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 lowcost, 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.
TMD
TMD
specialises in the
development and delivery
of solutions and services
to the global media,
broadcast
and
archive
industries using the Mediaflex family of products. Mediaflex enables
media
organisations
to
manage both the physical
media and digital file
based content with their
associated
workflows.
Organisations
Mediaflex
utilising
for
the
smooth and efficient running
of
include
their
facilities
Arqiva,
Ascent
Media, Discovery USA, US
Senate, Sky Italia, ITFC
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 supports remote services such as subtitling, audio
processes, post production and requests for content. i-mediaflex also supports clip selection,
rough cut editing and the export of EDLs for use
by a professional editing system.
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 Workflow provides a graphical tool for supervisors and authorised personnel to build workflow templates for common processes and use those templates for
media associated with them.
The tasks configured in the workflows can be interdependent, for example, a technical evaluation on a tape cannot
be started before the tape has been moved to the correct
location.
The workflow module provides the functionality for parallel
tasks as well as split outputs for tasks such as dual ingests
of Hi and Lo res, where the subsequent tasks on each format require a different route. For example, the Hi res may
go to an online store whilst the Lo res proxy may go to the
subtitling or close caption house.
The structure of the Post Production workflow shown here
is defined in the image to the left. Each section must be
completed before the next is started.
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.© 1999-2009 TransMedia Dynamics Ltd.
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Tel: +44 (0)1296 745080,
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Email: [email protected],
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Email: [email protected],
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