Abstract:
There is provided a system and method for confirming correct encoder processing for a media file. There is provided a method comprising preparing a diagnostic clip, embedding the diagnostic clip in the media file to create a modified media file, encoding the modified media file according to a set of encoder settings to create an encoded media file embedded with an encoded diagnostic clip, displaying the encoded diagnostic clip to a user, and assessing the accuracy of the encoder settings based on a feedback received from the user. In this manner, users may quickly and accurately diagnose encoder settings after encoding the media file. Users may more easily identify which encodes caused which problems and avoid the costly overhead of backtracking in the production process.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to media file creation. More particularly, the present invention relates to verifying the correct encoding of media files. 
     2. Background Art 
     Modern media production workflows increasingly rely on digital formats, such as compressed video data on flash media, rather than analog formats of the past, such as tapes. Digital media provides several advantages over analog media, such as ease of distribution and increased reliability. However, the transition to digital media production workflows has introduced several new problems, particularly with respect to format encoding and transcoding. 
     For example, specific hardware devices or encoding steps used within a production workflow may require the video data to be in a specific format. Thus, the video data must be manipulated, for example by encoding or transcoding to the appropriate format. Each manipulation, however, increases the risk of introducing encoding errors in the video data. For example, due to differences between hardware, software, production environments, and other variables, encoder settings at particular manipulation steps may be improperly configured. Thus, while an encoded video file may include a valid file structure, the video content may contain encoding errors resulting in video or audio degradation. In addition, pinpointing an encoding step that introduced an error may be difficult in extended multi-step workflows. 
     Moreover, while some encoding errors may be quickly found using standard manual or automated quality control procedures, other encoding errors may not be immediately apparent or amenable to automatic detection. Some errors, such as detecting incorrect cadence, often require close manual examination and knowledge of the specific problem. Other errors, such as audio down-mixing, may be difficult to detect even with knowledge of the problem. Thus, encoding mistakes may go undetected until later stages of a production process, necessitating expensive and time consuming backtracking to restore proper video and audio quality. 
     Accordingly, there is a need to overcome the drawbacks and deficiencies in the art by providing a diagnostic tool that enables users to quickly and accurately confirm the correct video and audio encoding of media content. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There are provided systems and methods for a media content diagnostic tool comprising audio and video pattern sequences embedded in a media file to confirm correct encoder processing after encoding, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  presents a system for a media content diagnostic tool comprising audio and video pattern sequences embedded in a media file to confirm correct encoder processing after encoding, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  presents a single frame from the diagnostic tool, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  presents two sets of frames from the diagnostic tool, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  shows a flowchart describing the steps, according to one embodiment of the present invention, by which a trained user may utilize the diagnostic tool to confirm correct encoder processing for a media file after encoding. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application is directed to a system and method for a media content diagnostic tool comprising audio and video pattern sequences embedded in a media file to confirm correct encoder processing after encoding. The following description contains specific information pertaining to the implementation of the present invention. One skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be implemented in a manner different from that specifically discussed in the present application. Moreover, some of the specific details of the invention are not discussed in order not to obscure the invention. The specific details not described in the present application are within the knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art. The drawings in the present application and their accompanying detailed description are directed to merely exemplary embodiments of the invention. To maintain brevity, other embodiments of the invention, which use the principles of the present invention, are not specifically described in the present application and are not specifically illustrated by the present drawings. 
       FIG. 1  presents a system for a media content diagnostic tool comprising audio and video pattern sequences, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Diagram  100  of  FIG. 1  includes diagnostic clip  110 , media file  120 , modified media file  130 , media encoder  140 , encoded media file  150 , display  160 , and user  170 . Diagnostic clip  110  includes center-cut extraction  112 , safe area  113 , field display order  114 , cadence detection  115 , interpolation  116   a , interpolation  116   b , interpolation  116   c , interpolation  116   d , audio slates  117 , and additional patterns  118 . Modified media file  130  includes media file  120  and diagnostic clip  110 . Media encoder  140  includes encoder settings  145 , encoding processor  146 , such as a microprocessor, and memory (not shown) for storing instructions for execution by processor  146  and data storage and retrieval. Encoded media file  150  includes encoded diagnostic clip  155  and encoded media content  156 . Display  160  includes speakers  165 . 
     Diagnostic clip  110  may comprise a ten second video sequence comprising a set of graphical patterns and audio tracks, such as center-cut extraction  112 , safe area  113 , field display order  114 , cadence detection  115 , interpolation  116   a - 116   d , audio slates  117 , and additional patterns  118 . Diagnostic clip  110  may be used as a diagnostic tool for a media file undergoing encodes or transcodes by providing immediate visual and aural feedback. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, diagnostic clip  110  may be a file object within a media encoding system. However, in alternative embodiments, the components of diagnostic clip  110  may comprise a standalone process or method. Thus, depending on the desired detection features, any combination of center-cut extraction  112 , safe area  113 , field display order  114 , cadence detection  115 , interpolation  116   a - 116   d , audio slates  117 , and additional patterns  118  may be applied as a standalone process to any media content for diagnostic testing. 
     Center-cut extraction  112  may aid in exposing any issues with inaccurate 4×3 center-cut extraction from 16×9 source material. Because a 16×9 source material is a larger resolution than can be displayed on a 4×3 screen, a 4×3 video may be extracted from the 16×9 material. Center-cut extraction  112  may help determine whether the correct material was extracted. Safe area  113  may provide a similar function. Certain images may have to stay within a safe area of the video screen, which may be a smaller area within the 4×3 center-cut. Safe area  113  may help determine whether correct images remain within the safe area. 
     Field display order  114  may assist in identifying incorrect field display order or field dominance. Media file  120  may need to be broadcast to an interlaced output device, such as an older television set. Interlaced devices receive video as a stream of fields. A field contains data for every other scanline of the display, in contrast with a frame, which contains data for every scanline. Half of the fields are upper fields, which are the fields that contain data from the odd-numbered scanlines starting with the top scanline. Lower fields contain the even-numbered scanlines, starting with the second scanline from the top. The upper and lower fields may then be paired as a frame, forming a complete set of scanlines. Field dominance determines whether a frame starts with its upper or lower field. Incorrect upper/lower field dominance may produce stuttered video motion. 
     Cadence detection  115  may aid in detecting incorrect cadence. The sequence of fields in the media file must have the correct cadence to be displayed properly. For example, a source material may comprise frames A, B, C, and D in sequence. If that sequence of frames underwent an encoding process, such as doubling each frame into field pairs, the cadence must remain intact. The resulting sequence should read A-A-B-B-C-C-D-D. Thus, a sequence such as A-A-B-C-B-C-D-D would be incorrect cadence. 
     Interpolation  116   a - 116   d  may help in detecting interpolation. Interpolation, specifically temporal interpolation, occurs when adjacent frame images are blended together. The interpolated image may contain elements of both blended images. Interpolation  116   a - 116   d  may indicate if interpolation was induced during encoding. 
     Audio slates  117  may comprise several audio tracks that may aid in diagnosing audio problems. Audio slates  117  may comprise audio slates for each of the 24 standard audio channels. Each track may have a voice announcing the track number, which corresponds to the original channel the track resides on. For example, spoken words “channel  1 ” may be heard when playing back channel  1 . The tracks may also be staggered, thus a track may never be heard in sync with another track. Encodes may re-assign or re-map audio tracks from the original channel positions to new ones. Audio slates  117  may assist in the difficult and error prone task of confirming what audio track exists on which channel. For example, channel  3  may have been re-mapped to channel  7 . With audio slates  117 , “channel  3 ” may be heard when playing back channel  7 . Hearing another track number, hearing no voice, or hearing “channel  3 ” on another channel may indicate an audio mapping issue. 
     Additionally, audio slates  117  may also help discover unintentional down-mixing. During the encoding of media file  120 , several tracks may be accidentally sent to the same channel, or down-mixed. Normally, listening to the audio is a difficult way to detect unintentional down-mixing. However, when audio slates  117  undergoes down-mixing, the error may be easier to discover. Because audio slates  117  are staggered, several asynchronous voices may be heard if several tracks have been down-mixed. In addition, the staggered audio simplifies the process of identifying the track numbers that were down-mixed. 
     Additional patterns  118  may comprise additional graphical patterns or audio tracks, or variations of existing patterns and tracks. Additional tools, such as additional letter-box demarcations, may be necessary to diagnose issues not detectable with a default pattern set. Additional patterns  118  may also comprise other information, such as timestamps or identifiers. 
     Media file  120  may comprise media content which will undergo encodes or transcodes by media encoder  140 . It may, for example, comprise original source material. Alternatively, media file  120  may comprise media content that has already been encoded and will be encoded again. Because encodes may introduce unwanted results in its media content, media file  120  may require verification of its media content. 
     Modified media file  130  may comprise media file  120  and diagnostic clip  110 . Diagnostic clip  110  may be placed at the head or tail of media file  120 , similar to bars and tone signals used in video masters, to form modified media file  130 . In alternative embodiments, diagnostic clip  110  may be used as a stand-alone clip. Regardless of the method, diagnostic clip  110  may be encoded by the same encoder settings  145  as media file  120 . 
     Media encoder  140  may comprise a computing device capable of performing encodes or transcodes on modified media file  130 . Media encoder  140  may also be configured with encoder settings  145 . Unfortunately, the incorrect settings may result in unwanted changes to modified media file  130 . However, encoder settings  145  may be correctly reconfigured with correct settings through additional input, such as from user  170  though a computer interface. Then, media encoder  140  may re-encode modified media file  130 . Media encoder  140  may additionally comprise encoding processor  145 . Encoding processor  145  may comprise a processor capable of performing encodes or transcodes on modified media file  130  according to encoder settings  145 . After encoding or transcoding modified media file  130  into encoded media file  150 , media encoder  140  may output encoded media file  150  to display  160 . Alternatively, media encoder  140  may also store encoded media file  150  for future reference. 
     Encoded media file  150  may comprise the result of media encoder  140 &#39;s encodes on modified media file  130 . Encoded media file  150  may comprise encoded diagnostic clip  155  and encoded media content  156 , which may comprise the encoded versions of diagnostic clip  110  and media file  120 , respectively. Although depicted in  FIG. 1  as elements of encoded media file  150 , in alternative embodiments encoded diagnostic clip  155  and encoded media content  156  may each comprise separate files. 
     Display  160  may comprise any device capable of displaying encoded media file  150 . Display  160  may comprise the same device as media encoder  140 , such as a server. Alternatively, display  160  may be a remote machine, such as a workstation. Display  160  may also comprise speakers  165 . Speakers  165  may comprise any device capable of outputting the audio from encoded media file  150 . Speakers  165  may be part of display  160 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , or may comprise a separate device, such as standalone speakers. 
     User  170  may comprise a person or persons trained to use diagnostic clip  110 . User  170  may be able to view encoded diagnostic clip  155  and interpret its graphical patterns and audio tracks. In addition, user  170  may be able to reconfigure encoder settings  145 . 
     Diagnostic clip  110  may first be customized by user  170 . For example, center-cut extraction  112 , safe area  113 , field display order  114 , cadence detection  115 , interpolation  116   a - 116   d , audio slates  117 , and additional patterns  118  may all vary to suit the needs of user  170 . Diagnostic clip  110  may then be bundled with media file  120 , either as one file or separate files, to form modified media file  130 . Modified media file  130  may then be sent to media encoder  140  to undergo encodes. 
     Media encoder  140  encodes modified media file  130  to encoded media file  150  according to encoder settings  145 . Encoder settings  145  may be preconfigured with settings for a particular encode. After the particular encoding, user  170  may then view and hear encoded media file  150  immediately on display  160 . Undesired results in encoded diagnostic clip  155  may be symptoms of common encoding issues, such as an inaccurate 4×3 center-cut extraction from 16×9 source material, a reversed field display order, an incorrect video cadence, an interpolation, an improper audio channel mapping, or an unwanted audio down-mixing. By recognizing any anomalous graphical patterns and audio tracks in encoded diagnostic clip  155 , user  170  may determine what settings in encoder settings  145  require adjustment. 
     Encoded diagnostic clip  155  may also reveal which encodes caused problems. For example, if after the particular encode, encoded diagnostic clip  155  developed a graphical anomaly, user  170  may know that that particular encode caused the error. User  170  may then reconfigure encoder settings  145  to correct the issues revealed by encoded diagnostic clip  155 . After re-encoding modified media file  130 , user  170  may immediately watch encoded diagnostic clip  155  again and reconfigure encoder settings  145  based on that feedback. User  170  may repeat this cycle until encoded diagnostic clip  155  is free of errors. Alternatively, media encoder  140  may perform all encoding jobs needed on modified media file  130  while storing intermediary encodes. User  170  may later review the intermediary encodes to identify specific problematic encodes. 
     When encoded diagnostic clip  155  no longer displays graphical or audio anomalies, encoded media content  156  may be error-free as well, because both undergo encodes with the same encoder settings  145 . The resultant encoded media file  150  may then be ready for broadcast or additional processing. 
     Moving to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 2  may represent a single frame from diagnostic clip  110  in  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. Diagram  200  of  FIG. 2  includes diagnostic clip frame  210 . Diagnostic clip frame  210  includes center-cut extraction  220 , safe area  230 , field display order  240 , cadence detection  250 , interpolation  260   a , interpolation  260   b , interpolation  260   c , and interpolation  260   d.    
     Diagnostic clip frame  210  may represent one frame from diagnostic clip  110 &#39;s video sequence. Diagnostic clip frame  210  may comprise an image of 1920 pixels across, and  1080  pixels down. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , diagnostic clip frame  210  comprises a frame with a 16×9 black background. In alternative embodiments, diagnostic clip frame  210  may comprise a frame with a different background, such as a 16×9 video image. Diagnostic clip frame  210  may comprise graphical patterns from center-cut extraction  220 , safe area  230 , field display order  240 , cadence detection  250 , and interpolation  260   a - 260   d , which may all vary to suit user  170 &#39;s needs. Diagnostic clip frame  210  may also comprise additional patterns  118  from  FIG. 1 , depending on user  170 &#39;s needs. 
     Center-cut extraction  220 , which may correspond to center-cut extraction  112  in  FIG. 1 , may comprise markers that delineate a certain area within the frame. As shown in  FIG. 2 , center-cut extraction  220  may comprise an outer white rectangle within the frame. Center-cut extraction  220  may represent the exact area for the active video of a correctly extracted 4×3 image. In one embodiment, the top line of center-cut extraction  220  may reside on line  21  and the bottom line on line  1123 , when displayed as a 1080 23.98 PsF signal. The left-side line may reside at pixel  240 , and the right-side line at pixel  1679 . User  170  may verify the center-cut extraction by viewing the resultant active video. If an image falls short or exceeds any of center-cut extraction  220 &#39;s white borders, the image may not be sized correctly. Alternatively, user  170  may look for the white borders at all four sides of the 4×3 image. 
     Safe area  230 , which may correspond to safe area  113  in  FIG. 1 , may also comprise markers which delineate a certain area within the frame. As shown in  FIG. 2 , safe area  230  may comprise a white rectangle inside the outer white rectangle, or center-cut extraction  220 . Safe area  230  may delineate an area which is a fraction of center-cut extraction  220 , such as 90%. Thus, a 90% safe area may delineate 90% of the area represented by center-cut extraction  220 . User  170  may then verify any images that must remain in the safe area by checking to see if the images stay within safe area  230 &#39;s white border. User  170  may also be able to determine if parts of the frame&#39;s image, such as its center, have been disproportionately expanded compared to the rest of the frame&#39;s image, such as its edges. 
     Field display order  240 , which may correspond to field display order  114  in FIG.  1 , may comprise visual cues that loop through the entirety of diagnostic clip  110 &#39;s sequence. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , field display order  240  comprises a black vertical bar on a white box background. Field display order  240  may be smaller than safe area  230 , and placed near the center of the frame. The black bar may move horizontally within the white box. Starting from the left, the black bar may move to the right every second, and then loop back. The black bar&#39;s stuttering or jerky motion, instead of fluid motion, may indicate an incorrect field display order. 
     Cadence detection  250 , which may correspond to cadence detection  115  in  FIG. 1 , may comprise various markings capable of displaying information about a frame cadence. In  FIG. 2 , cadence detection  250  comprises the letters “A,” “B,” “C,” and “D” near the bottom of the screen. Each letter may correspond to successive frames, starting with the “A-frame,” and returning to A after D. The underscore, seen below A in  FIG. 2 , may indicate which frame is currently viewed. As diagnostic clip  110 &#39;s sequence progresses, the white underscore may shift from A to B to C and so forth, until it loops back to A after D. User  170  may then be able to recognize incorrect cadence by viewing the underscore&#39;s movement. Additionally, user  170  may verify that the cadence begins on the A-frame at the top of each second, which may be as critical as the correct cadence itself. Cadence detection  250  allows the user to verify cadence without regard to the display hardware or player software being used. 
     Interpolation  260   a - 260   d , which may respectively correspond to interpolation  116   a - 116   d  in  FIG. 1 , each comprise a marker which may assist user  170  in detecting interpolation within video images. As shown in  FIG. 2 , interpolation  260   a - 260   d  may each comprise a dash pattern, in a vertical orientation, at the corners within safe area  230 . With each successive frame, interpolation  260   a - 260   d  may alternate from vertical to horizontal orientations. If interpolation was induced during an encode, the interpolated frames may blend the alternating orientations together, forming a cross shape instead of a single dash. User  170  may then be able to quickly determine if interpolation was induced, by viewing cross shapes instead of horizontal or vertical dash shapes. 
     Moving to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 3  may represent two sets of frames from encoded diagnostic clip  155 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. Diagram  300  of  FIG. 3  includes frame set  310  and frame set  320 . Frame set  310  includes frame  311 , frame  312 , frame  313 , frame  314 , and frame  315 . Frame set  320  includes frame  321 , frame  322 , frame  323 , frame  324 , and frame  325 . 
     Frame set  310  may comprise a sequence of five consecutive frames from encoded diagnostic clip  155 . Frame set  310  may comprise frame  311 - 315 . Frame  311 - 315 , which may each correspond to diagnostic clip frame  210  in  FIG. 2 , each comprises a frame from encoded diagnostic clip  155 &#39;s video sequence. Accordingly, each of frame  311 - 315  may comprise similar elements to diagnostic clip frame  210 . 
     Likewise, frame set  320  may also comprise a sequence of five consecutive frames from encoded diagnostic clip  155 . Frame set  320  may comprise frame  321 - 325 . Frame  321 - 325 , which may each correspond to diagnostic clip frame  210  in  FIG. 2 , each comprises a frame from encoded diagnostic clip  155 &#39;s video sequence. Accordingly, each of frame  311 - 315  may comprise similar elements to diagnostic clip frame  210 . 
     Because many of the problems revealed by diagnostic clip  110  may involve multiple frames, user  170  may need to view several frames to detect certain problems. For example, verifying cadence after a 2:3 pull-down requires viewing multiple frames. NTSC video is broadcast at 30 or 29.97 frames per second (fps). However, a source material may be filmed at 24 or 23.98 fps. Content at 24 fps must be converted to 30 fps. The frame ratio is 24/30, or 4/5, which means for every 4 frames at 24 fps, there should be 5 frames for 30 fps. 2:3 pull-down is a method of stretching the 4 frames into 5. For example, if the 24 fps content had source frames A, B, C, and D, then the corresponding fields are normally made by placing the same frame across the upper and lower field pair. The cadence would be A-A-B-B-C-C-D-D, yielding frames AA, BB, CC, and DD. To get that extra frame, every other frame is placed across three, rather than two fields. Thus, the  2 : 3  cadence would now be A-A-B-B-B-C-C-D-D-D, and the five frames would consist of AA, BB, BC, CD, and DD. 
     Frame set  310  and  320  may each represent a possible diagnostic tool sequence after a 2:3 pull-down of a 24 fps source. The four corner patterns in each of frame  311 - 315 ,  321 - 325  may each correspond to interpolation  116   a - 116   d  in  FIG. 1 , and interpolation  260   a - 260 d in  FIG. 2 ; the four letters and underscores in each of frame  311 - 315 ,  321 - 325  may correspond to cadence detection  115  in  FIG. 1 , and cadence detection  250  in  FIG. 2 ; and the white boxes containing vertical bars in each of frame  311 - 315 ,  321 - 325  may each correspond to field display order  114  in  FIG. 1 , and field display order  240  in  FIG. 2 . 
     Frame set  310  may comprise frame  311 - 315  shown in “full frame,” wherein both fields of a frame are shown together. Frame  311  may show no sign of interpolation, as the corner marks are full white dashes instead of crosses, which indicates both fields are from the same source frame. In addition, frame  311  may be the A-frame, as indicated by the underscore below A. Therefore frame  311  may be frame AA. In a similar fashion, frame  312  and  315  may be frame BB and DD, respectively. Frame  313  may show signs of interpolation, because the corner marks are gray crosses instead of white dashes, which indicates the blending of black and white. The gray underscores beneath letters B and C suggest the blending of fields from frames B and C, indicating frame  313  may be frame BC. In a similar fashion, frame  314  may be identified as frame CD. Frame  313  and  314  are jitter frames because they may have been blended from two different source frames. Since frame  311 - 315  may comprise frames AA, BB, BC, CD, DD from the 2:3 cadence discussed above, frame set  310  may follow the correct 2:3 cadence, which includes starting on the A-frame. Finally, the vertical black bar moves from left to right in the frame sequence, indicating correct field order. 
     Frame set  320  may comprise frame  321 - 325  shown in “field mode,” wherein only one of the two fields per frame is displayed. Here, frame set  320  may display the second field only, and thus no jitter frames may be present. Since the corner dashes alternate according to the frame, none of frame  321 - 325  show signs of interpolation, which may be expected in field mode. The underscores indicate frame  321 - 325  may comprise frames A, B, C, D, and D again, respectively. A correct cadence in field mode, after taking out the first fields from the 2:3 cadence, is A-B-C-D-D. Thus, frame set  320  may follow the correct cadence, starting with the A-frame as well. According to frame set  310  and  320 , user  170  may not need to adjust encoder settings  145  with respect to cadence, field order, or interpolation. 
     Moving to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 4  shows a flowchart describing the steps, according to one embodiment of the present invention, by which a trained user may utilize a diagnostic tool to verify media content after an encode. Certain details and features have been left out of flowchart  400  that are apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. For example, a step may comprise one or more substeps or may involve specialized equipment or materials, as known in the art. While steps  410  through  450  indicated in flowchart  400  are sufficient to describe one embodiment of the present invention, other embodiments of the invention may utilize steps different from those shown in flowchart  400 . 
     Referring to step  410  of flowchart  400  in  FIG. 4  and diagram  100  of  FIG. 1 , step  410  of flowchart  400  comprises preparing diagnostic clip  110  in  FIG. 1  for encodes. Diagnostic clip  110  may be preset with a default set of graphical patterns. However, user  170  may also want to add or modify graphical or audio patterns. For example, user  170  may wish to modify safe area  113  by reducing its size, or add additional patterns  118 . User  170  may know what graphical and audio patterns have been set, thus expecting a certain output from encoded diagnostic clip  155 . 
     Referring to step  420  of flowchart  400  in  FIG. 4  and diagram  100  of  FIG. 1 , step  420  of flowchart  400  comprises embedding diagnostic clip  110  in media file  120  to form modified media file  130 . As previously discussed, diagnostic clip  110  may be placed at the head or tail of media file  120  before any encodes. Alternatively, diagnostic clip  110  may be used as a stand-alone clip that would follow media file  120  through a tapeless workflow. Diagnostic clip  110  may undergo the same encodes as media file  120 , ensuring that user  170 &#39;s diagnosis of diagnostic clip  110  applies to media file  120  as well. 
     Referring to step  430  of flowchart  400  in  FIG. 4  and diagram  100  of  FIG. 1 , step  430  of flowchart  400  comprises media encoder  140 &#39;s encoding processor  146  encoding modified media file  130  according to encoder settings  145  to create encoded media file  150 . Encoded media file  150  may comprise encoded diagnostic clip  155  and encoded media content  156 , which may comprise the encoded versions of diagnostic clip  110  and media file  120 , respectively. Encoder settings  145  may not be properly configured to correctly encode modified media file  130 . Encoder settings  145  may require adjustments, after which modified media file  130  may be re-encoded. 
     Referring to step  440  of flowchart  400  in  FIG. 4  and diagram  100  of  FIG. 1 , step  440  of flowchart  400  comprises displaying encoded diagnostic clip  155  on display  160  to user  170 . As previously discussed, display  160  may comprise a separate device from media encoder  140 . User  170  may also need to hear encoded diagnostic clip  155  through speakers  165 . Speakers  165  may comprise a separate device from display  160  or may comprise the same device. Display  160  may faithfully display encoded diagnostic clip  155 , including any errors created from encoding. 
     Referring to step  450  of flowchart  400  in  FIG. 4 , diagram  100  of  FIG. 1 , and diagram  200  of  FIG. 2 , step  450  of flowchart  400  comprises user  170  assessing the accuracy of encoder settings  145  by viewing encoded diagnostic clip  155 . User  170  may view encoded diagnostic clip  155  to receive immediate visual and aural feedback as to the unwanted effects of encoding. As previously discussed, the elements of diagnostic clip frame  210  may provide user  170  with various indicators about common issues that may arise after encodes. For example, user  170  may notice that parts of center-cut extraction  220  do not appear, indicating an error with a center-cut extraction. User  170  may then correct the center-cut extraction settings in encoder settings  145 . Display  160  may allow user  170  to adjust encoder settings  145 . Alternatively, user  170  may adjust encoder settings  145  through media encoder  140  directly. Once the known issues are resolved, diagnostic clip  110  may then be re-encoded according to the adjusted encoder settings  145  and subsequently reviewed by user  170  to verify the corrections made. In the example, user  170  may redo the center-cut extraction and then confirm that center-cut extraction  220  appears correctly on screen. 
     From the above description of the invention it is manifest that various techniques can be used for implementing the concepts of the present invention without departing from its scope. Moreover, while the invention has been described with specific reference to certain embodiments, a person of ordinary skills in the art would recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. As such, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. It should also be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is capable of many rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention.