Supervised transfer processes with audit logging
Nobeo transfers MXF files, created by Grass Valley K2 or R&S DVS production servers, from their RAID systems to external hard drives so that the on location servers can be cleared for the next production. Externally generated footage is copied to in-house hard disks for use in post-production. The client receives the final product on portable hard drives or LTO tapes – another transfer process. MXF Legalizer checks every transfer, logs it and displays any data issues. Nobeo specified a strict MXF profile which has proven to be interoperable with all downstream workflows. Typically MXF Legalizer is able to reconstruct the bits in the MXF files without any lossy transcode process to the required MXF profile. Up to eight transfer and correction processes can be supervised in parallel, minimising copying time frames.

• MXF Legalizer supports TV production at Nobeo
• File-based Auto QC with on location dailies
• MXF-file transfer with auto correction and audit log

Internal production standards
Incoming MXF files at Nobeo are usually in DNxHD or XDCAM-HD422 formats. In order to work free from format restrictions of the input file, MXF Legalizer converts all of these files to full standard-compliance. This avoids interoperability problems and the files have always the same clearly defined structural format for all the downstream production and archive processes. Especially with time-critical productions, this approach has proven to be successful since it renders obsolete time and budget consuming additional steps in the production workflow.

Problem solver in production
Automatic monitoring of copy processes enables Nobeo to run the majority of these overnight, after the production crew has finished for the day. A major disadvantage of file-based production – namely the time-consuming data transfer from system to system – is moved into the otherwise unproductive night hours.
”We use our MXF Legalizer for all transfers in our Studio productions”, Norman Ende (Head of Post-Production, Nobeo), who initiated the implementation of Cube-Tec technology, says. ”In our network the required volumes of data can be transferred to external storage devices within just two hours. Thanks to the MXF Legalizer validation process we know that the files are always fine. Our clients appreciate receiving the MXF Legalizer Quality Report as a proof of standard conformity and technical correctness of the delivered files.”
Tom Lorenz, who manages Cube-Tec International together with Jörg Houpert, affirmed: “The installation at Nobeo is something special. In this installation MXF Legalizer is used for Quality Control directly within the TV production processes. Until now this is not typical. Most of our MXF Legalizer clients do not use the system until the post production process and for standard compliance validation before archiving.”

MXF Legalizer: An Overview
MXF Legalizer maximises interoperability of MXF files in production systems and archives. It analyses and corrects MXF files and converts MXF files lossless into precise definable MXF profiles. MXF Legalizer can be fully integrated into the CubeWorkflow. It can also be used as a SOAP web-service or by using watch folders, and operation is controlled via a web browser.