The bridge between graphics and Media Asset Management
Viz Link is an extension to Vizrt’s graphic products, such as Viz Content
Pilot and Viz Trio, to allow a direct access to video-storage solutions. Viz
Link supports the entire range of Vizrt’s Media Asset Management systems,
from the MAM in-a-box products Viz Video Hub Base and Viz Video Hub Base+,
as well as the powerful Viz Video Hub Extended, to Viz Ardome, a
full-fledged personalized MAM system for international broadcasting
companies.
All Media Asset Management solutions that Viz Link supports are based upon the
proven and widely-used technology of Viz Ardome. The entry-level solution
features storage space for 40 hours of DV25 video and more than 100,000
still pictures. With Viz Video Hub Extended, it is possible to extend the
storage capacity up to 2,000 hours of DV25 video. Viz Ardome is fully
customizable and features a virtually unlimited storage capacity for even
the most demanding environments.
Viz Video Hub automatically creates keyframes and browse versions of all new
video files. The flexible support for metadata allows users to add
information throughout the workflow; from before a live ingest is started to
after a file has been added to the database. File management on other
servers, like Ardendo Arvid, Omneon Spectrum and GVG K2 is also supported.
A powerful enabler
Taking template-based solutions for journalists and operators one step
further, Viz Link allows the addition of video material to pre-defined
templates in one single workflow.
This is made possible by allowing all users across the network to access
pictures, clips, and templates from their own desktop.
In a typical setup, a Viz Link-enabled Viz Content Pilot will allow graphics
and video to be managed from within existing newsroom systems such as AP
ENPS, iNEWS, Octopus, OpenMedia, Dalet+, and NorCom NCPower. The systems
communicate using Viz Gateway and the MOS protocol.
High-quality 2D and 3D templates, created in Viz Artist, are accessible
through the Viz Content Pilot newsroom plugin in the newsroom system or
through Viz Trio. Users are not bound by preselected clips but can search
and access all media files in the database directly. Viz Link thereby
effectively overcomes the restrictions of other, less integrated solutions.
The Viz Link approach requires very little training. Journalists and operators
can utilize its added functionality from within their familiar Vizrt
interface. All features added by Viz Link are enabled in the existing
front-ends and follow the same workflow logic.
Additionally, Viz Link leverages on Viz Video Hub and Viz Ardome’s two video
editing applications: Viz PreCut is an intuitive, cutting-edge application
enabling users to rough cut video and create new clips.
Viz EasyCut is a more advanced timeline-based editing tool. Either option
allows the creation of Edit Decision Lists and continual browsing of
streamed material without having to reload the entire clip.
Flexible playout
Viz Content Pilot includes a powerful multi-user playlist with real-time
updates, allowing multiple users to work on the same playlist
simultaneously. The playlist also features snapshot icon previews of all
elements in the list. When Viz Content Pilot is Viz Link-enabled, both
template graphics and videos can be taken to air from within the same
playlist interface.
Viz Link can use Viz Engine as a flexible real-time video and graphics
compositor, triggering the transfer of graphic templates and video clips to
the Viz Engine. Viz Engine can then be controlled to play out either
graphics, or video, or both.
Since graphics are not pre-rendered before the transfer, changes can be
applied up to the very last minute before playout. Viz Link supports both
automatic and manual transfer to the Viz Engine playout server.
