Sony Media Cloud Services Ci Platform Debuts in Europe with Groundbreaking Video Production Applications and Wireless Camera Integration

CULVER CITY, Calif., Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Media Cloud Services today announced the debut of new production applications and wireless camera integration during its European launch of Ci^SM, a dynamic cloud-based video production and library platform. Since its launch at NAB in April, Ci has released new and enhanced services which include: Ci RoughCut, a browser-based application that enables the sourcing and stitching of multiple clips; and collaboration tools Ci AudioReview and Ci VideoReview, which allow any person throughout the production process to review, annotate, and collaborate on media files from any location in real-time. To help creative professionals gain access to content immediately, Ci recently integrated Sony's wireless camera adapter to deliver camera-to-cloud functionality. Sony Media Cloud Services will demonstrate these applications and provide a sneak peek into wireless camera-to-cloud integration in Sony's booth at IBC this week.

"With today's production teams dispersed across multiple locations and up against accelerating production timelines, getting content from the camera into the hands of editors, producers, or directors quickly and efficiently can be challenging, to say the least – especially when they're working with extremely large files," said Naomi Climer, President, Sony Media Cloud Services. "Ci's ability to receive content wirelessly from cameras and immediately launch applications like RoughCut and VideoReview to source, stitch, edit, and collaborate with stakeholders streamlines the entire workflow cycle so that, as soon as content is shot, people around the world can start working. That's exciting."

Collaborative Production Applications
Ci's broad ecosystem of studio-designed applications helps teams collect, organize, manage, collaborate, edit, conform, review, approve, and finalize content. New to the production application roster, Ci RoughCut complements production workflows during the early phases of the editorial process, allowing users to define cut lists, source, export, and share with users. Ci's browser-based collaboration tools provide audio track and frame-accurate threaded commenting and annotation, real-time group discussions with onscreen notifications, and the ability to export EDL markers to help streamline the editorial process. Ci's enhanced media management services include personal and team workspaces for work-in-progress materials and library tools built for the collection, organization, and storage of finished media files.

From the Camera to the Cloud
Now complemented by the wireless camera-to-cloud connectivity recently announced for Sony's line of professional camcorders, the Ci platform uses Sony's wireless adapter to collect footage from the camera, enabling easy transmission over networks and efficient remote Wi-Fi operation. Users can transmit high-resolution files via 3G, 4G, LTE, or Wi-Fi to a broadcast station, or upload them directly into Ci's cloud environment, to speed production workflows. This capability enables transmitting dailies from a field location, monitoring recorded images quickly onsite, remotely sharing edited work on a cloud platform, and more.

Built for large-scale productions, budget-conscious independently produced films, television, news and sports content, Ci offers a variety of subscriptions and packages to suit all production budgets and workflow requirements. Introduced at IBC in beta, Ci's new self-service model will allow creative professionals at any level to sign up online for free and start using Ci immediately. Professional monthly subscriptions start at €19 EUR / $25 USD per month per user with scalable storage and production application bundle options.  Ci will also be previewing new archive capabilities designed for longer term, secure and durable storage of Ci managed content. 

During IBC's Workflow Solutions session on Saturday, September 14, at 5:00 p.m. Ms. Climer will host Chris Cookson, President, Sony Pictures Technologies, to discuss how digital workflows have changed video production and where Ci and the cloud can evolve the industry. The entire Ci platform is available in the US and Europe and can be seen in action during the IBC conference in the Sony booth located in Hall 12, the Elicium.

About Sony Media Cloud Services
Sony Media Cloud Services transforms media and entertainment production workflows with the industry's first cloud services built by media professionals, for media professionals. Sony MCS Ci apps, complemented with the infinite scalability of the cloud, make enterprise-grade capabilities available to creative professionals at all levels, from studios and broadcasters to independent production companies, marketing teams and creative individuals—without the need to buy or maintain costly infrastructure. Analysis algorithms and anywhere, anytime collaboration make production processes more streamlined and efficient so media professionals can focus on creating compelling content. For more information, please visit www.sonymcs.com.

SOURCE Sony Media Cloud Services