The XMPilot Tool is used to set Planning Metadata and for logging (setting Essence Marks, clip comments, clip status, clip categories) during content filming, in conjunction with a Sony XDCAM camcorder equipped with a Wi-Fi adaptor. It provides a new workflow for news, sport and drama production that uses Planning Metadata.
Functions
1) Automatic Clip File Naming
Automatically names clips, using a combination of the Title specified in Planning Metadata and an automatically incrementing sequential number. The Planning Metadata is received from the assignment desk (newsroom or drama production desk) and sent to the camcorder (using e-mail or web service).
In addition to the file naming function, the recorded clips are listed within the Planning Metadata file on the camcorder. This allows the ingest software to automatically handle their destination.
2) Live View
Displays the currently recording video, read as proxy, from the camcorder. This is useful for viewing the image when the camcorder’s viewfinder is inaccessible, checking image framing, showing to interviewees, and other tasks.
3) Clip Status (OK/NG flag) Logging
Clip status (OK, NG, KEEP, None) can be set during or after recording. The clip status information is stored in clip metadata.
4) Essence Mark Logging (Shot Marks)
Essence Marks can be added to clips with a tap of a button. A preset list of Essence Mark labels can be included in Planning Metadata, and this list is displayed as a series of buttons in the XMPilot Tool (or a user-defined set can be used instead). When a button is tapped, the text label is set for the particular frame that is being recorded. Essence Mark values (labels) and frame times are stored in clip metadata.
5) Clip Commenting
A comment can be added to a clip during or after recording. The comment is stored in clip metadata.
6) Clip Categories
A clip category can be assigned to each clip for later use during editing, ingest prioritisation, or other tasks. For example, in a drama production, a clip category can be used to create a bin structure based on the shooting plan. A hierarchical structure is supported, where each clip has an associated ‘path’ within the ingest bin structure. The default clip categories are Interview, Voice Over, Piece to Camera, Filler, and Vox Pop. The clip category for each of the clips is stored in Planning Metadata.
Clip category structures can be defined using the XMPilot Planner web application. These definitions can be downloaded from the XMPilot Web Service.
7) GPS Location
Clips can be marked with the GPS location, if Location Services is enabled, at the time of recording. Location information is added to the Planning Metadata.
8) Still Pictures, Voice Memos, Text Memos
Still pictures, voice memos and text memos can be recorded. Still pictures and voice memos are stored on the camcorder, and links to them are added to Planning Metadata. Text memos are stored in the assignment Planning Metadata.
9) Proxy Clip Playback
A proxy of a clip from a volume on an attached camera can be streamed to the iOS device. During playback, clip status and Essence Mark logging may be performed.
10) Clip Property Editing
Clip properties (title, comment, status, clip category) can be edited after recording.