New Video RAIDs From Avid

Avid Technology, Inc. announced the next-generation of its high-performance storage disk arrays — Avid VideoRAID ST and Avid VideoRAID SR solutions — which combine real-time performance, cost-effective SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) drive technology, and the security of fail-safe data protection in the event of a disk drive failure. Unlike other RAID solutions that may be unusable during a drive rebuild, Avid VideoRAID solutions help customers keep up with the fast pace of digital content creation by maintaining full performance and data protection, while rebuilding the drives in the background.

Customers will also be able to take advantage of real-time playback of up to two streams of uncompressed HD on as few as eight Avid VideoRAID drives. Additionally, Avid is offering all new VideoRAID ST and SR customers a three year warranty on drive mechanisms and enclosures, providing advanced exchange of replacements parts at no additional cost.

"This is just another example of how Avid continues to drive high-quality products to market that offer great performance and value to our customers," said Kirk Arnold, executive vice president and general manager of Avid Video. "By offering real-time parity with these new solutions, Avid is able to help eliminate the headaches and loss of valuable hours and money associated with downtime. This news, coupled with the new editing lineup we announced last month, is just another example of how Avid is continuing to innovate and deliver on its New Thinking."

Available in a 5-drive tower (ST) or a 16-drive rack mount (SR) configuration, Avid VideoRAID ST/SR disk arrays support a wide range of Avid editing systems, including the recently announced Media Composer, Symphony Nitris and NewsCutter family of products, as well as third-party applications, via an industry-standard SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) interconnect. The products provide the protection of parity through the use of RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) which can handle multiple streams of uncompressed SD and HD media with ease and offer a capacity ranging from 2.5TB to 16TB per editing system.

New Features of Avid VideoRAID ST/SR

• Fail-safe protection of content – Real-time parity RAID goes beyond conventional RAID protection by enabling systems to continue to operate at full performance with no data loss. Customers will now be able to complete any work in progress during drive failures, without loss of media and without requiring immediate drive replacement.
• Full performance during drive rebuild – Avid VideoRAID ST /SR eliminates costs associated with system downtime by enabling customers’ systems to be fully functional during the rebuild process of failed drives. Once the rebuild is complete, Avid VideoRAID resumes full content protection.
• Configuration flexibility – Customers can configure systems to their specific needs with a choice of drive capacity, 5- or 16-drive array models, and up to two arrays supported per CPU. Supported raw capacities range from 2.5TB to 16TB.
• Redundant power supplies (VideoRAID SR models) – Via robust, load- sharing power supplies, customers benefit from added protection and reduced stress on their system, while operating without interruption on only one power supply.
• Removable controllers, drives, and power supplies – Field-replaceable components can be easily removed, making service simple and quick — to maximize uptime.
• Optimized for use with Avid editing systems and software – Customers will benefit from increased productivity in the field as a result of rigorous testing of Avid VideoRAID ST and SR with Avid editing systems and software.

Pricing and Availability
The new Avid VideoRAID solutions are expected to begin shipping in Q2 2008. Pricing begins at $4,795 US MSRP for 2.5TB configurations.

Avid Technology, Inc.
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