August 23, 2005 Tokyo, Japan -- ADVA Optical Networking announced that it has completed the qualification of a remote, high-definition video editing system in Japan, in collaboration with partners Softbank Technology (SBT), a Japanese network and systems integrator, and Imagica Digix, a Tokyo-based video graphics trading company.
According to a press release, in the test scenario, the optical fiber-based WAN spanned more than 60 km, and was constructed from ADVA's Fiber Service Platform (FSP) 2000 wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) devices. The network connected remote digital video editing devices, allowing for transmission of high volumes of digital video images and data for video editing purposes.
The video test system was built on the Fibre Channel protocol, employing a non-linear video editor connected to a remote video server. According to the release, the success of the system confirmed the ability to remotely edit large amounts of digital video image data stored in a remote server via the high-definition serial digital interface (HD-SDI), with no performance degradation over the distance covered. The companies say the test configuration also confirmed the ability to transmit bi-directional real-time HD-SDI video signals and to remotely control video recorders using the RS-422 industry protocol.
"Conventional video editing requires the physical transport of magnetic tapes and disks to different sites. This is complicated, time-consuming, and offers no cost benefits for remote editing works," contends Shigeru Kakizawa, manger of sales and marketing for Imagica Digix. "The new WDM extension capability gives the industry a brand new perspective for faster speeds and lower costs through remote editing team collaboration."
In the test configuration, the three companies connected the high-definition video editing system via SBT's dark fiber-based broadband platform, named BB WAN/FC.
"Because of the robust capability of the video editing standards and the WDM solution over long distances, there are many applications for this technology across a broad range of industries," remarks Shin Fujimoto, manager of SBT. "We expect this capability to be used by customers not only from the TV, animation production, and broadcasting industries, but also from the global movie and theatre industries, in the future."
"Video is a critical bandwidth driver," concludes Brian P. McCann, ADVA's chief marketing and strategy officer. "We are excited to team with two strong partners in Japan to deliver high-speed networks that propel the video and film industries forward."
As a result of the successful testing of the system, SBT and Imagica Digix will jointly provide high-speed platforms for digital content transmission in Japan based on the BB WAN/FC service.
In another outcome of the testing scenario, ADVA and SBT announced that they have entered into a distribution agreement for the sale of ADVA's WDM products in Japan.