Commentary Utilities

CompetitionSuite provides tools to handle common commentary issues, including managing unmatched files, splitting recordings, and merging audio.

Inactive (Unmatched) Commentary

Sometimes commentary files cannot be automatically matched to the correct caption. This happens when:

• A judge selected the wrong group during recording
• Schedule changes occurred after recording began
• Technical issues interrupted the upload

Viewing Inactive Commentary

1. Click Inactive Commentary in the left sidebar
2. A modal displays all unmatched files with:

• Upload date and time
• File size
• Judge name (as recorded)
• Group name (as recorded)

Managing Inactive Files

For each inactive file, you can:

Moving Inactive Commentary

To assign an inactive file to the correct caption:

1. Click the Move icon next to the file
2. Select the correct judge from the left panel
3. Browse the judge's assigned performances
4. Click Move Here next to the target performance

Note: You cannot move files to captions that have verified commentary.

Splitting Commentary

Use the Split tool when a single recording contains multiple performances (e.g., a judge forgot to stop recording between groups).

Accessing Split Tool

From the main page:

1. Click Split Commentary in the Utilities section
2. Select the file to split

From Upload History:

1. Open a caption's history
2. Click the scissors icon next to a version

From Inactive Commentary:

1. Open the Inactive Commentary modal
2. Click the scissors icon next to a file

How to Split a File

1. Play the audio to identify where to split
2. Pause at the split point - the timestamp will be used
3. Select the judge whose captions will receive the files
4. Assign Part 1 - select the performance for the first portion
5. Assign Part 2 - select the performance for the second portion
6. Click Split Commentary File

The system creates two new files at the specified timestamp. Original files are preserved.

Split Tips

• Listen carefully to find the exact transition between performances
• The split point uses the current playback position
• You can split inactive files or files from upload history
• Splitting does not affect verified commentary

Merging Commentary

Use the Merge tool when a judge's recording was split incorrectly or when two partial recordings need to be combined.

Accessing Merge Tool

1. Click Merge Commentary in the Utilities section

How to Merge Files

1. Select the beginning file:

• Choose a judge from the list
• Select a file to use as the start
• Click Play to verify it's correct

1. Select the ending file:

• Choose a judge (can be the same or different)
• Select a file to append
• Click Play to verify

1. Select the destination:

• Choose where the merged file should be saved
• Select the target performance/caption

1. Click Merge Commentary File

The merged file combines both sources in order. Original files are preserved.

Merge Tips

• Preview both files before merging to ensure correct order
• The destination cannot have verified commentary
• Merging is useful when a recording was accidentally stopped mid-performance

Clearing Active Files

To remove a commentary file from a caption without deleting it:

1. Open the caption's Upload History
2. Click Clear Active File at the bottom
3. The caption will show as having no commentary

The file remains in history and can be reactivated later. This is useful when:

• You need to reassign the file elsewhere
• The file was incorrectly matched
• You want to request a fresh upload

Best Practices

Before the Event

• Ensure judges understand proper recording procedures
• Test equipment and uploads in advance
• Have a plan for handling common issues

During the Event

• Monitor the Inactive Commentary list periodically
• Address matching issues promptly while context is fresh
• Communicate with judges if patterns emerge

After the Event

• Clear out the Inactive Commentary list
• Document any files that couldn't be matched
• Archive or remove unnecessary files

Troubleshooting Common Issues

File Won't Split at Correct Point

• Ensure you've paused playback at the exact timestamp
• Try playing a few seconds past the desired point, then pausing

Merged File Has Gap or Overlap

• The merge is seamless at the file boundaries
• If there's an issue, the original files may have recording gaps
• Consider uploading a corrected version manually

Can't Move to Verified Caption

• Unverify the target caption first
• Then move the file
• Re-verify after confirming the file is correct