May 2012
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Brevity Delivers High-Speed Transcode, Transport...
By: Karen Hogan, Assistant Editor, Sports Video Group
The Sports Video Group is pleased to welcome Brevity as a platinum sponsor.
Formed in 2010 by Jacob Bronstein and Abdul Sulieman, Brevity offers technology that delivers simultaneous transcoding and highly accelerated transport of high-resolution video as an integrated process on any network. The technology is currently installed or in...
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Brevity Speeds Video Delivery
By George Winslow , Broadcasting & Cable
Its V3 technologies are being tested at six major channels
As producers and programmers struggle with the difficulties of moving large HD video files between production sites or between facilities, a New York City-based start-up, Brevity, is getting some significant traction with a new solution that offers much faster transport of high resolution...
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Creative Group implements Brevity transcoding...
NEW YORK – Brevity (www.brevityv.com), which has designed a new media transcoding, transfer, storage management and collaboration platform, recently made a sale to international post house Creative Group. Since last Fall, Creative Group has deployed Brevity’s V2 solution, seeing workflow gains for transport and transcode of sports highlights, TV programs and promotions of HD content. Brevity...
“Edison’s electric light did not come about from the continuous improvement of...”
– Oren Harari
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The power of Brevity on Canon DSLR HD workflow
Do you use Canon DSLRs on your HD workflow? Are you spending hours importing footage into Avid or FinalCut for editing? TranzXL, our service bureau partner had to transcode, transport and import 48 raw camera files from Canon 5D, 7D, and 60D cameras; a total of 9.4GB in 88 minutes of footage.
Utilizing an high-speed data transfer protocol to move the 9.4GB from location to post facility on a...
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WatchBrevity - UI walktrough (Project collaboration and workflow automation, with highly accelerated multi-point transport, and simultaneous multi-format transcoding.
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WatchBrevity - Core technology
April 2012
39 posts
WatchBrevity: True Cloud Collaboration
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“The enterprise is back. For the last few years all the noise has been on the...”
– Dev Ittycheria
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Brevity FAQ #4
Question: Does Brevity have the ability to run a transmission on the same network as other video WAN Optimization transport companies?
Answer: Yes, but Brevity must be allocated a percentage of the pipe. Brevity provides tools to manage allocation of bandwidth to ensure that proper network usage is maintained.
Question: What extra functionality does Brevity offer for transcoding?
Answer: Brevity has extensive functionality for all transcoding requirements. Brevity offers de-interlacing, audio remapping, scaling, cropping, HD to SD down conversion, standards conversion, frame rate conversion, and much more. If your company has a complex transcoding requirement or workflow, Brevity can provide custom profiles or integrated Application Programming Interface (API) functions to integrate processes.
Question: Can Brevity be accessed from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers?
Answer: Yes, Brevity fully supports any devices that use HTML5 including tablets, phones, and all laptops with modern browsers.
Question: Can a file transfer be initiated from a mobile device? Can the file itself be viewed on a mobile device?
Answer: Yes, you have full access to the system’s tools on all mobile devices. Although you cannot view an original file from mobile devices, you will have full access to move and send files. We are in the process of developing a way to preview low-resolution videos from your mobile devices.
Question: How does Brevity protect security using a mobile device?
Answer: The Brevity security model is the same across all access points. On your mobile device all communication is fully encrypted 4096 bit level SSL during transport and storage, requires live two-way handshaking and authentication, and the V3 project management structure allows granular control of who has access to what assets. In addition, no usable video is transmitted outside of the LAN – the proprietary Image Warp format requires Brevity software and hardware to rebuild.
Question: Does Brevity provide deployment and training?
Answer: Yes, Brevity provides full deployment and training based on the scope of the engagement. There is an initial set-up fee to cover these activities.
“The relative skill and speed with which you extract insights from the voice of...”
– Branden Kelley, Innovation Excellence
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TRANZXL Brings Brevity to Rental Market in New...
Brevity and TRANZXL, a bi-coastal service company, have inked a deal whereby TRANZXL will launch the first “Brevity powered service bureaus,” drop-off rentals and on-location packages designed to speed and simplify HD file conversion and delivery. The goal is to allow producers, broadcasters and creators to use and rent units at TRANZXL’s New York and Los Angeles facilities for short periods of...
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Brevity FAQ #3
Question: Do I get unlimited access to all of the transcode engines and codecs my company needs?
Answer: Yes. All supported formats are included with every Brevity license. Brevity is continuously adding newly supported formats, which will automatically be added to your system at no additional cost.
Question: Does Brevity ingest handle both pre-compressed and uncompressed content?
Answer: Brevity can handle both compressed and uncompressed footage. However, Brevity’s technology is most effective in dealing with high bit-rate or uncompressed formats. The higher the bit rate, the higher the acceleration gains will be. There will be future enhancements made to address highly compressed, low-bit rate content.
Question: Do you lose source quality during transport?
Answer: No, when using the Data Warp algorithm the transmission is bit-for-bit and therefore mathematically lossless. When using Image Warp there is no discernible quality loss, as the algorithm re-creates the source file to be “visually lossless” by using highly sophisticated algorithmic techniques and models tuned to the human visual and perceptual system. It further tunes the results to the automated workflows and processes required by high-end post-production and distribution. In fact, significantly higher quality loss is experienced in “workarounds” when going to tape or transcoding to other formats.
Question: Can Brevity be used with a low bandwidth Internet connection?
Answer: Brevity can operate at even low bandwidth connections. As there is no minimum or maximum bandwidth required, Brevity will always provide improvements in file transfer speeds. Brevity includes WAN optimization based on UDT but also provides additional file transfer speed and simultaneous transcode benefits beyond simple WAN optimization through its advanced Image Warp and Data Warp compression.
Question: Does the original file format get reconstituted at the delivery point?
Answer: Yes, not only can Brevity reconstruct the original format, but Brevity’s technology can also convert the file or deliver any other supported format(s) on the receiving end. For example, you can push content to five or more different locations in multiple formats, including the original file format.
Question: What is the transcode time at each end (as separate from the transmission time)?
Answer: The transcode time occurs simultaneously as an integrated process during the file transport, so there is no additional time required for transcoding as the file arrives at the target destination. Today, much transcoding is done in centralized transcoding farms. By combining transport and transcode, Brevity moves transcoding to the “edge”. This is a unique benefit of the Brevity solution.
Question: Do users sign in with their own credentials (username and password)?
Answer: Security design is a high priority so we have made it a low-administration system with invitation and delegation. Every user has his or her own credentials.
Question: What if Brevity does not support the format my company needs?
Answer: Brevity supports most industry standard formats. If your company utilizes a format we do not currently support, our deployment team will work with you to implement and test any new formats required. Our average turn-around time to implement formats is typically one to three weeks depending on the format and the availability of tools needed.
“The social enterprise is not a burden, it’s an incredible gift to companies that...”
– Dave Yarnold, Guest blog post in Forbes.com
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WatchThe public launch of BREVITY & TRANZXL at the 2012 NAB Convention in Las Vegas.
“The best companies are liberators. They bring motion where there was...”
– “How to Spot the Future”, Wired Magazine, May 2012, p. 187
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Brevity FAQ #2
Question: Does running a file through ImageWarp multiple times degrade the quality? If so, how many times can you run the file before it is noticeable?
Answer: Brevity software is designed to avoid this type of quality degradation. Our system transports a proprietary transport or mezzanine file created by our Image Warp and Data Warp algorithms. This transport file is created at the first ingestion of the video. Since the instructions to rebuild the source media is included in the transport file, there is no “cumulative loss” since any re-transcodes can always pull from the source. Since Data Warp is a lossless compression algorithm, there is no loss of any kind, no matter how many times it is compressed and uncompressed. The only way it could be a factor is if you’re doing multiple generations of the same file when doing meaningful pixel edits where you re-warp the files. Our tests show that you can do roughly six of these with ImageWarp before you see any meaningful loss; this is well below the threshold of any standard workflow process. Overall, we never re-compress unless the user specifically wants to accomplish that.
Question: Is there any special Metadata handling?
Answer: We never alter metadata and take steps to carefully save and preserve metadata as part of the way that the Brevity solution processes content. Metadata capture is an integral frontline feature that we offer, as it is a very important part of any project. The Brevity enterprise project paradigm may also extend to any partners. There are extensive provisions for metadata at all levels (individual clips, final products, a franchise series you’re working on, and much more). Throughout the project, there are a number of ways to access, utilize, and integrate metadata.
Question: Is Brevity hardware required on both ends to send and receive content?
Answer: Yes, hardware is required at the source and destination end of transported files. In order to move high bit rate video and transcode on the wire, Brevity requires teraflops of computing power on both ends of a transmission. A standard Brevity license includes a hardware component, with the necessary parallel compute power of GPUs and the high speed Solid State Drive (SSD) arrays to process media files with the compute intensive Image Warp and Data Warp algorithms. Special hardware is not required to access Brevity’s web application. Any device supporting leading browsers can get access through a login as long as authorization has been granted. An upcoming web based component will enable users to download transcoded files from the cloud at accelerated speeds.
Question: Is the data itself securely encrypted when being stored or being sent from point A to Point B?
Answer: Yes, all client and server communications have 4096 bit encryption. Additionally, the Brevity transport file is not a playable video but rather a set of instructions how to rebuild the video on the other end. This means that no video is ever being transported in the clear. If this file were to be intercepted, it would be unreadable without Brevity’s source code and hardware, which adds an additional layer of security.
Question: Is the margin of error when sending content from point A to point B?
Answer: The margin of error is entirely dependent on the network itself. In the event that there is an issue with one of the parties dropping packets or disconnecting, the Brevity units error correction system will resume and resend the necessary packets of information until the send is completed.
Question: Do I get unlimited access to all of the transcode engines and codecs my company needs?
Answer: Yes. All supported formats are included with every Brevity license. Brevity is continuously adding newly supported formats, which will automatically be added to your system at no additional cost.
Question: Does Brevity ingest handle both pre-compressed and uncompressed content?
Answer: Brevity can handle both compressed and uncompressed footage. However, Brevity’s technology is most effective in dealing with high bit-rate or uncompressed formats. The higher the bit rate, the higher the acceleration gains will be. There will be future enhancements made to address highly compressed, low-bit rate content.
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“I’ve been a hands-on producer and editor for over 20 years. I’ve seen tape to...”
– Paul G Goldberg, CEO, TRANZXL
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WatchBrevity Aims to Transform Transcoding Workflows
Interview by by Will Richmond, VideoNuze
“An interesting new company named Brevity came out of stealth mode here at the NABShow this week. Its V3 technology transcodes large video files during highly accelerated transport from one location to another without any degradation of quality. The company is aiming to disrupt traditional production...
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Transcoding, Transport and file-based workflows: ...
It’s been two exciting days, listening to the many people coming by our booth, letting them play with the latest version of Brevity, and answering their questions. Most of all, we appreciated their really useful suggestions for making the platform even better and more useful for them. As we were demoing our platform, we heard visitors describe a lot of pain points around transcoding, file...
WatchNABSHOW Live, April 17. Brevity’s COO is interviewed by Will Richmond of VizeoNuze (18:45). Watch the full Interview here.
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Brevity Partners with TRANZXL to Service...
DMN Newswire—2012-4-18—Brevity, a venture-backed NYC start-up serving the Media & Entertainment industry announced today a strategic partnership with TRANZXL, a bi-coastal service company that is launching the first Brevity powered service bureaus, drop-off rentals and on-location packages designed to speed and simplify HD file conversion and delivery. Recognizing the growing need...
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NAB: Brevity Introduces Transport Technology That...
Brevity announced at the NAB convention today V3, a technology that delivers simultaneous transcoding and accelerated transport of high-resolution video as an integrated process on any network.
V3 delivers its transport capabilities through a Web-based enterprise video management solution that utilizes automated project-driven workflows, advanced algorithms, virtual storage, Web-based interfaces,...
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“Brevity’s breakthrough technology is a game changer. The ability to provide...”
– Joe Avallone, President of Creative Group
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Brevity Redefines Workflow of Post-Production...
Demonstrating comprehensive proof of concept of its innovation-leading media transcoding, transfer, storage management and collaboration platform, Brevity today announced sales to international post-production house, Creative Group. Since fall 2011, Creative Group has successfully deployed Brevity’s V2 solution, securing massive workflow gains for transport and transcode of sports...
“Those that have digital collaboration infused in their DNA will be the...”
– Gordon Castle, PriceWaterhouse Coopers @ the SVG 2012 Chairman’s Forum
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Takeaways about the challenges of media in the...
Challenge 1: Media transport acceleration is still a challenge with the prevalence and expectation of always higher quality content.
Challenge 2: The complexity of IT needed to support the business processes in media is growing and not catching up with demand.
Challenge 3: Three areas in which pain points are manifesting - Video processing, distribution and consumption.
Challenge 4: The asymmetry of pipes, (easy to get content to the cloud, much harder to get content from the cloud) is still an unresolved challenge.
Conclusion: The promise of the cloud requires innovation in the space to develop new solutions based on its potential capabilities, not just superimposing established models and old thinking.
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Brevity Introduces Simultaneous Transcode
Brevity, a venture-backed NYC start-up serving the Media & Entertainment industry today announced V3, its breakthrough technology that for the first time delivers simultaneous transcoding and highly accelerated transport of high-resolution video as an integrated process on any network. V3 delivers this capability through a Web based enterprise video management solution that utilizes...
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Cameras, Storage, Transport to Highlight NAB →
“One issue that impacts a number of studios and broadcasters is the difficulty in moving the files around. I saw an early version of some impressive software from Brevity Ventures that uses a new compression algorithm to transcode video while simultaneously transporting it. The product, called Brevity V3, takes advantage of the large amount of processor power now available to compress video...
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Brevity FAQ #1
Question: How does Brevity actually combine transcode, transport, and storage into one solution?
Answer: Brevity’s Image Warp, an advanced compression algorithm, enables a source media file to be modeled into a highly reduced “transport file” which enables simultaneous transcode and accelerated transport of the file over any type of network. The Image Warp transport file contains a set of instructions on how to simultaneously transport and rebuild the file - either on the Brevity unit or through a network transfer process - into either its high-bit rate resolution source file or a range of other formats. This tiny blueprint or transport file is what allows us to combine transport and transcoding into a simultaneous process. This transport file, when stored, is anywhere from 2X-30X smaller than the source file format, which utilizes less storage and provides cost savings.
Question: In dealing with storage, does Brevity integrate with and use other 3rd party storage? Or does it only use its own proprietary storage?
Answer: Brevity has been tested with a number of SANs for originating points and receiving zones. Since almost all SANs use integration through a standard operating system, it is easy for us to use virtually any third party storage. Brevity does provide its own internal SSD storage on each unit, but it is recommended Brevity be used as a pass-through device for files originating and landing on a local storage array or SAN. If there is a file system exposed with network permission, Brevity can take full advantage of it.
Question: What extra functionality does Brevity offer for transcoding?
Answer: Brevity has extensive functionality for all transcoding. We encompass anything you would expect from a professional-level suite such as de-interlacing, audio remapping, scaling, cropping, HD to SD down conversion, standards conversion, frame rate conversion, and much more. If your company has a complex transcoding workflow or needs we can accommodate those as well.
Question: Are the Brevity files stored in the cloud or on our local network?
Answer: Brevity files can be stored in the Brevity cloud, in your private cloud infrastructure, on your local network storage, or a hybrid of all of them. This is dependent upon your company’s needs. Brevity sales and deployment teams will manage this process for customers.
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NAB Report: Brevity Launches V3 for Transcoding,...
One company hoping to make a splash at NAB is Brevity, a New York City-based startup that is today announcing the imminent arrival of its first product, Brevity V3. Combining hardware, online services, and proprietary algorithms, V3 simultaneously transcodes and transmits high-resolution video files, shaving hours off delivery time and ensuring that the files are in the correct format when they...
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Live From NAB: Brevity Breaks Down Transport,...
The NAB Show is always a time when new products and new faces come to the forefront of the industry. This year’s show is no exception, and, for those involved in sports production, one of the more intriguing new companies represented at the show is Brevity. The New York City-based startup is exhibiting V3, a Web-based video-management system that the company says can transfer encrypted video files...
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TRANZXL ~ Service bureau powered by Brevity
The TRANZXL service offers an affordable and accessible solution to speed up, simplify and enable media conversion to be done out of the edit rooms and in one single box, while giving you back valuable time, money and focus to use for creating great content.
Powered by our groundbreaking technology partner Brevity (Brevityv.com), TRANZXL’s service merges first to market super computer...
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“With support for RLE to Avid DNX including alpha channel preservation, as well...”
– Abdul Sulieman, CTO, Brevity.
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“Brevity does four things, workflow management, collaboration, greatly...”
– David Barton, Head of Engineering, Brevity, speaking in a panel at the 2012 SVG Chairman’s Forum
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NAB 2012: Brevity Makes Vegas Debut with New...
At this year’s show, Brevity is launching its next generation solution with a live demo at its booth. Watch as Brevity seamlessly ingests multiple camera formats and simultaneously transports and transcodes into Avid, EVS, Final Cut, along with many more workflow examples. Get a first look at Brevity’s integrated web-based collaboration and workflow automation tools, used for managing and...
Features update
New and exciting features enhancing the Brevity solution:
ProRes Support: Added encoding and decoding support for all ProRes types allowing for more flexibility with one of the industry’s most common formats.
EVS: Brevity partnered with EVS to add support for EVS broadcast formats, allowing seamless workflows into and out of one of the most popular broadcasting systems worldwide.
QuickTime...
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Brevity Taps Industry Vet Mike Jackman as SVP of... →
