A Bonn-based company is launching a virtual TV studio accessible to everyone via http://make.tv. The new service will be presented for the first time at photokina in Cologne on 23rd September, at Booth B054 in Hall 9, and they say it will revolutionize live TV.
Making an appearance at both the world's biggest imaging exhibition and on the internet, after a year in development, http://make.tv is being introduced as a new 'virtual' TV studio for the production of their own live transmissions, without having to invest in traditional TV transmission technology.
The virtual studio is controlled from a computer, is easy to use and requires no installation, since it works through an internet browser. As a result, it is possible to basically transmit for free from anywhere in the world.
"We're giving away complete TV studios. What will happen when thousands of creative producers suddenly start to make their own television material? This is a powder keg - the effects of which cannot yet be predicted," says make.tv founder Andreas Meyer. Meyer is convinced that, "make.tv will enable the creation of experimental and innovative TV formats which have not yet seen the light of day due to the costs involved."
Even before the official launch, the 15-person company has received a range of enquiries - everyone from a renowned opera house that wants to transmit all its performances over the internet to nuclear power protestors wishing to establish a channel to transmit their demonstrations and an international special interests channel for graffiti sprayers.
"We have based our approach on established TV production principles," remarks Georg Lenzen, who is in charge of technology. "But everything has been made much simpler. All you need to do is connect one or more cameras to a computer, open the make.tv studio in an internet browser and then get started."
Producers can decide themselves if they wish to provide free transmissions or if they want to charge an entrance fee. The sale of products and electronic media as part of online-shows is also possible.
Meyer has been a multi-media entrepreneur for 17 years. Most recently, he founded http://www.fotocommunity.de, which is now Europe's leading online platform for photographers. Georg Lenzen (35), a media specialist with live TV experience, is the co-founder and technical manager of make.tv.
