New pProduct provides faster than real-time media transfers for improved workflow efficiencies between broadcast servers and editing systems

Basingstoke, UK, 15 July 2010: Hi Tech Systems, a leading supplier of VTR and video server control panels to the broadcast industry, will be launching clipR, a new Windows application that simplifies the movement of video clips between a range of broadcast servers and Avid or Apple Final Cut Pro editing systems, at IBC 2010 (stand 10.A49). Powered by Marquis Broadcast’s Media Highway Technology, clipR will improve file-based workflows by providing fast and reliable media transfers without the worry of file incompatibility problems that often arises when media is moved between systems from different manufacturers. Marquis Broadcast will also be featuring clipR at IBC 2010 (stand 2.A58).
clipR integrates with Hi Tech Systems’ actiV Filer server control http://www.hitechsys.co.uk/html/disk_products/disk_products_overview.html panel. Operators simply build a highlights list of clips using the actiV Filer control panel. This list, and the clips within it, can be edited prior to the chosen media being exported directly from the server to the Avid or Final Cut Pro editing system. The process is easy and fast, with media being transferred at speeds greater than real-time.  Transfers are performed by a clipR server as background tasks so at no point do the operators have to wait for the process to finish.  A clipR client GUI installed on the editing system shows the operators the precise status of the transfers. When the transfers are complete, the clips can be dragged into the Avid or Final Cut Pro bin. Operators can begin editing immediately without having to worry about file format conversion or file compatibility issues.

“clipR is an easy to install, easy to use, realistically priced software utility that will greatly facilitate the everyday but often problematic process of moving media between different systems,” said Tom Favell, Managing Director, Hi Tech Systems. “By bridging the gap between commonly used broadcast servers and the two most popular editing systems on the market, users will greatly improve the efficiency of their broadcast workflows.”

Standard definition formats supported include DV25, DVC Pro 25 and 50, IMX 30, 40 and 50, while high definition formats supported include DVC Pro 100 and XDCam 50. clipR supports Grass Valley K2, Harris Nexio, Omneon and SeaChange video servers. Hi Tech Systems’ active Filer has five control ports: one is used to interface to clipR; four can be used to control server channels using Odetics, AMP or VDCP protocols.

clipR is powered by Marquis Broadcast’s Media Highway Technology. Media Highway provides video file format rewrapping, video codec transcoding, audio channel routing and metadata interchange between different manufacturers’ systems irrespective of their underlying system architecture.

Pricing and Availability

clipR will begin shipping from 1 October 2010 and will be available from Hi Tech Systems and its worldwide network of business partners. Pricing starts at €3,000.