Post on 21-Mar-2016
description
Editorial
StarNet™
StarNet is part of AMS Neve'sWorkflow initiative
WORKFLOWTM
AUDIO CONTROL PROJECT� �
StarNet™StarNet™
Production
Solutions
for a
Connected
World
Broadcast
Music
EditorialEditorial
StarNet™
StarNet is part of AMS Neve'sWorkflow initiative
Broadcast
Music
Editorial
Film & Video Post
WORKFLOWTM
AUDIO CONTROL PROJECT� �
StarNet™StarNet™
Production
Solutions
for a
Connected
World
StarNet™ - Production Solutions for a Connected World
AMS Neve plc is dedicated to the design and manufacture of professional
audio equipment for world class audio facilities. The company provides a
range of integrated and scalable equipment solutions, focussed on three key
applications:
� Post Production for Film & Video
� Broadcast/Live Production
� Music Recording
AMS Neve products offer high performance solutions for today's connected
world.
StarNet™
AMS Neve's StarNet™ system will revolutionise project flow in your audio post
production operation. The most significant development in audio post since
the introduction of hard disk editing, StarNet™ is a dedicated networking
solution for AMS Neve's AudioFile SC editors and digital consoles.
StarNet™ provides a complete solution for storing and transferring audio
projects in a multi-room facility. The system has been developed in close
liaison with the world's leading multi-studio facilities, who are the pioneers of
efficient project workflow. The result is a network that enhances project flow
without compromising performance in individual studios or requiring
excessive management.
StarNet™ is an open system, using industry-standard Fast Ethernet
connections, linking the world's most powerful proprietary editor - AudioFile
SC. Large numbers of projects can be stored on a central Windows NT server,
which is accessible from all studios. Other major benefits of StarNet™ include
shared online effects libraries and centralised file exchange and archiving.
StarNet™enables you to:
� Work on any project in any studio
� Choose from thousands of effects available online
� Simplify project management by keeping audio, edit lists and mixautomation together on a single server
� Save time in the studio with centralised off-line archiving
� Interface directly to picture editor networks
StarNet™ is part of AMS Neve's WorkFlow™ Initiative, setting new
standards for facility efficiency and flexibility. WorkFlow™ systems
integrate AMS Neve's proven production consoles and post systems to
form seamless environments for rapid project transfer and maximum
studio flexibility. Other examples of WorkFlow™ systems include AMS
Neve's Encore universal console automation system and facility-wide
audio sharing via MADI.
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StarNet™ - Production Solutions for a Connected World
Networking for:
AudioFile SC high speed editing system
Logic post production systems
Libra Post digital mixing console
DFC2 Digital Film Console
Connectivity to Libra Live and Libra Music consoles
Connectivity
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StarNet™ - Production Solutions for a Connected World
WorkgroupController
Cue Pool&
Raid Storage
Foley x 5SC16 x 5
Fast EthernetSwitcher
Mixing x 5SC16 x 4SC 32 x 1
MediaToolBox
EthernetSwitcher
VideoNLE
Workstation
100T Ethernet
1000T Ethernet
100T Ethernet
100T Ethernet
A
M
S
N
E
V
E
x5 x5
StarNet Workflow�OMF
OMF
StarNet architecture avoids bandwidth issues and unnecessary cue duplication. The Workgroup controller manages the central Raid storage
of projects and audio. The Media ToolBox forms a gateway to external networks as well as providing an "off line" route into and out ofStarNet for compatibility with facilities not equipped with StarNet .
�
� �
Local Storage Local Storage
StarNet™ in Operation
StarNet™ is a dedicated networking solution for audio post, connecting
AMS Neve's advanced audio editors and consoles with industry standard
100BaseT or 1000BaseT technology.
Key features of StarNet™ include:
� Access to any project in any studio.
� Central Windows NT project server for audio, edits and mixautomation.
� RAID storage options.
� Off-line archiving and file translation.
� Industry standard Ethernet connections.
� Open connectivity to other networks via Windows.
� No unnecessary cue duplication:StarNet’s™ unique intelligent UID management ensures that there isonly ever one copy of each cue on each networked system.
� Built in intelligence:Proprietary project and server-based storage management softwarecommunicates across the network to oversee all StarNet™ projectmanipulation.
� Scheduled project archiving is managed by application specificsoftware resident on the StarNet™ server. This allows automatedarchiving of any project which is new or has been changed.
� Centralised sound effects library facilities:StarNet™ is compatible with leading sound effects library systems,allowing the libraries to be browsed, auditioned and used seamlessly.
� No project access restrictions:StarNet™architecture avoids bandwidth issues and unnecessary cueduplication. Whilst other systems adopt complex bandwidthmanagement requiring user housekeeping, StarNet™ imposes no suchrestrictions. Users can work on the same project in parallel. The “localproject” concept removes production bottlenecks caused by projectaccess restrictions.
Simple Project Management
During the session, all recordings, event (edit) lists and automated mixes
are stored on the local editor and console hard disks in the usual way. At
the end of the session, the project is uploaded to the central server: the
Workgroup Controller, which stores all project data from both the editor
and the console. Thousands of projects can be stored online, ready to be
downloaded into any studio for the next session.
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StarNet™ - Production Solutions for a Connected World
Projects can be downloaded from the server using a simpledrag-and-drop display on the AudioFile SC
Typical Project WorkFlow™
1. Import rough audio edit from picture editor
� The OMF or AAF file from the picture editor is translated by the MediaToolBox.
� The project is stored on the central Workgroup Controller server and isavailable to all studios.
or:
� The OMF or AAF file is imported directly via the Media ToolBox FastEthernet into the AudioFile SC which is connected to StarNet™.
2. Tracklay session in Edit 1
� Download the project to a studio and finesse the edits on an AudioFileSC.
� Add sound effects from a massive online database.
� Upload the updated project to the Workgroup Controller - intelligenttransfer minimises the update time by only transferring audio that is notcurrently on the server.
3. Final mix session in Mix 1
� Fully automated mixing on a Libra Post, DFC or Logic console.
� At the end of the session, the whole project can be uploaded to theWorkgroup Controller, including audio, edits and automation.
4. Remix in another studio
Mix 1 is now busy with another project, so:
� Download the project to Mix 2 for making final changes to the mix orfor creating international/DVD versions.
Compatibility between AMS Neve digital consoles enables, for example, a
mix originally created on a Libra Post console to be remixed on a DFC.
� Completed mix can be exported as an OMF file over the network ifrequired.
StarNet™ allows OMF files to be imported directly from any format and
size of Media (including Mac, PC, Jaz, CD) or imported directly over a
network from an Ethernet connection to another system (via the Media
ToolBox). The import arrives directly on the target AudoFile SC editor at
very high import speed. The imported file can be stored as a project on the
StarNet™ server for use later. The edited file can be exported in exactly the
same way, allowing seamless transfer between StarNet™ editors and other
OMF compatible platforms.
The OMF system supports both the OMF1 and OMF2 protocols.
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StarNet™ - Production Solutions for a Connected World
Interfacevia
Windows NT
AudioPost
Production
2. Edit 1
AudioFile SC
AudioFile SC
AudioFile SC
3. Mix 1
Libra Post
4. Mix 2
DFCAMS NeveMedia ToolBox
PictureEditing
Picture Edit
PictureEditor
Network
Sound EffectsLibrary
OMF audio frompicture editor
network Interfacevia
Windows NTOther audioimport and
export
RemovableMedia
AMS NeveWorkgroupController
Project Storage
Shared Cue Pool
RAID Storage(customer supplied)
1.
Schematic view of Project WorkFlow
Intelligent Transfer
When transferring a project to an AudioFile SC or the server, StarNet™
automatically saves time and disk space by not transferring recordings that
are already present on the system. This is possible because each recording
made on AudioFile is stamped with a unique identifier number (UID),
which enables it to be identified even if the name has changed. This
applies to recordings made on all generations of AudioFile since its
introduction in 1984. The Virtual Folder system enables each workstation
user to create folders of frequently used recordings and effects without
storing multiple copies on the server.
Proven Technology
StarNet™ features industry-standard 1000BaseT Fast Ethernet connections
and Windows 2003 server technology. Maximum performance and security
of operation are guaranteed by keeping all project elements locally during
sessions. The central project storage can use customer-supplied RAID disk
arrays for maximum resiliency. RAID arrays enable project data to be
recovered even if a disk within the array fails.
Unlike some designs, it has not been necessary to modify the Ethernet
connections because standard Windows NT protocols are used. This
ensures that the system can be readily updated to use new
communications technologies in the future.
An Open Networking Solution
AMS Neve is a key supporter of project interchange between editor
platforms. Audio tracks from picture and audio editors can be imported
into AudioFile SC directly from a variety of formats, including OMF and
Lightworks. Alternatively, projects may be translated centrally using the
Media ToolBox, then placed on the server ready for access in any studio.
The Media ToolBox forms the media gateway for StarNet™, enabling direct
exchange of material in a variety of formats with video editor networks and
other shared storage systems.
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StarNet™ - Production Solutions for a Connected World
AudioFile SC
A key element of the StarNet™ network is the AudioFile SC,AMS Neve's high speed 32 track editor. AudioFile SC featuresa performance accelerator that boosts operational speed upto 50 times faster than previous generation editors.
Key features of AudioFile SC include:
� Up to 32 tracks
� High speed operation
� Proven AudioFile edit controller
� Additional high resolution project display
� Fast Ethernet connectivity
� DSP processes
The system includes the new AMS Neve Studio Controller, agraphics and project management system with directconnectivity to the StarNet™ network. AudioFile SC mayoptionally be combined with AMS Neve's digital consoles toprovide totally integrated post production systems. SCupgrade packages are available to facilities already equippedwith AudioFile editors.
The latest AudioFile SC software features the ability to importProTools session files into the AudioFile SC. This softwareallows the user to browse to a folder and import a ProTools5.0 session file. ProTools can be rendered during import orconverted to AudioFile real time fades. After the import theuser is presented with an AudioFile events list which can beplayed and edited as desired.
StarNet™ Workgroup Controller
For any facility using a networked audio post production environment, one
of the key considerations has to be system reliability and security.
Unlike other designs, network failure will not bring the facility to a
standstill. Users can carry on working and the project can be transferred to
the network as soon as the network is up and running again.
The StarNet™ Server itself is a high specification server with built in
redundancy.
StarNet™ Server Specification
� Dedicated Server dual processor capable Motherboard
� 256MB PC133 ECC SDRAM (expandable up to 4GB)
� Dual Peer PCI for Improved data throughput
� 2 * 66Mhz, 64 bit PCI slots included
� Accidental Power Off Prevention Capable
� System Fault Paging Services Capable
� Audio Visual Power Failure Indication
� Dual hot swap power supplies
� Built-in "burn proof" DVD re-writer
� SCSI160 LVD capable
� Built-in Ethernet port with extensive diagnostics
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WORKGROUP
CONTROLLER
MON NET
SCSI/
RAID S1 S2 S3 S4
AMS NEVE WORKGROUP CONTROLLER
O
1
O
1
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does StarNet™ improve my studio
workflow?
A: StarNet™ provides very fast project storage
and transfer between studios. Project
management is extremely simple. Its intelligent
file management ensures project transfer
occurs at the fastest possible speed.
Q: My facility has many edit and mix
rooms. Will audio bandwidth be effected
by networking many rooms together?
A: No. Individual workstation bandwidth is
retained regardless of the number of systems
accessing a project.
Q: Can multiple editors work on the same
project at the same time?
A: Yes. StarNet™ enables each editor to work
on identical local copies of the centrally stored
network project. This gives each editor
complete freedom to edit, play and record into
the project. The dedicated StarNet™ server
management software ensures that cues are
never duplicated within the StarNet™ domain.
Q: What archive medium can I use?
A: StarNet™ projects can be archived onto any
medium which can be recognized by Windows
NT. This includes DVD RAM, Mammoth, DLT.
Q: How do I backup the StarNet™
projects?
A: Project archiving is performed from the
Server, not the workstation. This removes the
need to use the studio to archive onto Exabyte.
Archiving becomes a "background" task which
can be performed whilst the editing rooms are
still in use.
Q: Can I store my console data within a
project?
A: Yes. Console data such as Mix set-ups and
automation can be stored alongside events lists
and audio within a project.
Q: Can I transfer projects from StarNet™
to non-StarNet™ facilities
A: Yes. The Media ToolBox is part of the
StarNet™ network. StarNet™ projects can
be backed up to Exabyte in the conventional
AMS Neve format giving compatibility. The
Media ToolBox also allows StarNet™ projects
to be created from Exabyte jobs. The gives
compatibility in both directions. As this function
is performed by the Media ToolBox, the
AudioFile rooms are free to be used for paying
sessions rather than archiving.
Q: My client wants the final mix available
as a wav file. Is this possible?
A: Yes. The final mix (or any other component)
can be exported as a wav file over the network
and transferred via FTP etc.
Q: Can I connect StarNet™ to a video
editor network and exchange files?
A: Yes. The Media ToolBox provides a secure
"gateway" to other network system including
networked video editing workstations. Files can
be exchanged in both directions over Ethernet
using the industry standard OMF protocols.
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StarNet™ - Production Solutions for a Connected World