Avid Revamps HD News System; Adds Native Support for Sony XDCAM

Avid Technology has introduced a new end-to-end HD news solution that enables broadcasters to produce HD programming more cost-effectively. New functions include control functionality of Sony XDCAM HD (LongGoP HD MPEG2) content, with a workflow designed to deliver significant time, storage and bandwidth savingsm according to the company.

“Avid’s native support for XDCAM HD systems is an important advancement for broadcast and television production, that should not only yield time and cost savings, but provide more powerful and flexible file-based workflows to allow our customers to work more efficiently,” explains John Studdert Director of Sony Electronics’ Optical and Network Products Group.

The HD News solution consists of the new AirSpeed Multi Stream production server, (version 1.0), an updated version of NewsCutter software (version 7.5), the Avid Interplay production asset management system (v 1.6) as well as the Avid Unity shared storage system.

For customers looking to take advantage of additional news production functionality, Avid also introduced new versions of its journalist audio and video editing and scripting solution: iNEWS Instinct 2.0; and newsroom automation and control solution: iNEWS Command 2.0.

Avid Interplay v. 1.6 is also receiving a upgrade with new usability features, Interplay v1.6 supports an end-to-end Long GOP workflow for the XDCAM HD and XDCAM EX formats, including the ingest and playback of material from XDCAM HD devices and supported third party servers.

“As more broadcasters look to HD as a way to differentiate and expand their audiences, we are working with our customers to develop end-to-end solutions that the newsroom transition as seamless, cost-effective and painless as possible,” says Mark Overington Vice President of Product Management at Avid. “The Avid HD News solution is a result of joint development work with partners like Sony, and is designed to help our customers better leverage technology investments, work with the format of their choice and develop efficient workflows.”