Altered Images installation helps speed DV editing at 'Long Way Round'

Altered Images, the Shepperton-based broadcast systems reseller, was selected to supply and install Avid editing equipment at Long Way Round, the production company specially formed to produce the series of TV programmes about Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman’s adventures on their trans-continental motorcycle journeys, recently screened on Sky One.
Altered Images supplied and installed an Avid Unity LANShare system and two Avid Xpress Pro Editing systems. Like Ewan and Charley’s journey, the installation had its white-knuckle moments.
Nick Frith, Altered Images’ Sales Manager said: “This project needed to be completed quickly, as the DV material was already being sent back to the UK. Altered Images were in a position to deliver and install the products at the right price and to a timescale that got the client up and running very quickly.”
Altered Images’ editing solution involved supplying two edit suites to sort and sift the daily video diaries being returned. The Avid Unity LANShare EX system enabled Long Way Round to share and manage the large amount of DV footage. The Avid Xpress Pro systems with Avid Mojo, running on the latest qualified PC’s, all with Gigabit Ethernet connectivity to the LANShare, gave them real-time DV performance to off-line the final programme.
Altered Images’ sales and technical staff worked closely with Luke Boyle, Production Manager, and Jake Roberts, the senior editor. Altered Images’ role included the Ethernet connectivity, on-site system testing and on-going support throughout the project.
Nick Frith added: “Long Way Round required a system that worked on all counts – on time, and in budget. Altered Images have unrivalled experience in delivering not just the Avid product in the box, but the technical infrastructure and support that goes round the Avid and makes it work.”
The Avid LANShare EX and Xpress Pro systems were configured and pre-tested at Altered Images’ Shepperton HQ, before installation.
Long Way Round’s Jake Roberts commented: “The new facility works very well. It was quick and did everything we needed it to do, with very little fuss. I’ve never used a Unity system before, but once Altered Images had set it up it was no more difficult than a normal Avid system.
“For this project we had around 700 hours of rushes, so it was essential we had a system that could store every minute and let several editors work on them. The LANShare is perfect for our needs.” He is also appreciative of the Altered Images team’s commitment: “When we ran into problems setting up the system and transferring the digitised rushes to it, Altered Images’ technicians put in several days’ work to solve them. We were all grateful for that.”
Visit the website at www.alteredimagesltd.com for further information.
(SP)