Grass Valley Media Conversion User Manual
Media Conversion
Software
User Manual
January 2010
Miranda Technologies Ltd
UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1491 820000
Fax: +44 (0) 1491 820001
Email: uksales@miranda.com
Web: www.miranda.com
01033-13
Preface Media Conversion Software
Copyright © 1999 - 2010 Miranda Technologies Ltd. All rights are reserved
and, under the copyright laws, this manual may not be reproduced in any
form, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Miranda
Technologies Ltd.
Printed in the UK.
Miranda Technologies Ltd. UK
Windows95, Windows98, Windows2000, WindowsNT and
WindowsXP are registered products of Microsoft Inc.
Media Conversion Software Preface
Preface
Warranty
Miranda Technologies Ltd offer a 24 months free parts and labour warranty
on Oxtel Series equipment from the date of the initial invoice, providing
there is no evidence of negligence, abuse or failure to reasonably follow
instructions given by the Company for its proper use.
During the warranty period, Miranda Technologies Ltd will replace or repair
at its cost, Oxtel Series equipment returned to the factory, carriage and duty
paid and insured by the sender.
Before returning any item for warranty repair, a valid returns authorisation
must be granted by Miranda Technologies Ltd.
All repaired goods will be delivered (as instructed) carriage and duty paid
and insured by the sender.
Any warranty, over and above that offered here, is the responsibility of the
local Miranda Sales Office or appointed Distributor.
Contact Information
For service, repair and warranty information and for returns authorisation
contact:
oxtelsupport@miranda.com
Miranda Technologies Ltd Page 3
Preface Media Conversion Software
Associated Publications
Description Part number
Imagestore 2 User Manual 02359
Imagestore 3 User Manual 02954
Imagestore HDTV User Manual 02901
MDS User manual 01184
Textbuilder User Manual 02735
Textbuilder 2 User Manual 02960
Intuition User Manual 03457
Intuition Builder User Manual 03454
Imagestore Media Manager User Manual 03332
Page 4 Miranda Technologies Ltd
Media Conversion Software Preface
Contacts
For technical assistance, please contact your nearest Miranda Technical
Support centre:
Americas
Telephone: +1-800-224-7882
techsupp@miranda.com
Asia
Telephone: +81-3-5730-2987
asiatech@miranda.com
Europe, Middle East, Africa, UK
Telephone: +44 (0) 1491 820222
eurotech@miranda.com
France (only)
Telephone: +33 (0) 1 55 86 87 88
francetech@miranda.com
www.miranda.com
Miranda Technologies Ltd Page 5
Preface Media Conversion Software
Conventions used in this user guide
The following typestyle conventions are used throughout this user manual:
♦ boldface is used for emphasis and button names
♦ italics are used for screen titles, references to other parts of the guide and
new terms
Page 6 Miranda Technologies Ltd
Media Conversion Software Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Preface 3
Warranty------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
Associated Publications ----------------------------------------------------- 4
Contacts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
Conventions used in this user guide-------------------------------------- 6
Table of Contents 7
Overview 17
Animation Builder ------------------------------------------------------------ 17
Clock Builder ------------------------------------------------------------------ 18
Audio Builder 2---------------------------------------------------------------- 18
Batch converter --------------------------------------------------------------- 18
Clip Builder--------------------------------------------------------------------- 19
DVE Editor --------------------------------------------------------------------- 19
PC Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------ 19
Installation 21
Uninstall ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 24
Animation Builder 27
Preparing Image Files for Animations ------------------------------------- 27
Fields vs. Frames ------------------------------------------------------------ 28
Animation Duration------------------------------------------------------------- 29
Imagestore Intuition---------------------------------------------------------- 29
Other Imagestore systems ------------------------------------------------- 29
Starting the program ----------------------------------------------------------- 31
Building Animations ------------------------------------------------------------ 32
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Table of Contents Media Conversion Software
Loading Sequence Files---------------------------------------------------- 32
Loading Animation Files---------------------------------------------------- 34
Viewing animations ---------------------------------------------------------- 34
Appending Files -------------------------------------------------------------- 35
Saving an Animation -------------------------------------------------------- 35
Building still images------------------------------------------------------------ 35
Animation Builder Menus----------------------------------------------------- 36
File menu------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36
Open ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36
Append Frames -------------------------------------------------------------- 37
Save----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37
Save as------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37
Preferences ------------------------------------------------------------------- 37
Video Standard ------------------------------------------------------------ 38
Field Rate ------------------------------------------------------------------- 38
Import Animation Images as-------------------------------------------- 38
Clip Frames on Loading ------------------------------------------------- 39
Preview ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 39
Default colour mode ------------------------------------------------------ 39
Animation size warning -------------------------------------------------- 40
Save to floppies -------------------------------------------------------------- 41
Network Transfer------------------------------------------------------------- 41
Print ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 42
1 2 3 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 42
Exit------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 42
Edit menu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 43
Cut ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 43
Copy----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 43
Paste ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 43
Animation Options ----------------------------------------------------------- 44
Markers ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 44
Loop mode------------------------------------------------------------------ 45
Cycle -------------------------------------------------------------------- 45
Single Shot------------------------------------------------------------- 45
In-Loop-Out ------------------------------------------------------------ 45
Linear Control --------------------------------------------------------- 46
Ping Pong -------------------------------------------------------------- 46
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Media Conversion Software Table of Contents
Multi-Loop -------------------------------------------------------------- 46
Position ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 49
Various -----------------------------------------------------------------------50
Play multi-loop once ------------------------------------------------- 50
Window Mode --------------------------------------------------------- 50
Title --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50
Animation Info----------------------------------------------------------------- 50
View Positioned--------------------------------------------------------------- 51
Key menu------------------------------------------------------------------------- 52
Load Key Images------------------------------------------------------------- 52
Adjust Key Params ---------------------------------------------------------- 52
Key Polarity -----------------------------------------------------------------54
Key Source------------------------------------------------------------------ 54
Keying Mode---------------------------------------------------------------- 54
CGT Numbers-------------------------------------------------------------- 54
Crop Frames to Key ---------------------------------------------------------55
Markers menu ------------------------------------------------------------------- 55
Mark Loop Start--------------------------------------------------------------- 55
Mark Loop End---------------------------------------------------------------- 55
Mark Thumbnail -------------------------------------------------------------- 56
Help menu------------------------------------------------------------------------ 56
About ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 56
Command Line Options------------------------------------------------------- 56
Clock Builder 59
File Formats --------------------------------------------------------------------- 59
General Principles-------------------------------------------------------------- 59
Bugclock Limitations--------------------------------------------------------- 59
Starting the program ----------------------------------------------------------- 60
Clock Builder menus----------------------------------------------------------- 62
File Menu ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 62
New------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 62
Open----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 63
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Table of Contents Media Conversion Software
Save----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 63
Save as------------------------------------------------------------------------- 63
Save to floppies -------------------------------------------------------------- 63
Network Transfer------------------------------------------------------------- 64
Import Component Image -------------------------------------------------- 65
Load Series of Components----------------------------------------------- 65
Exit------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 66
Edit menu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 66
Cut ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 66
Copy----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 66
Paste ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 66
Remove Component -------------------------------------------------------- 67
Digital Clock Options -------------------------------------------------------- 67
Clock Options… -------------------------------------------------------------- 69
Clock Types ---------------------------------------------------------------- 70
Time-of-Day------------------------------------------------------------ 70
Timer -------------------------------------------------------------------- 70
Time-of-day countdowns ------------------------------------------- 70
Clock Position-------------------------------------------------------------- 71
X Position--------------------------------------------------------------- 71
Y Position--------------------------------------------------------------- 71
Key Parameters ----------------------------------------------------------- 71
Key Invert--------------------------------------------------------------- 71
Key Source------------------------------------------------------------- 71
Keying Type ----------------------------------------------------------- 71
CTG---------------------------------------------------------------------- 71
Timing modes -------------------------------------------------------------- 72
Timer Rate (%)-------------------------------------------------------- 72
Timer Start Time------------------------------------------------------ 72
Countdown to:--------------------------------------------------------- 72
Offset -------------------------------------------------------------------- 72
View menu ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 73
View Key ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 73
Preview ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 73
Help menu ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 73
About---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 73
Building an Analogue clock -------------------------------------------------- 74
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Media Conversion Software Table of Contents
Building a Digital Clock-------------------------------------------------------- 76
Alternate Faces --------------------------------------------------------------- 77
Previewing Clocks-------------------------------------------------------------- 78
Audio Builder 2 79
Audio Builder Functions------------------------------------------------------- 79
Audio Builder 2 file formats -------------------------------------------------- 80
Starting the program ----------------------------------------------------------- 81
Channel List --------------------------------------------------------------------- 82
Properties ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 83
Playback -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 83
Windows Preview -------------------------------------------------------------- 84
File menu ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 85
Open----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 85
Save as ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 85
Save to floppies--------------------------------------------------------------- 86
Network Transfer ------------------------------------------------------------- 86
1 2 3 4--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 86
Exit------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 86
View menu -----------------------------------------------------------------------87
Wave Forms ------------------------------------------------------------------- 87
View Logfile (for Multi-Channel) ------------------------------------------88
Settings menu ------------------------------------------------------------------- 89
Select Audio Device (Sound Card) -------------------------------------- 89
Help menu------------------------------------------------------------------------ 89
About ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 89
Compatibility Issues ----------------------------------------------------------- 90
Previewing using Dolby Digital -------------------------------------------- 90
Multi-Channel Playback on Imagestore 300/HD ---------------------- 90
Batch converter 91
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Table of Contents Media Conversion Software
Starting the program----------------------------------------------------------- 91
Output Folders ------------------------------------------------------------------ 92
Select Destination folder --------------------------------------------------- 92
Destination same as source ----------------------------------------------- 93
Converting Files ---------------------------------------------------------------- 95
Opening files ------------------------------------------------------------------ 95
Processing Queue ----------------------------------------------------------- 96
Currently Processing -------------------------------------------------------- 97
Error Log ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 97
Image Preview ---------------------------------------------------------------- 98
View Mode ------------------------------------------------------------------ 98
Global Image Manipulation ---------------------------------------------- 100
Clip Builder 101
Open MPEG Clip----------------------------------------------------------- 101
Load Thumbnail ------------------------------------------------------------ 102
End Mode -------------------------------------------------------------------- 102
Loop ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 102
Freeze Frame ------------------------------------------------------------ 102
Cut Keyer Down --------------------------------------------------------- 102
Fade Keyer Down ------------------------------------------------------- 102
Call Next Clip------------------------------------------------------------- 102
Black ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 103
Voice Over------------------------------------------------------------------- 103
Do Not Use Voice Over------------------------------------------------ 103
Use Voice Over ---------------------------------------------------------- 103
Transfer ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 103
DVE Editor 105
Connecting to the Imagestore--------------------------------------------- 105
DVE Modes-------------------------------------------------------------------- 106
Imagestore 2 / 300 DVE Modes ---------------------------------------- 106
DVE Bypass -------------------------------------------------------------- 106
DVE None----------------------------------------------------------------- 106
DVE(A + B) over DSK1 ------------------------------------------------ 107
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Media Conversion Software Table of Contents
DVE(ABMix + B) over DSK1------------------------------------------ 107
DVE(A + B) into DSK1 ------------------------------------------------- 108
DVE(B + A) into DSK1 ------------------------------------------------- 108
DVE(A + DSK1) into DSK1 ------------------------------------------- 109
DVE(DSK1 + A) into DSK1 ------------------------------------------- 109
DVE(A + B) behind DSK1 --------------------------------------------- 110
Imagestore HD DVE Modes --------------------------------------------- 111
Bypass --------------------------------------------------------------------- 111
DVE None ----------------------------------------------------------------- 111
DVE over DSK1---------------------------------------------------------- 112
AB Mixer (A over B or B over A) ------------------------------------- 112
Imagestore 750 DVE Modes -------------------------------------------- 113
Sequences --------------------------------------------------------------------- 114
What is a Sequence?------------------------------------------------------ 115
Saving the Sequence------------------------------------------------------ 115
Play Only Mode------------------------------------------------------------- 116
Saving and Loading From Disk ----------------------------------------- 116
Keyframe Control ------------------------------------------------------------- 117
Keyframe Preview ------------------------------------------------------------ 118
Selecting a Channel --------------------------------------------------------- 119
Keyframe Editing ------------------------------------------------------------- 119
Imagestore 2 / 300 Panels ----------------------------------------------- 120
Position -------------------------------------------------------------------- 120
Rotation -------------------------------------------------------------------- 121
Pivot Points --------------------------------------------------------------- 121
Cropping ------------------------------------------------------------------- 122
Aspect Ratio -------------------------------------------------------------- 122
Movement ----------------------------------------------------------------- 123
Border Size --------------------------------------------------------------- 123
Border Type--------------------------------------------------------------- 124
Border Colour ------------------------------------------------------------ 125
Transparency------------------------------------------------------------- 125
Layering-------------------------------------------------------------------- 126
Defocus (Blur) ------------------------------------------------------------ 126
Mosaic---------------------------------------------------------------------- 127
Imagestore HD / 750 Panels -------------------------------------------- 128
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Table of Contents Media Conversion Software
Scaler ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 128
Mask------------------------------------------------------------------------ 129
Mask Layering ----------------------------------------------------------- 129
Mask Cropping----------------------------------------------------------- 130
Border---------------------------------------------------------------------- 131
Border Colour ------------------------------------------------------------ 131
Border Position ---------------------------------------------------------- 132
Movement----------------------------------------------------------------- 132
Panning-------------------------------------------------------------------- 133
Saving Keyframe Changes ---------------------------------------------- 133
Tutorial: A over B squeeze back ----------------------------------------- 134
Working offline ---------------------------------------------------------------- 139
Managing Sequence files -------------------------------------------------- 140
Configuring TCP/IP Networks 141
Ethernet cabling -------------------------------------------------------------- 141
Imagestore Configuration -------------------------------------------------- 142
IP Address and submask ------------------------------------------------ 142
10-BASE2 and 10-BASET Cabling ------------------------------------ 143
Configuring Windows TCP/IP Networking ----------------------------- 143
Installing an Ethernet card in your PC -------------------------------- 143
IP Address ------------------------------------------------------------------- 143
Installing the TCP/IP Network Protocol Software ------------------ 143
The hosts file ---------------------------------------------------------------- 146
MCS System Configuration ------------------------------------------------ 147
Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------ 147
The hosts file ---------------------------------------------------------------- 148
The units.txt file------------------------------------------------------------- 148
Support 149
Product Support -------------------------------------------------------------- 149
Warranty and Non-Warranty Repairs --------------------------------- 150
Obsolescence--------------------------------------------------------------- 150
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Media Conversion Software Table of Contents
Upgrades --------------------------------------------------------------------- 150
Service Visits ---------------------------------------------------------------- 150
Equipment Loans----------------------------------------------------------- 151
Training ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 151
Web Page -------------------------------------------------------------------- 151
Returns Procedure --------------------------------------------------------- 151
Transit Packaging ---------------------------------------------------------- 151
Appendix A – 10Base2 Network Cabling and
Installation 153
Appendix B – Windows 95/98 Installation 154
Miranda Technologies Ltd Page 15
Media Conversion Software Overview
Overview
Media Conversion Software (MCS) is a suite of programs which support
Miranda Technologies Ltd.’s range of professional broadcast products. This
range includes Imagestore, Playstore, Logostore and Intuition. For the
purposes of this document, the term Imagestore will be used to refer to any
products in the range, which are able to playout animations and stills.
The conversions and functions which each MCS tool can perform are listed
below.
Animation Builder
The Animation Builder is used to produce both still images and animations
for use with Imagestore units. Still images can be imported from several
different file types and numbered sequences of images can be used to form
animations. Image parameters such as position, title and keying modes can all
be viewed and edited. When importing animations, the program can
automatically crop images to their associated key and de-interleave fieldbased images, to produce the highest quality animations using the smallest
amount of Imagestore playout memory.
Animation Builder can read the following types of files:
Standard image formats (.BMP, .TGA, .GIF, .TIF, .JPG, .PNG)
Adobe Photoshop file (.PSD)
Quantel VPB images (.VPB)
Miranda Technologies Ltd. OXT still image format (.OXT)
Miranda Technologies Ltd. OXA YUV animated image format (.OXA)
Miranda Technologies Ltd. OXI RGB animated image format (.OXI)
Animation Builder outputs the following kinds of files:
Miranda Technologies Ltd. OXT still image format (.OXT)
Miranda Technologies Ltd. OXA YUV animated image format (.OXA)
Miranda Technologies Ltd. OXI RGB animated image format (.OXI)
Miranda Technologies Ltd Page 17
Table of Contents Media Conversion Software
Also, images can be copied to the windows clipboard, allowing them to be
pasted into any other windows program.
Animation sequences can be built from a series of sequentially numbered
images in any of the above formats. For importing animations from graphics
workstations, formats which include key/alpha channel information (eg
Targa, TIFF, etc.), are the preferred format.
Clock Builder
For units with the Bugclock in-vision clock option, digital and analogue clock
designs can be constructed from still images for each of the clock
components. All still image formats supported by Animation Builder are also
supported by Clock Builder. Various parameters associated with the clock
can be set using the program. A preview allows immediate testing of the
clock being generated. Clock files generated by Clock Builder use Miranda
Technologies Ltd. OXA format.
Audio Builder 2
WAV files can be converted to Miranda Technologies Ltd. audio files
(.OXW) and (.OXE) for use with Easysound/Playsound systems. WAV,
OXW and OXE files can also be played on the PC’s audio system. Properties
of OXW and OXE audio files such as looping control can also be examined
and adjusted.
Batch converter
The Batch Image Converter software is a utility to convert industry standard
graphical file formats into Miranda Technologies Ltd. .OXT files.
The supported formats are:
1. Standard image formats (.BMP, .TGA, .GIF, .TIF, .JPG, .PNG)
2. Adobe Photoshop file (.PSD)
3. Quantel VPB images (.VPB)
4. Miranda Technologies Ltd. OXT still image format (.OXT)
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Media Conversion Software Overview
A further option to resize the image to a user-defined size is also available.
This option can also be used to resize existing .OXT files.
Clip Builder
Clip Builder is a utility to transfer MPEG video clips to Clip-on and to create
the Imagestore .clp reference thumbnail file.
DVE Editor
The DVE Editor is used to control the playout of the Imagestore DVE
options. Animated DVE sequences can be defined and edited.
PC Requirements
The MCS tools runs on a PC workstation using MS Windows 95, 98, XP,
2000 or Windows NT 4.0 operating systems. To use MCS, Miranda
Technologies Ltd. recommends a minimum specification of a Pentium
200MMX with 64Mb of RAM.
Miranda Technologies Ltd Page 19
Media Conversion Software Installation
Installation
To install the software place the compact disc into the CD drive of a
networked computer.
A html menu screen will automatically load (index.html) giving options to
install software and/or view on-line documentation.
To install the Media Conversion Software click on the Install hyperlink.
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Installation Media Conversion Software
Click the Open button to continue.
Follow the on-screen commands to launch the Install Shield Wizard.
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Media Conversion Software Installation
When prompted, add your Name and Company details.
Click Next to continue or Cancel to abort or Back to return to the previous
command.
Continue to follow the on-screen commands until the Media Conversion
Software is installed.
To run an application, open the Miranda MCS menu under the Start,
Programs menu and select a program icon.
Miranda Technologies Ltd Page 23
Installation Media Conversion Software
Uninstall
To remove the Media Conversion Software from your PC click on Start,
Settings, Control Panel. Double click on the Add/Remove Programs icon.
Select Miranda Media Conversion Software then click on the Add/Remove
button.
The Uninstall wizard will now remove the software from your PC.
Page 24 Miranda Technologies Ltd
Media Conversion Software Installation
Click OK to continue.
Miranda Technologies Ltd Page 25
Media Conversion Software Animation Builder
Animation Builder
The Animation Builder is the tool used for viewing, converting and
modifying both still images and animations for use with Imagestore product
range including Imagestore HDTV and Intuition. A variety of file formats
can be imported and sequences of numbered images can be assembled into an
animation. Keying parameters and other information (such as image titles)
can be set up and the resulting files can be transferred (via the Ethernet or
floppy disk) directly into the Imagestore units.
Preparing Image Files for Animations
The best animation results will always be obtained using images with
separate keys. The most appropriate file formats to use for still images are the
32-bit formats such as Targa and TIFF, which can typically be generated by
most 3D animation and paint packages. These files hold RGB channel
information and also the Alpha channel information that is essential for
broadcast-quality keying. Many 3-D graphics systems and painting tools such
as Cinema 4D, Adobe PhotoshopTM and Paintshop ProTM can produce files in
the formats described. A number of file conversion utilities are readily
available which you can use to convert other image files to the required
format.
Animation Builder uses the files extension to determine the file type. For
example:
♦ .TGA (Targa image files)
♦ .BMP (Windows bitmap image files)
♦ .OXT (Miranda Technologies Ltd. still images files)
♦ .OXA (Miranda Technologies Ltd. YUV Animation/Clock files)
♦ .OXI (Miranda Technologies Ltd. RGB Animations)
♦ .VPB (Quantel video paint box image files)
The files must be named sequentially, using a series of frame numbers as the
ending characters. For example:
my_anim_0001.tga, my_anim_0002.tga etc.
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Animation Builder Media Conversion Software
Most numbering formats with or without leading zeroes are supported.
No aspect ratio conversion or resizing is performed on the incoming files
(one input pixel maps to a single pixel in the resulting animation). Therefore
the images should be rendered at the appropriate size and pixel aspect ratio
for broadcast video:
♦ 720 x 576 PAL
♦ 720 x 486 NTSC.
♦ 1920 x 1080 HD
♦ 1280 x 720 HD
Images smaller than full frame can of course be processed.
Windows .BMP files, Quantel VPB files and JPEG files can also all be
imported for animation sequences, but they do not support a separate key
channel. If key channel data is contained in a separate series of images, this
series of images can be imported as key images as a later step.
Fields vs. Frames
PAL Television runs at 25 frames per second and NTSC at 30 frames per
second and each frame consists of two separate fields. It is important to
remember when making images for animations that each field, 1 and 2, are
offset from each other by both Y position (1 line) and time (1/50th of a
second, for PAL). Animation Builder works internally in fields and emulates
the interlacing of the TV by adjusting the position of each field as it is
displayed.
Animation Builder supports two ways of importing images to allow smooth,
high-quality animations to be produced. Suppose we wish to produce a onesecond, full-frame PAL animation of a moving object. When this is
broadcast, we need to display 50 distinct fields.
We could render 50 images at 720x576 resolution (each image file will be
used to form a single field of the animation). As each image is input, half of
the lines must be thrown away to produce fields. To tell Animation Builder to
do this, choose Import Animation Images as Fields in the Preferences
dialog. This works quite well, but the rendering of the animation will take
twice as long as is required, because of the redundant data being produced.
Page 28 Miranda Technologies Ltd
Media Conversion Software Animation Builder
The second approach is to render 25 frames at 720x576, with each frame
containing valid data interleaved for both fields. If one of these images is
loaded and viewed as a still, you will typically see tearing artefacts on the
edges of horizontally moving objects, due to the interleaving. As Animation
Builder reads these files, it splits the frame image into two separate field
images. The interlace emulation of Animation Builder allows both options to
be previewed and the correct one selected without transferring the animation
to an Imagestore.
Animation Duration
Imagestore Intuition
Because Intuitions read animations directly from the disk during playout, the
duration of an animation is constrained only by the disk space available on
the Intuition system. Using the Animation Builder’s optional cropping feature
is recommended to reduce the size of the animation files.
Other Imagestore systems
The maximum duration of an animated sequence is not determined by the
Animation Builder but by the video memory of the Imagestore used for
playout. The basic video memory for Imagestore is 2 x 32Mb. – 32Mb for
Preview and 32Mb for Programme (or foreground and midground, in cascade
mode). 32 Megabytes gives roughly 20 full frames of PAL video (around
0.75 seconds). Animations that use less than the full screen area can have
proportionately more frames. An animation of around 1/64th (or 1/8th by 1/8
of full screen could have a maximum duration of around 48 seconds.
Video memory upgrade options for Imagestore can extend the video memory
to 2 x 64Mb, 2 x 256Mb and 2 x 512Mb (HDTV), increasing the maximum
animation duration accordingly.
Imagestore units can loop animations to allow them to run continuously. In
this case, the video memory needs to hold a single loop of the animation.
Animation Builder can optionally use selective cropping to crop each frame
independently to reduce the playout memory requirements.
Miranda Technologies Ltd Page 29
th)
Animation Builder Media Conversion Software
Because of this and the dynamic nature of the packing algorithms used within
the Imagestore, it’s not always possible to confirm that an animation will fit
into the video memory before loading it on the Imagestore. The Animation
Information display provides an estimate as to how much video memory will
be required in the Imagestore. If an animation is loaded onto an Imagestore
which is longer than the Imagestore allows, the animation will simply be
truncated.
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