SoftMetal Video Servers

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Product Overview

SoftMetal Video Servers offer a flexible clip and graphics play out server for use in production or master control applications.

Production Server
In production applications, SoftMetal can be systemized with and controlled by most production switchers that support the VDCP control protocol such as the Snell & Wilcox Kahuna, Sony MVS-8000 and of course our own Vision and Synergy Series Production Switchers. SoftMetal can also be controlled from 3rd party controllers such as Hi-Tech and DNF models. The Media Manager and Play Client software applications that come with SoftMetal also provide a convenient method for controlling the SoftMetal server in production systems.

In a production setting, SoftMetal provides support for completing clip and graphics workflows by accepting networked transfers of Targa stills, Targa animations, QuickTime files, as well as pre-compressed graphics and clips with available SoftMetal codecs in AVI format. SoftMetal offers the ability to link Video and Alpha channel clips and adjust and lock timing for production playback, right in the server. 

MXF workflows are also supported with SoftMetal able to record directly to MXF as well as natively play MXF wrapped files with a variety of supported codecs.   

As a multi-definition server, SoftMetal comes equipped with on-the-fly scaling on every output, converting clips from SD to HD or HD to SD (interlaced formats) automatically as they play. This feature is ideal for today’s productions, which rely on a mix of SD and HD source material.

Master Control Server
The SoftMetal Server can also be used in a Master Control environment under control of a 3rd party automation system. In this scenario, the VDCP control protocol is used to provide access to the clips in the system. Commercials, promos and programming can be played back seamlessly from SoftMetal.

SoftMetal Architecture

• SoftMetal control is based on a client/server architecture with the client side applications written in Java and able to run on a Mac, PC or Linux computer, allowing control of the SoftMetal system from the users desktop of choice.
• IT server class components are used throughout SoftMetal servers providing a robust and reliable system with features such as mirrored system drives, RAID 5 or RAID 6 protected media drives, redundant power supplies and hot swappable mid-chassis system fans.
• Software-based codecs provide SoftMetal with a flexible architecture that is adaptable to future compression schemes and formats as they emerge.

SoftMetal Video Server models include the 1000 Series and the new 3000 Series Server Class platforms each with a variety of I/O and storage configurations.