Like the stars of Sky One’s Tommy Lee’s Rock Star: Supernova, where his technology is being showcased, Londoner Scott Walker will have his chance to star centre stage at the upcoming 58th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in LA later this month.

Receiving the Engineering award for his invention Vid-Wave, Scott says he is delighted with the award and is keen to continue to develop cutting-edge technologies for the broadcast industry.

The Emmy in Engineering Development, from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences recognises engineering achievements in technology that are important to the progress of the television industry.

“I am surprised and absolutely thrilled with the award. It is an honour to receive such acknowledgement from the Academy” he said.

Scott says Vid-Wave was born out of frustrations with current technology and a belief that you could safely transmit crystal clear pictures from multiple cameras to be viewed live in the control room and anywhere in the world.

“Vid-Wave is the first point to multi-point transmission system that works like a mobile phone network using an unlimited number of repeaters or receivers to transmit camera feeds. As the cameraman moves, either from room to room, or across outdoor terrain, his transmitter roams and locks onto the closest repeater, and supplies solid video and audio without break-up or interference”.

Through his UK based company, Boxx Microwave Systems, Scott has also designed and launched a point-to-point transmission system, the-boxx. This system provides a broadcast quality digital microwave link, offering a
cost-effective alternative to COFDM microwave systems.

“The-boxx costs around 25% of COFDM systems so now reliable, digital microwave transmission is in the reach of every production team,” Scott said.

The-boxx is being used by BBC, Sky Sports, CBS News, America for live-to-air transmission and portable field monitoring, and for video-assist on Emmy nominated TV drama Grey’s Anatomy.

To date Vid-Wave has been launched in America, and is due to be launched in the UK and Europe later this year. It has been used on productions including Hell’s Kitchen USA, Nanny 911, and most recently on Tommy Lee’s Rock Star: Supernova, currently showing on Sky.

“In the Rock Star mansion, we have up to seven cameras at any time shooting, and all feeds can be viewed on monitors next door or anywhere in the world. This means a producer or commissioning editor can view live output from every camera, wherever they are. Vid-Wave has unlimited coverage, and unlike traditional systems, it can operate up to 10 cameras on license free frequencies,” Scott said.

“Vid-Wave and the-boxx will continue to be refined and developed so they remain leaders in video-assist, and we are constantly testing new ideas and technologies to improve the way we work in the broadcast industry”, Scott said.

Scott Walker, will receive his first Emmy at the Primetime Creative Arts ceremony on 19 August at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. He was nominated last year for Outstanding Cinematography in Nonfiction Programming.