AP Direct: Selected Live Coverage - March 2012 Direct is a premium live video service supplying breaking news as it happens.
AP was the first news agency to launch a live news service in 2003, covering the invasion of Iraq in real time. Today, nearly 200 broadcasters worldwide use it regularly as a live video source, benefiting from AP's expertise in providing coverage of key breaking news and scheduled news events.
Would you like to find out more? Click the button below to sign-up for a no obligation trial.
|
What is Direct and why should I subscribe?
How will I know what Direct is covering?
What is the Desktop Ticker and what are the system requirements?
How and when do I receive Direct?
I want to subscribe to Direct, who do I need to speak to?
What is Direct?
Direct is the award-winning premium live video news service, which offers incoming live video news from AP's fixed and mobile links from around the world.
Features
- Live, on-demand video of breaking news and events.
- Content is raw, unbranded and unedited.
- Can be licensed on either a subscription or ad-hoc basis (for specific events, eg, royal wedding, 9/11 anniversary, etc).
Events covered by Direct include:
- Statements and press conferences.
- Elections.
- Summits and conferences.
- Natural and man-made disasters.
- Riots and protests.
- Key worldwide events eg, 2012 US presidential elections, plus the excitement surrounding the London games.
Why should I subscribe to Direct?
Direct gives you access to news video, as it happens.
Direct has consistently proven its value to subscribers whenever there is a need for live video news pictures on-demand.
The live nature of Direct means your newsroom is always up to speed on the latest breaking news and events.
Direct Online provides constantly updated information on the footage being transmitted and the ability to communicate and request coverage directly with Direct’s Content Managers.
Direct Online gives you access to content information, planned coverage, and a message board that provides interactive communication with AP Direct's dedicated content managers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
A live stream of Direct's coverage is also available to view online.
You can also download a Desktop Ticker that automatically highlights and updates information on content coming through on Direct. Any late changes, or notifications of breaking news are communicated via an 'Alerts' function – which also displays on the Desktop Ticker. What is the Desktop Ticker?
The Desktop Ticker is available to all Direct clients.
The Desktop Ticker automatically updates content information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Imminent changes and announcements from the Direct content managers will also be communicated via 'Alerts', which are visible once you have downloaded the Desktop Ticker.
Access to the message board, giving you a direct line of communication with the Direct content managers - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, can also be launched via the Desktop Ticker.
Click here to view the Desktop Ticker's functionality.
What are the system requirements?
Windows
2.33GHz or faster x86-compatible processor or Intel® Atom™ 1.6GHz or faster processor for netbooks
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home, Professional, or Tablet PC Edition with Service Pack 3; Windows Server® 2003; Windows Server® 2008; Windows Vista® Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise (including 64-bit editions) with Service Pack 2; or Windows 7
512MB of RAM (1GB recommended)
Mac OS
Intel Core™ Duo or faster processor
Mac OS X v10.6 or v10.7
512MB of RAM (1GB recommended)
How do I receive Direct?
Direct is broadcast via satellite - the satellite will vary dependent on your location.
Details of the satellite co-ordinates will be forwarded once you have made the decision to subscribe to Direct.
The Direct signal is encoded in MPEG4 AVC format, initially as Standard Definition (SD) and in Q2 2012 it will be switched to High Definition (HD), when all News content will be provided in HD.
You will need an HD-compatible IRD (Integrated Receiver Decoder) to receive Direct.
CLICK HERE to view suggested HD-compatible IRDs.
The IRD should be able to decode:
• MPEG4 AVC 4:2:0 HD
• MPEG4 AVC 4:2:0 SD
When the encoding of Direct is in HD (from Q2 2012), if SD output is still required, the IRD should have a built-in HD to SD down-converter, or have a suitable HS/SDI output for connection to an external HD to SD down-converter.
The satellite transmission will be:
• 8PSK modulation
• DVB-S2
• Rate 2/3 FEC
and the IRD should be licenced for this reception.
In Q2 2012 encryption will be applied to the Direct signal, and the IRD should have a DVB Common Interface to support a Conditional Access Module (CAM). The CAM and Smart Card will be provided by AP to enable the decryption.
When do I receive Direct?
Direct's satellite channels operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you have any further questions or want to subscribe, Contact Us and select your country (via the drop-down) to locate your local sales contact.
Alternatively, complete the Trial Enquiry Form and we will respond to you directly. |