Pinnacle Systems Symphony, Media Composer Quick Start Guide

Avid® Symphony™ and

Composer Products

Setup Guide

for the Mac OS® X Operating System

make manage move | media

™

Avid

®

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Copyright © 1991–1997 Silicon Graphics, Inc.

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

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Avid Symphony and Composer Products Setup Guide for the Mac OS X Operating System •
Part Number 0130-05434-01 • February 28 2003

Contents

Using This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to Order Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Avid Educational Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Chapter 1 Hardware Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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

G4 Platform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Avid PCI Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Avid System Board Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Avid Extender Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

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

Fibre Channel Controller Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Meridien III (or III-U) Digital Media Board Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

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

Meridien Display Controller Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

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

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

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

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

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

Universal Serial Bus Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Supported Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Supported Monitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Supported Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Standalone Fibre Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

SCSI UL3D/160 LVD Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Avid Unity MediaNetwork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Audio and Video Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Audio I/O Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Black Burst Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Typical System Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Chapter 2 Setting Up the System Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Checking the Kit Contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Installing the SCSI or Fibre Channel Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Arranging the Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Assembling the System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Checking the Voltage Switch on the Avid PCI Extender. . . . . . . . . . 39

Connecting the G4 Platform and the Avid PCI Extender . . . . . . . . . 40

Connecting the Meridien I/O Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Connecting the Monitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Connecting the Bin Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Connecting the Edit Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Connecting a Single Monitor in an Avid Xpress System. . . . . . . . . . 45

Connecting the Client Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Connecting USB Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Connecting the Keyboard and Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Opening the CD/DVD Drive on the 1-GHz G4 Platform. . . . . . . 47

Connecting the USB Hub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Connecting the USB Devices to the USB Hub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Connecting the USB Floppy Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Connecting the USB-to-Serial Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Connecting the USB-to-MIDI Converter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Connecting the USB Application Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

6

Connecting the Storage Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Avid MediaDrives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Avid MediaDock LVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Fibre Channel Storage Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Chapter 3 Turning On the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Turning On the System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Configuring the Avid System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Setting Up the Edit Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Setting Up the Bin Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Arranging the Monitors and Desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Installing USB Device Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Installing the Avid Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Running the Diagnostics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Diagnostic Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Video Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Configuration Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Identifying Audio and Video Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Meridien I/O Box Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Eight-Channel Audio Interface Board Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Two-Channel Audio I/O Board Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Video I/O Board Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Meridien I/O Box Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Connecting a Client Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Synchronizing Audio and Video Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Connecting the Eight-Channel Audio Board and Audio

I/O Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Connecting the Black Burst Generator (BBGen) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Connecting the BBGen to Two Video Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Controlling a Video Deck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Connecting Audio Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Connecting the Audio Splitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

7

Connecting the Video Input/Output Board to Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Connecting a Single Video Deck — Component Signal. . . . . . . . . . 84

Connecting Two Video Decks — Component Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Connecting a Single Video Deck — Composite Signal . . . . . . . . . . 89

Connecting Two Video Decks — Composite Signal. . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Connecting a Single Video Deck — Digital Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Connecting Two Video Decks — Digital Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Connecting a Video Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Chapter 5 Connecting Serial and MIDI Port Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Connecting JL Cooper Fader Controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Connecting the Yamaha 01V Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Connecting the JL Cooper Jog/Shuttle Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Connecting a VTR Emulator Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Chapter 6 Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

General Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Monitor Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

MediaDrive Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Audio Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

3D Effects Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Appendix A Installing or Replacing Boards in the Avid System . . . . . . . 113

Shutting Down the Avid System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Grounding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Installing or Replacing Boards in the G4 Platform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

G4 Platform Board Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Installing or Replacing Boards in the Avid PCI Extender . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Avid PCI Extender Board Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Removing the Top Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Removing and Replacing a Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Replacing the Top Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

Replacing Boards in the Meridien I/O Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

Replacing the SDI Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

Installing the Fibre Channel Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

8

Appendix B Running the Avid System Test Pro Program . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Menus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Board Diagnostics Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Test Selection Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

Preferences Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

Test Control Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Baseboard Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Video Subsystem Preferences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

Console Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Board Information Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Diagnostic Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Default Board Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Selecting Diagnostic Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Running a Single Diagnostic Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

External Loopback Cabling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

Running the Loopback Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Digital Media Loopback Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Audio Loopback Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

Component Video Loopback Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

Composite Video Loopback Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

Serial Digital Video Loopback Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

S-Video Loopback Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

GenLock Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

Error Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

Digital Media Board Failed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Video I/O Board Failed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Edit Display Controller Board Failed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

3D Effects Board Set Failed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

Two-Channel Audio I/O Board Failed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

Serial Digital I/O Board Failed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

9

Appendix C Regulatory and Safety Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

FCC Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

Canadian ICES-003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

European Union Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

Australia and New Zealand EMC Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Taiwan EMC Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

10

Figures

Figure 1 Rear View of G4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Figure 2 Avid PCI Extender Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Figure 3 Meridien I/O Box Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Figure 4 Avid System Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Figure 5 Arranging the G4 and Avid PCI Extender System. . . . . . .38

Figure 6 Setting the Avid PCI Extender Voltage Switch . . . . . . . . .39

Figure 7 Connecting the G4 Platform and the Avid PCI Extender . .40

Figure 8 Digital Data Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Figure 9 Meridien I/O Box to System Cable Connection . . . . . . . . .41

Figure 10 Digital Media Board to Meridien I/O Box Cable

Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Figure 11 Bin Monitor to Graphics Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Figure 12 Edit Monitor to Display Controller Connection. . . . . . . . . .44

Figure 13 USB Port Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Figure 14 USB Hub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Figure 15 Connecting the USB Floppy Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Figure 16 USB-to-Serial Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Figure 17 Connecting the USB-to-MIDI Converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Figure 18 USB-to-MIDI Converter Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Figure 19 USB Application Key (Dongle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Figure 20 SCSI Cable to SCSI Board Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Figure 21 Fibre Channel Controller Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Figure 22 Dock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Figure 23 System Preferences Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Figure 24 Edit Monitor’s Display Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Figure 25 Bin Monitor’s Display Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Figure 26 Arranging Monitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Figure 27 Meridien I/O Board Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Figure 28 Eight-Channel Audio Interface Board Connectors. . . . . . .68

Figure 29 Two-Channel Audio I/O Board Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Figure 30 Video I/O Board Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Figure 31 Meridien I/O Box Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Figure 32 Connecting the Client Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

11

Figure 33 Eight-Channel Synchronization Cabling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Figure 34 Black Burst Generator Power Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Figure 35 Connecting the Black Burst Generator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Figure 36 Connecting to the Serial Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Figure 37 Audio Splitter Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Figure 38 Connecting the Audio Splitter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Figure 39 Connecting a Video Deck — Component Signal . . . . . . . 85

Figure 40 Connecting Two Video Decks — Component Signal . . . . 88

Figure 41 Connecting a Video Deck — Composite Signal . . . . . . . . 90

Figure 42 Connecting Two Video Decks — Composite Signal. . . . . 92

Figure 43 Connecting a Video Deck — Digital Signal . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Figure 44 Connecting Two Video Decks — Digital Signal . . . . . . . . 96

Figure 45 Connecting a Video Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Figure 46 JL Cooper MCS-3000X Fader Controller Cabling . . . . . 101

Figure 47 JL Cooper FaderMaster Pro Fader Controller Cabling. . 101

Figure 48 USB-to-MIDI Converter Front Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Figure 49 Yamaha 01V Mixer Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Figure 50 Connecting the JL Cooper Jog/Shuttle Wheel . . . . . . . . 103

Figure 51 USB-to-Serial Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Figure 52 Connecting a VTR Emulator Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Figure 53 G4 Platform Slot Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Figure 54 Avid PCI Extender Slot Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Figure 55 Board to Chassis Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Figure 56 Video I/O Board in the Meridien I/O Box . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Figure 57 Removing the SDI Board from the Video I/O Board. . . . 120

Figure 58 Installing the SDI Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Figure 59 Replacing the Video I/O Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Figure 60 Avid System Test Pro Window —

Board Diagnostics Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Figure 61 Test Selection Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

Figure 62 Displaying and Selecting Subtest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

Figure 63 Preferences Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

Figure 64 Preferences Window — Test Control Tab . . . . . . . . . . . 134

Figure 65 Preferences Window — Base Board Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Figure 66 Preferences Window — Video Subsystem Tab . . . . . . . 136

12

Figure 67 Console Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137

Figure 68 Avid System Test Pro Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139

Figure 69 Avid System Test Pro Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140

Figure 70 Test Selection Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

Figure 71 Pixel DMA Loopback Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

Figure 72 Capture and Playback Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

Figure 73 Audio Test External Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Figure 74 Component Video External Cabling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

Figure 75 Composite Video External Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149

Figure 76 Serial Digital Video External Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149

Figure 77 S-Video External Cabling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

13

Tables

Table 1 Avid System Board Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Table 2 Eight-Channel Audio Interface Board Identifiers . . . . . . . 68

Table 3 Two-Channel Audio I/O Board Identifiers. . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Table 4 Video I/O Board Identifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Table 5 Meridien I/O Box Indicator Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Table 6 G4 Platform Board Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Table 7 Avid PCI Extender Peripheral Board Layout . . . . . . . . . 117

Table 8 Menu Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Table 9 Board Diagnostics Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Table 10 Test Selection Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Table 11 Run Control Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Table 12 Preferences Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

14

Using This Guide

n

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

The documentation describes the features and hardware of all models.
Therefore, your system might not contain certain features and hardware
that are covered in the documentation.

®

, an Avid Film Composer®, or an Avid Xpress® system.

Who Should Use This Guide

This guide is designed for anyone who is installing a system for the first
time, for anyone who might be moving a system, and for anyone who
might be attempting to solve problems that can arise with the system
hardware.

Using This Guide

About This Guide

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

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

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

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

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

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

16

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

• Chapter 6, “Troubleshooting” provides basic problem-solving
information to help you determine why one or more components is not
functioning as expected.

• Appendix A, “Installing or Replacing Boards in the Avid System”
explains how to remove and replace boards in the Avid PCI Extender
and Meridien

™

I/O box.

• Appendix B, “Running the Avid System Test Pro Program” explains
how to start and then run the Avid System Test Pro Program.

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

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

Symbols and Conventions

Unless noted otherwise, the material in this document applies to the
Macintosh operating system.

Avid documentation uses the following symbols and conventions:

Symbol or Convention Meaning or Action

Symbols and Conventions

n

c

w

> This symbol indicates menu commands (and

t

k This symbol represents the Apple or Command key.

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
document or on the unit itself when handling
electrical equipment.

subcommands) in the order you select them. For
example, File > Import means to open the File menu
and then select the Import command.

This symbol indicates a single-step procedure.
Multiple arrows in a list indicate that you perform
one of the actions listed.

Press and hold the Command key and another key to
perform a keyboard shortcut.

Margin tips In the margin, you will find tips that help you

perform tasks more easily and efficiently.

Italic font Italic font is used to emphasize certain words and to

indicate variables.

Courier Bold font

Courier Bold font identifies text that you type.

17

Using This Guide

Symbol or Convention Meaning or Action

Click Quickly press and release the left mouse button

(Windows) or the mouse button (Macintosh).

Double-click Click the left mouse button (Windows) or the mouse

button (Macintosh) twice rapidly.

Right-click Quickly press and release the right mouse button

(Windows only).

Drag Press and hold the left mouse button (Windows) or

the mouse button (Macintosh) while you move the
mouse.

Ctrl+key

k+key

If You Need Help

If you are having trouble using the system:

1. Retry the action, carefully following the instructions given for that task
in this guide. It is especially important to check each step of your
workflow.

2. Check the release notes supplied with your Avid application for the
latest information that might have become available after the hardcopy
documentation was printed.

3. Check the documentation that came with your Avid application or your
hardware for maintenance or hardware-related issues.

4. Visit the online Knowledge Center at www.avid.com/support. Online
services are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Search this
online Knowledge Center to find answers, to view error messages, to
access troubleshooting tips, to download updates, and to read/join
online message-board discussions.

Press and hold the first key while you press the
second key.

18

5. For Technical Support, please call 800-800-AVID (800-800-2843).
For Broadcast On-Air Sites and Call Letter Stations, call

800-NEWSDNG (800-639-7364).

Related Information

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

• Avid Symphony and Composer Products Site Preparation Guide for the
Mac OS X Operating System (online version)

• Avid iS MediaDrive Setup and User’s Guide

• Avid MediaDrive rS LVD Setup and User’s Guide

• Avid MediaDock LVD Setup and User’s Guide

• The appropriate Avid Composer Products release notes

• The appropriate Avid Composer Products editing and user’s guide

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.

Related Information

Simply e-mail your documentation comments to Avid Technology at

[e-mail]

Please include the title of the document, its part number, 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 Sales at 800-949-AVID (800-949-2843). If you are
placing an order from outside the United States, contact your local
Avid representative.

19

Using This Guide

Avid Educational Services

For information on courses/schedules, training centers, certifications,
courseware, and books, please visit www.avid.com/training or call
Avid Sales at 800-949-AVID (800-949-2843).

20

Chapter 1

Hardware Overview

Your Avid system allows you to edit video and audio projects digitally in
uncompressed or compressed format using the Meridien III board set.

n

The minimum supported operating system for this release is v10.2.2 of the
Mac OS

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

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Avid System Components

• Universal Serial Bus Devices

• Supported Devices

• Typical System Layout

®

X operating system.

Chapter 1 Hardware Overview

Avid System Components

The Avid system is based on three major pieces of equipment:

•The Apple
platform) with the ATI

• An optional Avid Peripheral Component Interconnect bus (PCI)
Extender.

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

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

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

- Reformats certain digital signals it receives to and from Avid

®

Dual 1-GHz PowerPC® G4 Mini-Tower platform (G4

digital form.

the video and audio devices.

format for transfer to and from the extender.

™

RADEON™ 9000 Pro graphics board.

G4 Platform

c

22

The Avid system uses the new G4 platform that contains an AGP slot
(slot 1) and four PCI slots (see Figure 1). All optional boards shown are in
the G4 platform only if you do not have the Avid PCI Extender.

The new G4 system must have an Avid fan kit installed in slot 2 if you
are placing the Avid board set into the G4 system. See your Avid
Certified Support Representative (ACSR) for installation of the fan.

• Slot 5 — Optional location for the Meridien display controller board
(EDC4) or the host interface board that connects the G4 platform and
the Avid PCI Extender with a flat ribbon cable.

• Slot 4 — Optional location for the Meridien III digital media board set.

• Slot 3 — Optional location for the Meridien 3D effects board.

• Slot 2 — Optional location for the SCSI UL3D or Fibre Channel
board. (If you need to use both boards, use the Avid PCI Extender).

• Slot 1 — Can only contain an Apple graphics board.

5

Slot 5 Host
interface board

Slot 1 Apple
graphics board

USB ports

Audio connectors

G4 platform

Optional location of digital media portion

3
2
1

Figure 1 Rear View of G4

of the Avid Meridien III video subsystem
when no Avid PCI Extender is used.

Avid System Components

c

n

n

Avid supports a 4-foot (1.2-meter) flat ribbon cable for use between the
G4 platform and the Avid PCI Extender. Using a longer cable is not
supported and can cause unstable data transfers.

See the Apple user’s guide that ships with the system for the exact locations
of device connectors on the rear panel.

As of this writing all systems ship with a minimum memory requirement
of 512 MB for all Avid applications. Always check the release notes that
came with your system for changes in the memory requirements and
memory configuration.

If you need to increase the system memory in your Avid system, contact
your support provider or use your Apple user’s guide that ships with the
system.

23

Chapter 1 Hardware Overview

Avid PCI Extender

The Avid system uses a PCI expansion interface board to connect the G4
platform to the optional Avid PCI Extender (see Figure 2). The Avid PCI
Extender is only needed if you want to use SCSI and Fibre Channel
devices in the same system. It contains a set of Meridien PCI boards that
allow you to input and output data from a variety of sources.

Avid extender interface connector

Figure 2 Avid PCI Extender Rear View

c

Avid supports a 4-foot (1.2-meter) flat ribbon cable for use between the
G4 platform and the Avid PCI Extender. Using a longer cable is not
supported and can cause unstable data transfers.

Slots

17through

24

Avid System Components

Avid System Board Locations

Table 1 lists the location of each board in the Avid system.

Table 1 Avid System Board Location

Avid System Boards Location

Apple graphics board G4

Host interface board G4

Avid extender interface

SCSI UL3D/160 dual-channel LVD board (UL3D)(optional) Avid PCI Extender or G4

Fibre Channel controller board (optional) Avid PCI Extender or G4

Meridien III digital media board set (Avid Composer Products)
Meridien III-U digital media board set (Symphony)

Meridien 3D effects board (Z6 board) Avid PCI Extender or G4

Meridien

Meridien

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

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

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

display controller board (single-head) Avid PCI Extender or G4

video I/O board Meridien I/O box

Avid PCI Extender

Avid PCI Extender or G4

a

a. Built into the system board of the Avid PCI Extender.

25

Chapter 1 Hardware Overview

Avid Extender Interface

The Avid extender interface is built into the system board of the Avid PCI
Extender and connects the Avid PCI Extender to the G4 platform using a
flat ribbon cable no longer than 4 feet (1.2 meters) in length.

SCSI UL3D/160 Dual-Channel LVD Board

The optional SCSI UL3D/160 dual-channel LVD board (UL3D) is used
with all Avid rS MediaDrives and the Avid MediaDock
system and other Avid supported storage devices (see “Supported Storage”

on page 31 for actual drive information).

Fibre Channel Controller Board

You can have one of two types of optional Fibre Channel controller boards:

• The 2-Gb optical Fibre Channel controller board allows the system to
use Avid Unity

™

MediaNetwork or an optical standalone Fibre

Channel storage subsystem.

• The 2-Gb copper Fibre Channel controller board is available for an
existing copper standalone Fibre Channel storage subsystem. This
board is not supported for Avid Unity MediaNetwork.

Meridien III (or III-U) Digital Media Board Set

The Meridien III or III-U digital media board set is a PCI board and a
daughter board. Depending on the system you order, the board set can
provide deep defocus, compression and decompression functions, color
correction circuitry, the use of 24p, and Ultimatte
by the dongle. The board set also interfaces the 3D effects board if present,
and acts as an interface to the Meridien I/O box.

™

LVD storage

®

functionality controlled

Meridien 3D Effects Board

The system uses optional 3D video effects to enhance video production.
3D effects are supplied by a Z6 3D effects board. The board provides 3D
effects and uses one PCI slot. The 3D effects board connects to the digital
media board using an over-the-top connector. The 1394 connection on this
board is not functional.

26

Meridien Display Controller Board

The system uses a single-head Meridien display controller board (display
controller board) to support the Edit monitor. The monitor is normally
supplied with the system.

Avid System Components

n

Meridien I/O Box

n

Two-channel
audio I/O board

The Bin monitor is controlled by the graphics board in the G4 platform,
and is not part of the Meridien I/O board set. Information on how to
connect the Client monitor is located in “Connecting a Client Monitor” on

page 74.

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

Depending upon the system you purchase, you will have either the two­channel or eight-channel audio board. You can identify the boards in your
Meridien I/O box by looking at the back of the Meridien I/O box (see

Figure 3).

Eight-channel
audio interface
board

Serial digital I/O board

Figure 3 Meridien I/O Box Rear View

Video I/O board

27

Chapter 1 Hardware Overview

Meridien Video I/O Board

Each system uses a video I/O board. The video I/O board has the following
features:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meridien Serial Digital I/O Board

The SDI board provides physical inputs and outputs between the video I/O
board and a serial digital device.

Meridien Eight-Channel Audio Interface Board

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

Meridien Two-Channel Audio I/O Board

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

28

®

888 I/O™). The audio I/O

Universal Serial Bus Devices

The connector panel on the G4 platform has two Universal Serial Bus
(USB) ports (see Figure 1). Avid connects a USB keyboard to one USB
port and a 7-port USB hub to the other USB port.

The following list shows the devices that attach to the 7-port USB hub:

• USB floppy drive

• USB-to-serial adapter

• USB-to-MIDI converter

• USB application key (dongle)

The USB mouse connects to the USB keyboard.

Universal Serial Bus Devices

n

n

The software drivers for the USB devices ship separately from the Avid
CD-ROM installer. You should keep the USB device drivers in a dry, static­free location. If you need to rebuild the Avid system disk, you must install
the USB device drivers before you install the Avid software. See the release
notes for your specific Avid software for more information.

If you have USB dongles (other than the Avid dongle) that need to be
attached to your system, you should attach them to the remaining ports on
the 7-port USB hub.

29

Chapter 1 Hardware Overview

Supported Devices

This section lists the supported devices for Avid systems and the Meridien
hardware.

Supported Monitors

The following Avid monitors are supported in Avid systems:

• Edit monitors — 22-inch, high-resolution Mitsubishi

• Bin monitors — 22-inch, high-resolution Mitsubishi

• A Client monitor capable of composite, YUV, serial digital, or SVHS

The following Apple monitors are supported in Avid systems:

• Edit monitors — 15-inch flat panel, 15-inch studio display,
17-inch studio display

• Bin monitors — 15-inch flat panel, 15-inch studio display,
17-inch studio display, 21-inch studio display, 22-inch cinema display
(flat panel)

®

30

n

c

The Meridien hardware with Avid systems does not support 640 x 480
monitors or setting a high-resolution monitor for the edit display to
640 x 480.

You must select the proper resolutions and number of colors for each
monitor as explained in “Configuring the Avid System” on page 58, or
your Edit monitor might appear black and your Avid software might
not function properly.

Supported Storage

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

• Standalone Fibre Channel

• SCSI UL3D/160 LVD board (LVD drives only)

• Avid Unity MediaNetwork

Supported Devices

n

Standalone Fibre Channel

SCSI UL3D/160 LVD Board

As drive size and drive speed improve, some Fibre Channel devices,
MediaDrives, and LVD shuttles will be available for use, while some might
be discontinued. Contact your Avid Sales and Product information line at
800-949-2843 for more product information.

The shipping standalone Fibre Channel system uses a 2-Gb optical Fibre
Channel controller board (see “Fibre Channel Controller Board” on

page 26) and a Fibre Channel disk enclosure that contains up to 14 drives.

The SCSI LVD board associated with Avid systems is the SCSI UL3D/160
dual-channel LVD. It can be used by all Avid systems (see “SCSI

UL3D/160 Dual-Channel LVD Board” on page 26).

The system supports four types of SCSI storage:

• All rS LVD MediaDrives available in rack and stack enclosures

• The MediaDock LVD storage system

• The MediaDock 2+ LVD storage system

• The MediaRAID 8 IDE storage system

31

Chapter 1 Hardware Overview

Avid Unity MediaNetwork

The Avid Unity MediaNetwork server and storage subsystem use Fibre
Channel storage components to provide the shared storage environment for
a number of MediaNetwork clients.

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

Audio and Video Equipment

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

Audio I/O Device

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

Black Burst Generator

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

32

Typical System Layout

As you set up the system, you need to arrange the various components to
avoid exceeding the lengths of the cables that are provided with the system.
Yo u must place the Avid PCI Extender close to the G4 platform.

Figure 4 shows a sample layout for an Avid system using the G4 platform,

Avid PCI Extender, Meridien I/O box, monitors, speakers, Avid Fibre
Channel or SCSI drives, video decks, and an audio I/O device.

Typical System Layout

Speaker

Client monitor

Bin monitor

Edit monitor

Fibre Channel or SCSI drives

Figure 4 Avid System Layout

G4

Audio I/O

AUDIO SYNC

kHz

VIDEO SYNC

O

l

PULL DOWN

POWER

Meridien I/O
box

Video decks

device

rS18 plus

3

rS18 plus

2

rS18 plus

rS18 plus

44.1 kHz

48

1

0

Avid PCI Extender

33

Chapter 1 Hardware Overview

34

Chapter 2

Setting Up the System Hardware

This chapter explains how to connect the different parts of your Avid
system. You might not have all of the equipment mentioned in this chapter,
depending upon the type of system you purchased.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Before You Begin

• Checking the Kit Contents

• Installing the SCSI or Fibre Channel Board

• Arranging the Components

• Assembling the System

• Connecting the Meridien I/O Box

• Connecting the Monitors

• Connecting USB Devices

• Connecting the Storage Subsystem

Chapter 2 Setting Up the System Hardware

Before You Begin

Before you begin installing the Avid 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 you have received all the parts.

• Determine if you need to install a SCSI or Fibre Channel board.

• Position the hardware components.

Checking the Kit Contents

Unpack and check the contents of the kit to ensure you have all the
necessary parts. The kit contains as standard hardware components:

• A supported G4 platform with a USB keyboard, USB mouse, and a
USB application key (dongle)

36

n

• An optional Avid PCI Extender

• A separate SCSI board or Fibre Channel board

• USB devices such as a 7-port hub, a floppy drive, a USB-to-serial
adapter, and a USB-to-MIDI converter

• Two monitors for an Avid system, 22 inches in size

Avid Xpress systems include one high-resolution 22-inch monitor in the
standard system configuration. Additional monitors are optional.

• Two speakers

• Peripheral boards for audio, video, compression, and SCSI
acceleration (installed in the expansion chassis)

• Some type of storage subsystem (Avid MediaDrives,
MediaDock LVD, or other supported storage)

• Cables to connect the G4 platform and the audio equipment, video
equipment, monitors, and MediaDrives

Installing the SCSI or Fibre Channel Board

Your system might also include as standard or optional hardware
components:

• Cables to connect the G4 platform and the optional Avid PCI Extender

• An eight-channel audio interface board with an eight-channel audio
I/O device

• A standalone Fibre Channel storage subsystem

• A black burst generator

Installing the SCSI or Fibre Channel Board

If you received a SCSI board or a Fibre Channel board that is not installed
in the system, you should refer to Appendix A and follow the instructions
to install the board before you proceed any further.

Arranging the Components

Start arranging the components in the Avid system by placing the
monitors, keyboard, mouse, and speakers in positions that are comfortable
for viewing and operating the system (see Figure 5). 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 long.

Place the G4 platform, the optional Avid PCI Extender, and the SCSI
drives (or the Fibre Channel drives) close together. The G4 platform and
the Avid PCI Extender connect using up to a 4-foot (1.2-meter) cable.
Position the remaining components, such as video decks, additional audio
I/O devices, and video interface hardware in locations that are easily
accessible.

37

Chapter 2 Setting Up the System Hardware

Figure 5 Arranging the G4 and Avid PCI Extender System

Assembling the System

All systems shipped directly from Avid have most of the PCI boards
already installed in the G4 or the optional Avid PCI Extender (the SCSI or
Fibre Channel boards might not be installed). The Avid extender interface
is already installed in the system board of the Avid PCI Extender, and the
Avid PCI host interface board is installed in the G4 platform. The video
and audio boards are installed in the Meridien I/O box.

rS18 plus

3

rS18 plus

2

rS18 plus

1

rS18 plus

0

O

l

PULL DOWN

44.1 kHz

AUDIO SYNC

kHz

POWER

48

VIDEO SYNC

38

n

c

In this section, connections to the Avid PCI boards are shown to the boards
only, not installed in the Avid PCI Extender.

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

Assembling the System

Checking the Voltage Switch on the Avid PCI Extender

The shipping Avid PCI Extender contains a switch-selectable power
supply. Make sure the voltage setting at the rear of the system is set
properly for your area.

Setting the Voltage Switch

The voltage switch is located at the rear of the system between the two
power sockets (see Figure 6). To set the voltage switch slide the switch to
show 115 for voltages in the 100 to 120 V ac range, or to show 230 for
voltages in the 200 to 240 V ac range.

Voltage
switch

Figure 6 Setting the Avid PCI Extender Voltage Switch

39

Chapter 2 Setting Up the System Hardware

Connecting the G4 Platform and the Avid PCI Extender

The G4 platform and the optional Avid PCI Extender are connected by a
flat, gray, ribbon cable.

To connect the G4 platform and the Avid PCI Extender:

1. Attach one end of the Avid PCI Extender cable to the board in
slot 5 of the G4 platform (see Figure 7).

2. Attach the other end of the Avid PCI Extender cable to the Avid
extender interface connector of the Avid PCI Extender.

3. Plug the power cords of both the G4 platform and the Avid PCI
Extender into a power strip.

G4 platform

Slot 5

5
4
3
2
1

Avid PCI Extender

Avid PCI Extender
uses a 4-foot (1.2-meter)
cable.

Avid extender interface connector

Figure 7 Connecting the G4 Platform and the Avid PCI Extender

40

Connecting the Meridien I/O Box

The Meridien I/O box is a standalone box that contains the audio and video
I/O boards. You connect video equipment to the Meridien I/O box and
audio equipment to the audio I/O device. The Meridien I/O box is
connected to the digital media board located in the Avid PCI Extender
using a 9.8-foot (3-meter) digital data cable.

To connect the Meridien I/O box:

1. Locate the 9.8-foot (3-meter) digital data cable. The ends of the digital
data cable are shown in Figure 8.

Figure 8 Digital Data Cable

Connecting the Meridien I/O Box

2. Connect one end of the digital data cable to the Meridien I/O box at the
system interface connector shown in Figure 9.

Meridien I/O box

8 channel

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

OUT

DIGITAL VIDEO

SYSTEM

OUT

IN / OUT

S-VIDEO

COMPONENT

COMPOSITE

IN

ININ

Y

R-Y B-Y

IN

S-VIDEO

COMPOSITE

REF

OUT 1

B-Y

Y

R-Y

OUT 3

OUT 2

Figure 9 Meridien I/O Box to System Cable Connection

Slave Clock

In

LTC

SLAVE CLOCK

IN

OUT

OUT

System interface connector

41

Chapter 2 Setting Up the System Hardware

3. Locate the digital media board in the Avid PCI Extender (see

Figure 10). Connect the other end of the digital data cable to the

connector labeled M (main) on the digital media board.

Connection to Meridien I/O box

Digital media board

Connection C not used

Figure 10 Digital Media Board to Meridien I/O Box Cable

Connection

Connecting the Monitors

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

MC

42

c

You must select the proper resolutions and number of colors for each
monitor as explained in “Configuring the Avid System” on page 58, or
your Edit monitor might appear black and your Avid software might
not function properly.

Although you can set the monitors up anyway you want, Avid suggests that
the Bin monitor should be located to the left of the Edit monitor. This
allows you to maintain the proper two-screen display needed by the
operating system and the Avid system.

Connecting the Monitors

5

Use the following instructions to connect the monitors to the correct
locations on the display controller board.

n

The monitors shown in the following sections might not be the monitors
you receive. If you use different monitors on your system, see the user’s
guide that accompanies the monitor to complete the monitor installation,
or contact the monitor reseller.

Connecting the Bin Monitor

To connect the Bin monitor using the VGA port:

1. Locate the Bin monitor cable (VGA cable). This cable has a standard
VGA style connector at both ends.

2. Attach one connector to the VGA graphics port on the G4 platform
(see Figure 11).

G4 platform

VGA graphics port

3
2
1

Figure 11 Bin Monitor to Graphics Port

n

You can also use the Apple-supplied DVI to VGA adapter and use the DVI
graphics port.

43

Chapter 2 Setting Up the System Hardware

3. Attach the other end of the VGA cable to the VGA connector of the
selected signal source input connector on the Bin monitor.

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.

Connecting the Edit Monitor

To connect the Edit monitor:

1. Locate the Edit monitor cable (VGA connectors at both ends) in the
hardware kit.

2. Locate the edit display controller board in the Avid PCI Extender (see

Figure 12).

3. Attach one end of the Edit monitor cable to the VGA connector labeled
EDIT on the display controller board.

44

EDIT

Figure 12 Edit Monitor to Display Controller Connection

Display controller board

Monitor VGA cable

4. Attach the other end of the Edit monitor cable to the VGA input
connector on the Edit monitor.

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

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

Connecting the Monitors

n

When the system is started for the first time, you might need to adjust the
monitors that are attached to the display controller board. Controls to
adjust the monitor are part of a tilt-out panel below the monitor screen.
For information on using these controls, see the user’s guide included with
the monitor.

Connecting a Single Monitor in an Avid Xpress System

If you have a single-monitor Avid Xpress system, the monitor is used as
the Bin and Edit monitor.

To connect a single monitor in an Avid Xpress system you must:

1. Remove the Apple graphics board from the system.

n

To remove the Apple graphics board, follow the instructions in Appendix A.

2. Connect the single monitor to the Meridien display controller board as
if you were connecting the Edit monitor described in “Connecting the

Edit Monitor” on page 44.

With the Apple graphics board removed, the operating system sends boot
and console information, as well as video, to the Meridien display
controller board.

Connecting the Client Monitor

The Client monitor displays the playback in either NTSC or PAL format.
The Client monitor can be connected to an analog composite output, a
component output, or to the serial digital (SDI) output of the Meridien I/O
box. See “Connecting a Client Monitor” on page 74 for a description of
how to connect the Client monitor to the composite output.

45

Chapter 2 Setting Up the System Hardware

Connecting USB Devices

The Avid system uses USB devices that connect to the two USB ports at
the rear of the G4 platform. Most of these devices have there own software
drivers that need to be installed before they can be used.

This section explains how to connect the USB devices, but does not
provide instructions for installing the software.

n

n

After you complete the physical installation of all devices explained in this
section, you should continue with Chapter 3. Chapter 3 explains how to
turn on the system and points to the release notes that contain the
instructions for installing the USB devices’ software and the Avid software.
You need to install drivers for all of the USB devices (except the USB hub,
dongle, and keyboard) prior to installing the Avid software.

This section explains how to connect the following USB devices:

• The USB mouse to the USB keyboard

• 7-port USB hub with the following attached devices:

- USB floppy drive

- USB-to-serial adapter

- USB-to-MIDI converter

- USB application key (dongle)

If more USB devices become available for use with the Avid system before
this guide is updated, or instructions change, release notes will be sent
with the devices to explain hardware and software installation.

46

Connecting the Keyboard and Mouse

The USB keyboard devices provided with the G4 platform are the
keyboard and USB mouse.

To connect the USB keyboard devices:

1. Connect the USB mouse to the left or right USB connector on the
keyboard.

2. Attach the keyboard cable to one of the two USB ports at the rear of
the G4 platform (see Figure 13).

Connecting USB Devices

n

USB ports

Opening the CD/DVD Drive on the 1-GHz G4 Platform

Avid supplies a different keyboard that provides keycaps that map to
specific Avid functions. This keyboard does not allow you to open the
CD/DVD drive. See “Opening the CD/DVD Drive on the 1-GHz G4

Platform” on page 47 for instructions on opening the CD/DVD drive.

Keyboard connector

Figure 13 USB Port Connection

The 1-GHz G4 platform does not have a button to open the CD/DVD drive.
The standard way to open the CD/DVD drive is by pressing the Eject
button in the upper right corner of the Apple keyboard.

Problem — Avid supplies a different keyboard that provides keycaps that
map to specific Avid functions. This keyboard does not allow you to open
the CD/DVD drive with the same key as the Apple keyboard.

Solution — Press the F12 key on the Avid-supplied keyboard.

47

Chapter 2 Setting Up the System Hardware

Connecting the USB Hub

The USB hub converts one USB port at the rear of the G4 platform into
seven USB ports. The USB hub kit (see Figure 14) contains a USB hub, a
power adapter, and a USB cable.

USB hub

n

n

The USB hub shown in the example might not be the actual USB hub you
receive. However, the example shown provides enough information to
allow you to properly connect whatever USB hub you receive.

The USB hub is supported only when it is powered by the ac converter.

DC connector

USB ports

Device connection

On/Off switch

Power connection

Device connector

Figure 14 USB Hub

AC connector

Power adapter

USB cable

USB connector

48

Connecting USB Devices

The USB hub has the following rear connections:

• USB ports 1 through 7

• Device connection

• On/Off switch

• Power connection

To connect the USB hub (see Figure 14) to the G4 platform:

1. Connect the power adapter to the USB hub:

- Plug the dc connector of the power adapter into the power

connection at the rear of the USB hub.

- Plug the ac connector of the power adapter into a wall outlet or

power strip.

2. Connect the USB hub to the G4 platform using the USB cable:

- Plug the device connector of the USB cable into the device

connection at the rear of the USB hub.

- Plug the USB connector of the USB cable into one of the USB

ports at the rear of the G4 platform (see Figure 13).

3. Turn the power switch to the On position.

49

Chapter 2 Setting Up the System Hardware

Connecting the USB Devices to the USB Hub

Once the USB hub is connected to the G4 platform, you can connect the
following USB devices to the USB hub:

• USB floppy drive

• USB-to-serial adapter

• USB-to-MIDI converter

• USB application key (dongle)

Connecting the USB Floppy Drive

Avid supplies a USB floppy drive (see Figure 15) with an attached cable
that connects to a USB port on the USB hub.

Floppy drive

50

n

USB connector

Figure 15 Connecting the USB Floppy Drive

To connect the floppy drive to a port on the USB hub:

t Connect the USB connector of the floppy-to-USB cable to a USB port at

the rear of the USB hub (see Figure 14 for a port location). The software
for the floppy drive is built into Mac OS X.

Power for the floppy drive comes through the floppy-to-USB cable.

Connecting the USB-to-Serial Adapter

The USB-to-serial adapter (see Figure 16) connects to a USB port on the
USB hub.

Figure 16 USB-to-Serial Adapter

To connect the USB-to-serial adapter to the USB hub:

1. Plug the USB connector portion of the cable into a USB port at the rear
of the USB hub (see Figure 14 for a port location).

Connecting USB Devices

USB connector

2. Install the USB-to-serial adapter software, using the instructions
located on the USB-to-serial adapter CD-ROM.

Connecting the USB-to-MIDI Converter

The USB-to-MIDI converter and USB cable connects to a USB port on the
USB hub (see Figure 17). Only connect the USB-to-MIDI converter if you
are going to use it.

n

The USB-to-MIDI converter must be configured prior to use. See the
release notes for this information.

USB-to-MIDI converter

Device connector

Figure 17 Connecting the USB-to-MIDI Converter

USB cable

Device connector

USB connector

51

Chapter 2 Setting Up the System Hardware

To connect the USB-to-MIDI converter to a port on the USB hub:

1. Find the MIDI converter USB cable.

2. Connect the device connector of the USB cable to the device connector
at the rear of the USB-to-MIDI converter.

3. Connect the USB connector of the USB cable to a USB port at the rear
of the USB hub (see Figure 14 for a port location).

4. Push the USB/MIDI Thru button In to allow the device to act as a
USB-to-MIDI converter (see Figure 18).

IN A

IN A IN B

OUT A OUT B

USB-to-MIDI converter

Figure 18 USB-to-MIDI Converter Front Panel

n

Instructions for connecting the faders to the USB-to-MIDI converter can
be found in Chapter 5.

Connecting the USB Application Key

The application key, commonly referred to as a dongle (see Figure 19),
allows the Avid software to run on your system, and plugs into the USB
hub. Attach the dongle to any port on the USB hub.

USB dongle

Figure 19 USB Application Key (Dongle)

USB/
MIDI
Thru

Button (In position)

USB

52

c

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

Connecting the Storage Subsystem

Your Avid system supports the following three types of storage
subsystems:

• Avid MediaDrives (iS, iS Pro, and rS drives)

• Avid MediaDock LVD (a standalone SCSI subsystem)

• Fibre Channel storage subsystem

Manuals are provided for the Avid MediaDrives, Avid MediaDock LVD,
and Fibre Channel storage subsystem that contain detailed installation
instructions. Overviews of installations are provided in the following
sections.

Connecting the Storage Subsystem

n

If you received a SCSI board or a Fibre Channel board that is not installed
in the system, you should refer to Appendix A and follow the instructions to
install the board before you proceed any further.

Avid MediaDrives

You might have one or more types of Avid drives for storing the media and
other data associated with video and audio projects. The supported drives
can be found in “Supported Storage” on page 31.

You connect the drives to the SCSI LVD board. To identify the SCSI board
in your system, look at the back of the G4 platform or the back of the Avid
PCI Extender (see Figure 20).

n

The SCSI cable and the cable between the digital media board and
Meridien I/O box use the same type of connector. Make sure you connect
the SCSI cables to the proper connector.

53

Chapter 2 Setting Up the System Hardware

c

SCSI LVD board

You should never connect or disconnect drives or terminators with the
system or drives on. See the drive manual that shipped with your
drives and the SCSI LVD Release Notes for detailed information on
how to connect drives to the new SCSI LVD board.

Figure 20 SCSI Cable to SCSI Board Connection

If you have more than one drive, you might want to stack the drives so they
take up a minimal amount of desk space, and arrange the drives in two
separate stacks (one stack for each connector).

Avid MediaDock LVD

You might have an Avid MediaDock LVD storage system that you need to
connect to the SCSI LVD board. To identify the SCSI LVD board in your
system, look at the back of the G4 platform or the back of the Avid PCI
Extender (see Figure 20). The supported drives available in the Avid
MediaDock LVD can be found in “Supported Storage” on page 31.

Very high-density interconnect connectors

Channel 1 Channel 2

54

c

You should never connect or disconnect drives or terminators with the
system or drives on. See the Avid MediaDock LVD Setup and User’s

Guide that shipped with your MediaDock LVD and the SCSI LVD
Release Notes for detailed information on how to connect the

MediaDock LVD to the SCSI LVD board.

Fibre Channel Storage Subsystem

You might have a Fibre Channel storage subsystem that contains a 2-Gb
optical or copper Fibre Channel controller board. To identify the Fibre
Channel controller board in your system, look at the back of the G4
platform or the back of the Avid PCI Extender (see Figure 21). Installation
instructions ship with the Fibre Channel storage subsystem.

Fibre Channel optical
controller board

Fibre Channel copper
controller board

Connecting the Storage Subsystem

n

Figure 21 Fibre Channel Controller Boards

An adapter comes with the Fibre Channel copper controller board
allowing you to use copper cabling.

55

Chapter 2 Setting Up the System Hardware

56

Chapter 3

Turning On the System

Once the basic system is connected, you should turn on the system and
make sure your monitors are set up correctly.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Turning On the System

• Configuring the Avid System

• Installing USB Device Software

• Installing the Avid Software

• Running the Diagnostics

• Diagnostic Utilities

Chapter 3 Turning On the System

Turning On the System

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

To turn on the system:

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

2. Make sure the monitors are properly positioned: Bin monitor to the left
and Edit monitor to the right.

3. If you have the optional Avid PCI Extender, make sure it is turned on.

4. Make sure the Meridien I/O box and all drives are turned on.

5. Turn on the system.

If your system boots properly, continue with “Configuring the Avid

System” on page 58 to configure your monitors.

Configuring the Avid System

Avid systems come with an Edit monitor and a Bin monitor. These systems
have a specific configuration for the monitors to prevent the Macintosh
desktop from conflicting with the Edit monitor. You need to make sure the
Bin and Edit monitors are set up correctly.

Avid Xpress systems come with only an Edit monitor, and you can
purchase a Bin monitor as an option. These systems have a specific
configuration for the monitors to make sure the Macintosh desktop appears
on the Edit monitor. If you also connected a computer monitor, you need to
make sure both it and the Edit monitor are set up correctly and are set to
the same resolution.

58

Configuring the Avid System

If your Avid system comes with two monitors, begin with “Setting Up the

Edit Monitor” on page 59, and continue with “Setting Up the Bin Monitor”
on page 61.

If your Avid system comes with a single monitor, begin with “Setting Up

the Bin Monitor” on page 61, and continue with “Installing the Avid
Software” on page 63.

c

Do not configure the monitors on the Avid system while the
Media Composer, Film Composer, or Avid Xpress software is running.

Setting Up the Edit Monitor

To configure the Edit monitor:

1. Click the System Preferences icon in the Dock (see Figure 22). The
System Preferences window opens (see Figure 23).

Dock

Figure 22 Dock

2. Click the Displays icon in the System Preferences window.

System Preferences icon

Displays icon

Figure 23 System Preferences Window

59

Chapter 3 Turning On the System

n

The Edit monitor’s Display window opens on the right monitor if you have
two monitors (see Figure 24).

Figure 24 Edit Monitor’s Display Window

3. Click the Colors pop-up menu, and select Millions.

4. Select 1024 x 768 in the Resolutions list box. Click the Refresh Rate
pop-up menu, and select 75 Hertz. If you need to use a different
resolution, select a resolution from the Resolutions list box. These are
resolutions that are compatible between the video board and the
monitor.

60

c

5. Click Confirm in the dialog box that opens.

If you are using a Bin and Edit monitor, they must both be set to the
same resolution to work properly.

Setting Up the Bin Monitor

Configuring the Avid System

n

Close

The Bin monitor’s Display window opens on the left monitor if you have
two monitors (see Figure 25).

Figure 25 Bin Monitor’s Display Window

To configure the Bin monitor:

1. Click the Colors pop-up menu, and select Millions.

c

2. Select 1024 x 768 in the Resolutions list box. Click the Refresh Rate
pop-up menu, and select 75 Hertz. If you need to use a different
resolution, select a resolution from the Resolutions list box. These are
resolutions that are compatible between the video board and the
monitor.

3. If you have only one monitor click the Close button. If you have two
monitors continue with “Arranging the Monitors and Desktop” on

page 62.

If you are using a Bin and Edit monitor, they must both be set to the
same resolution to work properly.

61

Chapter 3 Turning On the System

Arranging the Monitors and Desktop

If you have both an Edit monitor and a Bin monitor connected to the Avid
system, you need to arrange the monitors to match their physical locations
in the system layout. You also need to set the Bin monitor as the startup
monitor.

To arrange the positions of the monitors and configure the desktop
and startup monitor:

1. Click the Arrangement tab in the Bin monitor’s Display window (see

Figure 26).

Close

Click one
of these monitors.

Menu bar

Figure 26 Arranging Monitors

2. Click one of the monitors and a red box opens on the monitor that
equates to the monitor you clicked (see Figure 26).

3. If the monitor positions on the window are reversed from their physical
positions, click one of the monitors and drag it to the correct position.

4. Click the Menu bar and drag it to the Bin monitor, if it is not already
there (see Figure 26). This places the startup screen on the Bin
monitor.

5. Click the Close button.

62

Installing USB Device Software

You must install the USB device software prior to installing and executing
the Avid software. Locate the instructions that shipped with the USB
devices and install the software at this time.

Installing USB Device Software

n

See the release notes that are specific to your system for details on software
installation.

Installing the Avid Software

After configuring your monitors and installing USB device software, you
are ready to install the Avid software. To install the software, use the
application CD-ROM that shipped with your system.

n

Once you install the software, you can run Avid System Test Pro to test the
Meridien I/O board set and the Meridien I/O box. You can also run System
Manager to test Avid storage devices. These applications use the drivers
from the Avid software.

Running the Diagnostics

Avid diagnostics, Avid System Test Pro, is a set of utilities that test the
peripheral boards in the Avid system. The diagnostics are in the
Applications/Utilities/AvidSystemTest directory on your system drive.

When you double-click the Avid System Test Pro icon, a window opens
that allows you to select Board Diagnostics to test the peripheral boards
and any attached daughter boards. Appendix B explains how to run board
diagnostics. You can also obtain Help to run board diagnostics by selecting
Help > type of Help.

63

Chapter 3 Turning On the System

Diagnostic Utilities

There are two other major software utilities available:

• Storage Manager allows you to:

- Select and create partitions.

- Create striped groups.

- Erase partitions.

- Perform hard drive surface tests.

n

n

n

The Storage Manager application and information on using Storage
Manager can be found in the Applications/Utilities/AvidStorageManager
directory on your system drive. You can also find Storage Manager on the
Avid online Knowledge Center at www.avid.com/support.

• DiskWarrior
you to rebuild your disk directory using the data recovered from the
original directory. By doing this you can recover files and folders that
you thought were lost. Your disk must be a Mac OS Standard (HFS) or
Mac OS Extended (HFS Plus) disk.

Avid ships the DiskWarrior CD-ROM that contains the application and the
manual that explains how to use the DiskWarrior software.

You should always check the release notes that ship with your system to see
if there have been any updates that relate to the diagnostic utility guides.
Drive striping and resolutions information can be found on the Avid online
Knowledge Center at www.avid.com/support.

®

specializes in eliminating directory errors by allowing

64

Chapter 4

Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

This chapter describes how to connect audio and video equipment to the
audio and video boards in the Avid system. Configurations can be a simple
single-deck configuration or multiple-deck configurations with mixers and
an audio interface.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Video Decks

• Configuration Notes

• Identifying Audio and Video Boards

• Meridien I/O Box Connectors

• Meridien I/O Box Indicators

• Connecting a Client Monitor

• Synchronizing Audio and Video Equipment

• Controlling a Video Deck

• Connecting Audio Equipment

• Connecting the Video Input/Output Board to Decks

• Connecting a Video Server

Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

Video Decks

The Avid system supports video decks from a number of different
manufacturers. These decks can be controlled directly by the system as
explained in this chapter.

The following sections describe how to connect the audio, video, and
control cabling that might be necessary to control your video deck. You
should select the sections that are appropriate for your system and
components.

Configuration Notes

The following list provides some general configuration notes that apply to
many of the configurations covered in this guide:

• You can have only one audio interface board in the Meridien I/O box at
one time.

66

• If you are not using the passthrough feature on your video deck to pass
the video signal to other devices, make sure you terminate the
passthrough connection with a 75-Ω terminator. This might be done
with a switch you need to turn on, or you might need to install 75-Ω
terminators on the open passthrough connectors.

• If you are using speakers without internal audio amplifiers, you will
need to connect an external audio amplifier between the audio source
and the speakers.

• The figures in this guide depicting the rear panels of the decks are
sample illustrations; the connectors on your deck might be in different
locations. Check the manual that came with your deck for the correct
connector names, locations, and functions.

Identifying Audio and Video Boards

Avid systems with Meridien I/O hardware use the following
video I/O and audio I/O boards:

• Video I/O board — Provides analog and digital I/O connections for

video equipment, connects the Meridien I/O box to the digital media
board on the system, and provides locations for syncing equipment to
the Meridien I/O box.

• Eight-channel audio interface board — Connects digitally to the

eight-channel audio I/O device that provides eight channels of
analog I/O, AES/EBU I/O connections, and S/PDIF I/O
connections.

• Two-channel audio I/O board — Provides two channels of

analog I/O, AES/EBU I/O connections, S/PDIF I/O connections, and a
microphone input.

Depending upon the system you purchased, you will have either the two­channel or eight-channel audio board. You can identify the boards in your
Meridien I/O box by looking at the back of the Meridien I/O box (see

Figure 27).

Identifying Audio and Video Boards

Two-channel
audio I/O board

Eight-channel
audio interface
board

CHAN 1

AUDIO OUT

-10
GAIN 2

GAIN 1

+4

OUT

B-Y

R-Y

S-VIDEO

OUT 3

OUT 2

IN

CHAN 2

8 channel

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

DIGITAL VIDEO

SYSTEM

OUT

IN / OUT

AUDIO IN

COMPONENT

COMPOSITE

MIC CHAN 1

IN

ININ

Y

IN

REF

COMPOSITE

R-Y B-Y

S-VIDEO

CHAN 2

Y

OUT 1

Figure 27 Meridien I/O Board Identification

AES / EBU

OUT

SLAVE CLOCK

OUT

S / PDIF

IN

Slave Clock

In

LTC

IN

OUT

OUT

Video I/O board

67

Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

n

The video board must be in the lower slot of the Meridien I/O box, and the
audio board must be placed in the slot directly above the video board as
shown in Figure 27. Only one audio board can be placed in the Meridien
I/O box at a time.

Meridien I/O Box Connectors

The following sections provide figures and tables that describe the function
of each connector located on the eight-channel and two-channel audio
boards, and the video I/O board. Cabling is shown in later sections of the
chapter.

Eight-Channel Audio Interface Board Connectors

Figure 28 shows the connections on the eight-channel audio interface

board. Table 2 describes the function of each connector.

1 2

COMPONENT

COMPOSITE

8 channel

IN

ININ

Y

R-Y B-Y

IN

S-VIDEO

COMPOSITE

REF

OUT 1

B-Y

Y

R-Y

OUT 3

OUT 2

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

OUT

DIGITAL VIDEO

SYSTEM

OUT

IN / OUT

S-VIDEO

SLAVE CLOCK

OUT

Slave Clock

In

LTC

IN

Figure 28 Eight-Channel Audio Interface Board Connectors

Table 2 Eight-Channel Audio Interface Board Identifiers

Number Label Function

1 8 channel Eight-channel digital interface connection to the audio I/O device

2 Slave Clock In Slave Clock In, for syncing eight-channel audio interface board

68

OUT

Two-Channel Audio I/O Board Connectors

Figure 29 shows the connections on the two-channel audio I/O board.
Table 3 describes the function of each connector.

Meridien I/O Box Connectors

1 2

3

4

5 6 7 98

10

OUT

SLAVE CLOCK

OUT

S / PDIF

OUT

IN

LTC

OUT

IN

AUDIO IN

IN

COMPONENT

IN

COMPOSITE

MIC CHAN 1

ININ

Y

REF

R-Y B-Y

COMPOSITE

S-VIDEO

CHAN 2

CHAN 2

OUT 1

SERIAL DIGITAL

SYSTEM

IN / OUT

AES / EBU

IN

OUT 3IN

OUT 2

AUDIO OUT

-10
GAIN 2

GAIN 1

+4

CHAN 1

OUT

B-Y

Y

R-Y

OUT

S-VIDEO

OUT 3

OUT 1

OUT 2

Figure 29 Two-Channel Audio I/O Board Connectors

Table 3 Two-Channel Audio I/O Board Identifiers

Number Label Function

1 AUDIO IN MIC Microphone audio input, female connector

2 AUDIO IN CHAN 1 Channel 1 audio input, female connector

3 AUDIO IN CHAN 2 Channel 2 audio input, female connector

4 AUDIO OUT CHAN 1 Channel 1 audio output, male connector

5 AUDIO OUT CHAN 2 Channel 2 audio output, male connector

6 AES/EBU IN AES/EBU digital input, female connector

7 AES/EBU OUT AES/EBU digital output, male connector

69

Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

Table 3 Two-Channel Audio I/O Board Identifiers (Continued)

Number Label Function

8 S/PDIF IN S/PDIF digital input, phono (RCA®) jack

9 S/PDIF OUT S/PDIF digital output, phono (RCA) jack

10 Gain button The button is not a connection, but sets the gain of the

outgoing audio signals:

• +4 dB gain is 0 Vu at +4 dBu signal level.

• -10 dB gain is 0 Vu at -10 dBu signal level.

The Gain button should be IN or OUT (default is OUT)
depending upon the type of deck connected to the board:

• Professional decks — Button should be OUT.

• Consumer decks (for example, a VCR or cassette
recorder) — Button should be IN.

Video I/O Board Connectors

70

Figure 30 shows the connections on the video I/O board. Tab le 4 describes

the function of each connector.

1 2 3 4 5 6

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

OUT

DIGITAL VIDEO

OUT

S-VIDEO

COMPONENT

COMPOSITE

IN

ININ

Y

R-Y B-Y

IN

S-VIDEO

COMPOSITE

REF

OUT 1

B-Y

Y

R-Y

OUT 3

OUT 2

20 19 18 17 16 1521 13 12

Figure 30 Video I/O Board Connectors

7 8 9 10

8 channel

SLAVE CLOCK

SYSTEM

IN / OUT

OUT

Slave Clock

In

IN

14

11

LTC

OUT

Meridien I/O Box Connectors

Table 4 Video I/O Board Identifiers

Number Label Function

1 COMPONENT Y IN Video Y component input, BNC connector. Connects to

analog video output of decks.

2 COMPONENT R-Y IN Video R-Y component input, BNC connector. Connects to

analog video output of decks.

3 COMPONENT B-Y IN Video B-Y component input, BNC connector. Connects to

analog video output of decks.

4 COMPONENT Y OUT Video Y component output, BNC connector. Connects to

analog video input of decks.

5 COMPONENT R-Y OUT Video R-Y component output, BNC connector. Connects

to analog video input of decks.

6 COMPONENT B-Y OUT Video B-Y component output, BNC connector. Connects

to analog video input of decks.

7 SDI IN Serial digital input, BNC connector.

8 SDI OUT1 Serial digital output number 1, BNC connector.

9 SDI OUT2 Serial digital output number 2, BNC connector.

10 SDI OUT3 Serial digital output number 3, BNC connector.

11 SYSTEM Audio and video I/O connector from the system

interface board.

12 LTC OUT Longitudinal timecode output, male connector. Master

clock used to stripe tapes and synchronize systems to the
house master clock (SMPTE for NTSC, and EBU for
PA L) .

13 LTC IN Longitudinal timecode input, female connector. Can be

used in place of 9-pin deck control when deck control is
not required.

14 SLAVE CLOCK OUT Clock output, BNC connector. Used to synchronize other

audio or video components.

71

Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

Table 4 Video I/O Board Identifiers (Continued)

Number Label Function

15 S-VIDEO OUT Super-video output, 4-pin connector. Connects to analog

video input of decks.

16 COMPOSITE OUT3 Composite video output, BNC connector. Connects to

analog video input of decks or monitor.

17 COMPOSITE OUT2 Composite video output, BNC connector. Connects to

analog video input of decks or monitor.

18 COMPOSITE OUT1 Composite video output, BNC connector. Connects to

analog video input of decks or monitor.

19 S-VIDEO IN Super-video input, 4-pin connector. Connects to analog

video output of decks.

20 COMPOSITE IN Composite video input, BNC connector. Connects to

analog video output of decks.

21 Video Reference (REF) Black burst or house sync input, BNC connector.

Synchronizes decks that are part of the system.

72

Meridien I/O Box Indicators

P

h

The front panel of the Meridien I/O box has six indicators and a power
switch (see Figure 31). When you turn on the Meridien I/O box, the
indicators turn on and off as it goes through a power-on self-test (POST).
After the POST, the 48-kHz and POWER indicators remain on.

Meridien I/O Box Indicators

44.1 kHz

48 kHz VIDEO SYNC POWER

AUDIO SYNC

44.1 kHz

AUDIO SYNC

48 kHz

VIDEO SYNC

PULL DOWN

PULL DOWN

POWER

O

l

Figure 31 Meridien I/O Box Indicators

Table 5 lists the indicator functions.

Table 5 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 selected in the
Meridien I/O box.

48 kHz The 48-kHz indicator is on when 48-kHz digital audio is selected in the

Meridien I/O box.

ower switc

AUDIO SYNC The audio sync indicator is on when the application is running and the audio sample

clock is within 10 Hz of the expected sample rate.

VIDEO SYNC The video sync indicator is on when video sync or Ref In is detected as a sync in the

Meridien I/O box. If Internal sync is used, the indicator is off.

73

Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

Table 5 Meridien I/O Box Indicator Functions (Continued)

Indicator Function

PULL DOWN The pulldown indicator is on when you play back an NTSC project at 23.976 in the

Timeline, record with the Pulldown button set in the Digitize window (NTSC), or
when performing a digital cut at 23.976 (NTSC).

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

On (I) position.

Connecting a Client Monitor

The video I/O board provides three composite outputs. You would
normally connect one of these outputs to the Client monitor.

To connect the Client monitor using a composite output:

1. Locate an 8-foot cable labeled “Serial Digital” in the hardware kit. It
has BNC connectors at both ends.

74

n

2. Attach the BNC connector at one end of the cable to COMPOSITE
OUT3 as shown in Figure 32 (you can use COMPOSITE OUT1,
OUT2, or OUT3).

3. Attach the BNC connector at the other end of the cable to the
composite input of the Client monitor.

If you are using a monitor that accepts serial digital input as a Client
monitor, you can also connect a serial digital cable between OUT1, OUT2,
or OUT3 (explained in Table 4 ) on the serial output portion of the video
I/O board to the serial input of the Client monitor.

If you are using a monitor that accepts component signal input as a Client
monitor, you can also connect a component cable (explained in Tab le 4 ) on
the component output portions of the video I/O board to the input of a
component monitor.

Synchronizing Audio and Video Equipment

Composite input

CH A

AUDIO

CH B

R/P

CH C

G/Y

SYNC

B/P

VIDEO

INPUT

INPUT

REMOTE

ININ

COMPONENT

R-Y B-Y

YY

COMPOSITE

S-VIDEO

COMPOSITE

REF

OUT 1

POWER

Slave Clock

8 channel

SERIAL DIGITAL

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

OUT

B-Y

R-Y

S-VIDEO

OUT 3

OUT 2

SLAVECLOCK

AVID

OUT

IN / OUT

OUT

Composite Output 3

Figure 32 Connecting the Client Monitor

In

LTC

OUT

IN

Synchronizing Audio and Video Equipment

Avid systems with Meridien hardware require synchronization when
inputting audio and video. Digital audio signals ASE/EBU and
S/PDIF contain their own sync signals and do not need an external sync.

A synchronization signal for analog audio and analog video is generated
internally by the video I/O board from one of the following three sources:

• Internal — The signal generated by the Meridien I/O box internally.

This signal cannot be sent outside the Meridien I/O box.

• Incoming video signal — The sync signal generated by incoming

video: component, composite, S-Video, or serial digital.

• Reference In — The incoming signal (BBGen or house sync) attached

to the panel of the video I/O board at the rear of the Meridien I/O box.

n

By default, the sync signal is generated from incoming video whenever you
digitize video.

75

Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

n

When you are digitizing analog audio only, and a sync is connected to Ref
In, Ref In is automatically selected to sync the incoming audio. If there is
no sync connected to Ref In, the internal sync is used by default to sync the
incoming audio.

Use the following information to help you synchronize the system:

• Eight-channel audio interface boards require synchronization between
the board and the audio I/O device. See “Connecting the Eight-

Channel Audio Board and Audio I/O Device” on page 76.

• Depending on the configuration of the audio and video equipment
attached to the Meridien I/O box, you might need to use a black burst
generator or house sync.

- When you are inputting audio only, you should sync the audio

deck to the Meridien I/O box by connecting a BBGen or house
sync to Ref In on the video I/O board.

- If you are outputting to two decks simultaneously, you should sync

the audio deck to the Meridien I/O box by connecting a BBGen or
house sync to Ref In on the video I/O board, and select Reference
In in the software. See “Connecting the Black Burst Generator

(BBGen)” on page 78 for an example.

Connecting the Eight-Channel Audio Board and Audio I/O Device

Eight-channel audio systems require synchronization to keep the audio and
video signals properly aligned, and a cable to provide eight channels of
digital audio between the eight-channel audio interface board and audio
I/O device.

Basic eight-channel audio connection requires the following components
and cables:

• One eight-channel audio I/O device

• One eight-channel audio interface board

• Two audio sync cables labeled “Slave Clock” (each are 2 feet long)

• One high-density 50-pin cable

76

Synchronizing Audio and Video Equipment

To connect an eight-channel audio interface board to the eight­channel audio I/O device:

1. Locate one of two cables labeled “Slave Clock” in the hardware kit.

2. Attach the BNC connector at one end of the cable to Slave Clock In of
the eight-channel audio interface board, labeled A in Figure 33.

3. Attach the other end of the cable to SLAVE CLOCK OUT of the audio
I/O device, labeled B in Figure 33.

4. Locate the second cable labeled “Slave Clock” in the hardware kit.

5. Attach the BNC connector at one end of the cable to SLAVE CLOCK
OUT of the video I/O board, labeled C in Figure 33.

6. Attach the other end of the cable to SLAVE CLOCK IN of the audio
I/O device, labeled D in Figure 33.

n

Audio
I/O device

Eight-channel
audio interface board

Video I/O
board

You must have the eight-channel audio board and eight-channel audio
interface synchronized anytime the eight-channel I/O board is in the
system.

Computer

1234567

1234567

ANALOG OUT ANALOG IN ASE/EBU OUT ASE/EBU IN

8

8

5-6

7-8

1-2

3-4

COMPUTER

1-2

5-6

3-4

7-8

SLAVE CLOCK

S/PDIF

S/PDIF

IN OUT

OUT

IN

System cable

8-channel

Slave Clock

8 channel

ININ

COMPONENT

R-Y B-Y

YY

IN IN

S-VIDEO

COMPOSITE

IN

OUT 1

REF

IN

COMPOSITE

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

OUT

B-Y

R-Y

OUT 2

DIGITAL VIDEO

SYSTEM

OUT

IN / OUT

S-VIDEO

OUT 3

SLAVE CLOCK

In

LTC

OUT

IN

OUT

C

Figure 33 Eight-Channel Synchronization Cabling

D

B

Slave Clock cable
Slave Clock cable

A

77

Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

7. Locate the 50-pin digital system cable.

8. Attach one end of the cable to the connector labeled COMPUTER at
the rear of the audio I/O device.

9. Attach the other end of the cable to the connector labeled
8-channel on the eight-channel audio interface board at the rear of the
Meridien I/O box.

Connecting the Black Burst Generator (BBGen)

The optional black burst generator supplies a common reference signal to
many of the components in the system.

To connect the black burst generator to a power source:

1. Attach the ac power module and cord to the power connector on the
back of the black burst generator (see Figure 34).

2. Plug the ac power module into a power strip.

78

BB3

BB2

BB1

Power connector

Figure 34 Black Burst Generator Power Cabling

AC power module

Synchronizing Audio and Video Equipment

Connecting the BBGen to Two Video Decks

You might have to sync two decks to the Meridien I/O box when
configuring your video equipment as shown in Figure 35.

To sync two decks to the Meridien I/O box using a BBGen:

1. Locate three sync cables with BNC connectors at both ends (these are
not provided in the hardware kit).

2. Attach the BNC connector of cable A to BB3 output of the BBGen.
(BB3 is used as an example; any output can be used.)

3. Attach the BNC connector at the other end of cable A to Ref In on the
video board.

4. Attach the BNC connector of cable B to BB1 output of the BBGen.
(BB1 is used as an example; any output can be used.)

5. Attach the BNC connector at the other end of cable B to Ref In on the
first deck.

6. Switch the terminator for the Ref In to the OFF position on the first
deck.

n

c

If you need to sync only one deck to the system, make sure you have the
deck’s Ref In terminator switch in the ON position.

7. Attach the BNC connector of cable C to passthrough Ref In on the first
deck.

8. Attach the BNC connector at the other end of cable C to Ref In on the
second deck.

9. Switch the terminator for the Ref In to the ON position on the second
deck.

Avid suggests you use a common sync (BBGen or house sync)
whenever you output simultaneously to two different decks, or you are
inputting “audio only” from one deck. Figure 35 shows an example of
how to connect the sync cables between the BBGen and two decks.

79

Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

Cable B

Passthrough
Ref In

Ref In

BREAKER

Cable C

Ref In

BREAKER

Cable A

Terminator OFF

VIDEO INPUT

REF COMPONENTCOMPOSITE COMPONENTCOMPOSITE

75ON75
ON

OFF OFF

AUDIO INPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 CH1/2 CH3/4

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4

AC IN

CUE

AUDIO OUTPUT AUDIO OUTPUT

CUE

REMOTE1 IN REMOTE1 OUT RS232C VIDEO CONTROL

CONTROL PANEL

Terminator ON

VIDEO INPUT

REF COMPONENTCOMPOSITE COMPONENTCOMPOSITE

75ON75
ON

OFF OFF

AUDIO INPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 CH1/2 CH3/4

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4

AC IN

IN

ININ

COMPONENT

R-Y B-Y

YY

IN

COMPOSITE

COMPOSITE

REF

CUE

AUDIO OUTPUT AUDIO OUTPUT

CUE

REMOTE1 IN REMOTE1 OUT RS232C VIDEO CONTROL

CONTROL PANEL

B-Y

R-Y

S-VIDEO

OUT 1

OUT 3

OUT 2

Ref In

VIDEO OUTPUT

IN

MONITOR OUTPUT

RL

VIDEO OUTPUT

RL

OUT

S-VIDEO

TIME CODE

TIME CODE

IN

MONITOR OUTPUT

OUT

DIGITAL I/OANALOG I/O

SERIAL V/A INPUT

SERIAL V/A OUTPUT

AUDIO INPUT

OUT

DIGITAL I/OANALOG I/O

AUDIO INPUT

CH1/2 CH3/4

AUDIO CLOCK

OUT

Slave Clock

REMOTE

PARALLEL I/O

PARALLEL I/O

In

LTC

IN

CH1/2 CH3/4

SERIAL V/A INPUT

SERIAL V/A OUTPUT

OUT

8 channel

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

DIGITAL VIDEO

SYSTEM

IN / OUT

REMOTE

OUT

First deck

Second deck

80

n

BB1

BB3

BB3BB1 BB2

Figure 35 Connecting the Black Burst Generator

You can also sync the two decks to the Meridien I/O box by attaching a
cable between BB2 and Ref In of the second deck instead of using the
passthrough Ref In from the first deck. If you do this, you must terminate
Ref In on both decks.

Controlling a Video Deck

Avid systems can provide video deck control through the serial control
connector on most decks. You can connect a single deck to your system
using the USB-to-serial adapter and a direct serial cable with a round 8-pin
DIN connector at one end and a 9-pin D connector at the other end.

To connect a single deck to your system:

1. Locate a serial cable.

2. Attach the round 8-pin DIN connector to a serial port connector on the
USB-to-serial adapter (see Figure 36).

3. Attach the 9-pin D connector to the serial connector on the back of the
deck.

Controlling a Video Deck

8-pin DIN connector

to a port on the USB-to-serial adapter

n

n

Figure 36 Connecting to the Serial Adapter

The USB-to-serial adapter requires its own software. See “Connecting

USB Devices” on page 46 for more information.

You might have to place the video deck in Remote mode by turning a switch
before attempting to control the video deck using the software.

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Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

Connecting Audio Equipment

Audio equipment is not directly connected to the system. Depending upon
the system you purchase, audio equipment connects to one of the
following:

• An eight-channel audio I/O device. The audio device is then connected
to the eight-channel audio interface board of the Meridien I/O box.

• A two-channel audio splitter that connects to an audio I/O board in the
Meridien I/O box.

n

You might need to synchronize the audio equipment to the Meridien I/O
box. See “Synchronizing Audio and Video Equipment” on page 75 for
details.

To connect up to eight channels of audio to the system, you use the eight­channel audio interface board and the eight-channel audio I/O device.

Connecting the Audio Splitter

Avid ships an audio splitter (see Figure 37) that allows you to input two
channels of audio and send both channels to two speakers and a video
deck.

Female
connection

Line In Line Out Monitor Out

Left Right Left RightLeft Right

Figure 37 Audio Splitter Rear View

The splitter is placed between:

Male
connection

82

• Two audio output channels of either the 888 I/O audio device or the
two-channel audio I/O board and two speakers.

• Two audio outputs of either the 888 I/O audio device or the
two-channel audio I/O board and two channels of a record deck.

Connecting Audio Equipment

To connect the audio splitter using channels 1 and 2 as an example:

1. Locate one of the two-channel XLR to XLR cables shipped with the
system. (This is two XLR to XLR cables bound together to form one
cable.)

- Connect the two female connectors of the cable to the analog

output of channels 1 and 2 of either the 888 I/O audio device or the
two-channel audio I/O board (see Figure 38).

- Connect the two male connectors of the cable to the Left and Right

connections of Line In on the audio splitter.

AUDIO INPUT

Audio

output to deck

Two-channel audio
I/O board

BREAKER

VIDEO INPUT

REF COMPONENTCOMPOSITE COMPONENTCOMPOSITE

75ON75

ON

OFF OFF

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 CH1/2 CH3/4

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4

AC IN

VIDEO OUTPUT

AUDIO INPUT

CUE

AUDIO OUTPUT AUDIO OUTPUT

CUE

REMOTE1 IN REMOTE1 OUT RS232C VIDEO CONTROL

CONTROL PANEL

SERIAL V/A INPUT

SERIAL V/A OUTPUT

TIME CODE

OUT

IN

MONITOR OUTPUT

RL

DIGITAL I/OANALOG I/O

AUDIO INPUT

CH1/2 CH3/4

REMOTE

PARALLEL I/O

Record deck

MIC.

INST.

LINE

Speakers

MIC.

INST.

LINE

Audio splitter

Line Out

Line In Line Out Monitor Out

Left Right Left RightLeft Right

Monitor Out

XLR to ¼-inch

Line In

888 I/O audio device

AES / EBU

AUDIO IN

MIC CHAN 1

IN

ININ

Y

COMPONENT

R-Y B-Y

IN

COMPOSITE

COMPOSITE

REF

AUDIO OUT

-10

GAIN 1

GAIN 2

CHAN 2

+4

CHAN 1

OUT

B-Y

Y

R-Y

S-VIDEO

OUT

S-VIDEO

OUT 1

OUT 3

OUT 2

S / PDIF

IN

OUT

IN

CHAN 2

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

DIGITAL VIDEO

OUT

LTC

SLAVE CLOCK

SYSTEM

IN

IN / OUT

OUT

OUT

1234567

ANALOG OUT ANALOG IN ASE/EBU OUT ASE/EBU IN

8

1234567

1-2

8

5-6

3-4

7-8

COMPUTER

1-2

5-6

3-4

7-8

SLAVE CLOCK

S/PDIF

S/PDIF

IN OUT

OUT

IN

Figure 38 Connecting the Audio Splitter

83

Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

2. Locate the two XLR to ¼-inch cables shipped with the system.

- Connect the female XLR connectors to the Left and Right
connections of Monitor Out on the audio splitter.

- Connect the ¼-inch connectors to the left and right speakers as
shown in Figure 38.

3. Locate the remaining two-channel XLR to XLR cable shipped with the
system. (This is two XLR to XLR cables bound together to form one
cable.)

- Connect the two female connectors of the cable to the Left and

Right connections of Line Out on the audio splitter (see

Figure 38).

- Connect the two male connectors of the cable to channels 1 and 2

of AUDIO INPUT on the record deck.

Connecting the Video Input/Output Board to Decks

Because there are many possible cabling configurations for different
combinations of video decks and Client monitors, only basic installations
are presented in this guide.

Connecting a Single Video Deck — Component Signal

A single component video deck connection to the video I/O board requires
the following components and cables:

• Two cables labeled “Component Video”

• A video deck capable of component I/O

To connect the I/O of a single deck using component signals on the
video board:

1. Locate one cable labeled “Component Video.”
There are three BNC connectors on each end of the cable. Each BNC

is attached to a different colored wire (red, green, and blue).

84

Connecting the Video Input/Output Board to Decks

2. Attach one end of the cable labeled A in Figure 39 (using the three
BNC connectors) to COMPONENT OUT on the video I/O board as
follows:

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

3. Attach the other end of Cable A (using the three BNC connectors) to
COMPONENT IN of the deck as follows:

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

Cable B

COMPONENT IN

COMPONENT IN

DIGITAL I/OANALOG I/O

VIDEO INPUT

REF COMPONENTCOMPOSITE COMPONENTCOMPOSITE

75ON75
ON

OFF OFF

AUDIO INPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 CH1/2 CH3/4

AUDIO OUTPUT AUDIO OUTPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4

AC IN

BREAKER

REMOTE1 IN REMOTE1 OUT RS232C VIDEO CONTROL

CONTROL PANEL

VIDEO OUTPUT

CUE

CUE

TIME CODE

OUT

IN

MONITOR OUTPUT

RL

SERIAL V/A INPUT

SERIAL V/A OUTPUT

AUDIO INPUT

CH1/2 CH3/4

REMOTE

PARALLEL I/O

COMPONENT OUT

Cable A

COMPONENT OUT

Slave Clock

8 channel

IN

ININ

COMPONENT

R-Y B-Y

YY

IN

COMPOSITE

S-VIDEO

COMPOSITE

REF

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

OUT

B-Y

R-Y

OUT

S-VIDEO

OUT 1

OUT 3

OUT 2

DIGITAL VIDEO

SYSTEM

IN / OUT

AUDIO CLOCK

In

LTC

OUT

IN

OUT

Figure 39 Connecting a Video Deck — Component Signal

85

Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

4. Locate a second cable labeled “Component Video.”
There are three BNC connectors on each end of the cable. Each BNC

is attached to a different colored wire (red, green, and blue).

5. Attach one end of the cable labeled B in Figure 39 (using the three
BNC connectors) to COMPONENT IN on the video I/O board as
follows:

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

6. Attach the other end of Cable B (using the three BNC connectors) to
COMPONENT OUT of the deck as follows:

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

n

Make sure you terminate the input signal if your video deck supports
passthrough.

Connecting Two Video Decks — Component Signal

You might want to input (digitize) video from one deck and output video
(lay-back) to a second deck. Connecting two component video decks to a
video I/O board, one as input and one as output, requires the following
components and cables:

• Two cables labeled “Component Video”

• Two video decks capable of component I/O

To connect two decks, one as input and one as output, using a
component signal:

1. Locate one cable labeled “Component Video.”
There are three BNC connectors on each end of the cable. Each BNC

is attached to a different colored wire (red, green, and blue).

86

Connecting the Video Input/Output Board to Decks

2. Attach one end of the cable labeled A in Figure 40 (using the three
BNC connectors) to COMPONENT IN on the video I/O board as
follows:

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

3. Attach the other end of Cable A (using the three BNC connectors) to
COMPONENT OUT of the second video deck as follows:

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

4. Locate a second cable labeled “Component Video.”
There are three BNC connectors on each end of the cable. Each BNC

is attached to a different colored wire (red, green, and blue).

5. Attach one end of the cable labeled B in Figure 40 (using the three
BNC connectors) to COMPONENT OUT on the video I/O board as
follows:

n

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

6. Attach the other end of Cable B (using the three BNC connectors) to
COMPONENT IN of the first video deck as follows:

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

Make sure you terminate the input signal if your video deck supports
passthrough.

87

Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

AC IN

BREAKER

Cable B

AC IN

BREAKER

DIGITAL I/OANALOG I/O

VIDEO INPUT

REF COMPONENTCOMPOSITE COMPONENTCOMPOSITE

75ON75
ON

OFF OFF

AUDIO INPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 CH1/2 CH3/4

AUDIO OUTPUT AUDIO OUTPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4

REMOTE1 IN REMOTE1 OUT RS232C VIDEO CONTROL

CONTROL PANEL

VIDEO OUTPUT

CUE

IN

MONITOR OUTPUT

RL

CUE

TIME CODE

OUT

SERIAL V/A INPUT

SERIAL V/A OUTPUT

AUDIO INPUT

CH1/2 CH3/4

COMPONENT IN

DIGITAL I/OANALOG I/O

VIDEO INPUT

REF COMPONENTCOMPOSITE COMPONENTCOMPOSITE

75ON75
ON

OFF OFF

AUDIO INPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 CH1/2 CH3/4

AUDIO OUTPUT AUDIO OUTPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4

REMOTE1 IN REMOTE1 OUT RS232C VIDEO CONTROL

CONTROL PANEL

VIDEO OUTPUT

CUE

IN

MONITOR OUTPUT

RL

CUE

TIME CODE

OUT

SERIAL V/A INPUT

SERIAL V/A OUTPUT

AUDIO INPUT

CH1/2 CH3/4

COMPONENT OUT

Second deck

REMOTE

PARALLEL I/O

First deck

REMOTE

PARALLEL I/O

88

Cable A

COMPONENT OUT

AUDIO IN

MIC CHAN 1

CHAN 2

IN

ININ

COMPONENT

R-Y B-Y

YY

IN

COMPOSITE

S-VIDEO

COMPOSITE

OUT 1

REF

AUDIO OUT

GAIN 1

CHAN 1

B-Y

R-Y

OUT 3

OUT 2

AES / EBU

-10

GAIN 2

CHAN 2

+4

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

OUT

DIGITAL VIDEO

SYSTEM

OUT

IN / OUT

S-VIDEO

8 channel

IN

SLAVECLOCK

OUT

OUT

Slave Clock

In

IN

S / PDIF

IN

OUT

LTC

OUT

COMPONENT IN

Figure 40 Connecting Two Video Decks — Component Signal

Connecting the Video Input/Output Board to Decks

Connecting a Single Video Deck — Composite Signal

A single composite video deck connection to the video I/O board requires
the following components and cables:

• Two cables labeled “Composite Video” (you can also use the “Serial
Digital” cables)

• A video deck capable of composite I/O

To connect a deck as input and output using a composite signal:

1. Locate one cable labeled “Composite Video” (labeled Cable A in

Figure 41).

2. Attach the BNC connector at one end of Cable A to COMPOSITE
OUT1 on the video I/O board (although not recommended, you could
also use COMPOSITE OUT2 or COMPOSITE OUT3).

3. Attach the BNC connector at the other end of Cable A to
COMPOSITE IN on the video deck.

n

Make sure you terminate the input signal if your video deck supports
passthrough.

4. Locate a second cable labeled “Composite Video” (labeled Cable B in

Figure 41).

5. Attach the BNC connector at one end of Cable B to COMPOSITE IN
on the video I/O board.

6. Attach the BNC connector at the other end of Cable B to
COMPOSITE OUT on the video deck.

89

Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

Cable B

Cable A

COMPOSITE IN

BREAKER

COMPOSITE IN

Terminator

VIDEO INPUT

REF COMPONENTCOMPOSITE COMPONENTCOMPOSITE

75ON75
ON

OFF OFF

AUDIO INPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 CH1/2 CH3/4

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4

AC IN

AUDIO IN

MIC CHAN 1

IN

ININ

COMPONENT

YY

IN

COMPOSITE

COMPOSITE

REF

CUE

AUDIO OUTPUT AUDIO OUTPUT

CUE

REMOTE1 IN REMOTE1 OUT RS232C VIDEO CONTROL

CONTROL PANEL

CHAN 2

CHAN 1

R-Y B-Y

R-Y

S-VIDEO

OUT 1

OUT 2

COMPOSITE OUT

DIGITAL I/OANALOG I/O

SERIAL V/A INPUT

VIDEO OUTPUT

SERIAL V/A OUTPUT

TIME CODE

AUDIO INPUT

OUT

IN

MONITOR OUTPUT

CH1/2 CH3/4

RL

AUDIO OUT

GAIN 1

OUT

B-Y

OUT 3

AES / EBU

-10

GAIN 2

IN

CHAN 2

+4

S-VIDEO

OUT 3IN

OUT 1 OUT 2

SLAVE CLOCK

DIGITAL VIDEO

SYSTEM

OUT

IN / OUT

COMPOSITE OUT1

REMOTE

PARALLEL I/O

S / PDIF

IN

OUT

OUT

LTC

OUT

IN

OUT

90

Figure 41 Connecting a Video Deck — Composite Signal

Connecting the Video Input/Output Board to Decks

Connecting Two Video Decks — Composite Signal

You might want to input (digitize) video from one deck and output video
(lay-back) to a second deck. Connecting two composite video decks to a
video I/O board, one as input and one as output, requires the following
components and cables:

• Two cables labeled “Composite Video”

• Two video decks capable of composite I/O

To connect two decks, one as input and one as output, using a
composite signal:

1. Locate one cable labeled “Composite Video” (labeled Cable A in

Figure 42).

2. Attach the BNC connector at one end of Cable A to COMPOSITE IN
on the video I/O board.

3. Attach the BNC connector at the other end of Cable A to
COMPOSITE OUT on the first video deck.

n

n

4. Locate a second cable labeled “Composite Video” (labeled Cable B in

Figure 42).

5. Attach the BNC connector at one end of Cable B to COMPOSITE
OUT3 on the video I/O board (you could also use COMPOSITE
OUT1 or COMPOSITE OUT2).

6. Attach the BNC connector at the other end of Cable B to
COMPOSITE IN on the second video deck.

Avid recommends you use an external sync for outputting to two decks
simultaneously (see “Synchronizing Audio and Video Equipment” on

page 75).

Make sure you terminate the input signal if your video deck supports
passthrough.

91

Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

Cable A

COMPOSITE IN

Second deck

First deck

COMPOSITE IN

Terminator

DIGITAL I/OANALOG I/O

VIDEO INPUT

REF COMPONENTCOMPOSITE COMPONENTCOMPOSITE

75ON75
ON

OFF OFF

AUDIO INPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 CH1/2 CH3/4

AUDIO OUTPUT AUDIO OUTPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4

AC IN

BREAKER

REMOTE1 IN REMOTE1 OUT RS232C VIDEO CONTROL

CONTROL PANEL

VIDEO OUTPUT

CUE

CUE

TIME CODE

OUT

IN

MONITOR OUTPUT

RL

SERIAL V/A INPUT

SERIAL V/A OUTPUT

AUDIO INPUT

CH1/2 CH3/4

PARALLEL I/O

REMOTE

COMPOSITE OUT

Cable B

DIGITAL I/OANALOG I/O

VIDEO INPUT

REF COMPONENTCOMPOSITE COMPONENTCOMPOSITE

75ON75

ON

OFF OFF

AUDIO INPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 CH1/2 CH3/4

AUDIO OUTPUT AUDIO OUTPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4

AC IN

BREAKER

IN

ININ

COMPONENT

YY

IN

COMPOSITE

COMPOSITE

REF

REMOTE1 IN REMOTE1 OUT RS232C VIDEO CONTROL

CONTROL PANEL

R-Y B-Y

R-Y

S-VIDEO

OUT 1

OUT 2

VIDEO OUTPUT

CUE

CUE

B-Y

OUT 3

TIME CODE

OUT

IN

MONITOR OUTPUT

RL

OUT

OUT

S-VIDEO

SERIAL V/A INPUT

SERIAL V/A OUTPUT

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

DIGITAL VIDEO

SYSTEM

IN / OUT

AUDIO INPUT

CH1/2 CH3/4

8 channel

AUDIO CLOCK

OUT

Slave Clock

REMOTE

PARALLEL I/O

In

LTC

OUT

IN

COMPOSITE OUT3

92

Figure 42 Connecting Two Video Decks — Composite Signal

Connecting the Video Input/Output Board to Decks

Connecting a Single Video Deck — Digital Signal

A single digital video deck connection to the video I/O board requires the
following components and cables:

• Two cables labeled “Serial Digital”

• A video deck capable of serial digital I/O

To connect a deck as input and output using a serial digital signal:

1. Locate one cable labeled “Serial Digital” (labeled Cable A in

Figure 43).

2. Attach the BNC connector at one end of Cable A to IN on the Serial
Digital portion of the video I/O board.

3. Attach the BNC connector at the other end of Cable A to SERIAL
OUTPUT on the video deck.

n

Make sure you terminate the input signal if your video deck supports
passthrough.

4. Locate a second cable labeled “Serial Digital” (labeled Cable B in

Figure 43).

5. Attach the BNC connector at one end of Cable B to OUT1 on the
Serial Digital portion of the video I/O board.

6. Attach the BNC connector at the other end of Cable B to SERIAL
INPUT on the video deck.

93

Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

SERIAL
OUTPUT

VIDEO INPUT

REF COMPONENTCOMPOSITE COMPONENTCOMPOSITE

75ON75
ON

OFF OFF

AUDIO INPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 CH1/2 CH3/4

AUDIO OUTPUT AUDIO OUTPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4

AC IN

Cable A Cable B

BREAKER

ININ

Y

COMPONENT

COMPOSITE

REF

COMPOSITE

REMOTE1 IN REMOTE1 OUT RS232C VIDEO CONTROL

CONTROL PANEL

R-Y B-Y

Y

R-Y

S-VIDEO

OUT 1

OUT 2

VIDEO OUTPUT

CUE

CUE

B-Y

OUT 3

TIME CODE

IN

MONITOR OUTPUT

RL

OUT

OUT

S-VIDEO

OUT

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

SERIAL DIGITAL

IN / OUT

SERIAL V/A INPUT

SERIAL V/A OUTPUT

CH1/2 CH3/4

8 channel

SYSTEM

IN

SERIAL
INPUT

DIGITAL I/OANALOG I/O

AUDIO INPUT

REMOTE

PARALLEL I/O

Slave Clock

In

LTC

SLAVE CLOCK

OUT

IN

OUT

OUT1

Figure 43 Connecting a Video Deck — Digital Signal

94

Connecting the Video Input/Output Board to Decks

Connecting Two Video Decks — Digital Signal

You might want to input (digitize) video from one deck and output video
(lay-back) to a second deck. Connecting two serial digital video decks to a
video I/O board, one as input and one as output, requires the following
components and cables:

• Two cables labeled “Serial Digital”

• Two video decks capable of serial digital I/O

To connect two decks, one as input and one as output, using a serial
digital signal:

1. Locate one cable labeled “Serial Digital” (labeled Cable A in

Figure 44).

2. Attach the BNC connector at one end of Cable A to IN on the Serial
Digital portion of the video I/O board.

3. Attach the BNC connector at the other end of Cable A to SERIAL
OUTPUT on the first video deck.

n

n

Make sure you terminate the input signal if your video deck supports
passthrough.

4. Locate a second cable labeled “Serial Digital” (labeled Cable B in

Figure 44).

5. Attach the BNC connector at one end of Cable B to OUT1 on the
Serial Digital portion of the video I/O board.

6. Attach the BNC connector at the other end of Cable B to SERIAL
INPUT on the second video deck.

Avid recommends you use an external sync for outputting to two decks
simultaneously (see “Synchronizing Audio and Video Equipment” on

page 75).

95

Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

AC IN

BREAKER

DIGITAL I/OANALOG I/O

VIDEO INPUT

REF COMPONENTCOMPOSITE COMPONENTCOMPOSITE

75ON75
ON

OFF OFF

AUDIO INPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 CH1/2 CH3/4

AUDIO OUTPUT AUDIO OUTPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4

REMOTE1 IN REMOTE1 OUT RS232C VIDEO CONTROL

CONTROL PANEL

VIDEO OUTPUT

CUE

CUE

TIME CODE

OUT

IN

MONITOR OUTPUT

RL

SERIAL V/A INPUT

SERIAL V/A OUTPUT

AUDIO INPUT

CH1/2 CH3/4

SERIAL INPUT

REMOTE

PARALLEL I/O

Second deck

Cable A

Cable B

SERIAL OUTPUT

DIGITAL I/OANALOG I/O

VIDEO INPUT

REF COMPONENTCOMPOSITE COMPONENTCOMPOSITE

75ON75
ON

OFF OFF

AUDIO INPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 CH1/2 CH3/4

AUDIO OUTPUT AUDIO OUTPUT

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4

AC IN

BREAKER

IN

ININ

COMPONENT

YY

IN

COMPOSITE

COMPOSITE

REF

REMOTE1 IN REMOTE1 OUT RS232C VIDEO CONTROL

CONTROL PANEL

R-Y B-Y

R-Y

S-VIDEO

OUT 1

OUT 2

IN

VIDEO OUTPUT

CUE

CUE

B-Y

OUT 3

TIME CODE

IN

MONITOR OUTPUT

RL

IN

OUT

OUT

S-VIDEO

SERIAL V/A INPUT

SERIAL V/A OUTPUT

OUT

CH1/2 CH3/4

8 channel

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3

DIGITAL VIDEO

AVID

IN / OUT

AUDIO INPUT

AUDIO CLOCK

OUT

PARALLEL I/O

Slave Clock

In

LTC

IN

OUT1

First deck

REMOTE

OUT

Figure 44 Connecting Two Video Decks — Digital Signal

96

Connecting a Video Server

The Avid system controls the media going to and from the video server in
much the same way as it controls a video deck (see Figure 45). You should
use the same instructions that explain how to connect a video deck to the
Avid system when you connect the video server. It is assumed that you
know all the connections on your video server, so you only need to know
where to connect cables on the Avid system. For example, to connect
speakers see “Two-Channel Audio I/O Board Connectors” on page 69, or
to connect the black burst generator see “Connecting the Black Burst

Generator (BBGen)” on page 78. Figure 45 assumes you have the optional

Avid PCI Extender.

Video server

1234567

1-2

5-6

1234567

Eight-channel audio device

ANALOG OUT ANALOG IN ASE/EBU OUT ASE/EBU IN

8

8

3-4

7-8

Connecting a Video Server

Video

COMPUTER

1-2

5-6

3-4

7-8

SLAVE CLOCK

S/PDIF

S/PDIF

IN OUT

OUT

IN

R

BB1 BB2 BB3

L

Black burst generator

Avid system

Slave Clock

Meridien I/O box

Video and audio

IN

ININ

COMPONENT

IN

COMPOSITE

REF

8 channel

In

OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3IN

LTC

OUT

Y

B-Y

R-Y B-Y

Y

R-Y

DIGITAL VIDEO

SLAVE CLOCK

SYSTEM

OUT

IN

S-VIDEO

COMPOSITE

OUT 1

OUT

IN / OUT

S-VIDEO

OUT 3

OUT

OUT 2

Figure 45 Connecting a Video Server

Remote control
from
USB-to-serial adapter

97

Chapter 4 Connecting Audio and Video Equipment

98

Chapter 5

Connecting Serial and MIDI Port Devices

Avid systems support the connection of two different MIDI fader
controllers (fader controller), a Yamaha
JL Cooper Media Control Station3 (MCS3) jog/shuttle wheel (jog/shuttle
wheel). The fader controllers and the 01V mixer connect to the USB-to­MIDI converter attached to the USB hub (see “Connecting the USB Hub”

on page 48), while the jog/shuttle wheel connects to the USB-to-serial

adapter attached to the USB hub using a female-to-female adapter and a
serial remote deck cable. The two fader controllers are the JL Cooper
FaderMaster Pro
recording automation gain using the MIDI features of the 01V mixer.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Connecting JL Cooper Fader Controllers

• Connecting the Yamaha 01V Mixer

• Connecting the JL Cooper Jog/Shuttle Wheel

• Connecting a VTR Emulator Cable

™

and the JL Cooper MCS-3000X. Avid supports

®

01V mixer (01V mixer), and a

Chapter 5 Connecting Serial and MIDI Port Devices

Connecting JL Cooper Fader Controllers

Your Avid system supports the FaderMaster Pro and the MCS-3000X fader
controllers. Both of the fader controllers connect to a USB-to-MIDI
converter that connects to the USB hub on the G4 platform. To initialize
and test your JL Cooper fader controllers, see either the editing guide or
user’s guide for your system.

Fader controller connections are shown for both the new MCS-3000X and
the FaderMaster Pro (see Figure 46 and Figure 47).

There are two major differences between the two fader controllers:

• The MCS-3000X has a four-position switchpack that is not on the
FaderMaster Pro.

• The MIDI IN and MIDI OUT are in opposite positions in the
MCS-3000X and the FaderMaster Pro.

To connect the fader controllers:

You can use In B and
Out B on the rear of the
USB-to-MIDI
converter instead of
In A and Out A, but
you need to reconfigure
the ports using the
software explained in
the release notes.

100

1. Quit any open applications.

2. Shut down the Avid system in a normal manner.

3. Make sure your USB-to-MIDI converter is connected to the USB hub
as explained in “Connecting the USB-to-MIDI Converter” on page 51.

4. If you are cabling the MCS-3000X, set switch 4 to the ON (down)
position. The switch is upside down on the MCS-3000X (see

Figure 46).

5. Locate two MIDI cables with 5-pin DIN connectors.

6. Plug one end of the first MIDI cable into the In A connector of the
USB-to-MIDI converter (see Figure 48), and the other end of the cable
into the MIDI OUT connector of the fader controller.

7. Plug one end of the second MIDI cable into the Out A
connector of the USB-to-MIDI converter, and the other end of the
cable into the MIDI IN connector of the fader controller.

8. The button on the front of the USB-to-MIDI converter must be In, (see

Figure 48).