To help journalists quickly access archived materials in the newsroom, Omneon Video Networks and Crispin Corp. announced they are joining forces and combining an archive management system with a behind-the-scenes storage workhorse.
In June the companies announced plans to integrate the Crispin ArchiveManager with the new Omneon MediaGrid active storage system, a move that will offer broadcasters a more streamlined approach to accessing archival news content.
This marriage of technologies is designed to give broadcasters a unique option: secure access to long-term, stable storage with the ability to view, manipulate and access material in a newsroom environment. This solution gives broadcasters - particularly news broadcasters - an archival and retrieval tool as well as a scalable, redundant storage solution that can expand as necessary.
"Broadcasters are concerned about flexibility, reliability and performance of storage systems," said Rodney Mood, chief technical officer for Crispin Corp. "The Omneon MediaGrid/Crispin ArchiveManager combination addresses these issues with a scalable, redundant asset-management and archive solution."
Crispin's contribution to the system offers broadcasters a clear view of video server and archive content and allows for quick drag-and-drop asset transfers. And at the heart of the system, the Omneon MediaGrid will allow the broadcast operation to store both aging and current media.
"This [setup] increases the interactivity of news production personnel, thus optimizing the caliber of their news programming," said Jason Danielson, senior director of Solutions Marketing for Omneon.
AN EASIER PROPOSITION
One unique benefit of using this technology model - in which central storage is used for media throughout the media lifecycle - is that manipulating and controlling assets becomes an easier proposition.
"Customers spend enough time preparing material for air," Mood said. "This solution helps to minimize or eliminate time needed to transfer files from one device to another."
Both segments of the integration - the storage portion of the MediaGrid and the news archival mechanism for the ArchiveManager - are designed for mid-range television stations.
"[The combined solution] will allow all journalists and managers within the news operation to easily access archival news content," Danielson said. The integration of these two technologies is just one example of an integrated central storage system where low-cost, scalable disk storage can be used for both archival and active workflow processes.
"Both the archive and automation software have immediate access to a much larger pool of content in the facility," Danielson said. "This results in not only simpler retrieval of archival media for repurposing into upcoming newscasts, but also more streamlined workflows for getting current material on-air."
What sets this solution apart from other options on the market, the manufacturers say, is the advantage of having a seamless asset management and archive solution from post production through playout.
