New features include bin sharing, unlimited SAN/NAS client licensing, file/folder locking
Las Vegas, Nevada, April 16, 2012 – Studio Network Solutions (SNS), a premier provider of post-production storage products for video and audio workgroups, today announced a major OS update to its popular Evo SAN + NAS shared storage server.
The latest release offers a host of user-oriented new features that simplify collaboration and optimize workflow, including bin sharing for Avid Media Composer customers.
Evo is now deployed in nearly 30 countries, and is used 24/7 in a variety of TV, film, video, and audio productions. Customers include The BBC, The History Channel, Irwin Entertainment, Leftfield Pictures, NHL, Pixar, Sesame Street, Showtime, Sony Playstation, and an equally impressive lineup of many other highly respected companies.
“Professional content producers all over the world continue to choose the Evo shared storage system over a sea of competitors,” states Eric Newbauer, Vice President of Studio Network Solutions. “Despite the global hard disk shortage, we moved a record-breaking number of Evo units in Q4 of 2011. Our focus on continually improving the feature set, the value, the service, and ultimately: the customer’s experience, has definitely made Evo the easy and obvious choice for a lot of companies.”
Leftfield Pictures, a New York-based full-scale television production company, is using Evo as the foundation of their file-based workflow. “We have more than 14 reality shows in production or airing. We’ve created content for over 400 episodes of reality TV, and we’re handling this high output all with Evo,” comments Brent Montgomery, owner and Executive Producer at Leftfield. “We run multiple shifts, and we have about 10-15 P2 and SxS cards coming in at all hours. Every bit of media is ingested and edited on our 550 TB Evo system — by any of our 120 FCP Mac Pro and iMac workstations.”
In addition to the new Avid bin sharing and Pro Tools file sharing workflow features, the upgrade to Evo v4 offers NFS, and a Share Browser interface that enables users to lock – or “check out” – files or folders so that ownership and permissions can be easily defined for works in progress. And as a most welcome improvement, it will no longer be required for each computer to have a dongle installed – client licenses are unlimited.
Evo’s integration of SAN and NAS enables multiple users to edit, share and review projects and media using the most appropriate tool for each step in their workflow. The system offers direct-attach (and switch-based) connection of multiple computers, using 4Gb and 8Gb Fibre Channel (up to 8 ports), Gigabit Ethernet (up to 14 ports), and 10 Gigabit Ethernet (up to 12 ports).
Evo is unique in that it natively accommodates Fibre Channel, iSCSI, and NAS protocols in a single, purpose-built storage server. Evo customers can choose an Ethernet-only based SAN+NAS, or customize their Evo with any blend of Ethernet and Fibre Channel ports and speeds. It is a complete “SAN in a box” multi-user shared solution and is capable of handling formats up to 4K. The system is priced very competitively, and is a leader in terms of performance, expandability, and connectivity.
The Evo SAN+NAS shared storage RAID system is compatible with Final Cut Pro/FCP X, Avid, Adobe Premiere Pro, Pro Tools, Smoke, EDIUS, and most similar applications for Mac and Windows. It is also compatible with SANmp, Xsan/StorNext or metaSAN, most popular Fibre Channel HBAs, the globalSAN iSCSI initiator for Mac OS X, and the Microsoft iSCSI initiator.
At NAB
For more information, visit SNS at NAB 2012 in booth SL13207 and in its “workflow ecosystem” partners’ locations: SL11509 (Square Box Systems), SL10508 (Cache-A), and SL9109 (Marquise Technologies). Square Box Systems will be demonstrating the benefits of its popular CatDV media asset management software running directly on an Evo shared storage system. Cache-A will be demonstrating their long-term archive appliances in coordination with an Evo-based workflow lifecycle. Marquise Technologies will be demonstrating its RAIN, OCEAN, and MIST products – color grading, dailies, and ingest management software – in an environment facilitated by an Evo storage system and SANmp.
About SNS
Studio Network Solutions (SNS) specializes in the development of shared storage hardware and software solutions for the Media and Entertainment industry. Since day one we’ve applied unmatched ingenuity and experience to create outstanding products that exceed industry expectations while providing outstanding support to our customers.
Our customers range in size from individual freelance engineers to multinational media powerhouses. Our solutions are used to produce everything from books on tape to full track scoring for major Hollywood films. Our products have been at the technical core of the music you listen to, the games you play, the shows you watch and the movies you see.
We have a valued network of resellers located throughout the United States… and the world. Whether you have a product question or you’re ready to place an order, we encourage you to contact us today.