SSL will Demonstrate Gravity in the Microsoft Topaz Lounge
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – Solid State Logic will show a new version of Gravity Asset Browser Web client powered by Microsoft Silverlight in the Microsoft Corp. Topaz Lounge exhibit area at the International Broadcasting Conference (IBC) 2009. Support for Silverlight in the Gravity Web Client Browser enhances the connection capabilities between an Internet browser and the Gravity Media Asset Management system.
“Providing support for Silverlight in the Gravity system is part of our strategy to enable customers to easily manage, share and manipulate media over the Web,” says Shaun McTernan, Gravity product manager for SSL. “The use of Silverlight as a media engine allows Gravity Asset Browser clients to efficiently access media assets on remote, tiered servers from Microsoft Internet Explorer, Apple Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome browsers anywhere on the Web, delivering the functionality that broadcasters are looking for.”
Gravity uses Silverlight 3 to play back multi-stream VC-1 (SMPTE 421M video codec) and H.264 (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC Part 10) media generated by the Gravity Media Manager at multiple bit rates during import and encode in a wide range of data rates up to broadcast quality high definition (HD). In addition, the Gravity video capture filter supports broadcasts of live events to Silverlight, while at the same time encoding to Gravity’s internal asset management system and encoder. The new Gravity player powered by Silverlight 3, supports markers, subclips and metadata, and can be easily themed and customized by third party Web developers using XML. A client can now switch between 3DBlue and Plastic black on public websites.
SSL, a member of the Microsoft Partner Program, was an early adopter of the Microsoft .NET Framework, employing Microsoft DirectShow or Media Foundation software and ASP.NET for its Gravity software. All of Gravity’s Web components are based on ASP.NET and are scriptable, supporting customization by third party developers. Silverlight provides support for seek ahead in progressive downloads using byte range requests and also supports frame accurate scrubbing. Gravity’s support of Silverlight furthers SSL’s commitment to the Microsoft technology stack.
“We are also looking to further our work with Microsoft with the integration of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Gravity,” states McTernan. “This integration will extend the way users can share media making the choice of Gravity compelling for any broad based media asset management and workflow automation application.”
“Tools that allow broadcasters to offer richer services to their customers drive more revenue-generating opportunities. Silverlight helps to provide a fantastic content experience that will keep consumers engaged,” said Gabriele di Piazza, managing director of the Media and Entertainment business in the Communications Sector at Microsoft. “We know that media companies need tailored solutions to help them manage content and collateral, especially as they are now delivering to even more platforms and need to keep the experiences consistent, however they are delivered.”
Gravity is a complete content acquisition, management, production and publishing solution for broadcasters and corporations needing to easily manage large amounts of multi-format media. The key differentiator between Gravity and other asset management systems is the ease with which complex manual workflows can be automated, yielding huge, demonstrable ROI’s to media businesses. Adding support for Silverlight is the latest in a long line of 3rd party support developments that further enhance the power of Gravity.
Solid State Logic is the world’s leading manufacturer of analogue and digital audio consoles and provider of creative tools for music, broadcast and post production professionals. For more information about our award-winning products, please visit: www.solid-state-logic.com.
