New Video Storage Option: Avid VideoRAID 
Fail-safe, high-performance disk arrays optimized for Avid video editing systems

 Introducing Avid VideoRAID RTR320 and RTR320X disk arrays: high-capacity ATA-based Ultra320 SCSI storage solutions for Avid film and video editing systems. Avid VideoRAID systems combine real-time performance, cost-effective ATA drive technology, and the security of fail-safe data protection in the event of a disk drive failure.

Available in a 5-drive tower or a 10-drive 3U rackmount configuration, affordable Avid VideoRAID disk arrays support a wide range of Avid editing systems and software via industry-standard Ultra320 SCSI, while providing the protection of parity Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) technology. High-performance Multi-Stream Technology handles multiple streams of uncompressed SD and HD media with ease. Raw capacity ranges from 1.25 TB to a massive 10 TB per editing system. 

- Protects valuable content and maximizes productivity. In the event of a disk drive failure, Avid VideoRAID disk arrays continue to operate without loss of data and at full performance.  Unlike other RAID solutions that may be unusable during a drive rebuild, Avid VideoRAID maintains full performance while rebuilding in the background.

- Engineered for the pace of digital content creation. Ultra320 SCSI bandwidth and innovative striping technology ensure real-time playback of up to two streams of 1:1 HD, supported on as few as ten drives.

- Affordable RAID technology. Utilizes high-capacity, cost-effective ATA drives for large amounts of protected storage at a low cost per gigabyte.

- Optimized for Avid video editing systems. Avid VideoRAID disk arrays are fully tested and configured for guaranteed performance and reliability for Avid customers.

Modern’s New Demo Avid System 

     Modern Communications has a new Avid demo unit – the Avid Xpress Studio HD Complete.  It’s got Avid Xpress Pro HD version 5.2 running on a Hewlett Packard xw8200.  The Studio package comes with Mojo and Digidesign 002 hardware.  It also features four software packages in addition to the Xpress Pro HD program – Avid 3D, Avid FX, Avid DVD by Sonic, and Pro Tools LE.  While the Studio has been around for awhile now and several of our customers are quite familiar with it’s numerous uses – there are plenty of you out there who haven’t seen it.  If you would like to make an appointment to come by for a demonstration, please call Ginger at 636-343-0800. 
     Avid Xpress Studio HD Complete is a fraction of the price of the larger systems.  And for those of you who already own Xpress Pro HD – with or without Mojo – there is an attractive upgrade path to move up to a Studio.  Currently available for Windows XP only.
 

Problem: Your monitor or projector will not read line 21 closed captioning. 

Solution: The PCD-85 Portable Caption Decoder from Link Electronics

 The PCD-85 is a high performance closed caption decoder for the NTSC system.  It is capable of processing and displaying all standard line 21 closed captions and text on field one.  The four channels of data are CC1, CC2, T1 and T2.  The various operating modes are selectable from a four position rotary switch on the end panel.  
     This unit can be easily mounted adjacent to a video monitor without a built-in closed caption decoder to accomplish excellent results.  Simple to use and a whole lot cheaper than swapping out to a different monitor!

     

Closed Captioning Seminar - Thursday March 9, 2006

     Closed captioning provides a critical link to news, entertainment, and information for individuals who are deaf and hard-of-hearing.  It’s also the law.  As of January 1, 2006, all new English language programming must be closed caption, with few exceptions.
      Video professionals are asking: How does closed captioning affect me?  How is closed captioning done?  What hardware and software would we need to do it ourselves?  How much does the equipment cost?
     These questions and more will be answered at our Closed Captioning Seminar on Thursday March 9, 2006.  We will be joined by Kenneth Ostmo from Link Electronics, who will assist in showing both hardware and software solutions used to add closed captioning to video.
     The seminar will feature hardware used for both encoding and decoding closed captioning signals.  The demo will take about one hour with time for questions afterward.  A morning and an afternoon session will be offered.  RSVP is requested by phone for those wishing to attend.  We will feature two sessions – one at 9AM and one at 1:30PM. 
     The seats are almost filled but if you’re interested, give us a call and let us know!  If you are interested but not able to come on March 9^th, let us know that too and we’ll fill you in on this affordable new solution.  Call Ginger at 636-343-0800 or mail her at grouth@modcomm.com.

     

As an alternative to the traditional metal equipment racks, DA-LITE offers 3 different size wood racks – 12, 21 & 30 rack-space tall units - perfect for applications when trying to match a room’s furniture and décor.  The 12 rack-space unit is designed to fit under a 30” high table with the 21 and 30 rack space units designed for freestanding applications.                  

All three models are accessible by a smoked glass locking front panel and solid locking rear access panel.

The racks are also equipped with sturdy casters, front and rear rack rails, a UL listed cooling fan, six outlet power strip with surge suppressor and cord management access points on both the top and back of the unit.