FAST Multimedia has booked 154 square meters of space in which to introduce the two editing systems "purple" and "silver" in software version 2.5 to potential customers. On Stand 140 in Hall 2, visitors found a series of "purple" and "silver" workstations equipped with the full-featured Web streaming solutions from LinuxSC, as well as a demo stage.

DV Editing is purple.
The highlight of the FAST presentation at this year's IBC is the native DV editing solution "purple", which is based on FAST's FASTstudio editing software and a high-speed codec. FAST is launching a professional, economically priced solution for sophisticated editing in DV, DVCAM and DVCPRO formats. "purple." is designed to target editors in news, educational and corporate markets who need to process DV data professionally in native form. Thanks to "purple.", the FASTstudio platform is on track for rapid expansion. Editors can choose between the "purple.XL", "purple.InTime" and "purple.Control" options. "purple." has been available through authorized dealers since August 1, 2000 and as a Hewlett-Packard turnkey system.

Web Streaming with FAST-Studio
Three products from LinuxSC offer complete solutions for professional Web streaming: 'Carbon Cast' for live streaming and 'Carbon Stream' for Web streaming. These products allow for creating Web-compatible files in Real Video, Media Player and QuickTime formats in real time. 'Carbon Wall' offers maximum firewall security up to stage five level. The Cast 19-inch rack mountable boxes include their own server which requires no maintenance or special know-how--all of this is handled by Linux SC.

MPEG-2 Editing is silver.
The world's first nonlinear MPEG-2 editing solution, "silver.", is a sophisticated answer to the problems faced by editors in the professional/broadcast sector. "silver." is ideal for a broad range of applications, including made for TV movies, documentaries, industrials and advertising. "silver." is also successfully used in difficult post production environments such as news and episodic television. The "silver." professional editing system based on FAST's own editing software--FASTstudio--offers optimum workflow, high quality and excellent stability, coupled with an outstanding price/performance ratio. The complete "silver." system is available from authorized FAST-dealers.

New Software Options for silver. and purple.
"silver.FX" and "purple.FX" add the Z layer to the standard 2D-editor in FASTstudio, providing full 3D-functionality for editors who want to add high-end, sophisticated effects to their projects. A modified page-turn effect is also integrated. The package includes a special green screen keyer and an improved blue screen keyer. Using FAST's own high-quality algorithms and the support of FAST's InTime Processing, effects are processed in the highest image quality without the user having to sacrifice speed. silver.FX and purple.FX are scheduled to be released in October 2000.

Excellent image quality after rendering is often diametrically opposed to high rendering speed. In FASTstudio, editing material is processed in full subpixel YUV quality through the entire rendering process. Since the new software options have been improved for InTime Processing, the options are completely accelerated. All FASTstudio editors work in non-destructive layering. InTime Processing and FASTstudio always use the original material, thereby keeping maximum image quality. Since InTime Processing is a software-based technology, there are no hardware limitations. All effects created in FASTstudio are accelerated entirely in the background, allowing editors to continue working.

Internet-Specific Extensions for purple.XL and silver.XL
The silver.XL and purple.XL options now come with Media Cleaner Wizard from Terran Interactive for creating streaming media files for the Web. The purple.XL software option also includes the DVMPEG encoder software from Darim that develops MPEG files for distributing videos via the Web or on DVD. The extensions for silver.XL and purple.XL will begin shipping immediately.

With the integration of Media Cleaner Wizard in the silver.XL and purple.XL software options, FAST Multimedia is providing the solution to the increasing demand for sophisticated and intuitive tools designed to create Internet-ready, streaming media for the Web. The purple.XL package also includes the DVMPEG encoder software. For internet or DVD usage, native DV files from purple can now be converted into MPEG files. To this end, DVMPEG provides software codecs for MPEG-1 and MPEG-2. MPEG 2 (I-Frame only) is the internal file format of silver. Using silver.PrintDVD, this format can be directly transcoded into distributable MPEG-2 (IPB). In addition, any real-time video source can be converted into MPEG-2 (IPB). silver.PrintDVD has been available to editors for over a year.

BBC Training & Development to be Exclusive European FAST Training Provider
FAST Multimedia AG today also announced that BBC Training & Development will be its exclusive European training provider. The partnership also means that, for the first time in Europe, FAST training will be offered in English. From the end of September 2000, two FASTstudio editing courses will be available. A three-day foundation course for new and developing editors and a one-day master class for experienced editors. Training will be available at BBC Training & Development's center at Wood Norton in England or at clients' premises -- wherever in the world they may be, including the United States.