Case Study
High-Performance On-Site Video Ingestion & Archival Platform
This high-performance video ingestion case study shows how Focus Group Technologies designed and deployed an on-site platform for an international media production team that needed faster ingest, resilient storage and concurrent tape archival in a mobile filming environment.
High-Performance Video Ingestion Case Study: How Focus Group Technologies Improved Archival Performance
Focus Group Technologies deployed a purpose-built on-site media infrastructure platform using Lenovo P3 workstations as high-speed ingest endpoints, 10GbE and 40GbE networking, Lenovo SR630 high-capacity servers, and a fibre-channel connected Lenovo TS4300 tape library. This allowed the production team to ingest, verify and archive footage concurrently while reducing operational risk and improving data protection.
Media Production Storage Infrastructure for High-Volume Filming
A large international media production team needed a faster, more resilient way to manage footage generated during a high-profile production. Daily filming created substantial volumes of high-resolution data across multiple camera sources, placing pressure on the existing ingest and backup environment.
The legacy infrastructure could no longer support modern file sizes, multistream ingestion or rapid archival without slowing the production workflow. The team required a platform that could move, protect and archive critical footage quickly while remaining suitable for mobile, on-site deployment.
The Challenge
The existing environment was limited by inconsistent disk performance, restricted throughput and ingestion bottlenecks. As production formats increased in size and complexity, footage transfers slowed and data queues created workflow risk.
The backup process also needed improvement. The tape-based system could not generate redundant copies quickly enough to align with production schedules, creating unacceptable risk for commercially valuable footage.
The Solution
FGT designed and deployed a high-throughput architecture centred on Lenovo P3 workstations with 10GbE networking for rapid media offload. These ingest endpoints connected into a 40GbE switching fabric and Lenovo SR630 servers configured with high-capacity storage for sustained multistream write performance.
A dedicated tape server and fibre-channel connected Lenovo TS4300 tape library were integrated to support concurrent ingest, verification and archival. The full platform was engineered for mobility, with equipment designed for flight-case mounting to support off-site production requirements.
Technologies Deployed
Lenovo SR630 Servers
High-capacity storage and tape server infrastructure with 40GbE networking.
Lenovo TS4300 Tape Library
Fibre-channel connected archival platform for production-grade backup
Six LTO-9 Tape Drives
After-hours testing completed to validate failover behaviour and outage readiness.
Lenovo P3 Workstations
High-speed ingest endpoints with 10GbE networking.
Flight-Case Mounted Design
Mobile infrastructure design for on-site production deployment.
Fibre-Channel Switching
Dedicated archival connectivity to support concurrent backup workflows.
The Outcome
This high-performance video ingestion case study demonstrates how ingest endpoints, high-capacity storage and concurrent tape backup can support high-volume production workflows without slowing daily operations.
The production team achieved significantly faster ingest times, allowing daily footage to be secured and made available for review much sooner.
Backup-to-tape throughput also increased substantially, enabling multiple redundant copies to be created without affecting ingestion performance. The redesigned workflow reduced operational risk, strengthened data integrity and provided a scalable foundation for future productions.
With high-speed ingest, resilient storage and reliable tape-based archival, the team now operates with infrastructure better aligned to modern, high-volume filming environments.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Power infrastructure. Clear operational answers.
What is video ingestion in media production?
Video ingestion is the process of transferring footage from camera media into a production storage environment so it can be verified, reviewed, edited and backed up.
Why does high-speed storage matter for media production?
High-speed storage helps production teams manage large video files, multiple camera sources and time-sensitive workflows without delays caused by slow transfers or storage bottlenecks.
How does tape backup support media production workflows?
Tape backup provides a reliable archival layer for high-value production footage. In this case, fibre-channel connected LTO-9 tape drives allowed redundant copies to be created while ingestion continued.
What infrastructure did Focus Group Technologies deploy for this project?
Focus Group Technologies deployed Lenovo P3 workstations, Lenovo SR630 servers, Lenovo TS4300 tape library infrastructure, LTO-9 tape drives, 10GbE networking, 40GbE networking and fibre-channel switching.
Can FGT support mobile or on-site production infrastructure?
Yes. Focus Group Technologies can design infrastructure for on-site and mobile production environments, including flight-case mounted systems for media teams that need high-performance infrastructure outside a traditional data centre.
NEXT STEP
Need infrastructure that keeps up with production demands?
From high-throughput storage and video ingestion to resilient backup, archival and on-site deployment, Focus Group Technologies helps media and production teams design infrastructure that performs under real-world workload pressure.