Maximum Throughput Builds a Better Sledgehammer

Europeans will get their first look at the latest version of Maximum Throughput’s Sledgehammer server, with its built-in MAXmedia browser-based media management application at IBC in Amsterdam. It adds new features that address performance, collaborative workflows, media assembly, media search and retrieval, metadata compatibility and device integration, and format conversion and encoding.

The new V3.6 Sledgehammer delivers an aggregate, sustained network throughput of more than 700 MB/s. It can allocate guaranteed network bandwidth for dedicated clients such as editing and effects workstations that require sustained real-time streams. Additionally, the Sledgehammer HD!O model adds support for real-time capture and playback of 1080/50p, 1080/59.94p, and 1080/60p at 4:4:4 12-bit. Closed Captioning, keycode and production metadata are supported.

Sledgehammer is a Network Attached Storage (NAS) file server with built-in media management and preparation tools. With its real-time video I/O and control capabilities, combined with file-sharing and media processing support, the product accommodates both tape-based and file-based workflows.

The new software release of Sledgehammer’s MAXmedia application adds MXF encoding support for format conversion while allowing dynamic preview of video conversion. It also adds capabilities to the timeline, including the ability to drag and drop clips to and from any location on the timeline, to display and magnify audio track waveforms, and to trim and slip segments within the timeline, as well as several keyboard shortcuts and modifiers, enabling faster media sequencing and editing.

Sledgehammer file servers are available in either the NAS configuration or in the HD!O model. NAS file servers can be upgraded to Sledgehammer HD!O (SD, HD, and 2K/4K film resolutions) for real-time capture of uncompressed SD or HD video at 8-bit,10-bit or 12-bit color depth.

By Michael Grotticelli, StudioDaily