Scitex DV Unveils Sphere Version 3 Software In Amsterdam

New Software For StrataSphere, VideoSphere and DigiSphere Workstations Gets World Premier At IBC, With Shipments Scheduled For Q4 1998

Amsterdam, Holland -  Scitex Digital Video has unveiled Sphere^TM Version 3 software for its StrataSphere(tm), VideoSphere(tm) and DigiSphere(tm) workstations on Stand 1.330 at the 1998 IBC Convention in Amsterdam, Holland. Sphere Version 3 introduces a number of new software productivity tools specifically designed to support complex editing projects and online video finishing.

"At its first public showing, we are tremendously pleased with the functionality and the stability of Version 3 for Sphere workstations," says Director of Marketing Stuart English. "All of our Sphere systems at IBC are being demonstrated with Version 3 software, and it will be available for shipment by year-end."



Key features of Sphere V3 software include:

• ClipSheet Project Organizer with Sort, Find and Media File Locator
• Audio waveform level indication with Enhanced Digital Scrub on ClipSheets and TrackSheets
• Extensive Drag and Drop between and within ClipSheets and TrackSheets
• Intelligent Project Archiving with AIT data tapes
• AutoSave with user-specified parameters
• Keyboard-command mapping to customise user interface
• Video Color Picker copies selected video color to wipe borders, key borders, or digital effects
• 999 event Multi-Layer Undo to complement Unity Undo feature
• Enhanced EDL support with FluidFrame(tm) processing for slow-motion clips

Sphere Version 3 software is the second major software release for Sphere Media Processor^TM workstations this year. Version 2, which was announced at the NAB in April and shipped to customers in July, offers DTV-compatible Anamorph^TM16:9 image processing; Macintosh^TM 0S8 and Power Macintosh^TM G3 support; the fully realtime rotoscoping Graphics Package^TM for VideoSphere and StrataSphere; plus title border extrusions and ten high-speed video compositing modes for StrataSphere. Version 3.0 software will ship as a standard feature with new Sphere workstations, and is available as an upgrade for existing systems.

Advanced Project Management
At the heart of Version 3 software's advanced project management tools are a fully revised ClipSheet Project Organizer and TrackSheet Editor. The new ClipSheet Project Organizer offers an expanded range of Sort and Find routines for all types of media clips used within a project. Its sophisticated Media File Locator traces media files back to any attached media storage device, whether on a local bus or a network. The ClipSheet provides an indication of the actual footage used within a selected clip, and audio waveform level indication. Custom viewports into a project's media files can also be configured by the editor, to allow efficient project and media file management.

Within the TrackSheet Editor, all timecode data may now be freely copied or exchanged between In Point and Out Point Bins (including to/from the Macintosh Desktop), using simple Drag and Drop mouse or pen commands. In addition, drag and drop operation has been extended to selection and movement of audio and video clips between the ClipSheet and a TrackSheet workspace or any defined audio or video track, which complements the system's keyboard command equivalents.

Intelligent Project Archiving, using low-cost high-capacity AIT format digital data tapes, is also provided by Sphere Version 3.0 software, which supports direct attachment of the tape drive to Sphere Media Processor and StorageDock(tm) modules. When archiving, Sphere V3 searches for all documents and files used by a specific project before backing up, so subsequent restores from AIT tape recover every element of the original project if a re-edit or reversion is required.

Rounding out the Version 3 productivity tools are AutoSave, which automatically saves all open files to disk without the requirement for operator intervention; and a custom keyboard command mapping routine, which permits editors to customize the Sphere user interface to their own favorite layouts.

Enhanced Video Finishing Tools
Version 3.0 software features many new video finishing tools including a Video Color Picker, which allows an operator to pick and match any desired color directly from the Program video monitor, then assign the color to a wipe border, key border or digital effect. The Video Color Picker may also be used as an automatic input device of color hue and luminance data to the Sphere system's Abekas Powered(tm) realtime digital chroma key and luma key circuits.

With a maximum of 999 events, V3 software's new Multiple Level Undo expands upon the system's existing Unity Undo feature, providing the editor with the flexibility to quickly propose alternative edits and setups to a client in an online session. Audio Waveform Indication and enhanced Digital Scrub provide the ability to quickly scrub through a clip to find a quiet spot, desired word or phrase to edit against.

he enhanced EDL import function transfers all EDL notes into the Sphere system's ClipSheet for future reference, and also adds sophisticated slow-motion batch processing. This new mode permits all video clips defined by the EDL as slow-motion clips to be digitised at normal speed from a VTR, and subsequently batch processed using FluidFrame video processing algorithms, which provide a visually smoother and higher resolution slow motion than is available directly from a VTR.

Scitex Digital Video, Inc.
(c)1998 Scitex Digital Video, Inc. Abekas and DigiSphere, Sphere, StrataSphere and VideoSphere are registered trademarks, and Abekas Powered, the Abekas Powered logo, Anamorph, DveousFX, 'Realtime All The Time' and SPORT are trademarks of Scitex Digital Video, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies. All rights reserved.

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