Award-winning video ingest and output server now available within an Avid Unity environment or standalone system

Avid Technology, Inc. today announced the immediate availability of version 2.5 of the
AirSpeed(R) multi-purpose video ingest and playout server. This new
version can run in an Avid Unity(TM) shared-storage environment and,
for the first time, as a standalone video server. As a standalone
system, AirSpeed 2.5 can connect directly to Avid(R) editing
workstations over a network and provide direct ingest and playout to
and from these systems. Offering greater accessibility to small- and
mid-sized broadcasters, AirSpeed 2.5 also delivers several new
features, including support for 720p/50 formats for streamlined HD
ingest on PAL projects.
"KTBS was a beta test site for AirSpeed 2.5 and the experience
convinced us of the viability and value of AirSpeed as a standalone
solution," said Dale Cassidy, director of engineering at KTBS in
Shreveport, LA. "AirSpeed, working in conjunction with our Avid
NewsCutter(R) editors, can speed the process of getting content to air
and play a key role in transitioning from conventional tape decks to a
server-based system."

The AirSpeed system integrates easily with existing equipment,
applications and processes – including third-party automation systems
– enabling broadcasters to get stories to air efficiently and
cost-effectively. The system is available either with front-panel
video control and monitoring, which includes new on-screen display
(OSD) functionality showing comprehensive information about clips
during ingest and playout, or with increased storage capacity (in
place of the front-panel monitoring controls) for HD workflows.
Regardless of whether the AirSpeed 2.5 system is running within an
Avid Unity production environment or as standalone device, the system
offers tight interoperability with Avid's industry-standard nonlinear
editing systems.

"The broadcast world is fast-moving and, as broadcasters of all
sizes try to keep pace, the AirSpeed solution offers significant time
savings at both the beginning and end of the production workflow,"
said Johnathon Howard, director of on-air product management, Avid.
"This latest version makes AirSpeed's unprecedented speed,
reliability, and support of HD and uncompressed SD production from
capture to playout available to a wider range of broadcasters than
ever before, especially stations with smaller budgets."

In addition to operating as a standalone system, AirSpeed 2.5
boasts several other key new features including:

  • Direct output of longitudinal time code (LTC), eliminating the time and expense of separating time code tracks from ingested video and audio;
  • 720p/50 ingest when linked to Avid's DNxchange(R) HD encoding device for streamlined HD workflows emerging in Europe;
  • Automatic head frame capture for each clip in Avid Unity MediaManager and Avid Interplay(TM), making it easier for editors to identify and retrieve the right media at a glance;
  • Backup domain name system (DNS) server support to ensure continued operation in the event of a DNS server failure;
  • On-screen display of available storage when tied to an Avid Unity centralized storage system, so that editors know exactly where to store media;
  • Bandwidth optimization tool for use when ingesting media into an Avid Unity ISIS(TM) media network, ensuring efficient media transfers
  • Support for next generation of iNEWS(R) Command playback automation-assisted system for any MOS-enabled or iNEWS newsroom.
Pricing & Availability
Avid AirSpeed 2.5 is available now in a standard configuration for
$18,000 USMSRP, or a version with four times greater storage capacity
and without front-panel controls and monitor for $20,000 USMSRP.
Current AirSpeed customers under the Avid Assurance program can
upgrade to AirSpeed 2.5 for free on the Avid Download Center.

www.avid.com