China's LeTV Sports, a division of LeTV Group, has purchased 14 Kula live production switchers from SAM to form the backbone of its studios for live sports programming. Announced at NAB 2016, Kula has generated huge momentum in the market as the most powerful switcher in its class and one that makes 4K a viable option for broadcasters.

ROAMEO from RTS is a professional, easy-to-use and future-proof wireless intercom solution based on the license-free DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) standard with a protected frequency band. It provides high-quality audio over a seamlessly integrated digital wireless beltpack and associated access points. Featuring a modern, rugged design, ROAMEO is suitable for a wide range of professional intercom applications where wireless communication is critical, including broadcast production studios, theater and sport event productions, houses of worship, commercial buildings and outside broadcast (OB) trucks.

When CTV was tasked by TwentyTwenty to deliver the hotly anticipated reality TV show First Dates Hotel for Channel 4, the OB company turned without hesitation to Axon’s Cerebrum control and monitoring platform to ensure the production ran smoothly. Shot on location in the South of France and screened early in 2017, the UK reality TV production demanded seamless control of a complex Powered by Ethernet (POE) workflow, including 80 remote cameras - with Cerebrum at its heart.

Sony is increasing the speed and efficiency of their SD card lineup with the new SF-G Series. As performance demands and file sizes continue to increase, the SF-G Series of SD cards offer enhanced features optimized for professional photographers, DSLR and mirrorless camera users and videographers. With a write speed of up to 299 MB/s, enabled by Sony’s unique firmware, the SF-G Series will be the world’s fastest SD cards. The quick write speed supports maximum performance of digital imaging devices, contributing to longer continuous shooting of high-resolution images with UHS-II supporting cameras. It also contributes to a shorter buffer clearing time so users never miss a critical moment.

TVU Networks will concentrate its efforts at this year’s NAB convention around demonstrating its hardware and software ecosystem for IP video. A full range of current and new TVU solutions, including the MLink TE4500 H.265/HEVC rack-mount encoder, TVU RPS (Remote Production System), TVU One mobile IP transmitter, and TVU Anywhere app will be on display in TVU’s NAB booth (C3739) this April. TVU will make its first appearance in the Central Hall this year, moving from its traditional location in South Hall. NAB 2017 runs from April 22 through the 27th at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).

Sound Devices is proud to announce that the popular 633 mixer/recorder now offers two powerful, high-performing automatic mixing options, Dugan automixing and Sound Devices MixAssist™. The two well-regarded automixing algorithms are available at no additional cost to 633 owners with the release of Firmware Version 4.50. With this firmware update, the 688 mixer/recorder with its SL-6 powering and wireless system accessory now supports SuperSlot integration with Sennheiser EK-6042 wireless, two-channel slot-in receivers.

The Optical Devices Division of FUJIFILM has unveiled the MK Series of cinema lenses for E-mount cameras, which boast advanced optical performance, ultra-compact and lightweight design, as well as superb cost performance. The first in this series to be introduced, the FUJINON MK18-55mm T2.9, is a standard zoom with an 18-55mm focal length. The entire “MK” series is designed with the ‘emerging’ cinematographer in mind, whether shooting a live event, online programming, documentary, corporate video, wedding, independent or short film production.

Sony’s 4K systems camera, the HDC-4300, is to be produced in Wales, the only country outside Japan to produce the camera. The camera will be manufactured at Sony UK Technology Centre in Pencoed, South Wales from this month. The Pencoed factory has been producing high-end broadcast technology in South Wales since 1999, manufacturing cameras and camera systems for worldwide distribution and shipping more than 13,000 units every year.

When Sony launched the FS7 II they also launched a new lens to go along with it. The previous zoom lens that was bundled with the FS7 was the SELP28135G, a 28-135mm f4 zoom lens that would work with Super 35mm, APS-C and full frame cameras. While generally well received this lens is not without it’s problems. For a start it’s not really wide enough for use as a general purpose lens on an APS-C or Super 35mm sensor. The other problem is that the zoom is very slow. Even when set to manual zooming in and out takes a long time. You turn the zoom ring and then have to wait for the lens to catch up.

Timecode Systems' SyncBac PRO has been used on the current series of 'The Island With Bear Grylls', delivering cost savings in media management and post-production. The SyncBac PRO was used to timecode-sync all GoPro HERO4 cameras during filming.