Pinnacle Systems Media Composer Quick Start Guide

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Avid® Composer

Products

Setup Guide

for the Windows NT® Operating System

tools for storytellers®

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

The following disclaimer is required by Sam Leffler and Silicon Graphics, Inc. for the use of their TIFF library:

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

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

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

The following disclaimer is required by the Independent JPEG Group:

Portions of this software are based on work of the Independent JPEG Group.

The following disclaimer is required by Paradigm Matrix:

Portions of this software licensed from Paradigm Matrix.

The following disclaimer is required by Ray Sauers Associates, Inc.:

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

The following disclaimer is required by Videomedia, Inc.:

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

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

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

The following notice is required by Ultimatte Corporation:

Certain real-time compositing capabilities are provided under a license of such technology from Ultimatte Corporation and are subject to copyright protection.

Attn. Government User(s). Restricted Rights Legend

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

Trademarks

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

Adaptec is a trademark of Adaptec, Inc., which may be registered in some jurisdictions. DLT is a trademark of Quantum Corporation. EZFlyer and SyJet are trademarks of SYQT, Inc. FaderMaster Pro is a trademark of JL Cooper, a division of Sound Technology. IBM and IntelliStation are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. Iomega, Jaz, SyQuest, and Zip are registered trademarks of Iomega Corporation. Macintosh is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. RCA is a registered trademark of General Electric Company. VLX a registered trademark of Yamaha Corporation. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

is a registered trademark and Videomedia is a trademark of Videomedia, Inc. Yamaha is

Avid Composer Products Setup Guide for the Windows NT Operating System • Part 0130-04484-01 Rev. A • August 2000

Using This Guide

Who Should Use This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

About This Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Symbols and Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

If You Need Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Related Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

If You Have Documentation Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

How to Order Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Chapter 1 Hardware Overview

Avid System Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

The Platform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Monitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Keyboard and Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Peripheral Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

PCI Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Meridien Display Controller Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Meridien III Digital Media Board Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Meridien 3D Effects Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

F/C Controller Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

SCSI UL3D/160 Dual-Channel LVD Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

SCSI 2940U2B Single-Channel LVD Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

The Meridien I/O Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Meridien Video I/O Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Meridien Eight-Channel Audio Interface Board. . . . . . . . . 28

Meridien Two-Channel Audio I/O Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Meridien Serial Digital I/O Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Audio and Video Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Audio I/O Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

VLXi Multideck Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Black Burst Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Supported Internal Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

IBM 6866 Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

M Pro Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Supported External Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Standalone Fibre Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

SCSI LVD Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Avid Unity MediaNet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

A Typical Avid System Layout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Chapter 2 Setting Up the System Hardware

Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Checking the Kit Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Arranging the Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Assembling the System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Connecting the Keyboard and Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Connecting the Meridien I/O Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Connecting the Monitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Connecting the 21-Inch Bin Monitor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Connecting the 21-Inch Edit Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Connecting the Client Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Adjusting the Video Monitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Connecting the F/C Disk Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Placing the Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Connecting to the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Connecting Cables to the Fibre Channel Controller Board . . . 48

Connecting to the Fibre Channel Drive Enclosure. . . . . . . . . . . 49

Installing Rack-Mount FCDE Support Rails . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Installing a Rack-Mount FCDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Connecting Cables to the Fibre Channel FCDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Connecting the Fibre Channel FCDE Power Cords . . . . . . . . . . 57

Installing Fibre Channel Drives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Setting Fibre Channel Drive Enclosure IDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Connecting the SCSI Disk Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Avid rS LVD MediaDrives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Avid MediaDock LVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Connecting the Application Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Using the Grounding Wrist Strap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Replacing the SDI Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Turning On the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Chapter 3 Testing the Hardware

Installing the Avid Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Diagnostic Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Diagnostic User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Understanding the Main Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Understanding the Board Information Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Understanding the Error Log Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Understanding the Preference Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Quick Start Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Before You Run Diagnostics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Running the Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Running the Standard Test Suite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Running the External/User Interaction Test Suite . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Testing the Digital Media Board Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Testing the Video I/O Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Testing the Audio I/O Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Cabling for the External/User Interaction Test Suite . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Cabling for the Digital Media Board Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Cabling for the Video I/O Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Running a Single Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Running Avid StorEx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

The Main Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

The Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

The Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

The Testing Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

The Console Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

The Preference Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

The Tests Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

The Options Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Control Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Before Running Avid StorEx. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Running Avid StorEx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

Video Decks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Configuration Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Identifying Audio and Video Boards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Meridien I/O Box Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Eight-Channel Audio Interface Board Connectors. . . . . . . . . . 108

Two-Channel Audio I/O Board Connectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Video I/O Board Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Meridien I/O Box Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Connecting a Client Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Synchronizing Audio and Video Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Connecting the Eight-Channel Audio Board and

Audio I/O Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Connecting the Black Burst Generator (BBGen). . . . . . . . . . . . 119

Connecting the BBGen to Two Video Decks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Controlling a Video Deck. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

Connecting Audio Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Connecting the Audio Splitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Connecting the Video Input/Output Board to Decks . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Connecting A Single Video Deck — Component Signal . . . . 126

Connecting Two Video Decks — Component Signal . . . . . . . 128

Connecting A Single Video Deck — Composite Signal . . . . . 131

Connecting Two Video Decks — Composite Signal . . . . . . . . 133

Connecting A Single Video Deck — Digital Signal. . . . . . . . . 135

Connecting Two Video Decks — Digital Signal. . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Connecting a Video Server. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Chapter 5 Connecting Serial and MIDI Port Devices

Connecting to the MIDI Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Connecting JL Cooper Fader Controllers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Initializing and Testing JL Cooper Fader Controllers. . . . . . . . . . . 143

Connecting the Yamaha 01V Mixer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Connecting the JL Cooper Jog/Shuttle Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Connecting a VTR Emulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

Chapter 6 Controlling Multiple Video Decks

Cabling Single VLXi Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

Single-Deck Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

Parallel Interface Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

Cabling Dual-Deck Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Cabling Dual VLXi Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

Configuring the VLXi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

Setting VLXi Receiver Node Numbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

Downloading VLXi Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

Chapter 7 Troubleshooting

General Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Monitor Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

MediaDrive Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164

Audio Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

3D Effects Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166

Appendix A Disk Subsystem Management

Windows NT Drive Subsystem Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168

Partition Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169

Supported File Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169

Enabling Write Cache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170

Creating Primary Partitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170

Striping Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172

Creating a Stripe Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

Formatting Partitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176

Moving Striped Sets Between Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178

Creating a Repair Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179

Creating a Disk Configuration Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180

Testing Drives on Windows NT Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180

Appendix B Removing and Installing the Fan

Removing and Installing the Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

Removing the Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

Installing the Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184

Appendix C Regulatory and Safety Notices

FCC Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

Canadian ICES-003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187

European Union Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187

Australia and New Zealand EMC Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

Taiwan EMC Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

Index

Figures

Figure 1-1 Rear View of Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Figure 1-2 Meridien I/O Box Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Figure 1-3 IBM 6866 System Internal Drive Bay Locations. . . . . . 31

Figure 1-4 M Pro System Internal Drive Bay Locations . . . . . . . . 33

Figure 1-5 Avid System Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Figure 2-1 Arranging the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Figure 2-2 Meridien I/O Box to System Cable Connection . . . . . 43

Figure 2-3 Digital Media Board Set to Meridien I/O Box

Cable Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Figure 2-4 Bin Monitor to Display Controller Connection . . . . . . 44

Figure 2-5 21-Inch Bin Monitor Cable Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Figure 2-6 Edit Monitor to Display Controller Connection . . . . . 46

Figure 2-7 21-Inch Edit Monitor Cable Connections . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Figure 2-8 Attaching Copper Cable to the Controller Board . . . . 48

Figure 2-9 FCDE Connection Locations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Figure 2-10 FCDE Rack-Mount Rail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Figure 2-11 Locating the FCDE Rails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Figure 2-12 Attaching the FCDE Rails to the Rack

Front Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Figure 2-13 Attaching the FCDE Rails to the Rack Middle or

Back Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Figure 2-14 Installing an FCDE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Figure 2-15 Opening the FCDE Front Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Figure 2-16 Installing the FCDE Mounting Screws . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Figure 2-17 Attaching Copper Cable to the LCC Slot A . . . . . . . . . 56

Figure 2-18 Removing the FCDE Fan Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Figure 2-19 Attaching the FCDE Power Cords. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Figure 2-20 Replacing the FCDE Fan Assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Figure 2-21 Inserting a Drive into the FCDE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Figure 2-22 Setting the FCDE ID. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Figure 2-23 SCSI LVD Board Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Figure 2-24 Application Key Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Figure 2-25 Attaching the Grounding Wrist Strap. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Figure 2-26 Video I/O Board in Meridien I/O Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Figure 2-27 Removing the SDI Board from Video I/O Board . . . . 67

Figure 2-28 Installing the SDI Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Figure 2-29 Replacing the Video I/O Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Figure 3-1 Diagnostic Main Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Figure 3-2 Diagnostic Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Figure 3-3 Board Information Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Figure 3-4 Save As Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Figure 3-5 Error Log Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Figure 3-6 Save As Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Figure 3-7 Preference Window — Test Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Figure 3-8 Preference Window — Base Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Figure 3-9 Preference Window — Video Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . 80

Figure 3-10 Quick Start Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Figure 3-11 Digital Media Board Set Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Figure 3-12 Cabling for the Pixel Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Figure 3-13 Cabling for the Capture and Playback Test . . . . . . . . . 90

Figure 3-14 Cabling for the Interaction Component Video Test . . 91

Figure 3-15 Cabling for the Interaction Composite Video Test . . . 92

Figure 3-16 Cabling for the Interaction SDI Video Test . . . . . . . . . 93

Figure 3-17 Cabling for the S-Video Interaction Video Test. . . . . . 94

Figure 3-18 StorEx Main Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Figure 3-19 Toolbar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Figure 3-20 Testing Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Figure 3-21 Preference Window — Tests Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Figure 3-22 Preference Window — Options Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Figure 4-1 Meridien I/O Board Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Figure 4-2 Eight-Channel Audio Interface Board Connectors . . 108

Figure 4-3 Two-Channel Audio I/O Board Connectors . . . . . . . 109

Figure 4-4 Video I/O Board Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Figure 4-5 Meridien I/O Box Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Figure 4-6 Connecting the Client Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Figure 4-7 Eight-Channel Synchronization Cabling . . . . . . . . . . 118

Figure 4-8 Black Burst Generator Power Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

Figure 4-9 Connecting the Black Burst Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Figure 4-10 Video Deck Control Cabling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

Figure 4-11 Audio Splitter Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Figure 4-12 Connecting the Audio Splitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Figure 4-13 Connecting a Video Deck — Component Signal. . . . 127

Figure 4-14 Connecting Two Video Decks — Component

Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

Figure 4-15 Connecting a Video Deck — Composite Signal . . . . 132

Figure 4-16 Connecting Two Video Decks — Composite

Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

Figure 4-17 Connecting a Video Deck — Digital Signal . . . . . . . . 136

Figure 4-18 Connecting Two Video Decks — Digital Signal . . . . 138

Figure 4-19 Connecting a Video Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Figure 5-1 MIDI Port Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Figure 5-2 JL Cooper MCS-3000X Fader Controller Rear View . 142

Figure 5-3 Connecting the JL Cooper Fader Controllers. . . . . . . 143

Figure 5-4 Yamaha 01V Mixer Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Figure 5-5 Connecting the JL Cooper Jog/Shuttle Wheel. . . . . . 145

Figure 5-6 Connecting a VTR Emulator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

Figure 6-1 VLXi Single-Deck Control Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

Figure 6-2 VLXi Parallel Deck Control Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Figure 6-3 VLXi Dual-Deck Control Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

Figure 6-4 Multiple VLXi Configuration Control Cabling . . . . . 157

Figure B-1 Removing the Side Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

Figure B-2 Fan in the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Figure B-3 Fan Tab Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184

Figure B-4 Extending the Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

Figure B-5 Connecting the Fan Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

Tables

Table 1-1 Peripheral Board Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Table 4-1 Eight-Channel Audio Interface Board Identifiers . . . 109

Table 4-2 Two-Channel Audio I/O Board Identifiers . . . . . . . . 110

Table 4-3 Video I/O Board Identifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Table 4-4 Meridien I/O Box Indicator Functions . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Using This Guide

Congratulations on your purchase of an Avid® Media Composer®, Film Composer®, or Avid Xpress® system. You can use your system to create broadcast-quality output incorporating every possible production element from full-speed, high-resolution footage to multimedia artwork and animation to titling and computer-generated effects.

Your system might not contain all of the hardware that is described in your documentation. Our documents describe all hardware regardless of which model you purchased.

Who Should Use This Guide

This guide is designed for anyone who is installing a system for the first time, for anyone who might be moving a system, and for anyone who might be attempting to solve problems that can arise with the system hardware. This guide is not designed for someone who is installing board sets in the system.

About This Guide

The information provided in this guide will help you to understand the components that are part of a system, connect the components for proper system functionality, configure and test the system after installation, and troubleshoot basic problems that can arise during daily operation.

The Contents that precedes this section lists the topics included in the guide. They are presented with the following overall structure:

• Chapter 1, “Hardware Overview” helps you to understand the basic and optional components that make up your system.

• Chapter 2, “Setting Up the System Hardware” helps you to complete the installation of the components that come with your system.

• Chapter 3, “Testing the Hardware” provides the basic system configuration information and the tests that you should perform before trying to run the Avid software.

• Chapter 4, “Connecting Audio and Video Equipment” explains synchronization of audio and video equipment and how you connect audio and video equipment to the system.

• Chapter 5, "Connecting Serial and MIDI Port Devices" explains how you connect serial and MIDI port devices.

• Chapter 6, “Controlling Multiple Video Decks” provides information that allows you to connect multiple video decks to your system using VLXi® systems.

• Chapter 7, “Troubleshooting” provides basic problem-solving information to help you determine why one or more components is not functioning as expected.

• Appendix A, “Disk Subsystem Management” provides explanations of how you partition a disk in a Windows NT® operating system.

• Appendix B, “Removing and Installing the Fan” explains how to remove and install the Avid fan.

• Appendix C, “Regulatory Information” provides regulatory and safety notices for the system.

•An index at the end of this guide helps you locate the information you need.

Symbols and Conventions

The Avid hardware documentation uses the following special symbols and conventions:

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

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

important.

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

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

unimportant.

Look here in the margin for tips.

Courier Bold font identifies text that you type.

In the margin, you will find tips that help you perform tasks more easily and efficiently.

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

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

A warning describes an action that could cause you physical harm. Follow the guidelines in this guide or on the unit itself when handling electrical equipment.

If You Need Help

If you are having trouble using the system, you should:

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

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

3. Check the Customer Service and News + Publications sections of the Avid Web site at www.avid.com for the latest FAQs, Tips & Techniques, Film + Television Update, and other Avid online offerings.

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

a. Go to www.avid.com.

b. Click Customer Service.

c. Click Knowledge Center.

d. Log in.

If you are not already a registered user of the Knowledge Center, register now. Registered users can access more information.

For the latest versions of the Avid Products Collaboration Guide and the drive striping tables, click the Documentation tab.

4. For customer support, contact your local Avid Reseller, or contact Avid Customer Support directly at 800-800-AVID (2843).

Related Information

The following documents provide more information about the hardware and software for your system:

• Avid Composer Products Site Preparation Guide (online version)

• Avid iS MediaDrive Setup and User’s Guide

• Avid MediaDrive rS Setup and User’s Guide

• Avid MediaDock LVD Setup and User’s Guide

• The appropriate Avid Composer products release notes

• Avid Products Collaboration Guide

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

For the most recent version of this guide, see the Documentation section of the Avid Customer Service Knowledge Center. The previous section, “If You Need Help”, explains how to access the

Knowledge Center.

If You Have Documentation Comments

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

Simply e-mail your documentation comments to Avid Technology at

TechPubs@avid.com

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

How to Order Documentation

To order additional copies of this documentation from within the United States, call Avid Telesales at 800-949-AVID (2843). If you are placing an order from outside the United States, contact your local Avid representative.

CHAPTER 1

Hardware Overview

Avid systems allow you to edit video and audio projects digitally, and to digitize the video and audio in compressed format.

Your system might not contain all of the hardware that is described in your documentation. Our documents describe all hardware regardless of which model you purchased.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Avid System Components

• Peripheral Boards

• Audio and Video Equipment

• Storage

• A Typical Avid System Layout

Avid System Components

Your Avid system is based on two major pieces of equipment that connect using a twisted-pair cable:

• An Avid supported personal computer (PC) system that executes the software, contains the digital portion of the Avid Meridien™ III video subsystem (needed to display all graphic features and to perform edits and 3D effects), and performs disk I/O.

• A Meridien I/O box that contains the analog portion of the Avid Meridien video subsystem that:

- Digitizes video and audio prior to sending it to the PC in

digital form.

- Changes the digital signal from the PC to analog for output to

the video and audio devices.

- Reformats certain digital signals it receives to and from Avid

format for transfer to and from the PC.

The Platform

All Avid Composer systems and some Avid Xpress systems use an

IntelliStation® Z Pro Type 6866 system (IBM 6866 system) that

IBM

contains seven slots, but only six of the slots are available PCI slots (see

Figure 1-1). There is support for MIDI on the IBM 6866 system board.

The Avid Xpress system can also be purchased on an IBM M Pro system that contains six slots, but only four of the slots are available PCI slots. There is no support for MIDI on the system board. If you need MIDI support on an M Pro system, you need to purchase an optional PCI audio card.

The minimum amount of memory required for any Avid Composer system is 384 MB, while the Avid Xpress system requires only 256 MB.

Removing memory is explained in the user’s guide that ships with each system.

IBM 6866 System

External SCSI connection

AGP slot (unused)

SCSI board as external connector

MIDI connection

IBM M Pro System

Figure 1-1 Rear View of Systems

The AGP board must be removed from both systems before the Avid boards are installed. The AGP slot cannot be used by any Avid boards.

One of the main differences between the IBM 6866 system and the M Pro system is the type of SCSI connections. The IBM 6866 system has a SCSI connection at the rear of the system that comes from a dual-channel Ultra3 LVD controller on the system board.

The M Pro system has no SCSI controller on the system board and uses a SCSI 2940U2B single-channel LVD PCI board to support the system drive. The SCSI board also provides an external SCSI connection to the rear of the system. You can also connect additional internal drives to this SCSI board.

See “Storage” on page 30 for general information concerning storage.

Monitors

Avid systems support the following three monitors:

• The 21-inch Bin monitor displays the Windows NT operating system desktop.

• The 21-inch Edit monitor displays the Avid software editing environment.

• The third monitor (Client monitor) displays full-screen video playback and can be either an NTSC monitor or a PAL monitor. This monitor is optional.

Avid systems also support monitors of other sizes. You can use most 17-inch multisync monitors in place of the 21-inch monitors, but both the Bin and Edit monitors must be the same size and model.

Keyboard and Mouse

Although an Avid keyboard and a two-button mouse ship with many systems, this can change at any time. The Avid keyboard contains Avid specific keycaps that show defined keys for use with the Avid software.

Peripheral Boards

The system uses additional peripheral boards to support video, audio, compression, effects, and improved data transfer to the hard drives. The boards are located in the internal PCI slots of the personal computer or in the Meridien I/O box (an Avid designed standalone box). Ta bl e 1 -1 lists the board type and location.

Table 1-1 Peripheral Board Location

Board Type Location

Meridien display controller board PCI slot

Meridien III digital media board set PCI slot

Meridien 3D effects board PCI slot

Fibre Channel (F/C) controller board for standalone F/C (optional)

SCSI UL3D/160 dual-channel LVD board (UL3D) is optional for all Avid systems

SCSI 2940U2B single-channel LVD board ships with Avid Xpress on M Pro systems

Meridien video I/O board Meridien I/O box

Meridien eight-channel audio interface board Meridien I/O box

Meridien two-channel audio I/O board Meridien I/O box

Meridien serial digital I/O board (attached to the video I/O board) Meridien I/O box

a. The 2940 is an Ultra2 LVD board used for the internal system drive. It also allows you to

connect LVD drives to an external 68-pin D-type connector. When Ultra3 drives are attached to this board, they are only capable of Ultra2 speeds.

(2940)

PCI slot

PCI Boards

The following sections explain the functions of each peripheral board located in an internal PCI slot. Removal of PCI boards is explained in the user guide that ships with the system.

Meridien Display Controller Board

The system uses the Meridien display controller board (display controller board) to support the Bin and Edit monitor using one PCI board. These monitors are supplied with the system.

Meridien III Digital Media Board Set

The Meridien III digital media board set is a PCI board and a daughter card that provides a PCI interface to the system, deep defocus, compression and decompression functions, color correction circuitry, and the use of 24p controlled by the dongle. The board set also interfaces the 3D board set if present, and acts as an interface to the Meridien I/O box.

Meridien 3D Effects Board

The 3D effects board provides 3D video effects to enhance video production. The board uses one PCI slot.

F/C Controller Board

This optional F/C board allows the system to mount the F/C drives, and access the media and other data stored on the drives in the F/C enclosure.

SCSI UL3D/160 Dual-Channel LVD Board

The optional SCSI UL3D/160 dual-channel LVD board (UL3D) is used with all Avid rS MediaDrives and the Avid MediaDock™ LVD storage

system.

SCSI 2940U2B Single-Channel LVD Board

The SCSI 2940U2B single-channel LVD board (2940) ships with each IBM M Pro system and is used with all Avid rS MediaDrives and the Avid MediaDock LVD storage system at Ultra2 speeds.

Since the IBM M Pro system does not have a SCSI controller on the system board, this board is used for the internal system drive (using SCSI ID 0) and allows you to connect drives to its external 68-pin D-type connector.

channels. If you need to stripe across two channels, you can purchase the optional UL3D board and use it in the same system as the 2940.

The Meridien I/O Box

The system uses the peripheral boards in the Meridien I/O box to support video and audio. The following sections explain the functions of each peripheral board located in a Meridien I/O box.

Since the 2940 is a single-channel board, you cannot stripe across two

Figure 1-2 shows a two-channel audio I/O board. An eight-channel audio

interface board is available that connects to an eight-channel audio I/O device.

AUDIO IN

COMPONENT

COMPOSITE

MIC CHAN 1

ININ

REF

R-Y B-Y

COMPOSITE

S-VIDEO

CHAN 2

Two-channel audio I/O board

CHAN 2

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

DIGITAL VIDEO

SYSTEM

IN / OUT

AES / EBU

OUT

SLAVE CLOCK

OUT

S / PDIF

OUT

LTC

OUT

AUDIO OUT

-10

GAIN 1

GAIN 2

CHAN 1

OUT

B-Y

R-Y

OUT

OUT 1

S-VIDEO

OUT 3

OUT 2

Video I/O board

Serial digital I/O board

Figure 1-2 Meridien I/O Box Rear View

Meridien Video I/O Board

Each system uses a video I/O board (see Figure 1-2). The video I/O board has the following features:

• Provides a parallel digital interface between the digital media board and the analog I/O.

• Digitizes one channel of composite, component (Y, R-Y, B-Y), or S-Video.

• Converts digital output from the digital media board to an analog output signal for composite (three outputs), component, and S-Video.

• Acts as a baseboard for the serial digital I/O (SDI) board.

• Provides a genlock capability to allow the video to be locked to an external source such as house sync or to a black burst generator (BBGen).

• Provides an audio slave clock to lock incoming audio to incoming video.

Meridien Eight-Channel Audio Interface Board

An eight-channel audio interface board that links the system to a separate eight-channel audio I/O device (Digidesign® 888 I/O™). The audio I/O device provides connections for up to eight channels of digital audio or eight channels of analog audio.

Meridien Two-Channel Audio I/O Board

A two-channel audio I/O board (see Figure 1-2) provides connections for two channels of digital audio, two channels of analog audio, and a microphone input. This is a standalone board.

Meridien Serial Digital I/O Board

The SDI board (see Figure 1-2) provides physical inputs and outputs between the video I/O board and a serial digital device.

Audio and Video Equipment

The system supports add-on hardware for advanced audio and video input and output capabilities. The system that you purchase determines whether the hardware is standard with your system or can be added as an option.

Audio I/O Device

The system supports eight channels of audio by using an eight-channel audio I/O device. The device allows you to connect up to eight channels of professional-quality audio equipment, such as mixers and audio outputs from high-end video decks.

VLXi Multideck Controller

Avid systems support a VLXi multideck controller. It allows you to connect several video decks to a system and use the software to control deck operations.

Black Burst Generator

A black burst generator creates a common reference signal that is used by many of the components external to the system to synchronize audio and video signals when using multiple video decks.

Storage

There are two types of storage available in your Avid system:

• Internal storage

• External storage

This section discusses both types of storage and the storage differences between the IBM 6866 system and the M Pro system.

Supported Internal Storage

Although internal storage options are available in both the IBM 6866 system and the M Pro system, there are major differences between the number and type of internal options available in these systems. As a user, you must understand the capabilities and limitations of each system before you add storage devices.

Figures shown in this section show drive bay locations for both systems, but you should always refer to the manufacturer’s user guide that shipped with your computer for more detailed locations and connections.

IBM 6866 Systems

Avid recommends that you have a certified Avid Reseller install any internal drives in either the IBM 6866 or M Pro systems.

The IBM 6866 system contains internal drives and drive bays controlled by internal drive controllers.

Internal Drives and Drive Bays

The IBM 6866 system contains removable-media drives as well as an internal hard drive.

• Removable drives — a 1.44 MB, 3.5-inch floppy drive (controlled by an onboard floppy controller) and an IDE CD-ROM

• Internal hard drive — a 9-GB SCSI (the drive size might change at any time without notice)

There are nine internal drive bays located in the IBM 6866 system. Access to drive bays 1 to 3 is through the front door. You must remove the front panel for access to drive bays 4 to 9 (see Figure 1-3).

“Internal Disk Controllers” on page 32 explains what type of device

is recommended for each drive bay.

Drive bay numbers

1 2

456789

Front view with front door and front panel removed.

Floppy drive CD-ROM

Figure 1-3 IBM 6866 System Internal Drive Bay Locations

Internal Disk Controllers

The IBM 6866 system has an internal floppy controller (not discussed) that controls a floppy drive in drive bay 3 (see Figure 1-3). The remaining two internal disk controllers are:

• An IDE controller with channels 0 and 1. Both channels have the

• A two-channel 7899 Adaptec™ 160 Ultra3 SCSI controller:

capability of having one master device and one slave device connected, however, only one channel has a cable connected. The cable has two connectors, one connected to the CD-ROM in drive bay 2, and an empty connector that you could use to connect an IDE device in drive bay 1.

Avid uses the power connector provided for one of the drive bays to power a fan needed to cool the Avid board set.

- Channel A: The cable from channel A connects the boot drive

in drive bay 9, and also connects up to five 1.0-inch hard drives or four 1.6-inch hard drives in drive bays 4 to 8 (see

Figure 1-3 for drive bay locations).

- Channel B: The cable from channel B connects the internal

controller with the external SCSI connector on the rear of the system. The cable also provides one SCSI connection for drive bay 1 shown in Figure 1-3. Channel B can be used for storing media and connects up to a maximum of 15 SCSI devices, including the SCSI connector in drive bay 1.

If you need to stripe across two channels to store media, you should not use any SCSI devices on channel B.

If you have a SCSI device connected to channel B in drive bay 1, and no other SCSI devices connected externally, you must place an active SCSI terminator on the external SCSI connector at the rear of the system.

Any SCSI device placed in drive bay 1 and used by SCSI channel B should be an Ultra3 or Ultra2 device. If you attach a single-ended fast and wide device to SCSI bus B, the speed of SCSI bus B is brought to that level. Avid does not recommend the use of a Jaz type drive on this SCSI adapter.

M Pro Systems

The M Pro system contains internal drives and drive bays controlled by an internal drive controller and a PCI board.

There is no internal SCSI controller on the system board for an M Pro system.

Internal Drives and Drive Bays

The M Pro system contains removable-media drives as well as an internal hard drive.

• Removable drives — a 1.44 MB, 3.5-inch floppy drive (controlled by an onboard floppy controller) and an IDE CD-ROM

• Internal hard drive — a 9-GB SCSI (the drive size might change at any time without notice)

Excluding the two floppy drive bays (drive bays 3 and 4), there are five internal drive bays located in the M Pro system. Access to all drive bays is from the left side of the system after you remove the side panel (see Figure 1-4).

Drive bay numbers

1 2

3 4

5 6

CD-ROM

Floppy drive

System drive

Side view with panel removed.

Figure 1-4 M Pro System Internal Drive Bay Locations

Internal Disk Controllers

The M Pro system has an internal floppy controller (not discussed) that controls a floppy drive in drive bay 4 (see Figure 1-4). Drive bay 3 might contain another floppy drive.

The remaining internal disk controller is an IDE controller with channels 0 and 1. Both channels have the capability of having one master device and one slave device connected, however, only one channel has a cable connected. The cable has two connectors, one connected to the CD-ROM in drive bay 1, and an empty connector that you could use to connect an IDE device in drive bay 2. Drive bays 1 and 2 are 5.25-inch bays.

All internal SCSI devices are cabled from the 2940 board, and would be considered part of the 15 total available SCSI devices on the board. Drive bays 3 to 7 are 3.5-inch bays.

Drive bay 7 contains the system drive, while drive bays 4 and 5 can connect other SCSI devices using the same cable as the system drive.

Supported External Storage

There are three types of external PCI controlled storage options available for your Avid system:

• Standalone Fibre Channel (F/C)

•SCSI LVD boards

• Avid Unity™ MediaNet

As drive size and drive speed improve, different F/C devices, MediaDrives, and LVD shuttles will be available for use. Contact your Avid Sales and Product information line at 800-949-2843 for more product information.

Standalone Fibre Channel

The standalone F/C system uses an F/C controller board (see “F/C

Controller Board” on page 26) and an F/C disk enclosure that

contains up to 10 drives.

SCSI LVD Boards

Avid recommends that you 6-way stripe the disk drives in the F/C disk set and use them for storing digitized video. Use the remaining four disk drives or the external SCSI connector for storing digitized audio.

The following 7.2K rpm and 10K rpm F/C storage devices are supported:

• Shipping F/C devices:

- MEDIArray™ 18 GB 10K rpm

- MEDIArray 73 GB 10K rpm

• Nonshipping F/C devices:

- MSDE 9 GB 7.2K rpm

- MEDIArray 18 GB 10K rpm (early version)

- MEDIArray 50 GB 7.2K rpm

The SCSI LVD boards associated with the systems are:

• The SCSI UL3D/160 dual-channel LVD board (UL3D) can be used by all Avid systems (see “SCSI UL3D/160 Dual-Channel LVD

Board” on page 26.

• The SCSI 2940U2B single-channel LVD board (2940) is used only by Avid Xpress software located in M Pro systems (see “SCSI

2940U2B Single-Channel LVD Board” on page 27).

The following SCSI storage devices are supported:

• Shipping fixed-enclosure devices:

- rS18™/160 MediaDrive LVD

- rS36/160 MediaDrive LVD

- rS73/160 MediaDrive LVD

• Nonshipping fixed-enclosure devices:

- rS9™ LVD, rS18 LVD, and rS36 LVD

- iS9™ Pro and iS18™ Pro (fast/wide)

- rS9 Plus and rS18 Plus (fast/wide)

• Shipping MediaDock LVD devices:

- iS18/160 MediaDrive LVD shuttle

- iS36™/160 MediaDrive LVD shuttle

- iS73/160 MediaDrive LVD shuttle

• Nonshipping MediaDock LVD and MediaDock devices:

- iS9 Plus and iS18 Plus MediaDock LVD shuttles

- iS18 and iS36 MediaDock LVD shuttles

- iS9 Plus and iS18 Plus MediaDock Shuttle™ packs (fast/wide)

If you attach any single-ended, fast and wide device to the UL3D board on Avid systems, the speed changes from Ultra3 to fast and wide speed.

Avid Unity MediaNet

The Avid Unity MediaNet server and storage subsystem use F/C storage components to provide the shared storage environment for up to nine MediaNet clients. MediaNet allows all nine users to simultaneously read and write to the same shared storage workspace.

The following F/C storage devices are supported:

• Shipping F/C devices:

- MEDIArray 18 GB 10K rpm

- MEDIArray 73 GB 10K rpm

• Nonshipping F/C devices:

- MSDE 9 GB 7.2K rpm

- MEDIArray 18 GB 10K rpm (early style of shipping version)

- MEDIArray 50 GB 7.2K rpm

For more information about Avid Unity MediaNet, see the documentation that ships with Avid’s Workgroup solutions and Avid Unity MediaNet.

A Typical Avid System Layout

As you set up the system, you need to arrange the various components to avoid exceeding the lengths of the cables that are provided with the system. You must place the SCSI drives and other components with short cables close to the PC.

Figure 1-5 shows a sample layout for an Avid system. It contains the

PC, Meridien I/O box, monitors, speakers, several SCSI drives (or an F/C subsystem or a MediaDock LVD), video decks, an audio I/O device, and a VLXi multideck controller.

Edit monitorBin monitor

Speaker

VLX

Audio I/O device

Meridien

I/O box

PULL DOWN

44.1 kHz

AUDIO SYNC

kHz

POWER

VIDEO SYNC

PULL DOWN

44.1 kHz

AUDIO SYNC

kHz

POWER

VIDEO SYNC

rS18 plus

Client monitor

SCSI drives, F/C, or MediaDock LVD

Figure 1-5 Avid System Layout

Video decks

CHAPTER 2

Setting Up the System Hardware

After receiving your Avid system, set up the hardware by using the instructions provided in the following sections:

• Before You Begin

• Assembling the System

• Connecting the Keyboard and Mouse

• Connecting the Meridien I/O Box

• Connecting the Monitors

• Connecting the F/C Disk Subsystem

• Connecting the SCSI Disk Subsystem

• Connecting the Application Key

• Using the Grounding Wrist Strap

• Replacing the SDI Board

• Turning On the System

Before You Begin

Before you begin installing the system, do the following:

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

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

• Position the hardware components.

Checking the Kit Contents

Unpack and check the contents of the kit to ensure you have all the necessary parts. Depending upon the system you purchase, the kit might contain the following hardware components:

• A PC with keyboard and mouse

• An application key, commonly referred to as a dongle

• Two monitors

• Two speakers

• Peripheral boards for audio I/O and video I/O (installed in the Meridien I/O box)

• An eight-channel audio I/O device

• Peripheral boards for editing, effects, and SCSI acceleration (installed in the PC)

• A disk subsystem - F/C disks for video, with optional Avid MediaDrives or an Avid MediaDock LVD

• Cables to connect the audio equipment, video equipment, monitors, keyboard and mouse, and disk subsystem

• A grounding wrist strap

Your system might also include as optional hardware a VLXi to support multiple video decks.

Arranging the Components

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

Place the PC and SCSI drives (or an F/C subsystem or a MediaDock LVD) close together. Position the remaining components, such as video decks, the VLXi, and additional audio I/O device and video interface hardware in locations that are easily accessible. Figure 2-1 shows an example arrangement.

rS18 plus

PULL DOWN

44.1 kHz

AUDIO SYNC

kHz

POWER

VIDEO SYNC

PULL DOWN

44.1 kHz

AUDIO SYNC

kHz

POWER

VIDEO SYNC

Figure 2-1 Arranging the System

Assembling the System

All systems shipped directly from Avid, or an Avid certified reseller, have the peripheral boards already installed in the PC and Meridien I/O box. Make sure the peripheral boards are installed in the PC and Meridien I/O box before you continue with the cabling instructions.

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

Connecting the Keyboard and Mouse

You must connect the keyboard and mouse to the system. The instructions to connect the keyboard and mouse are specific to the PC you are using, and are located in the user documentation for your specific PC.

Connecting the Meridien I/O Box

The Meridien I/O box is a standalone box that contains the audio and video I/O boards. You connect video equipment to the Meridien I/O box and audio equipment to the audio I/O device. The Meridien I/O box is connected to the PC by a 9.8-foot (3-meter) digital data cable.

To connect the Meridien I/O box to the PC:

1. Locate the 9.8-foot (3-meter) digital data cable in the hardware kit.

2. Connect one end of the digital data cable to the Meridien I/O box at the system interface connector shown in Figure 2-2.

COMPONENT

COMPOSITE

8 channel

ININ

R-Y B-Y

S-VIDEO

COMPOSITE

REF

OUT 1

B-Y

R-Y

OUT 3

OUT 2

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

OUT

DIGITAL VIDEO

SYSTEM

OUT

IN / OUT

S-VIDEO

SLAVE CLOCK

OUT

Slave Clock

LTC

OUT

System interface connector

Figure 2-2 Meridien I/O Box to System Cable Connection

Meridien I/O box.

3. Connect the other end of the digital data cable to the connector labeled M (main) on the digital media board set (see Figure 2-3).

Chapter 4 describes how to connect audio and video equipment to the

&onnection to Meridien I/O box

Connection C not used

Figure 2-3 Digital Media Board Set to Meridien I/O Box Cable

Connection

Connecting the Monitors

The system comes with a high-resolution Bin monitor and a high-resolution Edit monitor. The Bin monitor displays the Windows NT operating system desktop, while the Edit monitor displays the Avid software editing environment.

The Bin monitor must be located to the left of the Edit monitor. This allows you to maintain the proper two-screen display needed by the operating system and the Avid system. Use the following instructions to connect the monitors to the correct locations on the display controller board.

Avid. Avid provides standard VGA connections for both monitors. If you use

different monitors on your system, see the user’s guide that accompanies the monitor to complete the monitor installation, or contact the monitor reseller.

Connecting the 21-Inch Bin Monitor

To connect the 21-inch Bin monitor:

1. Locate the monitor VGA cable in the hardware kit.

2. Attach one end of the cable to the VGA connector labeled BOOT LEFT on the display controller board (see Figure 2-4).

BOOT

The following instructions explain how to connect the monitors provided by

LEFT

EDIT

Display controller board

Monitor VGA cable

Figure 2-4 Bin Monitor to Display Controller Connection

3. Attach the other end of the cable to the VGA input connector on the Bin monitor (see Figure 2-5).

VGA connector

AC power connector

SERIAL

SIGNAL-A

GBHD

Figure 2-5 21-Inch Bin Monitor Cable Connections

4. Set the termination switch between the COMP HD and VD BNC connector on the back of the monitor to 75

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

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

Connecting the 21-Inch Edit Monitor

To connect the 21-inch Edit monitor:

COMP

SYNC

75 Ω

1K Ω

Ω.

1. Locate the monitor VGA cable in the hardware kit.

2. Attach one end of the cable to the VGA connector labeled EDIT on the display controller board (see Figure 2-6).

LEFT

BOOT

EDIT

Display controller board

Monitor VGA cable

Figure 2-6 Edit Monitor to Display Controller Connection

3. Attach the other end of the cable to the VGA input connector on the Edit monitor (see Figure 2-7).

VGA connector

AC power connector

Figure 2-7 21-Inch Edit Monitor Cable Connections

SERIAL

SIGNAL-A

GBHD

COMP

SYNC

75 Ω

1K Ω

4. Set the termination switch between the COMP HD and VD BNC connector on the back of the monitor to 75 Ω.

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

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

Connecting the Client Monitor

The Client monitor displays the playback in either NTSC or PAL format. The Client monitor can be connected to the analog composite and component output, or to the serial digital (SDI) output of the Meridien I/O box. SeeChapter 3 for a description of how to connect the Client monitor to the composite output.

Adjusting the Video Monitors

When the system is started for the first time, you might need to adjust the monitors that are attached to the display controller board. Controls to adjust the monitor are part of a tilt-out panel below the monitor screen. You can change the brightness, contrast, screen size, screen skew, and other features by using the touchpad on the tilt-out panel.

For information on using these controls, see the user’s guide that is included with the monitor.

Connecting the F/C Disk Subsystem

Each system ships with a standalone F/C disk subsystem that connects to an F/C controller board. The F/C controller board allows the system to mount the F/C drives and access the media files and other data stored on the drives. The F/C drive enclosure holds up to ten Fibre Channel drives for a total of 730 GB of storage.

Placing the Components

When you are setting up your Fibre Channel storage subsystem:

• If you are installing a deskside Fibre Channel drive enclosure (FCDE), locate the FCDE close to the rest of the components in your system.

• If you are installing a rack-mount FCDE, make sure that you have room in the rack to locate the FCDE with your other rack-mount components.

Connecting to the System

You connect the Fibre Channel storage subsystem directly to the Fibre Channel controller board in the system. The controller board is installed before shipment.

Connecting Cables to the Fibre Channel Controller Board

You use a copper cable to connect the FCDE to the controller board. To connect the cable:

1. Locate a copper cable in the Fibre Channel kit. Look for a cable with a 9-pin D-type connector on each end.

2. Attach the 9-pin D-type connector on one end of the cable to the 9-pin D-type connector on the board (see Figure 2-8). Secure the cable with the thumbscrews on the cable connector.

Fibre Channel controller board

9-pin D-type connector

Figure 2-8 Attaching Copper Cable to the Controller Board

Green LED

Copper cable

Connecting to the Fibre Channel Drive Enclosure

The figures in the following sections refer to the rack-mount FCDE, which mounts horizontally in a standard NEMA or EIA rack. When you are installing a deskside model, the FCDE is vertical. Figure 2-9 shows the locations of the components in both the rack-mount FCDE and the deskside FCDE.

10-slot rack-mount 10-slot deskside

LCC A

Power supplies behind fan

LCC A

Power supplies

Figure 2-9 FCDE Connection Locations

You are about to install one of two types of FCDE: a deskside FCDE or

a rack-mount FCDE. You’ll need to select one of the following to complete your FCDE installation:

• If you are installing a rack-mount FCDE, continue with

“Installing Rack-Mount FCDE Support Rails” on page 50.

• If you are installing a deskside FCDE, continue with “Connecting

Cables to the Fibre Channel FCDE” on page 56.

Installing Rack-Mount FCDE Support Rails

The rack-mount FCDE can be installed in either a NEMA or an EIA rack.

To install the FCDE rack-mount rails:

1. Locate a pair of FCDE support rails in the rail kit. The rails fit both NEMA and EIA racks. Figure 2-10 shows the rails.

Figure 2-10 FCDE Rack-Mount Rail

2. Select the lowest position in the rack where you can mount the FCDE. The FCDE uses 3.5 U (EIA rack units), or 6 1/8 inches of rack space. Position the FCDE support rails so that the bottom of each rail is at the baseline of a U-alignment position (see

Figure 2-11).

Rack channel hole spacing

1 3/4 in

EIA rack unit

Figure 2-11 Locating the FCDE Rails

3. Loosen the four nuts on the adjustment screws so that the rail can

Rack front channel

FCDE

Baseline of FCDE is at U-alignment position between two 1/2-inch holes.

3 U

2 U

1 U

5/8 in 5/8 in

1/2 in 5/8 in

5/8 in 1/2 in 5/8 in

5/8 in 1/2 in

be sized to fit the rack. Do not completely remove the nuts. Leave them finger tight.

4. Place one support rail over the rack front channel and middle or back channel. The rail ends should be on the outside of the rack channels.

5. Locate four screws in the rail kit.

If you are installing the rails in a rack that does not have threaded holes, you will also need to locate four clip nuts in the rail kit. Slip the clip nuts over the holes in the rack front channels where you will be installing the screws for the FCDE rails (see Figure 2-12).

Screws

6. Loosely attach the front of each FCDE support rail to the rack front channels with the screws (see Figure 2-12).

Attaching Clip Nuts

Rack front channel

Clip nuts

Rack rail

Figure 2-12 Attaching the FCDE Rails to the Rack Front Channel

7. Locate four screws in the rail kit.

If you are installing the rails in a rack that does not have threaded holes, you will also need to locate four clip nuts in the rail kit. Slip the clip nuts over the holes in the rack middle or back channels where you will be installing the screws for the FCDE rails (see Figure 2-13).

8. Loosely attach the rear of each FCDE support rail to the rack middle or back channel with the screws (see Figure 2-13).

Rack middle or back channel

Screws

Rack rail

Attaching Clip Nuts

Clip nuts

Figure 2-13 Attaching the FCDE Rails to the Rack Middle or Back

Channel

9. Tighten the screws for each FCDE support rail at the rack front channel and the rack middle or back channel.

10. Tighten the four adjustment nuts on the support rail.

11. Repeat steps 1 to 10 for the second support rail.

12. If you are installing additional rack-mount FCDEs, repeat steps 1 to 11 for each pair of FCDE support rails.

Installing a Rack-Mount FCDE

To install a rack-mount FCDE into a 19-inch rack:

1. Make sure that you have installed the rack-mount FCDE support rails (see “Installing Rack-Mount FCDE Support Rails” on

page 50). If you are installing several FCDEs, install all the support

rails before you begin to install the FCDEs.

2. From the front of the rack, slide an FCDE into the bottom set of support rails. Push the FCDE in until the mounting clips on the side of the FCDE touch the rack front channel. Make sure that the back corners of the bottom panel slip under the hold-down clips at the back of the rails (see Figure 2-14).

Rack front channel

Mounting clip

FCDE

Figure 2-14 Installing an FCDE

3. Open the front door on the FCDE. If the door is locked, locate the

Key

Turn clockwise

to unlock.

Figure 2-15 Opening the FCDE Front Door

4. Locate two mounting screws in the Fibre Channel kit.

5. Attach the FCDE to the rack front channel using one mounting

key in the Fibre Channel kit and unlock the door (see Figure 2-15).

FCDE

Front door

screw on each side of the FCDE (see Figure 2-16).

Mounting clip

Mounting screw

Figure 2-16 Installing the FCDE Mounting Screws

6. Close the FCDE front door.

7. If you are installing several rack-mount FCDEs, repeat steps 2 to 6 for each additional FCDE.

Connecting Cables to the Fibre Channel FCDE

You connect the FCDE directly to the Fibre Channel controller board. To connect the Fibre Channel cable to the FCDE:

1. Locate the copper cable that is connected to the Fibre Channel controller board. It has a 9-pin D-type connector on the end.

2. Attach the 9-pin D-type connector on the cable to the primary (PRI) 9-pin D-type connector on the link control card (LCC) in slot A on the back of the FCDE. Figure 2-9 shows the location of LCC slot A, while Figure 2-17 shows a more detailed view of the connection. Secure the cable with the thumbscrews on the cable connector.

LCC

9-pin D-type connector

PRI connector

Copper cable

Figure 2-17 Attaching Copper Cable to the LCC Slot A

Connecting the Fibre Channel FCDE Power Cords

Each FCDE has two power cord adapters, one for each power supply. The power cord connectors are located behind the fan assembly. To connect the power cords to the power supplies in an FCDE:

1. Loosen the fan assembly by pinching the latches together.

2. While you keep the latches pinched, slide the fan assembly out of the FCDE (see Figure 2-18).

Latches

FCDE

Fan assembly

Slide fan assembly out.

Figure 2-18 Removing the FCDE Fan Assembly

3. Locate two power cord adapters in the Fibre Channel kit.

4. Attach one power cord adapter to the power connector in the lower right of the bottom power supply (see Figure 2-19). Route the power cord through the channel below the LCC and out the back of the FCDE.

FCDE

Power supply

LCC

Channel

Power cord

Figure 2-19 Attaching the FCDE Power Cords

5. Attach the other power cord adapter to the power connector in the upper left of the top power supply (see Figure 2-19). Route the power cord down the side of the LCC to the channel below the LCC and out the back of the FCDE.

Make sure that both power cords do not interfere with the installation of the fan assembly. The cords must be properly routed into the channels below the LCCs before the fan assembly is reinstalled.

Channel

Power supply

6. Check to make sure that the FCDE power switches are on.

By default, each FCDE ships with the power switch in the on position. Check the power switches to make sure they are on.

7. Replace the fan assembly by pinching the latches together and sliding the assembly into the back of the FCDE (see Figure 2-20).

Latches

FCDE

Fan assembly

Slide fan assembly in.

Figure 2-20 Replacing the FCDE Fan Assembly

8. Attach the power cords to the open ends of each power cord adapter.

9. Repeat steps 1 to 8 for each FCDE in your storage subsystem.

10. Plug all the power cords into a power strip or wall outlet.

If you are installing a rack-mount FCDE or deskside FCDE with two power supplies, plug the power cords into two separate power sources to help ensure that the FCDE will remain running if power to one of the power sources is interrupted.

Installing Fibre Channel Drives

The Fibre Channel drives might be shipped separately from the FCDE and will be installed in the FCDE. To install a drive in an FCDE:

1. Open the front door on the FCDE (see Figure 2-15).

2. Locate a drive assembly in the Fibre Channel kit.

Be careful when you are handling the Fibre Channel drives. They contain open components that can be damaged if the drive is hit or dropped. Fibre Channel drives are not considered removable drives, and should only be removed for diagnostic purposes or replacement.

3. Grasp the drive assembly by the handle.

4. Align the drive assembly with the guides in the FCDE (see

Figure 2-21).

For a rack-mount FCDE, the drive assembly is vertical with the latch on top. For a deskside FCDE, the drive assembly is horizontal with the latch on the right.

Rack-mount

FCDE

Latch

Drive assembly

Figure 2-21 Inserting a Drive into the FCDE

5. Gently slide the drive into the FCDE until the latch engages to lock the drive assembly in place. You should hear the latch click when it engages.

6. Repeat steps 1 to 5 for each drive that you are installing into the FCDE.

Deskside FCDE

Drive assembly

Latch

Setting Fibre Channel Drive Enclosure IDs

Each FCDE in the Fibre Channel storage subsystem needs a unique enclosure ID to identify the FCDE and determine its drive addresses. The enclosure IDs must be between 0 and 11. To set an enclosure ID:

1. Locate the enclosure ID switch on the FCDE front panel (see

Figure 2-22).

2. Use the + (plus) button to increment the FCDE ID or the – (minus) button to decrement the FCDE ID.

3. When you have all the FCDE IDs set, close all the FCDE front doors.

You might need to use a pen or a paper clip to

push the + and – buttons to change the FCDE ID.

For convenience, you might want to set the FCDE IDs in sequential order, starting with the FCDE that is closest to the system set to ID 0. Setting the FCDE IDs in sequential order can make it easier to find a particular FCDE later, and also helps to eliminate duplicate FCDE IDs.

Enclosure ID switch

Enclosure ID lights

2 3

Drive activity lights

Decrement ID

Increment ID

Figure 2-22 Setting the FCDE ID

Connecting the SCSI Disk Subsystem

The Avid system supports two types of SCSI LVD boards:

SCSI UL3D/160 Dual-Channel LVD Board

The optional SCSI UL3D/160 dual-channel LVD board (UL3D) is an Ultra3 controller and can be used with any Avid Composer or Avid Xpress system. The UL3D supports all Avid rS MediaDrives and the Avid MediaDock LVD storage system.

SCSI 2940U2B Single-Channel LVD Board

If you connect fast and wide drives to the UL3D SCSI LVD controller or to the external SCSI connection of Avid Composer systems, the board or controller revert to fast, wide mode and you lose the LVD mode throughput.

The SCSI 2940U2B single-channel LVD board (2940) is an Ultra2 controller and ships with each IBM M Pro system using Avid Xpress software. The 2940 supports all Avid rS MediaDrives and the Avid MediaDock LVD storage system at Ultra2 speeds.

Since IBM M Pro systems have four available PCI slots and do not have an internal SCSI controller on the system board, the 2940 is used for the internal system drive and provides an external 68-pin D-type connector at the rear of the system.

Since the 2940 is a single-channel board, you cannot stripe across two channels. If you need to stripe across two channels, you can purchase the optional UL3D board and use it in the same system as the 2940.

The following devices are shipping and supported on all UL3D and 2940 SCSI LVD boards and controllers:

• Avid rS LVD MediaDrives (standalone SCSI drives)

• The Avid MediaDock LVD (a standalone SCSI subsystem)

For a complete list of supported SCSI devices see “Supported External

Storage” on page 34.

Manuals are provided for Avid rS LVD MediaDrives and the Avid MediaDock LVD that outline detailed installation instructions. Overviews of both types are provided in the following sections.

Avid rS LVD MediaDrives

You can purchase one or more Avid rS LVD MediaDrives for storing the media and other data associated with video and audio projects. You connect the MediaDrives to the SCSI LVD board. You can identify the SCSI LVD board in your system by looking at the back of the PC (see Figure 2-23).

UL3D board

The UL3D board uses an ultra high-density connector, while the 2940 board uses a standard 68-pin D-type connector.

CHANNEL 1 CHANNEL 2

Ultra high-density connector

2940 board

68-pin D-type connector

Figure 2-23 SCSI LVD Board Connections

See the Avid MediaDrive rS Setup and User’s Guide for detailed information on how to connect Avid rS MediaDrives.

Avid MediaDock LVD

You can also purchase an optional Avid MediaDock LVD storage system that connects to a SCSI LVD board.

You can purchase an Avid MediaDock LVD for storing the media and other data associated with video and audio projects. You connect the MediaDock LVD to the SCSI LVD board. You can identify the SCSI LVD board in your system by looking at the back of the PC (see

Figure 2-23).

See the Avid MediaDock LVD Setup and User’s Guide for detailed information on how to connect an Avid MediaDock LVD.

Connecting the Application Key

The application key, commonly referred to as a dongle, allows the Avid software to run on your system. The application key must connect to the parallel port at the rear of the system. Figure 2-24 shows how to connect the application key.

Example of system connection

Application key

Figure 2-24 Application Key Connection

Be careful that you do not lose the application key. Your Avid software does not function without it. If you lose your application key, you must purchase another key from Avid. Due to the replacement cost of the application key, Avid recommends that you insure the application key for the full market cost of your system.

Using the Grounding Wrist Strap

Your Avid system ships with a grounding wrist strap. To prevent any damage to the PC or any of the peripheral boards, you must wear the wrist strap when handling the boards.

The peripheral boards are sensitive to electrostatic discharge. Do not handle any of the boards unless you are properly grounded. Put on the grounding wrist strap and do not take it off until you complete the board removal and installation.

To use the wrist strap with the Meridien I/O box:

1. Put the grounding wrist strap onto your wrist and adjust the elastic strap to fit your wrist.

2. Attach the grounding clip to the Meridien I/O box as shown in

Figure 2-25.

Attach wrist strap here.

Slave Clock

8 channel

Figure 2-25 Attaching the Grounding Wrist Strap

Replacing the SDI Board

The Serial Digital I/O board (SDI) is attached to the video I/O board and is a field replaceable unit (FRU). To replace the SDI board in the field:

1. Turn off power to the Meridien I/O box.

2. Remove the video I/O board from the Meridien I/O box.

a. Unscrew (but do not remove) the four thumbscrews that

attach the video I/O board to the Meridien I/O box (see

Figure 2-26).

b. Use the thumbscrews to pull the video I/O board from the

Meridien I/O box.

c. Place the video I/O board on an antistatic surface.

8 channel

Slave Clock

Thumbscrews

SDI panel

Thumbscrews

Figure 2-26 Video I/O Board in Meridien I/O Box

If you need to replace PCI boards or memory in the system, you must remove the fan. See Appendix B for instructions on how to remove the fan.

3. Remove the SDI panel board from the video I/O board (see

Figure 2-27).

a. Remove and save the two blank panel screws.

b. Firmly, but carefully, pull the SDI board from the SDI

connector as shown in Figure 2-27.

c. Pull the SDI connector panel to the rear, through the front

panel of the video I/O board.

Panel screws

Figure 2-27 Removing the SDI Board from Video I/O Board

4. Install the new SDI panel board on the video I/O board.

a. Place the SDI connector panel through the front panel of the

video I/O board (see Figure 2-28).

b. Align the SDI board connector with the connector on the

video I/O board and carefully press the SDI board into the connector on the video I/O board.

c. Secure the SDI front panel to the video I/O board front panel

using the two panel screws you removed previously.

SDI front panel

Connector

Panel screws

Figure 2-28 Installing the SDI Board

5. Replace the video I/O board into the Meridien I/O box.

a. Align the edges of the video I/O board in the bottom slot of

the Meridien I/O box (see Figure 2-29).

b. Slide the video I/O board into the Meridien I/O box and

firmly push the board into the connector at the front of the box.

c. Tighten the four thumbscrews.

Slave Clock

8 channel

Thumbscrews

Figure 2-29 Replacing the Video I/O Board

Guide rails

Thumbscrews

Turning On the System

Once you have the keyboard and mouse, monitors, disk subsystem, Meridien I/O box, and application key (dongle) installed, you should turn the system on to make sure it boots properly before you install the Avid software.

To turn the system on:

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

2. Make sure the Bin monitor (the monitor attached to the connector labeled BOOT LEFT on the display controller board) is positioned to the left of the Edit monitor (the monitor attached to the connector labeled EDIT on the display controller board).

3. Make sure the Meridien I/O box, disk drives, and monitors are turned on.

4. Turn on the system as explained in the PC specific user’s guide or

installation guide that ships with your PC.

The system starts to boot. You should see system-specific information displayed on the Bin monitor.

5. The boot procedure stops and asks you to select the operating system you want to use. Select Windows NT Workstation 4.0 [VGA Mode].

6. The boot procedure continues and stops again asking you to select the hardware profile. Select Original Configuration.

The boot procedure continues until the Windows NT logon message appears on the Bin monitor. The Edit monitor should remain blank until the blue Windows NT logon screen appears.

7. Select which account you want to use from the logon window (administrator or Avid Technology) and press the Enter key. There is no password set on the system. You must have administrative privileges to install the Avid software.

If you decide you need a password, see your Windows NT documentation.

8. Once the system has booted properly without the Avid software installed, you should install the Avid application and run diagnostics. See Chapter 3, "Testing the Hardware."

The diagnostics use the same drivers as the Avid application, so the Avid software needs to be installed before you run diagnostics.

CHAPTER 3

Testing the Hardware

After the Avid system is installed, you need to configure and test the system to make sure that all of the components and peripheral boards are functioning properly. Avid supplies a set of diagnostics and a storage exerciser (Avid StorEx) to help you test the system.

This chapter provides you with enough information to run the diagnostics and storage exerciser. You should use the Help provided within the diagnostic for information about the function of specific buttons and windows.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Installing the Avid Software

• Diagnostic Overview

• Diagnostic User Interface

• Before You Run Diagnostics

• Running the Diagnostics

• Cabling for the External/User Interaction Test Suite

• Running a Single Test

• Running Avid StorEx

Installing the A vid Software

After you turn the system on as explained in “Turning On the

System” on page 69, you must install the Avid software. The

diagnostics use the Avid application software drivers. To complete the software installation, follow the instructions in the release notes that came with your system. When you complete installing the software, return to this chapter to run the diagnostics.

Diagnostic Overview

The Avid System Test Pro diagnostics are a set of tests that check the Meridien III board set located in the PC and the Meridien I/O box. Run these diagnostics before you begin editing with your system or if you think your system has a problem. Avid System Test Pro is divided into two separate test suites:

• Standard Board Diagnostics — Tests the Meridien III board set in the system with no intervention needed by the user. Always run these tests first.

• External/User Interaction Board Diagnostics — Tests the I/O portions of the Meridien III board set and needs user interaction such as connecting cables and answering questions in a dialog box.

Avid System Test Pro contains Help that provides information on each button, window, and test for each diagnostic test. To use Help, do one of the following:

• Select an active window from Avid System Test Pro and press the F1 key on your keyboard.

• Choose Content from the Help menu.

Diagnostic User Interface

The user interface for Avid System Test Pro consists of four main windows and a variety of pop-up dialog boxes. The four windows are:

• Main window

• Board information window

• Error log window

• Preference window

This section briefly explains each major window. More information on each window can be found by using the Help provided with the diagnostics.

You should read this section completely before you attempt to run the diagnostics as explained in “Running the Diagnostics” on page 81.

Understanding the Main Window

The Main window (see Figure 3-1) appears automatically the first time you run the diagnostics. The Main window contains the test selections, buttons needed to start and stop the diagnostics, and indicators for test status.

Toolbar

Test suite

Test tree Expansion

button

Item name

Item check box

Item status

System status bar

Figure 3-1 Diagnostic Main Window

The Main window contains:

• Toolbar — Is a VCR-like user interface that provides control over the running of the diagnostic. When you first start the diagnostic, only the start portion of the toolbar is active.

• Test suite — Allows the user to select one of two Tabs: the Standard test suite or External/User Interaction test suite. Each test suite has a status indicator that provides status for each test suite selected.

- The Standard test suite tab — Contains only tests that run

without special cabling or user interaction.

- The External/User Interaction test suite tab — Contains tests

that require user interaction and special cabling. See “Cabling

for the External/User Interaction Test Suite” on page 89 for

information on how to cable the system for these tests.

- Status indicator — Is a round indicator that is yellow if testing,

green if the testing passed, or red if the testing failed. The same indicator is in the bottom right portion of the Main window.

• Te st t r e e — Is a section of the window that contains Expansion buttons, item names, item check boxes, and item status.

• Expansion button — Clicking on an Expansion button switches the level of detail for a given item. For example, clicking on the "+" shows the groups within the item (see Figure 3-2).

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

• Item check box — Selects the item for testing. When the check box contains an "X," the item is selected for testing. By default, all tests associated with the Standard test suite are selected when you first run the diagnostic program from the desktop (see Figure 3-2). Items are deselected when the check box is clear.

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

• System status bar — Displays what test is running and provides a status indicator. It is the same status indicator explained in the Test suite.

Groups

Figure 3-2 Diagnostic Groups

Selected items

Understanding the Board Information Window

The Board Information window provides you with information about the Avid boards in the system (see Figure 3-3). When you select a board, information available for the board is displayed.

Board selection

Information

Figure 3-3 Board Information Window

The board information can be saved to a text file by choosing Save Board Information from the File menu. The board information is saved to a text file specified in the File name: text box of the Save As dialog box (see Figure 3-4).

Figure 3-4 Save As Dialog Box

Understanding the Error Log Window

If a test fails, you should choose Error Log from the Window menu. The Error Log window opens (see Figure 3-5) and contains information on all errors that have occurred since the application started, or since the error log was cleared. Each entry lists the failing board, the failing test, and the time of the failure. If you double-click a failure, a more detailed error window opens that can contain troubleshooting information.

Figure 3-5 Error Log Window

After each failure you can choose Save Error Log from the File menu and a Save As dialog box appears (see Figure 3-6). If you click the Include Failure Details check box, the detailed information about the error is saved to a text file specified in the File name: text box.

Detail check box

Figure 3-6 Save As Dialog Box

Understanding the Preference Window

The Preference window opens when you choose Preference from the Options menu. The Preference window controls the way testing occurs. The window has three tabbed displays to divide the window into three sections, and control buttons to save or change the choices for each section. The three tabbed displays are:

Test Control Tab

The Test Control tab allows you to select how the program handles errors, and the number of times you want the program to run (see

Figure 3-7).

Tabbed pages

Control buttons

Figure 3-7 Preference Window — Test Control

You can choose to continue, pause, or stop on an error by clicking the radio button in the Error handling region of the window. You can also choose to loop the test continuously or type in the number of times you want the test to run by clicking the radio button in the Looping region of the window.

The default is "Stop on error" and to loop once.

Base Board Tab

The Base Board tab determines how some of the processor board data is routed. The data can be routed through the display controller or through the external Meridien I/O box to the selected output. By default, both of these options are deselected (see Figure 3-8).

Figure 3-8 Preference Window — Base Board

Video Subsystem Tab

The Video Subsystem tab, see Figure 3-9, allows you to override the default video standard of the Meridien I/O box to NTSC, NTSC-EIAJ, or PAL. The Meridien I/O box is normally defaulted to NTSC in the United States. If the default is set to NTSC and you want to test the PAL functions, you must change the video standard to PAL and restart the diagnostic (the Preferences are only looked at during application startup).

Control Buttons

Figure 3-9 Preference Window — Video Subsystem

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

Quick Start Dialog Box

The Quick Start dialog box appears when you start the diagnostic program (see Figure 3-10). This dialog box, labeled Avid System Test Pro Quick Start, describes what you need to do to start testing the standard set of diagnostics using all test program defaults. The defaults, as sent from the factory, include the use of NTSC video.

Figure 3-10 Quick Start Dialog Box

Before You Run Diagnostics

Prior to running Avid System Test Pro you should:

• Install the system components as explained in Chapter 2.

• Since the diagnostics use the same drivers as the Avid application, you must install the Avid software as explained in the release notes.

Running the Diagnostics

You should run both test suites of Avid System Test Pro diagnostics to assure that the Avid board sets are functioning properly. You should run the Standard test suite first, and if the Standard test suite passes, run the External/User Interaction test suite.

Running the Standard Test Suite

Once you have installed the diagnostics and selected the proper mode, you should run the Standard test suite. To run the Standard test suite:

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Avid, point to Utilities, and select Avid System Test Pro.

Avid System Test Pro starts, the Main window opens, and the Quick Start dialog box appears explaining what you need to do to run the Standard diagnostics using default settings.

2. Click OK in the Quick Start dialog box.

3. Click the Start button from the toolbar in the Main window.

Since the Standard tests are all selected by default, they run with the status shown in the Item status boxes in the Main window.

4. Do one of the following:

- If the tests pass, continue testing at “Running the

External/User Interaction Test Suite” on page 83.

- If any test fails, a dialog box appears telling you to open the

Error Log window.

If this is the first time the tests have failed, see Chapter 7, "Troubleshooting," for possible solutions to the problem.

If you have tried the solutions in Chapter 7 and the diagnostics still fail, contact your support provider or Avid Customer Support at 800-800-AVID (2843).

Running the External/User Interaction Test Suite

There are three different items tested by the External/User Interaction test suite:

• Digital media board set— Has two interaction tests that require specific cabling.

• Video I/O board — Has four external tests that require you to cable selected inputs to selected outputs before you run the tests.

• Audio I/O board — Has one external test that requires special cabling for eight-channel systems.

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

Some of these tests can be selected together and run simultaneously.

Testing the Digital Media Board Set

There are two External/User Interaction tests for the digital media board set, the Pixel DMA Loopback via/DVIO (pixel test) and the Capture Playback Utility (capture and playback test).

The pixel test sends data out of the digital media board set and back into the digital media board set. Always run this External/User Interaction test before you run any of the other tests.

The capture and playback test captures and digitizes incoming data and plays it back to allow you to see if it was digitized properly.

Running the Pixel Test

To run the pixel test:

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Avid, point to Utilities, and

2. Click OK in the Quick Start dialog box.

3. Select the External/User Interaction tab from the Main window.

4. Click the Expansion button next to the item, Digital Media Board

5. Click the Expansion buttons next to DMA Tests and Digitize Tests

6. Select the pixel test by clicking the check box to the right of the test

select Avid System Test Pro.

Avid System Test Pro starts, the Main window opens, and the Quick Start dialog box appears explaining what you need to do to run the Standard diagnostics using default settings.

set. Two groups open, DMA Tests and Digitize Tests (see

Figure 3-11).

to display the tests:

- Pixel DMA Loopback via/DVIO (pixel test)

- Capture Playback Utility (capture and playback test)

(make sure all other tests are deselected).

Expansion button

Tests

Check

boxes

Figure 3-11 Digital Media Board Set Tests

7. Cable the digital media board set for the pixel test as explained in

“Cabling for the Digital Media Board Set” on page 89.

8. Click the Start button from the toolbar in the Main window.

The pixel test runs with the status shown in the Item status boxes in the Main window.

9. Do one of the following:

- If the test passes, consider this part of the system in working

order.

- If the test fails, a dialog box appears telling you to open the

Error Log window.

If this is the first time the tests have failed, see Chapter 7, "Troubleshooting," for possible solutions to the problem.

If you have tried the solutions in Chapter 7 and the diagnostics still fail, contact your support provider or Avid Customer Support at 800-800-AVID (2843).

Running the Capture and Playback Test

To run the capture and playback test:

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Avid, point to Utilities, and select Avid System Test Pro.

Avid System Test Pro starts, the Main window opens, and the Quick Start dialog box appears explaining what you need to do to run the Standard diagnostics using default settings.

2. Click OK in the Quick Start dialog box.

3. Select the External/User Interaction tab from the Main window.

4. Click the Expansion button next to the item, Digital Media Board set. Two groups open, DMA Tests and Digitize Tests (see

Figure 3-11).

5. Click the Expansion buttons next to DMA Tests and Digitize Tests to display the tests:

- Pixel DMA Loopback via/DVIO (pixel test)

- Capture Playback Utility (capture and playback test)

6. Select the capture and playback test by clicking the check box to the right of the test (make sure all other tests are deselected).

7. Cable the digital media board set for the capture and playback test as explained in “Cabling for the Digital Media Board Set” on

page 89.

8. Click the Start button from the toolbar in the Main window.

The capture and playback test runs displaying a dialog box asking if you want to capture or play back.

9. Start the video deck and click Capture.

10. Click Playback when the dialog box reappears.

The video you captured is played back.

11. Do one of the following:

- If the test passes, consider this part of the system in working

order.

- If the test fails, a dialog box appears telling you to open the

Testing the Video I/O Board

You can run each video I/O board test separately, but the following procedure allows you to run as many tests at one time as you can for efficiency.

Error Log window.

If this is the first time the tests have failed, see Chapter 7, "Troubleshooting," for possible solutions to the problem.

If you have tried the solutions in Chapter 7 and the diagnostics still fail, contact your support provider or Avid Customer Support at 800-800-AVID (2843).

To run all of the External/User Interaction video I/O tests:

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Avid, point to Utilities, and select Avid System Test Pro.

Avid System Test Pro starts, the Main window opens, and the Quick Start dialog box appears explaining what you need to do to run the Standard diagnostics using default settings.

2. Click OK in the Quick Start dialog box.

3. Select the External/User Interaction tab from the Main window.

4. Select the Video I/O Board from the Main window (this selects all of the tests).

5. Cable all of the devices to test as explained in “Cabling for the

Video I/O Board” on page 91.

6. Use the Expansion button to display the groups under the item, Video I/O Board.

7. Click the Start button from the toolbar in the Main window.

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

8. Do one of the following:

- If the test passes, consider this part of the system in working

order.

- If the test fails, a dialog box appears telling you to open the

Error Log window.

If this is the first time the tests have failed, see Chapter 7, "Troubleshooting," for possible solutions to the problem.

If you have tried the solutions in Chapter 7 and the diagnostics still fail, contact your support provider or Avid Customer Support at 800-800-AVID (2843).

Testing the Audio I/O Board

There is one External/User Interaction test for the audio board, the tone test.

The tone test sends a tone out of the audio board to the speakers. If you hear the tone the test passes. If your speakers seem to work in your Avid application there is no need to run this test.

Running the Tone Test

Before you run the tone test make sure the speakers are cabled as explained in “Connecting the Audio Splitter” on page 124 and power is applied to the speakers.

To run the tone test:

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Avid, point to Utilities, and select Avid System Test Pro.

Avid System Test Pro starts, the Main window opens, and the Quick Start dialog box appears explaining what you need to do to run the Standard diagnostics using default settings.

2. Click OK in the Quick Start dialog box.

3. Select the External/User Interaction tab from the Main window.

4. Select the Audio Board from the Main window (this selects the tone test).

5. Click the Start button from the toolbar in the Main window.

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

6. A dialog box appears asking if the tone was heard.

- If the tone was heard, consider this part of the system in

working order.

- If the tone was not heard, make sure the cables are properly

connected and the volume is turned up on the speakers.

If the cables are properly connected and all other diagnostics pass except the tone test, contact your support provider or Avid Customer Support at 800-800-AVID (2843).

Cabling for the External/User Interaction Test Suite

The digital media board set and video I/O board need different cabling when you run the External/User Interaction diagnostics. The cabling for each of these boards is explained in the following sections.

Cabling for the Digital Media Board Set

The digital media board set has two External/User Interaction tests. You must cable and run each test separately.

Cabling for the Pixel Test

To cable for the pixel test on the digital media board set:

These instructions assume that the system cable is connected between the digital media board set and the video I/O board as explained in “Connecting

the Meridien I/O Box” on page 42.

1. Disconnect the system cable from the video I/O board in the Meridien I/O box.

2. Connect the end of the cable you just disconnected to the C connector of the digital media board set (see Figure 3-12). Return the cable to its original position after the test.

Figure 3-12 Cabling for the Pixel Test

Cabling for the Capture and Playback Test

The capture and playback test checks the path you need for digitizing and playback. To cable for the capture and playback test on the digital media board set:

1. Make sure you have the system cable between the digital media board set and the Meridien I/O box connected.

2. Connect the BNC connector of a cable to COMPOSITE IN of the video I/O board. Connect the other end of the cable to the COMPOSITE OUT of a video deck (see Figure 3-13).

3. Connect the BNC connector of a cable to COMPOSITE OUT1 of the video I/O board. Connect the other end of the cable to a monitor that is capable of inputting a composite signal.

Slave Clock

8 channel

LTC

SLAVE CLOCK

SYSTEM

IN / OUT

OUT

COMPONENT

COMPOSITE

From COMPOSITE OUT on video deck

ININ

R-Y B-Y

COMPOSITE

REF

R-Y

S-VIDEO

OUT 1

OUT 2

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

OUT

B-Y

DIGITAL VIDEO

OUT

S-VIDEO

OUT 3

To COMPOSITE IN on a monitor

Figure 3-13 Cabling for the Capture and Playback Test

Cabling for the Video I/O Board

All of the External/User Interaction tests for the video I/O board can be run at the same time. To cable the video I/O board in the Meridien I/O box to run the External/User Interaction tests:

1. Locate the following cables in the hardware kit:

- One cable labeled "2 analog/4 digital" — Two male XLR

connectors on one end, and two female XLR connectors at the other end

- One cable labeled "Component Video" — Three BNC

connectors at both ends

- Two cables labeled "Serial Digital" — A BNC connector at both

ends

2. Connect the cable labeled "Component Video" to the video I/O board as shown in Figure 3-14.

- Connect one end of the cable (using the three BNC connectors)

to COMPONENT OUT on the video I/O board as follows:

The BNC attached to the green wire to the connector labeled Y.

The BNC attached to the red wire to the connector labeled R-Y.

The BNC attached to the blue wire to the connector labeled B-Y.

Slave Clock

8 channel

COMPONENT

COMPOSITE

ININ

R-Y B-Y

COMPOSITE

REF

R-Y

S-VIDEO

OUT 1

OUT 2

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

OUT

B-Y

OUT

S-VIDEO

OUT 3

DIGITAL VIDEO

SYSTEM

IN / OUT

SLAVE CLOCK

LTC

OUT

Figure 3-14 Cabling for the Interaction Component Video Test

- Connect the other end of the cable (using the three BNC

connectors) to COMPONENT IN on the video I/O board as follows:

The BNC attached to the green wire to the connector labeled Y.

The BNC attached to the red wire to the connector labeled R-Y.

The BNC attached to the blue wire to the connector labeled B-Y.

3. Connect the first cable labeled "Serial Digital" to the video I/O board as shown in Figure 3-15.

The Serial Digital cable is a high-quality cable shipped for use with the SDI video, and can be used for composite video since they both use the 75-Ω BNC connectors.

- Connect one end of the cable to COMPOSITE IN on the video

I/O board.

- Connect the other end of the cable to COMPOSITE OUT1 on

the video I/O board.

To test OUT2 and OUT3 outputs, you can run the test two more times connecting this end of the cable to OUT2 and then to OUT3.

Slave Clock

8 channel

LTC

SLAVE CLOCK

SYSTEM

IN / OUT

OUT

COMPONENT

COMPOSITE

ININ

R-Y B-Y

COMPOSITE

REF

R-Y

S-VIDEO

OUT 1

OUT 2

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

OUT

B-Y

DIGITAL VIDEO

OUT

S-VIDEO

OUT 3

Figure 3-15 Cabling for the Interaction Composite Video Test

4. Connect the second cable labeled "Serial Digital" to the video I/O board as shown in Figure 3-16.

The Serial Digital cable is shipped for use with the SDI video and composite video since they both use the 75-Ω BNC connectors.

- Connect one end of the cable to IN on the Serial Digital

portion of the video I/O board.

- Connect the other end of the cable to OUT2 on the Serial

Digital portion of the video I/O board.

Slave Clock

8 channel

LTC

SLAVE CLOCK

SYSTEM

IN / OUT

OUT

COMPONENT

COMPOSITE

ININ

R-Y B-Y

COMPOSITE

REF

R-Y

S-VIDEO

OUT 1

OUT 2

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

OUT

B-Y

DIGITAL VIDEO

OUT

S-VIDEO

OUT 3

Figure 3-16 Cabling for the Interaction SDI Video Test

To test OUT1 and OUT3 outputs, you can run the test two more times connecting this end of the cable to OUT1 and then to OUT3.

Avid ships an S-Video cable with the system. If you need to run the interaction S-Video test, connect the cable as shown in Figure 3-17 and use Help to select the S-Video test and run it separately.

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

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

COMPONENT

COMPOSITE

Figure 3-17 Cabling for the S-Video Interaction Video Test

Running a Single Test

Slave Clock

8 channel

ININ

R-Y B-Y

COMPOSITE

REF

R-Y

S-VIDEO

OUT 1

OUT 2

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

OUT

B-Y

DIGITAL VIDEO

OUT

S-VIDEO

OUT 3

LTC

SLAVE CLOCK

SYSTEM

IN / OUT

OUT

If a test fails and you think you have fixed the problem, or if you want to run one test by itself, you need to know how to run a single test. To run a single test:

1. Navigate to the test you want to run by using the Expansion buttons explained in “Understanding the Main Window” on

page 73.

2. Select the test you want to run using the pointer.

3. Right-click the mouse button, and choose Test from the pop-up menu (the test is automatically enabled if run as a single test).

Running Avid StorEx

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

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

StorEx requires a working Avid system in order to function correctly. The program assumes that the system processor and memory are functioning normally. The F/C controller and the SCSI accelerator board must be functioning and be able to accept commands and return results.

StorEx is installed by the same installation procedure that installs Avid application software.

The Main Window

The Main window provides a graphical user interface that guides you through StorEx. The Main window provides important information, making sure that you are aware of the devices available for testing and the results of each test (see Figure 3-18).

Toolbar

Testing

display

Console

display

Figure 3-18 StorEx Main Window

The Main window is divided into four areas:

•Menu

• Toolbar

• Testing display

• Console display

The Menu

The StorEx Main menu is at the top of the display and provides the following functions:

• File — Allows you to quit the program by choosing Exit from the File menu.

• View — Allows you to define what you want to see in the Console display. The available choices are:

- Toolbar

- Testing display (also select by pressing and holding Alt+1)

- Console display (also select by pressing and holding Alt+2)

• Te s t in g — Allows you to control the testing. You can choose to:

- Set all tests to the default state.

- Start the testing.

- Pause the testing (not yet implemented).

- Stop the testing.

• Options — Allows you to open the Preference window (see “The

Preference Window” on page 99) and to define what type of error

causes the test to stop:

The Toolbar

- Stop on hard error

- Stop on any error

• Help — Lists the StorEx revision level.

The toolbar is a VCR-like user interface that provides control over the running of the diagnostic. When you first start the diagnostic, only the start portion of the toolbar is active. Each toolbar button is explained in Figure 3-19.

Start Pause

The Testing Display

Stop

Stop on

any error

Stop on hard error

Display summary

Figure 3-19 Toolbar

The Testing display (see Figure 3-20) appears by default in the Main window when you start StorEx. The Testing display shows the SCSI buses and attached disks found by StorEx during the scan of the SCSI buses, the device status boxes, and the check boxes. To open the Testing display, choose Testing from the View menu or press and hold Alt+1. To close the Testing display, choose Testing from the View menu or press and hold Alt+1. The Testing display allows you to:

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

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

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

SCSI bus

Target ID

Device number

Status box Check box

Figure 3-20 Testing Display

The target ID is actually the physical disk address of the disk on the SCSI bus set by switches at the rear of the disk drive.

The device number is a number assigned by StorEx that helps to identify the disks in the display console printout. The device numbers have nothing to do with the SCSI bus the disk is attached to.

The Testing display is shown in Figure 3-20 with the status box and check box on the right side of the display. The Testing display is really a window within the Main window, and can be sized independently. If you make the Main window smaller without resizing the Testing display, you can cut the status box and check box from view. If you want to make the Main window smaller, you should resize the Testing display to the smaller size first, and then resize the Main window.

The Console Display

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

The Preference Window

The Preference window appears when you choose Preference from the Options menu (see Figure 3-21). The Preference window controls the way testing occurs. The window has two tabs that divide the window into two sections, and control buttons to save or change the choices for each section. The two tabbed displays are:

•Tests

• Options

The Tests Tab

When you click the Tests tab a display appears that allows you to select the tests that you want to run on the selected hard drives.

The tests are divided into two types: non-destructive tests and destructive tests.

• Non-destructive tests only read the data that is on the hard drive. They do not write any data to the hard drive.

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

Figure 3-21 Preference Window — Tests T ab

100

Pinnacle Systems Media Composer Quick Start Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Figures

Tables

Using This Guide

Who Should Use This Guide

About This Guide

Symbols and Conventions

If You Need Help

Related Information

If You Have Documentation Comments

How to Order Documentation

Hardware Overview

Avid System Components

The Platform

Monitors

Keyboard and Mouse

Peripheral Boards

PCI Boards

Meridien Display Controller Board

Meridien III Digital Media Board Set

Meridien 3D Effects Board

F/C Controller Board

SCSI UL3D/160 Dual-Channel LVD Board

SCSI 2940U2B Single-Channel LVD Board

The Meridien I/O Box

Meridien Video I/O Board

Meridien Eight-Channel Audio Interface Board

Meridien Two-Channel Audio I/O Board

Meridien Serial Digital I/O Board

Audio and Video Equipment

Audio I/O Device

VLXi Multideck Controller

Black Burst Generator

Storage

Supported Internal Storage

IBM 6866 Systems

M Pro Systems

Supported External Storage

Standalone Fibre Channel

SCSI LVD Boards

Avid Unity MediaNet

A Typical Avid System Layout

Setting Up the System Hardware

Before You Begin

Checking the Kit Contents

Arranging the Components

Assembling the System

Connecting the Keyboard and Mouse

Connecting the Meridien I/O Box

Connecting the Monitors

Connecting the Client Monitor

Adjusting the Video Monitors

Connecting the F/C Disk Subsystem

Placing the Components

Connecting to the System

Connecting Cables to the Fibre Channel Controller Board

Connecting to the Fibre Channel Drive Enclosure

Installing Rack-Mount FCDE Support Rails

Installing a Rack-Mount FCDE

Connecting Cables to the Fibre Channel FCDE

Connecting the Fibre Channel FCDE Power Cords

Installing Fibre Channel Drives

Setting Fibre Channel Drive Enclosure IDs

Connecting the SCSI Disk Subsystem

Avid rS LVD MediaDrives

Avid MediaDock LVD

Connecting the Application Key

Using the Grounding Wrist Strap

Replacing the SDI Board

Turning On the System

Testing the Hardware

Installing the A vid Software

Diagnostic Overview

Diagnostic User Interface

Understanding the Main Window

Understanding the Board Information Window