Transcoding Workflows

Digital file-based workflows can provide tremendous time and cost efficiencies for the production and distribution of content, by speeding the production process and allowing for efficient distribution of content to broadcasters, partners, and consumers seeking content across a variety of devices. The content owners (News, Sports, Weather, etc.) are realizing new revenue opportunities from their high value assets by repurposing content for distribution on the Web, Video On Demand (VOD), and mobile devices.

Technology can enable new workflows. The term scalability is often used in reference to the capability of the underlying computer systems, however, with file based workflows the ability to scale the operational processes presents difficult challenges. Facilities often begin by acquiring and deploying the technology components, and then soon discover the accompanying operational challenges. To illustrate some of the operational implications, the following workflow examples are provided:
 
Operator Inconsistency Sample Data Organization Scheme
When creating file-based output, operators often have difficulty in determining:
 transcoding data organization
  • What to name the file
  • Where (which folder, on what storage device) to store the file
Facilities may have a desired organization and naming scheme for operators to follow on paper. Even when operators are provided with a desired naming convention, the scheme is not always followed or files are inadvertently stored in the wrong folders. The situation is can be compounded under the pressures of a production environment when operators get in a “rush” or “urgent” project and the desired scheme may go by the wayside. It is not uncommon for an operator to create something, store it somewhere, then output to media. The file might then be subsequently moved or copied to another location, and often lost track of. When these scenarios are compounded over time, the result is multiple copies of content on storage, and a difficult clean up task.
Without automated system to maintain consistency, a constant flow of “rush” orders often result in scattered files and workflow confusion. The subsequent task of exchanging content between various digital systems, locally within a facility or between geographically dispersed locations is often difficult and inefficient without conformity.
 
Infrastructure Complexity – Discreet Islands Of Storage
Transcoding facilities often have a variety of heterogeneous physical storage devices and corresponding file systems, which are presented to the operators as discrete “islands” of storage.  The complexity of the physical storage infrastructure often requires operators to possess knowledge specific to each file system.
 
Manual Processes

Transcoding Service Providers often rely on manual processes and a shared file-management and processing capabilities. As the volume of data continues to grow, manual process become increasingly error prone. It is not uncommon for the manual process to involve the operator creating files on storage, and then manually informing others where the file resides. As the sheer volume of data grows, the manual process encounters difficulties in scaling. The Data Manager is often left responsible for coordinating and sorting out the history of a file to ensure the correct file is delivered to the customer.

The combination of these operational factors contribute to the end result of a confusing “mass of files”
 
Piracy Concerns
Content Producers often contract transcoding services from an Transcoding Service Provider. The Transcoding Service Provider does not actually own the content, and simply provides transcoding services for the content owners. Such a business relationship imposes contractual requirements on the Transcoding Service Provider to safeguard content from piracy. In file based workflows certain individuals may not be contractually allowed to have access to files, etc. In addition, MPAA Restrictions may further restrict file operations. Weak enforcement of file system security and access controls present challenges in meeting contractual requirements.