Tools like Avid MediaCentral | Cloud UX offer solid interactive performance from an HTML5-based UI that requires no client-side software installation . The entire user experience is streamed to the user from a central cloud data center . Using a smart phone , tablet , or laptop , producers and assistants can log and assemble programs over a standard internet connection .
• Full creative “ craft ” editing can be accomplished remotely using desktop virtualization ( VDI ) technologies . In this scenario , a fully featured non-linear editing tool like Media Composer | Cloud VM is installed in a virtual machine ( VM ) in a standard server in a cloud data center . This video editing tool can be accessed remotely over a standard internet connection , enabling editors to escape the confines of traditional edit suites , accomplishing their work from any location .
• Hybrid scenarios offer the best of both worlds . For example , Media Composer | Cloud Remote allows editors to run fully functional NLE software on their laptop , while still accessing content from central cloud data centers . By allowing editors to intermix content that ’ s stored locally on their laptop while also streaming shared content from centralized libraries in the cloud , this solution eliminates all creative barriers while enabling complete mobility .
Cloud editing has some drawbacks however . Interactive latency can be sluggish depending on the internet connection . Surround sound audio isn ’ t yet supported by VDI technology . High-resolution monitoring from remote locations requires highbandwidth connectivity that ’ s not always available . And specialized peripherals such as control surfaces don ’ t work well over VDI connections . But many creative editorial workflows are viable in the cloud today . And these technology limitations will be addressed over time .
The following tasks are presently not as well suited to the cloud . Further technological advancements must occur before the cloud is beneficial for these scenarios :
Recording and Mixing - Live audio recording and mixing require specialized hardware in specialized environments . A recording studio or dub stage must be carefully constructed and tuned . Specialized equipment like musical instruments , microphones and reference monitors are essential . There ‘ s little tolerance for interactive latency as artists and engineers need to hear results immediately . In film post-production workflows , where hundreds of tracks are playing back in real time with high-quality images , data sets can become extremely heavy . For these reasons , recording and mixing tasks aren ’ t ideally suited to the cloud , other than complementary file sharing and collaboration services .
Color Grading - Colorists work in carefully tuned environments , with specialized equipment such as color control surfaces and reference monitors . Stakeholders such as the director of photography typically attend color-grading sessions in person to ensure their creative intent is fully preserved , so remote collaboration isn ’ t usually required . Data sets are heavy , as high-resolution images are tweaked in real time . Overall , the cloud ’ s intrinsic benefits are of little use to a colorist , other than for complementary workflow management and file sharing .
Where We ’ re Going – A Cloud- Connected Ecosystem
New technologies and solutions are delivering on the cloud ’ s promise and fundamentally re-shaping content creation and distribution workflows . But , at present , not all facets of content production are equally suited to the cloud . While some media creation functions benefit greatly from cloud deployment , the cloud doesn ’ t make sense for all disciplines in the workflow – at least not yet . For the areas that aren ’ t as well suited today , it ’ s only a matter of time before technology addresses what ’ s lacking . Increased bandwidth availability and more intelligent system architecture will address most of the current issues over time . Eventually all content creation functions will be aided by the cloud , providing substantial operational , creative and financial benefits .
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