ROUND TABLE
these potential advancements shape the industry in unforeseen ways? SS-B: Storage will continue to develop as USB technology advances. The next generation of USB 4.0 will lead to new portable storage solutions anticipated to arrive in the future. RW: The integration between camera and storage is what we envisage will change. Although camera-to-cloud workflows are starting to be adopted and the number of options rapidly expanding, the master recordings are still in- or on-camera. Where cameras record the master (highest resolution or bit rate) files will change, and we will see that data going directly to storage (be it on-premises and/or the cloud) at the time of recording. The role of the copy in-camera is then reversed, providing a secondary or back-up version. CL: Filmmakers are increasingly turning their attentions to the cloud, not just for back-up purposes, but also as a primary online storage solution. Enthusiasm is high as advancements in storage capacities and data transfer speeds facilitate even larger resolutions and immersive XR/VR experiences – and artificial intelligence continues to be an exciting area of untapped potential.
Investing in solutions that offer scalability through upgrades and interoperability is highly recommended. Adopting multiple storage mediums and technologies also enables you to protect against change, and then incrementally invest and upgrade in a more palatable way. CL: Change is inevitable. It is essential to choose a provider that you trust will keep up with innovation. Forming partnerships with industry leaders, developing integrations for other technologies in your workflow, regularly updating their systems, announcing new features and winning industry awards are all good signs that a company is investing in innovation and compatibility. Within your organisation, proper succession planning and lifecycle management are healthy strategies to help future-proof your workflow. SS-B: To future-proof against increasing content sizes and hardware speeds, purchasing the highest density of our fastest range, the T9 – which features USB 3.2 Gen 2 technology – would ensure you have the most up-to-date range that is also backward-compatible. Def: Looking forward, what possibilities do filmmakers envisage for the future of storage technologies in film productions, and how might
various locations worldwide. Traditionally, copies of files would have been made and distributed for different stages of the production and post-production process. However, with advancements in technology like IBM Aspera, we now have the capability to share a master copy quickly and efficiently, negating the need for multiple copies. This not only streamlines the workflow but significantly reduces the storage requirements and associated energy consumption. It’s quite astonishing how quickly thousands of redundant files can accumulate in traditional workflows. To promote sustainability, it’s crucial to continually refine these processes. Moving away from a ’set and forget’ mentality towards a ’speed-appropriate’ and reliable transfer solution is crucial. This approach minimises errors and redundant data, ensuring sustainable data transport. The focus should be on ’less haste and more speed’, enhancing efficiency while reducing waste and redundancy. By sharing a master copy quickly with technologies like Aspera, film production companies can significantly reduce their environmental footprints while also maintaining high efficiency in their workflows. Def: Given the rapid advancements in technology, how can filmmakers future-proof their storage solutions to ensure compatibility with any upcoming innovations in the film production industry? RW: Technology will always move on at a rapid pace, so putting off upgrades and procurement could always be justified, but then you’d never buy anything. CHANGE IS inevitable , SO A PROVIDER MUST keep up with innovation ”
STORE UP Ever-increasing capacities are enabling high-resolution immersive experiences
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