There are several elements to consider before selecting the equipment and technology to support an end-to-end tapeless workflow for the production of a multicame vision series. Here are some of the performance points and interfaces to look for.
Desirable features
First, look at the recording process. This includes the number and type of cameras, which native codecs the production will use and the different sources from which the material will come.
The next factor is the management of live production and rough cut editing. This encompasses the number of simultaneous ingest channels, including both audio and video, and how to perfectly synchronize the sources. Also under consideration must be the production formats, including codecs of the sources and of the playout. To aid the operators, the control software must be user-oriented and able to give instant access to any media from anywhere, which demands high data rate network interfaces.
To make the clip referencing process fast and easy, the production will need to use content management, which must include a searchable metadata. Producers also need central metadata databases for fast sharing across the network. In order to have instant access to archived material, the system will need gateways to scalable media storage.
To run seamlessly, the primary components should integrate with third-party tools and post production. This includes interoperable codecs, metadata exchange, control protocols and, for support, partnerships between vendors.
Producers want and expect equipment that is oriented toward new media distribution and has a high level of flexibility. They want scalability and the ability to upgrade at each step and level of the production.
Producers are used to shooting to tape, but look to improved turnarounds and shortened production cycles with tapeless production. They also expect the media file handling to be as reliable (or better) than tape.
In any fast turnaround television production, it is vital to get good support from equipment providers, which includes availability of training from the manufacturers and systems integrators.
One aspect that must not be overlooked when making a radical change in production methods is managing existing staff's resistance to change. Managers must make sure that those involved with the production can adapt to the new workflow.
The manning level may change. For a tapeless production, depending on allocated budget and how many staff are available, there is generally a VTR/server operator, a production switcher operator, a production assistant or CG operator, and script or note-taking personnel on the studio floor. A typical end-to-end workflow can be split into several generic, logical steps. (See Figure 1 on page 16.)
Technical requirements
While working on multicamera TV programs, producers usually want to:
- gain speed and efficiency during the production process;
- work on a platform that is SD/HD compatible;
- record camera feeds natively in multiple codecs;
- adapt to existing production infrastructure in terms of storage, linear and nonlinear editing tools;
- benefit from a system where production is perfectly integrated with post production;
- know for certain that the set-up is completely reliable;
- attain proficient content management; and
- know that service is guaranteed during and after the implementation phase.
Producers also require synchronized multifeed and nonstop recording, instant review of takes from multiple angles, on-the-fly rough cut operations, playback in synchronized mode for monitoring and approval, and intuitive browsing based on logging and descriptive metadata. To edit, material can be directly streamed to popular post-production tools, with faster-than-real-time transfer of clips to these same post-production tools.
Other requirements include:
- Integrated and instant production solutions
A workflow based on a multichannel production server allows for continuous multicamera takes recording with no need for record/stop action before reviewing ingested material on server disks. Takes can be reviewed easily and instantly with their related camera angles for quick selection and rough cut editing before the material is sent to post production. In large studio production environments, producers can benefit from the interaction between different production servers available on the same network to interchange recorded material or review takes from another set. The production workflow must be built and conceived to provide the producer the maximum access to content for review or rough editing actions.
The way to improve production workflow efficiency follows media exchange improvements and becomes a key element in such an integrated environment. All of the production elements must be fully integrated with post-production tools, such as Apple's Final Cut Pro and Avid's Media Composer. - Continuous multicam recording
Instead of traditional tape-based recording, producers directly ingest takes to the production server. This server continuously records audio and video feeds from multiple cameras, ensuring that scenes are never missed. More importantly, it allows operators to access material instantly, as it is ingested. Moreover, all relevant camera angles can be played back in synchronized mode at any time, which increases both accuracy and speed. - Content production management
Operators must be able to control the multicamera recording from a single software point. Directors can choose to create clips with associated metadata as well as run rough cuts. Or, they can simply transfer content directly to post-production workstations (live streaming). No matter what the director wishes to do, the system provides direct access to desired content during present and post production. - Archiving and storage
In terms of archiving and storage, producers must be able to store and back up their media on a central storage server to be made available further to all post production. This all depends on the level of production flexibility that the producers want to attain.
Benefits of tapeless
Tapeless production meets all these needs and more. Uninterrupted recording ensures that scenes are never missed, while practice has shown that production time is generally reduced by 30 percent to 40 percent. Because an operator can access material instantly as it is being ingested, it allows for instant monitoring and approval of takes by producers. Tapeless production is also designed to be compatible with existing production methods, which minimizes disruption and means there is no need to waste time and money training producers. A tapeless platform that allows for full HD/SD compatibility enables productions to make an easy transition to HD when the time is right. Moreover, tapeless recording is inherently nonlinear and has proved more reliable than tape.
Tapeless production process
As the control room is preparing to start the recording, the server operator needs a simple studio ingest interface to initialize the record, stop, save and delete functions, and the possibility to cue a clip for playback.
Before the recording session, the operator makes sure that the server system is ready for recording by confirming that the correct recording codec is selected. He or she checks that the correct cameras are connected and named. If available, the operator preloads the episode and scene names for automated clip naming. If a transfer destination is used, the operator should verify that it is connected and ready to accept files.
The operator is then ready for the recording session to start. Ideally, the operator should be able to use a single screen interface where all the start, stop, save, transfer, delete and playback functions are easily available.
Some of the functions can even be automated, such as file save, transfers and playback, all to save time and make the workflow easier and more effective. The automated transfer function allows media to be transferred while the server is still recording. The media can be moved over the Ethernet network to a central storage solution for editing, archiving or other usage.
While recording is in process, a production assistant can use a logging application to take notes and create logs of the action onstage or in a scene. This could be done on the studio floor and/or in the control room via a wired or wireless normal laptop or tablet PC. The notes are saved and ready for transfer to the editor along with the media. Or they can be exported as a separate item.
After the recording session is finished, the user can easily and quickly clean up the system and leave it ready for the next production.
Conclusion
Although tapeless production differs from shooting to tape, it brings a freedom to productions that videotape has imposed upon past television production. Not only can genres that need a very fast-paced production, like reality television, benefit from the migration to server-based production, but any multicamera studio production should see an accelerated workflow through adopting this new technology.
Nicolas Bourdon is the marketing and communications director at EVS.
