Mediaflex Ingest provides the functionality to achieve ingest requirements for organisations.
For broadcast playout, content preservation, proxy browse creation, web content creation, mobile content creation or any other form of digital asset.
Mediaflex-UMS
ACQUIRE • MANAGE • DELIVER
across the content supply chain
Mediaflex Ingest four main components:
- Digital Ingest (born-digital files into Watch Folder)
- Mediaflex Lines (scheduled and ad-hoc ingest from multiple feeds)
- VTR (manual ingest from tape)
- Mediaflex Cart (bulk tape ingest)
Mediaflex Ingest provides a comprehensive ingest and digitisation module to maximise efficiency in operations carrying out this type of work. The module supports ingesting of media content including:
- Single Item/Single Tape – such as programmes
- Multi Item/Single Tape – such as interstitials and cartoons
- Single Item/Multi Tape – such a long programmes and films
Mediaflex Ingest
Mediaflex Ingest provides the functionality to achieve the content ingest requirements of organisations participating in all aspects of the content supply chain, whether it be for live and scheduled linear broadcast playout, OTT streaming, content preservation, proxy browse creation, web content creation, mobile content creation or any other form of digital asset required.
When ingesting from baseband, Mediaflex Ingest is hardware encoder independent and format agnostic. The encoders are controlled and monitored by Mediaflex under API control. The module supports parallel ingest to create multiple format files from a single baseband record stream. For example, SD, HD and UHD along with proxy browse format that may be used for preview and cuts only editing. In each case the Mediaflex Ingest module underpins the encoding process.
Mediaflex Ingest makes use of the Mediaflex Orchestrator to control the throughput from any number of ingest stations, live record streams and automated bulk recording using video tape robotic libraries. In manual mode, the workflow schedule enables user to select the ingest jobs they want to work on and the system managers to monitor and check the progress of ingests as they flow through the system.
In addition, Mediaflex Ingest supports the digitisation of media in both hard and soft parting. That is to say:
Hard Parted – a separate file is produced for each of the segments of the programme.
Soft Parted – a single file is produced for the entire programme with metadata pointers to each of the separate parts.
Mediaflex Digital Ingest
Mediaflex works with physical media (such as film, tapes, CDs/DVDs, physical artefacts, etc.), digitised film and magnetic tape or born-digital files. The digital record of these media types is processed through the Watch Folder.
As the digital record arrives in the Watch Folder, the Processor notifies Mediaflex-UMS and matches any file names with existing content record in the system. Some of these files may already be part of a scheduled workflow, or they may wait in the Watch Folder until they are needed for new workflows.
To get a better understanding of how the Watch Folder functions, think of it as valet parking. You drop your car off with the valet and they do the work of parking it in the most appropriate place. If you have selected that you want it cleaned and polished, these tasks are done. Then when you want it back, the valet knows its location based on the number on the ticket you provide them, and it is returned to you all shiny and clean.
You could think of it as an intuitive waiting room for digital files, some arrive right on cue for their appointment, others are called in later. The system knows exactly what files are where, all of the time, and automatically processes them as required.
The Watch Folder Processor explained
Mediaflex Lines
Media organisations record material arriving either on a regular or an ad hoc basis on feeds, often from satellite down links and studios. Mediaflex Lines enables these organisations to capture and digitise video (such as news and sports feeds) directly onto content storage thus making it immediately available for editing and insertion into bulletins or programmes by multiple users. Events can be scheduled at regular intervals (daily, weekly, monthly) or created when required, as well as triggering instant on-demand crash recordings.
What is Mediaflex Lines?
Mediaflex VTR
Mediaflex supports the manual ingest of videotapes whereby an operator inserts the tape into the VTR, and the content is digitised via a connected encoder.
The ingest GUI is designed to maximise the efficiency and accuracy of the operation by offering ingest operators only the metadata fields that are relevant to the current process requirements and by prompting responses wherever possible with drop down lists or parameters. All the basic information required for the ingest, such as encoder types, locations and formats, are embedded in the ingest task so that operators are guided through the process.
Operators may be prompted to perform checks before starting the encoding; these can be mandated so that operators cannot move on unless they have made the required checks. Workflows may be customised, for instance, the parameters required for a particular channel’s ingest, and saved as pre-sets. This helps to ensure adherence to house standard for each ingest type.
Mediaflex Ingest Workstation Client
Mediaflex Cart
Mediaflex Ingest supports the automated ingest of content from robotic videotape libraries, such as the Sony Flexi-Cart. Linked with the Mediaflex Orchestrator and associated schedules it provides a highly efficient solution to bulk ingest without the need for operator intervention.
The Mediaflex Cart client works together with Mediaflex and provides completely automated ingest. Mediaflex Cart scans the tapes held in the robot and when it recognises a number that is in a current ingest workflow, it automatically starts the task.
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