Support of XDCAM on EVS Server Environment

XEDIO and XDCAM

EVS XEDIO Dispatcher can be simply and easily plugged in any XDCAM file-based camcorder and deck offering instantly access to all material recorded for browsing. The user can select any media for review, sub-clipping and playlist consolidation without file duplication or rendering for faster and easier operations. Once selected and/or created, the consolidated list of media can be exported with automated file transcoding operation at high speed transfer rate (faster than real time) onto any XT[2] or XS server with full quality preservation.

Typical workflow

At the end of a shooting, the ENG crew or the journalist plugs in the XDCAM camcorder or the XDCAM deck on a computer equipped with XEDIO Dispatcher. All media available on the device are automatically displayed as thumbnails with their related metadata (clip name, clip duration, IN/OUT points, etc.).

By selecting a thumbnail, the user will review the XDCAM file on a dedicated player and if required, can virtually re-clipped the media by adding new IN/OUT mark points available on the player

The user can drag and drop each clip or sub-clip created on a full virtual storyboard timeline. Since there is no file duplication, the operation of reviewing virtual clips can be managed instantly and in the smoothest way.

The user will then move the selected media in the transfer bin. The user will select the output destination. If he wants to move the XDCAM file on an XT[2] or XS server, the user will choose one of the formats and wrappers.

Once he has chosen the appropriate format, the user will launch the transfer process. During the transfer, all selected files being re-clipped: files, playlist as well as their related metadata are moved from the XDCAM device directly to the production server immediately available for playback. The media conforming operation (transcoding and rewrapping) is completely transparent for the operator as it is managed during the transfer process.

Virtual operations

All operations on the interface are virtual; this means that there is absolutely no waiting time during operations. Sub-clipping, drag and drop operations, working on timeline, building a playlist, all these operations are instantaneous. The material is effectively cut, re-wrapped, transcoded and assembled at the moment the user initiates the transfer.

Logging

IPDirector keywords’ grids can be imported directly into Xedio Dispatcher. These keywords can then be added and linked to the clips by the user. They will be linked to the media and follow it as locators or exported separately if needed.

Transfer and media conforming

Targets could be EVS’ production servers (XT[2] or XS) connected through standard Ethernet connections, or files destination such as computers, storage servers, or other XDCAM material.

In case of production servers, a playout or an edit while transferring can be initiated as soon as the transfer starts. The export can be a file export, a transcode, transfer, XML generation, or a logs export.It is possible to mix several cases to suit to complex workflows such as delivering the same content to different targets, even in different codecs or formats, or by delivering different contents in one or several targets.

Play or edit while transfering

Once the transfer has been initiated, following process can be initiated without waiting for the total completion: playout on XT[2] or XS servers can begin while transferring, or editing by post-production can start.

Quality preservation

Independent studies(1) have shown that importing and transcoding material with EVS Xedio Dispatcher has very low impact on quality.

Quality levels have been measured using DMOS and PSNR methods and both tests have proven that the transparency of EVS’ transcoding process. Using subjective measurements (human viewing), independent experts could not identify any noticeable difference between any of the clips.

(1)(2) See “Video quality through EVS Servers using the XDCAM HD codec” from Emmanuel Mancuso and François Abbe © Media Broadcast & Marketing Ltd 2009