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INTRODUCTION... 4 LIVE PRODUCTION WORKFLOW... 4 DDP INTEGRATION... 5 BENEFITS... 5
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INTRODUCTION Complex productions will have multiple users accessing content while simultaneously providing a broad range of services. The EVS XT3 server can support a number of concurrent users and is best reserved for capturing all content sources and providing live and near-live slow motion replays. Where there s a large number of edit stations working on packaging content during the event, a more sophisticated workflow will make it easier for editors to identify the particular content they require. To minimize the pressure on the online resources, it makes sense to implement a near-online storage as part of this workflow. The DynamicDrivePool (DDP) from Ardis Technologies is a high-performance online storage system, designed for just such an application. The award-winning DDP is a self-contained, ethernet-based SAN&NAS with its own metadata controller. It can therefore be readily integrated with the EVS network and easily share file structures and metadata as well as high resolution content. It also provides an access platform for multiple editors without integration issues. LIVE PRODUCTION WORKFLOW On a big production such as a major sports or entertainment event, there are likely to be intensive demands on the production server network. There may be the need to provide recording channels for as many as 30 cameras sometimes even more. Replays can be requested from any of these camera feeds called at short notice by the director. Simultaneously other LSM operators will be compiling highlights packages for immediate recall, at a break in play or between performers. These are just the applications for which the EVS live production server is designed. At the same time, there may be a number of other editors at work. They may be producing highlights packages for immediately after the game, or edited versions of the event for the broadcaster s own online services. Others may be feeding content to social media and YouTube. Host broadcasters may be providing press facilities and will need to give access to a number of editors to create their own versions. The stadium or venue may want to create packages to show on screens on site and there could be special services for mobile users in the venue, via EVS C-Cast.
DDP INTEGRATION To make this live production process as easy as possible, there are two key elements which need to be addressed. Firstly, given how much raw content is being added to the server network by multiple camera streams, there needs to be help for editors to quickly find the material they need. This is usually done by tagging the content adding descriptive metadata which can be linked to timecodes in real time. Using IPDirector an operator can draw together clips based on these tags metadata to create folders of content around an incident, a specific player or a performance. These folders include the metadata as well as the essence, ensuring that the editor can quickly see what s available and go to the edit bins needed for the task. Secondly, all content needs to be made available to multiple editors. The simplest way to achieve that is by putting it on a near-online server which is continually being updated and which can accept interfaces from multiple devices. The DDP is designed to be a high-capacity, online storage system which is simple to connect. It s an ethernet SAN, running its own stable virtual file system, readily interpreted by any device. It can be treated as a simple disk drive by all the popular editing systems and supports all video formats, including 4K Ultra-HD, DPX and Cineon. In the case of the large-scale production, an EVS operator would collect tagged content and build folders of related content. Using IPDirector, these are moved to the DDP shared storage. Editors and other devices needing access to the content simply connect via ethernet. They will be able to see the file structure set up in the EVS network, and go directly to the required content. Where appropriate, edited packages can be written to the DDP, where the operator using EVS IPDirector can pull them into the live servers for immediate broadcast. BENEFITS The ability to connect near-online storage is core functionality in IPDirector. The DDP from Ardis Technologies is a high-performance SAN&NAS tuned to the specific needs of video and audio editing and post production. Combining the two is a seamless method which gives potentially large numbers of users access to current content virtually instantaneously. IPDirector and DDP are fully compatible. DDP offers open connectivity over Single Gigabit, 10 Gigabit (+ via RJ45 Cat6) and 40 Gigabit ethernet, meaning that it is seen as a disk drive by all popular editing systems and by Apple, Linux and Windows operating systems. Integration is as simple as finding the DDP as a local drive on your operating systems. The file system on the DDP allows for folders to be allocated to users, so it s easy to offer specific content only to the editors who need it. The DDP storage itself is scalable, making it flexible in providing the required capacity for each project. The result is a system that is fast, secure and robust. It calls for minimal operational attention beyond content preparation which is already happening. Once established, the IPDirector and DDP solution provides access to nearlive content to potentially large numbers of users. Ultimately, it means that the production network can serve multiple platforms, outlets and users simultaneously. That allows the organizers and promoters, as well as the broadcasters, to grow the interest around the event and the revenue opportunities around the coverage.