In the world of broadcasting and video production, software solutions are providing users with less expensive and more flexible workflows than hardware solutions ever provided. Softron, now in its 40th year of business, is at the forefront of that transition. Here's how:
We take pride in how easy our products are to use.
While any application has a learning curve, we make great efforts to make the User Interface as intuitive as possible, so that anyone, from long-time industry professionals to weekend volunteers at schools or houses of worship, can learn how to use our software as quickly and thoroughly as possible.
Less training time means less expense for your company.
Compared to similar or equivalent hardware devices, our applications are considerably less expensive.
There are sometimes freeware options or cheaper applications that can do some of what we do, but none provide the same level of quality as our products — our intent is not to be cheap, but rather to be the best value.
One of the ways we are able to keep prices down is to create applications exclusively for the Mac.
Not only do we need less engineers to write our software that way, but the closed environment of the Mac means we always know what to expect from a specific machine — no surprises on the hardware, which means less bugs, less chance of incompatibilities, and less support staff.
Another way we save our customers money is to make our software very modular — why pay for more than what you need? If you need to record from three cameras, you only need to purchase three licenses of MovieRecorder.
Every feature we put into an application requires resources for research and development, but when those features are necessary to a relatively small percentage of our users, we try to provide them as paid options, rather than building the costs into the main application. For example, only a small number of our OnTheAir Video users need Wide Orbit integration, so the only ones to pay for the traffic option are those that choose to purchase it.
No matter how easy an application is to use, or how inexpensive, if you can’t rely on it to perform as needed, when needed, there’s really no point to having it.
We know this, and we ensure our applications are as dependable as possible, thoroughly testing each iteration before release.
We can’t promise there will never be bugs, or that nothing will ever go wrong on a shoot or broadcast using our software, but — tellingly, I think — we have enough faith in our products that we include support in the cost of the product.
If an issue occurs, call us. If you have a question, call us. Assisting our users is our pleasure — not a revenue stream.
Easy, affordable, dependable. Softron.
The company has been around since 1982. We capitalize on the long history of what we have achieved. We have not always developed software but everything we have done is part of our DNA.
Softron-Microcomputing S.A. was founded as an Apple Dealer (yes, before the Mac was released) so we sold Apple II and Apple III computers along with custom management applications. Christian and Daniel were hired as contractors back then (mostly for programming and creating serial interfaces with printers and other devices).
Apple introduces the Mac and Softron becomes the first Belgian Apple reseller to have it available. We immediately saw the potential of a user-friendly computer and started pushing it into large corporations and smaller businesses.
Softron specializes in Desktop Publishing and is very successful in distributing U.S.-manufactured products in Belgium. Softron also develops the first audio jingles playout application on the Mac using the Digidesign professional audio interfaces. OnTheAir Studio was born.
We start selling the first Mac-based video card (still analog by then); the NuVista. It enabled users to capture and output still images in SD video format.
Christian and Daniel, along with a few other employees and friends decide to buy the company back from its owners.
Softron begins the distribution of the Video Explorer card from Intelligent Resources. It was the first card to support digital SDI and provide realtime effects on the Mac platform. Its modular architecture made it ideal when used in combination with a video storage card like the Digital Magic. The card is an immediate success and Softron eventually obtains the European distribution for the card.
Softron starts developing VTR-control software for Mac with a sophisticated calendar-like interface: TVScheduler and TVPlayer were born. In order to distribute these applications in the U.S. market, Softron partners with Intelligent Resources to found "Intelligent Broadcasting Systems" as a joint-venture company. Softron also starts reselling Avid solutions on the Belgian market.
Softron partners with German-based video card manufacturer "FAST Electronics" to distribute the first DV-based video card on the Mac in the U.S. and Belgian markets.
This PCI card included a DV compression and decompression chip which allowed for realtime capture and playback of DV video streams. This allows for the creation of our first video playout application: "OnTheAir Video DV".
Development of the first PCI-based video player called "OnTheAir Video PCI" to use with Blackmagic Decklink video cards. The success is immediate!
Softron releases, in partnership with Apple France, the first remote-controllable edit-while-ingest application for the Mac: MovieRecorder. Softron also starts exhibiting at IBC in Amsterdam and at the NAB in Las Vegas, Nevada. 2007 also sees the arrival of Mike Skibra, a legend in the industry, as Business Development Manager. That is when the sales really start to pick-up.
Release of OnTheAir CG 1, creating the first Character Generator on the Mac for live and broadcast operations. Allowing TV stations to handle graphics on the Mac.
Release of MovieRecorder 2 enabling multi-channel recording and a completely redesigned user-interface.
The same year, we release OnTheAir Video Express 1, making a broadcast video player on the Mac even more affordable
OnTheAir Manager and OnTheAir Node 1 are released. The calendar type of user interface of OnTheAir Manager brings an unequaled ease-of-use to TV stations scheduling.
EAS Controller is released to handle the Emergency Alert System in the USA.
Multicam Logger is released making post production easier then ever. The same year, Softron releases the first HTTP Live Streaming encoder on the Mac, showing once again that it's ahead of the pack with MovieStreamer HLS.
Release of OnTheAir Video and OnTheAir Video Express 3 with a totally redesigned playout engine allowing the support of more codecs (including long-gop) and a totally new user-interface while keeping the same user-friendliness. OnTheAir CG 3 is released as well, our character generator application with our signature open and intuitive user interface.
Release of the M|80, the first ever multi-channel ingest hardware and software bundle allowing for the capture of 8 channels of HD with the newly released Mac Pro and a single Thunderbolt 2 connection. The same year, we release OnTheAir Node 3, based on the same engine as OnTheAir Video 3.
We continue the modernization of our playout applications with the release of OnTheAir CG 3, based on the same engine as OnTheAir Video 3 and OnTheAir Node 3. We also release OnTheAir Live 3 and OnTheAir Manager 3 that year.
M|Replay is released, the first instant video replay solution on the Mac. It has since been used in some extremely high profile sports events.
MovieRecorder 4 is released, adding valuable new features, and MovieRecorder Express, a simplified and even lower-cost recording solution, makes its debut. NDI capability added to all applicable applications.
Streaming Center, the easiest RTMP and RTSP streaming solution on the Mac, is released
The Traffic option in OnTheAir Video enables efficient scheduling and management of playout operations by integrating with traffic software solutions like those from Wide Orbit.
OnTheAir Video 4 and OnTheAir Video Express 4 are released, offering the most robust and comprehensive playout software on the market.
AMP Server allows remote control of OnTheAir Video and OnTheAir CG applications using the AMP protocol, facilitating integration with third-party automation systems for improved video and graphics playout.
OnTheAir WebLink is a software that allows you to play web-based content, such as HTML pages, web videos, or live streams, directly in your broadcast workflow.
OnTheAir MOS Gateway integrates OnTheAir Video with newsroom systems via the MOS protocol to enhance content management.
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