Accom Introduces Low-Cost HD DDR

Accom has introduced the WSD/HDi Digital Disk Recorder, which provides uncompressed HDTV recording at a lower cost than similar products on the market.

Introduced at the Interbee show in Japan, the WSD/HDi has a video disk storage array inside its chassis. The Import/Export utility lets the product interface with a network of graphics rendering computers and film printers without concern for proprietary file formats, which eliminates the need for transfer scripting or QuickTime file wrappers. The import utility can monitor up to five user-defined directories for the arrival of single-frame image files.

When an image file arrives, the Import utility automatically inserts the frame into the clips of the same name stored on the WSD/HDi. While the WSD/HDi is a recording clip, the Export Utility can transfer individual frames from that clip (or any clip already stored) to any computer or film printer on the network. Supported image file formats are SGI. TARGA, TIFF and PSD, among others.

It stores both SD and HD uncompressed video formats with optional uncompressed digital audio and allows clips with different video formats and line standards to co-exist in the storage array.

WSD/HDi provides an option for record or playback of video, key and audio in a single operation under a clip identity. Other features include a standard 1000 base T gigabit Ethernet port, control from any networked computer through the browser-based Net Panel user face, QuickTime compliant file format and optional AES/EBU digital audio.

WSD/HDi was designed to be used in a networked production environment with a mix of operating systems. The workflow is germane when creating graphics and effects for HDTV and electronic film.