(click thumbnail)Winfried SchultzQ. What broad technology trends do you think will be front-and-centre at IBC2008?
We expect to see an increased interest in real-world HD and file-based workflow implementations. From a technology perspective, we expect 3Gbps SDI, IPTV and Internet TV, stereoscopic cameras and 4K high definition to be of key technology interest.
Q. What’s new that you will show at IBC2008 and that broadcasters should look for there?
Tektronix will showcase its latest 3Gbps technology, focus on real-world solutions for HD transmission and provide state-of-the-art test and monitoring tools for DTV and IPTV networks. As the industry moves to IT-based systems and file-based production and transmission, we will show everything customers need to know about quality assurance in automated file-based workflows.
Q. How is your new product offering different from what’s available on the market?
We are offering the first product solution for fully testing 3 Gbps. Waveform and data analysis along with jitter measurements for Level A and B signals per SMPTE424/425. For our DTV and IPTV customers, our new FlexVuPlus Remote User Interface will greatly enhance effectiveness and efficiency when managing networks, enabling customers to effectively predict network issues before they actually happen through trend analysis. For our file-based customers, we will demonstrate the integration of the Dolby Loudness processor with Cerify-automated quality checking.
Q. Where are you based, and how many employees do you have? Anything else we should know about your company?
Tektronix is headquartered in Beaverton, Ore., and, with more than 60 years experience in test and measurement, we have supported the TV industry since its inception with new and innovative products. Our extensive engineering base enables us to provide leading-edge technology allowing us to hold more than 1600 active patents, many of them for our video test products. Tektronix has received seven Technical Emmys over the last 25 years for its outstanding contribution to the TV industry. Our latest Emmy was presented to us in January 2008 for our test products enabling MPEG transmission monitoring for DTV networks.
Q. How many years have you been going to the IBC show and what’s your fondest memory? What’s your favourite restaurant or pub?
I have been attending the IBC show since 1997 when I joined Tektronix. My fondest memories are tied to the launches of our Picture Quality Analysers, 1997 and 2007. Both instruments were radically new designs and major milestones in the development of products, which effectively model the human vision system with unprecedented accuracy. Two products that have proven how much Tektronix engineers strive to mould the subjective side of the media industry with the objective side of measurements and results to enable better pictures for everyone.
My favourite restaurant is the Gaucho where I usually invite the Tektronix stand build crew after booth teardown.
