Toolbox

Cinedeck and axle Video have launched SetMeUp, a complete, pre-packaged, cost-effective HD and 4K/UHDTV on-set workflow solution enabling acquisition/playback, radically simple media management and ingest storage for live and episodic broadcast TV production.

A solution for the approaching TV pilot season, SetMeUp is built into a convenient, wheeled, rackmount enclosure, and includes everything needed to capture, playback, store and manage HD and 4K/UHDTV video content on-set. With these capabilities, SetMeUp delivers an ultra-fast and easily affordable gateway from production-to-editorial, and frees production teams from the traditional expense and lock-in of proprietary systems.

The main components of SetMeUp are:

• Cinedeck ZX – a modular, on-set 4K/UHDTV-1/HD/SD record/playback platform with four simultaneous record channels and native encoding to ProRes, DNx, XDCAM, AVC-I, or virtually any other codec and wrapper. Cinedeck’s ingest channels also automatically create H.264 proxy files that are used for instant browsing in axle Gear Pro.

• axle Gear Pro media management system – offers browser-based cataloging, search, review and approval via a simple user interface. Axle’s easy and intuitive user-interface and storage-first approach mean the on-set team will be instantly familiar with how media is stored and managed, and no training is required.

• Ingest storage – SetMeUp comes configured with 18TB of storage optimized for capturing incoming media. The Cinedeck ZX is configured with 2TB SSD storage (with an 8TB option) for immediate capture, regardless of any network connectivity, while the axle Gear Pro is configured with 16TB of usable RAID10 NAS storage for longer-term capture and management of media.

These SetMeUp components are mounted in an easily-transportable rack case to simplify on-set deployment, along with a wide variety of support gear. This includes a powerful Gigabit Ethernet network switch, with 12 open ports, for the attachment of workstations, additional storage, routers, audio and wireless equipment, and a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to handle intermittent loss of power.

The SetMeUp system makes media instantly available, while keeping native assets secure and easily searchable. It delivers seamlessly to non-linear editing systems from Apple (FCP7, FCPX), Adobe (Premiere Pro CC, Prelude CC, and Anywhere distributed editing solutions) and Avid (Media Composer).

The system also includes open rack space, Gigabit network interfaces and power connections to accommodate two types of optional integrated storage: editing and archival. Supported editing storage options include Facilis Terrablock, Avid ISIS 5500, SmallTree GraniteStor and DDP Dynamic Drive Pool disk arrays. Archival options include QNAP and SpectraLogic Verde NAS appliances, XenData SX-10 LTFS appliances and IBM LTFS tape libraries.

SetMeUp is available for purchase from resellers starting at $59,950, for rental at rates from $8,000 per month. There is also a range of lease-to-buy options and additional configurations include 10GB Ethernet connectivity. All configurations are available immediately. Axle Video and Cinedeck will demonstrate SetMeUp at a customer event to be held in February.

NUGEN Audio has released Producer Pack, Master Pack, and Mix Tools, three new product bundles tailored to music industry producers, mix engineers, and mastering professionals. Each toolset provides a custom selection of NUGEN’s audio plug-ins to deliver functionality tailored to the specifics of each craft.

“We recognize the need to make customized solutions according to our clients’ requirements for each aspect of their production process. Last year we launched Stereo Pack, a highly accessible and configurable toolset for stereo image enhancement. These new toolsets are unique solutions designed to encompass a much wider range of applications for music industry professionals. They incorporate our newly introduced plug-ins — MasterCheck SEQ-S and the latest version of Visualizer,” said Jon Schorah, founder and creative director, NUGEN Audio. “With Producer Pack, Master Pack, and Mix Tools, we’ve consulted hundreds of audio professionals and studied very meticulously how to meet the specific requirements of mix engineers and mastering pros while also providing high value.”

Combining seven world-class plug-ins, NUGEN Audio’s Producer Pack augments the mix and mastering suite with essential tools producers need to create top-quality audio from start to finish. Producer Pack includes:
• Visualizer, providing indispensable audio analysis for quality audio production with a standardized reference set of professional tools managed via a unique, intelligent window.
• ISL, a true-peak limiter that enables audio engineers to listen to true-peak-compliant audio “in place” without needing to check louder sections separately for traditional limiter artifacts and true-peak compliance.
• SEQ-S, an all-new and uniquely powerful EQ for sonic sculpting and EQ matching up to 7.1, with linear phase technology that delivers transparency without phase smearing and provides sharp transients.
• MasterCheck, a new tool from NUGEN Audio that demystifies loudness-normalized playout on streaming services such as iTunes® and Spotify. MasterCheck enables producers to mix and master music utilizing maximum dynamic range for each streaming platform.
• Stereoizer, offering a full range of stereo image enhancement capabilities, from gentle width adjustments to huge dynamic ambiences. Stereoizer offers full mono compatibility without unwanted artifacts.
• Stereoplacer, delivering pan control for the 21st century. Stereoplacer allows frequency-specific stereo placement using unique stereo-positioning technology, offering precise control that is not available within a traditional mix setup.
• Monofilter, a low-frequency management tool that enables producers to sharpen and define their bass to provide the foundation for real power and definition.

Master Pack is a professional-grade mastering package with five plug-ins assembled specifically for the needs of mastering engineers. Master Pack brings groundbreaking functionality including low frequency management, stereo correction, pristine limiting, and a full suite of audio analysis tools and playout delivery measures. Master Pack plugins include Visualizer, ISL, MasterCheck, Stereoplacer, and Monofilter.

Mix Tools delivers the big sound professionals strive for. Designed to provide essentials for use in the mix process, Mix Tools includes Stereoizer, Monofilter, and Visualizer for stereo image enhancement, bass management, and comprehensive audio analysis. Mix Tools offers mix engineers deeper control, sonic enhancement, and diagnostic support at any stage of the production process, leading to increased quality and efficiency in any project.

Private equity investment firm Genstar Capital has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Telestream, Inc, a provider of live and on-demand digital video tools and workflow solutions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed as both companies are privately held. The transaction is expected to close mid-January.

Telestream will continue to operate as an independent entity with existing management teams continuing their current roles. Headquarters will remain in Nevada City, California with offices in Virginia, San Francisco Bay Area and Germany.

“Genstar’s mid-market focus and deep expertise in the software industry will enable Telestream to further accelerate our growth,” said Dan Castles, Telestream’s co-founder and CEO. “Over the past several years, Telestream has experienced its most significant growth. We look forward to our new partnership with Genstar as we increase our investment in existing products, accelerate our reach into new customer verticals and fuel our next phase of development through additional M&A activity. Our product portfolio and business models are well suited for the Genstar environment.”

Eli Weiss, a managing director of Genstar, said the acquisition “is consistent with our strategy of investing in vertical market software companies. Telestream is a leader in its market and has posted profitable growth since its founding. As even more content is generated and viewed on more devices, we believe the company will continue its demonstrated growth trajectory, and we will support Telestream’s experienced and successful management team to expand organic growth via new product releases and pursue add-on acquisitions.” 

Telestream’s growth and profitability has consistently outpaced the market and has been achieved both organically and through strategic acquisitions. The company’s product line includes media processing platform Vantage, live production and streaming software Wirecast, and its new video playback and inspection tool Switch. 

Razer, a leader in connected devices and software for gamers, announced at CES the launch of Razer Nabu X, a wearable that delivers notifications from smartphones, tracks fitness data, and has social band-to-band capabilities, all in a discreet form factor. The Razer Nabu X will be priced at $19.99 to qualified fans at Razer’s Insider forums and start selling on Jan. 13. Retail units will be shipping in spring for $49.99.

The Razer Nabu X uses three colored LED indicators and vibrations to alert users of any notifications received on a paired smartphone, while the Razer Nabu features an OLED private message screen that displays short text previews of incoming notifications. Both the Razer Nabu X and Razer Nabu will work with the full suite of third-party developed applications available on the Nabu Marketplace.

“The greatest barriers to entry for new technology are price and complexity, and we’ve eliminated both of those with the Razer Nabu X,” says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder and CEO. “We’ve taken what makes the Nabu such a compelling wearable--discreet notifications, activity tracking and band-to-band communication--and incorporated them into the Nabu X. It’s the basic alternative to the Nabu that’s extremely affordable and simple to use.”

The Nabu X’s sensor module houses a highly precise accelerometer, paired with finely tuned algorithms to ensure the most accurate activity data is captured for its users. A vibration motor ensures users are discreetly notified of incoming notifications, and the three LEDs can be color-customized to indicate what type of notification is being received. The sensor module is also detachable to allow users to mix and match between three planned strap colors: black, white, and green.

The Nabu X is designed for absolute comfort during daily wear with a soft-rubber finish, extensive water resistance, and one-size-fits-all watch-like strap. It’s also easy to use, with wrist-turn detection and light taps on the sensor module to activate the LED indicators.

Like the Razer Nabu, the Nabu X can be paired to connected apps on a user’s iOS or Android smartphone where collected data can be displayed and device settings can be finely tuned. Connected apps can be discovered via an in-app marketplace, with more to be added over time.