PRONEWS Award 2023 Vol.05 - Cloud Services

PRONEWS AWARD 2023

The PRONEWS Award 2023 Cloud Services category recognizes cloud services and collaboration services that started service in 2023. First, let’s look back at the cloud industry.

2022 was a year that could be appropriately called the “first year of cloud in the video industry,” as major manufacturers such as Panasonic, Sony, and Adobe started utilizing the cloud.

A major event in the first year of the cloud (2022) was the launch of Frame.io as an Adobe product, making it possible to share materials “from the camera to the editing room immediately.” Video production workflow has been taken to the next level.

At 2022’s IBC event, Sony announced “Creators’ Cloud,” a cloud production platform for corporations. By providing individual solutions on the same platform, such as the long-established integrated platform “Ci Media Cloud,” which began service in Europe and the United States in 2015, it has been made it easier to integrate services all at once. In 2023, Sony started providing Creators’ Cloud services for individuals. The ability to store, manage, and share files on the cloud is popular.

Panasonic launched KAIROS cloud service in 2022. Since it is not restricted by the location of the operation base, it’s ideal for distribution to multiple bases. In fact, KAIROS is being used more and more in live broadcasts of sports and other events.

TriCaster, which is well-known for program production, has finally begun to migrate to the cloud. At IBC 2023, we will exhibit products compatible with cloud-based live video production. “TriCaster Now” with enhanced cloud compatibility and the cloud-based switcher “Viz Vectar Plus” have been renewed as “TriCaster Vectar.”

The PRONEWS Award 2023 Cloud Services Nominees are as follows:

Sony “Creators’ Cloud” for individuals

“Creators’ Cloud” for individuals is a platform that provides six apps. It has a lineup of functions that support creators from shooting to overall production. “Creators’ App,” a smartphone app that allows users to easily upload videos and still images shot with a camera to a cloud service, and “Master Cut (Beta),” a video editing cloud service that allows you to create shake-free videos even without a gimbal. Sony also released cloud media storage “Ci Media Cloud,” that enables remote production and collaborative video production to be made more efficient.

“Dropbox Replay”

Cloud category announcement. Entering an era where cloud workflows can be introduced even for small-scale video production [PRONEWS AWARD 2023] Vol.05 Explanation image

A video collaboration tool that allows users to quickly check and approve videos, images, and audio in one stop. The official release started this year after the beta version was released in 2021. This app allows instant feedback seamlessly in Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Apple Final Cut Pro, Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve, and other video editing tools. With annotations and the ability to comment over specific timestamps and time ranges, reviewers can specify exact times, spots, or sequences to avoid misunderstandings. They also use Replay comments to make it easier to see feedback, and pin specific items as a priority so everyone is on the same page.

Adobe “Frame.io” Updates

In time for IBC 2023, Adobe enhanced review and approval tools for a variety of Frame.io users, from broadcasters to corporate users. Users can now view videos, audio, photos, design files, and PDF assets side by side using Comparison Viewer. All Frame.io and Creators’ Cloud users can now add comments and annotations while comparing two assets of the same type side by side. Also compatible with Atomos’ new product Ninja/Ninja Ultra Camera to Cloud. In combination with the Atomos CONNECT module, film teams can send high-quality 10-bit 4K H.265 footage to Frame.io for each take.

Sony updates “Creators’ Cloud” for corporations

Cloud category announcement. Image explaining the era in which full-fledged cloud workflow can be introduced from small-scale video production — M2 Live

From October to November 2023, we released updates for various Creators’ Cloud services. The A2 Production customized solution has added analysis services centered on audio analysis, such as “sound source separation service,” “speech recognition service,” and “excitement editing.” The “M2 Live” cloud relay system has started offering the latest version, V1.2. V1.2 supports “slow & replay function for recorded video” and “recording function for each input streaming signal (ISO recording function).” Cloud camera portal “C3 Portal” supports SRT format streaming input.

TOMODY “WRIDGE LIVE” free trial version

TOMODY, "WRIDGE LIVE" service starts from December 1st Main image

Free trial version is available from December 21, 2023. The official release date is yet to come, but it has been specially nominated for this category. This service enables remote control of multiple video streams from the filming location via the cloud, making it possible to reduce the time, labor, and cost of transporting equipment and wiring to the filming location. It supports remote operation of PTZ cameras, etc. at the distribution site, and by using the dedicated smartphone app “WRIDGE CAM,” users can perform live distribution from the site with just a smartphone. Detailed settings and operations are possible for cameras that support NDI and XC Protocol.

“ATOMOS Cloud Studio” Camera to Cloud

It is a setup portal that allows users to configure the ability to recognize devices from the cloud and the destination for video recorded and streaming from the cloud. Atomos Cloud Studio has an item called destination that defines the destination.

Producers can choose from YouTube, Twitch, Dropbox, etc. One of them is that it also supports Frame.io, which has been a hot topic lately. NINJA V+, NINJA V, and SHOGUN can simultaneously record high-quality original files and proxy files on the SSD, and the proxy files are automatically transferred to Frame.io and can be shared with various people. Users can check it on a smartphone browser without the application. The proxy file can be downloaded, and it is possible to create a complete package using the proxy in advance, upload it to Frame.io, and exchange confirmation with the director on the client. It is convenient to be able to efficiently create original content by linking the high-resolution original file once it is approved.

Alteon.io cloud-based platform

Alteon.io is a web-based collaboration environment for content creators. It is a service that can provide enterprise technology and functions in a flexible manner to creators and companies of all sizes. It features upload, share, conversation, review, collaboration, and non-linear tool integration. In line with this year’s IBC 2023, we released high-speed upload and integration with Premiere Pro, and in the update on December 13th of this year, we released a content buying and selling function by introducing a marketplace. A little while ago, with the update on March 24th of this year, the iPhone app was released to support uploading to the Alteon cloud, enabling workflows such as allowing team members to immediately start post-processing.

■ PRONEWS AWARD 2023 Accessories Category Finalists

Sony “Creators’ Cloud” service for individuals
Dropbox “Dropbox Replay” service
Adobe “Frame.io”
Sony updates “Creators’ Cloud” for corporations
TOMODY “WRIDGE LIVE” free trial version service
ATOMOS “ATOMOS Cloud Studio” service
Alteon “Alteon.io” cloud-based platform

PRONEWS AWARD 2023 Cloud Division Gold Award

Adobe “Frame.io”

The Gold Award goes to Adobe’s Frame.io, which has achieved amazing advances in filming and post-production.

Until recently, The prevailing thought was Camera to Cloud and collaboration workflows were still something of an experiment. Adobe’s Frame.io has made it a reality. It’s amazing how one can participate in filming from any location without needing expensive hardware, and easily issue editing correction instructions. Although other companies offer collaboration and storage services, Frame.io is the only one with Camera to Cloud functionality. There is no doubt that he stands out as one.

PRONEWS AWARD 2023 Cloud Division Silver Award

Dropbox Replay

The 2021 beta version has ended, and the long-awaited official version has begun to be released. It is a tool that can be operated intuitively and allows users to leave comments without any explanation. It received a Silver Award for its easy-to-understand interface and cost.

Users can also share with people who don’t have a Dropbox account. Another advantage is that it can be used for large-scale productions as there is no limit to the number of people. A wide range of support software is available, including Premiere Pro, After Effects, Final Cut, DaVinci Resolve, and LumaFusion. It can be said that it is a video project management tool that is a perfect companion to Frame.io.