OCTOPUS INTRODUCES A CROSS-PLATFORM NEWSROOM SYSTEM AT IBC2007

What benefits does OCTOPUS6 bring to the customer?

OCTOPUS6 is platform independent, making it possible to allocate hardware resources more efficiently. Many newsrooms are considering running Apple based environments, however, there were only few solutions available for the journalists. With OCTOPUS6, the newsroom can be Windows, Mac OS, or even Linux based. Our clients are not forced to purchase Windows OS if they do not want to, which may eventually save significant amount of money on OS licenses. The same applies for the servers.

Load-balancing and enhanced fail-over solution is a part of the new system architecture. Any number of application servers may be used simultaneously. User connects to one of them automatically, according to the current load of all the servers. Fail-over is completely automatic as well. Should anything happen to any of the servers, other ones take over seamlessly.

What is new for the users?

Users are the main motive power behind client side enhancements. Before development of OCTOPUS6 started, an in-depth, thorough analysis of strengths and weaknesses of OCTOPUS5 was undertaken in cooperation with key users of the newsroom system. As a result, OCTOPUS6 brings many brand-new features as well as minor improvements with a significant impact on the user convenience.

Commonly known shortcuts are used in OCTOPUS6. Many actions available in the newsroom system are in some form present in the OS and widely-spread applications such as word processors and spreadsheets. These well-known shortcut keys are bound to actions in OCTOPUS6 in order to make the operation more intuitive.

OCTOPUS6 follows find it as you left it principle. Any preference user sets in the system is seamlessly remembered with their profile. Screen layout, alert rules, look of the data-lists (also known as forms), etc. Whenever user logs in again, they are going to find their system exactly as they left it. This definitely keeps user's orientation in the system consistent.

Excessive dialog windows were eliminated. When a line in the list of data needs to be altered, it is done like in the spreadsheet application. Data input is validated and saved directly, without a window popping up.

A new data lookup approach, called single-tap search is implemented in OCTOPUS6. When anywhere in the data list, user may simply start typing to invoke search. Matching results are immediately highlighted and keys are used to navigate between them.

Tabbed windows are an addition to OCTOPUS5's GUI environment. Instead of having one data-list (e.g. wires) or one detail (e.g wire message) open on a screen, multiple pages may be open simultaneously in the tabbed panel. This is especially useful for journalists doing a research, when multiple data items are kept open while extracting information from all of them. Rundown managers will also appreciate having multiple rundowns open at the same time with alternative to switch between them back and forth.

Scripting engine is now fully keyboard controllable. Many journalists find reaching for the mouse when finger typing uncomfortable. With a set of shortcut keys, every action in the script can be performed mouse-free. English spell-checker and word blacklist have extended script's capabilities too.

Time markers are special slug lines that define rundown blocks. Scheduled duration may be set for each block and the difference between real duration of the stories in the block and scheduled duration of the block gives rundown producers better control over rundown structure and timing.This feature may be especially useful for properly targeting the commercial block or timing the sports block. Using time markers, allocation between news and sports blocks for instance can be easily kept consistent.

Rundown buddy is a rundown manager's best friend. It is a rundown sub-window containing a set of sensible filters. Filter may only show stories containing video, graphics, incomplete stories or skipped stories. Buddy significantly helps rundown producers to oversee consistency of the show.

What is kept from the previous version?

There are many things that users appreciate in OCTOPUS5 and we definitely would not like to eliminate them. Installation free clients, centralized updates, clean user interface and roaming profiles are amongst them. If there is a new way of performing an action or reaching a certain result, we will let users choose to turn these new procedures on. Changing basic system controls may bring more confusion than benefit.

Where can OCTOPUS6 be seen?

Everyone is warmly welcome to visit stand 3.348 at IBC2007. OCTOPUS6 will be presented to the audience for the first time and we are looking forward to receiving as much feedback as we can. All the ideas gained from the users are invaluable resources for further improvements.

Chrosziel AL-RKE clamp for mechanical and electrical connection

More and more HD and Cine Style lenses are used and the request for precise control of zoom and focus by the cameraman himself is growing.

Either on a tripod or in motion on a Steadicam device the new accessory of the Chrosziel Aladin Wireless System allows to firmly connect the hand control. It is the most compact and lightweight way of mounting the zoom module on a gimbal. To avoid additional cabling, the unit is fully wired and fits into the Aladin connection system. A version for mechanical fixation only is available, too.

Chrosziel DV Balancer®: Next generation shoulder brace

Chrosziel DV Balancer® shoulder brace for cameras up to 4 kg / 9 lb. is especially designed for cameras which have the eyepiece of the view finder on the back of the housing. The weight of the camera is absorbed by the shoulder pad and the breast rest in a way that the hands remain free for controling the camera.

The camera connector allows direct docking to the Chrosziel Light Weight Supports of the series 400-4xx.

For convenient transportation, the breast rest and the shoulder unit are separated. On the next location the so called “Memory Clip” ensures that the previous setting immediately can be used again.

Chrosziel follow focus for Autofocus cameras

Chrosziel HDV Rig VariLock® enables precise repeatability of focus settings of cameras with Autofocus and which control the focussing only electronically.

Due to the VariLock® feature the range of rotation is fully variable for any selectable limit. From a fixed starting position set by using the camera's Autofocus, the second focus position is set manually and marked by fixing the stopper. The range of 320 degrees covers most applications. In addition, the cameraman himself can control the focus settings precisely and reproducibly without an assistant.

Both focus stoppers are covered with soft rubber for silent operation.

Chrosziel remote control for the lens test projector at affordable price

At the end of 2006 Chrosziel launched the new lens testing Projector MK5. The unit features an improved slider which has nearly twice the size of its base than the predecessor. The previously offered wireless remote control is now substituted by the cable depending unit. Available with different custom tailored cable lengths it allows to precisely adjust the projection's sharpness and by this determining the position of the back-focal-length.

Chrosziel introduces first outside the US its new Wide-angle HDV SunShade 455-R1

Chrosziel presents their new HDV SunShade 455-R1 ready for immediate delivery.

The design requirements - besides optimum stray light reduction - were low weight and one rotatable filter stage for comfortable use of polarizer filters.

The 110 mm clamp adapter allows the use of already existing Chrosziel adapter rings and covers the dimensions of all the wide angle converters. The very common 4×4” filter format is used and rotates from the vertical position 95° to both sides.