Bono Film & Video/Bonolabs: "tapeless" option

Advantages - no compression, no digitizing time, no tape deck purchase

Welcome to our hard drive division of Bonolabs.
This service, started in 2004, is designed to make the delivery and workflow move more efficiently in the High Definition and Standard Definition world of electronic motion imaging. We are telecine transferring directly to hard drives in MAC QuickTime file format and AVI file format for PC users. Clients now have multiple direct to drive options:  

  • For hi def MAC users (HFS) we offer 10-bit uncompressed 1080/24p (23.98sF) MAC QuickTime.MOV  files. This is an uncompressed 10-bit 4:2:2 YUV HD-SDI single link signal.  We provide two "compressed options." Choose either DVCPro HD QuickTime 1920x1080/24p or HDV files (720p or 1080i) direct to hard drive.  We also offer ProRes 422 files for Final Cut Pro 6.0 users.

  • For hi def PC users (NTFS) we offer 10-bit uncompressed 1080/24p (23.98sF) .AVI files direct to hard drive. This is an uncompressed 10-bit 4:2:2 YUV HD-SDI single link signal. We've recently added the option to receive HDV for the PC (720p & 1080i).

  • NTSC transfers to drive are available for MAC and PC (see Bonofilm site for details)

  • HD & SD PAL files and upconverts from NTSC tape to HD file.

You have two drive options for file transport. Please note that in all cases, you have five calendar days, upon receipt of your file material, to verify integrity of the files. Client files will be automatically deleted on the sixth (6th) calendar day unless Bonolabs receives prior client notification.

  1. You may use a Bonolabs drive (tapeless service fee of $2.40 per minute). The drives are loaned out for a specific period of time with a required pre-authorization on your credit card which will be dropped upon the successful return of the drive(s). Once the material is offloaded to your system, the drive is returned to us for inspection and verification that it is operable and that all accessories have been included in the shipment. The pre-authorized security deposit will be dropped after receipt and satisfactory "check-in." The actual deposit fee is tied to the hard drive storage capacity. We offer four sizes: 1 TB, 500 GB, 250 GB, and 160 GB. Please note that the external hard drive is a means of transport of client files; therefore, users of this service are expected to have sufficient storage on their end for immediate offload to their systems. Drives kept longer than 3 days (including day of receipt) will be subject to late/rental fees of $25 per day until Bonolabs is notified via e-mail with return shipping and tracking information.  See our policy section for a full description of the ramifications of a late return.

  2. Participate in the "Purchase and Load" program described below. By purchasing a SATA drive though us, your per minute tapeless service fee is reduced to $1.60 per minute. Better yet! Purchase our Bonolabs trayless enclosure and SATA drive and get the $0.80 per minute introductory offer on your transfer!

     What's the first step?   All new drive clients are required to order a test clip to be sent to you via ftp. The test clip is designed to confirm compatibility and functionality of your system; it is an inexpensive procedure to ensure your success. We are NOT quizzing you on your capabilities, so please do not take offense. International clients are welcome. You must have a fast enough connection to download huge files.

Uncompressed 10-bit QuickTime MAC compatible  files OR DVCPro HD or HDV codec QuickTime files &

AVI

Uncompressed 10-bit PC compatible files ready to edit in Premiere Pro OR HDV

Uncompressed 10-bit ready-to-edit PAL files for MAC & PC.

This service is available for the following film formats: 35mm, Super 16mm, 16mm, Super 8mm and Regular 8mm. For an additional fee, separate sound tracks (optical, mag, 1/4-inch or DAT) may be submitted for digitizing. The client receives MAC QuickTime audio files or WAV files (PC). 

Our best light and flat telecine transfer prices are based on runtime of the material, not on suite or labor time.  Some of our clients are preferring the flat transfer as it opens up the gamma and gives some more "headroom" on either end of the tonal scale. Scene-to-scene color correction is also available; however charges are based on actual labor time. (See our description for more details and how charges apply.) There is a tapeless service fee for moving your transferred material on to the drives. The fee varies, depending on which drive option you choose. This per runtime minute fee reflects the drive loading and verification of file integrity, re-formatting of the drive where necessary, general wear and tear on borrowed units. Note: all film will be inspected, prepped and cleaned before transfer.

Potential clients are required to fill out a compatibility check sheet to help determine the suitability and compatibility of your system and application for this tapeless alternative. To test out the functionality of your system, we require that new clients our "test drive" out for a spin. We either send the material via ftp or to you on an external drive with some short high def clips of test films and material in the public domain that you can offload for testing on your system. You pay a token clip fee for each option chosen, plus shipping, handling and insurance on the drive. To work with a sample of your own project, we recommend the 1/4-hour minimum transfer option to the 160 GB external drive once you have successfully worked with our test drive.

When you receive the Bono external hard drive you are ready to edit (RTE). All files require the free downloadable Blackmagic codec. There is no digitizing from a videotape because we have jumped over that step and are now moving your data directly from the telecine to the hard drive. You also bypass the necessity to buy or rent a deck. This is a particular bonus in the High Definition world. These are just a few of the many advantages that can be associated with handling material in a tapeless form. As we progress in this delivery method (added in February 2004) there will be refinements along the way that will improve the service with your real world input. Please feel free to make comments and suggestions to tapeless@bonolabs.com. We strive to read our email on an hourly basis. Please understand that this is new and exciting territory and all must be patient while we refine the workflow. Considerable testing and R&D have been performed to eliminate many of the pitfalls but as with any developing service there are bound to be a few bumps along the way. 

Optimum Requirements for HFS
System: G5 Dual Processor, 2.0 GHz, 6 Gigabytes of RAM, with Final Cut Pro 5.0 or later, OS X10 or other MAC QuickTime compatible video editing program.
Storage: You are expected to return the Bonolabs hard drive promptly; therefore, make sure that you have enough storage for your data. The total storage must allow for the initial data plus the final render. For example, one hour of raw footage = 450 Gigabytes; 15 minutes of final render of show = 120 Gigabytes. Firewire 400 or 800 port (USB2.0 for test drives)

Optimum Requirements for NTFS (PC)
Please see the application requirements for Adobe Premiere Pro or other PC application.

 Purchase and Load Program

For clients who need external storage and/or who plan to request tapeless transfers on a regular basis, Bonolabs has set up a "purchase and load" option. We've spent considerable time working with portable drives as well as SATA drives. Based on your feedback and our own extensive R&D, we are now offering our own trayless enclosures for purchase.  Here's an added incentive: When you purchase your trayless enclosure from Bonolabs, your drive service fee will by only $0.80 per minute. For any additional work,  your tapeless drive service fee will drop from $2.40 per minute to $1.60 per minute. For clients with long-term storage needs see our option described below.  Participation in the Long-term Storage plan also makes you eligible for the reduced tapeless drive service fee. Clients who purchase a Firmtek SATA bay enclosure system through Bonolabs may then send in their new SATA drives to us for loading and the reduced $1.60 per runtime minute charge.

Interested in designing a long-term economical storage solution for your digital files? Check our our new hard drive shelving modular units. Find out about our program for Long-term Storage Strategies for Archiving and Big Project Management.

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Revised July 2010