Content Analysis Modules

Conditional Workflows

Standard Engine workflows are defined to work with media files containing a specific number of audio tracks. The Conditional Workflows option lets Engine analyse the source file, and then choose a workflow based upon that analysis. There are a number of parameters/channel conditions that Engine can detect, and then decide which workflow to use. This function can be used with a Watch Folder – in turn providing autonomous workflow selection/processing.

Below is a diagram outlining the channel conditions that Engine can detect:

CWF

The user predefines the conditions that Engine will detect i.e. if there is Dolby E in the file, if the file is UHD, HD, SD and so on.

Here is the full list of channel conditions that Engine can identify:

Conditional Identifies

Once you have specified what you would like Engine to base workflow selection on – then the relevant workflow will be selected.

Examine

The Examine module within Engine provides easy metadata extraction and reporting. Files with any number of audio channels may be processed. Metadata is reported in PDF and XML format.

If the source files contain Dolby E, and if the ‘Display Dolby E AC3 Metadata’ option is enabled, then the XML file will also contain the entire AC3 metadata.

No analysis of the audio essence takes place with this module, and reporting is very quick, but is restricted to metadata information only. Channel Layout Detection Silent Channel Detection

Channel Layout Detection
Silent Channel Detection

EXAMINE 4

Silent Channel Detection & Channel Layout Detection

There are two related detection modules available for Engine.

Silent channel detection will report which channels in a media file are silent
Track layout detection works out the layout of tracks in media files

Silent channel detection works as expected. All channels in a file are scanned, taking account of areas at the start containing lineup tone, if this feature is enabled. The presence of silent channels is reported in the XML and/or PDF reports that are created after analysis.

The Channel Layout Detection module analyses the audio in all channels of media files, and attempts to discern the layout of the tracks.

Channel Layout Detection can detect the following conditions -

Silent Channels
Mono Channels
Stereo Tracks
5.1 Tracks

Note that 5.1 track analysis is currently based upon the assumption that the channels are arranged in SMPTE order (L, R, C, LFE, Ls, Rs)

The also commonly used “5.0” format, which is really 5.1 as above but with a silent LFE channel can also be detected. This would still be reported as 5.1

When checking for stereo, Engine also analyses for the presence of dialogue. If there is little or no dialogue in the track, this indicates a possible M&E track.

Track detection can be used with files having up to 64 channels.

The accuracy of detection of stereo and 5.1 tracks is dependent on a number of factors, and some tuneable calibration factors are used to help optimise the settings to match the type of content that will be used.

The results of track layout detection are presented in a report for each file. This gives information on the detected layout of PCM channels, and the position of any Dolby E or Dolby Digital encoded tracks.

Examine Image2