MOTU HD Express User Manual

HD Express

User’s Guide for Mac OS X

™

1280 Massachusetts Avenue

Cambridge, MA 02138

Business voice: [phone]

Business fax: [phone]

Web site: www.motu.com

Tech support: www.motu.com/support

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS

CAUTION! READ THIS SAFETY GUIDE BEFORE YOU BEGIN INSTALLATION OR OPERATION. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
COULD RESULT IN BODILY INJURY OR EQUIPMENT DAMAGE.

HAZARDOUS VOLTAGES: CONTACT MAY CAUSE ELECTRIC SHOCK OR BURN. TURN OFF UNIT BEFORE SERVICING.

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR OTHER MOISTURE.

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

WARNING: DO NOT PERMIT FINGERS TO TOUCH THE TERMINALS OF PLUGS WHEN INSTALLING OR REMOVING THE PLUG TO OR FROM THE OUTLET.

WARNING: IF NOT PROPERLY GROUNDED THE MOTU HD Express COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHOCK.

The MOTU HD Express is equipped with a three-conductor cord and grounding type plug which has a grounding prong, approved by Underwriters' Laboratories and the Canadian Standards Association. This plug
requires a mating three-conductor grounded type outlet as shown in Figure A below. If the outlet you are planning to use for the MOTU HD Express is of the two prong type, DO NOT REMOVE OR ALTER THE
GROUNDING PRONG IN ANY MANNER. Use an adapter as shown below and always connect the grounding lug to a known ground. It is recommended that you have a qualified electrician replace the TWO
prong outlet with a properly grounded THREE prong outlet. An adapter as illustrated below in Figure B is available for connecting plugs to two-prong receptacles.

Figure A Figure B

Grounding lug

Screw

3-prong plug

Grounding prong

Properly grounded 3-prong outlet

3-prong plug

Mak e su re th is i s con nec ted to
a known ground.

Two-prong receptacle

Adapter

WARNING: THE GREEN GROUNDING LUG EXTENDING FROM THE ADAPTER MUST BE CONNECTED TO A PERMANENT GROUND SUCH AS TO A
PROPERLY GROUNDED OUTLET BOX. NOT ALL OUTLET BOXES ARE PROPERLY GROUNDED.

If you are not sure that your outlet box is properly grounded, have it checked by a qualified electrician. NOTE: The adapter illustrated is for use only if you already have a properly grounded two-prong
receptacle. Adapter is not allowed in Canada by the Canadian Electrical Code. Use only three wire extension cords which have three-prong grounding type plugs and three-prong receptacles which
will accept the MOTU HD Express plug.

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

1. Read these instructions. All the safety and operating instructions should be read before operating the HD Express.

2. Keep these instructions. These safety instructions and the HD Express owner’s manual should be retained for future reference.

3. Heed all warnings. All warnings on the HD Express and in the owner’s manual should be adhered to.

4. Follow all Instructions. All operating and use instructions should be followed.

5. Do not use the HD Express near water.

6. Cleaning - Unplug the HD Express from the computer and clean only with a dry cloth. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.

7. Ventilation - Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

8. Heat - Do not install the HD Express near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or another apparatus (including an amplifier) that produces heat.

9. Overloading - Do not overload wall outlets and extension cords as this can result in a risk of fire or electrical shock.

10. Grounding - Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade
or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult and electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

11. Power cord - Protect the HD Express power cord from being walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them. Pay particular attention to cords and plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the HD Express.

12. Power switch - Install the HD Express so that the power switch can be accessed and operated at all times.

13. Disconnect - The main plug is considered to be the disconnect device for the HD Express and shall remain readily operable.

14. Accessories - Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

15. Placement - Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the HD Express. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

16. Surge protection - Unplug the HD Express during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

17. Servicing - Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the HD Express has been damaged in any way, such as when a power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have
fallen into the HD Express, the HD Express has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

18. Power Sources - Refer to the manufacturer’s operating instructions for power requirements. Be advised that different operating voltages may require the use of a different line cord and/or attachment plug.

19. Installation - Do not install the HD Express in an unventilated rack, or directly above heat-producing equipment such as power amplifiers. Observe the maximum ambient operating temperature listed below.

20. Power amplifiers- Never attach audio power amplifier outputs directly to any of the unit’s connectors.

21. Replacement Parts - When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by the manufacturer or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized substitutions
may result in fire, electric shock or other hazards.

22. Safety Check - Upon completion of any service or repairs to this MOTU HD Express, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in safe operating conditions.

ENVIRONMENT

Operating Temperature: 10°C to 40°C (50°F to 104°)

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK OR FIRE

Do not handle the power cord with wet hands. Do not pull on the power cord when disconnecting it from an AC wall outlet. Grasp it by the plug. Do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture. Do not place objects containing liquids on it.

AC INPUT

100 - 240VAC ~ • 50 / 60Hz • 20 Watts.

Contents

Quick Reference: HD Express Front Panel

5

6

Quick Reference: HD Express Rear Panel

Quick Reference: MOTU Video Setup

7

About the HD Express

9

Packing List and Mac System Requirements

11

13

Installing the HD Express Hardware

Installing the HD Express Mac OS X Software

21

23

HD Express Basics

MOTU Video Setup

25

33

Final Cut Pro

Troubleshooting

41

Video Formats

43

45

HD Express Specifications

Index

47

3

About the Mark of the Unicorn License Agreement and
Limited Warranty on Software

TO PERSONS WHO PURCHASE OR USE THIS PRODUCT: carefully read all the
terms and conditions of the “click-wrap” license agreement presented to you when
you install the software. Using the software or this documentation indicates your
acceptance of the terms and conditions of that license agreement.

Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. (“MOTU”) owns both this program and its documentation.
Both the program and the documentation are protected under applicable copyright,
trademark, and trade-secret laws. Your right to use the program and the
documentation are limited to the terms and conditions described in the license
agreement.

Reminder of the terms of your license

This summary is not your license agreement, just a reminder of its terms. The actual
license can be read and printed by running the installation program for the software.
That license agreement is a contract, and clicking “Accept” binds you and MOTU to
all its terms and conditions. In the event anything contained in this summary is
incomplete or in conflict with the actual click-wrap license agreement, the terms of the
click-wrap agreement prevail.

YOU MAY: (a) use the enclosed program on a single computer; (b) physically transfer
the program from one computer to another provided that the program is used on only
one computer at a time and that you remove any copies of the program from the
computer from which the program is being transferred; (c) make copies of the
program solely for backup purposes. You must reproduce and include the copyright
notice on a label on any backup copy.

YOU MAY NOT: (a) distribute copies of the program or the documentation to others;
(b) rent, lease or grant sublicenses or other rights to the program; (c) provide use of
the program in a computer service business, network, time-sharing, multiple CPU or
multiple user arrangement without the prior written consent of MOTU; (d) translate,
adapt, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or otherwise alter the program or
related documentation without the prior written consent of MOTU.

MOTU warrants to the original licensee that the disk(s) on which the program is
recorded be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a
period of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase as evidenced by a copy of your
receipt. If failure of the disk has resulted from accident, abuse or misapplication of the
product, then MOTU shall have no responsibility to replace the disk(s) under this
Limited Warranty.

THIS LIMITED WARRANTY AND RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT IS IN LIEU OF,
AND YOU HEREBY WAIVE, ANY AND ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, BOTH
EXPRESS AND IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE
LIABILITY OF MOTU PURSUANT TO THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL BE
LIMITED TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE DISK(S), AND IN NO
EVENT SHALL MOTU OR ITS SUPPLIERS, LICENSORS, OR AFFILIATES BE
LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF USE, LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA OR
DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE, OR LOSSES SUSTAINED BY THIRD
PARTIES EVEN IF MOTU HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS
WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW
THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

Update Policy

In order to be eligible to obtain updates of the program, you must complete and return
the attached Mark of the Unicorn Purchaser Registration Card to MOTU.

Copyright Notice

Copyright © 2009 by Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system,
or translated into any human or computer language, in any form or by any means
whatsoever, without express written permission of Mark of the Unicorn, Inc., 1280
Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, U.S.A.

Limited Warranty on Hardware

Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. and S&S Research (“MOTU/S&S”) warrant this equipment
against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of TWO (2) YEARS from
the date of original retail purchase. This warranty applies only to hardware products;
MOTU software is licensed and warranted pursuant to separate written statements.

If you discover a defect, first write or call Mark of the Unicorn at [phone] to
obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization Number. No service will be performed on
any product returned without prior authorization. MOTU will, at its option, repair or
replace the product at no charge to you, provided you return it during the warranty
period, with transportation charges prepaid, to Mark of the Unicorn, Inc., 1280
Massachusetts Avenue, MA 02138. You must use the product’s original packing
material for in shipment, and insure the shipment for the value of the product. Please
include your name, address, telephone number, a description of the problem, and
the original, dated bill of sale with the returned unit and print the Return Merchandise
Authorization Number on the outside of the box below the shipping address.

This warranty does not apply if the equipment has been damaged by accident,
abuse, misuse, or misapplication; has been modified without the written permission
of MOTU, or if the product serial number has been removed or defaced.

ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE
LIMITED IN DURATION TO TWO (2) YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THE
ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASE OF THIS PRODUCT.

THE WARRANTY AND REMEDIES SET FORTH ABOVE ARE EXCLUSIVE
AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHERS, ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.
No MOTU/S&S dealer, agent, or employee is authorized to make any modification,
extension, or addition to this warranty.

MOTU/S&S ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF
WARRANTY, OR UNDER ANY LEGAL THEORY, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS,
DOWNTIME, GOODWILL, DAMAGE OR REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT
AND PROPERTY AND COST OF RECOVERING REPROGRAMMING, OR
REPRODUCING ANY PROGRAM OR DATA STORED IN OR USED WITH
MOTU/S&S PRODUCTS.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties or liability for
incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not
apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other
rights which vary from state to state.

MOTU, Mark of the Unicorn and the unicorn silhouette logo are trademarks of Mark
of the Unicorn, Inc. Apple, the Apple Logo and Final Cut Pro are registered
trademarks of Apple, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.

This equipment has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications or television reception. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause
interference to radio or television equipment reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by any combination of the
following measures:

• Relocate or re-orient the receiving antenna

• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver

• Plug the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected

If necessary, consult a dealer or experienced radio/television technician for additional assistance.

PLEASE NOTE: only equipment certified to comply with Class A (computer input/output devices,
terminals, printers, etc.) should be attached to this equipment, and it must have shielded interface
cables in order to comply with the Class A FCC limits on RF emissions.

WARNING: changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

ON mode. With this main power switch flipped to the

AUTO ON position, the HD Express will power on and off

with your computer.

When using the HD Express rack-mount interface with

the laptop ExpressCard adapter, operation is

plug-and-play: you can disconnect and reconnect the

interface, and freely switch it on or off as desired.

When using the PCIe card adapter on a desktop

machine, the HD Express rack-mount interface must be

connected and switched on before starting up the

computer. Similarly, you must shut down the computer

before switching it off and/or disconnecting it. If the

interface gets disconnected or switched off before

computer shut-down, you’ll need to restart the

computer to bring the interface back on line.

7. Keep this switch in the down position to enable AUTO

31 2 54 76

successfully locked to the currently selected clock

source. The CAPTURE light glows when the HD Express is

capturing or previewing video; the MONITOR light

glows when the HD Express is playing back (whether

still-framed or not).

face successfully establishes communication with the

computer via the PCIe card or ExpressCard.

the HD Express powers up when you switch on your

computer and powers down when you switch off your

computer.

4. The GENLOCK light glows when the HD Express has

5. The HOST light illuminates when the HD Express inter-

6. When the power switch is in the AUTO ON position,

Quick Reference: HD Express Front Panel

player, VHS deck or any other composite or S-Video

1. Connect an SD source here, such as a camcorder, DVD

source.

player, set-top box, video game console, AV receiver or

other HDMI device. Note that many consumer HDMI

sources (such as DVD players) implement HDCP (High

Bandwidth Digital Content Protection), which does not

allow video capture of copy-protected signals via I/O

devices like the HD Express.

Its output always matches analog outputs 1-2 on the

rear panel. Use the volume knob to control its level. To

monitor S/PDIF or HDMI input on this headphone jack,

see “Downmix to Output 1-2 on Capture” on page 31.

2. Connect an HDMI source here, such as a camcorder, DVD

3. This is a standard quarter-inch stereo headphone jack.

75432 6

1

The HD/SD Component section of the HD Express is

equipped with 12-bit converters that deliver 10-bit

capture and playback, with support for either RGB or

YPbPr component color space. Alternately, you can

connect a composite video (CVBS) input or output

signal to the Y connectors or an S-Video input or output

signal to the Y/C connectors.

supply that provides 12 watts of power. The connector

can be either either tip-positive or tip-negative.

6. Connect component HD or SD input and output here.

a standard HDMI-to-mini-HDMI cable. In either case, it

is recommended that you use the supplied cable. If you

use another cable, the length should not exceed six

feet, and use a high-quality cable.

5. Connect a plasma, LCD, DLP or other HDMI-equipped

7. The HD Express uses an external, 10-24 volt power

monitor here. Alternately, you can connect a

DVI-equipped device with an adapter cable. The

HD Express supports 8-channel PCM (uncompressed)

embedded audio over HDMI, so you could also connect

this output to an HDMI-equipped home theater

receiver to deliver both picture and multi-channel

audio.

Quick Reference: HD Express Rear Panel

surround sound monitoring. Connect them to a

surround speaker system, or to a mixer. They are

equipped with 24-bit converters that support sample

rates from 44.1 kHz up to 96 kHz.

1. These six RCA analog outputs provide 5.1 and 7.1

input and output.

2. Outputs 1-2 are the main stereo audio outputs.

3. These connectors provide stereo S/PDIF digital audio

standard HDMI cable. If you are connecting the inter-

face to an ExpressCard adapter for laptop operation, use

4. Connect the HD Express to the computer here using any

Quick Reference: MOTU Video Setup

CHAPTER

Choose the video format that you
wish to capture or play back.

The status area tells you what mode
the HD Express hardware is in. It also
provides helpful troubleshooting info.

When capturing video, choose the
input source here. Also deter­mines the clock source for
playback, if the Playback Clock
Source is set to Input Source.

Click a tab to view its settings above.
For complete details on the settings
in these tabs, see chapter 6, “MOTU
Video Setup” (page 25).

Indicates the video format detected on the
currently chosen video Input Source (above).

Indicates when the HD Express has
successfully achieved lockup to the
currently selected clock source, which
could be the HD Express’s internal clock
or the current video input source.

7

8

CHAPTER

1

About the HD Express

OVERVIEW

The HD Express is a PCI Express video interface
for Mac that provides broadcast-quality video
capture and monitoring for Final Cut Pro.

The HD Express connects to a Mac desktop
computer via a standard PCI Express card or a Mac
laptop via an ExpressCard adapter and turns the
computer into a powerful HD/SD video
production workstation equipped with broadcast
quality HD and SD video and audio capture and
monitoring.

In Final Cut Pro, the HD Express supports full­raster 1920 x 1080 HD capture and playback using
any video format supported natively by Final Cut
Pro, including uncompressed, P2 (DVCProHD),
XD CAM, HDV, and Apple’s ProRes 422 codec in
both standard and HQ modes. The HD Express is
the ideal affordable video capture solution for any
ProRes workflow.

The HD Express is ideal for any natively supported
workflow because you can immediately play back
clips (either imported or ingested) with no
transcoding necessary. Conversely, you can
connect any SD or HD video source such as an
HDV camera, legacy video deck or DVD player
and then capture it directly in the format of your
choice in Final Cut. Many cameras now feed their
uncompressed SDI or component output directly
from the camera’s optics and image sensor, before
compression, for the best-possible picture quality
during capture with the HD Express.

A wide range of video equipment can be connected
to the HD Express, from legacy SD camcorders to
the latest HD cameras, video decks, LCD reference
monitors and plasmas.

The HD Express is housed in a rugged aluminum
alloy chassis with a standard half-rack, mountable
form factor. Included rack mounting brackets can
easily be removed for convenient desktop
operation.

The HD Express is designed to streamline your
video production workflow, with unified control
over all your video gear from the convenience of
your computer desktop.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

■

HD/SD PCI Express video interface for Mac and
Windows — provides HD and SD capture and
playback for any current-generation PCI- or
ExpressCard-equipped computer.

■

Tower or laptop operation — connects to a Mac
or PC tower via PCI Express for ultra-fast
operation, or to a laptop via ExpressCard
connectivity for mobile operation.

■

Comprehensive video capture & monitoring —
captures and plays uncompressed video in all
standard SD and HD video formats up to and
including 1080p30 (720p, 1080i, 1080p &
1080PsF).

■

Supports Apple Final Cut Pro.

■

Captures and plays uncompressed HD and SD
— 10-bit 4:2:2 color depth and 1920 x 1080
resolution, all standard HD and SD formats up to
and including 1080p30 (720p, 1080i, 1080p and
1080PsF).

■

Support for ProRes and other popular codecs —
capture and monitor full-raster (1920 x 1080 or
1280 x 720) Apple ProRes, ProRes HQ or other
popular host-based codecs supported by Apple
Final Cut Pro.

9

■

Support for file-based workflows — lets you edit
and monitor file-based workflow codecs supported
natively in Final Cut Pro, including HDV, XD
CAM, P2/DVCPro, and others with no
transcoding needed.

■

Broadcast quality — 10-bit 4:2:2 signal path
throughout.

HDMI capture and monitoring — provides

■

both HDMI in and out.

Color grading — provides flexible, industry-

■

standard color adjustment with separate controls
for capture and playback.

■

Comprehensive audio — capture stereo analog
or 8-channel embedded HDMI digital audio.
Mon itor u p to ei ght cha nne ls of su rro und audio via
RCA analog or HDMI embedded at sample rates
up to 96kHz.

■ Half-rack form factor with dedicated connectors

— no cable swapping or gangly, inconvenient
breakout cables.

VIDEO I/O

The HD Express provides comprehensive video
input and output connectivity.

The front panel provides convenient inputs for
legacy SD capture and full 10-bit uncompressed
HDMI capture from today’s latest HD camcorders.

The component section provides both RGB and
YPbPr, but can alternately serve as CVBS
(composite) in/out or even Y/C (S-Video) in/out.

■ 1 x HDMI in and out (4:2:2 10-bit, YUV)

■ Support for DVI output with HDMI-to-DVI

adapter (sold separately)

■ 1 x HD/SD component in and out (10-bit, YPbPr

or RGB) on RCAs

■ 1 x composite in (10-bit) on RCA

■ 1 x S-Video in (10-bit) on 4-pin mini-DIN

■ 1 x composite in and out (10-bit CVBS) on

shared RCA

■ 1 x S-Video in/out (10-bit Y/C) on shared RCA

VIDEO FORMATS

■ SD — 576i25 (PAL) and 486i29.97 (NTSC)

■ HD — 720p23.976, 720p24, 720p25, 720p29.97,

720p30, 720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60, 1080p23.976,
1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p30,
1080PsF23.976, 1080PsF24, 1080PsF25,
1080PsF29.97, 1080PsF30, 1080i25, 1080i29.97,
1080i30

■ Supported Final Cut Pro HD formats —

Uncompressed HD (8-bit and 10-bit), Apple
ProRes or DVCProHD 720p at all eight frame rates
listed above, plus full-raster (1920 x 1080) ProRes
or DVCProHD 1080 (1280 and 1440 rasters) at all
1080 frame rates listed above

■ Supported Final Cut SD formats —

Uncompressed 8-bit and 10-bit, Apple ProRes or
DVCPro and DVCPro 50 at 486i29.97 and 576i25

AUDIO I/O

The HD Express provides stereo analog audio
capture and surround sound monitoring with
support for both 5.1 or 7.1 configurations. The
HD Express also provides 8-channel capture and
monitoring of embedded HDMI digital audio
input and output.

■ Supports all standard audio sample rates from

44.1 to 96kHz

■ 2 x RCA analog input on the front panel for SD

Composite/S-Video capture

■ 2 x S/PDIF digital in and out on RCA connectors

■ 8 x HDMI embedded audio in and out

■ Front panel headphone jack with dedicated

volume control

10

ABOUT THE HD EXPRESS

CHAPTER

2 Packing List and Mac System

Requirements

PACKING LIST

The HD Express ships with the items listed below.
If any of these items are not present in your
HD Express box when you first open it, please
immediately contact your dealer or MOTU.

■ One HD Express with removable rack ears

■ One HDMI cable

■ One PCI card or ExpressCard adapter

■ One power adapter

■ HD Express Mac/Windows manuals

■ One software installer CD

■ Product registration card

MAC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

The HD Express system requires the following Mac
system:

■ A multi-processor Intel-based Mac equipped

with at least one PCI Express slot or ExpressCard
slot

PLEASE REGISTER TODAY!

Please register your HD Express today. There are
two ways to register.

■ Visit www.motu.com/registration to register

online

OR

■ Fill out and mail the included product

registration card

As a registered user, you will be eligible to receive
technical support and announcements about
product enhancements as soon as they become
available. Only registered users receive these
special update notices, so please register today.

Thank you for taking the time to register your new
MOTU products!

■ At least 1 GB (gigabyte) of RAM (2 GB or more

is recommended)

■ Mac OS X (version 10.5 or later)

■ A large hard drive (preferably at least 500 GB)

11

12

PACKING LIST AND MAC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

CHAPTER

3 Installing the HD Express Hardware

OVERVIEW

Here’s an overview for installing the HD Express:

Precautions before you begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Installing the PCI card adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Installing the ExpressCard adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Connect the HD Express to your computer . . . . . . . . . . 15

Power-up/power-down sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Connect video inputs and outputs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Example HD Express video connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Connect audio inputs and outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Example HD Express audio connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

PRECAUTIONS BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Installing the HD Express hardware requires the
handling of sensitive electronic components that
can be easily damaged by static electricity, even in
the very small amounts generated by our bodies
every time we move. Please take these basic
precautions before and during installation to avoid
permanently damaging your HD Express
hardware:

■ Before you begin, turn off the computer and

unplug it from any power source. Do the same for
any connected components (hard drives, etc.)

■ When handling the HD Express PCI card

adapter, hold it by the silver bulkhead, or by the
edges of the circuit board. Be careful not to touch
the components on the circuit board or the metal
contacts on the insert tab.

INSTALLING THE PCI CARD ADAPTER

If you have a PCI Express card for the HD Express,
install it as follows:

1 Switch off and unplug your computer.

☛ Failure to do so may result in serious shock or

injury.

2 Open your computer.

3 Find an available PCI slot.

■ Completely review the installation procedure on

the following pages before you begin the
installation.

■ Avoid wool or synthetic clothing, which tends to

generate much more static electricity than cotton.

■ Static electricity occurs much more readily in

dry climate conditions. If you can, perform the
installation with a relative humidity of at least 50%.

■ Leave the HD Express PCIe host adapter in its

antistatic bag until you are ready to install it.

■ When you are ready to begin installation, have

the PCIe adapter, still in its anti-static bag, close by
so it is in within easy reach during installation.

4 Remove the slot cover, if necessary.

5 Before removing the HD Express PCI card from

it’s anti-static bag, touch the power supply inside
your computer to discharge any static electricity
that may have built up on you.

6 Remove the HD Express PCI card from its anti­static bag.

13

7 Gently but firmly insert the card into any
available PCI slot.

1 Before removing the ExpressCard adapter from
it’s anti-static bag, touch the metal chassis of your
laptop computer to discharge any static electricity
that may have built up on you.

2 Remove the ExpressCard adapter from its anti­static bag.

3 Insert the adapter into the ExpressCard slot on
your laptop computer with the top of the
ExpressCard (the side with the label on it) facing
up and the mini-HDMI connector (the smaller of
the two connectors) facing out.

8 Secure the bulkhead of the card to the computer
chassis with the bolt from the slot cover.

☛ We strongly recommend securing the

HD Express PCI card in this manner. Doing so
al lows you to ensure sec ure conne ctions to t he card
later on in the installation.

9 Place the cover back on your computer.

10 Reconnect the power cord to the computer

before proceeding.

INSTALLING THE EXPRESSCARD ADAPTER

If you have a laptop ExpressCard adapter for the
HD Express, you can install it as follows, with your
laptop computer turned on or off:

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4 Push the adapter into the slot until it clicks into
place.

☛ Do not force the ExpressCard into the slot. If it

does not easily slide into place, remove it and try
again.

When the card is properly seated in the slot, it
should be flush with the side of your laptop.

Removing the ExpressCard

To safely removing the ExpressCard adapter, first
disconnect the HDMI cable, and then push the
adapter inwards until you hear and feel it click.
This releases it from its installed position and it
should pop out of the slot far enough for you to
grasp it and gently remove it. Immediately place it
in its anti-static bag.

INSTALLING THE HD EXPRESS HARDWARE

CONNECT THE HD EXPRESS TO YOUR
COMPUTER

1 Plug one end of the supplied HDMI cable into
the HDMI socket on the PCI card or ExpressCard
adapter as shown below in Figure 3-1.

Figure 3-1: Connecting the HD Express to the computer.

☛ If you purchased the HD Express with an

ExpressCard adapter, the included HDMI cable
has a regular HDMI plug at one end and a smaller,
mini-HDMI plug at the other end. Plug the mini­HDMI plug into the ExpressCard adapter.

Figure 3-2: Making the connection from the computer to the
HD Express.

☛When making the connection

from the computer (Figure 3-1) to the
interface (Figure 3-2), be sure to plug

the HDMI cable into the jack labeled
PCIe CARD, as shown in Figure 3-2. DO NOT plug
it into the HDMI OUT jack. The computer must be
connected to the PCIe CARD jack for proper
operation.

POWER-UP/POWER-DOWN SEQUENCE

When using the HD Express rack-mount interface
with the laptop ExpressCard adapter, operation is
plug-and-play: you can disconnect and reconnect
the interface, and freely switch it on or off as
desired.

2 Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into the
HD Express I/O “PCIe CARD” jack as shown
below in Figure 3-2.

INSTALLING THE HD EXPRESS HARDWARE

However, when using the PCIe card adapter on a
desktop machine (connected to the PCIe card), the
HD Express rack-mount interface must be
connected and switched on before starting up the
computer. Similarly, you must shut down the
computer before switching off and/or
disconnecting the HD Express. If the interface gets
disconnected or switched off before computer
shut-down, you’ll need to restart the computer to
bring the interface back on line.

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