Sony and Discreet Collaborate to Bring HDCAM-Based Software to Market
Business/Technology Editors
PARK RIDGE, N.J./MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 1999--Sony
and Discreet, a division of Autodesk, are collaborating to deliver a
tightly integrated and high-performance HDTV production solution by
combining Discreet's award winning resolution and format-independent
editing and effects systems with Sony's range of high definition
equipment, including the HDCAM(R) family of HDTV products and the
recently announced 24P HDTV mastering systems.
"Post facilities and broadcasters are expected to benefit from the
combined Discreet and Sony solution as it will enable them to
penetrate the HDTV market at a lower cost of entry," said Michael
Vitelli, executive vice president of Sony Electronics' Broadcast and
Professional Company. "This high-performance solution leverages the
existing 270Mbps SDI infrastructure, enabling full HDTV production
without requiring the use of additional HDTV I/O hardware components."
More specifically, the Sony and Discreet technical collaboration
will result in an HDCAM software codec, enabling input/output, storage
and manipulation of compressed HDCAM format HDTV images over
conventional SDI interfaces.
"Forging this relationship with Sony enables us to bring to market
a practical and cost-effective technology solution designed to
facilitate the transition of post facilities and broadcasters to high
definition," said Eric Herr, acting vice president of Discreet and
president and COO of Autodesk. "The joint collaboration will present
customers doing high definition work today with additional HDTV
solutions, thus accelerating access to complete end-to-end HD
production technology while lowering the barriers to HD entry."
According to Vitelli, the Sony HDCAM format is becoming popular
with the production community due to its cost-efficiency, high-picture
quality and portability, as well as its ability to facilitate
prime-time programs shot in film to be posted in the digital 1920 x
1080 HDTV format.
Discreet has demonstrated its leadership in high definition
production solutions with its fire(a) online editing and Academy
Award-winning inferno(a) and flame(a) effects systems, which are
currently the open-platform, standard and high definition solutions of
choice in the post production and broadcast communities. They support
the full range of DTV formats, including HD, and ITU Rec.601 mastering
formats and therefore represent a secure and proven investment for
facilities working in multiple resolutions and formats.
Previously, Sony announced its newly proposed 24P high definition
format. The companies believe that this format is ideal for mastering,
as it can be easily standards converted to any ATSC DTV delivery
format.
The companies intend to provide a technology demonstration of
their combined solution at the National Association of Broadcaster's
show in April 1999, with customer deliveries anticipated during the
second half of calendar 1999. The demonstration will be shown in the
Sony Demonstration Center, Las Vegas Convention Center meeting rooms
N101-N120 and Discreet Logic, Sands Convention Center booth number
S4009. |
