New CNN London, CNN International sets rely on Spyder display processors

When CNN International designed new sets, distinguished by large, seamless, rear-projection screens, for its Atlanta headquarters and London studios, the cable network needed a widescreen set solution that would enable it to create widescreen pixel spaces easily and efficiently in a live environment.

All of CNN International's programming from London and Atlanta comes from the new sets, including “Your World Today,” “Insight,” “CNN Today,” “Business International,” “World Business Today” and “World Sport.”

The network chose Vista Systems’ Spyder image processor for its solution. News broadcasters are challenged to craft innovative electronic sets that stand out from the competition, and that include a lot of media, which requires a system able to handle a mix of sources and react in the live arena of news.

CNN had previously turned to the image processor for on-air, broadcast news applications for CNN New York where “Anderson Cooper 360" and “Paula Zahn Now” originate. Because the system is designed for use in live environments and excels at creating widescreen pixel spaces, it was logical for CNN International to consider it.

Spyder offered CNN the flexibility to mix sources in multiple windows, greater signal processing clarity, seamless widescreen displays and real-time compositing. The image processor can be standalone or combined with other Spyder systems.

All of the system’s inputs allow any input to operate as native high-resolution channels, scaled PIP, scaled background or key channels. Inputs can also be switched from any of the modes during normal operation. Its resolution independence allows multiple projectors to be used to increase pixel space and resolution beyond what any single display device can handle.

Given its capabilities, Spyder permits CNN International to take in digital and analog sources with different resolutions, formats and aspect ratios and display them at any size, anywhere on the large-pixel canvas on rear-projection screens.

For more information, visit www.vistasystems.net.