Montreal, Québec
– January 26, 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 Digital Post (www.digipost.co.nz), a leading New
Zealand post production house, has installed a 4.6 TB Sledgehammer™
HD!O Dual Link system at the heart of the company’s Auckland facility
infrastructure.
Brokered by Autodesk Media and Entertainment division, the sale was
celebrated as the first Maximum Throughput system Autodesk has delivered
to the Asia-Pacific region since becoming a worldwide distributor for
Maximum Throughput’s Sledgehammer family of products.
By acting simultaneously as an extremely fast file server as well as
a multi-format video playback/capture device – in a single, centralized
storage system – Sledgehammer HD!O Dual Link has enabled Digital
Post artists to manage data and video concurrently, dispensing with
the need for a VTR and creating a tapeless telecine suite. The company
has streamlined their workflow considerably, having simplified access
to stored image and audio contents as either sequences of files or as
video.
”Going tapeless has several advantages, like the ability to transfer
material out via GigE while the system is in telecine use, non-linear
access to the destination device for color grading and no compression
at HD resolutions,” explained Matt Cunningham, Digital Post's
Technology Manager. "For example, we recently worked on a film
project where we were able to complete the whole workflow using the
Sledgehammer to record and playback real-time uncompressed 10bit RGB
DPX files, which saved a lot of time. It took us less than two weeks
to complete the grading, because of the combination of the Sledgehammer
and da Vinci 2K grading speed. All changes happen in real time without
rendering and in context – this process would normally take up
to six weeks with a software solution."
"To enrich picture quality with additional color information, we
are now able to perform uncompressed HD and 4:4:4 Digital Intermediate
(DI) grading in real time thanks to the Dual Link," Cunningham
continued. "The Sledgehammer also supports a High Speed Data Link
(HSDL) that enables us to use it as a destination/source for recording
and playback of 2K data.”
”We looked at competing products and in terms of price performance
the Sledgehammer clearly won out. But the main advantage is that it
is designed as a high-speed file server first, so it suited us ideally”
said Cunningham.
In addition to demanding film work, Sledgehammer HD!O has opened up
additional business opportunities and revenue streams for Digital Post.
The company has discovered new clients who want to take advantage of
uncompressed file handling. Post houses with more modest infrastructures
value fast, file-based access to all media the moment it’s captured
– and now even 3D houses are booking the system to scan selected
shots directly to files, copying them to Firewire drives. "Sledgehammer’s
a great fit for Digital Post because it enables them to accept new business
by dedicating the suites to project work rather than tying them up for
file I/O," said John Miller, Vice President of Worldwide Sales
at Maximum Throughput.
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 Digital Post
Digital Post opened as New Zealand's first Component Digital Post Production
facility in 1990. Founded by New Zealand's most experienced industry
operators, Digital Post has become a leading Post house in the Australasian
region. Its success is based on a proven mix of a carefully selected
talent pool of specialists in all areas of Post Production, and a continuing
investment in state of the art digital technology, to provide the best
tools to produce award winning television commercials, programs, and
feature films. Digital Post facilities include 2 Telecine bays, 7 Avids,
Fire, Flame, Inferno, 2 Digital Audio Suites, Maya 3D, Mentalray Rendering
and a comprehensive dubbing operation. We are equipped to output in
PAL, NTSC, HDTV and 2K formats. Digital Post is as close as your nearest
internet connection - with MediaNet or Telestream ClipMail dailies and
approval services available.
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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