IBC announces 2011 Innovation Awards shortlist

IBC has announced the shortlist for this year’s Innovation Awards, stating that “the submissions for the 2011 awards were stronger than ever, representing the very best in technology and integration from around the world.” Only one shortlisted candidate was from the sports field this year, however.

That entry comes in the content creation category, and covers replay media management for live MotoGP by Dorna Sports using technology supplied by Grass Valley.

The rest of the shortlist is as follows…

There are three other finalists in content creation, each in a very different field:

• YouReporter, a citizen journalism initiative from RIA Novosti in Russia which is brave as well as innovative
• CNBC 4D interactive motion tracking to allow CNBC presenters to interact with 3D graphics, using technology from Unreel, with Brainstorm and Motion Analysis
• Post production Flying Monsters 3D, bringing David Attenborough and pterosaurs together thanks to Onsight with SGO Mistika

There are also four finalists in the content management category:

• Globalising media workflow at Rogers, linking journalists across Canada at Rogers Media, using Quantel technology to give everyone access to all content, wherever they are
• Digital broadcast transformation, using the IBM Media Enterprise Framework with additional technology and integration from BFE and Vizrt, and bringing remarkable cost savings
• Jupiter Tools, giving BBC journalists free access to content, metadata and editing tools wherever they are, using technology from BLStream and Rhozet
• Globally integrated news production at CNN, using technology from Adobe, Apple, IPV, Omneon, Sony, VizRT, JVC and Telestream to support thousands of users and 20,000 new assets a week

For content delivery the three finalists are:

• Digital End To End, to deliver its movies and television programming to hundreds of broadcasters, headends, cinemas and websites, drawing on technology from Accenture and AmberFin
• Metroethernet, a high capacity, high reliability approach to city-wide IP file exchange for Brazilian broadcaster TV Globo, bringing together equipment from Cisco and Intelig
• Single frequency networks for HD with DVD-T2, using a unique cellular approach: transmission company DNA used technology and services from Plisch, Ericsson and TeamCast to get DVB-T2 on air quickly

“This really is an outstanding year for the IBC Innovation Awards, with a very strong shortlist,” said Michael Lumley, chair of the judging panel. “We have flying monsters and business graphics, news production and transmission networks, motorbikes and online delivery. Most important, all are the result of strong partnerships to identify the real issues and create innovative, practical and effective solutions.

“The judges thought long and hard when creating this shortlist, and will have a really tough job separating them. The tension at the awards ceremony will be electric.”

The winners will be announced and the Awards presented at the prestigious Awards Ceremony at IBC, on Sunday 11 September at 18:30 in the Auditorium at the RAI, Amsterdam.