Configuring File-Based Playback
Earlier versions of MediaCentral UX used only frame-based playback. Starting with v2.1, MediaCentral UX includes an option to use file-based playback. If you select file-based playback, the media is downloaded to your workstation and played back from the downloaded media. File-based playback provides good quality in low-bandwidth situations.
A user can select file-based playback for assets loaded in Asset mode or for basic sequences loaded in Output mode. For more information, see
Selecting Frame-Based Playback or File-Based Playback.
File-based playback is the default mode for Interplay MAM assets. The user’s ability to select frame-based playback depends on Interplay MAM rules. The credentials used to sign in to the Interplay MAM database determine if the user is allowed to use frame-based playback.
A MediaCentral administrator has the option of configuring the bit rate for file-based playback. There are two profiles available:
• Low-bandwidth: The default setting for file-based playback. This option is available for file-based playback of both Interplay Production and Interplay MAM assets. The default settings are 512 Kb/sec for video and 96 Kb/sec for audio.
• High-bandwidth: This setting applies to the MultiRez option for playback of high-quality media. This option is available only for playback of Interplay Production assets. See
Configuring Image Quality. The default settings are 5 Mb/sec for video and 128 Kb/sec for audio.
To change the default bit rate for these profiles, you must edit a configuration file on the MediaCentral Platform server.
To configure the bit rate for file-based playback:
1. Log in as the root user on the MediaCentral Platform server.
2. Use the vi text editor to open the following file for editing:
/usr/maxt/maxedit/etc/fl_xmd.cfg
3. Locate the following lines:
<render_profile_low>video_bitrate=512000,audio_bitrate=96000,max_width=480</render_profile_low>
<render_profile_high>video_bitrate=5000000,audio_bitrate=128000,max_width=960</render_profile_high>
The above examples use the default bit rates, written as bits per second.
4. Edit the video bit rate and the audio bit rate as desired, then save and close the file.
The following are valid values. Enter the full bit rate.
Video Bit Rate | Value for File | Audio Bit Rate | Value for File |
256 Kb | 256000 | 64 Kb | 64000 |
512 Kb (low profile default) | 512000 | 96 Kb (low profile default) | 96000 |
1 Mb | 1000000 | 128 Kb (high profile default) | 128000 |
3 Mb | 3000000 | 156 Kb | 156000 |
5 Mb (high profile default) | 5000000 | 512 Kb | 512000 |
10 Mb | 10000000 | | |
Use the following table to estimate the amount of media that can be transferred at different bit rates. This information was based on media transferred with the following specifications:
DNxHD 36 HD_1920x1080@25p@16:9, transferred with a maximum width of 960 pixels.
Video Bit Rate/ Audio Bit Rate | Approximate Media Transfer Per Minute |
256 Kb/128 Kb | 2.72 MB |
512 Kb/128 Kb | 5.6 MB |
1 Mb/128 Kb | 8.8 MB |
3 Mb/128 Kb | 22.8 MB |
5 Mb/128 Kb | 32 MB |
10 Mb/128 Kb | 32.4 MB |