At NAB 2010, Grass Valley™ will reveal the expanding roadmap for its popular T2™ intelligent Digital Disk Recorder (iDDR), introducing new features and functionality in the form of Service Packs that make the T2 even more flexible and powerful for all types of file-based workflows. The best part is that current users will be able to install the service packs when they become available later this year at no additional cost. Option packs will be announced, which will enable the native playback of some popular codecs.

The new Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Service Pack 2 (SP2) will provide T2 iDDR users with increased format options for ingest and transfer of video, more features and functions when controlling the T2 from another device over an Ethernet connection, and higher slow motion qualities.

Users that have updated to SP2 will have access to additional chargeable option packs; P2 Option for T2, XDCAM Option for T2 and Alpha Option for T2.

Current owners of the hundreds of T2 units that have been sold thus far will have access to new software updates that help streamline all types of tapeless production projects.

Delivering superb image quality, versatility, and usability, the Grass Valley T2 iDDR is a next-generation record and playback system that combines advanced nonlinear features (direct, frame-accurate access to content), with VTR-like controls. It has two playback channels and one record channel, all simultaneously and independently available, supporting full 1920x1080 (24/50/60) resolution, as well as 720p and 576i formats.

Among the new features that make the T2 even more valuable:

SP1 provides substantially improved AMP protocol support, the ability to select AES/EBU or analog audio inputs when capturing from SDI, the ability to display original clip time code in playlists, and the ability to preserve time code when importing QuickTime files.

SP2 allows users to up/down convert files, mix and match file formats in the same playlist, export clips via FTP, export QuickTime, enhanced/Improved slow motion quality, import and play still images, batch capture with EDL import support, and capture 24p material.

The P2 Option for T2 and XDCAM Option for T2 will allow users who purchased those options to playback directly the native MXF formats of the popular P2 and XDCAM codecs from the connected device.

The Alpha Option for T2 will substantially enhance the workflow when Computer Graphics is used: when a clip with alpha channel (Transparency information embedded on Targa and HQ files) is imported, the T2 will automatically split the file to Key and Fill and lock them for synchronized playback from the two player channels.

Availability
The new Grass Valley SP1 Service Pack will be released in March 2010, while SP2 and Option packs will be available in July.