Review: Digital Rapids StreamZ
几年前, pundits were claiming that the move to digital acquisition and distribution would end the format wars. Turns out they were partly right: what was considered a war between VHS, β, S-VHS, 8mm, Hi-8, βSP, 等. ended less than two years after affordable digital acquisition formats like DV and DVCAM hit the scene. 问题是, that format war was just a practice exercise for the real format war, which is very much upon us today. 最后一次统计, we’re up to about 50 viable codecs and variations of codecs, and the number is still growing.
Last issue I reviewed Autodesk’s Cleaner, a software-only product that does an adequate job of transcoding content. 这个月, 虽然, we kick it up a notch to a hardware-software combination that provides real-time encoding, remarkably fast transcoding, and a host of other features.
The Digital Rapids StreamZ series of network video encoding solutions consists of a Digital Rapids single- or dual-channel encoding card, a 3RU chassis with 8 hot-swappable bays, 双3.6GHz Xeon processors, and either a breakout cable or an optional breakout box. 回顾一下, we decided to forego the analog encoding cards, and review a dual-channel digital and analog card, streamz - 2500. We also took a sneak peek at the StreamZHD, in the same configuration as streamz - 2500 but with SD-SDI and HD-SDI inputs. Even 虽然 it’s not a "standard" configuration (see the product 信息 at the beginning of this article), it gave us a chance to experiment with the best of both worlds, 可以这么说.
编解码器和格式
StreamZ解决方案, which includes Digital Rapids’ Stream Enterprise software, is capable of handling many different codecs and formats, thanks to the company’s agreements with major codec vendors. The system works in real time with WindowsMedia, QuickTime, Helix-based编解码器, MainConcept mpeg - 2, 索伦森, DivX, 和Flash. Digital Rapids has also shown a willingness to integrate new codecs as they reach maturity; future plans also call for real-time H.264 encoding and transcoding.
形成的因素
The StreamZ box we tested was designed for rack mounting in a standard server rack, but Digital Rapids also makes a expansion chassis version as well, known as StreamZ-P (the P is for portable), that plugs into a laptop’s PCMCIA slot. While it’s only available for standard definition and is limited by the laptop’s processor, it provides a portable solution for those who need it. Some production companies are now equipping mobile productions trucks with Digital Rapids’ solutions. 你要做好心理准备, 虽然–as with any standard dual Xeon server with redundant power supplies, this beast produces significant noise.
设置
关于我们的审查制度, set up was straightforward, even with a unit that had both the standard-definition DRC-2500 card and the high-definition DRC-5000 card. The system booted up immediately, and we were able to begin a transcoding session. We were also able to position the breakout box in a location about 2 meters away; it is possible to position the breakout box longer than 2 meters away, using a 50-pin SCSI-2 cable, but Digital Rapids doesn’t support that configuration and it could lead to anomalies in the HD-SDI signals.
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