An introduction to fibre channel networking in the video environment

In 1988, the Fibre Channel Working Group (one of the many standards working groups sponsored by the American National Standards Institute, or ANSI) began developing a new method of high speed data transfer for computer workstations, display devices, and peripherals. The objectives of that effort included support for, and interconnection of, many types of physical interfaces; high speed transfer of large volumes of data; and a separation of physical interfaces and logical protocols such that many protocols could be run on a single physical interface. The author debates the issue of networking of video signals between modern computer based workstations and recording systems, and considers the impact these new technologies will have on television production and distribution systems. This technology is enabling a change to nonlinear parallel working, freeing the creative staff from the technical limitations of video tape, and substantially reducing the operating costs of television production