Marquis Announces Interoperability of Medway and Quantum's StorNext Archiving Software for Improved Data Transfer Efficiencies

December 2008

Marquis has announced that Medway is qualified to interoperate with Quantum's StorNext archiving software and third party production and editing platforms, including Avid Technology's editing and storage systems. System integrators will also be able to more easily incorporate the Marquis/Quantum solution at customer sites, creating powerful broadcasting workflows for greater operational efficiencies.

The interoperability brings a number of key benefits for customers, including extra flexibility in resource usage, a wider choice of storage options and faster data workflows to and from different manufacturers' systems. Users will be able to offload media from high value Avid storage systems onto cost effective Quantum StorNext storage environments where it can be stored in a standard or commonly used preferred file format. Media and all associated metadata can be easily retrieved at a later date and delivered in the appropriate format as required via Medway's media highway software. Users also save time as there is no need to offload to tape and re-digitise.

Medway provides a reliable, proven method of moving data quickly and easily between different platforms. The movement between StorNext managed storage and Avid systems is now a user friendly process, which enables customers to create a more powerful, flexible and cost effective workflow.

Files can be migrated to near-line with the StorNext archive functionality, and restored transparently by Medway without the user ever having to know that they have been moved. Files are migrated from the Avid System via Medway to the StorNext archive through a drag and drop action. Medway moves and stores the files in a standard open MXF-OP1A standard file format as part of the transfer process. For re-editing, Medway enables users to browse and retrieve clips back into the Avid system. This transparency enables Medway's easy integration into existing environments and media workflow processes.

StorNext/Avid interoperability is available as a solution for sale through selected Quantum and Medway approved resellers. Single turnkey solutions are available for workgroup applications and for larger systems, an integrated environment is provided.

Marquis Appoints Isilon As New Business Partner

December 2008

Marquis has announced that Medway is now certified for use with Isilon® IQ clustered storage systems, providing broadcasters with an integrated solution for increasing workflow productivity and operational efficiency.

Users will be able to move files between third party systems, including MAMs, browse and edit systems, archives and removable media acquisition devices utilising the Isilon environment, with all video and audio content formatted and wrapped appropriately with existing and newly created metadata updated.

"To achieve desired business results, products and technology chosen for file-based content production and delivery systems must have tight integration, efficient and automated workflows, highly reliable performance and a solid support structure," said Brad Winett, Senior Director of Business Development, Isilon Systems. "By combining Isilon clustered storage with Medway, leading-edge broadcasters can accelerate file and metadata exchange between Isilon IQ and other post-production systems, including Final Cut Pro and Avid editing systems."

Isilon's clustered storage systems create a single, high-performance, highly scalable, shared pool of storage to unify large and rapidly growing stores of file-based data, accelerating data-intensive workflows while reducing IT cost and complexity. Isilon IQ delivers up to 20 Gigabytes per second of performance and 2.3 Petabytes of capacity in a single file system and single volume, setting the standard for scale-out file storage. When combined with Medway, Isilon's storage products provide broadcast operators using a range of systems with easy, fast and reliable access to data, irrespective of differences in file structures which may otherwise case bottlenecks in file movement.

Medway's user interface and simple drag and drop control make it a very intuitive system for all skill levels. Designed specifically to meet the demands of the most challenging broadcasting and television production environments, Medway is also suitable for newsrooms, ingest, encoding, transcoding, asset management, editing, broadcast automation and finishing systems and playout servers.

ITV Chooses Medway for Seamless File Integration with BT Content Store

November 2008

ITV has purchased a Medway file interchange system, for use at its postproduction operation at The London Studios (TLS) on South Bank, London. Medway will be integrated with the company's Avid ISIS editing and postproduction operation and BT Content Store media storage service, enabling broadcast quality digital content to move seamlessly between the two systems.

Content Store is a central storage and processing service provided and managed by BT that holds large volumes of file-based media on behalf of ITV. A key requirement was to enable efficient exchange of media and metadata between the Content Store and craft editing suites. Medway was chosen to provide the integration with Avid, capitalising upon Marquis' expertise in the Avid environment.

ITV producers will use BT Content Store to browse and select media for use in post production, and move it into their Avid systems where alternative versions are produced. Medway ensures files are moved in the appropriate formats, maintaining fast and smooth file transfers between the systems. Vital to the efficiency of the workflow is Medway's ability to handle large amounts of complex metadata attached to the media. This passes through the Avid environment where editors are prompted to provide additional details from within the Avid interface. Finished sequences are moved back into Content Store along with the new and updated metadata."Medway was chosen as the best solution for this requirement," said Paul Drewett, Project Manager for the TLS installation. "It allows a simple and intuitive drag and drop process to trigger media moves, and manages the seamless integration into the Avid ISIS environment. This is far from being easy to achieve but Medway takes it in its stride. We get the benefit of file-based interoperation, with all the hard work usually associated with file movements being carried out as background tasks."

Medway will initially be used at TLS for compliance editing, but may expand its use over time to include integration into other systems.

Medway chosen by Siemens for Major Digital Media Workflow Project

April 2008

Marquis Broadcast has announced that Medway, the company's popular interoperability engine, has been selected by Siemens IT Solutions and Services as an essential technology component of the BBC's Digital Media Initiative, DMI. As a result of this decision, Marquis Broadcast will form a global partnership with Siemens to make the technologies and know-how involved in delivering DMI available to other broadcasters who are considering tackling a similar technical challenge.

Siemens IT Solutions and Services, as the BBC's technology partner, has been working with the Corporation to architect the solution for DMI and select the key technology vendors. Siemens will now act as the prime integrator on the project, leading the service-oriented integration of these components to deliver a solution that meets the needs of the Corporation.

Medway was chosen for the initiative because of its ability to move media seamlessly between systems without incurring file compatibility issues, and because of its inherent use of rich metadata. The software is able to extract, edit and manipulate metadata that is attached to media, providing easy to use tools for building the powerful search, browse and media transfer systems needed to manage content effectively.

Marquis Launches Medway The Media Highway Version 2.3 at IBC 2008

Medway Enhanced with Full Support for Avid Interplay, Extended HD Support, and Powerful New Metadata Functionality

September 2008

Marquis Broadcast, specialist in broadcast workflow studies and software integration solutions, is launching a new version of Medway The Media Highway interoperability engine at IBC 2008. Medway 2.3 is being demonstrated with a range of new features including seamless integration with Avid's Interplay digital production environment, wider support for HD formats, and more powerful metadata handling capabilities. The new features will bring higher levels of systems integration to today's challenging broadcasting workflows by enabling a greater range of best of breed systems to exchange media between processes in a powerful, smooth and secure environment.

"Medway is consistently chosen by broadcasters who need fast and reliable delivery of content for infrastructures where multiple hardware platforms and software architectures are interconnected," said Granby Patrick, Partner Director, Marquis Broadcast Ltd. "At IBC 2008, we are proud to present the broadcasting community with the most mature, feature-rich version of Medway yet."

Marquis is highlighting Medway integration with Avid Interplay web services API. In addition to transferring media directly into an Avid NLE system it is now possible to write metadata directly into the Interplay database, in a pre-configured folder in the Interplay tree structure, using the Interplay GUI. It is also possible to configure folders in the Interplay tree structure so that clips and sequences can be automatically transferred to the required destination. Medway V2.3 has extensive metadata handling capabilities for the creation, capture and movement of all types of metadata in and out of Interplay. This can also be customised for integration with third party MAM systems.

Increased support for a range of manufacturers' hardware platforms are also being demonstrated, including Apple MAC OS X Leopard (10.5) support for Medway clients, and implementation of Medway genealogy functionality and native DVCPRO-100 HD on Final Cut Pro. The addition of genealogy gives users the ability to investigate the history and parentage of source content and clips relating to an edited sequence. This includes source video tracks, slow-mo or off-speed sequences, audio tracks, FX processing as well as other XML metadata. A beneficial spin-off of this feature is the creation of information that can be compiled for usage, performance, royalties or rights billing reports. Medway V2.3 includes an updated API that enables operators to extend integration options and increase functionality when integrating with external broadcast automation systems.

Marquis is demonstrating Medway's enhanced support for HD formats, including DNxHD, MPEG-2 HD long GOP, MPEG-2 HD I frame, DVCPRO-100 HD and Sony XDCAM HD 50 422, and additional flexibility for bidirectional transcoding from DNxHD to either MPEG-2 long GOP or MPEG-2 I frame. These new expanded HD capabilities provide broadcasters and content producers with more flexibility when migrating their workflows from SD to HD processes.

Medway V2.3 features an extended, highly sophisticated set of metadata handling capabilities that enables operators to achieve more tightly integrated media transfers between a broader range of broadcasting, postproduction and back office administrative systems. These are of particular benefit when using the EDL transfer capability to restore high resolution files back to a craft edit seat based on a Marquis EDL. New features include support for handles and bridges in the EDL; support for audio levels and video FX; and sub-clips back into Avid editing systems. Support has been added for EDLs with no wrappers, ie separate raw video and .WAV files.

Finally, Medway V2.3 also has new metadata functionality that sees the creation of temporal metadata that can be used to drive downstream process. By identifying and extracting pairs of 'locators' or 'markers' to derive media segments, Medway can capture and handle temporal metadata that can be used to initiate or trigger downstream processes such as advertising and spot inserts in multi-platform, multi-channel broadcasting environments.

Pharos Debuts Mediator Integration with Marquis Broadcast's Medway at IBC 2008

September 2008

Pharos Communications, a leading developer of content management and automation systems, is showing its Mediator 4 content management platform integrated with Marquis Broadcast's Medway for the first time at IBC 2008 on stand 10.D31. The integration is the result of the two companies' recent technology integration agreement announced at NAB 2008, and several recent customer orders.

Tighter integration enables Mediator users in compliance, promotions and graphics to achieve faster file transfers with Avid editing systems, further enhancing the efficiency of their broadcasting workflows.

"We are continually expanding Mediator's integration with third party post production systems to improve efficiency in areas of operations such as promotions and compliance editing," said Russell Grute, Director of Marketing, Pharos. "Marquis' Medway provides a fully featured middleware layer to integrate a range of Avid editing systems and file formats. It deals seamlessly with various Avid formats, manages metadata and gives an easy upgrade path to HD for our customers. A Medway-based Avid solution is directly integrated with Mediator's browse and workflow. This improves file and project interchange for the Mediator platform, enabling a number of key benefits including the ability to directly browse and access Avid projects and files."

"Mediator workflow and architecture is popular throughout the broadcasting industry," said Granby Patrick, Partner Director, Marquis Broadcast Ltd. "Medway enables leading solution providers such as Pharos to offer integration with 'best of breed' broadcasting applications, ensuring customers' workflows are free of file incompatibility problems from acquisition through to playout and delivery."

Medway provides open interoperability for broadcasters who require fast, efficient digital workflows, without incurring bottlenecks that frequently occur when media moves between systems from different manufacturers. By rewrapping files, Medway allows media to be transferred quickly and easily between processes. The system also extracts and manages the metadata attached to media, enabling easy repurposing of content, and for tracking backoffice functions, such as rights management and usage tasks. The whole process is carried out seamlessly and efficiently.

IPV Debuts Medway Support for Curator Tapeless Workflow Solution at IBC 2008

September 2008

Marquis Broadcast, specialist in broadcast workflow studies and software solutions and IPV, a global leader of low bit-rate, frame-accurate video technology to the broadcast and professional video sectors, today announced the support for Medway The Media Highway integration software on IPV's Curator tapeless workflow solution. IPV will showcase the new functionality for the first time at the upcoming IBC show in Amsterdam (Stand: 8.B67).

The integration means that Curator operators will be able to use Medway functionality to browse file lists and access media sequences located on a range of third party systems, including Avid and Apple editing platforms, and move chosen media sequences quickly and easily to the Curator environment. Medway will automatically rewrap the chosen media and move it at full network speed as a background process. Transfers will be made smoothly, avoiding bottlenecks in workflow that may otherwise occur due to the disparity in file structures between systems. Benefits achieved through the Curator-Medway integration include improved output efficiency, and a higher level of flexibility in the choice of broadcasting equipment that can be attached to Curator-based workflows.

"The integration of our Curator tapeless workflow solution with Medway brings workflow efficiencies as well as greater flexibility to critical broadcast processes," said Dave Cole, CEO of IPV. "Being able to guarantee seamless operation between Curator and a wider range of systems also means customers can more easily repurpose their content for new media platforms."

"Marquis continues to make the benefits of Medway's powerful media interchange capabilities available to more broadcasters by partnering with leading developers like IPV," said Granby Patrick, Partner Director, Marquis Broadcast. "IPV customers can now improve workflow efficiencies throughout their broadcasting processes by using Medway to simplify and centralise the management of bi-directional media transfers between Avid or Apple systems and the Curator environment."

Medway's user interface and simple drag and drop control make it a very intuitive system for all skill levels. Designed specifically to meet the demands of the most challenging broadcasting and television production environments, Medway is also suitable for newsrooms, ingest, encoding, transcoding, asset management, editing, broadcast automation and finishing systems and playout servers.

Marquis Broadcast's Medway Integrates with SGL FlashNet at IBC 2008

September 2008

Marquis Broadcast, specialist in broadcast workflow studies and software solutions, and Software Generation Ltd (SGL), a leading provider of content archive and storage management software for media and entertainment, are demonstrating SGL's FlashBrowse proxy creation system and FlashNet content archive and storage management systems integrated with Marquis' Medway interoperability engine for the first time at IBC 2008 on SGL's stand 8.B20E. The integration is the result of an agreement announced at NAB 2008. Benefits include significant workflow enhancements for users of SGL's FlashNet archive and storage products.

The integration of Medway with FlashNet systems provides a simple, cost-effective method of moving content between archiving and nonlinear editing environments. Selected media and its associated metadata are exported from the editing systems and captured using Medway. This is transferred as a single MXF file to a shared folder. As this new file is detected, the archive process is initiated. SGL's FlashBrowse creates a proxy file and adds this to its database. The file is then transferred to the FlashNet archive management and storage solution, and deleted from the shared folder.

When restoring content from archive, users simply initiate the process either via FlashBrowse or directly from a MAM or automation system; the selected media is restored to MXF and moved to the shared folder. Medway automatically transfers the media to the appropriate editing system. Operators drag the clips they require into their editing bins from the Medway interface.

"By integrating Medway into our FlashNet products customers have more flexibility in their critical digital processes to move files between a wider range of systems," said Bernie Walsh, Worldwide Sales Director of SGL. "At IBC 2008, we will be demonstrating how easy it is to transfer files seamlessly and at high speeds between the FlashNet environment and third party products."

Editing systems supported include the Avid Media Composer, Symphony, NewsCutter XP, Adrenaline, Xpress DV and Xpress Pro editing systems, and Apple Final Cut Pro V6.

FlashNet and Medway can be configured with multiple control systems, providing a highly flexible workflow infrastructure to which broadcasters add applications according to their requirements, and expand their operations as appropriate. This freedom to choose best of breed equipment and scale workflows meets the business-driven challenges faced by modern digital broadcasting companies and ensures investments are fully future-proofed.

BBC Arabic Uses Marquis Consultancy

September 2008

Marquis Broadcast played a key consultancy role for the BBC's new BBC Arabic multimedia service. BBC Arabic engaged three Marquis consultants to work up to the launch in March 2008. The new service broadcasts TV news and information programmes to around 200 million people across the Middle East region, twelve hours a day in the form of television, radio and online content. The BBC's Arabic radio and online services already have significant audiences across the Arabic-speaking world.

Bob Gentry, an Associate Director with Marquis Broadcast, acted as Technology Programme Manager with overall responsibility for design, delivery and acceptance of the technology solution for the project, including all aspects of technology specifications, physical system layout and integration, workflow implementation and budgeting to ensure the final handover of technology fully supported the service's ambitious editorial objectives. Part of the directive included future considerations for a move to a 24-hour operation, which is planned for summertime 2008.

Workflows included a high level of systems integration and automation, not only between the various software and hardware applications needed to produce and manage content and workflow, but also in terms of ensuring integration between production and delivery models and business processes.

Rod Bird, also an Associate Director with Marquis, provided consultancy on systems architecture and workflow design for the project, working with a range of third party systems suppliers to ensure workflow integrity between applications. He also provided consultancy on the integration between BBC Arabic's online technical processes and the overall multimedia services, and had responsibility for the design and testing of the service's business continuity provisions. Rod provided documentation for technology workflows and detailed descriptions of technology processes.

The third Marquis consultant to work on the new service was Harriet Fear-Davies who was engaged in the earlier parts of the project to analyse and document the pre-existing BBC Arabic Radio workflows and resources, and to document and recommend new processes in preparation for the move to the new multimedia technology.

MBC Group Chooses Marquis Broadcast's Consultancy Division for Range of Technology Services

September 2008

Marquis Broadcast, specialist in broadcast workflow studies, has confirmed that MBC Group www.mbc.net the leading free-to-air satellite broadcaster in the Middle East, has engaged the services of its Consultancy Division to advise on a number of new technology projects. The work reflects MBC Groups' ongoing strategy of implementing best of breed technology and its commitment to providing the highest quality service to viewers across the region.

MBC Group and Marquis Broadcast have been close business partners since 2006 when they first began working together. Projects undertaken include an analysis of IT business systems, an evaluation of new business opportunities and a major audit of power distribution systems. Marquis has also played a critical role in the recruitment of technical staff for MBC Group, and supplied the services of a full-time, interim chief technology officer working out of MBC Group's head office in Dubai.

Current consultancy projects include technology evaluations and process audits. Marquis began work following detailed discussions with MBC Group senior management to assess existing capabilities and future objectives. This was followed by a full investigation of the options available, and an analysis of the effects on technical, operational and managerial processes.

"Marquis' Consultancy Division is professional and proactive in meeting our demands with the growth of our portfolio of channels," said Amjad Edris, Group Director of IT/Engineering at MBC Group. "They have acquired an impressive range of skill-sets and expertise accumulated from real experiences working with broadcasters around the world. Their knowledge of digital technology and how it can best be applied within our operations has proved invaluable.

Marquis Broadcast and SGL Announce Technology Integration Agreement

Medway Integration Brings Workflow Benefits to FlashNet Archive and Storage Environment

April 2008

Marquis Broadcast, specialist in broadcast workflow studies and software solutions, and Software Generation Ltd (SGL), a leading provider of content archive and storage management software for media and entertainment, have announced a technology integration agreement allowing SGL to integrate Marquis' Medway media highway with its FlashNet content archive and storage management systems, including the new FlashBrowse proxy creation system and FlashBox archive management and storage solution.

Medway provides interoperability functions for broadcasters who require fast, efficient digital workflows, without incurring bottlenecks that frequently occur when media moves between systems from different manufacturers. By rewrapping files, Medway allows media to be transferred quickly and easily between processes. The system also extracts and manages the metadata attached to media, therefore enabling easy repurposing of content, and for backroom functions including rights management and other reporting tasks.

"The integration of our FlashNet products with Medway brings workflow improvements and more flexibility to critical digital processes," said Bernie Walsh, Sales Director, SGL. "Integration, strong business benefits, system expansion and low cost of ownership are key to the SGL philosophy and this partnership will allow our customers to improve workflows, thereby increasing productivity and ROI."

"We are delighted to be associated with SGL and its highly popular FlashNet solutions," said Granby Patrick, Partner Director, Marquis Broadcast Ltd. "By working with leading software developers, we are able to integrate Medway into 'best of breed' broadcasting applications, ensuring customers that their workflows will be efficient and free of file incompatibility problems, from acquisition through to playout and delivery."

The integration of Medway with FlashNet systems provides a simple, cost-effective method of moving content between archiving and nonlinear editing environments. Selected media and its associated metadata are exported from the editing systems and captured using Medway. This is transferred as a single MXF file to a shared folder. As this new file is detected, the archive process is initiated. SGL's FlashBrowse creates a proxy file and adds this to its database. The file is then transferred to the FlashBox archive management and storage solution, and deleted from the shared folder. The whole process is carried out seamlessly and efficiently.

When restoring content from archive, users simply initiate the process using FlashBrowse which restores the selected media to MXF and moves it to the shared folder. Medway automatically transfers the media to the appropriate editing system. Operators drag the clips they require into their editing bins from the Medway interface.

Editing systems supported include the Avid Media Composer, Symphony, NewsCutter XP, Adrenaline, Xpress DV and Xpress Pro editing systems, and Apple Final Cut Pro V6.

FlashNet and Medway can be configured with multiple control systems, providing a highly flexible workflow infrastructure to which broadcasters add applications according to their requirements, and expand their operations as appropriate. This freedom to choose best of breed equipment and scale workflows meets the business-driven challenges faced by modern digital broadcasting companies and ensures investments are fully future-proofed.

Medway's ergonomic user interface and simple drag and drop control make it easy to use by all operators. Designed specifically to meet the demands of the most challenging broadcasting and television production environments, Medway is also suitable for newsrooms, ingest, encoding, transcoding, asset management, editing, broadcast automation and finishing systems and playout servers.

Marquis Demonstrates Medway with Extended HD Support and New HD Transcoding at NAB 2008

Major Upgrade Delivers Significant Business Benefits for Broadcasters and Ensures Workflows are Future-Proofed for HD Processes

April 2008Marquis Broadcast, specialist in broadcast workflow studies and solutions, will be demonstrating its Medway Media Highway interoperability engine with wider support for HD, including the addition of HD transcoding and enhanced native support for other HD formats, at the upcoming NAB Convention. These new expanded HD capabilities follow on from Medway's Avid DNxHD functionality announced last year, making it easier than ever before for broadcasters and content producers to migrate their workflows from SD to HD processes.

Marquis will be showcasing Medway with bi-directional HD transcoding from Avid DNxHD to MPEG-2 long GOP (20 MB/s to 200 Mb/s), and native support for Panasonic DVCPRO-100 HD CODEC. Transcoding between DNxHD and MPEG-2 I frame (20MB/s to 200MB/s), and native support for Sony XDCAM HD422 will be added during Q2 2008.

Also at NAB 2008, Marquis will be introducing Medway with tighter integration for media asset management and nonlinear workflow management tools including the Avid Interplay production environment. Using Avid Transfer Manager APIs, Medway will feature powerful new metadata creation, editing and handling capabilities giving users improved performance when registering, searching, browsing and exporting clips and sequences within the Interplay database.

Marquis will debut Medway 2.1 which includes a range of operational and business benefits designed to reinforce Medway as the interoperability engine of choice now and into the future as new HD technologies continue to emerge.

This powerful new version features an improved graphical user interface for faster access to information concerning the movement of media within the broadcasting environment. Users are presented with additional information showing the status of media moving to and from the Avid environment. This enables them to more easily identify when and where to purge storage, thereby maximising workflow efficiencies.

Also in 2.1, Marquis has added new features based on extended use of metadata management, for example, metadata payload can now be individually mapped according to its destination. This means that a transmission server can be sent different metadata to that of an archive or web server for the same piece of content. It is also possible to capture metadata automatically from 'comment markers' or 'programme segments'. By adding these powerful new metadata management features to Medway, customers can easily customise content according to multiple distribution platforms and business models.

Medway 2.1 includes an intelligent multi-codec handling facility which allows it to automatically select the most appropriate compression CODEC when transferring media between different source and destination compressions schemes. This provides users with optimised picture quality and minimises any concatenation issues. Medway 2.1 includes an intelligent transfer process so that media is transferred only once even if it is being used in multiple projects. The software checks to see if content is still available from an earlier transfer when referencing it in any subsequent transfer.

The addition of genealogy gives users the ability to investigate the history of source content and clips relating to an edited sequence. This includes source video tracks, slo-mo or off-speed sequences, audio tracks, FX processing as well as other XML metadata. A beneficial spin-off of this feature is the creation of information that can be compiled for usage, performance, royalties or rights billing reports.

Finally, Medway 2.1 includes new fail-safe redundant architecture that provides automatic back-up operations should there be a hardware failure on any of the transfer servers. In such an event, the back-up system would take over as the primary server and would be updated automatically with the status of all transfers, as well as continue to manage the transfer processes. Should the failed device come back online, it would act as the back-up device and would itself be updated with the status of all transfer processes. This intelligent fail-safe feature delivers further peace of mind for users by providing assurance that processes will continue to function without loss of performance in the event of a hardware failure.

Medway 2.1 is available from Marquis' network of business partners. Under the terms of Marquis' customer support philosophy, existing Medway users will receive the new 2.1 software upgrades at no additional cost as part of the company's beneficial support contract. Medway with HD transcoding will be available from Q2 2008.

Marquis and Rimage Demonstrate PostDisc Integration at NAB 2008

PostDisc Media Transfer Tools Extend Rimage Disc Publishing Functions into Apple and Avid Editing Environments

April 2008

Marquis Broadcast, specialist in broadcast workflow studies and software solutions, and Rimage, developer of digital publishing technology, are demonstrating integration between Marquis' PostDisc media transfer tools and Rimage's on-demand disc publishing systems for the first time at NAB 2008. The integration enables Rimage to integrate its publishing systems with a range of content creation and editing systems.

Rimage's digital publishing systems provide a fast, automated method of producing CDs and DVDs, from the production of rough-cuts through to end product delivery, including output using Blu-ray Disc writing technology. Using PostDisc, Rimage extends its market reach by taking disc publishing directly into Avid and Apple editing environments. PostDisc provides tight integration between the two processes, creating a powerful, easy to use workflow where editors are able to achieve seamless access to publishing, recording and printing operations from the familiarity of their own editing environments. Once instigated, publishing functions take place as background tasks, thus freeing up more time for creative processes.

PostDisc also includes comprehensive metadata extraction and manipulation functions which enable it to sort and configure media, and handle publishing information such as disc printing schemes.

"By combining our disc publishing solutions with the PostDisc media transfer tools, we are able to provide content creators with improved efficiency, flexibility and usability from their production workflows," said Hamish Macmillan, director of business development, Rimage. "At the same time, because PostDisc allows media to be moved quickly and easily between different manufacturers' systems, our customers have greater freedom to choose 'best of breed' products in the knowledge that they will not encounter file incompatibility problems."

"The true benefit of our integration with Rimage is efficiency," said Granby Patrick, Partner Director, Technology, Marquis Broadcast. "Whether editors are producing one or one hundred discs, the entire process - including direct-to-disc label printing - takes place as a background task, freeing up more time for editors to focus on creative work. The end result is a smoother, more seamless workflow and more reliable, professional-looking discs."

Rimage will begin shipping its disc publishing systems with PostDisc media transfers tools from May 1st, 2008.

RTL-TVI Belgium Installs Marquis Medway Media Highway for Powerful Cross-Platform Postproduction and Broadcast Workflows

March 2008

Marquis has announced that regional Belgian television station, RTL-TVI Belgium, part of RTL Group, has installed its Medway Media Highway. RTL-TVI Belgium is using Medway as the interoperability engine for its broadcasting and postproduction workflows based in its head office in Brussels. Medway has enabled the Company to achieve fast media transfers between its production areas where multiple teams of operators use a range of applications from different manufacturers.

With television content like Pop Idol, Got Talent, The X Factor and The Bill to its credit, and 42 TV channels and 32 radio station in 10 countries, RTL Group is one of the world's leading producers of television content, and Europe's largest broadcaster. Its channels are watched every day by over 200 million viewers. RTL Belgium broadcasts RTL-TVI, Club RTL and PlugTV which cover news, sports, music, teen topics and local events. Both channels are available via analogue and cable services, and as digital channels on Telenet DigitalTV and BelgacomTV. They are also available via video on demand on Telenet DigitalTV and BelgacomTV, and on the Web on www.rtlinfo.be and www.alinfini.be. RTL Belgium also has 4 radios stations: Bel RTL, Mint, Contact and Contact+.

RTL Belgium moved its workflow to a tapeless environment in 2007 when it relocated to new premises. The Company operates four distinct production areas which are all interconnected via Medway The first houses general playout services for commercials and feature films. The second handles news production. In this area, the workflow includes a CleanEdit suite from EVS and is finely tuned for speed and flexibility so that breaking news can be processed and turned around very efficiently. The third area, which includes an EVS XT2, oversees live playout from the galleries and studios, and the fourth is the postproduction area where there are Avid and Final Cut-Pro editing systems. In addition Marquis was able to provide custom integration to RTL-TVI's own Media Asset Management application layer which was deveopled and written in house.

RTL-TVI Belgium's equipment of choice included Avid Technology Media Composers and Sony XDCam. They wanted to be able to work and deliver in SD and HD, and needed a high level of flexibility in the way they managed resources - particularly in terms of operators, so having a system that was easy to use was a priority.

"We chose Marquis as our supplier because having talked through our plans with them, they understood precisely what we were looking for and were able to demonstrate how Medway's capabilities could fulfil our requirements completely," said Thierry Piette, technical director, RTL-TVI. "Medway is very reliable. It has a simple interface which requires minimal training, and can be used by any of our operators including those who do not have specialist technical backgrounds. Also, we do not require transcoding which means the media flows between our various applications very fast. It's a very powerful method of moving data around."

Medway enables media files from multiple sources to be moved seamlessly between multiple vendor platforms without incurring bottlenecks in workflow caused by file incompatibility. Using Medway, RTL-TVI operators can import media files from the XDCam disk into the Avid or Final Cut Pro systems, and browse, read and write them to a range of applications including their 360 Systems' server.

Medway automatically rewraps the media and its associated metadata in the appropriate formats to ensure the file transfer process is smooth and efficient. RTL-TVI also uses Medway to export Avid and Final Cut Pro sequences to an ON-AIR playKast playout system, an Invenio archive system and an XT2 production server. "With Medway, we have been able to achieve 100% of our original specification," continued Piette. "We now have a seamless and powerful new workflow with all the features we set out to include."

RTV Belgium Achieves Fast Media Transfers using Medway Media Highway for New Tapeless Workflow

March 2008

Marquis has announced that regional Belgian television station, RTV Belgium, has installed its Medway Media Highway. RTV Belgium is using Medway to transfer media files between a range of broadcasting and editing systems in its head office in Westerlo.

RTV Belgium broadcast two channels, RTV Kempen and RTV Mechelen, both via analogue and cable distribution, and as digital channels on Telenet DigitalTV and BelgacomTV. Both channels are also available via VOD on Telenet DigitalTV and on RTV's web site. Over 200,000 viewers watch the channels every day.

Last year, RTV Belgium invested in a new tapeless workflow using Avid Media Composers and Panasonic P2 camcorders. The new workflow also features a 360 Systems server for studio playout and four playKast playout systems from ON-AIR Systems.

Medway enables MXF files from Panasonic P2, or from the online archive storage server, to be transferred to the Avid editing systems. Finished programmes are sent to 360 or playKast as MXF files ready to be played out to air and to the online archive storage server for later use, again using Medway as the interoperability engine between the systems.

Although currently broadcasting in SD, RTV Belgium is migrating its workflows to HD broadcasting. Medway will fulfil an essential role in this process, as it already supports a range of HD formats.

"We chose Marquis Broadcast as they have a solid name in broadcasting technology," said Bart Snoeks, head of the technical department at RTV. "Medway is a very powerful system and is particularly fast when exporting Avid sequences to playout. All our operators, including those who are not trained in server technology, are able to use it. With Medway, we have created a highly streamlined, efficient workflow."

Medway enables media files from multiple sources to be moved seamlessly between multiple vendor platforms without incurring bottlenecks in workflow caused by file incompatibility. Medway automatically rewraps the media and its associated metadata in the appropriate formats to ensure the file transfer process is smooth and efficient.

Marquis Appoints Diginet as new business partner for Belgium

March 2008

Marquis Broadcast has signed up Diginet as a new business partner for its Medway Media Highway interoperability engine. Diginet will represent Medway to broadcasting and postproduction companies across Belgium, and will also provide Marquis customers with local integration, sales support and technical services.

Founded in 1996, Diginet has become a major provider of technical solutions and professional equipment for the broadcast, telecoms and security industries. The Company has earned an excellent reputation from Belgian broadcasters and has become a specialist in the implementation of file-based workflows.

"Our customers demand ever tighter integration between processes in order to achieve the most efficient workflows," said Bart Delva, Product Manager, Diginet. "Medway delivers the high levels of integration that are required, providing a simple highway for media to flow without incurring compatibility problems. We are very pleased to be working with Marquis and look forward to introducing Medway to more broadcasters in our region."

"Diginet has a strong presence in Belgium and will provide an invaluable resource for us as we expand our customer base in Europe," said Granby Patrick, Partner Director, Technology, Marquis Broadcast. "We are delighted to be working alongside them."

Based in Vilvoorde, Belgium, Diginet specialises in all areas of digital technology for broadcasting and postproduction, including asset management, content management, archiving and process workflow analysis.

Marquis Appoints Roger Bowley as Business Development Manager for Europe

February 2008

Marquis Broadcast, specialist in broadcast workflow studies and software solutions, has announced the appointment of Roger Bowley as Business Development Manager, Europe. This new role will provide the company’s sales channels with a dedicated resource to help them further develop business opportunities with broadcasters and postproduction facilities across Europe.

We welcome Roger to Marquis and look forward to the many benefits his vast experience and broadcasting knowledge will bring as we continue to expand our customer base and network of business partners, said Peter Davies, Partner Director, Commercial, Marquis Broadcast. The Marquis Medway media highway is fast gaining international recognition as the proven, cost-effective method of moving media between different broadcasting platforms. By creating this new position, we will be better placed to provide our partners and customers with first-class sales and marketing support services.

Bowley begins his new role with immediate effect reporting to Peter Davies. One of his first challenges will be overseeing the rollout of a major new version of Medway as the company launches 2.1 and begins shipping to customers from the beginning of February.

Bowley has over 25 years experience in telecoms, audio and broadcasting. He joins Marquis from Snell & Wilcox where he headed up the north European sales operation. Previous experience includes senior positions with Quantel, BT, Synthaxe (part of Virgin), Reflex-SC and TSS-UK.

Medway Adds Support For Omneon MediaGrid Active Storage System
July 2007

Marquis Broadcast's Medway universal media highway product now supports the Omneon MediaGrid next generation storage system.

MediaGrid is a storage system optimized for scalable, highbandwidth access to content required by media production and broadcast professionals. The system integrates with workflow and content management applications through open file protocols and APIs. Medway enables media files from multiple sources to be moved seamlessly between a variety of vendor platforms Under an existing OEM relationship between Omneon and Marquis Broadcast, Omneon currently offers Medway in its product portfolio branded as the Omneon ConformTool and promotes it longside Omneon products through its distribution channels. The completion of Medways support for MediaGrid means that Omneon is now able to extend its offering of ConformTool to existing and future MediaGrid customers.

MediaGrid is a storage system optimized for scalable, highbandwidth access to content required by media production and broadcast professionals. The system integrates with workflow and content management applications through open file protocols and APIs. Medway enables media files from multiple sources to be moved seamlessly between a variety of vendor platforms. Media is moved at full capacity network speeds and with complete reliability in any format including DV and 50-Mbps IMX.

The integration of Medway and MediaGrid further extends our range of broadcast solutions, said Jason Danielson, senior director of solution marketing for Omneon. By offering it with our Spectrum server and MediaGrid storage platforms, our customers can achieve improved efficiency in their workflows and at the same time, have the freedom to choose best of breed systems in the knowledge that they will not encounter file incompatibility problems.

As with the existing Omneon Spectrum integration, Medway allows browsing, reading and writing to MediaGrid folders while providing rewrapping of files in appropriate MXF or QuickTime preferences. This can be performed under manual control, via the API.

Harris Integrates Medway Within Its Media Management
Products For Greater Workflow Productivity
September 2007

Harris Corporation has signed an OEM agreement with Marquis Broadcast enabling Harris to integrate Marquis' Medway Media Highway software within Harris' H-Class Intelligent Media Mover and Invenio H-Class Digital Asset Management systems.

Medway allows media files to flow freely between disparate, third-party nonlinear editing (NLE) platforms, all from a single user interface.

By integrating Marquis' Medway within the H-Class Intelligent Media Mover and Invenio H-Class Digital Asset Management systems, the Harris software now supports the seamless transfer of digital media and metadata assets between its own archives and third-party systems such as NLE workstations and video servers.

A user workflow can now be delivered that allows for searching of catalogued content within Harris' Invenio media archives and creates the instruction to move the SD/HD content off the Nexio server to industry-leading production tools such as Apple Final Cut Pro NLE software, Avid editing and Unity storage. This unified integration benefits users by facilitating the access, ingest, transfer, storage, and ultimately, the playout of media to air.

"The OEM agreement between our companies will result in a compelling solution for media companies looking for maximum output from their workflow processes," said Tim Thorsteinson, president, Harris Broadcast Communications. "By integrating Medway within our asset management products, we can offer our customers powerful, transparent media workflows across all broadcasting applications."

Marquis Broadcast has completed the integration of Medway into the Harris asset management product line, and now offers on-going product support to Harris customers. The integrated solution is available now through Harris's global distribution channels, with product installation provided by Harris.

"Medway is rapidly becoming the de facto standard for moving digital media across the broadcast production pipeline," said Granby Patrick, CEO of Marquis Broadcast. "Our OEM agreement with Harris will provide broadcasters worldwide with fast, efficient workflows to satisfy even the most demanding production workflow requirements."