The system is implemented as a mobile app for Android and iOS devices, a Java applet and a pure JavaScript web application as part of its user interface.
For editors and producers wanting to produce broadcast-quality output, Blackbird provides an environment for the early stages of post-production to happen remotely and cheaply (logging, shot selection, collaborative reviewing, rough cutting and offline editing, for example) and more recently fine cut editing.
For these users, all editing can be carried out in Blackbird, before publishing to social media and online video channels, OTT[5] or commercial cloud storage.
The platform was reported in July 2012 as being used by NBC in connection with the 2012 Summer Olympics involving integration of the service with YouTube[6][7] and continues to be used to deliver coverage for sport events such as Formula One,[8] PGA European Tour and the Premier League.
§ The video platform is referred to broadly as Blackbird and marketed as three distinct B2B products:[9] All exploit the cloud for delivery.
Ascent and Forte enable functionality including: video logging, frame accurate[10] non-linear editing (and multicam support for up to 18 cameras), reviewing, publishing, storyboarding and clipping.
Clients may elect to use a single physical Edge server per fixed or remote location to scale up operations and improve overall performance (e.g. the time taken to retrieve video for review).
The Blackbird Player supports; renderless publishing, multiple layers, own branding,[11][12] clipping and URL sharing, ability to revoke access and a patented navigation bar.
Sites may also attach a server to their own network (Edge) for improved performance/scalability (local ingest and caching to multiply the numbers of users on existing internet connections).
This is important for handling the quantity of video in modern productions, as well as the reviewing, logging, editing and publishing features of Blackbird.
Many individuals may use the same Blackbird account and each user is assigned a role (manager, commenter, reviewer, logger, editor, storyboard).
Admin/operational and MAM features include; transfer, search and playback of material, ingest configuration, workflow, account and user settings and usage reports.
The Blackbird editing platform supports publishing from original sources up to 4K, to destinations including: social media and online video channels (e.g. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter), OTT and commercial cloud storage (e.g. S3, Azure).
Videos logged or edited in Blackbird can be exported in the form of a simple EDL or more complex XML for autoconform and offline or online on an Avid or Final Cut Pro system.
The special effects, captions, layers, graphics, cropping and stretching, colour correction and titles are combined at full resolution on a Blackbird Cloud for download, or Edge Server, ready for transmission.
The SDI video input meets both Phase Alternating Line (PAL) and National Television System Committee (NTSC) standards.