Based in Dubai, Blinx has significantly upgraded its media production capabilities by increasing storage capacity by 300%, achieving faster read/write speeds, and optimizing its 4K NDI and XR video workflows with EVO shared storage.

Producing approximately 50 pieces of content daily in its NDI-based studio, Blinx encountered a significant challenge—its previous storage system was unable to meet the demands of high-volume 4K video production. In search of a solution that provided both speed and reliability, the company turned to EVO, marking a pivotal transformation in its workflow.

“Prior to implementing EVO, we struggled with performance issues using our old video production storage,” stated Basel Al Rouh, Technical Manager at Blinx. “During peak usage, multiple users accessing our on-premise storage or working with large project files would slow everything down.”

“We required a high-performance post-production storage solution capable of managing our increasing volume of media assets, maintaining consistent speed, and supporting a larger number of concurrent users without bottlenecks. EVO’s speed and capacity to handle heavy workloads were essential in fulfilling this requirement.”

Al Rouh elaborated: “Previously, when we faced a disk failure with our old storage system, the rebuilding process severely degraded performance, making the storage nearly inaccessible during that time. We needed a system that could sustain stability and functionality even during disk rebuilds. EVO provided the resilience we sought.”

Affordability was another crucial factor. Blinx needed to triple its online storage capacity and enhance performance without incurring excessive costs.

With EVO, Blinx was able to expand its 4K video storage capacity at a fraction of the cost of other alternatives they considered. Not only did they increase on-premise storage capacity by 300%, but they also enhanced their entire post-production workflow—all at a reasonable price. EVO’s scalable architecture enables Blinx to easily add capacity as their needs evolve, ensuring a cost-effective solution for today and the future.

“EVO distinguishes itself with its user-friendly management interface, allowing us to monitor and control storage resources without requiring extensive technical expertise. We can swiftly scale storage, manage user access, and maintain high performance, simplifying daily operations and keeping our team focused on production,” Al Rouh added.

“Moreover, EVO’s file transfer tool, Slingshot, has been incredibly beneficial for automating file transfers and streamlining our workflow. It enables us to efficiently move large volumes of data across different storage systems.”

From cameras to operating systems, EVO integrates seamlessly with everything in Blinx’s innovative studio.

“Another significant feature of EVO is its easy access from various operating systems,” Al Rouh continued. “Our team uses macOS while our servers primarily run on Linux. EVO’s cross-platform compatibility ensures that everyone can collaborate effortlessly without the need for additional software or complex configurations.”

“Although we work with various file types, all our production is in 4K, and our infrastructure is entirely NDI-based, allowing us to manage video over IP with low latency and high-quality output. We utilize cinematic cameras, aligning perfectly with our vision as a cutting-edge digital platform targeting Gen Z and youth audiences. Additionally, we have implemented an XR (extended reality) setup to enhance our production capabilities.” EVO’s extensive compatibility is vital as Blinx continues to push the boundaries of digital storytelling in the Middle East and North Africa.

Given Blinx’s requirements for performance, scalability, affordability, advanced features, and compatibility, they sought guidance from their trusted local distributor, MediaCast. “We collaborated closely with Blinx to understand their needs, recommend EVO, and provide the expertise and local support necessary for its implementation,” said Bala Menon, Sales Director at MediaCast. “This partnership was crucial in ensuring EVO was the ideal fit for Blinx’s requirements, surpassing other solutions under consideration.”

“If you’re contemplating SNS products and services, I wholeheartedly recommend them based on our experience at Blinx,” concluded Al Rouh. “EVO has proven to be an effective choice, delivering the reliability and speed we need to maintain productivity and streamline our workflows. Additionally, the SNS support team has been exceptional, providing us with reliable advice and assistance whenever needed, further enhancing the value of the system.”