Reviewer’s Guide
Pinnacle Systems DC2000
DC2000: Professional Editing & Interactive Authoring Solution
This guide is intended to help those evaluating the DC2000 to see the process and procedures for a more complete understanding of the unique technology Pinnacle Systems, Inc. has designed into this product.
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Reviewer’s Guide
Pinnacle Systems DC2000
Introduction
Different emerging video applications generate various requirements for today's video processing solutions. Whereas in the past video was only distributed on tape or via transmission on TV, consumers today prefer individual solutions that fit their applications.
Pinnacles goal is to provide solutions that fulfil the needs of editors, operators, producers and those who are involved in the processes of video creation, storage and distribution.
Professionals request tools that provide them the highest possible quality, best productivity and optimum support for current and future video distribution technologies.
In addition to classic non-linear video editing for tape production professionals are looking for support to create content for DTV, DVD, CD and Web.
The Pinnacle Systems DC2000 is based on the widely used MPEG2 compression technology. It combines real-time non-linear editing with direct MPEG2 IBP encoding - to deliver for MPEG2 broadcast servers and archive systems-, DVD Authoring and web-streaming. Of course it also incorporates support for conventional video equipment like Betacam decks and DV Camcorders.
Markets are changing
Pinnacle listens and moves
Sophisticated features for various editing and delivery requirements
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1 Tech Background
The Pinnacle Systems DC2000 is a computer-based video- and audio processing system that combines non-linear video editing with direct MPEG2 (DVD) encoding and web streaming.
The DC2000 is based on MPEG2 implementation for some very good reasons: all new high quality video processing and distribution solutions are based on MPEG2. DC2000 talks their language and can access their materials in native format – with superior quality due to the advantage of lossless data processing.
MPEG2 is also the Codec of choice for professional video editing. Integration of unique multiple product features have reduced the cost below the price of dedicated individual solutions for either encoding or editing.
Edit, Encode, Stream ....
MPEG2 is standard!
Integration is key!
Native MPEG
1.1 Native MPEG2
Imagine a lossless transfer between source media, edit station and distribution media! Ideal world? ... it's the standard of the future!
With MPEG2 video devices video dubbing is simply copying data. DC2000 closes the editing gap between MPEG2 assets and typical MPEG2 storage media ... all professional video input and output signals are supported as well.
MPEG rules the video world!
1.2 Component video (YUV)
What is component video? So many video signal formats are used but it's never enough: DC2000 utilizes component video but what is it good for and what is so special about it? To understand the benefits of component video it's necessary to understand how video is recorded, stored and transferred when highest quality should be maintained.
A video camera (not necessary DV) digitizes the light-signals received through it's lens into three separate images representing the three colors: Red, Green, Blue. Those three color components can be used to recreate any TrueColor image.
Since three colors are enough to generate any colored image in a way that it exactly matches with it's original natural representative it would be ideal to use those three color components for high quality video too. In fact video is a sequence of pictures that are generated by Red, Green and Blue pixels, abbreviated RGB.
Component: the universal studio format
The quality of the original video!
1.2.1 Transfe
digitising
r component video
To transfer this video via cable RGB images could be used; but for compatibility and bandwidth reasons RGB video is transcoded into the YUV color space before it gets transferred or stored. The YUV space is build by a combination of luminance (Y) and color-difference (UV) signals. The transcode follows the a mathematical equation: A luminance signal can be build by uY = 0.3 uR + 0,59 uG + 0,11 uB. The color-difference signals are build by uR - uY = uR-Y
uG - uY = uG-Y uB - uY = uB-Y (see video files for details)
Compatibility was necessary when TV stations started broadcasting color video and TV sets were still black and white only. In that case only the luminance signal (Y) got used and the color(-difference) signal (UV) was suppressed.
Bandwidth can be reduced since the human eye is 1000 times more sensitive for luminance changes (or details) than for color details. For the human eye image details maintain, as long as luminance details maintain whilst color details are reduced; the color details are reduced by 50%. The saving in the color signal provides a bandwidth reduction of 2/3. Therefore a YUV 4:2:2 signal provides a data reduction of 1/3 against a YUV 4:4:4 signal.
Uncompressed RGB PAL video sampled at 8 bit would result in 31 Mbyte/sec. The more efficient YUV 4:2:2 signal only needs a bandwidth of 21 Mbyte/sec.
Transfer without quality loss
Compatibility with consumer and studio equipment
Reduced bandwidth requirements
1.3 Balanced Audio
Very long audio cables but no decrease of the signal to noise ratio? No problem with balanced signals. Balanced signals are robust enough to eliminate any electrical interference. Transferring audio with its original and opposite phase via separate cables and processing only the differences between both signals automatically eliminates all interference. Two signal and one ground cable are needed to establish the balanced procedure.
Typically the connectors for balanced audio signals are called XLR connectors. They are developed for high duty studio use.
Suppress distortion with Balanced Audio
For studio usage
interference
signal during cable transmission
received signal
2 Main features
Digital & analog video- and audio capture
Digital & analog video- and audio playback
Real time post production: titles, effects, transitions, audio
Direct MPEG2 IBP encoding from analog (Betacam) or digital (DV)
MPEG2 Delivery (Elementary streams)
DVD Authoring
CD Authoring
Web streaming
Device control (RS422, DV/1394)
All in one - get finished instantly and affordable!
DC2000 PCI card and the professional breakout box.
3 Description
3.1 Professional features
DC2000 is the most versatile video creation solution intended for video professionals who need to edit, encode, author and stream. Highest quality is maintained during all processing while video and audio are accessible via industry standard data-formats.
DC2000 combines real-time non-linear editing with direct MPEG2 IBP encoding, DVD Authoring and web-streaming: capture from Betacam component or DV sources, edit in the high quality MPEG2 422P@ML editing format and choose from various distributions formats like tape, disk or web streaming.
Versatile solution 4 professionals
DC2000 is the most complete creation and finishing tool for tape, DVD, CD and streaming video @ professional level!
No quality loss due to Native MPEG2
3.1.1 Real-time non-linear editing
The video inputs and outputs support professional video equipment featuring component video and balanced audio on a high quality breakout box. DC2000 is ideally prepared for Betacam decks or camcorders and professional studio devices. DC2000 provides a direct digital data transfer to DV devices in real-time.
Greatly enhanced productivity is achieved with the real-time effect playback benefiting from DC2000's dual stream technology and the on board full resolution effect mixer. Transitions, filters and titles are available in real-time. Edits are instantly visible on video in full quality, frame rate and color depth. Lip sync audio with all kind of sound effects is available in real-time as well.
All video editing and processing is done in MPEG2 the professional format of choice. MPEG2 is the codec developed by video professionals for video professionals to set the standard for the best video quality. Unlike other Codecs MPEG2 is originally only developed for video maintaining highest quality at low data rates and providing cost saving compatibility.
When the production is complete, it is easy to finish the movie in the distribution format of choice. Either master to analog or digital tapes playing directly from the timeline to the connected VCR or export the timeline into the appropriate
formats for DVD or web delivery. Export pre-sets eliminate any hassling with individual parameterisation.
Connect professional studio equipment
Productivity - the most often used elements are available in real time
MPEG2 422 Professional Profile
MPEG2 finishing -- all distribution formats
3.1.2 Video encoding
In addition to the complete editing capabilities DC2000 can directly encode existing productions into the attractive MPEG2 video format. During encode DC2000 acts like a converter between any deck (tape) and the new storage media (disk).
This technology is ideal for archiving or content storing on MEPG2 servers for broadcast or playback. DC2000 encodes also to mounted network drives/servers in a Windows NT network.
Complete new applications like video archiving and video broadcasting from hard disk are possible - and DC2000 is a substantial component.
Video and Audio encoding is DVD compliant. Encoded materials can get directly imported into a DVD Authoring software.
For the existing DVD Authoring market DC2000 and the fully enhanced Authoring version DVD2000 are more than appropriate. DVD Finishing with DVD2000 - no problem! And it's so easy to use that anybody can do it in minutes!
Tape 2 Disk
Direct MPEG2 encoding 4 archiving or broadcast
DVD encoding and authoring included
3.2 Details
3.2.1 Hardware
The DC2000 is based on a dual Codec PCI busmaster board and a professional breakout box. The breakout box is equipped with BNC connectors for component video (YUV) and XLR connectors for balanced audio. Standard video formats like composite and S-video are supported as well as unbalanced audio.
DV inputs and outputs are available in real-time simultaneously to analog I/Os. This allows for real-time effects playback via IEEE 1394 - unique @ price point!
The two onboard hardware MPEG2 Codecs allow for real-time dual stream MPEG2 processing.
A/V interfaces
Professional breakout box
DV in real time!
Two MPEG2 Codes
3.2.2 Real-time effects
The DC2000 is equipped with a real-time mixer, making it possible to mix and output, according to the specifications of an effect, two videos that are simultaneously being played back from the hard disk. This method is especially useful for cross fades and dissolves, since those consist of two chronologically overlapping videos. Real-time effect playback
turns up via the analog or digital outputs of the card.
DC2000 can reproduce
more than 300 effects in real-time. DC2000 can even superimpose true color titles and other graphics over a video without prior rendering.
Full resolution effect mixer
Most often needed FX in real time
Simultaneous real time outputs
3.2.3 SmartGOP™
Pinnacle offers the most innovative video technology for today's video editing products: the patented SmartGOPTM
editing software. MPEG2 editing has been difficult since usual edit applications - not specially prepared for MPEG editing - can not refer to individual frames anymore. MPEG2 encodes video into Groups Of Pictures (GOP) and the recreation of a single pictures depends on the content of several frames. A intelligent technology is needed to deal with the encoded material and provide frame accurate editing in real-time. SmartGOP™ is this technology - it's Pinnacles unique MPEG2 editing interface.
The value for the user: edit DVD content in the Premiere timeline. DC2000 is the only product which can edit elementary streams - the streams used in DVD Authoring - in real-time.
The intelligent editing interface for MEPG2
Pinnacles patented technology!
3.2.4 Real-time color tinting
DC2000 processes superimposed color mattes on a video clip in real-time. By adjusting the transparency of the color matte real-time key-frameable tinting with any color can be done.
Color mattes are generated within Premiere. Alternatively any bitmap can be used even with color gradients.
Trick effects in real time!
Very well integrated with Premiere
3.2.5 3D Effects – FreeFX™
With FreeFX, customers can create fancy and throw spectacular fly-aways, curtains, oil drops or other 3D shapes into the video. DC2000 does it all – fully accelerated with no need for an expensive workstation. DC2000 takes advantage of the 3D engine of today’s VGA cards and uses them for very efficient video rendering.
Without any additional investment the powerful software of DC2000 enables accelerated 3D effects for the users. This is a clear benefit to the customer.
3D VGA power for video!
Dual usage of one investment
3.2.6 Hollywood FX Bronze
Pinnacle Systems’ Hollywood FX delivers 3D transitions and effects based on polygon rendering technology, similar to animation programs. The HFX Bronze software can be used as a plug-in for Adobe Premiere to extend the effect capabilities, or it can be used as a standalone application to compose video.
Together with the DVD Authoring software of DC2000 HFX Bronze is a perfect tool to generate Motion Menus for DVDs.
A users dream: 3D effects unlimited
Generate DVD Motion Menus with HFX
3.2.7 Device control
Device control is done via the industry standard interface RS422. The cable to connect the deck to the serial port of the PC is included with DC2000. DV device control is also available via the IEEE 1394 interface.
Connected decks and camcorders can be fully controlled by the software. The device control plug-in for Adobe Premiere provides frame accurate control for batch capture and print to tape (assemble edits). All the usual control features of Premiere are supported.
Simply mark scenes while they are still on the tape using the jog and shuttle mechanism. The software remembers the timecodes of each scene and batch-captures the material to the hard disk.
Convenient handling
3.2.8 INSTANT Video RT™
The product is shipped with the INSTANT Video RT software. This plug-in for Adobe Premiere takes care of all rendering tasks on the timeline. Its intelligent detection mechanism renders only those parts of a video which are not playable in real time and stores them to a file. Rendered and captured material can be played back directly from the timeline using cut list playback. The support for non real-time segments is very useful when editors work with plug-ins like Hollywood FX and rendering is required.
Save time, increase productivity, maintain quality!Intelligent Rendering
Cut List Playback
3.2.9 INSTANT DVD™
While INSTANT Video is used for timeline playback (print to tape) INSTANT DVD is used for timeline export (print to file). It utilises the same intelligent detection and rendering mechanisms than INSTANT Video. Unmodified material gets just copied during export - without any quality loss - edited portions get rendered. Everything is stored into one file. Typically INSTANT DVD generates elementary streams that allow video delivery in the distribution format of the future: MPEG-2 on CDs and DVD. However, INSTANT DVD exports the native format used in the timeline.
Save time, increase productivity, maintain quality!Intelligent Rendering
Ultra fast timeline export
3.2.10 Real-time filters -Image Correction
Simultaneous adjust of Brightness, Contrast and Saturation - the Pinnacle Image Correction Filter does it all in real time. This filter is a great feature for those who work with material from different sources and need to adapt a certain color for
all materials. A typical application for professionals.
The Pinnacle Image Correction Filter is key-frameable for the first and the last frame of the filter selection.
Real-time color adjustFeatures for professionals
3.2.11 Real-time Character Generator
Titles are the most often used elements in video post production. DC2000 offers a powerful broadcast title generator to provide titles with outstanding quality: TitleDeko. Absolute clean edge smoothing and quick accessible styles for practical usage are the impressive features.
TitleDeko integrates very well with the editing application Adobe Premiere. Simply click on any TitleDeko title in the timeline and the title editing mode is available immediately. Convenient title touch ups in broadcast quality - all real-time.
Smooth edges - broadcast quality
Real time integration
3.2.12 StreamAnyWhere LE
A complete production on the web? No problem with Pinnacles StreamAnyWhere plug in for Adobe Premiere. StreamAnyWhere exports a complete timeline into a streaming format. Due to distribution requirements users can choose between RealMedia RMA files or MPEG4 ASF files. A wizard helps to find the right settings to generate streams for
certain consumers.
Settings for any web consumerReal (RM) or MS MPEG4 (ASF)
3.2.13 CD & DVD Authoring
DC2000 is equipped with a professional CD and DVD Authoring application. Minerva Impression CD Pro lets users generate self-running CDs with menus, video and audio tracks that can be played back on most of the current PCs with a CD-ROM drive (we suggest a PII 266 or better with a 24x CD-ROM drive). A new way of video delivery for prosumers is available now.
Author CD and DVD content out of the box
3.2.14 MPEG2 timeline management
Content material is stored in the MPEG2 format and the DC2000 automatically generates a MPEG2 copy on the timeline. When it comes to export the timeline is already completed with MPEG2 material.
MPEG2 auto convert
Positioning
The DC2000 is intended to meet requirements of video professionals. Highest encoding quality, real time effects, and I/Os that fit perfectly with the studio equipment are part of the professional nature of the product. Its supports the platforms Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0.
DC2000 provides the latest edge technology together with a solid functionality at a exceptional price. The technology is the most modern available on the market and guarantees a save and long lasting investment.
DC2000 meets all sophisticated video and audio requirements for creating video for broadcast use as well as industrial video, commercial video, corporate presentations and training tapes. The Broadcast-quality output delivered by the DC2000 makes it the ideal system for video and audio post-production projects with the highest quality requirements.
DC2000 integrates video editing, DVD Authoring and web streaming into one product. It's the industries first solution that covers all major distribution formats and provides direct MPEG2 support. It's the complete all in one solution for today's video processing requirements combining direct production for tape, DVD, CD and web.
In addition, DC2000 offers significantly better performance than other products in the same price range. DC2000’s true real-time editing during all production stages provides a productivity level that isn’t even reached by many professional products selling at a much higher price.
Professionals
Leading future proof technology
Solution of choice!
Various applications
Studio revolution
High performance
DC2000
Betacam
DV
MPEG2
Streams
Server
capture
Export for DVD& CD and Web
Print to
tape
4 Product feature list
4.1 Device control – features and benefits
Jog & Shuttle The integrated deck control for RS422 and DV can be used to jog and shuttle through the tape and set frame accurate markers utilizing the time code on the tape.
Timecode display The time code of the current position on the tape is always visible in the edit application - even during real-time capture.
Offline edit + recapture The MPEG2 editing mode allows for relatively low data rates that can be used to support off line editing. Since DC2000 can capture the time code together with the video a complete off line on line editing is available by recapturing trimmed productions in full quality or EDL export.
Time code export Use the EDL feature to export the time code of a complete arranged timeline for use with other editing stations.
Playback of finished productions to the DV device
When a production is finished the DV video data can be played back to the camera in real-time through the 1394 link. The upload can be done either from DVTools™ or from INSTANT Video™ in Adobe Premiere.
Camera control Camera control is provided with the Premiere capture window to edit individual scene in and out points or support the live video mode and provide access to all necessary functions of the camcorder:
* Device control (wind, rewind, play, pause ...)
* Capturing of DV data from tape using device control
* Capturing live video
* Overlay window
Previewing tapes to select clips
The controls in Premiere allow for simultaneous scene previewing via video monitor and overlay window.
Assemble and Insert Edit With DC2000 and the RS422 device control frame accurate inserts on the tape are supported. Use the device control dialog to position the tape a print a certain length of the production to the tape.
4.2 Real time editing – features and benefits
Transitions (real-time) More than 300 transitions play back without prior rendering. Drag and drop this transitions between the video tracks A and B and DC2000 does a real time AB roll directly from the timeline.
Titles (real-time) The professional title generator TitleDeko offers real time titling within Adobe Premiere. Simply put the title in one of the superimposition tracks (Video 2 – Video 99) and hit the space bar. The title is immediately visible on video. Real time fade ins and fade outs can be controlled by the rubber band
Filters (real-time) Very useful are filters like real time luminance correction or real time saturation. Clips that have been shot under unfavourable conditions can be corrected during playback. The Pinnacle Image Correction Filter even corrects brightness, contrast and saturation at once in real time.
Layering (real-time) Layer two videos by superimposing them in two video tracks. The rubber band of the upper clip adjusts the transparency of this video from opaque to full transparent and allows nice dynamic effects with the second video. The rubberband can be altered from frame to frame
Stills (real-time) Stills with video resolution or near video resolution can be played back in real-time from the timeline. They can carry any real-time effect or title too. People who use scanned photos and incorporate them into video get a very powerful tool by taking advantage of this feature. Turn your photos into a video with music, effects and titles – all real-time.
Key frames Apply key frames at the beginning or the end of a clip and the filters effectiveness is controlled by the value assigned to the key frames.
Scrubbing (real-time) Take the timeline cursor and move it through the material on the timeline. The video is displayed like doing a fast forward or fast rewind. This allows for a quick overview and a very fast but direct selection of certain frames. Scrubs can be viewed either on the analog output or the digital output. They are always simultaneously displayed in the VGA overlay window.
Control window – statusINSTANT Video RT
The real-time playback conditions are always displayed by the INSTANT Video control window. A red or green line indicates if the timeline can be played in RT or if prior rendering is needed.
Need2Render-Sign Portions of the timeline that need to be rendered can
always be played in real-time but only the upper most clip is visible on video. A red cross in the upper left corner of the video monitor indicates that this is not the final rendered material.
Output to Component, DV, S-Video and Composite
Real-time effects are immediately visible on video. All time line activities like play, scrub or trim and even the transition and filter previews are immediately visible on the connected video monitor.
Individual real time transitions
Generate your own real-time effects by designing gradient luminance bitmaps and importing them into the gradient wipe transition plug in. It was never that easy to turn your creativity into high quality accelerated playback performance.
4.3 MPEG2 processing – features and benefits
Frame types DC2000 supports all frame types like I, B, and P-Frames. Thus allows editing of the various MPEG2 GOP structures in full resolution if mixed GOP types are used.
SmartGOP TM Absolutely unique: frame accurate editing of MPEG2 delta frames in real-time. This patented technology is key for any high quality non destructive MPEG2 or DVD editing.
Capture to AVI or MP2 With DC2000 captures can either be done in the file format AVI - for compatibility with animation or 3D effect software – or for Native MPEG2 editing directly to MP2 files (elementary streams). MP2 files are ideal, if video shall be exported for DVD or MPEG2 servers.
VBR and CBR For capture or export the bit rate of the MPEG2 streams can be set to constant or variable. Whereas constant bit rate defines a maximum data rate variable bit rate is a index bit rate for a certain amount of frames.
Constant bit rate = variable quality Variable bit rate = constant quality
Individual GOP structure Define the length of a GOP from I-Frame only up to 15 frames and set appearance and frequency of B and P frames by adjusting the m:n ratio. Individual GOP types are possible. For instance a "IP" or a "IPPPPPPPPPPPPPP" GOP can be build.
Flexible data rates When the 422P@ML mode is used (AVI files) data rates may vary between 25 Mb/s and 2 Mb/s. In the MP@ML mode (MP2 plus WAV files) data rates vary between 15 Mb/s and 2 Mb/s. -- This is the data rate to the hard disk, it's not the actual video data rate, representing the quality of the video.
The advantage of settings For any major application DC2000 provides a appropriate setting to avoid lengthy adjustments and parameterisation. For instance: a single pre-set takes care of the settings for capture, editing and export for a DVD production.
Encode 4 DVD DVD compliant elementary streams get encoded by utilizing the direct MPEG2 IBP capture. Those streams can be used in the DVD Authoring application without further pre processing.
Editing modesMP@ML or 422P@ML
Two editing modes are available: MP@ML for any DVD related editing and 422P@ML usually used for productions that should be distributed on tape. Editing MP@ML provides also direct IBP capture. Whereas the 422P@ML editing mode uses AVI files the MP@ML
mode edits MPEG2 elementary streams (MP2 + WAV).
Pre and Post Rolls Some timeline arrangements can cause that the actual playback of a clip starts a few frames ahead of the trimmed position in the timeline to start with the first frame in a GOP. Sometimes this causes more than 2 playback streams, and the INSTANT Video status window indicates, that those frames need rendering.
MP2 + WAV handling within Premiere
If a MP2 video clip and the according WAV (identical name, different extension) audio clip are loaded into the Premiere project bin, drag and drop of the MP2 file into the timeline will also drag the WAV file into the according audio track - convenient!.
5 DC2000 Technical Overview
Computer Bus PCI Version 2.1
Compression MPEG2 422P@ML (422 Professional Profile @ Main Layer),
MP@ML (Main Profile @ Main Layer)
Effective data transfer rate (max.)
422P@ML: 50 Mbit/sec (MPEG2 IP Frames, GOP=4)
MP@ML: 50 Mbit/sec (MPEG2 IBP Frames, GOP=15)for Component, DV, S-Video and Composite sources
Data transfer rate to hard disk
422P@ML: 25 Mbit/sec - 2 Mbit/sec
MP@ML: 15 Mbit/sec - 2 Mbit/secfor Component, DV, S-Video and Composite sources
Video formats NTSC 422P@ML: 720 x 480, YUV 4:2:2, 29.97 frames/sec
NTSC MP@ML: 720 x 480, YUV 4:2:0, 29.97 frames/sec
Audio formats PCM stereo 16bit, 32/44/48 kHz Sample rate
PCM stereo 12bit companded, 32khz Sample rate - I/O only (DV Option)
Support of 1394 devices
1394: One 4-Pin IEEE 1394 device (4 to 6 pin cable)
Support for DV video devices only
connectors: 1 IEEE 1394 6 pin connector @ bracket
External connectors Analog: 2x Component (Y, R-Y, B-Y), BNC;2x S-Video (Y/C), MiniDIN, Hosiden;2x Composite Video (CVBS), RCA, CinchAdapter from RAC to BNC available (2x)2x Stereo Audio balanced, XLR 2x Stereo Audio unbalanced, RCA, Cinchall on a professional breakout box
IEEE 1394: 1 x 6-Pin 1394 connector on card bracket (DV)
Cable Analog: high duty flexible connection to BOB
Control: RS232 to RS422, 9 pin to 9 pin
IEEE 1394: 6-Pin to 4-Pin to connect DV-Devices (DV)
Operating system Windows NT 4.0 SP 4, 5, 6
Windows 2000
Windows 98, Windows 98 SE
Compatible Camcorders
– for the latest compatibility list please check www.pinnaclesys.com –
GOP = Group Of Pictures
5.1 System requirements
Minimum Recommended
450 MHz or faster Pentium II compatible processor
1 x 32 bit PCI 2.1 slot with bus mastering
196 MB RAM
1 GB free hard disk space
9 GB hard disk space on UW SCSI AV hard disk
16-bit Direct Draw graphics board
CD-ROM drive
Windows 2000 / NT / 98
700 MHz or faster Pentium III processor
1 x 32 bit PCI 2.1 slot with bus mastering
512 MB RAM
1 GB free hard disk space
19 GB hard disk space on UW SCSI AV disk
24-bit Direct 3D graphics board
DVD-ROM drive
Windows 2000 / NT / 98
5.2 Alternative Hard-disks
To support dual stream playback it is always recommended to use very fast hard disk. Dual stream MPEG2 with DC2000 needs at least hard disks with a continuous data transfer rate of 10 MB/sec during playback. Due to the fact that the hard-disks head needs to be repositioned between two clips during transitions and layered clips, a short access time is needed too.
Some modern eIDE or UDMA disks are also capable of these data rates and access times. However the IDE interface has some limitations when more than one device is connected. Modern eIDE drives connected as a single device per controller and switched to DMA mode offer enough performance for MPEG2 dual stream playback. IDE Raid-controllers may cause problems together with the DC2000. Please contact the Pinnacle Support before using any IDE Raid-controller.
For best results it is recommended to use a Ultra Wide (UW) SCSI controller and SCSI disks with 10.000 rpm or more.
Unique:
SmartGOP:patented frame accurate MPEG2 editing Direct IBP (DVD) encoding Edit AVI or MP2 format Edit I-, P-, and B-Frames Native MPEG2 - no quality loss
Complete:
Real-time non-linear editing
Encoding (DVD, Server)
DVD Authoring
Webstreaming
Direct Betacam and DV Support
Quality -
Component and DV
Productivity -
Real-time effects
Compatibility -
MPEG2
6 Key selling points
6.1 Key
differentiators
6.2 Feature comparison
DC2000 Others
Direct IBP (DVD) Encoding No
Analog + digital I/O No
Real time effects a few
SmartGOP, real-time MPEG2 editing No
Flexible, accelerated 3D engine No
Native MPEG2 (import MP2 assets) No
MEPG-2 export a few
INSTANT Video™ No
INSTANT DVD™ No
Real-time Image Correction No
Included DVD Authoring a few
Webstreaming No
Lip-sync audio a few
Capture more than 2 GB a few
Overlay Yes
MP2 + AVI Editing Modes No
Batch capture (RS422, DV) a few
7 Product content
DC2000
DC2000 dual codec PCI bus master card
Breakout Box with 2 m cable
Adobe Premiere 5.1c
Hollywood FX Bronze 4.0
Impression CD Pro 2.0
INSTANT Video RT™
INSTANT DVD™
Sonic Foundry ACID Music
TitleDeko 1.5
StreamAnyWhere LE
ProVTR (RS422 deck control)
Internal 1394 cable and DV connection
DC2000 manual
8 Competitive Overview
Feature DC2000 DPS Velocity
Matrox DTV
Canopus Rex M1 RT
Canopus Amber
CodecMPEG2 M-JPEG
MPEG2/ DV
DV MPEG2
Data rate (effective)
50 Mb/s5 MB/s (=40Mb)
3,5 MB/S (=25Mb)
15 Mb/s
YUV I/O Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Quality *** ** *** ** **
RT 2DFX Yes Yes Yes Yes No
BOB yes No no yes No
FX Pack yes no ? ? No
RS422 deck control
yes No
DVD Export
Yes No Yes No Yes
RT DV out (timeline)
Yes Yes No Yes No
IBP Edit Yes No No No No
Native MPEG2
Yes No No No No
Price $2999 $2999 $5999 $2999 $2499
8.1 DC2000 brief competitive comparison
DC2000 ......................................others
High quality Native MPEG2
Real time features with practical usage
High quality
Various modern formats
Integrated encoding, editing and distribution
M-JPEG or I-Frame
Advanced real time features
Quality questionable
Just the editing format
Just editing
9 Frequently Asked Questions
9.1 Compatibility
Q: Will DC2000 encode directly into a DVD compliant format?
A: Yes, DC2000 encodes MPEG2 IBP elementary streams. Those can be used directly in DVD Authoring
Q: Is the DV connection on the DC2000 compatible with my DV Camcorder?
A: Please check the compatibility list on www.pinnaclesys.com
Q: Will DC2000 work in my computer?
A: DC2000 is designed in a way that it is compatible with most of the computer equipment. However, some components may limit the performance of DC2000. Please try to solve any performance or incompatibility problems using the "PCI Performance Enhancer" (PPE) from your DC2000 install CD.
Q: Will the DC2000 work with other editing software than Adobe Premiere?
A: The drivers for the DC2000 hardware can only provide their complete features and functions when DC2000 is used with Adobe Premiere. With other editing application capture and dual stream playback is not supported.
9.2 Product features
Q: Does using DV with theDC2000 edit in native DV format?
A: DC2000 always encodes to MPEG2. Even DV signals are captured to MPEG2 and will be processed in native MPEG2 format. During export to DV devices, DC2000 provides real-time DV Output all the time.
Q: Will real-time effects playback be available via the IEEE 1394 interface?
A: Digital (DV, 1394) and Analog outputs are driven equally. DC2000 offers simultaneous output of analog and digital signals.
Q: Can I capture to mounted network drives?
A: Yes, DC2000 supports capturing via networks. Depending on the networks bandwidth and the network adapter card the achievable maximum data rate may vary. Even under though conditions it should be possible to achieve a continuous data rate of 4 Mbit/sec under Windows NT. Using other operating system may result in lower performance.
Q: What's the maximum production length achievable with DC2000?
A: DC2000 is able to manage timelines up to 3 hours.
Q: What's the maximum capture limit when encoding with DC2000?
A: DC2000 can capture up to 12 Tera Byte under Windows NT or Windows 2000.
Q: Which operating systems are supported by DC2000?
A: DC2000 supports Windows 4.0, Windows 2000 and Windows 98.
Q: I'm logged in as a user on a NT-system. Can I install DC2000?
A: To install DC2000 on a NT-system you need to have Administrator access.
All specifications mentioned subject to change. Pinnacle Systems 2000.
