U

Unity

Avid DSs sharing media on a Unity server can really enhance workflows and allow you to create multiple programs from one set of media. While one DS is editing a program, another DS can use the same media to create bumpers, teases and promos for that program all using the same media. Both DS workstations can ingest to Unity at the same time, which can cut load in times for media in half.

But on Avid Unity MediaNetwork and ISIS, the Avid Media Indexing Service is unable to retain its media list content if the workstation hosting this service is shut down and/or restarted. This means that if you are using one Avid DS workstation to connect to Avid Unity, and that you must reboot for any reason, the Avid Media Indexing Service will automatically be triggered to re-index all of the Avid DS-defined Unity storages. Depending on how much media you have on Unity, this could take a long time.

Avid recommends that you add an additional Unity Client system and install a standalone Avid Media Indexer. The Unity Client system indexes the Unity storages and relays the index table to one or multiple Avid DS workstation. If you must restart an Avid DS workstation, the index is still alive and ready on the Unity Client system. Avid DS simply reads the index table once its own workstation is up and running.

Avid's website has information about configuring this kind of system for multiple DS workstations as well as a standalone DS.

Revised: May 21, 2009 11:57 am