Antex Electronics StudioCard AV Pro, StudioCard 2000, StudioCard SC-22 User Manual

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StudioCard

StudioCardStudioCard

User’s Manual

User’s ManualUser’s Manual

Antex Electronics Corporation 1125 West 190th Street Gardena, California 90248 USA

from Antex Electronics, Inc. The copyright protection claimed here includes photocopying, translation, and/or reformatting of the information contained in this manual.

Printed in the United States of America. Part Number: 9000-2419-3001, July,

1999.

StudioCard is a registered trademark of Antex Electronics, Inc. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT/2000 are registered trademarks of Microsoft

Corporation. SAW Plus is a registered trademark of Innovative Quality Software, Inc. Perception Video Recorder is a registered trademark of Digital Process Systems. SpeedRazor is a registered trademark of In-Sync Corporation.

FCC Compliance Statement for United States Users

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. In order to maintain compliance with FCC regulations, shielded cables must be used with this equipment. Operation with non-approved equipment or unshielded cables is likely to result in interference to radio and TV reception. Changes or modifications made to this equipment not expressly approved by Antex Electronics, Inc. could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

CE Compliance Statement for International Users

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with CE Class B requirements. Standards to which conformity is declared: EN55022 (Class B) 1994, EN 50082-1 1992.

Table of Contents 

Table of Contents

Table of Contents 

Table of Contents Table of Contents

Chapter 1  Installing Your StudioCard................................................ 1-1

Overview.....................................................................................1-3

Quick Start..................................................................................1-4

StudioCard Components ............................................................1-5

Minimum System Requirements ................................................1-6





Installing Your StudioCard..........................................................1-7

Connecting Your External Equipment ......................................1-14

Installing StudioCard Drivers and Software..............................1-17

Chapter 2  Using the Antex Demo....................................................... 2-1

Introduction to Antex Demo........................................................2-3

Starting the Antex Demo ............................................................2-4

Demo Main Screen Features......................................................2-5

Recording Digital Audio (*.WAV) Files .......................................2-7

Playing *.WAV Files..................................................................2-14

Synchronizing Playback of Multiple Devices ............................2-17

Digital Feedthrough Mode ........................................................2-18

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  iii

Table of Contents 

Chapter 3  Using the Antex Mixer ....................................................... 3-1

Chapter 4  StudioCard Operational Guidelines.................................. 4-1

Introduction to Antex Mixer.........................................................3-3

Starting the Antex Mixer .............................................................3-4

Mixer Controls and Indicators.....................................................3-5

Adjusting the Antex Mixer Display............................................3-13

Selecting the Active Antex Mixer..............................................3-16

Two-Device / Four-Device Operation.......................................3-24

Simultaneous Record-Play (SRP) Mode ..................................3-27

Introduction.................................................................................4-3

Levels and Headroom ................................................................4-4

Maximizing Signal to Noise Ratio / Setting Levels......................4-6

Using the StudioCard with Video Capture & Display Boards......4-7

Monitoring / Feedthrough .........................................................4-15

Chapter 5  Synchronizing Multiple StudioCard Cards....................... 5-1

Introduction.................................................................................5-3

Installing Multiple StudioCards ................................................... 5-4

Identifying Adapter Numbers......................................................5-8

Establishing Master and Slave(s) Cards ..................................5-10

Making Board-to-Board Clock Connections.............................5-11

Configuring Clock Source Settings...........................................5-12

Chapter 6  StudioCard Theory of Operation....................................... 6-1

Overview.....................................................................................6-3

Block Diagram ............................................................................6-4

Table of Contents 

Analog Audio ..............................................................................6-5

Digital Audio................................................................................6-6

Sample Clock Generator ............................................................6-7

MIDI............................................................................................6-8

SMPTE (LTC).............................................................................6-9

Video.........................................................................................6-10

DSP ..........................................................................................6-11

Chapter 7  FAQ’s & Technical Support............................................... 7-1

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)..........................................7-3

Contacting Technical Support ....................................................7-9

Appendix A  Specifications .................................................................A-1

General Characteristics..............................................................A-3

Analog Signal Quality .................................................................A-3

Analog Input................................................................................A-4

Analog Output.............................................................................A-5

External Bracket Connectors......................................................A-6

Internal Connections...................................................................A-6

Memory.......................................................................................A-7

MIDI Interface.............................................................................A-7

PC Interface................................................................................A-7

Sample Clock Generator ............................................................A-7

Signal Processor ........................................................................A-8

SMPTE Interface ........................................................................A-8

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Table of Contents 

Appendix B  I/O Port Pinouts and Cable Schematics........................B-1

Balanced Analog I/O Port Pinouts..............................................B-3

Four-Channel Balanced Analog I/O Cable Schematic ...............B-4

Balanced-to-Singled-Ended Adapter Schematic ........................B-5

Digital I/O and Sync Port Pinouts ...............................................B-6

Digital I/O Cable Schematic........................................................B-7

Chapter 1 

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 

Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Installing Your

Installing Your Installing Your

StudioCard

StudioCardStudioCar d

Overview.....................................................................................1-3

Quick Start..................................................................................1-4





StudioCard Components ............................................................1-5

Minimum System Requirements ................................................1-6

Installing Your StudioCard..........................................................1-7

Connecting Your External Equipment ......................................1-15

Installing StudioCard NT Drivers and Software........................1-18

Installing Windows 95/98 Drivers.............................................1-24

Installing Antex Demo and Mixer in Windows 95/98................1-26

Changing Driver Settings in Windows 95/98............................ 1-32

Updating Windows 95/98 Driver...............................................1-36

Troubleshooting Windows 95/98..............................................1-40

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-1

 Chapter 1

This page intentionally left blank.

Overview Chapter 1 

Overview

Thank you for purchasing an Ant ex StudioCard 2000 (hereafter ref er r ed to as StudioCard). The StudioCard is a 4channel, professional quality audio adapter desig ned to add the excitement of audio to the non-linear video editor’s t ool set. W it h it s built in hardware “clock lock” you will never again have to worry about “lip sync.” The StudioCard takes care of it for you.

The StudioCard has all the feat ures professionals look for, among them:

Balanced XLR connectors Windows NT/2000 drivers 95 dB dynamic range AES/EBU digital I/O Read, generate, and screenburn SMPTE

With four channels of 20-bit sound and real-time dig it al m ixing capability, the StudioCard offers unmatched quality, flexibility and expandability. And by installing up to four StudioCards, you can record and play up to 16 channels of digital sound on a single PC.

To start adding studio quality sound to your editing environment, simply follow the installation instruct ions beginning on page 1-4.

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 Chapter 1 Quick Start

Quick Start

Installing your StudioCard is relatively straightforward and is accomplished in the 6 key steps shown below.

Make Sure You Have All

1 2

Install the StudioCard in Your Computer

Connect Your External Equipment

StudioCard Components

Verify that Minimum Installation

Requirements are Met

and Connect Internal Cables

to the StudioCard

Install Antex Drivers and Software

Test Your StudioCard

StudioCard Components Chapter 1 

StudioCard

Components

Before getting star ted, make sure you have each of the components listed below.

StudioCard 2000 (PN 9000-2419-3001) StudioCard 2000 User’s Manual (PN 9000-2419-7007) Cables:

Four-Channel Balanced Analog I/O Cable

(PN 210-0382)

Digital Audio I/O cable

(PN 210-0393)

Composite Video Cable Assembly

(PN 210-0397)

Internal PVR Clock Connection Cable

(PN 210-0398)

3.5 inch floppy disket t es:

Windows NT/2000 Driver for Intel-based m achines ( PN

9000-2362-7001)

Windows NT/2000 Software for Intel- based m achines

(PN 9000-2362-7005)

Windows 95/98 Driver (PN 9000-2390-7002) available

at ou r website: www.antex.com

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-5

 Chapter 1 Minimum System Requirements

Minimum

System

Requirements

Not

The StudioCard is designed f or system s t hat m eet the following requirements:

IBM compatible PC with PCI Interface Bus 486-DX2/66 processor or higher 16 MB RAM 20 millisecond access time hard disk VGA display Windows NT/2000 3.51 or greater (4.0 recom mended)

If you are running Windows NT 3.51, inst all the Microsoft Service Pack 4 before installing your Antex StudioCard. The Microsoft Service Pack 4 is available at the following Microsoft web site: http://www.microsoft.com/windows.

Installing Your StudioCard Chapter 1 

Installing

Your

StudioCard

Follow the step-by-step instructions below to install your StudioCard in your computer.

CAUTION: Static electricity can damage your StudioCard and your computer. Every time you move, you are creating static electricity, even though you can’t see it. Therefore, take the following precautionary actions while installing your StudioCard:

1. Do not remove the StudioCard from its anti-static bag until instructed to during the inst allation process.

2. Move the StudioCard and its cables i n cl ose proximity to your computer. Once you begin the installation process, do not walk around with the StudioCard so that you do not build up static electricity.

3. Power OFF your computer, then touch the nonpainted backside to discharge static electri ci ty from your body before touching the circuit board.

CAUTION: The XLR outputs of the StudioCard may be

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-7

damaged if connected to microphone inputs that provide phantom power. The StudioCard outputs are designed to be connected to equipment that accepts

h level sources, not low level microphone inputs!

 Chapter 1 Installing Your StudioCard

Severe damage will occur to the StudioCard if connected to phantom power.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Power off your computer (if you have not already done so) and unplug the power cord from the elect r ical out let.

Remove the housing from your computer t o expose the motherboard.

Writ e t he ser ial num ber for your Antex StudioCard in the space below.

Serial Number: ___________________________________ If you ever need technical support from Ant ex in the future, you

will need this number. The serial number is on the backs ide of your Antex StudioCard. Serial numbers are preceded by “S/N” and contain five digits.

Example serial number: “S/N 48008”

Installing Your StudioCard Chapter 1 

Step 4

Locate an available PCI expansion slot and remove its cover, as is shown in the figure at right.

Be sure to keep the retaining screw as you will need it later.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-9

 Chapter 1 Installing Your StudioCard

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Gently insert the Antex StudioCard into an available PCI expansion slot, then press down to set it firmly into the expansion slot, as is shown in the figure at right.

Secure the Antex StudioCard in place with the retaining screw you removed earlier from the expansion slot cover.

If you are installing only one Antex StudioCard at this time, continue to Step 8.

If you are installing two or more Antex StudioCard cards, skip to Chapter 5, Synchronizing Multiple StudioCard Cards now. Then, return to Step 9 when finished.

Step 8

If you will be using your StudioCard in conjunction with the Perception PVR without t he Percept ion Effects board (PFx), continue to Step 9.

If you are using the PFx board with the PVR or a video capture board from any other manuf act ur er (Truevision, Intergraph, Matrox or other), skip to step 11.

Installing Your StudioCard Chapter 1 

Step 9

The DPS PVR provides a 27MHz clock on the CVE-2 video bus expansion connector. This signal will be connected to the StudioCard using the provided Sync cable, PN 210-0398, as the master clock refer ence. The StudioCard and the PVR must be located near enough for t he cable to reach between the boards.

Locate the PVR Sync cable. On the black plastic end, identify the pin with the embossed arrow. Orientation of this pin during installation is extremely important.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-11

 Chapter 1 Installing Your StudioCard

You will connect to the PVR board here.

With the com put er turned OFF, insert the end of the cable with the flat black plastic connector over pins 37 and 38 on the CVE-2 video bus expansion connector on the PVR board. The

embossed arrow on the plastic connector must be oriented toward the top edge of t he PVR board. The

locations of pins 37 and 38 are shown below.

2 4 6 8 …………………. 38 40 1 3 5 7 …………………. 37 39

Step 10

Connect the metal SMB connector on the other end of the cable to the gold CLOCK IN connector on the top of the

StudioCard.

Installing Your StudioCard Chapter 1 

When using the PVR Sync cable as installed above in

Not

Steps 9 and 10, the clock source must be set to Int er nal, Reference 27MHz, in the Antex Mixer. When using Composite Video as the clock synchronization source as described below in Steps 11-15, the clock source must be set to Hsync in the Antex Mixer. The Antex Mixer is described in Chapter 3.

Step 11

Step 12

Locate the Video Cable Assembly shown at right. This cable loops composite video through the StudioCard for use as a clock reference as well as the signal into which SMPTE can be screenburned.

Plug the SMB connectors of the Video Cable Assembly into the gold Video Input and Video Output connectors on the StudioCard, as shown at right. The input and output are clearly marked on the board.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-13

 Chapter 1 Installing Your StudioCard

Step 13

Step 14

Locate an available 25-pin D connector punch-out on the back panel of the computer and remove the punch-out . (The cable bracket has been designed not to require a typical computer bracket which would waste a card slot. It fits in a 25 pin D connector punch out available near the power supply of most computer cases.)

If there is no 25 pin punch-out available, you must procur e a bracket with a hole for a 25 pin D connector. The bracket requires the same size cutout as a parallel port connector and is available at most computer stores.

From the inside of the computer , insert the Video Cable Assembly mounting plate into the punch-out, then secure it in place with the two screws provided. Label which BNC you have connected to Video In and Video Out on the card.

A properly installed Video Cable Assembly should look like that shown at right.

Step 15

Replace the cover on your computer and secure it in place with the screws you removed earlier.

The next step in the StudioCard installation process is to connect your external A/V equipment to the StudioCard. Refer to the instructions beginning on page 15.

Connecting Your External Equipment Chapter 1 

Connecting

Your External

Equipment

Step 1

Follow the instructions below to connect your external audio and video equipment to the StudioCard. Also refer to the user manuals of your video capture device and other external equipment.

Locate the Four-Channel Balanced Analog I/O Cable shown below.

Step 2

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-15

Attach the Four-Channel Balanced Analog I/O Cable to the analog Balanced I/O port on the bracket and secure it in place with the locking screws.

Notice that there is a white tag on each connector that indicates which are input connectors and which are output.

 Chapter 1 Connecting Your External Equipment

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Locate the Digital Audio I/O Cable show below.

Attach the Digital Audio I/O Cable to the Digital Audio and Sync I/O port on the bracket and secure it in place with the locking screws.

Attach your external audio / video equipment to the appropr iat e analog and digital cable connectors, using t he white tags above each connector for reference.

Specific pinout information is provided in Appendix B.

Not

Step 6

Theory of Operation information for these cables is provided in Chapter 6.

Plug in your computer and power it on.

Connecting Your External Equipment Chapter 1 

The next step in the installation process is to install the Antex StudioCard drivers and software. Refer to the instructions beginning on page 18, Installing St udioCar d Drivers and Software.

CAUTION: The XLR outputs of the StudioCard may be

damaged if connected to microphone inputs that provide phantom power. The StudioCard outputs are designed to be connected to equipment that accepts high level sources, not low level microphone inputs! Severe damage will occur to the StudioCard if connected to phantom power.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-17

 Chapter 1 Installing StudioCard NT Drivers and Software

Installing

StudioCard

NT Drivers

and Software

Not

Step 1

The StudioCard comes with two programs—Antex Demo and Antex Mixer—as well as drivers for Windows NT/2000.

The Antex Demo is used primarily for t esting your

StudioCard and demonstrating it s capabilit ies.

The Antex Mixer is a powerful patch bay, mixing console,

and configuration tool for the StudioCard.

To install the drivers, Antex Demo, and Ant ex Mixer, simply follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Be sure to check Antex’ web site periodically for the latest StudioCard drivers. Our web address is www.antex.com.

Insert the appropriate Antex Drivers and Software diskette into your floppy drive.

If your computer has an Intel processor, use the PN 9000-2362-7001 disk.

If your computer has an Alpha processor, use the PN 9000-2362-7004 disk.

Installing StudioCard NT Drivers and Software Chapter 1 

Step 2

Click Start on your Windows NT/2000 desktop, then select Run, as is shown at right.

The Run dialog box shown at right appears.

Step 3

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-19

Type A:\SETUP (or B:\SETUP), then click O

 Chapter 1 Installing StudioCard NT Drivers and Software

Step 4

The Antex Driver Setup pop-up appears

Click Continue to proceed with setup

Step 5

The Enter Demo Program Location dialogue box appears.

Enter a location for the Antex Demo programs (or accept t he default), then click C

ontinue.

Installing StudioCard NT Drivers and Software Chapter 1 

The Antex Setup pop-up appears and reports the progress of the installation.

When the inst allat ion is complete, you will see the

Antex Audio Driver Setup

window shown at right. Notice that default

selections are displayed in both the Select Adapter and Devices groups.

The Select Adapter setting allows you to configure one or more StudioCard cards. The Devices setting indicates to Windows NT/2000 how many stereo or mono files each StudioCard is configured to allow.

Step 6

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-21

If you are installing only one Antex StudioCard card, accept the default settings (Select Adapter = 1 and Devices = 8). The options in the Devices block are explained in Chapter 3.

If you are installing more than one StudioCard card, set Devices to 8 for each card (Adapter). Simply click an adapter (for example 2), then select 8 in t he Devices group, until you have set the devices for all adapters.

 Chapter 1 Installing StudioCard NT Drivers and Software

Step 7

Step 8

Click OK to complete the drivers and sof t ware installat ion. The Setup program will automatically configure the I/O port and interrupt.

When the drivers and software installation is complete, the Setup Complete pop-up appears.

Click OK to exit the Antex Driver Setup progr a m and r eturn to the Windows NT/2000 desktop.

During the installation process, a new program group, Antex Demo Programs, was created in your program list, as is shown below.

Installing StudioCard NT Drivers and Software Chapter 1 

The final step in installing your StudioCard is to test its playback and recording capabilities. Consult the sect ion entitled Playing *.WAV Files in Chapter 2, Using t he Antex Demo.

Before playing a wave file for the first time, turn down

the volume on your audio equipment. The StudioCard default output level is quite l oud.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-23

 Chapter 1 Installing Windows 95/98 Drivers

Installing

Windows

95/98 Drivers

Not

Step 1

Step 2

To install the Windows 95/98 drivers, simply follow the stepby-step instructions below.

Please note that the Antex Demo and Antex Mixer are installed separately from the drivers in Windows 95/98. Installation instructions for these programs follow this section.

Be sure to check Antex’ web site periodically for the latest StudioCard drivers. Our web address is www.antex.com. It is recommended the files are unzipped, copied to a floppy, and installed from the floppy disk.

After installing the StudioCard, power on the computer. Windows 95/98 Plug and Play will recognize the new hardware and ask you to install drivers for it.

Insert the Windows 95/98 Driver and Software diskette into the floppy drive, PN 9000-2390-7002.

The following dialog box will appear. Verify “Driver from disk provided from hardware manufacturer” is checked, and click OK.

Installing Windows 95/98 Drivers Chapter 1 

Step 3

Step 4

Verify the W indows 95/98 driver diskette is inserted into driver A: and click OK.

Select the StudioCard and click OK.

Installation of the drivers will proceed and complete aut om atically from this point. You may be ask ed t o r eboot when installation is completed. If so, select Yes and reboot.

You may also need to configure your soft ware application. Users of Cakewalk Pro Audio are recom m ended t o set the StudioCard W ave Out 1 and Wave In 1 as the timing masters under Settings/Audio Options. Under advanced, select Simultaneous Record and Play. The Wave Profiler should also be run.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-25

 Chapter 1 Installing Antex Demo and Mixer in Windows 95/98

Installing Antex Demo and Mixer in

Windows

95/98

Step 1

To install the Antex Demo and Antex Mixer in Windows 95/98, simply follow the step-by-step instructions below.

The Antex Demo is used primarily for testing your StudioCard and demonstrating its capabilities.

The Antex Mixer is a powerful patch bay, mixing console, and configuration tool for the StudioCard.

To install, select Start/Settings/ Control Panel as shown at right.

Installing Antex Demo and Mixer in Windows 95/98 Chapter 1 

Step 2

Step 3

The following screen will appear. Double click on Add/Remove Programs.

The Add/Remove Program Properties dialog box appears. Click Install.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-27

 Chapter 1 Installing Antex Demo and Mixer in Windows 95/98

Step 4

Step 5

Verify the floppy disk is still in the drive, and click Next.

Verify the path is A:\SETUP.EXE and click finish.

Installing Antex Demo and Mixer in Windows 95/98 Chapter 1 

Step 6

Step 7

The location for the program files may be selected. Click Next or select a new location by selecting Browse.

Select Next, and installation will proceed automatically.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-29

 Chapter 1 Installing Antex Demo and Mixer in Windows 95/98

Step 8

Click Finish and installation of the

Antex Demo and Antex Mixer are

completed.

Installing Antex Demo and Mixer in Windows 95/98 Chapter 1 

The Antex demo and Mixer will be installed under Programs/StudioCard

Applications as shown below.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-31

 Chapter 1 Changing Driver Settings in Windows 95/98

Changing

Settings in

Windows

Driver

95/98

Step 1

There is only one setting that may be changed for the driver. This is the number of wav devices and whether the driver is in SRP or Simultaneous Record Play mode. The description of SRP is in Chapter 3. Certain applications such as Cakewalk Pro Audio work best in SRP mode, either 2 or 4 devices. Setting the driver to 8 devices, non-SRP requires a large display area within certain applications.

Select Start\ Settings\Control Panel.

Changing Driver Settings in Windows 95/98 Chapter 1 

Step 2

Step 3

Double click on System.

Highlight the Device Manager tab and expand Sound, video and game controllers by clicking on the plus sign. Double click on StudioCard to bring up its properties.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-33

 Chapter 1 Changing Driver Settings in Windows 95/98

Step 4

When the properties dialog box appears, highlight the configuration tab. The default installation is shown.

Changing Driver Settings in Windows 95/98 Chapter 1 

Step 5

Select the 2 or 4 checkbox, and the SRP checkbox becomes active. Check the box to the left of SRP and click OK. The driver will then be set for two or four devices that can each record and play.

Selecting the Resources tab on the StudioCard Properties

Not

may cause your system to appear frozen. There is typically no reason to view Plug and Play Resources. If this does happen, be patient, as the system will come back after several minutes. This delay is due to a limitation in Windows 95/98. You may also Ctrl-Alt - Del t o end t he Windows task.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-35

 Chapter 1 Updating Windows 95/98 Driver

Updating

Windows

95/98 Driver

Step 1

New drivers will be released from time to time and made availa ble on www.antex.com. I t is suggest ed you copy the new driver to a floppy disk, and update the driver using the following procedure.

Open Control Panel and double click on the System Icon.

Updating Windows 95/98 Driver Chapter 1 

Step 2

Step 3

Click on Device Manager tab, expand Sound, video and game controllers by clicking on the plus sign next to it. Double click on the StudioCard to bring up its Properties.

Click on Driver tab, and click on Change Driver.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-37

 Chapter 1 Updating Windows 95/98 Driver

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Select the StudioCard and click on Have Disk.

Verify the path is to the A:\ floppy, and click OK.

Windows will check which drivers are on the floppy. Verify the StudioCard appears and click OK.

Updating Windows 95/98 Driver Chapter 1 

Step 7

Step 8

The Driver Properties screen will reappear. Click OK.

Verify floppy is still in drive and click OK.

Step 9

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-39

Verify the path is A:\ (NOT A:\Antex.inf) and click OK.

The driver will be updated. You must reboot for the change to take effect.

 Chapter 1 Trouble-shooting Windows 95/98

Trouble-

shooting

Windows

95/98

Step 1 Step 2

All PCI cards such as the StudioCard are Plug and Play compliant. Older “legacy” ISA cards may or m ay not be. The most likely problem you may encounter during installat ion is a resource conflict. This is t ypically due to Windows 95/98 Plug and Play system not being aware of older ISA based cards in your system. Windows believes a particular IRQ is available and assigns it to the StudioCard when it is really in use by another device.

These conflicts occur most frequently with ISA based modem, network, and other sound cards. This sect ion will assist you in resolving a conflict if you do have one.

Power down and remove the StudioCard Determine the

resources used by legacy cards in the system. This is accomplished by double clicking on the System Icon in the Control Panel.

Trouble-shooting Windows 95/98 Chapter 1 

Step 3

Step 4

Highlight the Device Manager Tab. Expand suspect devices by clicking on the plus sign. Then, double click on the device to bring up its Properties.

Click on the Resource tab to determine which IRQ the device uses. Wr it e t h is down and repeat this process for each suspect ISA card in the system.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-41

 Chapter 1 Trouble-shooting Windows 95/98

Step 5

Step 6

Enter Bios at startup by pressing the Del key. In most Plug and Play Bios, there is a method to assign IRQ’s to legacy devices so that W indows 95/98 cannot use them . In this way, the possibility of Windows assigning an IRQ t o t he StudioCard, which causes the conflict, can be eliminated. Each Bios is different, consult your user manual or manufacturer of your computer system to determine how to accomplish this.

Step 4 Power down, install the StudioCard, and proceed with driver installation.

Trouble-shooting Windows 95/98 Chapter 1 

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Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  1-43

Chapter 3 

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Using the Antex Mixer

Using the Antex MixerUsing the Antex Mixer

Introduction to Antex Mixer.........................................................3-3

Why Would I Use the Antex Mixer? .....................................3-3

Starting the Antex Mixer .............................................................3-4

Mixer Controls and Indicators.....................................................3-5

Main Screen Controls and Indicators...................................3-5

Adapter Line Controls and Indicators...................................3-7

Timecode Options..............................................................3-10





Adjusting the Antex Mixer Display............................................3-12

Selecting the Active Antex Mixer..............................................3-15

Saving Antex Mixer Settings..............................................3-16

Recalling Saved Mixer Settings .........................................3-18

Non-mixdown Mode...........................................................3-21

Two-Device / Four-Device Operation.......................................3-23

Simultaneous Record-Play (SRP) Mode ..................................3-26

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  3-1

 Chapter 3

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Introduction to Antex Mixer Chapter 3 

Introduction

to Antex Mixer

Why Would I Use the

Antex Mixer?

The Antex Mixer is a software tool designed to be used in conjunction with application software such as In-Sync’s Speedrazor and Innovative Quality Software’s SAW Plus. It is a powerful program that allows you to configure many features of the StudioCard. Using the Mixer you can:

Set sample clock r eference source Set sample rate for input sources Control all timecode and scr eenbur n functions Control and routing of physical inputs and outputs to logical

devices used by Windows NT/2000

Set the digital I/O format; either AES/EBU Professional or

S/PDIF Consumer

Set input and output t rim levels Set relative volumes for true mixer operation

The Antex Mixer is used in conjunction with other software applications, either the Antex Demo or a Non-Linear Video editing program to configure the StudioCard for audio recording.

The settings you specify in the Antex Mixer define how the StudioCard operates. It is a useful tool which allows you to change settings and control volume. If you find that you need to change Mixer settings frequent ly, it is a good idea to keep it open in the background or minimized.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  3-3

 Chapter 3 Starting the Antex Mixer

Starting the

To open the Antex Mixer program, select Start - Programs Antex Demo Programs - Antex Mixer, as illustrated below.

Antex Mixer

The Antex Mixer

program opens. Shown at right is

the default display showing Line In, Digital In, Line Out, and four each record and play controls.

This default configuration allows the Antex Mixer to fit into a 640 x 480 pixel (standard VGA) display. The display can be modified to display up to four additional r ecor d and play controls, and adapter settings. See Adjusting the Antex Mixer

Display on page 12.

Mixer Controls and Indicators Chapter 3 

Mixer

Controls and

Indicators

Main Screen

Controls and

Indicators

In this section are descriptions of all the controls and indicators of the Antex Mixer display, including its sub-menus.

A simplified display of the Antex Mixer is shown below. The default configur at ion act ually displays f our record and play controls, only one is shown for clarity as they are identical. Each of these controls and indicators is described in t he table on the next page.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  3-5

 Chapter 3 Mixer Controls and Indicators

Main Screen Control

Line In Trim Trim slider control used to adjust the clipping level of the analog input signal to either

Rec 1 level

controls

Rec 1

1, 2, 3, 4

Line In

On/Off

Digital In

On/Off

Play 1 AVol Avol (Automatic Volume adjustment) selector button, highlighted in green when

Play 1

1, 2, 3, 4

Play Output

Level Control Line Out

Trim

Line Out

Output Level Indicators

Rec 1 Level

Indicators

Description

+12 dBu or +24 dBu. Output trim is moved in unison. See Chapter 4 for more information regarding levels.

Level controls used to adjust the volume of the left and right stereo signal at the Rec 1 channel. If Rec 1 is defined by the application software to be mono rather than stereo, only the left slider and 1-4 buttons (Item 3) are valid. The relative signal level is indicated by the level indicators (item 11).

1, 2, 3 & 4 selector buttons, highlighted when selected. These buttons represent the physical inputs 1-4 as marked on the analog I/O cable. Only one can be selected at a time. Used to select which of the four analog signal inputs (1 - 4) will correspond to the left and right inputs to this device (only left column is valid for a mono device).

On/Off selector button, highlighted and reads On when selected, Off when deselected. Mutually exclusive with Digital In selector button. When selected, the input signal to the Mixer is an analog signal supplied via the DB25 analog input/output connector on the back of the StudioCard.

On/Off selector button, highlighted and reads On when selected, Off when deselected. Mutually exclusive with “Line In” selector button. When selected, the StudioCard is set for digital input and expects digital data via the digital I/O cable. When digital in is enabled, it replaces analog inputs 1 and 2. Application software recording from device 1 with digital in enabled expects data input digitally.

selected. Used only during playback of Mono files. When selected, the StudioCard duplicates data and volume settings of the left half of the playback device to a second physical output. Output 1 is copied to Output 2, Output 3 is copied to Output 4 in the default configuration. Stereo files are played back normally.

1, 2, 3 & 4 selector buttons, highlighted when selected. These buttons represent the physical outputs 1-4 as marked on the analog I/O cable. Multiple buttons may be selected, routing a file from disk to multiple physical outputs.

Stereo pairs of level controls for the four analog output channels. When a file is mono, only the left slider is valid.

Trim slider control used to adjust the clipping level of the analog output signal to either +12 dBu or + 24 dBu. Input trim setting is moved in unison. See Chapter 4 for more information regarding levels.

Indicators, one for each of the four analog signal outputs. Indicate the relative signal level at each output, leftmost meter is output one, rightmost output four.

Level indicators that indicate the relative level of the left and right stereo signal at the Rec 1 channel. The signal level is affected by the setting of level controls (item 2).

Mixer Controls and Indicators Chapter 3 

Adapter Line

Controls and

Indicators

The Adapter controls shown below can be added to the Antex Mixer main screen simply by choosing Lines from the Mixer menu, then selecting Adapter.

Each of the Adapter controls and indicator s indicat ed below is described in the table on the next page. Beginning on page 3-10 is a description of each of the cont r ols and indicators displayed when you click the Timecode Options button (#15).

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  3-7

 Chapter 3 Mixer Controls and Indicators

Adapter Controls Description

Sample Clock

Source DSPClock

Sample Clock

Source Internal

Sample Clock

Source External

Sample Clock

Source HSync

Sample Clock

Source Digital Sample Clock

Reference Auto

Sample Clock

Reference 27MHz

The physical source of the audio sample clock is derived from this selection. When DSP is selected, the sample clock generator signal source is the internal clock on the Digital Signal Processor card (StudioCard). See note at end of table..

Internal selector. When selected, the sample clock generator signal source is supplied through the CLOCK IN connector on the top of the StudioCard internal to the computer. This is the correct setting for the PVR without the PFx board or for slave StudioCards in multiple card installations. See note.

External selector. When selected, the sample clock generator signal source is supplied from the External Clock In female BNC connector of the Digital I/O cable. See note.

HSync selector. When selected, the sample clock generator signal source is supplied from a composite video or composite sync signal source through the VIDEO IN connector on the top of the StudioCard. This is the correct setting for many video capture boards. NOTE: The signal source must be a stable one, such as from a time base corrector or sync generator. The uncorrected output from a VTR is not adequate. See note.

Digital selector. When selected, the sample clock generator signal source is the word clock derived from the digital input (AES/EBU or S/PDIF). See note.

Auto selector. When selected, the sample clock generator will automatically determine the frequency of the selected clock source. This is the only valid option for the DSP-Clk and Digital In. The DSP-clock is a fixed 20 MHz clock. The Digital In is always a word clock. See note.

27MHz selector. When selected, the sample clock generator will assume that the selected clock source has a frequency of 27 MHz. This is the correct setting for the PVR when connected via the PVR sync cable, PN 210-0398 (PFx not installed). Supports 13.5MHz and 54MHz clocks also. See note.

Sample Clock

Reference Word

Word selector. When selected, the sample clock generator will treat the selected clock source as a word clock with a frequency identical to the desired sampling rate. The sampling point of the StudioCard’s A/D and D/A occurs on the rising edge of the input word clock. This provides a means to maintain coherency with other digital audio devices. Valid word clock frequencies are 32, 44.1 and 48 kHz. Slave devices in multiple card installation use an internal word reference. See note.

Mixer Controls and Indicators Chapter 3 

Sample Clock

Reference Word256

Sample Rate Sample rate selector. Selects the sample rate of the incoming sample clock

Digital Format

AESEBU/ Consumer

Time Code Burn

In Select

Time Code

Generate Time code Out

Position Time code

Options Time Code MTC

Record Time code In

Position

Word256 selector. When selected, the sample clock generator will assume that the selected clock source has a frequency 256 times the desired sample rate. See note.

signal. This parameter must be set for Word and Word256 references. In all other cases, the application program such as Antex Demo set this parameter at time of record or playback.

AESEBU/Consumer selector. In AESEBU mode, signals on the digital I/O pins of the DB15 connector will conform to the AES/EBU electrical standards and professional data format. In Consumer mode, they conform to S/PDIF electrical standards and consumer data format.

Enables timecode burn in on video feedthrough and source of timecode data. “In” burns in externally input timecode, “Out” burns in timecode generated by the StudioCard. “Off” disable burn in.

Turns on and off the generation of timecode to whatever destination is selected in the "Options/Destination" combobox.

Shows the current timecode position of item 13 (above). Editable under Options sub-menu.

See Timecode Options on page 10.

Turns on and off the generation of Midi Timecode from the timecode source

Shows the position of whatever input (source) is selected in the "Options/Source" combobox.

Note: If the sample rate clock source is disrupted, the sample rate must be reset by selecting a different clock source then re-selecting the desired clock source.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  3-9

 Chapter 3 Mixer Controls and Indicators

Timecode Options

The Adapter Timecode options shown below are accessed by clicking the Options but t on in t he Adapter Timecode group.

A description of each of the T imecode Options is provided in the table on the next page.

Mixer Controls and Indicators Chapter 3 

Timecode Option Description

Timecode In

Source

Timecode In

MTC Frame Rate

Timecode In

VITC Auto Line

Timecode In

VITC Line 1 VITC Line 2

Timecode Out

Destination

Timecode Out

Position

Timecode Out

Dropframe

Timecode Out

Jam Sync

Timecode Out

LTC Frame Rate

Selects timecode source to be read and shown in the “timecode in” position and optionally converted to MIDI timecode.

During MIDI Timecode Generation (when LTC or VITC is the source), this specifies the frame rate of the incoming data. This is also encoded into the Generated MIDI Timecode Data Stream.

Selects auto detection of the VITC lines. When ON, the VITC Line 1 and VITC Line 2 controls (item 4) disappear.

Visible only when VITC Auto Line (item 3) is off. Allows manual selection of up to two lines to detect encoded VITC data. Range is 10-40.

Selects the destination of the generated timecode to either the LTC Output (on the DB15 connector) or VITC on the Video Out on the top of the StudioCard.

Allows entry of the starting position of the generated timecode. The default is the last timecode generated.

Turns on and off dropframe, which is independent of the frame rate.

Jam Sync is used to synchronize the generated time code to the input time code. Start indicates that the start of time code generation is triggered from an input time code. The input time code is also used as the starting time code value for the generator. In continuous mode the generated time code is continuously updated with the input time code. Care must be taken with the continuous mode to make sure that the input time code rate is exactly the same as the output time code rate.

Selects the frame rate of the generated LTC (Linear Time Code). “LTC In” slaves the frame rate to the LTC Input, and “Video In” slaves to the video input on the top of the StudioCard.

Timecode Out

LTC Edge Rate

Timecode Out

LTC Gain

Timecode Out

VITC Line 1 VITC Line 2

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  3-11

These are the two industry standard edge-rates for the analog time code signal. They define how fast the edges of the digital signal rise and fall.

Selects the Gain of the LTC Output in 3 dB increments. Range is Off, -33 to +9.

Selects the two lines to encode VITC data on the video feedthrough. Range is 10 to 40.

 Chapter 3 Adjusting the Antex Mixer Display

Timecode Option Description

Adjusting the

Antex Mixer

Display

The Antex Mixer contains many components and can display a large amount of inf o r m at ion. The program has been designed to allow you to reconfigure it so that only the component s of your choosing are displayed. This section will describe the process for modifying t he displayed components of the Antex Mixer.

Each of the components in the Antex Mixer (separated by a vertical white line) shown below can be added or removed; four additional record and play controls can also be added (if your monitor can display at 1024 x 768 pixels).

Due to the range of screen resolution limits our customers use, the default display for the Antex Mixer is set to show fewer items than are shown in the figure above.

Adjusting the Antex Mixer Display Chapter 3 

To change the Mixer display, follow the instructions below.

Step 1

Step 2

Start Antex Mixer, then select Lines… from the Mixer menu.

The Mixer Lines window appears.

Select and deselect the items to appear on the Mixer screen, then click OK when done.

Experiment with selection and display of the various Lines of the Antex Mixer. Please leave the Mixdown Mode checkbox (under the cancel button) checked at this time, it will be explained later.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  3-13

 Chapter 3 Adjusting the Antex Mixer Display

You will find that displaying all of the lines results in a r ather large display. The Antex Mixer allows you to display only what’s important to you.

When a line is not selected and displayed, the function it

Not

represents may not be available to application software. For example, if the Digital In is not par t of the active Mixer display, you may not be able to record digitally.

Displaying the entire Antex Mixer main screen requires a

Not

display resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels. As some monitors run only at 640 x 480 or 800 x 600, the default configuration for the Antex Mixer main screen does not contain all possible components. When adding components to the display, if your monitor is not setup to display 1024 X 768 resolution, some portions of the Mixer may appear off the screen. Changing your screen resolution is accomplished via the Widows Control Panel/Settings/Display/Settings Menu.

A complete description of the Antex Mixer main screen display and controls is provided in Mixer Controls and Indicators on page 3-5.

Selecting the Active Antex Mixer Chapter 3 

Selecting the

Activ e Antex

Mixer

The Antex Mixer can be used with up to four physical StudioCards. To select the StudioCard for which the Mixer is active, click on Mixer in the menu bar; t hen select 1-Antex StudioCard Mixer through 4-Antex StudioCard Mi xer . The figure below illustrates the Mixer as it appears with only one card in the system. Note that the title bar also reflects which card the mixer has been configured to control. The Mixer program may be opened more than once, allowing a separate display for each card in your system.

If there is only one StudioCard installed, the Antex Mixer will automatically default to 1-Antex StudioCard Mixer.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  3-15

 Chapter 3 Selecting the Active Antex Mixer

Saving Antex Mixer

Settings

The Scene menu allows you to save Mixer settings for use at a later time. Scene Save allows you to name the Mixer setup, storing it in the system registry. Scene Restore allows you to recall a previously saved Mixer setup by name.

To save a Mixer setting, perform the f ollowing steps: Configure the Mixer the way you want to save it. Click the Scene menu, as illustrated below.

The Save/Restore Scene dialogue box will appear.

Selecting the Active Antex Mixer Chapter 3 

In the Save/Restore Scene dialogue box, type the name for t he Mixer configuration you are saving (Mixer 2); then click on Save. The current Mixer configuration will be saved to the name you typed in.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  3-17

 Chapter 3 Selecting the Active Antex Mixer

Recalling Saved

Mixer Settings

To recall a saved Mixer setting at any time, perform t he following steps:

Click the Scene Menu bar.

Selecting the Active Antex Mixer Chapter 3 

The Save/Restore Scene dialogue box will appear. Select the saved Mixer configuration name; then click Restore, as shown below.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  3-19

 Chapter 3 Selecting the Active Antex Mixer

The previous configuration will be restored.

Selecting the Active Antex Mixer Chapter 3 

Non-mixdown Mode

All pictures thus far have shown the Antex Mixer in “mixdown” mode. A second mode of operation providing greater control of a devices volume and its mappings to each physical output is the “non-mixdown” mode.

To switch to “nonmixdown” mode, click the Mixdown Mode checkbox to turn the checkmark off, then click “OK.

The Mixer display will change, as is illustrated in the figure at the top of the next page.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  3-21

 Chapter 3 Selecting the Active Antex Mixer

The volume sliders for the play devices appear in four r ows, as do the meters in the Line Out section. Each r ow, including meter, corresponds to a physical output of the StudioCard. The top row is output 1, the bottom row output 4.

This configuration allows you to control t he level of each playback device independently for each physical output. For example, the screen capture illustrates the following:

Play 1- left output 1 full volume, right output 1,2 full volume Play 2- left output 3 full volume, right output 4 f ull volume Play 3-left output 1 full volume, right output 2 f ull volume Play 4-left output 3 full volume, right output 4 f ull volume

This example shows the volume sliders in their full on or full off position; they may also be set at any volume in between.

Two-Device / Four-Device Operation Chapter 3 

Two-Device /

Four-Device

Operation

To change the configur ation to either two-device or four-device

During installation of the Ante x driver, Antex Demo and Antex Mixer software, the StudioCard and Antex Mixer are automatically configured for eight-device operation. The StudioCard and Antex Mixer may also be configured for either two-device or four-device operation. The main benefit of reducing the number of devices is a simplified display of available devices in various application programs.

When conf igured for either two-device or four-device operation, the StudioCard and Antex Mixer may (optionally) be set for simultaneous record- play (SRP) oper ation as described later in this chapter. SRP operation is not possible when eight device configuration is set.

operation, use the following procedure: Open the W indows NT/2000 Control Panel and double click

the Multimedia icon.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  3-23

 Chapter 3 Two-Device / Four-Device Operation

The Multimedia Properties dialogue box opens, as shown at right.

Click the Devices tab in the Multimedia Properties dialogue box.

Double click

Audio Devices and highlight Audio for Antex Digital Audio Driver.

Then click the Properties button.

Two-Device / Four-Device Operation Chapter 3 

In the Antex Digital Audio Driver Properties window,

click the Settings button.

The Antex Audio Driver Setup dialogue box will open, as shown in the figure below at right.

Unless the setting has been changed since the original installation, eight devices will be selected and the "SRP" feature will be grayed out.

Select either two-device or four-device operation by clicking on the 2 or 4 radio button under Devices, but do not

click OK. Continue on for a description of Simultaneous RecordPlay.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  3-25

 Chapter 3 Simultaneous Record-Play (SRP) Mode

Simultaneous

Record-Play

(SRP) Mode

There are two ways for application programs t o view the devices on the StudioCard. One way is to consider each device on the StudioCard as a device that can either record or play. The second way is to consider each device on the StudioCard as a device that can both record and play.

The StudioCard is designed to support both modes of operation. If your application views each device as one that can either record or play, then the StudioCard should be set f or non-SRP mode. If your application views each device as one that can both record and play, then the StudioCard should be set to SRP mode. Note that SAW Plus from Innovative Quality Software requires the StudioCard be set in SRP mode.

To place the StudioCard and Antex Mixer into SRP mode, place a check in the SRP box of the Antex Audio Driver Setup window. Note SRP is only available for 2 or 4 devices.

Simultaneous Record-Play (SRP) Mode Chapter 3 

This completes the selection of two-device or four-device operation and/or SRP mode. Close all open dialogue boxes and windows.

When SRP mode is selected, a new control button appears in the "Record" lines of the Antex Mixer. This is the "Mute" butt on. The Mute button will only be present when the StudioCard and Antex Mixer are set for SRP mode, and this can only occur in either two-device or four-device operating mode.

The Mute button allows you to mute the feedthru audio ( going from the record device to the line out put s) while recording in Simultaneous Record-Play (SRP) mode. When in non-SRP mode, this control is not needed, as you can just tur n down the play half of the device.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  3-27

 Chapter 3 Simultaneous Record-Play (SRP) Mode

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Chapter 4 

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

StudioCard Operational

StudioCard Operational StudioCard Operational

Guidelines

GuidelinesGuidelines

Introduction.................................................................................4-3

Levels and Headroom ................................................................4-4

The Numbers.......................................................................4-4

Interpreting Input / Output Trim Levels ................................4-5

A Little History......................................................................4-5





Maximizing Signal to Noise Ratio / Setting Levels......................4-6

Using the StudioCard with Video Capture & Display Boards......4-7

Synchronizing the StudioCard..............................................4-7

Monitoring / Feedthrough .........................................................4-15

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  4-1

 Chapter 4

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Introduction Chapter 4 

Introduction

The purpose of this chapter is to assist you in configuring and optimizing the StudioCard’s settings, including:

Configuring Clock Source Setting Levels Effectively Using Digital Feedthrough

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  4-3

 Chapter 4 Levels and Headroom

Levels and

Headroom

The Numbers

The purpose of this section is to explain signal levels and headroom as they pertain to the StudioCard so that you can make recordings with optimum quality and signal-to-noise ratio. The information is this section is writt en assum ing you are familiar with decibels: a unit of am plit ude m easurement commonly used when working with audio. Many sources exist describing decibels, including information on the Antex web page, www.antex.com

The balanced input and output signal levels of the StudioCard are +4dBu nominal, +24dBu maximum. For unbalanced inputs, the signal levels are –10dBV nominal and 10dBV maximum. The diff er ence bet ween nominal and maximum level is referred to as headroom; t he StudioCard is designed to have 20dB of headroom.

Headroom is required to handle peaks and t r ansient s in an analog signal to prevent the input signal from exceeding the range of the A/D converter. When this happens, sound qualit y degrades very rapidly, and is termed “digit al clipping”.

These levels were selected for the StudioCard because SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) is working to standardize -20dB as the nominal recor ding level for all digital recording. A headroom figure of 20dB is more than many users are accustomed to, and has implications on volume and signal to noise performance as explained below.

Levels and Headroom Chapter 4 

Interpreting Input /

Output Trim Levels

A Little History

The StudioCard allows two input/output trim levels. They are set in the mixer and are marked +24 and +12.

When +24dBu is selected, a standard nominal level of

+4dBu (most balanced pro equipment) will produce a reading of -20dB on the level meter . This allows a very conservative 20dB before clipping.

When +12dBu is selected, a standard nominal level of

-10dBV (most home audio equipment) will produce a reading of -20dB on the level meter. Again this allows a very conservative 20dB before clipping. Playback levels will follow recording levels.

These levels require all level control in the mixer to be set at their full on positions (def ault ). Levels can be lowered but not increased above these values.

In analog tape recording the level meters are usually scaled in dBVu or Volume Units calibrated in decibels. At the 0Vu point the scale usually changes to red and is labeled in +dB units. We are warned that going into the red will cause distortion in the recording. This is tr ue, but in analog tape recording this distortion can be tolerable well into the red region.

In digital audio recording ther e is an absolute maximum level that can be recorded and any signal above this level will be clipped (digital clipping). Clipping will produce intolerable amounts of distortion. All m etering for digital audio places 0Vu at the clipping point. This means t hat you must keep your average and peak levels below the 0Vu point.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  4-5

 Chapter 4 Maximizing Signal to Noise Ratio / Setting Levels

Maximizing

Signal to

Noise Ratio /

Setting Levels

To maximize the Signal to Noise ratio of a r ecording, it is important to input the sig nal int o the StudioCard at the proper level. The trim level should be set to match t he levels of the equipment the StudioCard is connected t o. A signal optimized such that its peaks are near 0dB on the met er s in t he Antex Demo will be recorded with peak signal to noise ratio.

It is suggested you use the amplitude control of your external equipment to input signals of the correct amplitude and headroom setting into the StudioCard. If you do not have adequate external adjustment and your input signal is of limited dynamic range, setting the t r im level in the mixer to +12 will increase the amplitude of the recor ded signal and therefore increase the Signal to Noise ratio. The am ount of headroom will be reduced accordingly, and caution must be taken to verify digital clipping is avoided for large peaks.

Most commercial POP music CDs are recorded within 3 to 6dB of the 0Vu clipping point, while Classical CDs may average 20dB below 0Vu with large peak levels that come very close to 0Vu. The recordist must decide how much “headroom” t o provide for the dynamic range of t he music or sound being recorded.

Using the StudioCard with Video Capture & Display Boards Chapter 4 

Using the

StudioCard

with Video

Capture &

Display

Boards

Synchronizing the

StudioCard

Audio sampling on most audio cards is generated by a crystal oscillator. Since this oscillator has no ref erence to the oscillator on the video board used to generate frames of video, the audio and video can drift out of synchronization. This is t he equivalent of setting two watches to exactly the same time and watching them slowly drift apart. The StudioCard has the unique ability to lock its internal oscillat or to timing signals provided by most video capture and display boards. When the StudioCard is referenced to t his video timing signal it is impossible for audio to drif t out of synchronization with video. This is extremely important when long video clips are used.

It is important to note t hat one of the locking methods listed below must be in place for both capture and playback of t he source audio to insure synchronization. Audio digitally input to the StudioCard (S/PDIF or AES/EBU) will not be locked to the video as the sample clock used to digitize the audio was not locked to the video sample clock.

Described in this section are two methods of synchronizing the StudioCard to the PVR, Truevision, I nt e r graph, Matrox, and other video capture boards:

Master 27 MHz clock lock (PVR only) Horizontal sync lock (all video boards)

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  4-7

 Chapter 4 Using the StudioCard with Video Capture & Display Boards

Master 27 MHz clock lock (PVR only)

This method can only be used with the Perception Video Recorder from DPS. It work s only when the Perception Effects (PFx) board is not installed.

After installing the PVR sync cable (as descr ibed in Chapt er 1), follow the instructions below.

Step 1

Start or reboot the computer , then start Antex Mixer.

Using the StudioCard with Video Capture & Display Boards Chapter 4 

Step 2

If the Adapter line is displayed, continue to the next step. Otherwise, select Lines… from the Mixer menu. In the Mixer Lines window highlight Adapter and click OK.

The Mixer main screen will display the Adapter line shown at right.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  4-9

 Chapter 4 Using the StudioCard with Video Capture & Display Boards

Step 3

Step 4

Select Internal as the Sample Clock Source.

Select 27MHz as the Sample Clock

Reference.

Step 5

If you are using SpeedRazor Mach 3.x, select 44100 as the Clock Sample Rate. Other sample rates can be selected as needed for other applications.

Using the StudioCard with Video Capture & Display Boards Chapter 4 

This method will not work if you ar e using t he Per c ept ion

Not

Effects board (Pfx). Use the f ollowing method if you have the Pfx board installed.

Horizontal sync lock (all video boards)

This type of lock if often referred to as gen- lock in video circles. With this m ethod the StudioCard is locked to the horizontal synchronizing pulses that are part of the video signal. The StudioCard will auto-detect either NTSC or PAL video inputs.

To use this type of lock you must connect the composite video output signal from your video board to the video input of the StudioCard, as described in Chapter 1. The com posite video signal is looped through the StudioCard and appear s on the video output connector. This can be used to feed another video device such as a VTR.

Follow the instructions below.

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 Chapter 4 Using the StudioCard with Video Capture & Display Boards

Step 1

Start Antex Mixer.

Using the StudioCard with Video Capture & Display Boards Chapter 4 

Step 6

Step 7

If the Adapter line is displayed, continue to the next step. Otherwise, select Lines… from the Mixer menu. In the Mixer Lines window highlight Adapter and click OK.

Select Hsync as the Sample Clock Source.

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 Chapter 4 Using the StudioCard with Video Capture & Display Boards

Step 8

Step 9

Select Auto as the Sample Clock Reference.

If you are using SpeedRazor Mach 3.x, select 44100 as the Clock Sample Rate. Other sample rates can be selected as needed for other applications.

Monitoring / Feedthrough Chapter 4 

Monitoring /

Feedthrough

“Monitoring” is a term used to describe listening to the signal that is being recorded. It is also r eferred to as “Feedthrough” audio, as the input signal is fed to an out put line. Feedthrough audio is often used to set the levels on input signals t o optimize their amplitude and signal to noise ratio. Two types of feedthrough are possible, analog and digital. This section will explain the differences, implementation on the StudioCard, and how to enable and use it effectively.

Analog Feedthrough r outes the analog signal at the input

channel directly to the output channel. In this manner , the signal bypasses the Analog to Digital (A/ D) and Digital to Analog (D/A) converters and their associated filter and gain stages. This is very convenient at times, but does not monitor the actual signal being r ecorded. For example, if the signal amplitude is brought in too large (hot), the A/D may be in digital clipping (and sound awful) while the analog Feedthrough sounds fine.

The second method is digit al Feedt hr ough, the type

supported by the Antex StudioCard. This method routes the digitized analog input signal at the out put of the A/D directly to the D/A. The output of the D/A is filtered, amplified, and routed to one of the analog outputs. This approach is exactly analogous to a two head audio tape machine that allows the play head to play data immediately after the record head places the data on the tape.

The advantage of digital feedthrough is that the monitored signal is based on the digital data being recor ded to the computer’s hard disk. What you hear is truly what you get. By default, digital feedthrough is enabled on the StudioCard, enabling you to hear audio during recording. Record device one is mapped to playback device one and so on. Enabling and disabling digital feedthrough is accomplished by following the Simultaneous Record-Play (SRP) Mode instructions in Chapter 3, Using the Antex Mixer.

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 Chapter 4 Monitoring / Feedthrough

Digital feedthroug h is a very convenient f eat ur e, but does require the use of an application pr ogram to place the StudioCard in record (or pause) mode. The Antex Demo application is one simple and easy to use tool to accomplish this. The Demo program also allows you to place the input in record/pause mode (again, the same as an analog tape deck). The input signal may be monitored and its levels adjust ed without writing any data to the disk. Using t he Antex Demo in this manner is described in the Digital Feedthrough Mode section of Chapter 2, Using the Antex Dem o.

Chapter 5 

Chapter 5

Chapter 5 

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Synchronizing Multiple

Synchronizing Multiple Synchronizing Multiple

StudioCards

StudioCardsStudioCards

Introduction.................................................................................5-3

Installing Multiple StudioCard Cards...........................................5-4





Identifying Adapter Numbers......................................................5-8

Establishing Master and Slave(s) Cards ..................................5-10

Making Board-to-Board Clock Connections.............................5-11

Configuring Clock Source Settings...........................................5-12

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 Chapter 5

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Introduction Chapter 5 

Introduction

Not

Up to four StudioCards may be installed in your computer to increase the number of physical inputs and outputs. The StudioCard has been designed so that playback and recording on all channels in a multiple card system can be synchronized to sample accuracy using a common clock ref er ence. This is accomplished by configuring the cards so that one card acts as master and supplies a word clock to the other slave cards in the system.

This chapter will guide you through the physical installation and software configurat ion for multiple cards:

Installing Multiple StudioCards Identifying Adapter Numbers Establishing Master and Slave(s) Cards Making Board-to-Board Clock Connections Configuring Clock Source Settings

The optional cable (PN 210-0395) must be obtained from Antex Electronics for each additional StudioCard you plan to install.

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 Chapter 5 Installing Multiple StudioCard Cards

Installing

Multiple

StudioCard

Cards

Not

Follow the instructions below to install multiple StudioCards.

If you are installing StudioCards for the first time, and have come from Chapter 1, skip to Step 3. If you previously installed an StudioCard and are now adding additional cards, begin at Step 1.

1. Do not remove the StudioCard from its anti-static bag until instructed to during the inst allation process.

3. Power OFF your computer, then touch the non-

ainted backside to discharge static electricity from

Installing Multiple StudioCard Cards Chapter 5 

your body before touching the circuit board.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Power off your computer (if you have not already done so) and unplug the power cord from the elect r ical out let.

Remove the housing from your computer t o expose the motherboard.

Writ e t he ser ial num ber for each of your Antex StudioCards in the space below.

Serial Number: ___________________________________ Serial Number: ___________________________________ Serial Number: ___________________________________ Serial Number: ___________________________________

If you ever need technical support from Ant ex in the future, you will need this number. The serial number is on the backs ide of your Antex StudioCard. Serial numbers are preceded by “S/N” and contain five digits.

Example serial number: “S/N 48008”

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 Chapter 5 Installing Multiple StudioCard Cards

Step 4

Step 5

Locate an available PCI expansion slot for each card and remove its cover, as is shown in the figure at right.

Be sure to keep the retaining screw as you will need it later.

The cards should all be installed next to each other.

Gently insert each Antex StudioCard into an available PCI expansion slot, then press down to set it firmly into the expansion slot, as is shown in the figure at right.

Installing Multiple StudioCard Cards Chapter 5 

Step 6

Step 7

Not

Secure the Antex StudioCards in place with the retaining screws you removed earlier from the expansion slot cover.

Continue now to the next section, Identifying Adapter

Numbers.

Do not yet replace the housing on your computer. You will be prompted to do so later in this chapter.

Antex Electronics Corporation Antex StudioCard  5-7

Antex Electronics StudioCard AV Pro, StudioCard 2000, StudioCard SC-22 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual