AMS Neve StarNet

Film & Video Post

Editorial

Music

Broadcast

StarNet

™ ™

Production Solutions for a Connected World

WORKFLOW

TM

AUDIO × CONTROL × PROJECT

StarNet is part of AMS Neve's Workflow initiative

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:

w Post Production for Film & Video w Broadcast/Live Production w 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.

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StarNet™enables you to:

w Work on any project in any studio w Choose from thousands of effects available online w Simplify project management by keeping audio, edit lists and mix automation together on a single server

w Save time in the studio with centralised off-line archiving w 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. 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

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StarNet™ - Production Solutions for a Connected World

Connectivity

A M S N E V E

100T Ethernet

Fast Ethernet Switcher x5

Workgroup Controller

Cue Pool & Raid Storage

x5

100T Ethernet

Foley x 5 SC16 x 5

Mixing x 5 SC16 x 4 SC 32 x 1

Local Storage

Local Storage

Media ToolBox

OMF 1000T Ethernet

StarNetä Workflow

Ethernet Switcher Video NLE

Workstation

100T Ethernet OMF

StarNetä 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 of StarNetä for compatibility with facilities not equipped with StarNetä.

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StarNet™ - Production Solutions for a Connected World

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:

w Access to any project in any studio. w Central Windows NT project server for audio, edits and mix automation.

w RAID storage options. w Off-line archiving and file translation. w Industry standard Ethernet connections. w Open connectivity to other networks via Windows.

w No project access restrictions:

StarNet™architecture avoids bandwidth issues and unnecessary cue duplication. Whilst other systems adopt complex bandwidth management requiring user housekeeping, StarNet™ imposes no such restrictions. Users can work on the same project in parallel. The “local project” concept removes production bottlenecks caused by project access 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.

w No unnecessary cue duplication:

StarNet’s™ unique intelligent UID management ensures that there is only ever one copy of each cue on each networked system.

w Built in intelligence:

Proprietary project and server-based storage management software communicates across the network to oversee all StarNet™ project manipulation.

w Scheduled project archiving is managed by application specific

software resident on the StarNet™ server. This allows automated archiving of any project which is new or has been changed.

w Centralised sound effects library facilities:

StarNet™ is compatible with leading sound effects library systems, allowing the libraries to be browsed, auditioned and used seamlessly.

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Projects can be downloaded from the server using a simple drag-and-drop display on the AudioFile SC

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StarNet™ - Production Solutions for a Connected World

Typical Project WorkFlow™ 1. Import rough audio edit from picture editor

w The OMF or AAF file from the picture editor is translated by the Media ToolBox.

w The project is stored on the central Workgroup Controller server and is available to all studios.

or:

w The OMF or AAF file is imported directly via the Media ToolBox Fast Ethernet into the AudioFile SC which is connected to StarNet™.

2. Tracklay session in Edit 1

w Download the project to a studio and finesse the edits on an AudioFile

Compatibility between AMS Neve digital consoles enables, for example, a mix originally created on a Libra Post console to be remixed on a DFC.

w Completed mix can be exported as an OMF file over the network if required.

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.

SC.

Audio Post Production

w Add sound effects from a massive online database.

2. Edit 1 3. Mix 1

w Upload the updated project to the Workgroup Controller - intelligent

AudioFile SC

transfer minimises the update time by only transferring audio that is not currently on the server.

3. Final mix session in Mix 1

Libra Post

Picture Editing

AudioFile SC AMS Neve Workgroup Controller

w Fully automated mixing on a Libra Post, DFC or Logic console.

Project Storage

w At the end of the session, the whole project can be uploaded to the

Sound Effects Library

Shared Cue Pool RAID Storage (customer supplied)

Workgroup Controller, including audio, edits and automation.

4. Mix 2

Picture Edit

4. Remix in another studio Mix 1 is now busy with another project, so:

w Download the project to Mix 2 for making final changes to the mix or for creating international/DVD versions.

1.

Picture Editor Network

OMF audio from picture editor network Interface via Windows NT Other audio import and export

DFC

AMS Neve Media ToolBox

Removable Media

AudioFile SC

Schematic view of Project WorkFlow

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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 features a performance accelerator that boosts operational speed up to 50 times faster than previous generation editors.

Key features of AudioFile SC include:

w Up to 32 tracks w High speed operation w Proven AudioFile edit controller w Additional high resolution project display w Fast Ethernet connectivity w DSP processes The system includes the new AMS Neve Studio Controller, a graphics and project management system with direct connectivity to the StarNet™ network. AudioFile SC may optionally be combined with AMS Neve's digital consoles to provide totally integrated post production systems. SC upgrade packages are available to facilities already equipped with AudioFile editors.

The latest AudioFile SC software features the ability to import ProTools session files into the AudioFile SC. This software allows the user to browse to a folder and import a ProTools 5.0 session file. ProTools can be rendered during import or converted to AudioFile real time fades. After the import the user is presented with an AudioFile events list which can be played and edited as desired.

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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

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.

StarNet™ Server Specification w Dedicated Server dual processor capable Motherboard

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.

w 256MB PC133 ECC SDRAM (expandable up to 4GB)

The StarNet™ Server itself is a high specification server with built in redundancy.

w 2 * 66Mhz, 64 bit PCI slots included

w Dual Peer PCI for Improved data throughput w Accidental Power Off Prevention Capable w System Fault Paging Services Capable w Audio Visual Power Failure Indication w Dual hot swap power supplies w Built-in "burn proof" DVD re-writer w SCSI160 LVD capable w Built-in Ethernet port with extensive diagnostics

MON

NET

SCSI/ RAID

S1

S2

S3

S4

O 1

AMS NEVE WORKGROUP CONTROLLER

O

WORKGROUP CONTROLLER

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StarNet™ - Production Solutions for a Connected World

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.

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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

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.

A: Yes. The Media ToolBox is part of the StarNet™ network. StarNet™ projects can

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