Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1256765
PRODUCTS www.postmagazine.com 37 POST MAY/JUNE 2020 XENDATA SERVICE HELPS MANAGE CLOUD WORKFLOWS WALNUT CREEK, CA — XenData (www.xendata.com), a provider of data stor- age solutions, has introduced its new Multi-Site Sync service for cloud object storage, which creates a global file system accessible worldwide via XenData Cloud File Gateways. The XenData gateways are optimized for video files, supporting partial file restore and streaming, making the solution well suited for media applications. Each gateway manages a local disk volume that caches frequently-accessed files. The solution scales to two billion files, unlimited cloud storage and up to 256TBs of local disk cache at each location. It optimizes an organization's productivity by providing global file sharing across multiple facilities combined with excellent local performance provided by the local disk caching. Each instance of the synchronized gateway runs on a physical or virtual Windows machine and allows the global file system to be accessed on each local network as a standard share using SMB, NFS and FTP network proto- cols. When a file is written to the cloud object storage via one of the gate- ways, it immediately appears as a stub file within the global file system on all other gateways. The Multi-Site Sync solution currently supports the following cloud object storage services: Amazon Web Services S3, Hot and Cool tiers of Azure Blob Storage and Wasabi S3. NCAM CAMERA BAR ENABLES AR PRODUCTION LONDON — Ncam Technologies (www.ncam-tech.com), a developer of real- time augmented reality technology for the media and entertainment indus- tries, has released its new Mk2 Camera Bar, Mk2 Server and Ncam Reality 2020 software. First shown as a prototype at IBC2019, the Mk2 Camera Bar has since undergone significant developments and enhancements. Compared to the original Mk1, the Mk2 Camera Bar is 50 percent smaller and lighter while offering more functionality and higher quality. The Mk2 uses Intel RealSense hardware and is well suited for both broadcast and film en- vironments. Its compact size allows it to be easily used with a jib, Steadicam, wire cam or a drone. Previous generation hardware required an ethernet tether to return track- ing data to a server running Ncam Reality software. The next generation soft- ware now runs on the Mk2 Server and can be mounted on the camera or rig itself. All camera tracking and lens data is computed locally, and fully wireless tracking is available through a standard RF camera link. The Ncam Reality 2020 software suite has also been redesigned. An easy- to-use wizard system talks users through the set up. Hybrid feature extraction includes natural fea- tures, markers and fiducials. Remote access is now possi- ble. Additionally, the 'lite' form of AR Suite software, comes bundled as standard. AUTODESK FLAME 2021 ACCELERATES CREATIVE WORKFLOWS SAN FRANCISCO — Autodesk (www.autodesk.com) has unveiled Flame 2021, which introduces new features aimed at innovating and accelerating creative workflows for VFX, color grading, look development and editorial finishing. Flame 2021 increases workflow flexibility for artists, expands AI capabilities with new machine learning-powered human face segmentation, and simplifies finishing for streaming services with new functionality for Dolby Vision HDR authoring and display. The release also adds a new GPU-accelerated Physical Defocus effect, as well as finishing enhancements to make it easier to adjust looks across many shots and quickly share updates with clients. Useful for compositing, color grading and cosmetic beauty work, the AI- based face segmentation tool automates all tracking and identifies and isolates facial features, including nose, eyes, mouth, laugh lines and cheekbones, for further manipulation. Face matching algorithms are also capable of specialized tasks, including specific mole or scar isolation, through custom layout work- flows. This builds upon Flame's AI feature set, introduced back in April of 2019, with built-in machine learning analysis algorithms to isolate and modify com- mon objects in moving footage, accelerating VFX and compositing workflows. To meet increasing demand for HDR content mastering driven by OTT streaming services, Flame 2021 introduces a powerful new Dolby Vision HDR authoring and display workflow. This enables Flame to import, author, display, and export Dolby Vision HDR shot-by-shot animatable metadata, streamlining creation and delivery of vibrant, vivid, high dynamic range imagery. Flame 2021 allows users to quickly save and recall color grading and VFX work in the new Explorer, a dedicated 'grade bin' and reference comparison area to support artist workflows. A new video preview mode shares artist viewports, including storyboard, manager and schematic, to SDI or HDMI preview monitors. Flame, Flare and Flame Assist 2021 are available at no additional cost to Flame Family 2020 subscribers.