Media Server Basics

Media Server Basic Operation The Media Server is a system in Master Control that processes the “file based” recording and playback of projects in the TV Studio. The software that we use is Media Express. Media Server and Media Express are considered the same. This system can operate in multiple configurations. The default setup which for most 240 and some 340 projects require: (1) PGM Feed with PGM audio and PL audio and (2) PGM feed with PGM audio and (3) PLAYBACK (roll-in). Another configuration used often by 340 and always by 440 is 4 Camera ISO where all 4 cameras are recorded in separate streams. Media Express has 4 channels or 4 inputs. Channel 3 alternates as playback channel but not at the same time as a record channel. Our house router feeds each of these channels and you can change what is sent to each channel. Deafault setup: MediaX 1 on the router should be set for PGM 1 FOR VIDEO AND PGM 2 FOR PGM AUDIO AND PL combined MediaX 2 should be PGM 1 CLEAN FEED WITH PGM AUDIO ONLY See routing diagram (images) on pages 7 and 8, below. Channel 3 will always be locked for Cam 3 (Cam C) and Channel 4 will always be locked for Camera 4 (Camera X). Channels 3 and 4 can remained fixed because they are only be used for ISO recording. Launching Media Express For the default configuration decribed above with PGM feed launch in this sequence. First click Media Express 1 in the lower dock. Wait a second then Launch Media Express 2. Wait another second and then finally launch Media Express Playback. It is very important that the program is launched in this sequence. Otherwise if you don’t get the correct results then restart the program. Three windows that look like the image below will open up. You can toggle back and forth between the windows by selecting the corresponding Media Express icon in the dock. Mouse over the icon and it will indicate the proper name. Assuming the router settings are on default (see below Page 7), Media Express 1 will be a Program feed with Program audio and PL. Media Express 2 will be a Program feed with only Program audio (Clean Feed) Click the capture tab on the record windows and click the Playback tab on the playback window. The image on the screen is what is on program at the time. This is what is passing through the switcher. Note that you will not see anything if the switcher is in BLACK. Also note the Audio meter with two channels. To start recording simply click the CAPTURE button in the bottom of the screen to the left of the audio meter. (it turns RED while capturing) When you are finished capturing, CLICK ESC (Escape) Very important! You can only end your recording by pushing the escape button. Recording is just that simple. You will notice after your recording that the default filename (Untitled 1) will be present in the playlist region area under “name” along with “duration.” NOTE: If you have begun capturing and do not notice a video image in the screen or audio or the time code numbers advancing, please alert the director to “cut” immediately. You may not be recording. Check all your settings and try again. NAMING FILES It is very important to pre-name your files before you capture rather than use the Untitled 1 file name. When you are finished recording they will save with the proper file name. All files should follow the following Naming structure CLASS # INSTRUCTOR DATE PROJECT TITLE TAKE # PL (if PL Feed) The following is a proper file name and can easily be archived, searched and located at a later time. 340 QUINN 021612 STAR WARS T1 PL The class is 340, the instructor is Quinn and the date is 021612 for (Feb 16, 2012) and the project name is Star Wars Take 1 and there is PL present. In order to prename each file type this in to the section marked NAME (Where Untitled 1 is showing). To speed things up once you do that just copy and paste into the other windows. Remember to update (change) the take numbers after every new take. For CTVA 440 you may substitute the PL for CAM A. CAM B, CAM C, CAM X Click CAPTURE to start recording and when you are finished click ESC. A window will pop up asking whether you want to delete the file. Click Don’t Delete. Notice that the file with the proper file name has appeared in the Playlist. You may go back at anytime and play the file from the Playlist. When you have completed production for your class and ready to shut down, go to the Media Express menu at the time and scroll down to Quit Media Express. The following window will open. Don’t worry you don’t have to save the project. Your video files are already SAVED when you clocked escape earlier. This menu only saves the playlist which you may not need unless you will continue recording the same project on another day. Click Don’t Save and exit the program. Before you get started for the production day You must check your settings in the Media Express Preferences Menu The following are the proper settings for our studio projects. Please make sure these settings match. Now you must designate a location to capture audio and video to. Under Capture audio and video to, click BROWSE and look for Media Express à Production Classes à and choose the folder indicating which week you are in. Once its set then your recordings will be saved to the proper folder. Our CTVA engineering staff will periodically check to make sure video files have been saved in the correct location and will back them up several times during the semester. If by chance the Media Express drive fills up, please change to the Media Express 2 drive which is our secondary drive. Routing Before starting always make sure you are properly routed. The following are the default routing settings for PGM input to Media Server. Media Express 1 Media Express 2 These settings are for 4 Camera ISO Media Express 1 Media Express 2 Media Express 3 Media Express 4 File Format Media Express records in a Quicktime file format with ProRes as the codec. It can be easily imported into most any editor. A 5 minute project may take up to as much as 4GB. Playback of Roll-is Roll-ins must be standard definition NTSC video. As our system has not been converted to HD yet, you must import a standard definition video. Please see the other document Creating Roll-ins for Media Server. Downloading Files from Media Express Please see the other document “Retrieving Media Captured on Media Express” Tape Backup A DVC Pro tape player (VTR1) will always remain in place for roll-ins. And a DVC Pro Recorder (VTR3) will remain in place to record. Please make sure VTR 3 has PGM routed to it. This is also available in case a roll-in was delivered on tape rather than from a file.