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The Ultimate Replay Machine
Key Highlights
Application
Multi-camera instant replay solution for
live events and sports broadcasting
The Challenge
Execute instant replay from multiple
cameras during live events, quickly clip
and edit content, and create irresistible
highlight playlists to engage fans
The Solution
A cost-effective, easy-to-operate,
multi-channel instant replay server
with powerful features and a unique,
ergonomically-designed control surface
Benefits
Flexibility, speed, and performance
combine to deliver outstanding value
Symmetrical, multi-channel configuration
adapts to any live production workflow
Mira Control Surface and GUI take
less desk space and deliver more
capabilities—without the steep learning
curve of competitive systems
Unparalleled responsiveness and advanced
functionality expands creativity and
produces distinctive instant replay coverage
LIVE SPORTS COVERAGE MADE EASIER
Producing instant replay of live televised
sporting events is always a fast-paced and
demanding endeavor. Reliability, responsiveness,
interoperability, and superior image quality are
critical requirements for all systems used within
the production environment.
Mira™ Instant Replay has been designed to meet
these operational requirements and deliver
unprecedented flexibility and ease-of-use in any
live televised event.
AFFORDABLE WORKFLOW
FLEXIBILITY— EVEN DUAL USER
The Mira Instant Replay server can be configured
with either four or eight symmetric video channels.
This means every video channel can instantly
switch between record and play operation,
providing maximum operational flexibility. The
ability to mix and cut transitions between replay
clips frees up the switcher operator, which
streamlines your production workflow.
The architecture of the Mira Instant Replay
server allows system resources to be split or
shared, enabling a wide variety of workflows.
For instance, in a six-camera broadcast, three
cameras can be viewed by one operator and the
other three by a second operator—each working
independently on dedicated Mira Control
Surfaces and with uncompromising quality.
Alternately, Mira allows two users to share
the tasks common in replay operations. For
example, one operator can replay live action and
create clips for all cameras simultaneously, while
another operator builds playlists for highlights
and promotional programming. Highlights can
be played directly from Mira using an output
channel or melted as media files to a nonlinear
editor for finishing.
THE MOST POWERFUL, INTUITIVE, COMPACT
AND ERGONOMIC REPLAY USER INTERFACE
Every aspect of the Mira Instant Replay server
was designed with the operator in mind.
Replay operators need an interface that is easy
to learn and use, yet provides very powerful
functionality—and Abekas delivers.
The custom-designed Mira Control Surface
is the most intuitive interface on the market.
The location, grouping, and generous spacing
of primary controls; color-coded buttons and
GUI; and centrally placed full-sized ultra-slim
keyboard combine to make Mira Instant Replay
exceptionally fast, efficient, and ergonomically
comfortable to operate. Both experienced and
novice replay operators can quickly master the
Mira Control Surface—in most cases, after just a
few hours of training.
Mira Instant Replay
Control Surface
Maximizes ergonomic control and intuitive
operation while minimizing desktop footprint
The Mira GUI provides the operator with a single
heads-up display to follow all the action. Other
systems require the user to view three separate
screens during normal operation.
Softkeys are labeled with legends at the bottom of
the GUI display. They provide one-button access to
all camera views, and provide quick access to other
functions based on the mode of operation. Ten softkey
buttons result in fewer menu levels, and are faster for
operators to learn and use.
All buttons on the Mira Control Surface are
logically grouped and color-coded according to
function, with generous spacing around every
button. The intelligent "wide and slim" design
contributes to a much faster learning curve,
dramatically streamlines and speeds up live
operations, and helps to reduce operational
errors. There is no other replay control surface
like it!
More Options for Creative Replay
The T-Bar and Rotary Dial controls are placed
at either side of the control panel for much
more comfortable operation.
With just one button tap, quickly and easily
apply two additional user-defined speed
ranges to the T-Bar.
A dedicated VAR PLAY button allows instant
on-the-fly speed changes at any time; just type
the desired speed then tap VAR PLAY.
Change the position of the T-Bar without
affecting the program output. Simply press
and hold DISABLE and then move the T-Bar to
the desired position.
Creating and Managing Clips
A dedicated clip SEARCH button speeds the
recall of specific clips while under pressure
during live production.
With every clip SAVE operation, all camera
angles are clipped simultaneously, and in
chronological order—with no danger of
overwriting previously stored clips. Trim
only one angle or all angles in stored clips by
shifting this button.
Mira delivers more clip edit control than any
competitive product, including the unique
point of interest (POI) button for quickly
identifying key plays.
Instant Creativity
at Your Fingertips
Color-Coded Clarity in Operation
Intuitive, color-coded program output frames—
reflected in the Mira Control Surface transport
buttons—greatly assist live replay operations.
Color-coded “mode status” indicators clearly show
the current function of each output channel.
The Mira interface is packed with time-saving
elements; such as programmable softkeys that
allow you to assign common naming terms for
fast and consistent clip annotation.
Unsurpassed Playlist Features
The Mira Instant Replay playlist management
interface is fast and intuitive. You can CUT, COPY,
and PASTE playlist items for easy reordering.
Import bumpers and interstitials into the playlist
to create a complete sponsored highlight break.
Unlike competitive products that require
softkeys and convoluted menus to control output
channels, Mira has dedicated buttons, including
GANG control, to greatly simplify operation.
The high-quality, precisely balanced rotary dial
with assignable functions gives Mira Control
Surface a unique quality and exacting tactile feel.
Exclusive to Mira, the CRUISE function allows
you to sit back and effortlessly shuttle through
the record stream. All competing instant replay
systems require the operator to constantly spin a
lightweight rotary dial to find the required content.
The Mira Control Surface comes with a full-sized,
ultra-slim keyboard that fits conveniently in
front of the panel. This makes routine functions
like clip naming and searching easy and very
comfortable for the operator.
MONITORING ALL THE ACTION IS SIMPLE
AND COLOR-CODING REDUCES ERROR
Intuitive, color-coded program output frames
and corresponding control surface transport
buttons aid live replay operations. The unique
count-down display feature of Mira simplifies
control room monitoring by reducing cost and
space, particularly important in remote truck
applications. Each count-down timer output
provides intuitive, color-coded indication of
play list timing for both preview and program
channels. This simplifies the job of the director
when integrating playlist events into the live
production.
including Ultra HD 4K, HD and SD. Systems
with AVC-Intra codec support 1080p across all
channels—without sacrificing channel count.
The 8-channel 1080p systems can also be
configured as two channels of 4K.
Mira comes standard with both embedded and
AES audio. The unique audio routing capability
within Mira provides the flexibility to associate
any audio input/output with any or all video
channels without requiring complex external
routing or cabling.
THE STORAGE FLEXIBILITY YOU NEED WITH
THE RELIABILITY YOU DEMAND
To ensure maximum reliability, Mira Instant
Replay comes standard with dual-redundant, hotswappable power supplies. For further reliability
and ease of maintenance, all Mira servers also
feature hot-swappable SATA-2 media disks.
With redundant, fault-tolerant RAID-6
protection, the Mira Instant Replay server can
tolerate up to two simultaneous media disk drive
failures without losing any data, and with no
interruption to operations.
CREATE PLAYLISTS AND PROGRAM
HIGHLIGHTS MORE QUICKLY
Creating a clip on Mira is simple. Simply tapping
the SAVE button on Mira Control Surface
simultaneously clips off all camera angles, which
makes later switching between multiple camera
angles fast and easy. Naming a playlist and a
clip is equally simple, and Mira goes beyond
antiquated DOS-based naming conventions by
supporting descriptive file names
Programmable softkeys on the control surface
allow you to define commonly used terms,
such as team names, type of plays, etc.; letting
you quickly title all clip angles with consistent,
descriptive names with just a few button taps.
Some more expensive instant replay servers
create “guardbands” for saved clips, which
restrict you to a few seconds of additional
content before and after each clip. Mira Instant
Replay always records all camera inputs for
the entire duration of the event, giving you the
power to trim IN and OUT points on any clip, to
any point in the record stream.
Two separate playlists can run simultaneously
on two program channels. Up to 99 playlists per
event can be quickly and easily created with
Mira. Add a music bed or voice over to a playlist
using the Aux audio track, or even import clips
such as bumpers or interstitials and add them
to the live action replay to generate promos or
highlight packages.
Playlist playout flags allow list items to be
“paused” on first and/or last frame, items to be
looped, and list items can be programmed with
either CUT or MIX transitions between them.
With advanced playlist editing features—such
as cut, copy and paste; unique “Goto Trim”
function; one-button camera angle changes; and
“start and end flags” for each playlist item—Mira
is in a class of its own.
FORMAT FLEXIBILITY AT THE
RIGHT PRICE—EVEN ULTRA HD 4K
Mira Instant Replay is truly universal, supporting
a wide range of resolutions and formats
Instant Winner
Feature
Abekas Mira INSTANT
REPLAY Server
EVS XT3 Server
Grass Valley K2
Server with Dyno-S
1080p Level A Video Channels
4 or 8 — Standard Feature*
6 — Optional Feature†
4 — Optional Feature
4K UHD Video Channels
1 or 2 — Standard Feature*
3 — Optional Feature†
2 — Optional Feature*
Highly ergonomic Control Surface
√
No
No
Dual-User support in single server
√
No
No
Single heads-up display
√
Requires 3 Displays
Requires 3 Displays
Simple, intuitive operation—both
operators & engineers
√
Difficult to Learn
Difficult to Learn
Reverse, Pause and Loop Playback
√
No
Reverse & Pause Only
Cruise Control to locate content
√
No
√
Comprehensive File Import & Export
√
Limited Format Support
Limited Format Support
RAID-6 data protection
√
No
No
* AVC-Intra version of server only.
† DNxHD version of server only.
For complete Mira Instant Replay product specifications, please visit www.abekas.com
1090 O’Brien Drive
Menlo Park, CA 94025
USA
Voice
Fax
+1 650 470 0900
+1 650 470 0913
abekas.com
©2015 Abekas Inc. All Rights Reserved. Specifications and features are subject to change without notification. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. “Mira” is a trademark and “Abekas” is a registered trademark of Abekas, Inc. REV April 2015.