VENICE Client Software User Guide (Version 1.
VENICE Client Software User Guide Introduction 1 Basics 2 Playing Out Clips 3 Recording Clips 4 Transcoding Clips 5 Miscellaneous 6 Appendix A Index I
User Guide Version 1.5 for the VENICE Client Software Version 1.5 Copyright © 2010 by DVS Digital Video Systems AG, Hanover. All rights reserved. The manuals as well as the soft- and/or hardware described here and all their constituent parts are protected by copyright. Without the express permission of DVS Digital Video Systems AG any form of use which goes beyond the narrow bounds prescribed by copyright legislation is prohibited and liable to prosecution.
Headquarters: DVS Digital Video Systems AG Krepenstr. 8 30165 Hannover GERMANY Phone: +49-511-67807-0 Fax: +49-511-630070 E-mail: info@dvs.de Internet: http://www.dvs.de Support: Phone: +49-511-67807-125 Fax: +49-511-371985 E-mail: support@dvs.de For the Americas: U.S. Headquarters: DVS Digital Video, Inc. 300 East Magnolia Boulevard, Suite 102 Burbank, CA 91502 USA Phone: +1-818-846-3600 Fax: +1-818-846-3648 E-mail: info@dvsus.com Internet: http://www.dvsus.
Contents 1 Introduction ............................................................................... 1-1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 2 C Overview ............................................................................. 1-2 Target Group ........................................................................ 1-3 Conventions Used in this User Guide .................................... 1-3 Important Notes ................................................................... 1-5 Basics .........................
VENICE Client Software User Guide 2.8 About Timecode / Frame Number Fields............................. 2-16 2.9 About Audio....................................................................... 2-18 2.10 About Source Timecode...................................................... 2-19 3 Playing Out Clips ..................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Configuring a Play-out ......................................................... 3-2 3.1.1 Selecting Content for Play-out ..
Contents 4.6 Recording with the VENICE Server ..................................... 4-13 4.6.1 How to Control the External Device ............................ 4-13 4.6.2 How to Crash Record with the VENICE Server .............. 4-14 4.6.3 How to Autoedit Record with the VENICE Server .......... 4-15 4.6.4 How to Perform a Slave Mode Record ......................... 4-17 5 Transcoding Clips ..................................................................... 5-1 5.1 Controls Available for a Transcoding .
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Introduction 1 This document describes how to use the software delivered with VENICE, the multi-channel video server manufactured by DVS. VENICE is a highly flexible server system for the capturing and play-out of audio and video content. Especially designed for broadcast workflows, it provides multiple independent channels and supports natively the most common compressed formats. With VENICE you can easily capture live content, e.g.
VENICE Client Software User Guide 1.1 Overview This user guide informs you about the general handling of the VENICE software as well as about its complete controllable interface. The chapters in this user guide contain the following information: 1-2 Chapter 1 Begins with a short introduction to VENICE and its software, followed by a note regarding the audience this manual is written for and an explanation of the conventions used in this manual.
Introduction 1.2 Target Group To use this user guide and the DVS software correctly you should have experience in handling PCs and working with the respective operating system where the software is installed. If you want to use the software and the DVS system to its full potential, you should also have knowledge in the field of digital video in general. When working with the hardware of VENICE you should be familiar with the hardware handling of a video/server system.
VENICE Client Software User Guide [Key] An individual key or a key combination on a keyboard Keyboard Shortcuts To perform options or procedures with the keyboard often requires a simultaneous pressing of two keys. Example: [Ctrl + F1] If this is given, hold down the [Ctrl] key and press simultaneously the [F1] key. Screenshots The screenshots shown in this documentation were taken for the most part from the Windows-based version of the VENICE client software.
Introduction 1.4 Important Notes To use the VENICE software correctly please heed the following: On the DVS system only use the designated video drive (main storage) to store video and audio data. Other storage locations will be too slow for real-time operations. Leave about 15 % of the overall main storage capacity empty of data for real-time performance reasons. The real-time capability of the DVS system depends to a large extent on the performance of the system’s hardware.
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Basics 2 This chapter provides you with basic information about the VENICE client software. In addition to the information how to start the program, this chapter describes the basic operation steps to get started with the VENICE client software in the sequence as they should be carried out. This will be followed by an explanation of how to free the video channel again for other users and how to shut down the program.
VENICE Client Software User Guide 2.1 Starting the Program This section provides you with a description how to get the VENICE client software started. You can run several instances of the software in parallel on the same system, for example, to connect to different video channels of a VENICE server. 2.1.1 Starting the Software under Linux To get the software started under the Linux operating system perform the following: y Select from the system menu of Linux the entry Audio & Video » VENICE.
Basics 2.2 General Usage of the Software The following figure indicates how to use the VENICE client software in general: 1 1 2 2 3 4 4 5 6 3 A I Figure 2-1: The general usage of the software 1. 2. 3. 4. Connect to the VENICE server and select a project file. Select the operation mode. Configure the operation mode. Perform the operation.
VENICE Client Software User Guide All steps are explained in more detail in the following. Via project files or presets the software can be preconfigured for certain tasks. Then it may not be necessary to perform all the steps described below (see section “Preconfiguring the VENICE Client Software” on page 2-13). 2.2.1 Connecting to the VENICE Server The channel connection settings at the top of the user interface are used to establish a connection to the VENICE server.
Basics 2.2.2 Selecting a Project After the successful connection to a video channel a window with the recently used projects will be displayed. The last ten project files will be listed: 1 Figure 2-3: Selecting a project y With a click of the mouse on a project file it can be loaded into the VENICE client software. You can also start a new project (button NEW PROJECT) or load one that is not shown in the list (button LOAD PROJECT…).
VENICE Client Software User Guide In the TRANSCODE MODE you can convert video and audio material to different file formats. If possible, the file conversion will be performed in hardware at a faster render speed. Further information about it can be found in chapter “Transcoding Clips” on page 5-1. When PLAYOUT MODE or INGEST MODE has been selected, the VENICE server assumes the role either of the player or of the recorder.
Basics ingest mode configurations (collapsed): transcode mode configurations (collapsed): Figure 2-6: Operation mode configurations When the configurations are collapsed they show you, as space permits, their settings in a single line in text form (e.g. for the output settings of the playout mode: SDI; 1920 × 1080p 24 SMPTE274; 16:9; YUV 4:2:2; 10 Bit ...). With a click on the buttons showing a triangle to the left the respective settings items can be expanded or collapsed.
VENICE Client Software User Guide Operation Mode” on page 2-6). The device that should be controlled can be selected with the tabs above the controls: playout mode: tabs ingest mode: transcode mode: Figure 2-8: The player/recorder controls y Set up the operation by, for example, determining in- and outpoints for the operation. y Then start the desired operation.
Basics 2.3 Slave Mode The VENICE server usually operates as a master. Nevertheless, in the playout and ingest mode (see section “Selecting the Operation Mode” on page 2-5) it can be used as a slave via RS-422 as well. Then the VENICE server can be controlled by an external device. With the combo box to the left of the button SLAVE the RS-422 protocol that should be used to control the VENICE server in slave mode can be selected. You can select between the Sony 9-pin protocol or VDCP.
VENICE Client Software User Guide It provides the same items as available for a control of the player. For a description of them see section “Player Controls (VENICE)” on page 3-14. Additionally the following items are available: REMOTE PROTOCOL Select from the REMOTE PROTOCOL combo box the RS-422 protocol that should be used to control the VENICE server. You can select between the Sony 9-pin protocol or VDCP. For VDCP an output path has to be defined.
Basics This field shows you the position of the record. When a record is in progress the numbers will be displayed in red. With this button you can start a record operation. Then the button changes its appearance to its active state and the capturing begins immediately. To terminate a record, you have to click this button again. This button deactivates the slave mode and closes the slave mode control window. 2.
VENICE Client Software User Guide 2.5 Disconnecting and Freeing a Video Channel When your work with the VENICE client software is finished, the allocated video channel should be freed again so that other users will be able to use it for their tasks. If a video channel is not freed again, it will remain occupied by this instance of the VENICE client software, and no one else can connect to it (error message ’Device already in use’). To free a video channel for others perform one of the following: 1.
Basics 2.6 Preconfiguring the VENICE Client Software The VENICE client software can be preconfigured for often recurring tasks so that operators are not required to do this time and again during their work. It is up to the management/administrator to decide how detailed this preconfiguration should be. They have to prepare the files and the operator has to act accordingly. The VENICE client software offers various files that can be used for a preconfiguration and they are described in this section.
VENICE Client Software User Guide Delete preset Deletes the preset that is currently selected with the combo box to the left from its dropdown list. However, the corresponding preset file is not deleted. Delete all presets Deletes all presets from the drop-down list of the combo box to the left. The corresponding preset files are not deleted. 2.6.2 Projects VENICE project files can be used to make a complete snapshot of the current state of a VENICE client software.
Basics 2.6.4 Metaclips VENICE metaclips are used as a container for video and audio clips. They are normal text files that detail among others the location of the included clips. During a record with VENICE, metaclips are created automatically and stored on the main storage same as the actual data (see section “The Captured Files” on page 4-7). They can also be created via the list editors of the VENICE client software (see section “Playlist / Transcoding List Editor” on page 6-2).
VENICE Client Software User Guide 2.8 About Timecode / Frame Number Fields The DVS software provides various fields where data in timecode format is provided or an entry in such a format is necessary. The timecode format is hh:mm:ss:ff (hours, minutes, seconds, and frame number). If --:--:--:-- or --- is displayed in an entry field, a value has not been specified so far. To delete a once made entry you can use the delete controls as described in section “The Controls Explained” on page 3-15.
Basics 60 Hz @ 30 Hz TC 60 Hz ...00:29 ...00:58 ...00:29* ...00:59 ...01:00 ...01:00 ...01:00* ...01:01 At even higher frame rates (e.g. 90 Hz) the timecode numbers will be tripled, quadrupled etc., making a timecode handling of all common frequencies possible. Entering Timecode When entering timecode in one of the software’s position or length indicators, it is not necessary to type in the timecode separators (colons). Simply place the cursor at the appropriate position (e.g.
VENICE Client Software User Guide 2.9 About Audio The DVS software provides a full support of audio during record or play-out operations. Up to 16 different channels of audio can be in- or output by the system. The audio data can be accessed and processed in the software as easily as the video material. When performing a record operation, the audio data can be input either embedded in the video signal (audio in video, AIV) or via the separate digital audio connectors.
Basics 2.10 About Source Timecode Some file formats for clips, e.g. *.dpx files, are capable of storing more information than just their image content. These information are usually written in a specified format into the file headers which can be read and interpreted by different software applications that support these kind of information.
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Playing Out Clips 3 When a connection to a video channel of the VENICE server is established (see section “Connecting to the VENICE Server” on page 2-4), you can use this channel to play out video and/or audio. For this the VENICE client software must be in the PLAYOUT MODE (see section “Selecting the Operation Mode” on page 2-5).
VENICE Client Software User Guide 3.1 Configuring a Play-out Prior to playing out clips with the VENICE server you have to set up the play-out and configure output related settings (see also section “Configuring the Operation Mode” on page 2-6). As a minimum you have to select content for a play-out. This section describes the necessary settings that have to be made before playing out clips with the VENICE server. Via project files or presets the software can be preconfigured for certain tasks.
Playing Out Clips video/audio. This will open another dialog window where you can type in the respective path and clip name: Figure 3-3: Entering a clip’s path and name In this window enter the path and file name of the clip on the VENICE server and confirm your entry with the OK button. The entered path must lead to the storage of the VENICE server to which you are currently connected. When entering the file name for a clip in a container format (e.g. *.mxf), you can enter the file name as it is.
VENICE Client Software User Guide Figure 3-4: The dialog window to select content This window shows you in the pane to the left in a directory tree the volumes/directories that are configured as watch folders in the Spycer application on the VENICE server. By clicking on the plus/minus signs in front of an entry the volume/directory can be expanded or collapsed. Once a volume/directory has been selected, its contents will be displayed in the pane to the right.
Playing Out Clips pane of Spycer, they can be dragged and dropped anywhere on the user interface of the VENICE client software: 1 2 3 4 5 6 A Figure 3-5: Drag and drop from Spycer Afterwards the path and file name of the clip will be displayed in the respective entry field of the Source settings. You may have to perform this for video and audio separately.
VENICE Client Software User Guide 3.1.2 Selecting Essences for Play-out With the Output select settings of the playout mode you have to select the essences (type of material) that you want to play out. You can choose whether you want to play out audio, video/alpha or timecode, as well as all their combinations.
Playing Out Clips via the insert mode of the playout mode (see section “The Controls Explained” on page 3-15). Then you can explicitly select that the LTC timecode should be given out with this button. 3.1.3 Configuring the Output Settings To play out video and audio, for example, for a record with a device connected to the VENICE server, you have to configure the output format appropriately.
VENICE Client Software User Guide format (e.g. its aspect ratio, see section “The Video Overlay” on page 3-9). Furthermore, with the Output settings you can determine the timecode settings for the play-out. The selected output raster is applied to the video overlay and it may have an effect on the images displayed there (e.g. they may get cropped). You can use the video overlay to see the effects immediately. Rasters for film not included in the SDI standard (i.e.
Playing Out Clips 3.2 The Video Overlay In the upper part of the user interface you can find the video overlay. 1 Figure 3-8: Video overlay Depending on the selected device in the playout mode (see section “Controlling the Devices (Player / Recorder)” on page 3-14), you can use the video overlay either to view the input signal or to play out clips already available on the server: – When the player controls are activated (VENICE), you can view the played out material.
VENICE Client Software User Guide ample, the images may get cropped, and you can use the video overlay to see the effects immediately. The context menu of the video overlay provides the following possibilities: Figure 3-9: Context menu of the video overlay 3-10 Resize to default Resizes the user interface to its default size (see also section “The ’Options’ Menu” on page 6-11). Reset dropped frames display Resets the dropped frames counter (see also section “The ’Options’ Menu” on page 6-11).
Playing Out Clips 3.3 The Scrub Bar / Shuttle Bar Beneath the video overlay you can find a bar. Depending on the device selected for the current operation mode (player/recorder), it can provide either a scrub bar or a shuttle bar. 3.3.1 The Scrub Bar The scrub bar will be available when the player controls (VENICE) are activated (see section “Controlling the Devices (Player / Recorder)” on page 3-14) and content is selected for a play-out (see section “Selecting Content for Play-out” on page 3-2).
VENICE Client Software User Guide the slider allows for a continuous setting of the speed in either direction from less than one (slow motion/jog) to a speed of ten times one (fast motion/shuttle). By turning the scroll wheel of the mouse with the mouse cursor placed over the shuttle bar, the speed can be set without shuttling back to zero. When pressing the [Ctrl] or [Alt] key simultaneously, the slider steps made with the scroll wheel can be adjusted.
Playing Out Clips 3.4 Information Area The information area can be found to the right of the tabs to select the player or recorder controls. It provides status information about dropped frames and about the external device connected via RS-422: Figure 3-12: Information area If dropped frames or audio samples are detected during an operation on the server, i.e.
VENICE Client Software User Guide 3.5 Controlling the Devices (Player / Recorder) In the playout mode the VENICE server assumes the role of the player while the external device is used as a recorder (see also section “Selecting the Operation Mode” on page 2-5). Via the tabs at the top of the player/recorder controls you can switch between the controls of the VENICE server and the controls of the recorder (see section “Performing the Operation” on page 2-7).
Playing Out Clips A record can be performed in two different modes which can be set via a combo box at the top left of the recorder controls: – The crash record mode allows you to start a record operation on the externally connected device at any time. Figure 3-14: The recorder controls in the crash record mode – The autoedit mode enables you to frame accurately record on the externally connected device the content that is played out with the VENICE server.
VENICE Client Software User Guide The buttons IN and OUT enable you to set an in-/ outpoint directly from the position currently indicated in the position field. Move via the position field or the other controls to the position that you want to set. Then press the respective button and the entry field to its right will take on the selected position. The entry field for the duration will be set accordingly as well.
Playing Out Clips After entering a new position in the position field you can confirm your entry and start a goto procedure by pressing this button. If available, you can play-out the timeline backwards with this button, i.e. it will start a reverse play-out. Once activated, the button changes its appearance to its active state. To stop the reverse play-out you may click it again. This button switches on the back-to-back mode for playlists.
VENICE Client Software User Guide These buttons initiate a fast backward or forward operation of the external player. After activation the buttons will change their appearance to the active state and you may press the respective button again to stop the operation. Determines the speed of the played out material. Either enter a speed in percent in the entry field to the right or use the slider to set it. With the Insert/Assemble combo box you determine whether data (e.g.
Playing Out Clips 3.6 Playing Out with the VENICE Server With the DVS software in the playout mode you can play out the currently selected content: – You can play out content manually. – You can perform a crash record on an externally connected device. – You can perform an automated play-out of the content while at the same time frame accurately recording it on the externally connected device (autoedit record).
VENICE Client Software User Guide As soon as the player controls are activated and video content is selected for a play-out, the video overlay will show you the selected content. y If wanted, set an in-/outpoint or duration for the content to be played out (see section “Player Controls (VENICE)” on page 3-14). y Afterwards press the play button ( controls.
Playing Out Clips will be stopped automatically. If no duration is set, you can terminate the record manually whenever you want by clicking the record button once again. 3.6.3 How to Autoedit Record with the External Device In the autoedit record mode you can control a play-out by the VENICE server while at the same time recording it frame accurately with the external device. The following describes what to do to perform an autoedit record.
VENICE Client Software User Guide Configuring the External Device for the Record To record the output of the VENICE server with the external device the device has to be set up properly: y If not already activated, switch to the recorder controls by selecting the tab RECORDER (see section “Controlling the Devices (Player / Recorder)” on page 3-14). y Make sure that the autoedit record mode is selected (see section “Recorder Controls” on page 3-14).
Playing Out Clips 3.6.4 How to Perform a Play-out in Slave Mode In the playout mode you can control the VENICE server by remote and send a play command via RS-422. After receiving the command the server will play out the currently selected content according to the settings specified with the operation mode configurations. To prepare the VENICE server for a slave mode play-out perform the following: Via project files or presets the software can be preconfigured for certain tasks.
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Recording Clips 4 With a connection to a video channel of the VENICE server established (see section “Connecting to the VENICE Server” on page 2-4) you can use this channel for record operations. For this the VENICE client software must be in the INGEST MODE (see section “Selecting the Operation Mode” on page 2-5).
VENICE Client Software User Guide 4.1 Configuring a Record Before a record can be performed with the connected video channel of the VENICE server you have to set up the record and the input related settings (see also section “Configuring the Operation Mode” on page 2-6). As a minimum you have to determine the location of the record. This section describes the necessary settings that have to be made before capturing with the VENICE server.
Recording Clips Furthermore, with the Input settings you can determine the audio input and timecode settings for the record. The input video format has to match the incoming signal, i.e. it must be of the same format and raster as the incoming signal. 4.1.2 Selecting Essences for Record With the Input select settings of the ingest mode you have to select the essences (type of material) that you want to capture. You can choose whether you want to record audio or video alone, or both together.
VENICE Client Software User Guide 4.1.3 Configuring the Output Settings (File Settings) With the Output settings items you determine the file format(s) of the file(s) to be recorded. By clicking on the triangle button to the left, the necessary settings can be expanded (or collapsed): Figure 4-4: The file format settings They are divided into different items for audio and video. These settings are connected to the input settings and record essences.
Recording Clips Audio File Settings Select from the File format combo box the file format for your audio data to be recorded. Various file formats are supported and a list of them can be found in section “Supported File Formats” on page A-3. Normally, when a container format is selected as the file format (e.g. MXF), you cannot generate audio and video separately. Both will automatically be included in the created file.
VENICE Client Software User Guide Entering a Path and File Name Manually You can enter the path and file name for a record manually with the entry fields of the Destination settings. Just start to enter something in the entry fields and another dialog window will be opened where you can type in the respective path or file name: Figure 4-6: Entering a path or file name In this window enter the path or file name for the record on the VENICE server and confirm your entry with the OK button.
Recording Clips Selecting a Path Via a Dialog Window For the selection of a record path you can use the button to the right of the entry field Path of the Destination settings ( ). It will open a dialog window similar to a browsing pane in Spycer. This window is generated by Spycer. Without a Spycer application installed it will not be available. For any further information about this window see section “Selecting Content Via a Dialog Window” on page 3-3 as well as the “Spycer” user guide.
VENICE Client Software User Guide The names for the created items will take the field File name of the Destination settings items as the prefix. Behind this, in case of further records with the same file name, the consecutive number will be added. When recording with VENICE this would lead to the following generated items: Container Formats Metaclip: .vamc Data subfolder: – Container file: .
Recording Clips 4.2 The Video Overlay In the upper part of the user interface you can find the video overlay. 1 Figure 4-7: Video overlay 2 In the ingest mode the video overlay will always show the signal that is present at the input of the VENICE server. 3 The input video raster has to match the incoming signal, i.e. the set video raster for the input must be of the same raster as the incoming signal (see also section “Configuring the Input Settings” on page 4-2).
VENICE Client Software User Guide The context menu of the video overlay provides the following possibilities: Figure 4-8: Context menu of the video overlay Resize to default Resizes the user interface to its default size (see also section “The ’Options’ Menu” on page 6-11). Reset dropped frames display Resets the dropped frames counter (see also section “The ’Options’ Menu” on page 6-11). 4.3 The Shuttle Bar The shuttle bar is used to control an externally connected device via RS-422.
Recording Clips 4.5 Controlling the Devices (Player / Recorder) In the ingest mode the VENICE server assumes the role of the recorder while the external device is used as a player (see also section “Selecting the Operation Mode” on page 2-5). Via the tabs at the top of the player/recorder controls you can switch between the controls of the VENICE server and the controls of the player (see section “Performing the Operation” on page 2-7).
VENICE Client Software User Guide Figure 4-10: The recorder controls in the crash record mode – The autoedit mode enables you to frame accurately play out with the externally connected device and record this with the VENICE server. Figure 4-11: The recorder controls in the autoedit mode You can use the items of the recorder controls as described in section “The Controls Explained” on page 3-15 and section “The Controls Explained” on page 4-12. 4.5.
Recording Clips 4.6 Recording with the VENICE Server With the DVS software in the ingest mode you can perform record operations with the VENICE server: – You can control an externally connected device via RS-422, for example, to verify its position, set edit points or view its material. – You can perform a crash record with the VENICE server. – You can perform an autoedit record with RS-422 control of the externally connected player.
VENICE Client Software User Guide y Use the player controls and the video overlay to search for a certain position or to play out the material of the externally connected device. With this the external device can be controlled and you can, for example, verify the material.
Recording Clips y If necessary, specify the essences that you want to record with the Input select items (see section “Selecting Essences for Record” on page 4-3). y If necessary, set up the file format(s) of the file(s) to be recorded via the Output settings items (see section “Configuring the Output Settings (File Settings)” on page 4-4). y If not already activated, switch to the recorder controls by selecting the tab VENICE (see section “Controlling the Devices (Player / Recorder)” on page 4-11).
VENICE Client Software User Guide play-out of the externally connected player. The following describes what to do to perform an autoedit record. For this procedure the external device has to be connected correctly to the VENICE server (video, audio, timecode, and RS-422). Additionally, the device has to be set to accept remote control. Via project files or presets the software can be preconfigured for certain tasks.
Recording Clips y If not already activated, switch to the recorder controls by selecting the tab VENICE (see section “Controlling the Devices (Player / Recorder)” on page 4-11). y Make sure that the recorder controls are set to the autoedit record mode (see section “Recorder Controls (VENICE)” on page 4-11). y To start the autoedit record press the button AUTO EDIT of the record controls ( ).
VENICE Client Software User Guide y If necessary, configure the input format so that it matches the signal present at the server’s input with the Input settings items (see section “Configuring the Input Settings” on page 4-2). y Determine a file name and path for the file(s) to be recorded with the Destination items as described in section “Selecting the Storage Location and File Name” on page 4-5.
Transcoding Clips 5 With a connection to a video channel of the VENICE server established (see section “Connecting to the VENICE Server” on page 2-4) you can use this channel for transcoding. For this the VENICE client software must be in the TRANSCODE MODE (see section “Selecting the Operation Mode” on page 2-5). 1 2 3 4 5 Figure 5-1: Settings, controls and configurations of the ingest mode 6 In the transcode mode you can convert video and audio material to different file formats.
VENICE Client Software User Guide 5.1 Controls Available for a Transcoding This section describes shortly the controls and settings items that are available for a transcoding exclusively. The remaining items can be used the same way as already described for the playout and ingest mode (see chapter “Playing Out Clips” on page 3-1 and chapter “Recording Clips” on page 4-1). 5.1.
Transcoding Clips The Auto scale and OAR (original aspect ratio) items enable you to scale and resize your original video material: – With the combo box Auto scale set to Fit and the OAR check box activated, the original material will be scaled to its maximum allowable width or height so that no information gets lost. If the aspect ratio is different, you will receive black bars in the target files.
VENICE Client Software User Guide A transcoding list can be created in the playlist/transcoding list editor (see section “Playlist / Transcoding List Editor” on page 6-2). To start a transcoding use the following item: Once your transcoding is set up correctly you can start the operation with this button. Then it changes its appearance to its active state and the transcoding begins. In case it is necessary to terminate the transcoding, you have to click the button again.
Transcoding Clips 5.2 Transcoding with the VENICE Server With the DVS software in the transcode mode you can play out the currently selected content and convert it to a different file format. To start a transcoding perform the steps as described below: Via project files or presets the software can be preconfigured for certain tasks. Then it may not be necessary to perform all the configurations described below (see section “Preconfiguring the VENICE Client Software” on page 2-13).
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Miscellaneous 6 The VENICE client software provides a special area where you can find several tools, for example, to administer playlists/transcoding lists or to adapt the streamed audio heard at your workstation. This chapter explains the items of the tool area in detail. Furthermore, the menu bar and its options will be explained.
VENICE Client Software User Guide 6.1 Playlist / Transcoding List Editor With the playlist/transcoding list editor you can administer and create playlists/transcoding lists. For information about playlists and transcoding lists see section “Playlists / Transcoding Lists” on page 2-14. The playlist editor will be available in the PLAYOUT MODE and the transcoding list editor in the TRANSCODE MODE (see section “Selecting the Operation Mode” on page 2-5).
Miscellaneous this a list has be opened and selected in the list editor (see section “General Administration” on page 6-4). In the playout mode you can also determine with a button that only the currently displayed clip of a playlist should be played out (see section “The Controls Explained” on page 3-15). 6.1.
VENICE Client Software User Guide – Clips can also be inserted or appended via a dialog window by using the respective menu options of the combo box ITEM…. It opens the same window as used, for example, to select content in the playout mode (see section “Selecting Content Via a Dialog Window” on page 3-3). – Clips can be dragged and dropped from Spycer (similar as described in section “Selecting Content Via Spycer” on page 3-4). They can be dropped directly at the desired position in the list editor. 6.1.
Miscellaneous The user interface items at the top provide further possibilities: Figure 6-6: Administering the displayed list ITEM… With the menu options of the combo box ITEM… you can administer the items on the list. It provides the following menu options: Append item(s)… Opens a dialog window to append a clip to the list. Insert item(s)… Opens a dialog window to insert a clip above the item that is currently selected in the list.
VENICE Client Software User Guide 6.1.6 The Context Menus For additional configuration and editing there are context menus available. They are explained in this section. The Context Menu of List Items The context menu invoked on a list item provides further possibilities to administer and edit the items on a list. Figure 6-7: Context menu of a list item Several of these menu options can also be found on the menus of the combo boxes (see section “Administering a List” on page 6-4).
Miscellaneous Figure 6-8: Context menu of a column heading Select or deselect the columns that should be displayed for the list. The sequence of the columns can be changed via drag and drop.
VENICE Client Software User Guide 6.2 Audio Monitoring When playing out with the VENICE client software, the audio is streamed via network to the client where the VENICE client software is installed. The audio monitoring tool allows you to adapt the streamed audio that can be heard at your workstation to your liking. Figure 6-9: Audio monitoring tool This section describes the audio monitoring tool in detail.
Miscellaneous Once a tool has been selected, it will be displayed to the right of the user interface. 6.2.2 Using the Audio Monitoring Tool The peakmeter shows you the streamed audio graphically. It indicates the 16 channels of audio that the video channel may provide. With the M button ( ) at the top of each channel peakmeter the channel can be muted.
VENICE Client Software User Guide 6.3 The Menus At the top of the user interface you can see a menu bar. menu bar Figure 6-11: Menu bar of the VENICE client software This menu bar provides access to functions of a more general nature for the VENICE client software. Here you can find, for example, options to expand or collapse the operation mode configurations or reset the dropped frames counter. This section describes the menu bar of the user interface. 6.3.
Miscellaneous Save as… Allows you to save the currently opened project under a different name and/or location. Exit Closes the user interface of the VENICE client software. Any other opened instance remains unaffected. 6.3.2 The ’Options’ Menu The Options menu provides menu options to set and configure the VENICE client software. In detail it contains the menu options shown below: 1 2 Figure 6-13: The ’Options’ menu Show all settings Expands all operation mode configurations in a single step.
VENICE Client Software User Guide Reset dropped frames display Resets the dropped frames counter (see section “Information Area” on page 3-13). It will be set back to zero and the indication of dropped frames will no longer be displayed in the user interface. This can also be performed with the context menu of the video overlay (see e.g. section “The Video Overlay” on page 3-9). Resize to default Resizes the user interface to its default size again.
Miscellaneous Manuals… Accesses the online documentation of VENICE. It opens an overview page in HTML format. The manuals are also available in PDF format which is suited best if you want to print out the document. About… Displays further information about the VENICE client software, for example, the precise version number of the software or additional license information.
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A Appendix This chapter provides further information about the software. Among others you can find here lists of the available keyboard shortcuts and the file formats that are supported directly by the DVS software. 1 A.1 Keyboard Shortcuts For a more easy and a faster control of the VENICE client software there are various keyboard shortcuts available which are listed in the tables below: For the shortcuts to work the focus must be set correctly.
VENICE Client Software User Guide Table A-1: General keyboard shortcuts (cont.
Appendix A.2 Supported File Formats The DVS software supports various uncompressed as well as compressed file formats. Some are video or audio-only file formats and some are container file formats that contain audio as well as video. Some of the file formats (especially the compressed ones) can be used on a single video channel of the VENICE server only. A simultaneous processing with a further video channel may lead to drops.
VENICE Client Software User Guide Format Name TIFF YUV Default Extension File storage format Description 3 × 8 bit RGB, 4 × 8 bit RGBA and 8 bit Luma TIFF or Tagged Image File Format in 8 bit RGB with or without key. Highly flexible and platform-independent image format. Not all variants of this format are supported by DVS. 3 × 12 bit RGB, 4 × 12 bit RGBA and 12 bit Luma TIFF or Tagged Image File Format in 12 bit RGB with or without key. Highly flexible and platform-independent image format.
Appendix formats for audio and/or video material. The following compression codecs are supported by the VENICE server for the container file formats: Codec XDCAM IMX Video Raster1 525i /29.97, 625i /25 Video Bit Audio Bit Depth Rates and Channels2 Format 30, 40 or 50 16 bit: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 24 bit: 0, 2, 4 MXF OP-1a XDCAM DVCAM 525i /29.97 (4:1:1), 625i /25 (4:2:0) 25 16 bit: 0, 4 MXF OP-1a DV25 525i /29.97 (4:1:1), 625i /25 (4:2:0) 25 16 bit: 0, 2 DV (DIF) DVCPRO 25 525i /29.
VENICE Client Software User Guide Audio-only File Formats The following uncompressed audio-only file formats are supported by the VENICE server: Format Name A-6 Default Extension Description AIF AIFF *.aif *.aiff Audio interchange format. Platform-independent file format for sound. Capable of storing multiple mono or stereo channels. BWF *.rf64 *.wav Broadcast wave format. Platform-independent file format for sound.
Appendix A.3 States of an External Device An externally connected device can go into different states that are all shown in the RS-422 STATUS field of the user interface (see section “Information Area” on page 3-13). You can control an external device via the remote output of the DVS system, such as telecines, VTRs or digital disk recorders.
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I Index A AIV ............................................. 2-18 alpha channel ................................ 3-6 appending to list ............................ 6-3 aspect ratio .............................3-9, 4-9 assemble mode ............................ 3-18 asterisk (timecode) ....................... 2-16 audio .......................................... 2-18 bit depth .................................. 4-5 Broadcast Wave ..................... 2-19 channels ...........................
VENICE Client Software User Guide collapse configurations .................... 2-7 all ..................................2-7, 6-11 color space conversion ............................... 4-4 range ...................................... 4-4 scaling ..................................... 4-4 compression type ........................... 4-4 configuring a play-out ................................ 3-2 a record ................................... 4-2 a transcoding ........................... 5-2 operation mode ...
Index G general usage ................................ 2-3 generic source timecode ................ 2-19 go see move H hardware support (transcoding) ....... 5-1 head ............................................. 4-4 hide settings ................................ 6-11 see also collapse I important notes ............................. 1-5 information area .................3-13, 4-10 ingest see record ingest mode ........................... 2-5, 4-1 input settings ...........................
VENICE Client Software User Guide operation mode configurations ........ 2-6 collapse ................................... 2-7 collapse all ......................2-7, 6-11 expand .................................... 2-7 expand all .......................2-7, 6-11 outpoint .............................3-16, 4-14 delete .................................... 3-16 move to ................................. 3-16 output content ............................... 3-2 dialog window ..........................
Index record ......................................... 4-13 audio .............................2-18, 4-3 configurations .......................... 4-2 essence .................................... 4-3 file format ................................ 4-4 file name ................................. 4-5 format ..................................... 4-2 input settings .................... 3-7, 4-2 output settings ......................... 4-4 path ........................................ 4-5 player controls ........
VENICE Client Software User Guide timecode ..................................... 2-19 asterisk .................................. 2-16 drop-frame ............................ 2-16 entering ................................. 2-17 entries ................................... 2-16 format ................................... 2-16 greater 30 Hz ......................... 2-16 notation ........................2-17, 3-16 on tape .................................. 3-18 record on external device ...........
