Symply aims to simplify storage choices with SymplyFIRST

Symply’s new product family hits the market targeting on-set, post, and archive storage needs, as well as stepping up to the newly released LTO-9.

Symply’s new SymplyFIRST range aims to tackle a wide range of different storage quandaries that anyone in the field of video content creation can find themselves in, offering personal RAID protected storage for backup/archive, cloud archive/transfer, and the various connectivity challenges experienced in a variety of different media pipelines.

As the name suggests, the range is designed to be a jumping off point into the wider world of professional media storage, with pricing that is judged to be attractive enough not to put off companies upgrading from the smaller, often jerry-rigged systems that occupy desktops and production offices around the world.

It’s all neatly designed and starts with SymplySPARK, a personal, transportable media-optimized RAID solution that the company says is ‘whisper quiet’ and aimed at on-set and edit bay use. Featuring Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, it’s both lighter and more compact than most comparable systems, while it’s also been designed to offer tool-free user serviceability of drives, fans, and power supplies.

Those who’ve used it to edit RED footage directly from the drive have said it’s akin to running from the internal SSD on the camera, which is a fairly good vote of confidence.

Offloading content from cameras or other sources to safe storage is a growing market which is addressed by both SymplyPRO LTO and SymplyPRO DIT. Both are Thunderbolt 3-connected desktop and rack-optimized solutions that incorporate the latest generation LTO-9 tapes featuring up to 18TB native storage per tape and over 400Mbps read/write. 

SymplyPRO DIT (above) usefully combines camera card readers for RED, Atomos and Blackmagic Design, along with removable 2.5” SSD and LTO tape for fast all-in-one DIT storage operations. SymplyPRO LTO systems, meanwhile, are available in multiple configurations including a cable-less design, all-metal enclosure that allows for the fast removal and insertion of tape drives for transport or upgrade. 

SymplyPRO LTO systems are certified for use with popular backup and archive utilities for macOS and Windows including YoYotta, Hedge Canister, and Archiware P5, as well as coming with their own SymplyATOM (Advanced Tape Operations and Management) software.
 
Those looking for something a little less hardware-based can take advantage of SymplyNEBULA for cloud backup and archive. This offers industry-standard S3 compatibility with data centers throughout the US and Europe with no egress charges. The service is available for a single per-terabyte price and Symply reckons it is up to ten times faster than other providers.

The company has two other new products its introducing as well. SymplyADDR (above) is a series of affordable high-performance PCIe expansion systems designed to take up less space on your desktop, offering quieter operation, and requiring less time to add or remove cards than other expansion products around. And SymplyLOCK is a Thunderbolt cable lock that works with all SymplyFIRST products and any Apple-certified Thunderbolt cable preventing accidental disconnection of a Thunderbolt device.

SymplyFIRST is now generally available from resellers worldwide. Prices range from $4.99 a month for SymplyNEBULA, to $3299 for SymplyLTO (SAS connected tape drive); $4199 for SymplySPARK (Thunderbolt connected eight bay storage); and $4599 for SymplyPRO LTO (Thunderbolt connected tape drive)

More details at gosymply.com.