Pacific Bell expands "remote control" AVS technology.

Will the world of multi-media follow their peers in the film community and discover a breakthrough system introduced by Pacific Bell? Known in the industry as AVS (Advanced Video Service), this new technology offers the film community the ability to view, produce and edit from a remote location in real time. AVS provides broadcast quality (NTSC) composite or component digital video transmission over fiber optic lines.

"Whether you're involved in the production of films, movie trailers, news broadcasts, commercials or any other video product, AVS is the digital, fiber optic network that lets film and video professionals be more expedient with their production time while cutting costs," said Charnee Smit, marketing manager, AVS division, Pacific Bell.

What does this mean? You don't have to send film and tape by messenger for approvals. No more messenger delays. The film community uses AVS to use remote playback machine control equipment for editing and interactive edit sessions.

Some of Hollywood's more famous filmmakers have adopted use of the AVS system. Steven Spielberg relied on the AVS system and a long distance video carrier to complete "Jurassic Park" while working on "Schindler's List". With a distance of 7,500 miles between Speilberg and Hollywood, AVS was paired with satellite technology so that he could make his edit decisions long distance. The AVS system gave Speilberg the ability to finish his film on time.

Facilities need to have the optimum capabilities for their clients. Todd-AO is one example of the ramping up of services. They are the largest film and post-production sound facility in the world today. Their operation primarily focuses on sound post-production and they offer a video division, digital effects division, high end video mastering division and a sound service out of their East Coast operation.

According to Anthony Mazzei, director of operations at Todd-AO Studios, film director Ron Howard used AVS and a long distance video carrier during his work on Apollo 13. "Ron Howard worked from his home in Connecticut when we were doing ADR (automated dialog replacement) work on the film. When we mixed the film, we were connected to his home. He was able to review his notes on changes and give the changes to the mixers," said Mazzei. Talk about telecommuting! "We see the future of AVS as an option to tie into everyone in our facilities around the world with a way to create an edit and sound mixing network," said Mazzei.

Editel and Hollywood Digital, two of the top video post-production facilities in Hollywood, are on line with Pacific Bell's AVS. Editel is celebrating their 25th year in the post-production industry. They also have offices in Chicago and New York and are owned by Unitel Video, Inc. Al Walton, president of Editel LA, recently completed a new wing on their facility in Hollywood and a complete renovation of their facility. "A few of our clients wanted to input decisions on cuts at remote locations and receive input and feedback from editors while they are on line. It gives us a time advantage when the client has tremendous deadlines," said Walton. Universal Pictures Marketing is one of Editel's clients that uses AVS. Cuts for approvals are sent from Editel to Universal and they can make the changes while they are in the bay. Editel is looking at a way to use the system in a two way process where the rough cut could be sent, digitized on an AVID, the changes on the edit list can be made; the spot matched up and the final edit made.

Walton indicates that as the multi-media market grows there will be graphics designed for game formats that could benefit from AVS, but cautions that it may be price restrictive to some clients.

There is a solution to this quandary. The high data rate of AVS may be higher than needed for most designers. The alternative, for designers, is to utilize ISDN or T1 lines for their work.

Over on Sunset Blvd., Hollywood Digital, a full-service film and video post-production facility, is fully digital. Built a mere 3 1/2 years ago, they have had a steady flow of business from spot television commercial, trailer and promo production companies. They have expanded their business to service long form programming with a new special EFX department and an expanded editorial and telecine staff. "What we are trying to do with AVS is bring a network of talent to our clients," said Rand Gladden, president, Hollywood Digital.

Gladden explains that AVS plays a big role in the future of Hollywood Digital. "We are looking at plans to build virtual bays at client locations. We want virtual rooms in New York, Chicago, Atlanta and other markets such as Dallas to be connected to Los Angeles on AVS and a long distance video carrier. We plan on creating and maintaining the environments for the virtual bays. In our business a lot of work is like watching paint dry. With virtual bays, the client could monitor the work; interact in a session and still continue to operate their regular business. The application of AVS for talent casting sessions; access to stock footage; and distribution of demo reels is clearly in demand," said Gladden.

Hollywood Digital points to Paramount and their Resource Center as one of the groups that is very forward thinking on this new technology. Another production company, Red Car and founder Larry Bridges are very keen on being able to have virtual bays in their Hollywood and Santa Monica facilities with connectivity to Hollywood Digital.

"I believe there will also be applications for AVS with the multi-media expansion and we expect to be involved. The key is to have it available worldwide and continue to make it more affordable to more users," concludes Gladden.

Outside Hollywood, AVS is also linking facilities such as Transvideo, in Mountain View, California. Ray Clark, president of the studio facility and location production company, says they have provided video and broadcast services for over 16 years in Northern California. They are involved in news feeds, interactive teleconferencing, talk shows, sports television and entertainment television. Transvideo was the first commercial installation to use AVS.

"Any programming that requires more than one location to participate is a natural for AVS. As an example, a television program such as Ted Koppel's 'Nightline' may need to have several people on line during the show. AVS is the ideal. No satellite time needed. Connection is secure; no need to scramble; the integrity is high; failure is low; and it can be less expensive," summarized Clark. Clark sees the future for AVS to deliver of programming and commercials to stations. A time may come when it will be as cheap as cable television for the home. One of the most important evolutions will be to have video talk television between the viewer and the talk show host envisions Clark.

Another practical application in delivery of spot television commercials has been used by Cycle Sat, Inc. This company currently delivers commercials to television stations via satellite. However, Cycle Sat recognized that to harvest spots from their offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas to their hub in Memphis, AVS was the answer. Ted Henry, vice president, sales and marketing, notes "Our clients, such as Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox, use AVS. We are part of the fiber loop in Hollywood. Spots can be released to us from the post-house over AVS for our subsequent distribution via satellite to television stations nationwide. We see a great advantage of combining satellite technology and fiber connectivity. We find it very compatible."

"Its like having the clients in your office without leaving," said Paul Apel, partner In charge, finishing division, New Wave Entertainment. Creating trailers for television and motion picture clients is a deadline determined business. "The amount of time it takes to make a phone call for an approval is about the same amount of time it takes to move the video on AVS. The studio executives can view the material in their offices. If any changes need to be made we can do it immediately. It has bought us time and given us a way to have instantaneous feedback without leaving our facility," said Apel.

In the future, Apel also sees the future of fiber optics being available in people's homes and video being merged with computer technology. He anticipates that in the near future he may be able to finish and transmit his work from home. "I see the fiber universe going into homes. The future will be computers to view work and the AVS system will allow me to have instant results," concludes Apel.

At issue, for some of the users, is cost. According to Pacific Bell's Charnee Stair, the best scenario for cost efficiency is increased usage. "We have clients that easily cost justify the use of AVS because of the number of times in a month they move product here in California. We understand that the occasional user may not be able to justify the monthly fees involved in the service, but 50 uses a month locally brings the cost down to equal messenger service costs."

"Many of our clients are requiring cross-country delivery at reasonable prices. This involves long distance carriers, which we have no control. We are looking at how we can make the service available to more users nationwide and internationally for a variety of requirements including entertainment and multi-media requirements for the future. We believe the more people use AVS, the more economical it will become," said Smit.

Keith Vezensky is president of Americom LA, a Beverly Hills-based company that consults entertainment and technology firms worldwide.