DropBox2

 

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.  

 

 

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.  

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

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: 

 

Setting

Default

Definition

[DropBox]

CopyBufsize

65536

Used for network ‘throttling’. When copying files, DropBox will use this buffer size.

CopyDelay

5

Used for network ‘throttling’. Milliseconds to delay between copying buffers.

QuickSearchUpdate

FALSE

Updates the Quick Search Database

Use Digigram

YES

YES = Enables Digigram-based conversions

NO = DropBox2 will not attempt to load any Digigram components for audio conversion. Conversion is then CPU based.

Verbose

NO

Use verbose logfile entries for troubleshooting

Verifympeg

YES

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.

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.

 

[DropBox A]

LibraryDrive

E:

Drive where \dad\files\cuts.dbf exists

LibraryName

CUTS

The DAD5 Library database to be used. Audio will be copied to appropriate database audio directory. 

AudioDrive

E:

Audio will be copied to the appropriate directory (based on LibraryName) for this location.

Location

E:

Drive mapping that DAD workstations use to access the audio directory.

Types

2

Number of formats/directories to scan

Interval

10

Scan interval in seconds

SecondPassDelay

2

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

Logfile

LogsA

Log files of the form mmddyy.log will be created in this directory

Normalize

TRUE

TRUE - enables normalization.

FALSE - disables normalization.

Note: Normalization only supports:

PCM16 > MPEG L2  or  MPEG L2 > PCM16 

Normalization dB

0.0

Level to normalize audio files to. 

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.

NormAttackLengthMS 300

NotifyCutServer

1

Specifies that CutServer is being used

NotifyCutServerPath

<datapath>:\CutServer\External\

CutServer Location

 

[Type A-1]

Directory

E:\WAV

Directory to scan

FileMask

*.WAV

File name mask.  Use *, ?, and literal characters.

Type

GENERIC_WAV

Original audio format type.  Use GENERIC_WAV, MUSIFILE, RAW_MPEG, AIFF, AUDICY, AIRTIME, RCS, DAVE2000, NRW, or BPI.

MetaData NONE 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.

  • EXT contains inject/extract style DAD field data

  • TXT contains free format DAD field data
    example: 

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. 

ParseFilename

NO

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.

ReadCartChunk

NO

Use information from cart chunk

Overwrite

NO

If the specified range has no available cut numbers, then the oldest cut in the range will be overwritten

Group

MUSIC

DAD Library group for converted cut

Extension

WAV

DAD Audio file extension for converted cut. Use WAV, FIL, MP2, or any other 3-letter combination

Convert

YES

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.  

NOTE: If one is using DropBox to change the Channel Order for Surround Sound cuts, then one should set CONVERT = NO

Format

MPEG

Compression format.  Use MPEG or PCM16

Layer

2

MPEG layer.  Use 1 or 2.

Bitrate

128

Kilobits per second per channel.  Popular choices are 128 and 192

Input2ChannelOrder

Input4ChannelOrder

Input6ChannelOrder

Input8ChannelOrder

 

2 1

2 1 4 3

1 3 2 5 6 4

1 3 2 5 6 4 7 8

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

 

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

Frequency

44100

Sample rate.  Use 32000, 44100, or 48000

Mode

STEREO

Use STEREO, MONO, or AUTO.

CutRangeLow

80000

Starting cut number for converted cut range. 

CutRangeHigh

81000

Ending cut number for converted cut range.

CutNumberMethod

LAST

FIRST = assign lowest available in range

LAST = assign next available in range

UseSuggestedCut

NO

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. 

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.

KILLDATE

14

When a cut gets added to the DAD library the KillDate field gets filled with today’s date plus the number of days specified.

GUID

YES

Generate a unique GUID in the DAD Library

Archive

NO

Moves the audio from the scan directory to another location instead of deleting it.

ArchiveDir

C:\ARCHIVE

Archive directory for use with Archive option

 

 

 

[ID3]  

AGENCY

 

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.

ARTIST

TPE1

BILLBOARD

TCOM

GROUP

 

OUTCUE

 

TITLE

TIT2

USERDEF

TXXX

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Type A-2]

 

DropBox can be configured to support multiple file formats and multiple instances of DropBox2.

See notes below for further details.

[DropBox B]

 

[Type B-1]

 

  

[Ignore Cart Chunk Fields]

ActiveTime=

 

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.

KillTime=

 

Any valid Cart Chunk field can be listed in this section for DropBox to ignore.

 

[Leave these DAD fields Alone]

TITLE=

 

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.

ARTIST=

 

Any valid DAD Library field can be listed in this section for DropBox to 'leave alone'.

 

 

 

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

 

 

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  

 

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.   

NOTE: If a scan or conversion is in progress, a message will be displayed preventing the restart. Wait until DropBox2 is idle to restart.  

 

 

 

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

 

NOTE: DropBox2 [version 6.1.a+] supports multiple DAD library databases. This function is for use with DAD 5.1a and above only.  

 

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