… for Codecs & Media

Tip #1401: The Future of Media is Streaming

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

The future of media is streaming – but what should broadcasters do?

This article, written by Alan Wolk, first appeared in NextTV.com. This is a summary.

There are a few ways you can look at NBCUniversal’s decision to shut down its NBC Sports Network channel and distribute NBCSN’s programming to the USA network and Peacock.

On one level, it’s a cost-saving measure and a way to boost USA and Peacock at a time when both could use a little love.

On another, it’s the first of many similar decisions NBCU and other big networks are going to be making as they consolidate their offerings on linear and prepare to migrate the bulk of their business to streaming.

The powers that be at all of the major networks seem to understand that the future belongs to streaming. Their goal is to make the switch-over as painless as possible by gradually reducing their footprint on linear TV while increasing it on streaming. The process of reducing their linear footprint is a lot like one of those peg board games, the ones you find at Cracker Barrel, where the goal is to jump one piece over another and remove the piece you’ve jumped, till you’re left with just a single piece.

At the same time, they’ve got to keep their traditional linear businesses in shape, as that is still (for now) their major source of revenue.

In addition to viewers, networks are going to have to manage advertiser expectations during the switchover, as well. Today’s conventional wisdom is that younger, more affluent audiences are on streaming, while older and less affluent audiences are still on linear.

On the programming end, we’re already seeing how traditional networks are making excellent use of their streaming networks to promote their linear properties, giving them a strategic advantage over tech-only players like Amazon and Apple, especially when it comes to those viewers who are still primarily on linear but thinking of making the switch.

EXTRA CREDIT

The entire article is worth readiing, as is the NextTV website itself.

… for Codecs & Media

Tip #1325: Why Is an Audio Fade Called +3 dB?

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

Audio is a Strange Beast

Unlike video, audio levels are logarithmic. For example, whenever the audio level increases (or decreases) around 10 dB, the perceived volume is doubled (or cut in half). These log values also have an impact in cross-fading between clips.

A +3 dB transition adds a 3 dB increase in volume to both clips in the middle of a cross-fade. If the software did not add this “bump,” the cross-fade would sound fainter in the middle of a transition, then louder at each end.

When fading to or from black, a straight-line (linear) transition is best. When cross-fading between two clips, both of which have continuous audio, a +3 dB transition will sound better.

EXTRA CREDIT

Some software allows you to change the shape of the curve manually. These rules still apply, but manual adjustments allow much greater control over how the transition sounds.

Still, the general rule of audio is: Whatever sounds the best to you IS most likely the best.

… for Codecs & Media

Tip #1281: Larger Frame Sizes Protect Projects

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

Frame sizes will continue to increase, here’s how they benefit current projects.

We are in the middle of determining the “optimum” frame size for video projects as frame sizes continue to scale up. New projects are consistently shooting in 4k frame sizes, with cameras pushing up to 8K frame sizes and beyond.

First, while it could be argued that we can’t actually SEE 4K in most situations, that hasn’t stopped distributors from requesting it. However, even if we are creating HD projects, there is a value in shooting larger frame sizes. Recently, Jason Boone wrote a blog about the benefits of scaling larger frame sizes to fit smaller projects.

• Reframe a shot. 4K provides so many extra pixels to choose from, you can convert a wide shot into a close-up. However, cutting into the frame won’t change depth of field, so the image won’t look the same as if you had zoomed in.
• Use the same take multiple times. Using the same take for both wide shots and close-ups makes it seem as though you have two cameras. The benefit is that where talent is looking change. The disadvantage is that background and depth of field won’t change either.
• Create camera moves. Using keyframes you can create movement where there was none in the original shot. However, like moves on a still, elements won’t change position as they would if you used a dolly on set.
• Stabilize your footage. This is powerful. Stabilization always zooms into a shot. By having lots of extra pixels to work with, the image won’t lose detail or sharpness.
• Adjust the image for graphics. There’s nothing worse than graphics you can’t read. 4K gives us extra pixels for scaling and repositioning.

4K may not be visible to the eye, but it can be a BIG benefit in post. And the same holds true for larger frame sizes yet – provided your storage is fast and large enough to hold it!

… for Codecs & Media

Tip #1273: What is an MKV File?

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

MKV files, like QuickTime or MXF, are containers that hold media files.

This morning, a reader emailed me a question asking whether MKV files are supported in Big Sur. That got me thinking about what an MKV file is.

According to HowToGeek.com, “MKV files are actually multimedia container formats. An MKV container can incorporate audio, video, and subtitles into a single file—even if those elements use different types of encoding….
MKV container files were designed to be future proof, meaning that the files would not become outdated.”

Features of an MKV file include:

• Fast seeking
• Chapter, menu, and metadata support
• Different selectable audio and video streams
• Online streaming compatibility
• Subtitle (hard-coded and soft-coded) support
• Error recovery, which allows for playback of corrupted files

The MKV container itself also supports almost any audio and video format, making the format highly adaptive and easy to use. However, while the MKV file may not become outdated, the players that support them can. For example, QuickTime Player does not support MKV files.

Here’s a list, published by Wondershare, of the top 10 MKV players for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android devices.

So, as for compatibility, if your MKV player runs on Big Sur, the MKV files should play as well.