NAB2000 Preview: Digital News Editing Systems, Part 1 of 2

Broadcasters looking at digital news editing systems at NAB this year should have a good selection of products from which to choose. I recommend you take a look at the following systems (listed alphabetically):

Accom Affinity
This is not a broadcast news system, but, as the Spheres before it, will become one of the more popular systems for stations' promotions departments. This uncompressed editing/compositing system has proven a good fit for creating promos of upcoming movies/programs, and composited intros to local programming. Make sure you check out their new "Server Solution" when looking at Affinity.

Avid NewsCutter Cut and NewsCutter Effect
The NewsCutter has become the most popular nonlinear news editing system with over 200 new DV-based systems plus 800 Mac-based Motion JPEG systems delivered worldwide. Presently, Avid is offering a DV/DVCPRO version, but at NAB the previously announced DVCAM, MPEG-2 and HDCAM versions may be shown. I would not be surprised to find a NewsCutter in Pluto's booth, in Grass Valley's Booth, in Sony's Booth and in Avstar's booth. This system gives the operator the tools needed to get news editing done simply and easily. Speed, flexibility and connectivity are the bonus features. The Effect model offers real-time transitions and an integrated titling tool.

Avstar Media Browse
The Avstar Media Browse system offers breakthrough newsroom efficiencies by allowing immediate and simultaneous accessibility of material to 40 users per server who can browse and edit footage, while up to eight feeds per server are being simultaneously recorded. The Grass Valley Group ContentShare media asset management platform and the Avid Unity server integrate completely. Together with Avstar newsroom software, the Broadcast Control System software and with Avid NewsCutters you have a complete and proven broadcast news package. See http://www.avstarnews.com for a listing of 147 sites and 15,000+seats in North and South America PLUS 98 Sites 13,000+ seats in Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Australia

Discreet edit*
While my personal view is that this system offers a powerful set of tools more applicable to post production applications than newsroom applications, it does have direct-to-timeline editing and voice-over tools so it can be used for both. Discreet will be introducing an exciting new version of software at the show.

Fast 601
For post production work in MPEG-2 P@ML 50MB and DV/DVCAM/DVCPRO check out this system. For the price (starting under $20,000) it has the tools to give post production editors what they need.

Leitch NewsFlash
NewsFlash is the head-end to the Leitch VR-300 Motion JPEG media server. The editing software has its origins in the highly regarded ASC editor. You can begin editing the video moments after the images begin loading onto the server. Effects and motion effects are two features of this system

Panasonic NewsByte
Newsbyte is a very exciting nonlinear editing system. With over 100 systems delivered and its integration with Panasonic's new DVCPRO New Automation, Server and Library systems, this is a must-see system for you to consider. With NewsByte's introduction of Version 3 software comes support of 16:9 aspect ratio recording/play-out and 40 new features. NewsByte comes standard with a DVCPRO 4X recorder/player (transfers at four times normal speed) built into the system. For a White Paper on DNA with information on NewsByte access http://www.panasonic.com/PBDS/catalog/prod/pdfs/DNA.PDF

Sony DNE-2000 and ClipEdit
The DNE 2000, Sony's new flagship news editor will be introduced at NAB. This MPEG-2 product will interface with Sony's NewsBase system, and has the external faders and jog/shuttle that so many news editors find indispensable. It offers the option of 3D effects in 4:2:2 video. Other features include multiple aspect ratios, direct-to-timeline editing, and the ability to access metadata from the camera, such as the camera operator marking the good takes.

ClipEdit is the Browser/Editor that works with the Motion JPEG ClipServer. Video is digitized to ClipServer at the same time as it is input to the NewsBase MAV-1000 media server. This allows journalists to either log or edit news stories in one window of their workstation while other software applications (e.g. text software, graphics, media asset managent, etc.) are found in other windows of the desktop.

In Part II, we will examine the issues involved in selecting a digital news editing system.