Thomson, through its Content and Networks division, has launched the Technicolor Media Asset Management (MAM) service for digital media content.
The new service, leveraging both in-house Thomson expertise and content management systems from IBM and its strategic partner, Ancept, provides an integrated platform for the digital storage, management, access, processing, and distribution of all forms of entertainment content.
Thomson said the service will extend to high-definition and digital intermediate mastering services, DVD authoring, digital cinema compression and encryption technologies. By creating a digital master file for content (feature film, broadcast, cable, commercial advertising, studio theatrical trailers, visual effect shots, etc.) and storing all associated elements (audio tracks, formatting instructions, metadata and editorial decisions), the company said Technicolor MAM is able to efficiently create, manage, and re-create all versions derived from that title with consistent, pristine quality.
Thomson said the system further allows Technicolor’s customers to place processing and fulfillment orders online after reviewing information about the specific content they need. The Technicolor MAM service, Thomson said, gives content customers unprecedented storage, access, flexibility and worldwide distribution capability from a single system.
Core components of the Technicolor MAM service include:
- Asset Storage: a central, common storage area network is used as a repository for various creative elements, including images (typically at high resolution), audio tracks, and edit decision lists.
- Asset Management: a storage and retrieval system, based on IBM Content Manager middleware and the Ancept Media Server, allows Technicolor to ingest a customer’s digital assets (image, audio, processing instructions, and metadata), perform searches, preview assets, and initiate retrievals for delivery.
- User Access: enhanced features allow authorized users, from their desktop, to securely search, manage, view, and listen to lower bit-rate proxies and make decisions that require both picture and sound. This module is linked to an order entry system.
- Content Processing: using tools that perform electronic pan and scan from data, audio functions, aspect ratio and standards conversion, MAM delivers high-quality content on-demand from a unique digital master in all traditional distribution formats.
- Content Distribution: an internal, secure, high-speed network—Technicolor Production Network (TPN)—enables distribution of production assets to Technicolor facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. In addition, Technicolor has developed intuitive applications to securely distribute those assets worldwide. Technicolor will continue to support both analog and digital asset formats via physical distribution of traditional videotape or electronic files transmission.
Lanny Raimondo, senior executive vice president for Thomson’s Digital Media Solutions division, said that the initiative would help ease the transition of Technicolor’s customers from a strictly physical world (using film, videotape, and legacy machinery) to a robust and secure data-centric environment closely integrated with Technicolor’s traditional post-production capabilities, service offerings, and worldwide facilities.
For more information visit: www.technicolor.com.
