Sony Unveiled Optical Disc Archive System for File-Based Workflow

Sony Corp. announced that
its next-generation Optical Disc Archive storage system will start shipping
across AsiaPac in October 2012.

Unveiled at IBC 2012, this system
provides guaranteed intergenerational compatibility and reliable long-term
storage, and is at the heart of Sony’s vision to create a complete archiving
solution for broadcasters, motion picture companies and production houses.

Sony also announced that it is
developing a new robotic library, the ODS-L10, which can contain up to two
drives and a maximum of ten media cartridges. Planned to be available in the
beginning of 2013, it will form part of a solutions that include a larger and
expandable robotic library, currently in development. In addition, Sony today
unveiled a new logo mark for the Optical Disc Archive system. Any compatible
hardware product as well as storage media which meet the specification will now
carry the new Optical Disc Archive logo.

In order to help develop and promote the
optical disc format, Sony is working with ten manufacturers, including
Adobe and AVID, who have all expressed their support for the archiving system.

"After years in development with
our alliance partners, we are excited to now bring our Optical Disc Archive
system to the market," said Chris Grey, GM of Broadcast and Content
Creation Solutions, Professional Solutions company (PSAP), Sony Corporation of
Hong Kong Limited. "At the cutting edge of storage innovation, the
ODS-D55U is the ideal library archive for small files. Its ability to retain
recorded data without being continually powered means the system has
significant advantages over traditional DR and permanent archive systems."

"At Sony we have a strong roadmap
in place that will see our Optical Disc Archive technology being used in an
increasing number of applications, from small-scale file back-up storage,
through to large scale network solutions. The result of over ten years of
innovation in file-based technology, we have created a powerful and efficient
storage solution that allows high quality content to be archived, regardless of
the original media format," he added.

Optical Disc Media
A variety of high capacity media
cartridges are available for the Optical Disc Archive system, from 300GB to
1.5TB. Each cartridge allows random file access using the Universal Disc Format
(UDF) system. Optimised for long term media archiving, the cartridges have an
estimated 50 year lifespan and are built to withstand changes in temperature
and humidity, and resist dust and water droplets. Each cartridge has a built-in
RFID to check the contents of the media with mobile devices for efficient asset
management, such as cartridge loaning, stocktaking and shelf archiving.

Drive Unit
Equipped with a USB 3.0 interface, the
ODS-D55U drive unit is equipped with Sony’s simple management software solution,
Content manager. By automatically extracting metadata and storing it in a
database, Content manager allows users to quickly search, browse and retrieve
files. The ODS-D55U drive unit with one Content manager license will be
available in the AsiaPac market from October 2012.

XDCAM Archive
Since its launch in 2010, XDCAM Archive
has been adopted across the world as a file-based content and archive
management system that is for small to medium sized A/V businesses. To be
released in December 2012, version 1.6 will enable users to connect XDCAM
Archive to Sony’s Optical Disc Archive system, creating a versatile solution
for businesses that operate a shelf-based archive system.

Robotic Library
As part of its optical disc product
roadmap, Sony gave IBC attendees a glimpse at the ODS-L10, a compact robotic
library that is planned to be available in the beginning of 2013. Comprising of
two drives that contain a total of ten 1.5TB media cartridges, the library will
be able to store up to 15TB of data, all in one 19-inch rack mount unit. In
addition to the compact version, Sony is also currently developing a larger and
expandable robotic library that will be launched in late 2013.

Collaboration with other manufacturers
In order to promote the optical disc
archive system, Sony is collaborating with ten manufacturers in a number of
related business areas including storage media, library robotics, middleware
and application software. These manufacturers are as follows: Adobe,
ASG-Atempo, AVID, Dalet, Front Porch Digital, Harris, SGL, Square Box Systems
Ltd, TDK Corporation and Vizrt.

TDK Corporation has announced its
support for the Optical Disc Archive system and that it will begin
manufacturing disc media under license from Sony. Front Porch Digital has also
announced its support of Optical Disc Archive by 2013 along with Sony’s
expandable robotic library and the use of Archive eXchange Format (AXF) with
the Optical Disc Archive system for improved long-term protection and
preservation.

By establishing an open
platform around its Optical Disc Archive solution, Sony is working
collaboratively with the industry to create the complete archiving solution for
file-based workflows.