TMD adds multi-platform, archive functionality

Leading asset management specialist TMD has announced two new modules for its core Mediaflex platform: the Publish module ensures content is delivered to distribution networks like Amazon and iTunes with the correct metadata scheme automatically imposed; and facet searching allows researchers to tightly refine searches. The most common reason for content to be rejected by online delivery networks is that the metadata is incorrect or incomplete, according to TMD. To eliminate errors without adding to the workload, the new Publish module has added the ability for users to define templates for each delivery platform. These templates are automatically populated with the right metadata at the point of delivery, ensuring each network receives a perfect file. “In supplying multiple platforms, getting the content right is the easy part,” said TMD CEO Tony Taylor. “Transcoding engines are driven by standard templates to produce the right format and resolution. We have extended that principle to tackle the much bigger challenge of getting the metadata right. “As each new delivery platform comes along it will have its metadata schema,” he added. “The new functionality in Mediaflex Publish allows the user to define a new XSLT XML transformation, to set up the profile of how the content and metadata is moved.” Facet searching is a new technique developed to help researchers get to the right results faster. The archivist sets up groups of information within the metadata schema, and the researcher can choose to see results grouped under one or more facets. If someone wanted to know if an iTunes version of a programme had been created, for example, then they would just type in the programme name and click on the online versions header. “We initially developed facet searching for our customers in audiovisual archives with millions of assets and a broad range of digital and physical entities,” Taylor explained. “It quickly became clear that this would be a powerful addition to the broadcast product, too, making the asset management more powerful because assets are easier to find.” www.tmd.tv