CouchDB, as we have frequently noted here at ReadWriteWeb, is a document-oriented database that offers a number of benefits, including its built-in synchronization and replication.
And it’s these two features that makes CouchDB work for Novacut, a cloud-enabled solution that is used to collaboratively edit video.
Novacut is an open source tool that is designed to make video editing easier and cheaper, but also to make that editing – as is always the case – more easily done as a collaborative effort. And that is why CouchDB makes so much sense, as the database operates in a distributed environment. With CouchDB changes that are made are constantly replicated, so that edits can be made no matter where people are and no matter if they lose their Internet connection (which, I would like to note, thank you AT&T, happened so many times during my interview with developer Novacut Jason DeRose, that it went beyond the realm of “irony” to that of “ridiculous”).
Needless to say, one of the major benefits of CouchDB is that it allows for changes to ne made offline, and when the Internet comes back, everything syncs. In the world of editing video, this offers a lot of promise for filmmakers who are working with those in various locations and with varying Internet connectivity.
According to DeRose, the project was “Whedon-inspired,” and hopes to put the tools of smart video production in the hands of more people. To that end, PioneerOne have indicated its interest in working with Novacut, and will be early beta-testers of the project. Novacut will also help PioneerOne transition to HDSLR cameras.
Novacut, like PioneerOne, is in the fundraising process (and you can donate via its website).
Below are a couple of videos, pointing to the awesomeness of both Novacut and CouchDB.
CouchDB is Magic from Jason Gerard DeRose on Vimeo.
