Monthly Archives: May 2011

Sometimes I forget that it’s not about the gear, it’s about the journey and the destination – it’s a hazard of working at an IT solution provider. But working with Warren Miller Entertainment, I was reminded that when we deliver a storage solution for post

Warren Miller Entertainment

production, we can help (in a small way) some talented people create a work of art.

John Barcklay, post production supervisor, Warren Miller Entertainment, tells a familiar tale about video data requirements outgrowing storage investments. “In 2004, six terabytes seemed like plenty of storage space. Now it’s not nearly enough. Our old system had trouble keeping up with our new work flow,” says Barcklay. “Luckily GW Hannaway introduced us to Dot Hill and the 3730 storage platform.” 

With four edit suites simultaneously accessing uncompressed, 1080-resolution video on the company’s storage network, capacity is important, but bandwidth is equally critical. “On our old system we were getting a lot of dropped frames,” says Barcklay.

The right storage ‘gear’ needed to offer:

• High performance storage to ensure that frames didn’t drop

• Reliability 

• Better workflow management

• Ability to share files between 4 editing suites

• Compatibility with Apple, Xsan and Final Cut Pro

• The right price

“We could be laying back HDCam tape for an hour and a half and have to start over again because of dropped frames. That would cost us a half day of work trying to troubleshoot the problem, which could usually be traced back to our outdated storage system.”

“We just can’t have something like that happen when we’re on a tight deadline,” emphasizes Barcklay.

“The timing of the Dot Hill 3730 and our 8Gb storage network was truly key,” says Barcklay.

“We needed the right throughput to roll out frames. Since we implemented the new Dot Hill system, we haven’t had a single problem. We love it. It has been rock solid for us,” John Barcklay, post production supervisor, Warren Miller Entertainment.

Let’s get to that Destination, faster and better

• Increased productivity by eliminating downtime

• Shortened rendering times

• 8Gb Fibre Channel connections

• Scalable systems that allow more terabytes to be added over time

As Warren Miller’s Wintervention made its way across the world, reaching half a million viewers, audiences weren’t thinking about the storage behind the film. But that’s okay; John Barcklay doesn’t want to think about his storage network either, he’s thinking about the next destination and loving the journey.

More about Warren Miller Entertainment www.warrenmiller.com

Complete case study, click here.

Article contributed by: Neil Sullivan, GW Hannaway and Associates, Integrator and Ski Enthusiast.