Quantel Kept Busy at NAB with EVS Exchange, 3D Demos

Quantel Demos Fast Media and Metadata Exchange with EVS

At NAB 2010 Quantel previewed a brand new product that is being launched later this year: the Quantel-EVS Gateway. The Gateway is the result of the ongoing cooperation between Quantel and EVS and handles bi-directional transfers of media and metadata between a Quantel Enterprise sQ server-based production system and EVS XS and XT[2] instant highlights servers.

As soon as a clip is created on the EVS server, it can be identified and exported to the Quantel server using the EVS IP Director. The media is transferred as an MXF file and the metadata as XML; the XML metadata file carries all the clip logging information created in the EVS environment to Quantel sQ server for use in the Quantel editor.

Transfers happen faster than real time, and as soon as media begins to arrive in the Quantel environment, editing can commence on all connected Quantel editing workstations. The moment the edit is complete, playout to air from the Quantel sQ server can commence, or if required the media and metadata can be sent back to the EVS server as a DVCPRO HD MXF OP1A file.

“Many of Quantel’s major system customers are also users of EVS equipment,” says Quantel Director of Marketing, Steve Owen. “Now they have the opportunity to seamlessly exchange content between these two complementary environments.”

Quantel’s Stereo3D broadcast production workflow

Quantel unveiled a host of Stereo3D postproduction workflows at NAB 2010.

Quantel introduced the world’s first complete Stereo3D broadcast production workflow, from ingest to desktop editing and craft editing to playout. The new development delivers the same Quantel Enterprise sQ workflow that is relied on by broadcasters around the world, but now for the first time working with Stereo3D content.

The NAB demonstration included live ingest from a Panasonic AG-3DA1 stereoscopic camcorder into a Quantel sQ server, desktop browsing and shot selection of the Stereo3D media and instant transfer to Quantel’s new Stereo3D craft editing workstation for stereo finishing. Also on display was Quantel’s live playout to common Stereo3D multiplexed formats including Left-Right, Over-Under or Line-Interleaved Stereo3D distribution formats.

At the heart of the new workflow is a brand new Stereo3D timeline, which allows each eye to be viewed and worked on individually or both at the same time. For example, this makes Stereo3D subtitling (such as done by Modern VideoFilm on Pablo for ‘Avatar’) very straightforward as the subtitle can be applied to both eyes simultaneously and then quickly positioned in z-space.

Quantel is also introducing some new Stereo3D-specific tools, which fix common acquisition issues such as incorrect color balance between eyes, and the keystoning which results from converged shooting.

“Everyone knows that Stereo3D presents our industry with a fantastic opportunity, but to make it a reality it requires practical, everyday tools,” said Steve Owen, Quantel Director of Marketing. “Broadcasters need the same slick workflow that they already enjoy in 2D, and this ground-breaking development delivers this across the entire production chain for Quantel owners. It marks a very real step in bringing Stereo3D into the realm of mainstream television.”

In addition, all existing iQ and Pablo systems will be upgradeable to support the new Stereo3D timeline and tools as part of the Quantel V5 software release planned for July 2010.

Quantel launches V5 software, Windows 7 OS for eQ, iQ, and Pablo

Quantel launched V5 software at NAB – the latest release for the company’s high-end postproduction family of products: eQ, iQ and Pablo. V5 delivers major advances in color correction, RED, and Stereo3D workflows.

V5 introduces the ability to color correct within the multi-layer timeline. This gives Quantel users a massive advantage because now nothing needs to be committed or flattened at any stage. This facility means that clients can change their minds or ask for fixes to any aspect of the job even in the final stages of grading. The post house can then deliver the required result quickly and efficiently without the delay of having to rebuild parts of job.

V5 delivers real time color correction on Pablo, allowing grades to be viewed in real time during the color correction session.

The new Stereo3D timeline makes it easy to work with Stereo3D content, and new tools added which fix common issues in post.

Version 5 runs on the Windows 7 64-bit operating system, which brings many speed, networking, and security advantages to the Quantel platform. Quantel is one of the first companies in the post and broadcast space to adopt Windows 7. The new software provides increased interactivity, higher security, a higher network throughput, support for much larger volumes of SANs, and is open to the widest possible user base for Quantel’s software.

New soft mount technology in V5 now gives customers the choice of either first importing RED r3d media into the Quantel workspace, or getting to work as soon as RED media arrives via the new V5 soft mount technology. Only the finished job is then localized onto the Quantel workspace. This means that work in the suite can start immediately.

“It’s great to see RED conforms happen instantly,” says Owen. “While there are many real advantages to working within the Quantel workspace such as its efficient use of storage, guaranteed access and protection from deletion, no one has time to wait. With the new soft mount option Quantel users can have the best of both approaches. Also, this new development opens up many exciting workflows in the future.”

V5 will be available from July as an upgrade to all existing eQ, iQ and Pablo customers. More V5 features will follow over the coming months as part of a phased release program; these will include a new planar tracker, color decision list (CDL) support and 16 channel audio.