News

Thomson Announces MediaFrame Architecture for Its Aurora Platform (7/5/2008)

Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS) has taken asset management capability in the editing suite to a whole new level with the latest version (6.5) of its Thomson Grass Valley(tm) Aurora Edit standard- and high-definition (SD/HD) editing platform.

The underlying new capabilities are included within MediaFrame, a powerful multi-layered software architecture that makes users more productivity and benefits all of the applications that comprise the Aurora platform-including Aurora Edit, Aurora Ingest, Aurora Playout, and Aurora Browse. MediaFrame leverages metadata in unique ways that quickly (real time) and intuitively facilitate taking raw materials and turning them into finished segments for direct airing.

The MediaFrame architecture provides a completely searchable database as well as a variety of powerful Managed Device Interface (MDI) tools that enable it to communicate with the numerous pieces of equipment that make up a production workflow--such as servers and storage arrays--and determine what's immediately available to the editor. MediaFrame also offers various MDIs that tightly link to a host of third-party archive systems, providing further resource support for the editor working within version 6.5 of the Aurora system.

How MediaFrame Works

By advancing the functionality of the existing Thomson Grass Valley Aurora Browse application with MediaFrame, Thomson has created a whole new concept for integrated asset management that cuts across all of the task-specific applications within the Aurora platform. Someone using a Thomson Grass Valley Infinity(tm) Digital Media Camcorder could mark a specific take in the field as metadata, and the Aurora Edit software is able to locate and retrieve just that portion of the video so designated (based on the time code selected). This saves time and allows the videographer and journalist to begin making their scene selections before they get back to the edit suite and have those selections automatically incorporated even if there is no opportunity to speak personally with the editor.

Addressing the entire workflow, the new features of the Thomson Grass Valley Aurora 6.5 software suite also allow users to digitize media within the Aurora Ingest application, work on a project in Aurora Edit, and then output that finished news segment to Aurora Playout. As they do all this, the associated metadata travels along with the media and can be accessed for a variety of tasks (e.g., clip management on a server) that streamline the production process.

Expanded Aurora Capability

Aurora Edit and Ingest 6.5 also feature expanded third-party support for the latest removable storage options, including native editing of more formats with no transcoding than ever before. This includes virtually every format used in the field-including XDCAM HD optical discs and P2 solid-state cards-and continues Thomson's strength as having the broadest third-party support in the industry.

Also new is a fully agile editing timeline that accommodates all
resolutions, formats and aspect ratios with renowned real-time processing performance. This allows Aurora Edit 6.5 users to work with a multitude of source material, without transcoding or converting it first, and then render it in the background when they're finished. Different compressions, formats and aspect ratios can be used simultaneously at will, without having to waste time while working. Aurora 6.5 editors also have the option to lay off the finished edit to another computer for effects rendering while they continue on to the next project.

Aurora Adds Workflow Logistics

Thomson Grass Valley Aurora platform now offers system integration with ScheduALL software. This partnership enables stations to improve resource management and increase efficiencies relative to people allocation, edit suite bookings and the ability to streamline the news creation process. As a result of this integration, users of Aurora Ingest and the new MediaFrame software know exactly where media is and, if it's not in-house yet, exactly when it will arrive at the station. Editors can now accurately plan their process and make accommodations without having to guess when they can deliver a finished segment.

New MediaFrame SDK

There's also a software developers kit (SDK) for MediaFrame that will allow users to customize their workflows and link their Aurora platform to third party production applications and enterprise asset management systems. Thomson will continue to update this SDK and make it available to the industry at large.
The Thomson Grass Valley Aurora Craft application, which brings the EDIUS(r) craft system to the demanding arena of shared storage environments and collaborative workflows, will also be integrated into MediaFrame following the availability of Aurora 6.5.

Pricing and Availability

Aurora 6.5 including Aurora Edit, Aurora Browse, Aurora Ingest and Aurora Playout will be available in Q3 2008. Software only Aurora Edit, suitable for standalone field editing will have a list price of under $1,300. Complete Aurora systems, including all the Aurora applications as well as K2 media servers and storage, can be configured from approximately $300,000. Current customers of Aurora Edit 6.3 can upgrade to 6.5 for a nominal charge while it will be available for free to Thomson service contract subscribers.

In an increasingly convergent world, Thomson supports the entire media ecosystem. Whether it's content creation, management, distribution and delivery, or consumption, our end-to-end solutions meet the business requirements of our customers-and let them launch new services to meet the expectations of increasingly sophisticated consumers.

The new MediaFrame architecture supports this strategy by enabling broadcasters and production professionals to repurpose their content in new and innovative ways that increase productivity and generate new revenue.

www.thomsongrassvalley.com  

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