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The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric Taps Vista Systems Spyders
Phoenix, AZ—September 21, 2006—
When Katie Couric made her debut as a
primetime network news anchor so did a
pair of Vista Systems Spyders. The
systems are employed on the new set of
“The CBS Evening News with Katie
Couric” where they support a Christie
16x9 projection screen behind the set, an
LED display in front of the news desk and
plasma screens on the set.
The network wanted a system that could feed both LED and video projection, provide keying
capabilities and feed rotating plasmas. No other single server could pass every display on the
set. The Spyders are networked and controlled via Vista Systems software; a Ross SDI router
interfaces with the Spyders. The Spyder supports the Ross router, allowing any source on the
router to be displayed anywhere.
Spyder fills the need of the newscast to display LED and video projection as well as a
looping CBS logo and additional show graphics.
“Spyder is the only system capable of performing all the image-processing tasks required for the
newscast,” notes Victor Vettorello, Vista Systems’ director of applications engineering. “The
show’s technical directors have embraced the control interface and Spyder’s ability to program
and edit on the fly, which is necessary in the news environment. They’ve discovered how simple
it is to program and trigger Spyder no matter if you’re using an external triggering device or the
system software.” Spyder’s superior image quality was also a consideration in its selection.
“Broadcasters are under increasing pressure to produce high tech looking sets with a variety of
display options at their disposal,” continues Vettorello. “The Spyder is a perfect compliment
because of the support of multiple display technologies at different configurations, resolutions,
and formats. Because the Spyder can do this from one point of control, the broadcaster’s
integration of visual elements into the set is much more dynamic as well as simple. Broadcasters
are also challenged with incorporating many different digital and analog formats from standard
definition to HD to high resolution computer graphics. With Spyder’s universal inputs, there is
never a concern about hardware or input formats.”
About Vista Systems
Vista Systems has pioneered and led the industry in live multiple-destination video and data
windowing and switching. Since it's release the Spyder video processor has been the benchmark
by which all other processors are measured. Vista offers complete source control and windowing
solutions for command and control, broadcast, visualization, large venue presentation as well as
worship and home theater applications. For more information about Vista Systems contact them
at (602) 943-5700 or visit their website at www.vistasystems.net.