News

Masstech Group Announces M-Connect, a Powerful New Interface for Apple Final Cut Studio (19/5/2006)

Comprehensive Broadcast Media Lifecycle Management Solution Integrates the Apple Editing Environment into File Based On-Air Workflow

Masstech Group Inc., a leading provider of solutions for media lifecycle management today announced the availability of M-Connect(tm). A member of the MassStore(tm) family of products, M-Connect gives broadcasters the power to create customized workflow processes which include the Final Cut Studio editing environment as well as all aspects of on-air operations. With M-Connect, Final Cut Studio material may be integrated in automatic file based workflow paths which include automation, traffic, video servers and archive devices. This integration also gives Final Cut Pro users a seamless interface to the archive and unlimited, low-cost, tape-based and disk-based storage.

"Apple is a world-class technology innovator, as is evidenced by the tremendous success of Final Cut Pro" commented Sudy Shen, President and CEO, Masstech Group. "Broadcasters today are improving operational efficiency through seamless workflow integration of all aspects of on-air operations. Final Cut Pro has become a popular choice among broadcasters and we are pleased to be working with Apple as part of our interoperability strategy."

"Apple's Final Cut Studio brings real-time, native HD editing to customers at a breakthrough price," said Ron Okamoto, Apple's Vice President of Worldwide Developer Relations. "We're thrilled that Masstech's solution takes advantage of Apple innovation to help broadcasters seamlessly integrate Final Cut Studio into their on-air workflows."

Using the open XML interchange format in Apple's Emmy Award winning Final Cut Pro editing software, M-Connect allows editors to trigger transfers of Final Cut Studio projects directly from within the Apple interface. These transfers may include entire projects or smaller sequences. When a transfer is initiated, Masstech's MassStore protects the files and provides database and tracking functions so that media is searchable and recoverable at any time. All material remains in its native format. By storing material in its native format, M-Connect ensures that material is ready for editing or playback within minutes. M-Connect and MassStore allow editors and managers access to cost efficient tape libraries for back up and long term storage of material, the system supports a wide variety of data tape libraries in both the AIT and LTO formats.

Together with the MassStore media lifecycle management solution, M-Connect integrates Final Cut Studio projects with traffic, scheduling and automation systems, enabling managers to develop complex, automatic workflow processes. Given the systems robust transcoding ability, these processes can span multiple video server formats as well as editing and news environments. The system is able to automatically transcode files into MPEG 2, MPEG 4, DV 25, DV50, IMX, all popular video server formats and a low bit rate proxy versions. This flexibility allows for seamless integration between Final Cut Studio editing environment and a facility's on air environment. M-Connect from Masstech Group is now shipping.

www.masstech.com

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