Mediatech Africa offers perspective on professional broadcast, film and production industry

South Africa's top suppliers of equipment and services allied to this segment are exhibiting at Mediatech Africa, which takes place from 20 -22 July at the Coca-Cola dome in Northriding where the latest in technology and equipment will be on display without the inherent cost of visiting overseas exhibitions.

Steve Alves of Concillium Technologies comments: "We believe that 2011 will be one of the most challenging years yet. Both from a technology and revenue generating perspective the relentless pressure to deliver services over multiple digital platforms via communication networks that are ever evolving require broadcasters to become skilled in the reliable receipt and delivery of content across a variety of networks".

"The internet will start playing a big role in broadcast and film distribution" says Inala's Colin Wainer. There will be an abundance of 'new' IPTV broadcasters providing content which will be distributed in multi-viewing formats so that their content can be viewed anywhere, any place at any time."

Greg Pokroy, Coastal Division Manager for Jaycor International, feels that new projects and sustainable business after the 2010 World Cup will be key in 2011. "South Africa was given a great opportunity to showcase our broadcast and production capabilities," he says, "and we must capitalise on this securing new business for 2011. South Africa must keep up to date with technological advances allowing the country to be a prime venue and a world class broadcaster."

Since the recent decision to embrace DVB-T2 for DTT was announced, broadcast suppliers are gearing up to face the technological challenges this new format will pose. The success of the DTT implementation is not going to rely so much on technology says Wainer, as DVB-T2 has been successfully deployed in many European countries, from which we can all learn, however content has always been 'King' and without the right content for that specific African market, this may be detrimental to the success and sustainability of the broadcaster and in turn the successful implementation of DTT."

Quentin Barkhuizen of Telemedia adds: "The only technological challenge that this will create is of course the requirement to digitally interface a local channel for a specific local area particularly when the DTT multiplex is perhaps already fed with eight channels from a satellite TV distribution system."

South Africa is more than capable of manufacturing DTT set top boxes, having the requisite design and manufacturing skills to produce such devices. The issue is being able to do this at a price affordable to the viewer as is the ability to support the current installed base of analogue television sets. This is critical in order to lessen the resistance to migrating to digital within the dual illumination window.

3D movies are all the rage, and 3DTV is not too far behind. The 2010 world cup was shot and broadcast live in 3D to several countries, and indeed South Africans were able to wonder at the spectacle in various 3D viewing areas including the Sony 3D 'dome' in the Mandela square Sandton. Does this mean 3DTV is on its way in South Africa?

"3DTV will see development during the next year primarily in the origination and production of content for overseas 3DTV channels," say Jess Goedhals General Manager of Sony Broadcast South Africa. "It is very unlikely that any South African broadcasters will start to broadcast this year. There are however a number of local production companies that have already started producing 3D TV content. Wildlife filmmakers like Aquavision have also started to produce content for the overseas 3DTV channels such as Discovery."

Concillium's Alves believes that 3DTV is still in its infancy: "While there may be early adopters willing to invest in this viewing technology for viewing DVD's, the technology is very expensive, proprietary and not that practical for everyday viewing in the home. We don't see 3DTV as a priority for the broadcasters in the coming year."

Buyers are attracted to Mediatech Africa to view and discuss new technologies such as DTT and 3DTV and much more in fact. "New technologies, products and the opportunity to network with local and international companies within the industry is a great attraction," says Camera Platforms Tink Minster. "Mediatech Africa is the only forum we have in South Africa where a buyer can look at virtually all the products and services available to the local broadcast and production industry," concludes Sony's Goedhals.

This biennial trade exhibition will showcase broadcast, film and production; professional AV, sound, lighting, staging and rigging; DJ and professional music equipment; system integration; animation, new media and web; satellite and signal; computer music and production tools; and musical instrument sectors.

The diverse programme will include live demonstrations, workshops, and a business matchmaking programme. Visitors will be able to pre-register and be matched to relevant exhibitors. Meetings will then be facilitated between interested parties, allowing exhibitors to engage with visitors on a more personal level.

Companies wanting to take advantage of the exhibition's reach should contact Claire on az.oc.hcetaidem@selas For further information contact Simon Robinson: Tel (011) 549 8300, email az.oc.hcetaidem@nomis or visit www.mediatech.co.za.