DigiTranslator™ Version 2.0.1 DigiTranslator™ Version 2.
Legal Notice This guide is copyrighted ©2007 by Digidesign, a division of Avid Technology, Inc. (hereafter “Digidesign”), with all rights reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Digidesign. AudioSuite, Avid, Avid Unity, Digidesign, DigiTranslator, Pro Tools, and Pro Tools|HD are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. in the US and other countries.
contents Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Digidesign Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 About the Pro Tools Guides . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix A. DigiTranslator Reference Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Translation Notes File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Speed Correction for Film, NTSC Video, and PAL Video Using DigiTranslator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Index iv . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
chapter 1 Introduction DigiTranslator™ 2.0 or higher lets Pro Tools® exchange audio and video files, and sequences with other AAF-, MXF-, and OMF®-compatible applications (such as Avid editors). For extensive documentation of Avid workflows, visit the Avid website (www.avid.com). System Requirements For complete system requirements visit the Digidesign® website (www.digidesign.com).
About the Pro Tools Guides In addition to the printed guides that came with your system, PDF versions of the Pro Tools guides are installed automatically with Pro Tools in the Documentation folder. To view or print the PDF guides, install Acrobat Reader. This guide covers DigiTranslator 2.0 and higher with Pro Tools HD® and Pro Tools LE™ 7.0 and higher, and DigiTranslator 2.0 and higher with Pro Tools M-Powered version 7.4 and higher. For versions of Pro Tools lower than 7.0 that support DigiTranslator 2.
About www.digidesign.com The Digidesign website (www.digidesign.com) is your best online source for information to help you get the most out of your Pro Tools system. The following are just a few of the services and features available. Product Registration Register your purchase online. See the enclosed Digidesign Registration Information Card for instructions.
4 DigiTranslator Integrated Option Guide
chapter 2 Installation and Authorization Installing DigiTranslator To install DigiTranslator: This key can hold over 100 licenses for all of your iLokenabled software. Once an iLok is authorized for a given piece of software, you can use the iLok to authorize that software on any computer. 1 Insert the Pro Tools Installer disc and double-click the installer icon.
Authorizing DigiTranslator 2.0 or Higher with an iLok and a License Card License Cards are specific to each plug-in or software option. You will receive the appropriate License Cards for the plug-ins that you purchase. License Cards have a small punch-out plastic chip called a GSM cutout. 5 Insert the GSM cutout into the iLok. Visually verify that the metal portion of the cutout makes contact with the iLok’s metal card reader.
The first time you launch Pro Tools after the demo period has ended, a dialog indicates that your DigiTranslator demo has expired. You will need to authorize the DigiTranslator option at this time to continue using DigiTranslator. To remove DigiTranslator on Mac: 1 Open the Pro Tools folder on your Startup drive (lo- cated in Applications/Digidesign). 2 Drag the OMF.bundle file to the Trash. 3 Empty the Trash.
8 DigiTranslator Integrated Option Guide
chapter 3 AAF, MXF, and OMF Overview DigiTranslator™ 2.0 and higher lets Pro Tools exchange audio, video, and sequences with other AAF-, MXF-, and OMF-compatible applications (such as Avid editors). Metadata Metadata is used to describe the following: • Information embedded in a media file. This may in- AAF, MXF, and OMF Overview Media Data (Media Files) clude scene, take, sample rate, bit depth, region names, the name of the videotape from which the media file was captured, and even time code values.
Media data and metadata enable an application that receives AAF and OMF sequence files (such as Pro Tools) to automatically and quickly reassemble the composition. A simple metaphor for this approach is that media data files are the pieces of a puzzle and metadata is the set of instructions for assembling the puzzle. In the simplest case, only an AAF or OMF sequence is exchanged.
Pro Tools and Avid Terminology Pro Tools and Avid use different terms to describe the same items. For example, a Pro Tools session is equivalent to an Avid sequence. The following table lists common Pro Tools elements and their Avid equivalents. Pro Tools Avid (AAF or OMF) session sequence whole file region master clip region subclip plug-ins real-time audio effects volume automation gain Avid keyframe volume Pro Tools does not have a feature that compares to Avid clip-based gain.
Embedded Media and Linked Media There are two types of AAF and OMF files: ones with embedded media, and ones with linked media. When working with OMF embedded media or creating AAF embedded audio, Pro Tools limits file size to 2 GB. However, you may be able to use Pro Tools to open an AAF embedded audio file larger than 2 GB if it was exported from another source.
Linked Media Exporting AAF or OMF with linked media results in a single metadata file (.AAF or .OMF) and all associated media stored as separate files. The main benefit to this approach is that fewer copies of media files may need to be made, so the export and import process can be much faster. Using this approach, it is less likely that you will encounter any file size limitations since the data is broken up into many smaller files.
Audio File Format Compatibility Issues AIFC Audio File Format Avid Media Composer and other Avid editors support audio files in the AIFC format, a version of the Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF) that supports compressed media. Pro Tools can import and use this format, but not compress audio in this format. Sound Designer II Audio File Format Support for AAF Sequences Referencing SDII Audio Files Pro Tools lets you import an AAF sequence that references Sound Designer II (SDII) audio files.
chapter 4 Importing AAF and OMF to Pro Tools With DigiTranslator 2.0 or higher, you can import the following types of files into Pro Tools: • AAF or OMF sequences (including those with embedded audio) • Individual Avid video files in the MXF or OMF format To import individual Avid video files into Pro Tools, do one of the following: Use the File > Import > Video command. – or – Drag and drop them from any DigiBase browser or the desktop.
Importing AAF or OMF Sequences into Pro Tools 4 Click Open. With DigiTranslator 2.0 or higher, you can open and import AAF or OMF sequences directly into Pro Tools. Pro Tools cannot play MXF audio or video files embedded within an AAF sequence. When opening and importing an AAF or OMF sequence the New Session dialog opens, prompting you to name and save the sequence as a new session. Once you name and save the new session, the Import Session Data dialog opens.
8 Click Save. The Import Session Data dialog appears. Link to Source Media (Where Possible) This option lets you avoid duplicating audio files by referring to the original files when possible. If the source files do not reside on supported playback media (such as a CD), or if they require bit depth or sample rate conversion, the source files are copied instead. This option allows the current session to refer to files that do not match the current session’s audio file format.
10 Depending on how you want to import the video, choose one of the following options from the Video Media Options pop-up menu: Link to Source Media This option lets you avoid duplicating video files by referring to the original files. Copy from Source Media This option copies all video files related to the imported tracks from the source media to a new specified location. 11 Change other parameters as desired. 12 Click OK.
The Import Session Data dialog appears. 4 Select the desired AAF/OMF translation settings (see “AAF/OMF Source Track Translation Settings” on page 23). 5 Select any Audio Media Options (see “Audio Media Options” on page 20). 6 Select any Video Media Options (see “Video Media Options” on page 21). 7 Select the Sample Rate Convert Options, if any (see “Sample Rate Conversion Options” on page 22). 8 Select the Time Code Mapping Options, if any (see “Time Code Mapping Options” on page 21).
Import Options When importing AAF or OMF sequences, Pro Tools provides the following import options through the Import Session Data dialog: • Audio Media options Copy from Source Media Use this setting to copy referenced audio to a new drive or folder. You can perform sample rate conversion on the audio during this translation.
Video Media Options Maintain Absolute Time Code Values When importing AAF or OMF tracks into Pro Tools, use the pop-up menu in the Video Media Options section to copy or link to the source video media. This option places tracks at the locations where they were located in the source session.
Sample Rate Conversion Options These settings let you convert the sample rate of the session’s audio files. For example, you can convert from 48 kHz to 44.1 kHz, or from 44.1 kHz to 48 kHz. Pro Tools|HD systems support sample rates higher than 48 kHz (88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, and 192 kHz). These settings also enable you to convert to compensate for the 0.1% speed change (pull-up or pull-down) between 24 fps film and 29.
If this setting differs from the Source Audio Sample Rate setting, audio is sample-rate converted digitally to the Destination Audio Sample Rate. Conversion Quality Pop-Up Menu This pop-up menu lets you choose settings corresponding to Pro Tools sample rate conversion settings. The “Tweak Head (Slowest)” setting provides the best results.
Ignore Keyframe Gain Import - Replace Existing Playlists Enable the Ignore Keyframe Gain option to discard the project’s keyframe gain settings. Disable the Ignore Keyframe Gain option (it is disabled by default) to translate keyframe gain to breakpoint automation in Pro Tools. Keyframe gain exceeding +6 dB will be ignored by sessions saved in versions of Pro Tools lower than 6.4. This option imports selected source playlists from the source track.
Audio files that are not of the same bit depth or sample rate as a session must be converted to be used with the session. When an audio file is converted, a new file with the correct bit depth, file type, and sample rate is created and placed in a folder you choose. You can use the Source Sample Rate settings to compensate for any pull up or pull down factors that may have been applied to the audio prior to importing.
Export Options for Audio and Video Mixdowns You can request the following new export options for the AAF you are receiving from an Avid application: • To export both a video mixdown and its corresponding editing metadata, the Avid video editor should choose Video Mixdown from the Export Method pop-up menu, then select Mixdown with Video Edits (Pro Tools 7.2 and Above) in the Export Settings dialog.
chapter 5 Exporting AAF, MXF, and OMF from Pro Tools With DigiTranslator 2.0 or higher, you can export AAF, MXF, and OMF files from Pro Tools using the Bounce to Disk, Export Regions as Files, and Export Selected Tracks as OMF/AAF commands. Pro Tools with DigiTranslator 2.0 and higher exports specific information about AAF files and sequences, MXF files, and OMF files and sequences. Sequences and files exported from Pro Tools only retain time code addresses, region names, and definitions.
To export selected audio tracks as an AAF or OMF sequence: 1 In Pro Tools, select the tracks you want to export. Choose either mixed or unmixed files. Shift-click to select multiple tracks. Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac) to select all tracks. 4 If desired, select Enforce Avid Compatibility. Enforce Avid Compatibility limits the sample rate options to 44.1 or 48 kHz. Dithering without noise shaping will be applied to files being exported from 24-bit to 16-bit.
Pro Tools creates a sequence with the name you supply. When using an Avid software application, the Pro Tools comment appears in the Avid bin in a Pro Tools Comment column.Click OK. 10 In the file dialog, navigate to a folder where you can easily locate the AAF or OMF sequence when it is time to distribute it to another editor or import it into Media Station|PT. 11 Click Save. Translation Settings (For Export Selected Tracks as OMF/AAF Sequences Command Only) DigiTranslator 2.
Quantize Edits to Frame Boundaries Pro Tools allows sample-accurate placement of regions. In Pro Tools, you can place a region of any length at any position, without any requirement for aligning regions with frame boundaries. Figure 3. Subclip: Region stretched to farthest frame boundaries However, most video editing programs, such as Media Composer, only support frame-accurate editing. In these programs, you can only edit sounds on whole frame boundaries, limiting your precision.
One-frame files (OFFs) are imported into Avid workstations as part of the AAF or OMF sequence like any other sound file. In the Avid Timeline, they appear as oneframe edits on either side of a subclip. If you decide you need to extend the subclip at any point, discard the OFF and trim the subclip as needed. This solution is only available when you export a sequence, not when you export individual files. If Quantize Edits to Frame Boundaries is selected, Pro Tools volume automation will not be exported.
Sample Rate Conversion Quality Audio Bit-Depth These settings correspond to Pro Tools sample rate conversion settings. It is not recommended that you use the “Low (Fastest)” setting. The “Tweak Head (Slowest)” setting provides the highest quality sample rate conversion. Select 16-bit or 24-bit as the target bit-depth for the exported media. Pro Tools will apply the AudioSuite dithering algorithm, without noise shaping, when reducing bit-depth from 24-bit to 16-bit.
you have consolidated, by the amount you specify. It is a good idea to have at least 1000 milliseconds (one second) of handle, so you can “trim out” edits that sound “clipped” or “up-cut.” Consolidate Handle Size is only available when Consolidate From Source Media is selected. To export selected audio tracks from Pro Tools as an AAF sequence referring to MXF audio files: 1 In Pro Tools, select the tracks you want to export. Exporting Pro Tools Tracks as MXF Audio Files With DigiTranslator 2.
4 Select Enforce Avid Compatibility. 6 Under the Audio Media Options section, select MXF from the Audio Format pop-up menu. Enforce Avid Compatibility creates frame-accurate edits, wraps the files as OMFI (unless you choose MXF), and limits the sample rate options to 44.1 or 48 kHz. Dithering without noise shaping will be applied to files being exported from 24bit to 16-bit. 7 Verify the Audio Bit-Depth setting is acceptable for the recipient of this export.
13 In the “Please Choose a Folder for Converted Audio Files” dialog, do one of the following: • If planning to transmit the Pro Tools composition for work at another location, navigate to a folder where the media files can be easily located (such as the same folder where AAF or OMF sequence resides). – or – • If planning to use Media Station|PT to import the sequence on the same computer, navigate to the OMFI MediaFiles folder (for OMF media) or the Avid MediaFiles folder (for MXF media).
3 In the Bounce dialog, choose your Bounce Source. 8 In the Publishing Options dialog, do the following: • Type the Pro Tools Comment and Clip Name. – or – • Choose a Target Project Time Code Format that matches the Avid application project to which you are exporting the MXF audio. Pro Tools Bounce to Disk dialog All audible audio in the selection will be exported to two multi-mono audio files. 9 In the Save Bounce As dialog, choose the drive where you want to save the files.
Exporting a Region as a New MXF File With DigiTranslator 2.0 or higher, you can export regions as MXF audio files with the Export Selected As Files command. Use this command if you intend to use a region in other sessions or other audio applications without using its parent source file. This command also provides a way to convert regions to a different sample rate or bit depth. 3 In the Export Selected dialog, select the Enforce Avid Compatibility option.
OMFI/AAF Options Pro Tools Comment Identifies the source of the file, and defaults to the name of the current session. The Pro Tools Comment field does not appear if you are using the Export Selected as Tracks command, since audio on one track may have many different sources. Sequence Name This is the name that will be displayed when the file is imported into another AAF- or OMFcompatible program. The sequence name is not the file name that will appear in the finder.
AudioSuite with Region List If the file was created by AudioSuite, using the Region List option, the time stamp reflects the original time stamp of the source file. For example, if you record a file from 1:00 to 2:00m then trim it to start at 1:15, the file is duplicated, processed with the plug-in, and the new time stamp is 1:15. Existing Time Stamp If a file is imported with an existing time stamp, it will remain the time stamp for the exported file as well.
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appendix a DigiTranslator Reference Information Translation Notes File If there are any errors, region name truncations, or other notes (such as missing effect renderings), during import of an AAF or OMF file or sequence, a dialog appears asking if you want a detailed report of the changes. Click Yes and choose where you want to save the translation notes file. The Translation Notes File can be opened by most word processing applications that can read plain text files.
Example 2 Miscellaneous Errors (Misc Errors) V1<01:00:48:25–01:00:49:26> no rendering for effect: omfi:effect: VideoRepeat;substituting silence/video black Example For some effects, the length of the output is different than the length of the input. In this case, substituting a bypass when a rendering is missing doesn't make sense, because it won't sync properly. DigiTranslator substitutes silence or video black.
Speed Correction for Film, NTSC Video, and PAL Video Using DigiTranslator faster 25 fps x104.1667% up (“4%” pull up) x96.0% down (“4%” pull down) Telecine 24 fps 30 fps x100.1% up x99.9% down x100.1% up x99.9% down (0.1% pull up) (0.1% pull down) (0.1% pull up) (0.1% pull down) 23.976 fps Telecine 29.97 fps slower same program speed, less frames per second same program speed, more frames per second Figure 5.
Table 1. Sample Rate Conversion Using Source Sample Rates at Pull Up and Pull Down Setting From To Pull NTSC Video PAL +0.1% then +4.1667% Source Sample Rate 45983 50050 91967 100100 n/a n/a Film PAL +4.1667% 45938 50000 91875 100000 n/a n/a NTSC Film +0.1% 44144 48048 88288 96096 176576 192192 Film NTSC –0.1% 44056 47952 88112 95904 176224 191808 PAL Film –4.0% 42336 46080 84672 92160 n/a n/a PAL NTSC –4.0% then 0.
index A E AAF embedded media 12 Enforce Avid Compatibility 29 Export 32 OMF/AAF Options 29 Sample Rate Conversion Options 31 export OMF/AAF Consolidate From Source Media 32 Copy From Source Media 32 Refer To Source Media 32 translation settings 29 Export Selected As Files command 37 Export Selected dialog 37 Export Selected Tracks as OMF/AAF 27, 33 Export Selected Tracks as OMF/AAF command 33 import translation settings 23 linked media 13 metadata 9 opening in Pro Tools 16 AAF/OMF translation settings
M T media data 9 metadata 9 Multi-Cam Resolution files 18 Target Project Timecode Format 29 time stamp 38 Timecode Mapping Options on import 21 Track Offset Options on import 21 O OMF embedded media 12 import translation settings 23 linked media 13 media data 9 metadata 9 opening in Pro Tools 16 publishing options 38 OMF/AAF Options on export 29 Opening an AAF sequence in Pro Tools 16 Opening an OMF sequence in Pro Tools 16 P PACE Anti-Piracy 5 Pan Odd Tracks Left/Even Tracks Right 24 Pro Tools and Avi
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