Scratch and others for HD broadcast.

[tbJaspers]

I am in the process of evaluating online systems, ideally something with 2k+ DI capabilities, proper luts etc.. and the ability to do RT Color Correction.

I want something like smoke/lustre combo, but I can't afford $500,000 worth of gear, and the RT desktop DI is getting very close to being a reality.

Pure CC's won't work for me like Speedgrade, since I need tools like repo, pan/scan, flip, flop etc..

I know a lot of people are content with the Scratch for film DI and CC, which can be a slower process, but what about broadcast? How are people working with Scratch on a SAN, so a motion graphics artist or compositor can work on DPX files that are read to be loaded into the Scratch?

Are people finding the Scratch a decent option to Lay off to tape?

Can you conform via a VTR with Scratch?

We are going to have one Apple Color/FCP Kona3 with Gluetools online station as well, so I know those systems can digitize DPX.

I'm just trying to get a feeling for people using a Scratch for Broadcast.

[goldfish]

Hi there!

I know I'm about a month late with this answer, but to answer your questions.
The company I work for owns a Scratch system on which I work on frequently.
The main reason we bought it for is that it can handle RED files in realtime.
Now we use it for almost all of our projects. We do a lot of grading, conforming, versioning and managing projects.

We also tested Speedgrade. This also is a real solid piece of kit, but at the time
it just wasn't versatile enough for us.

Conforming RED files is a real no-brainer. Also DPX files and Quicktime can be handled with ease.

Let me be clear, Scratch is not a Smoke. It was originaly developed as a review tool. It evolved into a conforming and CC tool. So it does those things extremely well. You can do a small bit of compositing, but nowhere near the level Smoke. The things you mentioned ("since I need tools like repo, pan/scan, flip, flop etc.."), those are all the things Scratch can do like no other.
You can do easy revisions of shots, render out multiple resolutions at once, realtime pan/scan, flip/flop, audio relay, editorial changes, realtime secondaries (masks, windows, keys, textures), realtime title inserts, etc, etc...
the list is long ;-)

Some other questions from you:

"I know a lot of people are content with the Scratch for film DI and CC, which can be a slower process, but what about broadcast? "

No problem, we deal with broadcast almost every day. Our Scratch crashed only once (no joke) since the 1 year we own it now, and that had to do with a corrupt Quicktime... It has also proved itself extremely reliable in the most stressfull and demanding situations.

"How are people working with Scratch on a SAN, so a motion graphics artist or compositor can work on DPX files that are read to be loaded into the Scratch?"

We don't use it on a SAN at the moment, but I do know companies who do and they are all more than satisfied. We do exchange shots in/out of Scratch on a regular basis, and the process is extremely easy. Just drag and drop it into the project. Anybody can learn it...

"Are people finding the Scratch a decent option to Lay off to tape?"

We don't layoff to tape ourself, but put a bluefish or AJA board in and you are ready to layoff to tape. A lot of companies work like this.

"Can you conform via a VTR with Scratch?"

Good question, this I don't know.

"We are going to have one Apple Color/FCP Kona3 with Gluetools online station as well, so I know those systems can digitize DPX."

Yep, we work like this. Works perfectly.

I would like to add that Scratch has a very active user base and very good support. If you post your question to support, you have an answer within an hour or so. Also, if you have any feature requests, at Assimilate they are very serious about this. Assimilate listens closely to it's customers and your request might end up in the next release...

All in all, it's just a wonderfull system. Lighting fast performance, versatile, great support and a true backbone for your pipeline.

Ooh and another important thing, you can buy Scratch as a software only package. Just ask your reseller really friendly as in with sugar on top...

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!