GV STRATUS Advanced Logger

The Advanced Logging tool has been part of GV STRATUS since the very early versions and we would like to remind all users of this great time-saving and customisable feature. 

It's designed for detailed logging of recorded / live events, and ideal for entry of very granular and customised metadata for sports, press conferences, debates.... 

Let's take a look....

For any question concerning this subject contact regis.andre@grassvalley.com or beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com

How GV STRATUS interfaces with Archive systems

An important part of the digital media production lifecycle is the ability to archive high-resolution assets in a permanent archive system. This mandates that workflow orchestration platforms are seamlessly extended with content archiving capabilities.We have just published two Application Notes describing how GV STRATUS interfaces with digital archive systems. 

We have partnered with industry leaders in Hierarchical Storage Management Systems (HSM): Front Porch Digital, with their DIVArchive system, and Software Generation Limited with their FlashNet environment. Read all about our tight API integration with these systems, so that GV STRATUS users, such as producers, reporters, editors, librarians can send assets to the digital archive, review and restore (fully or partially) archived content: 

GV STRATUS DIVArchive Archiving Workflows Application Note

and

GV STRATUS SGL FlashNet Archiving Workflows Application Note

We are currently working with other HSM providers for GV STRATUS to interface to. Watch this space for further announcements!

If, on the other hand, your installation does not include an HSM system, or you have your in-house digital archive solution, GV STRATUS can easily interface to generic archive systems via FTP. High resolution media can be easily archived and restored (full restore only) using the GV STRATUS tools, and metadata can be exported/imported in xml format. GV STRATUS will maintain the asset full metadata and low-resolution media for easy search, review and restore.

Contact us if you would like to explore any of these integrations further.

For any question concerning this subject contact regis.andre@grassvalley.com or beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com

GV STRATUS DIGITAL MEDIA PUBLISHING CAPABILITIES, part 1 - NEWS

In a series of Blog Posts, we will be discussing the different options and features provided by GV STRATUS for publishing content to different digital media platforms. 

Harnessing the power and capabilities of GV STRATUS, Grass Valley can address a number of Digital Media Workflows:

1. Newsroom Video-On-Demand publishing via preset-driven GV STRATUS watch folders
2. Automated segmentation Video-On-Demand publishing through Ignite Konnect with GV STRATUS
3. Live streaming with rights management content replacement and hyper-client-based targeted ad insertion via Ignite processing, being managed by GV STRATUS
4. 24/7 web & mobile TV as-live channels with live inserts for syndication on portals, broadcaster website, and/or mobile app and mobile TV

In this blog entry, we will briefly describe publishing from the newsroom to different outlets, which is now a requirement, rather than a “nice to have” workflow. Long-form content, user-generated content (UGC), and breaking news all play a role in driving digital media engagement to various points of distribution. This can range from television websites and apps to social media platforms and other points of syndication including Google, Yahoo, and other application service provider (ASP) portals, to network news websites and online video platform (OVP) outlets. 

In such a situation, media journalists, editors, producers, and news directors are challenged to publish quality-driven content with depth and/or significant time-based interest. An example would be pushing out breaking news at a high throughput that keeps viewers engaged, coming back often, and interacting to keep stories or events at the top of the viewers’ mind, which in turn provides feedback that drives more content based on user preferences and interests. Therefore, the objective with this workflow is to make it easy-to-use or transparent for non-technical personnel. The associated objective is to eliminate errors in the publishing process through reliable, categorized, and preset driven publication point bins or watch folders.

With GV STRATUS, this can be easily achieved using workflow bins (watch folders) for long-form content, UGC, and/or breaking news by category that include publication point profiles and actions based on preset rules for automated publication. These are augmented with selectable publish immediately or wait for approval processing for the editorial approval process.

For example, we can easily create a check-box or drop-down field within the GV STRATUS application, which allows reporters, producers, editors to choose a specific publishing destination, and with one single operation request that media is transcoded to, for example, a Windows Media 9 file, and then exported to the video-on-demand shared location, where the web Content Management System or VOD platform will access the file and automatically upload to the relevant webpage. This is an example of Grass Valley's video-on-demand website at NBA 2014, where files were published from the show floor using GV STRATUS: 

For further information on our Digital Media Publishing workflows with GV STRATUS, do contact us: regis.andre@grassvalley.com or beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com 

GV STRATUS WORKFLOWS WITH NON-K2 SAN SYSTEMS

Did you know that GV STRATUS works extremely well with K2 Standalone Summits and K2 Solo servers?

To take advantage of most of the great features and workflows offered by GV STRATUS, a K2 SAN is not required. It is possible to have a highly powerful, versatile and flexible system based around smaller-scale storage such as that offered by our K2 servers.

MOBILE PRODUCTION

For example, let’s say we are covering an outdoors event with an OB truck. With a low-cost, small-scale system consisting of a single K2 Summit 3G, a GV STRATUS Express Core Server and a couple of GV STRATUS clients, you can

1. Ingest live feeds using the GV STRATUS Scheduler, then search, catalogue and edit growing files
2. Import XDCAM/P2 content straight from the camera crew with GV STRATUS RMI: preview, select and combine clips using a high resolution client before importing into the K2 Summit storage.
3. Set up workflow rules so that files delivered via file transfers, downloads or email can be automatically and seamlessly imported to K2 Summit and low-resolution content created simultaneously.
4. Using an EDIUS XS low-resolution editor, or an EDIUS Elite high-resolution client, edit-in-place on the K2 Summit and conform final edits ready for playout or send to other destinations.
5. Live playout by creating playlists and controlling K2 Summit ports, including background loops, bumpers and replays.
6. You can add a K2 Dyno to the mix, and have full access from GV STRATUS to all highlights and playlists created on-the-fly by the replay operator. 

NEWS

These solutions are not limited to mobile or live production. It is extremely suitable also for production requirements serving small user groups with reduced storage requirements and tight budgets. A small newsroom, for example, can function on a system of similar size, including an ingest K2 Summit, and a playout K2 Summit, both under GV STRATUS control. Add a Newsroom Computer System such as ENPS, Octopus or Open Media, and you have an end-to-end solution for news production indulging ingest, editing and playout, with live feedback to the producers and reporters working on their scripts and rundowns.

GV STRATUS plug-in within the Octopus NRCS

To learn more about small-scale, low-cost GV STRATUS solutions, get in touch!

For any question concerning this subject contact regis.andre@grassvalley.com or beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com

GV STRATUS field editing with EDIUS Elite

GV STRATUS, together with EDIUS Elite, now provides the ideal solution for field-based editors who need to mix local content with content remotely stored in their central facility. With an EDIUS Elite workstation in the field, you can integrate with the GV STRATUS system at your home site to combine both field and home assets on the same timeline.

For example, if I am a reporter or producer who is travelling in the field, shooting some important footage, and I want to be able to edit it together with some stock shots or a feed stored on the K2 server back at base, I can now do that with GV STRATUS, EDIUS Elite and a fairly standard internet connection. 

Once I finish shooting, I go back to my hotel, connect to the GV STRATUS system back a base (say in the newsroom or my central production house). I will then be able to search the K2 production storage using GV STRATUS comprehensive search tools. I can then bring the clips I need to my EDIUS Elite project bin and start editing it together with my locally-shot content. 

Whilst the local content is in high resolution (as I've just recorded it with my field camera), the remote media I'm bringing from GV STRATUS will be streamed in proxy. No need to copy the files to my local drive. I simply stream and edit. 

Field Editing integration with GV STRATUS provides the following:

• Add assets you have procured in the field to the timeline. These are high-resolutions assets stored on the local EDIUS Elite workstation.
• Access assets from the home GV STRATUS system as proxy media.
• Mix the home site proxy assets and the local high-resolution assets on the same project/timeline.
• Send the completed project/sequence to the home GV STRATUS system. The project/sequence is rendered and becomes a GV STRATUS asset.

You can drag assets from the GV STRATUS Asset List and drop them onto the EDIUS Elite timeline.

From the timeline that contains both high-resolution field assets and proxy home assets, you can create a project or a story. You can do this while you are in the field yet remotely connected to the GV STRATUS system at your home site. EDIUS Elite allows mixed-format editing as it converts between HD and SD resolutions, aspect ratios, and frame rates in real time during rendering by the GV STRATUS Render Engine at the home site.

Field Editing removes the distance barrier, giving field personnel an editing experience identical to the one they would enjoy in the newsroom with the same access to central newsroom content. By mixing newsroom proxy with locally shot full resolution clips the field user can create finished product with no missing scenes or “black holes”. There is no need to transfer full resolution content to the field since a smart conform server at base will automatically find the full resolution content for any shots covered by proxy in the field.

For any question concerning this subject contact regis.andre@grassvalley.com or beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com

GV STRATUS Scheduler now supports multicam recordings.

Here's a great new feature that we have added with our release of GV STRATUS 3.5.

Using the Scheduler tool you can now control K2 Summit channels in multicam mode, effectively creating 2 discrete clips with a single channel of K2 ingest (you will need the ChannelFlex option enabled on your K2 Summit).

This greatly extends the Scheduler's flexibility by providing an excellent solution to Studio recordings with multiple camera sets (with matching timecode, making it easier to do multicam editing).

You can apply all of the existing options of the Scheduler such as crash recording, recurrent scheduled bookings, templates, live streaming preview, etc.


For any question concerning this subject contact:
Bea Alonso: beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com
Régis André: regis.andre@grassvalley.com

How to edit with external audio and graphics files with Edius XS

With every new release of GV STRATUS, we add new features and functionality to Edius XS.
The ability to bring in external graphics (such as stills, maps, thumbnails, etc) and audio (pre-recorded voice over, music tracks, etc) into your low-res edit, is essential for quick and efficient collaborative workflows.

In this video, we show you the new capabilities to edit non-STRATUS audio and graphics files as part of your proxy timeline within Edius XS. This greatly increases the options for all users who want to quickly add a graphic or audio file into their edit without having to import into GV STRATUS/K2 first.

For any question concerning this subject contact:
Bea Alonso: beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com
Régis André: regis.andre@grassvalley.com

GV STRATUS 3.5 RELEASE IS OUT!!

http://www.grassvalley.com/products/gv_stratus

We are happy to announce our release of GV STRATUS 3.5 with lots of new goodies, features and powerful workflows! Click here for a summary of everything that is new....

We have already covered some of the new functionality in this blog recently, such as Import Rules for User-Generated Content, updates to our Adobe Premiere Pro integration, added improvements to our K2 Dyno integration, new features on Edius XS, etc.

Watch out for new blog entries soon covering some of the recent enhancements to GV STRATUS 3.5, one of many being our great Digital Media Publishing workflows.

We have also changed the way we provide our User and Configuration manuals, now presented on an easy-to-use and search downloadable html Topic Library,

GV STRATUS: a virtually unlimited and fully integrated set of production tools for all your live events, production, news and play out needs.

For any question concerning this subject contact:
Bea Alonso: beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com
Régis André: regis.andre@grassvalley.com

GV STRATUS WITH ADOBE PREMIERE PRO

Continuing our streamlined integration with Adobe Premiere, we have made several improvements to our GV STRATUS plug-in for Adobe Premiere Pro.


Check out this video tutorial describing the workflow and integration....

For any question concerning this subject contact
Bea Alonso: beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com
Régis André: regis.andre@grassvalley.com

GV STRATUS enhances collaborative workflows

Continuing on from the great import rule capabilities introduced with GV STRATUS 3.5, we now explore a quick, efficient and user-friendly workflow to share content remotely and automatically import user-generated content into your GV STRATUS / K2 production system.

Multiple users can be uploading content from the field to a shared folder, directly from their iPhone, or any other mobile devices. Or pushing content received by email or downloaded from the web.

In our example, we use a DropBox shared folder and show you how easy it is to let GV STRATUS take care of the back-end tasks and make media available to all users in one single step.

GV STRATUS new import rules rock! 

For any question concerning this subject contact:
Bea Alosno: beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com
Régis André: regis.andre@grassvalley.com

NEW IMPORT RULES WITH GV STRATUS 3.5

The latest release of GV STRATUS, v3.5 introduces the ability to automatically import media and metadata to your K2/STRATUS system based on workflow rules. 

Part of the GV STRATUS Workflow engine, import rules provide broad ability for importing virtually all file types including user generated content, syndicated "store and forward" file delivery systems, and still images.

The rules and scope criteria are configured in GV STRATUS Control Panel. This video tutorial explains
how: 

• Rules will act on combinations of folder locations and file extensions.
• Accompanying metatada can be mapped to GV STRATUS database and imported to custom metadata fields.

Video content can be imported in the native format, or it can be put through a transcode engine before being imported on to the K2 storage. GV STRATUS seamlessly integrates with various third party transcode solutions such as Telestream Vantage, Harmonic Promedia Carbon and Elemental.

For any questions concerning this subject contact: 
Régis André: regis.andre@grassvalley.com 
Bea Alonso: beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com 

STRATUS 3.5 and Transfers to Avid Mediacomposer

The latest STRATUS release will enable Transfers to and From Avid Mediacomposer/Newscutter, Symphony without the need of an Avid Transfer Manager. thus simplifying configuration and improving performances as well in transfer time.
Here is  a short video showing how easy it is to use.

For any question concerning this subject contact Régis André: regis.andre@grassvalley.com

GV STRATUS and Editing Closed Captions with Adobe Premiere

Increasing our tight integration with Adobe Premiere and edit-in-place with K2 and GV STRATUS, this video shows you how to edit and modify closed captioning using workflow rules and our excellent GV STRATUS plug-in inside Adobe Premiere.

For any question concerning this subject contact Régis André: regis.andre@grassvalley.com

The New Grass Valley, A Belden Brand

For any question concerning this subject contact Régis André: regis.andre@grassvalley.com

Great news for Adobe Premiere editors!

You can now easily do online editing on Grass Valley K2 storage (edit in place) without the need to copy or import files. We have also developed a GV STRATUS Plug-in that runs within Premiere allowing you to search for assets within the GV STRATUS database, browse through K2 bins and select assets to edit....

Once your edit is complete you can easily export back to GV STRATUS and K2 (or to an external destination if desired).

Check out our application note for full details.

INTERFACING GV STRATUS/K2 SYSTEMS WITH THE ADOBE PREMIERE EDITING SUITE

We have some exciting updates coming up with our latest GV STRATUS release, which will allow you to link your edit to an NRCS placeholder, providing an excellent end-to-end workflow for news editors!

Check out our blog for upcoming updates!

For any question concerning this subject contact:
Bea Alonso: beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com
Régis André: regis.andre@grassvalley.com

GV STRATUS MULTISITE FUNCTIONALITY

Grass Valley® STRATUS application framework now supports Wide Area Network (WAN)-based workflows that enable multisite media processing from GV STRATUS clients across distributed facilities
and from remote field locations. However, prior to applying multisite workflows, users need to plan and provision their GV STRATUS/K2 media server and storage system to seamlessly operate across all
interconnecting networks.

Check out our application note for more information on how to configure your intersite networks...

INTERSITE NETWORKING AND CONFIGURATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GV STRATUS MULTISITE

For any question concerning this subject contact:
Bea Alonso: beatriz.alonso-martinez@grassvalley.com
Régis André: regis.andre@grassvalley.com

Updated GV STRATUS videos on the GV youtube channel

STRATUS GV youtube channel

Make sure to go to the link above to see more GV STRATUS workflows demonstration.

For any question concerning this subject contact Régis André: regis.andre@grassvalley.com

Some news Before IBC

It has been a while since I had time to write on the blog. some more EDITING integration features are going to be announced before the end of the year, I will make sure to post them here!
In the meantime do no hesitate to email me with questions, I will be more than happy to answer them or direct you tot he best contact.

 For STRATUS, lots of new videos are available on the GV web site on the STRATUS product page or direclty on our you tube channel; GV youtube channel
Each demonstration video is around 2' for a quick and simple overview of some of STRATUS strengths.
Come and see it by yourself at IBC Booth D11 Hall 1.

 For any question concerning this subject contact Régis André: regis.andre@grassvalley.com

STRATUS: Lots of news!

At NAB 2012 we will be demonstrating the latest developments in the STRATUS framework.
we will be introducing lots of new features, integration with GV's Dyno replay controller and K2-EDGE integrated playout plateform  (BXF workflows).

we will show case STRATUS used in different environment, Hard news production, Sports production, Live entertainment prodcution and playout!

in the meantime you can read all about  the Dyno integration right here:STRATUS and Dyno replay controller
and a great CASE STUDY for STRATUS being sued at SKY RACING in Australia right here: SKY RACING CASE STUDY

For any question concerning this subject contact Régis André: regis.andre@grassvalley.com

STRATUS for News application note is out!

A new Application note on STRATUS and News workflow is now available, go HERE to download it.

For any question concerning this subject contact Régis André: regis.andre@grassvalley.com