Does FastTracker require its own workstation?
No, FastTracker runs on the Facilis server. The database and thumbnails are held on the internal system drive of the server, and encoded previews are kept on a Facilis volume. Any client that is connected to the server through Ethernet already has access to the FastTracker database.
How does FastTracker index files?
FastTracker can index and Ingest files on the client workstation or as an automated task on the server through “Auto Index”. This features allow the administrator to set up watch areas for indexing. The locations can be scanned on a regular basis, to pick up any new media that’s been ingested. A user may also use the Index and Ingest feature to capture files manually from the desktop.
Why do you use catalogs?
Organization. Some asset tracking applications simply offer a way to see files by looking into their location on the drives. Catalogs make searching assets a lot more efficient, and avoid exposing the assets from other projects that a user may not be working on. FastTracker also has a volume/folder browse view, but it follows the permissions of the catalogs and avoids showing media that’s not assigned to the user account.
Can FastTracker generate proxy clips?
FastTracker can take any resolution file and create a preview clip at very low bitrate for display in the FastTracker Panel or Desktop Browse, or an HD proxy in multiple codec formats with the same attributes as the source file for editing in HD with 4K or 8K source material. Proxy can be generated in Avid Op-atom format for Media Composer, and sources can be MXF, MOV, MP4, even R3D and BRAW.
How do I access clips from FastTracker?
If you’re working in Adobe Premiere Pro, install the FastTracker Panel ZXP to access the database directly from the Premiere interface. Import clips and shared project files from the panel directly and add metadata and comments to clips in the FastTracker database. If you’re on Avid, Resolve, Apple, or any other application that can import clips through drag/drop, use the FastTracker Desktop Client.
Can FastTracker make proxies that work with Adobe sequences?
Proxy clips generated by FastTracker are automatically attached to the source in the Adobe project, enabling source/proxy toggle in the Adobe sequence. Metadata like markers and custom columns are also imported to the project through the Adobe Panel.
How can I transcribe speech to text in FastTracker?
Facilis offers a local transcription service that runs on the Facilis OS, and does not need any data uploaded to the internet. This service produces transcriptions for English speech. For hundreds more languages, we use Google AI by sending files to the Google Cloud. This feature is included in FastTracker but you’ll need a Google Cloud account. The same feature gives us image recognition auto-tagging.
Do I download or link to files with FastTracker?
FastTracker offers a download function for any record, but if the storage is available locally, FastTracker drag/drop into an application will link to the shared storage location. This is key to collaboration among multiple workstations, and efficient use of shared storage.
What’s the difference between FastTracker and other standalone MAMs?
FastTracker is integrated with the permissions model of the HUB servers, so that when an asset is found, the user can be informed about their access to the asset location, and FastTracker can even mount the needed storage space for you. Also, FastTracker is designed to run on the HUB shared storage server, without slowing it down. This gives it total view of all storage volumes in use at all times.