Top New Zealand Production Company Chooses Quantel To Boost Throughput

New Zealand Television Production Company NHNZ has purchased a Quantel Max HD assist station with Genetic Engineering shared workflow infrastructure.
The new systems enable NHNZ to further boost the productivity of its existing Quantel eQ multi-resolution editing, effects, grading and deliverables system. Quantel Max frees up eQ time by tackling tasks such as conforms, quality control and playout, allowing NHNZ to achieve maximum throughput, productivity and profitability from the creative eQ suite. NHNZ can work on multiple projects across the eQ and Max without copying media or waiting for transfers using the GenePool shared storage.
NHNZ, based in Dunedin, New Zealand, is one of the world's leading producers of factual programming-working on projects for National Geographic International Channels, Nat Geo Wild, Discovery Science, Travel Channel and Smithsonian NHNZ has more than 100 hours of television in production this year, including seven series and two pilots.
On-line editor at NHNZ, Stuart Moffat said: "There's always been a bottle-neck in our workflow around conforming. Previously we had to wait for deck time with our two HD-Cam SR's. Now that we are file-based we can do conforms whenever we want. Max will be ingesting or laying-back while the eQ is grading or in a finishing session. Effectively, I can work twice as fast. I can finish one episode while I'm ingesting the next one. We're looking at our future workflows too. One of which could be to edit, then output as one long HD clip and use Max to scene detect before it goes for grade in our eQ system.
"eQ is great for its sheer 'grunt'. It looks solid and I like the 'look' you get off it. It's fast, it doesn't fall over and it does things in a day that takes other platforms three. Every platform has its own different look that the systems architecture gives the end product. eQ's look is solid; it looks like it's been finished."
General Manager at NHNZ, John Crawford said: "Quantel continues to deliver us industry changing technology. Max will add to our highly efficient production pipeline, dramatically boosting our productivity. NHNZ has forged a prominent place for itself on the global stage building for itself a robust reputation as a producer known for innovation in story-telling and technology, and business integrity. As a result of our push into new genres, we have established a stronghold as one of A&E's preferred suppliers and enjoyed further success with our series for Bio Channel, 'I Survived...', including the high-rating special 'I Survived...9/11'. This kind of audience response is what we are always striving to bring our broadcasters. The future looks very bright for NHNZ."
Quantel Director of Sales, Martin Mulligan said: "NHNZ and Quantel have an excellent long term working relationship, and we are delighted that NHNZ has chosen Quantel Max and Genetic Engineering to boost its already highly efficient post production pipeline. This recent investment will further increase efficiency and flexibility and encourage greater creativity."
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(GK)