Creative Affinities

Our primary focus is on the interplay between creativity and technology, in many fields including
broadcast graphics, professional audio, image capture and manipulation, theater and publishing.

Services may range from basic systems support through to technological/creative design.
Please explore your current area of interest via the information below.

Broadcast Graphics

Graphics Structuring
for Integrated Systems Graphics that are integrated with associated data systems (eg, news, elections, weather, school closings, ...) must be structured properly to deliver the desired on-air presentation. We teach staff personnel about these structures and then offer ongoing support to maintain the structures in optimal condition.

Design & Supervision
of Special Events Elections and sports are just two examples of special events that are critical revenue generators for broadcasters, and which require total reliability in fully integrated coverage. Creative Affinities may provide remote or onsite services prior to and during such events to make sure the viewers receive the planned coverage. Depending on the magnitude of the event, we suggest you contact Creative Affinities several months in advance to discuss such services.

Multilingual Graphics Although graphics in North America use standard "Western" font sets, Creative Affinities has experience implementing dynamic broadcast graphics in complex font sets (such as Asian, Arabic, ...). Since the ease of achieving this is dependent on the platform used, please discuss your plans with Creative Affinities prior to committing to any particular graphics platform.

Special Applications Programming

Database Design
and Optimization Advanced custom database design, analysis, and optimization services for SQL Server, Oracle, and current MySQL databases...
We offer particular expertise in table structure rationalization,
in reducing computational loads on available resources, and
in "pay-for-performance" optimizations.

Data Handling No matter what your data source or destination (from simple repository to complex output stream), we provide superior processes for extraction, parsing, error-checking, reformatting, re-purposing and custom manipulations.
Our experience includes web pages, streaming web feeds, real-time polling and web submissions, data aggregation services, SMS- and other phone-based data collection systems, remote files, multiple databases, GPS tracking data, satellite feed, ...

Device Interfaces Most broadcast and creative devices today are based on networked computers/servers, often with a specialized API. Creative Affinities utilizes whichever interface will provide the flexible reliable performance, both for our application and for the interfaced device. We already have experience with a wide variety of computers, operating systems, network protocols, broadcast graphics platforms, automation controllers, proprietary data feeds, and much more. New custom interfaces are our specialty. Please contact us to discuss what you would like interfaced and how you would like the result to perform.

Systems Integration Typically, a facility has a large number of computer-based systems from distinct manufacturers, possibly sharing one/many communication networks with varying degrees of security. As an independent integrator, we identify and resolve disparities between different systems, from data inconsistencies to processing discrepancies. Our approach not just saves you valuable time and money, but also provides greater confidence in systems that are robust, secure, and flexible enough to support upgrades over time.

Web Technologies Website effectiveness depends both on its creative design and on the technologies that enable it to function in a way that users prefer. We have specialized experienced with deep technologies (including Silverlight, Flash, advanced .Net, java, ... ) that couple with the best designs from your/our creative teams, producing robust and highly functional real-time data display, collection, and streaming capabilities.

Miscellaneous

Integration with
Playout Automation Systems Staff at Creative Affinities have assisted several broadcasters with the operation of various dominant providers of playout automation systems, including Harris (Louth, Encoda), Omnibus, and others.

Operator Training We use professional training approaches to impart skills to your own staff, in various areas including broadcast graphics, playout automation, ... Our clients are highly satisfied with the results and with our personal commitment to their particular preferences.

Please call or email (as on our contacts page) for specific information.