Grass Valley Streamlines File-Based Workflows with Newly Designed T2 iDDRs

Grass Valley announced that a newly designed and improved T2 family of intelligent digital disk recorders (iDDRs) that are suited for live event production, postproduction, and video-on-demand applications. With increased format support and faster signal processing, the new T2 iDDRs streamline manual processes and automate key capabilities to significantly improve a wide variety of file-based workflows.

The new T2 range, consisting of the T2 Express, T2 Pro, and T2 Elite models all include faster signal processing, generous storage capacity, and secure 2.5-inch HDD or SSD storage drives that allow users to work faster and smarter, while supporting more native file formats and compression codecs, including those from Grass Valley and a variety of third-parties.

Both the T2 Express and Pro models provide up to 1 TB (or 14 hours) of full 1080i HD content storage, with even more storage for 720p HD and 480i SD formats. The T2 Elite model provides up to 600 GB (or 8 hours) of full 1080i HD content storage using SSD.

Improvements over previous T2 models include real-time SD/HD crossconversion. The new T2 models can also crossconvert HD formats (between 720p and 1080i) in real-time. File format support now includes XDCAM HD422, XDCAM EX HD 35 Mb/s, AVC-Intra 100, GF 100 Mb/s, and AVCHD.

Live Events
T2 is suited for live event production where content must be available for playback to large-screen projectors or scoreboards. Applications include sporting events, trade shows, product launches, concerts, and seminar presentations.

Live Production
T2 can serve as an entry-level video server in smaller-budget production facilities, such as colleges and community access stations.

Postproduction
T2 can aid in editing as a near online source for content to be used in post production. It can also store finished programs for playback at live events or in kiosks.

Video-on-Demand
T2 can be used to loop playlists for hours of uninterrupted and unattended playback. Applications include stand-alone kiosks, trade show displays, museums and art galleries, and theme parks. Remote control (via RS422 or GPIO) allows T2 to react to external inputs. In addition, synchronized 2-channel playback supports delivery of 3D content or presentations that span multiple displays.

“T2 has earned a place of prominence in many live event and corporate presentations, where frame accurate timing and very high resolution playback are critical to success,” said Charlie Dunn, executive vice president of Products at Grass Valley. “The new T2s offer just the right amount of features and capability to fit any production and post needs. The team has really worked hard to bring this exciting new series of revolutionary products to market in the form factor our users have asked for.”

Pricing and Availability
The new T2 iDDR models are currently available.  Pricing depends upon model order and ranges from $12,980 – $18,980.