Fri, 30 Jul 2021 08:54:53 -0400
Audio-Technica has unveiled its new AT2040 Hypercardioid Dynamic Podcast Microphone. Inspired by the performance of Audio-Technica’s acclaimed BP40 Large-Diaphragm Dynamic Broadcast Microphone, the AT2040 brings professional broadcast-quality sound with exceptional vocal reproduction to podcasters and other content creators at an affordable price point.
Featuring a stylish yet rugged all-metal construction, the AT2040 excels at isolated/up-close vocal reproduction and rejection of unwanted room noise due to its tight hypercardioid polar pattern, ensuring professional-quality podcasts. The AT2040 provides smooth, warm, natural sound, while the mic’s multistage windscreen combines a nonwoven filter with foam mesh to provide superior internal pop filtering, and its specially-designed integrated shock mount prevents unwanted noise by attenuating vibration from a boom arm or mic stand.
The AT2040’s XLR output connects to a conventional analog microphone input, providing versatile use with everything from USB audio interfaces to professional mixing consoles. The mic comes standard with a pivoting stand mount, 5/8″-27 to 3/8″-16 threaded adapter, and a soft protective pouch.
“Audio-Technica microphones have been embraced by streamers, YouTubers, and other content creators in recent years, but previously we didn’t offer a dynamic hypercardioid microphone so finely-tuned to the needs of podcasters,” says Gary Boss, Audio-Technica U.S. Marketing Director. “We are proud to offer the AT2040, with its smooth vocal reproduction and focused pickup that will help take your podcast to the next level.”
The AT2040 Hypercardioid Dynamic Podcast Microphone is available now!
Thu, 29 Jul 2021 08:57:56 -0400
AJA Video Systems has rolled out Desktop Software v16.1 for KONA, Io, and T-TAP Pro products, alongside AJA SDK v16.1 for Developer Partners. Both releases include native support for the powerful Apple M1 chip, and feature enhancements that optimize audio, broadcast, and production and post workflows, and third-party tools built with AJA Developer Partner solutions.
Broadening system compatibility, the latest AJA Desktop Software and AJA SDK updates allow AJA KONA, Io, and T-TAP Pro users and Developer Partners to harness the power and cost-efficiency of Apple M1 compatible systems for professional video I/O tasks, in addition to existing support for Intel-based systems from Apple, as well as Windows, Linux Ubuntu and Linux CentOS systems. Desktop Software v16.1 expands the available options in AJA MultiChannel Config, enabling 12G-/6G-SDI input support as well as extended audio input support for AJA KONA, Io, and T-TAP Pro products with Telestream Wirecast. AJA Control Panel also receives an upgrade via the latest update with additional GUI feedback added for situations where “Auto” has resulted in signal modification, making it easier for creatives and technicians to understand results. V4L2 updates in AJA SDK v16.1 for KONA HDMI bring expanded controls for Developer Partners using Video for Linux, while 64-channel audio support for NTV2 SDK provides greater flexibility for Developer Partners using Corvid 44 12G or KONA 5 in 8K workflow solutions.
Key release highlights include:
• Desktop Software v16.1 is optimized to deliver native Apple M1 support for AJA macOS drivers and application plug-ins, AJA Control Room, AJA Control Panel, and AJA System Test and NMOS software
• Improved Telestream Wirecast support, including 4K via 12G-/6G-SDI, Digital AES Audio Input, and Analog (Line Level) Audio Input
• AJA Control Panel enhancements
• V4L2 updates for KONA HDMI
• 64-channel audio support for NTV2 SDK
“As the demand for video continues to grow across industries, professionals in broadcast, production, post and AV need to be able to leverage the latest technology like the incredibly powerful Apple M1 chip, which is why we prioritized the development of these new releases and are excited to deliver them to AJA end-users and Developer Partners,” shares Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. “AJA Desktop Software v16.1 continues to bring KONA, Io and T-TAP Pro users new features aimed at streamlining creative workflows while AJA SDK v16.1 includes enhancements that open up a host of new opportunities for Developer Partner partners.”
Wed, 28 Jul 2021 20:35:00 -0400
The FCC today took its first steps to move forward with funding new broadband deployments across the country through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. The FCC announced that it is ready to authorize over $311 million in broadband funding across 36 states through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. At the same time, the agency took steps to clean up issues with the program’s design originating from its adoption in 2020.
“This is a significant down payment on broadband deployment,” said FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “Today’s announcement means that help is on the way for hundreds of thousands of Americans without access to broadband.”
Today’s action represents the first funding to be approved through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. As a result of today’s announcement, 48 broadband providers will bring 1 Gbps broadband speeds to nearly 200,000 homes and businesses over the next 10 years.
At the same time, the FCC also took steps to clean up the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund program. In light of complaints that the program was poised to fund broadband to parking lots and well-served urban areas, the FCC sent letters to 197 winning bidders. The letters offer providers an opportunity to withdraw their funding requests from those places already with service or where significant questions of waste have been raised. Next, the FCC made clear that it will not tolerate any provider participating in the program that is not serious about providing broadband service or has not made appropriate efforts to secure state approvals. To this end, the FCC rejected requests from AB Indiana in Florida and LTD Broadband in California, Oklahoma, and Kansas to waive program deadlines, in light of their failure to act in a timely way to seek state certification.
“This program can do great things, but it requires thoughtful oversight,” said Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “That’s why we are refocusing the program on unserved areas and putting winning bidders on notice of their obligation to ensure that support goes to the areas that need it. And for those applicants who are dragging their feet or can’t meet their obligations, follow the rules or we will disqualify you and move on.”
The FCC also released an initial list of areas where winning bidders have chosen not to pursue buildout. These areas will immediately become available for other broadband funding opportunities and the defaulting bidders will be subject to enforcement penalties as warranted. The Commission continues to carefully review long-form applications of other winning bidders that were previously announced to ensure they meet the technical, financial and operational capabilities to comply with program obligations.
Tue, 27 Jul 2021 08:22:00 -0400
INDYCAR and NBC Sports have announced a multi-year extension of their media rights agreement. NBC Sports will continue to be the exclusive home of the Indianapolis 500 and will provide coverage of all NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, qualifying, practices, and Indy Lights races across its linear, digital, and streaming platforms, including Peacock.
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will see a significant increase in network exposure in 2022, with 13 races broadcast on NBC. USA Network and Peacock Premium will show the remaining races. Telemundo Deportes will provide Spanish-language coverage of the season-opening race, the Indianapolis 500 and the season finale.
Peacock will stream all races on NBC and USA Network and will continue as the streaming home of NTT INDYCAR SERIES qualifying and practices sessions, Indy Lights races, and full-event replays. Peacock will stream two races exclusively which will be announced at a later date.
“NBC Sports is proud to extend its partnership with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and continue to serve as the exclusive home of the most competitive open-wheel racing series in the world and ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’” says Jon Miller, NBC Sports. “We have demonstrated NBCUniversal’s ability to make big events bigger with our presentations of the Indianapolis 500, we have worked closely with Roger Penske, Mark Miles and the entire team to expand INDYCAR’s reach across the U.S, and we are thrilled to build upon our collaborative successes of the past few years.”
Mon, 26 Jul 2021 08:08:00 -0400
Two-thirds of sports fans in the United States now want to watch sport exclusively on streaming services, with half of those ready to pay up to $10 per month, according to Grabyo’s new 2021 Sports Video Trends Report.
Grabyo surveyed over 15,000 consumers across 14 countries to identify the video viewing and purchasing habits of global consumers. It found that over one third of consumers are watching sport regularly across broadcast and digital platforms.
The report’s findings show sports fans are growing impatient with the lack of streaming options, suggesting that fans either expect more sport to be available on streaming services in the future, or may choose not to watch live sport if it is only available through broadcast TV subscriptions.
In 2019, Grabyo found that 53% of global sports fans that pay for video services were planning to cut the cord and switch to streaming exclusively by 2024.
In 2021, 45% of fans are only paying for streaming services. By 2026, Grabyo’s report suggests that the pay-TV market will only have a 28% customer share of global sports fans.
Sports fans are not yet abandoning broadcast TV subscriptions entirely because of the lack of sports available on streaming services. The likes of ESPN+, DAZN and Amazon Prime Video carry a variety of live sport in the US market, but 58% of fans report they will not cut the cord because not enough content is available without a broadcast TV subscription.
The report also finds a high demand for free-to-access sports content across social media. With half of US sports fans using social media platforms to access content, 56% want to see more live sport broadcast to social media, while 46% want more instant highlights and social videos.