DropBox2
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DropBox2
is an application designed to automatically scan specified directories and
convert audio files while injecting them into the DAD Library.
Once
it has been setup, users can simply copy audio cuts into the specified
directory. At a given interval, DropBox2 will scan for the existence of
audio files. After these files are injected into DAD they are removed
from the scan directory.
The
following audio formats are currently supported: generic WAV files,
MusiFile, headerless MPEG, most MP3, AIFF, Orban Audicy, Orban AirTime, RCS
MasterControl, DAVE2000, and Radio Nordrhein Westphalia.
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NOTE:
By default, DropBox2 allows for a single audio format
conversion and scan directory. If a station would like to have an alternate
directory scanned by DropBox, one can purchase an additional scan
directory within the DropBox2.INI file.
One must have permission set on the security key
for the additional format / conversion and/or additional directories to scan. Additional
DropBox formats can be purchased from ENCO
Systems.
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Overview of DropBox2
DropBox2 is a 'set and forget' type
application. It does not require normal user interaction. With that said, users
should still verify that the program is running and not closed by mistake.
DropBox2
Buttons and Functions
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DropBox2
only has a few basic buttons for the user to interface with.
Type Log - Opens
a detailed log for the current days conversions.
Log - Opens
and abridged log file
of all work that has been done for the current day.
Setup - This opens the DropBox2.INI file
allowing for configuration changes. More information about these settings can be
found below.
Restart
- Pressing this will reload any changes to the INI file and force DropBox2
to perform a rescan. |
DropBox2
INI File Configuration
DropBox
has been preconfigured from the factory to automatically scan a specific
directory. This directory will be the on the Content Depot
Storage Receiver. A general overview of the INI file and the available options
is as follows:
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Setting
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Default
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Definition
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[DropBox]
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CopyBufsize
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65536
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Used
for network ‘throttling’. When copying files, DropBox will use this buffer size.
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CopyDelay
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5
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Used
for network ‘throttling’. Milliseconds to delay between copying
buffers.
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QuickSearchUpdate
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FALSE
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Updates
the Quick Search Database
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Use
Digigram
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YES
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YES
= Enables Digigram-based conversions
NO
= DropBox2 will not attempt to load any
Digigram
components for audio conversion. Conversion is then CPU based.
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Verbose
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NO
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Use
verbose logfile entries for troubleshooting
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Verifympeg
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YES
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If
the type is set to RAW_MPEG, using this directive will force the creation
of an intermediate file composed only of valid MPEG frames in the source
file, stripping off any header that may be present.
This eliminates problems associated with corrupt ID3 headers and
bad MPEG frames.
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Check_For_Rebuild |
TRUE |
True = Prevents DropBox from scanning when a Rebuild is
taking place.
False = Allows DropBox to scan and add records to the
database when Rebuild is running. This could cause a problem with the
database and should be avoided by setting the value to TRUE.
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[DropBox
A]
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LibraryDrive
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E:
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Drive
where \dad\files\cuts.dbf exists
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LibraryName
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CUTS
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The
DAD5 Library database to be used. Audio will be copied to appropriate
database audio directory.
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AudioDrive
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E:
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Audio
will be copied to the appropriate directory (based on LibraryName) for
this location.
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Location
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E:
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Drive
mapping that DAD workstations use to access the audio directory.
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Types
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2
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Number
of formats/directories to scan
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Interval
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10
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Scan
interval in seconds
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SecondPassDelay
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2
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Secondary
scan interval; must be less than Interval. A multi-pass algorithm is used
to check the source file size twice each scan cycle to prevent processing
a file that is still being created. The second scan is performed N seconds
after the main scan cycle
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Logfile
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LogsA
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Log
files of the form mmddyy.log will be created in this directory
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Normalize
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TRUE
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TRUE
- enables normalization.
FALSE
- disables normalization.
Note:
Normalization only supports:
PCM16
> MPEG L2 or MPEG
L2 > PCM16
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Normalization
dB
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0.0
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Level
to normalize audio files to.
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NormIntegrationLengthMS |
300 |
The defaults for both are as shown at 300ms.
The Attack value must be less than the
Integration value. Also, Integration less than 10ms is not allowed.
See c:\dad\read.me\Normalize.txt for
details on and analysis of the new Normalize Methods.
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NormAttackLengthMS |
300 |
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NotifyCutServer
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1
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Specifies
that CutServer is being used
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NotifyCutServerPath
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<datapath>:\CutServer\External\
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CutServer
Location
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[Type
A-1]
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Directory
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E:\WAV
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Directory
to scan
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FileMask
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*.WAV
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File
name mask. Use *, ?, and
literal characters.
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Type
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GENERIC_WAV
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Original
audio format type. Use
GENERIC_WAV, MUSIFILE, RAW_MPEG, AIFF, AUDICY, AIRTIME, RCS, DAVE2000, NRW,
or BPI.
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MetaData
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NONE
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TXT ; none, EXT, XML, TXT, Neural_XML
When set to EXT, TXT, XML matching files with this extension must exist in the scan directory for audio to be processed.
Title = "title here"
Artist = "artist here"
- XML contains XML formatted DAD field data using
inject XML formatting
NOTE: When using MetaData, DropBox
will only import cuts that have an associated MetaData file. Cuts without
a file will not be processed.
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ParseFilename
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NO
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Populate
fields in library with parts of a long filename using dadparse.ini. (see
notes below)
ParseFilename
can also equal a specific file name located in \DAD\Files\
Once
could have ParseFilename=parsefile.ini to have unique parse files for each
DropBox Type.
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ReadCartChunk
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NO
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Use
information from cart chunk
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Overwrite
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NO
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If
the specified range has no available cut numbers, then the oldest cut in
the range will be overwritten
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Group
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MUSIC
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DAD
Library group for converted cut
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Extension
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WAV
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DAD
Audio file extension for converted cut. Use WAV, FIL, MP2, or any other
3-letter combination
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Convert
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YES
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Use
YES to convert audio, NO to prevent conversion, or FORCE . Force will
force a conversion even if the format of the source file is the same as
the desired format. This is useful for adding waveform energy data to MPEG
files that do not have such data, so they may be correctly displayed in
DAD's editor.
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NOTE:
If one is using DropBox to change the Channel Order for Surround
Sound cuts, then one should set CONVERT = NO |
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Format
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MPEG
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Compression
format. Use MPEG or PCM16
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Layer
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2
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MPEG
layer. Use 1 or 2.
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Bitrate
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128
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Kilobits
per second per channel. Popular
choices are 128 and 192
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Input2ChannelOrder
Input4ChannelOrder
Input6ChannelOrder
Input8ChannelOrder
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2
1
2
1 4 3
1
3 2 5 6 4
1
3 2 5 6 4 7 8
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Use
of these lines allows one to remap the audio channels for Surround Sound. Whereas:
1
= LF
2
= RF
3
= C
4
= LFE
5
= LS
6
= RS
7
= ALS
8
= ARS
For
example to remap Academy to SMPTE channels one would use 1 3 2 4 5 6 Academy
Film Standard = 1 3 2 5 6 4 SMPTE
- 1 3 2 4 5 6
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Important:
Version 8x versions of DropBox use the: InputChannelOrder = line
(with no # value) All
9.x+ versions of DropBox use the Input#ChannelOrder values. NOTE:
If one is using DropBox to change the Channel Order for Surround
Sound cuts, then one should set CONVERT = NO |
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Frequency
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44100
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Sample
rate.
Use
32000,
44100, or 48000
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Mode
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STEREO
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Use
STEREO, MONO, or AUTO.
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CutRangeLow
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80000
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Starting
cut number for converted cut range.
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CutRangeHigh
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81000
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Ending
cut number for converted cut range.
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CutNumberMethod
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LAST
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FIRST
= assign lowest available in range
LAST
= assign next available in range
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UseSuggestedCut
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NO
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Allows
DropBox to use the cut number listed in the audio file filename instead of
using the cut range. NOTE, the cut number must be the first five
characters in the filename.
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ProcessOnlyIfInRange |
NO |
YES / NO (default is no)
When YES along with ParseFilename=YES and UseSuggestedCut=YES
Determines what the cut number is from the filename. If the cut number
is within the CutRangeHIGH and CutRangeLOW range, it processes and
consumes like normal.
If the cut number is NOT within the range, the source audio file is
moved to BADCUTS and log entry is made.
If there is no cut number in the filename,
it processes and consumes like normal. |
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KILLDATE
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14
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When
a cut gets added to the DAD library the KillDate field gets filled with
today’s date plus the number of days specified.
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GUID
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YES
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Generate
a unique GUID in the DAD Library
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Archive
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NO
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Moves
the audio from the scan directory to another location instead of deleting
it.
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ArchiveDir
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C:\ARCHIVE
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Archive
directory for use with Archive option
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[ID3]
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AGENCY
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DropBox
can extract data from an ID3 header for the following fields: AGENCY,
ARTIST, BILLBOARD,
GROUP,
OUTCUE, TITLE, and USERDEF. Map
an association between standard ID3 tags and DAD library fields here.
Leave blank for no association.
See http://www.id3.org for a list of standard ID3 tags.
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ARTIST
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TPE1
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BILLBOARD
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TCOM
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GROUP
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OUTCUE
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TITLE
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TIT2
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USERDEF
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TXXX
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[Type
A-2]
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DropBox
can be configured to support multiple file formats and multiple instances
of DropBox2.
See
notes below for further details.
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[DropBox
B]
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[Type
B-1]
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[Ignore
Cart Chunk Fields]
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ActiveTime=
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By
default, one would have no fields listed in this section and all Cart
Chunk data is processed as normal (if user says Use Cart Chunk = TRUE) If
valid DAD field names are listed in this new section – those CUTS.dbf
fields won't be populated with data from the Cart Chunk.
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KillTime=
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Any
valid Cart Chunk field can be listed in this section for DropBox to
ignore.
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[Leave
these DAD fields Alone]
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TITLE=
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By
default, DropBox will overwrite and update the DAD Library fields. This
option allows for users to have DropBox leave the listed fields 'as is'
and not update these fields - preserving the original field data.
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ARTIST=
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Any
valid DAD Library field can be listed in this section for DropBox to
'leave alone'.
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Using DropBox2
The
DropBox2 application is started from the icon.
This can be copied into the workstations STARTUP folder to ensure the
program is always running when the machine is booted.
A
user should configure their DropBox2.INI file for their needs. For example, if
one is wishing to convert various MP3 files to MPEG Layer-2 for use within DAD
they should modify their INI file.
The
following lines are shown as an example.
Directory
= C:\CONVERT
FileMask
= *.MP3
Type
= RAW_MPEG
Convert
= YES
Format
= MPEG
Layer
= 2
Bitrate
= 192
Frequency
= 44100
Mode
= STEREO
When
an MP3 file has been copied into the C:\CONVERT directory, it will be scanned by
DropBox2 and converted to MPEG Layer2, 128, 44100.
Multiple
Formats and DropBox2 instances
DropBox
can be configured for multiple formats or audio conversions if necessary.
Administrators can modify the INI file to allow for either a single instance of
DropBox2 or multiple instances of DropBox2.
If
a user wishes to scan more than one directory or has multiple audio formats that
need to be converted, one can create a separate [Type] within the INI file.
For
example; a user wishes to scan a single directory called C:\CONVERT that will
contain both MP3 and WAV files, they can configure their INI file as such.
[DropBox
A]
Types
= 2
[Type
A-1]
Directory
= C:\CONVERT
FileMask
= *.MP3
Type
= RAW_MPEG
[Type
A-2]
Directory
= C:\CONVERT
FileMask
= *.WAV
Type
= GENERIC_WAV
Another
method to the above would be to have a second instance of DropBox2.
This
can be done by adding another [DropBox] and [Type] to the INI file.
For
example; a user wishes to scan a single directory called C:\CONVERT that will
contain both MP3 and WAV files, they can configure their INI file as such.
[DropBox
A]
Types
= 1
[Type
A-1]
Directory
= C:\CONVERT
FileMask
= *.MP3
Type
= RAW_MPEG
[DropBox
B]
[Type
B-1]
Directory
= C:\CONVERT
FileMask
= *.WAV
Type
= GENERIC_WAV
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NOTE:
Each unique audio format conversion and scan directory must have permission set
in the security key attached to the parallel port of the workstation. Additional
conversions can be purchased from ENCO Systems
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Making
Changes to the INI file
One can
press the SETUP button to make modifications to the DropBox2.INI file. If
changes are made one should press the RESTART button. This will reload the
modified INI and begin a new scan.
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NOTE:
If a scan or conversion is in progress, a message will be displayed preventing
the restart. Wait until DropBox2 is idle to restart.
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Using Filename Parsing
DropBox2 has the ability
to parse a filename into DAD Library database information. DropBox2 uses the
DADParse.INI file to determine what information should be entered into the
Library. An example of the DADParse.INI file can be found in the C:\DAD\DropBox
directory.
Administrators should
modify this file for their needs. Once modified, it is placed into the shared
\DAD\FILES folder. This is commonly F:\DAD\FILES.
NOTE: DAD shares this file for
drag-and-drop support. Filename parsing takes precedence over Cart Chunk data
extraction. Also, cut data lengths that are excessive are now truncated to the
maximum supported length for the Library field defined.
Most DAD Library fields
are supported. User can use, CUT, TITLE, AGENCY, OUTCUE, USERDEF, ARTIST,
BILLBOARD, LEVEL, ACTOR, ACTRESS, DIRECTOR and most other fields within the DAD
Library.
Contents of DADParse.ini:
[PARSE]
Delimiter = "_" ;
character separating fields in filename
Field1 = TITLE
Field2 = ARTIST
Field3 = ALBUM
etc.
Using this dadparse.ini
file, the following filename will populate 4 fields in the library when processed:
Take A Breath_David
Gilmour_On An Island.wav
Multiple
DAD Libraries
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NOTE:
DropBox2 [version 6.1.a+] supports multiple DAD library databases. This function
is for use with DAD 5.1a and above only.
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Users
can configure DropBox2 to convert and inject audio files into different DAD
Libraries. To have the audio file injected to a DAD Library, modify the INI
line: LibraryName, entering the appropriate Library name.
One
should verify that a valid destination Library has been created within DAD
first.
For
example: [DropBox A] will send audio files to CUTS.DBF located on F: and the
\CUTS directory on G: while [DropBox B] will send audio files to the Library
SPORTS located on F: and the \SPORTS directory on H:.
[DropBox
A]
LibraryDrive
= F:
LibraryName
= CUTS
AudioDrive
= G:
Location
= G:
[DropBox
B]
LibraryDrive
= F:
LibraryName
= SPORTS
AudioDrive
= H:
Location
= H:
Using with CutServer
One can have DropBox notify
CutServer directly about a file update. In the DropBox2.INI file one can
specify:
[DropBox
A]
NotifyCutServer
= 1
NotifyCutServerPath
= F:\CutServer\External
NOTE:
The NotifyCutServerPath must be set to the [drive letter:]\CutServer\External
directory.
One
should make sure that the \External Directory exists within the CutServer
directory on the server and that proper rights have been assigned so one can
create a file in that directory.
DropBox
will pick up a cut and will create a GUID style.INI file in this directory. This
file contains:
[Info]
Source=DROPBOX
CutId=00008
LibLoc=F:
LibName=CUTS
LibPath=\DAD\FILES\
Operation=UPDATE
CutServer
is internally set to scan this directory for these files and will ingest them
when found. These will appear in the CutServer screen as 998 UPDATE.
This
scan / ingest will happen with or without the CutServer Scanning enabled.
Using
ID3 headers
[ID3]
AGENCY
=
; DropBox can extract data from an ID3 header for
ARTIST = TPE1 ; the following fields: AGENCY, ARTIST, BILLBOARD,
BILLBOARD = TCOM ; GROUP, OUTCUE, TITLE, and USERDEF.
Map an
GROUP = ; association between standard ID3 tags and DAD
OUTCUE = ; library fields here.
Leave blank for no
TITLE
= TIT2 ; association.
See http://www.id3.org for a list
USERDEF = TXXX ; of standard ID3 tags.
Bad
Audio files and Conversion Logs
If an
audio cut has a corrupt header or cannot be read by DropBox2, it will be moved
to the \BADAUDIO subdirectory within the scan directory. DropBox2 will continue
to process all other cuts.
Conversion
Logs are saved in the LogsA directory in the C:\DAD\Dropbox dir. These
logs follow the MMDDYY.LOG format. A new file is created for each day. This file
provides details as to when a file was picked up, what it's original format was
and to what format / cut number it was converted to.
For
example:
[DropBox
A]
Fri Feb
27
15:59:21
Log File logsA\022704.log opened.
DropBox
A: Type=1, Library=F:, Audio=G:, Interval=10
Type
A-1: C:\CONVERT\*.WAV
Fri Feb
27
15:59:33
Raw MPEG: C:\CONVERT\00382.WAV "Cut 00382"
Cut
00017 R: MPEG 44100 Stereo 01:00.58