Avid NewsCutter ® ® Setup Guide Release 1.
© 1998–1999 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Avid NewsCutter Setup Guide • Part 0130-04395-01 Rev.
Contents Using This Guide Who Should Use This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 About This Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Symbols and Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Using the Help System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 If You Need Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Optional NewsCutter Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Network Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Fibre Channel Workgroup Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Chapter 3 Connecting Audio and Video Devices Avid Meridien I/O Box Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Audio Interface Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Avid StorEx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Running Avid StorEx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Avid StorEx Disk Test Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Menus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Test Display. . . .
Appendix B Supported Serial Control Video Decks General Deck Selection Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Direct Serial Decks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Edit Decks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Record Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Play Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figures Figure 1-1 Meridien I/O Box Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Figure 1-2 Sample NewsCutter Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Figure 1-3 Meridien I/O Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Figure 2-1 Keyboard and Mouse Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Figure 2-2 Application Key Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Figure 2-3 VGA Interconnect Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 4-8 Serial Digital Video External Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Figure 4-9 S-Video External Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Figure 4-10 Error Log Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Figure 4-11 Avid StorEx Disk Test Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Figure 4-12 Avid StorEx Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Figure 4-13 Avid StorEx Test Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tables Table 1-1 NewsCutter Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Table 1-2 Optional Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Table 1-3 Meridien I/O Box Indicator Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Table 2-1 DV25 Data Rate Storage Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Table 5-1 No Display After Power-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Table 5-2 Display Colors Are Incorrect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using This Guide The Avid® NewsCutter® Setup Guide explains how to set up NewsCutter system components. NewsCutter ships with Windows NT® 4.0, Windows service pack, and the NewsCutter application loaded on the internal hard drive. You should consult the Avid NewsCutter Release Notes, distributed with this guide, for any late-breaking information that might apply to your system setup.
About This Guide Use this guide when you are connecting the peripherals and cables to the NewsCutter. After you complete the installation, you might want to consult this guide if you need to add external drives and video decks to the NewsCutter system. After you set up the NewsCutter and connect it to the Avid Meridien™ input/output (I/O) box, see the chapter “Running the System Diagnostics” to verify that your hardware is functioning properly.
w A warning describes an action that could cause you physical harm. Follow the guidelines in this guide or on the unit itself when handling electrical equipment. Using the Help System To open the Help system, start the NewsCutter application and choose NewsCutter Help from the Help menu. The Help Topics dialog box opens. Double-click a book icon in the Help window to display the topics. The NewsCutter application also provides context-sensitive Help.
4. Check the Avid Bulletin Board, “Avid Online,” for information on product and user conferences. If you do not find the solution to your problem, you can exchange information with other Avid customers and Avid Customer Support representatives. 5. Contact the local support office in your region.
How to Order Documentation To order additional copies of this documentation from within the United States, call Avid Telesales at 800-949-AVID (2843). If you are placing an order from outside the United States, contact your local Avid representative.
CHAPTER 1 Introduction This chapter introduces the NewsCutter hardware. The introduction includes an overview of the system and a list of the standard and optional components. The NewsCutter is a computer with an Avid peripheral board set that lets you digitally record and compress high-quality audio and video analog or digital signals to disk. This disk-based, nonlinear, random access system is designed for editing news stories and other broadcast needs.
A User Interface (UI) monitor displays the user interface, including the Timeline and bins. A customer-supplied Playback monitor displays media the system is playing or recording. The Avid Meridien I/O box is the interface for all the audio and video, input and output connections. n If you have purchased the optional serial digital board for the Avid Meridien I/O box, see Appendix A for installation instructions.
Table 1-1 NewsCutter Features Equipment Description NewsCutter Deskside computer system with optional rack-mount kit Hard drive Internal hard drive (see the manufacturer’s documentation for details) CD-ROM Internal CD-ROM reader (see the manufacturer’s documentation for details) Floppy drive Internal 3.
Table 1-2 lists the NewsCutter optional or additional equipment that is purchased separately. Table 1-2 Optional Equipment Equipment Description Playback monitor Displays incoming video when recording. Also displays playback material during the edit session. MediaDrives Individual external Avid MediaDrive rS enclosures linked in a SCSI chain. These drives are audio and video certified with a 15-inch (38-centimeter [cm]) cable.
Meridien I/O Box Indicators The Meridien I/O box provides six indicators along with a power switch on the front of the box (see Figure 1-1). When you turn on the Meridien I/O box, the indicators will turn on and off as it goes through its power-on self-test (POST). After the POST, the 48 kHz and POWER indicators remain on. 44.1 kHz AUDIO SYNC PULL DOWN O Power switch AUDIO SYNC PULL DOWN 48 kHz VIDEO SYNC POWER 48 kHz VIDEO SYNC Figure 1-1 l 44.
Table 1-3 Meridien I/O Box Indicator Functions (Continued) Indicator Function AUDIO SYNC The audio synchronized indicator is on when audio is detected by the Meridien I/O box. VIDEO SYNC The video synchronized indicator is on when video is detected by the Meridien I/O box. PULL DOWN The pulldown indicator is on when performing a telecine film-to-tape transfer whereby 24-fps film material is adapted to the 30-fps NTSC videotape format.
The sample layout in Figure 1-2 shows a fully configured NewsCutter system, including a UI monitor, Playback monitor, video deck, Avid Meridien I/O box, MediaDock, speakers, and amplifier. Video deck Playback monitor Speaker Amplifier V-LAN VLXi Speaker UI monitor VLX O AUDIO SYNC PULL DOWN 48 kHz VIDEO SYNC POWER l 44.
• NewsCutter application key This copy-protection device (also called a dongle) attaches to the parallel port on your computer. A parallel printer can be connected to the application key if a local printer is desired. • Meridien I/O box In a separate package, you will find a Meridien I/O box that connects to the NewsCutter. The Meridien I/O box provides the video and audio interface connectors for the system.
Other items you need to supply: • XLR cables for audio connections • Speaker wire (or cables) to connect speakers • Broadcast-quality BNC cables for connecting video devices • Flat-tip and #2 Phillips-head screwdrivers should be available for component installation, setup, or attaching an optional rackmount kit to NewsCutter • Wrist strap (recommended for grounding when handling circuit boards) Rack-Mounting Kits If you have purchased an optional rack-mount kit for the NewsCutter, install the kit
To attach the brackets to your Meridien I/O box: 1. Locate the two brackets and four screws that come with the Meridien I/O box. 2. Position one of the brackets so that the two holes in the bracket line up with the holes in the side of the Meridien I/O box (see Figure 1-3). 3. Secure the bracket with the screws provided. 4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the other side.
CHAPTER 2 Setting Up the NewsCutter System This chapter provides instructions for connecting the keyboard, mouse, application key, UI monitor, and Avid Meridien I/O box to the NewsCutter. These instruction use generic illustrations representing the type of connector found on the back of the NewsCutter. For the exact connector locations, see the documentation that is provided by the computer manufacturer.
To connect your keyboard and mouse: 1. Plug the keyboard and mouse cables into the PS/2-style connectors on the back of the NewsCutter (see Figure 2-1). The PS/2-style connectors have keyboard and mouse icons beside the connectors or are color coded. n Use PS/2-style extension cables with the keyboard and mouse when the NewsCutter is rack-mounted.
c Do not overtighten the application key screws. Parallel port connector Application key Figure 2-2 n Application Key Connection A local parallel printer can still be used even though the application key is connected to the parallel port. The application key allows the printer signals to pass to and from the printer. Connecting the VGA Interconnect Cable The video graphics array (VGA) interconnect cable has three connectors.
To connect to your VGA monitor: 1. Locate the VGA interconnect cable (also known as a VGA “loopthrough” cable), labeled CA-206. TARGA 2000 label VGA label Monitor label Figure 2-3 VGA Interconnect Cable 2. Connect the 15-pin male connector (labeled TARGA 2000) to the VGA connector on the TARGA 2000 video board (see Figure 2-4). 3. Continuing with the VGA interconnect cable, connect the 15-pin male connector (labeled VGA) to the VGA connector on the standard video board.
VGA connector on the standard video board VGA connector on the TARGA 2000 video board Monitor cable Figure 2-4 VGA Interconnect Cable Connections 4. Connect the 15-pin female connector (labeled Monitor) to the VGA monitor cable (provided with the monitor). n Use a VGA-style extension cable with the UI monitor when the NewsCutter is rack-mounted. 5. Make sure that the other 15-pin end of the VGA monitor cable is connected to the back of the monitor.
Connecting NewsCutter to the Meridien I/O Box All audio and video interfacing with the NewsCutter is done through a Meridien digital media cable. This Meridien digital media cable connects the Meridien I/O box to the NewsCutter. The Meridien I/O box is designed to provide a convenient way to attach many cables to the NewsCutter system. To attach the cable: 1. Locate the Meridien digital media cable. This 6-foot (1.8-meter) cable ships with the NewsCutter.
4. Plug the power cords into the power connector on both the NewsCutter and the Meridien I/O box. Plug the other end of each power cord into an ac power source.
n Avid recommends that you purchase a 30-inch (76.2-cm) SCSI cable for connecting the first SCSI drive to the system. An active SCSI terminator is also required for terminating the last drive in the chain. Connect the MediaDrives according to the documentation that comes with the drives. Avid-recommended drives provide the following documentation: • Avid rS MediaDrive Setup and User’s Guide ships with the individual MediaDrives.
Turn on the external MediaDrives before turning on your NewsCutter. Allow approximately 10 to 15 seconds for the MediaDrive to complete its self-test. c Turning on your NewsCutter before each MediaDrive completes its self-test could cause the system to ignore the drive. Before you can store files on the MediaDrives, you must format and partition them with the Windows NT operating system (see the documentation that comes with your drive). The NewsCutter application uses the NT File System (NTFS).
• A sustained SCSI transfer rate of 4.5 to 6.5 MB per second • An average seek time of 12.5 milliseconds or less (including controller overhead without disconnect) • 1 MB or greater on-board cache (memory) • Impedance-matched internal and external cabling • Active termination • Appropriate-size power supplies for continuous use • Regulatory approvals (CSA, FCC, TÜV, UL) Data Rate Calculations Use Table 2-1 to determine how many minutes of audio and video you can store on your MediaDrive.
Optional NewsCutter Connections The NewsCutter can work as a standalone system or as part of a broadcast network. The following connections are necessary if you are planing on transferring media files over a network (using Avid Transfer Tool software) or sending media out to a playback device over a Fibre Channel network. Network Configuration NewsCutter systems include an RJ-45 Ethernet network connector.
CHAPTER 3 Connecting Audio and Video Devices This chapter describes the connection between the Avid Meridien I/O box and the audio and video devices. Install the Meridien I/O box into your rack before you connect any cables (see Chapter 1 for more rackmounting information). The Meridien I/O box communicates with the NewsCutter through the Meridien digital media cable. This cable provides all the audio, video, timecode, and reference signals to the NewsCutter.
Audio Interface Connections The Meridien I/O box provides the following analog and digital connections: n • Two analog audio channels; two sets of input and output connectors. • One analog microphone connector; accepts powered or phantom power microphones. Choose the audio input setting in the Record tool to match your type of microphone. • One digital Audio Engineering Society/European Broadcasting Union (AES/EBU) audio channel; one set of input and output connectors.
Figure 3-1 shows the audio hardware connections. All audio cables are customer supplied. Speakers Speakers can connect directly or through an amplifier. (Speakers and amplifier are optional.
Video Interface Connections Figure 3-2 shows the connectors used to connect the customersupplied Playback monitor and video deck to the Avid Meridien I/O box. These connectors are used for video input and output from decks, satellite feeds, or routers. A customer-supplied Playback monitor displays incoming video when the system is recording or edited material during playback. These analog video connections can be either composite or component.
Serial Digital Interface Connections The serial digital interface board is optional. If you need to install the optional serial digital interface board, see “Serial Digital Interface Board Installation” on page 91. Figure 3-3 shows the BNC connectors used to connect the serial digital video to the Avid Meridien I/O box. These connectors are used for video input and output from decks, satellite feeds, or routers.
Connecting the Reference Signal All broadcast systems require an analog video reference signal. The video reference signal must be provided to several of the system components and must meet standard NTSC or PAL specifications. The video reference signal can be a black burst generator or the house black reference signal (see Figure 3-4). The reference signal connects to the Avid Meridien I/O box, V-LAN VLXi controller, and deck. All cables are customer supplied.
Controlling a Video Deck You can control up to two video decks remotely by using serial connections between the NewsCutter and the video deck. This serial connection requires an RS-232 to RS-422 cable adapter for each video deck connected to the NewsCutter. A serial adapter kit, called the Rosetta Stone, is provided with the NewsCutter.
5. Attach the other end of the second 9-pin cable to the remote serial port of the video deck. 6. Set the video deck’s Remote mode switch to Remote. n If the LEDs on the serial adapter do not light when the connections are completed with the equipment turned on, the serial adapter is connected backward. Before the remote control becomes functional, you must also choose the COM port in the Deck Configuration window of the NewsCutter application (see the NewsCutter Help for more information).
Assign the VLXi-GT to V-LAN node addresses 16 through 19. LAN connections of more than 50 feet must have a terminator. For more information, see the Videomedia VLXi User’s Guide. The V-LAN VLXi deck controller and VLXi-GT connect to the NewsCutter as shown in Figure 3-6. All cables are customer supplied.
Master Clock Connection When you are controlling the video deck through a serial remote control or a V-LAN VLXi controller, the deck timecode is utilized in the application. Avid strongly recommends synchronizing the NewsCutter to the house master clock (SMPTE for NTSC, and EBU for PAL) when using a satellite feed or manually controlling a video deck. The house master clock connects to the Timecode IN connector on the Avid Meridien I/O box (see Figure 3-7).
CHAPTER 4 Running the System Diagnostics After you have set up the Avid NewsCutter system, test the system to make sure that the Avid components and peripheral boards are functioning properly. Avid supplies a system diagnostics program (Avid System Test Pro) to help you verify that the Avid TARGA 2000 board set and the Avid Meridien I/O box are working properly. In addition, a storage exerciser (Avid StorEx) is supplied for testing the MediaDrives.
The Avid System Test Pro reads the Meridien I/O box default state when you start the diagnostics. These defaults are used during the diagnostics. An example default state could be NTSC mode, Composite In, and Component Out. To change the default state of the Meridien I/O box, run the Avid Video I/O Utility application.
• Standard — Tests all the Avid board sets with no intervention needed by the user • External/User Interaction — Tests the I/O portions of the board sets and needs user intervention such as connecting cables and answering questions in a dialog box Avid System Test Pro contains Help that provides information on each button, window, and test.
Quick Start Dialog Box The Avid System Test Pro Quick Start dialog box appears when you start the Avid System Test Pro diagnostic program (see Figure 4-1). This dialog box tells you what you need to do to start testing the standard set of diagnostics using all test program defaults. The defaults include the use of NTSC video.
The Avid System Test Pro for NewsCutter window contains: • Toolbar — A VCR-like user interface that provides control over running the diagnostics. When you first start the diagnostics, only the Start button in the toolbar is active. • Test suite tabs — Allow the user to select the Standard or External/User Interaction test suite to run. Each suite has a status indicator that provides status for each suite selected.
Understanding the Avid System Test Preferences Window The Avid System Test Preferences window opens when you choose Set Preferences from the Options menu. The Avid System Test Preferences window controls the way testing occurs. The window has two tabs: Test Control tab and Video Subsystem tab. Test Control Tab The Test Control tab allows you to select the manner in which errors are to be handled and how many times you want to repeat the test (see Figure 4-3).
Figure 4-4 Avid System Test Preferences Window — Video Subsystem Tab Running the Standard Diagnostics Suite To run the Standard diagnostics suite: 1. Start the diagnostics as described in “Starting Avid System Test Pro” on page 48. The Avid System Test Pro Quick Start dialog box appears, explaining how to run the Standard diagnostics using default settings. 2. Click OK. 3. Click the Start button in the toolbar in the main window.
If this is the first time the tests have failed, see Chapter 5, “Troubleshooting,” for possible solutions to the problem. If you have tried the solutions in Chapter 5 and the diagnostics still fail, contact your Avid Reseller. Running the External/User Interaction Diagnostics Suite The External/User Interaction diagnostics suite tests the following assemblies: • TARGA 2000 board set — Interactive test that requires you to respond to pop-up dialog boxes as they appear.
Cable the Meridien I/O box as described in the following section, and then see “Running the External Tests” on page 58 for instructions. External Diagnostics Audio Cabling Connect the audio channel inputs to the audio channel outputs on the audio I/O board with the audio test cable (see Figure 4-5). 1. Attach CHAN 1 OUT to the CHAN 1 IN. 2. Attach CHAN 2 OUT to the CHAN 2 IN.
COMPONENT IN IN COMPOSITE IN CHAN 1 CHAN 2 -10 GAIN 2 GAIN 1 -10 MIC S / PDIF +4 CHAN 1 IN CHAN 2 IN OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT IN OUT OUT 3 Y R-Y Y R-Y B-Y OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3 B-Y OUT LTC IN OUT DIGITAL VIDEO REF Figure 4-6 AES / EBU AUDIO OUT AUDIO IN COMPOSITE S-VIDEO S-VIDEO SLAVE CLOCK SYSTEM IN / OUT IN OUT OUT Component Video External Cabling 2.
2. Connect the other end of the cable to COMPOSITE OUT 1 on the video I/O board.
2. Connect the other end of the cable to OUT 1 on the DIGITAL VIDEO portion of serial digital interface board.
Running the External Tests To run the External/User Interaction tests: 1. Start the diagnostics as described in “Starting Avid System Test Pro” on page 48. The Avid System Test Pro Quick Start dialog box appears, explaining how to run the Standard diagnostics by using the default settings. 2. Click OK. 3. Click the External/User Interaction tab in the main window. 4. Loop back the Meridien I/O box connectors as explained in the previous sections. 5. Click the Start button in the toolbar in the main window.
Understanding the Error Log Window When an error is detected during a test, a dialog box appears, informing you an error has occurred. Choose Error Log from the Window menu (see Figure 4-10) to display information on all errors that have occurred since the application started or since the error log was cleared. Each entry lists the failing board, the failing test, and the time of the failure. If you double-click on a failure, a more detailed error window opens.
StorEx is installed with the NewsCutter software. StorEx is located on the system hard drive in the C:\Program Files\Avid\Utilities\StorEx folder. Running Avid StorEx Before you start Avid StorEx, check to see if the F/C drive enclosure is set to ID 0. It must be set to ID 0 for StorEx to run properly. To run Avid StorEx: 1. Quit all applications that are running on your NewsCutter. 2. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Avid, point to Utilities, and then click Avid StorEx.
Avid StorEx Disk Test Window The Avid StorEx Disk Test window provides information on the devices available for testing and the results of each test (see Figure 4-11).
Menus The StorEx menus are at the top of the display and provide the following functions: • File — Allows you to quit the program by choosing Exit from the File menu. • View — Allows you to define what you want to see in the Console display. The available choices are: • • • - Toolbar - Tests (also select by pressing and holding Alt+1) - Console (also select by pressing and holding Alt+2) Testing — Allows you to control the testing.
Start Stop Pause Stop on Hard Error Stop on Any Error Summary Figure 4-12 Avid StorEx Toolbar Test Display The Test display (see Figure 4-13) appears by default in the Avid StorEx Disk Test window when you start StorEx. The Test display shows the SCSI buses and attached disks found by StorEx during the scan of the SCSI buses, the device status boxes, and the check boxes. To open the Test display, choose Tests from the View menu or press and hold Alt+1.
The target ID is actually the physical disk address of the disk on the SCSI bus set by switches at the rear of the disk drive. The device number is a number assigned by StorEx that helps to identify the drives in the display console printout. The device numbers have nothing to do with the SCSI bus to which the disk is attached. n The Test display is shown in Figure 4-13 with the status box and check box on the right side of the display.
Tests Tab When you click the Tests tab, a display appears that allows you to choose the tests that you want to run on the selected hard drives. The tests are divided into two types: nondestructive tests and destructive tests. • Nondestructive tests only read the data that is on the hard drive. They do not write any data to the hard drive. • Destructive tests write data to the hard drive and then read that data.
The nondestructive tests include: • Sequential Read — Reads data from every sector on the drive, starting at the first sector and ending at the last sector. The test verifies data integrity without destroying data and checks for error correction code (ECC) errors. • Random Read — Randomly reads data from sectors on the drive for a specified amount of time (see “Options Tab” on page 67). The test simulates normal drive activity without destroying data and checks for ECC errors.
• Single Sector Write/Read — Randomly selects a single sector, writes data to the sector, and then reads the data from the sector and compares it to the original data for a specified amount of time (see “Options Tab” on page 67). The test is seek intensive and produces a large amount of SCSI bus control traffic. Clicking the Default button selects the default test setting, Random Read (nondestructive test only). n You can select only one test out of all the available tests.
The three panels are: • Reporting — Allows you to create a log file containing all the information shown in the Console display. Creating a log prevents the loss of the results of a test run. The default log file name is StorExNT_mmdd_hhmm.txt, where mmdd is the month and day and hhmm is hour and minute. This information is stored in the folder from which StorEx is executed. Generate Log File is the default for all tests. • Data Pattern — Determines the data patterns used for all write tests.
CHAPTER 5 Troubleshooting When you are installing NewsCutter and using it for the first time, you might encounter some problems. This chapter describes some of the common symptoms, the possible causes, and solutions to them. Table 5-1 No Display After Power-On Possible Causes Possible Solutions The VGA interconnect cable is not Connect the VGA interconnect cable to connected to the system VGA port. the system VGA port. See Chapter 2.
Table 5-2 n Display Colors Are Incorrect Possible Causes Possible Solutions Unsupported resolution Right-click on the desktop and view the Settings tab. NewsCutter recommends 1024 x 768, 75 Hz, with True Color in the Color Palette. Bent pin on a cable connection Make sure cable connections do not have bent pins. Defective cable Check all cables and make sure they are working correctly. Record the problem before attempting to correct it.
Table 5-3 Cannot Initialize TARGA Board Set (Continued) Possible Causes Possible Solutions Vertical blue line appears across monitor. This could be either a TARGA board set or a cable problem: 1. Remove the VGA loopback cable and plug your monitor directly into the TARGA VGA connector. If the blue line still exists, the problem is the TARGA board set. If the line disappears, try reconnecting the cables before deciding that the loopback cable is defective. 2. Shut down and turn off your system. 3.
Table 5-4 UI Monitor Does Not Display Selected Resolution Possible Causes Possible Solutions The monitor is not able to support Check your computer manual to be sure the selected resolution. that your monitor supports the resolution you want to use. Avid recommends 1024 x 768, 75 Hz, with True Color in the Color Palette. The monitor is not adjusted correctly. The monitor might need adjustment. The controls that allow adjustment of the vertical and horizontal planes might need to be moved.
Table 5-5 Security Failure (Continued) Possible Causes Possible Solutions Parallel port is not enabled. 1. Make sure that the Parallel Port is enabled in the system BIOS; see the manufacturer’s documentation. Open the Administrative Tools Windows NT Diagnostics and choose IRQ/Port Status. Look for ParallelPort0. 2. Determine if Sentinel.SYS is present and enabled in the Control Panel\ Devices folder. If not, restart the system and check again.
Table 5-6 MediaDrives Not Recognized by System (Continued) Possible Causes Possible Solutions An external device is turned off or was not ready when the computer was started. Turn on any external devices before starting Windows NT, and wait 10 to 15 seconds for each drive to come up-tospeed. MediaDrive is producing errors or is acting erratically. Check the Event viewer for drivespecific errors. The Event viewer is located in the Administrator Tool Group.
Table 5-8 Video Deck or V-LAN Not Recognized Possible Causes Possible Solutions Video deck not configured. Check the deck’s manual on remote serial control. Serial port on NewsCutter not configured. 1. Select the serial port in the NewsCutter application’s Project window Settings list. 2. Ensure that the NewsCutter system board serial port settings are configured for RS-422. See the documentation that comes from the computer manufacturer. Serial adapter kit (Rosetta Stone) not configured. 1.
Table 5-9 No Video on Playback Monitor Possible Cause Possible Solution Sequences or clips do not appear (or intermittent playback occurs) on the Playback monitor. 1. Make sure the sequence or clip has a video image. 2. Check monitor power. 3. Check monitor cable connections from the Meridien I/O box. 4. Check for proper output settings in the Video Output tool. 5. Try an alternate output, such as composite, S-Video, or RGB. 6.
CHAPTER 6 Setting Up Workgroups This chapter describes the connection between the NewsCutter and the playback device. The playback device is an optional component used with the NewsCutter to create a workgoup environment. Required settings between the two systems are also provided. Avid provides specific connection kits for certain playback devices. For details, see the release notes that come with the specific playback connection kit.
Table 6-1 Workgroup Cable Connections Connection From Connection To Cable Type Comments Playback device UI monitor 15-pin VGA cable The cable is typically shipped with the monitor. Playback device Black burst generator BNC video (or house reference reference cable signal) Cables are customer supplied. Playback device Audio — Avid Meridien I/O box A pair of audio cables are required for each channel. 3-pin audio connectors All cables are customer supplied. For details, see Chapter 3.
Table 6-1 Workgroup Cable Connections (Continued) Connection From Connection To Cable Type Comments Avid NewsCutter Avid Meridien I/O box Meridien digital media cable Meridien digital media cable is supplied with the Meridien I/O box. Chapter 2 provides a connector diagram for the connection. Avid NewsCutter UI monitor 15-pin VGA cable The cable is typically shipped with the monitor. Chapter 2 provides a connector diagram for the connection.
UI monitor Playback device Network Speakers Speakers R R Audio L Video L Playback monitor BB1 Meridien I/O box UI monitor BB2 BB3 Black burst generator Serial connection RS-232 to RS-422 Network l o 4 External MediaDrive Avid NewsCutter Figure 6-1 Audio, Video, and Serial Connections Setting Up the Playback Device for Ingest To enable the playback device for ingest, select these general settings from the playback device’s user interface: • Select BVW as the deck protocol.
• Select the video I/O settings to match your hardware connections. • Select the audio I/O settings to match your hardware connections. Setting Up the NewsCutter for Ingest Before attempting to transfer material from the playback device to the NewsCutter, you must first configure the playback device as a deck on the NewsCutter: 1. Click the Settings button in the Project window. The Settings Scroll list appears. 2. Double-click Deck Configuration. The Deck Configuration dialog box appears. 3.
8. Choose the appropriate playback device from the menu, and then click OK. The dialog box closes and returns you to the Deck Configuration dialog box. 9. Click Apply. Transferring from the NewsCutter to the Playback Device To transfer a sequence from the NewsCutter to the playback device: 1. Add the TapeID heading to the Project bin window: a. Click the Fast Menu button and choose Headings. The Bin Column Selection dialog box appears. b. Select TapeID and click OK.
3. Choose Digital Cut from the Clip menu. The Digital Cut tool opens. (See Figure 6-2.) Play Digital Cut button Mark IN box Figure 6-2 Digital Cut Tool 4. Select Entire Sequence. 5. Select Record to Tape. 6. Choose Mark In Time from the Record to Tape pop-up menu. 7. Establish a mark IN time in the Mark IN box in the Digital Cut tool. The mark IN time must be equal to the preroll time. The default preroll time for the playback device is 1 second. 8. Click the Play Digital Cut button.
Transferring from the Playback Device to the NewsCutter After you connect the playback device and select the appropriate settings, you can record media from the playback device to the NewsCutter. Some playback devices allow you to drag clips from the playback device’s user interface into the Record tool in the NewsCutter application. n Not all functionality is the same in each playback device’s user interface. For details on how to transfer media, see the documentation provided with the playback device.
APPENDIX A Servicing the Avid Meridien I/O Box This appendix summarizes the audio and video interface connections on the Avid Meridien I/O box. In addition, it provides a procedure for replacing the internal boards in the Meridien I/O box. Avid Meridien Connectors Figure A-1 identifies the audio connectors on the Avid Meridien I/O box. Use the table following the figure for a description of each connector.
1 Number 2 3 4 5 6 7 Figure A-1 Avid Meridien Audio Connectors Table A-1 Avid Meridien Audio Identifiers 8 9 Label Function 1 AUDIO IN MIC Microphone audio input, female connector 2 AUDIO IN CHAN 1 Channel 1 audio input, female connector 3 AUDIO IN CHAN 2 Channel 2 audio input, female connector 4 AUDIO OUT CHAN 1 Channel 1 audio output, male connector 5 AUDIO OUT CHAN 2 Channel 2 audio output, male connector 6 AES/EBU IN AES/EBU digital input, female connector 7 AES/EBU OU
Figure A-2 identifies the video connectors on the Avid Meridien I/O box. Use the table following the figure for a description of each connector. 17 Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 Figure A-2 Avid Meridien Video Connectors Table A-2 Avid Meridien Video Identifiers 9 8 Label Function 1 COMPONENT Y IN Video Y component input, BNC connector. Connects to analog video output of decks, satellite feeds, or routers. 2 COMPONENT R-Y IN Video R-Y component input, BNC connector.
Table A-2 Number Avid Meridien Video Identifiers (Continued) Label Function 6 COMPONENT B-Y OUT Video B-Y component output, BNC connector. Connects to analog video input of decks or routers. 7 SYSTEM IN/OUT Audio and video I/O connector from the NewsCutter. 8 LTC OUT Longitudinal timecode output, male connector. Master clock is used to synchronize the NewsCutter to the house master clock (SMPTE for NTSC, and EBU for PAL). 9 LTC IN Longitudinal timecode input, female connector.
Figure A-3 identifies the optional serial digital interface board BNC connectors on the Avid Meridien I/O box. Use the table following the figure for a description of each connector. n For instruction on installing the optional serial digital interface board, see “Serial Digital Interface Board Installation” on page 91.
Avid Meridien I/O Box Board Replacement Use the Avid System Test Pro diagnostics to confirm that the audio or video I/O boards in the Meridien I/O box need to be replaced (see Chapter 4). To replace a Meridien I/O board: 1. Turn off the Avid Meridien I/O box; do not remove the power cord. 2. Put on an antistatic wrist strap and connect it to a metal ground point on your Meridien I/O box (your power cord should be plugged in to ensure a proper ground).
4. Use the captive screws to pull the board out of its slot. 5. When you are replacing the board, make sure the board edges (or the metal base of the audio board) are in the guide rails before you slide it into the Meridien I/O box (see Figure A-5). 6. Firmly push the board completely into the slot. This will seat the board into its connector. 7. Tighten the thumb screws.
3. Remove the video I/O board blank panel by removing the two blank panel screws (see Figure A-6). Save the screws to secure the serial digital interface board. Video I/O board blank panel Serial digital interface board connector Blank panel screws Figure A-6 Video I/O Board Blank Panel 4. Position the serial digital interface board BNC connectors through the front panel of the video I/O board (see Figure A-7). 5.
6. Secure the serial digital interface board connector panel to the video I/O board front panel with the screws removed earlier. 7. Replace the video I/O board in the Avid Meridien I/O box by aligning the video I/O board edges in the guide rails before you slide it in (see Figure A-5). 8. Firmly push the video I/O board completely into the slot. This will seat the board into its connector. 9. Tighten the thumb screws. c Do not overtighten the thumb screws.
APPENDIX B Supported Serial Control Video Decks Avid NewsCutter systems support a variety of edit, record, and play decks using serial control protocol. This appendix provides lists of specific decks known to be supported by the NewsCutter system. Other decks not listed in this appendix might also work but have not been qualified by Avid. For the most up-to-date list of supported decks, check the Avid Customer Service Knowledge Center section of the Avid Web site at www.avid.
• Record decks — Decks that support frame-accurate logging, recording, and crash record • Play decks — Decks that support frame-accurate logging and recording Direct Serial Decks The following sections list the direct serial video decks that Avid software supports by manufacturers, models, and format. The NewsCutter controls the video deck through an RS-232 COM port. This connection requires a serial adapter that converts the NewsCutter RS-232 protocol to RS-422 protocol for the video deck.
Table B-1 Direct Serial Edit Decks (Continued) Manufacturer Model No. Format Comments Fostex D-25 DAT Setup 308 should be set to 001 (PCM-7050). D-30 DAT Set for Sony protocol (BVW settings). JVC® BR-S822 S-VHS Requires optional timecode board. Panasonic® AG-7750 S-VHS Requires optional timecode board. AG-DS550, -DS555, -DS850, S-VHS - AJ-D650, -D750 DVCPro Set ID Sel on the deck to DVCPro. BVU-950 U-matic SP Broadcast Requires optional timecode board (part number BKU-905).
Table B-1 Direct Serial Edit Decks (Continued) Manufacturer Model No. Format Comments Tascam DA-60MKII DAT Requires SY-88 synchronizer board. DA-98 8mm - DA-88 8mm Requires SY-88 synchronizer board. Record Decks Table B-2 lists direct serial record decks. n These decks do not accept the auto edit command from a NewsCutter. Table B-2 Direct Serial Record Decks Manufacturer Model No. Format Comments JVC BR-S622 S-VHS Requires optional timecode board.
Play Decks Table B-3 lists direct serial play decks. Table B-3 Direct Serial Play Decks Manufacturer Model No. Format Comments Ampex CVR-60, -65 Betacam SP Broadcast - JVC BR-S525, -522 S-VHS Requires optional timecode board. Panasonic AG-7650 S-VHS Requires optional timecode board.
n Avid does not recommend that you use decks with a parallel remote interface. Although many parallel decks are V-LAN compatible, they might not perform as expected in all situations. When you are connecting a video deck to a V-LAN, make sure that you download the latest version of the V-LAN driver for your specific deck. You can obtain the latest version of any V-LAN supported deck from the Videomedia Web site at www.videomedia.com Edit Decks Table B-4 lists V-LAN edit decks.
Table B-4 V-LAN Edit Decks (Continued) Manufacturer Model No. Format Comments Panasonic AG-7750 S-VHS Requires optional timecode board. AG-DS550, -DS555, -DS850 S-VHS - AJ-D650, -D750 DVCPro Set ID Sel on the deck to DVCPro. AU-650, -65, -W35H MII - Sony BVH-2000, -2700, 1-inch -3000 - BVU-800 U-matic SP Requires TC-20 timecode board. BVU-820, -850, -870 U-matic SP - BVU-950 U-matic SP Requires optional timecode board (part number BKU-905).
Record Decks Table B-5 lists V-LAN record decks. Table B-5 V-LAN Record Decks Manufacturer Model No. Format Comments JVC CR-600 U-matic Requires optional timecode board. BR-S622 S-VHS Requires optional timecode board. AJ-D640 DVCPro Set ID Sel on the deck to DVCPro. AU-640 MII - Panasonic Sony BVW-10, -15, -35 Betacam SP 10, 15, and 35 might not be frame-accurate. Problems have been reported on earlier models. EVO-9800, -9650 Hi 8mm Might not be frame-accurate.
Play Decks Table B-6 lists V-LAN play decks. Table B-6 V-LAN Play Decks Manufacturer Model No. Format Comments JVC BR-S522, -525 S-VHS Requires optional timecode board. Panasonic AG-7650 S-VHS Requires optional timecode board. Sony AG-DS540, S-VHS -DS545, -DS840, - AU-620, -63, -W32H MII Requires optional timecode board. AU-630, -W33H MII Requires optional timecode board. BVU-900, -920 Requires optional timecode board (part number BKU-950 or BKU-920).
VTRs Avid NewsCutter systems support VTRs for recording and performing digital cuts to tape. Some VTRs that support direct serial connection, such as Hitachi® and Toshiba, might also work with the V-LAN. n Direct serial VTRs work with V-LAN. Some VTRs work only with direct serial protocol for some functions.
APPENDIX C Regulatory and Safety Notices FCC Notice This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause harmful interference. 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Canadian ICES-003 This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference Causing Equipment Regulations. Cet appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada. European Union Notice Declaration of Conformity (According to ISO/IEC Guide 22 and EN 45014) Application of Council 73/23/EEC, 89/336/EEC.
Product Name: Media Composer for the Windows NT and Macintosh Operating Systems, Film Composer, Symphony, Avid Xpress for the Macintosh Operating System, Avid Xpress with Plus Bundle for the Macintosh Operating System, Avid Xpress with Deluxe Bundle for the Windows NT and Macintosh Operating Systems, Avid Xpress with Elite Bundle for the Windows NT and Macintosh Operating Systems Base Model Numbers: All for the Windows NT Operating System; Avid Xpress, 1000, 1000 XL, 9000, MC Offline, MC Offline XL, and
Index A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W X A B Adapter, serial 22 Additional equipment 18 AES (Audio Engineering Society) 37 Analog audio channels 37 microphone 37 video 39 Application Avid StorEx 60 Avid System Test Pro 46 key 22, 26 problem 72 Audio amplifier 18 cabling 38 connectors 85 diagnostic cabling 54 diagnostics 53 digital media cable 22 interface 37 master clock connection 45 Audio Engineering Society (AES) 37 Avid StorEx 60 System Test Pro 46 Basic system setup 20 Black burst generato
record decks 97 Disk Administrator 73 Display problem 69 Dongle 26 Drive exerciser program 59 Connecting black burst generator 41 deck control 43 keyboard 25 master clock 45 monitor cable 29 mouse 25 playback device 77 S-Video 39 VGA interconnect cable 27 VGA monitor cable 27 XLR 37 Converter, RS-422 42 Copy-protection device 26 E EBU (European Broadcasting Union) 37 Edit decks 94, 95, 99 Enhanced system setup 20 Equipment optional 18 standard 17, 19 Error Log window 59 European Broadcasting Union (EBU) 3
servicing 85 SYSTEM IN/OUT 31 turning on 20 video connectors 87 video I/O board 53 video interface 37 Microphone connector 37 Monitor, Playback 39 Monitor, UI connections 39 resolution 17 settings 70 VGA interconnect cable 27, 28 Mouse connection 25 I Indicators, Meridien I/O box 19 Interactive board diagnostics 48 Internal system drive 31 K Keyboard connection 25 L Layout 20 LEDs, Meridien I/O box 19 N M Network connection 17, 35 NewsCutter CD-ROMs 22 deck control 42 documentation 22 features 17 inclu
P SCSI cables 32 circuitry 17 connector 32 hard drives 31 IDs 32 problem 73 terminator 32 utility 60 Serial adapter 22, 42 Serial digital interface board 40 board installation 91 connectors 89 diagnostic video cabling 56 Setting up 20 Settings monitor 70 playback device 80 Speakers 18 Split, volume 33 Standard board diagnostics 48 Storage media files 31 problem 73 requirements 33 StorEx buttons 68 menus 62 overview 59 preferences 64 running 60 toolbar 62 Striping 33 Supported decks 94 S-Video connections 3
data rate 34 digital media cable 22 input and output 39 reference signal 41 transfers 77 Video board See TARGA 2000 board set Video deck connections 43 control 43 edit 95, 99 play 98, 102 playback device 77 recommendations 94 record 97, 101 supported 94 Video local area network See V-LAN VLXi Video server 77 Video source 18 V-LAN problem 75 V-LAN VLXi control 43 deck connections 43 features 18 record decks 101 VLXi edit decks 99 play decks 102 Volume 33 T TARGA 2000 board set connections 27 design 17 diagn
