Bristol, UK– January
19, 2006 – Maximum Throughput Inc. (www.max-t.com),
developers of ultra high performance software-based solutions for networked
storage infrastructure and media management, announced today that BBC
Post Production has confirmed it will utilize a tapeless workflow based
around a nine-terabyte Sledgehammer HD!O Dual Link system to complete
work on Planet Earth in uncompressed HD. The same process,
which includes a Discreet Smoke® system, is also currently in use
for Galapagos, a new three-part high-definition documentary.
With five episodes due to air in 2006 and six more scheduled for 2007,
Planet Earth promises to be another landmark natural history
series from the BBC and is already being billed as the ultimate portrait
of our planet. Developed by the same team responsible for the acclaimed
series The Blue Planet, the eleven-part program will be produced
entirely in HD, making Planet Earth one of the most ambitious
documentaries ever commissioned by the award-winning UK broadcaster.
The sheer volume of footage involved – and considering that each
uncompressed Hi-Def frame will represent eight megabytes – presents
a challenge that could overwhelm a tape-based system. However, Sledgehammer
HD!O Dual Link not only makes a non-linear, tapeless telecine suite
possible, it also dispenses with the delays characteristic of less efficient
linear methods such as cue times for either record or playback.
“The first step required for all the footage is to transfer the
film to HD, using our Pandora Color Corrector to record the material
directly to the Sledgehammer. So begins a tapeless workflow for HD,”
remarked Phil Meade, Manager Post Production Resources, Bristol. “Sledgehammer
is fully uncompressed with no data loss whatsoever, so for a graphics-intensive
undertaking like Planet Earth, the ability to do 4:4:4-based
transfers is of enormous value since there is so much more color information
with which to work.”
Once on Sledgehammer, the selected footage is transferred to the Smoke
system for a first shot at the edited piece. For any work such as color
grading that needs to be completed outside of Smoke, material can be
easily transferred and even accessed directly over the facility Gigabit
Ethernet network, with finished shots simply replaced within Smoke.
As an end-to-end solution, the combination of Sledgehammer with Smoke
creates a high quality tapeless telecine process that’s also highly
cost-effective.
“Since Sledgehammer is a non-linear device that supports 4:4:4
with no compression at HD resolutions, it can replace a VTR very effectively
– and a tapeless workflow dispenses with tape stock expenses and
VTR maintenance issues,” said John Miller, Maximum Throughput
Vice President of Worldwide Sales. “Now there is no reason for
digital content to ever touch tape between color grading and effects/editing
throughout the overall process. From now on, tape need only be used
for client delivery.”
About Maximum Throughput
Maximum Throughput Inc. (www.max-t.com) is a networked storage and media
management tool developer. Max-T's storage solutions deliver SAN level
performance over TCP/IP. The company's unique solutions provide many
times the storage bandwidth of other NAS and SAN products, using smart
software that runs on industry standard hardware. The media management
tools are integrated within the storage, delivering enriched functionality
in one versatile solution. Having pioneered the development of a Network
Attached Media Bridge to serve heterogeneous operating environments
over both data and video networks, Maximum Throughput offers products
with unparalleled performance, capacity management, and capacity availability,
as well as having the lowest total cost-of-ownership in their class.
About BBC
Post Production BBC Post Production, a division of BBC Resources Ltd,
a wholly owned subsidiary of the BBC, offers award-winning creative
solutions using the latest technology. BBC Post Production facilities
are the largest of their kind in the UK. Located in London, Bristol
and Birmingham its extensive range of services include editing, audio
and telecine. Using the most up-to-date technology in comfortable and
inspiring surroundings, the team brings talent and experience to a range
of productions, trails and promos. Further information can be found
at: www.bbcresources.com/postproduction.
For more information please contact:
John Miller
Vice President of Worldwide Sales & Marketing
Maximum Throughput
Phone: (978) 946-9408
Email: jmiller@max-t.com
Maximum Throughput Inc.
1751 Richardson
Suite 5.204
Montréal, Québec
CANADA H3K 1G6
Phone: (514) 925 3350
Fax: (514) 925 3378
Web: www.max-t.com
© 2006 Maximum Throughput
Inc. All rights reserved. Maximum Throughput, Max-T, Sledgehammer and
Xstoner are trademarks of Maximum Throughput Inc. in the US, Canada
and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks
belong to their respective holders.
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