The transition from Standard Definition to High-Definition media production requires a network upgrade to edit HD content in real-time. Traditional 1-Gigabit networks do not have the necessary bandwidth to move large HD video files in a timely manner. Sledgehammer is Max-T's shared storage solution designed specifically for the post-production and broadcast markets. It is one of the world's fastest network attached storage systems, and is also concurrently a dual stream capable HD digital disk recorder.

A subsidiary of Union Editorial, LLC, resolution, Inc., has built a 10-Gigabit Ethernet backbone to produce HD television commercials, music videos, film trailers, promos and montages at its production facility in Los Angeles, CA. Technology from Maximum Throughput Inc., developers of ultra high performance software-based solutions for networked storage infrastructure, and a 10-Gigabit Ethernet switch from Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. are being used by resolution.

    John Miller, vice president of worldwide sales, Max-T states noted, "In this new digital era where numerous facilities are transitioning to HD, it is critical that our company is able to meet the many demanding industry requirements. We're extremely pleased that Sledgehammer was chosen by resolution amongst the many technology choices available."  

    "We faced some real challenges in deciding how to evolve our network and shared storage capabilities in order to deal with the huge increase in image sizes when moving to an HD capable layout. We looked at a lot of options, but the Sledgehammer proved to be the absolute best choice for us, especially when coupled with the Fujitsu 10GbE switch. We're now able to move uncompressed HD video in real-time," stated Todd Iorio, president, resolution.

    Video-based material can be digitized to, played back, or recorded out from the system even while it continues to serve the stored content as file-based image and audio sequences. The Fujitsu XG700 10GbE switch is an integral part of this 10GbE network due to its ultra low-latency, an absolute requirement when moving HD video.

    "Moving large HD media files in real time is a daunting task. There are various approaches to this problem but the one consistent requirement is that transferring large files demands increased network throughput," commented Vic Herring, senior director of new products, Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. "The Fujitsu XG series' link aggregation, ultra low latency, IGMP snooping and port security capabilities are ideally suited for resolution's requirement that data arrives quickly and predictably for real-time HD production."