Avid NewsCutter Setup Guideresources.avid.com/SupportFiles/attach/NC_SetUG_2_0.pdfdia, Inc. and...

atools for storytellers®

Avid® NewsCutter®

Setup Guide

Release 2.0

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Copyright and DisclaimerProduct specifications are subject to change without notice and do not represent a commitment on the part of Avid Technology, Inc. The software described in this document is furnished under a license agreement. The software may not be reverse assembled and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the license agreement. It is against the law to copy the software on any medium except as specifically allowed in the license agreement. Avid products or portions thereof are protected by one or more of the following United States patents: 4,746,994; 4,970,663; 5,045,940; 5,063,448; 5,077,604; 5,245,432; 5,267,351; 5,309,528; 5,325,200; 5,355,450; 5,396,594; 5,440,348; 5,452,378; 5,467,288; 5,513,375; 5,528,310; 5,557,423; 5,568,275; 5,577,190; 5,583,496; 5,584,006; 5,627,765; 5,634,020; 5,640,601; 5,644,364; 5,654,737; 5,701,404; 5,715,018; 5,719,570; 5,724,605; 5,726,717; 5,729,673; 5,731,819; 5,745,637; 5,752,029; 5,754,180; 5,754,851; 5,781,188; 5,799,150; 5,812,216; 5,828,678; 5,842,014; 5,852,435; 5,883,670; 5,889,532; 5,892,507; 5,905,841; 5,912,675; 5,929,836; 5,929,942; 5,930,445; 5,930,797; 5,946,445; 5,966,134; 5,977,982; 5,986,584; 5,987,501; 5,995,079; 5,995,115; 5,999,190; 5,999,406; 6,009,507; 6,011,562; 6,014,150; 6,016,152; 6,016,380; 6,018,337; 6,023,531; 6,023,703; 6,031,529; 6,035,367; 6,038,573; 6,052,508; 6,058,236; 6,061,758; 6,072,796; 6,084,569; 6,091,422; 6,091,778; 6,105,083; 6,118,444; 6,130,676; 6,134,379; 6,134,607; D352,278; D372,478; D373,778; D392,267; D392,268; D392,269; D395,291; D396,853; D398,912. Additional U.S. and foreign patents pending. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photo-copying and recording, for any purpose without the express written permission of Avid Technology, Inc.

© 1998–2000 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.

The following disclaimer is required by Sam Leffler and Silicon Graphics, Inc. for the use of their TIFF library:Copyright © 1988-1997 Sam Leffler Copyright © 1991-1997 Silicon Graphics, Inc.

Permission to use, copy, modify, distribute, and sell this software [i.e., the TIFF library] and its documentation for any purpose is hereby granted without fee, provided that (i) the above copyright notices and this permission notice appear in all copies of the soft-ware and related documentation, and (ii) the names of Sam Leffler and Silicon Graphics may not be used in any advertising or public-ity relating to the software without the specific, prior written permission of Sam Leffler and Silicon Graphics.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS-IS” AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUD-ING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

IN NO EVENT SHALL SAM LEFFLER OR SILICON GRAPHICS BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSE-QUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER OR NOT ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGE, AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.

The following disclaimer is required by the Independent JPEG Group:Portions of this software are based on work of the Independent JPEG Group.

The following disclaimer is required by Paradigm Matrix:Portions of this software licensed from Paradigm Matrix.

The following disclaimer is required by Ray Sauers Associates, Inc.:“Install-It” is licensed from Ray Sauers Associates, Inc. End-User is prohibited from taking any action to derive a source code equiva-lent of “Install-It,” including by reverse assembly or reverse compilation, Ray Sauers Associates, Inc. shall in no event be liable for any damages resulting from reseller’s failure to perform reseller’s obligation; or any damages arising from use or operation of reseller’s products or the software; or any other damages, including but not limited to, incidental, direct, indirect, special or consequential Dam-ages including lost profits, or damages resulting from loss of use or inability to use reseller’s products or the software for any reason including copyright or patent infringement, or lost data, even if Ray Sauers Associates has been advised, knew or should have known of the possibility of such damages.

The following disclaimer is required by Videomedia, Inc.:“Videomedia, Inc. makes no warranties whatsoever, either express or implied, regarding this product, including warranties with respect to its merchantability or its fitness for any particular purpose.”

“This software contains V-LAN ver. 3.0 Command Protocols which communicate with V-LAN ver. 3.0 products developed by Videome-dia, Inc. and V-LAN ver. 3.0 compatible products developed by third parties under license from Videomedia, Inc. Use of this software will allow “frame accurate” editing control of applicable videotape recorder decks, videodisc recorders/players and the like.”

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The following notice is required by Altura Software, Inc. for the use of its Mac2Win software and Sample Source Code:©1993–1998 Altura Software, Inc.

The following notice is required by Ultimatte Corporation:Certain real-time compositing capabilities are provided under a license of such technology from Ultimatte Corporation and are sub-ject to copyright protection.

Attn. Government User(s). Restricted Rights LegendU.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS. This Software and its documentation are “commercial computer software” or “commercial computer software documentation.” In the event that such Software or documentation is acquired by or on behalf of a unit or agency of the U.S. Government, all rights with respect to this Software and documentation are subject to the terms of the License Agreement, pursuant to FAR §12.212(a) and/or DFARS §227.7202-1(a), as applicable.

TrademarksAirPlay, AudioVision, Avid, Avid Xpress, CamCutter, Digidesign, FieldPak, Film Composer, HIIP, Image Independence, Marquee, Media Composer, Media Recorder, NewsCutter, OMF, OMF Interchange, Open Media Framework, Pro Tools, Softimage, and tools for storytellers are registered trademarks and 888 I/O, AirSPACE, AirSPACE HD, AniMatte, AudioSuite, AutoSync, AVIDdrive, AVIDdrive Towers, AvidNet, Avid Production Network, AvidProNet, AVIDstripe, Avid Unity, AVX, DAE, D-Fi, D-FX, D-Verb, ExpertRen-der, FilmScribe, HyperSPACE, HyperSPACE HDCAM, Intraframe, iS9, iS18, iS23, iS36, Lo-Fi, Magic Mask, Matador, Maxim, MCX-press, MEDIArray, MediaDock, MediaDock Shuttle, Media Fusion, Media Illusion, MediaLog, Media Reader, MediaShare, Meridien, NaturalMatch, OMM, Open Media Management, QuietDrive, Recti-Fi, rS9, rS18, Sci-Fi, Sound Designer II, SPACE, SPACE Shift, Sym-phony, Vari-Fi, Video Slave Driver, and VideoSPACE are trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc.

Adobe and Acrobat Reader are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. FaderMaster Pro is a trademark of JL Cooper, a division of Sound Technology. Hitachi is a registered trade-mark of Hitachi, Ltd. IBM and IntelliStation are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. iNEWS is a trademark of iNEWS. JVC is a registered trademark of JVC Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft, Win-dows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Panasonic is a registered trademark of Matsushita Elec-tric Industrial Co., Ltd. Philips is a registered trademark of Philips Electronics N.V. Profile is a registered trademark of Grass Valley Group, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Sony, Betacam, Betacam SP, DVCAM, Hi8, and U-matic are trademarks of Sony Corporation. TARGA is a trademark of Pinnacle Systems, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Videomedia, V-LAN, and VLXi are registered trademarks of Videomedia, Inc. Yamaha is a registered trademark of Yamaha Corporation of America. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

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FootageArizona Images — KNX-TV Production — Courtesy of Granite Broadcasting, Inc., Editor/Producer Bryan Foote.Canyonlands — Courtesy of the National Park Service, Harpers Ferry, VA.WCAU Fire Story — Courtesy of NBC-10, Philadelphia, PA.Paragliding — Courtesy of Legendary Entertainment, Inc.Renaissance Cruises Aegean I — Courtesy of Sondra Byington — Reel Art Productions, Irving, TX.

Avid NewsCutter Setup Guide • Part 0130-04675-01 Rev. A • November 2000

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Contents

Using This Guide

Who Should Use This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15About This Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Symbols and Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Using the Help System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17If You Need Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Related Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18If You Have Documentation Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20How to Order Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Chapter 1 Introduction

NewsCutter System Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Meridien I/O Box Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Checking the Installation Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Rack-Mounting Kits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Chapter 2 Setting Up the NewsCutter System

Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Arranging Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Assembling the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Connecting the Keyboard and Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Installing the Application Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38Connecting the UI Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Connecting NewsCutter to the Meridien I/O Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Avid MediaDrive or MediaDock Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

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Supported MediaDrives and MediaDock Storage Devices . . . 43Connecting Avid Drives to NewsCutter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Data Rate Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46Drive Striping Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Optional NewsCutter Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51Local Area Network Workgroup Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52Fibre Channel Workgroup Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53Avid Unity for News Workgroup Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . 55SDTI Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Chapter 3 Connecting Audio and Video Devices

Avid Meridien I/O Box Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61Audio Interface Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61Video Interface Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63Serial Digital Interface Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64Connecting the Reference Signal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64Controlling a Video Deck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65Connecting a V-LAN VLXi Controller and GPI Devices. . . . . . 67

Video Local Area Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67General-Purpose Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Master Clock Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68SDTI Device Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Chapter 4 Running the System Diagnostics

Turning On the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74Avid System Test Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Starting Avid System Test Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75Quick Start Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76Understanding the Main Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76Understanding the Avid System Test Preferences Window . . . 78Running the Standard Diagnostics Suite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80Running the External/User Interaction Diagnostics Suite . . . . 81

External Diagnostics Audio Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

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External Diagnostics Component Video Cabling . . . . . . . . 82External Diagnostics Composite Video Cabling . . . . . . . . . 83External Diagnostics Serial Digital Video Cabling. . . . . . . 84External Diagnostics S-Video Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85Running the External Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Understanding the Error Log Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86Avid StorEx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Running Avid StorEx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87Avid StorEx Disk Test Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90Test Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91Console Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Test Preferences Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92Tests Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92Options Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95Control Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Chapter 5 Troubleshooting

Chapter 6 Setting Up Workgroups

Using TransferMananger as a Peer-to-Peer Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107Media File Transfers to Playback Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Cabling NewsCutter to the Workgroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107Connecting NewsCutter and the Playback Device for

Ingest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111Setting Up the Playback Device for Ingest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113Setting Up NewsCutter for Ingest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113Connecting NewsCutter and the Playback Device for

Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114Connection Between NewsCutter and the Fibre

Channel Switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114Connection Between the Playback Device and the

Fibre Channel Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

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Connection Between the Playback Device, NewsCutter,

and the Ethernet Hub or Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115Transferring Files from NewsCutter to the Playback

Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117Transferring from the Playback Device to NewsCutter . . . . . 119Transferring Media Files from NewsCutter for

Play-to-Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Chapter 7 Connecting Fader Controllers and a VTR Emulator

Connecting Fader Controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122Connecting to the MIDI Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124Connecting JL Cooper Fader Controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124Initializing and Testing the JL Cooper Fader Controllers . . . . 126Connecting the Yamaha 01V Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Connecting a VTR Emulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Appendix A Servicing the Avid Meridien I/O Box

Meridien Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130Meridien I/O Box Board Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136Serial Digital Interface Board Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Appendix B Supported Serial Control Video Decks

General Deck Selection Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141Direct Serial Decks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Edit Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142Record Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143Play Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

V-LAN Decks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145Edit Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146Record Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148Play Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

VTRs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

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Appendix C Regulatory and Safety Notices

FCC Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151Canadian ICES-003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152European Union Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152Australia and New Zealand EMC Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154Taiwan EMC Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

Index

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Figures

Figure 1-1 Meridien I/O Box Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Figure 1-2 Meridien I/O Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Figure 2-1 Configured System Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Figure 2-2 IBM IntelliStation Z Pro — Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Figure 2-3 Meridien I/O Box Rear Panel Board Slots . . . . . . . . . . 36

Figure 2-4 Keyboard and Mouse Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Figure 2-5 Application Key Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Figure 2-6 VGA Cable Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Figure 2-7 Connection Between NewsCutter and Meridien I/O Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Figure 2-8 Dual-Channel SCSI Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Figure 2-9 Connecting the MediaDrive or MediaDock SCSI Cable to NewsCutter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Figure 2-10 Ethernet Workgroup Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Figure 2-11 Fibre Channel Workgroup Configuration . . . . . . . . . . 54

Figure 2-12 Avid WorkGroup Flow Diagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Figure 2-13 Sample Layout for an Avid Unity for News Workgroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Figure 3-1 Audio I/O Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Figure 3-2 Video I/O Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Figure 3-3 Serial Digital Video I/O Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Figure 3-4 Reference Signal Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Figure 3-5 Video Deck Control Cabling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Figure 3-6 V-LAN VLXi Deck Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Figure 3-7 Timecode Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Figure 3-8 SDTI Interface Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

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Figure 4-1 Avid System Test Pro Quick Start Dialog Box. . . . . . . 76

Figure 4-2 Avid System Test Pro Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Figure 4-3 Avid System Test Preferences Window — Test Control Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Figure 4-4 Avid System Test Preferences Window — Video Subsystem Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Figure 4-5 Audio Test External Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Figure 4-6 Component Video External Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Figure 4-7 Composite Video External Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Figure 4-8 Serial Digital Video External Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Figure 4-9 S-Video External Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Figure 4-10 Error Log Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Figure 4-11 Avid StorEx Disk Test Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Figure 4-12 Avid StorEx Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Figure 4-13 Avid StorEx Test Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Figure 4-14 Avid StorEx Test Preferences Window — Tests Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Figure 4-15 Avid StorEx Test Preferences Window — Options Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Figure 6-1 Audio, Video, and Serial Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Figure 6-2 Fibre Channel and Ethernet Connections. . . . . . . . . . 116

Figure 6-3 Digital Cut Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Figure 7-1 IBM IntelliStation Z Pro — MIDI Connector . . . . . . . 123

Figure 7-2 Fader Controller Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Figure 7-3 MCS-3000X Fader Controller Rear View . . . . . . . . . . 125

Figure 7-4 Connecting JL Cooper Fader Controllers . . . . . . . . . . 126

Figure 7-5 Yamaha 01V Mixer Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

12

Figure 7-6 Connecting a VTR Emulator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Figure A-1 Meridien Audio Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Figure A-2 Meridien Video Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Figure A-3 Meridien Serial Digital Interface Connectors. . . . . . . 135

Figure A-4 Meridien I/O Box Thumb Screws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

Figure A-5 Circuit Board Connector and Rails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Figure A-6 Video I/O Board Blank Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Figure A-7 Meridien Serial Digital Interface Connector . . . . . . . 138

13

Tables

Table 1-1 NewsCutter Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Table 1-2 Optional Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Table 1-3 Meridien I/O Box Indicator Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Table 2-1 Avid NewsCutter Expansion Slot Assignments . . . . . 35

Table 2-2 Meridien I/O Box Peripheral Board Locations . . . . . . 36

Table 2-3 MediaDrive and MediaDock Shuttle Information . . . 44

Table 2-4 Drive Storage Capacities (Minutes) for NTSC Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Table 2-5 Drive Storage Capacities (Minutes) for PAL Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Table 2-6 Data Rate Storage Calculations for NTSC Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Table 2-7 Data Rate Storage Calculations forPAL Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Table 2-8 Drive Striping Requirements for NTSC Video . . . . . . 49

Table 2-9 Drive Striping Requirements for PAL Video . . . . . . . 50

Table 2-10 SDTI Signal Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Table 5-1 No Display After Power-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Table 5-2 Display Colors Are Incorrect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Table 5-3 Cannot Initialize Meridien II Digital Media Board Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Table 5-4 UI Monitor Does Not Display Selected Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Table 5-5 Security Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Table 5-6 MediaDrives Not Recognized by System . . . . . . . . . 102

Table 5-7 Cannot Read NewsCutter CD-ROM . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Table 5-8 Video Deck or V-LAN Not Recognized . . . . . . . . . . . 103

14

Table 5-9 No Video in Playback Monitor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Table 5-10 Sequences or Clips Do Not Appear in the Source or Timeline Viewers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Table 6-1 Workgroup Cable Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Table A-1 Meridien Audio Identifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Table A-2 Meridien Video Identifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Table A-3 Meridien Serial Digital Interface Identifiers . . . . . . . 135

Table B-1 Direct Serial Edit Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

Table B-2 Direct Serial Record Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Table B-3 Direct Serial Play Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Table B-4 V-LAN Edit Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

Table B-5 V-LAN Record Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

Table B-6 V-LAN Play Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

15

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.

If for any reason the NewsCutter application needs to be reinstalled, see the release notes for instructions on installing the application. For instructions on how to install Windows NT, see your Windows NT documentation.

Who Should Use This Guide

You should have some prior knowledge of computers before attempting to install this product. If you are not familiar with computers, you should obtain qualified help before installing any hardware or software for this product.

16

About This Guide

Use this guide when you are connecting the peripherals and cables to the NewsCutter system. 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 system and connect it to the Avid Meridien™ input/output (I/O) box, see Chapter 4, “Running the System Diagnostics” to verify that your hardware is functioning properly. Troubleshooting information is also provided to help if you encounter any problems. To install the optional Meridien serial digital interface board or to replace a subassembly in the Meridien I/O box, see Appendix A.

The Index helps you locate the information you need.

Symbols and Conventions

The Avid NewsCutter Setup Guide uses the following special symbols and conventions:

1. Numbered lists, when the order of the items is important.

a. Alphabetical lists, when the order of secondary items is important.

• Bulleted lists, when the order of the items is unimportant.

- Indented dashed lists, when the order of secondary items is unimportant.

n A note provides important related information, reminders, recommendations, and strong suggestions.

c A caution means that a specific action you take could cause harm to your computer or cause you to lose data.

17

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

You can get help and background information for tasks, windows, dialog boxes, and screen objects through the Avid Help system. The Help system is HTML-based and operates in a Web browser. To open the Help system, start the NewsCutter application and choose NewsCutter Help from the Help menu. The Help system for NewsCutter opens and displays a list of topics in the Contents frame on the left side of the screen. Click an entry in the list to display the related topic.

The NewsCutter application also provides context-sensitive Help. While the NewsCutter window is active, press F1 to display information about that window or tool. Right-click a screen object in the NewsCutter application for a shortcut menu. Click What’s This? to display a description of the screen object.

ToolTips are pop-up labels that appear when the cursor is over any NewsCutter button. You can turn on or turn off the ToolTips feature by clicking the Settings tab in the Project window, selecting Interface, and selecting or deselecting Show ToolTips in the Interface dialog box.

If You Need Help

If you are having trouble using NewsCutter, you should:

1. Retry the action, carefully following the instructions given for that task in this guide.

2. Check the documentation that came with your hardware for maintenance or hardware-related issues.

18

3. Check the release notes supplied with your Avid application for information on accessing the Avid Web site and the Avid Knowledge Center.

4. For customer support, contact your local Avid Reseller, or contact Avid Customer Support directly:

• Broadcast customers — call 800-NEWS-DNG (639-7364).

• Postproduction customers — call 800-800-AVID (2843).

Related Information

The following documents provide more information about NewsCutter:

• Avid NewsCutter Release Notes

This document describes new features, hardware and software requirements, software installation instructions, and summary information on system and memory requirements.

• Avid NewsCutter Getting Started Guide

This guide explains the basic concepts and terminology of NewsCutter as well as how to create a project; work with bins; record source material; and compose, edit, and trim a sequence.

• Avid NewsCutter User’s Guide

This guide provides complete information on all editing tasks, such as recording footage, viewing and marking footage, editing, trimming, importing, exporting, and generating final output. This guide also provides a glossary that defines and explains many industry terms.

19

• Avid NewsCutter Effects Guide

This guide describes techniques for using digital video effects, titles, third-party plug-in effects, mattes, keys, and layering options.

• Avid NewsCutter Quick Reference

This folded card lists convenient keyboard shortcuts.

• Avid NewsCutter Upgrade Instructions

This document explains how to upgrade the hardware and software in NewsCutter systems in accordance with the latest feature and performance enhancements.

• Avid Unity Workgroup Setup Guide

This guide provides information on setting up NewsCutter hardware and software in an Avid Unity™ for News workgroup environment.

• Avid Products Collaboration Guide

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for transferring project files, audio files, and graphics and effects files between various Avid products.

The most recent update of the Avid Products Collaboration Guide is provided online. Check the release notes supplied with your Avid application for information on accessing online documentation.

• Avid NewsCutter Online Publications

This online collection provides electronic versions of this guide and other guides listed in this section. You can view these documents with Adobe®

Acrobat® Reader™, which you can install

from the CD-ROM.

• Avid NewsCutter Help

The NewsCutter application includes a Help system that can be viewed using your default Web browser. Help can be run as a standalone application from the Avid NewsCutter Online Publications CD-ROM.

20

If You Have Documentation Comments

Avid Technology continuously seeks to improve its documentation. We value your comments about this guide, the Help, the Online Publications CD-ROM, and other Avid-supplied documentation.

Simply e-mail your documentation comments to Avid Technology at

[email protected]

Please include the title of the document, its part number, revision, and the specific section you are commenting on in all correspondence.

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.

21

CHAPTER 1

Introduction

This chapter introduces NewsCutter hardware. The introduction includes an overview of the system and a list of the standard and optional NewsCutter components.

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 peripheral board set, referred to as the Meridien II digital media board set, fits into full-length PCI slots in the NewsCutter PC system and supports full-screen, full-motion National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) video at 60 fields per second or Phase Alternating Line (PAL) video at 50 fields per second.

The Windows NT operating system and the Windows Service Pack come preinstalled in NewsCutter.

Unpack the hardware (NewsCutter system, monitors, Meridien I/O box, application key, and media storage), and connect the components, as described in the following chapters.

n NewsCutter ships from Avid with the application software already loaded on the system.

22

Before you connect all the hardware, see the Avid NewsCutter Release Notes for the most up-to-date information about the system, including instructions on how to reinstall the NewsCutter application (if necessary).

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.

When the system is recording, it stores the audio and video media data in digital format on an external Avid MediaDrive or MediaDock™ hard disk storage system. The system plays back the digital media from the drives.

There are two optional storage possibilities you can use with your NewsCutter system:

• Avid Unity MediaNet — The Avid Unity MediaNet server and storage subsystem use Fibre Channel (F/C) storage components to provide the shared storage environment for up to 24 MediaNet clients. MediaNet allows all clients to simultaneously read and write to the same shared storage workspace.

• SCSI LVD board — Supports two types of SCSI storage:

- All rS LVD MediaDrive storage systems available in Rack and Stack (rS) enclosures.

- The MediaDock LVD storage system accommodates removable MediaDock LVD shuttle devices.

n As drive size and drive speed improve, different drives and LVD shuttles will be available for use. Contact your local Avid Reseller or call the Avid Sales and Product information line at 800-949-2843 for the available drives and LVD shuttles.

23

NewsCutter System Features

NewsCutter minimum system requirements include the hardware listed in Table 1-1.

n See Figure 2-1 in Chapter 2 for a sample layout of a NewsCutter system.

Table 1-1 NewsCutter Features

Equipment Description

NewsCutter

Hard drive

CD-ROM

Floppy drive

Expansion slots

Keyboard

Mouse

Operating system

Deskside computer system with optional rack-mount kit

Internal hard drive (see the manufacturer’s documentation for details)

Internal CD-ROM reader (see the manufacturer’s documentation for details)

Internal 3.5-inch

PCI slots: four 32-bit PCI, two 64-bit PCI; 1 AGP slot (see the manufacturer’s documentation for details)

PS/2-style (with color-coded keycaps, branded with icons, and linked to commands in the NewsCutter application)

PS/2-style

Microsoft® Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack

Small Computer System Interface (SCSI)

A fast and wide external SCSI connector provided for external MediaDrives

Network interface Ethernet-compatible 10BASE-T/100BASE-T interface connector

Video board Avid Meridien II PCI edit display controller (EDC) video board

24

Table 1-2 lists NewsCutter optional or additional equipment that is purchased separately.

Meriden II digital media board set

Two PCI boards and a daughter board that provide a PCI interface for direct memory access (DMA) on the system, carry out compression and decompression functions, and act as an interface to the Avid Meridien I/O box

UI Monitor Color VGA monitor that displays the user interface; 1024 x 768 pixels capability

Meridien I/O box Interface for the NewsCutter system; provides industry-standard input and output connectors for broadcast video and audio

Table 1-1 NewsCutter Features (Continued)


Table 1-2 Optional Equipment


Playback monitor Displays incoming video when recording. Also displays playback material during the edit session.

MediaDrives Individual external Avid MediaDrive rS or rS LVD enclosures linked in a SCSI chain. These drives are audio and video certified with a 15-inch (38-centimeter [cm]) 68-pin cable. The MediaDrive rS or rS LVD enclosures can be rack-mounted or stacked on top of each other.

n The first MediaDrive rS or MediaDrive rS LVD in a daisy-chain configuration connects to the dual-port SCSI connector installed in the NewsCutter system’s PCI slot. Avid recommends using the 40-inch, 68-pin SCSI cable that ships with NewsCutter to connect to the first MediaDrive rS or MediaDrive rS LVD enclosure.

25

MediaDock An enclosure that houses up to eight 3.5-inch drives or up to four 5.25-inch drives. The chassis can stand alone or be rack-mounted. Drives slide into slots and plug into a SCSI bus in the chassis.

Video source A video deck or satellite feed can be used for recording material to NewsCutter. Recorded media can then be transferred from NewsCutter back to videotape.

Audio amplifier and two speakers

Hardware for monitoring audio. (An amplifier is not required if the speakers are powered.)

V-LAN® VLXi® If a deck does not support Sony® direct serial protocol, control may be possible via V-LAN VLXi hardware, which includes a transmitter and appropriate receivers.

General-purpose interface (GPI) (optional)

Triggers external hardware to play or create effects, generate characters, or create other special video effects using a parallel control interface.

Timecode (customer-supplied house or master clock)

The timecode is used to synchronize all the input data to a common clock time. The timecode is connected to the Meridien I/O box, video decks, audio, and external devices.

Black burst generator

A stable video reference source is required for synchronizing the system.

SDTI adapter The Serial Data Transport Interface (SDTI) adapter is a PCI board that allows NewsCutter to exchange audio and video data with video devices using the SDTI compressed audio and video data interchange standard while retaining the existing SDI infrastructure. The SDTI adapter allows faster-than-real-time video transfers and reduces the number of compression/decompression cycles required during the broadcast production process.

Table 1-2 Optional Equipment (Continued)


26

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.

Figure 1-1 Meridien I/O Box Indicators

Table 1-3 lists the indicator functions. l

O

44.1 kHz

48 kHz

PULL DOWNAUDIO SYNC

VIDEO SYNC POWER

44.1 kHz AUDIO SYNC PULL DOWN

48 kHz VIDEO SYNC POWER

Power switch

Table 1-3 Meridien I/O Box Indicator Functions

Indicator Function

44.1 kHz The 44.1 kHz indicator is on when 44.1 kHz digital audio is connected to the Meridien I/O box.

cDo not use 44.1-kHz digital audio. The NewsCutter accepts and outputs only 48 kHz.

48 kHz The 48 kHz indicator is on when 48 kHz digital audio is connected to the Meridien I/O box.

27

Checking the Installation Materials

When you purchase NewsCutter, you should receive the following items in the package. Make sure you have everything before you start.

• NewsCutter system

A computer with specific peripheral boards for recording, editing, and playing back clips. Included with the computer is a keyboard and mouse. An optional rack-slide rail kit is available for mounting the NewsCutter system in a rack.

• 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 you want a local printer.

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. Extra pulldown fields are eliminated to achieve true 24-fps film editing.

n This function is not used in NewsCutter.

POWER The power indicator is on when the Meridien I/O box power switch is in the on (I) position.

Table 1-3 Meridien I/O Box Indicator Functions (Continued)

Indicator Function

28

• Meridien I/O box

In a separate package, you will find a Meridien I/O box that connects to the NewsCutter system. The Meridien I/O box provides the video and audio interface connectors for the system.

• VGA cable

The hardware items in the shipping box include a standard 15-pin VGA cable for connecting the UI monitor to the VGA adapter installed in the NewsCutter system.

• Audio and video cables

The Meridien II digital media board set includes a Meridien digital media cable that connects NewsCutter to the Meridien I/O box.

• Serial adapter (Rosetta Stone)

A serial adapter is included for remote video deck control through COM1 of the NewsCutter system. The adapter converts the NewsCutter RS-232 signals to RS-422.

• NewsCutter CD-ROMs (2)

One CD-ROM contains the NewsCutter application. NewsCutter ships from Avid with the application already loaded on the system. If you ever need to reinstall the application, see the Avid NewsCutter Release Notes for instructions.

The second CD-ROM provides you with a copy of the NewsCutter application HTML-based, context-sensitive Help and an online version of the printed documentation (in PDF format).

29

• NewsCutter documentation:

- Avid NewsCutter Setup Guide (this guide)

- Avid NewsCutter Getting Started Guide

- Avid NewsCutter Release Notes

- Avid NewsCutter Upgrade Instructions

- Avid NewsCutter User’s Guide

- Avid NewsCutter Effects Guide

- Avid NewsCutter Quick Reference

- Avid NewsCutter Help

Other items you need to supply:

• XLR cables for audio connections

• Speakers

• 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 rack-mount 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 NewsCutter, install the kit before making any connections to the NewsCutter system. A stationary rail is attached to each side of the system and the sliding rails are attached to the rack. The NewsCutter system typically requires a minimum of five rack units. (Your system might require

30

more.) Detailed instructions for attaching the rails are included with the kit.

The Meridien I/O box also comes with two rack-mount brackets. Allow three rack units for the Meridien I/O box in the rack.

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 1-2).

3. Secure the bracket with the screws provided.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the other side.

Figure 1-2 Meridien I/O Box

Bracket

Meridien I/O box

31

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 NewsCutter.

This chapter also provides instructions on connecting external SCSI storage devices to NewsCutter.

The instructions in this chapter use generic illustrations representing the type of connector found on the back of the NewsCutter system. For the exact connector locations, see the documentation that is provided by the computer manufacturer.

n Before you connect any cables, install the NewsCutter system into your rack (see Chapter 1 for more rack-mounting information).

32

Before You Begin

Before you begin installing the system, do the following:

• Unpack all the boxes that came with the hardware kit.

• Check the contents of the hardware kit against the packing list to confirm that you have received all the parts.

• Position the hardware components.

Arranging Components

Before you start to connect and install equipment for NewsCutter, set up your system components, especially monitors and keyboards, in positions that allow you easy access to them.

Start by placing the PC, monitor(s), keyboard, mouse, and optional speakers in positions that are comfortable for viewing and operating the system. The Meridien I/O box and the audio I/O device must be placed close to each other. They are connected by cables that are 2 feet (0.61 meters) in length.

n Allow at least 6 inches (152.4 mm) clearance between the monitor(s) and optional speakers to avoid possible magnetic interference between the devices.

Place MediaDrive, MediaDock, and the F/C subsystem hardware close together. Position the remaining components, such as video decks, the VLXi, and additional audio I/O device and video interface hardware, in locations that are easily accessible.

Figure 2-1 shows an example arrangement of a configured NewsCutter system, including a UI monitor, Playback monitor, video deck, Avid Meridien I/O box, MediaDock, speakers, and amplifier.

n Your system might look different than the one shown and might include additional hardware.

33

Figure 2-1 Configured System Layout

Assembling the System

The system uses peripheral boards to support video, audio, compression, and improved data transfer to the hard drives. The boards are located in the PCI slots inside the personal computer or in the Meridien I/O box (an Avid-designed standalone box).

n All systems shipped directly from Avid, or from an Avid Reseller, have peripheral boards already installed in the PC and Meridien I/O box.

Make sure that the peripheral boards are installed in the PC and Meridien I/O box before you continue with the setup instructions.

Table 2-1 lists the supported slot configuration for NewsCutter on the IBM®

IntelliStation® Z Pro system. Use this information when you

install optional boards.

VLX

SCSI I

D

SCSI I

D

Slots

Slots

ActAct

Wide

Wide

Dualbu

s

Dualbu

s

Fans

Fans

Pwr 2

Pwr 2

Pwr 1

Pwr 1

l

O

44.1 kHz

48

PULL DOWNAUDIO SYNC

VIDEO SYNC POWER kHz

AmplifierVideo deck

MediaDock

Speaker UI monitor

Playback monitor

NewsCutter

Speaker

Keyboard

Meridien I/O box

Mouse

V-LAN VLXi

34

The IBM IntelliStation Z Pro provides seven expansion slots. Slot 1, originally containing an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) board, has been removed by Avid and is not used in NewsCutter. The Ultra 160 SCSI LVD controller board, Meridien digital media board, and EDC board are pre-installed.

Figure 2-2 identifies the slots and the installed boards for the IBM IntelliStation Z Pro.

Table 2-1 lists the expansion slot assignments for the installed and optional boards.

n If your NewsCutter system is not an IBM IntelliStation Z Pro, see theAvid NewsCutter Upgrade Instructions for slot placement guidelines. These instructions are provided with the shipping items that come with NewsCutter.

Figure 2-2 IBM IntelliStation Z Pro — Rear View

Slot 1

Slot 7Edit display controller board

Digital media board

Ultra 160 SCSI controller board

35

Table 2-2 lists the available peripheral board types for the Meridien I/O box.

Figure 2-3 shows the locations of the installed boards in the Meridien I/O box.

Table 2-1 Avid NewsCutter Expansion Slot Assignments

Slota Description

1 AGP slot Empty (AGP board removed)

2 PCI slot (32-bit bus) SDTI adapter (option) or available slot

3 PCI slot (32-bit bus) Fibre Channel to Avid Unity/Fibre Channel to Playback device/Second SCSI LVD controller board

4 PCI slot (32-bit bus) First SCSI LVD controller board

5 PCI slot (32-bit bus) Digital media board with DV 50 daughter board

6 PCI slot (64-bit bus) Edit display controller (EDC) board

7 PCI slot (64-bit bus) Available slot (a digital media board cannot be used)

a. There is an Avid slot guide sticker that provides specific PCI slot locations for each PCI board in NewsCutter. The slot guide sticker is on the inside of the panel you remove when accessing the PCI boards.

36

Figure 2-3 Meridien I/O Box Rear Panel Board Slots

c Before you begin assembling your system, check the release notes that came with the system to make sure that there are no changes, additions, or deletions to the following procedures.

Table 2-2 Meridien I/O Box Peripheral Board Locations

Board Type Location

Meridien two-channel audio interface boardsa Top and middle slots

Meridien video I/O board Bottom slot

Meridien serial digital I/O board (option) Attaches to the video I/O board

a. The Meridien I/O box supports two 2-channel audio interface boards, labeled Channels 1 and 2 for the middle slot and Channels 3 and 4 for the top slot, which together provide 4-channel audio.

REF COMPOSITE S-VIDEO S-VIDEOOUT 1 OUT 2

OU

T

OU

T

OUT 3 OUT IN OUT

B-YR-Y B-Y R-YY YCO

MPO

NE

NT

CO

MPO

SIT

E

ININ

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

IN / OUT

SYSTEM

LTC

SLAVE CLOCK

AUDIO IN

MIC CHAN 1 CHAN 1CHAN 2 CHAN 2

-10

AES / EBU

IN OUT OUT

S / PDIF

IN

AUDIO OUT

-10

+4

GA

IN 1

GA

IN 2

ININ

DIGITAL VIDEO

OUT

S / PDIF

IN

AES / EBU

IN OUTMIC

AUDIO IN

CHAN 4CHAN 3 CHAN 3

-10

AUDIO OUT

-10

+4

GA

IN 1

GA

IN 2

CHAN 4

Two-channel audio boards

Video I/O board Serial digital I/O board (option)

37

Connecting the Keyboard and Mouse

NewsCutter uses industry-standard PS/2-style keyboard and mouse input devices.

You must connect the keyboard and mouse to the connectors on the back of the NewsCutter system. The instructions to connect the keyboard and mouse are specific to the PC you are using and are located in the user documentation for your specific PC.

To connect your keyboard and mouse, refer to your PC documentation before using the following general guidelines:

1. Unpack the keyboard and mouse that ship with the NewsCutter system.

2. Plug the keyboard and mouse cables into the PS/2-style connectors on the back of the NewsCutter (see Figure 2-4).

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 NewsCutter is rack-mounted.

Figure 2-4 Keyboard and Mouse Connection

KeyboardMouse

PS/2 connector

38

Installing the Application Key

The application key (also called a dongle) is a copy-protection device. Without the application key, the NewsCutter application will not run.

To install the application key:

1. Plug the application key into the parallel port on the back of your NewsCutter (see Figure 2-5).

2. Secure the application key to the connector with the attached screws.

c Do not overtighten the application key screws.

Figure 2-5 Application Key Connection

n You can still use a local parallel printer (or any other compatible device requiring use of the parallel port) even though the application key is connected to the parallel port. The application key allows bidirectional parallel port signals to pass to and from the printer (or other compatible device).

Application key

Parallel port connector

39

Connecting the UI Monitor

The video graphics array (VGA) cable that comes with your UI monitor has two 15-pin connectors. This cable connects your UI monitor to the display controller board in the NewsCutter system and carries video signals from NewsCutter to the UI monitor.

n The following instructions explain how to connect a monitor provided by Avid. Avid provides standard VGA connections for the UI monitor. If you use a different monitor on your system, see the user’s guide that accompanies the monitor to complete the monitor installation or contact the monitor reseller.

To connect NewsCutter to the UI monitor:

1. Locate the VGA cable in the hardware kit.

2. Attach the male end of the cable to the 15-pin VGA connector on the back of the NewsCutter system (see Figure 2-6).

Figure 2-6 VGA Cable Connection

3. Connect the other 15-pin (female) end of the VGA cable (labeled Monitor) to the VGA input conector on the back of UI monitor.

VGA connector

Edit display controller board in NewsCutter

UI monitor cable

40

n Use a VGA-style extension cable with the UI monitor when NewsCutter is rack-mounted.

4. Attach the ac power cord to the ac power connector on the back of the monitor.

5. Plug the ac power cord into a power strip.

For more information, check the documentation that comes with your monitor.

Connecting NewsCutter to the Meridien I/O Box

All audio and video interfacing with NewsCutter is done through a Meridien digital media cable. The Meridien digital media cable connects the Meridien I/O box 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 hardware kit.

n An optional 50-foot cable can be ordered from Avid.

2. Plug one end of the Meridien digital media cable into the connector labeled SYSTEM IN/OUT on the Meridien I/O box. Tighten the screws on the cable to secure it in place (see Figure 2-7).

c Do not overtighten the digital media cable screws.

3. Attach the other end of the Meridien digital media cable to the digital media board M port connector on the back of the NewsCutter system. Tighten the screws on the cable to secure it in place (see Figure 2-7).

41

4. Plug the power cords into the power connector on both NewsCutter and the Meridien I/O box. Plug the other end of each power cord into an ac power source.

Figure 2-7 Connection Between NewsCutter and Meridien I/O Box

Avid MediaDrive or MediaDock Connection

This section provides information about connecting Avid-approved MediaDrive storage devices to NewsCutter. This information also applies to optional MediaDock drives.

Do not record your media to the internal system drive. Use external SCSI hard drives to store your media. Avid does not recommend storing NewsCutter media files on non-Avid drives and cannot ensure reliable or high-quality performance except on Avid-approved drives. Avid offers external drives that have been qualified for video and audio media, referred to as MediaDrives (or optional MediaDock

MC

Power cord

Meridien I/O box

SYSTEM IN/OUT connector

Meridien digital media cableDigital media board in NewsCutter

M port connectoron the NewsCutter

42

drives). MediaDrives and MediaDock drives can also store nonmedia files.

n Avid recommends that you use the standard 40-inch (101.6-cm), high-density, 68-pin to 68-pin SCSI cable supplied in the hardware kit for connecting the first SCSI drive to the system. An active SCSI terminator is also required for terminating the last drive in the chain.

If you are connecting multiple external SCSI drives, connect Avid-approved drives according to the documentation that comes with the drives. Avid-recommended drives come with the following documentation:

• Avid MediaDrive rS LVD Setup and User’s Guide ships with the individual MediaDrives.

• Avid MediaDock LVD Setup and User’s Guide ships with the media docking station.

NewsCutter systems installed on the IBM IntelliStation Z Pro platform come with SCSI hardware already installed. The back of the system contains two 68-pin, high-density SCSI connectors for connecting a SCSI cable between the NewsCutter and the first external SCSI drive. These connectors are mounted on a SCSI controller board installed in a PCI slot on the back of the system.

n Some NewsCutter systems do not use the IBM IntelliStation Z Pro platform. If your NewsCutter system is not an IBM IntelliStation Z Pro, see the Avid NewsCutter Upgrade Instructions for the location and configuration of SCSI hardware in your system. These instructions are provided with the shipping items that come with NewsCutter.

NewsCutter systems with two SCSI connectors on the back are dual-channel SCSI systems (see Figure 2-8).

43

n To ensure proper NewsCutter performance on the IBM IntelliStation Z Pro platform, connect the SCSI cable to the dual-channel SCSI connector on the SCSI controller board installed in the PCI slot. Do not connect the cable to the system’s built-in SCSI port. NewsCutter will not operate correctly if connected to the built-in SCSI port.

Figure 2-8 Dual-Channel SCSI Connections

You can have more than one MediaDrive attached to NewsCutter in a daisy-chained connection described in the documentation supplied with the MediaDrive.

When attaching multiple SCSI drives, assign the SCSI IDs from 0 to 6 and 8 to 15. The last drive in the chain must be terminated.

See the documentation that comes with the MediaDrive for information on setting SCSI IDs and terminating the chain.

n Typically, SCSI ID 0 is assigned to the internal SCSI drive if your NewsCutter has an internal SCSI drive installed. For specific information about the internal SCSI device IDs, see the manufacturer’s documentation.

Supported MediaDrives and MediaDock Storage Devices

Avid supports several families of MediaDrive enclosures and MediaDock Shuttle packs. Table 2-3 lists the families, their specifications, and their available capacities. For additional information on a specific MediaDrive or MediaDock shuttle, see the documentation that ships with the MediaDrive or the MediaDock shuttle.

CHANNEL 1 CHANNEL 2

44

If you need additional information or if you have any questions, contact Avid Customer Support at all 800-NEWS-DNG (639-7364).

n The family name of your drive can be found on the front of the MediaDrive or MediaDock shuttle.

Table 2-3 MediaDrive and MediaDock Shuttle Information

Family Name SCSI Type RPM Drive TypeAvailable Capacities

iS Pro Fast, wide 7200 Fixed MediaDrive and MediaDock shuttle

9 GB, 18 GB

iS Plus Fast, wide 10,000 MediaDock shuttle 9 GB, 18 GB

rS Plus Fast, wide 10,000 Fixed MediaDrive 9 GB, 18 GB

iS Plus LVD LVD 10,000 MediaDock shuttle 9 GB, 18 GB

iS LVD LVD 10,000 MediaDock shuttle 18 GB, 36 GB

iS 160/LVD 160/LVD 10,000 MediaDock shuttle 18 GB, 36 GB, 73 GB

rS LVD LVD 10,000 Fixed MediaDrive 9 GB, 18 GB, 36 GB

rS 160/LVD 160/LVD 10,000 Fixed MediaDrive 18 GB, 36 GB, 73 GB

45

Connecting Avid Drives to NewsCutter

To connect the SCSI cable to an external MediaDrive or MediaDock:

1. Align and connect one end of the 68-pin, high-density SCSI cable to the 68-pin SCSI connector on the first external SCSI drive.

2. Align and connect the other end of the 68-pin SCSI cable with the SCSI connector on the back of NewsCutter (see Figure 2-9 for a typical system).

Connect the cable to the connector labeled Channel 1.

3. Secure the SCSI connector by tightening the two screws.

Figure 2-9 Connecting the MediaDrive or MediaDock SCSI Cable to NewsCutter

n The SCSI connectors might orient vertically rather than horizontally (depending on your system).

4. Turn on the external Avid drive(s). Allow approximately 10 to 15 seconds for each MediaDrive or MediaDock to complete its self-test.

c Turning on your NewsCutter before each Avid drive completes its self-test could cause the system to ignore the drive.

CHANNEL 1 CHANNEL 2

SCSI connector in NewsCutter

SCSI cable to Avid drives

Screw

Screw

46

5. Turn on NewsCutter and wait for the Windows NT operating system to boot.

Before you can store files on the Avid drives, 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).

n If you have more than one hard disk drive and performance is a high priority, you can use striping across multiple external hard drives. Striping increases the read and write speed. For more information, see your Windows NT documentation and “Drive Striping Requirements” on page 48.

Data Rate Calculations

Use Table 2-4 though Table 2-7 to determine how many minutes of audio and video you can store on your Avid drive. (These numbers are approximate.)

n Calculations include a 10 percent system overhead factor.

Table 2-4 Drive Storage Capacities (Minutes) for NTSC Video

Resolution 9 GB 18 GB 36 GB 73 GB

DV 25 Single-stream 40 80 160 320

DV 25 Dual-stream 20 40 80 160



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Table 2-5 Drive Storage Capacities (Minutes) for PAL Video

Resolution 9 GB 18 GB 36 GB 73 GB


DV 25 Dual-stream 25 50 100 200



Table 2-6 Data Rate Storage Calculations for NTSC Video

ResolutionMegabytes per Second

Megabytes per Minute

Minutes per Gigabyte

DV 25 data rates

Single-stream, four-channel audio

4.0 240 4.3

Dual-stream, four-channel audio

8.0 480 2.1

DV 50 data rates


7.75 465 2.2


15.5 930 1.1

48

Drive Striping Requirements

NewsCutter systems that operate at DV 25 and DV 50 dual-stream resolutions might require drive striping as listed in Table 2-8 (for NTSC video) and Table 2-9 (for PAL video) for supported MediaDrive and SCSI controllers.

Driving striping is a method that maximizes NewsCutter performance according to the data rate and performance characteristics of the SCSI controller and the Avid drives. Striping the connected Avid drives divides the data sent from the SCSI controller and shares it among each drive in the system, while treating the connected drives as one volume, helping to ensure operation at higher resolutions.

Table 2-7 Data Rate Storage Calculations forPAL Video

ResolutionMegabytes per Second

Megabytes per Minute

Minutes per Gigabyte

DV 25 data rates


3.2 192 5.3


6.4 384 2.7

DV 50 data rates


6.2 372 2.7


12.4 744 1.4

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Table 2-8 Drive Striping Requirements for NTSC Video

Resolution

Single-ended, Fast, wideiS9, iS18

Fast, wide iSPlus, rSPlus,

iS LVD, rS LVD

MediaDrives with Ultra 160 LVD SCSI

DV 25 single-stream, four channels audio

1-way 1-way 1-way 1-way

DV 25 single-stream, four channels audio/complex titling


DV 25 dual-stream, four channels audio


DV 25 dual-stream, four channels audio/complex titling








DV 50 dual-stream, four channels audio complex titling

4-way, 2 buses 2-way, 2 busesa 2-way 1-way

a. rS Plus single-ended only. MediaDock iS Plus is Low-Voltage Differential (LVD), so only one bus is required.

50

Table 2-9 Drive Striping Requirements for PAL Video

Resolution

Single-ended,Fast, wideiS9, iS18

Fast, wideiSPlus, rSPlus,

iS LVD, rS LVD

MediaDrives with Ultra 160 LVD SCSI







DV 25 dual-stream, four channels audio/complex titling








DV 50 dual-stream, four channels audio complex titling

4-way, 2 buses 2-way, 2 busesa 2-way 1-way

a. rS Plus single-ended only. MediaDock iS Plus is LVD, so only one bus is required.

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Optional NewsCutter Connections

NewsCutter can work as a standalone system or as part of a broadcast network. In a broadcast network, NewsCutter can share media files with other systems connected to the network or send edited news sequences for broadcast to a remote play-to-air device.

Use one of the following connections if you are planning on using NewsCutter in a workgroup environment:

• Local Area Network Workgroup Configuration

• Fibre Channel Workgroup Configuration

• Avid Unity for News Workgroup Configuration

For information on setting up NewsCutter in a local area network, see “Local Area Network Workgroup Configuration” on page 52.

For information on setting up NewsCutter in a Fibre Channel workgroup configuration, see “Fibre Channel Workgroup Configuration” on page 53 or “Avid Unity for News Workgroup Configuration” on page 55.

Chapter 6 provides information on setting up NewsCutter in a workgroup configuration for connection to a playback device.

n The playback device is an optional component used with NewsCutter to create a workgroup environment that enhances speed and content quality in news editing and news production. See the release notes that come with the playback device for specific setup instructions.

52

Local Area Network Workgroup Configuration

NewsCutter systems include an RJ-45 Ethernet network connector for setting up NewsCutter in a local area network. Avid recommends that you use a category-5 unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable when connecting the NewsCutter to a network. For more information on the installed network interface, see the documentation provided by the computer manufacturer.

You can use the Ethernet network to set up NewsCutter in a workgroup environment.

An optional connection kit is available for connecting NewsCutter to a playback device in an Ethernet workgroup configuration.

n This type of workgroup is also called a standalone or peer-to-peer workgroup.

Figure 2-10 shows a graphical representation of a typical Ethernet workgroup configuration that connects to an Avid AirSPACE NP™ video file server playback device.

n This information might change in accordance with feature and performance enhancements. Depending on your specific playback device, your configuration might differ.

53

Figure 2-10 Ethernet Workgroup Configuration

Fibre Channel Workgroup Configuration

An optional Fibre Channel connection kit is available for connecting NewsCutter to a playback device in a Fibre Channel workgroup configuration. If you are installing a Fibre Channel connection kit in NewsCutter, follow the instructions provided by the computer manufacturer for removing the cover and installing an expansion board.

Figure 2-11 shows a graphical representation of a typical Fibre Channel workgroup configuration that connects to a Grass Valley Group Profile® PDR400 video file server playback device.

Ethernet

IncomingFeeds

AirSPACE NP Play-to-Air

AvidNewsCutter

AirSPACE NP Record

WorkgroupNewsroomAutomation

System

BasebandConnection

Edit

54

n This information might change in accordance with feature and performance enhancements. Depending on your specific playback device, your configuration might differ.

Figure 2-11 Fibre Channel Workgroup Configuration

Ethernet

IncomingFeeds

Profile Play-to-Air

AvidNewsCutter

Profile Record

Ingest Play-to-Air

Fibre ChannelWorkgroup

NewsroomAutomation

System

BasebandConnection

Edit

55

Avid Unity for News Workgroup Configuration

NewsCutter can work as part of a broadcast network such as the Avid Unity for News workgroup.

The Avid Unity for News workgroup environment consists of the following functional components:

• Supported Avid editing systems (such as NewsCutter).

• Avid Unity MediaManager server to track and manage Avid Unity media files. When connected to an F/C network, a workgroup client uses the MediaManager server to share Avid Unity files with clients within the workgroup.

• Avid Unity TransferManager server to manage the transfer of media files to and from another workgroup’s TransferManager server (typically, over an Ethernet network). The TransferManager server also allows you to transfer media files from a feed (ingest) device or send finished sequences to a playback device.

n The TransferManager server is not required equipment in a MediaNet environment. However, you must connect a TransferManager server in your workgroup if you want to share media files with other workgroups in the MediaNet environment.

• Avid Unity MediaNet file server and storage subsystem.

• A Fibre Channel (F/C) network that connects the NewsCutter systems, MediaManager server, and TransferManager server to the file server and storage subsystem.

n An optional Fibre Channel connection kit is available for connecting NewsCutter to the Avid Unity MediaNet environment.

• An Ethernet network that is used as a general-purpose communications network connecting all the system components. An Ethernet network can also be used by the TransferManager server to transfer media files between workgroups.

56

Figure 2-12 shows a flow diagram of a typical shared storage Avid Unity for News workgroup configuration.

Figure 2-12 Avid WorkGroup Flow Diagram

The purpose of the workgroup is to enable collaborative workflows by allowing multiple NewsCutter editors to share media files.

Figure 2-13 shows the necessary connections if you are planing to transfer media files over a network to an optional playback device. The sequences are cued and sent to air by an optional broadcast control system (BCS). The BCS controls the playback devices with a serial connection.

EthernetFibre Channel

TransferManager server

MediaManager server

Avid Unity shared storage

MediaNet File server

Supported Avid editors

To another workgroup’s TransferManager serverWorkgroup

57

n For information on connecting NewsCutter in an Avid Unity for News workgroup, refer to the Avid Unity Workgroup Setup Guide.

Figure 2-13 Sample Layout for an Avid Unity for News Workgroup

NewsCutter

MediaNet Fileserver

...VTR

NewsCutter

VTR

NewsCutter

VTR iNEWSNRCS

shared storageAvid Unity

MediaManager server(metadata storage)

AirSPACE video server

TransferManagerserver

TransferManagerserver

TMMM

NC

PDR400 video server

PDR400 video server

iNEWSBCS

Other workgroups

Newsfeed

Feed record server (ingest)

Playback servers

Newscast

Newscast

Ethernet

Fibre Channel

= Ethernet

= Fibre Channel

NRCS = Newsroom Control SystemBCS = Broadcast Control System

TM = TransferManager server

NC = NewsCutter editing system

= Serial

MM = MediaManager server

58

For more information about setting up NewsCutter in an Avid Unity for News workgroup, see the following documentation:

• Avid Unity Workgroup Setup Guide

• Avid Unity TransferManager Release Notes

• Avid Unity TransferManager User’s Guide

• Avid Unity MediaManager Release Notes

• Avid Unity MediaManager User’s Guide

• Avid Unity MediaManager Administrator’s Guide

SDTI Connection

The Serial Data Transport Interface (SDTI) was developed to provide a standard for digital audio, video, and data interchange between cameras, VTRs, servers, and editing systems such as NewsCutter. SDTI uses standard SDI cabling and support mechanisms. Connections between devices are established point-to-point, as they are with standard video and audio signals. The benefits of SDTI include the following:

• A single cable carries compressed video and up to four channels of uncompressed 48 kHz audio.

• Transfer rates at up to four times (4X) real time can be achieved.

• SDI cabling, routers, and switches can be used to route SDTI signals.

The SDTI option kit for NewsCutter allows the transfer of DVCAM™ , DVCPRO, and DVCPRO 50 compressed digital video to and from SDTI-equipped VTRs as listed in Table 2-10. This is achieved through the installation of SDTI driver software and an SDTI adapter board that installs in a PCI slot in the NewsCutter system. These items come with the SDTI option kit available from Avid.

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For instructions on how to install the adapter board, see “SDTI Device Connections” on page 69.

The SDTI option is active only for the Record tool and the Digital Cut tool in NewsCutter.

Once you have set up SDTI as your input source (see the Avid NewsCutter User’s Guide), recording proceeds as it does for any other input source. NewsCutter automatically adjusts to one of the SDTI signal types listed in Table 2-10.

Table 2-10 SDTI Signal Types

Signal Type Resolution Channels Sample Rate

1X DVCAM DV 25 2 48 kHz

1X DVCPRO DV 25 3 48 kHz

1X DVPRO 50 DV 50 4 48 kHz

4X DVCAM DV 25 2 48 kHz

4X DVPRO DV 25 2 48 kHz

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CHAPTER 3

Connecting Audio and Video Devices

This chapter describes how to connect audio and video devices to NewsCutter. Topics include:

• Avid Meridien I/O Box Connections

• SDTI Device Connections

This chapter includes instructions for connecting cables between the Meridien I/O box and the audio and video devices.

The Meridien I/O box communicates with NewsCutter through the Meridien digital media cable. This cable provides all the audio, video, timecode, and reference signals to NewsCutter. Chapter 2 describes the connection between NewsCutter and the Meridien I/O box.

n Install the Meridien I/O box into your rack before you connect any cables (see Chapter 1 for more rack-mounting information).

This chapter also describes how to connect SDTI video devices to NewsCutter.

n You must have the optional SDTI adapter board in your NewsCutter system to connect to SDTI devices.

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Avid Meridien I/O Box Connections

The audio and video interact with NewsCutter through the Meridien I/O box. The Meridien I/O box provides connectors for all the standard audio and video input and output signals. The connections to the Meridien I/O box will vary, depending upon your deck and type of audio and video signals used.

Audio Interface Connections

The Meridien I/O box provides the following analog and digital connections:

• Four analog audio channels; four 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.

n The MIC connector on the second audio interface board (channels 3 and 4) is disabled.

• One digital Audio Engineering Society/European Broadcasting Union (AES/EBU) audio channel; one set of input and output connectors. Each AES/EBU channel has left and right channel information. AES/EBU is a format used with professional digital audio equipment (for example, audio from a videotape or CD).

• One digital Sony®/Philips® Digital Interface Format (S/PDIF) audio channel; one set of input and output RCA connectors. Some digital audiotapes (DATs) found in consumer digital audio equipment use S/PDIF.

n The NewsCutter system accepts and outputs only 48-kHz digital audio. Do not use 44.1-kHz digital audio.

62

The audio interface usually is connected to an amplifier with speakers for monitoring audio during recording and playback. Pay careful attention to the audio levels while you are recording. Use a mixer or amplifier to control the audio levels.

Figure 3-1 shows the audio hardware connections.

Figure 3-1 Audio I/O Connections

Audio channel inputs

All audio cables are customer supplied.

Powered speakers

Speakers

Audio channel outputs

Speakers can connect directly or through an amplifier.(Speakers and amplifier are optional.)

Phono (RCA) jacks for S/PDIF digital I/O

AES/EBU digital I/O

Audio output to deck orother audio destination

Audio input from deck or other audio source

Avid Meridien I/O box

Microphone input

Audio amplifier

63

Video Interface Connections

Figure 3-2 shows the connectors used to connect the customer-supplied Playback monitor and video deck to the 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 it displays edited material during playback. These analog video connections can be either composite or component. If you are connecting digital video to the Meridien I/O box, see “Serial Digital Interface Connections” on page 64.

The video connections also require a reference signal (black burst generator or house clock) to lock audio and video sampling together to keep video and audio synchronized. See “Connecting the Reference Signal” on page 64.

Figure 3-2 Video I/O Connections

Component video input connections(from deck, router, or satellite feed)

All video cables are customer supplied.


Composite video input connection(from deck, router, or satellite feed)

Component video output connections(to deck, router, or monitor)

Three composite video output connectors(to deck, router, or monitor)

S-Video output connection(to deck or monitor)

S-Video input connection(from deck, router, or satellite feed)

64

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 137. Figure 3-3 shows the BNC connectors used to connect the serial digital video to the Meridien I/O box. These connectors are used for video input and output from decks, satellite feeds, or routers.

The video connections also require a reference signal (black burst generator or house clock) to lock audio and video sampling together to keep video and audio synchronized. See “Connecting the Reference Signal” on page 64.

Figure 3-3 Serial Digital Video I/O Connections

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.

All video cables are customer supplied.


Serial video input connection(from deck, router, or satellite feed)

Three serial video output connectors(to deck, router, or monitor)

65

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 Meridien I/O box, V-LAN VLXi controller, and deck.

Figure 3-4 Reference Signal Connections

Controlling a Video Deck

You can control up to two video decks remotely by using serial connections between NewsCutter and the video deck. This serial connection requires an RS-232 to RS-422 cable adapter for each video deck connected to NewsCutter.

SERIAL PARALLEL REF LAN CF

AC

SERIAL A SERIAL BTIMECODE A

IN INOUT OUTTIMECODE B

VLX TRANSMITTER VLX 2R DUAL RECEIVER

BB3BB1 BB2

Meridien I/O box

V-LAN VLXi

Black burst generatoror house reference video source

Video deck

All cables are customer supplied.

Video reference output to video deck

TerminatorOptional

Video reference output to REF connector

Video reference output to REF connector

66

A serial adapter kit, called the Rosetta Stone, is provided with NewsCutter. The serial adapter kit contains:

• An RS-232 to RS-422 serial adapter

• Two serial cables; male 9-pin connectors at both ends

n If you need to connect and control more than two video decks, see “Connecting a V-LAN VLXi Controller and GPI Devices” on page 67.

To connect the remote control:

1. Locate the serial adapter kit.

2. Attach one end of the first 9-pin cable to the end of the serial adapter labeled RS-232 (see Figure 3-5).

3. Attach the other end of the first 9-pin cable to the NewsCutter COM1 serial port (see Figure 3-6).

Figure 3-5 Video Deck Control Cabling

4. Attach one end of the second 9-pin cable to the end of the serial adapter labeled RS-422.

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.

Serial adapter RS-232 connectionRS-422 connection

To video deck To NewsCutter

LEDs

67

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 dialog box of the NewsCutter application (see the NewsCutter Help for more information).

Connecting a V-LAN VLXi Controller and GPI Devices

NewsCutter can control multiple video decks through a video local area network (V-LAN) VLXi deck controller. Use a general-purpose interface (GPI) connected to the V-LAN to trigger functions in NewsCutter.

Video Local Area Network

The V-LAN VLXi shown in Figure 3-6 consists of one V-LAN transmitter and a dual V-LAN VLXi receiver. The receiver contains two deck controllers. Both the transmitter and receiver are internally linked. The V-LAN VLXi connects to NewsCutter through a direct serial connection.

Each V-LAN VLXi supports two video decks. Daisy-chain multiple V-LAN VLXi units if you need to add more video decks.

General-Purpose Interface

The VLXi-GT contains six programmable GPI input and output terminals. The GPI input terminal can be configured to trigger NewsCutter to Play, Record, Cue, and Stop. You can configure the GPI output terminal to provide Stop, Record, and Play status.

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.

68

The V-LAN VLXi deck controller and VLXi-GT connect to NewsCutter as shown in Figure 3-6.

Figure 3-6 V-LAN VLXi Deck Control

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 NewsCutter to the house master clock (SMPTE for NTSC, and EBU for PAL) when using a satellite feed or manually controlling a video deck.

SERIAL PARALLEL REF LAN CF

AC

SERIAL A SERIAL BTIMECODE AIN INOUT OUT

TIMECODE B

VLX TRANSMITTER VLX 2R DUAL RECEIVER

SERIAL LAN CF

AC

IN OUT

1

IN OUT

2

IN OUT

3

IN OUT

4

IN OUT

5

IN OUT

6

Video deck

Serial connection to deck remote

Serial cable to RS-232 COM1 port on NewsCutter

VLXi transmitter serial input

V-LAN VLXi

VLXi-GT (GPI)

Terminator(required when cable length is more than 50 feet)

V-LAN connection

Six GPI input and output terminals

All cables are customer supplied.

69

The house master clock connects to the Timecode IN connector on the Meridien I/O box (see Figure 3-7). This timecode is used throughout the NewsCutter system.

Figure 3-7 Timecode Connections

SDTI Device Connections

This section describes how to connect NewsCutter to a Serial Digital Transport Interface (SDTI) device.

SDTI device functionality is an optional feature of NewsCutter that provides enhanced video and audio quality at higher transmission rates.

n The Meridien I/O box and the SDTI deck must be genlocked to the same house clock (see “Master Clock Connection” on page 68 for information on connecting to a house clock). If you are not using a common house clock to synchronize the components, you will eventually experience an overrun or underrun error.

The SDTI option kit includes an SDTI adapter board, a breakout box, and a CD-ROM containing the SDTI software.

n Instructions for installing the SDTI software are included with your SDTI option kit or in the Avid NewsCutter Release Notes.

Timecode OUT Timecode IN connector connector

(not functional)

70

You must install the optional SDTI adapter board in the correct PCI slot in your NewsCutter. See Figure 2-2 and Table 2-1 on page 35 for slot placement guidelines in an IBM IntelliStation Z Pro.

n If your NewsCutter system is not an IBM IntelliStation Z Pro, see the Avid NewsCutter Upgrade Instructions for slot placement guidelines.

SDTI audio and video interfacing is done through the breakout box and A/V cables (supplied by the SDTI device manufacturer) and the SDTI adapter board.

n For instructions on connecting cables from the SDTI device to the breakout box, see the documentation supplied by the SDTI device manufacturer.

To install the SDTI adapter board and connect the breakout box:

1. Locate the SDTI adapter board and the breakout box supplied with your SDTI adapter kit.

2. Install the SDTI adapter board in the NewsCutter system.

n For board installation procedures, see the peripheral board installation instructions that came with your system.

3. As shown in Figure 3-8, align and attach the SDTI male connector to the female connector on the SDTI adapter board installed in NewsCutter.

4. Secure the breakout box to the SDTI adapter by tightening the screws.

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5. Install the SDTI driver software located on the CD-ROM that comes with the SDTI adapter. To install the software, follow the instructions that come with the SDTI option kit or in the Avid NewsCutter Release Notes.

Figure 3-8 SDTI Interface Connection

SDTI adapter boardin NewsCutter

Breakout box

Screws

Ref In

SDI/SDTIIn

SDI/SDTILoop Out

SDI/SDTIOut

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CHAPTER 4

Running the System Diagnostics

After you have set up NewsCutter, 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 Meridien II digital media board set and the Meridien I/O box are working properly. In addition, a storage exerciser (Avid StorEx) is supplied for testing the MediaDrives.

n The Avid System Test Pro application can test the Avid components and peripheral boards only after you start and then quit NewsCutter.

This chapter provides the information required to run the diagnostics. For more information about the function of specific buttons and windows, use the Help provided within the diagnostics.

To start the Help, start the Avid System Test Pro application and choose Help from the Help menu. The Help Topics window opens. Double-click a book icon in the Help window to display the topics.

The application also provides context-sensitive Help. While the diagnostic window is active, press F1 to display information about that window.

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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.

Turning On the System

After you have connected the keyboard, mouse, application key, monitors, MediaDrives, and Meridien I/O box, you should turn on the system to make sure it starts properly before you start NewsCutter.

To turn on the system:

1. Make sure all devices are properly plugged into a surge protector or wall outlet.

2. Turn on the UI monitor, Meridien I/O box, and MediaDrives.

3. Turn on NewsCutter by pressing the power switch to the on (I) position on the front of the unit.

The system starts. System-specific information is displayed on the UI monitor.

4. Select Windows NT Workstation 4.0 when asked to select the operating system.

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Avid System Test Pro

The Avid System Test Pro diagnostics are a set of tests that check the Meridien II digital media board set and the Meridien I/O box. Run these diagnostics before you begin editing with your NewsCutter. Avid System Test Pro is divided into two separate test suites:

• Standard — Tests all the 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. This section provides:

• A brief explanation of the user interface

• A procedure for running standalone diagnostics

• Cable connections needed for the interactive portion of the diagnostics

• A procedure for running interactive diagnostics

n Read this section completely before you attempt to run the diagnostics.

Starting Avid System Test Pro

To start Avid System Test Pro:

1. Close all open applications.

2. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Avid, point to Utilities, and click Avid System Test Pro.

Avid System Test Pro starts, and a dialog box appears.

3. Click OK.

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The main window opens. To exit the Avid System Test Pro diagnostics, choose Quit from the File menu.

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.

Figure 4-1 Avid System Test Pro Quick Start Dialog Box

Understanding the Main Window

The Avid System Test Pro for NewsCutter window (see Figure 4-2) appears the first time you run the diagnostics. This window contains the test selections, buttons needed to start and stop the diagnostics, and indicators for test status.

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Figure 4-2 Avid System Test Pro Window

The Avid System Test Pro 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.

- Standard test suite contains tests that run without special cabling or user interaction.

- External/User Interaction suite contains tests that require user interaction and special cabling. For information on how to cable the system for these tests, see “Running the External/User Interaction Diagnostics Suite” on page 81.

• Test tree — A section of the window that contains expansion buttons, item names, item check boxes, and item status.

Test suite tabs

Toolbar

Test tree

System status

Item nameItem check box

Item status

Expansion button

Start button

Pause button Stop button

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• Expansion button — Clicking an expansion button (+) switches the level of detail for a given item. For example, clicking + shows the groups within the item.

• Item name — The name of the board being tested or the test name under that board if the item is expanded.

• Item check box — Selects the item for testing. When the check box contains an X, the item is selected for testing. By default, all tests associated with the Standard suite are selected when you first run the diagnostic program from the desktop. Items are deselected when the box is empty.

• Item status — Provides status of each test (see the Help for a complete explanation).

• System status — Displays the pass or fail status of the entire system.

You should run both suites of Avid System Test Pro diagnostics to ensure that NewsCutter is functioning properly. You should run the Standard suite first and then the External/User Interaction suite if the Standard suite passes.

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.

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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 4-3 Avid System Test Preferences Window — Test Control Tab

Video Subsystem Tab

The Video Subsystem tab (see Figure 4-4) allows you to override the default video standard (NTSC, NTSCj, or PAL) of the Meridien I/O box. The Meridien I/O box defaults to NTSC in the United States. If the default is set to NTSC and you want to test the PAL functions, you must change the video standard to PAL and restart the diagnostic (the settings are looked at only during the diagnostic startup).

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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 75.

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.

The Standard diagnostics run with status shown in the Item status boxes in the main window.

4. Do one of the following:

• If the tests pass, continue testing at “Running the External/User Interaction Diagnostics Suite” on page 81.

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• If any test fails, the Error Log window opens, showing which board failed the test.

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:

• Meridien II digital media board set — Interactive test that requires you to respond to dialog boxes as they appear.

• Meridien video I/O board — External test that requires you to cable selected inputs to selected outputs before you run the tests. The test might be NTSC, NTSCj, or PAL, depending upon the selection in the Avid System Test Preferences window.

• Meridien audio I/O boards — External test that requires you to cable the channel 1, 2 , 3, and 4 inputs to the outputs before you run the tests.

All External/User Interaction tests displayed under these items are deselected by default, and you must select each test to run them.

To cable the boards in the Meridien I/O box to run the interactive tests, locate the following cables (all cables are customer supplied):

• Audio cable — Two male XLR connectors on one end and two female XLR connectors at the other or two individual audio cables. Avid recommends a Beldon 8451 audio cable or equivalent.

• Component video cable — Three BNC connectors at both ends of the cable or three individual BNC video cables. Avid recommends a Beldon 8281 video cable with 75-ohm video connectors or equivalent.

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• Composite video cable — One BNC connector at each end.

• S-Video cable — One 6-pin, S-video connector at each end.

Cable the Meridien I/O box as described in the following section, and then see “Running the External Tests” on page 85 for instructions.

External Diagnostics Audio Cabling

Connect the audio channel inputs to the audio channel outputs on the audio I/O boards with the audio test cable (see Figure 4-5).

1. Attach CHAN 1 OUT to CHAN 1 IN.




Figure 4-5 Audio Test External Cabling

External Diagnostics Component Video Cabling

Connect the component video cable to the video I/O board as shown in Figure 4-6.

1. Connect one end of the cable (using the three BNC connectors) to COMPONENT OUT on the video I/O board as follows:

a. Attach one green wire BNC connector to the connector labeled Y OUT.

AUDIO IN


-10

AES / EBU

IN OUT OUT

S / PDIF

IN

AUDIO OUT

-10

+4

GA

IN 1

GA

IN 2


OU

T

OU

T

OUT 3 OUT IN OUT

B-YR-Y B-Y R-YY YCO

MPO

NE

NT

CO

MPO

SIT

E

ININ

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

IN / OUT

SYSTEM

LTC

SLAVE CLOCK

ININ

DIGITAL VIDEO

S / PDIF

IN OUT

AES / EBU

IN OUTMIC

AUDIO OUT

-10

+4

GA

IN 1

GA

IN 2

AUDIO IN

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b. Attach one red wire BNC connector to the connector labeled R-Y OUT.

c. Attach one blue wire BNC connector to the connector labeled B-Y OUT.

Figure 4-6 Component Video External Cabling

2. Connect the other end of the cable (using the three BNC connectors) to the COMPONENT IN on the video I/O board as follows:

a. Attach the green wire BNC connector to the connector labeled Y IN.

b. Attach the red wire BNC connector to the connector labeled R-Y IN.

c. Attach the blue wire BNC connector to the connector labeled B-Y IN.

External Diagnostics Composite Video Cabling

Connect the composite video cable to the video I/O board as shown in Figure 4-7.

1. Connect one end of the cable to COMPOSITE IN on the video board.

2. Connect the other end of the cable to COMPOSITE OUT 1 on the video I/O board.


OU

T

OU

T

OUT 3 OUT IN OUT

B-YR-Y B-Y R-YY YCO

MPO

NE

NT

CO

MPO

SIT

E

ININ

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

IN / OUT

SYSTEM

LTC

SLAVE CLOCK

AUDIO IN

MIC CHAN 1 CHAN 2 CHAN 2CHAN 1

-10

AES / EBU

IN OUT OUT

S / PDIF

IN

AUDIO OUT

-10

+4

GA

IN 1

GA

IN 2

ININ

DIGITAL VIDEO

AES / EBU

IN OUTMIC

AUDIO IN

CHAN 4CHAN 3

AUDIO OUT

-10

+4

GA

IN 1

GA

IN 2

CHAN 3

-10

OUT

S / PDIF

INCHAN 4

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Figure 4-7 Composite Video External Cabling

n To test OUT 2 and OUT 3, move the output end of the cable to the untested output and run the test again for each one.

External Diagnostics Serial Digital Video Cabling

Connect the serial digital cable to the serial digital interface board (if installed) as shown in Figure 4-8.

n The serial digital interface board is optional and might not be installed in your Avid Meridien I/O box.

1. Connect one end of the cable to IN on the DIGITAL VIDEO portion of the serial digital interface board.

2. Connect the other end of the cable to OUT 1 on the DIGITAL VIDEO portion of serial digital interface board.

Figure 4-8 Serial Digital Video External Cabling


OU

T

OU

T

OUT 3 OUT IN OUT

B-YR-Y B-Y R-YY YCO

MPO

NE

NT

CO

MPO

SIT

E

ININ

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

IN / OUT

SYSTEM

LTC

SLAVE CLOCK

AUDIO IN


-10

AES / EBU

IN OUT OUT

S / PDIF

IN

AUDIO OUT

-10

+4

GA

IN 1

GA

IN 2

ININ

DIGITAL VIDEO

MIC

AUDIO IN

CHAN 4CHAN 3 CHAN 3

-10

AUDIO OUT

-10

+4

GA

IN 1

GA

IN 2

AES / EBU

IN OUT OUT

S / PDIF

INCHAN 4


OU

T

OU

T

OUT 3 OUT IN OUT

B-YR-Y B-Y R-YY YCO

MPO

NE

NT

CO

MPO

SIT

E

ININ

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

IN / OUT

SYSTEM

LTC

SLAVE CLOCK

AUDIO IN


-10

AES / EBU

IN OUT OUT

S / PDIF

IN

AUDIO OUT

-10

+4

GA

IN 1

GA

IN 2

ININ

DIGITAL VIDEO

OUT

S / PDIF

IN

AES / EBU

IN OUTMIC

AUDIO IN

CHAN 4CHAN 3 CHAN 3

-10

AUDIO OUT

-10

+4

GA

IN 1

GA

IN 2

CHAN 4

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n To test OUT 2 and OUT 3, move the output end of the cable to the untested output and run the test again for each one.

External Diagnostics S-Video Cabling

Connect the S-Video cable to the video I/O board as shown in Figure 4-9.

1. Connect one end of the S-Video cable to S-VIDEO IN on the video I/O board.

2. Connect the other end of the cable to S-VIDEO OUT on the video I/O board.

Figure 4-9 S-Video External Cabling

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 75.

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.


OU

T

OU

TOUT 3 OUT

IN OUT

B-YR-Y B-Y R-YY YCO

MPO

NE

NT

CO

MPO

SIT

E

ININ

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

IN / OUT

SYSTEM

LTC

SLAVE CLOCK

AUDIO IN


-10

AES / EBU

IN OUT OUT

S / PDIF

IN

AUDIO OUT

-10

+4

GA

IN 1

GA

IN 2

ININ

DIGITAL VIDEO

AUDIO IN

MIC CHAN 3 CHAN 4

AUDIO OUT

-10

+4

GA

IN 1

GA

IN 2

CHAN 3

-10

AES / EBU

IN OUT OUT

S / PDIF

INCHAN 4

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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.

The External/User Interaction diagnostics run with the status shown in the Item status boxes in the main window.

6. Answer any dialog box questions that might appear.

7. Do one of the following:

• If the tests pass, choose Quit from the File menu and consider that your NewsCutter system is working properly.

• If any test fails, the Error Log window opens, showing which board failed the test. First check the setup instructions in Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 to make sure the system is set up properly. Then, see the Error Condition topic in the diagnostic Help for possible solutions to the problem.

If you have tried the solutions and the diagnostics still fail, contact your Avid Reseller.

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.

Figure 4-10 Error Log Window

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The information in the Error Log window can be saved in text (.TXT) format by choosing Save Error Log from the File menu. Once you have saved the error log, you can open the saved file with any text editing application and print it.

Avid StorEx

Avid StorEx is a general-purpose, hard-drive exerciser program that verifies the operation of SCSI hard drives connected to a SCSI accelerator board or Fibre Channel (F/C), PCI-based NewsCutter.

n StorEx runs with Avid drives only. StorEx does not work with non-Avid, third-party drives.

The program also provides test status information that is helpful for troubleshooting a drive problem. Your local Avid Reseller might instruct you to use StorEx as part of the process of troubleshooting a problem with a hard drive.

StorEx requires a working NewsCutter system in order to function properly. The F/C controller and the SCSI accelerator board must be functioning and be able to accept commands and return results.

StorEx is installed with NewsCutter and is located on the system hard drive in the C:\Program Files\Avid\Utilities\StorEx folder.

Running Avid StorEx

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.

The Avid StorEx Disk Test window opens.

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3. Select the devices you want to test by clicking the check box for each device in the Test display (see “Test Display” on page 91).

4. Choose Preferences from the Options menu, and select the preferences you need for the selected tests.

c Avid suggests that you use the default settings in the Preferences window. You should not choose any destructive tests without first talking to your Avid Reseller.

5. Start the testing by clicking the Start button in the toolbar (see “Toolbar” on page 90) or by choosing Start from the Testing menu (see “Menus” on page 89).

6. When the test is complete, you can view the status in the Console display (see “Console Display” on page 92).

If you have any failures, contact your Avid Reseller.

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).

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Figure 4-11 Avid StorEx Disk Test Window

The window is divided into four areas:

• Menu

• Toolbar

• Test display

• Console display

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:

Menu

Toolbar

Console

Testdisplay

display

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- 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. The available choices are:

- Start

- Pause

- Stop

- Default Tests

• Options — Allows you to open the Test Preferences window (see “Test Preferences Window” on page 92) and to define the type of error that causes the test to stop:

- Stop On Hard Error

- Stop On Any Error

• Help — Lists the StorEx revision level.

Toolbar

The toolbar is a VCR-like user interface that provides control over the running of the diagnostic. When you first start the diagnostic, only the start portion of the toolbar is active. Each button is explained in Figure 4-12.

Figure 4-12 Avid StorEx Toolbar

Start

Pause

Stop

Stop on

Stop on

Summary

Hard Error

Any Error

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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. To close the Test display, choose Tests from the View menu or press and hold Alt+1. The Test display allows you to:

• Show the system devices attached to the adapters found by StorEx when it starts.

• See the status of the devices on the system in the status box.

• Select the devices you want to test by clicking the check box.

Figure 4-13 Avid StorEx Test Display

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.

SCSI bus

Target ID

Device number

Status box Check box

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n The Test display is shown in Figure 4-13 with the status box and check box on the right side of the display. The Test display is really a window within the window and can be sized independently. If you make the window smaller without resizing the Test display, you can cut the status box and check box from view. If you want to make the window smaller, you should resize the Test display to the smaller size first, and then resize the window.

Console Display

The Console display shows a record of the output from StorEx. To open the Console display, choose Console from the View menu or press and hold Alt+2. To close the Console display, choose Console from the View menu or press and hold Alt+2.

Test Preferences Window

The Test Preferences window opens when you choose Preferences from the Options menu (see Figure 4-14). The Test Preferences window controls the way testing occurs. The window has two tabs, Tests and Options.

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 data is then compared to the original data to verify that the write and read functions of the hard drive are working correctly. These tests destroy any data and file system structure on the hard drive.

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Figure 4-14 Avid StorEx Test Preferences Window — Tests Tab

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 95). The test simulates normal drive activity without destroying data and checks for ECC errors.

• Single Sector Read — Reads the data from single, randomly selected sectors on the drive for a specified amount of time (see “Options Tab” on page 95). The test exercises drive head positioning, produces a large amount of SCSI bus control traffic, and checks for ECC errors.

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• Converge/Diverge Read — Reads each sector on the drive, beginning at the opposite ends of the drive (the first sector and the last sector) and moving toward the center. It then repeats the test, reading from the center to the ends. The test checks the seek ranges of the drive, ensures that all sectors are read, and checks for ECC errors.

The destructive tests include:

• Sequential Write/Read — Writes data to every sector and then reads the data from the sector just written and compares it to the original data. The test starts at the first sector on the drive and ends at the last sector. The test verifies the write and read capability of the entire drive.

• Random Write/Read — Randomly selects a starting sector, writes data to a random number of sectors, and then reads the data from those sectors and compares it to the original data for a specified amount of time (see “Options Tab” on page 95). The test most closely simulates the normal drive working environment.

• 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 95). 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 test you select is performed on all the devices selected for test in the Test display. There is no option for assigning a different test for each device. If a destructive (Write/Read) test has been chosen (or mistakenly chosen), there will be one last warning issued before the destructive test begins.

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Options Tab

When you click the Options tab (see Figure 4-15), the display area is divided into three panels: Reporting, Data Pattern, and Test Control. Each panel contains test options that you can select before you run Avid StorEx.

Figure 4-15 Avid StorEx Test Preferences Window — Options Tab

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. The data pattern selections are:

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- Random writes a random data pattern to the hard drive by using the operating system random-number generator to create unique and unpredictable data.

- All Zeroes writes all zeroes to the hard drive.

- All Ones writes all ones to the hard drive.

- Pseudo Incrementing

- Alternating 1’s and 0’s

The default is Random.

• Test Control — Allows you to choose the number of times the test executes and the number of minutes per pass the test runs.

- Number of Passes sets the number of times that all the tests are run.

- Minutes per Pass sets the number of minutes that any random test runs if no errors are encountered.

The default is 1 pass and 60 minutes.

Control Buttons

The control buttons allow you to OK your selection, cancel your selection, or return all selections in the Test Preferences window to the default state by clicking the Default button.

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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 cable is not connected to the Meridien II EDC board’s video port.

Connect the VGA cable to the Meridien II EDC board’s video port. See Chapter 2.

AGP board is installed in NewsCutter.

If you are upgrading NewsCutter, check to make sure the AGP board has been removed. If it is installed, the system might be looking at the AGP for video signals instead of the Meridien II EDC board. If the AGP board is installed, remove it and reboot.

The monitor is connected to the system VGA port instead of the Meridien II digital media board set.

Connect the monitor to the Meridien II digital media board set.

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n Record the problem before attempting to correct it.

The Meridien II digital media board set might be dislodged.

Remove the cover according to the computer manufacturer’s instructions, and check that the circuit boards are seated properly.

Vendor-supplied video board is installed in NewsCutter.

Remove vendor-supplied video board from NewsCutter.

Table 5-1 No Display After Power-On (Continued)


Table 5-2 Display Colors Are Incorrect


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.

Optional speakers too close to monitor

Move speakers far enough away from screen so that magnetic field doesn’t affect display colors.

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Table 5-3 Cannot Initialize Meridien II Digital Media Board Set


The Meridien II digital media board set is installed but not seated correctly in the PCI slot.

Be sure that the digital media board set is installed correctly in your computer.

NewsCutter has stopped running and has a condition that is preventing it from restarting.

Contact your Avid Reseller for assistance.

Error message 1. The base memory address could be conflicting with another device. Check the system resources.

2. Remove the Meridien II digital media board set and make sure all the components are seated properly. Try restarting the system to recheck the symptom. If the error still exists, the problem is with the digital media board set.

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Table 5-4 UI Monitor Does Not Display Selected Resolution


The monitor is not able to support the selected resolution.

Check your computer manual to be sure 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. Check your video monitor manual for more information.

You have an incorrect monitor cable.

Make sure you are using the cable supplied with your monitor.

Table 5-5 Security Failure


NewsCutter requires a hardware security device called an application key. The application key is not attached securely or is missing from the parallel port on your system.

Check to see that the application key is installed. See “Installing the Application Key” on page 38.

After NewsCutter was installed, the system was not restarted before running the application for the first time.

Restart the system.

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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.

A new copy of Windows NT was installed after NewsCutter was installed.

Reinstall the NewsCutter application according to the Avid NewsCutter Release Notes, and make sure you restart the application for the first time.

Table 5-5 Security Failure (Continued)


102

Table 5-6 MediaDrives Not Recognized by System


SCSI cable is loose. Check the SCSI cable connections.

One or more SCSI devices are assigned the same SCSI address.

Make sure that each SCSI device has a unique address.

Hard disk drives are not partitioned and formatted correctly.

Ensure that the drives are formatted correctly. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Disk Administrator; see your Windows NT documentation.

The last drive on the SCSI chain is not terminated.

Make sure that the last drive on the SCSI chain has an active terminator.

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-to-speed.

MediaDrive is producing errors or is acting erratically.

Check the Event viewer for drive-specific errors. The Event viewer is located in the Administrator Tool Group. For information that explains how to use the Event viewer, see your Windows NT documentation.

103

Table 5-7 Cannot Read NewsCutter CD-ROM


You have not typed the correct command or drive letter to install NewsCutter.

Make sure you have typed the correct command to install NewsCutter. See the Avid NewsCutter Release Notes.

The CD-ROM is not recognized by the operating system.

Double-click the My Computer icon, and look for the CD-ROM. If the icon is not there, you might have a configuration problem. See the manufacturer’s documentation.

Table 5-8 Video Deck or V-LAN Not Recognized


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 scroll 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.

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Serial adapter kit (Rosetta Stone) not configured.

1. Check that the serial adapter kit (Rosetta Stone) is used to convert the RS-232 to RS-422. The adapter attaches to NewsCutter, and then the serial cable connects the adapter to the V-LAN.

2. If the LEDs on the serial adapter are not lit, the adapter might be connected backward.

Table 5-8 Video Deck or V-LAN Not Recognized (Continued)


Table 5-9 No Video in Playback Monitor

Possible Cause Possible Solutions

Sequences or clips do not appear (or intermittent playback occurs) in 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. Restart the application and check for initialization of the external monitor.

7. Run the Avid System Test Pro diagnostics (see Chapter 4).

105

Table 5-10 Sequences or Clips Do Not Appear in the Source or Timeline Viewers

Possible Cause Possible Solutions

Sequences or clips are not valid; Media Offline is displayed.

1. Single step through the clip, frame by frame. Mark an IN point and an OUT point and create a subclip. Try to play the subclip.

2. Quit the NewsCutter application, and run the Avid System Test Pro diagnostics (see Chapter 4).

3. Ensure that the Meridien II digital media display driver is activated.

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CHAPTER 6

Setting Up Workgroups

This chapter provides hardware installation instructions for setting up NewsCutter in a standalone, peer-to-peer workgroup environment using serial, Ethernet, and Fibre Channel (F/C) connections.

n For information on setting up NewsCutter in an Avid Unity for News workgroup environment, see the Avid Unity Workgroup Setup Guide.

The following installation instructions include procedures for connecting NewsCutter to a playback device. Required settings between the two systems are also provided.

n The playback device is an optional component used with NewsCutter that contributes to the creation of a workgoup environment. Avid provides specific connection kits for different playback devices and workgroup environments. For details, see the release notes provided with the specific playback device connection kit.

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Using TransferMananger as a Peer-to-Peer Tool

In a standalone, peer-to-peer workgroup, Avid Unity TransferManager software is used to transfer files, compositions, and media from one NewsCutter to another NewsCutter.

For more information on using TransferManager software to transfer files between NewsCutter systems in a peer-to-peer workgroup, see the Avid Unity TransferManager User’s Guide.

Media File Transfers to Playback Devices

Depending on the playback device connected to NewCutter, you can transfer edited news sequences to a play-to-air playback device using the Ethernet or Fibre Channel connection. When the playback device functions as a video server, ingest of raw audio/video files into NewCutter is carried out through a baseband serial connection between NewsCutter and the playback device.

NewsCutter controls the media transfers to and from the playback device using audio, video, and serial RS-422 connections (in much the same way as it controls a video deck).

Cabling NewsCutter to the Workgroup

Table 6-1 lists the connections needed to use NewsCutter and the playback device for both ingest and play-to-air. See Figure 6-1 and Figure 6-2 for illustrations representing the connections.

108

Table 6-1 Workgroup Cable Connections

Connection From Connection To Cable Type Comments

Playback Device Component Connections (see Figure 6-1)a

Playback device UI monitor 15-pin VGA cable The cable is typically shipped with the monitor.

Playback device Black burst generator(or house reference signal)

BNC video reference cable

Cables are customer supplied.

Playback device Audio connector panel

Data cable Data cable is supplied with the playback device.

Playback device Serial connector panel

Data cable Data cable is supplied with serial connector panel.

Audio connector panel

Audio — Avid Meridien I/O box

3-pin audio connectors

A pair of audio cables is required for each channel.

All cables are customer supplied. For details, see Chapter 3.


Powered speakers or audio amplifier and speakers (customer supplied)

Configuration dependent

Powered speakers need an adapter to convert the 3-pin audio connector to an audio jack connector.

Speakers that operate through an audio amplifier are wired to the amplifier.


109

Avid Component Connections (see Figure 6-1)

Meridien I/O box Powered speakers or audio amplifier and speakers (customer supplied)

Configuration dependent

Powered speakers need an adapter to convert the 3-pin audio connector to an audio jack connector.

Speakers that operate through an audio amplifier are wired to the amplifier.


Meridien I/O box Playback monitor BNC video cables

Connection can be: Composite Component Serial digital I/O (SDI)


Meridien I/O box Black burst generator(or house reference signal)

BNC video reference cable


NewsCutter 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.

NewsCutter UI monitor 15-pin VGA cable The cable is typically shipped with the monitor.

Chapter 2 provides a connector diagram for the connection.

Table 6-1 Workgroup Cable Connections (Continued)


110

NewsCutter External MediaDrives

68-pin SCSI cable Avid provides a SCSI cable with each MediaDrive.

For details, see Chapter 3 and documentation that comes with the drive.

NewsCutter Serial connector panel

9-pin serial cable (with adapter)

Avid provides a serial cable with the serial adapter (Rosetta Stone). For details, see Chapter 3.

Fibre Channel and Ethernet Component Connections (see Figure 6-2)b

NewsCutter F/C switch SC/multimode shortwave fiber cable (optical)

50 micron up to 1650 ft (500 m)62.5 micron up to 577.5 ft (175 m)


Playback device F/C switch 9-pin copper cable

99 ft (30 m) maximum


NewsCutter andPlayback device

Ethernet hub or switch

Category 5 certified cables with RJ-45 connectors


a. Depending on the playback device, all video server components might not be necessary or supplied for your workgroup configuration.

b. Depending on the playback device, all Fibre Channel components might not be necessary or supplied for your workgroup configuration.

Table 6-1 Workgroup Cable Connections (Continued)


111

Connecting NewsCutter and the Playback Device for Ingest

n For information on connecting NewsCutter to a playback device in an Avid Unity for News workgroup, see the Avid Unity Workgroup Setup Guide and the Avid Unity TransferManager User’s Guide.

In a standalone, peer-to-peer workgroup environment, ingest of material from the remote playback device to NewsCutter requires audio and serial (baseband) connections between NewsCutter and the playback device via audio and serial connector panels. The video connection between NewsCutter and the playback device is direct. NewsCutter controls the ingest media in much the same way as it controls a video deck. Figure 6-1 shows the connections.

To ingest material from the remote playback device to NewsCutter, see “Setting Up the Playback Device for Ingest” on page 113 and “Setting Up NewsCutter for Ingest” on page 113.

112

Figure 6-1 Audio, Video, and Serial Connections

4

lo

BB1 BB2 BB3

RR

LL

Serial RS-422connector panel

RS-232 to RS-422

NewsCutter

External MediaDrive

UI monitor

Black burstgenerator

Meridien I/O box


Playback monitor

Speakers Speakers

UI monitor Remote playback device

Video

Ingest data

converter

113

Setting Up the Playback Device for Ingest

To enable the remote playback device for ingest using the baseband connection, select these general settings from the playback device’s user interface:

• Select BVW as the deck protocol.

• Select the playback device COM port used for the serial connection.

• Select the video I/O settings to match your hardware connections.

• Select the audio I/O settings to match your hardware connections.

Setting Up NewsCutter for Ingest

Before attempting to transfer material from the remote playback device to NewsCutter using the baseband connection, first configure the playback device as a deck on the NewsCutter system:

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. Click Add Channel.

The Channel dialog box appears.

4. Choose Direct from the Channel Type menu, and choose a port from the Ports menu.

5. Click OK.

A message appears, asking if you want to Autoconfigure the channel.

6. Click No.

114

n NewsCutter does not currently support the Autoconfigure function for the playback device. If you choose Yes for Autoconfigure, NewsCutter will configure the playback device as a deck.

7. In the Deck Configuration dialog box, click Add Deck.

The Deck Settings dialog box appears.

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.

Connecting NewsCutter and the Playback Device for Playback

This section describes the cabling requirements for the workgroup environment using Ethernet and Fibre Channel connections. Use Figure 6-2 to identify the connections described.

For the Ethernet connection, use Category 5 certified cables with RJ-45 connectors.

Two types of Fibre Channel cables are required for cabling the workgroup:

• SC/multimode shortwave (optical) fiber cable

• Copper cable

Connection Between NewsCutter and the Fibre Channel Switch

For the connection between NewsCutter and the F/C switch, use an SC/multimode shortwave (optical) fiber cable, with SC connectors on both ends.

115

Each NewsCutter connected to the switch requires a short wavelength (SWL) Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC) between the switch end of the cable and the switch.

Connection Between the Playback Device and the Fibre Channel Switch

Use a copper Fibre Channel cable for the connection between the playback device and the switch. The maximum length of the copper Fibre Channel cable is 99 feet (30 meters).

The Fibre Channel switch should have a copper GBIC (HSSDC style) for each playback device connected to the switch. The end that connects to the playback device has a DB-9 connector. The end that connects to the switch has an HSSDC-style connector.

Connection Between the Playback Device, NewsCutter, and the Ethernet Hub or Switch

n Use Category 5 certified cables with RJ-45 connectors.

Figure 6-2 shows the network connections between NewsCutter, the playback device, and the Ethernet hub or switch.

116

Figure 6-2 Fibre Channel and Ethernet Connections

When you have connected the cables successfully to the Fibre Channel switch, the LED indicator lights will change to green. Yellow LEDs indicate a problem in the cabling.

NewsCutter systems

EthernetFibre Channel switch

Playback

Optical cable

Copper cable

hub/switch

device

117

Transferring Files from NewsCutter to the Playback Device

To transfer a sequence from NewsCutter to the remote playback device using the serial (baseband) connection:

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.

NewsCutter adds the TapeID column to the bin columns.

n For information on saving the TapeID column as a default setting or as a Site setting, see the Help.

2. In the TapeID column, type the name of the sequence on which you want to perform a digital cut to the playback device. The name on the playback device is restricted to 15 characters when using the BVW controller setup. The playback device will truncate any names longer than 15 characters. For seamless integration, you should not use special characters or spaces when naming the sequence.

3. Choose Digital Cut from the Clip menu.

The Digital Cut tool opens (see Figure 6-3).

118

Figure 6-3 Digital Cut Tool

4. Select Entire Sequence.

5. Select Remote.

6. Choose Mark In Time from the Record to Tape pop-up menu.

7. Choose a tape name as follows:

a. Click the Tape name display.

The Select Tape dialog box appears.

b. Click New.

c. Type a new name, press Enter, and click OK.

Play Digital

Mark IN text box

Cut button

Record to Tapepop-up menu

Tape namedisplay

119

8. Establish a time for the IN point in the Mark IN text box. The time for the IN point must be equal to the preroll time. The default preroll time for the playback device is 1 second. For a preroll time of 1 second, type 01:00.

9. Click the Play Digital Cut button.

n For more information on using the Digital Cut tool, see the Help or the Avid NewsCutter User’s Guide.

Transferring from the Playback Device to NewsCutter

n For information on transferring files between NewsCutter and a playback device in an Avid Unity for News workgroup, see the Avid Unity TransferManager User's Guide.

After you connect the remote playback device in a standalone, peer-to-peer workgroup and select the appropriate settings, you can record media from the playback device to NewsCutter through the serial (baseband) connection. 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.

To record media from the playback device to NewsCutter:

1. Choose Record from the Tools menu.

The Record tool opens.

2. When the playback device is playing media, click the Record button in the Record tool to record from the playback device to NewsCutter.

120

Transferring Media Files from NewsCutter for Play-to-Air

n For information on transferring files between NewsCutter and a playback device in an Avid Unity for News workgroup, see the Avid Unity TransferManager User’s Guide.

Avid recommends using the Fibre Channel network and TransferManager software to transfer between NewsCutter and a playback device configured for play-to-air. Fibre Channel is faster than baseband and has dual-send capabilities.

n This information might change in accordance with feature and performance enhancements. For the the most up-to-date information, see the documentation that comes with your playback device.

The TransferManager software uses the Fibre Channel and Ethernet networks for playback transfers from NewsCutter to the play-to-air device.

n You can transfer only sequences between the NewsCutter and the play-to-air device. If you want to transfer a clip, you must place it in a sequence before the transfer.

To transfer a sequence using TransferManager:

1. Open the bin that contains the sequences you want to send.

2. Select the sequence.

3. From the Transfer menu, choose Send to Playback.

4. From the Send to Playback submenu, choose the available playback device to which you want to send the sequence.

The files are sent to the TransferManager server, where they can be sent to the play-to-air-device in the selected workgroup.

121

CHAPTER 7

Connecting Fader Controllers and a VTR Emulator

This chapter describes the hardware cabling procedures for connecting an optional external fader controller or VTR emulator to NewsCutter. Topics include:

• Connecting Fader Controllers

• Connecting a VTR Emulator

For information on how to use an external fader controller or VTR emulator, see the Avid NewsCutter User’s Guide.

122

Connecting Fader Controllers

NewsCutter has a built-in MIDI (joystick) port that enables MIDI control on a compatible external fader controller.

The location of the MIDI port depends on the platform you are using for NewsCutter.

The IBM IntelliStation Z Pro 6866 platform provides a MIDI connector on the rear of the system (see Figure 7-1).

n By default, this connector is disabled. To function in NewsCutter, the MIDI port must be configured in the PC BIOS with a valid IRQ assignment. For information on setting the BIOS to support MIDI port functions, see the Avid NewsCutter Release Notes.

123

Figure 7-1 IBM IntelliStation Z Pro — MIDI Connector

n If your NewsCutter platform is not an IBM IntelliStation Z Pro, refer to the setup guide or user’s guide provided by the platform manufacturer for information about the MIDI port in your system. For information on setting the BIOS to support MIDI port functions, see the Avid NewsCutter Release Notes.

MIDI connector

124

NewCutter supports the connection of the following MIDI fader controllers:

• JL Cooper FaderMaster Pro™ MIDI automation controller

• JL Cooper MCS-3000X MIDI automation controller

• Yamaha® 01V digital mixing console

All fader controllers connect to the MIDI (joystick) port on the NewsCutter system using a standard MIDI-to-joystick cable.

Connecting to the MIDI Port

An example of the MIDI-to-joystick cable is shown in Figure 7-2.

Figure 7-2 Fader Controller Cabling

Connecting JL Cooper Fader Controllers

Two of the three supported fader controllers are manufactured by JL Cooper. To connect the JL Cooper fader controllers:

1. Quit any open applications.

2. Shut down the system by pressing and holding Ctrl+Alt+Delete and selecting Shut Down in the dialog box.

To MIDI/joystick connector

Out

In

Cable label

Cable label

125

3. Click OK.

4. If you are cabling the MCS-3000X fader controller, set switch 4 to the ON (down) position. The switch is upside down on the fader controller (see Figure 7-3).

Figure 7-3 MCS-3000X Fader Controller Rear View

5. Locate a MIDI-to-joystick cable suitable for use on the system.

6. Plug the MIDI end of the 15-pin D-type connector cable into the port labeled MIDI (or Joystick) on the PC.

n When you connect the cable to the fader controller, connect the Out portion of the cable to the MIDI In connector at the rear of the fader controller and the In portion of the cable to the MIDI Out connector at the rear of the fader controller. The MIDI Out and MIDI In positions on the MCS-3000X and the JL Cooper FaderMaster Pro are different at the rear of each fader controller (see Figure 7-4).

7. Plug the end of the cable labeled In into the MIDI Out connector of the fader controller.

8. Plug the end of the cable labeled Out into the MIDI In connector of the fader controller.

MIDI OUT MIDI INSELECT

POWER

ONEXPANDER

1234

CTS 206-4

ON

126

Figure 7-4 Connecting JL Cooper Fader Controllers

Initializing and Testing the JL Cooper Fader Controllers

To initialize and test the JL Cooper fader controllers:

1. Turn on the system.

2. Start NewsCutter.

3. Choose Automation Gain from the Tools menu.

The Automation Gain tool opens.

4. Click the Fast Menu button.

5. Choose Calibrate Hardware Sliders from the Fast menu.

The box changes to yellow.

6. Check the color of the position indicator lights. If the external fader controller is not connected, the lights are off (gray). If the external fader controller is connected, at least one of the lights is on (blue).

7. Move the sliders on the fader controller. The corresponding slider should move in the Automation Gain tool.

MIDI OUT MIDI INSELECT

POWER

ONEXPANDER

Power 9VDC MIDI In MIDI Out Switch In Switch Out

+_

MIDI InMIDI Out

MIDI In MIDI Out

Out

In

FaderMaster Pro

MCS-3000X

Position indicator lights

127

Connecting the Yamaha 01V Mixer

To connect the Yamaha 01V mixer:

1. Quit any open applications.

2. Shut down the system by pressing and holding Ctrl+Alt+Delete and selecting Shut Down in the dialog box.

3. Click OK.

4. Locate a MIDI-to-joystick cable suitable for use on the system.

5. Plug the MIDI end of the 15-pin D-type connector cable into the port labeled MIDI (or Joystick) on the PC.

6. Plug the end of the cable labeled In into the MIDI Out connector of the mixer (see Figure 7-5).

7. Plug the end of the cable labeled Out into the MIDI In connector of the mixer (see Figure 7-5).

Figure 7-5 Yamaha 01V Mixer Rear View

n You must set up the Yamaha 01V mixer using its front panel. For instructions that explain setup and testing, see the Avid NewsCutter User’s Guide.

MONITOR OUTSREREO OUT

DIGITAL STEREOOMNI OUTCOAXIAL

MIDI TO HOST

ININOUT OUTTHRU

R L

R L

4 3 2 1

POWEROPTION 1/0

ON OFF

MIDI Out MIDI InOut

In

128

Connecting a VTR Emulator

Avid supports the connection of an optional VTR emulator to a serial port on NewsCutter. You need the following equipment to connect the emulator to the system:

• A serial adapter kit that contains:

- A serial adapter

- Two serial cables; one male-to-male 9-pin connector and one male-to-female 9-pin connector

• A VTR emulator cable; male-to-female 9-pin connector

To connect the VTR emulator to the system:

1. Locate the three cables.

2. Attach the male end of the male-to-female 9-pin serial cable to the serial adapter labeled RS-232.

3. Attach the female end of the male-to-female 9-pin serial cable to the serial port of the PC (see Figure 7-6).

Figure 7-6 Connecting a VTR Emulator

Serial cableto VTR emulator VTR emulator cable

RS-232 sideRS-422 sideSerial cableto PC serial port

Serial adapter

129

4. Attach the male end of the VTR emulator cable to the serial adapter labeled RS-422.

5. Attach the female end of the VTR emulator cable to the male end of the male-to-male 9-pin serial cable.

6. Attach the other end of the male-to-male 9-pin serial cable to the VTR emulator.

130

APPENDIX A

Servicing the Avid Meridien I/O Box

This appendix summarizes the audio and video interface connections on the Meridien I/O box. In addition, it provides a procedure for replacing the internal boards in the Meridien I/O box.

Meridien Connectors

Figure A-1 identifies the audio connectors on the Meridien I/O box. Use the table following the figure for a description of each connector.

131

Figure A-1 Meridien Audio Connectors

1

2

3

4

5 7

68

9

10 12

11 13

14

15

16

17

18

Table A-1 Meridien Audio Identifiers

Number Label Function

1 AUDIO IN MIC Microphone audio input, female connector

2 AUDIO IN CHAN 1 Channel 1 audio input, female connector


4 AUDIO OUT CHAN 1 Channel 1 audio output, male connector


6 AES/EBU IN AES/EBU digital input, female connector

7 AES/EBU OUT AES/EBU digital output, male connector

8 S/PDIF IN S/PDIF digital input, phono (RCA) jack

132

Figure A-2 identifies the video connectors on the Meridien I/O box. Use the table following the figure for a description of each connector.

9 S/PDIF OUT S/PDIF digital output, phono (RCA) jack

10 AUDIO IN MIC2 Microphone audio input 2, female connector


12 AUDIO IN CHAN 4 Channel 4 audio input, male connector



15 AES/EBU IN 2 AES/EBU digital input 2, female connector

16 AES/EBU OUT 2 AES/EBU digital output 2, male connector

17 S/PDIF IN 2 S/PDIF digital input 2, phono (RCA) jack

18 S/PDIF OUT 2 S/PDIF digital output 2, phono (RCA) jack

Note: Numbers 10 through 18 require the installation of a second audio interface.

Table A-1 Meridien Audio Identifiers (Continued)


133

Figure A-2 Meridien Video Connectors

1 2 3 4 5 6

16 15 14 13 12 1117 9 8

7

10

Table A-2 Meridien Video Identifiers


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. Connects to analog video output of decks, satellite feeds, or routers.

3 COMPONENT B-Y IN Video B-Y component input, BNC connector. Connects to analog video output of decks, satellite feeds, or routers.

4 COMPONENT Y OUT Video Y component output, BNC connector. Connects to analog video input of decks or routers.

5 COMPONENT R-Y OUT Video R-Y component output, BNC connector. Connects to analog video input of decks or routers.

6 COMPONENT B-Y OUT Video B-Y component output, BNC connector. Connects to analog video input of decks or routers.

134

7 SYSTEM IN/OUT Audio and video I/O connector from NewsCutter.

8 LTC OUT Longitudinal timecode output, male connector. Master clock is used to synchronize NewsCutter to the house master clock (SMPTE for NTSC, and EBU for PAL).

9 LTC IN Longitudinal timecode input, female connector. Master clock is used to synchronize NewsCutter to the house master clock (SMPTE for NTSC, and EBU for PAL).

10 SLAVE CLOCK OUT Clock output, BNC connector. Used to synchronize other Broadcast components.

11 S-VIDEO OUT Super composite video output, 4-pin connector. Connects to analog video input of decks or routers.

12 COMPOSITE OUT 3 Composite video output, BNC connector. Connects to analog video input of decks, monitors, or routers.



15 S-VIDEO IN Super composite video input, 4-pin connector. Connects to analog video output of decks, satellite feeds, or routers.

16 COMPOSITE IN Composite video input, BNC connector. Connects to analog video output of decks, satellite feeds, or routers.

17 Video Reference (REF) Black burst input, BNC connector. Synchronizes decks and V-LAN VLXi controller that are part of the system.

Table A-2 Meridien Video Identifiers (Continued)


135

Figure A-3 identifies the optional serial digital interface board BNC connectors on the Meridien I/O box. See Table A-3 for a description of each connector.

n For instructions on installing the optional serial digital interface board, see “Serial Digital Interface Board Installation” on page 137.

Figure A-3 Meridien Serial Digital Interface Connectors

1 2 3 4

Table A-3 Meridien Serial Digital Interface Identifiers


1 SERIAL DIGITAL IN Composite video input, BNC connector. Connects to digital video output of decks, satellite feeds, or routers.

2 SERIAL DIGITAL OUT 1 Composite video output, BNC connector. Connects to digital video input of decks, monitors, or routers.



136

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 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).

c To avoid static damage to your circuit board, take the proper antistatic procedures before handling the board.

3. Loosen (but do not remove) the captive thumb screws on each side of the defective board. Figure A-4 shows the location of the thumb screws.

n The video I/O board (bottom) has two thumb screws on each side.

Figure A-4 Meridien I/O Box Thumb Screws

Thumb screws Thumb screws

137

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.

Figure A-5 Circuit Board Connector and Rails

Serial Digital Interface Board Installation

The Meridien I/O box does not ship with a serial digital interface board installed. If you have purchased the optional board, install the board according to the following procedure.

To install the serial digital interface board:

1. Loosen (but do not remove) the two captive thumb screws on each side of the video I/O board (bottom). Figure A-4 shows the location of the thumb screws.

2. Use the captive screws to pull the board out of its slot.

Guide rail Guide railBoard connector

138

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.

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. Insert the serial digital interface board connector into the connector on the video I/O board.

Figure A-7 Meridien Serial Digital Interface Connector

Video I/O boardblank panel

Serial digital interfaceboard connector

Blank panel screws

Serial digital interface board Video I/O boardfront panel

139

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 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.

140

APPENDIX B

Supported Serial Control Video Decks

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 NewsCutter. 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 Support Knowledge Center and search for “supported decks” using the Search tool.

The Customer Support Knowledge Center provides support information and documentation for Avid products. To access the Knowledge Center:

a. Go to www.avid.com.

b. Click Support.

c. Click Knowledge Center.

d. Log in.

141

General Deck Selection Recommendations

Avid recommends that you choose decks with a serial remote interface and timecode-reader capabilities. Some decks have built-in timecode readers, while others require an optional upgrade kit from the deck manufacturer.

Supported decks are presented in the following categories:

• Edit decks — Decks that support frame-accurate logging, recording, and digital cut to tape

• 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. 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. See “Controlling a Video Deck” on page 65 for more information.

n Avid’s direct serial control operates only with decks that support the Sony serial SBV protocol. Some decks might not be able to perform an auto edit with direct serial control.

142

Edit Decks

Table B-1 lists direct serial edit decks.

Table B-1 Direct Serial Edit Decks

Manufacturer Model No. Format Comments

Ampex CVR-70, -75 Betacam SP® Broadcast -

BTS BCB-70, -75 Betacam SP -

PCB-2800 Betacam SP -

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.

Sony BVU-950 U-matic® SP Broadcast Requires optional timecode board (part number BKU-905).

DSR-80, -85 DVCAM -

EVO-9850 Hi8™ -

VO-9850 U-matic SP Industrial Requires optional timecode board (part number BKU-705).

BVW-70, -75 Betacam SP Broadcast -

143

Record Decks

Table B-2 lists direct serial record decks.

n These decks do not accept the auto edit command from NewsCutter.

PVW-2800 Betacam SP Post Production -

UVW-1800 Betacam SP Industrial -

DVW-A500, -500 Digital Betacam® Setup 208 must be set to 9-pin protocol. Enable remote control by clicking the Remote 1 (9p) button on the VTR front panel. In digital cut, the cue track is armed with audio track A1.

SVO-5800 S-VHS Requires optional timecode board.

Tascam DA-60MKII DAT Requires SY-88 synchronizer board.

DA-98 8mm -

DA-88 8mm Requires SY-88 synchronizer board.

Table B-1 Direct Serial Edit Decks (Continued)


144

Play Decks

Table B-3 lists direct serial play decks.

Table B-2 Direct Serial Record Decks


JVC BR-S622 S-VHS Requires optional timecode board.

Panasonic AJ-D640 DVCPRO -

Sony EVO-9800 Hi8 -

VO-9800 U-matic SP Requires optional timecode board (part number BKU-704 or BKU-705).

Table B-3 Direct Serial Play Decks


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.

AG-DS540, -DS545, -DS840,

S-VHS -

145

V-LAN Decks

The following sections list the V-LAN video decks that Avid software supports by manufacturers, models, and format. The NewsCutter RS-232 COM port is connected directly to the V-LAN VLXi deck controller. For more information, see “Connecting a V-LAN VLXi Controller and GPI Devices” on page 67.

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.

Sony DSR-60 DVCAM -

BVW-60, -65 Betacam SP Broadcast -

PVW-2600, -2650 Betacam SP Post Production -

UVW-1600 Betacam SP Industrial -

BVU-900, -920 U-matic SP Broadcast -

Table B-3 Direct Serial Play Decks (Continued)


146

Edit Decks

Table B-4 lists V-LAN edit decks.

Table B-4 V-LAN Edit Decks


Ampex CVR-70, -75 Betacam SP -

VPR-3, -6, -80 1-inch -

BTS BCB-70, -75 Betacam SP -

PCB-2800 Betacam SP -

Fostex D-25 DAT Setup 308 should be set to 000 (NATIVE).

JVC CR-850 U-matic Requires optional timecode board.

BR-S822 S-VHS Requires optional timecode board.

KRM-M8600U MII -

DS-DT900 DAT -


AG-DS550, -DS555, -DS850

S-VHS -

AJ-D650, -D750 DVCPRO Set ID Sel on the deck to DVCPRO.

AU-650, -65, -W35H

MII -

147

Sony BVH-2000, -2700, -3000

1-inch -

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).

BVW-50, -70, -75 Betacam SP Early 50 record and edit models had problems in digital cut.

DVR-18, -28 D2 -

DVW-A500, -500 Digital Betacam Setup 208 must be set to 9-pin protocol. Enable remote control by clicking the Remote 1 (9p) button on the VTR front panel.

EVO-9850 Hi8 -

PVW-2800 Betacam SP -

UVW-1800 Betacam SP -

VO-9850 U-matic SP -

PCM-7030, -7040, -7050

DAT -

Table B-4 V-LAN Edit Decks (Continued)


148

Record Decks

Table B-5 lists V-LAN record decks.

Table B-5 V-LAN Record Decks


JVC CR-600 U-matic Requires optional timecode board.

BR-S622 S-VHS Requires optional timecode board.

Panasonic AJ-D640 DVCPRO Set ID Sel on the deck to DVCPRO.

AU-640 MII -

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 Hi8 Might not be frame-accurate.

VO-9800 U-matic SP Requires optional timecode board (part number BKU-704 or BKU-705).

149

Play Decks

Table B-6 lists V-LAN play decks.

Table B-6 V-LAN Play Decks


JVC BR-S522, -525 S-VHS Requires optional timecode board.


AG-DS540, -DS545, -DS840,

S-VHS -

AU-620, -63, -W32H

MII Requires optional timecode board.

AU-630, -W33H MII Requires optional timecode board.

Sony BVU-900, -920 U-matic SP Requires optional timecode board (part number BKU-950 or BKU-920).

BVW-40, -60, -65 Betacam SP -

DVR-20 D2 -

DVW-510 D1 -

PVW-2600, -2650 Betacam SP -

UVW-1200 Betacam SP -

UVW-1400 Betacam SP Requires sync on green.

150

VTRs

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.

151

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. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

152

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 Directives:

73/23/EEC, 89/336/EEC.

Standards to which Conformity is Declared:

EN 60950: 1992 + A1 + A2 + A3 + A4 IEC950: 1992 + A1 + A2 + A3 + A4: 1993 Mod.CISPR 22:1985 / EN 55022:1988 Class A EN 50082-1:1992 / IEC801 -2, -3, -4

Manufacturer’s Name: Avid Technology, Inc. 1925 Andover StreetTewksbury, MA 01876, USA

European Contact: Nearest Avid Sales and Service Office or Avid Technology International B.V. Sandyford Business Center Unit 3,Dublin 18, Ireland

153

(1) Products for the Windows NT Operating System: products were tested in a typical Media Composer, Film Composer, Avid Xpress, Avid Xpress DV, Avid Unity, Avid|DS, NewsCutter, NewsCutter XP, NewsCutter DV, or Symphony configuration.

(2) Products for the Macintosh Operating System: products were tested in a typical Media Composer, Film Composer, Avid Xpress, or Avid Unity configuration.

I, the undersigned, hereby declare that the equipment specified above conforms to the above Directives and Standards.

George R. Smith, Director of Quality Engineering

Type of Equipment: Information Technology Equipment

Product Name: Products for the Windows NT Operating System: Media Composer, Film Composer, Avid Xpress, Avid Xpress DV, Avid Unity, Avid|DS, NewsCutter, NewsCutter XP, NewsCutter DV, Symphony

Products for the Macintosh Operating System: Media Composer, Film Composer, Avid Xpress, Avid Unity

Base Model Numbers: None

Product Options: All

Year of Manufacture: 2000

154

Australia and New Zealand EMC RegulationsJohn Kells, Australian Operations ManagerAvid Technology (Australia)166 Epping RoadLane Cove N.S.W.Sydney, Australia 2066Phone: 011-612-9937-1800

Taiwan EMC Regulations

Taiwan EMC Regulations BSMI Class A EMC Warning

N1709

155

AAdapter, serial 28Additional equipment 24AES (Audio Engineering Society) 61Analog

audio channels 61microphone 61video 63

ApplicationAvid StorEx 87Avid System Test Pro 73key 27, 38problem 100

Arranging components 32Audio

amplifier 25cabling 62connectors 130diagnostic cabling 82diagnostics 81digital media cable 28interface 61master clock connection 68

Audio Engineering Society (AES) 61Avid StorEx See StorExAvid System Test Pro 73

BBasic system setup 32Black burst generator

connections 65description 25

Boarddescription 33layout 34replacement 136

Breakout box See Meridien I/O box

CCables

diagnostic 81digital media cable 28playback device 107RS-422 converter 65SCSI 42VGA adapter 28VGA interconnect, connecting 39

Color problem 98Component

diagnostic video cabling 82video 63

Components, arranging 32

Index

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W X

156

Compositediagnostic video cabling 83video 63

Connectingblack burst generator 65deck control 67JL Cooper fader controllers 124keyboard 37master clock 68mouse 37playback device 107SDTI devices 69S-Video 63UI monitor VGA display controller board

cable 39VGA interconnect cable 39VTR emulator 128XLR 62Yamaha 01V mixer 127

Converter, RS-422 65Copy-protection device 38

DDecks See Video decksDiagnostics

audio cabling 82Avid components 73cables 81component video cabling 82composite video cabling 83error log 86external tests 77, 85folder 75interactive 75main window 76preferences 78serial digital video cabling 84standard 75start button 80

S-Video cabling 85Digital audio channel 61Direct serial

edit decks 142play decks 144protocol 25record decks 143

Disk Administrator 102Display problem 97Dongle 38Drive exerciser program 87

EEBU (European Broadcasting Union) 61Edit decks 140, 142, 146Enhanced system setup 32Equipment

optional 24standard 23, 26

Error Log window 86Ethernet 52European Broadcasting Union (EBU) 61External

diagnostics tests 85hard drive 45test suite 77

FFader controllers

connecting JL Cooper 124connecting Yamaha 01V mixer 127initializing and testing JL Cooper 126

Features and requirements 23Fibre Channel 53, 55File system (NTFS) 46Format 46

157

GGPI (general-purpose interface)

description 25triggers 67

HHouse clock 68, 134House reference signal 65

IIndicators, Meridien I/O box 26Interactive board diagnostics 75Internal system drive 41

KKeyboard connection 31, 37

LLayout 23LEDs, Meridien I/O box 26

MM port connector 40Master clock connection 68Media files

storage 41transfers 107

MediaDock 42MediaDrive

calculations 46

drive striping 48format 46problem 102

Meridien digital media cableconnection 40length 40

Meridien I/O boxaudio board 81audio connectors 130audio interface 63board replacement 136connections 60indicators 26power connector 41rack units 30serial digital interface 64, 135serial digital interface board installation 137servicing 130SYSTEM IN/OUT 41turning on 27video connectors 132video I/O board 81video interface 61

Meridien II board setdesign 24diagnostics 73, 81problems 99

Microphone connector 61Monitor, Playback 63Monitor, UI

connections 63resolution 24settings 98VGA cable 39

Mouse connection 37

158

NNetwork connection 23, 52NewsCutter

CD-ROMs 28deck control 65documentation 29features 23included material 27M port 40power connector 41rails 29setup 31turning on 74

OOperating system

event viewer 102selecting 74

Optionalequipment 24, 51, 106playback device 106rails 29serial digital interface 64

PParallel port 38, 101Performance 46Peripheral boards See BoardPhantom powered microphone 61Play decks 140, 144, 149Playback

deck protocol 113devices 106

Playback devicetransfer 117, 119

Playback monitor 63

Power connector 41PS/2-style

connectors 37keyboard 37mouse 37

RRack units 29Rail kit 29Record decks 140, 143, 148Recorded media 41Reference signal

connections 64requirements 64

Remote control 66Required equipment 23, 26Resolution, monitor 98Rosetta Stone 28, 66RS-422 converter 65Running diagnostics 75

SS/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) 61Satellite feeds 63SCSI

cables 42, 43circuitry 23connector 42hard drives 41IDs 43problem 102terminator 42utility 87

SDTI adapter boardconnections 60description 25

159

SDTI connectionboard installation 69description 58

Serial adapter 28, 66Serial digital interface

board 64board installation 137connectors 135diagnostic video cabling 84

Setting up 32Settings

monitor 98playback device 113

Speakers 25Split, volume 46Standard board diagnostics 75Storage

media files 41problem 102

StorExbuttons 96menus 89overview 87preferences 92running 87toolbar 90

Striping 46Supported decks 140S-Video

connections 63diagnostic video cabling 85

Synchronizing 68SYSTEM IN/OUT connector 40System setup 31

TTerminator

connection 43SCSI 42

Testing 73Timecode in

connections 69description 25

Transferring media filesoption 107

Transferring videoto NewsCutter 119to playback device 117

Troubleshooting 97 to 105See also Diagnostics

Turning onMeridien I/O box 27NewsCutter 74

UUI (User Interface) monitor settings 98

See also MonitorUtility

drive exerciser program 87system diagnostics 75video I/O 74

VVGA (video graphics array) See MonitorVGA adapter 28Video

cabling 63connectors 132data rate 46digital media cable 28input and output 63reference signal 64VGA adapter cable 28

160

Video deckconnections 67control 67edit 142, 146play 144, 149playback device 107recommendations 141record 143, 148supported 140

Video local area network See V-LAN VLXiVideo source 25V-LAN problem 103V-LAN VLXi

control 67deck connections 67features 25record decks 148

VLXiedit decks 146play decks 149

Volume 46VTR emulator 128

WWork environment 32Workgroups 107

XXLR connectors 62, 81

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