INTERCONNECTS

Maximum Throughput, developers of ultra high performance software-based solutions for networked storage infrastructure and media management, announced that Avenue, a premier Chicago-based post production facility, has selected Sledgehammer HD!O Dual Link to enable their transition to a non-linear color grading model and streamline the post production process. The Sledgehammer HD!O Dual Link is being used in conjunction with Avenue’s in-house ITK Y-Front telecine and da Vinci 2K color correction system non-linearly. The traditional linear process of grading each roll of film has been improved by virtue of all film rolls now being transferred to the new Sledgehammer first. This new first step makes the entire process more efficient, and the entire project can be graded non-linearly with Sledgehammer acting as the source device. In particular, the scanned footage can now be supplied to the da Vinci color grading system in real-time. “We had come to a crossroads with respect to where we wanted to be,” remarked Kelly Armstrong, Senior Colorist at Avenue. “We knew that we wanted to work non-linearly, both to increase the number of projects we can handle at once as well as expedite the process and be responsive to our clients who are always pressed for time. Now Sledgehammer allows us to move forward with our da Vinci 2K system, which we love and trust. The enriched capabilities inherent with the HD!O Dual Link also gives us all the flexibility we felt we needed with our current projects – as well as any HD work that comes our way.” By being able to transfer all the material to the Sledgehammer first, Avenue is beginning to realize complementary benefits now that all reels are transferred without having to recalibrate the telecine between sessions. Benefits include a 4:4:4 capable workflow, less wear and tear on the source film, and simplifying the process involved with the development and delivery of a consistent look. Sledgehammer also enables facility-wide access to transferred material since it is both a digital disk recorder (DDR) and an ultra high speed network attached storage (NAS) multi-protocol file server – simultaneously. “Going tapeless is where the industry is going. We see it everyday,” commented John Miller, Maximum Throughput’s Worldwide Vice President of Sales. “With their color correction process now being able to go non-linear, Avenue has positioned themselves at the vanguard of the transition to a tapeless facility. And their selection of Sledgehammer HD!O Dual Link as the core of their color grading suite is testimony to the benefits of a streamlined workflow and the efficiency gains Max-T products deliver.”