Vizrt Intros Viz Weather 2.2 and Viz World 10.2 at IBC

Aug. 24, 2010 - PRLog -- Bergen, Norway, Vizrt Ltd. (Oslo Main List: VIZ)

At IBC2010, taking place at RAI Amsterdam from September 9-13, Vizrt (Hall 2, Stand B10), Vizrt will introduce Viz Weather 2.2 and Viz World 10.2. These latest versions of Viz Weather and Viz World enhance Vizrt’s extensive product line and strengthen its overall, integrated production workflow.

Viz Weather, Vizrt’s template-based, real-time 3D weather solution, utilizes live weather data from a wide array of weather data providers to trigger high-resolution graphics and animations automatically. Viz Weather also fully integrates with Viz World for the creation of distinctive, branded, high-quality maps. Viz World, now version 10.2, was formerly known as Viz Curious Maps.

Viz Weather 2.2 offers enhanced interoperability with other Vizrt systems and enables Viz Weather pages to be played out from many other Vizrt play-out systems, including Viz Content Pilot, Viz Trio and Viz Multichannel. Rather than being confined to the weather graphics system, this ability gives broadcasters the unprecedented freedom to use their weather graphics in other systems, such as those for live news. This flexible workflow carries over to Viz World 10.2 because it integrates with Vizrt client applications. Rather than waiting for the graphics department to create maps on a one-off basis, anyone on the broadcast team—including producers, journalists, weather people and CG operators—can use the Viz World Client to create high-quality, template-based maps whenever they are needed. Maps created with Viz World can then be played in real-time by Viz Engine, without the need for lengthy recording and editing. The look of the maps is fully configurable by the station, allowing maps to be consistent with the station’s brand.

“We’re very excited about the latest versions of Viz Weather and Viz World because they eliminate the traditional bottlenecks and limitations associated with weather graphics and map creation,” explained Vizrt CEO Martin Burkhalter. “Now anyone in the broadcast chain can use the template-based workflow to quickly create the dynamic, customized weather graphics and maps they need. By making the production process faster and more efficient, the new capabilities and improved interoperability of Viz Weather 2.2 and Viz World 10.2 will raise production standards for our broadcast customers.”

Viz Weather 2.2 has many new features being introduced at this IBC, including:

§ Weather points database offers greater scalability, flexibility, and efficiency (For example, a ski resort point will have fields for snow depth, while a beach resort will have fields for water temperature and surf conditions.)
§ Particle simulations driven by weather data, including model data and image sequences
§ KML Import: ingest weather information from sources using the KML format
§ Telestration on weather maps: paint hand-drawn information on globe or flat weather maps during pre-production or live on-air
§ Enhanced support for live presentation on touch screens, including control over the weather playlist

Viz World 10.2 is also packed with new features, including:

§ KML import allowing the use of the abundant geographic material available on the Web in KML format
§ Map builder wizard for easy creation of complex templates for map creation
§ Improved usability in the Map Editor
§ Enhanced camera animations where camera can transition seamlessly from a zoom animation to a line tracing animation
§ Vector data (streets, borders, line shapes, etc.) can be rendered on terrain
§ Auto labeling of places and streets
§ Improved access for Microsoft Bing imagery
§ Better support for interactive navigation of maps using touch screens

About Vizrt:

Vizrt provides real-time 3D graphics and asset management tools for the broadcast industry – from award-winning animations & maps to online publishing tools.

Vizrt’s products are used by the world’s leading broadcasters and publishing houses, including: CNN, CBS, Fox, the BBC, BSkyB, ITN, Tele5, laSexta, ETB, TV3, Antena3 and FC Barcelona, The Globe and Mail, Times Online, The Telegraph, and Welt Online. Furthermore, many world-class production houses and corporate institutions such as the Stock Exchanges in New York and London use Vizrt systems.

Vizrt is a public company traded on the Oslo Main List: VIZ, ISIN: IL0010838154.

Press contacts:
Martin Burkhalter
CEO
+41 22 365 7501
mburkhalter@vizrt.com

Ofra Brown
CFO
+47 5351 8040
ofra@vizrt.com

SCHWARZ Financial Communication
Frank Schwarz
+49 611 1745 398 11
schwarz@schwarzfinancial.com

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