In Broadcast - September 2013 - 68

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

WWW.INBROADCAST.COM | ISSUE 23 - SEPTEMBER 2013

N E W S

InMEDIA

Digimetrics - Supporting The Workflow
The ever expanding world of on-demand video has taught us that pre-existing distribution workflows
just can’t keep up with the number of codecs, containers and protocols necessary for the increasing
number of devices used to consume content...
By Eric Carson
Business Unit Manager
& Product Guru, Digimetrics

A

68

s an example, it has become
nearly impossible to manually
QC the video content being
distributed, due to the sheer
volume. However, in addition to the
increase in volume of files being
created, expanded distribution also
creates an opportunity to review
the decision making processes of
the workflow.
Starting with content ingest in a
common workflow, there is a need
for decisions to be made as soon
as the content is received.
• Is the file already in a format that
my downstream processes can
deal with?
• Does the file meet one or more
of my distribution constraints
(eliminating the need for further
processing)?
• Does the file contain substantial
video or audio artifacts that
will negatively impact the user
experience?
• Are all the supporting materials
and metadata included with the
file?
• Does the metadata match the
contents of the file?
Each of these questions likely has
an action that should be taken in both
the positive and negative response
[see Diagram 1]. For example, if the
file is not already in a format that
can be processed by the rest of
the workflow, the file should likely
be moved to a transcode process,
which will transform the content into
an acceptable format; otherwise, the
file can likely move on into the rest of
the workflow. If the file contains video
or audio artifacts, it likely needs to be
moved to a quarantine location for
operator review; otherwise, the file
can proceed without any intervention.
Traditionally, these decisions have
been the domain of engineers and
operators, working from a known
decision tree. This process was
effective with lower volumes and
physical media (since physical media
required a physical movement to
get to the next stage anyway). As
digital files have become more
prevalent, automated workflow tools,
based on standard IT software and
hardware, have become prevalent.
While these workflow tools have
increased efficiency, they generally

have a set of rules that require
the workflow vendor to modify or
program the tool for the specific
workflow required, increasing the
cost and time needed before the
solution can go live or respond to a
needed change. These parameters
have largely relegated automated
workflows to larger, high volume
operators, as the cost necessary
to bring them up in production has
been prohibitive for mid-range or
smaller sites.

Decisions needed in a simple workflow

advanced, automated decision
making process in workflows for
smaller and mid-range sites. Utilising
functionality in a tool that is already
present or needed in the workflow

Watch folder nesting

Automated workflows at other
sites has evolved into the heavy
use of watch folders, with files
transferred from one process to
another using pass/fail conditions
inside a nest of folder structures
[see Diagram 2]. While this can be
functional, it can also lead to a large
structure of folders, which over time,
can be difficult to maintain. Each
additional decision needed adds 1
or 2 more watch folders.
Modern file-based QC tools
can address the need for a more

anyway can be a simple and costeffective method of introducing more
efficiency to workflows.
The QC process likely already
touches the files in the workflow at
the points that decisions are needed,
so it only makes sense that QC tools
would start to include features
that utilise the information they
have regarding each file, without
the use of the extra watch folders
[see Diagram 3].
• Smart Test Plans – allows
operators to set decisions to either

Modern QC makes smart decisions without extra watch folders

test or move files based on the
incoming metadata, i.e. if the file is
H.264 at HD resolution with more
than five audio channels, it should
proceed to the IIS chunking
process, otherwise, move the file
to the transcoder. These Smart
Test Plans are based on a very fast
metadata scan, and automatic
decisions can be achieved in
seconds for each file coming into
the operation. Smart Test Plans
allow sites to build the complexity
of their decision making into the
QC tool, rather than into a nest
of watch folders, reducing the
number of folders and simplifying
the management of the decisions.
• Test Templates – when files move
into QC testing, files that pass
the QC test can be moved into
downstream processes, while
files that fail the tests can be
moved to a quarantine location
for operator review. Each QC Test
Template should offer the ability to
move files to a different location,
since different types of testing will
likely lead to different workflow
decisions and stages.
Modern QC tools, which have
been designed with these types of
decision processes in mind, offer
the ability to increase efficiency
with a minimal cost (nearly no
additional cost if this type of QC
tool is already in place).
As IBC approaches, you’ll see
many initiatives around automated,
file-based QC, including DPP
compliance, EBU QC template
conformance and format testing
support for MPEG-DASH and
HEVC. Remember that good QC
vendors will have products ready
for upcoming technical features,
while the great QC vendor for your
situation will support the workflow
features that you need to be more
productive. After all, file-based QC
has real value only when it makes
your workflow more efficient.


http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dir/?first=Phillip&last=Izzard&search=Go https://twitter.com/inbroadcast http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpzEatLsHdE&feature=youtube_gdata_player https://www.facebook.com/InBroadcast http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/inbroadcast/id468652679?mt=8 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.branded.inbroadcast&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5icmFuZGVkLmluYnJvYWRjYXN0Il0. http://www.inbroadcast.com http://www.digi-metrics.com/

In Broadcast - September 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of In Broadcast - September 2013

In Broadcast - September 2013
Contents
InNews: Prime Focus Selects Avid Workflow
InNews: Elysium Workflow Centres on Aces
InReply: IO Gates Platform ‘keeps It Simple’
InTech: When Does Clean Switching Matter?
InGear: IBC Debut for Gepco’s Hybrid Fibre Cables
InFile: BFI Adopts Filecatalyst Transfer Workflow
InAudio: TSL Products’ Madi Capable Solutions
In Broadcast - September 2013 - Intro
In Broadcast - September 2013 - In Broadcast - September 2013
In Broadcast - September 2013 - Cover2
In Broadcast - September 2013 - Contents
In Broadcast - September 2013 - InNews: Prime Focus Selects Avid Workflow
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 5
In Broadcast - September 2013 - InNews: Elysium Workflow Centres on Aces
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 7
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 8
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 9
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 10
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 11
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 12
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 13
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 14
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 15
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 16
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 17
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 18
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 19
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 20
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 21
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 22
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 23
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 24
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 25
In Broadcast - September 2013 - InReply: IO Gates Platform ‘keeps It Simple’
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 27
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 28
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 29
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 30
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 31
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 32
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 33
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 34
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 35
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 36
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 37
In Broadcast - September 2013 - InTech: When Does Clean Switching Matter?
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 39
In Broadcast - September 2013 - InGear: IBC Debut for Gepco’s Hybrid Fibre Cables
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 41
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 42
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 43
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 44
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 45
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 46
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 47
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 48
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 49
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 50
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In Broadcast - September 2013 - 55
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 56
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 57
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 58
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 59
In Broadcast - September 2013 - InFile: BFI Adopts Filecatalyst Transfer Workflow
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 61
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 62
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 63
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 64
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 65
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 66
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In Broadcast - September 2013 - 77
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 78
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 79
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 80
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 81
In Broadcast - September 2013 - InAudio: TSL Products’ Madi Capable Solutions
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 83
In Broadcast - September 2013 - 84
In Broadcast - September 2013 - Cover4
In Broadcast - September 2013 - S1
In Broadcast - September 2013 - S2
In Broadcast - September 2013 - S3
In Broadcast - September 2013 - S4
In Broadcast - September 2013 - S5
In Broadcast - September 2013 - S6
In Broadcast - September 2013 - S7
In Broadcast - September 2013 - S8
In Broadcast - September 2013 - S9
In Broadcast - September 2013 - S10
In Broadcast - September 2013 - S11
https://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/inbroadcast_202403
https://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/inbroadcast_202402
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http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/inbroadcast_INREVIEW2019
http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/inbroadcast_201912
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http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/inbroadcast_201908
http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/CTA-DAY3
http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/CTA-DAY2
http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/CTA-DAY1
http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/CTA-VISITOR
http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/inbroadcast_201906
http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/CTA-PREVIEW
http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/inbroadcast_201905
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http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/inbroadcast_NABSHOW2019
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http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/inbroadcast_INREVIEW2018
http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/inbroadcast_201812
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http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/inbroadcast_NewYork2018
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http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/inbroadcast_cabsat2018
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http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/inbroadcast_NABSHOWNYexpo2017
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http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/inbroadcast_NABSHOW2017
http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/inbroadcast_201704
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http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/inbroadcast_201701
http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/lesommet/inbroadcast_INREVIEW2016
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