 680 brands.
‘The event showcases some of the latest technologies seen at international events like NAB 2015, keeping local media and entertainment professionals up to speed with international trends,’ said Simon Robinson, Mediatech co-owner and event director.
Concilium will be exhibiting at the show, having participated in every Mediatech Africa since 2001. ‘All the major innovations in this space right now are IP-based,’ said Steve Alves, managing director at Concilium Technologies. ‘But for many stakeholders, there is a major investment in analogue infrastructure to consider too. At Mediatech Africa 2015, we will showcase solutions to enable a hybrid environment that allows you to start moving to IP, and control and manage workflows, without worrying what technologies are behind them.’
The company and its partners will also highlight technologies to enhance streaming and support revenue generation from streamed content, in addition to production, content management and networking solutions for broadcasters. It will also host a Ross Video demo on building small mobile trucks for outside broadcasts on an open platform.
Manager of entertainment lighting at Electrosonic, Bruce Schwartz, has also indentified the convergence of video and lighting as a key international tread. ‘These areas used to be very separate, but we are now seeing a blurring of the lines. We travel to similar expos in Europe and what will be highlighted at Mediatech Africa is in line with what you’ll see internationally. For delegates from South Africa and the rest of Africa, it’s a good opportunity to discover the trends and technologies now being seen overseas.’
Robyn D'Alessandro, national marketing manager group services for Gearhouse SA, explained that the show offers unique networking and learning opportunities. ‘While only one of the Group exhibits formally; the rest of us are there in full force,’ she commented. ‘We bring our latest complement of Gearhouse academy learners through each year to look and learn as well.’ This year, Gearhouse will showcase solutions such as curved LED screens and multimedia domes.
Also exhibiting at the show is Sony Professional Solutions MEA. Sony Professional Solutions experts will travel to South Africa to demo some of the company’s latest technologies. 'Because South Africa is geographically distant from Europe, we feel it is important to participate in Mediatech to showcase our latest solutions to broadcasters and cinematographers in the region,' said Paul Martin, business head channel marketing and sales, Sony Professional Solutions MEA.