Sony Launches Media Storage Cloud Services

Sony Corporation of America today announced the launch of Sony Media Cloud Services, a new subsidiary that will serve as a virtual workspace that includes media applications to store, share and manipulate content from any location in the world. The scalable cloud platform, Ci (pronounced see) will provide studios, broadcasters, filmmakers, independent producers, marketing teams and other creative individuals a "one-cloud" solution to collect, produce and archive high-value, high-definition content, allowing fast and secure collaboration on a global scale.

"Every day, creative professionals around the world spend numerous hours and resources on non-creative tasks like moving and sharing content, figuring out how and where to store it, and getting the right assets to the right places and in the right hands," said Naomi Climer, President, Sony Media Cloud Services. "Sony understands these complex challenges, which is why we designed Ci as a functionally rich, scalable and secure, media-focused cloud platform that can enhance and streamline traditional production workflows to make it easier to collaborate more effectively and cost-efficiently."

The Ci cloud platform will feature infinite scalability, pay-as-you-go pricing, and a number of browser-based applications.  Ci MediaBox will collect, organize, preview, share and archive every media type and size using studio-designed cloud storage solution suite. Ci VideoLog Enables logging of frame-accurate events to prepare content for downstream opportunities, distribution and playout automation. Ci AudioSync uses  analysis algorithms and audio pattern matching to reduce non-creative editing work time in content-preparation workflows. Ci FrameMatch analyzes media files to automatically identify differences and likenesses between two sets of video files. Ci ReviewApprove enables review, annotation and collaboration on media files across multiple locations in real time, simultaneously.

"Built by Sony Pictures movie and television professionals, incubated by Sony's hardware and technology, and brought to market by a global sales force who understand the needs of our industry, Ci goes beyond simply delivering innovative technology—it brings the total power of Sony into the cloud," said Climer. "Together, we've built a platform with applications that not only addresses today's media challenges, but serves as the foundation to develop innovative services to transform our industry for years to come. The possibilities are endless."

"The efficiency and flexibility that cloud solutions provide will radically change the way creative professionals collaborate," said Chris Cookson, President, Sony Pictures Technologies. "Working with Sony's Cloud Services team to further enhance Ci's platform and applications will enable our production and distribution teams around the world to work together more efficiently, without sacrificing creativity or quality."

Ci is currently in beta production and will be on display at the 2013 NAB Show in the Sony booth.

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