BWF_PAL

Using Broadcast WAV files, InDAW, and Film Transfers in PAL

Recent versions of the Avid editing systems, support the importing of Broadcast WAV files created from several manufacturers Aaton, Zaxcom and Nagra all have the capabilities of creating these files either during capture on the set, or during the picture and sound transfer in the telecine suite.

The Broadcast WAV file (BWF), also contains metadata from the production such as timecode, scene, take etc. Importing these files into the editing system is roughly 9x faster that a digitize in real time and maintains pure digital quality for all audio post processes.

This features exists for all project types, NTSC and PAL on Avid Meridien based editing systems running software versions 10.5 or later or Symphony/Symphony Universal 3.5 or later.

For PAL, the user must create a PAL Method 2 project type (see user's manual for more information) where the picture and sound are digitized/imported as separate elements and are then synced in the editing systems using the Avid AutoSync™ feature.

The ALE files used must be created from a version 4.39 or later of the inDAW system from Aaton. Below are the steps to be used by the Avid editor or assistant to to create autosynced clips using BWF, inDAW and the Aaton KeyLinker.

· Import the BWF file into a PAL 24p method 2 project.
· Highlight the "Start" timecode column and copy/paste into the "TC 24" and select "convert" from the dialog.
· Highlight the "TC 24" column and copy/paste into the "Aux TC1" column.
· Make sure that the "Shoot Date" has the same syntax for both the ALE import as well as the BWF file. Currently the BWF import has Shoot Date as 2001/10/03 and the ALE file has 2001-10-03. This field is used as part of the AutoSync process to guarantee the uniqueness of the timecode. Either make the change or delete all shoot dates if not needed. Or one can copy shoot date to a custom column via the Copy/paste column feature and then delete the "shoot date" field.
· AutoSync is done based on the "Aux TC1" column.
· 24 frame EDL for audio will be generated from the "TC 24" column
· Video only EDL (24) can be generated via EDL manager from the "Film TC" column. This timecode field represents the video timecode of a HD down convert to standard definition video.
· Aux TC 1 will only be used as a sync point reference for AutoSync. It will never be used for data tracking or EDL generation.

Once complete, highlight picture and audio clips and select "AutoSync" from the "Bin" menu in the editing application. New subclips will be created that are synced picture and sound clips ready for the editorial process.