Vizrt speeds broadcasting of mobile content

Vizrt has released new software that helps broadcasters air cell phone content quickly and easily without compromising image quality. The new software, called Viz|Reporter 1.0, allows users to ingest video from a mobile phone into a variety of existing newsroom workflows in order to transfer it over mobile networks.

The new Viz|Reporter application was developed in association with Norwegian newsgroup Adresseavisen, which had specific needs regarding video captured by “citizen journalists” on their cell phones. Viz|Reporter is currently in use at Adresseavisen’s regional newspaper, television station and radio station, broadcasting to three counties in Norway. More than 50 photojournalists are using the software to ingest content from the field directly into the newsroom workflow via their mobile phones.

Heretofore, television news producers and photojournalists with video images captured on mobile phones have faced a time-consuming process to put them on-air. Images had to be converted first from Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) technology and then copied onto a PC. Once the content was received, the newsroom personnel were faced with a complex process of browsing their system to find the newly uploaded file. During this process, images were compressed and the quality greatly reduced. Such a time-intensive process could mean the difference between images making it to air in a timely manner or not.

Viz|Reporter runs directly on a variety of mobile multimedia phones such as the Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia and Sony models. The software also has two methods of submitting video and stills. Users can employ a dedicated J2ME application or the phone’s own browser (WAP or XHTML) to upload content. As long as the journalist or passerby witnessing a news event has mobile network coverage, that person can transmit the images on the air. The content is then immediately accessible for production and control room staff or use online.

Vizrt is continuing to develop Viz|Reporter with an eye toward providing live video ingest so reporters’ phones can deliver live video streams.

For more information, visit www.vizrt.com.