Category Archives: Acquisition

Capture – with lens or microphone, perhaps moving electrons around with a stylus, or perhaps conversion from an analogue form. Regardless, the beginning is acquisition.

Deluxe Revolutionizes Distribution of Content to Theaters

You never know what a revolution is when it is mentioned by a marketing group. But if Deluxe has figured out how to keep the trust of the studios while poking things through the web, perhaps this really is.

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(Los Angeles, CA–June 22, 2020) Deluxe Entertainment Services Inc. (Deluxe), the leading content creation to distribution company, today announced the launch of One VZN (pronounced “vision”), a new cloud-based IP delivery solution distributing major studio and independent content to movie theaters and exhibitors worldwide quickly and securely. 

Developed in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), One VZN is an enhancement to the Deluxe One platform, the company’s flagship cloud-based solution that unifies the media supply chain. One VZN leverages Deluxe’s 100+ years of experience providing high-quality, reliable theatrical services to the media and entertainment industry and represents a continued investment in theatrical content delivery and support for the resurgence of theatrical viewing by consumers.

“As our industry faces one of the most impactful hardships in modern history, we know one thing – global cinematic experiences will return. One VZN is poised to be one of the most important innovations in digital cinema distribution in the past decade, fundamentally changing not only the economics of film distribution for exhibitors and studios around the globe, but also enabling new theatrical experiences for viewers as well,” said Andy Shenkler, Chief Product & Technology Officer of Deluxe. “We are invested in the future of cinema and are thrilled to expand our relationship with AWS to bring this innovative solution to market using AWS Snowcone. Bundling connectivity, management, and unlimited capacity, we’re looking forward to reshaping theatrical distribution and getting everyone back to the movies.”

One VZN uses the newly announced AWS Snowcone, a small, ultra-portable, and rugged edge computing and data transfer device, to provide secure, easy-to-manage storage of content in theater locations. One VZN distributes content from Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) using high speed online transfers to AWS Snowcone devices in theater locations using AWS DataSync, to AWS Snowcone devices in theater locations. The combination of the Deluxe One platform and AWS Snowcone can overcome on-site storage constraints by sending smaller, customized content packages and providing an incredibly small infrastructure footprint in theaters, while also improving security with military-grade encryption.

“We are pleased to support Deluxe’s innovative services that are reshaping the landscape for theatrical content distribution worldwide,” said Bill Vass, Vice President of Technology, AWS. “Together, AWS and Deluxe continue to spearhead cloud innovation for the media and entertainment industry. Deluxe One and One VZN are great examples of digital transformation built on AWS that deliver tangible benefits to a whole industry and will improve customers’ experience in theaters when it’s safe to return.”

“The return of theatrical experiences is something we all are looking forward to and we are excited that our partners in the industry see the future as bright as we do. The investment in this solution represents Deluxe’s support for the future of our business and the resiliency of the theatrical market. We look forward to what Deluxe and AWS are bringing to the market and are excited about all of the possibilities,” said John Fithian, CEO of the National Association of Theater Owners.

As a part of the One VZN subscription, Exhibitors will also receive managed high-speed network connectivity at no additional cost. In mere hours, content is now made available to movie theater owners and exhibitors. This reduced delivery time will have a significant impact across the end-to-end media supply chain, providing content creators and owners with additional time to finalize the production process in advance of a global distribution. Exhibitors will now be able to eliminate their reliance on the physical delivery of hard drives, providing them with the ability to add late bookings of content or dynamically extend content without constraints of server storage or the threat of new incoming titles. The solution will also provide the ability for key management integration with files at the edge as well as tighter integration between Theater Management Systems and cloud-based content repositories, driving further support for alternative content and live event experiences in theaters.

One VZN will be piloted in select sites across North America as theaters slowly begin to reopen, including Premiere Cinemas, Emagine Entertainment, Classic Cinemas, ArcLight Cinemas, amongst additional major theater locations. Following the North America implementation, One VZN will continue to be rolled out globally.

To learn more about One VZN, click here.

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About Deluxe Entertainment Services Inc.
Deluxe Entertainment Services (Deluxe) is the world’s leading video creation to distribution company offering global, end-to-end services and technology. Through unmatched scale, technology and capabilities, Deluxe enables the worldwide market for premium content. The world’s leading content creators, broadcasters, OTTs and distributors rely on Deluxe’s experience and expertise. With headquarters in Los Angeles and New York and operations in 38 key media markets worldwide, the company relies on the talents of the industry’s premier artists, experts, engineers, and innovators.

8K Association Certified Program

It was only a few years ago that the idea of anyone needing or wanting – much less having available – 8K screens was beyond ridiculous. But here we are, a new decade and a new CES coming and a headline about 8K Association Certified Program Now Available for High Performance 8K TVs – and a new 3 Letter Acronym: 8KA.

The 8K Association represents 22 companies with skin in the game. Which will be the first to get an 8K unit into the carts of CostCo buyers? We know that they will be available in Japan for the Olympics, because LG just said so, and NHK has been at it for a long time 

8K is now being broadcast in Japan – Newsshooter

Olympic broadcasters are really pushing 8K TV for 2020 in Tokyo

LG Begins 8K OLED TV Pitch In Japan Prior To Olympics | HD Guru

 Here is the big pitch from the 8K Association:

Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 30, 2019 – The 8K Association (8KA), the leading cross-industry group promoting growth and harmonization throughout the 8K ecosystem, is pleased to announce that an 8K Association Certified program for 8K TVs is now available for 8K TVs that meet the exacting requirements outlined by the 8K Association.  8K Association Certified TVs feature 4 times as many pixels as standard 4K TVs for impactfully realistic clarity and deliver exceptional contrast and color for striking high dynamic range performance.  Member companies of the 8K Association will be able to promote 8K TVs under the 8K Association Certified banner after each TV model’s performance criteria is validated by an independent Certification Program Manager.  Under this certification program for 8K televisions, TV brands will be able to display the 8K Association Certified logo to consumers to demonstrate the verified high-performance characteristics of each TV model.

The 8K Association expects that many top TV brands will launch 8KA-Certified TVs in 2020 and will use the 8KA Certified logo in the marketing of those TVs.

8K Association Logo
8K Certified Logo_A_color_smaller_Final
For 2020, the 8K Association plans to ramp up its education and industry cooperation activities.  With strong membership growth from companies representing all parts of the 8K ecosystem, the 8KA plans a number of initiatives in the year ahead to foster continued growth and awareness of 8K via:

  • Promotion and certification of 8K TVs with the 8K Association Certified program back by robust compliance validation
  • Expanded promotional activity for the 8K industry to create cutting edge demos showcasing the maturing nature of 8K products, production workflows, delivery options and display devices
  • New initiatives to reach consumers to promote the 8K ecosystem wherever people are engaging around high-quality video content.
  • Facilitate the adoption of higher efficiency 8K streaming technologies.

The 8K Association now counts 5 of the world’s leading panel manufacturers as members.  According to the 8K Association’s estimates, these 5 leading suppliers represent over 70% of the global TV panel manufacturing capacity in 2019.  With such strong support for 8K resolution technology among the majority of panel-makers, the momentum behind 8K display growth will continue to increase in the year ahead, ensuring that more consumers will be able to enjoy the performance benefits of an 8K TV in their home in 2020.

Looking ahead, the 8KA expects adoption of 8K in content creation, distribution and home penetration to follow a similar growth pattern as the rapidly successful adoption of 4K over the past several years, with 8K displays leading the way.  Companies evaluating the impact of 8K or actively engaged in some aspect of the 8K ecosystem are encouraged to consider joining the 8K Association and helping to create the future.

Phillip Holland, a renowned 8K cinematography pioneer, commented about the release of the new 8K Association Certified program, “As a content creator and filmmaker, it is a joy to provide entertainment with such high visual standards to viewers around the world.  8K is much more than a resolution, it’s about creating a very high-quality viewing medium to present content in the best way possible.  Now with the 8K Association Certified logo program, viewers can easily see if they are looking at a television that can accurately deliver that extremely high-quality 8K content.”

“8K is more than just a logo on a box. A true 8K TV needs to meet various picture quality criteria to deliver a superior viewing experience. The 8K association’s test criteria, which includes requirements for peak white and black levels, offers a standardized yet comprehensive means for manufacturers to self-certify the performance of their 8K offerings — to the benefit of the entire TV industry.”   Mark Henninger – Editor, AVS Forum

“With the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan the first major event to be broadcast in 8K… barriers to uptake will begin to fall away” – Matthew Rubin, Futuresource

About the 8K Association: 

The organization’s mission is to grow appreciation and awareness of 8K products which will provide an even higher level of enjoyment which is paramount to large screen entertainment. Its activities include development of performance and interface specifications, compliance logo programs, education and coordination with 8K ecosystem developers to help build the 8K market.

The 8K Association (8KA) has quickly grown its membership to now include 22 leading companies at the forefront of deploying 8K content and technology.  Its membership constitutes global leadership in consumer electronics, display manufacturing, ingredient technology providers as well as content and distribution.  With its membership focused on growth of the 8K ecosystem, the association’s activities are coordinated through five active work groups, including: Technology, Marketing, Certification, Content & Distribution, and Legal.

8K Association Certified Program

It was only a few years ago that the idea of anyone needing or wanting – much less having available – 8K screens was beyond ridiculous. But here we are, a new decade and a new CES coming and a headline about 8K Association Certified Program Now Available for High Performance 8K TVs – and a new 3 Letter Acronym: 8KA.

The 8K Association represents 22 companies with skin in the game. Which will be the first to get an 8K unit into the carts of CostCo buyers? We know that they will be available in Japan for the Olympics, because LG just said so, and NHK has been at it for a long time 

8K is now being broadcast in Japan – Newsshooter

Olympic broadcasters are really pushing 8K TV for 2020 in Tokyo

LG Begins 8K OLED TV Pitch In Japan Prior To Olympics | HD Guru

 Here is the big pitch from the 8K Association:

Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 30, 2019 – The 8K Association (8KA), the leading cross-industry group promoting growth and harmonization throughout the 8K ecosystem, is pleased to announce that an 8K Association Certified program for 8K TVs is now available for 8K TVs that meet the exacting requirements outlined by the 8K Association.  8K Association Certified TVs feature 4 times as many pixels as standard 4K TVs for impactfully realistic clarity and deliver exceptional contrast and color for striking high dynamic range performance.  Member companies of the 8K Association will be able to promote 8K TVs under the 8K Association Certified banner after each TV model’s performance criteria is validated by an independent Certification Program Manager.  Under this certification program for 8K televisions, TV brands will be able to display the 8K Association Certified logo to consumers to demonstrate the verified high-performance characteristics of each TV model.

The 8K Association expects that many top TV brands will launch 8KA-Certified TVs in 2020 and will use the 8KA Certified logo in the marketing of those TVs.

8K Association Logo
8K Certified Logo_A_color_smaller_Final
For 2020, the 8K Association plans to ramp up its education and industry cooperation activities.  With strong membership growth from companies representing all parts of the 8K ecosystem, the 8KA plans a number of initiatives in the year ahead to foster continued growth and awareness of 8K via:

  • Promotion and certification of 8K TVs with the 8K Association Certified program back by robust compliance validation
  • Expanded promotional activity for the 8K industry to create cutting edge demos showcasing the maturing nature of 8K products, production workflows, delivery options and display devices
  • New initiatives to reach consumers to promote the 8K ecosystem wherever people are engaging around high-quality video content.
  • Facilitate the adoption of higher efficiency 8K streaming technologies.

The 8K Association now counts 5 of the world’s leading panel manufacturers as members.  According to the 8K Association’s estimates, these 5 leading suppliers represent over 70% of the global TV panel manufacturing capacity in 2019.  With such strong support for 8K resolution technology among the majority of panel-makers, the momentum behind 8K display growth will continue to increase in the year ahead, ensuring that more consumers will be able to enjoy the performance benefits of an 8K TV in their home in 2020.

Looking ahead, the 8KA expects adoption of 8K in content creation, distribution and home penetration to follow a similar growth pattern as the rapidly successful adoption of 4K over the past several years, with 8K displays leading the way.  Companies evaluating the impact of 8K or actively engaged in some aspect of the 8K ecosystem are encouraged to consider joining the 8K Association and helping to create the future.

Phillip Holland, a renowned 8K cinematography pioneer, commented about the release of the new 8K Association Certified program, “As a content creator and filmmaker, it is a joy to provide entertainment with such high visual standards to viewers around the world.  8K is much more than a resolution, it’s about creating a very high-quality viewing medium to present content in the best way possible.  Now with the 8K Association Certified logo program, viewers can easily see if they are looking at a television that can accurately deliver that extremely high-quality 8K content.”

“8K is more than just a logo on a box. A true 8K TV needs to meet various picture quality criteria to deliver a superior viewing experience. The 8K association’s test criteria, which includes requirements for peak white and black levels, offers a standardized yet comprehensive means for manufacturers to self-certify the performance of their 8K offerings — to the benefit of the entire TV industry.”   Mark Henninger – Editor, AVS Forum

“With the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan the first major event to be broadcast in 8K… barriers to uptake will begin to fall away” – Matthew Rubin, Futuresource

About the 8K Association: 

The organization’s mission is to grow appreciation and awareness of 8K products which will provide an even higher level of enjoyment which is paramount to large screen entertainment. Its activities include development of performance and interface specifications, compliance logo programs, education and coordination with 8K ecosystem developers to help build the 8K market.

The 8K Association (8KA) has quickly grown its membership to now include 22 leading companies at the forefront of deploying 8K content and technology.  Its membership constitutes global leadership in consumer electronics, display manufacturing, ingredient technology providers as well as content and distribution.  With its membership focused on growth of the 8K ecosystem, the association’s activities are coordinated through five active work groups, including: Technology, Marketing, Certification, Content & Distribution, and Legal.

8K Association Certified Program

It was only a few years ago that the idea of anyone needing or wanting – much less having available – 8K screens was beyond ridiculous. But here we are, a new decade and a new CES coming and a headline about 8K Association Certified Program Now Available for High Performance 8K TVs – and a new 3 Letter Acronym: 8KA.

The 8K Association represents 22 companies with skin in the game. Which will be the first to get an 8K unit into the carts of CostCo buyers? We know that they will be available in Japan for the Olympics, because LG just said so, and NHK has been at it for a long time 

8K is now being broadcast in Japan – Newsshooter

Olympic broadcasters are really pushing 8K TV for 2020 in Tokyo

LG Begins 8K OLED TV Pitch In Japan Prior To Olympics | HD Guru

 Here is the big pitch from the 8K Association:

Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 30, 2019 – The 8K Association (8KA), the leading cross-industry group promoting growth and harmonization throughout the 8K ecosystem, is pleased to announce that an 8K Association Certified program for 8K TVs is now available for 8K TVs that meet the exacting requirements outlined by the 8K Association.  8K Association Certified TVs feature 4 times as many pixels as standard 4K TVs for impactfully realistic clarity and deliver exceptional contrast and color for striking high dynamic range performance.  Member companies of the 8K Association will be able to promote 8K TVs under the 8K Association Certified banner after each TV model’s performance criteria is validated by an independent Certification Program Manager.  Under this certification program for 8K televisions, TV brands will be able to display the 8K Association Certified logo to consumers to demonstrate the verified high-performance characteristics of each TV model.

The 8K Association expects that many top TV brands will launch 8KA-Certified TVs in 2020 and will use the 8KA Certified logo in the marketing of those TVs.

8K Association Logo
8K Certified Logo_A_color_smaller_Final
For 2020, the 8K Association plans to ramp up its education and industry cooperation activities.  With strong membership growth from companies representing all parts of the 8K ecosystem, the 8KA plans a number of initiatives in the year ahead to foster continued growth and awareness of 8K via:

  • Promotion and certification of 8K TVs with the 8K Association Certified program back by robust compliance validation
  • Expanded promotional activity for the 8K industry to create cutting edge demos showcasing the maturing nature of 8K products, production workflows, delivery options and display devices
  • New initiatives to reach consumers to promote the 8K ecosystem wherever people are engaging around high-quality video content.
  • Facilitate the adoption of higher efficiency 8K streaming technologies.

The 8K Association now counts 5 of the world’s leading panel manufacturers as members.  According to the 8K Association’s estimates, these 5 leading suppliers represent over 70% of the global TV panel manufacturing capacity in 2019.  With such strong support for 8K resolution technology among the majority of panel-makers, the momentum behind 8K display growth will continue to increase in the year ahead, ensuring that more consumers will be able to enjoy the performance benefits of an 8K TV in their home in 2020.

Looking ahead, the 8KA expects adoption of 8K in content creation, distribution and home penetration to follow a similar growth pattern as the rapidly successful adoption of 4K over the past several years, with 8K displays leading the way.  Companies evaluating the impact of 8K or actively engaged in some aspect of the 8K ecosystem are encouraged to consider joining the 8K Association and helping to create the future.

Phillip Holland, a renowned 8K cinematography pioneer, commented about the release of the new 8K Association Certified program, “As a content creator and filmmaker, it is a joy to provide entertainment with such high visual standards to viewers around the world.  8K is much more than a resolution, it’s about creating a very high-quality viewing medium to present content in the best way possible.  Now with the 8K Association Certified logo program, viewers can easily see if they are looking at a television that can accurately deliver that extremely high-quality 8K content.”

“8K is more than just a logo on a box. A true 8K TV needs to meet various picture quality criteria to deliver a superior viewing experience. The 8K association’s test criteria, which includes requirements for peak white and black levels, offers a standardized yet comprehensive means for manufacturers to self-certify the performance of their 8K offerings — to the benefit of the entire TV industry.”   Mark Henninger – Editor, AVS Forum

“With the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan the first major event to be broadcast in 8K… barriers to uptake will begin to fall away” – Matthew Rubin, Futuresource

About the 8K Association: 

The organization’s mission is to grow appreciation and awareness of 8K products which will provide an even higher level of enjoyment which is paramount to large screen entertainment. Its activities include development of performance and interface specifications, compliance logo programs, education and coordination with 8K ecosystem developers to help build the 8K market.

The 8K Association (8KA) has quickly grown its membership to now include 22 leading companies at the forefront of deploying 8K content and technology.  Its membership constitutes global leadership in consumer electronics, display manufacturing, ingredient technology providers as well as content and distribution.  With its membership focused on growth of the 8K ecosystem, the association’s activities are coordinated through five active work groups, including: Technology, Marketing, Certification, Content & Distribution, and Legal.

You believe that Snellen eyechart or your lying eyes?

Chris Chinnock of Insight Media has tied together a group of interesting data to counter the meme that the visual acuity of the Human Visual System is incapable of discerning differences in 4K or 8K unless one is close enough to get nose oil on the screen.

Finally those who see movement flaws and dithering in 4K materials from distances supposedly impossible can stop doubting themselves, armed with science. Effects such as Film layers put over video that are composed of various forms of dithering dirt that show up on LED screens can be explained. …– even though that addition is perhaps worthy for the 2K or 4K projection to remove the video look.

See: 8K TVs Top TV Line-ups for a Reason

For those not familiar with Chris and Insight Media, he has been assembling various focused multi-day seminars which go beyond what is typically delved into during HPA (they go into topics of the future but are not as focused on any one topic) or the NAB/IBC/ISE/CES circuits (which dance around immediately interesting topics generated from the new developments that manufacturers are showing). Nothing wrong with those, but the Insight Media sessions hit their topics from experts in with newly developed information from several tangents.      

For example, the October 2018 Display Summit held at the Harman International facility in Northridge gathered 30 experts on light field and LED technology. (It took 5 of them before I understood that there will never be a Star Wars hologram kit in my cereal box, ever. And although I have been in Barco facilities that had walls full of LED displays under test – headed to concerts, stores and exhibition displays, I was still surprised to hear a Barco/Cinionics speaker discussing LED walls for cinema.)

And here is a link for a little music to listen to while reading Chris’ piece: El Panquelero – Silvia Perez Cruz & Javier Colina Trio

You believe that Snellen eyechart or your lying eyes?

Chris Chinnock of Insight Media has tied together a group of interesting data to counter the meme that the visual acuity of the Human Visual System is incapable of discerning differences in 4K or 8K unless one is close enough to get nose oil on the screen.

Finally those who see movement flaws and dithering in 4K materials from distances supposedly impossible can stop doubting themselves, armed with science. Effects such as Film layers put over video that are composed of various forms of dithering dirt that show up on LED screens can be explained. …– even though that addition is perhaps worthy for the 2K or 4K projection to remove the video look.

See: 8K TVs Top TV Line-ups for a Reason

For those not familiar with Chris and Insight Media, he has been assembling various focused multi-day seminars which go beyond what is typically delved into during HPA (they go into topics of the future but are not as focused on any one topic) or the NAB/IBC/ISE/CES circuits (which dance around immediately interesting topics generated from the new developments that manufacturers are showing). Nothing wrong with those, but the Insight Media sessions hit their topics from experts in with newly developed information from several tangents.      

For example, the October 2018 Display Summit held at the Harman International facility in Northridge gathered 30 experts on light field and LED technology. (It took 5 of them before I understood that there will never be a Star Wars hologram kit in my cereal box, ever. And although I have been in Barco facilities that had walls full of LED displays under test – headed to concerts, stores and exhibition displays, I was still surprised to hear a Barco/Cinionics speaker discussing LED walls for cinema.)

And here is a link for a little music to listen to while reading Chris’ piece: El Panquelero – Silvia Perez Cruz & Javier Colina Trio

Update – Ludé on Light Field Displays

There are a few things to notice as Mr. Ludé gets past the basics and into the meat of the matter. For example, at just before minute 24 he starts talking about how – in the future – these huge amounts of data representations for light might be handled. First is reference to the order of magnitude for storage and manipulation, and second is the evolution of the devices that what we now call game engines to handle this information.

What he would have said if he had the time and were disposed to more exposition and basics is how much data manipulation is currently done in a typical animated or CGI scene that vectors leaves moving and creeks getting exposed to the light that the leaves just allowed to touch the water or reflect off some stone near the water. Current 2D 2K technology doesn’t really allow all that is required to do a great job, so algorithms are used to constrain the scene to some practical/compromised number of layers that the director is willing to let go by.

4K is still around the bend for all but the biggest budgets, but, given what was possible 10 years ago for that technology and the push to make animations for the coming 8K Tokyo Olympics, one can imagine that there will be constant money to keep increasing capabilities. 

Another thing to notice is how people who are close to the bleeding edge of video technology had interesting basic questions – even errors in fact – that Mr. Ludé was able to not only answer but give example about. 

Light Wave Technology. Not coming to homes or theaters soon, and not holograms – which is an entire discussion in itself – but certainly in the future.

Update: Orders of magnitude…

Pete stated about 15 minutes in that the size of the LEDs probably wouldn’t be getting smaller than the 1 micron size of the smallest bacteria since we are getting down to the size of the wavelength of light. Although we have learned that there is no limit to the way that technology can always go past “won’t/can’t get any faster/smaller/more powerful”, we must leave that for the future to decide. One or two breakthroughs in quantum computers and/or making microwaves manipulate light and we are off to who-knows-land.

But, how small is micro____? And how does that relate to a micron? Since we were kids, the name of these smaller than small terms have been tossed in the air and re-arranged by the ISO. The greek letter ‘mu’ is the chosen one – and ‘μ’ is the symbol and in usage it is micrometere (if you follow the ISO) or micrometer in English speaking countries. But ‘micrometer’ is also used in English as the name of a measuring tool, so, be aware. By the way, mu is also seen in italic, like this: ‘μ‘, but technically that is the old and no-longer-used symbol. …oh, and in Greek the word μικρός (mikrós), means “small”. …oh, and add 3 zeros and that is ‘nano’ size.

Here is Pete’s slide:

 

Bacteria can indeed be that small, but not usually smaller – they generally range 1 – 10 

Update – Ludé on Light Field Displays

There are a few things to notice as Mr. Ludé gets past the basics and into the meat of the matter. For example, at just before minute 24 he starts talking about how – in the future – these huge amounts of data representations for light might be handled. First is reference to the order of magnitude for storage and manipulation, and second is the evolution of the devices that what we now call game engines to handle this information.

What he would have said if he had the time and were disposed to more exposition and basics is how much data manipulation is currently done in a typical animated or CGI scene that vectors leaves moving and creeks getting exposed to the light that the leaves just allowed to touch the water or reflect off some stone near the water. Current 2D 2K technology doesn’t really allow all that is required to do a great job, so algorithms are used to constrain the scene to some practical/compromised number of layers that the director is willing to let go by.

4K is still around the bend for all but the biggest budgets, but, given what was possible 10 years ago for that technology and the push to make animations for the coming 8K Tokyo Olympics, one can imagine that there will be constant money to keep increasing capabilities. 

Another thing to notice is how people who are close to the bleeding edge of video technology had interesting basic questions – even errors in fact – that Mr. Ludé was able to not only answer but give example about. 

Light Wave Technology. Not coming to homes or theaters soon, and not holograms – which is an entire discussion in itself – but certainly in the future.

Update: Orders of magnitude…

Pete stated about 15 minutes in that the size of the LEDs probably wouldn’t be getting smaller than the 1 micron size of the smallest bacteria since we are getting down to the size of the wavelength of light. Although we have learned that there is no limit to the way that technology can always go past “won’t/can’t get any faster/smaller/more powerful”, we must leave that for the future to decide. One or two breakthroughs in quantum computers and/or making microwaves manipulate light and we are off to who-knows-land.

But, how small is micro____? And how does that relate to a micron? Since we were kids, the name of these smaller than small terms have been tossed in the air and re-arranged by the ISO. The greek letter ‘mu’ is the chosen one – and ‘μ’ is the symbol and in usage it is micrometere (if you follow the ISO) or micrometer in English speaking countries. But ‘micrometer’ is also used in English as the name of a measuring tool, so, be aware. By the way, mu is also seen in italic, like this: ‘μ‘, but technically that is the old and no-longer-used symbol. …oh, and in Greek the word μικρός (mikrós), means “small”. …oh, and add 3 zeros and that is ‘nano’ size.

Here is Pete’s slide:

 

Bacteria can indeed be that small, but not usually smaller – they generally range 1 – 10 

What Means, New SMPTE Pink Noise…and How?

SMPTE ST-2095-1 is a new standard for Pink Noise. It took a great deal of work by a great number of clever people, a lot of listening and testing and tweaking. The cool thing is that it isn’t made with a lot of transiticators, but rather, with digits. This is THE Digital Pink Noise Standard.

Pink Noise has been one of those things that has always been around, and people don’t think much about it. Flick a switch, and there it is. But it took a sophisticated circuit to do right, and it wasn’t always implemented the same…or even well. That is much less likely now because with the standard is a python script that is very easy to implement.

The equipment that you rely upon may already use it. For example, the great audio tools set named Audio Tools from Studio Six Digital, has already implemented it.

But what if you just want to make some of your own? That is the point of this post – to give a few tips on how to create a usable Pink Noise .wav file using the python script that is delivered with the SMPTE Calibration Pink Noise Standard ST-2095-1…and with luck and permission, attached as a download here.

Since the programming language ‘python’ is installed as a standard part of the Mac computer, that is what you’ll see with the drawings and instructions following. There are also some pictures of the basic use of the Audacity, the free and Open Source audio tool. Audacity is available for Windows, but the pictures are from a Mac.

Just to be clear:

1) Python and Audacity are both freely available for Windows and Linux and Mac
2) Allowing for normal directory adjustments, the commands are the same whether used on a Mac or Windows or a Linux based computer. In Windows, of course, one uses the ‘cmd’ window instead of a ‘Terminal’, and one can’t use cut and paste on the Windows system as one can with Terminal on the Mac and Ubuntu (pointing out only one of several usable versions of Linux OS.)
Windows Python Installer: <https://python.org/downloads>
Audacity downloads are at: <http://web.audacityteam.org/download/>

1) Download the SMPTE Python File

One source is the SMPTE Documents website.

2) Prepare the Computer

On your Mac computer, in Finder, click “Command-Shift U” to go to ‘Utilities’ folder.
Drag the .py file to Utilities folder; authenticate with your password when asked.
While still in Finder, click “Command-Shift O” (O as in Opal) to go to ‘Documents’ folder.
Create a new Folder (Cmd-N) and immediately type “pink_noise”, then Return to name it.
Open the ‘pink-noise’ folder with Cmd-O or double click.

3) Using Terminal to Create Some Noise

Do “Command Spacebar”, then type “Terminal”. When ‘Terminal’ appears, click “Return”
In Terminal, type “python ” including a trailing space.
From the Utilities folder, drag the ‘ST-2095-1-generator.py’ icon to the Terminal window.
Add a space
From the top of the previously opened ‘/Documents/pink_noise’ folder, drag the folder icon to the Terminal window.
Add a slash bar and a file name for the pink noise file to be generated: e.g., “/48_10_1.wav”
The line should look something like:

python /Applications/Utilities/ST-2095-1-generator.py Documents/pink_noise/48_10_1.wav

Hit “Return”, then wait until the script tells you how long the process took and the RMS value.

Go to ‘Documents/pink_noise folder’ to see the new .wav file. Click once, hit Space bar to listen.

If you are unfamiliar with the techniques detailed above, all that dragging and dropping is used to avoid figuring out –and mistyping – the paths to the documents. Terminal is kind enough to let you drag a file and it fill in the data.

4) To Modify file duration, channel numbers and bit rate

In Terminal, click up arrow which brings up the previous command.
Hit left arrow to the Capital “D” in Documents. Type “-d 20 “, or the desired length in seconds.
Note the space. Make certain there is only one space in between the ’20’ and the ‘D’.
Hit the right arrow to 2nd underscore in the .wav file name. Hit “delete” 2 times. Type “20”.
Hit “Return” to create the 20 second file.
The following command will create a .wav file that has 6, 30 second channels of 96k pink noise.

python /Applications/Utilities/ST-2095-1-generator.py -d 30 -c 6 -9 Documents/pink_noise/96_30_6.wav

The six channels in that example will play simultaneously. To create a file that will play the channels consecutively, or to change the levels or add a Fade In or Fade Out, or trim the lengths (a 10 second request will create a file longer than10 seconds), it is necessary to use an audio editing program. While many are available, the examples used below are for the well regarded, free and Open Source program, “Audacity” .

5) To install Audacity

Open a browser page to: http://sourceforge.net/projects/audacity/
Click the “Download” button
Double-click on the .dmg file, which will open an Audacity Install window
Drag the Audacity folder to the Applications folder.

6) To Open .wav File In Audacity

In the ‘pink_noise’ folder, Right-Click or Control-Click on the .wav file
Roll down to “Open with”. Select “Open with Audacity”
audacity_opn_with
Click “OK” to “Make a copy of the files before editing (safer)
audacity_copy_yes
You should see a single channel of pink noise that is a little shorter than 22 seconds.
audacity_one_channel
To Cut or Fade Out from 20 seconds, with the “I-bar” selected, click, hold and drag to the right.
audacity_choose_panel
To Cut:
Leaving the last 1.8 seconds selected, hit ‘Delete’.
To Fade:
Leaving the last 1.8 seconds selected, pull down from ‘Effects menu’ (at top) to ‘Fade Out’
Click Command-A to select the entire track

To quickly add channels of the same modified sound:
Click “Command-D” three times to create 8 channels
Click “X” in upper left corner of any track to eliminate one track.
audacity_kill_channel
Good practice, but not mandatory:
Name the channel by pulling down the box to the right of the ‘x’.
Note: The fourth channel will always be the LFE channel
channel4_lfe_always_rename

7) To Sequence one track after the other

Click Cmd-A to select all the tracks.
Pull down the menu “Tracks” to “Align Tracks” to “Align End to End”
‘Click Cmd-F’ and ‘Shift-Cmd-F’ to get the entire set of tracks in the window.
Slip/Adjust tracks as desired.

8) To Export to broadcast WAV file use as .wav or for use as DCP

Pull down ‘File’ to ‘Export Audio’. (Cmd-Shift-E)
Name file as desired, but definitely change the name or directory.
In ‘Format’ pull down to ‘Other uncompressed files’.
Click ‘Options’;Select ‘Header: WAV (Microsoft)’; Encoding: ‘Signed 24 bit PCM’; Click ‘Save’

9) To make channels Rotate…and LFE play last (See N.B. following Technique)

In Advanced Mixing Options: Click the 2nd box down on left. It will get a red outline
Click ‘Channel: 3’ on right side. A connection will appear.
Click ‘Channel: 2’ on right side. Connect it to 3rd box down on left side.
Click on connection bar between 3rd box on both sides to remove it.
Do the same to swap RtSurr and LftSurr for Channels 5 and 6 – have real fun with 8 channels.
audacity_mixing_options
Click ‘Save’. The Next panel is metadata which is not supported in .wav files; Click ‘OK’
NB: This technique only works if all channels have identical signals! If, for example, the LFE channel were increased by 10 dB before the Export, following the above Export example will create a Right Surround that is 10 dB too hot.

10) Verifying the .wave file

Go to /pink_noise folder and open new file in Audacity using the “Open As…” technique described previously. If you merely double-click on the .wav file, iTunes will likely import it and play it for you.
audacity_verify
This is what it should look like when complete. It will play out L, C, R, RtSurr, LftSurr, LFE
Now that the .wav file is open, filters can be applied or levels can be adjusted.

11) To add level to a channel

Select – carefully select – the audio portion of the track, then pull down ‘Effects’ to ‘Amplify’, then put in the number of dB to add (or -dB to subtract).
Do your best not to amplify the silence. But it is possible that you will not be able to avoid ‘grabbing’ a small portion of it.

You must export again to create a .wav file. When you “Save” in Audacity, you are creating an Audacity specific file set, not a playable .wav file.

But if you already have saved the .wav file so it plays channels in the proper order, then you don’t need to swap them on export again.

There is more potential in using the Audacity program, but this should serve the basic needs.

Please send document corrections or suggestions via the Contact Form. Thanks.

What Means, New SMPTE Pink Noise…and How?

SMPTE ST-2095-1 is a new standard for Pink Noise. It took a great deal of work by a great number of clever people, a lot of listening and testing and tweaking. The cool thing is that it isn’t made with a lot of transiticators, but rather, with digits. This is THE Digital Pink Noise Standard.

Pink Noise has been one of those things that has always been around, and people don’t think much about it. Flick a switch, and there it is. But it took a sophisticated circuit to do right, and it wasn’t always implemented the same…or even well. That is much less likely now because with the standard is a python script that is very easy to implement.

The equipment that you rely upon may already use it. For example, the great audio tools set named Audio Tools from Studio Six Digital, has already implemented it.

But what if you just want to make some of your own? That is the point of this post – to give a few tips on how to create a usable Pink Noise .wav file using the python script that is delivered with the SMPTE Calibration Pink Noise Standard ST-2095-1…and with luck and permission, attached as a download here.

Since the programming language ‘python’ is installed as a standard part of the Mac computer, that is what you’ll see with the drawings and instructions following. There are also some pictures of the basic use of the Audacity, the free and Open Source audio tool. Audacity is available for Windows, but the pictures are from a Mac.

Just to be clear:

1) Python and Audacity are both freely available for Windows and Linux and Mac
2) Allowing for normal directory adjustments, the commands are the same whether used on a Mac or Windows or a Linux based computer. In Windows, of course, one uses the ‘cmd’ window instead of a ‘Terminal’, and one can’t use cut and paste on the Windows system as one can with Terminal on the Mac and Ubuntu (pointing out only one of several usable versions of Linux OS.)
Windows Python Installer: <https://python.org/downloads>
Audacity downloads are at: <http://web.audacityteam.org/download/>

1) Download the SMPTE Python File

One source is the SMPTE Documents website.

2) Prepare the Computer

On your Mac computer, in Finder, click “Command-Shift U” to go to ‘Utilities’ folder.
Drag the .py file to Utilities folder; authenticate with your password when asked.
While still in Finder, click “Command-Shift O” (O as in Opal) to go to ‘Documents’ folder.
Create a new Folder (Cmd-N) and immediately type “pink_noise”, then Return to name it.
Open the ‘pink-noise’ folder with Cmd-O or double click.

3) Using Terminal to Create Some Noise

Do “Command Spacebar”, then type “Terminal”. When ‘Terminal’ appears, click “Return”
In Terminal, type “python ” including a trailing space.
From the Utilities folder, drag the ‘ST-2095-1-generator.py’ icon to the Terminal window.
Add a space
From the top of the previously opened ‘/Documents/pink_noise’ folder, drag the folder icon to the Terminal window.
Add a slash bar and a file name for the pink noise file to be generated: e.g., “/48_10_1.wav”
The line should look something like:

python /Applications/Utilities/ST-2095-1-generator.py Documents/pink_noise/48_10_1.wav

Hit “Return”, then wait until the script tells you how long the process took and the RMS value.

Go to ‘Documents/pink_noise folder’ to see the new .wav file. Click once, hit Space bar to listen.

If you are unfamiliar with the techniques detailed above, all that dragging and dropping is used to avoid figuring out –and mistyping – the paths to the documents. Terminal is kind enough to let you drag a file and it fill in the data.

4) To Modify file duration, channel numbers and bit rate

In Terminal, click up arrow which brings up the previous command.
Hit left arrow to the Capital “D” in Documents. Type “-d 20 “, or the desired length in seconds.
Note the space. Make certain there is only one space in between the ’20’ and the ‘D’.
Hit the right arrow to 2nd underscore in the .wav file name. Hit “delete” 2 times. Type “20”.
Hit “Return” to create the 20 second file.
The following command will create a .wav file that has 6, 30 second channels of 96k pink noise.

python /Applications/Utilities/ST-2095-1-generator.py -d 30 -c 6 -9 Documents/pink_noise/96_30_6.wav

The six channels in that example will play simultaneously. To create a file that will play the channels consecutively, or to change the levels or add a Fade In or Fade Out, or trim the lengths (a 10 second request will create a file longer than10 seconds), it is necessary to use an audio editing program. While many are available, the examples used below are for the well regarded, free and Open Source program, “Audacity” .

5) To install Audacity

Open a browser page to: http://sourceforge.net/projects/audacity/
Click the “Download” button
Double-click on the .dmg file, which will open an Audacity Install window
Drag the Audacity folder to the Applications folder.

6) To Open .wav File In Audacity

In the ‘pink_noise’ folder, Right-Click or Control-Click on the .wav file
Roll down to “Open with”. Select “Open with Audacity”
audacity_opn_with
Click “OK” to “Make a copy of the files before editing (safer)
audacity_copy_yes
You should see a single channel of pink noise that is a little shorter than 22 seconds.
audacity_one_channel
To Cut or Fade Out from 20 seconds, with the “I-bar” selected, click, hold and drag to the right.
audacity_choose_panel
To Cut:
Leaving the last 1.8 seconds selected, hit ‘Delete’.
To Fade:
Leaving the last 1.8 seconds selected, pull down from ‘Effects menu’ (at top) to ‘Fade Out’
Click Command-A to select the entire track

To quickly add channels of the same modified sound:
Click “Command-D” three times to create 8 channels
Click “X” in upper left corner of any track to eliminate one track.
audacity_kill_channel
Good practice, but not mandatory:
Name the channel by pulling down the box to the right of the ‘x’.
Note: The fourth channel will always be the LFE channel
channel4_lfe_always_rename

7) To Sequence one track after the other

Click Cmd-A to select all the tracks.
Pull down the menu “Tracks” to “Align Tracks” to “Align End to End”
‘Click Cmd-F’ and ‘Shift-Cmd-F’ to get the entire set of tracks in the window.
Slip/Adjust tracks as desired.

8) To Export to broadcast WAV file use as .wav or for use as DCP

Pull down ‘File’ to ‘Export Audio’. (Cmd-Shift-E)
Name file as desired, but definitely change the name or directory.
In ‘Format’ pull down to ‘Other uncompressed files’.
Click ‘Options’;Select ‘Header: WAV (Microsoft)’; Encoding: ‘Signed 24 bit PCM’; Click ‘Save’

9) To make channels Rotate…and LFE play last (See N.B. following Technique)

In Advanced Mixing Options: Click the 2nd box down on left. It will get a red outline
Click ‘Channel: 3’ on right side. A connection will appear.
Click ‘Channel: 2’ on right side. Connect it to 3rd box down on left side.
Click on connection bar between 3rd box on both sides to remove it.
Do the same to swap RtSurr and LftSurr for Channels 5 and 6 – have real fun with 8 channels.
audacity_mixing_options
Click ‘Save’. The Next panel is metadata which is not supported in .wav files; Click ‘OK’
NB: This technique only works if all channels have identical signals! If, for example, the LFE channel were increased by 10 dB before the Export, following the above Export example will create a Right Surround that is 10 dB too hot.

10) Verifying the .wave file

Go to /pink_noise folder and open new file in Audacity using the “Open As…” technique described previously. If you merely double-click on the .wav file, iTunes will likely import it and play it for you.
audacity_verify
This is what it should look like when complete. It will play out L, C, R, RtSurr, LftSurr, LFE
Now that the .wav file is open, filters can be applied or levels can be adjusted.

11) To add level to a channel

Select – carefully select – the audio portion of the track, then pull down ‘Effects’ to ‘Amplify’, then put in the number of dB to add (or -dB to subtract).
Do your best not to amplify the silence. But it is possible that you will not be able to avoid ‘grabbing’ a small portion of it.

You must export again to create a .wav file. When you “Save” in Audacity, you are creating an Audacity specific file set, not a playable .wav file.

But if you already have saved the .wav file so it plays channels in the proper order, then you don’t need to swap them on export again.

There is more potential in using the Audacity program, but this should serve the basic needs.

Please send document corrections or suggestions via the Contact Form. Thanks.

If U B M&E – Free 100TB | Caringo

caring_logo

PRESS RELEASE                         
 
Caringo Offers No-Cost 100 TBs of S3 Accessible, Secure Scale-Out Storage to M&E Firms
 
Company removes security and cost barriers to entry for M&E firms wanting the benefits 
of object storage with no upfront cost
 
Austin, TX, August 29, 2017 –Caringo, a scale-out cloud & object storage platform company, today announced that it is offering at no-cost a full-featured 100 TB Swarm licenses to qualified Media & Entertainment (M&E) firms that are struggling to store, manage and protect their ever-growing library of digital assets while keeping them securely accessible. Qualified firms include but are not limited to recording studios, content creation and post-production houses, broadcasters, and studios.


“IT execs in the M&E space are under extreme pressure to provide long-term accessible storage and instant search and delivery to customers and viewers,” said Adrian Herrera, Vice President of Marketing at Caringo. “The cloud isn’t a viable option for many because of security and cost concerns. The solution to this is using the same technology that powers major clouds—object storage, secure in their data center. With our announcement today, we are making it easy for qualified firms to get started by offering 100 terabytes of storage for free.”

The complimentary 100 TB license and integration consultation is immediately available to qualified M&E firms. Interested parties can visit https://www.caringo.com/MandE/ for more information. 

Field-hardened, vetted and tested for over a decade to the highest standards of data integrity and reliability, Caringo Swarm serves as the foundation for securely accessible digital asset libraries and storage services for a wide range of government, telecommunications, education, corporate and entertainment organizations including the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, BT, iQ Media, Johns Hopkins University, British Telecom, NEP and hundreds more worldwide. Swarm installs on any mix of standard storage hardware, transforming it into a limitless and seamless pool of storage resources with asset protection, lifecycle management, search and security built in. 

The result is a solution that easily integrates into media production and post, distribution and archive workflows, delivering up to a 75% reduction in storage TCO through unique hardware, operational and workflow efficiencies including:

  • Industry-leading hardware and server utilization for your content. Use up to 95% of hard drive space and 100% of drive bays for digital assets. 
  • The ability to automatically add performance or capacity in 90 seconds and continuously upgrade hardware without downtime or disruption to asset accessibility.
  • Automated policy-based protection to optimize for rapid access or data center footprint delivering enterprise-grade durability while defending against ransomware attacks.
  • Cross-platform collaboration and access enabled by Write/Read/Edit via HTTP, S3 or NFS interchangeably. 
  • Rapid asset retrieval and instant delivery via integrated search with the ability to add custom metadata.


Caringo Swarm is the ideal solution for M&E firms looking to balance the industry expectations that storage should be free and assets should be immediately accessible from any device.  

Follow Caringo
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/caringo-inc-
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaringoStorage


 
– # # # –
 
About Caringo
Founded in 2005, Caringo is committed to helping customers unlock the value of their data and solve issues associated with data protection, management, organization and search at massive scale. Caringo’s flagship product, Swarm, eliminates the need to migrate data into disparate solutions for long-term preservation, delivery and analysis—radically reducing total cost of ownership. Today, Caringo Swarm Cloud and Object Storage Platform is the foundation for simple, bulletproof, limitless storage solutions for iQ Media, Texas Tech University Systems, NEP, the Department of Defense, the Brazilian Federal Court System, City of Austin, Telefónica, British Telecom, Ask.com, Johns Hopkins University and hundreds more worldwide. Visit http://www.caringo.com to learn more.