Hello,
Has anyone had any experience with using Nanoflash files on the TriCaster TCXD300.
I have been informed that the TriCaster TCXD300 records and play's Mpeg 2 100Mbps I frame files. I am considering getting one but I need to ensure compatibility between the two unit prior to making a decision .

Hello just a quick post to update my experience with the TriCaster TCXD300 and the Nanoflash. Hopefully this will help others who may be considering using this combination. I received the Tricaster two weeks ago and I can confirm after numerous calls to the local dealer for support I can confirm that the NanoFlash Quicklime Long Gop and I-Frame files are not compatible with the Tricaster. The only format’s that you can import to the Tricaster live for play out from the DDR is 35Mbps MPG which really is at low end of the quality scale and I would consider it not useable. I am still investigating if I can work around this problem. I would advise caution on using this combination if quality is of prime concern at this stage.

I have a friend doing tricaster shoots and I suggested the nano as a recording option. I am curious to know what more info you find out.

I am under the impression that the Tricaster is most happy with lower res stuff, mostly because it has to crunch it all and put it on the web in lower resolutions. Is that right? Therefore, a nano seems like massive overkill unless in SD modes and recording mpeg.

The new model of Tricaster to which the OP refers is HD and unlike earlier versions which were WMV SD, this model streams HD.

I as well am most interested in what you find out since I've reviewed the TriCaster Broadcast and the 3Play and generally like their products.

Hello Scott and Ned,
The new TCXD300 HD Tricaster is a remarkable machine producing high quality HD pictures recording @ 100Mbps I-frame. The Tricaster could be even better by been able to ingest Nanoflash 100 Mbps I-Frame or Long Gop files. My original setup was to use four Nanoflash units one on each on the three camera inputs to record the incoming video to cover for any bad switching. The fourth NanoFlash would record the SDI program out. Just like the Sony EX series camera's recording the program output from the Tricaster to the Nanoflash produces a very high quality pictures in a format far more compatible with other NLE’s such as Final Cut Pro for quick edits without any conforming or transcoding. The marriage of the these two will give you a kick ass system for live events from capture to delivery.
I have been able to import and playback Nanoflash files in the Tricaster’s editor but the audio is corrupted. I believe the problem is it is that NanoFlash files records the audio as uncompressed 24-bit audio and the Tricaster requires compressed audio. I would be great if the NanoFlash had the option to record compressed audio. I still investigating other option.

Hello Scott and Ned,
The new TCXD300 HD Tricaster is a remarkable machine producing high quality HD pictures recording @ 100Mbps I-frame. The Tricaster could be even better by been able to ingest Nanoflash 100 Mbps I-Frame or Long Gop files. My original setup was to use four Nanoflash units one on each on the three camera inputs to record the incoming video to cover for any bad switching. The fourth NanoFlash would record the SDI program out. Just like the Sony EX series camera's recording the program output from the Tricaster to the Nanoflash produces a very high quality pictures in a format far more compatible with other NLE’s such as Final Cut Pro for quick edits without any conforming or transcoding. The marriage of the these two will give you a kick ass system for live events from capture to delivery.
I have been able to import and playback Nanoflash files in the Tricaster’s editor but the audio is corrupted. I believe the problem is it is that NanoFlash files records the audio as uncompressed 24-bit audio and the Tricaster requires compressed audio. I would be great if the NanoFlash had the option to record compressed audio. I still investigating other option.

Sony EX3 XDCAM MPG4 files import and play in the Tricaster without any problems.

Dear Lance,

I have been checking out the Tricaster TCXD300.

NewTek TriCaster TCXD300 (http://www.newtek.com/tricaster/tricaster_tcxd300.php)

Based on their website FAQ's, the files are:

TriCaster TCXD300 writes I-Frame only MPEG-2 files at approximately 100mbps in HD, and 50mbps in SD. It supports “standard” profile MPEG-2 which is 4:2:0 encoding and is widely compatible and “high” profile that has 4:2:2 encoding but lesser compatibility.

And

Audio is sampled at 48 kHz with, 24-bit precision.

In another FAQ, they report compatability with MOV and MXF.

Our MXF files are compatible with the Sony Optical Disk format.

It appears that we will need to coordinate with NewTek to determine if their is a way for you to import our files into their system.

From the above information, it is not clear how they store the audio, either uncompressed 24-bit, 48K or compressed in some format, as is used in HDV and other formats. Based on your information, it appears that they record the audio in a compressed format.

While MXF is a standard, the exact placement of individual fields of data is not standardized. Thus, we can produce a perfectly legal MXF file, and so may NewTek, but the files may not be readable by the other system.

Hi Dan:
It would be utter insanity *Not to make CD's Long GOP 50 Sony XDCAM HD 4:2:2 files somehow compatible with the latest TriCaster. Long GOP 100 Mbps although desirable, would be superfluous since broadcast is setup for XDCAM HD 4:2:2 50 Mbps usage in all of the Sony broadcast XDCAM HD camcorders. I think this company has done it again. I remember the toaster ;-) I would strongly suspect all I-Frame QT or MXF recording done on Nano's and XDR's would import nicely into this system.

HI, Dan

I'm well connected with NewTek so let me know if I can be of help in any way.

Ned

Dear Ned,

Yes, I think you are in a great position to assist.

Our first step should be to understand what they actually need. We need to know what they expect in terms of file formats.

We have, in our code, the ability to create compressed audio files. But, of course, we do not do so in our high-quality formats, we use 24 Bit, 48K, uncompressed audio.

We can easily send them some files to test.

We do not have a Tricaster in our lab, just as they probably do not have a nanoFlash in their lab.

We will be more than happy to work with NewTek.
(As always, our plate is currently full when it comes to development projects.)

I'll ping my contact at NewTek and lay out the issue with him.

Ned

Hi Dan,Mark & Ned,
Yes the Tricaster is truly Amazing the two products compliment each other and create so much more flexibility with work flow. I hope that CD and Newtek can come up with an ingest solution for the Nanoflash Files. I have just used the NanoFlash to record the SDI program output from the Tricaster to the NanoFlash @ 100Mbs Log Gop and the pictures are truly Amazing . I found the SE editing solution supplied with the Tricaster to be too limiting for precomposing video clips at Live events. I now use the NanoFlash to record and move files to via SDI. It would be better if one can just move files but for now that is my work around. The other good thing about using the NanoFlash Tricaster combo is that you have a backup of the program output that is truly resolution and bit rate independent with greater compatibility with FCP. Thank you for taking an interest in this Dan and I look forward to further developments on this integration.

Dear Lance,

Ned and I have been in contact via Email. Ned has contacted NewTek via email. I will attempt to reach them on Monday.

We will be arranging for NewTek to obtain some files.

Also, we will engage in an information exchange to determine what needs to be done to achieve compatability.

Dear Dan,
That's great news I look forward to hearing the outcome.

Dear Friends,

I have spoken with a knowledgeable person at Newtek.

Their files are MPEG-2, as are ours.

However, our MPEG-2 files, except for our ".MPG" files, have either a Quicktime or MXF wrapper. Theirs do not.

One solution would be to play the files out of the nanoFlash into the Tricaster, thus recording the files in their native format.

Creating special versions, such as creating our files without a Quicktime or MXF wrapper is not a trivial task.

Even if we remove our wrappers, we have no assurances that our files would be compatible with theirs

Thus, the outlook for complete compatiblity is not great.

I would like to know how practical it is to play our files out to the Tricaster, as opposed to importing our files via a CompactFlash card reader.

Hello Dan,
Thank you very much for your kind assistance in this matter I think at this stage we can conclude that the two are not compatible. I do now own a Tricaster and will now have to look for a work around I will try your suggestion and as soon as a get a break from my live work and I will PM you my results.

To add to the discussion a bit, I've been in touch with my sources at NewTek in addition to Dan's contacts. We are going to send NewTek some files as they are quite interested in seeing what they might be able to do on their end.

In the meanwhile, Dan and I had discussed what might be an interim solution-- just play out of the Nano SDI into the TriCaster and record live. A bit of a nuisance but not that much more time possibly than copying the file via USB.

Hello Dan & Ned,
I have been able to convert NanoFlash Files to be compatible with the Tricaster by using MPEG2 Works.
The only down side is the conversion time not an option for live events but for composting and editing in post it's a work around.

Original NanoFlash test File QT 100 Mpbs Long Gop 4min 41sec 07 frames 3,515,308 kb

Exporting HD XDCAM CBR 1721,654 kb
Exporting MP4 default setting 5,429 kb
Exporting MP4 max quality 3,604,063,430 kb

I have imported the native Nanoflash file and the vision looks really good but the audio is corrupted , if you only have to render out the audio it would be a very fast process. Can anyone offer suggestions on how to convert the files audio only leaving the vision intact?

Correction to post the conversion utility used is MPEG Streamclip.

Dear Friends,

I would like to know how practical it is to play our files out to the Tricaster, as opposed to importing our files via a CompactFlash card reader.

Hello Dan,
To update you I use the Nanoflash as the main recorder on the Tricaster recording the PMG out and also as a feeder to the Tricaster. It works very well as you know the Tricaster has two Digital Disk Recorders for playout by using the NanoFlash on one of the inputs I now have three Digital Disk Recorders which enhances the Tricaster. Because of the file compatibility issue between the two devices the NanoFlash is now become a permanent attachment to the Tricaster feeding in vision via the SDI input the only draw back is that at this stage is to get the Nanoflash to roll when the the take switch is hit on the controller.

Just to conclude this thread Newtek have released the V2 software for the TCXD 300 Tricaster . I have tested the Nanoflash Mpeg files in Long gop and I-frame in mov and MXF format and I am now glad to say that the Nanoflash files are now compatible with Newtech's Tricaster TCXD300 V2. I have also ingested and edited the files into Speedeit 2 the editing software that is included with the Tricaster, I must say I am very impressed with it the files import very fast without any transcoding. This now allows me to use the Nanoflash as a feeder for playback or as a recorder. When I record the SDI live program output I now have the option to select the data rate of my choosing for export to other NLE systems. As soon as CD include hot swapping cards into the Nanoflash that will overcome the duration issue for live long duration work.

GREAT COMBINATION !

Thanks for the update, Lance.

I had been speaking with some Newtek folks who told me about the v2 upgrade. Glad to hear that it works.

Ned