Introduction
With thousands of assets stored in the Mediabank MAM (Media Asset Management) service, there is a need for a structured and well-planned use of the asset's metadata. Without correct asset metadata, it is impossible to organize, locate or manage the media content stored in the Library.
But even with the best intentions and a well-defined asset metadata structure, it is impossible to avoid anomalies in the asset's metadata.
This article is dedicated to users who need to add or correct inconsistencies in their asset's metadata. Remember that Asset Metadata has NO relevance to TAGs Metadata used in Workspace 6 (Tags Edit).
Since the Mediabank MAM service heavily depends on correct metadata, the user needs efficient tools to correct any deviations.
Note!
These tools will only correct defined metadata added by applications or users after the media contents creation. The assets (technical) metadata on the media format etc. is not possible to alter.
How to change a single assets metadata
If a user experiences a missing/faulty Tag (Metadata) in a single asset, the most efficient way to correct it is by selecting the asset from workspace 1 or 2 and enter workspace 3. The below example illustrates a selected asset in workspace 1 (Thumb view). To select it, simply click once on the asset thumb. The thumb's title field will be filled with a light orange color to indicate it is selected. Click the arrow to enter workspace 3.
The below page will open. If the properties Tab is inactive, simply click on it to view the asset's metadata. As earlier stated, the metadata revealing the assets Media format is read-only since it reflects the actual technical asset technical specifications. The user can only make changes to the "Client defined fields".
The metadata fields (highlighted in light orange) can be edited or added directly (Title, Subtitle and even House number and OnAirChannel).
Example:
Suppose the asset is an Office document containing the project plan and finance for the next season. By mistake, it was assigned this year "Seasonid". The asset needs the upcoming year "Seasonid". If it exists, it will be visible in the drop-down menu and can be selected. Then click (3) the "Update meta" button to store the changes. If it does not exist, follow the below steps:
(1) Use the drop-down button (Highlighted green button) and select -- Create new --
(2) A new metadata field will appear below. Add the new upcoming Seasonid
(3) Finally, click the Update button at the end of the metadata template.
To check if the asset got the new metadata, the asset must be re-loaded into the player. Press the Next/Previous buttons in the Title module or click on the asset again from the asset module to the left of the mediaplayer.
Note!
Some metadata fields can be edited directly, while others cannot be edited or deleted. SeasonId and Episodeid are fields that are used by other assets and must be intact. These metadata Id's will exist in the Mediabank database as long as it is used by an asset. When the last asset is deleted containing that metadata field, or the asset is updated with a new and different Id, the unused metadata Id will automatically disappear from the Mediabank database.
Using Workspace 3 is the most effective way to change a single asset's metadata. However, there are limitations to using this method.
- Only one asset can be selected and altered for each operation. (no batch is possible).
- There may be other metadata that need to be changed that is not visible in the actual template.
- It is not possible to lock/unlock the file from being deleted by users or automated procedures.
To bypass any of the above limitations, use the below procedures.
How to change multiple assets metadata in one operation.
Sometimes the need for changes is more complex or simply the need for changing multiple assets is needed.
Note!
A user needs to use this approach on a single asset if a new Metadata key is needed, change a Tag not visible from the properties template, or the asset needs to be locked/unlocked.
The procedure is identical. Select multiple assets by pressing the keyboards Shift, Control or Command button while clicking once on the various asset thumbs. 4 out of 5 assets are selected in the below image. Then, click the "Menu" button at the top of the screen.
The main Mediabank menu will appear. Look in the "Administrative tasks" column and locate "Edit metadata on selected". Click on it.
The below menu will appear. Clicking the drop-down button (marked in yellow) will open the entire content of Metadata keys for that particular account (customer). Two options are available, select an existing or create a new.
Update existing: As in the previous example, an existing Metadata key can be selected.
Create new: If there is a need for a totally new Metadata key the user can create it here.
Update existing metadata
Using the previous example, there is a need for a new entry for "Seasonid".
(1) Locate and select the existing key from the drop-down menu and click the + sign (2)
(3) The Metadata key will appear below with a new value frame. Select the new season value if it exists and click (6) Update. If the new season does not exist, choose "Create new".
(4) Enter the new Season value in the frame
(5) Click the + sign and then click (6) Update.
This is similar to the first example from Workspace 3, but the user can by using this method perform the update on multiple assets in one operation.
Create a new Metadata key
If there is a need for a totally new Metadata to keep track of, let us say, the different Supervisors throughout the seasons, follow these steps.
(1) Select -- Create New -- from the drop-down menu.
(2) Enter the new Metadata key = Supervisor
(3) Click the + sign
(4) The new Metadata key will appear, asking for the first Value (Tag).
(5) Enter the supervisor id (name, id number or similar)
(6) Click the Update button to store the new Metadata.
The new metadata can be tested by searching in the regular search functions in Workspace 1 or 2
Locking / Unlocking assets for deletion
The user may choose to lock or unlock the selected assets for deletion. Choose Lock all or Unlock all and then press Update.
After a few minutes or more (depending on the indexing configuration), an icon will appear in the assets thumbs indicating that they are protected from deletion by other users or processes.
Even if the assets are immediately locked/unlocked, it is possible to update the thumb by right-clicking inside the thumb and run "update MediaInfo". This will provoke an immediate update of the thumb.
It is also possible to see the status from workspace 3
Note!
The asset's metadata may still be edited even if the asset is locked.
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End of article