Find out what's new in Pharos Mediator 4 version 2
Reading 8th September, 2009 - Pharos, the leading content management and workflow solution provider, will be unveiling a range of new capabilities for its Mediator platform at IBC 2009. Pharos Mediator 4 version 2 makes access to content quicker and easier than ever before. Search it, view it and just do it from every desktop.
Mediator 4 version 2 enables a wider range of workflows that will increase productivity right across the business for all areas of content preparation and publishing from ingest, QC and compliance, right through to promotions, approvals and playout.
Mediator also improves the workflow right across the business when using the Pharos Playtime multi-channel playout or Pharos Pilot Studio and MCR control options.
NEW: Advanced user interface
Mediator 4 version 2 delivers an intuitive, award winning user interface with advanced search tools and browse with audio scrubbing at every desktop. Using Adobe Flash and MPEG4 Mediator provides the most productive user experience ever.
In conjunction with Mediator's proven workflows for every area of operations, the most complex tasks can now be streamlined meaning fewer button presses and providing accurate form based data entry.
NEW: Streamlined ingest and import workflows
Mediator efficiently manages ingest from tape, electronic file import and live record with easier metadata entry and retrieval. The widest range of file types and wrappers can now be handled side by side including any combination of MXF, Apple QuickTime and Avid DNxHD. Mediator's integrated processing for re-wrapping on the fly will also improve ingest throughput when working with multiple languages.
NEW: Resource sharing during ingest
Improve content throughput by over 20% by dynamically allocating encoder ports to expensive third party hardware such as Flexicarts or HD/SD VTRs thus underlining Pharos commitment to maximising utilisation of existing hardware.
NEW: Advanced metadata modelling and workflows
Pharos Mediator's advanced metadata system provides customisable metadata models for many applications. Mediator's metadata forms can be customised, for example, to allow data to be added for actor, genre, and director information. Trivia for VOD delivery can also be added and passed to the appropriate delivery platform. Metadata can pass through a workflow in the same way as the content to maintain standards and consistency.
NEW: Raw encode.
Raw footage and rushes can now be ingested by Mediator and transferred to editing platforms including Avid, Final Cut Pro and Quantel. Content without mark-up, unedited programmes and rushes are managed, transferred and archived as required. Mediator can now import metadata from third party editing systems, such as Avid Interplay, for storage and later use during editing.
NEW: Browse rough cut preview at the desktop
When using Mediator browse to select clips for compliance or promotions editing, Mediator quickly constructs a browse proxy copy to enable a rough cut preview in the browser. This allows initial shot selection and editing decisions to be made at the desktop before delivery to the editing platform.
NEW: Advanced browse audio scrubbing
Browse audio can be jogged and shuttled as if controlling a VTR, making marking up of content for compliance and promotions easier. Mediator fully supports jog/shuttle wheels providing faster and finer control of browse video.
NEW: Extend mediator browse to third party systems
Improvements to Mediator's remote browse capabilities now allow direct streaming of browse material to third-party post-production, subtitling and graphics facilities. This allows Mediator to distribute content and drive the workflow for the most complicated businesses.
NEW: A wider range of third-party QC integration to speed up content import and delivery
Support for Amberfin iCR, Interra Baton and Tektronix Cerify allows the delivery specification for material and metadata to be automatically enforced at any point in the workflow. Warning and advisory notices are passed to the QC operator to aid their decision making.
When publishing to multi-format platforms, Mediator has offered integral transcoding and re-wrapping for some time, and now it can also automatically QC material and metadata for delivery.
NEW: Pharos Event Templates simplify channel management and promotions
The creation and delivery of complex secondary events such as 'coming up next' graphics, credit squeezes and series promotions is now simplified using Pharos Event Templates. Frame-accurate markers can be added to content after QC and Compliance checking to assist graphics designers and to trigger promotions during playout when using the Pharos Playtime playout option.
Cross-channel promotions can also be managed using Event Templates to automatically update on-screen timings where schedules across multiple channels are changing.
NEW: Avid Interplay integration
Mediator 4 version 2 provides improved integration for multi-format ingest, production and post production workflow when using Avid Interplay. Mediator's new integration complements existing Avid Interplay tools by:
- Enabling multi-format HD DNxHD and SD content to be ingested and registered with Avid's AirSpeed.
- Synchronising key Avid metadata such as workspace, catalogue and tape name between the production system and Mediator asset management database and workflow.
- Metadata can be updated in either Interplay or Mediator at any stage of the workflow meaning users of both systems always have access to the latest versions of the material.
- Mediator ingest checks for confirmation that the file has been ingested correctly into Interplay. Mediator also provides the functionality to use file based QC tools such as Tektronix Cerify and Interra Baton with Interplay systems.
- Clips can also be previewed directly from the Avid Isis online store into a Mediator desktop browse player.
New: Apple Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Server Integration
Mediator can increase editing throughput and productivity when handling large volumes of complex content for compliance and promotions editing.
When previewing material for compliance and promotions editing, Mediator's desktop browse allows frame accurate shot selection at the desktop. New Mediator browse offline rough-cut assembly allows an easy preview before post production is finalised in Final Cut Pro. The marked up hi-res content is then automatically transferred to the Final Cut Pro / X SAN ready for immediate editing.
For compliance workflows comments can be added by title or territory using Mediator browse at the desktop.
Multi-language audio is managed between Mediator and Final Cut Pro. Languages are automatically tagged ensuring the correct audio language tracks are transmitted every time.
Published on 17 Aug 2009