The Hindu Business Line : Doordarshan goes for clarity makeover

You are watching the weather map on Doordarshan to know if you have to carry an umbrella to work tomorrow. Suddenly, there is a blotch of colour on the map obstructing your city. You switch to other television channels to catch the weather news, but its too late.

Brace yourself because Doordarshan viewing is going to get better and clearer. The public broadcaster has invested about $80,000 (Rs 36 lakh) in Reflecmedia's `Chroma Key' accessories, a broadcasting technology used to produce and monitor background colour in a studio set-up. Reflecmedia is a UK-based company that makes colour-related hardware and software solutions.

Reflecmedia has been used by the BBC and French broadcaster TF1, besides leading film production companies around the world, according to the Reflecmedia Web site.

According to Doordarshan officials, the public broadcaster will implement Chroma Key to help deliver better quality programmes. Doordarshan plans to install these accessories in 17 major Kendras across the country.

Officials say implementing this technology would also help digitise television content.

Doordarshan's order is the single largest for the company and likely to be the first in India.

Doordarshan will use the accessories for its multi camera news and production studios, the Web site says.

Reflecmedia technology can be used for changing backgrounds while an event is being recorded. Backgrounds can be changed only if the actual event is recorded against a perfect blue or green backdrop.

The blue/green background can be erased and superimposed with data screens such as stock market charts and weather maps or false backgrounds such as a desert or a beach.

Superimposition becomes necessary when explaining charts and maps. If charts are projected on a wall behind the anchor, not only will the image resolution be poor but also shadows of the anchor will be cast on the chart.

So such sequences are recorded by making the anchor stand in front of a blue/green painted wall screen.

The charts are broadcast on a separate camera. As the anchor talks, her image alone is superimposed on the charts (from another camera) and broadcast to public.

Reflecmedia provides an electronically sensitive fabric screen that is to be used as background and a ring that is to be mounted on the camera lens.

The ring illuminates the fabric in such a way that the camera sees and records a perfect blue or green background.

Doordarshan has invested in these fabric screens and camera attachments.

These accessories come with adapters, light intensity controllers and software that will electronically detect and monitor the background.

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