Online Delivery
When delivering files to platforms for online broadcast, there are normally requirements around channel layout and positioning, stream types, and channel metadata labelling. This page shows how Engine can help. Remember that every module can be incorporated in to a workflow, so whilst doing any of the functions shown here, you could also for example, be processing for Loudness Compliance, and so on.
Channel Layout
Engine’s Channel Mapping module can be used to flexibly reorder channels so that the right tracks are in the right places. In the example below, we are starting with an eight channel file, and the layout is stereo followed by 5.1. If our delivery specification needed 5.1 followed by stereo, then we could use the workflow below to reposition the two tracks.
Stream Types
Engine can convert any input stream format to any output stream format. This function has the following common uses.
- Flatten a mixed structure, such as a file containing one stereo stream and six mono streams for the surround, and normally you would convert this to a single stream containing all eight channels if the video is SD, or convert to eight mono streams if the video is HD. Note that the relationship between stream type and video resolution is purely one of convention.
- Convert an input format to all stereo streams where this is the preferred input format to certain editing software. The example shows an eight channel file that is converted in to four stereo streams. Note that a stereo stream structure does not imply that it contains stereo audio – using three stereo streams to hold a six channel surround track is fairly common.
- Convert so that every track occupies one stream, as being recommended for newer AS11 file variants. The screenshot below is for an eight channel file with stereo on channels 1 & 2, and a surround track on the remaining six channels.
When Engine is processing a file, you can configure Engine to maintain the original stream structure in to the new file, rather than specifically choosing a new format. However if you do select an output stream structure, then you can also add metadata to describe the audio.
Metadata Insertion
Engine has the ability to insert various types of metadata, with the choices determined by the support available in your chosen filetype. With OP1A MXF files, Engine can insert Language tags to the DMS-1 specification, or Language and Channel Position tags to the AS11 specification. The example shows a workflow where the first two channels are a stereo pair, in English, and the next two channels are a stereo pair in German.
Summary
Engine has a great deal of flexibility to offer for online delivery work. All of the functions shown here can be used in a single workflow, and in conjunction with other processing modules. Every Engine workflow can be fully automated, controlled over the API from your MAM, or more simply from watch folders. Engine’s graphical workflow creator tool means that you can be up and running in almost no time at all, and Engine’s proven reliability makes it a great choice for your 24/7 environment.
