A new file transfer service from MASV allows users to transfer files fast without size restrictions. No more 20GB limit! Great for rushes and completed programs.
As an editor, I'm always sending or receiving files from colleagues or clients. We have hammered WeTransfer, but even the subscription version won't allow users to send files over 20GB.
To illustrate why this is a problem, on average, 1080i ProRes 422 masters work out at about a gigabyte a minute. It's not hard to do the maths to calculate that a half hour programme isn't going to work on some of the existing file transfer services.
MASV Rush has launched today and is billed as a 'Pay-as-you-go massive file transfer service optimized for the professional video production industry.' On signup, the first 50G of transfer is free, then you will get charged $0.15 per GB after that.
I've had the opportunity to test out the service and thought I'd jump right in with trying to transfer a real-life hour long programme over the service.
Could I get 45 Gigs worth of a show to a client without problems? We can all transfer smaller files, so why not use up my free allowance all in one go!
Let's find out!
MASV Rush works from within your web browser. You need to register first, then log in to the MASV Rush section.
You will then be prompted to enter the name of the recipient/s and also navigate to the file you wish to send.
Clicking continue takes you to the next page where you can add a message which will be sent in an email.
You will also get an estimated cost, but as this is within the 50GB limit, it is showing $0. I couldn't get rid of the prompt on the RHS which was slightly annoying.
Hitting send starts the file transfer. Important to note here that you have to leave the browser running for the process to finish. It is showing a rather optimistic 2 hours for the transfer!
And that's it until your transfer is complete.
You will then get an email saying that the file has been successfully sent. You will also get an email when the recipients access the file. No login or account creation needed by them which helps a lot.
I'm pleased to report the file was sent and received successfully , it all worked exactly as it should have done. Download links will expire, this one had a life of 10 days.
There's a history page where you can lookup past transfers. It also gives an interesting insight to how long the file transfer actually took. Here you can see a much more realistic 10 hours posted and a price it would have cost.
MASV kindly supplied this speed comparison table. My upload was on a 200 MB down, 25MB up cable service, so to get these types of speed you really need a faster internet connection.
So the conclusion?
MASV Rush does exactly what it says on the tin. It has an easy to use interface, transfers files quickly without error and the end user gets presented with a professional way of accepting files. No goofy looking monster or adverts in a web browser to look at.
With file sizes of rushes and masters getting bigger, editors are going to grow out of the free 2GB and subscription based 20GB services. This is an ideal replacement service with no costs up front, just pay for what you transfer.
It would be good to get some experience of transfers on a faster internet connection, but I have no reason to doubt MASV's testing. Transferring an hour long programme overnight wasn't a problem and of course a lot easier and cheaper than a courier or driving it to its destination yourself!
I shall certainly be using MASV again.
Peter Wiggins is a broadcast freelance editor based in the UK although his work takes him around the world. An early adopter of FCP setting up pioneering broadcasts workflows, his weapon of choice is now Final Cut Pro X.
You can follow him on Twitter as @peterwiggins or as he runs the majority of this site, you can contact him here.
I am the Editor-in-Chief of FCP.co and have run the website since its inception ten years ago.
I have also worked as a broadcast and corporate editor for over 30 years, starting on one inch tape, working through many formats, right up to today's NLEs.
Under the name Idustrial Revolution, I have written and sold plugins for Final Cut Pro for 13 years.
I was made a Freeman of Lichfield through The Worshipful Company of Smiths (established 1601). Though I haven't yet tried to herd a flock of sheep through the city centre!
Current Editing
2020 has been busy, the beginning of the year was finishing off a new property series (cut on FCP) for Channel 4 called The Great House Giveaway. I also designed and built the majority of the graphics as Motion templates. It has been a great success and the shows grabbed more viewers in the 4pm weekday slot than any previous strand. It has been recommissioned by C4 for 60 episodes, including prime-time versions and five themed programmes. The shows have also been nominated for a 2021 BAFTA.
Although both were postponed to later in the year, I worked again on ITV's coverage of the Tour de France and La Vuelta. 2020 was my 25th year of editing the TdF and my 20th year as lead editor. The Tour was the first broadcast show to adopt FCPX working for multiple editors on shared storage.
BBC's Snooker has played a big part in my life, I've been editing tournament coverage since 1997. I'm proud to be part of a very creative team that has pioneered many new ideas and workflows that are now industry standard in sports' production. This is currently an Adobe Premiere edit.
Covid cancelled some of the regular corporate events that I edit such as trade shows & events. I was lucky however to edit, from home, on projects for Amazon Kindle, Amazon Black Friday, Mastercard and very proud to have helped local charitable trust Kendall & Wall secure lottery funding.
As for software, my weapon of choice is Final Cut Pro and Motion, but I also have a good knowledge and broadcast credits with Adobe Premiere Pro, MOGRT design and Photoshop.
Plugin Design & Development
I'm the creative force behind Idustrial Revolution, one of the oldest Final Cut Pro plugin developers. It hosts a range of commercial and free plugins on the site. One free plugin was downloaded over a thousand times within 24 hours of release.
I also take on custom work, whether it is adapting an existing plugin for a special use or designing new plugins for clients from scratch. Having a good knowledge of editing allows me to build-in flexibility and more importantly, usability.
FCP.co
Now in its 10th year and 4th redesign, running FCP.co has given me knowledge on how to run a large CMS- you are currently reading my bio from the database! Although it sounds corny, I am pretty well up on social media trends & techniques, especially in the video sector. The recent Covid restrictions has enabled live FCP.co shows online. This involves managing a Zoom Webinar through Restream.io to YouTube and Facebook.
The Future
I'm always open to new ideas and opportunities, so please get in touch at editor (at) fcp.co. I've judged film competitions, presented workflow techniques to international audiences and come up with ideas for TV shows and software programs!
