Apella SDS

Apella SDS Product Info

For a completely shared digital media environment with IT-based asset management, the Apella SDS allows users shackled with a tape-based workflow to make this transition easily, successfully, and with total scalability.

Proven Performance You Can Rely On
The Apella SDS Media Server is a powerful and robust feature-packed video server that offers unprecedented flexibility for media acquisition, shared editing, central asset management, and automated play to air solutions. The server is built on a solid IT-based foundation with non-proprietary networking components that are future-proofed for the distinct needs of the broadcasting industry. Apella delivers reliability worldwide with battle-tested software used successfully in live broadcast production, master control, transmission, corporate, government and education environments.

Feature-Packed and Scalable
Apella provides comprehensive asset management capability that supports a mixed media database of multi-bit rate DV and MPEG-2 for SD and HD formats. Low-resolution proxy files are automatically generated for all media ingested through SDI baseband or Ethernet file transfer. Apella SDS servers offer up to two SDI-SD ingest channels, four discrete SDI-SD playout channels, or two playout channels with key. Channels are dedicated for record or playback and can be used simultaneously for ingest or playout operations. Each server can operate standalone for smaller facilities, or cluster multiple servers together to provide virtually unlimited scalability for even the largest plant.

Seamless Integration and Extensive Interoperability
Apella’s powerful software interfaces provide exclusively designed solutions for multi-channel playout and offline editing and browsing anywhere on your network. Distinct from other servers in the market, the Apella SDS is uniquely optimized with component architecture to specifically support today's SAN and NAS environments. This server easily integrates into broadcast production, master control, and transmission environments using many industry-standard automation interfaces such as MOS and VDCP.

Embedded Simple Automation
The VT Scheduler application, included with every server, offers a simple user interface to provide automatic ingest and playout functionality scripted to occur at a specific dates and times. The Apella SDS channel manages the assigned scheduler script, created online or offline, for automated records and playbacks. Features include traffic list ASCII import and As Run log file exports.

Instant Media Access and Time Delayed Playback
Within five seconds after an SDI record process begins; media is available for playout from any Apella channel on the network. Simultaneously, users can access and edit the low-resolution proxy files using VT Proxy Editor to create instant replays and highlight packages before a recording is even completed! These timeline sequences are conformed dynamically as they play to air. Optionally, users can render these sequences as flattened new media files or export as AAF EDL files to be finished in an online nonlinear editor like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.

Flexible Archive and Restore Options
You can easily archive media assets to a range of devices depending on a facility’s workflow needs and budget. The Export to Folder feature copies media files with embedded metadata to a DVD that users can view and search from any standard web browser. This media is restored when needed into Apella servers or directly into most nonlinear editors. Easily create individual archive DVDs using the standard local Apella DVD drive. Use the VT Database Engine to automatically track Online, Nearline, and Offline assets based on a set of definable Media Locations and rules defined by default or at the time of ingests. The VT Media Archive Server provides cost-effective and seamless archiving and restoration to removable LTO 800GB tape drives. Additionally, seamless online/nearline/offline archive solutions are offered using Xendata or SGL FlashNet, which supports fully automated jukebox archive and restore devices.

Apella SDS Key Features

• Up to 2 inputs and 4 outputs per chassis
  (2 bi-directional with E-E and 2 play only or 6 channel discrete operation)
• Channels are defined as FILL/FILL or FILL/KEY
• Flexible Play-to-Air User Interfaces for Multi-Channel Control
• 4 AES/EBU and 16 SDI Embedded Audio Tracks per Video Channel
• 525i, 625i at 25 and 29.97 fps
• 16:9 and 4:3 Aspect Ratio Support
• Full VBI Capture and Playback
• DVCAM, DVCPRO, DV25, DV50, and MPEG2 MP@ML (I-Frame and IBP) up to 50Mb/s
• Scalable to 6 TB RAW Internal Storage (optional RAID 5, 10, or 6)
• Multi-track audio and video timeline editing (Remote Client Seats Available)
• VT Director Software Interface
      -  Instant Clip Keyboard Recall
      - Multi-Channel PlayList with Auto Ripple
      - Realtime Media Logging with Metadata Insertion 
• VT Proxy Editor for Low Resolution, Multi-track, Timeline Editing Software Client
• VT Scheduler for Automatic Ingest and Playout Based on Time of Day
• Import AVI, QuickTime, and MXF DV and MPEG-2 files
• Optional Batch Media Import and Acquisition with 8-port RS-422 VTR machine control
• Adobe Premiere Pro Plug-In Available for Direct Exports without Transcoding
• Import Final Cut Pro QuickTime Files or any NLE that Supports OpenDML AVI
• MOS, VDCP, & Apella TCP I/P Automation Support
• Powerful SQL Database Engine Provides Centralized and Comprehensive Asset Management
• Unique Global Asset IDs and User Profiles with User-Defined Security Settings
• Network Streaming Fibre Channel or GigE Optional Support
• PathFire DMG File-Based Interface for News and/or Syndication
• Optional RS-422 Remote Control Panel
• Certified with Proven Industry Standard Direct Attached and Shared Storage Solutions

Apella SDS Product Info    Why choose Apella?

See Server Overview, Remote Clients Overview, and Storage Overview for more information.