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			{{Short description\|Video editing software}}
	== Introduction ==
			{{multiple issues\|
	FORscene is a complete internet video platform, covering editing and publishing for web and mobile. <ref name="FORscene"> web page</ref><ref name="Showreel"> article</ref>
			{{Cleanup-PR\|date=August 2010}}
			{{More citations needed\|date=August 2012}}
			}}
			{{Use dmy dates\|date=May 2020}}{{Use British English\|date=December 2012}}

			{{Infobox software
	FORscene is a ] which utilises a ] applet as part of its ]. <ref name="FORscene" /><ref name="Showreel" />
			\| name = Blackbird
			\| logo = <!--]-->
			\| screenshot =
			\| caption = Screenshot of editing interface as of May 2006 (Windows/IE)
			\| developer = Blackbird plc. (formerly Forbidden Technologies plc.)
			\| latest_release_version = Blackbird
			\| latest_release_date = {{Start date and age\|df=yes\|2007\|01\|25}}
			\| operating_system = ]
			\| genre = ]
			\| license = ]
			\| website = {{URL\|https://www.blackbird.video/}}
			}}

			'''Blackbird''' (formerly named '''FORscene''') is an integrated internet video ], ], covering ] and publishing for broadcast, web and mobile.
	FORscene uses a new type of ], designed for internet editing rather than ].

			Designed by Blackbird plc to allow ] of video at resolutions of up to 540p and up to 60 frames per second on bandwidths as low as 2],<ref>{{cite web\|title=This may be the fastest video editing technology anywhere\|date=9 July 2019\|author=David Shapton\|publisher=RedShark\|url=https://www.redsharknews.com/post/item/6470-this-may-be-the-fastest-video-editing-technology-anywhere}}</ref> it is capable of ], reviewing, publishing and ] through ] and ] to ] quality from original sources. The system is implemented as a ] for ] and ] devices, a ] applet and a pure ] ] as part of its ]. The latter runs on platforms without application ], codec installation, or machine configuration and has ] features.
	Major UK production companies have used it in multiple broadcast productions. <ref> news story</ref> It has also been recognised by the ] and won their award for Technology in the Post Production Process in December 2005. <ref> awards</ref><ref> of Royal Television Society award ceremony</ref>

			Blackbird won the ]'s award for Technology in the ] process in December 2005.<ref>{{Citation \| url = http://www.rts.org.uk/servedoc.asp?filename=WinPress-1.doc \| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060227010052/http://www.rts.org.uk/servedoc.asp?filename=WinPress-1.doc \| url-status = dead \| archive-date = 27 February 2006 \| publisher = Royal Television Society \| title = Awards \| place = UK \| format = MS Word .doc}}</ref><ref>{{Citation \| url = http://pro.forscene.net/ss1/published/RTS2-1134214395.can/ \| type = Video \| title = Royal Television Society award ceremony \| publisher = FORscene}}{{dead link\|date=January 2017}}</ref>

			{{TOC limit}}
			==Usage== <!-- This section is intended for "Joe Public"-->

			The Blackbird platform's functionality makes it suitable for multiple uses in the ] workflow.

			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 (], shot selection, collaborative ]ing, ]ting and ], for example) and more recently ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.streamingmedia.com/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=65761\|title=Forbidden Technologies Brings Cloud Editing To Brightcove Users\|first=Adrian\|last=Pennington\|date=17 February 2010\|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> Blackbird then outputs instructions in standard formats which can be applied to the high-quality master-footage for detailed and high-quality editing prior to broadcast.

			Other users want to prepare footage for publishing to lower-quality media - the small screens of ]s and ]s, and to the web where bandwidth restricts the quality of video it is currently practical to output. For these users, all editing can be carried out in Blackbird, before publishing to ] and ] channels, ]<ref>{{Citation \| url = http://www.sportspromedia.com/from-the-magazine/deltatre-torino-ott-giampiero-rinaudo-massive-interactive-data-interview \| type = Video \| title = Going behind the screens: 48 hours inside Deltatre \| date = 8 November 2019 \| publisher = SportsPro Media Limited}}</ref> or commercial cloud storage. Video can also be saved in ], ], ], podcasting formats as well as Blackbird's proprietary player.

			The platform was reported in July 2012 as being used by ] in connection with the ] involving integration of the service with ]<ref name="proactiveinvestors lyall 2012">{{cite news\|last=Lyall\|first=Ian\|title=Forbidden Technologies' Olympic breakthrough puts it ahead of the field\|url=http://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/31417/forbidden-technologies-olympic-breakthrough-puts-it-ahead-of-the-field-31417.html\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720184108/http://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/31417/forbidden-technologies-olympic-breakthrough-puts-it-ahead-of-the-field-31417.html\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=20 July 2012\|access-date=9 August 2012\|newspaper=Proactiveinvestors.com.au\|date=17 July 2012}}</ref><ref name="Independent Lucy Tobin 2012">{{cite news\|last=Tobin\|first=Lucy\|title=Forbidden in YouTube deal\|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/forbidden-in-youtube-deal-7904560.html\|access-date=1 March 2014\|newspaper=The Independent\|date=3 July 2012}}</ref> and continues to be used to deliver coverage for sport events such as ],<ref name="IBC">{{cite news\|last=Pennington\|first=Adrian\|title=F1 PROMOTES REMOTE PRODUCTION TO FRONT OF THE GRID\|url=https://www.ibc.org/trends/f1-promotes-remote-production-to-front-of-the-grid/6222.article\|date=9 July 2020}}</ref> ] and the ].
			§

			== Services ==
			The video platform is referred to broadly as Blackbird and marketed as three distinct ] products:<ref name="markets.ft.com">{{cite web\|url=https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=1323-13592306-1F61G56VH2OT7V4FVDEDUENSCD\|title=Repositioning of Forbidden under Blackbird brand\|date=5 April 2008\|work=Financial Times}}</ref>
			* Edge
			* Ascent
			* Forte
			All exploit the ] for delivery. Integrations to third parties provide additional services (for example ], ], ]) and workflow (such as to other ] systems).

			=== Blackbird Ascent and Blackbird Forte ===
			Ascent and Forte enable functionality including: ], ] accurate<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.thebroadcastbridge.com/content/entry/11528/forbidden-puts-frame-accurate-editing-in-the-cloud\|title=Forbidden Puts Frame Accurate Editing in the Cloud\|date=3 August 2018\|publisher=The Broadcast Bridge}}</ref> ] (and ] support for up to 18 cameras), ]ing, ], ]ing and clipping. Ascent is designed for workflows that require a subset of Forte's features.

			=== Blackbird Edge server ===
			The Blackbird Edge server is a gateway between content and the Blackbird platform. 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). Features may vary based on workflow / infrastructure requirement but include:
			*Live and non-live Content ingest
			*Local caching of video downloads
			*Immediate access of video over a Local Area Network (LAN) during upload
			*Seamless transfer of video as required between a Blackbird Edge Server and the Blackbird Infrastructure
			The product exploits high speed LAN access whilst preserving the principle of access from anywhere. Deployment may be on-premise, on-location, or to public / private cloud. ] and ] supported. Logging, editing and reviewing of uploaded material can start as soon as the upload process starts. Files containing video, audio and still may also be picked and uploaded using a web browser for ingest.

			=== Blackbird Player ===
			The Blackbird Player supports; renderless publishing, multiple layers, own branding,<ref name="Digital-Lifestyles"> IBC TV News uses Forscene and Formobile</ref><ref> {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070722164411/https://www.armyoneverest.mod.uk/Mobile/Mobile.htm \|date=22 July 2007 }} Mobile page</ref> clipping and ] sharing, ability to revoke access and a patented navigation bar. The Blackbird decoder is packaged in libraries for native mobile apps, applets<ref> {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041121022805/http://e-consultancy.com/newsfeatures/156186/misys-banks-on-video-streaming-for-internal-comms.html \|date=21 November 2004 }} report on Misys</ref> and a pure JavaScript player.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.streamingmediaglobal.com/Articles/Editorial/Featured-Articles/Blackbird-Plans-Launch-into-Video-Distribution-133092.aspx\|title=Blackbird Plans Launch into Video Distribution\|date=17 July 2019\|publisher=Streaming Media Europe \|author=Adrian Pennington}}</ref>

			== Components ==
			{{original research section\|date=August 2012}}
			The Blackbird platform is made up of various components, discussed here.

			===Platform servers===
			The server infrastructure on the Blackbird backbone network (referred to as the ]) dedicated to Blackbird's customers are distributed over numerous locations and handle around 10,000 hours of new video content each week. These act as one system, increasing both effective capacity and redundancy. As the front end does most of the work during editing, and the upload software does the compression work, the server is lightly loaded and can support many users at the same time. Sites may also attach a server to their own network (]) for improved performance/scalability (local ingest and caching to multiply the numbers of users on existing internet connections).

			=== Codecs ===
			Blackbird has its own ]s for both video and audio. These use a form of ] to allow local variations in the type of data to be encoded efficiently.

			==== Osprey ====
			Osprey supports loss-free video compression. Blackbird users can see broadcast quality video during editing (as well as proxy quality as has been the case with Blackbird's other codecs) and broadcasters can use the video output from Blackbird directly for transmission.

			==== Blackbird ====
			The current Blackbird video codec is called '']''. It is designed for both editing and ] over variable speed ] Internet connections. By varying the frame rate, it can provide consistent picture quality even on slow connections.

			Like its predecessor ''Firebird'' (used in the FORlive system), the Blackbird codec allows real time compression and playback of video. This is important for handling the quantity of video in modern productions, as well as the reviewing, logging, editing and publishing features of Blackbird.

			The Blackbird codec (formerly "Firebird") is a ] ] developed by Forbidden Technologies and used by their flagship product, '''Blackbird''' (formerly "Forscene").

			Blackbird is designed for both ] and video streaming over variable speed ] connections. Blackbird can provide consistent picture quality on slow connections by varying the ] through the use of tokens. The tokens represent each source image which are scaled versions of each source image.<ref name="WO 2017021688 A1">{{cite web\|last1=Streater\|first1=Stephen\|title=Compressor\|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2017021688A1\|website=Google\|publisher=Google Patents\|access-date=7 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="US 8255802 B2">{{cite web\|last1=Streater\|first1=Stephen\|title=Method for enabling efficient navigation of video\|url=https://www.google.co.uk/patents/US8255802\|website=Google\|publisher=Google Patents\|access-date=21 December 2017}}</ref>

			The Blackbird video codec facilitates a content-aware dynamic framerate.<ref>{{cite web\|last1=Niedermeier\|first1=Florian\|title=Quality assessment of the MPEG-4 scalable video CODEC. Lecture Notes in Computer Science\|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/45854799\|website=researchgate\|access-date=26 January 2018}}</ref> The codec can create a lightweight proxy, which can be used to deliver a live stream from an event.

			] is the principle ] of the Blackbird ], which was released in 2004.<ref>{{cite web\|last1=Garland\|first1=David\|title=The Evolution of Online Video With Special Guest "THE BRITISH BILL GATES" Stephen Streater\|url=https://therisetothetop.com/interviews-guests/online-video-evolution-with-the-british-bill-gates-stephen-streater/\|website=therisetothetop\|access-date=22 January 2018\|archive-date=22 October 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022003541/https://therisetothetop.com/interviews-guests/online-video-evolution-with-the-british-bill-gates-stephen-streater/\|url-status=dead}}</ref>

			On 22 January 2017, Forbidden Technologies released the Blackbird 9 codec.<ref>{{cite web\|last1=Stewart-Smith\|first1=Hana\|title=Forbidden Technologies details new video codec Blackbird 9\|url=http://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/news/AN_1485168911584652300/forbidden-technologies-details-new-video-codec-blackbird-9.aspx\|website=morningstar\|access-date=22 January 2018\|archive-date=23 January 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123072340/http://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/news/AN_1485168911584652300/forbidden-technologies-details-new-video-codec-blackbird-9.aspx\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|last1=Sanders-Hewett\|first1=Rebecca\|title=Next generation of Blackbird video codec\|url=https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=1323-13102954-455CTKN0PCSOS1SITTCFG130QJ\|access-date=20 December 2017\|agency=Redleaf Communications\|work=Financial Times\|date=23 January 2017}}</ref>

			On 6 March 2018, MSG Networks received a New York chapter Emmy nomination for "Technical Achievement" as follows "MSG Networks Digital Video Editing & Digital Distribution via Blackbird Technology".<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.nyemmys.org/media/files/files/b554c0f0/2018-nominees-press-release-final-3.pdf\|title=THE 61st ANNUAL NEW YORK EMMY® AWARD NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED THIS MORNING!\|website=www.nyemmys.org}}{{dead link\|date=November 2018\|bot=medic}}{{cbignore\|bot=medic}}</ref>

			==== Impala ====
			The Blackbird audio codec is called ''Impala''. Datarate and quality can be varied depending on the use: 10 kbit/s for modem web video and mobile playback, 30 kbit/s for audio only modem playback or broadband playback with video, and 80 kbit/s per channel for editing.

			=== User interfaces ===
			Functionality to support ] workflows, account management and ] is accessible from native mobile ] for ] and ], web and Java platforms. In 2017 a strategic migration to JavaScript<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.svgeurope.org/blog/headlines/ibc-2018-forbidden-technologies-blackbird-highlights-cloud-capabilities-and-conversion-to-javascript/\|title=IBC 2018: Forbidden Technologies' Blackbird highlights cloud capabilities and conversion to JavaScript\|date=17 September 2018\|publisher=SVG Europe}}</ref> was begun to deliver video playback and video editing capability to web browsers without additional programs or plugins.

			==== Account management and MAM ====
			Accounts and users are separate. Many individuals may use the same Blackbird account and each user is assigned a role (manager, commenter, reviewer, logger, editor, storyboard). Admin/operational and ] features include; transfer, search and playback of material, ingest configuration, workflow, account and user settings and usage reports.

			==== Security ====
			Each standard user account has its own password-protected ] web page. Once logged on, the users have access to their own videos, library material, and any functionality their account supports. Video is not stored on the local computer's hard disc, so when the user closes their web browser, their video is not accessible to subsequent users of the same computer.

			==== Internet standards ====
			The Blackbird interfaces operate through Internet standards such as ], JavaScript and Java, so can be used even in companies with severe ]. If web browsing works, then Blackbird almost always will too.

			=== Publishing ===
			The Blackbird editing platform supports publishing from original sources up to 4K, to destinations including: social media and online video channels (e.g. ], ], ]), ] and commercial cloud storage (e.g. ], ]). Video can be saved to a range of formats (e.g. ], ], ], ], ], ]), still images (e.g. ]) and the proprietary Blackbird Player.

			==== Timecode export ====
			Each frame of professionally shot video is tagged with a ] which identifies it. Combining the timecode information of video handled within Blackbird at browse quality with the original broadcast quality video allows information in Blackbird to be transferred to a broadcast quality version. Videos logged or edited in Blackbird can be exported in the form of a simple ] or more complex ] for ] and ] or ] on an ] or ] system.

			==== Broadcast ====
			Videos which have been edited within Blackbird can be conformed/rendered to multiple outputs automatically at anything up to 3840p - full Ultra High Definition (]). At present ] accounts for the majority of production workflows.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.ibc.org/create-and-produce/monitoring-4k/hdr-content/3549.article\|title=Monitoring 4K/HDR content\|first= David\|last=Davies\|access-date=25 January 2019}}</ref> After editing Blackbird uploads the full quality frames used in the finished programme into the Cloud, or alternative eco-systems via Blackbird Edge. 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. Material can be reviewed and edited from anywhere on the web, not just one local source.

			===Systems integration===
			Final programmes can be made, even in ], and sent in broadcast quality efficiently to the broadcaster for transmission without using any third party editing systems. However Blackbird supports integration with third party systems, both in broadcast and elsewhere.

			==== EDL/XML ====
			Blackbird supports ]/] export to industry editing systems such as or ] / ]. For example, creation of rough cuts in Blackbird can then be reliably conformed on Avid, even when they include clips which the Avid would not normally be able to ingest because of time code breaks and gaps.

			==== SDI ====
			] improves Blackbird's integration into the high end broadcast environment. SDI support allows Blackbird to ingest source material in both Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) resolutions from any professional video source in real time. The SDI video input meets both Phase Alternating Line (]) and National Television System Committee (]) standards.{{Citation needed\|date=August 2022}}

			== Licensing ==

			The software is provided as a ] which is charged by usage.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.nabshowbuzz.com/blackbird-ian-mcdonough-nab-2019-interview/\|title=NAB 2019 INTERVIEW\|publisher=Digital Production BuZZ\|author=Larry Jordan\|date=11 April 2019\|access-date=22 October 2019\|archive-date=22 October 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022073554/http://www.nabshowbuzz.com/blackbird-ian-mcdonough-nab-2019-interview/\|url-status=dead}}</ref>

	== History ==		== History ==
			{{original research section\|date=August 2012}}
	FORscene is a natural development from an editing system made by Eidos plc in the 1990s by a similar team. The history starts from the first public showing of this product, at the International Broadcasting Convention in Europe in 1990.
			Blackbird is a development from an editing system made by ] in the 1990s. This history starts from the first public showing of this product, at the ] in Europe in 1990.

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
			\|+ style="text-align: left;" class="nowrap" \| 1990–1999
	\|-
			\|-
	! Date		! Date
	! Version		! Version
Line 18:		Line 138:
	! Significant features		! Significant features
	\|-		\|-
			\| 1990<ref>IBC 1990 programme guide</ref>-1999
	\| Sep 1990
	\| ~~Eidos~~ Edit 1		\| Edit 1, Edit 2, Optima
	\| Dual Acorn Archimedes
	\| Proprietary software ] allow removable MO storage

	\|-
	\| Dec 1990
	\|		\|
			* ] 1990-1994
			* Acorn ] since 1994<ref> Optima</ref>
			* ] CPU since 1996
	\|		\|
			* Software codecs
	\| Eidos plc floats on London Stock Exchange
			* Cheap removable storage

			* Reliable platform
			* Quick to learn
			\|}
			{\| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
			\|+ style="text-align: left;" class="nowrap" \| 2000–2005
	\|-		\|-
			! Date
	\| 1992
			! Version
	\| Eidos Edit 2
			! Platform
	\| Single Acorn Archimedes
			! Significant features
	\| Software-only editing system

	\|-
	\| 1993
	\| Eidos Optima replaces Edit 1 and Edit 2
	\| Acorn Archimedes
	\| Complete revision of GUI

	\|-
	\| 1994
	\| Eidos Optima
	\| Acorn RISC PC
	\| Increase in colour resolution from 8bpp to 15bpp

	\|-
	\| 1996
	\| Eidos Optima
	\|
	*Acorn RISC PC
	*200MHz StrongARM CPU
	\| Faster CPU allowed cheaper digitising solution

	\|-		\|-
	\| ~~Feb~~ 2000		\| February 2000
	\|		\|
	\|		\|
	\|		\|
			*London float for Forbidden Technologies plc
	*Forbidden Technologies plc floated in London.
	*Shares rise 5000% in first week		*Shares rise 5000% in first week

	\|-		\|-
	\| ~~Feb~~ 2001		\| February 2001
	\| Java video streaming on website		\| Java ] on website
	\| Java		\| ]
	\|		\|
	*384x288 pixels~~, 25 fps, 40kb/s for talking heads.~~		*384x288 pixels
			*25 frame/s
	*Picture quality criticised as "cartoon-like"
			*40 kbit/s for talking heads.

			*Picture quality "cartoon-like"
	\|-		\|-
	\| May 2002		\| May 2002
	\| Live video streaming to mobile phone		\| Live video streaming to ]
	\| Java/GPRS		\| Java/]
	\| ~~Phone~~ ~~resolution still~~ poor eg monochrome		\| Picture quality poor e.g. monochrome

	\|-		\|-
	\| ~~Dec~~ 2002		\| December 2002
	\| Broadband web streaming		\| Broadband web streaming
	\| Java		\| Java
	\| 384x288 pixels, 25 ~~fps~~		\| 384x288 pixels, 25 frame/s

	\|-		\|-
	\| ~~Sep~~ 2003		\| September 2003
			\| FORlive<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.forbidden.co.uk/demos/live/ \|title=Live demonstration \|publisher=Forbidden \|date=2003-11-10 \|access-date=2017-01-21}}</ref> launched
	\| FORlive launched
	\| Linux compression / Java player		\| ] compression/ Java player
	\|		\|
	*Live video compression		*Live video compression
	*384x288 pixels, 25 ~~fps~~.		*384x288 pixels, 25 frame/s.

	\|-		\|-
	\| ~~Nov~~ 2003		\| November 2003
	\| FORmobile launched		\| FORmobile launched
	\| Symbian Series 60		\| ]
	\|		\|
	*Mobile phone player application		*Mobile phone player application
	*160x120 pixels, up to 12.5 ~~fps~~, colour.		*160x120 pixels, up to 12.5 frame/s, colour.

	\|-		\|-
			\| September 2004
	\| Nov 2003
			\| Forscene launched<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://hoeksteen.dds.nl/main.php3?archiveID=65\|title=hoeksteen.dds.nl\|access-date=21 January 2017\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060306224425/http://hoeksteen.dds.nl/main.php3?archiveID=65\|archive-date=6 March 2006}}</ref>
	\| FORscene project announced
	\| Java		\| Java
	\|		\|
	*~~FORlive~~ compression		*Forlive compression
	*Optima-style editing		*Optima-style editing
	*~~FORmobile~~/FORweb publishing		*Formobile/FORweb publishing

	\|-		\|-
	\| ~~Sep~~ 2004		\| September 2004
			\| IBC TV news use FORscene/FORmobile<ref name="Digital-Lifestyles" />
	\| FORscene launched
			\| Symbian
			\| ]ed player
			\|-
			\| February 2005
			\| ] first broadcaster to sign up<ref> article about GMTV signing up to Forscene</ref>
	\| Java		\| Java
			\| International access to GMTV
	\| Simple Java editing and publishing tool

	\|-		\|-
	\| May 2005		\| May 2005
	\| Logging added to ~~FORscene~~		\| Logging added to Forscene
	\| Java		\| Java
	\| Java logging, editing and publishing tool		\| Java logging, editing and publishing tool

	\|-		\|-
	\| ~~Sep~~ 2005		\| September 2005
			\| Upload over-the-air from mobile phones<ref> Over-the-air upload</ref>
	\| Upload over-the-air from mobile phones into FORscene
	\| Symbian		\| Symbian
	\|		\|
	* Video: 352x288 pixels ~~MPEG-4, 176x144 3gpp~~		* Video: up to 352x288 pixels
	* Photographs: phone resolution ~~eg up to 2M pixels~~		* Photographs: phone resolution

	\|-		\|-
	\| ~~Sep~~ 2005		\| September 2005
	\| IBC TV news use FORscene/FORmobile		\| IBC TV news use FORscene/FORmobile
	\| Symbian		\| Symbian
			\| Branded player. The mobile player can be sent from handset to handset for free via ], and videos can also be distributed ] via Bluetooth once the Forscene mobile player has been installed. Forbidden has coined the term ''Viewtooth'' to describe this process.<ref> {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041215060453/http://www.e-consultancy.com/newsfeatures/157056/video-virals-go-mobile-with-viewtooth.html \|date=15 December 2004 }} report on Bluetooth</ref>
	\|

	\|-		\|-
	\| ~~Sep~~ 2005		\| September 2005
	\| First broadcast ~~national~~ TV series ~~made using~~ ~~FORscene~~		\| First broadcast TV series uses Forscene
	\| Channel 5 (UK)		\| ] (UK)
			\| '']''
	\|
			\|}

			{\| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
			\|+ style="text-align: left;" class="nowrap" \| 2006–2010
			\|-
			! Date
			! Version
			! Platform
			! Significant features
	\|-		\|-
	\| ~~Jan~~ 2006		\| January 2006
	\| New ] designed for editing ~~rather than streaming~~		\| New ] designed for editing
	\|		\|
	*Windows/Mac/Linux compression		*]/]/] compression
	*Java editing and playback		*Java editing and playback
			\| Blackbird 1 codec
	\|

	\|-		\|-
	\| ~~Jan~~/~~Feb~~ 2006		\| January/February 2006
	\| First prime time ~~national~~ TV series ~~broadcast made using~~ ~~FORscene~~		\| First ] TV series uses Forscene
	\| BBC1 (UK)		\| BBC1 (UK)
			\| ''Super Vets''
	\|

	\|-		\|-
	\| ~~Apr~~ 2006		\| April 2006
	\| ~~Podcasting~~ released		\| ]ing released
	\| Video iPod, iTunes		\| ], ]
	\|		\|

	\|-		\|-
	\| ~~Apr~~/May 2006		\| April/May 2006
			\| ] uses Forscene mobile player<ref name="Cellular"> article on British Army use of Forscene for mobile</ref>
	\| British Army uses FORscene mobile player
	\| Symbian mobile phones		\| Symbian mobile phones
	\| Ascent of Everest published on mobiles		\| Ascent of ] published on mobiles
			\|-

			\| May 2006
			\| Video Podcast
			\| Forscene
			\| Videos edited in Forscene can be published directly as ]. These can then be downloaded and viewed in a podcast viewer such as ] or on a ].
			\|-
			\| June 2006
			\| Forscene review<ref name="Save"> article on Save the Children use of Forscene for review</ref>
			\| ], ], ]
			], ]
			\| Broadcasters select ] footage
			\|-
			\| August 2006
			\| Forscene Ogg support added
			\| Java
			\| Ogg format is supported by ] for upload of suitable video content
			\|-
			\| September 2006
			\| Forscene online chat feature added
			\| Java
			\|
			* Share edited videos
			* Forscene users talk in real time
			* Contributions (and logging entries) are spell checked (as of Nov 2006)
			\|-
			\| November 2006
			\| Citizen Journalism
			\| Java / Symbian mobile phones
			\| Third project completed at the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers (WCSFP). Citizen journalism began at the ] in 2006.
			\|-
			\| January 2007
			\| Account Management
			\| Web
			\| Interface provides for management of accounts by customers.
			\|-
			\| February 2007
			\| Forscene ] support added
			\| Java
			\| Export of video to the Flash format for use with the ].
			\|-
			\| March 2007
			\| Forscene Speed Control
			\| Java
			\| Video and/or audio clips can be edited for slow motion/fast motion style effects.
			\|-
			\| April 2007
			\| Forscene Fades
			\| Java
			\| Fade up and fade to black with a single drag on the video track.
			\|-
			\| May 2007
			\| File names/playback
			\| Java
			\| Multi-line file names and three-speed playback control.
			\|-
			\| June 2007
			\| Security
			\| Java
			\| Log on now supports the secure HTTPS protocol.
			\|-
			\| August 2007
			\| Images / playback
			\| Java
			\| Images can be integrated directly into the video track and playback can now be viewed at 150% (as well as 100% and 200%).
			\|-
			\| September 2007
			\| DV
			\| Java
			\| Broadcast quality DV can be output directly from the web interface and effective transfer of DV from the field over standard internet links.
			\|-
			\| October 2007
			\| Webstart/codec
			\| Java
			\| Webstart can be used to run FORscene, providing access to more memory available, and better performance. The Blackbird codecs deliver better picture quality and lower memory requirements.
			\|-
			\| December 2007
			\| Audio/graphics/codec/ account management
			\| Java
			\| Simpler stereo audio editing by linking the two audio tracks. Add anti-aliased graphic overlays with transparency levels and fades. Accounts distinguish between departmental and inter-departmental (programme-wide) levels of access.
			\|-
			\| January 2008
			\| Codec
			\| Java
			\| Blackbird codec upgraded to version 5.
			\|-
			\| February 2008
			\| Saturation/recompress/ 1GB/audio
			\| Java
			\| Right dragging in the video window adjust saturation levels. Recompress videos to benefit from the latest codec. Modern machines may set a new memory limit to 1GB (reducing network traffic). Improved audio quality.
			\|-
			\| March 2008
			\| Proxy box/AAF
			\| Java
			\| Boost internet performance for videos captured locally or viewed recently. Support for Avid's AAF files is available, complementing existing support for EDL and FCP (XML).
			\|-
			\| June 2008
			\| Thumbnails/storyboard
			\| Java
			\| Web published videos have click-through thumbnails. Storyboard offers a simpler editing process with fewer clicks required to use it.
			\|-
			\| July 2008
			\| AAF/white balance/JPEG export
			\| Java
			\| Additional data added to AAF output to carry more information through to Avid from FORscene. Adjust for colour differences between artificial / daylight conditions. Export a video frame to a JPEG image.
			\|-
			\| August 2008
			\| Colourful fades
			\| Java
			\| Colour wheel controls fades to/from colours other than the default (black) can pick from colours on the video window.
			\|-
			\| October 2008
			\| Titles
			\| Java
			\| In addition to imported graphics Forscene's subtitle functions are enhanced with background and font colour, transparency, and size controls.
			\|-
			\| September 2009
			\| Forscene Server
			\| Server
			\| Sites can multiply the number of users on their existing internet connections whilst preserving all the advantages of internet access from anywhere.
			\|-
			\| September 2009
			\| Forscene HD
			\| HD
			\| Forscene can now output HD directly providing remote access to video for editing from anywhere in the world, only uploading the fraction of HD that is actually used in the final programme, and ability to use existing computers and internet links.
			\|-
			\| September 2009
			\| Osprey
			\| Codec
			\| With Osprey codec Forscene enables video editing at broadcast quality locally through a web browser interface and wide-area over the public Internet.
			\|-
			\| April 2010
			\| Multicam
			\| Java
			\| Multicam can support up to eight concurrent synchronised video streams for logging and editing.
			\|}
			{\| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
			\|+ style="text-align: left;" class="nowrap" \| 2011–2015
			\|-
			! Date
			! Version
			! Platform
			! Significant features
			\|-
			\| February 2011
			\| Android
			\| Mobile
			\| Client available on the Android platform (consumer edition) including integration with YouTube and Facebook.
			\|-
			\| February 2014
			\| iOS
			\| Mobile
			\| Forscene client demonstrated on the iOS platform (iPad).
			\|-
			\| July 2015
			\| eva
			\| iOS
			\| Video social network launched.
			\|-
			\| August 2015
			\| Blackbird 8
			\| Codec
			\| Release of Blackbird 8 codec.
			\|}
			{\| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
			\|+ style="text-align: left;" class="nowrap" \| 2015–2019
			\|-
			! Date
			! Version
			! Platform
			! Significant features
			\|-
			\| March 2016
			\| Captevate
			\| JavaScript
			\| Video editor designed for the consumer market launched.
			\|-
			\| August 2017
			\| VidLib
			\| JavaScript
			\| Conversion of core video library from Java. Downloads and renders edits in real-time. Will initially support two applications; Blackbird Player ("The Player") and Blackbird Clipper (shot selection of live or pre-recorded video).
			\|-
			\| March 2018
			\| Blackbird 9
			\| Codec
			\| Release of Blackbird 9 codec.
			\|-
			\| April 2018
			\| Cloud Provider
			\| Azure
			\| Forscene made available on Microsoft's Azure Marketplace cloud computing infrastructure.
			\|-
			\| May 2018
			\| Ascent/Forte
			\| Integration
			\| ] ] integration annotates content with meta-data and drives workflow.
			\|-
			\| September 2018
			\| Ascent/Forte
			\| JavaScript
			\| Products Ascent and Forte JavaScript implementations launched. Frame accurate editing can be undertaken in browsers without additional configuration or installation of plugins or applications.
			\|-
			\| January 2019
			\| Blackbird
			\| Fitness Technology
			\| Peloton select Blackbird to edit on-demand virtual classes.
			\|-
			\| March 2019
			\| Blackbird
			\| Sports
			\| IMG adopt Blackbird to clip, edit and publish live sports video content.
			\|-
			\| May 2019
			\| Blackbird
			\| Sports
			\| Deltatre extend use of Blackbird for turnaround of long and short-form game highlights and clips for a range of sports, including rugby, cycling and athletics.
			\|-
			\| May 2019
			\| Blackbird
			\| Sports
			\| NRL use Blackbird to support packaging short highlights during live NRL matches to be distributed to the league’s global fanbase.
			\|-
			\| June 2019
			\| Blackbird
			\| Social Media
			\| A+E Networks adopt Blackbird to give executives, producers, editors, marketers and others within the ability to view, edit and enrich video library content.
			\|-
			\| August 2019
			\| Blackbird
			\| News
			\| TownNews extend use of Blackbird to 39 TV stations.
			\|-
			\| October 2019
			\| Aperture Solutions Group
			\| Cloud Editing Turnkey System
			\| The US Department of State and its production teams will use Blackbird to rapidly clip, edit and publish news broadcast live to its social channels including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube and to own website and other digital news outlets across the United States.<ref>Source Blackbird PLC 2 October 2019\| https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/u-s-department-of-state-chooses-blackbird-for-fast-efficient-video-production-800105522.html</ref>
			\|-
			\| November 2019
			\| Blackbird
			\| AWS
			\| Blackbird's cloud production and distribution system chosen by Bloomberg Media.<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.redsharknews.com/business/item/6819-blackbird-s-cloud-production-and-distribution-system-chosen-by-bloomberg-media\|title=Blackbird's cloud production and distribution system chosen by Bloomberg Media\|publisher=RedShark\|author=David Shapton\|date=27 November 2019}}</ref>
			\|-
			\| December 2019
			\| Blackbird
			\| Sports
			\| Eleven Sports adopt Blackbird for rapid editing and publishing of sports content to fans online
			\|}
			{\| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
			\|+ style="text-align: left;" class="nowrap" \| 2020–2024
			\|-
			! Date
			! Version
			! Platform
			! Significant features
			\|-
			\| June 2020
			\| Award
			\| Platform
			\| TV Technology’s Best of Show Digital Video Award<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.broadcastfilmandvideo.com/1977/blackbird-scoops-tv-technologys-best-of-show-digital-video-award/\|title=Blackbird scoops TV Technology's Best of Show Digital Video Award\|date=11 June 2020}}</ref>
	\|}		\|}

	== ~~Summary~~ ==		== See also ==
	FORscene is an internationally used, cross platform internet video solution with review, log, edit, and web/mobile publishing capabilities. Being Web 2.0, FORscene is constantly evolving.

			*]
	== Third party supporting information during discussion ==
	Here's a of the ] award ceremony shot on a prototype ] mobile phone, uploaded over the air, and edited and published in FORscene. This prototype N90 had a few bugs, but the fixed version has now been and can give VHS-type resolution video.

			== References ==
	a reference to ITV's multiple programmes (Granada is the production arm of ITV). Their first ten programmes were broadcast on ] last year.
			{{Reflist\|30em}}

			== External links ==
	If you live in the UK, you can watch the prime time series Super Vets on every Thursday at 8.30pm.
			*{{Official website\|www.forscene.com}}
			*Third party reviews and

			{{Video editors}}
	some recent information on ], who have Clesh (which uses FORscene technology) with Forbidden Technologies.

			]
	] legal action against ] users. FORscene uses Forbidden's own editing codecs, so is not affected by MPEG-4 legal action. Having your own codecs is a significant technological position (as ] is finding out to their potential cost), which is why it is mentioned in the article.
			]

			]
	on the Forbidden website from Friday 13th Jan and Thursday 26th Jan show a couple of recent BBC events Forbidden has been invited to attend to demonstrate FORscene.
			]

			]
	another big broadcaster using FORscene - ]
			]

			]
	If you like flying saucers, you might be interested in this example of a published on the web using FORscene.

	== Third party reviews ==
	a third party review of video streaming solutions which mentions FORscene.

	another third party review, this time specifically of an early version of FORscene.

	== References ==
	<references />

	== External links ==
	*
	*
	*
	*

Latest revision as of 16:20, 8 June 2024

Video editing software

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Blackbird
Developer(s)	Blackbird plc. (formerly Forbidden Technologies plc.)

Stable release	Blackbird / 25 January 2007; 17 years ago (2007-01-25)

Operating system	Cross-platform
Type	Video editing software
License	Proprietary
Website	www.blackbird.video

Blackbird (formerly named FORscene) is an integrated internet video platform, video editing software, covering non-linear editing and publishing for broadcast, web and mobile.

Designed by Blackbird plc to allow collaborative editing of video at resolutions of up to 540p and up to 60 frames per second on bandwidths as low as 2MBit/s, it is capable of video logging, reviewing, publishing and hosting through HD and 4K to UHD quality from original sources. 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. The latter runs on platforms without application installation, codec installation, or machine configuration and has Web 2.0 features.

Blackbird won the Royal Television Society's award for Technology in the post-production process in December 2005.

Usage

The Blackbird platform's functionality makes it suitable for multiple uses in the video editing workflow.

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. Blackbird then outputs instructions in standard formats which can be applied to the high-quality master-footage for detailed and high-quality editing prior to broadcast.

Other users want to prepare footage for publishing to lower-quality media - the small screens of mobile phones and video iPods, and to the web where bandwidth restricts the quality of video it is currently practical to output. For these users, all editing can be carried out in Blackbird, before publishing to social media and online video channels, OTT or commercial cloud storage. Video can also be saved in MPEG, Ogg, HTML video, podcasting formats as well as Blackbird's proprietary player.

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 and continues to be used to deliver coverage for sport events such as Formula One, PGA European Tour and the Premier League. §

Services

The video platform is referred to broadly as Blackbird and marketed as three distinct B2B products:

Edge
Ascent
Forte

All exploit the cloud for delivery. Integrations to third parties provide additional services (for example graphics, CC, transcription) and workflow (such as to other NLE systems).

Blackbird Ascent and Blackbird Forte

Ascent and Forte enable functionality including: video logging, frame accurate non-linear editing (and multicam support for up to 18 cameras), reviewing, publishing, storyboarding and clipping. Ascent is designed for workflows that require a subset of Forte's features.

Blackbird Edge server

The Blackbird Edge server is a gateway between content and the Blackbird platform. 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). Features may vary based on workflow / infrastructure requirement but include:

Live and non-live Content ingest
Local caching of video downloads
Immediate access of video over a Local Area Network (LAN) during upload
Seamless transfer of video as required between a Blackbird Edge Server and the Blackbird Infrastructure

The product exploits high speed LAN access whilst preserving the principle of access from anywhere. Deployment may be on-premise, on-location, or to public / private cloud. Linux and macOS supported. Logging, editing and reviewing of uploaded material can start as soon as the upload process starts. Files containing video, audio and still may also be picked and uploaded using a web browser for ingest.

Blackbird Player

The Blackbird Player supports; renderless publishing, multiple layers, own branding, clipping and URL sharing, ability to revoke access and a patented navigation bar. The Blackbird decoder is packaged in libraries for native mobile apps, applets and a pure JavaScript player.

Components

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The Blackbird platform is made up of various components, discussed here.

Platform servers

The server infrastructure on the Blackbird backbone network (referred to as the cloud) dedicated to Blackbird's customers are distributed over numerous locations and handle around 10,000 hours of new video content each week. These act as one system, increasing both effective capacity and redundancy. As the front end does most of the work during editing, and the upload software does the compression work, the server is lightly loaded and can support many users at the same time. 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).

Codecs

Blackbird has its own codecs for both video and audio. These use a form of adaptive coding to allow local variations in the type of data to be encoded efficiently.

Osprey

Osprey supports loss-free video compression. Blackbird users can see broadcast quality video during editing (as well as proxy quality as has been the case with Blackbird's other codecs) and broadcasters can use the video output from Blackbird directly for transmission.

Blackbird

The current Blackbird video codec is called Blackbird 9. It is designed for both editing and video streaming over variable speed broadband Internet connections. By varying the frame rate, it can provide consistent picture quality even on slow connections.

Like its predecessor Firebird (used in the FORlive system), the Blackbird codec allows real time compression and playback of video. This is important for handling the quantity of video in modern productions, as well as the reviewing, logging, editing and publishing features of Blackbird.

The Blackbird codec (formerly "Firebird") is a proprietary video codec developed by Forbidden Technologies and used by their flagship product, Blackbird (formerly "Forscene").

Blackbird is designed for both editing and video streaming over variable speed internet connections. Blackbird can provide consistent picture quality on slow connections by varying the frame rate through the use of tokens. The tokens represent each source image which are scaled versions of each source image.

The Blackbird video codec facilitates a content-aware dynamic framerate. The codec can create a lightweight proxy, which can be used to deliver a live stream from an event.

Stephen Streater is the principle progenitor of the Blackbird video codec, which was released in 2004.

On 22 January 2017, Forbidden Technologies released the Blackbird 9 codec.

On 6 March 2018, MSG Networks received a New York chapter Emmy nomination for "Technical Achievement" as follows "MSG Networks Digital Video Editing & Digital Distribution via Blackbird Technology".

Impala

The Blackbird audio codec is called Impala. Datarate and quality can be varied depending on the use: 10 kbit/s for modem web video and mobile playback, 30 kbit/s for audio only modem playback or broadband playback with video, and 80 kbit/s per channel for editing.

User interfaces

Functionality to support production workflows, account management and media asset management is accessible from native mobile apps for Android and iOS, web and Java platforms. In 2017 a strategic migration to JavaScript was begun to deliver video playback and video editing capability to web browsers without additional programs or plugins.

Account management and MAM

Accounts and users are separate. 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.

Security

Each standard user account has its own password-protected single sign-on web page. Once logged on, the users have access to their own videos, library material, and any functionality their account supports. Video is not stored on the local computer's hard disc, so when the user closes their web browser, their video is not accessible to subsequent users of the same computer.

Internet standards

The Blackbird interfaces operate through Internet standards such as HTTP, JavaScript and Java, so can be used even in companies with severe firewalls. If web browsing works, then Blackbird almost always will too.

Publishing

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). Video can be saved to a range of formats (e.g. MPEG, Ogg, XDCAM, EDL, HTML video, FCPX), still images (e.g. JPEG) and the proprietary Blackbird Player.

Timecode export

Each frame of professionally shot video is tagged with a timecode which identifies it. Combining the timecode information of video handled within Blackbird at browse quality with the original broadcast quality video allows information in Blackbird to be transferred to a broadcast quality version. 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.

Broadcast

Videos which have been edited within Blackbird can be conformed/rendered to multiple outputs automatically at anything up to 3840p - full Ultra High Definition (UHD). At present 1080p HD accounts for the majority of production workflows. After editing Blackbird uploads the full quality frames used in the finished programme into the Cloud, or alternative eco-systems via Blackbird Edge. 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. Material can be reviewed and edited from anywhere on the web, not just one local source.

Systems integration

Final programmes can be made, even in High-definition, and sent in broadcast quality efficiently to the broadcaster for transmission without using any third party editing systems. However Blackbird supports integration with third party systems, both in broadcast and elsewhere.

EDL/XML

Blackbird supports Edit decision list/XML export to industry editing systems such as or Avid / Final Cut Pro. For example, creation of rough cuts in Blackbird can then be reliably conformed on Avid, even when they include clips which the Avid would not normally be able to ingest because of time code breaks and gaps.

SDI

Serial sigital interface improves Blackbird's integration into the high end broadcast environment. SDI support allows Blackbird to ingest source material in both Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) resolutions from any professional video source in real time. The SDI video input meets both Phase Alternating Line (PAL) and National Television System Committee (NTSC) standards.

Licensing

The software is provided as a service (SAAS) which is charged by usage.

History

Blackbird is a development from an editing system made by Eidos Interactive in the 1990s. This history starts from the first public showing of this product, at the International Broadcasting Convention in Europe in 1990.

1990–1999
Date	Version	Platform	Significant features
1990-1999	Edit 1, Edit 2, Optima	Acorn Archimedes 1990-1994 Acorn Risc PC since 1994 StrongARM CPU since 1996	Software codecs Cheap removable storage Reliable platform Quick to learn

2000–2005
Date	Version	Platform	Significant features
February 2000			London float for Forbidden Technologies plc Shares rise 5000% in first week
February 2001	Java video streaming on website	Java	384x288 pixels 25 frame/s 40 kbit/s for talking heads. Picture quality "cartoon-like"
May 2002	Live video streaming to mobile phone	Java/GPRS	Picture quality poor e.g. monochrome
December 2002	Broadband web streaming	Java	384x288 pixels, 25 frame/s
September 2003	FORlive launched	Linux compression/ Java player	Live video compression 384x288 pixels, 25 frame/s.
November 2003	FORmobile launched	Symbian Series 60	Mobile phone player application 160x120 pixels, up to 12.5 frame/s, colour.
September 2004	Forscene launched	Java	Forlive compression Optima-style editing Formobile/FORweb publishing
September 2004	IBC TV news use FORscene/FORmobile	Symbian	Branded player
February 2005	GMTV first broadcaster to sign up	Java	International access to GMTV
May 2005	Logging added to Forscene	Java	Java logging, editing and publishing tool
September 2005	Upload over-the-air from mobile phones	Symbian	Video: up to 352x288 pixels Photographs: phone resolution
September 2005	IBC TV news use FORscene/FORmobile	Symbian	Branded player. The mobile player can be sent from handset to handset for free via Bluetooth, and videos can also be distributed virally via Bluetooth once the Forscene mobile player has been installed. Forbidden has coined the term Viewtooth to describe this process.
September 2005	First broadcast TV series uses Forscene	Channel 5 (UK)	Trust Me - I'm a Holiday Rep

2006–2010
Date	Version	Platform	Significant features
January 2006	New video codec designed for editing	Windows/Mac/Linux compression Java editing and playback	Blackbird 1 codec
January/February 2006	First prime time TV series uses Forscene	BBC1 (UK)	Super Vets
April 2006	Podcasting released	Video iPod, iTunes
April/May 2006	British Army uses Forscene mobile player	Symbian mobile phones	Ascent of Everest published on mobiles
May 2006	Video Podcast	Forscene	Videos edited in Forscene can be published directly as video podcasts. These can then be downloaded and viewed in a podcast viewer such as iTunes or on a video iPod.
June 2006	Forscene review	BBC Breakfast, This Morning, Sky News Channel 4 News, Channel 5 News	Broadcasters select Save the Children footage
August 2006	Forscene Ogg support added	Java	Ogg format is supported by Misplaced Pages for upload of suitable video content
September 2006	Forscene online chat feature added	Java	Share edited videos Forscene users talk in real time Contributions (and logging entries) are spell checked (as of Nov 2006)
November 2006	Citizen Journalism	Java / Symbian mobile phones	Third project completed at the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers (WCSFP). Citizen journalism began at the IBC in 2006.
January 2007	Account Management	Web	Interface provides for management of accounts by customers.
February 2007	Forscene Flash support added	Java	Export of video to the Flash format for use with the Adobe Flash Player.
March 2007	Forscene Speed Control	Java	Video and/or audio clips can be edited for slow motion/fast motion style effects.
April 2007	Forscene Fades	Java	Fade up and fade to black with a single drag on the video track.
May 2007	File names/playback	Java	Multi-line file names and three-speed playback control.
June 2007	Security	Java	Log on now supports the secure HTTPS protocol.
August 2007	Images / playback	Java	Images can be integrated directly into the video track and playback can now be viewed at 150% (as well as 100% and 200%).
September 2007	DV	Java	Broadcast quality DV can be output directly from the web interface and effective transfer of DV from the field over standard internet links.
October 2007	Webstart/codec	Java	Webstart can be used to run FORscene, providing access to more memory available, and better performance. The Blackbird codecs deliver better picture quality and lower memory requirements.
December 2007	Audio/graphics/codec/ account management	Java	Simpler stereo audio editing by linking the two audio tracks. Add anti-aliased graphic overlays with transparency levels and fades. Accounts distinguish between departmental and inter-departmental (programme-wide) levels of access.
January 2008	Codec	Java	Blackbird codec upgraded to version 5.
February 2008	Saturation/recompress/ 1GB/audio	Java	Right dragging in the video window adjust saturation levels. Recompress videos to benefit from the latest codec. Modern machines may set a new memory limit to 1GB (reducing network traffic). Improved audio quality.
March 2008	Proxy box/AAF	Java	Boost internet performance for videos captured locally or viewed recently. Support for Avid's AAF files is available, complementing existing support for EDL and FCP (XML).
June 2008	Thumbnails/storyboard	Java	Web published videos have click-through thumbnails. Storyboard offers a simpler editing process with fewer clicks required to use it.
July 2008	AAF/white balance/JPEG export	Java	Additional data added to AAF output to carry more information through to Avid from FORscene. Adjust for colour differences between artificial / daylight conditions. Export a video frame to a JPEG image.
August 2008	Colourful fades	Java	Colour wheel controls fades to/from colours other than the default (black) can pick from colours on the video window.
October 2008	Titles	Java	In addition to imported graphics Forscene's subtitle functions are enhanced with background and font colour, transparency, and size controls.
September 2009	Forscene Server	Server	Sites can multiply the number of users on their existing internet connections whilst preserving all the advantages of internet access from anywhere.
September 2009	Forscene HD	HD	Forscene can now output HD directly providing remote access to video for editing from anywhere in the world, only uploading the fraction of HD that is actually used in the final programme, and ability to use existing computers and internet links.
September 2009	Osprey	Codec	With Osprey codec Forscene enables video editing at broadcast quality locally through a web browser interface and wide-area over the public Internet.
April 2010	Multicam	Java	Multicam can support up to eight concurrent synchronised video streams for logging and editing.

2011–2015
Date	Version	Platform	Significant features
February 2011	Android	Mobile	Client available on the Android platform (consumer edition) including integration with YouTube and Facebook.
February 2014	iOS	Mobile	Forscene client demonstrated on the iOS platform (iPad).
July 2015	eva	iOS	Video social network launched.
August 2015	Blackbird 8	Codec	Release of Blackbird 8 codec.

2015–2019
Date	Version	Platform	Significant features
March 2016	Captevate	JavaScript	Video editor designed for the consumer market launched.
August 2017	VidLib	JavaScript	Conversion of core video library from Java. Downloads and renders edits in real-time. Will initially support two applications; Blackbird Player ("The Player") and Blackbird Clipper (shot selection of live or pre-recorded video).
March 2018	Blackbird 9	Codec	Release of Blackbird 9 codec.
April 2018	Cloud Provider	Azure	Forscene made available on Microsoft's Azure Marketplace cloud computing infrastructure.
May 2018	Ascent/Forte	Integration	AI OS integration annotates content with meta-data and drives workflow.
September 2018	Ascent/Forte	JavaScript	Products Ascent and Forte JavaScript implementations launched. Frame accurate editing can be undertaken in browsers without additional configuration or installation of plugins or applications.
January 2019	Blackbird	Fitness Technology	Peloton select Blackbird to edit on-demand virtual classes.
March 2019	Blackbird	Sports	IMG adopt Blackbird to clip, edit and publish live sports video content.
May 2019	Blackbird	Sports	Deltatre extend use of Blackbird for turnaround of long and short-form game highlights and clips for a range of sports, including rugby, cycling and athletics.
May 2019	Blackbird	Sports	NRL use Blackbird to support packaging short highlights during live NRL matches to be distributed to the league’s global fanbase.
June 2019	Blackbird	Social Media	A+E Networks adopt Blackbird to give executives, producers, editors, marketers and others within the ability to view, edit and enrich video library content.
August 2019	Blackbird	News	TownNews extend use of Blackbird to 39 TV stations.
October 2019	Aperture Solutions Group	Cloud Editing Turnkey System	The US Department of State and its production teams will use Blackbird to rapidly clip, edit and publish news broadcast live to its social channels including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube and to own website and other digital news outlets across the United States.
November 2019	Blackbird	AWS	Blackbird's cloud production and distribution system chosen by Bloomberg Media.
December 2019	Blackbird	Sports	Eleven Sports adopt Blackbird for rapid editing and publishing of sports content to fans online

2020–2024
Date	Version	Platform	Significant features
June 2020	Award	Platform	TV Technology’s Best of Show Digital Video Award

References

David Shapton (9 July 2019). "This may be the fastest video editing technology anywhere". RedShark.
Awards, UK: Royal Television Society, archived from the original (MS Word .doc) on 27 February 2006
Royal Television Society award ceremony (Video), FORscene
Pennington, Adrian (17 February 2010). "Forbidden Technologies Brings Cloud Editing To Brightcove Users". Retrieved 21 January 2017.
Going behind the screens: 48 hours inside Deltatre (Video), SportsPro Media Limited, 8 November 2019
Lyall, Ian (17 July 2012). "Forbidden Technologies' Olympic breakthrough puts it ahead of the field". Proactiveinvestors.com.au. Archived from the original on 20 July 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
Tobin, Lucy (3 July 2012). "Forbidden in YouTube deal". The Independent. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
Pennington, Adrian (9 July 2020). "F1 PROMOTES REMOTE PRODUCTION TO FRONT OF THE GRID".
"Repositioning of Forbidden under Blackbird brand". Financial Times. 5 April 2008.
"Forbidden Puts Frame Accurate Editing in the Cloud". The Broadcast Bridge. 3 August 2018.
^ Digital-Lifestyles.info IBC TV News uses Forscene and Formobile
Army on Everest Archived 22 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine Mobile page
e-consultancy Archived 21 November 2004 at the Wayback Machine report on Misys
Adrian Pennington (17 July 2019). "Blackbird Plans Launch into Video Distribution". Streaming Media Europe.
Streater, Stephen. "Compressor". Google. Google Patents. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
Streater, Stephen. "Method for enabling efficient navigation of video". Google. Google Patents. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
Niedermeier, Florian. "Quality assessment of the MPEG-4 scalable video CODEC. Lecture Notes in Computer Science". researchgate. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
Garland, David. "The Evolution of Online Video With Special Guest "THE BRITISH BILL GATES" Stephen Streater". therisetothetop. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
Stewart-Smith, Hana. "Forbidden Technologies details new video codec Blackbird 9". morningstar. Archived from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
Sanders-Hewett, Rebecca (23 January 2017). "Next generation of Blackbird video codec". Financial Times. Redleaf Communications. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
"THE 61st ANNUAL NEW YORK EMMY® AWARD NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED THIS MORNING!" (PDF). www.nyemmys.org.
"IBC 2018: Forbidden Technologies' Blackbird highlights cloud capabilities and conversion to JavaScript". SVG Europe. 17 September 2018.
Davies, David. "Monitoring 4K/HDR content". Retrieved 25 January 2019.
Larry Jordan (11 April 2019). "NAB 2019 INTERVIEW". Digital Production BuZZ. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
IBC 1990 programme guide
Acorn Cybervillage Optima
"Live demonstration". Forbidden. 10 November 2003. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
"hoeksteen.dds.nl". Archived from the original on 6 March 2006. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
Hardware depot online article about GMTV signing up to Forscene
Regulatory News Service Over-the-air upload
e-consultancy Archived 15 December 2004 at the Wayback Machine report on Bluetooth
Cellular news article on British Army use of Forscene for mobile
Regional Film and Video article on Save the Children use of Forscene for review
Source Blackbird PLC 2 October 2019| https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/u-s-department-of-state-chooses-blackbird-for-fast-efficient-video-production-800105522.html
David Shapton (27 November 2019). "Blackbird's cloud production and distribution system chosen by Bloomberg Media". RedShark.
"Blackbird scoops TV Technology's Best of Show Digital Video Award". 11 June 2020.

External links

Official website
Third party reviews here and here

v t e Video editing software
Comparison List
Free and open-source	Avidemux Blender VSE Cinelerra Flowblade Kdenlive LiVES Olive OpenShot Pitivi Shotcut
Freeware	Apple iMovie Clips (iOS) Lightworks VSDC Free Video Editor Microsoft Video Editor
Proprietary software	Adobe Premiere Elements Adobe Premiere Pro Blackbird CapCut Clipchamp DaVinci Resolve Edius Final Cut Pro IvsEdits Lightworks Magix Movie Edit Pro Media 100 Media Composer Pinnacle Studio PowerDirector Retouch4me Vegas Pro VideoPad Corel VideoStudio
Abandonware or discontinued	Adobe Premiere Express Autodesk Smoke Avid Free DV EditDV Final Cut Express Kino MainActor MoviePlus Open Movie Editor Vegas Movie Studio Ulead MediaStudio Pro VideoThang VirtualDubMod VirtualDub Windows Movie Maker
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