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Video Technics: Apella Video Clip Server

Leitch: NewsFlash Preditor

ProCon Technology: vStor v1000

Infrant Technology: ReadyNAS 600

It's common when editing to browse through files on a workstation. But when working in a collaborative editing setup, full-resolution browsing taxes servers to the max. Leitch says its NewsFlash Preditor solves that by automatically creating low-res file proxies, which don't stress the system as much. Leitch's Nexio server handles file ingest and proxy generation while tracking both the full-res and encoded versions. The keep-it-simple approach extends to the GUI; the same user interface is kept whether working in the full or low-res editing environment. Now in its third version, NewsFlash Preditor allows users to make cuts-only edits and build timelines using those low-res proxy clips. Finally, sending the proxy files to Nexio automatically generates a full high-res version.

Price: Price upon request
Florence, Ky.; (859) 371-5533;
www.leitch.com

Servers for post work just need to do two tasks well: play out and record media. But for small cable or television stations, buying two separate servers for editing and playout can be both complex and expensive. Video Technics' Apella Video Clip Server provides one price-conscious solution. Now running the latest version 2.6 software, the network-ready Apella is a multi-channel server with automated ingest and playout, DV and MPEG editing, archiving, and on-air playout. Everything revolves around the Apella VCS media database, which multiple users and applications can access simultaneously. When media is ingested, the Apella VCS creates DV or MPEG files, low-res proxies, and the related metadata. VT Director and VT Proxy Editor, meanwhile, handle remote multi-channel playout and offline editing and browsing.

Price: $23,995 (complete system)
Atlanta; (404) 327-8300;
www.videotechnics.com

While speedy gigabit Ethernet (GigE) technology has been around for a few years, it mostly turns up in pricier servers. Now, ProCon Technology offers a better price on GigE-enabled storage with its vStor v1000, a multistream shared network video storage system. Capable of handling more than 20 DV25 streams — or up to six SD streams simultaneously — the server includes a CD-ROM drive; support for RAID levels 0, 1, and 5; and management software, with support for realtime optimization. Since two GigE ports are included, those with smaller workgroups won't need to buy a separate switch. Both Windows and Mac clients are supported, while a web-based GUI handles network, disk, and user management.

Price: $9,999 (960GB)
South Hackensack, N.J.; (800) 631-0868
www.vcom-mm.net

Many smaller editing operations could benefit from shared storage, but the costs and complexities of setting up and maintaining a server put many off. Increasingly, NAS devices offer benefits with simpler setup. Meanwhile, IP (Internet protocol) versions deliver easy-to-implement connectivity. Infrant Technology's ReadyNAS 600 is a good example. It utilizes an innovative NAS chipset that integrates a CPU; SATA interface; Gigabit Ethernet; hardware RAID levels 0, 1, and 5; NAS OS; and Web-based configuration wizard. The NAS also OS-independent, supporting popular operating systems right out of the box.

Price: $1595 (1TB)
Fremont, Calif.
(510) 438-7982
www.infrant.com