[Inter BEE 2014] Ask reveals the newly released 4k Camera “AJA CION”, miniature editing system, “TriCaster Mini”, and exhibits high-speed shared storage “HyperSPACE”

Ask set up a large booth at Inter BEE 2014 to introduce a wide range of products it handles (booth number: 4206). Many new products were on display in the booth, such as the US AJA Video Systems 4K compatible projection camera “CION,” the US NewTek portable video production system “TriCaster Mini,” and the SSD accelerator “HyperSPACE” for the UK GB labs shared storage system, “SPACE”.

- 4K Camera “CION”, light and based on ergonomics to be “easy to carry”.

The 4K Camera “CION” was on show in a large display in the AJA Video Systems corner facing the main passageway. CION is a 4K projection camera presented to the public by AJA Video Systems in April 2014. They announced that they would begin taking orders for CION at Inter BEE 2014. The recommended retail price is 1,220,000 yen. Recording is possible in 4K/UHD and 2K/HD with direct recording to Apple ProRes 444 (4k 30fps) and ProRes 422 (4K 60fps). It is also compatible with AJARaw data output at 4K 120kps.

The ease of use and maneuverability of the CION was underlined at the exhibition. “It’s taken 5 years to develop this camera. It has full functionality as a production camera, and we were able to reduce the weight to only 2.9kg. And, using research into ergonomics, we were able to create a 4K camera that’s easy to carry with ergonomically designed shoulder pads and proper front/rear balance when mounted with a lens” (AJA Video Systems Product Marketing Manager, Andy Bellamy).

Another appealing feature is the LAN port which allows multiple CION units to be setup and controlled via a network. Many units were on display for visitors to get a true feel for the camera.

- “TriCaster Mini,” a miniature video production device that can be carried on to an airplane.

Two new products were introduced at the NewTek booth. The first was a miniature video production system called “TriCaster Mini,” the other was a Skype interview system called “TalkShow”.

TriCaster Mini is the smallest product in the TriCaster series of video production systems. With 4 HDMI input ports and 2 HDMI output ports, it allows convenient video production and video streaming. Director and head of sales of the distributing agency Dstorm, Yutaka Yoshimizu, said, “It’s got the same software functions and usability as a higher range product, so you can use it without any issues. Since it’s small, it can be taken on to a plane as carry-on luggage, making film production much more mobile.” The TriCaster Mini with a 7 inch LCD is available as a set with a controller as the “TriCaster Mini HD-4i Bundle” for a recommended retail price of 1,680,000 yen. As part of its InterBEE exhibition campaign, it’s available for 1,280,000 yen until December 25.

TalkShow is a video relay service for use with the “Skype TX” video calling service for broadcasters provided by Microsoft US-affiliated Skype. It can output Skype video calls at HD SDI. A demo was performed that showed how it could be used to capture interview footage and sound using Skype video calls without the need to send out a film crew to interview key persons.

- “HyperSPACE,” a high speed front-end for shared storage using an SSD.

“SPACE” shared storage and “HyperSPACE,” the high-speed front-end used by "Space", were on display in the GB labs' corner. SPACE is a shared storage product that allows simultaneous capture and editing of multiple camera feeds. The Chief Product Officer of Reinphase, Kei Kinoshita, explained that “Footage from 12 cameras was simultaneously captured and edited in Asahi’s summer 2014 Netto Koshien broadcast.”

The SPACE line-up on display has a high-speed front-end called HyperSPACE which utilizes an SSD. SSDs are four times faster than HDD, and handle fast I/O. The high-speed SSD is used by the front-end at the time of recording and editing, whereas an HDD is used for high capacity storage, meeting the demands for both speed and volume. “Another positive point is that you don’t need drivers, you just need a work station with a standard OS,” added Mr. Kinoshita.

[Ask]
Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku, Kudan Minami 4-8-21 Yamawaki Biru 11F
URL：http://www.ask-dcc.jp/