Ikegami Tsushinki Co., Ltd (Booth #C4226) and Toshiba Corporation
(Booth #SL1405) today unveiled details of their strategic partnership
under which the two companies will jointly develop and promote an
advanced video production/editing system for broadcasters and video
professionals.
At a press conference on the opening day of NAB2007, the National
Association of Broadcasters' annual convention, the two companies
disclosed the key concept and components of the new video
production/editing system, including its use of semiconductor flash
memory as the main storage medium.
With the transition to digital, high-definition broadcasting now
gathering pace, video production professionals increasingly require
highly capable, integrated solutions that seamlessly connect all parts
of the video production workflow, from news acquisition in the field,
through editing and archiving, to feeding edited programs to
transmission platforms. The advanced system promoted by Ikegami and
Toshiba brings ideal solutions to all of these processes. It offers a
superior storage platform based on open standards, and delivers
enhanced levels of productivity and innovation throughout the video
broadcast workflow.
Commenting on the significance of the partnership, Masaki
Matsubara, President and CEO of Ikegami, said: "We look forward to
promoting innovation in the broadcasting industry by working closely
with Toshiba. The combination of our expertise in video production
fields with Toshiba's wide-ranging experience and technological
excellence in broadcasting systems, especially master control
facilities for broadcasters, transmitters, and play-out servers, plus
its advanced semiconductor flash memory technologies, promises an
ideal partnership."
Shunichi Kimura, Corporate Vice President and President and CEO of
Toshiba's Social Infrastructure Systems Company, also remarked: "Our
alliance with Ikegami, an industry leader in professional cameras,
reinforces our efforts to strengthen Toshiba's position in the global
broadcasting industry. We look forward to providing broadcasters and
production companies with high value solutions."
Product Concept
The collaboration between Ikegami and Toshiba blends each
company's expertise to bring new levels of workflow innovation to all
stages of video production. The total system comprises the "GFCAM"(1)
Hybrid Tapeless Camera; "GFSTATION"(2), an entirely new central video
management and recording system based on flash memory; and "GFSTATION
PORTABLE,"(3) a portable version of GFSTATION. All image and sound
data are recorded to "GFPAK"(4), a removable medium that can be used
with all system components. The network connectivity of all system
elements creates a highly efficient, highly productive tapeless
environment.
Note 1: GFCAM, the newest member of the Editcam family, combines
Ikegami's unsurpassed image quality and flash memory technologies.
GFCAM is a development code name.
Notes 2, 3, 4: GFSTATION, GFSTATION PORTABLE, and GFPAK are all
development code names.
1. Flash Memory Solution
(1) GFPAK
The new system's main removable storage medium, GFPAK, used with
the GFCAM, GFSTATION and GFSTATION PORTABLE, is based on semiconductor
flash memory. Flash memory offers distinct advantages over optical
disc-based and other solutions: with no moving parts, it is rugged,
highly impact- and vibration-resistant, and maintenance is easier and
much cheaper; it is also a long-life, semi-permanent medium,
supporting rewrite cycles in the order of tens of thousands, another
significant factor in reducing running costs. GFPAK also integrates
proprietary technologies and enhanced error protection that protect
data integrity, and supports high-speed random access that boosts
working efficiency.
A single GFPAK can store up to 128 minutes of HD images, affording
ample recording time when used in the field.
Depending on the application, an alternative hard disc drive based
memory pack is also available. Both the flash-based and HDD packs have
the same profile and interface and are completely interchangeable in
system components.
2. Workflow Innovation
(1) Multitasking with GFSTATION
The GFSTATION is a multi-task platform built around high capacity
internal flash memory. It is the home for video sources transferred
via a network to a non-liner editor, an import terminal for uploads
from external sources, and an IN/OUT editor supporting instant direct
editing during file transfer from a GFPAK. IN/OUT editing is also
possible during recording, via the GFSTATION's front-panel or its
universal controller.
(2) Meta Data and Proxy Data Solutions
As the GFCAM records high resolution image data, it also
simultaneously records proxy video and other meta data. Proxy video, a
low resolution MPEG 4 mirror of the high resolution image and sound,
has the same timecode as the original, and can be quickly delivered
over a network, or accessed on location, for initial viewing and to
support scripting and editing. By recording INPUT/OUTPUT points set by
a PC, replay of materials according to these points is easily done
either on GFSTATION or GF STATION PORTABLE. Other meta data recorded
during acquisition supports workflow efficiency by logging all key
facts on the shoot -- the date, location, program name and equipment
used.
3. Open Solutions
Every component of the system is built around open standards,
including such codecs and formats as MPEG2 Long GOP/I-Frame and MXF.
This approach supports broadcasters and production companies in making
a gradual transition from existing systems to a new tapeless
environment, and also facilitates interoperability with diverse
third-party equipment and systems. Ikegami and Toshiba will draw on
this open standard approach in forging partnerships with developers of
non-linear editors.
Key Specifications
The main specifications of key component equipment are detailed
below. Ikegami and Toshiba are proceeding with their joint development
of the system, targeting commercialization in April 2008. In order to
fully reflect specific requirements from the broadcasting industry,
the companies will now start to propose the system in major markets,
starting with the United States and Japan and then other markets.
Hybrid Tapeless Camera GFCAM (Suggested List Price: US$25,000)
-- 2/3 inch, 3 image sensors
-- HD 1080i/720p format support
-- MPEG2 LONG/I Frame Multi-codec
-- 4:2:2 digital component recording
-- MXF file recording
-- NTSC or PAL MPEG2 recording
-- Retro Loop function, Time-lapse function, Intelligent
Recording
-- Freeze Mix function
-- Thumbnail display
Flash memory-based recorder GFSTATION (Suggested List Price:
US$45,000)
-- 128GB(4hour/HD 50Mbps) internal memory
-- HD 1080i/720p format support
-- MPEG2 Long/I-Frame Multi-codec
-- Up-converter/Down-converter for playback
-- Color LCD monitor installed
-- Thumbnail display
-- JOG & SHUTTLE dial provided
-- MXF file transfer
-- IN/OUT editing
-- Playlist delivery
Portable Recorder, GFSTATION PORTABLE (Suggested List Price:
US$18,000)
-- Compact half-rack size
-- HD 1080i/720p format support
-- MPEG2 Long/ I-Frame Multi-codec
-- Up-converter/Down-converter for playback
-- Color LCD monitor installed
-- Thumbnail display
-- JOG & SHUTTLE dial provided
-- IN/OUT editing
Removable Media GFPAK (Suggested List Price: US$950 for 32GB
version; US$350 for 120GB HDD version)
-- 16GB/32GB/64GB NAND Flash Memory Pack
-- 120GB Hard Disk Pack
-- High-speed transfer based on the S-ATA standard
Press contacts:
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Ikegami Tsushinki Co., Ltd.
Sales & Marketing Department
tel: 81-3-5748-2216
info_e@ikegami.co.jp
Ikegami Electronics (U.S.A.), Inc.
Teri Zastrow: tel: 201-368-9171 tzastrow@ikegami.com
Brian McKernan: tel: 516-829-0404 bmckernan@marcommgroup.com
Toshiba Corporation (Japan)
Corporate Communications Office
tel: 81-3-3457-2105
http://www.toshiba.co.jp/contact/media.htm
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