Avid DS Installation guide

Brand: Avid

Model: DS

Type: Installation guide

Avid

System Setup Guide

Legal Notices

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Trademarks

003, 192 Digital I/O, 192XD I/O, 888 I/O, AirPlay, AirSPACE, AirSPACE HD, AirSpeed, ALEX, Alienbrain, AniMatte,

AudioMarket, AudioPages, AudioSuite, AudioVision, AutoSync, Avid, Avid Advanced Response, Avid DNA, Avid DNxcel,

Avid DNxHD, AVIDdrive, Avid DS Assist Station, Avid EditStar, Avid Learning Excellerator, Avid Liquid,

Avid Liquid Chrome Xe, Avid MEDIArray, Avid Mojo, AvidNet, AvidNetwork, Avid NewStar, Avid Remote Response,

AVIDstripe, Avid Unity, Avid Unity ISIS, Avid VideoRAID, Avid Xpress, AVoption, AVX, Beauty Without The Bandwidth, Boom,

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G7, G-Rack, HD Core, HD Process, HDPack, HYBRID, HyperControl, HyperSPACE, HyperSPACE HDCAM, IllusionFX,

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TL Everyphase, TL Fauxlder, TL In Tune, TL MasterMeter, TL Metro, TL Space, TL Utilities, Torq, Torq Xponent, Transfuser,

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GOT FOOTAGE?

Editors — Filmmakers — Special Effects Artists — Game Developers — Animators — Educators — Broadcasters — Content

creators of every genre — Just finished an incredible project and want to share it with the world?

Send us your reels and we may use your footage in our show reel or demo!*

For a copy of our release and Avid’s mailing address, go to www.avid.com/footage.

*Note: Avid cannot guarantee the use of materials submitted.

Avid DS System Setup Guide • 0130-30044-02 Rev A • January 2010

Contents

Legal Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Using This Guide 7

Symbols and Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

If You Need Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Avid Training Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Avid DS System Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Site Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Environmental Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Electrical Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Rack Mounting the I/O Breakout Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Equipment Environmental and Safety Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Securing the I/O Breakout Box in a Rack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

I/O Breakout Box Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Dual-Link Card Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Keyboard, Mouse, and Graphics Tablet Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Monitor Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Local Storage Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Avid Unity Shared Storage Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Video Deck Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Video Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Audio Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

External Monitor Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Reference Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Connecting to the Deck Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Serial and MIDI Port Device Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

USB and Serial Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Connecting the USB-to-MIDI Converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Connecting JL Cooper Fader Controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Index 25

Using This Guide

Congratulations on your purchase of an Avid

DS system. You can use your system to create

broadcast-quality output incorporating every possible production element from full-speed,

high-resolution footage, multimedia artwork and animation, to computer-generated effects

and titling.

This guide is intended for system administrators who are involved in setting up the hardware

required for the successful operation of the Avid DS system.

The material in this document applies to the Windows

operating system.

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.

Symbols and Conventions

Avid documentation uses the following symbols and conventions:

Symbol or Convention Meaning or Action

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.

> This symbol indicates menu commands (and 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.

Bold font Bold font is primarily used in task instructions to identify user interface

items and keyboard sequences.

Italic font Italic font is used to emphasize certain words and to indicate variables.

If You Need Help

If you are having trouble using Avid DS:

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 latest information that might have become available after the documentation

was published:

t If release notes are available, they ship with the application.

t If ReadMe files are available, they are supplied on your Avid DS Software and

Drivers DVD, the Avid DS application folder, or online.

Always check online for the most up-to-date release notes or ReadMe because the

online version is updated whenever new information becomes available. To view

these online versions go to www.avid.com/readme.

3. Check the documentation that came with your Avid DS system or your hardware for

maintenance or hardware-related issues.

4. Visit the online Knowledge Base at www.avid.com/onlinesupport. Online services are

available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Search this online Knowledge Base to find

answers, to view error messages, to access troubleshooting tips, to download updates,

and to read or join online message-board discussions.

Avid Training Services

Avid makes lifelong learning, career advancement, and personal development easy and

convenient. Avid understands that the knowledge you need to differentiate yourself is always

changing, and Avid continually updates course content and offers new training delivery

methods that accommodate your pressured and competitive work environment.

To learn about Avid's new online learning environment, Avid Learning Excellerator™

(ALEX), visit http://learn.avid.com.

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).

Site Planning

4 Avid DS System Setup

This Avid DS System Setup Guide is designed for system administrators, site planners,

computer technicians or other qualified professionals who will be doing or planning the

physical setup and connections for an Avid DS system. This guide only deals with the

hardware/physical aspects of an Avid DS environment. Users should refer to the Avid DS

Installation guide for information pertaining to the software setup and to the ReadMe for a

list of supported platforms. In addition to the ReadMe, please refer to the configuration

guide for your workstation for additional information on system configuration.

Site Planning

For instructions on setting up the computer hardware, see the setup documentation provided

with the workstation. For a rackmount workstation, you must install the computer into a

standard rack before connecting the hardware.

Environmental Requirements

The site you choose for your Avid DS system should meet the following environmental

requirements:

• Clean and dust free.

• Free from significant temperature or humidity changes.

• Sturdy, level, and not subject to vibration.

• Away from radio frequency emissions, high-traffic, or high-noise areas.

• Adequate space in front of and behind the system’s components, so you can connect

cables and provide service. This also allows adequate airflow for cooling.

• A minimum clearance of 3.0 inches (7.6 cm) for the side and back panels of the desk

side base unit.

• A table (or other surface) at least 60.0 inches wide by 48.0 inches deep

(152.4 cm × 121.9 cm) for the editing work area.

4 Avid DS System Setup

Electrical Requirements

Your site should meet the following electrical requirements:

• Adequate power outlets for each workstation component, so you do not need extension

cords.

• At least three 15-amp circuits available for the workstation, I/O breakout box and the

Avid storage system (more if you use extra accessories.)

• Away from major electrical equipment such as motors, air conditioners, or elevators.

• Free from static electrical buildup.

• An uninterrupted power supply (UPS) to protect your workstation from sudden power

surges or losses and to prevent any resulting loss of work.

Plug only your equipment into the power strip. Do not plug in other devices such as lights or

printers.

Rack Mounting the I/O Breakout Box

This section provides the information for mounting the I/O breakout box in a 19.0-inch

(48.3-cm) National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) or Electronics Industries

Association (EIA) rack. Avid recommends that you mount the I/O breakout box in a rack

before you connect any cables.

If you need to rack mount the HP workstation, a rack-mount kit is available from HP

together with the installation instructions.

Equipment Environmental and Safety Guidelines

When you install the I/O breakout box on a rack, take the following precautions:

• Elevated Operating Ambient Temperature: The operating ambient temperature of the

rack environment might be greater than the room ambient temperature when you install

the unit in a closed or multiunit rack assembly. Therefore, consider installing the

equipment compatible with the manufacturer’s maximum ambient temperature of 104°F

(40°C).

• Reduced Airflow: Do not compromise the amount of airflow required for safe operation

of the equipment.

• Mechanical Loading: Avoid a hazardous condition due to an uneven mechanical

Rack Mounting the I/O Breakout Box

• Circuit Overloading: When connecting the equipment to the supply circuit, consider the

effect that overloading of circuits might have on overcurrent protection and supply

wiring. Use appropriate equipment nameplate ratings.

• Reliable Earthing: Maintain reliable earthing of rack-mounted equipment. Give

particular attention to supply connections other than direct connections to the branch

circuit, such as the use of power strips.

Securing the I/O Breakout Box in a Rack

Four rack-mount screws secure the I/O breakout box to the front mounting rails of the rack.

If your rack has threaded holes, use the proper rack screws for your rack. If your rack does

not have threaded holes, attach the rack-nut clips included with the I/O breakout box as

previously described.

To secure the I/O breakout box into the rack.

1. From the front of the rack, position the I/O breakout box flush against the front

mounting rails.

2. Align the holes in the I/O breakout box with the holes in the front mounting rail. From

the front of the rack enclosure, insert the screws through the I/O breakout box and front

mounting rail, and tighten.

Screws

Front mounting rail

4 Avid DS System Setup

I/O Breakout Box Overview

The I/O breakout box provides a simplified method for connection with only two cables. It

includes BNC connectors:

Dual-Link Card Connections

The dual-link card comes standard with every Avid DS. It provides the necessary dual-link

input and output channels for high-resolution sources like HDCAM SR and used for capture,

conform, finishing and mastering in high-resolution workflows.

Existing customers can purchase the dual-link card.

Serial

Digital

Serial

Digital

Out

External

Reference

(loop)

R5422

Machine

Control

Component

Composite

Video Output

Analog Audio

Output

AES/EBU Audio In

Channels 1 through 8

AES/EBU Audio In

Channels 1 through 8

AES/EBU Audio Out

Channels 1 through 8

AES/EBU Audio Out

Channels 1 through 8

All AES/EBU audio connectors have two channels

per connector

I/O Breakout Box Overview

Connect the mini-BNC cable to the corresponding in and out connectors on the I/O breakout

box and the HD SDI dual-link card.

Note that 1/A connectors carry the HD SDI signal, while 2/B connectors carry the SD SDI.

When working with RGB 4:4:4 sequences, both dual-link connectors carry the HD SDI

signal.

The following is a description of the uses of each connector:

• SDI In 1/A and SDI In 2/B: used for capture.

• SDI Out In 1/A and SDI Out 2/B: used for either monitoring or output to tape.

CONNECT TO HOST

SDI In 1/A

In 2/B

Out 1/A

Out 2/B

Mini-BNC cable

HD interconnect cable

Dual-link HD SDI card (Slot 4 on the HP-xw8600)

I/O breakout box (rear view)

4 Avid DS System Setup

Keyboard, Mouse, and Graphics Tablet

Connections

The keyboard and mouse come with attached cables for connecting them to the back panel

of your workstation. The Wacom graphic tablet comes with a USB cable.

Avid recommends using extension cables no more than 6 feet (1.83 meters) long for your

keyboard and mouse.

On a rack-mounted workstation, the keyboard port is on the bottom when viewing the back of

the workstation base unit and the mouse is to the top.

Monitor Connections

Your workstation comes with one 30-inch monitor, which connects to the NVIDIA graphics

card. For the location of the NVIDIA graphics card refer to the Configuration guidelines for

your workstation.

On a rack-mounted workstation, you can see the graphics card on the left when viewing the

back of the workstation base unit.

Each monitor comes with a video cable and a power cord. For information concerning

monitor connections, please refer to the configuration guidelines for your workstation. For

information specific to the graphics card and monitors, see the documentation provided by

the manufacturer.

Whenever possible, the connection from the graphics card to the monitor should be done

without an adapter and using the monitor’s native connection.

The driver for the graphics card should be installed on your system, but it is also located on

the Avid DS Software and Drivers DVD. Unique video property settings and system BIOS

are used. For more information consult your Avid representative.

If you find that you are experiencing poor performance, refer to the NVIDIA application

content on the Avid DS DVD for required NVIDIA configuration for optimal performance.

Local Storage Systems

Avid DS editing may systems support the Avid MediaDock Ultra320 and Avid VideoRAID

as a local storage system. Local storage connects to the SCSI channels or SAS ports at the

rear of the workstation. You must stripe the drives to provide the needed throughput.

Avid Unity Shared Storage Connections

Avid typically supports newer drives as they become available. For the latest list of

supported drives, see your Avid sales representative.

The connections at the rear of the workstation are HD 68-pin connectors. If you plan to use

SCSI devices for standalone storage, you must order the cables separately. Normally, the

workstations will not have onboard SCSI controllers. Instead, it uses an Atto UL4D or

UL5D SCSI card with dual-SCSI connectors.

The maximum length of the external SCSI cables must not exceed 16 feet (5 meters). If

connecting two MediaDock Ultra320 enclosures (one enclosure on each SCSI channel), you

can use a 16-foot (5-meter) SCSI cable on each SCSI channel.

For installation procedures and instructions on switching between single-bus and dual-bus

modes, see the documentation that ships with the Avid MediaDock Ultra320.

The procedures for formatting and striping media drives depend on the type of storage you

use. To format and stripe media drives, see the appropriate storage guide.

If you wish to change your storage, you must first remove the storage location in the Avid

Media Indexer before physically removing the storage.

Avid Unity Shared Storage Connections

Avid Unity provides shared storage and networking solutions for sharing media between

multiple workstations. Please refer to the configuration guidelines for your workstation for

the required installation location of the controller card.

Setup and installation instructions for the Avid Unity components ship with the Avid Unity

hardware. For information on installing the Avid Unity network board driver, see the

Avid Unity documentation.

For information on installing and configuring the Avid SAS Storage, also known as the Avid

VideoRAID SR, see the Avid VideoRAID documentation.

Video Deck Connections

You can configure your cables in several ways depending on your camera, video deck, and

client monitor. The audio and video output signals are available to each output connector at

the same time. Avid DS does not include industry-standard video cables. The following

sections describe several possible connections:

You can control this equipment remotely with the serial connection on the workstation (see

“Video Deck Connections” on page 15).

4 Avid DS System Setup

Video Connections

You can connect HD VTRs and video monitors to your workstation using the Serial Digital

(SD) In and Serial Digital Out connectors.

• You use SDI In 1/A and SDI In 2/B for capture.

• You use SDI Out In 1/A and SDI Out 2/B for either monitoring or output to tape.

Audio Connections

Avid DS uses 8 XLR connectors to carry the audio signal, in AES3 (AES/EBU) format, in

and out of the system. Alternatively, you can use the BNC connectors as shown here. The

selection you make depends on the type of deck you use.

External Monitor Connections

You can connect to an external monitor or hardware that outputs the video to a projector.

Serial

Digital

Serial

Digital

Out

AES/EBU Audio In

Channels 1 through 8

AES/EBU Audio In

Channels 1 through 8

AES/EBU Audio Out

Channels 1 through 8

AES/EBU Audio Out

Channels 1 through 8

Video Deck Connections

You can use the following connectors:

•Pr\R\C Out

• Y\G\CBVS Out

• Pb\B\Y Out

Avid DS currently supports 2 component signal formats for monitoring: YPbPr and RGB.

The BNC labeled CBVS also allows composite monitoring.

Reference Signals

Whenever you use more than one video or audio device in your video editing environment,

you must have a separate synchronization signal connected to each device. A sync generator

or reference signal provides a composite signal that locks all the devices (video and audio) to

the main video signal. If the devices are not in sync a monitor might show rolling, tearing, or

incorrect colors in the picture whenever you send video between devices.

To ensure proper sync for your configuration, see the documentation that ships with each of

your video devices.

Avid applications require that the VTR and the Avid DS hardware be genlocked to the

same timing source when capturing or outputting a digital cut.

Sync Topology

When you sync analog and digital video/audio devices, Avid recommends you feed every

component with a separate black-burst or tri-level sync signal in a star pattern. Avoid

looping the reference signal by terminating any unused loop out with a 75 ohm terminator.

The following illustration shows a typical sync topology:

Component

Composite

Video Output

4 Avid DS System Setup

You also need to verify the following to ensure correct topology:

• Distance between distribution amplifier (DA): If your DA feeds multiple devices

situated far apart, the stability and strength of the signal it sends is crucial.

• Quality of the devices: A good DA in a star pattern topology is necessary to ensure that

the system properly references very device. You can use an analog video distribution

amplifier to distribute a tri-level sync signal.

• Analog video routing switchers: Avid DS has separate inputs for the SD and HD sync.

Consider using an analog routing switcher to select between the various tri-level sync

signals.

Tri-level Sync and Black Burst Sync

You typically use tri-level sync to synchronize your HD video devices. Tri-level sync

functions similarly to black-burst video in that it maintains the reference synchronizing

information from the facility’s master generator.

You must use a synchronization signal to synchronize your VTR and the DS video

subsystem for all the HD formats supported by Avid DS.

When using SD video, you must connect a black burst or reference signal.

Tri-level sync

generator

Master reference

signal

NTSC/PAL

black-burst

generator

Video

Distr.

Amp

Avid DS

SD VTR

HD VTR

Video

Distr.

Amp

To HD

Reference In

To analog

Reference In

To HD Tri-level

Sync

To SD Sync

Video Deck Connections

The Reference Signal

The I/O breakout box uses the last BNC connector to provide reference signal to the video

card.

Either the black burst signal or tri-level synchronization signal can send a signal to the video

card. Note that if the card does not receive a valid reference signal — for example, a 50Hz

black burst when working in a 1080i 50 sequence — it defaults to free-run mode, also called

internal synchronization. You must have a valid external synchronization signal for any

accurate output to tape and playback operation. The system might experience audio drift or

the loss of audio/video synchronization for invalid synchronization signals. During capture,

the hardware synchronizes to the incoming video signal.

Like most video equipment, the I/O breakout box can synchronize properly with a black

burst signal when working in the following sequence formats:

• 1080i 50 and 59.94 field per second in either color space

• 1080p 25 and 29.97 frames per second in either color space

Other HD formats require a tri-level synchronization signal.

Connecting to the Deck Control

Avid DS does not use the RS-422 machine control connector on the I/O breakout box. You

can control a single deck by using an RS-232 to RS-422 serial adapter. The adapter converts

an RS-232 signal to an RS-422 signal to control a VTR from the Avid DS workstation. An

optional RS-232 to RS-422 serial adapter kit is available through Avid.

The adapters include two diagnostic LEDs (power and data). The power LED glows steadily

when the adapter receives adequate power through the serial port. The data LED flashes

whenever data is transmitted or received. This helps you confirm that the serial port is active.

The optional serial adapter kit contains the following:

• An RS-232 to RS-422 serial adapter

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

External

Reference

(loop)

4 Avid DS System Setup

To connect a single deck to your system:

1. Locate the serial adapter kit.

2. Attach one end of a 9-pin cable to the end of the serial adapter labeled RS-232.

3. Attach the other end of the 9-pin cable to the serial port on the workstation or to the

serial connector of the USB-to-serial adapter.

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

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

Place the deck in Remote mode before attempting to control the deck using the software. See

the documentation provided with your deck.

Serial and MIDI Port Device Connections

Avid systems support the connection of two different MIDI fader controllers and a

JL Cooper Media Control Station3 (MCS3) jog/shuttle wheel. The fader controllers and the

mixer connect to the MIDISPORT™ 2x2 USB-to-MIDI converter attached to the USB ports.

The two fader controllers are the JL Cooper FaderMaster Pro and the JL Cooper

MCS-3800X. Avid supports recording automation gain using the MIDI features of the

mixer.

USB and Serial Connections

Windows systems typically have 2 or more USB connections and one serial connection. If

you need more than one serial connection, Avid recommends using a USB-to-serial adapter.

See the documentation that comes with the device.

Connecting the USB-to-MIDI Converter

When using a JL Cooper controller, you must install a USB-to-MIDI converter. If you use

the EDIROL UM-1, you must install the latest version of the EDIROL UM-1 driver first

before using it.

RS-422 connection Serial Adapter RS-232 connection

To Avid DS Workstation To video deck

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Avid DS Installation guide

Avid DS Installation guide

Avid DS Installation guide

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