Back Products
Issue: Volume 34 Issue 6: (June/July 2011)

Back Products

Video



I/O for Video

Avid Media Composer 5.5 and Avid NewsCutter 9.5 now support Io Express from AJA Video Systems, maker of professional video interface and conversion solutions. AJA Io Express is a portable video I/O system providing high-quality HD/SD capture, monitoring, and output. The Avid Media Composer 5.5 workflow with AJA Io Express includes: HD/SD-SDI input/output, HDMI V1.3a input/output with Deep Color support at 30 bits per pixel, HD/SD Component video output, 10-bit HD-to-SD hardware downconvert, RS422 support, two-channel RCA audio output, ExpressCard-34 and PCIe interfaces, and a standard four-pin XLR power connector. AJA Io Express is now available and priced at $995.

AJA Video Systems; www.ajavideo.com

Data storage



TerraBlock and Terabytes

Facilis Technology upgraded its TerraBlock cross-platform storage-area network (SAN) to Version 5.0. The latest edition offers enhanced performance for OS X Shared File System clients, new scalability options, and collaborative workflow features. TerraBlock 5.0 infuses postproduction workstations with Final Cut Pro project sharing, Pro Tools 9.0 file-level support, 64-bit Kernel support for Mac OS X, and 10gb Ethernet support for client workstations. Also announced, the Facilis T8 SAS-attached storage system provides 14 additional terabytes of storage through the Facilis Shared File System, enabling multi-user write access to all stations connected to the TerraBlock. Now available, the T8 combines dual-channel, 3gb connectivity and the ATTO ExpressSAS R380 host bus adapter.

Facilis Technology; www.facilis.com

A FASTA Card

CalDigit introduced the CalDigit FASTA-6GU3 card, offering USB 3.0 and 6G eSATA connectivity on a single card with throughput up to 6gb/sec. The FASTA-6GU3 was designed for fast storage, providing the CalDigit AV Drive, CalDigit VR, and CalDigit VR mini the fastest connection possible. Now available for $139, the new card is intended for demanding content creators and applications, such as video editing, audio sweetening, and photography. CalDigit also released the latest version of the USB 3.0 driver for OS X, as well as announced support for 3tb hard drives. The CalDigit VR, CalDigit AV Drive, and HDPro-24 are now available in 3tb drive configurations. Users can upgrade their existing CalDigit VR or HDPro-24 with a 3tb drive module. Finally, the company launched an upgraded driver for its FASTA-2e eSATA card, which now supports 6g eSATA and can achieve speeds up to 6gb/sec. The FASTA-2e is now available for $79. The new FASTA-2e driver is also available for download.

Caldigit; www.caldigit.com

Professional Services



Studio on Wheels

Silverdraft, in collaboration with Virginia Tech University’s Dr. Srinidhi Varadarajan, released Silverdraft Mobileviz, a supercomputer-powered digital VFX and on-set visualization studio on wheels for motion-picture production. The Silverdraft Mobileviz mobile service combines proprietary computing technology, developed by Dr. Varadarajan, with digital filmmaking tools to deliver capabilities to moviemakers on set or to a VFX-intensive production requiring additional computer rendering horsepower. Services provided include on-set capture for digital motion pictures, pre-visualization and real-time visualization of VFX shots, performance capture, editorial and color management, and fast rendering for 2D, 3D stereo, and CGI-based productions.

Silverdraft; www.silverdraft.com

Workstations



Intel Inside Radius

NextComputing, a provider of portable and small-footprint workstations and servers, has added Intel’s 2nd Generation Core processor family to its Radius all-in-one portable workstation line. The addition of the latest processors, based on Intel’s redesigned micro-architecture and chip-level design enhancements, infuses NextComputing’s portable workstations with improved performance for processing-intensive applications. NextComputing’s Radius series portable workstations feature high-performance Intel Core i7 processing, multiple full-length/full-height PCI Express slots, and multiple terabytes of internal and removable storage in a compact, briefcase-sized system with integrated display. Radius workstations with Intel 2nd generation Core processors speeds the manipulation and encoding of high-definition video and rendering computer-generated images and scenes, lending to increased productivity and a more interactive creative process.

NextComputing; www.nextcomputing.com/intel

Low Latency

Win – Mac – Linux – VMWare ATTO Technology announced its 6Gb/s ExpressSAS/SATA Host Bus Adapters, including the H608 internal adapter, designed to achieve optimal performance in high-bandwidth environments through PCIe 2.0 technology. ATTO’s proprietary Advanced Data Streaming (ADS) Technology provides consistent high bandwidth with low latency in video streaming and rich-content applications. ATTO combines hardware and software elements to manage latencies and control the acceleration of data transfers, providing fast and efficient performance with reduced I/O bottlenecks—a critical requirement for media and entertainment applications. Further combining ATTO’s ExpressSAS/SATA HBAs and Facilis Technology’s TerraBlock delivers an integrated solution for virtually all types of collaborative, cross-platform postproduction environments.

ATTO Technology; www.attotech.com