In addition, the MediaStream 9000 system offers improved playout performance via the new Palladium Store 2000 storage array, a next-generation storage architecture that offers scalable capacity of 3 to 48 terabytes (TB), and higher throughput with bandwidth of 680 Megabits-per-second, per array. MediaStream 8000 customers will be able to upgrade to MediaStream 3.31 software to take advantage of the new XDCAM HD and Long-GOP playout capabilities.

"As the industry continues to embrace HD, broadcasters are increasingly faced with the challenge of handling a greater number of media types -- while also having the storage and bandwidth that is required to accommodate these formats. We've designed MediaStream 9000 with these needs in mind,” said Johnathon Howard, director of On-Air Product Management at Avid. “By adding playout support for popular HD formats and also improving the bandwidth and storage capacity of the system, we're enabling broadcasters to scale to their playout operations and keep pace with the demand for HD content. Additionally, MediaStream 9000 allows broadcasters to easily switch between SD and HD playout options without the expense of adding more hardware -- providing them with a path to fully transition to HD when they are ready."

Utilizing a 2 Gigabit (Gb) Fibre Channel interface, the MediaStream 9000 server is optimized for delivering superior HD playout performance. In addition to supporting XDCAM HD and Long-GOP HD media, the MediaStream 9000 system is built around the new Palladium Store 2000 storage architecture, providing customers with the option to choose either 250 GB or 500 GB storage drives, with capacity of 15 drives per array. Furthermore, customers can link together a total of eight Palladium Store 2000 arrays, providing up to 48 TB of storage per MediaStream 9000 chassis. Using the MediaStream 9000 server, customers will experience approximately 50 percent greater drive capacity and media throughput – whether they rely on dedicated storage to deliver content to a few channels, or deploy a comprehensive network of MediaStream 9000 systems to play out content to 100 channels simultaneously.


MediaStream 9000 is expected to be available in the second half of 2007 and is priced starting at $68,000 USMSRP. Avid expects version 3.31 of MediaStream software to be available for MediaStream 8000 customers in Q2. The 3.31 software upgrade will be available at no additional cost to MediaStream 8000 customers under warranty or a support contract. For more information, visit www.avid.com/mediastream.

"Many of my colleagues have switched or added Avid Liquid to their arsenal of editing apps. The price and the workflow are just too good to overlook, especially when working with JVC Pro HD,” said Stephen Noe, owner of szn89productions, an independent production company based in Chicago. “With the new capabilities of Avid Liquid Chrome Xe, I can produce HD material and easily transfer it to HDCAM, while also previewing it in real time. My customers have been astounded at the high quality and the trouble-free editing I can do while they are there with me. I can make changes to the timeline in real time and play out sequences for their review right then and there. It's great, and saves a lot of time for me -- and money for them."

The Avid Liquid Chrome Xe System
The Avid Liquid Chrome Xe system is software that works in conjunction with the AJA XENA LHe board. After installing the AJA XENA LHe board with the Avid Liquid Chrome Xe software, customers can easily work on uncompressed HD video projects. The Avid Liquid Chrome Xe system also offers a wide range of I/O capabilities including SD and HD analog and SDI I/O; analog composite/component video I/O; 10-bit broadcast-quality hardware HD to SD down conversion; TBC via analog inputs; analog and digital stereo audio I/O; 2-channel analog audio I/O; and 2-channel AES, and 8-channel embedded audio. Users can also preview their projects in real time from the timeline on an external monitor in HD.

"Videographers have long sought a low-cost/high-performance solution that would allow them to use a great editor like Avid Liquid to capture, edit and playback uncompressed HD or SD video or audio in real time, ” said Thad Huston, Windows Desktop product manager for AJA. “With new support for our XENA LHe board, we've been able to give Avid Liquid users a way to do that. We're excited to work with Avid to continue to deliver on the needs of video professionals."