This section offers a comprehensive outline of the necessary steps for generating a fresh Metadata Preset. This involves the merging of both the "StartUpXML" and "ExportXML" files. Additionally, it explains the process of establishing a Destination Preset, complete with a designated Metadata Path tailored for recording purposes.
StartUpXML
Let’s start with creating the “StartUpXML” file, which describes the actual structure of the available elements in the Channel Inspector. You can use different element types. In this example, we will only use a Selection box.
Create a new XML file in your text editor of choice. Then add an XML root element, which is necessary for every just:in mac StartUpXML file:
<metadataSet></metadataSet>
Now we can add our first element. Let’s start with a Selection box, where the operator should be able to choose between different items. The structure looks like this in the “StartUpXML” file. Please note the “<name>” tag of that element, as you will need it for the “ExportXML” later.
<metadataSet>
<control>
<name>number</name>
<label>Numbers</label>
<type class="Selection">
<item>One</item>
<item>Two</item>
<item>Three</item>
<item>Four</item>
</type>
</control>
</metadataSet>
This element looks like this in the Channel Inspector. A simple Selection box with four items.
In the next step, we have to ensure that the ExportXML matches the values of the StartUpXML.
ExportXML
Create a new XML file in your text editor of choice. Then create your required XML structure. Lastly, connect your elements from the StartUpXML with a “%”-sign and the corresponding <name> tag. In our StartUpXML example above, the Selection box element had the following name tag:
<name>number</name>
Therefore, we can use “%number” in our ExportXML file to reference this element. This looks like that:
<file name="%Just_In_Clipname"> <number>%number</number> </file>
The XML attribute “name="%Just_In_Clipname" – refers to an internal variable, which can be used to insert channel-specific variables into the “ExportXML” file.
Now, let’s build a new Metadata Preset with the XMLs, we’ve just created.
Metadata Preset
Open Just Control, then open the Just Control Configuration panel and switch to the “Metadata Sets” tab. Press the “+” button to create a new Preset, adjust the name, and choose the “StartUpXML” and “ExportXML” files. Press the “Create” button to complete the process.
Next, let’s create a new Destination Preset with a Metadata Path.
Destination Preset
To export metadata at the start (or the end) of a recording, we will need a new Destination Preset with a dedicated Metadata path. Again, open the Just Control Configuration panel, switch to the “Destination Preset” tab, and create a new Preset. Note that you require two Container paths here, one for the High-res file (“Main Container”) and one for the Metadata export (“Metadata Container”).
Channel Inspector and Recording
Once completed, open Just Control and select a Channel. Within the Inspector, select the new Metadata Preset, choose if you want to write the metadata file at the “Start” or the “End” of a Recording (“Write at…”), adjust the contents of the element(s), and start recording. After the Recording has ended, you should see the “ExportXML” file at your location of choice, which should look similar to this:
<file name="TOA_JIM_CS_MBP_Channel1_08072022_143511.mov"> <number>Three</number> </file>
Please note that you can add as many elements in your “StartUpXML” and in any combination that you want. There are no limits, whatsoever, that may affect the metadata processing. If you have questions or need help with the steps above, please do not hesitate to contact us.