Viz|Curious Software has completed the integration of its Viz|Curious World Maps package with Microsoft Corp's Virtual Earth™ platform and will be showing a full working version of the new software at this year's IBC Convention in Amsterdam (Stand No. 2.219).

The imagery and capabilities found in Microsoft's Virtual Earth™ platform combined with the unprecedented stylistic control of Viz|Curious World Maps offers broadcasters ground-breaking creative opportunities. The new solution enables broadcasters to use aerial imagery and other technology from Virtual Earth™ with the same control they are accustomed to through Viz|Curious World Maps.

"We announced plans to work with Microsoft Corporation on this project at NAB and we are delighted that a full working version of the new software will be ready in time for IBC," says Halid Hatic, President of Sales for Viz|Curious Software. "We believe that Vizrt's world-leading on-air broadcast graphics systems and Microsoft's world-class resources for web based data and content delivery make an ideal combination. This innovation has created a highly beneficial graphics visualization and content provisioning offering for broadcasters, allowing them to reach and inform both existing and new audiences even more effectively."

Mark Riches, director of Viz|Curious Software who has been leading the integration project, adds: "Broadcast graphics staff can now populate their Viz|Curious World Maps templates with the very best aerial and natural earth images. The software is simple to operate and works incredibly fast, giving broadcasters local access to the wealth of imagery that is stored on Microsoft's internet-based Virtual Earth™ server."

The new software provides Viz|Curious Software customers with access to the kind of distribution scale only Microsoft can provide and allows them to make the most of the exciting opportunities presented in expanding content across multiple platforms, including TV, web and mobile.

"We are excited that Vizrt has succeeded in integrating our immersive mapping technology into its industry-leading graphics solution for the broadcast industry," said Stephen Lawler, general manager of the Virtual Earth business unit at Microsoft. "This use of the Virtual Earth platform opens up new opportunities for the broadcast industry through the creative use of imagery and location-related information, which is key to helping people understand 'what it's really like there.'"

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