The global move to media over IP, and innovations in display and lighting, will
feature high on the agenda at Mediatech Africa, Africa’s only media and
entertainment technology expo.

While a new global survey has revealed that the transition to IP broadcast
infrastructure will take up to 10 years to complete for the majority of broadcasters,
local film and media producers and distributors are already considering what the
move to media over IP will mean for their infrastructures. The move to IP is
arguably the biggest shift in recent film and broadcast history, making it a key
focus at Mediatech Africa, set to be staged from 15 to 17 July at the TicketPro
Dome at Northgate, Johannesburg.

Steve Alves, Managing Director at Concilium Technologies, says: “All the major
innovations in this space right now are IP-based. But for many stakeholders, there
is a major investment in analogue infrastructure to consider too. At Mediatech
Africa 2015, we will showcase solutions to enable a hybrid environment that allow
you to start moving to IP, and control and manage workflows, without worrying
what technologies are behind them.’ Concilium and partners will also highlight
technologies to enhance streaming and support revenue generation off streamed
content.

Concilium has participated in every Mediatech Africa since 2001, due to the event’s
niche focus and networking opportunities. “It is really the only professional
broadcast show in this part of the world,’ he says. This year, Concilium and its
partners will highlight production, content management and networking solutions for
broadcasters, as well as hosting a Ross Video demo on building small mobile trucks
for outside broadcasts on an open platform.

Bruce Schwartz, Manager of Entertainment Lighting at Electrosonic, says a key
international trend in the AV and entertainment lighting industry is the convergence
of video and lighting. “These areas used to be very separate, but we are now seeing
a blurring of the lines. At Mediatech Africa, we will showcase a number of solutions
across these disciplines.’ A major highlight at the expo will be the first South
African Lighting Designer Contest finals, with R70,000 in prizes on offer for the
country’s best lighting designers. The contest and innovations on show are on par
with what is happening at major trade fairs abroad, says Schwartz. “We travel to
similar expos in Europe, and what will be highlighted at Mediatech Africa is in line
with what you’ll see internationally. For delegates from SA and the rest of Africa,
it’s a good opportunity to discover the trends and technologies now being seen
overseas.’

Robyn D’Alessandro, National Marketing Manager Group Services for Mediatech
technical sponsors and long-time event partners Gearhouse SA, says as the only
expo of its kind in SA, Mediatech offers unique networking and learning
opportunities. “While only one of the Gearhouse Group exhibits formally; the rest of
us are there in full force, meeting and greeting and catching up with our suppliers,
colleagues and competitors alike. We bring our latest complement of Gearhouse
academy learners through each year to look and learn as well,’ she says. This year,
Gearhouse will showcase innovations such as curved LED screens and multimedia
domes.

Paul Martin, Business Head – Channel Marketing & Sales, Sony Professional
Solutions MEA, says Sony Professional Solutions is a regular exhibitor at Mediatech.
“Because South Africa is geographically distant from Europe, we feel it is important
to participate in Mediatech to showcase our latest solutions to broadcasters and
cinematographers in the region,’ he says. Sony Professional Solutions experts will
travel to South Africa to demo some of the company’s latest technologies, including
the revolutionary new HDC-4300 4K/HD Live Camera System, with both HD and 4K
capability, capable of capturing 1920×1080 high definition images at eight times
above the normal frame rate, and boasting features such as HD cutout. Sony
Professional Solutions’ ODA and outside broadcast solutions and its latest short
throw 4K laser projector will also be on show at the stand. On Thursday 16 July,
Sony Professional Solutions will host a networking event for customers at
Mediatech.

Simon Robinson, Mediatech Co-Owner and Event Director & Publisher of Screen
Africa magazine and Pro-Systems magazine, says that over 140 exhibitors
representing approximately 680 brands will participate in Mediatech Africa 2015.

“The event showcases some of the latest technologies seen at international events
like NAB 2015, keeping local media and entertainment professionals up to speed
with international trends,’ he says. This year, over 7000 visitors are expected to
attend Mediatech Africa to benefit from the expo, demos, workshops and
networking opportunities.

Mediatech Africa, the largest media and entertainment technology trade show for
southern Africa, will be staged from 15 to 17 July 2016 at the Ticketpro dome at
Northgate, Johannesburg. Held biennially, Mediatech Africa presents the latest
technologies and trends to southern Africa’s broadcast and film sector and rapidly-
growing live event and AV system integration industries.