Encore Hollywood Gets In Sync with Sigma Electronics

Sigma’s OctaStream Eight-channel AES Audio Management System Keeps Video and Audio Flowing Together Into Encore’s Telecine Suites and Other Systems

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF., NOVEMBER 15, 2005 – Encore Hollywood, one of Hollywood’s premier video post-production facilities, has found a single solution to some common audio problems vexing many post facilities today: How to easily synchronize AES audio with video, and swap audio channels when necessary – and do both tasks easily and cost-effectively.

Their solution, according to John Stevens, Encore Hollywood Director of Engineering: The OctaStream AES Audio Management System from Sigma Electronics, a flexible, low-cost and intuitive system which enables the facility both to solve crucial sync issues on the fly and do them with minimal operator training.

“I use it in our telecine bays for audio monitoring and dubbing,” he said. “It’s a convenient way for us to have eight channels of AES audio control where and when we want it fed.”

In telecine suites, systems such as color correction often have their own built-in audio synchronization systems, he continued, which require matching to the telecine’s audio processing.

In Encore’s dub center, while all masters are completed in D5 component non-compressed digital or HD-CAM formats, the source material can come from virtually any analog or digital source. Elaborate processing may be required, such as extracting a 4:3 “center cut” from a 16x9 image or changing the source’s aspect ratio. All that processing can create as much as two frames of delay.

Complicating the process further is creating program dubs for various broadcast and cable networks. Since there is no universal standard for specifying which audio channel is designated for Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound audio, some channel swapping is required to satisfy each media outlet’s discrete needs.

Solving these and similar problems used to require using separate multichannel or four-channel audio mixers: expensive and convoluted solutions that often required an additional operator with sophisticated audio skills.

With the OctaStream system, Encore’s editors can directly manipulate up to eight audio channels in their edit suite from an intuitive easy-to-operate control panel. The system lets them sync and set sequencing, and store presets for each version of each show. Dub room personnel then produce the shippable dub using the presets, assuring that all sequencing is accurate.

“It solved all our delay issues,” Stevens noted, adding that he is looking to expand the use of the OctaStream system into other areas of Encore Hollywood’s operation including HD editing suites.

The system is also efficient in terms of facility real estate. OctaStream’s control module is a 2 RU unit containing up to eight delay modules and mixer/router modules and an optional sample rate converter, and housed in its own powered frame. The user control panel is 1 RU.

Stevens also praised the system’s engineering efficiency, noting that he worked closely with Sigma’s engineering team in designing the OctaStream control panel for post-production facility use.

OctaStream digital audio management systems are available directly from Sigma Electronics and selected dealers worldwide.

ABOUT ENCORE HOLLYWOOD

Encore Hollywood, an Ascent Media company, is a full-service post production facility, comprised of people committed to the highest level of quality service. Home to some of the most respected artists in the industry, Encore has an award-winning engineering team and state-of-the-art technology. One of the industries premier facilities, Encore specializes in television episodics, digital intermediates for feature film, commercials, music videos and visual effects. For more information, visit the Encore website (www.encorevideo.com) or call 323-466-7663.

ABOUT SIGMA ELECTRONICS