Cinedeck

Usually, when you make a small change to a project, you need to repeat the entire export and QC process. It is a time-consuming and resource-intensive problem.

CineXtools gives you much faster alternative. It gives you direct access to the video and audio essence in your flat deliverable files. It allows you to accurately replace content in a file based on timecode in and out points. Just like working on tape!

CineXtools can reduce a multi-hour or multi-day re-export and QC process to only a few minutes. You’ll be able to edit new content directly into an exported ProRes, DNxHD, DNxHR, AVC-Intra, XAVC or XDCAM-HD.

Let’s take a closer look at the unproductive and costly process of correcting files. It will better illustrate how CineXtools can help you.

It does not matter whether you work in a large or small post-production facility. You go through a long and tedious process to create a final deliverable file. In the most streamlined situations, you edit a program with your non-linear system. Then, you export the program to a flat file, QC it, find and fix the issue, and repeat the entire process.

Larger facilities tend to have even more complicated workflows that integrate extra steps. This can be first laying off to tape to help isolate problems and reduce workload in the QC phase.

CineXtools is all about making your life easier and saving you hours, sleep, hair, and $$$. It eliminates the need for complete show exports and full QC sessions simply to make small fixes. You’ll be able to directly access and change flat, exported files.

Forget about the massive multi-step dance to produce a new corrected deliverable file. With CineXtools in your arsenal, all you need to do is the following:

• Create a small file containing only the elements you need to replace.
• Open that file in the CineXinsert Player.
• Load the show file in the CineXinsert recorder.
• Set the edit points and place the new content over the one you’d like to correct.

And you’re done! A multi-hour re-export and QC process was just reduced to a few minutes!

Think of your video files as a strip of film. Changing content in them is like cutting into the film and replacing some frames.

This is easy to do with real film because you can see the frames and what’s in them. It doesn’t work the same way with digital files. You have to re-export an entire program after making a change in your non-linear system.

CineXtools understands where specific content is in the files. Somewhat in the same way a tape machine understands where frames are on a tape. It allows you to accurately go in and replace that specific video or audio content.

So, you export only the changed section – the minimum of the required content.

Let’s look at an example. Imagine that someone’s name in an hour-long interview is incorrect. You need to correct only the 7 seconds of the interview that contain the wrong name in the lower 3rd title. Of course, rendering out 7 seconds from your NLE is much faster than rendering out the entire hour. Once you have created a small file with the corrected content, the insert process is easy:

• Open the source and target files into the CineXinsert player and recorder.
• Set edit points for a three point edit.
• Select the appropriate video and or audio source and destination channels.
• Trigger ‘insert’ to fill in the selected area with the new content.

Because you are working entirely in a file-based domain, the insert happens at the speed of light. Well, at the speed of you processor and drives, which in any case is still very fast.

CineXtools currently supports the following video formats:

• Apple ProRes
• Avid DNxHD
• Avid DNxHR
• AVC-Intra
• XAVC
• XDCAM-HD
• DPX
• MOV (QuickTime)
• MXF OpAtom
• MXF Op1a wrapper
• and more

Video files do not need to come from Cinedeck. But, of course, you can edit Cinedeck files as well. As long as your video file is not of non-standard creation, CineXtools can make changes in it and save you time.

The Insert Edit feature is resolution independent. So, CineXtools can insert new content into your flat SD, HD, or 4K file.

The resulting file is NOT a form of MXF package or QuickTime Reference file. You are actually replacing parts of the original flat video and audio essence.

Ths means that your file maintains its compatibility. The resulting file is the same file with only some replaced audio or video frames.

CineXtools provides a radically new post-production workflow. The resulting file after an insert is NOT a different file, a MXF package, or a QuickTime reference file. It is a flat, fully compatible video file.

CineXtools replaces parts of the original flat video and audio essence. Because of this, your files maintain their compatibility. The process works with MOV, MXF OpAtom, MXF Op1A or the more specific DPP Op1A files. It also works with files containing ProRes, DNxHD, XDCAM, XAVC, and AVC-Intra essence.

With all these editing capabilities, when you get to the end, you’re done. There is no need to export, render, or consolidate. Just like on tape!

The CineX ProRes re-wrap from VBR to CBR is a padding process. The re-wrap process simply adds a bunch of zeros to each frame so every frame takes up the same amount of space. This is not the same as re-encoding. The video is NOT uncompressed and re-compressed. The re-wrap has no effect on the video essence and is very fast, much like a file copy.

Compare the re-wrap with water balloons where each one has a different amount of water. You want the balloons to all be the same size. To fix that, you add a bit of air to each balloon until all of them are the same size as the largest balloon. You can reverse this process just like you can let air from the balloons back out.

Keep in mind that most codecs such as DNx, AVC-I and XDCAM do not need the padding process.

You can find more information about Padded ProRes files here.

Yes, CineXtools is available for both Mac and PC.

Both versions support the same features. Generally, you can use any Mac running OS X 10.9 (AKA Mavericks) or newer. You can also use any Windows system running Windows 7 x64 (64-bit) Service Pack 1 or newer.

No, there are no functional differences between the Mac and PC versions. Both versions support ProRes, as well.

Yup, a Quick Start guide can be found on the software download page here.

ProRes Export Plugins are software components that make delivering ProRes files simpler. We partnered with various non-linear video editing software providers to develop them.

As a result, you can export an ‘insertable’ CBR-wrapped ProRes file straight from the NLE of your choice. Forget about ProRes master file preparation delays.  You can apply audio, video, and closed caption insert-edits to your files immediately.

Learn more about and request the free plugins here.

If you work in the Mac space, your Mac computer needs to be running OS X 10.9 (AKA Mavericks) or newer.

If you are in the Windows world, make sure your device is running Windows 7 x64 (64-bit) Service Pack 1 or newer.

A more powerful system will perform better when running CineXtools. But, because most real processing is for small bits of video and audio, the biggest factor is disk I/O for read and write.

You’ll see the best performance when you work on SSDs, particularly for the target drive. A fast local RAID or fast network storage on an 8 Gigabit or faster connection will help, too. Avoid working on devices such as a USB2 single platter spinning hard drive.

If you have any questions, please get in touch.

You can find new software  releases for your version of CineXtools on our latest software download page.

We publish new releases every 8-12 weeks.

Unfortunately, no. It all has to do with licensing.Apple does not allow the use of their ProRes encoding library on Windows platforms. As a result, Adobe and Avid do not include ProRes export in their Windows applications. Our plugins fall under the same restrictions.

We do have a solution that works. You can use a Cinedeck with your edit system.

With a Cinedeck, you can go directly from your timeline to any of the Cinedeck supported codecs. That includes ProRes. You can also leverage insert-edit straight from the timeline to any of the insert compatible codecs. Some of the compatible codecs are ProRes, DNx, and XDCAMHD.

Have a look here for more information.

ProRes is a very common codec used to encode video files that are typically VBR or Variable Bit Rate.

With VBR, each frame gets compressed using a different amount of data (the variable data rate). It results in every frame being a slightly different size.

To do video inserts into a target file, each frame needs to be the same size.

The CineX ProRes rewrap from VBR to CBR is a padding process. The re-wrap makes sure that every frame takes up the same amount of space. It has no effect on the video essence and is very fast, much like a file copy.

Go here to learn more about the rewrap process.

Most Broadcasters, Studios, and similar will accept ProRes CBR. Yet, even when your customer will not accept CBR ProRes, it is still a valuable tool.

We recommend that you create a CBR mezzanine file immediately after you complete a show. You can use it later to create different slate versions and, of course, for any fixes. You won’t waste time doing full re-export and QC sessions.

If required, you can always rewrap a CBR ProRes to VBR for final delivery.

We are working to assure that all companies accept CBR and make CBR ProRes available as an export option. And we are collaborating with some of the non-linear editor manufacturers to do so.

We now have a free batch rewrap tool that lets you process VBR to CBR rewraps, and vice-versa. Find out more about that here.

When starting iLok license manager or cineXtools on a Windows system, it is possible that the application will simply not start or will display one of these error messages:

This is because the required Pace License Service has not properly started.

From the “Run” or “Ask Me Anything” dialog in the Start Menu, type “services.msc” (without quotes).

When it appears in the menu list, right click “services” and select “Run as Administrator” and press “ENTER.

Navigate down through the list at the right of the Services window and right click on “Pace License Services”.

Select “Start” from the menu.

Try running the application again.

If you are having difficulties starting cineX on your Windows 7 system, run Windows update to assure that it has the latest fixes. In rare situations, after the Windows 7 update completes, you may receive errors indicating missing files. In this case, it may be necessary to manually install both of these Visual Studio libraries:

VS2015 Redistributable: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=48145 
VS2010 Redistributable: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=13523

The “no message” failure to start is a “feature” of v4.x of the iLok License Manager. It means the license hasn’t been able to phone home to get verified.
This verification need only occur once.

If you are using a node-license (installed on the machine rather than on an iLok USB key) then that machine with the installed license that is running cineXtools needs to connect to the internet once for iLok License Manager to verify the license.

If you’re using a physical iLok USB key, you can verify the license on any connected system running iLok License Manager and then move it to an unconnected system.

First, you will need administrator privileges to install cineXtools.

Windows 10:

Follow the standard procedures for installation on Mac or PC.

If you are installing on Windows 10, it is possible this dialog will appear when you first start the installer. This is normal.

Click on More Info and then, at the following dialog, select “Run anyway”.

The Windows 10 installation will proceed normally after that.

Windows 7:

If installing on Windows 7, a similar dialog may appear.

Select “Run” and the Windows 7 installation will proceed.

In addition, for Windows 7, assure your system is fully up to date. If you have a missing files issue, additional information regarding Windows 7 installations is here.

If you’ve activated all your licenses and the cineXtools app is saying a license is missing, the likely culprit is updating the version of iLok License Manager to the latest version. You can find the latest version here: https://www.ilok.com/#!license-manager

Before starting cineXtools, you must first have a license installed on your system or on a connected iLok USB key.

The steps are:

1. Create an iLok account if you do not already have one.
2. Install iLok License Manager.
3. Activate your license on your computer or onto an iLok USB key.
4. Install and start cineXtools.

1)

Fill in the registration form, making note of your ID, as you will need that going forward.

Open the iLok home page in a new window.

2)

Once you have License Manager installed, open the application and sign in.

3)

To activate a cineXtools license, you can click a license and drag it to the computer or iLok USB key or, Right Click (Mac=Control+Click) the license, select the appropriate destination and select “Activate”.

If you installed the license on your computer, you are ready to install cineXtools or, if it’s already installed, start cineXtools.

If you installed your license on an iLok USB key, assure your key is connected to the computer before starting cineXtools for the first time.

iLok USB Key:

If you are using an iLok USB key on a Windows cineXtools installation, when you first start the application you may see an expiration warning.

This is because the application is searching for a license on the machine.

Select “Continue” and the license located on your iLok USB key will be used.

For more information:

View Video Tutorials here.

Download this License Manager overview as a PDF here.

Contact Cinedeck Support for additional assistance if needed.

iLok license manager is a free downloadable application used to manage iLok licenses. Once you receive a license in your iLok account, you can use:

– License Manager to activate the license on your machine or on an iLok USB license key.

– License Manager can also be used to transfer licenses between Machines and iLok USB keys.

– License Manager is needed for annual prepaid license plans, to install some trial licenses and if you want to manually transfer licenses between various devices.

Avid has a good iLok License Manager “How To” video: http://learn-cdn.avid.com/KB/Vids/iLokLMOverview.mp4

Note: The narrator mentions that licenses cannot be moved to a computer. That was specific to the Avid licenses. cineXtools licenses can be moved to a computer or iLok USB key.

Starting in 2017, machine-based licenses became the default way to authorize the cineXtools application.

So the licenses are in fact still iLok but iLok licenses can be installed in a specific individual computer or they can be installed in a portable iLok USB license key. Both types of installations can be transferred from one machine or device to another by deactivating the first and then activating the second. For the moment, that process requires the use of the iLok License Manager application.

To use an iLok USB key with cineXtools, it must be 2nd Generation or newer.

The User Name you have used to create the ilok account is what needs to be provided to Cinedeck for a license to be deposited to your account.

To activate your license through iLok License Manager:

1. Download and install iLok License Manager (ILM)
2. Sign into ILM with your newly created iLok credentials.
3. At the top of ILM, select the tab that says “Available”; if cinedeck has issued a license, you will see the license here
4. Right click on the license and select “Activate”
5. ILM will ask where you want to activate the license. If you don’t have an iLok USB key, the only selection you will see is your PC or Mac.

IMPORTANT

YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS BEFORE DOWNLOADING, INSTALLING AND USING THE CINEDECK & CINEXINSERT SOFTWARE PROVIDED BY CINEDECK LLC.
(the Licensor).

These are the terms and conditions on which the Licensor licenses to you (the Licensee) to use the software product known as the Cinedeck & CineXinsert (the Software.) By clicking on the “ACCEPT” button, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions (the Agreement). If you DO NOT AGREE to the following terms, you must not download, install or use this Software.

1. Grant of License

1.1 The Licensor grants to the Licensee a non-exclusive, non-transferable, royalty-free license to use the Software for the term of this Agreement.

1.2 The Licensee is entitled to download, install and use the Cinedeck Software on the Cinedeck device or for CineXinsert on your chosen hardware device.

1.3 The Licensee agrees to use the Software only for the Permitted Use and in compliance with all applicable laws, including all applicable intellectual property laws.

1.4 The Licensee must not lease, rent, distribute or sub-license the Software, or use the Software in a time-sharing arrangement, or in any other manner that is not the permitted use.

1.5 The Licensee may make one copy only of the Software if it is essential for back-up and archival purposes, in accordance with
its use of the Software. Any such copy must reproduce and contain all of the copyright and other proprietary notices appearing in
the Software.

1.6 The Licensor reserves the right at any time to alter the price, features, specifications, capabilities, functions, licensing terms, release dates, general availability or other characteristics of the Software.

2. Warranty and Disclaimer

2.1 The Software has not been written to meet individual requirements of the Licensee and is supplied without warranty of
any kind. A failure of any part or the whole of the Software to be suitable for the Licensee’s requirements will not give rise to any
right or claim against the Licensor.

2.2 THE LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION TO THE LICENSEE AS TO THE PERFORMANCE OR OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE, AND TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW DISCLAIMS ALL EXPRESS,
IMPLIED AND STATUTORY WARRANTIES, INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR PURPOSE, SECURITY, RELIABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE.

2.3 The Licensee acknowledges and agrees that it downloads, installs and uses the Software at its own discretion and risk, and that it will be solely responsible for any damage to the Cinedeck EXTREME or any loss of data that results from such downloading, installing or use of the Software.

2.4 To the fullest extent permitted by law, any condition or warranty which would otherwise be implied in this Agreement is
hereby excluded. Where legislation implies in this Agreement any condition or warranty, and that legislation avoids or prohibits
provisions in a contract from excluding or modifying the application of or exercise of or liability under such a condition or warranty, that condition or warranty will be deemed to be included in this Agreement. However, the liability of the Licensor for any breach of such a condition or warranty will be limited, at the option of the Licensor, to one or more of the following: in the case of the supply of goods: the replacement of the goods; the supply of equivalent goods; the repair of the goods; the payment of the cost of replacing the goods or of acquiring equivalent goods; or the payment of the cost of having the goods repaired; and in the case of the provision of services: the supplying of the services again; or the payment of the cost of having the services supplied again.

2.5 The Licensee acknowledges that the Software in general is not error-free and agrees that the existence of such errors will not constitute a breach of this Agreement.

2.6 The Licensor does not warrant that the Software will be free from all known viruses and the Licensee is solely responsible for virus scanning the Software.

2.7 The Licensor does not warrant that the Software will enable the Licensee to render its products compatible with the Licensor’s

3. Liability

3.1 IN NO EVENT WILL THE LICENSOR BE LIABLE TO THE LICENSEE OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS, LOST DATA, OR OTHER SPECIAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TOTHIS AGREEMENT OR ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE FURNISHED OR TO BE FURNISHED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR THE USE THEREOF, EVEN IF THE LICENSOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGE.

3.2 The aggregate liability of the Licensor upon any claims howsoever arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any products or services furnished or to be furnished by the Licensor under this Agreement will in any event be absolutely limited to US$100.

3.3 Unless this Agreement expressly provides otherwise: to the maximum extent permitted by law, all express and implied conditions, warranties or liabilities (including liability as to negligence) regarding the condition, accuracy, suitability, quality or title to the Software are negated and excluded; and the Licensor gives no condition, warranty, undertaking or representation in relation to the condition, accuracy, suitability, quality of or title to the Software (including any data contained in or supplied in relation to it or reports generated or produced by or with the aid of any of them).

3.4 The Licensee acknowledges that the Licensor has entered into this Agreement in reliance upon the Warranty and Disclaimer and Liability clauses set forth in this Agreement, and that the same form an essential basis of the bargain between the parties. The parties agree that the limitation of liability specified in this Agreement will survive and apply even if the Warranty and Disclaimer or Liability clause, or any limitation of remedies is found to have failed its essential purpose.

4. Intellectual Property Rights

4.1 For the purposes of this Agreement, the term Intellectual Property Rights means all copyright, patents, designs, trademarks or service marks, brand names, product names, trade secrets, know-how, rights to confidentiality and other intellectual and industrial property rights (including Marks as defined in clause 6), whether or not registered or capable of registration, in all parts of the world.

4.2 The Licensee acknowledges that it obtains no Intellectual Property Rights whatsoever in the Software. As between the parties all Intellectual Property Rights vest in the Licensor.

4.3 The Licensee must not, except to the extent permitted by any law that cannot be excluded by the parties, copy, modify, disassemble, decompile, or reverse engineer the Software nor directly or indirectly permit any third party to do any of the foregoing.

4.4 The only permitted copying of the Software is for the back-up purposes referred to in clause 1.5. The Licensee acknowledges and agrees that ownership of, and title to, the Software and all subsequent copies thereof regardless of form or media are held by the Licensor.

5. Infringement of Intellectual Property Rights.

5.1 If the Licensee becomes aware of any infringements or suspected infringements by any third party of any Intellectual Property Rights in the Software, the Licensee must immediately notify the Licensor, and must at the request and expense of the Licensor, take such action as the Licensor may reasonably deem appropriate to protect its Intellectual Property Rights.

6. Marks

6.1 The Licensee will not adopt or use, nor authorise others to adopt or use, any trademark, service mark or trade name which includes, or is likely to mislead, deceive or cause confusion, or is substantially identical with, or deceptively similar to, any Mark. This clause will survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.

6.2 For the purposes of this Agreement, the term Marks means any trademark, service mark or trade name of Cinedeck LLC or its affiliates, as the case may be, including but not limited to “Cinedeck ” and “cineXinsert” whether it is registered or capable of being registered.

7. Term and Termination

7.1 This Agreement is effective until terminated.

7.2 The Licensor may immediately terminate this Agreement at any time with or without notice: at the Licensor’s sole discretion; or if the Licensee breaches a term of this Agreement.

7.3 Upon termination of this Agreement, the Licensee must immediately cease to use the Software and if capable of return, return the Software (and all copies thereof) to the Licensor. Where such Software is incapable of return, the Licensee must permanently delete or destroy the Software and provide a declaration to the Licensor that the Licensee has complied with this clause.

7.3. This requirement is without prejudice to any other rights and remedies that the Licensor may have in respect of the breach.

7.4 Despite any other provision of this Agreement this clause 7.4 and clauses 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.3 and 8 survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

8. General

8.1 This written Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior communications and agreements between the parties as to its subject matter. Each party agrees that unless expressly stated in this Agreement, that party has not relied on any representation, warranty or undertaking of any kind in relation to the subject matter of this Agreement.

8.2 If any provision of this Agreement or any part of a provision is unenforceable or void for any reason, then: that provision of the Agreement will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible so as to effect the economic intent of the parties, and the remainder of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect; and in any other case, such provision must be severed from this Agreement, in which case a valid, legal and enforceable provision of similar intent and economic impact will be substituted, and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect as if the severed provision had not been included.

8.3 The Licensee must not, without prior written consent of the Licensor assign, charge, sub-license, or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement in whole or in part.

8.4 Any delay or forbearance by either party in enforcing any provisions of this Agreement or any of its rights hereunder will not be construed as a waiver of such provision or right to subsequently enforce the same.

8.5 Clause headings have been included in this Agreement for convenience only and must not be considered part of, or be used in interpreting, this Agreement.

8.6 This Agreement is governed by and must be construed in accordance with the laws in force in the State of New York. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of that State and the United States of America in respect of all matters arising out of or relating to this Agreement, its performance or subject matter.

8.7 The Licensee agrees to abide by all applicable laws of the State of New York and all applicable jurisdictions, including the federal laws of the United States. The Licensor reserves the right to enforce its Intellectual Property Rights before the competent courts of any jurisdiction where an act of infringement has occurred.

8.8 The Licensee acknowledges and agrees that it will not export or re-export the Software or any products utilizing the Software in violation of any applicable laws or regulations of the United States of America.