Tape-less Post Production Solution For Planet Earth

BBC Post Production Bristol is investing in a new High Definition Tape-less post production solution, which will be used on the BBC's landmark natural history HD series – Planet Earth.

The new grading and finishing technology, including substantial data storage to eliminate video tapes, will enable BBC Post Production Bristol to deliver high quality uncompressed HD programmes, without compromising the quality of the content, whilst maintaining a smooth sustainable workflow.

The ingest, storage, editing, effects, grading and archive system is based around a 9TB Sledgehammer HDIO NAS from Maximum Throughput and includes Lustre® and Smoke® from Autodesk Media and Entertainment. Archive and storage management is from US manufacturer Breece Hill. BBC Post Production Bristol worked closely with XTFX, who designed the system based on the BBC specification that required a data workflow from Ingest to Publishing.

Phil Mead, Facilities Manager of Post Production Bristol comments: "The footage we receive from our clients is of the highest quality and is often, in the case of the Natural History Unit, unique. We wanted to be able to preserve the quality of the content and provide our clients with an efficient and cost effective workflow for post production."

Planet Earth, which delivers in 2006, is a major production with Discovery and NHK, and is the first major factual programme delivered in HD by the BBC. BBC Post Production Bristol is renowned for its Natural History Unit, Documentaries and Contemporary Factual programmes and drama, including the award winning Blue Planet, Antiques Roadshow and Casualty.

In addition BBC Post Production London is investing in a new Avid HD Adrenaline system, to compliment existing HD editing, grading and restoration equipment. The new Adrenaline is format flexible and allows HD work flow compatibility with offline systems. This reduces costs for HD programme makers, who can create HD programmes on conventional systems.

Clive Hodge, Head of Operations at BBC Post Production comments: "These investments are in response to the growth in HD demand and reaffirm our commitment to offering HD services across the spectrum for our BBC and independent customers."

SOURCE: BBC Post Production