Vital signs

CABSAT, the region's largest broadcast and satellite industry convention, returns to Dubai next month with many expecting it to offer a barometer of the economic outlook for both sectors in 2009. Digital Broadcast takes a look at what's in store at the event.

Last year CABSAT welcomed 9356 visitors from 100 different countries. This year's show arrives in the midst of a very different backdrop. Despite this, exhibitor numbers are strong and the new look show is anticipating a strong performance. David Lim, group industry manager, media and finance events, Dubai World Trade Centre reveals what visitors can expect from CABSAT 2009.

"One major development to CABSAT MENA this year is the repositioning of the show to focus solely on broadcasting and production and the introduction of Satellite MENA, a dedicated event for the growing satellite industry in the Middle East, North Africa & South Asia regions," says Lim.

"This launch event will cater to and expand our visitors profile to include a targeted audience from vertical sectors like broadcasters, offshore, military, NGOs and others. Held together, these events will provide industry specific networking and knowledge exchange platforms for the region's buyers."

It is this kind of knowledge exchange that Lim believes will see the show's importance increase in the current economic climate.

"Given the timing of the shows and the fact that we are the only events that cater to these industries in the region, delegates and visitors will find it imperative to attend the exhibitions, to network with fellow colleagues and source the latest products," explains Lim.

"In addition, the dedicated conferences provide an ideal opportunity to discuss the recent developments, with several sessions addressing how companies can ride through these times by maximising resource whilst minimising cost.

Despite marketing budgets in decline and global sales for international broadcast technology vendors reportedly shrinking, Lim remains confident that this year's new look show will continue to build on the growth seen in previous years.

"We are upbeat and positive on the numbers for this year's show. In the current economic climate it is even more important for visitors to visit these events," says Lim. "This is the critical time for buyers, suppliers, manufacturers and distributors to meet and discuss value-added strategies, marketing plans, distribution agreements and other important agendas to formulate long term strategies."

Lim also points out that it is the emerging markets that international companies turn to and that the Middle East region's infrastructure growth and stability remains a strong proposition, citing the number of returning international vendors and the fact that over 60 exhibitors have chosen to come to the event for the first time.

IPV: Stand ZN-13

IPV, the largest independent supplier of low bit-rate, frame-accurate video technology, will be exhibiting for the first time at CABSAT. The company will showcase its latest offering to the market including its Curator system and SpectreView range.

Curator uses Windows Media 9 VC-1 format storage for its browse resolution content. This can be ingested directly from SDI video or transcoded from other file formats. Whatever the source of the material, the Curator version is guaranteed to be frame accurate at all times. Tools included in the system include shot change detection, closed caption overlays, handling of multiple audio tracks, speeding tasks such as scene by scene transcription, review and approval and metadata preparation.

Also on show at CABSAT will be IPV's SpectreView browse solution. SpectreView is implemented by a large number of manufacturers of playout automation, newsrooms, asset management and access services, according to the company.

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