Press Release

Maximum Throughput Inc., developers of multi-user media management and editing applications and high-performance media servers and storage solutions, showed the latest Sledgehammer V3.6 release and its built-in MAXmedia application at the International Broadcasters Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam.
The new release was introduced at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) 2008 convention in April in Las Vegas. IBC will mark the first public demonstration of the software outside of the U.S.

Sledgehammer is both a high-performance NAS (Network Attached Storage) file server and a versatile video device with built-in media management and preparation tools. It is a network-shared media server, with different storage configurations and network connectivity options, designed to support demanding and custom post-production and broadcast infrastructure setups. With its real-time video I/O and control capabilities combined with robust file-sharing and media processing support, Sledgehammer is the most comprehensive infrastructure solution that can simultaneously accommodate tape-based and file-based acquisition and workflows.

Maximum Throughput’s Sledgehammer is in use throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). Supported by a strong reseller and system integrator network, the company’s penetration in the EMEA region continues to grow with recent customer wins that include: Hullaballo Studios (United Kingdom), Aardman Animation (United Kingdom), Studio727 (Slovakia), TV Pink (Serbia), The Ambassadors VFX (Holland), White Shark Film (Sweden), and Barrandov TV (Czech Republic).

The new V3.6 software release increases Sledgehammer’s ROI with improvements that focus on performance; collaborative workflows; media assembly, including during ingest; media search and retrieval; metadata compatibility and device integration; and format conversion and encoding. Sledgehammer enables efficient capital and resource utilization across the facility and is well suited for time-critical operations.

With this release, Sledgehammer now delivers an aggregate, sustained network throughput that exceeds 700MB/s. It has the ability to allocate guaranteed network bandwidth for dedicated clients such as HD editing and effects workstations that require sustained real-time streams. Additionally, the Sledgehammer HD!O model adds support for real-time capture and playback of 1080/50P, 1080/59.94P, and 1080/60P at 4:4:4 12-bit. Video capture and playback is further enhanced with the support of Closed Captioning, keykode and production metadata.

Within Sledgehammer’s MAXmedia browser-based media management and preparation application, the 3.6 software release adds MXF encoding support for format conversion while allowing for dynamic preview of video conversion. It also adds capabilities to the timeline, including the ability to drag and drop clips to and from any location on the timeline; display and magnify audio tracks’ waveform; trim and slip segments within the timeline; and several keyboard shortcuts and modifiers, enabling faster media sequencing and editing. The MAXmedia visual clip browser has been enhanced with support for advanced search criteria and auto complete features, allowing for more efficient media management and retrieval.
Sledgehammer file servers are available in either the flagship NAS configuration or in its HD!O model. NAS file servers can easily be upgraded to Sledgehammer HD!O (SD, HD, and 2K/4K film resolutions) for real-time capture of uncompressed SD or HD video at either 8-bit,10-bit or 12-bit color depth. Both systems are available in many different configurations that suit varying requirements for capacity, performance and high-availability. Sledgehammer NAS is the ideal high-performance file server solution for computer graphics, nonlinear color correction, compositing, editing and 2D/3D rendering farms. Sledgehammer HD!O bridges IT and video infrastructures, and is well suited for high-end editing and visual effects systems, digital intermediates, telecine and color grading.

www.max-t.com