At NAB, Accom announced the launch of ProServ MX.8, EasyClip, APR/ClipStoreMX and APR/ClipStoreMXc. Accom is located at NAB Booth SU 7834.
ProServ MX.8 is the industrys most versatile video production server. The ProServ MX.8 offers up to four high-definition channels or up to eight standard definition channels. All channels offer symmetrical inputs and outputs. For complete versatility, ProServ MX.8 can simultaneously record, play, edit and manage HD and SD content.
ProServ MX.8 uses high-quality JPEG 2000 compression with user-selectable bit rates ranging from 25 to 200 Mb/s. To ensure frame accurate insert editing, I-Frame only compression is used. Clips can be recorded in video, or video + key configuration. ProServ MX.8 provides up to eight tracks of uncompressed AES/EBU or embedded digital audio per channel.
Accom is also pleased to introduce its new EasyClip, a Windows-based graphical user interface that runs on a PC to edit content directly on the server without the added step of copying it to the editors local storage first. Multiple seats of EasyClip can operate on clips even while they are being recorded. Using EasyClip's drag and drop interface, or by importing a pre-built list, EasyClip can construct complex multi-channel clip lists in seconds for playout on the ProServ MX.8. EasyClip can streamline production by formatting programs for air, editing compilation reels, and doing other media composing work.
The ProServ MX.8 comes standard with a RAID-5 disk array, redundant power supplies, redundant system disks and the well known reliability of the VxWorks operating system the most widely used realtime operating system for mission-critical applications.
With optional expansion, local storage capacity on each ProServ MX.8 chassis can be increased up to five times. Multiple ProServ MX.8 servers can also be connected through a high-speed data network to create larger multi-channel installations. Server-to-server media transfers can be made across the network while Accoms TruClip file ID system assures correct file identity across all servers.
ProServ MX.8 interfaces easily into any studio environment by providing an outstanding range of control options. Accoms intuitive hardware control panels offer the reassurance of instant response from a physical control surface familiar to anyone who has operated a VTR. The control panel and ProServs onscreen menus provide comprehensive control over server operations and setup parameters without the need for a PC. A single control panel offers comprehensive control of up to eight channels in a single chassis, or for multi-operator use, up to eight control panels can access one chassis. ProServ MX.8 comes with VTR Archive software for automatic storage of clips onto videotape, and clip metadata on disk. ProServ can control external devices such as VTRs, or be controlled by automation systems and studio switchers. Master and slave control is provided via RS422 ports for each channel using industry-standard protocols, with an additional 16 GPI inputs and 12 GPI outputs. ProServ also ships with a full API, allowing studios to easily adapt it to their media management scheme and their unique workflow.
Housed in a compact 4RU chassis, the ProServ MX.8 provides multi-channel HD and SD server functionality for less than the cost of a single studio HD VTR. Suited to applications such as multi-camera productions, streamlined post-production editing, graphics production, and mobile operations, ProServ MX.8 is ideal for a fast-paced production environment.
"No other server on the market today offers the recording quality, flexibility, rock solid reliability, ease of use and third party integration that ProServ MX.8 does," said Greg Smith, Broadcast Products Marketing Manager for Accom.
APR/ClipStoreMX and APR/ClipStoreMXc are part of a range of new high-performance universal-format disk recorders. Combining Accoms new Sequoia video+audio processing hardware, state-of-the-art high-performance disk drive technology and network access via a powerfully-enhanced NetPanel graphical user interface, the APR/ClipStoreMX supports uncompressed 10-bit high-definition video, standard-definition video and 24-bit AES/EBU digital audio.
Targeted for applications requiring uncompressed video+audio at the highest quality, including television production and post-production, telecine, digital cinema, effects animation, and scientific visualization, APR/ClipStoreMX provides versatile and feature-rich HD and SD functionality at a highly competitive price point.
APR/ClipStoreMX offers 2.5 hours of real-time storage for 1920x1080/60i HD video and audio equivalent to over 13 hours of 525 or 625 video and audio. APR/ClipStoreMX supports interlaced and progressive HD video at 1920x1080 and 1280x720 at all popular frame rates, and offers eight tracks of uncompressed AES/EBU 24-bit digital audio, with support for embedded and discrete audio input/output.
APR/ClipStoreMX can be controlled from almost any external RS422 controller including third-party control panels, editors, and automation systems, as well as acting as a master device to control almost any external VTR for fast, frame-accurate media ingest and off-loading; and multiple Hi-Speed USB 2.0 ports for convenient and reliable backup of stored media to external Hi-Speed USB disk storage sub-systems.
APR/ClipStoreMXc supports both high-definition video with high-quality compression, and uncompressed standard-definition video and AES/EBU digital audio.
Targeted for applications requiring video+key+audio including live broadcast playout, venue presentation, editing, post-production and VTR replacement, APR/ClipStoreMXc provides versatile and powerful HD and SD functionality at the same price charged by other manufacturers for similarly-specified recorders supporting standard definition only.
Using JPEG 2000 compression, APR/ClipStoreMXc provides exceptionally high image quality for compressed high-definition video, while affording very efficient storage. APR/ClipStoreMXc is available in two versions, offering two hours or four hours of real-time record and playback capacity. Storage capacity can be quickly and easily doubled by "striping" the video and key media drives into a single video-only volume, when a separate key channel is not required. APR/ClipStoreMXc offers eight tracks of uncompressed AES/EBU 24-bit digital audio, with support for embedded and discrete audio input/output.
APR/ClipStoreMXc features removable media disk drives with easy access, allowing simple and fast media disk exchange between multiple ClipStore recorders of the same model. With true plug-and-play operation, this feature makes APR/ClipStoreMXc a practical solution for remote operations that require quick and convenient loading of high-quality media clips into disk recorders located any distance from the studio. This feature can also be used to place a job on the shelf when working with multiple clients in the studio, ensuring the media materials for any number of jobs remain separate and secure.
To provide powerful and extensible facilities for multi-user collaborative workflows, both APR/ClipStoreMX and APR/ClipStoreMXc can be operated via the new NetPanel interface from any networked computer running Windows, MacOS, Linux or Irix. NetPanel is a browser-based, platform-independent application compatible with Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape and Safari browsers, giving full machine control, built-in clip viewing, media management and system configuration facilities for APR/ClipStoreMX. NetPanel can also be run directly on APR/ClipStoreMX itself with the addition of a VGA monitor, for stand-alone operation.
Offering outstanding operational convenience, APR/ClipStoreMX and APR/ClipStoreMXc provide plug-and-play functionality, without the need for complicated setup or drive partitioning, and offer a powerful set of features, including Auto Edit; watched folders with automated file transfer to and from networked external devices; support for all major file formats; and Windows Media 9 encoding for creating digital dailies, DVD content and web streams. APR/ClipStoreMX and APR/ClipStoreMXc also feature an application programming interface (API) that allows third-party programmers to control all attributes and image transfer operations.
Accom is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. Accom designs, manufactures, sells, and supports a complete line of digital video production, disk recording and editing tools for use in the worldwide professional television marketplace encompassing the production, post production, broadcasting, and computer video markets. For more information, visit www.accom.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
