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MillimeterAscent Media Group Transforms Postproduction and Distribution
Feb 22, 2006 12:24 PM
Ascent Media Group (AMG) announced the completion of the industry's largest, most technologically advanced independent digital postproduction network and distribution facility, the 100,000 square foot Digital Media Data Center (DMDC). Based in Burbank, Calif., the facility consolidates postproduction, media management and syndication services, processes and technologies typically spread across multiple facilities under a single roof for the very first time. Linked via a secure digital production network, all major production processes can now occur concurrently.
The DMDC, the result of a $17 million investment and more than five years of planning, consolidates multiple facilities and facilitates new workflows that address the increasingly complex delivery needs of an on-demand media landscape.
"Emerging technologies such as iPods and cell phones streaming feature length content coupled with video-on-demand and digital cinema are challenging traditional business models and creating new revenue opportunities for content owners," said Ken Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ascent Media Group. "Our state-of-the-art facility supports our clients by managing the full range of file formats necessary to deliver content to consumers wherever they demand it, and represents the future of the industry by bridging workflows that adapt seamlessly to the requirements of physical and file-based content."
The highly scalable DMDC facility provides a full slate of services including editing, mastering, 4K digital intermediate, audio and video restoration, quality control, audio mixing, digital conversion, sub-titling and closed captioning, data translations, water marking, versioning for region, data asset management, distribution and the vaulting of physical and digital assets.
The DMDC also allows Ascent's talented personnel to deliver world class service by giving our customers unmatched visibility into the status of their work across multiple operational disciplines. Monitored by our proprietary Agility suite of tools, Ascent has created an environment that allows our customers to drive large scale volume while at the same time receiving a level of personal customer service normally experienced at much smaller facilities. Our tools allow Ascent personnel to monitor in real-time customers' job status and estimated delivery dates as well as anticipate potential issues that may impact timely execution. We believe these tools, layered across the scope of the DMDC business lines, gives Ascent's customers a unique environment in which to process and deliver their content.
Internal production processes are facilitated by Ascent's highly secure, high bandwidth network called ProdNet. This proprietary network creates significant efficiencies by allowing Ascent to compress what were once linear and operationally dependent processes into time saving parallel workflows. For example, a traditional feature or television mastering timeline can be cut almost in half by utilizing a file-based workflow and parallel processes (e.g. performing dirt and scratch removal while simultaneously color correcting). These advantages begin with film or digital elements all extend all the way through to DVD authoring, VOD or any other client-specified deliverable. These efficiencies are passed along to AMG customers to dramatically speed up the traditional time to market, reduce the risk of piracy and enhance more profitable revenue streams. In some cases, ProdNet-supported processes have delivered up to a 75% reduction in the time required to take projects through particular workflows.
ProdNet can process data at 1.2 terabits per second and stores up to 368 hours of uncompressed high definition content at any given time. This represents over ten times the throughput, capacity of AMG Media Services prior to the implementation of the network. ProdNet is designed to scale to over a petabyte in the coming years as the DMDC grows to accommodate clients' exploding bandwidth requirements for digital remastering and restoration, particularly at 4K resolutions and above.
ProdNet includes the most advanced physical and file based security measures and sets new standards for the postproduction service industry. It features multiple discreet security zones restricting access only to specific employees designated to interact inside the network. These zones are further protected by the installation of video cameras networked to long-term video storage and backup. Additionally, digital fingerprinting enables authorized personnel to monitor and log every event that requires access to a digital element.
"Building a facility around all digital workflows demanded a serious evaluation of security for both the digital and physical assets vaulted on site," stated Gavin Schutz, Executive Vice president and Chief Technology Officer, Ascent Media Group. "With the entertainment industry losing nearly $3.5 billion dollars a year to piracy, it was critical that we implement security measures that meet the requirements of our studio clients and initiatives led by key industry organizations such as the MPAA, GSAM and SMPTE.
To extend the workflow beyond the DMDC, content developed in the facility can be delivered via physical distribution or accessed/delivered via Atlas, AMG's file-based content management and delivery system powered by HP's Digital Media Platform. Ascent Media Network Services' Global Interconnect (GI) provides a secure, dedicated, fiber-based network with guaranteed quality of service and high reliability content transport between AMG's facilities in North America, Europe and Southeast Asia.
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