Newtek begins the commercialization of TalkShow

Based on Skype XT technology, Newtek Talkshow offers studio-quality video calls with full control of the entire process before, during and after the show.

After its presentation at IBC 2014, Newtek has just begun marketing TalkShow VS-100, the video call production system designed specifically for television studios and live video producers.

The TalkShow system is the new studio-quality solution that allows broadcasters and video producers to invite any of the 300 million Skype users, connected every month from almost any device, to easily participate as guests on live programs.

The out-of-the-box TalkShow system, based on Microsoft's Skype TX software, enables you to initiate, receive, monitor and manage video calls with a unique additional set of live production tools, such as call recording, not found in other video calling systems. These tools enable producers to deliver enhanced video/audio experiences that are instrumental in producing higher-quality, credible programming that would not be possible with standard desktop video messaging products.

Andrew Cross, president and chief technology officer of Newtek, highlighted that “TalkShow and Skype TX allow producers to fundamentally change the way shows are made by taking audience participation to a whole new dimension.”

The 1RU system's cost-effective integrated hardware and software solution is now available, offering two HD-SDI input and output channels (1 in and 1 out), dual-channel Ethernet connectivity, embedded SDI audio, and professional XLR audio support.

TalkShow is the only production system that allows broadcasters to manage all aspects of a Skype video call live in the control room like any other video source, whether before, during or after the call. Producers can easily incorporate TalkShow into any live production or studio environment with TV-style video, automatic conversions and balanced audio, optimized live video, processing engine with excellent scaling, format conversion, aspect ratio and color correction routines, as well as limit return video resolution to prioritize the video quality of incoming calls.

It also incorporates video quality controls and the possibility of connection rescue and static image when unexpected bandwidth restrictions occur below the default configuration defined by the operator.

The system provides output from a live video call to any production switcher and input from the router or any production resource to send a return image back to the caller over IP.

Unlike other solutions available, TalkShow is the only video call production system that incorporates TriCaster integration as well as direct networking using NewTek's AirSend technology. The latter allows a TalkShow unit to offer a video call to TriCaster and receive a return signal from TriCaster using Ethernet instead of SDI hardware connections. Additionally, TriCaster will send a Tally notification to TalkShow to indicate when a live Skype call is taking place.

On the other hand, SDI's built-in audio on input and output reduces cabling requirements and offers greater flexibility to integrate established workflows.

Improved return sound

Operators can have more than one audio source, such as the mix minus, available to be used as the return audio for the caller. This is made possible by unique four-channel audio input support for signals entering the system via network or SDI, and either a selectable front or rear pair.

With fully integrated Dante audio support, TalkShow interacts with other audio devices that use Audinate's Dante networking protocol. In addition to sending and receiving audio over the network, and a versatile selection of audio sources, Talkshow supports extensive management of network audio signals, including gain, equalization, compression, metering, and more.

Color correction

Outside the controlled studio environment, when lighting or color conditions are far from desirable, Talkshow can easily compensate. It is the only solution that includes NewTek's fully configurable Proc-Amp and Auto Color Correction settings, so image properties can be dynamically optimized in real time without the need for monitoring. Although your caller video can be anywhere, you can ensure that your viewers see a professional presentation.

Preview monitoring

The promise of full-motion Skype calls should be offset by full-motion previews, so operators can know exactly how the call is going. Although there are other solutions that allow you to rely on video previews at approximately 5 frames per second, Talkshow offers high-quality, full-motion video previews for real-time monitoring of input and output signals.

Soporte Tally

TalkShow is the only Skype TX solution that supports a visual Tally overlay to target callers and let them know when they are live. The Tally overlay is customizable and allows the appearance of a program logo or graphic of your choice, not only to notify callers when they go live, but also to offer additional branding opportunities to your program.

Built-in video display with Tally

Los operadores de Talkshow pueden ver una vista previa a todo color mediante la pantalla de vídeo integrada en la placa frontal que permite el reconocimiento instantáneo de la persona que llama y que está actualmente conectada a ese sistema. El soporte Tally indica si la persona que llama está en el aire o en espera, ofreciendo una verificación rápida y sencilla de saber qué sistema Talkshow está emitiendo en directo en una instalación de varios sistemas.

Herramientas de audio profesionales

Las señales de audio de entrada y salida se pueden configurar en su totalidad, disponen de control de ganancia, compresor/limitador y ecualizador de 7 bandas en entradas y salidas que permiten mejorar la calidad del sonido, ajustar los niveles de consistencia y evitar el recorte o la saturación. TalkShow también incluye pantallas de medidor VU que se pueden configurar en todas las escalas profesionales de audio, entre las que se incluyen dBFS, dBU y dBVU, para conseguir una supervisión precisa de audio en tiempo real.

Grabación y reutilización

TalkShow permite la grabación de un ancho de banda completo de cualquier llamada en un almacenamiento USB 3.0 o SAN externo con tan solo el clic de un botón, de forma que se pueda capturar la llamada mientras se produce y utilizarla en una emisión posterior o en un programa completamente nuevo. Las llamadas se guardan como archivos QuickTime que son compatibles con los principales editores no lineales y el resto de sistemas NewTek para la archivación, posproducción y reproducción.