SMPTE UK announces first meeting

SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers)has announced the first meeting of the newly formed SMPTE United Kingdom section.

The meeting will take place on 18 October 2012 at 19:00 (GMT) at Dolby’s London office, 4–6 Soho Square. The event will focus on the formal launch of the section and will include advanced technology demonstrations while providing an opportunity for attendees to meet and mingle with fellow members and motion-imaging technology leaders.  There is no charge to attend. However, those interested are asked to register at https://smpteukinaugural.eventbrite.co.uk

The UK section was formed by unanimous approval of the SMPTE board of governors earlier this year following a petition brought by Richard Welsh, head of operations for digital cinema UK at Technicolor and the SMPTE regional governor. Interim leaders of the new section include Chris Johns (BSkyB), as section chair and Peter Weitzel (weitzel.tv), as secretary/treasurer.  Tim Harris (Digital Vision), Bob Gentry (GSTQ), Eric Bastin (Avcom Systems) and Matt Desborough (Dolby Labs) are section managers.

“The founding of the section in the UK is representative of SMPTE’s ongoing global expansion. We are delighted to welcome our colleagues from the UK, which has a rich history in broadcast and cinema and is making vital contributions to rapidly evolving digital media ecosystem, including the multiscreen market,” said Peter Ludé , SMPTE president.

“We saw the results of the extensive UK knowledge base at work with the exceptionally delivered broadcast of the London Olympics,” said Paul Stechly, SMPTE Sections vice president. “I am looking forward to seeing many quality programs and growing membership coming from the UK Section in the coming years.”