Cinedeck

TRUE CONFIDENCE RECORD: Insert Baseband 

True Confidence Recording is not simply ‘old-fashioned’ E-to-E or linear playback from a VTR confidence head. With Cinedeck’s True Confidence Record, you have full random access to the file while it’s recording so you can Play, Jog, Shuttle, Forward-fast and Rewind.

If you want to do a technical QC during record, loading up the file on a second Cinedeck channel gives you full access to all of your SDI monitoring and analysis gear and again, you can pause or move around the file all you want. If it’s a QC check that does not require an SDI signal, for example an editorial viewing, you can access the file with any standard media player such as VLC Media Player from VideoLAN.org and still have full random access.

REALTIME LAYOFF – FULL RS422 CONTROL; Digital Cut/Print to Tape Recording 

For final delivery and master-file creation, Cinedecks support a wide variety of codecs, wrappers, and resolutions and the deck’s ability to emulate an SRW VTR means that any number of NLEs can directly encode the files you need; ProRes and DNx – no problem, IMX or AVC-Intra – yep. XDCAMHD and H.264 – of course and there are more. The systems support all standard formats; 4K, UHD, 2K, HD and SD, with the ability to wrap files as MOV, MXF Op1A, MXF OpAtom and more so any eventuality is covered.

Even better, if your delivery codec, such as AVC-I or ProRes, is supported for insert editing, you can watch your recording, while it’s recording! (See the next tab)

All of this works using standard RS-422 control and SDI out, so whether you use Avid, Flame, Premiere or another system, you can generate files directly from the timeline.

COST SAVINGS WITH FILE-BASED INSERT EDIT; No more re-export, re-encode, or re-QC

Although nothing short of a miracle, non-linear editing has some significant limitations. If a change to a program is required, even just a simple shot change, it is necessary to go back to the timeline, make the changes and then, re-export the complete program. That process can be excruciating, especially for long form programming. And then, the resulting file needs to be run through quality control again, which if nothing else, means someone watching the program from start to finish, wasting time, money and in some cases, preventing shows from being delivered on time.

As a work-around, some post-production facilities export edited shows to tape and use tape-based insert edits for changes. Tape can also provide a pathway to delivering file types not directly supported by their particular finishing systems. Using File-based Insert Edit, you can frame-accurately replace specific frames of audio, video and closed captioning without the need to completely re-export or re-render. Since only the newly inserted segments have changed, only those segments need to be QC’d. File-based Insert Edit brings the advantages of tape-based workflows to files.

Download the Cost Analysis Sheet

VMM: Insert Baseband 

VMM – Virtual Mastering Media are an extension of Insert Baseband mode. Similar to tape, VMM are blank files; pre-striped or blacked with the appropriate format, codec, timecode, audio tracks, etc. VMM provide a clean and standard flat-file container, for freely inserting content.

To use VMM in your workflow, insert content as its ready to your “blacked file”. Once the final video, audio segment or closed caption track is inserted, the file is complete. There is no need to export or consolidate. The workflow really is identical to working with pre-blacked tape but without tape’s limitations.

Creating VMM can be significantly faster than real-time but similar to tape, you can have a library of VMM on disk and simply copy one to your workspace, which lends even more efficiency and VMM enhance accuracy by functioning as a preset for the file specification.

VMM is a popular workflow for Cinedeck customers:

• VMM allows users to create a pre-set structure for each show
• VMM helps eliminate human errors that wreak havoc on show deliverables that need to be the same for every episode
• VMM can be added to over time as content is ready
• VMM mean that system crashes do not require the encode process to start again from the beginning

VMM WORKFLOW FOR MULTIPLE SLATE DELIVERIES

Note: Cinedeck VMM is a workflow leveraging File-based Insert Edit technology. Insert-edit can be used with any pre-existing files for supported codecs, resolutions and wrappers.

Today, almost all program deliverables are file-based; and while there are definite benefits to file-based workflows, there are limitations as well. Most efficiency limitations for file-based workflows stem from the inability to change the master flat file once it’s been exported or rendered. Take the simple example of different slates for different customers. For every slate change, you need to re-export the entire program AND you need to QC each file.

With Cinedeck’s File-based Insert Edit, we’re improving the efficiency of file-based workflows by applying the capabilities of tape. Create a library of VMM – Virtual Mastering Media – that is analogous to a library of pre-striped black tapes. Since VMM are pre-striped black “files”, you only create your VMM library once. Thereafter you simply copy the VMM you need for your project to your local work-space. In addition, creating a VMM is faster than real-time. Depending on codec and bandwidth, it can be as fast as 1/10th real-time.

Insert your program to a VMM to create the master file and copy the VMM for as many deliverables as are required and insert the appropriate slates. Deliverables with multiple slates can be completed within minutes, not hours, because File-based Insert Edit allows you to simply drop-in the new slate to a finished flat file. Not only do you save time in the exporting process for each successive slate change, you also save the time that you would have devoted to QC-ing each file.

ADVANCED DECK CONTROL – TELECINE

Because of a Cinedecks ability to replace traditional tape decks and write files directly to network or local storage, the entire telecine process becomes more efficient and less costly. Instead of three or four passes and steps to complete a transfer, use a Cinedeck and go directly to the correct file type. In other words, complete the job faster, on a single appliance, in the format you require.

Each of the encode channels on a Cinedeck can be independently triggered via EDL files or an external controller, providing automated and simultaneous creation of both digital master and proxy versions of your reels. Networking the systems allows immediate file creation to your SAN or NAS for direct access by archive and editorial systems.

More about Advanced Deck Control

CINEXTOOLS FOR MAC & PC

cineXtools is the standalone application for file-based insert edit. 

With a familiar player-recorder interface, insert-edit new content by selecting edit points for a three-point edit, then select video and/or audio track(s) and trigger the insert to overwrite between your selected in and out points.

With additional sophisticated tools like Audio Versioning, the Closed Captioning Module and Trim&Extend functions, cineXtools represents the next generation of Cinedeck’s file-based insert edit technology.