Case Studies and User Stories
Find out how customers use SNS products
WXYZ-TV, the number one rated news station in the Detroit area, is among the highest-rated ABC stations in the United States and the largest TV station owned by the Scripps Company. Since its inception in 1948, WXYZ has enjoyed a reputation for quality programming and news reporting as well as technical innovation. In 1998, WXYZ became one of the country’s first TV stations to go digital and last year it became the first Detroit TV station to produce and broadcast its newscasts in High Definition.
When we made the transition from our familiar and efficient tape-based linear world to an all digital Final Cut Pro-based nonlinear workflow, we needed to make sure that we could get our stories on air as fast, if not faster than before. As a news station, we operate in a mission-critical environment, so the real challenge was to create a file-based workflow that not only retained the speed and operability of a traditional linear solution but also gave us a zero down time guarantee.
“When we made the transition from our familiar and efficient tape-based linear world to an all digital Final Cut Pro-based nonlinear workflow, we needed to make sure that we could get our stories on air as fast, if not faster than before. As a news station, we operate in a mission-critical environment, so the real challenge was to create a file-based workflow that not only retained the speed and operability of a traditional linear solution but also gave us a zero down time guarantee.”
As a major, worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment, Vivendi Games works with industry-leading content partners, including Universal Music Group, NBC Universal, Twentieth Century Fox, and Paramount, and conducts business in 75 countries around the world.
“With daily deadlines in this HD Video age, a reliable storage/workspace solution was needed and SNS has provided Vivendi Games with just that. We needed all of our digital video content to be housed and accessed by all six of our in-house edit bays. Now all SAN access is in use 24/7/365 and all projects are used with the SNS system, it’s our content storage provider.”
The company’s large number of studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment, Radical Entertainment, Sierra Entertainment and Massive Entertainment, and their library contains over 700 titles and features some of the most popular brands and franchises in the game industry today. Their ever-expanding portfolio of titles and games includes World of Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Empire Earth, Leisure Suit Larry and F.E.A.R. to name a few. World of Warcraft from Blizzard Entertainment, is one of the world’s most popular games with more than 6.5 million customers worldwide as of May 2006, and that label’s track record alone includes nine No. 1 selling games and multiple ‘Game of the Year’ awards.
Universal Studios Sound Streamlines Workflow with Studio Network Solutions
In this story: Audio, Pro Tools
Universal Studios Sound has 18 mix rooms and stages, and is located on one of the largest studio lots in the world. As a full service post production sound facility, Universal Studios Sound handles features, television, and trailers along with animation and gaming. It offers sound editorial & design, mixing, Foley, ADR and transfer plus digital mastering, preservation, restoration, and archival services. In addition to work done for Universal Pictures, Universal Studios Sound’s services are in high demand by third party productions as well.
Having multiple stages and edit suites, Universal Studios Sound required a more efficient, secure, enterprise-wide solution for its storage needs in its mix stages. Each fully digital mix stage has multiple DigiDesign Pro Tools workstations for playback and recording, as well as additional systems for video playback.
Doc Goldstein, Vice President of Post Production Engineering at Universal Studios Sound said, “Our clients are usually in a time-critical situation and so we need our workflow to be as efficient as possible to meet their requirements. In addition we take security very seriously; we want to make sure their content is as secure as we can make it. So we knew we needed to look to the future and a more robust storage solution.”
Established in 1995, Beatstreet Productions is a full service music and audio post production facility located in New York City. Their engineers, sound designers and mixers utilize state-of-the-art production technology that includes six work stations equipped with Final Cut Studio 2 as well as Pro Tools HD and LE. Their creative approach to music and sound design brings video/film to life for companies requiring the highest production standards. Beatstreet even creates original scoring and songwriting with a team of Grammy, Emmy and Cleo award-winning composers.
The SNS products and solutions are amazing. Now we never think about storage – it’s just there. And their setup and complete service is first-class.
Beatstreet’s most current projects can be found on the PBS Series “Between the Lions” and “Word World.” They are also working on a variety of new programs for Nickelodeon, Sesame Workshop, Noggin and PBS – all to be released in 2008.
Whether creating high-profile commercials for Sears and Toyota, or providing audio post and voice over recording for HBO and ESPN, it’s not uncommon on any given day for Beatstreet to be working on multiple projects. This kind of schedule – as well as client demands and deadlines – leaves no time for downtime. This resulted in a real need and challenge to find a SAN solution that could provide centralized storage for their 6 workstations.
The optimal solution developed by Studio Network Solutions (SNS) for Beatstreet included a custom Fibre Channel A/V SAN PRO™ system. This was an ideal approach, enabling the Beatstreet staff to collaborate on large projects and easily capture, share and edit digital media over a high-throughput, low latency Fibre Channel network. The SNS solution streamlined their workflow and eliminated redundancy by giving them a shared storage system for video, the SFX library and a sample library. Plus, Beatstreet now has the security of knowing that everything is RAID 5 protected.
“The SNS products and solutions are amazing. Now we never think about storage – it’s just there. And their setup and complete service is first-class.” – Joe Franco, President, Beatstreet Productions
Making it all possible: the SNS reseller
SNS products and solutions are able to reach music and audio post productions facilities like Beatstreet because of the efforts of Tekserve. With over 175 employees, Tekserve is New York’s premiere authorized Apple reseller and service provider as well as an authorized SNS reseller.
Tekserve works closely with graphic, audio and video professionals who operate out of small studios as well as Fortune 100 companies located worldwide. With two decades of experience, they have earned a solid reputation for superior technology sales and service. In fact, they have the expertise to design, configure and support systems with hardware and software from multiple vendors. This is why they are so valuable to SNS and their customer base
“We are proud to be representing the Studio Network Solutions family of products. Their type of solution goes hand in hand with the services we provide at Tekserve. Working together with them allows us to offer the customers a streamlined solution that focuses on the needs of the individual facility.” – Chris Payne, Director of Professional Audio Sales, Tekserve
Company: Beatstreet Productions
Industry: Music and Audio Post Production
Working Environment: Pro Tools LE /HD/Final Cut Studio 2
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.
This premium television network has several top-rated channels. And as a leading entertainment company, it also markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis.
The television network had an Xsan solution that their video editing stations used for video content. The technical dilemma? Their Xsan couldn’t support Pro Tools. Also, the current system needed the capability to store OMFs generated on the Xsan from the editing systems. Pro Tools need to be able to access these reference OMFs from a shared location so either suite could begin working on a project.
With A/V SAN PRO™ as the backbone, Studio Network Solutions was able to create a solution that allowed the television network’s Pro Tools systems to share audio and reference video content. When a television project is completed they can now bounce all finished audio and reference video files and push them back to the Xsan. From here video editors can print to tape.
Location: New York, New York
Industry: Television broadcasting, audio production/post production
Working Environment: Pro Tools HD
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.
Over 90 years ago when Technicolor brought color to motion pictures, the company set the bar for technology innovations within the entertainment industry. Since then, the company has established itself as a pioneer and preeminent world leader in developing or deploying advanced methods of visual entertainment to millions of people through film, digital cinema, video, and optical technologies. Now, after nine decades of forward thinking, Technicolor serves an international base of entertainment, software, game manufacturing, independent rights holders, and corporate customers around the world — and, in turn, their operations span the globe from facilities across North America, Asia, Latin America, Europe, Australia and the United Kingdom.
“Ultimately, the A/V SAN PRO offers us a higher level of flexibility and performance for our on-line, near-line and off-line storage, which is critical in a post production environment like ours where multiple projects are worked on concurrently. With over a dozen Pro Tools and Sonic Solutions systems operating 24/7 — we need a system that is as reliable as it is powerful.”
When Technicolor decided to choose Studio Network Solutions’ A/V SAN PRO to link sixteen of its audio production areas, including two Foley/ADR stages, two pre-lay/sound design suites, two mix stages and a central machine room, at its sprawling headquarters in California, they made another forward thinking choice — they opted for the best Fibre Channel networking technology available.
“A/V SAN PRO represents a significant step forward for the way digital audio is stored and accessed. Studio Network Solutions products work particularly well for us because we need an end-to-end storage solution that is powerful and scalable. The A/V SAN PRO also integrates seamlessly with our Pro Tools and Sonic Solutions platforms.”
– Bruce Graham of Technicolor
The demanding requirements of Technicolor’s wide spectrum of audio projects, from audio restoration to full-scale theatrical mixing, prompted the company’s initial interest in Studio Network Solutions. The technology was a critical consideration because it serves as the disk drive-to-workstation link for post-production work at Technicolor.
“Ultimately, the A/V SAN PRO offers us a higher level of flexibility and performance for our on-line, near-line and off-line storage, which is critical in a post production environment like ours where multiple projects are worked on concurrently. With over a dozen Pro Tools and Sonic Solutions systems operating 24/7— we need a system that is as reliable as it is powerful.” – Chief Audio Engineer, Rick Austin
Some of Technicolor’s major Hollywood studio clients include DreamWorks SKG, New Line Cinema, Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment Universal, Twentieth Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company, and Warner Bros. Pictures, among others.
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.
Pat McMakin, Sony Tree Studio’s manager, producer and engineer needed a solution for sharing access and storage for the recording studio’s very large, multi-track audio files. Several years ago he finally found exactly what he needed from the industry’s storage and workflow technology specialist, Studio Network Solutions.
“I have served as manager of Sony Tree Studios in Nashville for 25 years and during that time I have worked with numerous suppliers, manufacturers, and technical entities. In finding Studio Network Solutions, I have discovered a rare jewel.”
– Pat McMakin, Sony Tree Studios
It was just over five years ago that Pat discovered Studio Network Solutions and began using the company’s A/V SAN PRO shared storage system together with its SANmp software for the Nashville studio’s audio files and post-production work. Ever since then, Studio Network Solutions has made a huge difference in this growing studio’s entire workflow system. Not only did SNS offer both high-speed and centralized storage, but their technologies also provided multi-user access and ultra-reliability in addition to hands on support.
“Their products have truly revolutionized our workflow. They have worked flawlessly for over 5 years and the SNS technical support has been tremendous.”
Prior to deploying Studio Network Solutions’ technology, assistant engineers spent hours shuffling FW drives around, backing them up and trying to keep up with which projects were on what drives. The combination of A/V SAN PRO and SANmp software allowed the studio complete centralized and shared data management and backup.
“I have served as manager of Sony Tree Studios in Nashville for 25 years and during that time I have worked with numerous suppliers, manufacturers, and technical entities. In finding Studio Network Solutions, I have discovered a rare jewel.”
“SANmp is a real problem-solver that has allowed us to unify our entire production workflow. Prior to the installation of the system my assistant engineers spent most of their time moving and managing hard drives throughout the entire facility. Now that we can access any drive from any room — my assistant engineers can go back to being an assistant engineers.”
Sony Tree Studios uses Macintosh G5 workstations loaded with ProTools 7.3 specifically for audio and midi applications, and eight drives are shared among three workstations that back up to a Quantum LTO carousel. With the SNS shared storage system, virtually all data is either live on the network or on an LTO tape until it is needed, and then restored to a network drive. It is then manipulated and backed up to the project LTO and all of the drives are backed up daily to the LTO carousel. The improved workflow at the studio has cut labor costs, increased productivity and reliability, and has provided ‘peace of mind’ for Pat knowing everything gets backed up daily.
Studio Network Solutions technology is the backbone for any audio/visual studio facility by employing Fibre Channel technology to connect multiple systems such as Pro Tools™, Final Cut Pro™ and Avid™ to one shared storage/access location. Studio Network Solutions systems are designed to remain stable under the most extreme conditions and their scalable technologies have earned respect among industry leaders as being nothing less than bulletproof.
Company: Sony Tree Studios
Industry: Audio post production
Working Environment: Pro Tools
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.
An Academy Award®-winning computer animation studio with the technical, creative and production capabilities to create a new generation of animated feature films, merchandise and other related products.
The studio’s objective is to combine proprietary technology and world-class creative talent to develop computer-animated feature films with memorable characters and heartwarming stories that appeal to audiences of all ages.
The studio has 5 Pro Tools HD systems and 2 archiving systems spanning different buildings. They needed to be able to share the storage throughout both facilities in a redundant, RAID-protected environment. They also wanted to integrate pre-existing Xserve RAID systems as direct-attached, near-line storage on the archiving systems.
Studio Network Solutions provided a 12.8 TB A/V SAN PRO™ Fibre Channel system utilizing two storage enclosures each equipped with dual RAID controllers and active/active fail over providing robust performance and reliability.
Using seven seats of SANmp, five Pro Tools HD systems and two Archival/Admin computers can now connect through a Fibre Channel switch to the shared storage. Full redundancy across both enclosures provides the most uptime and data integrity.
Sharing the storage with SANmp software allows users to easily move with their projects from foley room to sound effects editing, and from music selection to stem mixes. Two Mac OS X servers provide central administration, archival and network shares to non-SANmp low-bandwidth clients.
Company: A Major Animation Studio
Industry: Animation, film production and foley
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.
This customer is a division of a popular religious organization that was formed to produce training and dissemination films. Their facility contains film and sound studios as well as editing suites and even a film laboratory.
Because of their extensive facility they are able to produce videotaped programs, radio and television messages, as well as restore thousands of lectures and translate them into many languages around the world.
This customer has 28 workstations throughout their impressive production facility running SADiE on Windows XP. Due to their size and massive workload they needed to be able to share files from a central location. And because they had so much data they needed enough storage to handle that many files.
Studio Network Solutions provided a globalSAN X-24 and 28 seats of SANmp® to network all SADiE workstations. The customer can now directly connect, and efficiently share data through a globalSAN GbE 24 port managed switch.
This customer also took advantage of 28 seats of SNS Q:COMPLETE™ Premium support services as well as a scheduled on-site installation.
Industry: House of Worship
Working Environment: SADiE
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.