SCREEN AFRICA EXCLUSIVE: Ian Dormer reports from IBC in Amsterdam…Just as archivers, broadcasters and post-production houses start getting comfortable with LTO LTFS as an archiving format, Sony unveils what they describe as the complete archiving solution for file based workflows, a solution that may well change the way we look at archiving media.
At IBC2012, Sony announced that its next-generation Optical Disc Archive storage system will start shipping across Europe from October. The system, which provides guaranteed intergenerational compatibility and ultra-reliable long-term storage, is at the heart of Sony’s vision to create a complete archiving solution for broadcasters, motion picture companies and production houses.
Sony also announced that it is developing a new robotic library, the ODS-L10, comprising of two drives that contain 10 media cartridges. Planned to be available in the beginning of 2013, the ODS-L10 will form part of a full line-up of solutions that include an even larger and expandable robotic library, currently in development.
In addition, Sony has unveiled a new logo mark for the Optical Disc Archive system. Any compatible hardware product as well as storage media which meet the specification will now carry the Optical Disc Archive logo.
In order to help develop and promote the optical disc format, Sony is working with 10 leading manufacturers, including Adobe and AVID, who have all expressed their support for the archiving system.
“After years in development with our alliance partners, we are excited to now bring our Optical Disc Archive system to the market,’ said Takashi Miura, Sony’s head of Network Production and Archive Business Media Solutions, Sales and Marketing. “At the cutting edge of storage innovation, the ODS-D55U is the ideal library archive system for small files. Its ability to store data without power means the system has significant advantages over traditional disaster recovery and permanent archive systems.
“At Sony we have a strong roadmap in place that will see our Optical Disc Archive technology being used in an increasing number of applications, from small-scale file back-up storage, through to large-scale network solutions. The result of over 10 year’s innovation in file-based technology, we have created a powerful and efficient storage solution that allows high quality content to be archived, regardless of the original media format.
A variety of high capacity media cartridges are available for the Optical Disc Archive system, from 300GB to 1.5TB. Each cartridge allows random file access using the Universal Disc Format (UDF) system. Optimised for ultra-long term media archiving, the cartridges have an estimated 50 year lifespan and are built to withstand changes in temperature and humidity, and resist dust and water droplets. Each cartridge has a built-in RFID to check the contents of the media with mobile devices for efficient asset management, such as cartridge loaning, stocktaking and shelf archiving.
Equipped with a USB 3.0 interface, the ODS-D55U drive unit is flexible, reliable and easy to set up. To help users organise their media assets, the ODS-D55U is equipped with Sony’s simple management software solution, Content Manager. By automatically extracting metadata and storing it in a database, Content Manager allows users to quickly search, browse and retrieve files. The ODS-D55U drive unit with one Content Manager license will be available in the European market from October.
Since its launch in 2010, XDCAM Archive has been widely adopted across the world as a powerful file-based content and archive management system that is ideal for small to medium sized A/V businesses. Released in December 2012, version 1.6 will enable users to connect XDCAM Archive to Sony’s Optical Disc Archive system, creating a versatile solution for businesses that operate a shelf-based archive system.
As part of its optical disc product roadmap, Sony gave IBC attendees a glimpse at the ODS-L10, a compact robotic library that is planned to be available in the beginning of 2013. Comprising of two drives that contain a total of ten 1.5TB media cartridges, the library will be able to store up to 15TB of data, all in one 19-inch rack mount unit. In addition to the compact version, Sony is also currently developing a larger and expandable robotic library that will be launched in late 2013.
In order to promote the optical disc archive system, Sony is collaborating with 10 manufacturers in a number of related business areas including storage media, library robotics, middleware and application software. These manufacturers are as follows: Adobe, ASG-Atempo, AVID, Dalet, Front Porch Digital, Harris, SGL, Square Box Systems Ltd the developers of the award winning CatDV software,TDK Corporation and Vizrt.
TDK Corporation has announced its support for the Optical Disc Archive system and that it will begin manufacturing disc media under license from Sony. Front Porch Digital has also announced its support of Optical Disc Archive by 2013 along with Sony’s expandable robotic library and the use of Archive eXchange Format (AXF) with the Optical Disc Archive system for improved long-term protection and preservation.
