Archive translation. Specifications, services and availability reflect the original publication date in 2001. Verify current compatibility before production use.
FAST Multimedia AG of Munich launched blue, its new editing system, in time for IBC 2001. Digital Production had previously published an evaluation of the system in issue 03/01.
FAST presented the long-awaited system as a new benchmark for post-production, offering native real-time editing across multiple formats. Ali Adelstein, the company’s executive responsible for development, described blue as the result of an ambitious technical concept and claimed it occupied a unique position at launch.
Native formats and crossover output
Designed for high-quality digital editing, blue combined new hardware and software with an emphasis on long-term expandability. FAST integrated digital video formats, native SDTI transfer at up to four times real time, and IEEE 1394 connections from the beginning of development.
Its “Every In, Any Out” design supported native transfer of compressed formats. Mixed material could sit on one timeline and be played to different outputs in real time through what FAST called Crossover Output. The company said this preserved image quality throughout post-production.
FAST also described blue as the first editing system of its time to edit MPEG IMX, DV and DVCPRO 25/50 natively, including transfers faster than real time.
Twelve dedicated processors handled InTime Processing. Functions were supplied either immediately in real time or through automatic background processing, allowing complex effects to be prepared without interrupting the editing workflow.
FASTstudio 4.0 and shared storage
Like FAST’s other editing systems, blue used FASTstudio nonlinear editing software. Version 4.0 added a more capable logging tool and batch digitizing, alongside revised media management with Consolidate, Tag Media and selective control of rendered files.
The release also included primary and secondary colour correction plus a TimeWarp editor for dynamic-motion effects. FAST positioned those tools for demanding finishing work.
Through the FASTwire platform, blue could connect to networks ranging from straightforward file-transfer setups to large storage-area networks.
