Archive notice: This article was originally published on September 16, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
The recently announced support for the Panasonic DVCPRO HD codec by EVS expands the production base of the XT(2) and XS server systems, enabling smooth interchange with Quantel’s sQ production systems in tapeless broadcast production. Transfer between EVS and Quantel takes place via the open MXF OP1A video-file format, which can be configured manually or automatically depending on the system configuration.
Seamless File Transfer in a Mixed Workflow
When a report is stored on the EVS XS server via the internal IPDirector management program, this central storage, which can originate from either EVS or Quantel, can be accessed at any time. Technically, IPDirector transfers an MXF OP1A file containing the core information, together with the metadata compiled in an XML file, to the sQ server system. The corresponding material is then available for further processing on the Quantel sQ production systems. The EVS metadata produced by IPDirector (logging, descriptive information, etc.) is linked to the reports, imported and inserted into Quantel’s database. The EVS reports and their associated metadata can be imported manually by the operator or automatically via the Autoscan option.
Once a file has been stored on the Quantel server, it can be sent directly to playout there via the sQ production system or transferred back to the EVS XS server for playout. Export in the Quantel system takes place via an MXF OP1A file on the shared storage platform connected to the EVS system. For this purpose, the file is scanned at the EVS XTAccess interface and automatically transferred to the EVS XS server. As soon as the transfer to the XS server begins, the report can be played out.
“Our goal is to make our customers’ work as easy as possible,” emphasizes Trevor Francis, Head of Broadcast Marketing at Quantel. “A smooth workflow between the EVS and Quantel production platforms is very helpful here. The great thing is that we were able to use an interface based on the open industry standards MXF and XML for exchanging the video data.”
“We are constantly striving to take workflow maximization even further by integrating our partners’ key technology,” explains Serge Comes, Product Manager at EVS. “With support for the DVCPro HD codec in our XS and XT (2) servers, we have taken a major step closer to this goal. This now enables our customers to edit their reports on Quantel production systems. We are convinced that seamless interchange with Quantel broadcast systems will further enhance EVS’s tapeless production technology.”
