History of key achievements by the GB Labs development team:
2000 - Link up the Channel Islands for the BBC
This is where it all began. A ‘Store and Forward’ delivery system for the BBC. Linking the Channel Islands to BBC Plymouth for the News ‘Opt-Out.’ The system replaced the man with a tape, in a car and on a Ferry everyday.
2001 - A ruggedized edit suite for War Zones
Using the same ‘Store and Forward’ technology with the connectivity of Satellite phones, crystal clear MPEG2 is sent from the front line in Iraq and later Afghanistan…. Global Studio is Born.
2002 - The ideal portable edit suite
Global Studio provides all the connectivity and storage you need in a box that docks with your laptop. The Discovery Channel, Chilli TV, The BBC and many other production companies worldwide, used ‘Global Studio’ for video assist and editing on the go.
2002 - Full online suite 2 Go
Pinnacle Systems commissioned us to build a portable uncompressed edit suite. CineWave 2 Go is born and generates huge interest at IBC on Pinnacles stand.This is the first time anyone has managed to do uncompressed editing on a laptop. Lots of fast SCSi storage and 3 PCI slots allow a laptop to be used like a desktop.
2003 - Global Studio wins MacWorld Award
The award for best value added Mac product, awarded by Mark Rogers from Apple. We were recognised for our totally unique approach to solving real problems with the latest technology.
2005 - FireSafe – First RAID 5 FireWire Drive
A custom built unit with 5 disks in RAID 5 gives entry-level users the protection of RAID and plenty of speed for anything up to uncompressed data rates. Utilising Firewire connectivity ensures easy of use with decktop and laptop hosts.
2006 - FireSafe Extreme
Huge performance from a FireSafe with the addition of U320 SCSi… 5 SATA disks provide market leading performance and bring affordable HD storage to the desktop editing market.
2007 - SATASafe – Rugged and Fast Storage
In answer to the requirements of Ewan McGregor's ‘Long Way Down’ project, We came up with SataSafe, a RAID protected disk array with shock protection, flexible power options and portability, these were fitted to the vehicles and provided with custom carry cases.
2008 - GB labs enter the SPACE race!
Spotting a lack of easy to use and centralised storage for collaborative workflows, we create Space. An affordable alternative to fibre-channel SAN, with no client licensing and great performance through Ethernet, Space is perfect for digital content management applications.
2009 - GB Labs Ltd converted to an LLP, SPACE is launched at IBC
An unbelievably warm welcome from the Video Industry... SPACE is the talk of the show and proves popular to an International audience. Low cost SAN is on everyone’s mind, Fibre is too expensive and doesn’t scale well, but mostly it’s over-specified for most people’s requirements… SPACE makes a lot of sense!
2010 - MIDI Space is born
GB Labs have introduced a new Space product that caters for smaller workgroups operating in a single office scenario, where noise is important. Many people want the benefits of shared storage and the security of RAID protection but don't have access to a separate server room or can't justify the cost of a full fibre SAN. Midi Space is the answer and allows video editing and other demanding usage direct from the box, it's design is discreet, it's operating sound is virtually non-existent and it's price point makes it very attractive.
2010 - The launch of Mini Space
Developed in conjunction with Thomson Reuters, Mini Space is the smaller, lighter and portable offspring of Space.
2010 - Space Cluster - Unveiled at IBC 2010
Our new clustered Space solution will be unveiled at IBC this year on the GB Labs stand. Clustering the powerful Space units allows for huge data storage with plenty of back end performance to enable many clients to access data. Full details were made available at the show.
