John Mcclary
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Forum Replies Created
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I would seriously consider the Terrablock by Facilis Techonology. Because it doesn’t need a separate metadata network, it is very simple to setup and administer. It can have either 4Gb or 2Gb Fibre Channel clients, with three server versions from 2Tb to 9.6Tb. With the new software version it can access two Terrabock units at once, accessing 19Tb. Also, there are NO client licenses – just add another FC card and you’re online.
https://facilis.net/products.htm
All this speed is not for free – clients can read the same volume simultaneously but can not write to the same volume simultaneously. However, we have used one for about a year and have had few situations that needed that and very few problems. In fact, we are about to add another Terrablock 12D server and will be able to access all storage from all clients.
We find that it administers itself, needs no optimization, and can share media between up to (I think) 20 offline clients (15s:1) or 14 online (1:1) clients in SD, or two editors in HD depending on your server model. The specs are on their website. It supports both OSX and Windows – Avid, FCP, and other clients.
It is very fast and simple to administer. It’s probably not for a facility with 100 siutes but if it fits your workflow requirements, I feel there is no better solution.
John McClary
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Why run the program and drag along the laptop if all you need is reliable high-quality Quality Control? I could run my battery-powered 7″ LCD monitor with a battery-powered BMD HD scope generator strapped on the back and not worry about it being excessively fragile, heavy, or stationary. With my monitor, I could A/B between live video and HD scope. It would be exactly what I need in the field and I could plug it into power/USB at the studio to get all the options, extra features and heavier power requirements.
When we all start doing more HDV in the field, you’ll see the need for this….
John McClary
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I agree and would rather it be small and rugged than loaded with features. It would run off the 12V battery system on my cart (since I would also have to power a separate monitor for vectorscope, the HDlink, and the HD picture monitor), have all optional monitoring features controlled by USB but output the basic ones (vector, waveform, RGB parade) by default so there’s nothing to adjust while on location.
It needs to be a box that is focused to the job at hand and idiot-proof while in the field and having expanded options in the editing suite. If the USB is unplugged, it should revert to the basics. I want one setting in the field — the RIGHT setting, not a lot of options that a PA can screw up and I have to reset correctly. Most people would probably never need more than that anyway.
John McClary
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Now that we’ve explored what you SHOULD DO, let’s be brutally realistic. As long as you take the time to calibrate it before clients come in, you can get away with a consumer 42″ HD rear-projection television for $1400. If – IF it’s not for critical viewing like color-correction (the ‘tiny’ 14L5/1 is for that). Most clients will be impressed with a large screen lifted up in front of them.
Most clients, however, get worried when all of the monitors they see have a different tint to them. That’s where this whole discussion runs into real life.
John McClary
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Those little cards cost $1700 – and I’m pretty sure the monitor isn’t HD in the first place. Spend that money on the 14L5/1 instead (it also recognizes 24P) and you’ll be a lot happier.
John McClary
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Off another forum Nate Weaver finally nailed down the variable frame rate question – NOT TRUE.
“The camera writes 720p60 to tape, and duplicates whole frames (adding pulldown) to pad the 24p to 60p. It is NOT Varicam style where you have 60 unique frames written to tape, and you only see some of them upon playback. I should note it took a long time (all day) to get to the bottom of this. Asking the sales reps repeatedly resulted in a different answer every time. I only got an informed answer finally when I talked to Fredric Haubrich (of Lumiere HD), and he explained the situation to me. He would be the one to know, because he had the .m2t files from HD100 to prove it.”
So it does 24P,60P (which is GREAT) but no variable speed like Varicam. Still like it though…
John McClary