EDIFIS ANNOUNCES ASSEMBLER HIGH-SPEED AUTO-CONFORMING OPTION FOR STING
New from Edifis, Assembler is an auto-conforming and assemble-editing option for the Sting uncompressed dual-channel disk recorder. Cost-efficient and very fast, Assembler allows edit-decision-list-based programme assembly to be achieved from any initial sequence order in much shorter than real-time. An EDL preview capability enables partial or full lists to be conformed. A graphical display, running on a standard PC, shows which events cannot be conformed; possibly due to not yet having been recorded. Existing material can be conformed and any missing items quickly inserted into the conform when they become available.
Assembler cuts costs by reducing the dependence upon VTRs. Amongst its many other tools are automated acquisition of material, real-time editing and versioning, de-spotting and Vari-speed capability for extreme motion effects.
Auto assembly is the automatic process of laying down original pictures in accordance with an edit decision list). Occasionally the client may also require other tasks to be carried out such as tape dropout repairs and removing the visual effects of film scratches and dirt, after video editing but before layback.
Being a true random access disk system, Assembler can re-order a loaded EDL of up to 1,000 events within seconds, including handles, and have this ready to deploy as a dual recorder/player in the edit session.
Discontinuous timecode is supported within Assembler and, coupled with automatic timecode detection, permits batch acquisition of material for subsequent conforming. Non-monotonic code and even duplicate code is handled simply and quickly. Handles on material such as over-length cut negative can easily be modified to quickly produce tight and open conforms. Assembler has also been designed for use in MCR to load and prepare material or alternatively under direct editor control, as a source device within the online suite. Existing Edifis Sting disk server systems can be easily upgraded to Assembler, allowing EDL files to be used directly to conform video material quickly, simply and efficiently. Potential applications include:
1. Conforming OSC/R rolls for long-form drama. This
technique would be used when an over-length negative single roll has
been fully graded and telecined to Sting. The single roll may contain
up to 1,000 scenes, which equates to the same number of events (or
lines) in the EDL. Previously a facility may have transferred the
negative onto one or two digital tapes (having two identical tapes
considerably speeds up tape auto-conforming but does little for
reducing VTR maintenance and tape cost!). Edifis Assembler reduces the
need for source tapes and VTRs in the edit suite, saving time and
money. 2. Conforming final grades for instant visualisation of
commercials, to the client, in the telecine suite. The number of events
may be less (maybe up to 150) but the source material will be on many
original rolls of film. Assembler software loaded on an Edifis Graduate
telecine server allows the colourist to load and grade in any reel
order and then auto-conform in real time, in front of the client. Thus
the need for lengthy lay-backs to tape, prior to previewing the
commercial, is avoided and once again, time and money is saved.
3. Pre-conforming for edit suites. Here the tape operator would be
working with video tape rather than film. Regardless of the order in
which the source material is recorded, it can be conformed far quicker
in Edifis Assembler than anything else. Partial conforms, where some of
the material is missing, are easy to assemble and fast to visualise
when pre-conforming for edit suites. 4. Final conforms. Material can be
conformed within seconds, with or without handles. Edifis sales
director Richard Lilley comments: "The crucial advantage of Assembler
is that it doesn't matter in which order the material is recorded. The
final assembly of material will always be much faster than is currently
possible to date. These workflow improvements are only possible because
of the close relationship between high capacity uncompressed storage
and the many individual software programmes developed specifically by
Edifis for clients. Twenty hours of video and audio can be stored on
the system and its two video ports allow simultaneous input and output,
or dual record or dual playout of material."
Edifis Assembler for Sting is available now.
Edifis (www.edifis.com) was formed in July 1997 and is located at the centre of Britain's Silicon Valley. The company has achieved a high reputation for large-capacity uncompressed digital video and audio systems meeting film, post-production and broadcast requirements worldwide. Edifis hardware and software are independent of third-party computer manufacturers or operating systems, allowing highly reliable products to be produced at cost-effective prices to meet the rigours of outside broadcasting and for on-air transmission.
Contacts for further information:
Richard Lilley, Edifis Ltd
Tel +44 1189 712 279
Email richard@edifis.com