NHNZ-ETRI Partnership Signals Exciting New TV Era

Media Release
Friday October 10th, 2008
NHNZ-ETRI

NHNZ-ETRI Partnership Signals Exciting New Era in TV Production

NHNZ and ETRI have signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding to research and test cutting edge computer graphics that will redefine the future of documentary making.

Korean-based ETRI, an internationally renowned research and development institute specialising in information and communication technologies (ICT), has chosen world leading factual television producer NHNZ as its preferred partner in the agreement signed in Wellington, New Zealand recently.

The MoU, brokered by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, sets out the terms for collaboration in areas including vision based 3D environment reconstruction, 3D simulation for visual effects as well as high performance and massive data rendering.

NHNZ general manager John Crawford said the company had been selected by ETRI as a partner due to NHNZ's reputation for successfully integrating leading edge technologies into its programmes.

"NHNZ has invested heavily in the latest technology and creative talent to ensure we are now producing programmes that blur the boundaries between reality and fantasy to capture the imaginations of new generations of technologically savvy global audiences."

While ETRI would research and develop new technologies, NHNZ would test and benchmark those ideas for inclusion in its award winning programmes. The resulting products and applications will enhance NHNZ's work giving the Dunedin-based television production company a significant edge in meeting the needs of its international clientele.

"With ETRI's considerable expertise, the programmes will be stylistically without equal and take animation to a whole new level while at the same time retain NHNZ's trademark flair for telling the world's stories creatively," Mr Crawford says.

Dr. Kim, Chae-Kyu, a Senior Vice President of ETRI said the company had been working on advanced Computer Graphics (CG) technologies for domestic movies and animation industries. The MoU with NHNZ would enable ETRI to broaden its focus.

"Through this cooperation opportunity, ETRI and NHNZ will pave the expanded road to global CG technology applications in the broadcasting content industry as well. ETRI will also cooperate with NHNZ to support global marketing of digital content by wide participation of related industries in both countries."

ENDS

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