User`s manual

Alcorn McBride Digital Video Machine HD User’s Manual Rev 1.0
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Troubleshooting Guide / FAQ
If you don’t find an answer to your question here, have a look at our Knowledge
Base at http://www.alcorn.com/kb/index.html. We’re always updating it with
new answers and useful information!
Q: I have several files on my Digital Video Machine HD. When I try to play one of
them, a different file plays.
A: All file names and numbers should be unique. You should not have, for instance,
two files named VID00005 (ie. VID00005.MPG and VID00005.H264, or have a file
named VID00003.MPG, along with a PLY00003.LST.
Q: I have created a playlist using Windows, but the DVMHD reports an error when I
try to play it. What’s going on?
A: Windows sometimes uses its own filename extensions, or adds extensions that are
hidden when viewed in Windows Explorer. Make sure that Windows Explorer is
configured to show file extensions, and make sure that file does not have two
extensions (i.e. ply00010.lst.txt).
Q: Can I control the Digital Video Machine with your show controller?
A: Yes. There is a protocol file specifically designed to operate the Digital Video
Machine (DVMHD-8400). If it is not already bundled in your version of WinScript,
check the protocols section located in our Library at http://www.alcorn.com.
Q: What brands of Compact Flash Cards do you recommend? Where do I get one?
A: We don’t have a brand we endorse, but we know cards from SanDisk work in the
DVMHD. You can typically get them from a local camera shop, computer supply
store, or online. They need to be ATA compatible. Also check our Knowledge Base
at http://www.alcorn.com/kb/index.html. Once there, type in Compact Flash to see if
we have added anymore supported brands to our list.
Q: I copied video files to a flash card, but when I press select the ‘Play Test File’
option on the front-panel menu the status LED just flashes red. Why isn’t it playing
my file?
A: The DVMHD’s ‘Play Test File’ feature plays the lowest numbered video file on the
flash card. Do the files you’ve copied follow the DVMHD numbering convention
(vidxxxxx.mpg)? Have you encoded the video files according to the information
provided in the Media Files section of this manual?
Q: I am trying to play a video file, but the DVMHD seems to have trouble playing it.
The video is playing slow and/or I am seeing distortion or ‘blocking’. What am I doing
wrong?
A: First, verify that you have not exceeded the maximum bitrate for the video codec
you have used to encode the video file. If you have done so and this problem persists,
it may be possible that the encoder is going beyond the bitrate you have specified. If
so, try reducing the bitrate or using Constant Bitrate (CBR) instead of Variable Bitrate
(VBR). It’s also very important that the DVMHD’s Compact Flash memory is fast
enough to maintain the high transfer speeds required for playback.