A key factor that Broadcasters and Post houses need to account for in tapeless workflows is the creative processes in
Post Production. In many cases, the efficiency of an overall workflow is compromised by the lack of visibility on these
processes. The best way to improve the efficiency in these areas is to run them under a strong workflow manager. In
order to achieve this, Mediaflex provides comprehensive and configurable workflows that ensure improved efficiencies in media production processes.
How Mediaflex and Avid systems work together
Mediaflex is integrated with Avid using both Interplay Web Services API and the TransferManager API. The
Web services API is used by Mediaflex to transfer metadata and to interrogate the Interplay system and the Transfer
Manager API is used to move content in and out of the ISIS storage.
In the typical system shown above, producers can place orders for editing in Mediaflex and these are turned into
workflow tasks. When the job is started, users select the content they want to use and can also make notes regarding
requirements that the editor will see at a later stage. Next an optional rough cut edit is made using browse video on a
Mediaflex client. Once this is complete the system automatically sends an EDL to the Avid system. In addition, any
required high resolution content from the archive is moved automatically to a defined ISIS storage location. In order
to gain even more efficiency, the system moves the most convenient versions and does not, for instance, call for an
archive restore when material is available on disk.
Using the EDL created by Mediaflex an Avid operator makes the edit in the usual way. When the editing is finished,
the editor saves the new version back to the shared storage and is mandated to use the media item name that Mediaflex has previously generated. This means that the new version is, in turn, recognised by Mediaflex and the new
version and associated media items are registered.
The Mediaflex workflow may also be
extended to allow for the new media item
to be transcoded automatically to a new
browse version using one of the many
transcoding systems that are supported by
the system.
Avid
The core Avid Interplay system is a client-server engine that
works with any member of the Avid Unity™ MediaNetwork
family of shared-storage solutions to form the backbone of a
completely interoperable media production environment. The
engine arms individual contributors, project teams, and functional departments with a portfolio of low-cost, user-friendly
software tools that automate routine production tasks, track
revisions, and streamline administrative activities. Right out
of the box, Avid Interplay seamlessly integrates with the
latest versions of the Avid Media Composer®, NewsCutter®,
iNEWS® Instinct™, and Symphony™ Nitris® systems. ,
MPEGs, TIFs, spreadsheets, and more.
Workflow
One of the key features of Mediaflex is its ability to manage
workflows. Mediaflex provides over 40 common tasks, and the
different types of assets associated with them, and enables you to
use these in combination to create specific workflows. It does this
using Mediaflex Workflow, a dynamic status driven workflow
management solution designed specifically for media organisations.
The workflow engine provides a schedule view of all jobs and
tasks throughout an organisation. This view can be configured to
show only the information relevant to the user. For example, an
Ingest operator might view only those jobs and tasks relevant to
the Ingest department or area.
Mediaflex
Thanks to the following core elements, Mediaflex helps you to process media more efficiently.
Library Manager supports any kind of physical
media, including video and audio tapes and cartridges, and, using bar codes, tracks your assets
from the library through your entire workflow.
Media Asset Manager manages the content lifecycle of digital and analogue assets, as well as managing, preserving and making searchable all
metadata in the system and generating a wealth
of audit information.
Mediaflex Applications designed specifically for a
number of standard tasks including ingest, quality
control and bookings.
Workflow Manager contains more than 40 configurable tasks for media and broadcast operations,
providing workflows which are dynamic, statusdriven and that will report in real time as individual tasks complete.
i-mediaflex provides Web access to Mediaflex
for users outside the main production area and
Mediaflex Workflow provides a graphical tool for supervisors
and authorised personnel to
supports remote services such as subtitling, audio
TMD
build workflow templates for
processes, post production and requests for concommon processes and use
tent. i-mediaflex also supports clip selection,
TMD specialises in the developthose templates for media
rough cut editing and the export of EDLs for use
ment and delivery of solutions associated with them.
by a professional editing system.
and services to the global media, The tasks configured in the
broadcast and archive industries workflows can be interdependusing the Mediaflex family of ent, for example, a technical evaluation on a tape cannot be
started before the tape has been moved to the correct location.
products. Mediaflex enables
The workflow module provides the functionality for parallel tasks
media organisations to manage
as well as split outputs for tasks such as dual ingests of Hi and
both the physical media and Lo res, where the subsequent tasks on each format require a
digital file based content with different route. For example, the Hi res may go to an online
their associated workflows. Or- store whilst the Lo res proxy may go to the subtitling or close
caption house.
ganisations utilising Mediaflex
The structure of the Post Production workflow shown here is
for the smooth and efficient
defined in the image to the left. Each section must be completed
running of their facilities include before the next is started.
Arqiva, Ascent Media, Discovery
USA, US Senate, Sky Italia, ITFC
and Turner Broadcasting.
Detailed specifications of the Mediaflex® product suite can be obtained from TMD. TransMedia Dynamics Ltd has a policy of continual enhancements. We reserve the right to change the specification without notice. Mediaflex ® is a registered trademark of TransMedia Dynamics Ltd.© 19992009 TransMedia Dynamics Ltd.
Corporate Head Quarters
TransMedia Dynamics Ltd.
Tower House, High Street, Aylesbury, HP20 1SQ, UK
North America Office
TransMedia Dynamics Inc.
7719 Wood Hollow Drive, Suite 240, Austin, Texas, 78731, US
Tel: +44 (0)1296 745080, Fax: +44 (0)1296 745055
Email: [email protected], Web: www.tmd.tv
Tel: +1 (512) 600-3133,
Email: [email protected], Web: www.tmd.tv