ASIA-PACIFIC BROADCASTING

At a time when businesses around the world are taking a beating from the gloomy economic climate, UK-based Quantel said it has achieved a number of “record-breaking” operation profits.

For the company’s 2008-09 financial year, which ended last September, Quantel’s provisional results for the year showed a 12% increase in its turnover, and it also recorded the best operating profit since the company’s management buyout in 2000.

The success came from main areas of business, namely: Stereo-3D, HD and file-based workflows.

Stereo3D is a rapidly developing area and, in just 18 months, has generated sales of 40 stereo-enabled post-production systems. Following the trend of cinemas becoming equipped with Stereo-3D and the increasing number of Stereo3D movies being produced, Stereo3D box office revenues have surpassed US$1 billion in the past year.

In addition, TV broadcasters are looking to Stereo3D as a potentially lucrative new revenue system. For example, BSkyB in the UK is launching a dedicated Stereo-3D channel in 2010. Stereo-3D is set to be a major growth area for the coming years.

As HD broadcasting gains momentum throughout the world, Quantel also scored high in this area as all its equipment can produce HD and SD simul-taneously. Riding on the enormous experience of fast-turnaround HD production with customers such as ESPN and Rogers Sports-net, Quantel is in a good position to help broadcasters transit to HD. Two recent customers are TPC in Switzerland and WDR in Germany.

Now that file-based workflows are fast gaining popularity among broadcasters, the benefits of Quan-tel’s seminal FrameMagic technology have likewise been extended into the IT file-based world. All Quantel’s broadcast sales now demand file-based workflows with tapeless camcorders and the integration of third-party applications such as Apple Final Cut Pro.

Hence, Quantel’s workflow now extends to third-party editors as well as a seamless file transfer between EVS and Quantel servers.

“I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved this year,” said Quantel CEO Ray Cross. “While many other manufacturers have been reporting substantial contractions in their results, we have grown our business by 12%, which would be a notable achievement even in favour-able market conditions. We’ve done it by listening carefully to our customers and focusing squarely on delivering what they need to move their own businesses forward.

“We have more exciting developments in the R&D pipeline, which is why we’re looking to recruit more talented engineers. Quantel is set to take full advantage of the upturn in the market as it unfolds.”

Comments

Add New Search

3.26 Copyright (C) 2008 Compojoom.com / Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."