Pinnacle Systems NewsCutter - 2.0 Setup Guide

Avid® NewsCutter

Setup Guide

Release 2.0

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; 6,084,569; 6,091,422; 6,091,778; 6,105,083; 6,118,444; 6,130,676; 6,134,379; 6,134,607; 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.

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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.

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

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Portions of this software licensed from Paradigm Matrix.

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“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.

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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, AirSPACE, AirSPACE HD, AniMatte, AudioSuite, AutoSync, AVIDdrive, AVIDdrive Towers, AvidNet, Avid Production Network, AvidProNet, AVIDstripe, Avid Unity, AVX, DAE, D-Fi, D-FX, D-Verb, ExpertRender, FilmScribe, HyperSPACE, HyperSPACE HDCAM, 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, SPACE, SPACE Shift, Symphony, Vari-Fi, Video Slave Driver, and VideoSPACE are trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc.

Adobe and Acrobat Reader are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. FaderMaster Pro is a trademark of JL Cooper, a division of Sound Technology. Hitachi is a registered trademark of Hitachi, Ltd. IBM and IntelliStation are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. iNEWS is a trademark of iNEWS. JVC is a registered trademark of JVC Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Panasonic is a registered trademark of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Philips is a registered trademark of Philips Electronics N.V. Profile is a registered trademark of Grass Valley Group, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Sony, Betacam, Betacam SP, DVCAM, Hi8, and U-matic are trademarks of Sony Corporation. TARGA is a trademark of Pinnacle Systems, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Videomedia, V-LAN,

are registered trademarks of Videomedia, Inc. Yamaha is a registered trademark of Yamaha Corporation of America. All

and VLX other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Footage

Arizona Images — KNX-TV Production — Courtesy of Granite Broadcasting, Inc., Editor/Producer Bryan Foote. Canyonlands — Courtesy of the National Park Service, Harpers Ferry, VA. WCAU Fire Story — Courtesy of NBC-10, Philadelphia, PA. Paragliding — Courtesy of Legendary Entertainment, Inc. Renaissance Cruises Aegean I — Courtesy of Sondra Byington — Reel Art Productions, Irving, TX.

Avid NewsCutter Setup Guide • Part 0130-04675-01 Rev. A • November 2000

Using This Guide

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

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

Symbols and Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Using the Help System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

If You Need Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Related Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

If You Have Documentation Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

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

Chapter 1 Introduction

NewsCutter System Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Meridien I/O Box Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Checking the Installation Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Rack-Mounting Kits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Chapter 2 Setting Up the NewsCutter System

Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Arranging Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Assembling the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Connecting the Keyboard and Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Installing the Application Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Connecting the UI Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Connecting NewsCutter to the Meridien I/O Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Avid MediaDrive or MediaDock Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Supported MediaDrives and MediaDock Storage Devices . . . 43

Connecting Avid Drives to NewsCutter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Data Rate Calculations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Drive Striping Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Optional NewsCutter Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Local Area Network Workgroup Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Fibre Channel Workgroup Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Avid Unity for News Workgroup Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

SDTI Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Chapter 3 Connecting Audio and Video Devices

Avid Meridien I/O Box Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Audio Interface Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Video Interface Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Serial Digital Interface Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Connecting the Reference Signal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Controlling a Video Deck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Connecting a V-LAN VLXi Controller and GPI Devices. . . . . . 67

Video Local Area Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

General-Purpose Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Master Clock Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

SDTI Device Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Chapter 4 Running the System Diagnostics

Turning On the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Avid System Test Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Starting Avid System Test Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Quick Start Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Understanding the Main Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Understanding the Avid System Test Preferences Window. . . 78

Running the Standard Diagnostics Suite. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Running the External/User Interaction Diagnostics Suite . . . . 81

External Diagnostics Audio Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

External Diagnostics Component Video Cabling . . . . . . . . 82

External Diagnostics Composite Video Cabling . . . . . . . . . 83

External Diagnostics Serial Digital Video Cabling. . . . . . . 84

External Diagnostics S-Video Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Running the External Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Understanding the Error Log Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Avid StorEx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Running Avid StorEx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Avid StorEx Disk Test Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Menus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Test Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Console Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Test Preferences Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Tests Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Options Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Control Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Chapter 5 Troubleshooting Chapter 6 Setting Up Workgroups

Using TransferMananger as a Peer-to-Peer Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Media File Transfers to Playback Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Cabling NewsCutter to the Workgroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Connecting NewsCutter and the Playback Device for

Ingest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Setting Up the Playback Device for Ingest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Setting Up NewsCutter for Ingest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Connecting NewsCutter and the Playback Device for

Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Connection Between NewsCutter and the Fibre

Channel Switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Connection Between the Playback Device and the

Fibre Channel Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Connection Between the Playback Device, NewsCutter,

and the Ethernet Hub or Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Transferring Files from NewsCutter to the Playback

Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Transferring from the Playback Device to NewsCutter . . . . . 119

Transferring Media Files from NewsCutter for

Play-to-Air. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Chapter 7 Connecting Fader Controllers and a VTR Emulator

Connecting Fader Controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

Connecting to the MIDI Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Connecting JL Cooper Fader Controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Initializing and Testing the JL Cooper Fader Controllers. . . . 126

Connecting the Yamaha 01V Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Connecting a VTR Emulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Appendix A Servicing the Avid Meridien I/O Box

Meridien Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

Meridien I/O Box Board Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

Serial Digital Interface Board Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Appendix B Supported Serial Control Video Decks

General Deck Selection Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Direct Serial Decks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Edit Decks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

Record Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

Play Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

V-LAN Decks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Edit Decks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

Record Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

Play Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

VTRs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

Appendix C Regulatory and Safety Notices

FCC Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

Canadian ICES-003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

European Union Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Australia and New Zealand EMC Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

Taiwan EMC Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

Index

Figures

Figure 1-1 Meridien I/O Box Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Figure 1-2 Meridien I/O Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Figure 2-1 Configured System Layout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Figure 2-2 IBM IntelliStation Z Pro — Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Figure 2-3 Meridien I/O Box Rear Panel Board Slots . . . . . . . . . . 36

Figure 2-4 Keyboard and Mouse Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Figure 2-5 Application Key Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Figure 2-6 VGA Cable Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Figure 2-7 Connection Between NewsCutter and Meridien

I/O Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Figure 2-8 Dual-Channel SCSI Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Figure 2-9 Connecting the MediaDrive or MediaDock SCSI

Cable to NewsCutter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Figure 2-10 Ethernet Workgroup Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Figure 2-11 Fibre Channel Workgroup Configuration . . . . . . . . . . 54

Figure 2-12 Avid WorkGroup Flow Diagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Figure 2-13 Sample Layout for an Avid Unity for News

Workgroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Figure 3-1 Audio I/O Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Figure 3-2 Video I/O Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Figure 3-3 Serial Digital Video I/O Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Figure 3-4 Reference Signal Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Figure 3-5 Video Deck Control Cabling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Figure 3-6 V-LAN VLXi Deck Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Figure 3-7 Timecode Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Figure 3-8 SDTI Interface Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Figure 4-1 Avid System Test Pro Quick Start Dialog Box. . . . . . . 76

Figure 4-2 Avid System Test Pro Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Figure 4-3 Avid System Test Preferences Window

— Test Control Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Figure 4-4 Avid System Test Preferences Window

— Video Subsystem Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Figure 4-5 Audio Test External Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Figure 4-6 Component Video External Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Figure 4-7 Composite Video External Cabling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Figure 4-8 Serial Digital Video External Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Figure 4-9 S-Video External Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Figure 4-10 Error Log Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Figure 4-11 Avid StorEx Disk Test Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Figure 4-12 Avid StorEx Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Figure 4-13 Avid StorEx Test Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Figure 4-14 Avid StorEx Test Preferences Window

— Tests Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Figure 4-15 Avid StorEx Test Preferences Window

— Options Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Figure 6-1 Audio, Video, and Serial Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Figure 6-2 Fibre Channel and Ethernet Connections. . . . . . . . . . 116

Figure 6-3 Digital Cut Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Figure 7-1 IBM IntelliStation Z Pro — MIDI Connector . . . . . . . 123

Figure 7-2 Fader Controller Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Figure 7-3 MCS-3000X Fader Controller Rear View . . . . . . . . . . 125

Figure 7-4 Connecting JL Cooper Fader Controllers . . . . . . . . . . 126

Figure 7-5 Yamaha 01V Mixer Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Figure 7-6 Connecting a VTR Emulator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Figure A-1 Meridien Audio Connectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Figure A-2 Meridien Video Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Figure A-3 Meridien Serial Digital Interface Connectors. . . . . . . 135

Figure A-4 Meridien I/O Box Thumb Screws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

Figure A-5 Circuit Board Connector and Rails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Figure A-6 Video I/O Board Blank Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Figure A-7 Meridien Serial Digital Interface Connector . . . . . . . 138

Tables

Table 1-1 NewsCutter Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Table 1-2 Optional Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Table 1-3 Meridien I/O Box Indicator Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Table 2-1 Avid NewsCutter Expansion Slot Assignments . . . . . 35

Table 2-2 Meridien I/O Box Peripheral Board Locations . . . . . . 36

Table 2-3 MediaDrive and MediaDock Shuttle Information . . . 44

Table 2-4 Drive Storage Capacities (Minutes) for NTSC

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Table 2-5 Drive Storage Capacities (Minutes) for PAL

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Table 2-6 Data Rate Storage Calculations for NTSC

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Table 2-7 Data Rate Storage Calculations for

PAL Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Table 2-8 Drive Striping Requirements for NTSC Video . . . . . . 49

Table 2-9 Drive Striping Requirements for PAL Video . . . . . . . 50

Table 2-10 SDTI Signal Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Table 5-1 No Display After Power-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Table 5-2 Display Colors Are Incorrect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Table 5-3 Cannot Initialize Meridien II Digital Media

Board Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Table 5-4 UI Monitor Does Not Display Selected

Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Table 5-5 Security Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Table 5-6 MediaDrives Not Recognized by System . . . . . . . . . 102

Table 5-7 Cannot Read NewsCutter CD-ROM . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Table 5-8 Video Deck or V-LAN Not Recognized . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Table 5-9 No Video in Playback Monitor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Table 5-10 Sequences or Clips Do Not Appear in the Source

or Timeline Viewers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Table 6-1 Workgroup Cable Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Tab le A - 1 Meridien Audio Identifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Tab le A - 2 Meridien Video Identifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Tab le A - 3 Meridien Serial Digital Interface Identifiers . . . . . . . 135

Tab le B - 1 Direct Serial Edit Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

Tab le B - 2 Direct Serial Record Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Tab le B - 3 Direct Serial Play Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Tab le B - 4 V-LAN Edit Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

Tab le B - 5 V-LAN Record Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

Tab le B - 6 V-LAN Play Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

Using This Guide

The Avid system components. NewsCutter ships with Windows NT Windows the internal hard drive. You should consult the Avid Notes, distributed with this guide, for any late-breaking information that might apply to your system setup.

If for any reason the NewsCutter application needs to be reinstalled, see the release notes for instructions on installing the application. For instructions on how to install Windows NT, see your Windows NT documentation.

NewsCutter® Setup Guide explains how to set up NewsCutter

Service Pack, and the NewsCutter application loaded on

Who Should Use This Guide

You should have some prior knowledge of computers before attempting to install this product. If you are not familiar with computers, you should obtain qualified help before installing any hardware or software for this product.

4.0,

NewsCutter Release

About This Guide

Use this guide when you are connecting the peripherals and cables to the NewsCutter system. After you complete the installation, you might want to consult this guide if you need to add external drives and video decks to the NewsCutter system.

After you set up the NewsCutter system and connect it to the Avid Meridien

System Diagnostics” to verify that your hardware is functioning

properly. Troubleshooting information is also provided to help if you encounter any problems. To install the optional Meridien serial digital interface board or to replace a subassembly in the Meridien I/O box, see Appendix A.

The Index helps you locate the information you need.

™

input/output (I/O) box, see Chapter 4, “Running the

Symbols and Conventions

The Avid NewsCutter Setup Guide 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.

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.

Using the Help System

You can get help and background information for tasks, windows, dialog boxes, and screen objects through the Avid Help system. The Help system is HTML-based and operates in a Web browser. To open the Help system, start the NewsCutter application and choose NewsCutter Help from the Help menu. The Help system for NewsCutter opens and displays a list of topics in the Contents frame on the left side of the screen. Click an entry in the list to display the related topic.

The NewsCutter application also provides context-sensitive Help. While the NewsCutter window is active, press F1 to display information about that window or tool. Right-click a screen object in

the NewsCutter application for a shortcut menu. Click What’s This? to display a description of the screen object.

ToolTips are pop-up labels that appear when the cursor is over any NewsCutter button. You can turn on or turn off the ToolTips feature by clicking the Settings tab in the Project window, selecting Interface, and selecting or deselecting Show ToolTips in the Interface dialog box.

If You Need Help

If you are having trouble using NewsCutter, 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 release notes supplied with your Avid application for information on accessing the Avid Web site and the Avid Knowledge Center.

4. For customer support, contact your local Avid Reseller, or contact Avid Customer Support directly:

• Broadcast customers — call 800-NEWS-DNG (639-7364).

• Postproduction customers — call 800-800-AVID (2843).

Related Information

The following documents provide more information about NewsCutter:

• Avid NewsCutter Release Notes

This document describes new features, hardware and software requirements, software installation instructions, and summary information on system and memory requirements.

• Avid NewsCutter Getting Started Guide

This guide explains the basic concepts and terminology of NewsCutter as well as how to create a project; work with bins; record source material; and compose, edit, and trim a sequence.

• Avid NewsCutter User’s Guide

This guide provides complete information on all editing tasks, such as recording footage, viewing and marking footage, editing, trimming, importing, exporting, and generating final output. This guide also provides a glossary that defines and explains many industry terms.

• Avid NewsCutter Effects Guide

This guide describes techniques for using digital video effects, titles, third-party plug-in effects, mattes, keys, and layering options.

• Avid NewsCutter Quick Reference

This folded card lists convenient keyboard shortcuts.

• Avid NewsCutter Upgrade Instructions

This document explains how to upgrade the hardware and software in NewsCutter systems in accordance with the latest feature and performance enhancements.

• Avid Unity Workgroup Setup Guide

This guide provides information on setting up NewsCutter

™

hardware and software in an Avid Unity

for News workgroup

environment.

• 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.

The most recent update of the Avid Products Collaboration Guide is provided online. Check the release notes supplied with your Avid application for information on accessing online documentation.

• Avid NewsCutter Online Publications

This online collection provides electronic versions of this guide and other guides listed in this section. You can view these documents with Adobe

Acrobat

Reader™, which you can install

from the CD-ROM.

• Avid NewsCutter Help

The NewsCutter application includes a Help system that can be viewed using your default Web browser. Help can be run as a standalone application from the Avid NewsCutter Online

Publications CD-ROM.

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

Introduction

This chapter introduces NewsCutter hardware. The introduction includes an overview of the system and a list of the standard and optional NewsCutter components.

NewsCutter is a computer with an Avid peripheral board set that lets you digitally record and compress high-quality audio and video analog or digital signals to disk. This disk-based, nonlinear, random-access system is designed for editing news stories and other broadcast needs.

A peripheral board set, referred to as the Meridien II digital media board set, fits into full-length PCI slots in the NewsCutter PC system and supports full-screen, full-motion National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) video at 60 fields per second or Phase Alternating Line (PAL) video at 50 fields per second.

The Windows NT operating system and the Windows Service Pack come preinstalled in NewsCutter.

Unpack the hardware (NewsCutter system, monitors, Meridien I/O box, application key, and media storage), and connect the components, as described in the following chapters.

NewsCutter ships from Avid with the application software already loaded on the system.

Before you connect all the hardware, see the Avid NewsCutter Release Notes for the most up-to-date information about the system, including

instructions on how to reinstall the NewsCutter application (if necessary).

A User Interface (UI) monitor displays the user interface, including the Timeline and bins. A customer-supplied Playback monitor displays media the system is playing or recording. The Avid Meridien I/O box is the interface for all the audio and video, input and output connections.

If you have purchased the optional serial digital board for the Avid Meridien I/O box, see Appendix A for installation instructions.

When the system is recording, it stores the audio and video media data in digital format on an external Avid MediaDrive or MediaDock hard disk storage system. The system plays back the digital media from the drives.

There are two optional storage possibilities you can use with your NewsCutter system:

• Avid Unity MediaNet — The Avid Unity MediaNet server and storage subsystem use Fibre Channel (F/C) storage components to provide the shared storage environment for up to 24 MediaNet clients. MediaNet allows all clients to simultaneously read and write to the same shared storage workspace.

• SCSI LVD board — Supports two types of SCSI storage:

- All rS LVD MediaDrive storage systems available in Rack and

Stack (rS) enclosures.

- The MediaDock LVD storage system accommodates

removable MediaDock LVD shuttle devices.

™

As drive size and drive speed improve, different drives and LVD shuttles will be available for use. Contact your local Avid Reseller or call the Avid Sales and Product information line at 800-949-2843 for the available drives and LVD shuttles.

NewsCutter System Features

NewsCutter minimum system requirements include the hardware listed in Ta b le 1 - 1 .

See Figure 2-1 in Chapter 2 for a sample layout of a NewsCutter system.

Table 1-1 NewsCutter Features

Equipment Description

NewsCutter Hard drive

CD-ROM

Floppy drive Expansion slots

Keyboard

Mouse Operating system

Deskside computer system with optional rack-mount kit

Internal hard drive (see the manufacturer’s documentation for details)

Internal CD-ROM reader (see the manufacturer’s documentation for details)

Internal 3.5-inch PCI slots: four 32-bit PCI, two 64-bit PCI; 1 AGP slot (see

the manufacturer’s documentation for details) PS/2-style (with color-coded keycaps, branded with

icons, and linked to commands in the NewsCutter application)

PS/2-style Microsoft

Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack

Small Computer System Interface (SCSI)

Network interface Ethernet-compatible 10BASE-T/100BASE-T interface

Video board Avid Meridien II PCI edit display controller (EDC) video

A fast and wide external SCSI connector provided for external MediaDrives

connector

board

Table 1-1 NewsCutter Features (Continued)

Equipment Description

Meriden II digital media board set

UI Monitor Color VGA monitor that displays the user interface;

Meridien I/O box Interface for the NewsCutter system; provides

Two PCI boards and a daughter board that provide a PCI interface for direct memory access (DMA) on the system, carry out compression and decompression functions, and act as an interface to the Avid Meridien I/O box

1024 x 768 pixels capability

industry-standard input and output connectors for broadcast video and audio

Ta bl e 1 -2 lists NewsCutter optional or additional equipment that is

purchased separately.

Table 1-2 Optional Equipment

Equipment Description

Playback monitor Displays incoming video when recording. Also displays

playback material during the edit session.

MediaDrives Individual external Avid MediaDrive rS or rS LVD

enclosures linked in a SCSI chain. These drives are audio and video certified with a 15-inch (38-centimeter [cm]) 68-pin cable. The MediaDrive rS or rS LVD enclosures can be rack-mounted or stacked on top of each other.

The first MediaDrive rS or MediaDrive rS LVD in a

daisy-chain configuration connects to the dual-port

SCSI connector installed in the NewsCutter system’s PCI slot. Avid recommends using the 40-inch, 68-pin SCSI cable that ships with NewsCutter to connect to the first MediaDrive rS or MediaDrive rS LVD enclosure.

Table 1-2 Optional Equipment (Continued)

Equipment Description

MediaDock An enclosure that houses up to eight 3.5-inch drives or up

to four 5.25-inch drives. The chassis can stand alone or be rack-mounted. Drives slide into slots and plug into a SCSI bus in the chassis.

Video source A video deck or satellite feed can be used for recording

material to NewsCutter. Recorded media can then be transferred from NewsCutter back to videotape.

Audio amplifier and two speakers

V-LA N® VLXi®If a deck does not support Sony® direct serial protocol,

General-purpose interface (GPI) (optional)

Tim ecode (customersupplied house or master clock)

Black burst generator

SDTI adapter The Serial Data Transport Interface (SDTI) adapter is a

Hardware for monitoring audio. (An amplifier is not required if the speakers are powered.)

control may be possible via V-LAN VLXi hardware, which includes a transmitter and appropriate receivers.

Triggers external hardware to play or create effects, generate characters, or create other special video effects using a parallel control interface.

The timecode is used to synchronize all the input data to a common clock time. The timecode is connected to the Meridien I/O box, video decks, audio, and external devices.

A stable video reference source is required for synchronizing the system.

PCI board that allows NewsCutter to exchange audio and video data with video devices using the SDTI compressed audio and video data interchange standard while retaining the existing SDI infrastructure. The SDTI adapter allows faster-than-real-time video transfers and reduces the number of compression/decompression cycles required during the broadcast production process.

Meridien I/O Box Indicators

The Meridien I/O box provides six indicators along with a power switch on the front of the box (see Figure 1-1). When you turn on the Meridien I/O box, the indicators will turn on and off as it goes through its power-on self-test (POST). After the POST, the 48 kHz and POWER indicators remain on.

44.1 kHz AUDIO SYNC PULL DOWN

44.1 kHz

AUDIO SYNC

48 kHz

VIDEO SYNC

48 kHz VIDEO SYNC POWER

Figure 1-1 Meridien I/O Box Indicators

PULL DOWN

POWER

Power switch

Ta bl e 1- 3 lists the indicator functions.

Table 1-3 Meridien I/O Box Indicator Functions

Indicator Function

44.1 kHz The 44.1 kHz indicator is on when 44.1 kHz digital audio is connected to the Meridien I/O box.

Do not use 44.1-kHz digital audio. The

NewsCutter accepts and outputs only 48 kHz.

48 kHz The 48 kHz indicator is on when 48 kHz digital audio is

connected to the Meridien I/O box.

Table 1-3 Meridien I/O Box Indicator Functions (Continued)

Indicator Function

AUDIO SYNC The audio synchronized indicator is on when audio is

detected by the Meridien I/O box.

VIDEO SYNC The video synchronized indicator is on when video is

detected by the Meridien I/O box.

PULL DOWN The pulldown indicator is on when performing a telecine

film-to-tape transfer whereby 24-fps film material is adapted to the 30-fps NTSC videotape format. Extra pulldown fields are eliminated to achieve true 24-fps film editing.

This function is not used in NewsCutter.

POWER The power indicator is on when the Meridien I/O box

power switch is in the on (I) position.

Checking the Installation Materials

When you purchase NewsCutter, you should receive the following items in the package. Make sure you have everything before you start.

• NewsCutter system

A computer with specific peripheral boards for recording, editing, and playing back clips. Included with the computer is a keyboard and mouse. An optional rack-slide rail kit is available for mounting the NewsCutter system in a rack.

• NewsCutter application key

This copy-protection device (also called a dongle) attaches to the parallel port on your computer. A parallel printer can be connected to the application key if you want a local printer.

• Meridien I/O box

In a separate package, you will find a Meridien I/O box that connects to the NewsCutter system. The Meridien I/O box provides the video and audio interface connectors for the system.

• VGA cable

The hardware items in the shipping box include a standard 15-pin VGA cable for connecting the UI monitor to the VGA adapter installed in the NewsCutter system.

• Audio and video cables

The Meridien II digital media board set includes a Meridien digital media cable that connects NewsCutter to the Meridien I/O box.

• Serial adapter (Rosetta Stone)

A serial adapter is included for remote video deck control through COM1 of the NewsCutter system. The adapter converts the NewsCutter RS-232 signals to RS-422.

• NewsCutter CD-ROMs (2)

One CD-ROM contains the NewsCutter application. NewsCutter ships from Avid with the application already loaded on the system. If you ever need to reinstall the application, see the Avid NewsCutter Release Notes for instructions.

The second CD-ROM provides you with a copy of the NewsCutter application HTML-based, context-sensitive Help and an online version of the printed documentation (in PDF format).

• NewsCutter documentation:

- Avid NewsCutter Setup Guide (this guide)

- Avid NewsCutter Getting Started Guide

- Avid NewsCutter Release Notes

- Avid NewsCutter Upgrade Instructions

- Avid NewsCutter User’s Guide

- Avid NewsCutter Effects Guide

- Avid NewsCutter Quick Reference

- Avid NewsCutter Help

Other items you need to supply:

• XLR cables for audio connections

• Speakers

• Speaker wire (or cables) to connect speakers

• Broadcast-quality BNC cables for connecting video devices

• Flat-tip and #2 Phillips-head screwdrivers should be available for component installation, setup, or attaching an optional rack-mount kit to NewsCutter

• Wrist strap (recommended for grounding when handling circuit boards)

Rack-Mounting Kits

If you have purchased an optional rack-mount kit for NewsCutter, install the kit before making any connections to the NewsCutter system. A stationary rail is attached to each side of the system and the sliding rails are attached to the rack. The NewsCutter system typically requires a minimum of five rack units. (Your system might require

Bracket

more.) Detailed instructions for attaching the rails are included with the kit.

The Meridien I/O box also comes with two rack-mount brackets. Allow three rack units for the Meridien I/O box in the rack.

To attach the brackets to your Meridien I/O box:

1. Locate the two brackets and four screws that come with the Meridien I/O box.

2. Position one of the brackets so that the two holes in the bracket line up with the holes in the side of the Meridien I/O box (see

Figure 1-2).

3. Secure the bracket with the screws provided.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the other side.

Figure 1-2 Meridien I/O Box

Meridien I/O box

CHAPTER 2

Setting Up the NewsCutter System

This chapter provides instructions for connecting the keyboard, mouse, application key, UI monitor, and Avid Meridien I/O box to NewsCutter.

This chapter also provides instructions on connecting external SCSI storage devices to NewsCutter.

The instructions in this chapter use generic illustrations representing the type of connector found on the back of the NewsCutter system. For the exact connector locations, see the documentation that is provided by the computer manufacturer.

Before you connect any cables, install the NewsCutter system into your rack (see Chapter 1 for more rack-mounting information).

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.

Arranging Components

Before you start to connect and install equipment for NewsCutter, set up your system components, especially monitors and keyboards, in positions that allow you easy access to them.

Start by placing the PC, monitor(s), keyboard, mouse, and optional 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.

Allow at least 6 inches (152.4 mm) clearance between the monitor(s) and optional speakers to avoid possible magnetic interference between the devices.

Place MediaDrive, MediaDock, and the F/C subsystem hardware 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 of a configured

NewsCutter system, including a UI monitor, Playback monitor, video deck, Avid Meridien I/O box, MediaDock, speakers, and amplifier.

Your system might look different than the one shown and might include additional hardware.

Video deck

Speaker UI monitor

Keyboard

Figure 2-1 Configured System Layout

Assembling the System

The system uses peripheral boards to support video, audio, compression, and improved data transfer to the hard drives. The boards are located in the PCI slots inside the personal computer or in the Meridien I/O box (an Avid-designed standalone box).

Playback monitor

Mouse

Speaker

Amplifier

VLX

44.1 kHz

kHz

SCSI IDSCSI ID

Slots Slots

ActAct

WideWide

DualbusDualbus

FansFans

Pwr 2Pwr 2

Pwr 1Pwr 1

V-LAN VLX

PULL DOWN

AUDIO SYNC

POWER

VIDEO SYNC

Meridien I/O box

NewsCutter

MediaDock

All systems shipped directly from Avid, or from an Avid Reseller, have peripheral boards already installed in the PC and Meridien I/O box.

Make sure that the peripheral boards are installed in the PC and Meridien I/O box before you continue with the setup instructions.

Ta bl e 2- 1 lists the supported slot configuration for NewsCutter on the

IBM

IntelliStation

Z Pro system. Use this information when you

install optional boards.

The IBM IntelliStation Z Pro provides seven expansion slots. Slot 1, originally containing an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) board, has been removed by Avid and is not used in NewsCutter. The Ultra 160 SCSI LVD controller board, Meridien digital media board, and EDC board are pre-installed.

Figure 2-2 identifies the slots and the installed boards for the IBM

IntelliStation Z Pro.

Ta b le 2 - 1 lists the expansion slot assignments for the installed and

optional boards.

Ultra 160 SCSI controller board

If your NewsCutter system is not an IBM IntelliStation Z Pro, see the Avid NewsCutter Upgrade Instructions for slot placement guidelines. These instructions are provided with the shipping items that come with NewsCutter.

Slot 1

Digital media board

Edit display controller board

Figure 2-2 IBM IntelliStation Z Pro — Rear View

Slot 7

Table 2-1 Avid NewsCutter Expansion Slot Assignments

Slot

1 AGP slot Empty (AGP board removed)

2 PCI slot (32-bit bus) SDTI adapter (option) or available slot

3 PCI slot (32-bit bus) Fibre Channel to Avid Unity/Fibre Channel to

4 PCI slot (32-bit bus) First SCSI LVD controller board

5 PCI slot (32-bit bus) Digital media board with DV 50 daughter board

6 PCI slot (64-bit bus) Edit display controller (EDC) board

7 PCI slot (64-bit bus) Available slot (a digital media board cannot be

a. There is an Avid slot guide sticker that provides specific PCI slot

locations for each PCI board in NewsCutter. The slot guide sticker is on the inside of the panel you remove when accessing the PCI boards.

Description

Playback device/Second SCSI LVD controller board

used)

Ta bl e 2 -2 lists the available peripheral board types for the Meridien

I/O box.

Figure 2-3 shows the locations of the installed boards in the Meridien

I/O box.

Table 2-2 Meridien I/O Box Peripheral Board Locations

Board Type Location

Meridien two-channel audio interface boards

Top and middle slots

Meridien video I/O board Bottom slot

Meridien serial digital I/O board (option) Attaches to the

video I/O board

a. The Meridien I/O box supports two 2-channel audio interface

boards, labeled Channels 1 and 2 for the middle slot and Channels 3 and 4 for the top slot, which together provide 4-channel audio.

Two-channel audio boards

AUDIO IN

COMPONENT

COMPOSITE

ININ

MIC

MIC CHAN 1

COMPOSITE

REF

CHAN 3

R-Y B-Y

AUDIO OUT

-10

GAIN 1

CHAN 4

CHAN 3

CHAN 2

S-VIDEO

OUT 1

GAIN 2

AUDIO OUT

-10

GAIN 1

CHAN 1

OUT

B-Y

R-Y

S-VIDEO

OUT 3

OUT 2

AES / EBU

S / PDIF

SLAVE CLOCK

OUT

S / PDIF

OUT

LTC

CHAN 4

AES / EBU

GAIN 2

CHAN 2

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

DIGITAL VIDEO

SYSTEM

OUT

IN / OUT

OUT

Video I/O board

Serial digital I/O board (option)

Figure 2-3 Meridien I/O Box Rear Panel Board Slots

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

NewsCutter uses industry-standard PS/2-style keyboard and mouse input devices.

You must connect the keyboard and mouse to the connectors on the back of the NewsCutter 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.

To connect your keyboard and mouse, refer to your PC documentation before using the following general guidelines:

1. Unpack the keyboard and mouse that ship with the NewsCutter system.

2. Plug the keyboard and mouse cables into the PS/2-style connectors on the back of the NewsCutter (see Figure 2-4).

The PS/2-style connectors have keyboard and mouse icons beside the connectors or are color coded.

PS/2 connector

Use PS/2-style extension cables with the keyboard and mouse when NewsCutter is rack-mounted.

KeyboardMouse

Figure 2-4 Keyboard and Mouse Connection

Installing the Application Key

The application key (also called a dongle) is a copy-protection device. Without the application key, the NewsCutter application will not run.

To install the application key:

1. Plug the application key into the parallel port on the back of your NewsCutter (see Figure 2-5).

2. Secure the application key to the connector with the attached screws.

Parallel port connector

Do not overtighten the application key screws.

Application key

Figure 2-5 Application Key Connection

You can still use a local parallel printer (or any other compatible device requiring use of the parallel port) even though the application key is connected to the parallel port. The application key allows bidirectional parallel port signals to pass to and from the printer (or other compatible device).

Connecting the UI Monitor

The video graphics array (VGA) cable that comes with your UI monitor has two 15-pin connectors. This cable connects your UI monitor to the display controller board in the NewsCutter system and carries video signals from NewsCutter to the UI monitor.

Edit display controller board in NewsCutter

The following instructions explain how to connect a monitor provided by Avid. Avid provides standard VGA connections for the UI monitor. If you use

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

To connect NewsCutter to the UI monitor:

1. Locate the VGA cable in the hardware kit.

2. Attach the male end of the cable to the 15-pin VGA connector on the back of the NewsCutter system (see Figure 2-6).

VGA connector

UI monitor cable

Figure 2-6 VGA Cable Connection

3. Connect the other 15-pin (female) end of the VGA cable (labeled Monitor) to the VGA input conector on the back of UI monitor.

Use a VGA-style extension cable with the UI monitor when NewsCutter is rack-mounted.

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

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

For more information, check the documentation that comes with your monitor.

Connecting NewsCutter to the Meridien I/O Box

All audio and video interfacing with NewsCutter is done through a Meridien digital media cable. The Meridien digital media cable connects the Meridien I/O box to the NewsCutter system.

To attach the cable:

1. Locate the Meridien digital media cable. This 6-foot (1.8-meter) cable ships with the NewsCutter hardware kit.

An optional 50-foot cable can be ordered from Avid.

2. Plug one end of the Meridien digital media cable into the connector labeled SYSTEM IN/OUT on the Meridien I/O box. Tighten the screws on the cable to secure it in place (see

Figure 2-7).

Do not overtighten the digital media cable screws.

3. Attach the other end of the Meridien digital media cable to the digital media board M port connector on the back of the NewsCutter system. Tighten the screws on the cable to secure it in place (see Figure 2-7).

Meridien I/O box

Power cord

4. Plug the power cords into the power connector on both NewsCutter and the Meridien I/O box. Plug the other end of each power cord into an ac power source.

M port connector on the NewsCutter

SYSTEM IN/OUT connecto

Digital media board in NewsCutter

Meridien digital media cabl

Figure 2-7 Connection Between NewsCutter and Meridien I/O

Box

Avid MediaDrive or MediaDock Connection

This section provides information about connecting Avid-approved MediaDrive storage devices to NewsCutter. This information also applies to optional MediaDock drives.

Do not record your media to the internal system drive. Use external SCSI hard drives to store your media. Avid does not recommend storing NewsCutter media files on non-Avid drives and cannot ensure reliable or high-quality performance except on Avid-approved drives. Avid offers external drives that have been qualified for video and audio media, referred to as MediaDrives (or optional MediaDock

drives). MediaDrives and MediaDock drives can also store nonmedia files.

Avid recommends that you use the standard 40-inch (101.6-cm), high-density, 68-pin to 68-pin SCSI cable supplied in the hardware kit for connecting the first SCSI drive to the system. An active SCSI terminator is also required for terminating the last drive in the chain.

If you are connecting multiple external SCSI drives, connect Avid-approved drives according to the documentation that comes with the drives. Avid-recommended drives come with the following documentation:

• Avid MediaDrive rS LVD Setup and User’s Guide ships with the individual MediaDrives.

• Avid MediaDock LVD Setup and User’s Guide ships with the media docking station.

NewsCutter systems installed on the IBM IntelliStation Z Pro platform come with SCSI hardware already installed. The back of the system contains two 68-pin, high-density SCSI connectors for connecting a SCSI cable between the NewsCutter and the first external SCSI drive. These connectors are mounted on a SCSI controller board installed in a PCI slot on the back of the system.

Some NewsCutter systems do not use the IBM IntelliStation Z Pro platform. If your NewsCutter system is not an IBM IntelliStation Z Pro, see the Avid NewsCutter Upgrade Instructions for the location and configuration of SCSI hardware in your system. These instructions are provided with the shipping items that come with NewsCutter.

NewsCutter systems with two SCSI connectors on the back are dual-channel SCSI systems (see Figure 2-8).

To ensure proper NewsCutter performance on the IBM IntelliStation Z Pro platform, connect the SCSI cable to the dual-channel SCSI connector on the SCSI controller board installed in the PCI slot. Do not connect the cable to the

system’s built-in SCSI port. NewsCutter will not operate correctly if connected to the built-in SCSI port.

CHANNEL 1 CHANNEL 2

Figure 2-8 Dual-Channel SCSI Connections

You can have more than one MediaDrive attached to NewsCutter in a daisy-chained connection described in the documentation supplied with the MediaDrive.

When attaching multiple SCSI drives, assign the SCSI IDs from 0 to 6 and 8 to 15. The last drive in the chain must be terminated.

See the documentation that comes with the MediaDrive for information on setting SCSI IDs and terminating the chain.

Typically, SCSI ID 0 is assigned to the internal SCSI drive if your NewsCutter has an internal SCSI drive installed. For specific information about the internal SCSI device IDs, see the manufacturer’s documentation.

Supported MediaDrives and MediaDock Storage Devices

Avid supports several families of MediaDrive enclosures and MediaDock Shuttle packs. Ta b le 2 - 3 lists the families, their specifications, and their available capacities. For additional information on a specific MediaDrive or MediaDock shuttle, see the documentation that ships with the MediaDrive or the MediaDock shuttle.

If you need additional information or if you have any questions, contact Avid Customer Support at all 800-NEWS-DNG (639-7364).

Family Name SCSI Type RPM Drive Type

iS Pro Fast, wide 7200 Fixed MediaDrive and

iS Plus Fast, wide 10,000 MediaDock shuttle 9 GB, 18 GB

rS Plus Fast, wide 10,000 Fixed MediaDrive 9 GB, 18 GB

iS Plus LVD LVD 10,000 MediaDock shuttle 9 GB, 18 GB

iS LVD LVD 10,000 MediaDock shuttle 18 GB, 36 GB

iS 160/LVD 160/LVD 10,000 MediaDock shuttle 18 GB, 36 GB, 73 GB

rS LVD LVD 10,000 Fixed MediaDrive 9 GB, 18 GB, 36 GB

rS 160/LVD 160/LVD 10,000 Fixed MediaDrive 18 GB, 36 GB, 73 GB

The family name of your drive can be found on the front of the MediaDrive or MediaDock shuttle.

Table 2-3 MediaDrive and MediaDock Shuttle Information

Available Capacities

9 GB, 18 GB

MediaDock shuttle

Connecting Avid Drives to NewsCutter

To connect the SCSI cable to an external MediaDrive or MediaDock:

1. Align and connect one end of the 68-pin, high-density SCSI cable to the 68-pin SCSI connector on the first external SCSI drive.

2. Align and connect the other end of the 68-pin SCSI cable with the SCSI connector on the back of NewsCutter (see Figure 2-9 for a typical system).

Connect the cable to the connector labeled Channel 1.

3. Secure the SCSI connector by tightening the two screws.

CHANNEL 1 CHANNEL 2

SCSI connector in NewsCutter

Screw

Figure 2-9 Connecting the MediaDrive or MediaDock SCSI

Cable to NewsCutter

The SCSI connectors might orient vertically rather than horizontally (depending on your system).

4. Turn on the external Avid drive(s). Allow approximately 10 to 15 seconds for each MediaDrive or MediaDock to complete its self-test.

Turning on your NewsCutter before each Avid drive completes its self-test could cause the system to ignore the drive.

SCSI cable to Avid drives

5. Turn on NewsCutter and wait for the Windows NT operating system to boot.

Before you can store files on the Avid drives, you must format and partition them with the Windows NT operating system (see the documentation that comes with your drive). The NewsCutter application uses the NT File System (NTFS).

If you have more than one hard disk drive and performance is a high priority, you can use striping across multiple external hard drives. Striping increases the read and write speed. For more information, see your Windows NT documentation and “Drive Striping Requirements” on page 48.

Data Rate Calculations

Use Ta bl e 2 - 4 though Ta b l e 2 - 7 to determine how many minutes of audio and video you can store on your Avid drive. (These numbers are approximate.)

Calculations include a 10 percent system overhead factor.

Table 2-4 Drive Storage Capacities (Minutes) for NTSC Video

Resolution 9 GB 18 GB 36 GB 73 GB

DV 25 Single-stream 40 80 160 320

DV 25 Dual-stream 20 40 80 160

DV 50 Single-stream 20 40 80 160

DV 50 Dual-stream 10 20 40 80

Table 2-5 Drive Storage Capacities (Minutes) for PAL Video

Resolution 9 GB 18 GB 36 GB 73 GB

DV 25 Single-stream 50 100 200 400

DV 25 Dual-stream 25 50 100 200

DV 50 Single-stream 25 50 100 200

DV 50 Dual-stream 13 25 50 100

Table 2-6 Data Rate Storage Calculations for NTSC Video

Resolution

DV 25 data rates

Single-stream, four-channel audio

Dual-stream, four-channel audio

DV 50 data rates

Single-stream, four-channel audio

Dual-stream, four-channel audio

Megabytes per Second

4.0 240 4.3

8.0 480 2.1

7.75 465 2.2

15.5 930 1.1

Megabytes per Minute

Minutes per Gigabyte

Table 2-7 Data Rate Storage Calcula tions for

PAL Video

Resolution

DV 25 data rates

Single-stream, four-channel audio

Dual-stream, four-channel audio

DV 50 data rates

Single-stream, four-channel audio

Dual-stream, four-channel audio

Drive Striping Requirements

NewsCutter systems that operate at DV 25 and DV 50 dual-stream resolutions might require drive striping as listed in Ta b le 2 - 8 (for NTSC video) and Ta b le 2 - 9 (for PAL video) for supported MediaDrive and SCSI controllers.

Megabytes per Second

3.2 192 5.3

6.4 384 2.7

6.2 372 2.7

12.4 744 1.4

Megabytes per Minute

Minutes per Gigabyte

Driving striping is a method that maximizes NewsCutter performance according to the data rate and performance characteristics of the SCSI controller and the Avid drives. Striping the connected Avid drives divides the data sent from the SCSI controller and shares it among each drive in the system, while treating the connected drives as one volume, helping to ensure operation at higher resolutions.

Table 2-8 Drive Striping Requirements for NTSC Video

Resolution

DV 25 single-stream, four channels audio

DV 25 single-stream, four channels audio/complex titling

DV 25 dual-stream, four channels audio

DV 25 dual-stream, four channels audio/complex titling

DV 50 single-stream, four channels audio

DV 50 single-stream, four channels audio/complex titling

DV 50 dual-stream, four channels audio

Single-ended, Fast, wide iS9, iS18

Fast, wide iSPlus, rSPlus,

iS LVD, rS LVD

MediaDrives with Ultra 160 LVD SCSI

1-way 1-way 1-way 1-way

2-way 1-way 1-way 1-way

1-way 1-way 1-way 1-way

2-way 1-way 1-way 1-way

2-way 2-way 2-way 1-way

DV 50 dual-stream, four

4-way, 2 buses 2-way, 2 buses

2-way 1-way

channels audio complex titling

a. rS Plus single-ended only. MediaDock iS Plus is Low-Voltage Differential (LVD), so only one

bus is required.

Table 2-9 Drive Striping Requirements for PAL Video

Resolution

DV 25 single-stream, four channels audio

DV 25 single-stream, four channels audio/complex titling

DV 25 dual-stream, four channels audio

DV 25 dual-stream, four channels audio/complex titling

DV 50 single-stream, four channels audio

DV 50 single-stream, four channels audio/complex titling

DV 50 dual-stream, four channels audio

Single-ended, Fast, wide iS9, iS18

Fast, wide iSPlus, rSPlus,

iS LVD, rS LVD

MediaDrives with Ultra 160 LVD SCSI

1-way 1-way 1-way 1-way

2-way 1-way 1-way 1-way

1-way 1-way 1-way 1-way

2-way 1-way 1-way 1-way

2-way 2-way 2-way 1-way

DV 50 dual-stream, four

4-way, 2 buses 2-way, 2 buses

2-way 1-way

channels audio complex titling

a. rS Plus single-ended only. MediaDock iS Plus is LVD, so only one bus is required.

Optional NewsCutter Connections

NewsCutter can work as a standalone system or as part of a broadcast network. In a broadcast network, NewsCutter can share media files with other systems connected to the network or send edited news sequences for broadcast to a remote play-to-air device.

Use one of the following connections if you are planning on using NewsCutter in a workgroup environment:

• Local Area Network Workgroup Configuration

• Fibre Channel Workgroup Configuration

• Avid Unity for News Workgroup Configuration

For information on setting up NewsCutter in a local area network, see

“Local Area Network Workgroup Configuration” on page 52.

For information on setting up NewsCutter in a Fibre Channel workgroup configuration, see “Fibre Channel Workgroup

Configuration” on page 53 or “Avid Unity for News Workgroup Configuration” on page 55.

Chapter 6 provides information on setting up NewsCutter in a

workgroup configuration for connection to a playback device.

The playback device is an optional component used with NewsCutter to create a workgroup environment that enhances speed and content quality in news editing and news production. See the release notes that come with the playback device for specific setup instructions.

Local Area Network Workgroup Configuration

NewsCutter systems include an RJ-45 Ethernet network connector for setting up NewsCutter in a local area network. Avid recommends that you use a category-5 unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable when connecting the NewsCutter to a network. For more information on the installed network interface, see the documentation provided by the computer manufacturer.

You can use the Ethernet network to set up NewsCutter in a workgroup environment.

An optional connection kit is available for connecting NewsCutter to a playback device in an Ethernet workgroup configuration.

This type of workgroup is also called a standalone or peer-to-peer workgroup.

Figure 2-10 shows a graphical representation of a typical Ethernet

workgroup configuration that connects to an Avid AirSPACE NP video file server playback device.

This information might change in accordance with feature and performance enhancements. Depending on your specific playback device, your configuration might differ.

™

Incoming Feeds

AirSPACE NP Record

AirSPACE NP Play-to-Air

Baseband Connection

Workgroup

Avid

NewsCutter

Edit

Figure 2-10 Ethernet Workgroup Configuration

Fibre Channel Workgroup Configuration

An optional Fibre Channel connection kit is available for connecting NewsCutter to a playback device in a Fibre Channel workgroup configuration. If you are installing a Fibre Channel connection kit in NewsCutter, follow the instructions provided by the computer manufacturer for removing the cover and installing an expansion board.

Newsroom Automation

System

Ethernet

Figure 2-11 shows a graphical representation of a typical Fibre

Channel workgroup configuration that connects to a Grass Valley Group

Profile® PDR400 video file server playback device.

This information might change in accordance with feature and performance enhancements. Depending on your specific playback device, your configuration might differ.

Incoming Feeds

Ingest

Profile Record

Baseband Connection

Play-to-Air

Profile Play-to-Air

Fibre Channel

Workgroup

Newsroom

Automation

System

Avid

NewsCutter

Ethernet

Edit

Figure 2-11 Fibre Channel Workgroup Configuration

Avid Unity for News Workgroup Configuration

NewsCutter can work as part of a broadcast network such as the Avid Unity for News workgroup.

The Avid Unity for News workgroup environment consists of the following functional components:

• Supported Avid editing systems (such as NewsCutter).

• Avid Unity MediaManager server to track and manage Avid Unity media files. When connected to an F/C network, a workgroup client uses the MediaManager server to share Avid Unity files with clients within the workgroup.

• Avid Unity TransferManager server to manage the transfer of media files to and from another workgroup’s TransferManager server (typically, over an Ethernet network). The TransferManager server also allows you to transfer media files from a feed (ingest) device or send finished sequences to a playback device.

The TransferManager server is not required equipment in a MediaNet environment. However, you must connect a TransferManager server in your workgroup if you want to share media files with other workgroups in the MediaNet environment.

• Avid Unity MediaNet file server and storage subsystem.

• A Fibre Channel (F/C) network that connects the NewsCutter systems, MediaManager server, and TransferManager server to the file server and storage subsystem.

An optional Fibre Channel connection kit is available for connecting NewsCutter to the Avid Unity MediaNet environment.

• An Ethernet network that is used as a general-purpose communications network connecting all the system components. An Ethernet network can also be used by the TransferManager server to transfer media files between workgroups.

Figure 2-12 shows a flow diagram of a typical shared storage

Avid Unity for News workgroup configuration.

MediaNet File server

Avid Unity shared storage

Fibre Channel

Supported Avid editors

Workgroup

MediaManager server

TransferManager server

Ethernet

To another workgroup’s TransferManager server

Figure 2-12 Avid WorkGroup Flow Diagram

The purpose of the workgroup is to enable collaborative workflows by allowing multiple NewsCutter editors to share media files.

Figure 2-13 shows the necessary connections if you are planing to

transfer media files over a network to an optional playback device. The sequences are cued and sent to air by an optional broadcast control system (BCS). The BCS controls the playback devices with a serial connection.

For information on connecting NewsCutter in an Avid Unity for News workgroup, refer to the Avid Unity Workgroup Setup Guide.

Playback servers

News feed

Other workgroups

NewsCutter

VTR

Feed record server (ingest)

PDR400 video server

TransferManager

server

Fibre Channel

NewsCutter

VTR

MediaManager server (metadata storage)

...

Ethernet

PDR400 video server

AirSPACE video server

iNEWS BCS

TransferManager

server

NewsCutter

VTR

= Fibre Channel = Ethernet

= Serial

NRCS = Newsroom Control System

BCS = Broadcast Control System

TM = TransferManager server

MM = MediaManager server

NC = NewsCutter editing system

Newscast

Avid Unity shared storage

iNEWS

NRCS

Newscast

MediaNet File server

Figure 2-13 Sample Layout for an Avid Unity for News

Workgroup

For more information about setting up NewsCutter in an Avid Unity for News workgroup, see the following documentation:

• Avid Unity Workgroup Setup Guide

• Avid Unity TransferManager Release Notes

• Avid Unity TransferManager User’s Guide

• Avid Unity MediaManager Release Notes

• Avid Unity MediaManager User’s Guide

• Avid Unity MediaManager Administrator’s Guide

SDTI Connection

The Serial Data Transport Interface (SDTI) was developed to provide a standard for digital audio, video, and data interchange between cameras, VTRs, servers, and editing systems such as NewsCutter. SDTI uses standard SDI cabling and support mechanisms. Connections between devices are established point-to-point, as they are with standard video and audio signals. The benefits of SDTI include the following:

• A single cable carries compressed video and up to four channels of uncompressed 48 kHz audio.

• Transfer rates at up to four times (4X) real time can be achieved.

• SDI cabling, routers, and switches can be used to route SDTI signals.

The SDTI option kit for NewsCutter allows the transfer of DVCAM

DVCPRO, and DVCPRO 50 compressed digital video to and from SDTI-equipped VTRs as listed in Ta bl e 2 - 10 . This is achieved through the installation of SDTI driver software and an SDTI adapter board that installs in a PCI slot in the NewsCutter system. These items come with the SDTI option kit available from Avid.

™

For instructions on how to install the adapter board, see “SDTI Device

Connections” on page 69.

The SDTI option is active only for the Record tool and the Digital Cut tool in NewsCutter.

Once you have set up SDTI as your input source (see the Avid NewsCutter User’s Guide), recording proceeds as it does for any other input source. NewsCutter automatically adjusts to one of the SDTI signal types listed in Ta bl e 2 - 1 0 .

Table 2-10 SDTI Signal Types

Signal Type Resolution Channels Sample Rate

1X DVCAM DV 25 2 48 kHz

1X DVCPRO DV 25 3 48 kHz

1X DVPRO 50 DV 50 4 48 kHz

4X DVCAM DV 25 2 48 kHz

4X DVPRO DV 25 2 48 kHz

CHAPTER 3

Connecting Audio and Video Devices

This chapter describes how to connect audio and video devices to NewsCutter. Topics include:

• Avid Meridien I/O Box Connections

• SDTI Device Connections

This chapter includes instructions for connecting cables between the Meridien I/O box and the audio and video devices.

The Meridien I/O box communicates with NewsCutter through the Meridien digital media cable. This cable provides all the audio, video, timecode, and reference signals to NewsCutter. Chapter 2 describes the connection between NewsCutter and the Meridien I/O box.

Install the Meridien I/O box into your rack before you connect any cables (see

Chapter 1 for more rack-mounting information).

This chapter also describes how to connect SDTI video devices to NewsCutter.

You must have the optional SDTI adapter board in your NewsCutter system to connect to SDTI devices.

Avid Meridien I/O Box Connections

The audio and video interact with NewsCutter through the Meridien I/O box. The Meridien I/O box provides connectors for all the standard audio and video input and output signals. The connections to the Meridien I/O box will vary, depending upon your deck and type of audio and video signals used.

Audio Interface Connections

The Meridien I/O box provides the following analog and digital connections:

• Four analog audio channels; four sets of input and output connectors.

• One analog microphone connector; accepts powered or phantom power microphones. Choose the audio input setting in the Record tool to match your type of microphone.

The MIC connector on the second audio interface board (channels 3 and 4) is disabled.

• One digital Audio Engineering Society/European Broadcasting Union (AES/EBU) audio channel; one set of input and output connectors. Each AES/EBU channel has left and right channel information. AES/EBU is a format used with professional digital audio equipment (for example, audio from a videotape or CD).

• One digital Sony

audio channel; one set of input and output RCA connectors. Some digital audiotapes (DATs) found in consumer digital audio equipment use S/PDIF.

The NewsCutter system accepts and outputs only 48-kHz digital audio. Do not use 44.1-kHz digital audio.

/Philips® Digital Interface Format (S/PDIF)

The audio interface usually is connected to an amplifier with speakers for monitoring audio during recording and playback. Pay careful attention to the audio levels while you are recording. Use a mixer or amplifier to control the audio levels.

Figure 3-1 shows the audio hardware connections.

All audio cables are customer supplied.

Speakers

Microphone input

Audio amplifier

Audio channel inputs

Audio output to deck or

other audio destination

Audio channel outputs

Speakers can connect directly or through an amplifier.

(Speakers and amplifier are optional.)

Powered speakers

AES/EBU digital I/O

Phono (RCA) jacks for S/PDIF digital I/O

Avid Meridien I/O box

Audio input from deck or other audio source

Figure 3-1 Audio I/O Connections

Video Interface Connections

Figure 3-2 shows the connectors used to connect the customer-

supplied Playback monitor and video deck to the Meridien I/O box. These connectors are used for video input and output from decks, satellite feeds, or routers. A customer-supplied Playback monitor displays incoming video when the system is recording, or it displays edited material during playback. These analog video connections can be either composite or component. If you are connecting digital video to the Meridien I/O box, see “Serial Digital Interface Connections”

on page 64.

The video connections also require a reference signal (black burst generator or house clock) to lock audio and video sampling together to keep video and audio synchronized. See “Connecting the Reference

Signal” on page 64.

All video cables are customer supplied.

Component video input connections (from deck, router, or satellite feed)

Composite video input connection (from deck, router, or satellite feed)

S-Video input connection (from deck, router, or satellite feed)

Figure 3-2 Video I/O Connections

Component video output connections (to deck, router, or monitor)

Avid Meridien I/O box

S-Video output connection (to deck or monitor)

Three composite video output connectors (to deck, router, or monitor)

Serial Digital Interface Connections

The serial digital interface board is optional. If you need to install the optional serial digital interface board, see “Serial Digital Interface

Board Installation” on page 137. Figure 3-3 shows the BNC

connectors used to connect the serial digital video to the Meridien I/O box. These connectors are used for video input and output from decks, satellite feeds, or routers.

Signal” on page 64.

All video cables are customer supplied.

Avid Meridien I/O box

Serial video input connection (from deck, router, or satellite feed)

Figure 3-3 Serial Digital Video I/O Connections

Connecting the Reference Signal

All broadcast systems require an analog video reference signal. The video reference signal must be provided to several of the system components and must meet standard NTSC or PAL specifications.

Three serial video output connectors (to deck, router, or monitor)

The video reference signal can be a black burst generator or the house black reference signal (see Figure 3-4). The reference signal connects to the Meridien I/O box, V-LAN VLXi

controller, and deck.

All cables are customer supplied.

Video reference output to video deck

Black burst generator or house reference video source

Video reference output to REF connector

V-LAN VLX

Figure 3-4 Reference Signal Connections

Controlling a Video Deck

Video deck

BB3BB1 BB2

Meridien I/O box

Video reference output to REF connector

Optional

Term inator

SERIAL PARALLEL REF LAN CF

VLX TRANSMITTER VLX 2R DUAL RECEIVER

TIMECODE A

SERIAL A SERIAL B

IN INOUT OUT

TIMECODE B

You can control up to two video decks remotely by using serial connections between NewsCutter and the video deck. This serial connection requires an RS-232 to RS-422 cable adapter for each video deck connected to NewsCutter.

A serial adapter kit, called the Rosetta Stone, is provided with NewsCutter. The serial adapter kit contains:

• An RS-232 to RS-422 serial adapter

• Two serial cables; male 9-pin connectors at both ends

To video deck

If you need to connect and control more than two video decks, see

“Connecting a V-LAN VLXi Controller and GPI Devices” on page 67.

To connect the remote control:

1. Locate the serial adapter kit.

2. Attach one end of the first 9-pin cable to the end of the serial adapter labeled RS-232 (see Figure 3-5).

3. Attach the other end of the first 9-pin cable to the NewsCutter COM1 serial port (see Figure 3-6).

Serial adapter RS-232 connectionRS-422 connection

To NewsCutter

LEDs

Figure 3-5 Video Deck Control Cabling

4. Attach one end of the second 9-pin cable to the end of the serial adapter labeled RS-422.

5. Attach the other end of the second 9-pin cable to the remote serial port of the video deck.

6. Set the video deck’s Remote mode switch to Remote.

If the LEDs on the serial adapter do not light when the connections are completed with the equipment turned on, the serial adapter is connected backward. Before the remote control becomes functional, you must also choose the COM port in the Deck Configuration dialog box of the NewsCutter application (see the NewsCutter Help for more information).

Connecting a V-LAN VLXi Controller and GPI Devices

NewsCutter can control multiple video decks through a video local area network (V-LAN) VLXi deck controller. Use a generalpurpose interface (GPI) connected to the V-LAN to trigger functions in NewsCutter.

Video Local Area Network

The V-LAN VLXi shown in Figure 3-6 consists of one V-LAN transmitter and a dual V-LAN VLXi receiver. The receiver contains two deck controllers. Both the transmitter and receiver are internally linked. The V-LAN VLXi connects to NewsCutter through a direct serial connection.

Each V-LAN VLXi supports two video decks. Daisy-chain multiple V-LAN VLXi units if you need to add more video decks.

General-Purpose Interface

The VLXi-GT contains six programmable GPI input and output terminals. The GPI input terminal can be configured to trigger NewsCutter to Play, Record, Cue, and Stop. You can configure the GPI output terminal to provide Stop, Record, and Play status.

Assign the VLXi-GT to V-LAN node addresses 16 through 19. LAN connections of more than 50 feet must have a terminator. For more information, see the Vid eomedia VLXi User’s Guide.

The V-LAN VLXi deck controller and VLXi-GT connect to NewsCutter as shown in Figure 3-6.

All cables are customer supplied.

Six GPI input and output terminals

IN OUT1IN OUT2IN OUT3IN OUT4IN OUT5IN OUT

SERIAL LAN CF

V-LAN connection

Terminator (required when cable length is more than 50 feet)

VLXi-GT (GPI)

SERIAL PARALLEL REF LAN CF

VLX TRANSMITTER VLX 2R DUAL RECEIVER

VLX

transmitter

serial input

Figure 3-6 V-LAN VLX

Master Clock Connection

When you are controlling the video deck through a serial remote control or a V-LAN VLXi controller, the deck timecode is utilized in the application. Avid strongly recommends synchronizing NewsCutter to the house master clock (SMPTE for NTSC, and EBU for PAL) when using a satellite feed or manually controlling a video deck.

TIMECODE A

SERIAL A SERIAL B

IN INOUT OUT

TIMECODE B

Serial connection to deck remote

Serial cable to RS-232 COM1 port on NewsCutter

Deck Control

Video deck

V-LAN VLX

The house master clock connects to the Timecode IN connector on the Meridien I/O box (see Figure 3-7). This timecode is used throughout the NewsCutter system.

Figure 3-7 Timecode Connections

SDTI Device Connections

This section describes how to connect NewsCutter to a Serial Digital Transport Interface (SDTI) device.

SDTI device functionality is an optional feature of NewsCutter that provides enhanced video and audio quality at higher transmission rates.

The Meridien I/O box and the SDTI deck must be genlocked to the same house clock (see “Master Clock Connection” on page 68 for information on connecting to a house clock). If you are not using a common house clock to synchronize the components, you will eventually experience an overrun or underrun error.

The SDTI option kit includes an SDTI adapter board, a breakout box, and a CD-ROM containing the SDTI software.

Timecode IN connector

Timecode OUT connector

(not functional)

Instructions for installing the SDTI software are included with your SDTI option kit or in the Avid NewsCutter Release Notes.

You must install the optional SDTI adapter board in the correct PCI slot in your NewsCutter. See Figure 2-2 and Table 2-1 on page 35 for slot placement guidelines in an IBM IntelliStation Z Pro.

If your NewsCutter system is not an IBM IntelliStation Z Pro, see the

Avid NewsCutter Upgrade Instructions for slot placement guidelines.

SDTI audio and video interfacing is done through the breakout box and A/V cables (supplied by the SDTI device manufacturer) and the SDTI adapter board.

For instructions on connecting cables from the SDTI device to the breakout box, see the documentation supplied by the SDTI device manufacturer.

To install the SDTI adapter board and connect the breakout box:

1. Locate the SDTI adapter board and the breakout box supplied with your SDTI adapter kit.

2. Install the SDTI adapter board in the NewsCutter system.

For board installation procedures, see the peripheral board installation instructions that came with your system.

3. As shown in Figure 3-8, align and attach the SDTI male connector to the female connector on the SDTI adapter board installed in NewsCutter.

4. Secure the breakout box to the SDTI adapter by tightening the screws.

SDTI adapter board in NewsCutter

5. Install the SDTI driver software located on the CD-ROM that comes with the SDTI adapter. To install the software, follow the instructions that come with the SDTI option kit or in the Avid NewsCutter Release Notes.

Screws

Ref In

Breakout box

SDI/SDTI Out

SDI/SDTI Loop Out

SDI/SDTI In

Figure 3-8 SDTI Interface Connection

CHAPTER 4

Running the System Diagnostics

After you have set up NewsCutter, test the system to make sure that the Avid components and peripheral boards are functioning properly. Avid supplies a system diagnostics program (Avid System Test Pro) to help you verify that the Meridien II digital media board set and the Meridien I/O box are working properly. In addition, a storage exerciser (Avid StorEx) is supplied for testing the MediaDrives.

The Avid System Test Pro application can test the Avid components and peripheral boards only after you start and then quit NewsCutter.

This chapter provides the information required to run the diagnostics. For more information about the function of specific buttons and windows, use the Help provided within the diagnostics.

To start the Help, start the Avid System Test Pro application and choose Help from the Help menu. The Help Topics window opens. Double-click a book icon in the Help window to display the topics.

The application also provides context-sensitive Help. While the diagnostic window is active, press F1 to display information about that window.

The Avid System Test Pro reads the Meridien I/O box default state when you start the diagnostics. These defaults are used during the diagnostics. An example default state could be NTSC mode, Composite In, and Component Out. To change the default state of the Meridien I/O box, run the Avid Video I/O Utility application.

Turning On the System

After you have connected the keyboard, mouse, application key, monitors, MediaDrives, and Meridien I/O box, you should turn on the system to make sure it starts properly before you start NewsCutter.

To turn on the system:

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

2. Turn on the UI monitor, Meridien I/O box, and MediaDrives.

3. Turn on NewsCutter by pressing the power switch to the on (I) position on the front of the unit.

The system starts. System-specific information is displayed on the UI monitor.

4. Select Windows NT Workstation 4.0 when asked to select the operating system.

Avid System Test Pro

The Avid System Test Pro diagnostics are a set of tests that check the Meridien II digital media board set and the Meridien I/O box. Run these diagnostics before you begin editing with your NewsCutter. Avid System Test Pro is divided into two separate test suites:

• Standard — Tests all the board sets with no intervention needed by the user

• External/User Interaction — Tests the I/O portions of the board sets and needs user intervention 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. This section provides:

• A brief explanation of the user interface

• A procedure for running standalone diagnostics

• Cable connections needed for the interactive portion of the diagnostics

• A procedure for running interactive diagnostics

Read this section completely before you attempt to run the diagnostics.

Starting Avid System Test Pro

To start Avid System Test Pro:

1. Close all open applications.

2. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Avid, point to Utilities, and click Avid System Test Pro.

Avid System Test Pro starts, and a dialog box appears.

3. Click OK.

The main window opens. To exit the Avid System Test Pro diagnostics, choose Quit from the File menu.

Quick Start Dialog Box

The Avid System Test Pro Quick Start dialog box appears when you start the Avid System Test Pro diagnostic program (see Figure 4-1). This dialog box tells you what you need to do to start testing the standard set of diagnostics using all test program defaults. The defaults include the use of NTSC video.

Figure 4-1 Avid System Test Pro Quick Start Dialog Box

Understanding the Main Window

The Avid System Test Pro for NewsCutter window (see Figure 4-2) appears the first time you run the diagnostics. This window contains the test selections, buttons needed to start and stop the diagnostics, and indicators for test status.

Pause button Stop button

Start button

Test suite tabs Test tree

Expansion button

Toolbar

Item name Item check box

Item status

System status

Figure 4-2 Avid System Test Pro Window

The Avid System Test Pro window contains:

• Toolbar — A VCR-like user interface that provides control over running the diagnostics. When you first start the diagnostics, only the Start button in the toolbar is active.

• Test suite tabs — Allow the user to select the Standard or External/User Interaction test suite to run. Each suite has a status indicator that provides status for each suite selected.

- Standard test suite contains tests that run without special

cabling or user interaction.

- External/User Interaction suite contains tests that require user

interaction and special cabling. For information on how to cable the system for these tests, see “Running the

External/User Interaction Diagnostics Suite” on page 81.

• Test tree — A section of the window that contains expansion buttons, item names, item check boxes, and item status.

• Expansion button — Clicking an expansion button (+) switches the level of detail for a given item. For example, clicking + shows the groups within the item.

• Item name — 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 suite are selected when you first run the diagnostic program from the desktop. Items are deselected when the box is empty.

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

• System status — Displays the pass or fail status of the entire system.

You should run both suites of Avid System Test Pro diagnostics to ensure that NewsCutter is functioning properly. You should run the Standard suite first and then the External/User Interaction suite if the Standard suite passes.

Understanding the Avid System Test Preferences Window

The Avid System Test Preferences window opens when you choose Set Preferences from the Options menu. The Avid System Test Preferences window controls the way testing occurs. The window has two tabs: Test Control tab and Video Subsystem tab.

Test Control Tab

The Test Control tab allows you to select the manner in which errors are to be handled and how many times you want to repeat the test (see

Figure 4-3).

Figure 4-3 Avid System Test Preferences Window

Video Subsystem Tab

— Test Control Tab

The Video Subsystem tab (see Figure 4-4) allows you to override the default video standard (NTSC, NTSCj, or PAL) of the Meridien I/O box. The Meridien I/O box defaults 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 settings are looked at only during the diagnostic startup).

Figure 4-4 Avid System Test Preferences Window

— Video Subsystem Tab

Running the Standard Diagnostics Suite

To run the Standard diagnostics suite:

1. Start the diagnostics as described in “Starting Avid System Test

Pro” on page 75.

The Avid System Test Pro Quick Start dialog box appears, explaining how to run the Standard diagnostics using default settings.

2. Click OK.

3. Click the Start button in the toolbar in the main window.

The Standard diagnostics run with 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 Diagnostics Suite” on page 81.

• If any test fails, the Error Log window opens, showing which

board failed the test.

If this is the first time the tests have failed, see Chapter 5,

“Troubleshooting” for possible solutions to the problem.

If you have tried the solutions in Chapter 5 and the diagnostics still fail, contact your Avid Reseller.

Running the External/User Interaction Diagnostics Suite

The External/User Interaction diagnostics suite tests the following assemblies:

• Meridien II digital media board set — Interactive test that requires you to respond to dialog boxes as they appear.

• Meridien video I/O board — External test that requires you to cable selected inputs to selected outputs before you run the tests. The test might be NTSC, NTSCj, or PAL, depending upon the selection in the Avid System Test Preferences window.

• Meridien audio I/O boards — External test that requires you to cable the channel 1, 2 , 3, and 4 inputs to the outputs before you run the tests.

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

To cable the boards in the Meridien I/O box to run the interactive tests, locate the following cables (all cables are customer supplied):

• Audio cable — Two male XLR connectors on one end and two female XLR connectors at the other or two individual audio cables. Avid recommends a Beldon 8451 audio cable or equivalent.

• Component video cable — Three BNC connectors at both ends of the cable or three individual BNC video cables. Avid recommends a Beldon 8281 video cable with 75-ohm video connectors or equivalent.

• Composite video cable — One BNC connector at each end.

• S-Video cable — One 6-pin, S-video connector at each end.

Cable the Meridien I/O box as described in the following section, and then see “Running the External Tests” on page 85 for instructions.

External Diagnostics Audio Cabling

Connect the audio channel inputs to the audio channel outputs on the audio I/O boards with the audio test cable (see Figure 4-5).

1. Attach CHAN 1 OUT to CHAN 1 IN.

2. Attach CHAN 2 OUT to CHAN 2 IN.

3. Attach CHAN 3 OUT to CHAN 3 IN.

4. Attach CHAN 4 OUT to CHAN 4 IN.

AUDIO IN

COMPONENT

COMPOSITE

MIC CHAN 1

ININ

REF

MIC

CHAN 2

R-Y B-Y

S-VIDEO

COMPOSITE

GAIN 1

-10

CHAN 1

B-Y

R-Y

OUT 1

OUT 3

OUT 2

Figure 4-5 Audio Test External Cabling

External Diagnostics Component Video Cabling

Connect the component video cable to the video I/O board as shown in Figure 4-6.

1. Connect one end of the cable (using the three BNC connectors) to COMPONENT OUT on the video I/O board as follows:

a. Attach one green wire BNC connector to the connector labeled

Y OUT.

AUDIO OUT

-10

AUDIO OUT

-10

GAIN 1

OUT

S-VIDEO

AES / EBU

GAIN 2

CHAN 2

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

DIGITAL VIDEO

SYSTEM

OUT

IN / OUT

S / PDIF

OUT

AES / EBU

S / PDIF

OUT

LTC

SLAVE CLOCK

OUT

b. Attach one red wire BNC connector to the connector labeled

R-Y OUT.

c. Attach one blue wire BNC connector to the connector labeled

B-Y OUT.

AUDIO IN

COMPONENT

COMPOSITE

CHAN 3

MIC

MIC CHAN 1 CHAN 2

ININ

R-Y B-Y

COMPOSITE

REF

AUDIO OUT

-10

GAIN 1

CHAN 4

CHAN 3

AUDIO OUT

-10

GAIN 1

CHAN 1

OUT

B-Y

R-Y

S-VIDEO

OUT 1

S-VIDEO

OUT 3

OUT 2

AES / EBU

GAIN 2

CHAN 4

GAIN 2

CHAN 2

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

DIGITAL VIDEO

SYSTEM

OUT

IN / OUT

S / PDIF

AES / EBU

SLAVE CLOCK

OUT

S / PDIF

OUT

LTC

OUT

Figure 4-6 Component Video External Cabling

2. Connect the other end of the cable (using the three BNC connectors) to the COMPONENT IN on the video I/O board as follows:

a. Attach the green wire BNC connector to the connector labeled

Y IN.

b. Attach the red wire BNC connector to the connector labeled

R-Y IN.

c. Attach the blue wire BNC connector to the connector labeled

B-Y IN.

External Diagnostics Composite Video Cabling

Connect the composite video cable to the video I/O board as shown in

Figure 4-7.

1. Connect one end of the cable to COMPOSITE IN on the video board.

2. Connect the other end of the cable to COMPOSITE OUT 1 on the video I/O board.

AUDIO IN

CHAN 3

MIC

AUDIO IN

MIC CHAN 1

CHAN 2

ININ

COMPONENT

R-Y B-Y

COMPOSITE

S-VIDEO

COMPOSITE

REF

AUDIO OUT

-10

GAIN 1

CHAN 4

CHAN 3

AUDIO OUT

-10

GAIN 1

CHAN 1

OUT

B-Y

R-Y

OUT 1

S-VIDEO

OUT 3

OUT 2

AES / EBU

GAIN 2

CHAN 4

GAIN 2

CHAN 2

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

DIGITAL VIDEO

SYSTEM

OUT

IN / OUT

S / PDIF

AES / EBU

SLAVE CLOCK

OUT

S / PDIF

OUT

LTC

OUT

Figure 4-7 Composite Video External Cabling

output and run the test again for each one.

External Diagnostics Serial Digital Video Cabling

Connect the serial digital cable to the serial digital interface board (if installed) as shown in Figure 4-8.

To test OUT 2 and OUT 3, move the output end of the cable to the untested

The serial digital interface board is optional and might not be installed in your Avid Meridien I/O box.

1. Connect one end of the cable to IN on the DIGITAL VIDEO portion of the serial digital interface board.

2. Connect the other end of the cable to OUT 1 on the DIGITAL VIDEO portion of serial digital interface board.

AUDIO IN

CHAN 4

CHAN 3

MIC

AUDIO IN

MIC CHAN 1

CHAN 2

ININ

COMPONENT

R-Y B-Y

COMPOSITE

S-VIDEO

COMPOSITE

REF

AUDIO OUT

-10

GAIN 1

CHAN 3

AUDIO OUT

-10

GAIN 1

CHAN 1

OUT

B-Y

R-Y

OUT 1

S-VIDEO

OUT 3

OUT 2

AES / EBU

GAIN 2

CHAN 4

GAIN 2

CHAN 2

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

DIGITAL VIDEO

SYSTEM

OUT

IN / OUT

S / PDIF

AES / EBU

SLAVE CLOCK

OUT

S / PDIF

OUT

LTC

OUT

Figure 4-8 Serial Digital Video External Cabling

output and run the test again for each one.

External Diagnostics S-Video Cabling

Connect the S-Video cable to the video I/O board as shown in

Figure 4-9.

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

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

To test OUT 2 and OUT 3, move the output end of the cable to the untested

Figure 4-9 S-Video External Cabling

Running the External Tests

To run the External/User Interaction tests:

1. Start the diagnostics as described in “Starting Avid System Test

Pro” on page 75.

The Avid System Test Pro Quick Start dialog box appears, explaining how to run the Standard diagnostics by using the default settings.

2. Click OK.

3. Click the External/User Interaction tab in the main window.

AUDIO IN

CHAN 3

MIC

MIC CHAN 1

ININ

REF

CHAN 4

CHAN 2

R-Y B-Y

S-VIDEO

COMPOSITE

AUDIO IN

COMPONENT

COMPOSITE

AUDIO OUT

-10

GAIN 1

CHAN 3

AUDIO OUT

-10

GAIN 1

CHAN 1

OUT

B-Y

R-Y

OUT 1

S-VIDEO

OUT 3

OUT 2

AES / EBU

GAIN 2

CHAN 4

GAIN 2

CHAN 2

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

DIGITAL VIDEO

SYSTEM

OUT

IN / OUT

S / PDIF

AES / EBU

SLAVE CLOCK

OUT

S / PDIF

OUT

LTC

OUT

4. Loop back the Meridien I/O box connectors as explained in the previous sections.

5. Click the Start button in 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. Answer any dialog box questions that might appear.

7. Do one of the following:

• If the tests pass, choose Quit from the File menu and consider

that your NewsCutter system is working properly.

• If any test fails, the Error Log window opens, showing which

board failed the test. First check the setup instructions in

Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 to make sure the system is set up

properly. Then, see the Error Condition topic in the diagnostic Help for possible solutions to the problem.

If you have tried the solutions and the diagnostics still fail, contact your Avid Reseller.

Understanding the Error Log Window

When an error is detected during a test, a dialog box appears, informing you an error has occurred. Choose Error Log from the Window menu (see Figure 4-10) to display 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 on a failure, a more detailed error window opens.

Figure 4-10 Error Log Window

Avid StorEx

The information in the Error Log window can be saved in text (.TXT) format by choosing Save Error Log from the File menu. Once you have saved the error log, you can open the saved file with any text editing application and print it.

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

StorEx runs with Avid drives only. StorEx does not work with non-Avid, third-party drives.

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

StorEx requires a working NewsCutter system in order to function properly. The F/C controller and the SCSI accelerator board must be functioning and be able to accept commands and return results.

StorEx is installed with NewsCutter and is located on the system hard drive in the C:\Program Files\Avid\Utilities\StorEx folder.

Running Avid StorEx

To run Avid StorEx:

1. Quit all applications that are running on your NewsCutter.

2. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Avid, point to Utilities, and then click Avid StorEx.

The Avid StorEx Disk Test window opens.

3. Select the devices you want to test by clicking the check box for each device in the Test display (see “Test Display” on page 91).

4. Choose Preferences from the Options menu, and select the preferences you need for the selected tests.

Avid suggests that you use the default settings in the Preferences window. You should not choose any destructive tests without first talking to your Avid Reseller.

5. Start the testing by clicking the Start button in the toolbar (see

“Toolbar” on page 90) or by choosing Start from the Testing menu

(see “Menus” on page 89).

6. When the test is complete, you can view the status in the Console display (see “Console Display” on page 92).

If you have any failures, contact your Avid Reseller.

Avid StorEx Disk Test Window

The Avid StorEx Disk Test window provides information on the devices available for testing and the results of each test (see

Figure 4-11).

Menu Toolbar

Test

display

Console display

Figure 4-11 Avid StorEx Disk Test Window

The window is divided into four areas:

•Menu

Menus

• Toolbar

• Test display

• Console display

The StorEx menus are at the top of the display and provide 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

- Toolbar

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

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

• Tes t i ng — Allows you to control the testing. The available choices are:

-Start

-Pause

-Stop

- Default Tests

• Options — Allows you to open the Test Preferences window (see

“Test Preferences Window” on page 92) and to define the type of

error that causes the test to stop:

- 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 button is explained in

Figure 4-12.

Start

Pause

Stop

Stop on Hard Error

Stop on Any Error

Summary

Figure 4-12 Avid StorEx Toolbar

Test Display

SCSI bus

Target ID

The Test display (see Figure 4-13) appears by default in the Avid StorEx Disk Test window when you start StorEx. The Test 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 Test display, choose Tests from the View menu or press and hold Alt+1. To close the Test display, choose Tests from the View menu or press and hold Alt+1. The Test 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.

Status box Check box

Device number

Figure 4-13 Avid StorEx Test 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 drives in the display console printout. The device numbers have nothing to do with the SCSI bus to which the disk is attached.

The Test display is shown in Figure 4-13 with the status box and check box on the right side of the display. The Test display is really a window within the window and can be sized independently. If you make the window smaller without resizing the Test display, you can cut the status box and check box from view. If you want to make the window smaller, you should resize the Test display to the smaller size first, and then resize the window.

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.

Test Preferences Window

The Test Preferences window opens when you choose Preferences from the Options menu (see Figure 4-14). The Test Preferences window controls the way testing occurs. The window has two tabs, Tests and Options.

Tests Tab

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

The tests are divided into two types: nondestructive tests and destructive tests.

• Nondestructive 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 on the hard drive.

Figure 4-14 Avid StorEx Test Preferences Window — Tests Tab

The nondestructive tests include:

• Sequential Read — Reads data from every sector on the drive, starting at the first sector and ending at the last sector. The test verifies data integrity without destroying data and checks for error correction code (ECC) errors.

• Random Read — Randomly reads data from sectors on the drive for a specified amount of time (see “Options Tab” on page 95).

The test simulates normal drive activity without destroying data and checks for ECC errors.

• Single Sector Read — Reads the data from single, randomly selected sectors on the drive for a specified amount of time (see

“Options Tab” on page 95). The test exercises drive head

positioning, produces a large amount of SCSI bus control traffic, and checks for ECC errors.

• Converge/Diverge Read — Reads each sector on the drive, beginning at the opposite ends of the drive (the first sector and the last sector) and moving toward the center. It then repeats the test, reading from the center to the ends. The test checks the seek ranges of the drive, ensures that all sectors are read, and checks for ECC errors.

The destructive tests include:

• Sequential Write/Read — Writes data to every sector and then reads the data from the sector just written and compares it to the original data. The test starts at the first sector on the drive and ends at the last sector. The test verifies the write and read capability of the entire drive.

• Random Write/Read — Randomly selects a starting sector, writes data to a random number of sectors, and then reads the data from those sectors and compares it to the original data for a specified amount of time (see “Options Tab” on page 95). The test most

closely simulates the normal drive working environment.

• Single Sector Write/Read — Randomly selects a single sector, writes data to the sector, and then reads the data from the sector and compares it to the original data for a specified amount of time (see “Options Tab” on page 95). The test is seek intensive and

produces a large amount of SCSI bus control traffic.

Clicking the Default button selects the default test setting, Random Read (nondestructive test only).

You can select only one test out of all the available tests. The test you select is performed on all the devices selected for test in the Test display. There is no option for assigning a different test for each device. If a destructive (Write/Read) test has been chosen (or mistakenly chosen), there will be one last warning issued before the destructive test begins.

Options Tab

When you click the Options tab (see Figure 4-15), the display area is divided into three panels: Reporting, Data Pattern, and Test Control. Each panel contains test options that you can select before you run Avid StorEx.

Figure 4-15 Avid StorEx Test Preferences Window

— Options Tab

The three panels are:

• Reporting — Allows you to create a log file containing all the information shown in the Console display. Creating a log prevents the loss of the results of a test run. The default log file name is StorExNT_mmdd_hhmm.txt, where mmdd is the month and day and hhmm is hour and minute. This information is stored in the folder from which StorEx is executed.

Generate Log File is the default for all tests.

• Data Pattern — Determines the data patterns used for all write tests. The data pattern selections are:

Control Buttons

- Random writes a random data pattern to the hard drive by

using the operating system random-number generator to create unique and unpredictable data.

- All Zeroes writes all zeroes to the hard drive.

- All Ones writes all ones to the hard drive.

- Pseudo Incrementing

- Alternating 1’s and 0’s

The default is Random.

• Test Control — Allows you to choose the number of times the test executes and the number of minutes per pass the test runs.

- Number of Passes sets the number of times that all the tests are

run.

- Minutes per Pass sets the number of minutes that any random

test runs if no errors are encountered.

The default is 1 pass and 60 minutes.

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

CHAPTER 5

Troubleshooting

When you are installing NewsCutter and using it for the first time, you might encounter some problems. This chapter describes some of the common symptoms, the possible causes, and solutions to them.

Table 5-1 No Display After Power-On

Possible Causes Possible Solutions

The VGA cable is not connected to

the Meridien II EDC board’s video port.

AGP board is installed in NewsCutter.

The monitor is connected to the system VGA port instead of the Meridien II digital media board set.

Connect the VGA cable to the Meridien II EDC board’s video port. See Chapter

If you are upgrading NewsCutter, check to make sure the AGP board has been removed. If it is installed, the system might be looking at the AGP for video signals instead of the Meridien II EDC board. If the AGP board is installed, remove it and reboot.

Connect the monitor to the Meridien II digital media board set.

Table 5-1 No Display After Power-On (Continued)

Possible Causes Possible Solutions

The Meridien II digital media board set might be dislodged.

Vendor-supplied video board is installed in NewsCutter.

Remove the cover according to the

computer manufacturer’s instructions, and check that the circuit boards are seated properly.

Remove vendor-supplied video board from NewsCutter.

Table 5-2 Display Colors Are Incorrect

Possible Causes Possible Solutions

Unsupported resolution Right-click on the desktop and view

the Settings tab. NewsCutter recommends 1024 x 768, 75 Hz, with True Color in the Color Palette.

Bent pin on a cable connection Make sure cable connections do not

have bent pins.

Defective cable Check all cables and make sure they are

working correctly.

Optional speakers too close to monitor

Move speakers far enough away from screen so that magnetic field doesn’t affect display colors.

Record the problem before attempting to correct it.

Table 5-3 Cannot Initialize Meridien II Digital Media

Board Set

Possible Causes Possible Solutions

The Meridien II digital media board set is installed but not seated correctly in the PCI slot.

NewsCutter has stopped running and has a condition that is preventing it from restarting.

Error message 1. The base memory address could

Be sure that the digital media board set is installed correctly in your computer.

Contact your Avid Reseller for assistance.

be conflicting with another device. Check the system resources.

2. Remove the Meridien II digital media board set and make sure all the components are seated properly. Try restarting the system to recheck the symptom. If the error still exists, the problem is with the digital media board set.

Table 5-4 UI Monitor Does Not Display Selected

Resolution

Possible Causes Possible Solutions

The monitor is not able to support the selected resolution.

The monitor is not adjusted correctly.

You have an incorrect monitor cable.

Check your computer manual to be sure that your monitor supports the resolution you want to use. Avid recommends 1024 x 768, 75 Hz, with True Color in the Color Palette.

The monitor might need adjustment. The controls that allow adjustment of the vertical and horizontal planes might need to be moved. Check your video monitor manual for more information.

Make sure you are using the cable supplied with your monitor.

Table 5-5 Security Failure

Possible Causes Possible Solutions

NewsCutter requires a hardware security device called an application key. The application key is not attached securely or is missing from the parallel port on your system.

Check to see that the application key is installed. See “Installing the

Application Key” on page 38.

After NewsCutter was installed, the system was not restarted before running the application for the first time.

100

Restart the system.

Pinnacle Systems NewsCutter - 2.0 Setup 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

Using the Help System

If You Need Help

Related Information

If You Have Documentation Comments

How to Order Documentation

Introduction

NewsCutter System Features

Meridien I/O Box Indicators

Checking the Installation Materials

Rack-Mounting Kits

Setting Up the NewsCutter System

Before You Begin

Arranging Components

Assembling the System

Connecting the Keyboard and Mouse

Installing the Application Key

Connecting the UI Monitor

Connecting NewsCutter to the Meridien I/O Box

Avid MediaDrive or MediaDock Connection

Supported MediaDrives and MediaDock Storage Devices

Connecting Avid Drives to NewsCutter

Data Rate Calculations

Drive Striping Requirements

Optional NewsCutter Connections

Local Area Network Workgroup Configuration

Fibre Channel Workgroup Configuration

Avid Unity for News Workgroup Configuration

SDTI Connection

Connecting Audio and Video Devices

Avid Meridien I/O Box Connections

Audio Interface Connections

Video Interface Connections

Serial Digital Interface Connections

Connecting the Reference Signal

Controlling a Video Deck

Connecting a V-LAN VLXi Controller and GPI Devices

Video Local Area Network

General-Purpose Interface

Master Clock Connection

SDTI Device Connections

Running the System Diagnostics

Turning On the System

Avid System Test Pro

Starting Avid System Test Pro

Quick Start Dialog Box

Understanding the Main Window

Understanding the Avid System Test Preferences Window

Running the Standard Diagnostics Suite

Running the External/User Interaction Diagnostics Suite

External Diagnostics Audio Cabling

External Diagnostics Component Video Cabling

External Diagnostics Composite Video Cabling

External Diagnostics Serial Digital Video Cabling

External Diagnostics S-Video Cabling

Running the External Tests

Understanding the Error Log Window

Avid StorEx

Running Avid StorEx

Avid StorEx Disk Test Window

Menus

Toolbar

Test Display

Console Display

Test Preferences Window

Tests Tab

Options Tab

Control Buttons

Troubleshooting