Pebble Beach Systems launches Marlin 3D graphics rendering framework at IBC 11 Sep 2013
IBC Stand 8.B58, Amsterdam. 13th September 2013
Pebble Beach Systems today announced the launch of Marlin, a new automated render solution which reduces dependence on dedicated 3D playout graphics hardware and minimizes processing overheads for channel in a box solutions.
Initially shown in conjunction with a plug-in for Adobe After Effects CC motion graphics and visual effects software, Marlin (Marina Advanced Render List Integration) is a tightly integrated pre-render workflow tool which is available both for the Marina automation solution and for Pebble Beach Systems' Stingray channel in a box product. Designed to be agnostic with regard to the underlying video server technology, Marlin frees up playout graphics equipment by managing the generation of 3D graphics in advance and then reinserting them into the playlist as a clip.
Managing Director Peter Hajittofi explains: Many on air playback systems still incorporate discrete graphics devices which can play out complex 3D graphics promos in real time. Where graphics are required over live sources or where schedule changes need to be made right up to the last moment, these devices may still be required and can be controlled by our Marina automation platform. However, for most broadcasters, there are benefits in rendering the graphics in advance using standard IT hardware that can serve many channels. This avoids the need for expensive 3D graphics devices in each transmission chain and provides significant savings.
Marlin works by interrogating the Marina or Stingray playlist for events which need complex graphics promos and generates render requests where the graphic has not already been created. This information is sent to the render engine along with the appropriate graphics project, and the new graphic is generated. At IBC this 3D graphics generation workflow is demonstrated using Adobe After Effects CC. Marlin then automatically moves the finished files, which can be generated in a format which is compatible with an existing video server, or with new generation channel in a box devices, to the chosen playout device. They are then played out at the appropriate time as standard video files.
Peter Hajittofi elaborates: The Marlin workflow avoids the potential for integrated channel devices to be overloaded during playout, meaning that more channels can be handled at the same time on each box, significantly reducing costs and saving space and power. Many 3D graphics projects are currently originated using Adobe After Effects CC software, and so the implementation of this new Marlin workflow can lead to significant simplification in the graphics production workflow where live 3D graphics are not a requirement. We believe that the functionality which Marlin offers makes it the most complete graphics generation framework on the market.
Marlin offers a series of unique features, including the ability to determine how far ahead the playlist is interrogated in order to optimise when jobs are processed relative to the likelihood of late changes. Render jobs are prioritized by earliest on air time and are dynamically updated across all channels. Any late changes will automatically be submitted for re-rendering, with the Marlin evaluating whether there is time to run the render job. If it is judged that it is too close to air to commit to the 3D render, the job will automatically be reallocated as a 2D render instead. Marlin enables render engines to be managed as a farm across multiple channels, providing for redundancy and system scalability, and the render process could take place in dedicated server hardware or potentially be pushed to the cloud.
In addition to displaying the status of all render jobs via a progress bar in the Marina or Stingray playlist,
Marlin ensures that any templated fields within the 3D graphic which should have been automatically populated with text from the playlist or traffic schedule have been correctly inserted and formatted.
The Marlin plug in for Adobe After Effects CC is available through Pebble Beach Systems.
About Pebble Beach Systems
Pebble Beach Systems is a world leader in automation, content management and integrated channel technology, with scalable products designed for multichannel transmission, news, sports and interactive television as well as content management, workflow and direct archive control. Installed in more than 50 countries and with proven systems ranging from single up to over 100 channels in operation, Pebble Beach Systems offers open, flexible systems which encompass ingest automation, workflow automation, archive automation and complex file-based workflows. The company trades in the United States as Pebble Broadcast Systems, and is based in Denver, Colorado.
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Pebble Beach Systems launches Marlin 3D graphics rendering framework at IBC 11 Sep 2013
