Sony Electronics, Park Ridge, N.J., and Discreet, a Montreal-based division of Autodesk, were at press time scheduled to announce a collaborative effort to deliver integrated HDTV production tools by combining Discreet’s resolution and format-independent editing and effects software with Sony’s HD equipment, including the HDCAM family of products and the recently announced 24P HDTV mastering systems.
In an exclusive pre-announcement briefing with SHOOT, the companies revealed that they are developing an HDCAM software enabling input/output, storage and manipulation of compressed HDCAM format HDTV images over SDI interfaces.
The software would enable real-time input and output from Discreet’s Fire and Inferno systems to Sony’s HDCAM VTRs. Technology demonstrations are scheduled during NAB at the Sony demonstration center in the Las Vegas Convention Center and at the Autodesk/Discreet booth in the Sands Convention Center, Las Vegas. The technology is expected to be available for delivery to customers during the second half of ’99; pricing had not yet been determined.
"This high-performance solution leverages the existing 270Mbps SDI infrastructure, enabling full HDTV production without requiring the use of additional HDTV I/O hardware components," said Michael Vitelli, executive VP of Sony Electronics’ Broadcast and Professional Company.
"Forging this relationship with Sony enables us to bring to market a practical and cost-effective technology solution designed to facilitate the transition of post facilities and broadcasters to high definition," added Eric Herr, acting VP of Discreet and president of Autodesk. "The joint collaboration will present customers doing high definition work today with additional HDTV solutions, thus accelerating access to complete end-to-end HD production technology while lowering the barriers to HD entry."
