NAB 2017: Thinklogical Thinks Big With 4K Private-Cloud Editing

Provides smooth, zero-latency video, KVM, and UI control

Thinklogical (Booth SL6027) will introduce an uncompressed 4K private-cloud editing solution for visual effects and postproduction applications at NAB 2017. A growing trend in visual effects (VFX) and film and broadcast postproduction is “PC-over-IP”: extending and distributing video and computer I/O control over public networks using IP technology.

This has been the most common method to migrate workflows to the cloud in order to save time, money, and equipment costs. PC-over-IP is typically achieved by streaming compressed screen images and KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) functions to the desktop. For certain applications, delivering a compressed proxy screen image via PC-over-IP has been a practical, if less than optimal, choice.

At the same time, the media and entertainment industry is moving quickly to higher video resolutions, wider color gamuts, higher frame rates, VR, and 360-degree formats. Image granularity and data payloads are expanding exponentially. When master-quality images are created in this new environment, viewing a proxy via a compressed IP cloud service can offer a subpar postproduction experience. If a creative professional is making the “digital negative” or working with 4K and HDR content, true pixel-for-pixel images and smooth I/O performance are key for accuracy, inspiration, and productivity.

To solve this challenge, Thinklogical is introducing an alternative approach at NAB 2017. Its new 100%-uncompressed, non-IP private-cloud solution provides smooth, zero-latency video and KVM and UI control and supports 4K DCI 4:4:4 video sequences at up to 60 fps. Thinklogical’s transmission technology can transport 10 of these uncompressed 4K signals — with zero-latency UI and I/O — over a single fiber. This performance is available at distances of up to 50 miles over fiber-optic cabling. A VFX or post facility in London, New York, or Los Angeles, for example, can achieve on-premises–quality system performance from any data center in its metro region. An uncompressed, full-resolution, 4K-capable private cloud is now a viable choice for creative professionals.

With Thinklogical’s new private-cloud solution, VFX and post houses can increase productive space and save on energy and maintenance costs by moving servers and IT infrastructure to a remote, managed colocation facility. The new cloud solution also supports MPAA content-security best practices by separating and securing vulnerable video sources and stored content from easy access by end users, protecting content from theft, hacking, or intentional and accidental data breaches.

This powerful and highly secure cloud solution is possible through Thinklogical’s innovative TLX and TRANSplex technology. TLX is the first KVM system able to extend and switch uncompressed 4K DCI video at 4:4:4 chroma-subsampling in 30-bits-per-pixel color depth at 60-Hz frame rate. TRANSplex is an optical multiplexer/de-multiplexer that uses CDWM or DWDM technology. TRANSplex transmits multiple data streams over fiber links via separate optical wavelengths. This enables greater data-transmission payloads over existing fiber infrastructures, making master-quality, private cloud reliable, efficient, and cost-effective.

Thinklogical is the first to offer the media and entertainment industry a secure, uncompressed, high-performance private-cloud option supporting full-resolution 4K and HDR video-editing and image-sequence workflows with pixel-for-pixel accuracy and zero latency.

Other Thinklogical booth demonstrations are planned for NAB 2017:

• New HDMI 2.0 extenders: Extend HDMI video over fiber with no compression, latency, dropped frames, or artifacts.
• Intuitive mouse control with mouse-over cross-display switching: Seamless, instant, screen selection by just moving the mouse from screen to screen allows intuitive access to multiple independent computer sources without manual switching or workflow interruptions.
• Text overlay: Provides a customized display capability to more easily identify source, with custom overlay size, color, and positioning.
• System Management Portfolio and System Management Interface (SMP/SMI) with enhanced configurable on-screen display (OSD): Interactive drag-and-drop and flexible user-definable hot-keys system management. Features include remote system monitoring and updating, and mouse and keyboard sharing.