SGO Mistika Overview

Mistika is a High-End finishing system designed to remove traditional limits and allow total freedom to create and manipulate moving images for any format – SD, HDTV, 2k Film, IMAX, multiple projector etc.

It has become the finishing tool of choice for many top facilities especially when it comes to Stereoscopic 3D work. Mistika is used by BSkyB, Park Road Post, Pictorian Das Werk, Off Hollywood, Framestore UK and many other film and television companies around the globe.

If you are looking for an on-line editing solution to handle all your projects from standard definition commercials up to 3D feature films then Mistika is the tool for you.  The following is an introduction to the basic features of  Mistika but to really appreciate its speed and power you have to see it working for yourself. If you would like to have a chat about specific features, workflows or how other customers are using this amazing system then please give us a call on +44 1462 433558 or contact us here. We can talk you through any queries and arrange to get you in front of our demo system and show you how it is done.

Like most editing systems at the heart of interface is a non linear timeline however Mistika’s is a little different. Misitika’s timeline allows for an infinite number of layers with no dedicated audio, video or effect tracks. Instead editors have the freedom to create an edit or complex composite by stacking multiple layers of clips and effects anywhere in the workspace.

Mistika allows for the non-destructive grouping of clips and effects in a way that helps users organize their projects into manageable pieces. It also provides an intelligent way of creating templates for effects and composites that can be used again in other projects, even at different resolutions.

The Mistika compositing panel uses a tree flow diagram that allows navigation up to any level of the composite. Users can manipulate parameters at any point while seeing the results in real time. Working with this panel users have no need to go back to the timeline.

Mistika provides a complete set of tools, a large range of filters, colour correctors, distortion effects, chroma keyers, vector paint, rotoscoping, morph, warp, title, and many more all as standard. External control interfaces, such as colour grading trackballs, can be used to drive the interface.

All effects in Mistika are combinable, non-destructive and will not require intermediate renders in order to see how they affect each other in complex composite stacks. It fully supports third-party plug-ins based on the OFX standard e.g. Foundry Furnace Suite.

Mistika is completely configurable in terms of resolution, frame rate, aspect ratio, and interlacing. You can edit and composite in any format and resolution on the same timeline while retaining the ability to nondestructively modify effects parameters. Mistika’s ability to digitize and colour correct material in native YUV as well as RGB translates into tremendous savings in both disk storage and colour space conversions. In support of Universal Mastering Mistika includes all the necessary conversion tools that will allow clients to finish a project in a master format, such as 2K Film or HD@24P, and deliver in any other standard format such as PAL or NTSC.

Mistika’s interface has been designed using well established editing and compositing interface paradigms, as seen in other competing products, without compromising or restricting Mistika’s own unique functionality.

Users with experience in other products will have no problems getting their Mistika systems to produce finished projects with only a little practice. Mistika also introduces a proprietary character recognition system called “SCRIBE”. It allows users to quickly access common commands and effects using simple strokes and gestures. With time and practice users will find that they can operate Mistika software at great speed with motions and gestures alone!

SGO Mistika is a next generation, high-end timeline based editing, compositing, and colour grading mastering solution.

Mistika is a High-End finishing system designed to remove limits and allow total freedom to create and manipulate moving images for any format   – SD, HDTV, Film, IMAX, multiple projector etc.

Mistika’s non-proprietary, open architecture, its intuitive interface and overall system scalability make it the most cost effective choice when you need the power and flexibility to produce and deliver any job in any format.

Mistika is completely configurable in terms of resolution, frame rate, aspect ratio, and interlacing. You can edit and composite in any format and any resolution, on the same timeline in the same project with unlimited layers. All this while retaining the ability to non-destructively modify effects parameters and groupings. Providing an intelligent way of creating templates for complex effects which can be used again in other projects.

Mistika´s standard file system allows for full integration and connectivity with 3rd party networks and advanced shared storage solutions like SANs. All format media, such as 2K Film or PAL/NTSC video, can be stored in the same partition that in turn can be accessed by any machine using any operating system (Win2K, WinXP, OSX, etc…) with the correct licence across a standard network.

Mistika can also make use of networked render systems to increase productivity. The “Totem” system uses Linux based machines to increase the overall rendering performance of the front end Mistika workstation. Clips rendered via Totem can be played out even before all the frames are finished.

Given sufficient resources and system bandwidth the Totem rendering systems will allow clients to preview and play out ongoing renders of complex composites in real time. As technology moves forward and faster processors become available clients will find that the Totem cluster rendering engine will revolutionize the concept of working online, in real time, at any resolution! Totem provides a way for your Mistika systems to remain competitive for longer thus reducing the overall system depreciation. Guaranteeing an increased return on your investment.

Using the latest S.A.N. technologies Mistika systems can share media and collaborate on projects whilst maintaining the multiple stream performance of local high speed disk arrays. As an example, while one Mistika system is conforming an EDL, another can be working on a complex composite, while at the same time the Totem cluster can be rending clips in the background – all accessing the same shared storage. No duplicated material, no waiting times for project transfers, just a truly collaborative workflow!

If you would like more information on Mistika please contact us directly. We can discuss any specific details and arrange a personal demonstration at your convenience. We will be opening our new demo suite later in the year complete with 3D Stereoscopic projection.