SGO Mistika – the hardware

The hardware that Mistika runs on is standard, albeit high-end, PC components.

The Mistika software can run on a variety of standard hardware however SGO supply a complete solution using preferred hardware suppliers. The base Workstation is the HP Z800 which delivers ultimate performance in a revolutionary next-generation design. It supports the latest Intel® Xeon® 5500/5600 series processors and combines the extreme speed, massive expandability and maximum productivity that you expect from a high-end system.

Mistika makes heavy use of the GPU so all systems are equipped with a Quadro 6000 6GB graphics card. Video I/O is handled by a DVS Centaurus II video card offering optimum data throughput and support for real-time I/O for all established video formats, from SD up to 4K. The operating system is Suse 64bit Linux providing a well supported and flexible core that is recognised by many system administrators.

Unlike many of its competitors, Mistika employs an open storage policy. By using standard fibre-channel RAID arrays with a standard file system Mistika allows easy integration into an existing data infrastructures. The preferred storage arrays are from Infortrend which the disk type and capacity dependent upon the working requirements. For an entry level HD system a single 16 disk array of SATA drives would be used. If you are working with 2k and Stereoscopic 3D then add another array. If you are looking to work with 4k files then you would move to the faster SAS disks. As the arrays are standard items it is easy to expand or replace storage as and when required.

Mistika can be used to provide the central storage for other systems in your facility as part of a Storage Area Network. Work natively in a S.A.N. infrastructure while sharing standard format files with other open systems without any import or export process required. You can create the structure of your project on the central storage and allow other Editors, Compositors and CG Artists to save and render directly into the timeline for immediate real-time review and finishing in Mistika.