Intergraph Computer Systems Announces New RAX HD Animation Recorder for High Definition Content Creation

 

 

 

 

First real-time conversion of rendered animations into multiple HD formats

HUNTSVILLE, AL --(March 20, 2000)-- Intergraph Computer Systems announced the new RAX High Definition Animation Recorder (RAX HDAR), a powerful new system that automates and simplifies two time consuming and costly processes for content creators:

  • 1) production and output of high definition content;
  • 2) the accurate review of high resolution material prior to film output. For the first time, rendered animated sequences can be output as high-definition (HD) video sequences in virtually any format or resolution in real time.

And, film effects creators now have the ability to review their output -- with accurate spatial and color fidelity -- without having to write to film.

Showcased in the Intergraph booth (Number S4145) at the National Association of Broadcasters show (NAB) April 10-13, the RAX HDAR is a complete solution with hardware and software, and is based on Intergraph's revolutionary Wahoo Technology, which delivers unprecedented system throughput capable of handling the extreme bandwidth demands of real-time HD video.


This capability enables animators using the RAX HDAR to:

  • Review--and output in real time--animations rendered at any HD resolution such as 1080P, 1080I, and 720P.
  • Work in any resolution and output to multiple HD resolutions at any frame rate such as 24P, 30P, and 60I. For example, 3:2 pulldown may be inserted upon playback of 24fps material.
  • Save labor and expense using the RAX HDAR's Frame Wrangler(TM) software--patented frame harvesting technology that automatically searches the network and assembles rendered frames in sequence into a video file.
  • Replace bad frames without having to reconstruct entire clips.
  • Upgrade hardware via software for future resolutions and frame rates, which delivers unequalled investment protection.

The RAX HDAR is the first of a new class of products: RAX Studio-Ready Components(TM), which are focused, self-contained solutions designed to fit seamlessly into today's production environments. With the RAX HDAR and other RAX products, facilities will no longer have to patch together single-point solutions from various vendors to create a consistent, productive workflow. For instance, the RAX HDAR streamlines workflow by offering the functionality of a DDR (digital disk recorder), a storyboard editor, and multiple format conversion devices in a single unit, while offering labor-saving features such as automated preparation of dailies and other tasks.

Video facilities using the RAX HDAR can also easily repurpose content without having to purchase additional equipment to handle different formats. This provides investment protection by making content easily available for transmission by any media outlet, regardless of the outcome of current HD format wars. The result is a product that is both "future-proof" and cutting edge, and enables film and TV studios, special effects/animation houses, and 2D animation facilities to produce high-definition programming as easily as they now produce standard-definition (SD) productions.

"Creators want to create, not be encumbered by the process. We are empowering creators with HD solutions that reduce the time-consuming manual tasks in the video and film production workflow," said Robert Stacy, director of digital media at Intergraph Computer Systems.

"Intergraph Computer Systems has created a very profound tool in the RAX HD Animation Recorder, with benefits that go way beyond the realm of HD production," said Arthur Schwartzberg, president of Xaos. "For example, every film house will now be able to view their work in far better resolution with greater color depth. The real-time multiformat conversion capability combined with the RAX HDAR's frame harvesting technology will save us enormous time and expense every day starting with orchestrating dailies--and the list goes on. Beyond the functionality itself it represents to me the commitment Intergraph is making to our industry and I am very pleased they have the guts and the vision to lead the pack."

Automated Frame Harvesting and More

Users will no longer need to employ labor intensive frame harvesting methods. Before RAX HDAR, viewing rendered sequences in dailies was a labor-intensive phase in the animation workflow. A person called a wrangler would obtain the rendering plans, monitor the renders, assemble frames in sequence, and sometimes restart failed renders.

If conversion to other formats was needed, it often had to be done out-of-house at significant time and expense. With the RAX HDAR, most of that process is automated with Frame Wrangler software. The RAX HDAR can even run several separate animation harvests of differing formats concurrently. The result is an extreme productivity gain through a streamlined animation workflow and a rapid return on investment by performing all conversions in-house on the RAX HDAR.

The RAX HD Animation Recorder offers far more versatile capabilities than DDRs or low-end PC-based software solutions.

For instance, using patented Intergraph technologies, the RAX HDAR's Frame Wrangler software can perform tasks such as:

  • -- Automatic search of the network for rendered frames of animation sequences.
  • -- Assemble the frames in sequence and build a video file.
  • -- Play back the resulting video segment with real-time conversion to virtually any HD resolution.

In addition, a storyboarding feature enables an animator or creative director to assemble multiple segments for playback in any order for sequence editing or viewing of dailies. Built-in device control enables insert editing and frame-accurate recording to tape.

RAX HDAR also enables frame accurate-gamma correction--an important feature when dealing with both computer and video monitors. Post-rendering global color adjustments are easy to implement in real-time, such as adjusting brightness or contrast and shifting the hue.

The RAX HDAR Components

The RAX HD Animation Recorder is a complete hardware, software, and storage system that combines a broad range of animation and video technologies from Intergraph Computer Systems, including:

  • -- Software: Developed through Intergraph's extensive experience in digital video applications, the RAX HDAR's Frame Wrangler software offers versatile control capabilities, with familiar tape deck-style controls such as onscreen buttons for jog/shuttle, rewind, stop, play, etc. Icons offer single-click access to Frame Wrangler's functions.
  • -- Hardware: The RAX HDAR is based on Intergraph's Wahoo Technology, which delivers unprecedented system bandwidth capable of accommodating real-time playback and conversion of HD video.
  • -- Storage: Intergraph's RAX Storage Solutions are an integral part of the RAX HD Animation Recorder. This fibre-channel-based subsystem includes RAID Level 5, which offers superior data protection and high-speed disk performance necessary for playback of real-time video from storage.

Availability

Intergraph's RAX HD Animation Recorder will be showcased in the Intergraph booth (S4145) at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB 2000) convention, to be held April 10-13 in Las Vegas.

The RAX HD Animation Recorder will be available in Q2, 2000, at a price of $150,000 (U.S. list). For more information about Intergraph Computer Systems' RAX Studio-Ready Components and other products for animation, video and broadcast, customers can call 800/763-0242 or visit the company's website at www.intergraph.com/ics.

About Intergraph Computer Systems

Intergraph Computer Systems' (Huntsville, Ala.) businesses -- Visual Computing and Intense3D -- reflect its core competencies of Windows NT(R) expertise, systems engineering, systems integration, world-class service and support, and 3D graphics technology.

The company develops, sells, and supports affordable, high-performance Windows NT-based graphics workstations and servers using the latest Intel(R) processors, and advanced 3D graphics accelerators for the creative and technical desktop in markets such as digital media, animation, content creation, publishing and prepress, visual simulation, graphics arts, and traditional CAD, MCAD.

Intergraph Computer Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Intergraph Corporation (NASDAQ: INGR). For more information about Intergraph Computer Systems, call 800/763-0242, or visit the company's Web site at www.intergraph.com/ics/.


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