Back in November, we told you about a cool new product from Canada called Cell Phone IFB.

Basically, the Remote Talkback Cell Phone IFB is a compact amplified adapter that allows you to use professional IFB earpieces with a standard cell phone. The concept is simple and effective — why deal with a complicated built-in IFB system in your live truck when you can have your earpiece connected to the cell phone already hanging on the reporter or photographer’s belt?

We’re pleased to announce that b-roll.net is the exclusive U.S. online dealer for the Remote Talkback Cell Phone IFB. You can now purchase the product directly from the b-roll.net GEAR store.

Steve Gullickson of Active Media has built a quality product, and we’re proud to make it the first TV equipment sold at the b-roll.net GEAR store.

With more products to come, the b-roll.net GEAR store is a great way to learn more about innovative TV photography products and support b-roll.net at the same time.

For more information, check out:
http://cellphoneifb.com
b-roll.net GEAR store

How many times have you been frustrated with your station’s management and said those famous words… “If I owned the TV station, I’d do things differently.”? Well, now is your chance.

A UHF TV station is up for sale in Muskegon, Michigan (home of Ice Breaking Live Trucks?), and they’ve decided to sell it through the most prestigious of re-sellers… eBay.com.

According to the eBay listing:

“This is a working TV Station UHF. It has been on the air 16 years has a new transmitter and all accessories, studio cameras 8 Satellite dishes. Comes with a Commercial Building next to a express way with easy on and easy off.”

And the recommended uses?

“This station is a 24-hour broadcast station, it could be used as a christian station and receive donations, or be made into a full time shopping station.”

Start saving your pennies. If you can’t wait until the auction is complete, the “Buy It Now” price is only $750,000.

Thanks to Bryan Tulwits for the tip…

On a slushy, cold day in Washington, DC, it’s easy for the mind to wander to thoughts of warmer weather. The idea of sunny days and sizzling temps in Las Vegas gives cause for a little yearning. So it is, with that preface, that we start to plan for this year’s NAB coverage.

Last year was our biggest year yet. With the amazing team of Stewart “lenslinger” Pittman, Andy “focusthis” Grossman and Chris “tvphotogblog” Weaver, we trudged through the many square feet of convention space and brought back video from the floor. We ate and drank with fellow photogs at the b-roll BASH, sponsored by Miller Camera Support, and even lost a few dollars at the blackjack tables.

All in all, it was a perfect trip, so the best way to honor the event is to do it all over again.

Join us in Las Vegas or online to share in the world’s largest TV Production Toy Store, April 16-18, 2007. We’ll be there talking to the vendors and fellow craftsmen and bringing you the story online.

Details of this year’s b-roll BASH will be released soon. In the meantime, we need your ideas. What equipment vendors do you really want us to talk with? What’s the latest toy you want to know more about? Post a comment here or at the b-roll.net FORUM, or e-mail us at info@b-roll.net.

By: Clare James, b-roll.net

[From: wkyc.com]
[view the video]

CLEVELAND — A WKYC-TV photojournalist on assignment was confronted by an off-duty Cleveland police officer.
Craig Roberson was working with WKYC reporter Lydia Esparra, checking on the activities of Cleveland Public School students, who had a third straight day off because of the weather.

Because idle youngsters had previously caused trouble in and around Public Square, the news crew began their assignment there.

They found the area generally calm and quiet, and were invited inside Tower City by employees of a store in The Avenue, the shopping mall inside.

The employees told Esparra and Roberson there was an unusually large number of youngsters inside, but that mall security was doing a good job.

Two off-duty Cleveland police officers working for Tower City noticed the WKYC-TV crew inside the store and confirmed with mall security that they did have permission to be there.

Suddenly, a third off-duty Cleveland police officer, also working mall security, appeared at the entrance to the store.

“Hey, turn that off. What are you filming a policeman for?” the officer demanded. “I didn’t give you permission to do that.”

“I don’t need permission,” correctly replied photojournalist Roberson, who had been given clearance by the store to be there and to work on the story.

The off-duty officer walked toward Roberson, and pushed the camera to ground, damaging the camera and injuring Roberson’s arm in the process.

A few minutes later when Roberson re-started the camera, he was confronted by a representative of Tower City, who put her hand over the lens and demanded the camera be turned off.

“I just got assaulted by one of your officers here,” Roberson explained.

“No you didn’t,” the Tower City employee told him.

“How can you tell me I didn’t?” asked Roberson, as the Tower City rep continued to keep her hand over the lens.

Roberson was treated at an emergency room for an arm injury. Cleveland Police Lt. Thomas Stacho, who viewed the tape, said the matter would be investigated.

“Now that we have had an opportunity to review it, we will turn it over to our investigators, let them review it, interview all the parties, and get to the bottom of this.”

Tower City had promised a faxed statement to WKYC about the incident, but by mid-evening it still had not arrived to the newsroom.

[b-roll.net FORUM discussion]

From: TVNEWSDAY

CBS announced today that it is selling seven stations in four markets—Austin, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Providence, Rhode Island; and West Palm Beach, Florida— to a private equity fund for $185 million.The stations:

• KEYE in Austin, Texas (CBS)
• KUTV in Salt Lake City, Utah (CBS) and its satellite station KUSG in St. George, Utah
• WLWC in Providence, Rhode Island (CW)
• WTVX in West Palm Beach, Florida (CW) along with two low-power stations in the market—WTCN (My Network TV) and WWHB (TV Azteca).

The buyer of the stations is Cerberus Capital Management, a New York-based firm with $22 billion under management in funds and accounts.

Cerberus worked with TV veteran Dick Reingold on the transaction, and Cerberus was advised by CobbCorp LLC and Wachovia Capital Markets.

The deal is subject to FCC approval.

The CBS TV station group currently consists of 39 stations, including 21 CBS, 11 CW and three My Network TV affiliates, plus four stations not affiliated with major networks.

In the past, I’ve been anxious to be involved in a large production like the Super Bowl. Not only is it a mammoth television event that the whole world is watching… but the networks bring out all the new toys. New and innovative cameras and recording technology are unveiled on the big day.

That being said, I’m glad I was not part of the big bowl this year. It looks like the weather was a beast to handle. My hat’s off to all who worked hard to make it happen.

And my hat’s off to this guy…

Read all the b-roll.net FORUM comments here.