It makes a difference. A big difference.

Some QC systems automatically test content for unacceptable flaws, but still require considerable amounts of manual intervention to repair those flaws, and yet another pass to confirm that they have indeed been fixed. Unfortunately, what compounds the problem is that manual repairs can often introduce new errors, which means that the “auto” QC process has to be repeated, sometimes over and over. There’s precious little that’s “automatic” about that at all.

And therein lay the risk when considering an auto-QC product for an otherwise healthy workflow. The wrong decision can actually slow the workflow down.

This is, in part, because expecting video and audio editors to be fully conversant with the multitude of file-based media formats and their delivery specifications is a big ask. An editor should be focussed on creating content rather than getting bogged down in the minutiae of formats and standards. One major online content provider has a complex list of broadcast/distribution delivery specifications that includes more than 20 different combinations of “acceptable” video/audio HD formats. So where do you start and, more importantly, how do you know when you’ve arrived at “acceptable”?

The good news is that the AS-11 UK DPP delivery standard is an excellent example of a well-considered signpost that makes those definitions much easier to grasp. That’s why we’ve not only supported this specification but developed technology to take the pain out of correction. If there are issues with a file, Vidchecker not only describes the problem, it automatically corrects it, too, which is what makes it different from any other QC product on the market.

The AS 11 UK DPP delivery standard has been very positive for the UK market and I see no reason why similar partnerships could not be established in other parts of the world. All it takes is the dedication of knowledgeable resources coupled with political will and industry collaboration. I am sure we’ll hear discussions about like-minded initiatives taking shape while we’re at NAB 2015.

For our part at NAB, we’re introducing our intelligent “Vidapps-Video” plug-in for Adobe After Effects or Premiere Pro to correct RGB gamut and YUV levels within the NLE. This means that users of Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro can correct illegal video levels to broadcast safe parameters using Vidcheck's patented algorithms

as part of the edit process, immediately before the media is rendered. This approach means that the user can be confident that the rendered media will fully comply with the specified requirements before it leaves the Adobe environment.

We think that’s a great way to control content quality for delivery.

VidCheck are at NAB Booth SL5421