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Car Video System PT
User Manual
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Avid Technology Car Video System PT User Manual

Media Station|PT Guide
Ver si on 2.7
Legal Notices
This guide is copyrighted ©2007 by Digidesign, a division of Avid Technology, Inc. (hereafter “Digidesign”), with all rights reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Digidesign.
Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are subject to change without notice.
PN 9106-56839-00 REV C 12/07
Comments or suggestions regarding our documentation? email: techpubs@digidesign.com
Avid products or portions thereof are protected by one or more of the following
United States Patents:
4,746,994; 4,970,663; 5,045,940; 5,267,351; 5,309,528; 5,355,450; 5,396,594;
5,440,348; 5,467,288; 5,513,375; 5,528,310; 5,557,423; 5,568,275;
5,584,006; 6,704,445; 6,747,705; 6,763,134; 6,766,063; 6,791,556; 6,810,157; 6,813,622; 6,847,373; 6,871,003; 6,871,161; 6,901,211; 6,907,191; 6,928,187; 6,933,948; 6,961,801; 7,043,058; 7,081,900; 7,103,231;
5,577,190; 5,584,006; 5,640,601; 5,644,364; 5,654,737; 5,715,018; 5,724,605; 5,726,717; 5,729,673; 5,745,637; 5,752,029; 5,754,851; 5,799,150; 5,812,216; 5,852,435; 5,905,841; 5,929,836; 5,930,445; 5,946,445; 5,987,501; 6,016,152; 6,018,337; 6,023,531; 6,058,236; 6,061,758; 6,091,778; 6,105,083; 6,118,444; 6,128,001; 6,134,607; 6,137,919; 6,141,691; 6,198,477; 6,201,531; 6,223,211; 6,249,280; 6,269,195; 6,317,158; 6,317,515; 6,330,369; 6,351,557; 6,353,862; 6,357,047; 6,392,710; 6,404,435; 6,407,775; 6,417,891; 6,426,778; 6,477,271; 6,489,969; 6,512,522; 6,532,043; 6,546,190; 6,552,731; 6,553,142; 6,570,624; 6,571,255; 6,583,824; 6,618,547; 6,636,869; 6,665,450; 6,678,461; 6,687,407; D392,269; D396,853; D398,912. Other patents are pending..
contents
Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Video Output Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Supported Video Resolutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Support for Avid Interplay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Support for Avid Unity ISIS and MediaNetwork Storage Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Avid Terminology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
About the Pro Tools Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Conventions Used in This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
About www.digidesign.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Chapter 2. Installing Media Station|PT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Media Station|PT Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Upgrading Media Station|PT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Overview of Media Station|PT Installed as a Standalone Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Overview of Media Station|PT Installed as a Video Satellite System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Overview of Media Station|PT Installed on the Same Computer as Pro Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Installing Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Making Ethernet Connections with Video Satellite Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Full-Screen Playback of Video in Media Station|PT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Installing Media Station|PT Software on Windows XP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Installing Media Station|PT Software on Mac OS X. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Authorizing Media Station|PT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Authorizing the Video Satellite Option in Pro Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Formatting Video Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Connecting and Configuring Media Station|PT to a Unity Storage System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Configuring Media Station|PT as a Client of an Avid Interplay System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Authorizing Media Station|PT After Installing for the First Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Launching Media Station|PT for the First Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Contents iii
Chapter 3. Basic Media Station|PT Workflows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Starting a New Project with Media Station|PT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Changing Video Output Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Capturing Audio and Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Re-Digitizing an Existing Sequence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Digitizing from an EDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Importing Non-MXF and Non-OMFI Media Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Entering Full-Screen Playback Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Down-Converting an HD Project to SD Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Assembling Clips in a Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Exporting Audio and Video from Media Station|PT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Transcoding HD Sequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Importing Audio and Video into Pro Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Editing Audio in Pro Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Exporting Audio from Pro Tools for Media Station PT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Importing Audio into Media Station|PT from Pro Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Synchronizing Audio with a Media Station|PT Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Methods of Exporting Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Chapter 4. Media Station|PT Video Satellite Workflows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Cross-Mounting Media Storage on Remote Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Opening Sequences for Playback on a Video Satellite System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Opening an Avid Sequence from a Volume Supporting Direct Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Opening an Avid Sequence from a Volume Not Supported for Playback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Saving, Recalling, and Using Export Settings to Export AAF Sequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Opening an AAF Sequence for Playback on a Video Satellite System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Using a Video Satellite in an Avid Interplay Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Connecting Pro Tools and a Video Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Matching Media Station|PT and Pro Tools Settings in a Video Satellite System . . . . . . . . . . 115
Linking or Unlinking Pro Tools and a Video Satellite. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Capturing Audio and Video with a Video Satellite System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Re-Digitizing an Existing Sequence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Digitizing from an EDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Laying Back Audio and Video to Tape. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Exporting Audio and Video as a Digital Movie from a Video Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Media Station|PT Guideiv
chapter 1

Introduction

Avid Media Station|PT software is designed ex­clusively for audio-related post-production work either as a standalone application or in conjunc­tion with Pro Tools and Avid Mojo SDI, Avid Mojo, or Digidesign AVoption|V10 (re­ferred to here as Avid video peripherals).

Media Station|PT Limitations

Media Station|PT has the same basic engines and components as the full line of Avid editing ap­plications (such as Media Composer and Avid Xpress Pro). However, it has been tailored to the needs of the audio post-production work­flows described in this guide and therefore has the following limitations when compared to other non-linear video editing applications:
• Editing is limited to inserting, overlaying, lifting, and cutting.
• Effects can be rendered, but not added or edited.

Video Output Options

Media Station|PT lets you output video using ei­ther of the following configurations:
• Playback to an external video monitor (Avid video peripheral required)
• Full-screen playback on your primary or sec­ondary computer monitor via DVI output

Playback to an External NTSC or PAL Video Monitor

(Avid Video Peripherals Only)
Media Station|PT requires an Avid video periph­eral for high-quality, frame edge-aligned play­back of SD video (or 1080 HD video converted to SD video) to an external NTSC or PAL monitor.
When outputting 1080 HD video using this con­figuration, you can either transcode an HD se­quence to SD video or down-convert an entire HD project to SD video in real-time. Transcod­ing HD video can take some time but results in higher quality output, while down-converting is immediate but results in lower quality output.
720p projects cannot be converted to SD.
See “Transcoding HD Sequences” on page 66 or “Down-Converting an HD Project to SD Video” on page 54.
Chapter 1: Introduction 1

Full-Screen Playback via DVI Output to a Computer Monitor

With a supported video card installed, Media Station|PT provides full-screen playback of SD or HD video through a DVI port to your primary or secondary computer monitor.
When you play back video on a monitor with a refresh rate that differs from the video frame rate (as is often the case during playback of video through a DVI output), the output yields visual artifacts and offsets in synchronization between audio and video. For example, this oc­curs during playback of a 24 fps video clip on a DVI monitor with a refresh rate of 75 Hz.
If your workflow requires high-quality play­back, you must output video through an Avid video peripheral to an NTSC or PAL monitor.
For detailed information on the quality of DVI output to your primary or secondary monitor, see “Video Frame Rate vs. Monitor Refresh Rate” on page 45.

Supported Video Resolutions

Media Station|PT supports the import, capture, and playback of all video resolutions and frame rates (including HD video) supported by Avid Media Composer:
• Avid DNxHD (10-bit and 8-bit 4:2:2) at 1080i at 59.94, 50 fps; 1080p at 25, 24, 23.976 fps; 720p at 59.94, 23.976 and 50 fps
Media Station|PT supports the import, play­back, and export of DNxHD video. DNxHD capture is not supported.
• Native DVCPRO HD support for 1080i 59.94, 50 fps; 720p at 59.94, 23.976 and 50 fps Na­tive XDCAM HD support for 1080i at 59.94, 50 fps; 1080p at 25, 23.976 fps
• Native HDV support for 1080i at 59.94, 50 fps; 1080p; 720p at 29.976 fps
• All standard-definition Avid OMF and MXF video files
The oldest class of ABVB files (ABVB “MFM” files) are not supported in Pro Tools. These files were created with ver­sions of Media Composer lower than 7.0, and do not have the .omf extension.
• Avid IMX MPEG50, MPEG40, MPEG30, and OP1a files
• DV50, DV25 and DVC Pro 25 resolutions compressed with the Avid codec, including:
• DV25 411: DV25 interlaced scan at 4:1:1 sampling (for NTSC 30i and PAL 25i projects)
• DV25 420: DV25 interlaced scan at 4:2:0 sampling (for PAL 25i projects)
• DV25p 411: DV25 progressive scan at 4:1:1 sampling (for NTSC 23.976p and NTSC 24p projects)
Media Station|PT Guide2
• DV25p 420: DV25 progressive scan at 4:2:0 sampling (for PAL 25p and PAL 24p projects)
• All standard-definition Avid Multi-Cam Resolution files
• The following video resolutions created with the Avid DV, JFIF or MXF video codecs:
• 1:1 (Uncompressed JFIF/MXF)
•DV50
• DV25 4:1:1
• DV25 4:2:0
• DV25P 4:1:1
• DV25P 4:2:0
• 15:1s 4:2:2
• 14:1P 4:2:2
• 28:1P 4:2:2
• 35:1P 4:2:2
For detailed information on supported resolutions and frame rates, see Avid Media Station|PT online help or visit the Avid website (www.avid.com).
To launch online help:
• Choose Help > Online Help (Windows) or Help > Avid Media Station|PT Help (Mac).

Supported Frame Rates and Avid Project Types

Media Station|PT supports the import, capture, and playback of video at the following rates:
• 23.976p NTSC
•24p NTSC
•30i NTSC
•24p PAL
•25p PAL
•25i PAL
• 720p/23.976
• 720p/29.97 HDV
•720p/50
•720p/59.94
• 1080p/23.976
• 1080p/24
• 1080p/25
• 1080i/50
• 1080i/50 HDV
• 1080i/59.94
• 1080i/59.94 HDV
HD projects that are interlaced have an ac­tual frame rate that is half that implied by the format description. For example, a 1080i/50 project has a frame rate of 25 fps, so an AAF sequence destined for this project should be exported from Pro Tools at 25 fps. In a progressive HD project, the true frame rate is implied in the project name. For ex­ample, a 720p/59.94 project has a frame rate of 59.94 fps, so an AAF sequence des­tined for this project should be exported from Pro Tools at 59.94 fps.
Chapter 1: Introduction 3

Support for Avid Interplay

Both Media Station|PT and Pro Tools support in­tegration with Avid Interplay.
Avid Interplay lets Pro Tools and Avid editors in­tegrate the complete workflow of each project by managing assets, tracking versions, and pro­viding powerful metadata and commenting ca­pabilities. Interplay also automates the data flow, eliminating errors and shielding users from complex import/export steps.
When connected to an Interplay system, Media Station|PT can:
• Check out projects and sequences from Inter­play, and export media as needed for Pro Tools
• Check in projects and sequences, including fi­nal audio created in Pro Tools
When equipped with the Pro Tools Avid Inter­play Option, Pro Tools can:
• Open AAF sequences formatted specifically for Pro Tools directly from Interplay.
• Export audio tracks directly back to the se­quence on Interplay, either adding to or re­placing existing audio tracks.

Support for Avid Unity ISIS and MediaNetwork Storage Systems

Avid Unity ISIS and Unity MediaNetwork are high-speed network storage systems that let multiple users store and share media through a gigabit Ethernet connection (for ISIS) or fibre channel connection (for MediaNetwork).
Media Station|PT and other Avid applications can use a Unity system to share the same media as follows:
• Stream audio and video media in real time
• Share Pro Tools, Avid, AAF, OMF, and MXF au­dio and video sequences
• Share AAF sequences using the Avid Interplay asset management system (Avid Interplay sys­tem required).
For detailed workflows, see the following sec­tions:
• “Checking In a Sequence to Interplay for Pro Tools” on page 69
• “Importing a Sequence into Pro Tools from In­terplay” on page 75
• “Exporting Edited Audio Tracks to Interplay from Pro Tools” on page 81
• “Importing Pro Tools Audio Files Back into Media Station|PT from Avid Interplay” on page 84
Media Station|PT Guide4

Avid Terminology

This section provides a brief glossary of Avid terms and, where applicable, their Pro Tools counterparts.
Clip A Clip references one or more media files which play in synchronization, for instance a video file and its two audio tracks. Clips are stored in bins.
Subclip A Subclip in Media Station|PT is like a re­gion in Pro Tools: it is a shorter version of the clip from which it was created. Subclips are also stored in bins.
Avid Sequence An Avid sequence is equivalent to a Pro Tools session: It is a collection of clips and subclips organized in a Timeline. Sequences are stored in bins.
AAF/OMF Sequence AAF and the older OMF are standards designed specifically for exchanging sequences between applications. Media Station|PT and Pro Tools can import and play AAF or OMF sequences. Media Station|PT can export Avid sequences as AAF or OMF se­quences for import into Pro Tools. Pro Tools can export tracks from a session as an AAF or OMF sequence for import into Media Station|PT or other Avid editing applications.
Projects Projects are where you organize a num­ber of bins. Bins can also be shared between projects.
In one project, you could create a new bin to hold all of your video clips and a bin to hold your sound effects, and a bin for sequences. You could close that project, open a new project and open the sound effects bin from the first project to use the same audio in a different sequence. Projects are stored at a user definable location.
Source Monitor The Source Monitor is the Video window above the Timeline (on the left). Use the Source Monitor to select what will be added to the sequence in the Timeline
Record Monitor The Record Monitor is the Video window above the Timeline (on the right). Play­back of the sequence in the Timeline is viewed in the Record Monitor.
Timeline The Media Station|PT Timeline shows the assorted audio and video elements arranged in a linear sequence, as in Pro Tools.
Client Monitor The client monitor is an external NTSC, PAL, HD or DVI monitor used to display the video output of Media Station|PT.
Bins Bins are like folders where you organize clips and sequences. Bins are stored in the indi­vidual project folders.
Chapter 1: Introduction 5

Pro Tools and Avid Counterparts

AAF, OMF, and MXF Basics

Pro Tools and Avid use different terms to de­scribe the same items. For example, a Pro Tools session is equivalent to an Avid sequence. The following table lists common Pro Tools ele­ments and their Avid equivalents.
Pro Tools and Avid terminology counterparts
Pro Tools Avid (AAF/OMF)
session sequence
whole file region master clip
region subclip
plug-ins real-time audio effects
automation automation gain (clip-based
gain or key-frame gain)
Bounce to Disk Video Mixdown
Whole audio files in the Pro Tools Regions List normally appear in bold type. However, master clip audio files imported from AAF or OMF sequences into Pro Tools will not appear in bold type even though they are whole audio files.
AAF and OMF files are mechanisms for storing and retrieving media data and metadata so that projects can be freely exchanged between differ­ent applications and platforms (such as between Pro Tools and Avid video editing applications).
Media data and metadata enable an application that receives AAF and OMF sequence files to au­tomatically and quickly reassemble the compo­sition. A simple metaphor for this approach is that media data files are the pieces of a puzzle and metadata is the set of instructions for as­sembling the puzzle.
In the simplest case, only an AAF or OMF se­quence is exchanged. If this sequence points to existing media files, the size of the sequence file is relatively small and the export/import process is relatively fast.
AAF and OMF sequences can also have media data embedded in them. This creates a single, larger file that is slower to export and import, but which may be easier to manage than thou­sands of files stored on different volumes.
Pro Tools supports AAF and OMF sequences that contain embedded audio media.
Pro Tools with DigiTranslator does not support AAF or OMF sequences containing embedded video media, except if you are importing such sequences into a video satellite track. In such cases, video metadata is imported into the track.
For the purposes of this user guide, AAF se­quences are emphasized and referenced over the older OMF sequence standard.
Media Station|PT Guide6
MXF
AAF
MXF is a media file format. There are MXF video files and MXF audio files, but there are no “MXF sequences.” An AAF sequence may refer to or in­clude MXF media files, but OMF sequences can­not refer to or include MXF files.
Media Station|PT Support for MXF Media
Media Station|PT supports MXF media as fol­lows:
• Create MXF media when capturing, transcod­ing, rendering, or using other methods to cre­ate media.
• Import of MXF media files created in other Avid applications
• Export of MXF audio and video files
Pro Tools Support for MXF Media
Pro Tools supports MXF media as follows:
• Import of MXF video and audio media
• Export of MXF audio media
Pro Tools cannot export video files of any type.
Video files digitized in Pro Tools are technically of the MXF format, but are intended only for use in Pro Tools and are not tested for compatibility with other applications.
AAF sequences are the best way to exchange projects and maintain valuable metadata. An AAF sequence can refer to OMF and/or MXF me­dia files, or have OMF and MXF media files em­bedded within them. There is no such thing as an AAF audio or video media file.
Media Station|PT Support for AAF Sequences
Media Station|PT supports AAF sequences as fol­lows:
• Import and export of AAF sequences with em­bedded video files (MXF or OMF) and/or au­dio files (MXF, WAV, or AIFF).
• Import and export of AAF sequences that refer to external (linked) video files (MXF or OMF) and/or audio files (MXF, WAV, or AIFF)
Pro Tools Support for AAF Sequences
With DigiTranslator 2.0, Pro Tools supports AAF sequences as follows:
• Import and export of AAF sequences that con­tain embedded or refer to external (linked) MXF, WAV, or AIFF audio files
• Import of AAF sequences that refer to external (linked) MXF or OMF video files
• Video satellite systems only: Import of AAF se­quences containing embedded video to a sat­ellite track, in which case Pro Tools imports only the metadata (cuts and clip names) and not the video
Pro Tools does not export video files, tracks or metadata as part of AAF sequences.
Chapter 1: Introduction 7
OMF
Embedded Media
OMF is both a media file and sequence format. OMF media files can be audio or video.
Media Station|PT Support for OMF Media and Sequences
Media Station|PT supports OMF media and se­quences as follows:
• Import and export of OMF sequences with embedded OMF video files and WAV or AIFF audio files
• Import and export of OMF sequences that re­fer to external (linked) OMF video files and WAV or AIFF audio files
Pro Tools Support for OMF Media and Sequences
With DigiTranslator 2.0, Pro Tools supports OMF media and sequences as follows:
• Import of OMF video files created by Media Station|PT or other Avid applications
• Export of OMF audio files
• Import and playback of OMF sequences that refer to external (linked) audio files or contain embedded audio files
• Import and playback of OMF sequences that refer to external (linked) OMF video files
• Export of OMF sequences that refer to exter­nal (linked) audio files or contain embedded audio files
• Video satellite systems only: Import of OMF sequences containing embedded video to a satellite track, in which case Pro Tools imports only the metadata (cuts and clip names) and not the video
• Pro Tools does not export video files, tracks or metadata as part of OMF sequences.
Exporting to OMF or AAF with embedded media results in one large OMF or AAF file containing both the metadata and all associated media files. However, it is important to note that file size is limited to 2 GB.
Media Data (Media Files)
Media data represents raw audio or video mate­rial and is stored in individual media files. Every time you record a piece of video or audio mate­rial into an application, you are creating a media file containing media data. Audio media data is stored as samples (such as 44,100 or 48,000 sam­ples per second of recording) while video media is typically stored as frames (24, 25, or 30 frames per second of recording).
The size of each media file depends on how much audio or video material it contains. For example, if you record ten minutes of continu­ous video material at a high resolution, you might end up with a video media file that is
1.8 GB in size, whereas a one minute recording at the same resolution might result in a 180 MB file. Media files tend to be large, since high qual­ity audio and video signals are data intensive. Video data generally requires considerably more storage than audio data.
Media Station|PT Guide8
MXF Media Data Locations On the volumes you have designated for media storage, Media Station|PT stores all MXF media:
• When stored locally, MXF media is placed in the Avid MediaFiles/MXF/1 folder. Media Station|PT can also read MXF media located at Avid MediaFiles/MXF/2, Avid MediaFiles/MXF/3, and so on.
• When stored in a shared environment, MXF media is placed in a folder called Avid MediaFiles/MXF/client.1 (where client represents the name of the client com­puter).
• For AAF or OMF sequences, information about automation (clip-based gain or key­frame gain).

Embedded Media and Linked Media

There are two ways to handle media files when exporting AAF or OMF files:
• Embedded media (in which the media files are embedded in an AAF or OMF sequence)
• Linked media (in which media files are ref­erenced by an AAF or OMF sequence)
This guide refers to the root folder name (Avi d MediaFiles) whenever referencing this folder.
OMF Media Data Locations On the volumes you have designated, Media Station|PT stores all OMF media in the OMFI MediaFiles folder.
Metadata
Metadata is used to describe:
• Information about each media file. This may include sample rate, bit depth, region names, the name of the videotape from which the media file was captured, and even time code values that specify where a file was used in a Pro Tools session.
• Information about Pro Tools sessions or other sequences, including what files are used, where they appear in a Timeline, and automation.
• For AAF or OMF sequences, metadata also includes information about unrendered AudioSuite effects (such as real-time EQ) on Avid workstations. Pro Tools skips unren­dered effects on import. Rendered effects are media files, that can be imported or skipped on import into Pro Tools.
Pro Tools with DigiTranslator 2.0 lets you im­port AAF or OMF sequences containing embed­ded audio files. You can also import AAF or OMF sequences containing embedded video files, but only if you are importing them to a video satel­lite track. In such a case, only the video meta­data is imported.
Chapter 1: Introduction 9
Frame-Rate Accurate Video
One Pro Tools audio region
5 frame video clip
The original audio region does not line up on video frame boundaries
Three exported audio regions
5 frame video clip
Exported audio regions line up on video frame boundaries
New audio region with padded silence
New audio region with padded silence
Editing and Sample-Rate Accurate Audio Editing
Media Station|PT edits with frame accuracy. This means that in a 30-fps project, you can edit at 30 different locations for every one second of video. Pro Tools edits with sample rate accuracy. In a 48-kHz session, there are potentially 48000 locations to edit for every second of audio.
When Pro Tools exports an AAF or OMF compo­sition destined for an Avid application, it must ensure that the audio files line up on frame boundaries. To do this, it might have to split an existing audio region into three clips. For exam­ple, the following illustration shows a 5-frame video clip and a corresponding audio region. In Pro Tools, the audio regions might not line up on video frame boundaries.
In order to export frame accurate audio regions, Pro Tools splits the audio media on frame boundaries and fills any gaps with silence. The following illustration shows the resulting audio regions that are exported to Media Station|PT.
When you use Export Selected Tracks as OMF/AFF to export tracks from Pro Tools with Enforce Avid Compatibility enabled, a number of additional media files labeled Sample Accu­rate Edit appear in the Avid bins. These are the additional media files that Pro Tools creates to ensure that Media Station|PT receives frame-ac­curate audio. You also see the sample-accurate edit media files if you zoom in on the imported audio in the Timeline.
Figure 1. Original audio region
Figure 2. Exported audio region
Media Station|PT Guide10

System Requirements

System requirements vary depending on how Media Station|PT is installed:
•As a video satellite of a separate Pro Tools sys­tem
•As a standard system, which can be installed in either of the following ways:
• As a standalone application
• Installed on the same computer with your Pro Tools system
Requirements also vary depending upon the op­tional peripherals installed.

Video Satellite System Requirements

• Digidesign-qualified Windows computer
• iLok dongle for the related Pro Tools sys­tem
• Avid Application Key (dongle)
• Avid video peripheral (required for high­quality video output)

Standard System Requirements

• Digidesign-qualified Mac or Windows com­puter
• Avid Application Key (dongle)
• Avid video peripheral (required for high­quality video output)

Avid Video Peripherals

For high-quality frame edge-aligned playback of SD video (or 1080 HD video converted to SD video), you must add the I/O capabilities of an Avid video peripheral, which includes compos­ite, component, S-Video and SDI.
Supported Avid Video Peripherals
Media Station|PT supports the following Avid video peripherals:
•Avid Mojo SDI
•Avid Mojo
• Digidesign AVoption|V10
When using an Avid video peripheral, the fol­lowing is required:
• An NTSC/PAL black burst generator

Digidesign Audio Peripherals (Optional)

Media Station|PT plays audio via your com­puter's built-in audio outputs through Avid Mojo or Avid Mojo SDI's analog audio out­puts, or through AVoption|V10's optical out­puts, and can capture audio via the Avid Mojo or Avid Mojo SDI.
Supported Digidesign Audio Peripherals
For the highest-quality audio input and output, Media Station|PT supports the following Digi­design audio peripherals:
•192 I/O
•192digital I/O
•96 I/O
Using Digidesign audio peripherals with Media Station|PT requires the following:
• Digidesign-qualified version of Pro Tools HD software
• Pro Tools HD Core Card
• Digidesign SYNC I/O or SYNC HD
Chapter 1: Introduction 11
Compatibility Information
Digidesign can only assure compatibility and provide support for hardware and software it has tested and approved.
For a list of Digidesign-qualified computers, op­erating systems, hard drives, and third-party de­vices, as well as information about specific ver­sions of ATTO and nVidia software, refer to the support pages at the Digidesign website (www.digidesign.com).

Conventions Used in This Guide

All Digidesign guides use the following conven­tions to indicate menu choices and key com­mands:
:
Convention Action
File > Save Choose Save from the
File menu
Control+N Hold down the Control
key and press the N key

About the Pro Tools Guides

In addition to the printed guides that came with your system, PDF versions of the Pro Tools guides are installed automatically with Pro Tools. To view or print the PDF guides, you can use Adobe Reader or Apple Preview.
Control-click Hold down the Control
key and click the mouse button
Right-click Click with the right
mouse button
The following symbols are used to highlight im­portant information:
User Tips are helpful hints for getting the most from your system.
Important Notices include information that could affect your data or the performance of your system.
Shortcuts show you useful keyboard or mouse shortcuts.
Cross References point to related sections in this guide or other Pro Tools Guides.
Media Station|PT Guide12

About www.digidesign.com

The Digidesign website (www.digidesign.com) is your best online source for information to help you get the most out of your system. The follow­ing are just a few of the services and features available.
Product Registration Register your purchase on­line. See the enclosed Digidesign Registration Information Card for instructions.
Support and Downloads Contact Digidesign Technical Support or Customer Service; down­load software updates and the latest online manuals; browse the Compatibility documents for system requirements; search the online An­swerbase; join the worldwide Pro Tools commu­nity on the Digidesign User Conference.
Training and Education Become a certified Pro Tools Operator or Expert; study on your own using courses available online, or find out how you can learn in a classroom setting at a certified Pro Tools Training Center.
Products and Developers Learn about Digidesign products; download demo software; learn about our Development Partners and their plug-ins, applications, and hardware.
News and Events Get the latest news from Digidesign; sign up for a Pro Tools demo.
To learn more about these and other resources available from Digidesign, visit the Digidesign website (www.digidesign.com).
Chapter 1: Introduction 13
Media Station|PT Guide14
chapter 2

Installing Media Station|PT

This chapter describes how to install Media Station|PT software and related peripher­als.

Media Station|PT Configurations

You can use Media Station|PT in three different configurations, as follows:
Standalone Media Station|PT is installed on a computer without Pro Tools installed, and func­tions as a standalone application. When in­stalled in this way on Windows XP, this config­uration can easily be modified to become a video satellite.
Video Satellite (Windows XP Only)
Media Station|PT is installed on a computer that does not have Pro Tools installed, and functions as a video satellite of Pro Tools.

Upgrading Media Station|PT

This section describes how to prepare your sys­tem for upgrading from a previous version of Media Station|PT or Media Station|V10.

Preserving Existing User Settings Before Upgrading from Media Station|V10

Media Station|PT handles user settings differ­ently from Media Station|V10. For optimal per­formance, it is strongly recommended that you create a new user profile after upgrading to Media Station|PT.
If you have user settings in Media Station|V10 that you do not want to lose, you can preserve them before uninstalling Media Station|V10 and then copy them into your new user profile after installing Media Station|PT.
Co-installed with Pro Tools Media Station|PT is installed on the same computer with Pro Tools, and can be launched when Pro Tools is not run­ning.
Chapter 2: Installing Media Station|PT 15
To preserve user profile settings before
User Profile Selection pop-up menu
uninstalling Avid Media Station|V10:
1 Open the project in Media Station|V10.
2 In the Project window, click the Settings tab.
Project window (Settings tab)
3 Choose Special > Site Setting. The Site Setting
window opens.
4 Drag the settings you want to preserve from
the Project window to the Site Settings window.
5 Quit Media Station|PT. The contents of the
Site Settings window are automatically saved.
The settings you have added to this window will now be available to copy back to the Settings tab after Media Station|PT is installed.
See “Creating a New User After Upgrading from Media Station|V10” on page 40 for more information.
Uninstalling Pro Tools and Avid­Related Software on Windows XP
Before upgrading, you must uninstall all earlier versions of Pro Tools and Avid-related software.
To uninstall software:
1 Choose Start > Control Panel.
2 Launch Add or Remove Programs.
3 From the Currently Installed Programs list,
choose one of the following in any order:
• Digidesign Pro Tools HD
•AVoptionDNA
• Avid Media Station|PT or Avid Media Station|V10
•Avid DNADiags
• Avid Log Exchange
• EDL Manager
4 Click the Change/Remove button.
5 Follow the on-screen instructions to remove
the software.
If uninstalling Pro Tools, choose Pro Tools and Digidesign Device Drivers when prompted.
6 Do one of the following:
• If you want to continue uninstalling addi­tional software after the uninstall is com­plete, select “No, I will restart my computer later” and repeat this procedure until you have uninstalled all of the software.
– or –
• If you are finished uninstalling all of the software, restart the computer.
Media Station|PT Guide16
Uninstalling Pro Tools and Avid­Related Software on Mac OS X
Before upgrading, you must uninstall all earlier versions of Pro Tools and Avid-related software.
Uninstalling Media Station|PT 1.8.2 or Lower
The Media Station|PT 2.7 installer application is not the same as the installer application used with previous releases. Therefore, the 2.7 in­staller cannot successfully uninstall Media Station|PT 1.8.2 and lower. If you are up­grading from version 1.8.2 or lower, you must uninstall using a different installer on the Media Station|PT 2.7 installer disc.
To uninstall Media Station|PT 1.8.2 or lower:
1 Insert the Media Station|PT 2.7 installer disc
into your computer’s CD/DVD drive.
2 Locate and open the Other Installers folder.
2 Go to Applications/Digidesign/Pro Tools/
Pro Tools Utilities and double-click the “Uninstall Pro Tools” file.
3 Click Continue to proceed with the uninstall.
4 Choose the type of uninstall you want to per-
form:
Safe Uninstall Leaves certain plug-ins and sys­tem files needed for compatibility with some Avid products.
Clean Uninstall Removes all Pro Tools files, in­cluding system files, Digidesign plug-ins, and MIDI patch names. This is the recommended option, especially when you are updating to the latest version of Media Station|PT.
5 Click Uninstall.
6 Enter your Administrator password and click
OK.
7 Click Finish to close the Installer window.
3 Double-click the MediaStationPT Uninstaller.
4 Click Continue.
5 Select Uninstall from the pop-up menu.
6 Click Uninstall.
The older version of Media Station|PT is unin­stalled. You can proceed with the installation of Media Station|PT 2.7.
Uninstalling Pro Tools 7.2 and Higher
To uninstall versions of Pro Tools 7.2 and higher on Mac OS X:
1 Make sure you have Administrator privileges
for the computer where Pro Tools is installed.
For details on Administrator privileges in Mac OS X, refer to your Apple OS X docu­mentation.
Uninstalling Pro Tools 7.1 and Lower
To uninstall Pro Tools 7.1 and lower on Mac OS X:
1 Make sure you have Administrator privileges
for the computer where Pro Tools is installed.
For details on Administrator privileges in Mac OS X, refer to your Apple OS X docu­mentation.
2 Do one of the following:
• Insert the Pro Tools Installer CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive. Double-click “Install Pro Tools” or “Install Pro Tools TDM” (whichever is appropriate).
– or –
• Click on the downloaded installer file.
3 Enter your Administrator password and click
OK to authenticate the installation.
Chapter 2: Installing Media Station|PT 17
4 In the Installer window, choose Uninstall
from the pop-up menu, and click Uninstall.
5 Follow the on-screen instructions to remove
Pro Tools.
6 When finished, click Quit to close the Installer
window.
7 Restart your computer.
Uninstalling Avid Xpress Pro
If this is the case, you must update the Avid Mojo firmware on a different computer. The firmware cannot be updated on the PCIe computer. (This will be true for all Avid Mojo in­terfaces manufactured before January 2006.)
If you attach an Avid Mojo to your PCIe­based Mac G5 or Mac Pro without following these steps, the system will not recognize the Avid Mojo and you will not be able to run Media Station|PT.
To uninstall Avid Xpress Pro on Mac OS X:
1 Insert the installer disc into your computer’s
CD/DVD drive.
2 Locate and launch the Installer.
3 Click Uninstall.
4 Follow the instructions to remove
Avid Xpress Pro from your computer.
5 Restart your computer.
Updating Avid Mojo Firmware for a PCIe­Based Mac
If you are using an Avid Mojo with an Apple PCIe-based computer (such as Apple Mac Pro or Mac G5 PCIe), the computer will not recognize the Avid Mojo firmware if you are upgrading from either of the following applications:
• Media Station|PT 1.6.1 or lower
• Pro Tools 7.0 or lower
To update the firmware:
1 Connect the Avid Mojo to a non-PCIe Mac or
any Windows XP computer.
2 On the computer connected to the Avid Mojo,
install Pro Tools 7.4 or Media Station|PT 2.7.
3 Launch Media Station|PT or Pro Tools. This
updates the firmware in the video peripheral.
A message box opens informing you that you need to power cycle the Avid Mojo and quit the application.
4 Turn off the Avid Mojo, then connect it to the
PCIe computer.
You are now ready to connect the Avid Mojo (with updated firmware) to your PCIe-based Power Mac G5 or Mac Pro system and install Media Station|PT 2.7.
Using an updated Avid video peripheral with an earlier version of Media Station|PT or Pro Tools software downgrades the firm­ware, and you will need to update the firm­ware again as described in this procedure.
See “Installing an Avid Video Peripheral” on page 22 and “Installing Media Station|PT Software on Mac OS X” on page 30.
Media Station|PT Guide18
Overview of Media Station|PT
Shared
Storage
Video Reference
(Black Burst)
Media Station|PT
CPU
(Video
Satellite)
Deck Control or 1394
Video I/O
Local
Storage
VTR
External monitor
Installed as a Standalone Application
To install Media Station|PT as a standalone application, do the following:
1 Install any optional hardware: See “Installing
Hardware” on page 22.
When installed as a standalone application, Media Station|PT comprises the following com­ponents:
• A dedicated Media Station|PT computer
• Local and/or shared storage for audio and video
• Avid video peripheral (required for playback to an external NTSC/PAL monitor, but not re­quired for capture, export, or layback)
• Video reference (connected to the Avid video peripheral and the VTR if present)
• Optional VTR
\
2 Install Media Station|PT software: See “Install-
ing Media Station|PT Software on Windows XP” on page 26 or “Installing Media Station|PT Soft­ware on Mac OS X” on page 30.
When installed as a standalone application, Media Station|PT on Windows XP can easily be configured as a video satellite of Pro Tools. See “Overview of Media Station|PT Installed as a Video Satellite System” on page 20.
Figure 1. Diagram Media Station|PT installed as a standalone application (with required components connected via solid lines and optional components connected via dotted lines)
Chapter 2: Installing Media Station|PT 19
Overview of Media Station|PT
Shared
Storage
Video Reference
(Black Burst) or
tri-level sync
Pro Tools
CPU
Media Station|PT
CPU
(Video
Satellite)
Deck Control or 1394
Ethernet connection (directly between two CPUs via hub or through LAN)
Audio I/O
Video I/O
SYNC HD
(or SYNC I/O)
Video
Storage
Audio
Storage
VTR
Speakers
External monitor
Installed as a Video Satellite System
(Windows XP Only)
Pro Tools and a Media Station|PT video satellite are known collectively as a video satellite system, and comprise the following components:
• A dedicated Pro Tools computer with:
• Pro Tools|HD card
• Pro Tools|HD audio interface
•SYNCHD or SYNCI/O
• Video reference (connected to the SYNC HD or SYNC I/O)
• Local and/or shared audio storage (local au­dio storage required and shared storage op­tional on Mac OS X)
• Video Satellite Option installed
• A dedicated Media Station|PT computer with:
• Local and/or shared storage for audio and video
• Avid video peripheral
• Video reference (connected to the Avid video peripheral and the VTR if present)
• Optional VTR
• Ethernet connection, either directly through Ethernet hub or via a larger Ethernet network
To install Media Station|PT as a video satellite of Pro Tools:
1 Install any optional hardware: See “Installing
Hardware” on page 22.
2 Make Ethernet connections between Pro Tools
and the video satellite system: See “Making Ethernet Connections with Video Satellite Sys­tems” on page 25.
3 Install Media Station|PT: See “Installing
Media Station|PT Software on Windows XP” on page 26.
4 Authorize the Video Satellite option on any
Pro Tools machine that will be used to interface with the video satellite: See “Authorizing the Video Satellite Option in Pro Tools” on page 32.
Figure 2. Diagram of Pro Tools and a Media Station|PT video satellite system (with required components connected via solid lines and optional components connected via dotted lines)
Media Station|PT Guide20
Overview of Media Station|PT
Shared
Storage
Video Reference
(Black Burst)
Media Station|PT
and Pro Tools
CPU
Deck Control or 1394
Video I/O
Video
Storage
VTR
External monitor
Audio I/O
SYNC HD
(or SYNC I/O)
Audio
Storage
Speakers
Installed on the Same Computer as Pro Tools
When installed on the same computer, Pro Tools and Media Station|PT comprise the following components:
• Local and/or shared storage for audio and video
• Avid video peripheral
• Video reference (connected to the Avid video peripheral, SYNC HD or SYNC I/O, and the VTR if present)
• Optional VTR
• Pro Tools|HD card
• Pro Tools|HD audio interface
•SYNCHD or SYNCI/O
• Video Satellite option installed

Installing Media Station|PT on the Same Computer as Pro Tools

To install Media Station|PT on the same computer as Pro Tools:
1 Install all Pro Tools hardware. See the Getting
Started with HD Guide.
2 Install optional hardware: See “Installing
Hardware” on page 22.
3 Install Media Station|PT: See “Installing
Media Station|PT Software on Windows XP” on page 26 or “Installing Media Station|PT Soft­ware on Mac OS X” on page 30.
4 Install Pro Tools HD. See the Getting Started
with HD Guide.
\
Figure 3. Diagram Media Station|PT installed as a standalone application (with required components connected via solid lines and optional components connected via dotted lines)
Chapter 2: Installing Media Station|PT 21
Using EQ II and Dynamics II Plug­Ins with Media Station|PT or Pro Tools
When you install Pro Tools after installing Me­dia Station|PT on the same computer, EQ II and Dynamics II plug-ins are automatically moved to the Unused Plug-Ins folder. If you want to continue using either of these plug-ins with Pro Tools or Media Station|PT, you must manually move them back to the Plug-Ins folder

Installing Hardware

This section describes installation procedures for the following:
• Avid video peripheral
• Audio monitoring setups
•VTR

Installing an Avid Video Peripheral

3 Connect one end of the FireWire cable to the
Host port on the Avid video peripheral, and con­nect the other end to any internal FireWire port on the computer.
All FireWire ports on Digidesign-qualified computers are connected to the same bus, and the Avid video peripheral must be the only device attached to this bus. If it is not the only device attached to this bus, the Avid video peripheral will not be recog­nized. Therefore, you must install a PCI or PCIe FireWire card if you need to connect other FireWire devices. For more informa­tion on where to connect a PCI or PCIe FireWire card, follow the guidelines de­scribed for Pro Tools in the Avid Video Pe­ripherals Guide (located on your Pro Tools installer disc) or on the Digidesign website (www.digidesign.com).

Monitoring Audio from Media Station|PT

To output high-quality video from Media Station|PT, an Avid video peripheral is re­quired.
To connect Avid video peripheral hardware:
1 Ensure that the Avid video peripheral is
turned off.
2 Connect the power cable for the Avid video
peripheral.
Media Station|PT Guide22
Monitoring audio from Media Station|PT is dif­ferent depending on how the software is being used, as follows:
Standalone mode Use the audio I/O of your Avid video peripheral. If no video peripheral is present, use the I/O of your computer. Capture and layback of DV-stream format audio and video can be performed via the FireWire port.
Video satellite mode The timing of the audio output of Media Station|PT is plus or minus ap­proximately 1/2 frame. While this is not as pre­cise as the audio output of Pro Tools, it may still be useful to listen to the audio output from Media Station|PT in your Pro Tools session. If desired, route the audio outputs from the video peripheral into the analog or digital inputs of
your Pro Tools audio peripheral. If using digital inputs, be sure that the Pro Tools Clock Refer­ence is set to the digital input, or pops and clicks may occur.
Installed on the same computer as Pro Tools Use the Digidesign audio peripheral as the audio I/O for Media Station|PT.
Connecting a VTR with No Avid Video Peripheral Present
If no Avid video peripheral is connected to the system—but the VTR supports input and output of audio and video as a DV-stream via FireWire— connect the VTR directly to the Media Station|PT computer.

Connecting a VTR

You can use Media Station|PT for capturing au­dio and video from tape, or for laying audio and video back to tape. There are four types of con­nections which need to be made:
•Video I/O
•Audio I/O
• Deck Control
• Video reference (black burst)
Connecting Video I/O to the VTR
Connecting a VTR to an Avid Video Peripheral
If an Avid video peripheral is connected to the system, connect the VTR’s video I/O to the Avid video peripheral.
To connect a VTR’s video I/O to an Avid video peripheral:
1 Connect the Avid video peripheral Composite
IN, Component IN, S-Video IN, or SDI IN con­nectors to the corresponding output or outputs on your VTR.
2 Connect the Avid video peripheral Composite
OUT, Component OUT, S-Video OUT, or SDI OUT connectors to the corresponding inputs on your VTR.
To connect a VTR’s video I/O without an Avid video peripheral:
1 Connect one end of a 1394 (FireWire) cable to
the 1394 connector on the VTR.
This only supports DV video formats such as DV25, DVCPro 100 and HDV.
2 Connect the other end of the 1394 (FireWire)
cable to an available FireWire port on the Media Station|PT computer.
Connecting Audio I/O to the VTR
Media Station|PT Installed as a Standalone Application with an Avid Video Peripheral
If Media Station|PT is installed as a standalone application and connected to an Avid video pe­ripheral, connect the audio inputs and outputs on the VTR to the audio inputs and outputs on the Avid video peripheral.
Media Station|PT Installed as a Standalone Application with no Avid Video Peripheral Present
If no Avid video peripheral is connected to the system—but the VTR supports input and output of audio and video as a DV-stream via FireWire— connect the VTR directly to the Media Station|PT computer.
Chapter 2: Installing Media Station|PT 23
Media Station|PT Installed as a Video Satellite or Installed on the Same Computer as Pro Tools
If Media Station|PT is installed as a video satel­lite of Pro Tools or installed on the same com­puter with Pro Tools, connect the audio inputs and outputs on the VTR to the audio inputs and outputs on the primary Pro Tools|HD audio in­terface.
Configuring MachineControl with a VTR
If the VTR is DV-based (which means it accepts Deck Control via FireWire), connect the VTR to the Media Station|PT computer via FireWire.
If the VTR requires 9-pin control, you need to set it up differently.
Connecting a Serial 9-Pin Cable from the Media Station|PT Video Satellite to the VTR
Because the VTR is always controlled by Media Station|PT in a video satellite system, you need to connect the video satellite computer di­rectly to the VTR.
To connect a VTR via 9-pin to a Windows com­puter:
Connect the computer’s COM port to the
deck, using a 9-pin RS-322 to RS-422 cable (not provided).
The 9-pin RS-322 to RS-422 cable is in­cluded with the Digidesign MachineControl option, which is available separately from Media Station|PT. See www.digidesign.com for details.
Connecting a serial 9-pin cable is not necessary if you are using a DV-based VTR that accepts deck control commands via FireWire.
In this case, the serial 9-pin cable is not neces­sary since the FireWire connection between the VTR and the Media Station|PT client computer is sufficient. (See your VTR documentation for detailed support information.)
Connecting a VTR to Mac OS X
To connect a deck to a Mac computer:
1 Connect a Keyspan USA28x USB serial adapter
(not provided) to a USB port on the computer.
You may need to install a Keyspan driver to use the Keyspan USB serial adapter. See your Keyspan documentation for details.
2 Connect a male mini DIN-8 serial to male 9-
pin D-sub Deck Control cable (not included) to the end of the adapter.
The male mini DIN-8 serial to male 9-pin D-sub Deck Control cable is included with the Digidesign MachineControl option, which is available separately from Media Station|PT. See www.digidesign.com for details.
3 Connect the end of the cable to the deck.
Connecting Video Reference
If an Avid video peripheral is connected to the Media Station|PT computer, it must have an ap­propriate video reference signal (black burst).
Always make sure to connect the proper black burst signal to your Avid DNA periph­eral before opening a project.
To connect a video reference signal to your VTR:
Connect a black burst or house sync output to
a video input on your VTR (preferably a refer­ence video input).
Media Station|PT Guide24

Making Ethernet Connections with Video Satellite Systems

(Video Satellite System Only)
To exchange transport commands and files on remotely mounted storage, the computers in a video satellite system communicate via Ethernet with the standard TCP/IP protocol using 100 Base-T or 1000 Base-T connections. The computers may either be connected directly or via a Local Area Network (LAN).

Using a Direct Connection

Use a direct connection for any of these reasons:
• When the satellite will always be connected to the same Pro Tools system
• When a LAN is not available
• To avoid possible conflicts on the LAN with other network traffic
To connect the systems directly
1 Connect a CAT5e Ethernet cable between the
Pro Tools system and a standard Ethernet hub or switch.

Using a LAN connection

Use a LAN in any of the following conditions:
• If the video satellite is located in a separate room from the Pro Tools system
• If more than one Pro Tools system will be con­necting to the video satellite
• If you want Pro Tools and Media Station|PT computers on a LAN to access the Internet or connect to other locations on your network
To connect a video satellite system to a LAN:
1 Connect both systems to a standard 100 Base-
T or 1000-Base-T Ethernet network as you would any other computer.
By default, both systems communicate via TCP/IP port 28282, though that can be changed if necessary.
If you find you need to enter the IP address after each reboot, try turning off DHCP.
2 Connect another CAT5e cable between the
Media Station|PT system and the same hub or switch.
Direct connection using a crossover Ethernet ca­ble without a hub or switch may work with some systems, but is untested.
Chapter 2: Installing Media Station|PT 25

Full-Screen Playback of Video in Media Station|PT

Installing Media Station|PT Software on Windows XP

With a supported video card installed, you can route HD or SD video to a DVI port and play back sequences in Media Station|PT using the full screen of your primary or secondary moni­tor.
Due to limitations related to outputting video on a monitor with a refresh rate that differs from the video frame rate, the output quality may not be suitable. See “Video Frame Rate vs. Monitor Refresh Rate” on page 45.
For detailed information on changing full­screen video playback options, see “Changing Video Output Settings for Full-Screen Playback” on page 44.
If you are using Media Station|PT on a Windows XP system and you want to con­figure more than one monitor for full-screen playback, see “Configuring More Than One Monitor for Full Screen Playback” on page 29
The Media Station|PT Installer DVD contains in­stallers for the following optional software:
• Avid EDL Manager
• Avid LogExchange
If you are installing Media Station|PT on the same computer as Pro Tools, install Media Station|PT before installing Pro Tools.
To install Media Station|PT software on Windows XP:
1 Start your computer and log on to Windows
with Administrator privileges.
2 If the Found New Hardware Wizard dialog ap-
pears (for any connected Pro Tools or Avid hard­ware), leave it open.
3 Insert the Avid Media Station|PT Installer
DVD into your computer’s DVD drive. The in­staller should automatically open and launch.
For detailed instructions on installing nVidia drivers for full-screen playback on Windows XP, see “Installing nVidia Driv­ers” on page 29.
Media Station|PT Guide26
Avid Media Station|PT Main Installer window
If the installer does not automatically open and launch, locate the Launch.exe file on the Avid Media Station|PT Installer DVD.
4 Click Install Avid Editor Suite to display the
next screen.
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