Sumners buys first VCube HD 2Ks

Manchester postproduction house, Sumners, which has a history of pioneering new TV technologies, has scored another first by installing two of Merging Technology’s brand new VCube HD 2K hard disk based Hi-definition video player/recorders.
Capable of uncompressed 1920x1080 high-definition video resolution and more than 30 different SD/HD video formats, the machines were supplied by UK distributors Total Audio Solutions and integrated into the company’s Davinci 2K Suite by TAS Business Manager Paul Mortimer.
Sumner’s General Manager Brian Hardman explained: "We have been searching for a workflow solution that allows us to integrate our Davinci grading suite with our Avid Unity Network - which forms the backbone of our finishing area. VCube is the only product that permits us to bridge the online and the grading suites in a virtually seamless fashion. We believe this is a first and is truly revolutionary in video post production - it has the potential to save our clients a significant amount of time (and cost) in the video finishing area. The fact that the VCube is HD capable as well is a real benefit for our Davinci 2K suite."
The VCubes have dramatically increased the efficiency of the Grading Suite. The company previously had to play out to tape from their disk based Avid Systems and then either play that back into another stand alone disk system, which would be the 'playback source' for the Davinci or just use the tape with the Davinci controlling the tape deck. Neither of these solutions were satisfactory from a time perspective and could also generate unnecessary delays.
TAS’ Paul Mortimer added: “We believe that this is only the beginning of a revolutionary way that these post production facilities will work in the future. There is no longer any reason to suffer lengthy tape playback delays at the video post production stage. I am convinced that the VCube HD 2K will become an essential part of that process and Sumners, as usual, have taken that step first.”
(GB)