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 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 1920x1080 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.