Vislink Share Discussion Threads

[muffster] 06/7/2016 08:16

Placing or rights issue probably in future

[investoree] 06/7/2016 08:14

Bloody Hell!!

[davr0s] 06/7/2016 08:10

Oh dear. 8am RNS and it's not good. Thankfully sold out but it may have to come off my watch list now having read it

[aishah] 08/6/2016 14:29

Kestrel Partners added 545,000 shares on June 3, taking them over 7%

[smithie6] 06/6/2016 11:35

Just tweeted new website posn.

@fulltimeinvest

[dogwalker] 05/6/2016 22:21

The chart looks awful at the moment.

[davr0s] 05/6/2016 18:57

I sold out on Friday for 20% gain. Seems momentum of rise has waned and we have had fairly steady selling in recent weeks. I'll buy back in if we get back to 30p or so

[techno20] 01/6/2016 22:14

Worth a read........

When most people think of GoPro cameras, they think of action shots of skiing, bicycling, skateboarding or exotic point-of-view shots. But for more than a year, GoPro has been promoting its cameras as a link in the broadcast chain — allowing live programming to features images ever before possible.

That’s where GoPro’s HEROCast technology comes in. A joint project with Vislink, HEROCast adds a compact wireless transmitter that transforms a GoPro HERO3+ or HERO4 camera into a tiny, self-contained, switchable live production camera.

The transmitter uses H.264 encoding to deliver a live high-definition feed (up to 1080i/60 or 720p/60) with embedded audio to any DVB-T-compatible receiver at distances of up to 1,640 feet.

The HEROCast transmitter comes in both a standard version and a BacPac version, both priced at $7,500. The standard version remains detached from the GoPro camera and is tethered via an HDMI cable. This is good for body mounting or semi-permanent installations where the transmitter is mounted to a fixed location in a studio.

All in one HEROCast system
The BacPac model creates an all-in-one camera system — with the transmitter attaching directly to the back of a HERO4 or HERO3+ camera’s standard housing.

Vislink also sells PROceiver, a compact, single box diversity receiver compatible with the HEROCast and HEROCast BacPac wireless transmitters. It was designed for extreme sports, live events and other applications where size, weight and broadcast quality performance are important.

Being a diversity receiver, the PROceiver employs dual antennas and uses maximum ratio combining (MRC) to enhance demodulated performance and an increased operating range. It features ASI MPEG4/H.264 decoding and supports resolutions up to 1080i and 720p at 50/59.94 fps.

A range of video outputs are provided, including HD-SDI, composite and component video and a HD-to-SD down-converted composite output for monitoring. There are also digital and analog audio outputs, a Genlock input and an Ethernet port for control. The receiver price is $12

Though HEROCast is GoPro’s main broadcast product, other vendors are developing products that enhance GoPro cameras for professional use. For example, Sennheiser is developing a professional waterproof microphone that’s capable of cutting wind noise up to 40 miles per hour. Still under development, it is expected to be available later this year.

Go Puck, a mobile battery company based in Sarasota, Florida, is introducing pro mounts that allow the attachment of its batteries to the tiny camera. Go Puck’s Adam Silver said his company is working in the GoPro Developer Program to enhance the camera’s usability and potential by providing power seven times normal or powering up to four cameras at a time.

Carlos Casas, business development manager for advanced products at GoPro, said the HEROCast project began a few years ago with ESPN’s X Games when the company wanted to get its GoPro cameras into the hands of broadcasters. “We worked together with Vislink, one of the leaders in RF broadcast, to design the HEROCast transmitter,” he said. “Though it’s our branded product, Vislink manufactures and resells it.”

He said HEROCast has been successful as a professional RF broadcast system and is growing in sales. “We feel every broadcaster, producer and production company should have one in their toolbox,” he said. “It is ready to go out of the box.”

Though Casas would not reveal any future GoPro plans for the broadcast line, he said the company’s developer program has a diverse group of companies supporting the camera. One developer is Timecode Systems, whose new SyncBac Pro system is now available.

Whether shooting with multiple GoPro cameras, combining GoPro units with traditional large-scale cameras and separate audio or using multiple HERO4 cameras to capture 360 degree content on a complex VR rig, SyncBac PRO allows users to sync cameras together with timecode.

The system also integrates the B:LINK Hub and uses long-range B:LINK RF to power on a real-time dashboard displaying all Timecode Systems units and compatible cameras and audio devices on the set — centrally on a single screen.

Users have advanced capability to remotely control not only Timecode Systems devices, but also any compatible cameras and audio devices to which they are connected.

The HEROCast transmitter is not necessary for television broadcasters to use GoPro cameras in non-live situations. In a news show, for example, the footage from a basic GoPro camera can be integrated and edited into other video footage.

The GoPro’s video output is in a mp4 file format stored on the camera’s internal MicroSD card. Broadcasters wanting to use that footage can — depending on their post system — either convert and/or import the file into their professional editing system.

So far, the GoPro has been used for some interesting applications, mostly in sports. When the University of Mississippi opened a new $96 million basketball venue —The Pavilion at Ole Miss — it used HEROCast to entertain fans on the NCAA basketball arena’s large center-hung video board.

Seth Tanner, director/producer of in-venue productions at the school, said to provide engaging content for fans during breaks in play, Ole Miss uses two shoulder-mounted cameras with GoPro cameras on selfie sticks. The sticks are passed around through the crowd and live video from the cameras is received via Vislink receivers and then broadcast to the video board in The Pavilion.

The PGA Tour has used HEROCast-equipped GoPro cameras to capture unique views of the golf tournaments. Dramatic “hole-viewR21; camera shots and player-worn “hat cams” have been used, along with “crowd cams” that put live content creation into the hands of the fans.

The NHL has used the technology in several hockey broadcasts and announced a North American partnership with GoPro. The league announced that it working with Timecode Systems and Vislink to provide the wireless video transport in HEROCast for reliable long-range wireless sync, status and control on live events.

In addition to using the HEROCast systems shots to home viewers, it also provides camera feeds to the NHL's "situation room" in Toronto, where operators monitor up to 16 simultaneous feeds of NHL games.

Whenever a goal is scored or a contentious scoring play occurs, the NHL situation room uses its in-house instant replay camera/server system to provide a quick analysis.

That analysis is immediately available to each game's referees and goal judge via dedicated communication lines. Accurate “stadium”; timecode and sync get embedded with the video feeds wirelessly at the source, which ensures that all wired and wireless cameras in each stadium are synchronized with each other.

Rich Feinberg, vice president of ESPN Production, called the use of GoPro at the X Games “a real success” and said his network will build on what it learned during the broadcast. Expect ESPN to use GoPro cameras a future events.

Those tiny, inexpensive GoPro cameras (they are priced between $400 and $500 in basic form) are beginning to permeate the broadcast space as well as action footage market. They can be mounted anywhere and it seems their potential is only beginning to be discovered.

[betman] 23/5/2016 09:13

Investoree, very much appreciate your time and effort to update us on the AGM. I think your views are sound and informative

[dogwalker] 22/5/2016 14:19

Thanks Investoree. That all sounds great : done & dusted ; no worries.
GLA !

[investoree] 22/5/2016 12:53

At the Vislink AGM on 20th May 2016 there were only a handful of Private Investors (PIs) present at the meeting, in addition to the Board of Directors (BOD) along with previous Pebble Beach management. To summarize: John Hawkins presented a fairly slick verbal presentation extolling Vislink as the number one company in the sectors in which they operated, supported by strategic partnerships with Harmonic and GoPro who are two of the largest most highly regarded hardware providers. This was accompanied by a slide show during which a number of questions were raised regarding matters such as positioning the company for going after lucrative military business. This was summarily dismissed as an option as the costs of their doing so were considered prohibitive with the almost guaranteed certainty that they would not be successful. I was also somewhat surprised to learn that the chances of Vislink benefiting from picking up any further new business during the Rio Olympics this year (especially with the increasing security concerns) were downplayed and considered highly unlikely.

Although not entirely convinced by some of his statements in regards to taking the company forward - mainly by bolt-on acquisitions - I didn't ask any questions having decided to wait until the main substance of the meeting was concluded and then quiz the Board regarding the structure and timing of the Value Creation Plan (VCP). Unfortunately my timing and execution were appalling as I had anticipated an opportunity under Any Other Business (AOB) unfortunately the meeting was brought to a close before I had the opportunity to raise my concerns and questions.

I then spent more than an hour engaging with Directors including John Hawkins, Ian Davies and Robin Howe who claimed that they had been in extensive consultation with Vislink's major institutional shareholders who all supported the VCP. They also acknowledged that with the benefit of hindsight the manner, timing and lack of engagement with PIs regarding the VCP was unfortunate and that with the benefit of hindsight, future similar matters would undoubtedly be handled differently. It was also claimed that a large amount of management time had been taken up in fending off complaints about the VCP from PIs, both directly and indirectly, through their advisers.

I explained that this situation created suspicion in the minds of some PIs that Directors appeared to be potentially awarding themselves a huge financial reward for a comparatively pedestrian performance, especially when PIs were excluded from any prior knowledge, participation or voting on the VCP's structure and implementation. This combined with the absence of any mention in the Annual Report, despite the VCP's formal announcement shortly afterwards being acceptable to HMRC when such a package should have necessitated a considerable amount of time being devoted to its structure to ensure it was fair and balanced.

The Directors claimed that their financial reward was not 15.4% of the value of the company above the £85M'n market capitalisation but that it was 15.4% of the difference between the £85M'n hurdle that had to be reached and whatever any such higher value was after 3 years. Neither did they feel that my concerns of simply increasing the market capitalisation of the company by making bolt-on acquisitions funded by issuing more shares (dilution) or taking on more debt (loans), posed a greater risk than concentrating on growing the company organically.

They did not seem overly concerned about the negative impact on the fall in Vislink's share price following the announcement of results and the VCP which resulted in many PIs selling all or some of their sharers, or automatically having them sold when their stop losses kicked in. It was claimed that the Institutions were happily picking up the PI shares being sold and adding to their holdings but they valued a large PI share base although it was more expensive to service.

Although not entirely convinced by the Directors answers to my questions and complaints regarding their VCP, I and my partner will stick with our substantial shareholding for the foreseeable future.

The above is only a summary of my understanding of the comments at the AGM long with my lengthy verbal exchange with the BOD and is not intended to influence any decisions for readers as to buying, selling, holding or adding to any shareholdings in Vislink. Please note the importance of thoroughly doing your own research before making any decisions regarding Vislink as a potential investment for the short, medium or long term.

Good luck to all current and prior holdings of Vislink for the future.

[sharw] 20/5/2016 16:24

"davidosh 18 May'16 - 02:10 - 8836 of 8837 0 0

I am certainly hoping to be at the Agm. With so many complaining about the VCP but unaware of it before the last Agm I will be shocked if there are not a large number wanting to attend personally to ask questions and vote against the remuneration committee directors"

Prepare to be very shocked. A number of questions from shareholders on hardware/software and marketing matters but not one on remuneration! A decent presentation from John Hawkins using a selection of slides from here:

[brummy_git] 18/5/2016 07:47

Solid first four months from Vitec, with a better second half expected due to the Rio Olympics. I guess Vislink are likely to follow a similar path

[davidosh] 18/5/2016 02:10

I am certainly hoping to be at the Agm. With so many complaining about the VCP but unaware of it before the last Agm I will be shocked if there are not a large number wanting to attend personally to ask questions and vote against the remuneration committee directors

[sharw] 17/5/2016 16:56

So, apart from Investoree, is anyone here going to The Bear on Friday?

[sharw] 17/5/2016 14:38

Don't get too excited - just got a quote of 38 to sell and 38.198 to buy (which would show as a sell on automatic computer-generated buy/sell labels). What is more I could not sell 40k shares without going through dealers but I could buy 40k shares online.

[ken536] 17/5/2016 14:03

Do the MM's know something we are not party to ?
they've been buying in for some time now at 38p
without there being any movement in the share price.

[sharw] 03/5/2016 23:47

Who said 11 a.m. at Hungerford was shareholder unfriendly? I have shares in AIM quoted Powerflute who have just announced that their AGM will be at 8.30 a.m. in Kuopio, Finland!

[investoree] 27/4/2016 14:55

daviddosh I feel strongly enough to attend and have just booked a room at The Bear Hotel and will definately be attending the VLK AGM on 20th May. Unfortunately 99.99% of my VLK shares are held electronically in nominee accounts which restricts demonstrating my displeasure with the VCP. Perhaps you would like to meet up either before, during, or after the AGM?

[sharw] 25/4/2016 12:12

davidosh - for those of us who live outside London it is often easier to get to a meeting elsewhere than negotiate expensive public transport into and across the capital. Hungerford is just off the M4 and The Bear has a car park. Alternatively it is 5 minutes walk from the railway station. When they were a listed company De Vere recognised that their shareholders were scattered around the country and so moved their AGMs around the country using one of their hotels. I went to one at the Belfry near Birmingham and there was a very large number there (I suspect many for the free meal!).

I agree regarding time - the earlier the time the smaller the catchment area of shareholders that can arrive without a costly overnight stay. When a company moves its AGM to 09 00 you know they're in real trouble! This is at 11. If I could pass one stock exchange listing regulation it would require all companies to hold their AGMs no earlier than noon.

[davidosh] 25/4/2016 11:50

Nothing happens because 99% of shareholders and investors do nothing about it.

I am not so sure that Kestrel are known for being passive holders though !

[davidosh] 25/4/2016 02:22

For those who want answers to last years VCP debacle....

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting will be held at The Bear Hotel, 41 Charnham Street, Hungerford, Berkshire, RG17
0EY on Friday 20 May 2016 at 11.00 am.


So just to prove how they have actively chosen to keep you all well away from the meeting....last year the Agm was central London and at noon

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting will be held at 29 Cloth Fair, London, EC1A 7NN on Wednesday 20 May 2015 at 12.00
noon.

Maybe a few of you should ask why they are making it less accessible for shareholders ?

[davidosh] 25/4/2016 01:46

Directors’ emoluments and pension contributions for the year ended 31 December 2015 were as follows:
John Hawkins £360,000 basic — 29,654 plus pension £72,000 Total £461,654 (£438,358-2014)

That is from the Annual Report recently published so even in a year where profits collapsed to losses incredibly Mr Hawkins has come out with a package of nearly £24,000 more than the previous year....the Board take nearly a million pounds in a company where that is 5% of the market cap ! Why does his pay go up with such poor performance ?