Softel con With Pixel Power per i titoli in 3D

PANGBOURNE, England — Sept.1, 2010 — Softel announced today the launch of an end-to-end Stereoscopic 3D subtitle creation and rendering product suite in partnership with graphics specialists Pixel Power. A demonstration of Softel-created 3D subtitle content, rendered by Pixel Power Clarity™ 3D, BrandMaster™ 3D and LogoVision™ 3D systems, can be viewed at IBC2010, on the Pixel Power stand 7.A31.

Existing Softel Swift™ users will be able to purchase a 3D upgrade, allowing optimum flexibility for a limited cost while benefiting from a best-of-breed solution. The joint solution has the capability either to repurpose 2D subtitle or to create them from scratch. 3D TV programming is fast becoming a reality in the United Kingdom, United States and elsewhere around the world, and there is significant demand for a 3D subtitle solution to manage the creation, and repurposing from 2D, of 3D subtitles.

As the global market leader for subtitle authoring workstations, Softel has addressed the challenges of 3D subtitle content creation and encoding through innovative development to existing products, combined with a new and proven technology partnership. Pixel Power has spent over two decades redefining what is possible in the broadcast graphics field and it has continued that innovation into the emerging stereoscopic 3D world. During the 3D post-production subtitle authoring process, it is vital that each subtitle is carefully placed in each 3D scene in such a way that it avoids other "close-up" content whilst remaining clear to the viewer.

Softel has developed an upgrade to their Swift Create subtitle workstation to allow Z-axis placement metadata to be stored for each subtitle whilst ensuring that this is within a prespecified 3D object space. Swift Create can also deploy "3D Smart" Z-axis auto-placement logic if metadata is available for the 3D video content to describe the placement of 3D activity in each scene.

Pixel Power's stereoscopic 3D-equipped graphics products can now import Softel subtitle files with the subtitle, timecode and Z-axis metadata. Subtitles are then rendered automatically in real-time stereoscopic 3D in sync with timecode, using simple graphics templates. The Z-axis metadata (which can also be used to animate the Z position of a displayed subtitle) is used to position dynamically the subtitles to match the underlying action and avoid distracting the viewer.

"Pixel Power is a well known and successful broadcast graphics company, with whom we have worked for many years. Softel partnering with Pixel Power has provided our customers a simple route to best-of-breed video rendering hardware," says Sam Pemberton, Softel CEO. "By enabling our extensive existing subtitle user base to upgrade to a 3D solution, we continue to stay ahead of market needs while offering a cost-effective and accomplished solution."

"By combining Pixel Power's leading edge 3D graphics technology with Softel's subtitle creation expertise, the two companies are providing levels of innovation that help drive broadcasters' businesses," says James Gilbert, Joint MD of Pixel Power. "This is a prime example of cooperation in action and has led to the quick development of a product that perfectly serves market needs."

More information on Softel products is available at www.softel-usa.com or by telephone at +44 118 984 2151.

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About Pixel Power
Pixel Power is a leader in the development and production of SD and HD broadcast graphics systems, news production workflow tools and live interactive content with more than 2,000 installations worldwide. With a local presence around the world, the company's award-winning solutions suit broadcasters, post-production houses and outside broadcast (OB) trucks of all sizes for distinctive, professional, reliable and cost-effective on-air graphics. Established in Cambridge, United Kingdom, in 1987, the company also has a wholly owned subsidiary office in the United States, a support office in Dubai and a dedicated network of distributors and support offices around the world.

About Softel
Softel is a global leader in key TV and video technologies including subtitling and captioning, interactive TV, MPEG stream processing and multiplexing, opt and ad insertion cuing, and Teletext, delivered through a full range of products, professional services and bespoke development. Based in Pangbourne, near Reading in Berkshire, England, Softel also owns Softel-USA LLC, which focuses entirely on the Americas from its metro New York location. The company also has an impressive network of partners worldwide. With almost three decades of broadcast experience, Softel has built a customer list that encompasses prestigious 'blue chip' broadcasters and major post production facilities, as well as freelancers and smaller facilities.