Marvin, On-set Data Management Tool Launches

February 23, 2010

Source: Marvin Technologies

Marvin is a data management solution for digital cinema from set to post. It is a PC based data asset management system for r3d files, with P2 support being added in the next couple of weeks.

Marvin is a one stop solution to the confusion that abounds in any shoot involving digital cinematography – what do we do with all this data the camera is making? And how do we make sure we don’t lose it?

Aimed initially at the r3d files generated by RED cameras, Marvin’s functionality will, in future, be expanded to include support for P2, Sony, Canon D5/7 and many uncompressed formats.

What does it do?

Initially, you create a project and define a few parameters (this takes about 10 minutes) and then you start shooting.

Once a data card or RED drive is full, you connect it to Marvin, and the data automatically starts to download onto the internal raid as clips, with all time code and meta data. Marvin makes a full checksum of all the data to ensure an exact copy.

As the first “reel” finishes loading, Marvin now starts to automatically back the data up to LTO drives with
full data verification to the same standards as international finance institutions (2 x LTO3, optionally 2 x LTO4).

The complete database is also saved to a separate internal USB key, so if the unthinkable happens and Marvin gets damaged, the entire project can be rebuilt on another Marvin using the USB key and a set of the back-up LTO tapes - giving an extra level of security not available from any other solution.

During the shoot, Marvin creates up to 4 thumbnails of each take. Connect it to a network and these can be browsed - from any day, via any connected pc with a Firefox browser installed - and the rendered Quicktimes played back ... perfect for instant review, continuity, make up, client approval, etc.

It creates DNxHD proxies for offline editing. The resultant Edit Decision List (EDL) can be used in conjunction with the free “Marvin in Post” software for simplified data ingest at the subsequent post production stage. Here, the EDL is read and the software performs a selective restore (auto-conform) from the LTO tapes created by Marvin on Set.

Finally, Marvin also creates a “dailies” DVD in PAL or NTSC format and a reduced stream for upload to iPhone or
streaming over the internet.

Note that since the data saved to the hard drives has been faithfully copied to at least one LTO cassette, the Marvin
workflow allows this tape to be considered as a “master” for ingest in post production – read it, just once, to a SAN,
and then archive it.

Simple, and secure.

In the future, as Marvin support for uncompressed camera data is added, this could remove the need to hire expensive HD decks, both on set and in post, and certainly removes the need to risk transporting data on fragile hard disks.

An average 3 week RED shoot generates about 4~5 TB of data, but it can go higher! Marvin comes equipped with
6TB of Raid 5 storage (Optional – 12TB) and has two LTO3 tape drives (optional – LTO4). Current options include
adding a RedRocket card for faster conversion of the proxies.

**Future plans and options include adding support for many extra data and camera formats; adding an onset previsualisation grading solution and support for a grading control panel; adding an onboard display calibration system; adding support for embedding script notes.

For more details, contact Russell via russell@marvintech.com (mention Post Production Buyers Guide) or by phone +44 (0)7900 692 000 for price, availability and to arrange a test or demonstration.

Basic Preliminary Specification

Front Panel
• two CF Card readers
• two LTO3 drives (LTO4 optional)
• DVD Writer

Rear panel
• eSata connector
• FireWire 400/800 connector
• USB Connectors
• wired nic to control Marvin via http on a local net
• wired nic for software updates and assistance via internet

Internal storage
• 6TB disks in raid 5 (12TB optional)
Other
• 3U custom pc, Windows 7, mounted in 19” rack shipped with protective, wraparound casing.
• Interface and control via Firefox web browser on remote pc/laptop
• Power – 100~240V. 500W psu (actual power depends on cpu and disk load)

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