Sony Launches HDXchange 'Extreme' Architecture At NAB 2008

Building on the workflow capabilities of its network production solution, HDXchange, Sony has unveiled its next generation, HDXchange 'Extreme' architecture at NAB 2008.
Using a Networked Attached Server System (NASS), HDXchange 'Extreme' has been designed for large-scale customers, particularly broadcasters, to take advantage of the solution's increased bandwidth for simplified content sharing.
Since its launch in 2006, HDXchange has transformed the way companies produce and share audio visual content for a wide range of playout platforms - from conventional broadcast, tape and DVD to web, IPTV and mobile devices. However, whilst customers have previously been restricted to 10-20 users with HDXchange, the next generation system offers them connection of an unlimited number of clients and access to 250 hours of SD or HD material stored at 25bmits.
According to Nick Smith, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Sony Professional Solutions Europe, the HDXchange platform is a critical part of Sony's total workflow solution for file-based formats and the next generation tool has been designed with broadcasters in mind.
He said: "Whilst many in the industry may already be familiar with our bigger Sonaps solution, HDXchange 'Extreme' has been developed for more simplified, rapid content production across large user groups, regardless of geography. It enables a fast, flexible and efficient workflow for SD and HD workgroups, in a single storage and content management device and reinforces our commitment to providing broadcasters with a choice of high performance file-based workflow solutions."
Montenegrian television news station TV Vjesti installed Sony's HDXchange in February 2008 to simplify the end-to-end production process of news stories. Thanks to the central storage tool, journalists can benefit from the collaborative workspace by browsing, annotating and cutting new storyboards simultaneously from multiple locations.
With the installation of HDXchange, users are able to access time-sensitive content more easily and efficiently. Also, with the use of a floating license, the system does not require software to be pre-installed on every computer. This ease of use and flexibility is essential in the fast paced environment which is news broadcasting. Users of both XDCAM and HDXchange, Macedonian broadcaster TV Alfa is also realising the benefits of Sony's end-to-end filed-based workflow. Covering news in the country's capital, Skopje, the broadcaster has invested in Sony to make content from cameras available for playout in a matter of minutes and enable the team to produce stories more efficiently on demand.
At the heart of HDXchange is a high-performance server, which is optimised to support several clients simultaneously browsing, searching, editing and managing High Definition media content that is stored natively in the same MPEG Long GOP HD file format that's familiar to users of HDV and Sony's XDCAM HD Professional Disc system.
The UK's not for profit organisation Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Partnership (CSWP) is establishing a Media Production Centre at its headquarters in Coventry, which will be equipped with an extensive range of Sony broadcast technology. The purpose of the centre is to stimulate and provide facilities for SME groups developing in the media sector and provide an outlet to the internet, or other broadcast media channels, for locally produced media content that targets local community segments and worldwide interest groups.
For centralised media storage and management within the new centre, HDXchange will be providing an end-to-end solution for collaborative editing. With this in place, media can ingested, logged, storyboarded, exported to edit suites or published to web pages in a managed way.
Sony manufactures audio, video, communications and information technology products for the global consumer and professional markets. Further information is available at: www.sony-europe.com.
Professional Solutions Europe (PSE), a division of Sony Europe, is a leading supplier of solutions for broad horizontal communications, AV/IT, as well as magnetic and optical storage. Further information is available at: www.sonybiz.net
(KMcA/JM)