NAB 2005
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Expect to be surprised. And potentially confused. Part of the drama of NAB 2005 will come from the introduction of new technologies such as HDV, which will be a major source of interest — and questions — at the show. Meanwhile, the spread of established technologies like HDTV will continue to push new gear and workflow throughout the video supply chain, offering a dizzying array of workflow options that overlap AV and IT expertise in unexpected ways. Don't assume anything, even about companies and products you think you know well. Something you thought was too expensive to consider may not be (i.e., Teranex format conversion), something you thought was too “low end” for the job you do may not be (i.e., desktop color correction). The best system for you may incorporate elements that cut across traditional video and desktop tools, or combine both.
Many attendees will need to clarify for themselves the differences between HDV and the higher resolution HD formats, since they are not equivalent and each is appropriate for different needs and applications. Beyond that, the major manufacturers will define HDV differently and will take differing approaches to shooting and editing the footage, including making distinctions between consumer and “pro” HDV. For example, JVC will debut “proHD” at the show (a native 24fps variant on the original HDV format), while Sony will make a clear distinction between its consumer HDV-FX1 camcorder and the professional HVR-Z1. Panasonic — which is not participating in the HDV format — will address the needs of the lower-cost, higher-resolution market with its HD P2 palmcorder, based on the well-established professional DVCPRO HD format.
All this adds up to one of the most interesting and complex NAB shows yet. Bring your brain, know your business needs — and read on to help prepare yourself to be a shrewd consumer in a marketplace that offers more options, potential, and “gotchas” than ever before.
In addition, here are some NAB sub-events you should be aware of:
This year's NAB Post|Production World Conference will feature more than 230 training sessions covering the latest tools and techniques for video and film editing, special effects, audio and sound editing, web design, 3D animation, and DVD authoring. (See the insert in this issue for more.)
This year, asset management will not only have a large presence on the show floor (visit the Global Society of Asset Management's DAM Pavilion), but also will turn up as key to many companies' new workflow solutions as their products leverage MXF, AAF, and other acronym-prone metadata concepts.
Want to teach editing and effects classes? Then don't miss the new Avid Xpress Pro Certification Prep classes and Apple Motion and Final Cut Pro HD Certification classes. These two-day, advanced level workshops will prepare you to take the certification exams, which are also available onsite.
The MultiMedia World Conference will offer a broader perspective, with presentations to keep you up-to-date on the most recent advances in digital media. Sessions will include “Convergence and Content on the Move: Riding the Digital, Mobile, Virtual, and Personal Wave” and “Networking and Distribution of Digital Media.”
 The JVC GY-HD100U ProHD/DV camcorder brings 24p to the HDV standard. |
What's the state of HD as NAB 2005 approaches? Japan Inc. has invested millions in developing HD, from the first analog systems introduced decades ago that were only used in Japan, followed by digital systems just beginning to find their market. Today, all companies have mature products they must move in HD-ready markets. That's good for buyers.
However, many visitors at the show will be from countries that have no immediate plans to start HD broadcasting, with DTV a more likely choice for them. Likewise, in the United States, most local TV stations are not ready to originate programming in HD, as they've already invested considerable money in DTV transmitters and antennas. With pressure building to complete the transition to DTV, station owners will keep their focus on the task at hand, so expect to still see lots of SD gear on display, including new things.
You'll have to make up your own mind about how important the ubiquitous “future proofing” is to you. While many have sworn to do all future equipment replacements with HD or at least higher resolution gear, others still have much yet to be accomplished on SD formats.
Image formats will not be the only camcorder issue at NAB. Recording media and attendant workflow options will continue to emerge in the evolution away from tape and toward a further convergence of cameras and computers.
On Tuesday, April 19, David Krall, Avid''s president and chief executive officer, will deliver a keynote address aimed at helping content creators “navigate the HD production landscape.”
“The industry hasn''t faced this type of transition since the move from black-and-white to color television nearly 50 years ago,” says Krall. “HD workflows are complex, involving everything from capturing and editing through asset management and output. With such a wide range of HD formats, production tools, and transmission equipment on the market, it can be challenging to know how to move to HD and get the best ROI.”
Hitachi looks like a dark horse contender in developing alternatives to tape. With its recent acquisition of IBM's hard drive manufacturing business, the company is on a push to promote hard disk drives as today's best recording media choice.
Hitachi plans to introduce and take orders for an affordable, high-quality disk-based recorder for its professional camera models. The recorder, which will dock to its popular Z-series, uses a codec that's switchable between DV25 and DV50. The file formats will be the popular AVI and MOV types now handled by most NLE suites.
The Hitachi ZDR-1 recorder uses removable media available in capacities ranging from 20GB to 100GB; these provide as much as five hours of recording time with DV25, and 2.5 hours with DV50. Prices range from $150 to $350 per drive depending on capacity.
Bundled with the recorder is a docking bay that allows installation into a PC or Mac NLE. The hard drive is simply moved from the camera to the docking bay, making the video ingest process almost disappear. An NLE mounts the drive and video editing can take place in the very same media used to acquire it. The Hitachi ZDR-1 will tentatively list for $5,000 and delivery may start as early as June.
When Ikegami introduced its first Editcam in 1996, it was a breakthrough product, as the camcorder was one of the first to record SD on removable hard drives. Developed in partnership with Avid, the drives directly connect to that company's NLE systems. At NAB, the company will introduce an HD Editcam that employs Avid's DNxHD codec. Introduced at last year's show, the codec provides lossless 2:1 compression. Three 2/3in. CMOS chips capture the image with a full 1920×1080 raster. Initially, the camera section will support 1080 at 25p, 30p, 50i, and 60i — plus 24fps. A firmware upgrade will support 720 at 25p, 30p, 50p, and 60p — plus 24fps.
After the video has been captured, it is compressed using Avid's 10-bit DNxHD codec, which yields a 140Mbps data rate. When you're done shooting, you simply insert a Field Pack into a dock and the drive auto-mounts on your Avid NLE system.
The Ikegami Field Pack that records the data incorporates a fast, shockproof 120GB drive, which stores up to an hour of HD video. Ikegami has plans for Field Packs that will accept solid-state memory or use replaceable hard drives. The Editcam HD will price under $50,000.
Two NABs ago, JVC introduced HDV to the world with the debut of its JY-HD10 HD camcorder. This year, JVC will take HDV to another level by introducing “proHD.” An extension of HDV, proHD supports timecode, a pair of 48kHz, 16-bit PCM audio tracks (in addition to the MPEG-1 Layer 2 audio channels) plus the 19Mbps, six-frame GOP MPEG-2 video track. (Current HDV equipment will play all but the PCM tracks that are recorded in the “subcode” portion of each track.)
JVC's second-generation camcorder is the shoulder-mount GY-HD100, which uses a changeable Servo Fujinon 16X zoom. Expected to deliver in June, the camcorder prices at under $10,000 (as of presstime). The camcorder features three 1/3in., 1280×720-element 16:9 CCDs, along with XLR audio connectors. The HD100U will capture 4:3/16:9 60i DV (including 24fps) plus 720p/23.98, 720p/25, and 720p/29.97, as well as 480p/59.94 proHD video.
No matter the proHD frame rate, each GOP is written to 60 tracks on MiniDV tape — taking exactly the same tape length as six frames of DV. The I, B, P frame data are interleaved throughout the 60 tracks. This provides better drop-out correction than DV. Thus, no special tape is required. (You can record to and edit from an optional Focus hard disk drive pack.)
Although the camcorder's MPEG-2 codec can't encode 1280×720 at 60Hz, when it records 24fps it creates a 720p/60 data structure on the tape, but only includes the data for 24 frames each second. (Yes, this will require an enhancement to NLE software to create 24fps video for editing.) One can imagine that in the future, 720p/60 will be possible. Until then, a JVC-developed DSP will provide “motion smoothing” for the low temporal rate recorded by the camcorder. This will be explained in further detail in our April issue.
JVC will also ship the GY-HD50U VTR, which will play DVCAM, DV (two or four PCM tracks), HDV, and proHD — the latter at both 720p (24p/25p/30p/50p/60p) and 480p from standard and MiniDV cassettes. Output options include 480i (also via composite and S-Video), plus 480p, 720p/59.94, and 1080i/29.97 via analog component and HDMI connectors. Naturally, a tape's bit stream is output via FireWire, with RS-422 control provided. The price will be under $6,000, according to information available at presstime. It too will ship in June.
 Panasonic AJ-HDX400 |
Panasonic will keep advancing on three strengths: its 6mm tape cartridge that supports SD and HD; the very popular Varicam; and 24fps, available from the top to the bottom of the company's DV, DVCPRO, DVCPRO 50, and DVCPRO HD product line.
Naturally, Panasonic will also continue to promote its P2 family introduced at last year's show. Archiving gets a nod, as the company has added a 4.7GB DVD-RAM/DVD-R drive to its AJ-SPD850 P2 deck, creating an integrated method for backing up P2 cards.
In September, Panasonic plans to introduce a small field transfer device, the AJ-PCS060. You will be able to insert a P2 card and have it copied at high speed to a 60GB hard disk. It will require four minutes to copy a 4GB card.
At last year's NAB, Panasonic announced it would deliver an MPEG-2-based HD camcorder this year to compete with HDV-based products. But that strategy has changed to one that is far more interesting. Since Panasonic already has a well-regarded HD codec, DVCPRO HD, why not use it in a small AG-DVX100-sized camcorder?
At last, we'll have an under-$10,000, 720p/60 camcorder that also shoots DV (perhaps to a built-in MiniDV transport), DVCPRO, and DVCPRO 50. What's great is that there are very clear multi-stream realtime editing workflows already in place for all these codecs.
Unanswered questions include: Will a P2 card be bundled with the camcorder? If so, how many gigabytes? And when will Panasonic release 8GB P2 cards? At presstime, Panasonic has not yet said when such cards will become available or at what price. A 4GB (AJ-P2C004) card now holds some four minutes of DVCPRO HD. The good news is that not only will an 8GB card hold eight minutes of 720p/60, it will hold 20 minutes of 24p.
 Sony HVR-Z1U HDV Handycam |
Sony will show a range of new SD and HD products, of course, but it will also have two technologies that may have a huge effect on future HD camcorders. First is what I call the “Super CCD.” This new two-megapixel CCD has full 1920×1080 elements, and can read out 1080p/23.98, 1080p/24, 1080p/25, 1080p/29.97, 1080p/50, 1080i/50, and 1080i/59.94. Using a companion Sony DSP chip, the 1920×1080p can downscale to 720p/50 and 720p/59.94.
The result of that downscaling of the super-sampled 1280215;720 image is significantly increased image quality. These CCDs debut first in studio cameras, with only 720p and 1080i output initially available. However, Sony's HDCAM-SR VTRs support up to 880Mbps, so it shouldn't be too long until 1080p/60 recording is announced — perhaps at this NAB.
Sony will also show a working model of an HD XDCAM camcorder. According to Sony, the company is considering producing, initially, one of two versions. The first camcorder would use 1/2in. CCDs and record 4:2:0 VBR, long-GOP MPEG-2 at 36Mbps. That's about one hour when recorded to a single-layer XDCAM disc. The other version would use 2/3in. CCDs and record 4:2:2 VBR, long-GOP MPEG-2 at 72Mbps. Here, we'll have to wait until next year's dual-layer XDCAM disc debuts, which will record one hour to disc. And, of course, Sony will bring its already popular HDV-Z1 camcorder to the show.
One interesting bit of news: By 2006, all new products sold in Japan must go “green,” doing away with the poisonous materials found in camcorders and other gear. Sony is using the green requirement to release new and improved versions of all its products, taking advantage of the technological improvements since those first products were released. One result is a new series of SD camcorders that use 2/3in. CCDs with prices comparable to those of 1/2in. CCD camcorders.
— Steve Mullen
What: Anton/Bauer Ultralight
What it does: The Ultralight (UL) dimmer allows a 0 to 100 percent adjustment of Anton/Bauer's on-camera light. Dimmer control comes via a PWM circuit; its digital power control minimizes battery drain, since it doesn't dim like standard rheostats.
What: ERG Ventures HDM-EV85
What it does: Designed to work with Sony's HDV camcorders, this 8.4in. color LCD field monitor features an HD analog input, which allows direct connection between the camcorder and monitor without the need to transcode.
What: Grass Valley LDK 4000 camera
What it does: Provides an “affordable” complement to the LDK 6000 mk II, Grass Valley's camera for HD and multi-format production. The camera is designed for small to medium digital production studios that have settled on a single HD format.
What: Grass Valley LDK 400 ITW
What it does: Described as Grass Valley's most cost-effective camera system with 14-bit processing, the SD-only dockable LDK 400 ITW can be used as a studio camera that uses multi-core cables or for high-end productions using triax cables. Users can choose between its DPM chip or ultra-low-smear IT sensors. It's also switchable between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios.
What: Manfrotto MagFiber series tripods
What it does: New design combines die-cast magnesium and carbon fiber to deliver lightweight tripods that offer stability and rigidity.
What: Miller Camera Support Sprinter AT tripod
What it does: Sprinter AT is a two-stage carbon fiber tripod that uses extruded alloy to boost torsional strength and leg clamping stability without any increase in weight.
What: Miranda DV-Bridge Cam
What it does: Lightweight interface for DV cameras provides DV-to-SDI conversion. It can be mounted under a camcorder or on a tripod so low-cost DV cameras can output broadcast standard video.
What: Panasonic AJ-HDX400
What it does: Lower price point DVCPRO HD camcorder features three 2/3in., 1 million pixel IT progressive CCDs, 12-bit A/D DSP circuits, low-light shooting down to 0.008 lux, and an advanced 12-axis matrix color correction system that allows color adjustment without affecting overall color tone.
What: Panasonic AJ-PCS060
What it does: Portable hard disk unit with a P2 card slot quickly transfers the contents of P2 cards to an internal 60GB hard drive, which holds up to 15 4GB P2 cards
What: Sony HDC-X310 multipurpose HD camera
What it does: HD POV camera features three 1/2in., 1.5-megapixel HD CCDs; slow shutter capability for low-light level capability; and a number of optional interface cards, including XGA monitoring, SD signal output, and i.LINK IEEE-1394 (HDV) digital interface connection for HD recording on Sony's new proHDV system.
What: Ikegami DNS-33W Editcam3
What it does: This compact, hard disk-based CCD camcorder gets new triax and multicore adapters for added versatility as a studio or field camera. Also shown in the Editcam line will be the DNR 20 Dockable Disk Recorder and the DNE-31 Stand-Alone Disk Recorder.
What: Panasonic AW-E860N three-CCD convertible camera
What it does: Designed for remote operation, this native 16:9 camera offers 850 lines of horizontal resolution, a 63dB signal-to-noise ratio, high sensitivity CCDs, variable shutter speeds, and Panasonic's Digital Noise Reduction technology. New accessories include the AW-PH400 high-speed pan-tilt head, AW-PH360 pan-tilt head, the AW-RP400 pan-tilt controller, AW-RL400 rolling unit, AW-CB400 camera control unit, and AW-RC400 cable compensation unit.
What: Sony DSR-400 and DSR-450WS DVCAM
What it does: Each camera includes three higher dynamic range 2/3in. PowerHAD EX CCDs. The widescreen DSR-450WS features a slow shutter feature for extreme low-light shooting. It can capture images in 60i at 24fps (segmented frame) and 30fps.
What: Telestream MAPone and Flip4Mac
What it does: MAPone allows Apple G5 or PowerBook users to transmit broadcast-quality media over IP connections. Flip4Mac lets Mac users import MXF media from Sony eVTR and XDCAM.
What: IDX System's X-3 Camera Light
What it does: X-3 is an LED-based on-camera light designed for ENG/EFP and other field applications. LEDs are efficient, and X-3 is no exception with a 35W 5600K daylight output that requires only 11W of power. Features include built-in dimmer and built-in hot-shoe.
What: Vinten Vector 60 pan and tilt head
What it does: The Vector 60, a more compact, lower-cost version of the top-of-the-line Vector 70, holds camera systems of up to 143lbs. It sports similar features, including an infinitely adjustable LF drag, platform deadlock, illuminated leveling bubble, and well-positioned pan and tilt brakes.
 1 Beyond 3817 HD laptop |
A couple of months ago at MacWorld San Francisco, Apple President Steve Jobs and Sony President Kunitake Ando declared, “2005 is the year of HD!” Their joint declaration is primarily based upon the HDV format, the new Sony HDV 1080i cameras, and Apple's HDV nonlinear editing solutions.
But 2004 was a bumpy road for HDV. At last year's NAB, more than a dozen HDV editing solutions were announced. But you couldn't find the three-chip camcorders or the expected VCRs (other than the JVC Clamshell HDV VCR), at least as working models or delivering products.
This past fall, the situation changed. Sony announced its well-regarded 1080i consumer camcorder. A few months later, it demonstrated a working professional model. But when professionals started shooting in HDV 1080i, they quickly found that post was very difficult. Software manufacturers got the message, and rushed to provide compatible software. Many readers are heading off to Las Vegas to both find working solutions to this dilemma and see the professional version of Sony's camcorder.
The editing frenzy over HDV is coming from those who have had the opportunity to test out the consumer version of the Sony camcorder in realworld conditions. These may be people who already shoot with HD camcorders, saddled with heavy batteries that last half an hour (the new HDV camcorder's batteries last up to 12 hours). They've discovered the cam-corder's excellent low-light capabilities, and most importantly, appreciate the ease of lugging the camcorder, tapes, and batteries to remote locations.
 Boxx 7300 workstation |
Most of the NLE manufacturers that promised HDV capabilities the previous NAB (including Adobe, Apple, Applied Magic, Avid, Bit Central, Boxx Technologies, Canopus, CineForm, Heuris, KDDI R&D Laboratories, Lumière, Macro Systems, MainConcepts, MediaWare Solutions, Pinnacle Systems, Sony, and Ulead) should be demonstrating realworld solutions, with most delivering a “compatible with 1080i” version of HDV this year.
While HDV appears as though it may be this year's darling of compression formats, I plan to check out the others and see how they're received. The contending formats include Avid's DNxHD codec family; Canopus' HD and HQ codecs; Leitch's Velocity Q codecs; Panasonic's DVCPRO HD codec; and Pinnacle Systems' HD Elite codec. If Panasonic indeed offers a DVCPRO HD 24p camcorder for less than $10,000, it might seriously challenge Sony's HDV 1080i camcorder.
Solid state media acquisition, XDCAM HD, and hard disk backs to camcorders should also play into the mix of competing technologies. For example, the Focus Enhancements FS-4 Pro recorder will display support for the MXF, Avid OMF, and Pinnacle AVI formats. There is no word on whether it has the capability to handle compressed HD. There will be several other HD solutions, including the Ikegami Editcam, which will handle Avid's DNxHD codecs.
I also want to compare the interest in these codecs against the continuing popularity of uncompressed solutions. These include products by companies such as 1 Beyond, boardset manufacturers (such as Blackmagic Design, DVS, Bluefish444/Digital Voodoo, Aurora, and AJA), as well as Quantel and Discreet offerings.
 HP xw9300 workstation |
The following is a list of the areas I am placing a high priority on at this NAB:
Apple and Avid: I combine these two because they are across from each other, so many attendees tend to oscillate back and forth between booths. Both companies have remained extremely tightlipped about what they will show, indicating that there may be some exciting new announcements. I am also interested in how these products fare considering the almost-religious zeal of the owner-evangelists in the light of the many new competitors.
One thing to focus on this year is workgroup connectivity. This is our first opportunity to see a working Apple Xserve and Xsan solution. I also wonder if there will be anything new with Motion, last year's big hit. Having appeared to be Panasonic-centric at last year's NAB, will that continue in the Apple booth, or will the company appear to be more Sony-focused this year?
Avid will have many products to check out, but I would not be surprised if many Video Systems readers first go see the anticipated Mac-based Avid Xpress Pro and the HD version of Xpress Studio. I have had Xpress Studio for over a month and love it, but I am anxious for the HD capabilities found on Xpress Pro. It will be interesting to see what is new with the Adrenaline and Nitris families, and if rumors about new workgroup products or capabilities prove accurate. The Avid Developer Community will also be on the floor, showcasing Avid's partnerships with leading third-party developers.
 Panasonic AJ-SD255 DVCPRO/DV recorder |
1 Beyond will be demonstrating its powerful nonlinear laptop system designed for HD editing, HD presentation, and HD graphics creation: the 1 Beyond 3817 HD (available immediately, starting at $2,695, and configured for HD at $5,995). The Harmony 2 SAN will be shown for the first time at NAB, connecting the company's HD Pro-Editor workstations, and 1 Beyond's workgroup solution will be displayed for editing and compositing with the optional Redline Render Farm for rendering After Effects or 3D images.
While comparing and contrasting the “pro” solutions, I must check out what is happening with Adobe Premiere Pro and its Digital Video Collection. I would also like to see Adobe's digital intermediate firsthand.
Assimilate has promised new features for its Scratch DI solution. Why would Video Systems readers be interested in a DI solution? Because the product is priced low enough to allow those who would never consider such a thing to decide expand their capabilities. The turnkey solution comes in around $55,000 complete and can handle video. More to the point, the product can handle very large files at high color-depths in realtime with the same speed and ease that the average editor is now used to dealing with uncom-pressed SD.
Rumors are flying that there may be some new products from Blackmagic Design, but whether there are or not, I am interested in learning more about the DeckLink Multibridge, the Workgroup Videohub routing switcher, the latest software for the HDLink, and what is new with the DeckLink family. I will then compare these offerings with those of competitors, including products from AJA Systems, Aurora, Bluefish444/Digital Voodoo, DVS, Matrox, and Pinnacle.
 Leitch VelocityHD HD/SD NLE |
I am anxious to see how Discreet's advanced systems (codenamed Messo and Strata) are coming along. I would not be surprised if this technology actually delivered this year. And I hope that the Linux products may soon have significant upgrades.
But a major upgrade already has been promised: Combustion 4.0 (available in March on Windows, and May for Macintosh, for $995). Combustion 4 artists will have access to 3D compositing, comprehensive motion graphics capabilities, numerous filter and particle effects, advanced color correction, tracking and image stabilization technology, vector paint, warping and morphing, text effects, simple editing, animation and expressions, Flash output, and more. This should be well worth the visit to Discreet's booth.
The prices of the Leitch VelocityQ have dropped, and there are great promotions on Velocity HD. For the latter, some significant function advancement announcements are expected at NAB. While in the booth, check out the X75 HD, a versatile up-, down-, and cross-converter and HD frame synchronizer.
Rumors are that Matrox will be demonstrating the Matrox Axio and its newest Windows-based dual link Parhelia DL256 PCI graphics card for the 30in. Apple Cinema HD Display.
Just as Apple is high on my priority list, so is Microsoft, which also demonstrates state-of-the-art digital video solutions for production and distribution. The company's booth normally features interesting industry partners, and the Microsoft Digital Theater demonstrates the state of image-quality technology.
 Pinnacle Liquid Chrome HD |
Pinnacle Systems' Liquid HD software must be checked out to see what is new — it is already supporting HDV 1080i. Pinnacle is boasting about Liquid Chrome HD, and is releasing Liquid Broadcast software. It is also promoting its MXF (Note: not AAF) compatibility.
Serious Magic has won Video Systems' Pick Hits awards for the past two NABs in a row, and rumors abound that it will introduce one or two completely new products at NAB. Personally, I hope one is an HDV version of DV Rack. If the new product or products are half as exciting as the Ultra or DV Rack, I am very anxious to see them!
Sony's biggest attraction may be the new professional HDV 1080i camcorder, the HVR-Z1U. Nevertheless, there will undoubtedly be a VCR such as the HVR-M10U to support this format, and an upgraded version of Sony Vegas will be editing the format. I expect a Blu-Ray HD DVD recording product be shown. I want to see the latest in computer LCD monitors that are now being used as HDTV test monitors (with the appropriate interface box and look-up tables).
Sony will also announce XDCAM support for the most popular NLEs. The company will push workflow, but if you are in postproduction ask if the workflow designs are AAF compatible.
I also want to check out the other mastering formats Sony will display. And with the recent announcements of XPRI purchases, I would like to see what is new and exciting with that product.
I also hope to see several of the NAB Pavilions, especially the NAB HD television station, NextGen Home, Digital Media Theater, Digital Asset Management, AAF/MPEG Forum, Sound Mixing, and the 5.1 Surround Pavilion.
Postproduction storage is always a must-see at NAB. The first priority may be to see the products that won awards at last year's show.
1 Beyond will debut the low-cost Harmony II to NAB conventioneers. It may also have the highly scalable Harmony demonstrating a new workflow with high-definition video and graphics workstations, which will include fast rendering with an attached 1 Beyond Redline Render Farm.
Both Ciprico and its new subsidiary Huge Systems won awards last year. Ciprico will debut the DiMeda 1724 and DiMeda 10G SATA-based NAS solutions. The MediaVault SAN line from Huge Systems broadens Ciprico's product line so that it now includes lower-priced systems.
EditShare is still one of the lowest cost per protected gigabyte solutions available, and the system works with a wide selection of NLEs. At NAB, EditShare will also be promoting the EditShare news systems, complete integrated turnkey systems for news editing and playout.
Exanet will be promoting its highly scalable NAS solutions based on standard off-the-shelf hardware and its ExaStore software. Exavio offers a workgroup solution for high-end HD and digital intermediate workstations.
If you need lots of fast storage, Maximum Throughput offers high-end storage solutions for the HD, film, and DI marketplace. Medéa was recognized for its G-RAID FireWire 800 storage solution. However, that product line has been spun off as part of a new company, G-Technologies, or G-Tech, as they like to call it. The new company still has a relationship with Medéa, however. ProMAX was recognized for its low-cost RAID storage solutions for NLE workstations and particularly its Mac-based solutions. All of these booths will be worth stopping at to see what is new.
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Addonics, with its wide selection of adapters, controllers, and cartridge drive systems, is a must-see. … ADTX has NAS 300G and NetVault software and will introduce DataJockey storage management software. … Apple is delivering complete solutions with its Xsan, Xserve, and XRAID products. … ASACA will offer the first blue laser optical storage library, along with its FireFly and TeraCart nearline solutions. … Avid will offer its Unity storage solutions. … Dot Hill (which acquired Chaparral Network Storage) will be offering its SANnet II storage solutions. … Enhance Technology's Proavio HDS Storage will make its NAB debut. The company says that almost 60 percent of its customers are involved with digital video editing. … FalconStor iSCSI SANs are worth a look. … GlobalStor will debut the ExtremeStor-HD, an HD video server with unlimited scalability and featuring dual Gigabit Ethernet connections. … Linux Media Arts will debut Ensantra 2.0. … Masstech Group's MassStore system is an end-to-end nearline, archive, and asset management solution for pro broadcast environments. It provides from 1,000 to 100,000-plus hours of nonlinear audio/video storage with content management and tracking. … MicroNet offers both FireWire 800 and IDE RAID NAS systems. … Nexsan will have its lower-cost ATA disk-based RAID systems for SAN, NAS, or DAS (direct attached storage) environments. … Omneon claims its video server is the most popular. It now offers both HD and SD on the same server, as well as a choice of QuickTime or MXF metadata. … Rorke Data will feature ImageSAN; Galaxy HDX SATAII RAID storage for film and HD workstations; and StreamMine, an open, multi-platform storage network infrastructure that integrates just about any post/edit environment with any video/broadcast server platform. … Studio Network Solutions is offering SANmp, A/V SAN Pro, GlobalSAN, and new iSCSI-based systems. … SpecSoft RaveHD is a next-generation, open source, Linux-based, hybrid storage system. … Tiger Technology's MetaSAN offers a hardware-agnostic file sharing application with enhancements to optimize performance for digital content creation. — Bob Turner |
What: 1 Beyond 3817 HD laptop
What it does: Features include an up to 3.8GHz Pentium 4, up to 4GB memory, 200GB of internal storage, eight channels of high definition audio, and support for PCI Express bus.
What: Blackmagic Design DeckLink Multibridge
What it does: All in one analog converter that handles “any conversion task” in HD and SD video, including all YUV video conversion in and out as well as composite NTSC/PAL, four channels of analog XLR professional audio in and out, and eight channels of AES/EBU audio in and out.
What: Boxx 7300 workstation
What it does: Features dual AMD Opteron processors and nVidia nForce Professional media and communications processors to support the upcoming release of Microsoft Windows XP x64.
What: Canopus Workflow
What it does: Networked, shared asset system includes Canopus Edius HD/SD/HDV/DV realtime turnkey editing workstations; ProCoder Station, a new network-based encoding solution; and MediaEdge, a video distribution system that delivers professional-level video over LAN-based networks.
What: Dayang D3-Edit 5000
What it does: Dayang's multi-format postproduction station offers four-input multi-camera editing, effects, composit-ing, titling, transcoding, DVD authoring, and web creation in a single system.
What: HP xw9300 workstation
What it does: Features dual AMD Opteron processors with dual PCI Express graphics support for nVidia Quadro SLI dual PCI Express graphics cards. (SLI enables the linking of two graphics cards into one processing unit.) This is the first SLI-capable workstation that's using the nVidia pro Quadro series, not the company's consumer GeForce cards.
What: EditShare HD
What it does: $13,000 crossplatform HDV shared storage system includes 2TB storage, Xeon-based server, network switch (for up to seven workstations), uninterruptible power supply, and media management software.
What: Leitch VelocityHD HD/SD NLE
What it does: New version features a wide range of enhancements, including HDV and Varicam support. Leitch says that VelocityHD brings full-quality, realtime editing performance to the HD realm affordably.
What: Panasonic AJ-SD255 DVCPRO/DV recorder
What it does: This half-rack size VTR is light enough to be carried around, which helps when you have to work outside the edit suite. Works with both DVCPRO and DV for recording and playback whether with standard or MiniDV cassettes. For field recording, 66-minute cassettes can be utilized without the need for an adapter.
What: EditShare NewsRoom
What it does: Turnkey, HD integrated shared media storage system supports 10, 15, or more editors cutting simultaneously on their own attached workstations.
What: Ikegami HLM-900 monitor
What it does: This 9in. multiformat color LCD adds to Ikegami's line of high contrast ratio professional monitors, including the 22in. HLM-2200 and the 17in. 1700R.
 Studio Network Solutions globalSAN X-16 iSCSI SAN |
Will iSCSI be your next storage net working technology? The standard, which combines SCSI commands running over TCP/IP networks, allows speedy SCSI-based storage to be placed anywhere in a facility, rather than limited by traditional SCSI's short leash. iSCSI systems, based in part on mature SCSI technology, are relatively easy to deploy and maintain. Costs are kept down because iSCSI uses standard Gigabit Ethernet for connections, yet I/O throughput comes close to that of pricier Fibre Channel SANs.
Studio Network Solutions (SNS) recently provided the University of Texas Film Institute with a range of storage gear including six globalSAN X-8 iSCSI units, each of which is an eight-bay, four-user package with 2TB of SATA storage.
According to Wayne Chance, digital audio specialist at the school, SNS products were originally chosen because the institute wanted to run a network that combines PC-based Avid NLE workstations with Mac-based Pro Tools audio gear. While an Avid Unity shared storage system can handle that combo of PC and Mac gear, it doesn't support the use of the school's many seats of Apple Final Cut Pro, according to Chance.
“Most of our classes are editing digital video with the globalSAN gear,” says Chance. “We probably have 40 users at a time, running three and four data streams to practice editing off of stock content there.”
What: Apple Xsan
What it does: This 64-bit clustered file system for Mac OS X consolidates storage resources into one shared environment to give multiple computers read/write access to shared volumes in a Fibre Channel SAN.
What: Apple Xserve
What it does: Xserve G5 now uses dual-processor 2.3GHz CPUs with storage boosted to 1.2TB.
 ASACA blue laser optical storage library |
What: Atto Diamond Upgrade
What it does: Version 6.4 allows access to storage that goes beyond the traditional 2TB storage limits, providing more efficient use of storage capacity.
What: Atto MAC iSCSI Software Initiator
What it does: Apple users pair the initiator with any of ATTO's iPBridge products to leverage their current Ethernet network by providing the ability to attach existing SCSI storage to an Ethernet IP-based network.
What: Ciprico 4Gbps Fibre Channel RAID
What it does: Doubles throughput over today's 2Gbps Fibre Channel-based networked storage. Demos will include playout of uncompressed single- and dual-stream HD content.
What: Ciprico DiMedia 10G
What it does: This marks the first demos of 10Gbps Ethernet-based networked storage. Distributes shared files to client workstations at speeds exceeding 3000Mbps per second.
What: Doremi ORCA Capture Station
What it does: Realtime HD MPEG-2 record and playback deck encodes SDI or HD-SDI at compression rates up to 160Mbs.
What: ExaStore 2.0 NAS Storage
What it does: Unlike standard NAS storage, the ExaStore's proprietary storage architecture consolidates all data into a single pool, which increases throughput while simplifying management.
 Facilis Design Terrablock shared storage |
What: Fast Forward Video FieldPro DVR
What it does: Mini DVR measures 5.2"×.8"×3.7". The internal 2.5in. hard drive features video capture and playback at 60fps and resolution greater than 550 lines at 4:1 compression.
What: Fast Forward Video Mini DVR Pro On-Body DVR (Compact Flash Media)
What it does: Standalone DVR fits in the palm of a hand and features scalable MJPEG compression and a 720×486 pixel image resolution.
What: Medéa VideoRaid FCR2
What it does: The FCR2 includes a single-channel 2Gb Fibre Channel interface, which provides sustained data transfer rates of 180MBs; built-in, four-port Fibre Channel hub; and up to 1.6TB of storage.
 Pharmaceutical manufacturer Hoffmann-LaRoche upgraded its Nutley, N.J. production facility with Thomson Grass Valley gear, including a GV Kayak DD2 production switcher, Concerto Series router, cameras, and both linear and nonlinear editing systems. |
What: Accom APR/ClipStore MX
What it does: Newly designed hardware platform for this universal format, multi-definition DDR. The device provides both SD and HD uncompressed video+key+audio (VKA) record and playback.
What: Brick House Video VTB-2DS
What it does: Standalone, battery-powered six-input SDI switcher with onboard downstream keyer and separate composite and Y/C inputs for simultaneous analog and digital operation.
What: Broadcast Pix PixMaster
What it does: Update of version 3 software for the Broadcast Pix Studio integrated live video production system. Simplifies the creation of multi-layer live video, as compared to conventional control rooms in which each box must be separately set up.
What: Chyron X-Clyps
What it does: X-Clyps server provides hours of HD clips via compressed storage, which includes RAID 5 protection, redundant power supplies, VDCP interface, and a networked control architecture.
 Chyron ChyTV |
What: Chyron ChyTV
What it does: Low-cost informational display video system presents messages on any television without disrupting the video source. Displays a variety of graphic and text information overlaid or surrounding a live video region.
What: DNF Controls Playlist Transfer Tool
What it does: Works with the company's 3040P Playlist playout system to allow operators to create playlists offline on Windows-based text editors and transfer them into the 3040P prior to show time.
 FOR-A FA-128 frame synchronizer features 14-bit internal processing. |
What: E-mediavision Point-HD
What it does: HD and SD broadcast graphics presentation system for sports, news, and weather, which features simultaneous creation of dual-format graphics in 2D and 3D. Presenters can annotate over live video using a touchscreen.
What: Inscriber Inca Studio HD
What it does: Inscriber describes it as the only character generator to provide advanced multi-layer, multi-object, and multi-channel capabilities in HD.
 Eartec TD 900 full-duplex wireless headset |
What: Leitch Panacea Lite
What it does: This compact (1RU frame), 12×1 utility router features the widest format range in the industry. Available as a dual format router — analog video and audio, SD video and AES, HD video, and AES router — or in standalone formats — analog video, analog audio, SD video, HD.
What: Leitch Nexio HD
What it does: The first software-based agile codec for high-definition video, this new technology allows the integration of baseband HD record and playback directly into the Nexio server system.
What: Modulus Video ME6000 AVC HD Encoder
What it does: Modulus' new MPEG-4 AVC encoder allows full HDTV to be transmitted at 1/2 to 1/3 the data rates achievable by MPEG-2 technologies, for the most efficient delivery over DSL networks.
What: Omneon MigrateTool software
What it does: Converts legacy video server formats to the open QuickTime format used by Omneon media server systems.
 Panasonic''s AW-RP400 Pan-Tilt Controller handles the new AW-PH400 High-Speed Pan-Tilt Head. |
What: Pinnacle Deko 1000HD
What it does: Creates HD/SD graphics with realtime effects. Features include 2D motions and effects, clip playback with matte, and SuperChannels (one channel can do transitions from one graphic to another, with video clip and key).
What: Pinnacle Deko Version 4
What it does: Software upgrade for all Deko products includes new user-definable motion behaviors, dual HD/SD compose, smart textures, QuickTime export, and extended clip format support.
What: Telestream FlipFactory Family
What it does: The suite now features automated SD-to-HD conversion for broadcasters and expanded MXF format support. Enhanced multi-server functionality provides failover backup for critical broadcast applications.
 Riedel C3 Digital Belt-pack/Headset Station |
What: TM Systems RenderStation
What it does: Bitmap generation module that takes Microsoft Word subtitling scripts and generates both a navigation file and a TIFF file per subtitle, specifically for DVD authoring.
What: Video Technics Apella HDS
What it does: Scalable, multi-format, multi-channel, and multi-resolution SD and HD video server compatible with Final Cut Pro via QuickTime and Matrox Axio HD NLE with software plug-ins.
What: VertigoXmedia's X-Presenter PowerPoint CG
What it does: Distributed by FOR-A, the X-Presenter integrates broadcast-quality graphics and video into Microsoft PowerPoint presentations without a scan converter. Users can also add live video inputs, a realtime crawling ticker, and multiple animated logos and cloc
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