In the times of the internet and digital media, a good scoop can cease to be so in just seconds, when all the news on the planet gives it among their news of the day. In this context, where competition between television channels, in particular those specialized in providing news, it is essential to have tools that allow the material to be put on the air quickly detected in the shortest possible time.
Sony echoed this need and brought to market the NewsBase, a non-linear, server-based news production system (it works with most computers using the Windows NT operating system). The objective of this system is to streamline news operations, so that they have higher levels of speed and efficiency.
Basically, the solution works with a sorting station, which triggers the recording of incoming material. A few seconds after entering, it is accessible to all users. Complete notes go through an on-air station and can be sequenced automatically, based on the newscast summary. This allows editors, producers and editors to work in a coordinated and simultaneous manner with the material, in order to put it on the air quickly.
In addition, the material can be used by several people at the same time. Each of them gets it directly from the server, without interfering with the work of the others. On the other hand, as everything recorded is in a single directory, problems such as the resistance of certain producers to share material that, in reality, belongs to the channel, or the loss of tapes that obstruct the work disappear.
Sony assembled its NewsBase system with its own technologies that round out a complete solution. For example, ClipEdit software allows producers, editors and journalists to view images on their own desktops. Professionals who like to give a personal or last-minute style to the material, can make that tour quickly and efficiently, from any editing station. This app is also useful for selecting the best scenes and titled them. Of course, the same software enables higher-ranking executives to perform a check on the entire finished product before it goes on the air. This is imperative given the flexibility that the solution allows professionals to modify the material. An extension of this software also makes it easier to publish the material on the web.
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ClipEdit integrates with most text systems for news running Windows NT, making it simple to edit video on one screen and write the script on another, with the ability to exchange information between the two. It supports the MOS (Media Object Server) protocol, a growing standard that allows you to integrate storage media, graphics systems, audio servers and video servers with text newsroom systems. In addition to clipEdit, Sony provides other types of editors (such as the DNE-2000 and DNE-700) that offer functionalities such as linear simile editing and real-time effects work.
The applications that integrate the system are specifically designed. Thus, the Filing Station operates and distributes the incoming material, and the On-Air Station automatically sequences the notes that are ready to be issued.
The servers on which the solution is based are flexible, so they adapt to the needs of different organizations. The architecture consists of two basic drives: the MAV-2000 control unit and the MAV-S2000 RAID3 storage unit. The first can be connected with up to 40 of the second, offering a large storage capacity of material. Images are saved in a high-quality MPEG format.
The configuration can start with a simple server drive to which it is then possible to attach as many as necessary. All servers can be managed from a single point, making this task easier.
The solution was acquired by networks such as Texas Cable News (a news channel that broadcasts 24 hours a day in the area) or, more towards the Latin American area, TVN, the Chilean National Television.
It even seems like an irony: in its eagerness to introduce new products for the news market, Sony ended up making headlines with its NewsBase.
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