Our system design includes varying levels of security for access to specific content. Individual users can be given limited access to a specific set of clips, view-only for example, while the entire library remains accessible to other users in or outside of the organization. Users can share either individual or multiple clips. Content can be automatically converted to other digital formats (transcoded) using the transcoder and/or transferred to other systems (such as editing) with the Gateways.

Workflow Engine

Venaca's workflow engine accommodates both automated process and human intervention where required. Optimizing workflow cuts costs, speeds operations and offers the opportunity to better serve clients.

Ingest

Utilizing tape decks, encoders, live broadcast feeds or digital file uploads, ingest is the point of capture into the system. Users can create ingest lists for automatic input of segments, long-form content and batch encoding, including the remote scheduling ingest of live events, while automatically creating or manually entering metadata or links to other existing databases. The ingest process simultaneously creates the master quality file and the screening proxy and automatically generates metadata if closed-caption text is available along with time-dependent or scene-based thumbnails in the form of a storyboard. Our bulk upload feature can ingest thousands of assets in a single action and distribute these assets via FTP.

Metadata

Before, during and after the content is digitized, descriptors (or metadata) for each asset are assigned, allowing for specific searches and eliminating the need for physical searches and screening of tapes to find the specific content required. Searches can be executed instantly from the desktop or remotely on the Web and across the entire library. Our solutions facilitate closed-caption extraction at the time code level and can make this content keyword searchable. Search results can be saved and searches-within-searches can be performed

Transcoding

Our transcode engine converts digital files from one format to another. Once an asset is encoded, transferred or uploaded, our platform provides the alternate formats selected. These formats range from high quality broadcast versions and video-on-demand to much smaller streaming web versions. This engine controls each attached transcode server via the database entries describing its capabilities. This allows for an unlimited number of transcode devices or servers to be attached to the system, providing greater flexibility and scalability when creating other formats. The system then stores all formats, metadata and links in asset folders for easy access and management.

Aside from the benefits of storing and retrieving assets quickly, you can integrate into existing workflow and job tracking programs, accounting databases and service operations (such as color correction, file conversion and OPI swapping). Our solutions include a physical media library archival and tracking application including bar code support. Users can check in and out physical media and schedule media for ingest.

Storage Management

Hierarchical Storage architecture allows users to define how to best store these assets across a multitude of devices including disk, near-line robotic tape libraries and offline. In addition, the system checks for asset integrity and will flag the operator when assets need to be restored. Disaster recovery capabilities allow for efficient restore of corrupt media.

Search, Retrieval and Previewing

Search results can be viewed at the desktop based on metadata. Users also can browse transcripts and storyboards to quickly locate the needed scene, greatly increasing workflow efficiency, all from their desktop or a web browser. The logging tools allow for continued enriching of the metadata thereby enhancing the power of any future searches performed.

Editing

Our solutions accelerate the assembly process by enabling rough-cut edits needed for final editing and finishing. This acceleration frees up valuable time in the edit suites and allows for remote access of content by editors and producers. The system can create any format desired for play-to-air broadcast or Internet streaming applications. Our solution allows for highly customizable user interfaces that are accessible either on the network or the Web. Users can search the database via any field for transcripts or other associated external metadata linked to the system.

Gateways to Other Systems

Gateways allow master quality video files to be transferred from the system to local storage and other devices for playback in numerous screening formats (NTSC, PAL, SDI) and to tape reproduction machines, non-linear editors and other equipment. The gateways interface to other systems requiring a specific file format or, an NTSC, PAL and SDI output of the broadcast quality edits and files as a source file. Users can request delivery of edited or transcoded broadcast-quality content to existing equipment, which handles the delivery and decoding of the broadcast content. The system design drastically reduces the manpower needs usually given to the time intensive digitization and distribution process; and supports both shared and non-shared storage and file systems; and can automate the tape duplication process.