Sony launches Media Backbone NavigatorX a scalable asset management system upgraded from Media Navigator

Asia Pacific, 9 September 2016 – Sony today announced an evolved version of its highly acclaimed Media Navigator solution, Media Backbone NavigatorX, offering new features to deliver easier, quicker and more efficient asset and workflow management. Building on the launch of Media Navigator last year, Media Backbone NavigatorX has been designed based on customer feedback to suit multiple modern workflow environments. Users will be able to manage content assets in a range of formats, with flexible feature options for production, archiving and workflow automation.

Fast, demanding workflows often require users with minimal training to access asset management systems. Media Backbone NavigatorX features a simpler User Interface (UI) design for intuitive operation, and includes an HTML-based web application compatible with multiple browsers.
Incorporating a wider range of asset management features and providing increased flexibility to support a variety of applications, Media Backbone NavigatorX can manage files in any format. The solution’s internal transcode engine supports a wide range of SD, HD and 4K video formats, including XDCAM HD422, XAVC and other industry leading codecs. Users can do much more than simply view video in Media Backbone NavigatorX, accelerating the overall media workflow by making it easier to identify the correct asset in question; displaying subtitles, reading PDF files and checking still images are all possible within a single UI.

The advanced archive management application fully integrates with Sony’s Optical Disc Archive for archiving, retrieval and partial retrieval, providing asset status and tracking of Optical Disc Archive cartridges, even on shelves.
“Our customers told us they wanted a cost-effective and intuitive asset management solution that complements our Optical Disc Archive system, in addition to unerring reliability and high-speed access,” said Koji Andachi, Assistant General Manager, System Solutions Marketing Division, Professional Solutions Company, Sony Electronics Asia Pacific. “This upgrade delivers just that, providing a wide range of professional customers with a future-proof solution that can easily integrate into existing and future workflows, equipping them with a tool to boost efficiency.”

Media Backbone NavigatorX also helps customers overcome regular repetitive tasks, providing a richer feature set than standard asset management solutions. For example, the workflow automation tool in Media Backbone NavigatorX enables users to easily set up a workflow with a series of simple drag-and-drop operations in a matter of hours, rather than relying on a software engineer to write complex scripts.
Playing a pivotal role in content asset management, Media Backbone NavigatorX integrates with various processes and associated technologies across the media production workflow. The solution’s compatibility with industry-standard non-linear editing tools saves time for users by providing a single central point for teams to work and edit from. Further time saving features include a powerful metadata search function that incorporates Boolean search queries and smart search capabilities to run previously saved queries.

Media Backbone NavigatorX is scheduled to be available in Asia Pacific from October 2016. To learn more about Sony’s media asset management, please click here.