Two companies are collaborating to optimize the storage infrastructure for large-scale deployments of HD video across the newsroom—Dalet Digital Media Systems and DataDirect Networks. In collaboration with DataDirect Networks’ technical teams, Dalet Labs validated the DataDirect S2A9550 storage system’s high throughput capabilities running within the Dalet broadcast environment. Back-office media processing expertly managed a high number of simultaneous file transfers, rendering and rewrapping processes, proving that large scale deployments of HD-based newsrooms are now feasible. There’s more information at www.dalet.com and www.datadirectnet.com.
Digidesign has just started dealer shipments of the new, large-format ICON D-Control ES. This is the latest member of the ICON worksurface family and joins with Digidesign’s ICON D-Control and medium-format ICON D-Command.
This new unit is enhanced with a darker color scheme that blends in with today’s modern studio décor. There is also higher contrast text and graphics for improved legibility in low light and a new switch LED color layout for improved ergonomics. The ICON D-Control ES offers the same integration with industry-standard Pro Tools HD software. This includes complete recall of all session parameters, routing and plug-ins—Daly City, California
Here’s what the new Gefen 2X VGA Extender is able to deliver… the same video for two displays located in remote location. The product’s sender/receiver system handles double duty here and offers a clean split and the ability to extend two displays to as much as 1,000 feet. In fact, the product allows both displays to be extended over just one CAT-5e cable. Resolutions of up to 1080p or 1920×1200 computer displays are supported, perfect for high quality digital signage and pro video apps. Simple to install, as well… you connect the send unit to the VGA source; the receiver connects to both extended displays. No remote power is needed.
From Noise Industries comes FxFactory 2.0, the first major update to the company’s vfx package. This upgraded software now supports Final Cut Express 4 as well as Final Cut Studio. And, you can now use the same plug-ins for Final Cut Pro, Motion and Final Cut Express. The software runs on Mac OS X 10.5 “Leopard” and on Mac OS X 10.4 “Tiger. There’s a new plug-in management interface. This allows you to browse installed plug-ins and to see thumbnail previews of all the vfx on your system. You can search for elements you need, such as all of the transitions available in a selected plug-in package, plus there’s a quick look to the effect categories so ou can determine where each plug-in is located within your app. All of your existing plug-ins are fully compatible with FxFactory 2.0, which also includes 122 filters, generators and transitions, with 50 of them new to this release. All of the plug-ins support high-precision rendering and are fully customizable.
Quite possibly this could be a major breakthrough for the digital content and media industry. This possible breakthrough is via the use of public IP access networks for broadcast quality video delivery. vidIP has demo’d a solution for the broadcast and telecom industries using their TSS-110 and CDS-110 video routers to deliver live broadcast transmission over IP using retail Internet ADSL access. This capability meets today’s requirements for national and local TV networks, news agencies and media industry pros who are looking at ways to reduce their transmission costs. vidIP’s solutions has realized real world testing of its products using retail ADSL Internet access from four major ISPs in France. These connections allowed repeated real time video transmission during 15 to 30 minute segments, non-stop, using various bit rates ranging from 1 Mbit/s to 4 Mbit/s). The formats were MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 ASP. This test was achieved without any support or specific setup from ISPs. This is an out of the box solution—Issy-les-Moulineaux, France (www.vidip.tv)
Digital Bits…
In the Los Angeles area, BigBand Networks SDV will be Charter Communication’s answer to expanding their services into the Burbank, Glendale and Malibu regions with HDTV and other broadcast goodies… a rather interesting online story in BusinessWeek online at www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2007/tc20071119_701831.htm?chan=technology_technology+index+page_top+stories — many abhor the lack of creativity and absolute dismal content and production values of the online video craze consuming valuable resources at various social networking and video sites, videos populated by immature and talentless wanna-be directors and video stars. Perhaps the time has come wherein such is no longer considered to be of such high value! Bylined by Catherine Holahan, the title of her BusinessWeek article says it all, “Web Video: Move Over, Amateurs.” For many of us, the manner in which the video garbage shot by your neighbor (aka: the home video) was being gobbled up was beyond belief — what had happened to folk with brains and a taste for true creative entertainment? Perhaps all is not lost, as this article explains. Definitely worth the read…
