Ross Video Introduces XPression Maps at IBC 2014

Thursday, September 11, 2014 [Amsterdam, The Netherlands] – Today, Ross Video announces that it will showcase XPression Maps, a powerful new broadcast mapping solution at IBC 2014. Built in partnership with Austrian company, ARTS Computer Technologies GmbH, a world leader in computer graphics and mapping technology, XPression Maps can be configured as a fully featured desktop application for designers, or as a central server for templated maps creation from newsroom client plug-ins.

“If there is one constant in television news, it’s the need for maps,” says Brian Olson, Director of Marketing Product Management for XPression at Ross Video. “Some broadcasters prefer to have designers create maps based on requests from journalists, others have decided to empower reporters and producers with basic mapping tools right in the newsroom computer system. With XPression maps we are able to deliver to both models.”

XPression Maps is powered by Microsoft© Bing Maps™ with their vast library of satellite images, road maps, and aerial photographs from all over the world. All content is royalty free as long as the Bing watermark or text credits are displayed on air. XPression Maps is also highly customizable, so all maps can take on the look and feel of the broadcast or channel.

Complex storytelling is possible with the full XPression Maps interface in the hands of an operator or designer. Animated parade routes or flight paths drawn by a reference object like a car or plane are easily accomplished while also doing a camera move on the map itself. A customized library of objects is also available to add impact to any map animation.

Most day-to-day maps are fairly simple, involving identifying a location, such as a house fire, and zooming into it. This can be easily accomplished with the XPression Maps plug-in from a newsroom PC client. A basic set of tools allows journalists to call up a pre-defined map template, type in the name of a location, add text or objects, and execute a simple 2-keyframe move with a pan or a zoom on the map. It’s all previewed from the XPression Maps plug-in, and once the completed map is dragged into an XPression template, it can be viewed in full-motion there, as well.

“Today’s broadcasters have a set of requirements that need to be met for something that often represents a great deal of their airtime,” continues Olson. “We feel that XPression Maps will help raise both the quality of the graphics but also the level of information that can be conveyed to the viewer through a well-built map.”

About Ross Video
Passionate about live production, Ross Video designs, manufactures and delivers dependable technology and services that power exceptional live video productions seen by billions of viewers around the world every day. Ross Video’s goal is to make it easy for customers to create compelling news, weather and sports broadcasts, engaging material for sports stadium screens, legislative assemblies, entertainment shows and rock concerts, and inspiring content for houses of worship.

Relentlessly innovating, Ross Video delivers the world’s widest range of products and services for augmented reality and virtual sets, mobile live-event solutions, real-time motion graphics, robotic camera systems, social-media management, production switchers, routers, infrastructure products, video servers, newsroom systems, terminal equipment and more.

Ross products and services are designed to offer the best system integration and unmatched customer choice by both working together seamlessly and integrating tightly with third-party solutions.

Ross Video has offices around the world, and provides outstanding, free-for-life telephone support staffed by technical experts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year—even for products bought on eBay. Ross employees are authorized to rent helicopters when necessary.

Ross Video: The Production Technology Experts.

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Ross Video Media Contact:
Sara Bell
Media Relations Co-ordinator
t. (613) 652-3020
f. (613) 652-4425
e. sbell@rossvideo.com

Ross Video Media Contact – EMEA:
Stuart G. Russell
Marketing Manager, EMEA
t. +44 7827 019494
f. +1 613-652-4425
e. srussell@rossvideo.com

Ross Video Media Contact – Asia Pacific:
Vivian Yu
Marketing & Operations Manager, Asia Pacific
t. +65 9827 3531
f. +1 613-652-4425
e. vyu@rossvideo.com