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The background

Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR), headquartered in Hamburg, is part of ARD, a joint organisation of public service broadcasters in Germany. NDR produces for and broadcasts on TV, radio and online platforms. Within the ARD group, NDR is a leading producer of TV news programming including Tagesschau and Tagesthemen, both highly-respected news shows. In addition, NDR specialises in in-depth news reports, documentary films, political magazines and sports coverage. Finally, NDR produces a number of talk shows and cultural programmes.

The requirement

To support production of up-to-the-minute news reports across the globe, NDR has a network of overseas studios in Beijing, Tokyo, Singapore, Stockholm and London.

ENG teams, correspondents, cutters, technicians and the corresponding editing workstations are stationed at each site. In late , NDR decided to upgrade these studios and bring them up to a consistent technical standard. The catalyst for this decision was a switch to Adobe Premiere Pro – an editing system that was already being used extensively at NDR’s broadcasting centre.

In addition to creating an automated, digital end-to-end workflow, a key objective was to establish a digital archive in each studio. A top priority was to create stable, reliable media backups, while it was also important to ensure that broadcast items could be easily retrieved in a format suitable for further editing.

The system components

NDR checked various products and systems based on the most important features that NDR required. Ultimately, the broadcaster opted for the EditShare Ingest and Storage system and Flow as production media asset management system, Sony ODA hardware based on optical disc with long-term guarantee ( years) for the archive solution, and Adobe Premiere Pro as mentioned above.

Having chosen products and systems from diverse vendors, the next challenge was to integrate these into a workflow that effectively supported the processes in place at the overseas studios. The solution needed to safeguard NDR’s high quality standards while complying with budget requirements. MoovIT is a systems partner of EditShare, Adobe and Sony and provides the necessary qualifications. Furthermore MoovIT’s team of software experts has developed HelmutFX, a modular tool that aims to provide the ‘missing link’ between these components while also performing other tasks.

HelmutFX was developed as a ‘virtual coordinator for search and administrative tasks’. It is modular by design, and was conceived to allow a single piece of software to handle all post-production management tasks. It is scalable, and can be adapted to any production environment. As a result, small and mid-sized production units can work in a way that was previously only possible with a large-scale, complex and expensive workflow.

The solution

The first step of NDR’s end-to-end workflow encompasses automated ingest of all data formats in use, with simultaneous synchronisation for further processing in Premiere Pro and EditShare Flow.

This is made possible thanks to a Premiere panel controlled by HelmutFX which uses presets to manage metadata, target locations on the central storage system and target codecs. HelmutFX users receive presets that correspond to their specific user profiles and the categories that have been assigned to them.

In the background, HelmutFX manages projects, categories, user pro-files and preferences (Premiere user settings) for the entire process.

HelmutFX creates all Premiere and Flow projects, and synchronises these automatically. As part of this process, the API is triggered by Flow; consequently, the user does not need to perform any administrative maintenance tasks on the MAM system.

After cutting, files are automatically formatted, transcoded and exported via the panel described above. If required, files can be exported to NDR’s in-house formats – and at the same time, files are automatically assigned to the corresponding projects in Flow.

To save resources and avoid bottlenecks at the editing workstations, media files are imported and exported using the central Adobe Media Encoder (AME), rather than locally. Users can communicate with AME using watch folders, and can perform administrative tasks via a web-based in-terface.

By way of the metadata field, the MAM client can launch archive, backup and re-store processes. Files are selected in Flow, and the store/restore process is initialised using the web-based NDR-SaR interface developed by MoovIT.

Metadata and proxies continue to be stored within the MAM system during archiving. High-resolution files are transferred to the ODA drive for long-term storage. The original files are tested using checksums before being deleted. If required for use, media can be retrieved and activated at any time using unique IDs.

HelmutFX and ODA are administered using a single server. System availability is guaran-teed at all times, thanks to a redundant server that will automatically take over if an incident or outage occurs.

The benefits

NDR modernizes its overseas studios with fully automated end-to-end workflows with automated ingest and export in all formats, including in-house formats. The workflow includes metadata-based MAM file management and long-term digital archiving. The Adobe Premiere Pro and EditShare flow systems communicate and synchronise with each other automatically.

During ingest, cutters can already start their work, parallel translations can be started, and voiceovers can be edited. Moreover, expanding file sizes are no longer an issue.

HelmutFX automates file allocation and management processes, increasing effi-ciency and minimising the risk of errors.

Since all of NDR’s overseas studios now have a near-identical workflow, employees can move flexibly between sites without re-quiring re-training each time they relocate.

The innovative and intelligent solution frees up time for employees at the studios, allowing them to focus on their core task – the production of reports.

Written by Moovit on . Posted in Casestudies

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Software developers at MoovIT have developed HelmutFX, a tool that simplifies production management and streamlines working processes.

One of the key aspects of HelmutFX is that the tool is integrated into the existing workflow. In other words, HelmutFX adapts itself to the workflow – not the other way around.

HelmutFX is a standard, off-the-shelf product with a modular design. As a result, it is capable of handling administrative and organisational tasks in every production environment.

In post-production, the tool works in a similar way to an enterprise service bus. It is able to communicate with all connected systems (ingest, archive, backup, MAM, PAM, etc.).

The tool supports workflows that already function well, and helps eliminate issues. Consequently, editors can focus fully on creative tasks and processes.

Broadcasting organisations and production houses have recognised that this easy-to-install, user-friendly tool can help them to significantly streamline and optimise complex processes.

Helmut FX in detail:

HelmutFX works in the background and manages search and administrative processes for Premiere project files. The tool supports cutters and editors as they work, thanks to a customisable program interface and personalised settings in the editing panel of their editing software.

HelmutFX sorts, distributes and backs up edited files automatically. Users can focus on their core tasks – whether they are part of a small production environment or a large-scale project with multiple participants across networks.

In contrast to the typical approach, where workflows are adapted to the software, the HelmutFX tool actually adapts to the workflow. The core of the software has been deliberately designed with a small number of functions that are used in every production environment. Expansion modules are available that allow the software to be adapted to customer-specific requirements. This approach creates maximum flexibility and secures the value of the original investment, as it is easy to incorporate changes to the workflow.

How is Helmut FX structured?

HelmutFX is modular by design. It provides a one-program software solution for the management of all post-production processes, in a similar way to an ESB (enterprise service bus).

The basic installation manages Premiere projects, user profiles and preferences. The system was developed for Premiere users, but can be adapted to any other post-production infrastructure. Although its design is inherently simple, the tool is capable of supporting highly complex processes.

Suitable expansions and adaptations are available to fit specific customer requirements and infrastructures (e.g. integration into a MAM system such as VPMS, EditShare Flow or Canto). Access privileges can be assigned using an administration interface.

The HelmutFX tool can be used to manage workflows, as it is able to create projects based on pre-defined templates for specific users or departments. If the user is a cutter, for example, the functions and layouts they see will differ from those available to an editor.

Using the APIs of Premiere, After Effects or other products, it is possible to consolidate and centrally manage all integrated production processes with a single tool.

HelmutFX manages a wide range of tasks in the background – including project assignment, settings, codecs, folder structures and track labelling. It also assigns formats for the sound and graphics departments. For example, if a cutter exports files to Pro Tools, the tool will translate commands accordingly to enable immediate further processing.

As a result, HelmutFX simplifies and accelerates search and administrative processes when editing project files. Program interfaces and settings are adapted to the specific needs of users and their workflows.

What do users need in order to use Helmut FX?

The program has a simple design and is easy to pick up and use, with no need for intensive training.

With this tool, the operator/user no longer needs to think about where projects should be located, where settings are saved, which codec they should use or where they should save files. By the same token, they no longer have to consider how projects should be structured, how tracks should be labelled, or which format the sound or graphics departments will receive.

Users benefit from automated file coordination and organisation. And thanks to a user-friendly interface tailored specifically to their requirements, users are free to concentrate on their core tasks.

Reference project for Helmut FX

WestCom: Automated workflow – with high reliability 

The HelmutFX tool was implemented as part of a project to modernise the technology workflows at WestCom. At WestCom, editors also fulfil the role of VJs, managing and editing reports from ingest through to play-out. HelmutFX allows all users to work seamlessly using Adobe Premiere editing software – from media import to the finished article. The technically complex automated workflow incorporates easy-to-use elements that have cut the number of errors by 50 per cent. This is particularly important for just-in-time broadcast production.

Read the case study to find out more: 

www.spearpointsecuritygroup.com

Written by Moovit on . Posted in Casestudies, Uncategorized

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The background

ORF – Austria’s national public service broadcaster – is headquartered in Vienna, where it also has a regional studio. It also operates regional studios in each of Austria’s states.

Currently, ORF produces the majority of its television programmes at its main studios in Vienna. In the next few years, it plans to establish a media centre in the city for the production of radio, TV and online programming.

ORF offers a wide variety of programming across all media channels, and places a strong emphasis on quality.

The requirement

ORF’s specialist TV production team in Vienna faced the challenge of switching from Final Cut to Adobe Premiere for its post-production tasks. As part of this transition, the team wanted to retain and evolve its workflows, some of which were already in place.

The goal was to seamlessly integrate Adobe Premiere into the existing infrastructure. Existing work processes across the system, including the editing room, archiving and content management systems, were to be altered as little as possible.

The solution

The MoovIT team suggested that the ORF specialists should leverage HelmutFX, the MoovIT tool developed for Premiere workflows. HelmutFX is a modular program that simplifies and automates production management, and significantly streamlines working processes.

During the planning phase, it became apparent that further HelmutFX modules would potentially benefit the ORF workflow, in addition to the automated data import and export modules.

For Premiere projects, HelmutFX manages user profiles and preferences by way of templates. Role-specific settings are managed in the background, while complex processes are personalised and standardised for individual users. As a result, the tool helps to prevent errors, improve structures and simplify routine processes.

The modular design protects the value of the investment. ORF will be able to expand and adapt HelmutFX to meet its evolving workflow requirements, both now and in
the future.

The implementation

A total of 50 workstations were converted during the first stage of implementation. New and legacy hardware is being used in parallel at these workstations; the adaptability of HelmutFX means that this has not created any issues.

New requirements and ideas came up regularly during the system conversion process, and the flexible MoovIT team was able to implement subsequent software adjustments without any problems. The planned timeline for testing and implementation was met successfully.

MoovIT provided ORF with knowledge, expertise and advice during the setup and implementation phases.

The benefits

The automated search, management and coordination functionality of HelmutFX offers numerous practical benefits:

• Simplified data import and export
• Pre-selection of content for import/export
• Structuring of paths and file locations
• Organisation of projects and project files
• Safe, secure work due to prevention of accidental misuse/deletions
• Management of cached and deleted files
• Automated backup
• Automated name administration for data transfer tasks
• Integration into the entire infrastructure, e.g. for audio dubbing from Premiere to Pro Tools or the content management system – via simple, automated processes
• Automated naming of projects and files creates clear structures for files and databases
• Messaging tool notifies users if an error or damage occurs
• Speed and security greatly increased for editing tasks

Written by Clarissa on . Posted in Casestudies

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The background

BSH is Europe`s largest manufacturer of home appliances, and one of the world`s leading players in the sector with 14 brands. In addition to global brands such as Bosch, Siemens, Gaggenau and Neff, the BSH portfolio includes popular local brands and labels. The corporation posted annual sales revenues of billion euros in , and currently employes over 56, people. It operates an international network of sales and customer service organizations, and has a total of approximately 80 companies in some 50 countries.

Appliances manufactured and sold by BSH include stoves, ovens, cooker hoods, dishwashers, washing machines, trumble dryers, fridges, freezers, vacuum cleaners, coffee machines, kettles, irons and hairdryers.

The requirement

The BSH brands are constantly developing new products. Consequently, BSH communications specialists face the constant challenge of presenting these products to markets across the globe, in a way that is customer-friendly and easy to understand. In this regard, product videos are a particularly popular method; the moving images create a vivid illustration of how products such as dishwashers and fridges work.

However, the accompanying text needs to be adapted into various languages, and visual elements such as logos must be localised for each region. This time-consuming process can also be cost-intensive, particularly if subsequent edits need to be made due to changing requirements.

The goal was to find a faster, cost-effective and flexible solution suitable for use around the globe, so that product videos could be updated more efficiently for international use. A web-based solution seemed the most logical approach.

The solution

The BSH product information management team tasked MoovIT with developing a system for the decentralised, web-based editing of language, text and graphics in product videos, so that these could be adapted for international use.

The solution needed to include connections to central communications systems, and take access privileges into account. All relevant BSH product information is managed in a central system, including new and subsequently localised videos.

The solution developed by MoovIT, named Title Tool, communicates with the central BSH system. Consequently, it enables videos to be localised quickly, easily and in line with the specific requirements of each country.

Once a new product master video has been completed, the file and its metadata are uploaded to the product information management system, and to the Title Tool system for further processing. Next, the marketing team at headquarters approves the video for release, and defines which regions should receive access to the file for localisation purposes. This stage of the process requires teams in individual countries to have the necessary access privileges. Video managers in each region are notified that a new video has been prepared, and subsequently inform their translation teams.

The translators access the video using the web-based Title Tool, and add their translations via a secure and easy-to-use interface. To perform this task, they only need access to a typical office infrastructure.

An optional additional step allows users to adapt spoken information using a voice-over function. This is because the system also permits decentralised editing of audio tracks. Once all steps have been completed, a notification is sent to the Title Tool. The video is rendered and automatically transferred to the product information management system. Management of metadata ensures that each video is correctly assigned, and allows the entire process to be traced within the system.

At this stage, the localised video is available for further use where authorised. Local video and marketing managers enjoy total flexibility in using the video, and can share it across key marketing channels – such as YouTube, social media, websites or as a download in stationary applications – in line with their campaign.

This communications process does not just facilitate the distribution of centrally created product videos. It also allows BSH teams from across the globe to share successful video productions with their colleagues, so that they can employ them for their own purposes.

The implementation

The goal of this project was to optimise the global video localisation process at BSH. With this in mind, the system design was developed and revised to incorporate all process steps from video production to playout, and formally defined as a written guideline specification.

All relevant stakeholders – including colleagues, agencies and production houses – have received the necessary information and training.

Other important considerations in the design included data security, a seamless connection with the product information management system, and the provision of web-based, automated editing processes.

MoovIT manages the Title Tool system for BSH, provides the corresponding hardware and offers technical support.

The benefits

This open, scalable system will allow BSH to incorporate as many of their approximately 80 registered languages into the editing process as desired. This flexibility also extends to all of BSH’s brands and products.

The system ensures a consistent, standardised approach to the creation and distribution of product video information.

Master video metadata can be used to define the necessary access privileges and authorisations in each country, even during the video creation process itself.

The solution has greatly increased flexibility regarding the use of videos in participating regions. Decisions on whether to use videos are taken at a local level.

The solution enables BSH teams to share product information videos throughout their organisation, right across the globe.

BSH has significantly reduced its costs compared to the traditional process, as video localisation procedures can now be initiated as and when required, rather than having to plan and produce a ‘stockpile’ of videos in various languages.

As a result, master videos are completed far more quickly, and local managers enjoy flexibility when planning their campaigns.

Video managers can use the Title Tool to access the master video – easily, and in line with their local situation and needs. In just a few hours, they can update the video to fit their purposes.

System implementation is successfully underway in Europe. In the medium term, all BSH sites and brands across the globe will be incorporated into this system – giving the entire BSH organisation access to this efficient localisation solution for product information videos.

Written by Moovit on . Posted in Casestudies

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What is video personalisation?

Growing numbers of businesses are leveraging videos to share information and insights. In fact, videos have been integral to corporate communications for some time. However, many companies struggle to deliver targeted, personalised content – an issue that is just as relevant to video as it is to traditional communications. The way that customers perceive video content determines how successfully it conveys the key message. Manufacturers, service providers and agencies produce videos to communicate with customers on a host of topics. For example, insurance providers prepare summaries of financial reports, while other businesses use videos to congratulate couples on a new birth. Fashion retailers create clips showcasing the latest seasonal trends, automakers produce videos advertising the perfect car for specific individuals, and cosmetics companies deliver helpful hints, tutorials and recommendations. By combining words, images and sound, videos achieve an effect that exceeds the sum of their parts. And that impact can be enhanced by communicating in a way that feels truly personalized, rather than generic.
MoovIT has developed a new tool that allows businesses to address their customers by name in every video – by simply adapting its text, graphics or language as required. As a result, information and messages are delivered in an engaging and highly targeted way. Animated graphics illustrate the personalised product, while customised greetings and tailored reports address customer-specific issues.

The MoovIT solution

Customer data is imported from the relevant database and assigned to a master video, which is produced only once. Text, graphics and animations are automatically personalised and integrated into the video. The solution’s basic hardware comprises a scalable server and storage system. MoovIT’s software specialists have developed a web-based program that links the video files with customer data. This program can be used anywhere, in line with defined access privileges. Clear administrative and authorisation structures ensure total data security, increase efficiency and simplify collaboration. Moreover, a user-friendly panel makes it easy to assign individual components to the master video, while automated personalisation of all videos takes place in the background, with no manual input required.

The program expedites the entire process of video personalisation. The solution can be used for any number of customers, and content can be delivered over any period of time. Customers receive highly targeted content that directly addresses their needs. The program can be integrated into all common types of customer database, and deployed across the globe in a variety of languages – and the same is true of MoovIT’s in-house-developed localisation function. MoovIT lays the foundations for seamless integration, and ensures that data is available in the correct formats for distribution (via web, mobile devices, etc.).

If you are interested in solutions to the complex challenge of video personalisation, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Written by Moovit on . Posted in Casestudies

There are two big questions you need to answer when the time comes to archive your project:

• What should I archive?
• Where should I archive it?

As we&#;ve discussed before, the &#;where&#; is pretty confused right now. Options include LTO tape, hard disks, DVDs and The Cloud.

But, if you are using Premiere, the &#;what&#; is getting easier to answer, thanks to the Project Manager. Let&#;s take a look at this powerful feature.

THE BASICS

Choose File > Project Manager to display the window. Project Manager has two key functions:

• To collect all the different files in your project and copy them to a new location. This is the best option when you want to archive a project. Collecting files copies the current project and all of its associated media files to a single storage location. There is no conversion of files when the files are copied.
• To consolidate all the different files in your project and transcode them into an intermediate codec for editing. This is the best option when you are prepping files for editing.

In this article, we will look at the first option.

NOTE: Collecting files into a single location is also a good idea if you plan to share these files between editors.

ARCHIVING

At the top of the window is a list of all the sequences in your project. Check those that you want to consolidate and archive. While conserving storage space is important, remember this it the long-term archive of your project. Don&#;t exclude media that you might find useful if your project becomes a wild success and you need to create a Tenth Anniversary version.

NOTE: Nested sequences are not automatically selected. If the sequences you are selecting contain nested sequences, ensure that you include these nested sequences in your selection.

Next, check Collect Files and Copy to New Location.

This option, as you might guess, finds all the files in your project and copies them into a new location. There are several notes here:

• Existing files are not moved or altered
• This will require more storage space to hold
• Ideally, create a new folder specifically for this project. This makes archiving or sharing easier.

NOTE: Project Manager does not collect and copy After Effects compositions that are dynamically linked to an Adobe Premiere Pro project. Project Manager does save the Dynamic Link clip in the trimmed project as an offline clip, however.

In the Options section:

• Exclude Unused Clips. Specifies that Project Manager will not include, or copy, media you did not use in the original project.
• Include Audio Conform Files. Ensures that the audio you conformed in the original project remains conformed in the new project. When not selected, the new project occupies less disk space, but Premiere Pro conforms the audio again when you open the project. This option is available only if you select Collect Files And Copy To New Location.
• Include Preview Files. Specifies that effects you rendered in the original project remain rendered in the new project. When not selected, the new project occupies less disk space, but the effects are not rendered. My recommendation is to NOT check this. If, in the future, you need the Preview files, Premiere will recreate them. This saves space initially and, when you need them again, uses the latest technology to recreate them.
• Rename Media Files to Match Clip Names. Renames the copied footage files with the same names as your captured clips. Select this option if you rename your captured clips from within the Project window and want the copied footage files to have the same name. (Captured files that you import, especially those captured using scene detection, may not have intuitive names, so you may want to rename them from within the Project window.) This option ensures that the filename of the actual captured footage is updated to reflect the new name in the Project window, greatly simplifying the organization of your footage files. Selecting this option for an MXF file will not change the User Clip Name in the file’s XML; however, it will change the filename of the clip copied for the trimmed project to match the clip name shown in the project panel.

Next, set a Destination Path to a folder specific to that project. Yes, you can store projects anywhere, but, especially when archiving, putting everything related to one project in one folder is a great way to keep things organized.

Click Calculate, at the bottom, to make sure you have enough room to store the project. Then, click OK.

SUMMARY

Some projects never need to be archived. Others, though, have a life far beyond their original release. By taking the time to collect all the different project files and put them into one place you can assure yourself they will be around when you need them again in the future.