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XTAccess
User Manual Version 1.10
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User Manual Version 1.15
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EVS XTAccess User Manual Version 1.19

USER MANUAL
Version 1.19 - November 2012
XTAccess Version 1.19 – User Manual
Issue 1.19.A
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Copyright
EVS Broadcast Equipment – Copyright © 2008 - 2012. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer
The information in this manual is furnished for informational use only and subject to change without notice. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this user manual is accurate, up-to-date and reliable, EVS Broadcast Equipment cannot be held responsible for inaccuracies or errors that may appear in this publication.
Improvement Requests
Your comments will help us improve the quality of the user documentation. Do not hesitate to send improvement requests, or report any error or inaccuracy in this user manual, by e-mail to
doc@evs.tv.
Regional Contacts
You will find the full list of addresses and phone numbers of local offices on the EVS website, on the following page:
http://www.evs.tv/contacts.
User Manuals on EVS Website
The latest version of the user manual, if any, and other user manuals on EVS products can be found on the EVS download center, on the following webpage:
http://www.evs.tv/downloadcenter.
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Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................... III
WHAT’S NEW? ........................................................................................................... VII
1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 1
2. HARDWARE RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................ 3
3. SOFTWARE INSTALLATION ...................................................................................... 4
4. XSECURE MANAGEMENT ....................................................................................... 9
4.1 List of codes ................................................................................................................ 9
5. UNICODE AND XTACCESS .................................................................................... 10
5.1 Configuration ............................................................................................................ 10
5.2 Metadata ................................................................................................................... 11
5.3 Filename ................................................................................................................... 11
6. USER INTERFACE ................................................................................................ 12
6.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 12
6.2 Jobs Monitoring ......................................................................................................... 12
6.3 Additional Buttons/Menus ......................................................................................... 13
6.4 Application Title Bar .................................................................................................. 14
6.4.1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................14
6.4.2 Configuration Menu ..............................................................................................................14
6.5 Contextual menu ....................................................................................................... 18
7. XML JOBS SCAN ................................................................................................ 20
7.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 20
7.2 Job types .................................................................................................................. 20
7.3 Creation of a XML Jobs Scan .................................................................................... 22
7.3.1 Creating a New XML Scan ...................................................................................................22
7.3.2 XML Scan Dialog Box ...........................................................................................................22
7.3.3 XML Scan Settings ...............................................................................................................23
7.3.4 NLE Configuration ................................................................................................................27
7.4 XML Jobs Processing ............................................................................................... 34
7.4.1 Launch of Multiple XML Jobs Scan ......................................................................................34
7.4.2 Start of XML Jobs Scan ........................................................................................................34
7.4.3 Processing of a XML JOB ....................................................................................................34
7.5 Load Balancing between Multiple XTAccess Devices ............................................... 35
7.5.1 Management of XML Jobs ....................................................................................................35
7.5.2 Control Parameters ..............................................................................................................36
8. SCAN FOLDER ..................................................................................................... 38
8.1 Scan Folder Window ................................................................................................. 38
8.2 Add and Edit a Scan Folder Item .............................................................................. 40
8.3 XEDIO Integration with the Scan Folder .................................................................... 44
8.3.1 Overview ...............................................................................................................................44
8.3.2 Workflow ...............................................................................................................................44
8.3.3 Remarks ...............................................................................................................................44
8.4 ScanFolder Post Processing ..................................................................................... 45
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8.4.1 Workflow ...............................................................................................................................45
8.5 Remarks on the Scan Process .................................................................................. 46
9. BACKUP OF EVS SERVER CLIPS TO FILES ............................................................ 47
9.1 Workflow ................................................................................................................... 47
9.2 Example of XML backup File ..................................................................................... 48
9.3 Local XTAccess Settings (non XML) ......................................................................... 49
9.4 Miscellaneous ........................................................................................................... 49
10. RESTORE/COPY OF FILES TO EVS SERVER ........................................................... 50
10.1 Workflow ................................................................................................................... 50
10.1.1 Workflow (Restore via XML Jobs) Explanation ....................................................................51
10.1.2 Workflow (Folder File Scan) Explanation .............................................................................51
10.2 Example of XML Copy File ........................................................................................ 51
11. RENDERING OF EDL TO ONE FILE ......................................................................... 52
11.1 Local XTAccess Settings (non XML) ......................................................................... 52
11.2 XTGATEWAY ........................................................................................................... 53
11.3 Smart Rendering ....................................................................................................... 54
11.4 Effects ....................................................................................................................... 54
12. RENDERING OF EDL TO ONE EVS SERVER CLIP .................................................... 55
12.1 Local XTAccess Settings (non XML) ......................................................................... 55
12.2 XTGATEWAY ........................................................................................................... 56
12.3 Smart Rendering ....................................................................................................... 56
12.4 Effects ....................................................................................................................... 57
13. BACKUP OF EDL TO FILES ................................................................................... 58
13.1 Local XTAccess Settings (non XML) ......................................................................... 58
13.1.1 Registry Settings ..................................................................................................................58
13.2 Smart Backup MODE ................................................................................................ 58
13.3 Effects ....................................................................................................................... 59
14. FILE REWRAP...................................................................................................... 60
14.1 Workflow ................................................................................................................... 60
14.2 Example of XML File Rewrap .................................................................................... 61
15. ADDITIONAL CODEC FILE ON THE FLY .................................................................... 62
15.1 Workflow ................................................................................................................... 62
15.2 Codecs supported ..................................................................................................... 63
15.3 Local XTAccess Settings (non XML) ......................................................................... 63
15.3.1 Smart Rendering ..................................................................................................................65
15.3.2 Registry Settings ..................................................................................................................65
16. TRANSCODING FILES ............................................................................................ 66
16.1 Workflow ................................................................................................................... 66
16.2 Example of XML File Rewrap .................................................................................... 67
16.3 codecs supported ...................................................................................................... 67
16.4 Local XTAccess Settings (non XML) ......................................................................... 67
16.4.1 Smart Rendering ..................................................................................................................68
16.4.2 Registry Settings ..................................................................................................................68
17. EXAMPLE OF ENCODER PROFILES ......................................................................... 69
17.1 MPEG-1 .................................................................................................................... 69
17.2 Avid DNxHD® ........................................................................................................... 70
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18. EXAMPLES OF CONFIGURATION ............................................................................ 71
18.1 Backup EVS Server native codec + Creation of LOW Res ........................................ 71
18.2 Transcode Native EVS Server clip ............................................................................ 73
18.3 Transocode one file to file ......................................................................................... 74
18.4 Double Transcoding .................................................................................................. 75
18.5 Transocode one file to EVS Server using XML job .................................................... 76
19. BACKUP OF EVS SERVER TRAINS TO FILES .......................................................... 77
19.1 Workflow ................................................................................................................... 77
19.2 Example of XML backup Train to File ........................................................................ 78
19.3 Example of XML Update Train .................................................................................. 79
19.4 Local XTAccess Settings (non XML) ......................................................................... 79
19.5 Registry Settings ....................................................................................................... 79
19.6 Miscellaneous ........................................................................................................... 80
19.6.1 Backup/Update of Trains and Load Balancing .....................................................................80
19.6.2 Max XML Jobs Setting ..........................................................................................................80
20. TRANSFER TO AVID TRANSFER MANAGER ............................................................. 81
20.1 Workflow ................................................................................................................... 81
20.2 Example of XML Avid Transfer of Clip ....................................................................... 82
20.3 Example of XML Avid Transfer of Stream record train ............................................... 83
20.4 Example of XML Avid Transfer of File ....................................................................... 83
20.5 Local XTAccess Settings (non XML) ......................................................................... 84
20.6 Registry Settings ....................................................................................................... 84
21. TRANSFER TO AVID WEBSERVICE ........................................................................ 85
21.1 Workflow ................................................................................................................... 85
22. EVS SERVER COPY ............................................................................................. 87
22.1 Workflow ................................................................................................................... 87
22.2 Example of XML EVS Server Copy File .................................................................... 88
22.3 Force transcoding EVS Server to EVS Server........................................................... 89
23. INTEGRATION WITH XEDIO .................................................................................. 90
23.1 Workflow ................................................................................................................... 90
23.2 Example of XML Transfer to Xedio File ..................................................................... 92
23.3 XTAccess configuration ............................................................................................ 93
23.4 Registry Settings ....................................................................................................... 94
23.5 Workflow with the Create additional codec ................................................................ 94
24. GRAB FIELD FROM EVS SERVER .......................................................................... 95
24.1 Example of XML Grab Field to a File ......................................................................... 95
25. GRAB FIELD FROM FILE ....................................................................................... 96
25.1 Example of XML Grab Field to a File ......................................................................... 96
26. DELETE FILE FROM DISK ...................................................................................... 97
26.1 Example of DElete File XML Job ............................................................................... 97
27. DELETE CLIP FROM EVS SERVER ......................................................................... 98
27.1 Example of DElete Clip XML Job .............................................................................. 98
28. CANCEL JOB ....................................................................................................... 99
28.1 Example of Cancel XML Job ..................................................................................... 99
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29. XTACCESS TROUBLESHOOTING ......................................................................... 100
29.1 XTAccess Error Messages ...................................................................................... 100
29.2 XTAccess logs ........................................................................................................ 100
29.2.1 XTAccess.log ......................................................................................................................101
29.2.2 XTAccess_Jobs.log ............................................................................................................101
29.2.3 XTTransfer.log ....................................................................................................................101
29.2.4 XML_Scan.log ....................................................................................................................101
29.2.5 XTAccess_UI.cvs ...............................................................................................................101
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What’s New?

The former version of the XTAccess user manual, which had been published with the XTAccess release 1.18, remains compliant with XTAccess version 1.19. This manual has therefore not been subject to changes.
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1. Introduction

The Gigabit connection on EVS server makes it possible to transfer video and audio material from the EVS servers to external systems via the TCP/IP network.
The external systems can be the following ones:
• A storage system or an archiving system, such as XStore, XFile or a 3
storage.
• A non-linear Editing system, such as EVS CleanEdit, Apple Final Cut Pro or Avid.
• Another EVS server
However, the external systems cannot read the raw files coming from the EVS servers. For this reason, XTAccess is used as a “gateway” between the EVS Server and the IT world. It takes up the role of gateway used so far by XFile/XStream as it creates file formats compliant with external systems.
XTAccess is directly connected to the EVS servers through the Gigabit network. It runs on an XP workstation and is mainly controlled by the external systems (no user interface) via XML files or other processes.
rd
party
The Gigabit connection fulfills the following functions in relation with the EVS servers:
• Backup of clips or trains from an EVS server to an Archive
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• (Partial) restore and copy of clips from an Archive to an EVS server
• Backup of clips or trains from an EVS server to EVS CleanEdit Suite
• Exchange of EVS content (clips or trains) with Avid systems via Avid Transfer
Manager or using Avid WebService
• Exchange of EVS content (clips or trains) with Apple Final Cut Pro
• Exchange of EVS content (clips only) with another EVS server
• (Partial) rewrap of file from an Archive
• Rendering of EDL from files or clips
• Backup of EDL from files or clips
• Grab frames of a clip on a EVS server in order to create thumbnails (e.g. for
IPDirector)
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2. Hardware Recommendations

The XTAccess software is installed on a workstation operating under Windows XP, Windows 2003 Server, windows Seven 32 bit, windows Seven 64 bit or Windows Server 2008 SP2 64 bit. With the 64 bit OS, XTAccess runs as a 32 bit application.
The minimum system requirements are:
• Workstation or Laptop
• CPU Pentium P4, 2.0 GHz +
• 512 MB RAM (2GB for the rendering of playlist and transcoding jobs)
• GigE board with Jumbo Frame capabilities
• VGA 1024x768
The XTAccess software runs either on EVS workstations like IPDirector, XFile, XStore, or on any standalone third-party workstation.
Important
Jobs like transcoding, backup of clips or trains, restore/copy of files to EVS Server use CPU resources on the device where XTAccess runs. It is then advised not to run any other critical application simultaneously on the XTAccess device, especially when the Xedio Suite or IPDirector are installed as standalone systems with a local database.
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3. Software Installation

The installation package is based on one installshield:
XTAccess_1.17.xx_Setup.exe
For the Xedio Integration Option, contact the Xedio support to install the compliant software.
To install XTAccess; proceed as follows:
1. Copy the installshield XTAccess_1.17.xx_Setup.exe in a temp directory (e.g. C:\Install Software\XTAccess\).
2. Run XTAccess installshield XTAccess_1.17.xx_Setup.exe and then follow the steps of the Setup wizard.
3. Press NEXT.
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4. Select “I accept the agreement” and press NEXT
5. Select the destination directory to install the new software and then press NEXT.
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6. You can select here the different XTAccess components:
• Install VCRedist: If you install XTAccess for the first time on this workstation,
you need to install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable application by selecting “Install VCRedist”. For future installations or upgrade, you may deselect this option to reduce installation time.
• Install XSecure Manager: This option will install the EVS License software (EVS
Licenses XSecure codes are necessary for the transcoding jobs and rendering of playlists).
• Install XTGateway: This option will install XTGateway. XTGateway is a Windows
service required for rendering playlists with XTAccess.
• Install AppGuard: This option will install AppGuard. AppGuard will restart
automatically XTAccess in case of crash.
• XTAccess Inscription to the EVS SNMP: This option will inscribe XTAccess to
the EVS SNMP Agent (the EVS SNMP Agent must be installed on the computer).
• Install EVS SNMP Agent: If you install XTAccess for the first time on this
workstation, you should select this option to install the EVS SNMP Agent.
Then press NEXT.
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7. Specify the start folder directory and then press NEXT.
8. Press INSTALL to begin the installation of XTAccess.
9. If you have selected “Install XTGateway”: the XTGateway Setup will appear once XTAccess has been installed.
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10. If you have selected “Install XSecure Manager”: the XSecure Setup will appear once XTAccess has been installed.
The XTAccess software installation is successfully completed.
Note
The installer includes a registry key that disables the autorun function on USB keys to avoid virus intrusion.
Note that a Shortcut of XTAccess has been automatically created on the desktop. XTAccess icon is the following:
When you first launch XTAccess, the application modifies or adds the TcpAckFrequency in the registry. This key allows having better performances for Backup. You need to restart your computer afterwards.
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4. XSecure Management

From XTAccess v.1.07.22, XSecure is used. XSecure can be installed with XTAccess installshield (see the chapter ‘Software Installation’).
XSecure uses hardware information from the device where XTAccess is running. This means it is impossible to exchange licenses or codes between devices.
Please refer to the XSecure User’s Manual to:
• Start XSecure Manager
• Collect information about your device
• Request a license key from the EVS support
• Import new license keys

4.1 List of codes

60 – XTAccess
• 10 – Base Package : Not use for the moment
• 20 – Transcoding: Needed to use the transcoding on the fly
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5. Unicode and XTAccess

5.1 Configuration

To use different languages and Unicode instead of ASCII characters: you have first to configure Windows:
1. Select your keyboard in your Unicode language
2. And then you have to set up the default Language for non Unicode programs: Start\Settings\Control Panel\Regional and Language Settings\Advanced
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5.2 Metadata

These Metadata Tags can be used in Unicode:
• ClipName
• Keyword
• VarID
The UmID cannot be Unicode.

5.3 Filename

XTAccess never generates files with Unicode filenames. Files are named "UnicodeFilename.mxf" instead of the "real" Unicode clipname.
XTAccess is capable to use files with Unicode filenames. These files can be located in a folder having a Unicode filename. And these Unicode files can be used into scan folder without any trouble.
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6. User Interface

6.1 Introduction

XTAccess has been designed to be used as a black box. It is mainly controlled by external systems via XML files or other processes.
When the XTAccess application is launched the following GUI is displayed on the workstation.

6.2 Jobs Monitoring

The main window displays the status of each job handled by XTAccess.
Description of the columns:
Column heading Description
Job Type
Source
Type of Job: Backup, Avid Ingest, Restore, XT Transfer, etc.
Source server:
• Backup, Avid Ingest, XT Copy, Grab Field: FTP address and
path of the EVS server.
• Restore/Copy, File Rewrap: the source directory where the file to
be processed is located.
Clip/File
Source Clip or File:
• ClipID of the clip processed on the EVS server
• Filename stored in the Source path (defined above)
Destination
This is the target destination of the job.
• Backup: folder to store the file
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•
: Instantaneous bit rate during job progress.
Launch of scan folder for restore/copy/transcode processes
Column heading Description
Avid Ingest Name
• Restore, XT Copy: FTP address of the EVS server
Status
Status of the job:
• In Progress: The job is running
• Done: the job is done and successful
• Error Message: the transfer has failed. Please check the list of
error messages and the reason in Section 20.1
MB/s
Frm/s
Start Time
End Time
XML job file
Backup Restore
Between brackets, the value displayed is the mean transfer rate since the beginning of the job. At the end of the job, the mean transfer rate is displayed. Not available for Avid Ingest.
Transcoding: Number of frames decoded by second.
Start Time of the job
End Time of the job
Path of the xml job file used

6.3 Additional Buttons/Menus

Several buttons and menus are available at the bottom of XTAccess window.
Button Name Description
New XML Scan
Scan Folders
Abort job
Launch of XML scan window. (described in section 7 ‘XML Jobs Scan’ on page 20)
(described in section 10 ‘Restore/Copy of Files to EVS Server’ on page50)
When pushed, the selected job is immediately aborted. You can also press on CTRL + Abort to abort all the jobs (needs reboot of XTAccess afterwards).
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6.4 Application Title Bar

6.4.1 Introduction

XTAccess Title bar displays some useful information:
• XTAccess 1.17.xx: Version of the running application
• [SN: 655000]: EVS Serial Number of the computer
• [Reporting :<Status> (host name) NickName=xxx Group=xx]: The reporting
status, host name, Vedio NickName and group
• [Win x.x] : Version of Windows
• [xxxxxx] : Windows user right
• X/Y: Ratio of Running Jobs (X) versus the Max. Running Jobs available (Y). Example
- 2/6: This means 2 jobs are currently running. 4 additional jobs can be launched for a maximum of 6 simultaneous running jobs.

6.4.2 Configuration Menu

Right-clicking on the link on the Application Title bar displays the configuration menu, with specific commands for XTAccess.
Disp. AutoUpdate
Select it to update the interface each time there is a new transfer.
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Reporting System
This window allows you to activate the reporting system of XTAccess to Vedio.
Command name Description
Nickname
Group
Reporting Server Name
Reporting Server Port
Notification Frequency
Allows you to define a nickname for XTAccess
Allows you to define a group to which XTAccess will belong in the Vedio user interface.
Host name or IP Address of the Vedio Notification Server
Port of the Vedio Notification Server
Duration between two notifications to Vedio
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cast Wave
Select the default picture you want to add to your audio
Equipment\XTAccess\Default Picture Files\
Graphical Settings
These settings relate to the generation of files/clips from a picture (BMP, TIFF & TGA formats) or audio (Wav, BWav).
Command name Description
Video System
Sequence TimeCode
Fill & Key encoding
Add Audio when encoding Graphical Sequence
Sequence Duration
Default Audio Bitmap
Select either Pal or NTSC, in progressive or not.
Enter the value of the first TC included in the destination file/clip.
Check this option if you want to generate two synchronous files/clips based on Alpha Channel: one file/clip with the Fill sequence and one file/clip with the Key sequence.
Check this option if you want to add audio to the sequence created with your graphic files.
The audio files must be 16-bit audio files of 48 kHz (1 to 8 channels). The file format must be Broad Uncompressed (BWAVE) (.wav).
Type the duration (only valid for pictures, not for animated sequences).
encoding. The EVS server does not support audio only so you have to add a graphic picture.
Some default pictures are available in the XTAccess folder
C:\Program Files\EVS Broadcast
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Show Buttons
Select this option if you want to see the buttons in the XTAccess Interface.
If the option is not selected you can right click on XTAccess to create XML scan unit or open the Scan folder.
Enable TestMode
Select this option if you want to use the test mode of XTAccess. Please contact EVS support if you want to use it as it is not supported. This feature is only present for test purposes.
About XTAccess
It shows the version of XTAccess. Additional information:
• FileWriter No Buffering: Activated or Not Activated (see Section 0 ‘Registry Settings’
on page 49)
• Transcoder Allowed: Specifies if you have the XSecure code for transcoding.
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6.5 Contextual menu

Command Name Description
Abort job
Status Details
Open Destination folder…
The selected job is immediately aborted.
Give you more information about the job status
Open the destination folder
Open XML Job file
Clear List
New XML Scan Folder
Use Scan Folder
For test and debug only
Clear the whole list of the jobs done by XTAccess
Select it to create new XML Scan folder
Select it to open the Scan Folder window
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Command Name Description
Drag And Drop Settings
For test and debug only
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7. XML Jobs Scan

7.1 Introduction

XTAccess is triggered by external applications (like IPDirector), mainly via XML files.
XTAccess scans pre-defined folders to check for new XML jobs to process.
The details of the XML format will be described in the following sections, especially for each job type.
The scan process of XML jobs is anyway identical for any type of job.

7.2 Job types

The table below shows the list of all jobs available according to the version number of IPDirector.
Abbreviations used:
• XFI : XFile
• XTA : XTAccess
• XST: XStream
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