Latest news with #NDI
Broadcast Pro
13-05-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
FOR-A showcases next-generation broadcast solutions at CABSAT
The company will highlight four key technologies, all making their CABSAT debut, that are transforming broadcast workflows across the Middle East, Africa and beyond. FOR-A is set to showcase its latest lineup of next-generation broadcast technologies at CABSAT 2025, taking place from May 13 to 15 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (Stand AR-G10). Under the theme 'Connecting the present, Building the future,' the company will demonstrate how its cutting-edge solutions are bridging current production needs with the evolving demands of tomorrow's broadcast environments. Among the highlights of FOR-A's exhibit will be four groundbreaking technologies making their regional debut. Leading the lineup is FOR-A IMPULSE (Integrated Media Platform with UnLimited StructurE), which recently earned the Best of Show Award at NAB 2025. This software-defined live production platform merges essential broadcast functions—such as switchers, signal processors, multi-viewers, graphic generators, audio mixers, and media players—into a single, cohesive software solution. Its intuitive graph editor allows operators to create tailored production pipelines on the fly, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware and enabling unmatched workflow flexibility. Another showstopper will be the HANABI HVS-Q12, FOR-A's flagship production switcher, which represents a major leap forward in compact and scalable switcher technology. Housed in a space-saving 4RU chassis, the HVS-Q12 is designed for both 3G and 12G operations, allowing broadcasters to transition seamlessly to 4K/UHD workflows. The unit supports up to 60 inputs and 32 outputs in 3G mode, and up to 42 inputs and 23 outputs in 12G mode. It also features dual HDMI outputs and offers compatibility with IP standards such as Dante and NDI, enhancing its integration potential across diverse production environments. Also making its regional debut is the FOR-A MixBoard, developed in partnership with ClassX. Following its initial launch at IBC 2024—where it won the TVBEurope Best of Show award—and a subsequent Best of Show Award at NAB 2025, the software-based switcher continues to impress. With unlimited layering capabilities, the MixBoard allows seamless operation across SDI, NDI, SMPTE ST 2110, media files, and live streams. Available in 8-input and 16-input configurations, it offers advanced features through an intuitive interface, giving producers creative freedom in live production scenarios. Rounding out the showcase is FOR-A's AI-powered assistant, codenamed AiDi, which will be introduced to the region for the first time. Designed to run offline on a single PC, AiDi delivers real-time video processing with ultra-low latency. Drawing on over five decades of archived content, AiDi supports a range of intelligent features including automated subtitle translation, audio analysis, live video monitoring, face and object recognition, synthetic graphics generation, and player tracking for sports broadcasts—bringing new levels of automation and insight to modern production workflows. 'The broadcast landscape in the Middle East and Africa continues to evolve rapidly with major sporting events, cultural celebrations, and government initiatives driving demand for higher quality content and more flexible delivery options,' said Mohammed Abu Ziyadeh, FOR-A Regional Manager for the Middle East and Africa. 'Our solutions bridge traditional workflows with next-generation technologies, allowing broadcasters to evolve at their own pace, whether maintaining SDI infrastructures, exploring hybrid workflows, or fully embracing IP and software-defined production.' Stand AR-G10
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why Eliminating the NEA Would Be a Disaster For Our Country (Guest Column)
I come from a family rooted in the arts. My grandmother, Enid Flender, was a dancer-turned-public school teacher; my grandfather, Harold Flender, was a writer; and my mother, uncle, brother and I were shaped by a public-school education that prioritized the performing arts. I grew up in Manhattan Plaza in New York City, a federally subsidized building for artists, and fell in love with movies at Anthology Film Archives in the East Village. I have had the utmost privilege of knowing a life with creativity at the center of it. And yet if it weren't for the National Endowment for the Arts, I don't know if I would have pursued a life as an actor. More from The Hollywood Reporter Jon Voight's Hollywood Coalition Asks Trump to Consider Tax Incentives, Too Cannes Dealmakers Are Already Sick of Talking About Trump's Tariffs Is Europe the Last Bastion of DEI in Film and TV? My first time on stage was with the National Dance Institute, or NDI, a nonprofit that benefits directly from funding from the NEA. Created in 1976 by Jacques D'Amboise, a star dancer of the New York City Ballet, NDI provides dance classes built into the public elementary school curriculum along with free summer programs. When I think of my time with NDI, my strongest memory is when a group of us were standing around a piano, clapping our hands, as we learned to keep the beat to the song 'Cement Mixer Putti- Putti.' (We were young.) We couldn't really find the beat; there were always a few of us a little out of sync. So the teacher had us close our eyes. Within a few claps, the entire group was synchronized. The key was to focus purely on what we were hearing and feeling as opposed to watching everyone else. Once we got it and opened our eyes, we were ecstatic. We had connected. We were a team. Now we got to concentrate our energy into our common goal: the performance. I remember the pure joy of being on stage at that performance after such hard work of rehearsing — a feeling not unlike what some children describe when playing a game after months of work in the gym. Some of my friends from the NDI program pursued artistic careers, but many did not. Even those who went into other professions still reflect upon their experience positively, though, for the values it instilled. In learning choreography, we gained discipline. In mastering a new song, we found confidence. We learned resilience, adaptability, and the value of working as a team. All skills that are useful whether you're a lawyer, a therapist, a pastry chef or a space engineer. (And as an actor, I will happily play any of these characters in a movie). The NEA made it possible. Right now, federal funding for the arts is in serious danger. The latest budget proposal that the White House sent to Congress asks that the group be eliminated. Many theaters and other arts organizations have already been told that their grants have been revoked, creating a haze of operational uncertainty. Their very survival is at stake. This is why I recently went to Capitol Hill with the nonprofit arts organization The Creative Coalition to advocate for the NEA, meeting with the Congressional staffers whose bosses are on the fence about the value of federal arts funding. It was a powerful experience to talk with these influential players and walk the halls of our nation's legislative offices. It was also sobering. We encountered resistance. Taxpayers shouldn't be supporting the arts, some staffers told us. But the visit reaffirmed my belief in the importance of arts funding. After all, even the skeptical staffers often had a favorite performance memory – a music lesson or play or dance classes that they had participated in. The argument to them almost made itself: if we only relied on private funding, many of them and other middle-class children may well have not had the chance. Arts funding is often the first thing to be cut by governments, when in fact it should be protected as essential. Creativity gives us purpose. Imagination advances humanity. The arts foster empathy, understanding, and connection. Access to creative expression — whether through dance, music, painting, theater, or film — helps us communicate on a deeper level and provides a bridge into the shared experience of what it means to be human. The National Endowment for the Arts doesn't cost very much. The United States allocates just 0.004 percent of its annual budget to the NEA. (In contrast, smaller countries like France, Germany, and the UK each invest a much greater percentage, over a billion dollars annually apiece.) And the money stimulates the economy. NEA grants have a powerful multiplier effect, according to the Creative Coalition: every $1 awarded to an arts organization is shown to typically generate about $9 in private investment or consumer spending, turning that $207 million into roughly $2 billion. That NEA grant isn't a handout—it's a seal of approval for a project that then generates all kinds of private dollars that follow. These projects aren't Hollywood productions or Broadway shows, but local jazz festivals, museums exhibitions, arts education, and community theater — initiatives that enrich neighborhoods, build cultural identity, and stimulate local economies. These are year-round programs like the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and the Visually Impaired, which provides music education for the visually impaired. Or Creative Forces, which supports arts programming for active military members and veterans. And hundreds more like them. The NEA is particularly vital for small and rural arts organizations that would otherwise lack access to major donors or corporate sponsorships. (Forty percent of NEA funding is distributed through state and local arts agencies, ensuring communities have a direct say in how funds are used.) Without the NEA, large cities might still sustain their cultural scenes, but I fear that rural and small-town projects — from arts education in Idaho to community theater in Maine — could vanish. Senior leaders at the NEA have just resigned en masse in the wake of the cuts. This is disheartening. But it doesn't make me lose hope. Congress will likely still have a say in what happens. And we can lobby Congress I'll even include number for the Congressional switchboard: 202-224-3121. If there's one thing I learned in Washington, it's that elected officials are tracking the feedback; these calls matter. Nearly every one of our 541 representatives has constituents who benefit from NEA grants. This is the moment to let each one of them know that they should keep the NEA alive. Every kid who wants to learn how to keep the beat to a song, every visually impaired person who wants to play a musical instrument and every Iraq or Afghanistan veteran who could use a little art therapy to help them recover from their trauma needs the NEA to stick around. Let's remind our representatives that they're out there. On our final night in DC, at a fundraising dinner, a few of my fellow delegates from The Creative Coalition did an impromptu musical jam at the front of the room. The space was filled with many of the Republican and Democratic staff members who we had met with earlier that day. Everyone started singing and dancing. (Or swaying!) As I looked around the room, the value was clear: the arts remind us to connect with each other. To have fun with each other. To sing with each other. The arts don't just entertain us —they bind us, define us, and give us the language to imagine the future. Pauline Chalamet is an actor and producer living in Los Angeles. Best of The Hollywood Reporter From 'Lady in the Lake' to 'It Ends With Us': 29 New and Upcoming Book Adaptations in 2024 Meet the Superstars Who Glam Up Hollywood's A-List Rosie O'Donnell on Ellen, Madonna, Trump and 40 Years in the Queer Spotlight
Gulf Business
30-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
The invisible engine: how stc is contributing to empower Saudi's digital future
Haithem Mohammed Alfaraj is group chief technology officer for stc. Life as we know it – from Netflix streaming our favorite shows to our smart fridge communicating with our phone, to the foundation of the internet itself – seem to operate seamlessly. Did you ever stop and wonder what makes this possible? Behind these innovations lies something much more complex: a grand, invisible network that is neutral digital infrastructure (NDI). In today's world, NDI is the backbone of the digital landscape's most ambitious developments, from the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G's evolution to 6G to blockchain networks and Google's OpenTitan. It is the silent powerhouse that enables everything from our Instagram posts to the emerging technologies like cloud computing and artificial intelligence. In a world without NDI, our shared digital experience is fragmented, slower, and more expensive. In Saudi Arabia, stc group is investing in this shared infrastructure as more than a technical necessity to enable the next generation of technology. We see it as the digital backbone driving the kingdom's Vision 2030 ambitions and elevating the way our communities live, work, and connect. As we all embark towards a digital-first future, NDI is the silent powerhouse making it all happen. Shared Digital Highways Before NDI came to be, each internet and phone company constructed and maintained its own infrastructure, which led to inefficiencies and increased costs. stc group's neutral digital infrastructure revolutionizes this model with a community-centric approach, building a shared highway that any company and telecom provider can access simultaneously, rather than each company building its own roads. By establishing these basic building blocks of the digital world, stc is leveraging its cutting-edge networks and shared services to unlock opportunities, accelerate innovation and set new benchmarks for digital excellence. This transformative infrastructure ensures that everything powering our digital world, whether it's fiber optic cables, cell towers, or data centers, remains reliable and keeps us connected no matter how technology evolves over generations. A Level-Playing Field Why does this matter? Our investments and strategic partnerships in NDI, 5G networks, cloud and data centers, and smart cities extend beyond stc. It's about enabling and expanding access to critical elements of the digital ecosystem, bridging the gap between innovation, fostering the growth of emerging technologies and ultimately connecting people. From connecting Europe, the Middle East, and Africa through a state-of-the-art Data Center Park in Bahrain and forming one of the world's largest submarine cable systems, to setting a Middle East record for the region's first-ever 1Tbps (terabit-per-second) long haul field trial, stc continuously strives to stay ahead of the curve. As one of the first service providers globally to launch 5G, we have deployed 5G sites in over 75 cities, securing over 1.5 million 5G subscribers. By significantly enhancing the capabilities of our shared infrastructure and offering scalable, faster connectivity, we are laying the groundwork for future technologies that are in their nascent stages that will one day operate on the NDI we are building today. Neutral, scalable and reliable infrastructure powers it all – from autonomous vehicles to remote healthcare – enabling businesses and individuals to not only thrive in a digital economy but drive the digital transformation of our time. Empowering Future-Ready Communities The development of NDI is critical to stc and Saudi Arabia, and we have already seen its impact across the kingdom's smart cities. Our work with Diriyah Company is an example of this investment, turning a UNESCO World Heritage Site into a smart tourism destination. Because of stc's investment in NDI, a historic landmark can now offer new and innovative ways for tourists to engage and learn while preserving the community's rich heritage. But this is just the beginning. Modernizing urban living and bridging the digital infrastructure gap across communities are foundational steps in a much larger journey. With NDI, we are reimagining neighborhoods as empowered, sustainable and connected communities. From smart homes to advanced digital services, stc's neutral digital infrastructure investments are building a future where technology is more accessible, efficient, and impactful. As Saudi Arabia advances towards a digitally powered era, stc's strategic investments in NDI are at the forefront of shaping this bold new future. We are not merely building infrastructure, we are redefining the essence of digital connectivity with networks that are scalable, secure and resilient. stc is not just keeping pace with the digital revolution—we are driving its transformation, setting new benchmarks, and charting the course for what lies ahead. Haithem Mohammed Alfaraj is group chief technology officer for stc.
Broadcast Pro
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Broadcast Pro
Notre Dame upgrades sports officiating with Riedel's RefBox System
The RefBox system, which includes a 24-inch touchscreen monitor and a compact Intel NUC computer, has been integrated into Notre Dame's existing campus network infrastructure to support live sports production. The University of Notre Dame has implemented Riedel Communications' RefBox system, part of the SimplyLive Production Suite, to modernise and streamline referee decision-making during campus sports events such as lacrosse and soccer, with plans to expand usage to baseball and softball. Driven by a need for a flexible and user-friendly replay solution, the university selected RefBox to improve the speed and accuracy of officiating decisions. Scott Rinehart, Senior Director at Notre Dame Studios, said: 'Riedel's RefBox has truly transformed our officiating process — it's the most intuitive replay system our officials have ever used. It has significantly enhanced our ability to manage referee reviews. The response from both our referees and game management team has been overwhelmingly positive, with particular praise for RefBox's user-friendly interface and impressive efficiency. What truly sets the RefBox apart is how it empowers our referees to conduct their own replay analysis independently. They don't need to communicate with a third party or rely on someone else's interpretation — it's just them and the views — while direct interaction allows officials to make decisions quickly and confidently, significantly enhancing the overall officiating experience and flow of games.' The RefBox system, which includes a 24-inch touchscreen monitor and a compact Intel NUC computer, has been integrated into Notre Dame's existing campus network infrastructure to support live sports production. The system's intuitive touchscreen controls allow officials to quickly review multiple camera angles, zoom in on crucial moments and make informed decisions without relying on external operators or complex communication processes. Taking advantage of its portability and straightforward setup, the university efficiently manages referee reviews for various sports across different venues on campus. Beyond implementing RefBox to streamline officiating, Notre Dame has also explored using Riedel's SimplyLive system for production purposes, leveraging its native NDI capabilities to stream and pull replays of club rugby matches and other events. The system's versatility is particularly impressive as it can easily convert between a production suite and RefBox in just two button presses. For club rugby matches, the SimplyLive system seamlessly integrates four NDI camera feeds over the campus network, enabling recording, replay, and full production capabilities within a single, standalone system. This all-in-one solution allows one operator to simultaneously serve as director, technical director, and replay operator. Moreover, the intuitive user interface, featuring familiar touch and swipe controls, remains consistent across different modes, making the transition between production suite, replay suite and RefBox remarkably smooth for operators. This adaptability and ease of use demonstrates the SimplyLive system's potential to serve multiple roles within a university's sports broadcasting ecosystem — from officiating support to comprehensive production capabilities. Shawn DeWeerd, a Video Engineer at the University of Notre Dame, added: 'The ability to deploy RefBox across multiple venues with minimal setup time has significantly enhanced our game day operations. We can literally roll it out, plug it in, and turn it on, and it's ready to go, taking just 10 minutes to verify all inputs are correct, with all configurations handled server-side and no user setup required. The simplicity that the RefBox offers is a game-changer compared to our previous solution, which was cumbersome and too expensive to purchase multiple iterations for different locations. With RefBox, we can easily move it to wherever it's needed by connecting it directly to the campus network. And I've been able to walk people through the basics in just five minutes. If you can use an iPad, you can run SimplyLive.' 'RefBox has also caught the attention of other sports administrators within the university, who are impressed by its capabilities and ease of use. In particular, soccer program administrators have been showcasing the system to their counterparts in baseball and softball,' he noted. James Skupien, Regional Sales Manager, North Central, at Riedel Communications, stated: 'The University of Notre Dame has been a valued Riedel customer for many years, and we're thrilled to see them continue expanding their adoption of Riedel products, finding new and creative use cases that push the boundaries of what our technology can achieve. Their innovative application of RefBox across multiple sports — from lacrosse to soccer and potentially expanding to baseball and softball exemplifies the system's versatility and ease of use while demonstrating the positive impact it can have on collegiate sports operations. Notre Dame's forward-thinking approach in leveraging our SimplyLive Production Suite for both officiating and production purposes showcases the adaptability of our solutions and reinforces our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our partners in higher education athletics.'
Associated Press
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
SafeSport knew of allegations against former cop before hiring him as investigator
People at the U.S. Center for SafeSport knew a former police officer was the subject of an internal investigation for sex crimes at his former job but hired him anyway, according to details released Wednesday by Sen. Chuck Grassley, who is looking into the matter. Grassley, R-Iowa, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter this week to the center's CEO, Ju'Riese Colon, asking more questions about why the organization hired Jason Krasley as an investigator even though it had knowledge of his potential legal trouble. 'You conceded that this was 'concerning information' but hired him nonetheless after being unable to ascertain additional information,' Grassley wrote to Colon, who had revealed that information to the senator in response to his original request in February, which stemmed from reporting by The Associated Press about Krasley's arrests. 'I find this deeply troubling,' Grassley wrote. Krasley has been charged with multiple sex crimes, including rape, sex trafficking and soliciting prostitution, from episodes that occurred during his time at the Allentown, Pennsylvania, police department, and before he was hired by the center in 2021. The center, which investigates sex-abuse cases in Olympic sports, fired Krasley in November, two months after learning of his initial arrest for allegedly stealing money the Allentown police vice team had seized in a drug bust. Later came Krasley's arrest for sex crimes and, in June 2024, an arrest for harassment that was resolved in December. Grassley's letter recounts what Colon wrote to him: that one of Krasley's references during the hiring process 'shared with you that he was the subject of an internal investigation by the Allentown police department.' The case, the letter said, was based on statements from an alleged victim that the person later recanted. The center provided the AP with its response to Grassley, dated March 14, in which Colon writes that the case has triggered several changes in the center's vetting process. Under the new rules, she wrote, 'this disclosure would have raised a red flag and prompted additional scrutiny into the alleged conduct that led to the internal investigation.' Colon outlined enhancements of the center's code of ethics and the addition of an ethics clause employees must adhere to. She said she is now personally interviewing all final candidates for jobs and that the center plans to contract with an outside consultant to review its recruiting and hiring process. She also said the center now checks the National Decertification Index (NDI), which keeps track of discipline related to officer misconduct. The center's letter said Krasley handled 124 cases, including 15 involving minors. He had 15 open cases when he was terminated. The center said there were no complaints of sexual misconduct while Krasley worked there. The ex-cop is free on bail awaiting trial. His attorney has asserted his client's innocence in the sex-crime cases, which date to 2015, most recently calling them 'meritless and uncorroborated allegations from drug-addled and impaired prostitutes.' The center has also hired a third-party firm to reach out to people whose cases were handled by the former cop. That carried potential to retraumatize victims, one of whom, Jacqui Stevenson, told the AP the center's outreach about a case that had long been resolved triggered 'a total panic attack.' In her letter, Colon explained that the two-month delay in firing Krasley was because of a concerted effort not to take steps that would compromise the criminal investigation — reasoning that did not sway Grassley. 'I imagine you appreciate that impressions regarding SafeSport's judgment in hiring and firing decisions impact impressions of SafeSport's ability to properly investigate and resolve allegations of misconduct in the sports community,' Grassley wrote. Grassley sent a separate letter to the center's chair, April Holmes, saying there 'appears to be a lack of oversight by the Board to adequately supervise the CEO ... and other officers and directors in their duties to the organization.' The senator questioned whether an increase in funding — something Colon has asked for — from its current budget of around $21 million a year would solve its problems, some of which he suggested are rooted in the complex nature of resolving sex-abuse allegations. He said 'there is concern that SafeSport is not prioritizing serious sexual and child abuse cases over other cases, which is causing more serious cases to languish without proper investigation.' There was criticism of the center's spending, including its $2.4 million in billing for legal services in 2023. Also, Grassley pointed out $50,000 on dues and subscriptions, $36,000 on bank fees and credit cards and more than $390,000 on travel, all 'expenses that seem excessive for a non-profit organization and financial decisions that seem counter-productive to the organization.' Grassley asked Holmes to answer a series of questions, including how the board determined salaries for executives, including Colon, who made more than $400,000 in 2023, which included a $58,000 bonus. ___
