Small Tree’s Unique Shared Storage and OS X Networking Capabilities a Bullseye for Tier 1 Media’s Workflow Needs

October 5, 2009

Source: Small Tree Communications

Cost-effective Ethernet-based Storage Technology Saves Hours Editing Each Show

In the suburbs of Nashville lies Tier 1 Media, a small production company handling production and post-production for several popular Outdoor Channel competitive shooting sports programs, including “Shooting USA” and “Impossible Shots.”

Featuring three newly renovated Final Cut Pro editing suites, Tier 1 Media recently installed a cost-effective, Ethernet-based solution from Small Tree that has improved productivity and efficiency substantially.

To streamline its workflow, Tier 1 Media installed Small Tree’s GraniteSTOR shared storage technology with its unique OS X networking capabilities supporting multiple Ethernet ports, tightly integrated with Apple’s built in file sharing system. The GraniteSTOR solution incorporates Small Tree’s PEG6, a 6-port Ethernet card with the Edge-corE ES4524D, a 24-port Gigabit Ethernet switch certified to work with Small Tree’s technology.

Before the installation, Tier 1 Media’s three suites each had its own RAID, so if an editor wanted to work on an existing project in a different room, they would have to recapture the footage on the system they were currently working on. According to Andy Southard, director of post-production for Tier 1 Media, with the facility’s shift from SD to HD this inefficiency became too much of a burden to put up with any longer.

“Workflow has been incredible since the installation,” stated Southard. “Instead of capturing footage more than once for a project, we can all share the footage, which has saved countless hours for us on each project.”

“Under the old workflow, I would have wasted valuable hours on the teases for the opening of the show and before each break,” Southard continued. “Today, all of the footage I need is on the shared network, which saves me a couple of hours every time I edit a show.”


During initial research on the cost of a typical storage solution, Southard admits they almost came to the conclusion that they would not be able to afford to install the storage technology they needed to maximize workflow.

“We’re a small production company with a pretty tight budget, so we couldn’t justify spending what the typical storage solution runs,” said Southard. “Luckily, during our research we came across Biscardi Creative and the system they are using in their facility in Atlanta. Ours is pretty much the same system and for the money, you cannot duplicate what this system will do.”

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