EVS and DNF Controls provide instant clip playout for game show production

DNF Controls has announced that EVS Broadcast Equipment has integrated DNF's standalone ST450 Shotbox with the EVS AirBox XT production server to enable rapid clip recall in fast-paced live broadcasts such as those produced by La Française D'Images, the subsidiary of La Française des Jeux, responsible for television game shows such as the French National Lottery and the new European lottery, Euro Millions.
The combination of DNF's control system with EVS' server technology allows users to play out prerecorded clips quickly and accurately, even in unpredictable circumstances. "The Shotbox/AirBox XT pairing enables La Française D'Image and other production companies to enhance the drama and excitement of their programming through the timely playout of game-specific information and images," said Eric Karcher, sales manager at EVS France. "The ST450 Shotbox provides direct access to the AirBox XT clip database, allowing the operator to hit one key for easy and immediate playout of graphics and animations. The number of keys provided by the ST450, the system's flexibility in key assignment, and its simple functionality allow the operator to react instantly as the game unfolds."
Two of DNF's ST450 Shotboxes control the EVS AirBox XT server, which, for game show productions, stores a database of all the graphics and animations necessary to display the amount of money that could be won by a contestant. The difficulty is that the operator doesn't know in advance how much money will be won, and typically there are only two or three seconds in which to play out the clip containing a video animation with the appropriate amount. To meet this challenge, all of the clips are created in advance with the AirBox XT interface, and before the show the operator assigns clips with different monetary values to specific keys on the ST450. The self-contained Shotbox system gives users instant access to clips, clip combinations, and sequences of clips on the AirBox XT's six video channels. The controller features 10 banks of 30 buttons to provide instant access to 300 clips or clip combinations. Assignable keys allow clip names to be organised on separate banks, on specific rows, and within rows on the Shotbox for fast and easy recall. Fill clip and key clip combinations may be assigned onto one Shotkey, and played out simultaneously at the touch of a button.
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