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converter, which set the benchmark that all other manufacturers strove to equal or sur- pass. But it was a huge and hungry beast.
“The joke among chief engineers of the day was that the power surge they experienced when they switched on an ACE converter could dim the National Grid,” says Nash.
And standards con- version was taken to another level when Intervideo installed the industry standard ALCHEMIST PhC.
In 1997 the company installed a fully-featured Quality Assessment suite which operates in both 625 and 525 and distribution clients now speci- fy that material will not be accepted until it passes QA at Intervideo, thus ensuring it will be accepted by broad- casters anywhere in the world.
More recently two Aspect Ratio Converters (including a fully featured ARC100) have been installed to deal with the increased demand for wide- screen programming.
Intervideo is one of the world’s longest established providers of broad- cast duplication. Washington, DC- based National Geographic Television & Film has used the company exten- sively for many years for standards conversion, broadcast duplication and quality assessment and Intervideo has invested heavily in comprehensive 525 facilities, including two 525 Digi Betas and a 525 D2. NGT&F Director of Post Production Operations, David Triunfol,
says “Our programming has to meet the highest standards of quality throughout the entire production and post-production process. Intervideo has always provided us with a first class technical service and delivered on time... anywhere in the world. They’ve been an invaluable resource to our international distribution.”
In addition to QA and duplication, the company provides a full service that includes master storage, client labelling and shipping.
It has always taken a great interest in giving young people – usually straight out of university – first class training in the technical areas, and many “Intervideo graduates” now hold senior positions in the TV industry.
“We find the enthusiasm of our young new recruits very rewarding,” says Nash, “and we’re proud to be a great ‘feeder’ to the industry and that so many of our people have gone on to top jobs.”
One man who stayed, though, is Gerry Wade, who joined as a trainee
VT operator in 1986 and rose to become Intervideo’s technical direc- tor, responsible for planning and upgrading the facility to keep pace with the changing technology.
So what is the key to Intervideo’s success? “It’s attention to detail and service,” says Nash. “We never let our standards slip, no matter how demanding the clients are. The compa- ny’s literature states ‘25 years of excel- lence’ and that is something that all of us who work at Intervideo are rightly proud of.” ■ RUSSELL FORGHAM
INTERVIDEO are based at 87 Boundary Road, St John’s Wood, London NW8 0RG. Tel: 020 7624 1711.
Email: admin@intervideo.co.uk Website: http://www.intervideo.co.uk
INTERVIDEO
INDEPENDENT
INDISPENSIBLE
ISUPPLY AND DEMAND
ntervideo uses Fuji videotape products: Digi Beta, BSP and VHS. “We find them very reli- able,” says Nash. “One of the key elements in running a
successful facility is having a reli- able and consistently high quality supply of videotape and other media storage and Fuji meets this requirement admirably.
“Our future plans include installing an on-line non linear sys- tem for reversioning some of our clients’ archive material.
“We are currently considering the options for digitisation of complete programmes. Over the last 25 years Intervideo has seen programmes remastered from film and 2” Quad firstly to 1” C then to Betacam SP and now Digital Betacam.
“What will be the final digital storage medium? Whatever it is, we are sure Fuji will be involved with the research and develop- ment,” he adds. ■
Photos left: Gerry Wade,Technical Director, in Quality Assessment Room 1; right: The Machine Room at Intervideo
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