AAF timeline generation with EVS and Avid for fashion show

2025-03-11

AAF generation for Chanel's Ready-to-Wear Autumn-Winter 2025 Show

This project is 2 years in the making: * We started on Fendi the POC. * We did a real test in Chanel Cruise show in [Marseille](/blog/chanelaaf/), but it was not needed. * We did a real test in Chanel Artisana show in [Hangzhou](https://www.chanel.com/us/fashion/collection/metiers-art-2024-25/). * And finally here, used on the main AH ready to wear show.

The goal initially is quite simple:

• Get cuts from an ATEM.
• Get MXF op atom files from a NEXIS.
• Get LTC from the control room.
• Generate an AVID AAF with timeline, frame accurate and group clips.

Some tools already exists, but:

• They usually are not frame accurate (up to ~30% of the cuts are off).
• They cannot handle the various equipment sync (the video is not following the same path: ATEM or not, RF or fiber, etc. they introduce various offsets and not syncing with the camera internal recording).
• They usually just generates an EDL.
• They're not reliable in a real operation (generated one time, no way to fix in case of issue: file missing, etc.).

That's why I designed this tool:

• Software based, can run on various appliance (laptop, server, etc.).
• Frame accurate:
  • I have a hardware real time LTC acquisition device (in house).
  • Software is optimised.
  • Can adjust offset camera per camera to realign everything.
• Perfect Avid AAF integration:
  • Master mobs with proper naming, coloring and automatic relink.
  • Timeline with cuts.
  • Group clip allowing you to right click and change camera inside a cut.
  • Multi track audio.

The workflow:

• We feed videos in the ATEM (could be Sony, GrassValley or whatever).
• Ingesting in EVS to stream MXF op atom to Avid NEXIS (MXF op atom is required for relink and proper work in team).
• I connect to:
  • LTC to get the same timecode as:
    • Camera internal recording.
    • ATEM cuts.
    • EVS stream.
    • NEXIS recording.
  • ATEM to get the cuts (from any ME).
  • NEXIS to read MXF data and properly generate my AAF.

So in the end, I generate an AAF (less than 1s), drag and drop in avid media composer, and you have one timeline with video cuts and audio tracks. If one file is missing, I put a note in the timeline and automatically fallback to the PGM in the group clip. You can setup and control everything from a webpage.

The files pattern can be customized and the changes of disk are automatically monitored. So we know when EVS effectively writes the files.

You can change the offsets camera per camera or globally.

That's also where you can dynamically add notes/markers during the show from a smartphone/tablet.

And you can control the record and output generation:

• JSON: text format allowing you to regenerate the AAF later on.
• AAF: the file to drag and drop in Avid media composer.

You can backup both and regenerate later if needed. You can manually edit the files and regenerate if needed. The import is really just a drag and drop. The relink of media files is automatic because of MXF op atom and proper AAF link.

More than 300 cuts, 24 cameras feeds.

Future Developments

We're already planning improvements based on market feedback:

• More audio integration: choose audio from any source, make it stereo, etc.
• Not only integrate with AVID media composer, explore DaVinci Resolve.
• Additional switcher platforms.

Acknowledgments

This project would not have been possible without the exceptional support and expertise of several key partners:

• Plani and Walter Films for their continuous help and support.
• Ben Tess Services for EVS wizardry.
• CTM for providing reliable Avid NEXIS infrastructure and storage solutions.
• Maelstrom Studios for their invaluable expertise in Avid Media Composer and post-production workflow optimization.