Re-ingestion of the original video tapes was not an option because of cost and time constraints. ORF was looking for a software solution that is capable to repair the damaged files. Cube-Tec delivered an adapted version of MXF Legalizer with customized repair functionality.

ORF sent a representative subset of damaged files to Cube-Tec for pre-investigation. Cube-Tecs engineers were able to analyse the origin and symptomatic of the occurring errors. As a result, an adapted version of MXF Legalizer with the customized repair functionality has been developed. This version can now fully automatically detect the occurring errors in different combinations, in the MXF container as well as in the MPEG data stream. With this new procedure, errors are fixed selectively, and at the same time the files are wrapped into fully standard-compliant MXF format. Neither re-encoding nor re-wrapping would have solved these problems. Transcoding was no option, because of the quality reason; re-ingest would have been the only alternative.

For a final check, every single MXF file has to pass a check with IRT MXF Analyser, which automatically analyses the file for standard conformity. Results are evaluated automatically, and only if they are satisfactory, files are released for long-term preservation.

Additionally, an MD5-checksum is created to allow easy independent checks of the file integrity at any time. The progress of the repair process as well as results of the file checks are automatically monitored and reported monthly in consolidated form directly to the ORF. Because of the massive volume of the data, the repair process takes place at a service provider commissioned by ORF. The progress of the repair and migration process is continuously monitored by the Cube-Tec team via remote supervision.

With regards to the positive experience gained throughout this process and the ever increasing problems with MXF interoperability, the ORF decided to purchase Cube-Tecs MXF Legalizer as an addition to the QC products already installed. This step should further secure internal quality standards. Highly qualified technical personnel should no longer be blocked by increasing investigations with MXF issues and tedious checks of MXF interoperability problems.