Instruction Manual

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• Overview
What’s New in DigiCart/E
DigiCart/E is the most advanced hard disk/cart system in the broadcast industry. Building on the proven
design of the industry-standard DigiCart II, your new DigiCart/E delivers many significant enhancements,
such as network connectivity through the 360 Systems’ Ethernet Audio network, 24-bit audio, WAV file
format, a separate sync input, larger display, larger standard internal disk drive, a new 2U rack-mountable
chassis, and many other refinements. Please refer to 360 Systems Ethernet Audio Network Manual for
information on setting up the network.
The star feature of the new DigiCart/E is its connection to the Ethernet Audio™ network. This 100Mb
Ethernet connection allows file transfers, playback over the network, and recording to a network drive.
With Bit-for-Bit™ technology, DigiCart/E and the Ethernet Audio network are also fully compatible with
non-PCM audio data such as Dolby-E and AC-3.
A notable feature of DigiCart is selectable recording formats. Choices include linear sampling rates of 96,
88.2, 48, or 44.1 kilosamples/second in stereo, or 48K Dolby AC-2. All formats can coexist. Further,
DigiCart/E has a built-in sample rate converter that can be switched into either the incoming or outgoing
audio path. Now, each digital recording can be converted on-the-fly so an entire library can be maintained
in at one sample rate standard. Alternately, a library of recordings may be maintained as a mixture of
native sample rates; DigiCart/E can convert these files on output to a predetermined standard (e.g. 48K, for
broadcast).
DigiCart/E can now build and store Playlists on network drives that can be accessed from any DigiCart on
the network. Playlists can be used concurrently from many locations, or can be accessed from anywhere in
the plant as a production moves from studio to studio.
Hot Keys have always been a DigiCart accessory, but fixed Hot Keys have now been added to the front
panel of DigiCart/E. Hot Keys allow pre-assignment of a cut or Playlist to a trigger key, so that it can be
played immediately. This takes the work out of searching for a file when it is needed in a hurry.
An important new feature in DigiCart/E is network Hot Key assignments. Hot Keys can now be stored and
recalled in two ways, either Network Drive or Local Drive. The chief benefit of using Net Drive Hot Keys
is that those Hot Key assignments can be accessed by more than one user concurrently from anywhere on
the network.
DigiCart/E now has a separate AES-11 sync input. An AES-75 ohm input connection is dedicated to this
task. Also new are gain adjustment trims on the analog outputs so that DigiCart/E can be matched perfectly
with downstream equipment.
DigiCart/E now provides power to the 360 Systems RC-320 remote control via the serial cable, so there is
no need for a separate wall-mounted power supply. Additionally, there is now a second serial port available
for ES-Bus or Peripheral Bus controls, so that the RC-320 remote control can always remain attached.
Finally, DigiCart/E’s LCD display and menus have been organized to provide a clear understanding of the
machine state and settings.
Supported File Formats
DigiCart/E normally records audio in WAV format. Previous DigiCart models used a proprietary recording
format. To ensure compatibility with existing DigiCarts and recordings, DigiCart/E can also play and
record those proprietary file formats.