Omneon to showcase products at CabSat 2008

The Omneon booth at CabSat 2008 will feature a demonstration of file-based workflow (under Pebble Beach automation), with ingest and transmission using the Omneon MediaDeck server and acclaimed MediaGrid active storage, plus ProXchange built-in transcoding, and edit-in-place. In addition, there will be a demonstration of one of the most popular Omneon video server HD solutions.

'CabSat is an excellent venue for us to connect with our growing base of customers in the Middle East region. Our participation in the show every year reaffirms our commitment to this region and gives us a forum for introducing our latest new products to both current and potential customers. As our business in the region grows, we see CabSat as a vital part of our overall marketing and sales strategy,' said Geoff Stedman, Vice President, Worldwide Marketing.

Omneon MediaDeck

At CabSat 2008, Omneon will feature MediaDeck, a compact, affordable integrated media server system based on the proven technology of the company's flagship Omneon Spectrum media server. The Omneon MediaDeck integrates media storage, system management, Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, and SD or HD video I/O modules in one convenient package only two rack units high.

Omneon MediaDeck storage consists of eight 500-GB SATA disk drives with dual-parity RAID, providing 3 TB of useable storage and protection even in the event of two drive failures. The system also features modular I/O components, so users can mix and match modules to fit their needs. SD modules for ingest and playout (up to six channels per unit) and HD ingest modules (up to two channels per unit) are immediately available. Additional
modules will follow to add further ingest and playout channels and formats.

Designed for small stations and other users requiring a standalone server that is affordable, reliable, and compatible with existing automation systems and workflows, the Omneon MediaDeck represents a breakthrough in price-performance for media server technology.

Omneon MediaGrid

The award-winning Omneon MediaGrid™ active storage system represents a technological breakthrough - it is the first content storage system that plays an active part in the broadcast workflow. More than just high-performance shared storage for all users within a facility, MediaGrid constantly adapts to the changing resiliency and bandwidth requirements of the broadcast workflow and actively performs media processing functions on
stored content.

MediaGrid makes it easier and faster for users and applications anywhere in the broadcast workflow to retrieve digital media because it uses multiple intelligent, interconnected-yet-independent storage servers to combine grid storage and grid computing. In addition, MediaGrid shared storage is scalable in capacity, bandwidth, and processing power.

The reliable and cost-effective MediaGrid system employs a unique modular design that incorporates industry-standard components and connectivity. The system's components communicate over standard Ethernet links and generate massive aggregate bandwidth that is then available to external clients of the system. This eliminates the bottlenecks that plague traditional shared-storage environments. Each MediaGrid storage component is also a media-processing engine, which means that computational resources are available to applications for media-processing functions while the content itself resides in the storage system.

Omneon ProXchange

ProXchange is a high-performance transcoding system designed for high-volume, multiformat media environments. ProXchange is the first media processing application specifically designed to run on the Omneon MediaGrid active storage system, taking advantage of the system's combined storage and processing architecture to deliver scalable and efficient grid-based transcoding. The integration of transcode processing within the MediaGrid active storage system streamlines file-based workflows by eliminating the need for external processing systems and multiple file copies.

ProXchange performs conversion between a wide variety of video and audio formats, including all formats supported by the Omneon Spectrum media server, as well as conversion to a low-resolution H.264 format. Conversion and re-wrapping between wrapper formats also is supported (QuickTime and MXF), with preservation and accurate placement of all metadata through all conversions.

Omneon Spectrum

The Omneon Spectrum media server system is the most scalable, reliable, and cost-effective video server in the industry. Simulating real-world failure scenarios, the 'Resiliency Centre' will give visitors to the Omneon CABSAT booth the opportunity to get 'up-close and personal' with the Spectrum system.

HD Workflow: Omneon Spectrum and MultiPort 4102
In addition to demonstrating file-based workflow, Omneon will be showing one of the most popular Spectrum video server HD solutions: the MultiPort 4102.

The Omneon MultiPort 4100 Series is a family of media interface components for Spectrum media server systems providing simultaneous playback of SD and HD outputs from a single timeline of any combination of SD or HD source clips. Featuring built-in up- and down-conversion, the MultiPort 4100 Series delivers integrated playback for today's heterogeneous broadcast facilities and simplifies the transition to HD.

The MultiPort 4102 features two HD and two SD outputs modules. This allows users to leverage their SD format media while they build HD media library content, without having to worry whether all their files are the correct format before transmission. Thus the user enjoys the safe, secure feeling about transmission that is the Omneon hallmark.

MediaTools

To control server functions and manage media files, broadcasters need smart, intuitive solutions such as ClipTool Pro 2.0 and MirrorTool.

ClipTool Pro 2.0 manages real-time recording and playout of material on the Omneon Spectrum media server using a VTR-style emulation interface. With ClipTool Pro 2.0, users can control a channel for crash record, bounce-mode playback, cue to timecode, clip extract (between in and out points), and clip renaming, among other functions.

MirrorTool synchronizes content on two systems, providing automatic, timed, or user-initiated mirroring of data. It works between two Omneon Spectrum systems, between Spectrum and MediaGrid systems, between two MediaGrid systems, or between a generic PC and a MediaGrid system.

Edit-in-Place With Final Cut Pro

Both Omneon MediaGrid and Omneon Spectrum media server systems can be used as network drives for an Apple Final Cut Pro system, providing the integrated ingest, storage, and playout infrastructure needed to establish a productive, collaborative broadcast environment.