Spescom Media IT spells out the benefits, including 'death of dongle'
 
Avid Technology has released the latest versions of its Media Composer
(v3.5), Symphony (v 3.5) and NewsCutter (v 7.5) editing software. These new
releases address customer requests for native support of the Sony XDCAM
format and include a ground breaking 3D Stereoscopic workflow. The
introduction of a new system activation key to license new software sales
and single seat upgrades also spells the death of the dongle.
 
Says Sean du Toit, MD of Spescom Media IT, a leading integrated broadcast
solutions provider: "With these releases, Avid has once again proven itself
to be up to date with changing industry demands. The new features provide
cost effective, relevant and increasingly functional solutions to a fast
paced, highly competitive and ever evolving media creation arena."
 
Cost-effective, file-based media is increasingly becoming mainstream and a
key challenge for producers is to cost effectively deliver HD programming.
The new release of Media Composer will greatly improve the speed and
efficiency of workflow for XDCAM users as it has the ability to natively
ingest in the field. This means producers, directors and editors can start
working with the media right away, rather than waste time travelling back to
the office to get a cut completed.
 
Du Toit adds the detail: "The software enhancement delivers complete
end-to-end native support for the popular Sony XDCAM HD formats, at all
bandwidths. It allows users to playback and edit directly from the disc,
render, mixdown, export sequences and clips with eight audio tracks, and
writeback with sequence timecode."
 
Users should also look out for the Keyframeable Color Correction in the new
release. It saves time and money in the production process by enabling
colour changes on the fly in situations where, for example, lighting changes
can affect colour over the course of a single shot - something that could
previously only be fixed in online colour correction.
 
Media Composer 3.5 also introduces a ground breaking 3D Stereoscopic
workflow. Says Du Toit: "More movies are being made in 3D with the trend
expected to reach critical mass this year as more cinemas equip themselves
to show these movies. While stereoscopic 3-D and 3-D-ready television sets
(achieved by adding plasma or digital light processing technology to HDTV
sets) are not expected to make it to the consumer market for another two to
three years, it's a trend that is growing and will receive considerable
attention.
 
Media Composer's Stereoscopic 3D editing feature offers full support for
stereoscopic workflows, enabling customers to acquire, edit and display
stereoscopic (3D) material. Content can be displayed with stereo monitoring
capabilities in both the composer window and full screen playback -
eliminating the need for costly conforms previously required to screen 3D
material.
 
Other new features include fluid stabilizer, general FX enhancements,
improved Pro Tools integration, enhanced audio capabilities and AMA, or Avid
Media Access Architecture, which lets users automatically link clips from a
third-party volume (Panasonic P2 or Sony XDCAM HD/EX) devices into an Avid
editing bin without having to transcode or store the media on their system.
 
An eagerly awaited enhancement, however, must be the elimination of the
dongle. New Software Activation and Licensing eliminates the need for a
dongle key to activate new purchases and upgrades of Avid software. Instead,
all new software sales and single seat upgrades will be licensed by a system
activation key. 
 
Says Du Toit: "In a nutshell, innovative new architecture makes these Avid
solutions more open, and a variety of new features enable users to extend
their media creation capabilities, streamline production and increase the
cost effectiveness of their processes - certainly worth the investment."
 
"It also facilitates integration. Providing a cohesive, end-to-end solution
through integration allows broadcasters to maximise the value of their
investment. Spescom Media IT is continuously refining its skills through
ongoing training and skills transfer, allowing organisations' to leverage
local skills rather than costly international support and integration
services."
 
Avid Media Composer and Symphony (v 3.5) and NewsCutter (v 7.5) are
available from Spescom Media IT right now. There is also a 14-day trial of
the new Media Composer software available.
 
About Spescom
Spescom Ltd is a JSE listed company operating in the ICT (Information &
Communications Technology) sector. Founded in 1977, this South African
Company has developed and delivered a number of world first technologies, as
well as innovative products and services to local and global markets.
Spescom's core focus is the delivery of integrated business communication
solutions that leverage voice, video and data technologies to enhance the
way businesses communicate with their customers. The deep technical
expertise and considerable industry know-how housed in its four divisions -
Spescom DataFusion; Spescom DataVoice; Spescom Telecommunications and
Spescom Media IT - combine to deliver world-class solutions, including
integrated contact centre platforms and applications, a range of voice
application technologies, telecommunications and broadcast solutions. 'Smart
People. Clever Solutions' reflects who we are and why we are positioned to
leverage current and future technology trends and developments to meet the
dynamically shifting requirements of our customers and ensure their
continued competitiveness.
The company has a staff complement of 290 with offices located in
Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and London (UK).  
For more information about Spescom visit www.spescom.com.
 
For further information contact:
 
Stuart Vey
Group Executive: Marketing and Communications
Spescom Limited
Tel: 011 266 1701
Or: 011 266 1754
Fax: 011 266 1553
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it