Transcript
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Avid Xpress® Release 4.1 Release Notes for the Windows NT® Operating System
Important Information Avid recommends that you read all the information in these release notes thoroughly before installing or using any new software release. This document describes compatibility issues with previous releases, hardware and software requirements, software installation instructions, and summary information on system and memory requirements. This document also lists fixed bugs and all known remaining bugs or limitations.
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If you are upgrading to Release 4.1, read about important changes to the software and hardware described in “Hardware and Software Requirements” on page 9.
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Contents Symbols and Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 New Features in Release 4.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Installation Check List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Hardware and Software Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Checking Peripheral Board Revision Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Compatibility with Avid Video Editing Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 System Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Display Controller Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Hardware Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Updating Your Application Key (Dongle). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Installing the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Installing the Avid Xpress Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Performing a Custom Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Reinstalling or Removing Application Software . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Installing Additional Avid Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Installing Demo Versions of AudioSuite Plug-Ins. . . . . . . . . . . 23 Updating the Video I/O Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Windows NT Maintenance and Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Setting Up User Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Creating a Windows NT Repair Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Using the Windows NT Repair Disk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Saving the Disk Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Software Files and Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 AvidStartup Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 About the Avid System Test Pro Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Disk Mounter Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 About MacDrive 2000 Edition for Avid Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Special Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Additional Information for Avid Unity MediaNet Users . . . . . 34 Adding a Page File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
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Support for AvidNet and Avid Unity TransferManager . . . . . . 35 Audio Hardware Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Optimize for Batch Speed Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Supported Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Downloading Avid Codecs for QuickTime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 AVX Plug-ins and Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Importing QuickTime Files Created with an Avid Codec . . . . 40 Mark Locators Shortcut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 MediaDock LVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Media Cleaner EZ, Media Cleaner Pro, and Cleaner 5.0 . . . . . . 41 Transferring Media on Macintosh Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Moving Tone Media from a Macintosh System to a Windows NT System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Suggestions for Optimum Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Partitioning Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Changes to the Timing of Video Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Black Levels When Outputting SDI from NTSC Input . . . . . . 46 Changes in Output Blanking in SDI Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Recording with a TAO Media Systems Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Drive Striping Configurations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Obtaining the Latest Drive Striping Configurations. . . . . . . . . 57 List of Effects for Avid Xpress Models. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Documentation Changes for Release 4.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Change to Default Setting for Render Ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Holding Slates On Screen in the Script Window . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Creating Files for a DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 New Name for Open Project Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Review & Approval Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Internet Streaming Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Preserving Information in the Vertical Blanking Interval . . . . 75 Using a GPI Device with the Audio Punch-In Tool . . . . . . . . . . 80 Importing CamCutter Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Importing Audio from an Audio CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
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Change Sample Rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Using AvidLinks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Error in Avid Xpress Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Documentation Changes for Release 4.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Monitoring Previously Recorded Tracks While Recording a Voice-Over Narration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Digitize Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Change for Goodies.html . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Screen Resolutions for Imported Graphics and Sequences . . . 96 MediaLog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Sharing Bins and Projects on Avid Unity MediaNet. . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Mapping Workspaces on the Avid Unity Network . . . . . . . . . . 99 Sharing Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Opening a Shared Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Working with Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Hardware and Software Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Limitations When Using Consumer Video Decks . . . . . . . . . . 106 Unrendered 3D Effects with Drop Shadow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Fixed Bugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Problems Fixed in Release 4.0.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Problems Fixed in Release 4.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Known Bugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Avid Log Exchange (ALE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Bins and Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Consolidating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Deck Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Digital Cut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Digitizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
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Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Import and Export . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 MediaLog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Play. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Titles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Workgroups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Technical Support Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
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Symbols and Conventions These release notes use the following special symbols and conventions: Look here in the margin for tips.
✔ ✘
In the margin, you will find tips that help you perform tasks more easily and efficiently. A check mark indicates a bug that has been fixed.
An X indicates a known bug or limitation. Where appropriate, a workaround is provided.
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A note provides important related information, reminders, recommendations, and strong suggestions.
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A caution means that a specific action you take could cause harm to your computer or cause you to lose data. t
One arrow indicates a single-step procedure. Multiple arrows in a list indicate that you perform one of the actions listed.
The k symbol refers to the Apple or Command key. Press and hold the Command key and another key to perform a keyboard shortcut.
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New Features in Release 4.1 Table 1 lists the new features available in this release. Table 1
New Features in Release 4.1
Feature
Description
For More Information
Create files for DVD
If you plan to output your sequence to a DVD, choose Create DVD from the File menu.
See “Creating Files for a DVD” on page 67.
Export MPEG-2 files
MPEG-2 files are used by DVD authoring packages such as DVDit!™ by Sonic Solutions.
See “Creating Files for a DVD” on page 67.
Preserving VITC information for digitizing and digital cuts
If your facility uses the vertical blanking interval (VBI) portion of a frame for storing information, you can choose to preserve the information before you digitize or create a digital cut.
See “Preserving Information in the Vertical Blanking Interval” on page 75.
Review & Approval™
The Review & Approval service has been updated for this release.
See “Review & Approval Service” on page 70.
Change to the default setting for Render Ranges
The default setting for Render Ranges in the Timeline has been changed from None to Partial Only.
See “Change to Default Setting for Render Ranges” on page 66.
Holding Slates on screen in the Script Integration window
When you are working with slates in the Script See “Holding Slates On window, you can now choose to hold slates on Screen in the Script screen. Window” on page 66.
Using a GPI Device with the Audio Punch-In tool
Your Avid system can send signals to a video See “Using a GPI Device local area network (V-LAN®) VLXi® deck with the Audio Punch-In controller and a general-purpose interface (GPI) Tool” on page 80. device that triggers GPI actions.
Import CamCutter® clips
You can import clips recorded with Ikegami’s disk-based Editcam™.
See “Importing CamCutter Files” on page 88.
Import Audio from an Audio CD
You can import a track from an audio CD directly into your system.
See “Importing Audio from an Audio CD” on page 91.
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For a list of new features included in Release 4.0, see the Help for your Avid system or the Avid Xpress Release 4.0 Release Notes.
Installation Check List This check list covers the major steps required to install or upgrade the Avid Xpress application. For more detailed information about each step, see the section referenced in these release notes. 1. Read these release notes completely. 2. Make sure your system meets the hardware and software requirements; see “Hardware and Software Requirements” on page 9. 3. If you use the AvidNet™ Transfer Tool, see “Support for AvidNet and Avid Unity TransferManager” on page 35. 4. Turn on the system components as described in the setup guide for your Avid system. 5. If you are upgrading an existing application, update your application key; see “Updating Your Application Key (Dongle)” on page 13. 6. If you are upgrading an existing application, use the Control Panel to remove the old version of the software. See “Removing Previous Versions of the Application” on page 14. 7. Install the application; see “Installing the Software” on page 14. 8. If you are upgrading an existing application, update the video I/O firmware code; see “Updating the Video I/O Firmware” on page 23. 9. If you are upgrading from a previous release of Avid Xpress, the audio calibration level of your hardware might not match the default value in the Avid Xpress Release 4.1 software. For information on changing the Avid application’s default audio hardware calibration for analog 0 Volume Unit (VU), see “Audio Hardware Calibration” on page 36.
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Hardware and Software Requirements Your Avid Xpress system requires the following system configuration:
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Windows NT Workstation Version 4.0 Service Pack 5 or later
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Minimum 256 MB of RAM
Your system must have the required amount of RAM before you install Avid Xpress. New memory kits are available from Avid for updating your existing RAM configuration. For details, contact your Avid sales representative. To verify the version of the operating system, service pack, and RAM: 1. Choose Run from the Start menu. The Run dialog box appears. 2. Type winver in the Open text box. 3. Click OK. The About Windows NT dialog box appears. It displays your operating system version, service pack version, and available memory. 4. Click OK to close the dialog box.
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Checking Peripheral Board Revision Levels If you are upgrading a system, make sure you have the correct peripheral boards. To check board revision levels by using the Avid System Test Pro diagnostic utility: 1. Quit the Avid Xpress application. 2. Click the Start button and then point to Programs. Point to Avid, point to Utilities, and then click Avid System Test Pro. 3. Click OK in the opening dialog box. 4. Choose Board Info from the Window menu. Table 2 shows the differences between Meridien™ systems. The main differences are in the video processor board and the 3D interface card.
Table 2
Meridien System Board Configurations
Meridien I
Meridien II
Meridien III
Video processor board
Meridien I digital media board
Meridien II digital media board
Meridien II digital media board
3D Interface card
Meridien I 3D effects interface board
Meridien II 3D effects interface board
Meridien III 3D effects interface board
Video interface board
Meridien video I/O boarda
Meridien video I/O boarda
Meridien video I/O boarda
Dual/single-head graphics card
Edit display controller Edit display controller II Edit display board board controller III board
a. The minimum revision level for the Meridien video I/O board is B. All others are A.
Avid Xpress Release 4.1 runs on Meridien I, II, or III systems.
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Compatibility with Avid Video Editing Products For information on compatibility among Avid video-based editing products (such as moving a project between Symphony™ and Avid Xpress), see the Avid Products Collaboration Guide, which is available on the Avid Xpress Online Publications CD-ROM. The most recent update of the Avid Products Collaboration Guide is available in the Documentation section of the Avid Customer Support Knowledge Center. To access the Knowledge Center: 1. Go to www.avid.com. 2. Click Support. 3. Click Knowledge Center. 4. Log in.
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If you are not already a registered user of the Knowledge Center, register now. Registered users can access more information. 5. Click the Documentation tab. 6. Click the link for the Avid Products Collaboration Guide.
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System Configuration This section includes information about the display controller board and hardware profiles.
Display Controller Board Your system ships with the Meridien display controller board installed in place of the IBM® AGP card. The IBM AGP card is also shipped with your system in case you need to reinstall the IBM AGP card during troubleshooting. Do not install this card when the Meridien display controller board is installed.
Hardware Profiles Windows NT supports multiple hardware profiles that selectively disable device drivers or services during the system boot process. Your system ships with the following hardware profiles: •
Avid Configuration This profile includes all the Avid standard hardware devices and enables the networking interface. This is the default profile that is used to boot the system.
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Original Configuration This profile omits Avid hardware devices from operation. This profile is primarily used for system debugging. To boot with this profile, you must select it during the boot process.
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Updating Your Application Key (Dongle) For information about installing the application key, see the setup guide for your Avid system.
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The application key, commonly referred to as a dongle, allows the Avid software to run on your system.
Protect your application key from loss or theft; your Avid software does not function without it, and acquiring a new key from Avid involves a fee. There are two different programs to update dongles: •
A dongle versioner is a software program created to update many Avid systems and is normally included in a software Maintenance Kit.
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A dongle updater is a software program created to update a specific Avid system.
To update your dongle for this release: t
If you received a dongle versioner floppy disk with a Version Protection Kit or Maintenance Kit, then you will need to use this floppy disk to update the dongle before installing the new software.
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If you purchased this version as an upgrade, you have received a unique dongle updater disk that reflects a specific System ID. You will need to use this floppy disk to update the dongle before installing the new software.
The floppy disk includes instructions for running the dongle versioner or updater.
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Installing the Software This section includes the following topics: •
Installing the Avid Xpress Application
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Performing a Custom Installation
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Reinstalling or Removing Application Software
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Installing Additional Avid Applications
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Installing Demo Versions of AudioSuite Plug-Ins
Installing the Avid Xpress Application Installing Avid Xpress software consists of the following general steps: 1. Remove any previous version of the application. 2. Install the application. 3. Update the video I/O firmware.
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To install or remove the application software, you need to use a login account with administrator privileges.
Removing Previous Versions of the Application If you are currently running Avid Xpress Release 4.0, Release 3.1, or earlier, remove the application before installing the new version of the application.
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Remove the application by using the procedure described in this section. The Remove feature on the installation software CD-ROM does not remove all the old files. Avid Projects, Avid Users, Settings, and AVX_Plug-Ins folders will not be deleted when you remove the Avid application.
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Some AVX™ plug-ins include files that might be deleted when you remove the Avid application. If a plug-in does not appear in the Effect Palette, reinstall the plug-in. For more information, see the AVX plug-ins section of the effects guide for your Avid system. To remove the previous version of an Avid application: 1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. 2. From the Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs. 3. Locate the Avid application and select it. 4. Click Add/Remove. A dialog box appears, asking if you are sure you want to remove this application. 5. Click Yes. The system uninstalls all files associated with this application. 6. Click OK when the uninstall procedure is finished. 7. Open the folder that previously held the application. For example: drive:\Program Files\Avid\Avid Xpress 8. Remove all files and folders from the application folder except for the following folders:
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Attic
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Avid Projects
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Avid Users
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Settings
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Any folders that you might have placed in the application folder
Remove any .dll files that are in the application folder before you install the application software. If you leave older .dll files in the folder, you might have problems starting the application after installing the new version.
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Installing Application Software To install the application software: 1. Quit all Windows NT applications. 2. Insert the Avid Xpress CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive. If the installer doesn’t start automatically after you insert the application CD-ROM, do the following: a.
Double-click the My Computer icon.
b.
Double-click the CD-ROM icon.
c.
Double-click Launch.exe to start the installer.
3. In the Avid Technology window, click Installers. 4. Click Install Avid Xpress. 5. In the Welcome window, click Next. 6. In the Software License Agreement window, read the agreement, and then click Yes to accept the terms of the agreement. 7. In the Choose Destination window, indicate a location for the application files. The default path uses the drive that contains the Program Files folder.
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Avid recommends that you install the application on a drive or partition other than drive C.
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Do not install the Avid application on a drive that will be used to store media. To change the default path: a.
Click the Browse button.
b.
In the Path text box, type: drive:\Program Files\Avid\Avid Xpress For drive, type a drive other than C.
c.
Click OK.
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8. After you have indicated a path, click Next. The AVX Plug-In window opens and displays the default destination path.
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Avid recommends that you install the AVX_Plug-Ins folder on a drive or partition other than drive C. To change the default path: a.
Click the Browse button.
b.
In the Path text box, type: drive:\Program Files\Avid\AVX_Plug-Ins For drive, type a drive other than C.
c.
Click OK.
9. After you have indicated a path, click Next. The Application Data Location window opens. 10. In the Application Data Location window, indicate a location for the application data files (project folders and user folders).
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Because application data files can take up a large amount of space, Avid recommends that you install these files on a drive or partition other than drive C. The installation program displays a message if the drive you have chosen has less than 500 MB of available space. To change the default path: a.
Click the Browse button.
b.
In the Path text box, type: drive:\Avid\Avid Xpress For drive, type a drive other than C.
c.
Click OK.
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11. After you have indicated a path, click Next. The Setup Type window opens. 12. In the Setup Type window, select an option: t
Select Typical to install all components except for the serial driver for VTR emulation. This is the recommended installation.
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Select Custom to choose the components you want to install. See “Performing a Custom Installation” on page 18.
13. Click Next. The installation begins. 14. When the installation is complete, a message asks if you want to restart the system. t
If you do not want to install any other Avid applications, click Yes. The system restarts.
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If you want to install other Avid applications, click No. The Avid Technology window reappears. See “Installing Additional Avid Applications” on page 22.
Performing a Custom Installation You can perform a custom installation to install particular files from the Avid Xpress CD-ROM. For example, you might want to install only the serial drivers or only the Utilities. You can also reinstall an individual component of the Avid system if it becomes lost or damaged. Depending on which file or application you want to install, the Avid Installation CD-ROM provides two different procedures for installing the components from the CD-ROM: •
Selecting the component from the Avid Technology window
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Using the Custom option in the Avid Application Installer
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You can install the following applications from the Avid Technology window that opens when you insert the Avid Xpress CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive: •
Avid Log Exchange (ALE)
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MediaLog™
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EDL Manager
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FilmScribe™
See “Installing Additional Avid Applications” on page 22. Table 3 lists the components available when you use the Custom option of the installer.
Table 3
Custom Installation Components
Component
Description
Avid Xpress
Installs the application and all the necessary supporting files
Edit Display
Copies all the drivers and setup files needed to use the system
Serial Driver
Installs a modified version of the Windows NT serial driver used for VTR emulation
Utilities
Installs the utilities files
Help Files
Installs the appropriate Help files
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To perform a custom installation: 1. Follow steps 1 through 11 in “Installing the Avid Xpress Application” on page 14. 2. In the Setup Type window, click Custom and then click Next. The Select Components window opens. 3. Select the components you want to install. A check mark indicates the component is selected. 4. After you have selected the components to install, click Next. The installation begins. 5. When the installation is complete, a message asks if you want to restart the system. t
If you do not want to install any other Avid applications, click Yes. The system restarts.
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If you want to install other Avid applications, click No. The Avid Technology window reappears. See “Installing Additional Avid Applications” on page 22.
Reinstalling or Removing Application Software If you need to reinstall software for the current release, you can use the installer from the Avid Xpress CD-ROM.
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To remove software for the previous release, see “Removing Previous Versions of the Application” on page 14.
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To reinstall or remove application software: 1. Quit all Windows NT applications. 2. Insert the Avid Xpress CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive. If the installer doesn’t start automatically after you insert the application CD-ROM, do the following: a.
Double-click the My Computer icon.
b.
Double-click the CD-ROM icon.
c.
Double-click Launch.exe to start the installer.
3. In the Avid Technology window, click Installers. 4. Click Install Avid Xpress. 5. In the Welcome window, select one of the following three options: •
Modify — Reinstalls the application according to new options.
•
Repair — Reinstalls the application using previously chosen options.
•
Remove — Deletes the application.
6. Click Next. The reinstallation or removal begins. When the reinstallation or removal is complete, the Uninstall Complete dialog box appears. 7. Click Finish.
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Installing Additional Avid Applications The Avid Xpress CD-ROM includes installers for the following products: •
Avid Log Exchange
•
MediaLog
•
EDL Manager
•
FilmScribe
To install additional Avid applications: 1. Quit all Windows NT applications. 2. Insert the Avid Xpress CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive. If the installer doesn't start automatically after you insert the application CD-ROM, do the following: a.
Double-click the My Computer icon.
b.
Double-click the CD-ROM icon.
c.
Double-click Launch.exe to start the installer.
3. In the Avid Technology window, click Installers. 4. Click the name of the product you want to install. 5. Follow the instructions on the screen. 6. When the installation is complete, a message asks if you want to restart the system. t
If you do not want to install any other Avid applications, click Yes. The system restarts.
t
If you want to install other Avid applications, click No. Then repeat steps 4 through 6.
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Installing Demo Versions of AudioSuite Plug-Ins Your system comes with a number of standard AudioSuite™ plug-ins. The software installation CD-ROM also contains several demo versions of plug-ins that you can purchase separately. To install the AudioSuite demo plug-ins: 1. With no other applications running, double-click Setup.exe located in Goodies\AudioSuiteDemoInstaller. The installer will install the demo AudioSuite plug-ins as well as PACE Anti-Piracy software. 2. When the installation is complete, restart your system to properly load the plug-ins in your Avid system. 3. Start the Avid application, and open the AudioSuite window. The system will attempt a DAE™ connection, will pause, and then will start the PACE Anti-Piracy software. 4. Click Welcome in the Windows NT taskbar to bring the PACE dialog box to the front. 5. Click Try-it to load the plug-in or Cancel to cancel the procedure. 6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for each AudioSuite demo plug-in. You will be able to use the installed plug-ins for 15 days.
Updating the Video I/O Firmware The information in this section applies only to customers that are upgrading their existing systems to this new software release.
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If you purchased your Avid system as a new system, the firmware is already loaded. You need to run the utility only if you are upgrading. After you install the new Avid software as described in “Installing the Avid Xpress Application” on page 14, update the Video I/O
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firmware. The Avid installation software loads software onto your hardware that you can use to update the firmware. In particular, this release includes software that corrects a problem with the Serial Digital Interface (SDI) firmware.
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Even if your system does not have an SDI option, you should still update the rest of the Video I/O firmware. Correcting SDI Firmware Revision 22 Problem Avid Xpress Release 4.0 contained Revision 22 of the SDI firmware. Revision 22 caused the system to hang or crash if you selected the SDI input as a sync in the software application and there was no actual sync attached to the input of the SDI board. Installing Revision 23 of the firmware fixes this problem.
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The installation of the new revision takes approximately 20 minutes. Make sure you have that amount of time available before you start the installation. To update the Video I/O firmware: 1. Install the new Avid software (Avid Xpress Release 4.1) as described in “Installing the Avid Xpress Application” on page 14. 2. Quit the Avid software application if it is running. 3. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Avid, point to Utilities, and then click VideoIO Utility. The Meridien Video I/O Utility Window opens (see Figure 1).
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Video I/O Hardware Updater button Download Info button SDI Info button
Progress indicator location
Figure 1
Meridien Video I/O Utility Window
4. Click the SDI Info button. The SDI Info window opens and displays the current ISP revision (Rev). Do one of the following: t
If the ISP Rev is 22 or earlier, close the window and continue with the next step.
t
If the ISP Rev is 23, you can close the window and quit the Video I/O utility.
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5. Click the DownLoad Info button. The DownLoad Info window opens and displays the revision levels of the firmware update software that was installed with the new Avid software. The following revisions should be displayed: •
Video I/O Firmware = b3
•
Video I/O FPGA = H2 (F8 for Falcon 1 boards)
•
SDI ISP = 23
6. Close the window. 7. Click the Video I/O Hardware Updater button. The Video I/O Hardware Updater window opens. 8. From the pop-up menu, choose Video I/O uCode and FPGAs. 9. Click Update. The progress indicator appears in the lower right corner of the Video I/O Utility window. The system updates the code in less than 1 minute. 10. If your system has an SDI option, choose SDI ISP Load. A Warning window opens, explaining that the procedure will take about 15 or 20 minutes. Click OK. 11. Click Update. The progress indicator appears in the lower right corner of the Video I/O Utility window. The application will not respond while the update is in progress. 12. When the installation is complete, quit the application. 13. Turn the Meridien I/O box off, then on, to enable the new code.
c
Do not interrupt the update process. If the process is interrupted, your system might not operate properly.
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Windows NT Maintenance and Recovery Before you begin using your Avid system, you need to set up user accounts and to create backup disks of system configuration files. The following sections help to prepare you in case of a system failure:
c
•
Setting Up User Accounts
•
Creating a Windows NT Repair Disk
•
Using the Windows NT Repair Disk
•
Saving the Disk Configuration
To facilitate proper Windows NT recovery or to rebuild in the event of a failure, you need to create the backup disks described in this section.
Setting Up User Accounts Your Avid system ships with the following two accounts enabled: •
Administrator
•
AvidTechnology
These accounts have Administrator privileges and have no password assigned. Avid recommends setting up individual, nonprivileged user accounts after integrating the system into the workplace environment.
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You can load the AudioSuite window only if you are logged in as an administrator.
Creating a Windows NT Repair Disk The Windows NT Repair Disk is essential to successful restoration of a user system in the event of a damaged operating system component. The emergency repair disk (ERD), as it is sometimes called, should be
27
updated any time a change to the operating system occurs. This can happen whenever hardware is added or removed or applications have been installed or removed. The repair disk does not restore applications or device drivers. Instead, it holds copies of the user environment, software associations, passwords, and information about the system configuration.
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A Windows NT Repair Disk has been created for you and is included with the system. Every system ships with a Windows NT Repair Disk, known as an AVID Operational ERD. This disk was created after all Avid-specific integration was completed on the system. All Avid-recommended hardware, drivers, and applications were successfully installed and tested, and the system was as close to the shipping configuration as possible. This disk should be used as the end-user ERD and should be updated or re-created whenever a system hardware or software change is made. To create or update an ERD: 1. Click the Start button, and then click Run. The Run dialog box appears. 2. In the Open text box, type: rdisk /s 3. Click OK.
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Do not use Windows NT Explorer to execute rdisk because you do not save the Default and Security registry config files when you choose the Update option. To ensure you save all the necessary config files, make sure you create repair disks by executing rdisk from the Start menu.
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You are instructed to insert a high-density disk (2.0 MB HD DS) into the disk drive. 4. Insert the AVID Operational ERD. The disk will be formatted, and the appropriate files will be copied to the disk. 5. Quit the Repair Disk Utility. 6. Store the repair disk in a safe, dry, static-free location.
Using the Windows NT Repair Disk The repair disk restores only registry data in the event of accidental user file deletion, operating system corruption, or other configuration problems. It does not restore your applications or other essential files. If the system disk is reformatted and a new copy of Windows NT is installed, you will need to reinstall your application. To use the repair disk, you must initiate a Windows NT Setup by using the IBM Product Recovery CD. You will be given an option to perform a repair operation during this process. For information about using the IBM Product Recovery CD, see the IBM workstation user guide.
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You should use only the Repair portion of the IBM Product Recovery CD. If you need to perform a full recovery, consult your certified reseller.
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Saving the Disk Configuration Whenever changes are made to the disk configuration on a system, such as creating striped sets of drives or changing drive letter assignments, the disk configuration should be saved to a disk. This permits a successful restoration of the disk configuration in the event of a hardware failure or other problems. This information is also saved as part of the repair disk process.
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Save the disk configuration after you install all the software. To create a disk configuration disk: 1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools (Common), and then click Disk Administrator. The Disk Administrator dialog box appears. 2. From the Partition menu, point to Configuration, and then click Save. 3. Insert a formatted high-density floppy disk into the floppy drive, and click OK. The disk configuration information is copied to the disk. 4. Label this disk, and store it in a safe location. To restore the disk configuration: 1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools (Common), and then click Disk Administrator. The Disk Administrator dialog box appears. 2. From the Partition menu, point to Configuration, and then click Restore. 3. Insert the saved disk configuration floppy disk in the floppy drive, and click Yes. This action will copy the disk configuration information into the registry.
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Software Files and Utilities Table 4 lists Avid software utilities, current revision levels, and the folders in which the utilities are located. To check the release version: 1. Right-click the Utility icon, and select Properties. 2. Click the Version tab, and check the File version number.
Table 4
Software Utilities Revisions
Software
Release
Installed Folder Location
Meridien Video I/O Utility
4.0
drive:\Program Files\Avid\Utilities\VideoIOUtil
Avid StorEx
1.2.0.0
drive:\Program Files\Avid\Utilities\StorEx
Avid Disk Mounter
1.2.2.0
drive:\Program Files\Avid\Utilities\DiskMounter
Avid System Test Pro
4.4
drive:\Program Files\Avid\Utilities\AvidSystemTestPro
AvidStartup
1.5
drive:\WinNT\System32\AvidStartup
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Avid is not responsible for the support or sales of the products in the Goodies folder. They are provided as suggestions for users to decide if any of these products fit into their process. Avid is also not responsible for any loss of data or time related to the use of these products. For more information, see the ReadMe files in the Goodies folder.
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AvidStartup Utility AvidStartup is a utility that runs each time you start or restart your system. It sets any attached Avid MediaDrives for the optimal read and write performance. The utility does not make any changes to non-Avid hard drives.
About the Avid System Test Pro Diagnostics The Avid System Test Pro (AST) diagnostics are a set of tests that check the Meridien board set located in the PC and the Meridien I/O box. Run these diagnostics before you begin editing with Avid Xpress, or if you think your system has a problem.
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Restart the system before and after you run AST. Avid System Pro is divided into two separate test suites:
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•
Standard Board Diagnostics — Test the Meridien boards that are in the system with no intervention needed by the user. Always run these tests first.
•
External/User Interaction Board Diagnostics — Test the I/O portions of the Meridien board set, and need user interaction such as connecting cables and answering questions in a dialog box.
Avid System Test Pro contains Help that provides information on each button, window, and diagnostic test.
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Disk Mounter Utility Disk Mounter is an Avid utility that allows you to easily move striped sets of drives from one Avid system to a second Avid system. Both systems need to have a copy of Disk Mounter installed because it is used to set up the move on the first system and complete the move on the second system. Complete information about Disk Mounter can be found in the Avid MediaDrive Utilities User’s Guide and in the Help for the Disk Mounter utility.
About MacDrive 2000 Edition for Avid Systems MacDrive™ 2000 Edition for Avid Systems, from Mediafour Corporation™ (www.mediafour.com) is an application for Windows NT that lets you read disks formatted for Macintosh®, including striped hierarchical file system (HFS) volumes. By using MacDrive, you avoid the need to use PC-formatted disks to transfer files. MacDrive includes support for all Avid file name extensions. A copy of MacDrive is included with your Avid system. To install MacDrive: t
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Insert the MacDrive installation CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive, and follow the instructions.
You cannot use MacDrive to format an HFS volume from a Windows® volume. The application does allow you to reformat an existing HFS volume.
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Special Notes This section contains important information about system-level changes that affect the way your Avid software and hardware operate.
Additional Information for Avid Unity MediaNet Users When you install the Avid Unity™ MediaNet Release 1.2.1 client software, on Windows NT-based Composer products, several registry values are overwritten. Therefore, it is necessary to reload the Emulex® driver for the MediaNet client to function properly. Follow the instructions provided in the Avid Unity MediaNet Release 1.2.1 Service Pack 2 Release Notes.
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There is also a procedure that describes how to update the Emulex driver in the Downloads section of the Avid Customer Support Knowledge Center. The Web page also contains a copy of the Emulex driver that you can download. To access the Knowledge Center: 1. Go to www.avid.com. 2. Click Support. 3. Click Knowledge Center. 4. Log in.
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If you are not already a registered user of the Knowledge Center, register now. Registered users can access more information. 5. Click the Downloads tab. 6. Search for Emulex. 7. Select Emulex Driver 4.42 Driver Download. 8. Follow the instructions to update the driver.
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Adding a Page File Avid preinstalls two page files (pagefile.sys) on the system: a 20-MB page file on drive C and a 576-MB page file on drive D. If you install more than 384 MB of memory, you should change the page file size on drive D. The formula for the page file size is as follows: 1.5 x your memory size For example, if memory is 512 the formula would be: 1.5 x 512 = 768
Support for AvidNet and Avid Unity TransferManager Avid Unity TransferManager in an Avid Unity environment is the next-generation import and export tool that replaces the AvidNet Transfer Tool. Support for Avid Unity TransferManager Release 1.0.1 is available for the Windows NT platform as part of the Symphony Release 3.1, Media Composer and Film Composer Release 10.1, and Avid Xpress Release 4.1. TransferManager support on Macintosh systems in a standalone environment is dependent on Mac® OS X. Macintosh models will have TransferManager support concurrent with Mac OS X support. Current and future releases of Symphony, Media Composer, Film Composer, and Avid Xpress systems for both Macintosh and Windows connected via Avid Unity MediaNet can continue to move media and metadata through Avid Unity. Customers with Macintosh systems who currently rely on AvidNet should use FTP utilities to move compositions. Another workaround is to use Avid Unity MediaManager Release 2.0.1, Avid’s media asset management tool, to move compositions between older systems equipped with AvidNet and new systems equipped with TransferManager.
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Audio Hardware Calibration With Avid Xpress Release 4.0, Avid adopted a new default setting for audio calibration that more closely matches the current industry standard. If you are upgrading from a release earlier than Release 4.0 of the software, it is highly likely that your audio calibration levels do not match the default value in this release. Your existing hardware is probably calibrated to –14 dB; the default setting of Release 4.1 is –20 dB. To change the software setting to match your hardware, perform the procedure described in this section. If you received Release 4.1 as part of a new system purchase, your audio hardware is calibrated to –20 dB and matches the default setting for Release 4.1. You do not need to change the default settings. To change the audio hardware calibration setting: 1. Double-click Audio Project in the Settings scroll list of the Project window. The Audio Project Settings dialog box appears.
2. Select a new default hardware calibration setting from the HW Calibration pop-up menu — in most cases, –14 dBFS.
36
A message box appears.
3. Click OK. 4. Save the new Hardware Calibration as a Site setting. To establish a global setting, see “Using Site Settings” in the Help or the Avid Xpress User’s Guide. For additional information on audio hardware calibration, see the Help or the Avid Xpress User’s Guide.
Optimize for Batch Speed Option When you select the Optimize for Batch Speed option in the Batch tab of the Digitize Settings dialog box, the system speeds up batch digitizing by allowing the deck to continue to roll forward between adjoining clips. For more information, see the Help or the Avid Xpress User’s Guide. For this release, this option digitizes without preroll only if the tracks to be digitized for each clip are the same. For example, if one clip has a video track only, and the other has a video track and two audio tracks, and the system is set up to digitize both audio and video tracks, the system must preroll between them. However, if the system is set up to digitize only video (that is, only the track selector for video is on, the selectors for audio are off, and the “digitize tracks selected” setting is on), the system can digitize without prerolling for the second clip.
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Supported Decks For an updated list of supported decks, search for “Supported Decks” in the Avid Customer Support Knowledge Center. To access the Knowledge Center: 1. Go to www.avid.com. 2. Click Support. 3. Click Knowledge Center. 4. Log in.
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If you are not already a registered user of the Knowledge Center, register now. Registered users can access more information. 5. In the Search area at the top of the page, search for “Supported Decks” in All Categories for your product. 6. From the resulting list, choose the Supported Decks section of the Qualification Guide for your system.
Downloading Avid Codecs for QuickTime This release supports a new version of the Avid Codecs for QuickTime™ for Windows NT systems. The codec for your system is included on the installation CD-ROM as part of the standard installation. If you need the codecs for a different platform (Windows or Macintosh), you can download them from the Avid Customer Support Knowledge Center. To download the Avid Codecs for QuickTime: 1. Log in to the Knowledge Center as described in “Supported Decks” on page 38. 2. Choose your product from the pop-up menu at the top of the Web page.
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3. Click the Download tab, and select Avid QT Codecs 9.4. 4. Select one of the following items, depending on your product:
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•
Avid QT Codecs 9.4 (Windows)
•
Avid QT Codecs 9.4 (Macintosh)
There is one set of codecs for Windows and one set for Macintosh. The names are different, depending on the product. Each download file contains three codecs for the selected platform: •
Avid Meridien Uncompressed Codec for QuickTime
•
Avid Meridien Compressed Codec for QuickTime
•
Avid ABVB NuVista Codec for QuickTime
For more information, see the Avid Xpress User’s Guide or Help for your Avid system.
AVX Plug-ins and Memory Multiple AVX plug-ins that you have applied to a sequence are now kept resident in memory at the same time. When you close a bin containing the sequence, the plug-ins are also closed, freeing the memory. If you find your Avid system running out of memory and you are using many plug-ins: 1. Choose Console from the Tools menu. 2. Type the command closeallavxplugins, and press Enter. This command closes all currently opened plug-ins. They will automatically open again when needed.
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Importing QuickTime Files Created with an Avid Codec If you are importing a QuickTime file created with an Avid codec, and the file’s resolution does not match the current import setting, a dialog box appears by default. This dialog box asks which resolution you want to choose, and to which files you want to apply your choice. Make your choices, and click OK to continue with the import. You can choose how to import these files in the OMFI tab of the Import Settings dialog box. The default choice is “Ask me to set the resolution for each file that is different from the current import resolution setting.”
Mark Locators Shortcut In previous releases, Ctrl+Alt+T marked a segment between locators. The new shortcut is Shift+T, which is equivalent to the Mark Locators button.
MediaDock LVD The MediaDock™ LVD with MediaDock 160/LVD shuttle packs must run alone on the Ultra 160 LVD SCSI controller board (UL3D) SCSI bus. If you connect your MediaDock LVD to an Ultra 160 LVD SCSI controller board and populate the chassis with any MediaDock 160/LVD shuttle packs, do not daisy chain the MediaDock LVD with any other SCSI devices. This limitation is a temporary restriction for the MediaDock LVD that will be resolved in the future. This limitation does not exist if you are using the UL2D LVD SCSI controller board.
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Media Cleaner EZ, Media Cleaner Pro, and Cleaner 5.0 Your Avid system ships with Media Cleaner EZ by Terran. This release supports the following versions of Terran products: •
Media Cleaner® EZ 4
•
Media Cleaner Pro 4.0
•
Cleaner™ 5
Transferring Media on Macintosh Drives You can use an external drive formatted for Macintosh (HFS drive) to transfer audio and other compatible media from a Macintosh system to a Windows NT system if the receiving system is running the MacDrive application (see “About MacDrive 2000 Edition for Avid Systems” on page 33). To avoid problems when reading a connected HFS drive, do one of the following: t
On the Macintosh system, after transferring the media files to the HFS drive, give the media folder a name other than “OMFI MediaFiles.” You cannot change the name of the OMFI folder after you connect the drive to the Windows NT system.
t
On the Windows NT system, after you have connected the drive and have transferred the media files to an NTFS drive, turn off the system, disconnect the drive, reboot, and restart the Avid system.
Moving Tone Media from a Macintosh System to a Windows NT System When you move a project containing tone media from an Avid system on Macintosh to an Avid system on Windows NT, the tone media is not included with the moved project.
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To add tone media to your sequence: t
If the Macintosh sequence uses the tone media in several places, use the Batch Import command to recover those edits.
To create new tone media: 1. Create new tone media with the same duration as the original. 2. Export the tone as either an AIFF-C file or a WAVE file to the desktop. 3. Select the original offline tone media clip. 4. Choose Batch Import from the Clip menu. 5. Select the exported tone for the offline master clip. The exported tone media will link to the original tone media master clip and will be present in all the places it was used originally.
Suggestions for Optimum Performance Windows NT is a multitasking operating system. However, background tasks can interrupt time-critical operations, such as digitizing, playing, or rendering. Make sure that background tasks are not running while you are working in the Avid system. The following list contains suggestions for ensuring optimum performance when working with the Avid system: •
Do not leave a Windows NT Explorer window open. Windows NT Explorer will try to update file information.
•
Do not schedule automatic backups at times when your Avid system might be in use.
•
Do not leave other applications open. Some applications, such as Microsoft® Office, run background processes.
42
•
Do not allow the Find Fast background process (find.exe) to run. The process will try to update its cache of file and folder locations. Check your Startup folder, and delete the file if it is there.
•
Do not leave an e-mail application open if it is set to do periodic checks for mail.
•
Do not run any application that includes prescheduled or automatically scheduled activities, such as a calendar program.
•
Disable screen savers.
•
Do not transfer network data during critical operations.
•
Do not insert a CD-ROM in a drive during time-critical operations. Most CD-ROM drives and software perform an autoscan or autostart operation. Do not keep media on the internal system drive.
•
Always use small fonts to avoid missing characters in the application dialog boxes. To review font settings, check the Settings tab of the Display Control Panel.
•
Do not use large graphics as wallpaper.
•
Clear all Visual settings in the Plus! tab in the Display Properties dialog box.
Partitioning Restrictions The Windows NT system allows you to create multiple partitions on a single drive or striped partitions across multiple drives as a way to manage projects and files. However, Avid does not support extended partitioning.
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For information about drive partitioning, see the setup guide for your Avid system.
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Changes to the Timing of Video Signals Genlocking is now different from that of Avid video-based editing products for Macintosh systems before the use of Meridien boards. The system’s timing is now modeled on that of a VTR; it uses only a single time-base that is switched between input and output. Note the following operation modes: •
Timing during video capture: When capturing (that is, recording) an input video signal, sync timing will be derived from that input signal. The timing of the captured video and audio will be correct. The green Video Sync light on the Meridien I/O box will be lit when synchronization to that signal is attained. Passthrough video outputs: During capture, timing of the recorded media files will be correct. The timing of the passthrough output signals, however, will be correct relative to themselves but will have slight delays relative to the input time-base. In particular, the composite output will have one line of additional delay, due to comb filter operation compared to Serial Digital and other analog modes. This is normal operation. Passthrough audio versus video: During capture, the recorded video and audio will be correctly timed. However, since passthrough audio does not undergo delay, the previously described video delays will exist relative to the undelayed audio. In media files, the video and audio will be synchronized.
•
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Timing during capture for audio with no video present: Timing will be derived from any signal present on the REF input. If no reference signal is detected there, the timing will automatically switch to an internal, free-running, highly accurate time-base and the green Video Sync light will not be lit.
If you are digitizing audio only from a source that uses REF IN (with black burst, for example) on the Meridien I/O box for sync, the system will change the timing reference to the video input signal when the option “Display incoming video in the Client monitor” is
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selected in the General tab of the Digitize Settings dialog box. To avoid losing the REF IN sync source, deselect this option before capturing audio only. •
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Timing during playback: In all playback modes, the video timing is derived either from the external genlock source (the REF input) or from the accurate internal time-base. If a composite reference signal is present on the REF input, that signal will be used for deriving genlock and system timing. The green Video Sync light will be lit. If no lock is detected to a signal on the REF input (or if no signal is present), the system will automatically switch to its internal timing source and the Video Sync light will not be lit.
For additional information on digitizing with consumer or prosumer video decks (such as VHS, Hi8™, and some ¾-inch decks), see “Limitations When Using Consumer Video Decks” on page 106.
Simultaneous Output Modes The video outputs are all simultaneously active with one exception: only one of the S-Video or Analog Component outputs can be active at the same time. You select the one you want with the Video Output tool.
Genlock Timing Adjustments Adjusting the genlock timing to the house reference at switchers or routers can be done only in Playback mode. With previous Avid implementations for Macintosh systems, this could have been done in Passthrough mode. You could either record your own test signal and then play it back or put out a test pattern from the application’s Video Output tool and use that for doing the usual H PHASE and SC PHASE adjustments. Only one format of the active outputs can be accurately genlocked at a time. Since there is only a single adjustable output time-base, you simply set the genlock parameters for the critical output that is the one
45
you choose to genlock. For most applications, this will be either the composite or the SDI outputs. All the video output signals — Composite 1, 2, and 3, Serial Digital (if that option is on your system), and component or S-Video — are synced to the same time base, and hence are synced to each other. However, they all have slightly different internal delays. This means that you can set the H PHASE so that only one — the one you choose — will be exactly synced to an external genlock reference. The other output signals will be properly timed relative to themselves but will not be precisely genlocked.
Operation of the Green Video Sync Light on the Meridien I/O Box The green Video Sync light is lit whenever the timing is successfully locked to either REF or to the video input signal. If the green light is off, the timing is being obtained from the internal, free-running time base.
Black Levels When Outputting SDI from NTSC Input When video input is NTSC with setup and video output is SDI (which does not use setup), the half lines at the top and bottom of the analog frame will contain blanking and black setup at two different levels (zero and 7.5 IRE). When the input video's black at setup is properly adjusted to correspond to digital 16, the blanking level will correspond to approximately digital 1. This can result in video levels in the SDI output that are below black in several places: •
The first half of the top half line (line 283) will be below black, at approximately digital 1.
•
The last half of the bottom half line (line 263) will be below black, at approximately digital 1.
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•
The horizontal blanking edges can have pulses that go down to near digital 1 at the left and right edges of the image. This is due to the fact that the 720-pixel ITU-R 601 frame extends beyond the edges of the NTSC setup pedestal by a few pixels. These few pixels will be at approximately the blanking level (digital 1), while the rest of the horizontal line will be at black at digital 16.
When the video is played back as SDI, there will be negative pulses that appear for this reason. If the output is NTSC with setup, these pulses will be canceled out. If, however, the SDI output ultimately goes to an NTSC-EIAJ encoder, these pulses will be below blanking. This latter problem is common to other equipment as well and is a property of the difference between the black levels of these three formats.
Changes in Output Blanking in SDI Format Several changes have been made for SDI operation to force blanking to occur to some of the vertical blanking interval (VBI) lines that were previously passed through. In all cases, the Avid system now outputs only the line ranges of the SMPTE RP 187 Production Aperture (consisting of the 486-line frame for NTSC or the 576-line frame for PAL). This change was made because color correction could modify the pixels in certain VBI lines so that they would no longer be proper blanking values. It was decided that it was preferable to blank these lines rather than permit them to pass through with color values that would be improper for blanking. No changes were made for input and output of analog formats, which always have used the RP 187 Production Aperture.
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The following tables show the before and after line number ranges.
525-Line I/O Ranges, SDI
Field 1
Field 2
Comments
Digitize
20–263
283–525
ITU-R BT.656 active video.
Play, previous
16–263
278–525
Permitted improper blanking for some operations.
Play, new
21–263
283–525
Changed to RP 187 Production Aperture (P.A.).
Passthrough
16–263
278–525
No change. Wide range for testing purposes.
625-Line I/O Ranges, SDI
Field 1
Field 2
Comments
Digitize
23–310
336–623
No change. RP 187 P.A., and BT.656 active line range.
Play, previous
15–310
328–623
Permitted improper blanking for some operations.
Play, new
23–310
336–623
RP 187 and BT.656 active line range.
Passthrough
15–310
328–623
No change. Wider range for testing purposes.
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Line Ranges for Analog Formats (Unchanged)
Field 1
Field 2
Comments
525-Line Digitize, Play, and Passthrough
21–263
283–525
RP 187 P.A.
625-Line Digitize, Play, and Passthrough
23–310
336–623
RP 187 P.A. and BT.656 active video.
References: Recommendation ITU-R BT.656-4, “Interfaces for Digital Component Video Signals in 525-Line and 625-Line Television Systems Operating at the 4:2:2 Level of Recommendation ITU-R BT.601, Part (A),” 1998. SMPTE RP 187, “Center, Aspect Ratio, and Blanking of Video Images,” SMPTE Recommended Practice, The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, White Plains, NY, 1995.
49
Recording with a TAO Media Systems Device Avid Xpress allows you to load a new machine template and use the L-Port 422 model from TAO Media Systems to control devices that use the Control-L protocol, including many DV and Hi8 camcorders and VCRs. The machine template for use with the L-Port 422 has not been fully tested at this time and is not supported by Avid. •
For more information on the L-Port 422, see the TAO Media Systems Web site at www.taosys.com.
•
To acquire the latest machine template for use with the device, contact Avid Customer Support.
Drive Striping Configurations This section provides the drive striping information available for the current release. This information refers to the number of drives that need to be striped to achieve a specific resolution. For the latest drive striping configurations, see “Obtaining the Latest Drive Striping Configurations” on page 57. Avid supports several families of MediaDrive enclosures, MediaDock Shuttle™ packs, and MEDIArray™ F/C drives. Table 5 lists the families, their specifications, and their available capacities. For additional information on a specific MediaDrive or MediaDock shuttle, see the setup and user’s guide that shipped with the MediaDrive or the MediaDock shuttle. If you need additional information or if you have any questions, contact Avid Customer Support at 800-800-AVID (2843).
n
The family name of your drive can be found on the front of the MediaDrive or MediaDock shuttle.
50
n
The iS drive family is supported only on Media Composer Release 8.0 and earlier, and Avid Xpress Release 3.0 and earlier for Macintosh systems. This restriction does not apply to the iS Pro, iS Plus, iS 160/SE iS Plus LVD, iS LVD and iS 160/LVD drive families. Table 5 lists information about MediaDrive enclosures and MediaDock Shuttle packs.
Table 5
MediaDrive and MediaDock Shuttle Information Available Capacities
Family Name
SCSI Type
RPM
Drive Type
iS Pro
Fast, wide
7200
Fixed MediaDrive and MediaDock Shuttle
9 GB, 18 GB
iS Plus
Fast, wide
10,000
MediaDock Shuttle
9 GB, 18 GB
iS 160/SE
Fast, wide
10,000
MediaDock Shuttle
36 GB
rS Plus
Fast, wide
10,000
Fixed MediaDrive
9 GB, 18 GB
iS Plus LVD
LVD
10,000
MediaDock Shuttle
9 GB, 18 GB
iS LVD
LVD
10,000
MediaDock Shuttle
18 GB, 36 GB
iS 160/LVD
160/LVD
10,000
MediaDock Shuttle
18 GB, 36 GB, 73 GB
rS LVD
LVD
10,000
Fixed MediaDrive
9 GB, 18 GB, 36 GB
rS 160/LVD
160/LVD
10,000
Fixed MediaDrive
18 GB, 36 GB, 73 GB
MediaShare™ F/C Drive
Fibre Channel
7200
Fibre Channel Pack
9 GB
MEDIArray Drive
Fibre Channel
10,000
Fibre Channel Pack
18 GB
MEDIArray Drive
Fibre Channel
7200
Fibre Channel Pack
50 GB
MEDIArray XL Drive
Fibre Channel
10,000
Fibre Channel Pack
18 GB, 73 GB
51
Table 6 through Table 10 list striping information pertaining to the Windows NT platform releases of: •
Symphony Release 3.x
•
Media Composer Release 10.x
•
Film Composer Release 10.x
•
Avid Xpress Release 4.x
The information is based on support for:
n
•
Two streams of uncompressed video (Avid Xpress supports only one stream of uncompressed video)
•
Eight channels of audio at 48 kHz with real-time downstream keyed titles and graphics
The Windows NT striping tables are a guide for productions with typical edit densities. For projects involving high cut densities (extensive cuts at fewer than 10-frame edits), Avid recommends increasing to the next striping increment. Consider the following support issues: •
The iS MediaDrive and iS MediaDock Shuttle families have not been tested with Windows NT systems and are not supported.
•
The SCSI LVD controller board, MediaDrive rS LVD enclosures, and MediaDock LVD Shuttle packs are supported on Windows NT systems with Symphony Release 2.x, Media Composer Release 9.x, Film Composer Release 9.x, and Avid Xpress Release 3.x or later.
52
Table 6
Windows NT Striping – Single Drive Unstriped Uncompressed Two-Field Resolution NTSC/PAL
Single-Field Resolution Two-Field Resolution Drive Family NTSC/PAL NTSC/PAL 15:1s
4:1s
2:1s
20:1
10:1
3:1
iS Pro
RTa
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream NSb
iS Plus
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream NS
iS 160/SE
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream NS
rS Plus
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream NS
iS Plus LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream NS
iS LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream NS
iS 160/LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
rS LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream NS
rS 160/LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
a. RT – Real time; 2 streams supported. b. NS – Not supported.
53
2:1
1:1 NS
NS
NS
The information in Table 7 requires striping across two SCSI channels for fast, wide MediaDrive enclosures and MediaDock Shuttle packs, or one SCSI channel for LVD MediaDrive enclosures or LVD MediaDock Shuttle packs.
Table 7
Drive Family
Windows NT Striping – 2-Way Striped Drives
Single-Field Resolution NTSC/PAL
Uncompressed Two-Field Resolution NTSC/PAL
Two-Field Resolution NTSC/PAL
15:1s 4:1s
2:1s
20:1
10:1
3:1
iS Pro
RTa
RT
RT
RT
RT
RTb or 1 stream NSd c 1 stream
iS Plus
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
NS
iS 160/SE
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
NS
rS Plus
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
NS
iS Plus LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
NS
iS LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
iS 160/LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
rS LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
rS 160/LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
a. b. c. d.
RT – Real time; 2 streams supported. Use two SCSI channels. Use one SCSI channel. NS – Not supported.
54
2:1
1:1
The information in Table 8 uses two SCSI channels for fast, wide MediaDrives or one SCSI channel for LVD MediaDrive enclosures.
Table 8
Windows NT Striping – 4-Way Striped Drives Uncompressed Two-Field Resolution NTSC/PAL
Single-Field Resolution NTSC/PAL
Two-Field Resolution NTSC/PAL
15:1s
4:1s
2:1s
20:1
10:1
3:1
2:1
1:1
iS Pro
RTa
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
NSb
iS Plus
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 streamc
iS 160/SE
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 streamc
rS Plus
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 streamc
iS Plus LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
iS LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
iS 160/LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
rS LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
rS 160/LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
Drive Family
a. RT – Real time; 2 streams supported. b. NS – Not supported. c. Use two SCSI channels.
55
The information in Table 9 requires striping across one LVD SCSI channel. Table 9
Windows NT Striping – 8-Way Striped Drives
Single-Field Resolution Drive Family NTSC/PAL
iS Plus LVD
Uncompressed Two-Field Resolution NTSC/PAL
Two-Field Resolution NTSC/PAL
15:1s
4:1s
2:1s
20:1
10:1
3:1
2:1
1:1
RTa
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
a. RT – Real time; 2 streams supported.
The information in Table 10 requires Fibre Channel drives to be striped for video and separate SCSI (fast, wide or LVD) MediaDrives for audio. Use 10-way striping for MediaShare F/C drives and 50-GB, 7200-rpm MEDIArray drives; 6-way or 10-way striping for 10,000-rpm MEDIArray drives; and 4-way, 6-way, or 10-way striping for 10,000-rpm MEDIArray XL drives. Table 10
Drive Family
Windows NT Fibre Channel Striping – 4-way, 6-Way or 10-Way Striped Drives
Single-Field Resolution NTSC/PAL
Two-Field Resolution NTSC/PAL
Uncompressed Two-Field Resolution NTSC/PAL
15:1s MediaShare F/C or RTb MEDIArray Drives, or MEDIArray XL Drivesa
4:1s
2:1s
20:1
10:1
3:1
2:1
1:1
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
a. A separate SCSI drive for audio is not required when using MEDIArray XL drives. b. RT – Real time; 2 streams supported.
56
Obtaining the Latest Drive Striping Configurations When drive configurations are tested and when drives and software are released, the most up-to-date drive striping configurations are available in the Documentation section of the Avid Customer Support Knowledge Center. To access drive striping information from the Avid Web site: 1. Go to www.avid.com. 2. Click Support. 3. Click Knowledge Center. 4. Log in.
n
If you are not already a registered user of the Knowledge Center, register now. Registered users can access more information. 5. Click the Documentation tab. 6. Click the Drive Striping Tables link.
57
List of Effects for Avid Xpress Models The following table lists the effects available in the Avid Xpress system. The Avid model you have determines which effects you have. Key to effects:
n
•
S = standard non-real-time effect
•
RT = standard real-time effect
•
FR = standard fast-rendered effect
•
FS = FilmScribe and Matchback bundle
•
NA = Not applicable
The information in this section is accurate for Avid Xpress Release 4.1. The available effects can change with a new release of the system and might not be reflected in this document. For a complete description of each effect, see the Help or the Avid Xpress Effects Guide.
Table 11
Effects for Avid Xpress Models
Effect Name
Avid Xpress with Plus Bundle
Avid Xpress with Deluxe Bundle
Avid Xpress with Elite Bundle
3D Effect
3D Arrow
NA
NA
RT
3D Effect
3D Ball
NA
NA
RT
3D Effect
3D Bumps
NA
NA
RT
3D Effect
3D Center Burst
NA
NA
RT
3D Effect
3D Multi Wave
NA
NA
RT
Effect Category
58
Table 11
Effects for Avid Xpress Models (Continued)
Effect Name
Avid Xpress with Plus Bundle
Avid Xpress with Deluxe Bundle
Avid Xpress with Elite Bundle
3D Effect
3D PIP
NA
NA
RT
3D Effect
3D Page Curl
NA
NA
RT
3D Effect
3D Page Fold
NA
NA
RT
3D Effect
3D Sine Wave
NA
NA
RT
3D Effect
3D Slats
NA
NA
RT
Blend
Dip to Color
FR
RT
RT
Blend
Dissolve
RT
RT
RT
Blend
Fade from Color
FR
RT
RT
Blend
Fade to Color
FR
RT
RT
Blend
Picture-in-Picture
S
S
RT
Blend
Superimpose
FR
RT
RT
Box Wipe
Bottom Box
RT
RT
RT
Box Wipe
Bottom Left to Top Right
RT
RT
RT
Box Wipe
Bottom Right to Top Left
RT
RT
RT
Box Wipe
Left Box
RT
RT
RT
Box Wipe
Right Box
RT
RT
RT
Box Wipe
Top Box
RT
RT
RT
Box Wipe
Top Left to Bottom Right
RT
RT
RT
Effect Category
59
Table 11
Effects for Avid Xpress Models (Continued)
Effect Name
Avid Xpress with Plus Bundle
Avid Xpress with Deluxe Bundle
Avid Xpress with Elite Bundle
Box Wipe
Top Right to Bottom Left
RT
RT
RT
Conceal
Bottom Left to Top Right
S
S
RT
Conceal
Bottom Right to Top Left
S
S
RT
Conceal
Bottom to Top
S
S
RT
Conceal
Left to Right
S
S
RT
Conceal
Right to Left
S
S
RT
Conceal
Top Left to Bottom Right
S
S
RT
Conceal
Top Right to Bottom Left
S
S
RT
Conceal
Top to Bottom
S
S
RT
Edge Wipe
Horizontal
RT
RT
RT
Edge Wipe
Horizontal Open
RT
RT
RT
Edge Wipe
Lower Left Diagonal
S
S
S
Edge Wipe
Lower Right Diagonal
S
S
S
Edge Wipe
Upper Left Diagonal
S
S
S
Edge Wipe
Upper Right Diagonal
S
S
S
Edge Wipe
Vertical Open
RT
RT
RT
Edge Wipe
Vertical
RT
RT
RT
Effect Category
60
Table 11
Effects for Avid Xpress Models (Continued)
Effect Name
Avid Xpress with Plus Bundle
Avid Xpress with Deluxe Bundle
Avid Xpress with Elite Bundle
Film
1.66 Mask
FS/FR
FS/RT
FS/RT
Film
1.85 Mask
FS/FR
FS/RT
FS/RT
Film
16 x 9 Mask
FS/FR
FS/RT
FS/RT
Film
Anamorphic Mask
FS/FR
FS/RT
FS/RT
Film
Blowup
FS/FR
FS/RT
FS/RT
Film
Film Dissolve
FS/FR
FS/RT
FS/RT
Film
Film Fade
FS/FR
FS/RT
FS/RT
Film
Mask
FS/FR
FS/RT
FS/RT
Image
Flip
S
S
RT
Image
Flip-Flop
S
S
RT
Image
Flop
S
S
RT
Image
Mask
FR
RT
RT
Image
Resize
S
S
RT
Image
Submaster
FR
FR
FR
Key
Chroma Key
S
S
RT
Key
Luma Key
S
S
RT
Key
Matte Key
S
S
S
L-Conceal
Bottom Left
S
S
RT
Effect Category
61
Table 11
Effects for Avid Xpress Models (Continued)
Effect Name
Avid Xpress with Plus Bundle
Avid Xpress with Deluxe Bundle
Avid Xpress with Elite Bundle
L-Conceal
Bottom Right
S
S
RT
L-Conceal
Top Left
S
S
RT
L-Conceal
Top Right
S
S
RT
Matrix Wipe
Grid
S
S
S
Matrix Wipe
One-Way Row
S
S
S
Matrix Wipe
Speckle
S
S
S
Matrix Wipe
Spiral
S
S
S
Matrix Wipe
Zig Zag
S
S
S
Motion
Freeze Frame
RT
RT
RT
Motion
Variable Speed (Slo-Mo Forward)
RT
RT
RT
Motion
Variable Speed other
S
S
S
Motion
Strobe
S
S
S
Motion
Interpolated
S
S
S
Peel (2D)
Bottom Left Corner
S
S
RT
Peel (2D)
Bottom Right Corner
S
S
RT
Peel (2D)
Bottom to Top
S
S
RT
Peel (2D)
Left to Right
S
S
RT
Peel (2D)
Right to Left
S
S
RT
Effect Category
62
Table 11
Effects for Avid Xpress Models (Continued)
Effect Name
Avid Xpress with Plus Bundle
Avid Xpress with Deluxe Bundle
Avid Xpress with Elite Bundle
Peel (2D)
Top Left Corner
S
S
RT
Peel (2D)
Top Right Corner
S
S
RT
Peel (2D)
Top to Bottom
S
S
RT
Push
Bottom Left to Top Right
S
S
S
Push
Bottom Right to Top Left
S
S
S
Push
Bottom to Top
S
S
S
Push
Left to Right
S
S
S
Push
Right to Left
S
S
S
Push
Top Left to Bottom Right
S
S
S
Push
Top Right to Bottom Left
S
S
S
Push
Top to Bottom
S
S
S
Sawtooth Wipe
Horizontal
S
S
S
Sawtooth Wipe
Horizontal Open
S
S
S
Sawtooth Wipe
Vertical Open
S
S
S
Sawtooth Wipe
Vertical
S
S
S
Shape Wipe
4 Corners
S
S
S
Shape Wipe
Center Box
RT
RT
RT
Shape Wipe
Circle
S
S
S
Effect Category
63
Table 11
Effects for Avid Xpress Models (Continued)
Effect Name
Avid Xpress with Plus Bundle
Avid Xpress with Deluxe Bundle
Avid Xpress with Elite Bundle
Shape Wipe
Clock
S
S
S
Shape Wipe
Diamond
S
S
S
Shape Wipe
Ellipse
S
S
S
Shape Wipe
Horizontal Bands
S
S
S
Shape Wipe
Horizontal Blinds
S
S
S
Shape Wipe
Vertical Blinds
S
S
S
Spin (2D)
X Spin
S
S
S
Spin (2D)
Y Spin
S
S
S
Spin (2D)
Z Spin
NA
NA
RT
Squeeze
Bottom Centered
S
S
RT
Squeeze
Bottom Left
S
S
RT
Squeeze
Bottom Right
S
S
RT
Squeeze
Bottom to Top
S
S
RT
Squeeze
Centered Zoom
S
S
RT
Squeeze
Horizontal Centered
S
S
RT
Squeeze
Left Centered
S
S
RT
Squeeze
Left to Right
S
S
RT
Squeeze
Right Centered
S
S
RT
Effect Category
64
Table 11
Effects for Avid Xpress Models (Continued)
Effect Name
Avid Xpress with Plus Bundle
Avid Xpress with Deluxe Bundle
Avid Xpress with Elite Bundle
Squeeze
Right to Left
S
S
RT
Squeeze
Top Centered
S
S
RT
Squeeze
Top Left
S
S
RT
Squeeze
Top Right
S
S
RT
Squeeze
Top to Bottom
S
S
RT
Squeeze
Vertical Centered
S
S
RT
Effect Category
65
Documentation Changes for Release 4.1 The information in this section is not included in the Avid Xpress documentation. It was added for Release 4.1.
Change to Default Setting for Render Ranges The default setting for Render Ranges in the Timeline has been changed from None to Partial Only. By default, the unrendered portions of partially rendered effects are marked with a red line in the Timeline. This makes it easy to see when an effect is not completely unrendered.
n
You will not see the new default until you create a new user.
Holding Slates On Screen in the Script Window When you are working with slates in the Script window, you can now choose to hold slates on screen. As you scroll a script in the Script window, each slate will remain on screen as long as the take lines to which it is linked remain on screen. You can activate this feature when the Script window is open. You can also modify the Script settings so that slates always hold on screen in the Script window. If you modify the Script settings, the new setting takes effect the next time you open the Script window. To hold slates on screen: t
Choose Hold Slates Onscreen from the Script menu.
To modify Script settings to hold slates on screen: t
In the Script Settings dialog box, select Hold Slates Onscreen.
66
Creating Files for a DVD If you plan to output your sequence to a DVD, choose Create DVD from the File menu. The system provides the following options: •
If you have DVD writing hardware attached to your Avid system, you can burn the sequence directly to the DVD from your Avid application.
•
If you don’t have DVD writing hardware attached to your Avid system, you can create a DVD volume that you can move to another system.
•
If you plan to use a DVD authoring package such as DVDit! by Sonic Solutions to process your sequence, you can use the Create DVD command to create the appropriate MPEG-2 and WAVE files.
To create files for a DVD: 1. Before you begin, make sure that you have an MPEG-2 export setting defined. If you need to create a setting, see “Creating a New Export Setting” in the Help or the Avid Xpress User’s Guide. 2. Select a sequence in a bin. 3. Choose Create DVD from the File menu. The Create DVD dialog box appears. 4. Select one of the following options: •
Create DVD Volume and Write to DVD: If you have DVD writing hardware attached to your Avid system, you can choose this option to create the necessary files and send them directly to the DVD writing hardware. Make sure that the DVD writing hardware is connected and ready before you execute the command.
•
Create DVD Volume on Disk: If you don’t have DVD writing hardware attached to your Avid system, you can use this option to create a DVD volume. Then you can move the DVD volume to a system that has DVD writing hardware and software.
67
•
Export MPEG2 and WAVE Files: Use this option if you want to export your sequence in a format that can be used by a DVD authoring package such as DVDit!.
5. Select a folder to store the generated files. 6. Choose an MPEG-2 export setting from the Export Setting pop-up menu. 7. (Option) Click Modify to make any changes to the export setting in the Export Settings dialog box. 8. Click OK to start the export. A progress indicator shows your progress.
n
The length of export depends on the length of the media you are exporting. For example, it might take more than an hour to export a 3-minute sequence. During the creation process, the system renders all effects and creates MPEG-2 files from the video media. The system also creates .wav files from the audio media. Creating a DVD Volume When you select the Create DVD Volume on Disk option, the system creates a folder named DVDVolume. This folder contains the following two folders: •
AUDIO_TS
•
VIDEO_TS
Use the AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS folders with your DVD writing application to create the DVD.
n
The system creates an additional folder for storing the DVDVolume folder. The name of this additional folder is based on the sequence name. You can check for the name of this folder in the Create DVD dialog box.
68
n
The Create DVD Volume on Disk option also allows you to save the resulting MPEG-2 and .wav files. The system prompts you with a dialog box after the volume is created.
New Name for Open Project Dialog Box The name of the Open Project dialog box has changed to Select User and Project.
69
Review & Approval Service
n
The Review & Approval™ service has changed for this release. Your Avid system and the Avid Production Network™ Web site (AvidProNet.com™) provide an easy method for obtaining the required reviews and approvals for your material during the production process. Your selected reviewers can access the review material at the AvidProNet Web site and add their comments to the material. You can view the reviewer comments by using the Locators window in your Avid system. The AvidProNet Review & Approval service is a fee-based service.
c
Before using the review comments and approval process, you and your reviewers must have e-mail accounts, register as AvidProNet Review & Approval users, and install the AvidProNet Review & Approval software. To obtain review comments and approval of material: 1. Export the sequence that you want to have reviewed as a QuickTime Progressive-Download (Fast-Start) movie. For information about using the Fast-Start option, see “Internet Streaming Options” on page 74. 2. Post the QuickTime movie (the review file) to the AvidProNet Web site, and start the review process by following the procedures on the site. The AvidProNet Web site sends an e-mail to your selected reviewers. The e-mail provides a link to the AvidProNet Web site to allow the reviewer access to the review files. 3. If a password has been assigned to access the file, send the password to the reviewers.
70
4. Reviewers do the following: a.
Follow the instructions on the AvidProNet Web site to access the page containing the review file.
b.
Add comments to the review material by using the review applet available as part of the Review & Approval software. The review applet stores the reviewer’s comments in the AvidProNet database. When the reviewer completes the review, an e-mail is automatically sent to you, indicating reviewer comments are available. For more information about using the review applet, see the AvidProNet Web site.
5. Save the review comments to a Review & Approval file on a local drive.
n
A Review & Approval file usually has an .rna file name extension. 6. Open the Locators window, and display the reviewer comments. For procedures on displaying the reviewer comments, see “Opening Review & Approval Files” on page 71. Locators appear at the specific frame within the sequence where the reviewer commented on your review material. For more information about using the Locators window, see “Using the Locators Window” in the Avid Xpress User’s Guide or in the Help for your Avid system.
Opening Review & Approval Files You can view and edit reviewer comments in the Locators window. There are two methods for opening Review & Approval files in the Locators window: •
Choose Import R&A File from the Locators Fast menu.
•
Drag the Review & Approval file into the Locators window.
71
To open a Review & Approval file from the Locators window: 1. Choose Locators from the Tools menu. The Locators window opens. 2. Choose Import R&A File from the Locators Fast menu or from the File menu. A dialog box appears. 3. Navigate to the Review & Approval file and select it. 4. Click Open. The comments in the Review & Approval file appear in the Locators window. To open a Review & Approval file by using the drag-and-drop method: 1. Choose Locators from the Tools menu. The Locators window opens. 2. Open the folder that contains the Review & Approval file that you want to view, positioning the folder so the Locator window is visible. 3. Select the Review & Approval file you want to view. 4. Drag the Review & Approval file into the Locators window, and release the mouse button. The comments in the Review & Approval file appear in the Locators window.
Displaying Locator Creation Information in the Locators Window You can display creation information for each locator displayed in the Locators window. Displaying the creation information is useful when you are using the Review & Approval service.
72
You can display the following information for each locator displayed in the Locators window: •
Name of the user that created the locator
•
Date the locator was created
•
Time the locator was created
To display information about a locator: t
Choose Details from the Locators Fast menu. The Locators window displays the User, Date, and Time columns.
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Comments in the Review & Approval file appear as locators in the Avid editing application. For more information about using the Locators window, see “Using the Locators Window” in the Avid Xpress User’s Guide or in the Help for your Avid system.
Using Locator Colors with Review & Approval Files Choose Import R&A Color from the Locators Fast menu to perform the following tasks: t
Select the color for the locators in the next Review & Approval file that you open.
t
Change the color of selected locators in the Locators window.
Choosing Import R&A Color displays a menu with the available colors. By default, the system cycles to the next color in the list each time you open a new Review & Approval file.
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When there is more than one comment on a frame, the Avid system colors those comments black.
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Internet Streaming Options The Review & Approval documentation suggests that you use the Fast Start Internet Streaming option when you create a QuickTime file. The following table provides updated information on the Internet Streaming options. The Prepare for Internet Streaming option is part of the QuickTime Movie Settings table in the user’s guide or Help for your Avid system.
Option
Suboption
Description
Prepare for Internet Streaming
Fast Start
Allows a movie to begin playing over the Internet without downloading the entire movie first. This method of playing movies over the Internet is referred to as progressive download or HTTP streaming. It does not require a streaming video server.
Fast Start A better choice for progressive downloading. This option works Compressed Header the same as Fast Start but compresses the header information. The header is the portion of the file that allows the movie to start playing before the entire movie is downloaded. Compressing the header allows the header to download faster. This is important for larger movies (movies that are longer than several minutes). Hinted Streaming
Select this option if you are putting the exported file onto a streaming video server. The file will not stream without a hint track for each track in the movie. The hint tracks allow the streaming video server to split the file into packets for streaming. A file with hinted streaming will also play as a progressive download. However, it will probably play slower than a Fast Start movie because it contains additional information and is therefore larger. For additional options, click Track Hinter Settings. The RTP (Real Time Protocol) Track Setting dialog box appears. For more information, see QuickTime Help at: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/products/tutorials/ hinttracks.html.
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Preserving Information in the Vertical Blanking Interval You can choose whether or not to preserve vertical interval timecode (VITC) information in some of the lines in the vertical blanking interval (VBI). This section gives a brief explanation of VITC, describes when it is useful to preserve the information, and points out some compromises that might have to be made when preserving these lines. For additional information on blanking over previously open lines, see “Changes in Output Blanking in SDI Format” on page 47.
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In the majority of cases, you do not want to preserve VITC information when you digitize. Do so only if you have a special need for the information.
Vertical Interval Timecode In 1980, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers created SMPTE 12M, the standard describing VITC. This standard defines an encoding that can be used to store information on selected lines in the vertical blanking interval. Timecode is converted into a series of short and long signals that express the timecode values in binary form. Various machines have been developed that can insert and read VITC information. The standard was originally developed for placing timecode on videotape. Over time, other types of information were added, including:
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•
Edgecodes (for film projects)
•
Closed-captioning codes
•
Interactive TV codes or enhanced TV codes
In this section, the term VITC is used as a general term for identifying any information placed in the vertical blanking interval.
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Line Ranges for Avid Products Symphony, Media Composer, Film Composer, and Avid Xpress are capable of digitizing 248 lines per field in NTSC. Only 243 of these lines are in RP 187’s production aperture. The additional five lines in each field are immediately above the active part of each of the two fields. These lines can be used for carrying additional data. In PAL, the range is eight lines per field, immediately above the RP 187 production aperture. The following table lists the extra lines in the vertical blanking interval for both NTSC and PAL:
Field
Video Raster Extra Line Number Ranges NTSC (5 lines/field)
PAL (8 lines/field)
Field 1
16–20
15–22
Field 2
278–282
328–335
Preserving VITC Information By default, Avid systems blank these extra line ranges by overwriting the area with black. This blanking is done because certain effects and color correction operations can act on these black lines, often producing color or gray-tone levels on those lines that would be unacceptable for some end uses. In some applications, the ability to maintain data on these lines is so important that you might be willing to either avoid using these effects or work around the result. For more information, see “Potential Problems with Preserving VITC Information” on page 78. You can instruct the Avid system to preserve any data on these lines that originated from an upstream source. You can later erase the information if necessary.
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You might want to preserve the following VITC information: •
Edgecode information for a film project The editor might want to preserve edgecode information to easily identify the source film reel for a clip. In this case, the edgecode information would have been originally inserted during the telecine process.
•
Closed-captioning information If an editor is repurposing a finished sequence for another market, he or she might want to retain closed-captioning codes that were added after the tape was output from the Avid system. The editor could then perform basic editing on the redigitized sequence and would not have to reapply the closed-captioning codes afterward.
n c
The Avid system does not interpret the VITC information. It treats the codes simply as pixels in the video frame. If you want to read the VITC during editing, you must connect an external VITC reader to the Avid system. If you preserve VITC information when you digitize, compressed video (other than 1:1) might lose some quality. See “Potential Problems with Preserving VITC Information” on page 78. To preserve VITC information when you digitize: 1. Choose General from the Settings scroll list in the Project window. 2. Select Preserve VITC and Closed Captioning. 3. Click OK. If you want to keep the VITC information when you digitize and remove it when you create a digital cut, select Preserve VITC and Closed Captioning before digitizing and deselect it before you perform a digital cut.
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Using a Partial Wipe Operation to Insert or Delete VITC A partial wipe can be used to insert VITC material on lines from one frame onto the same lines of another frame. If filler is used instead of a digitized clip, the black filler will effectively delete the VITC. To wipe in lines from an original clip: 1. Add the original clip on a higher video track. 2. Apply a vertical wipe effect to the clip on the lower track. 3. Enter Effect mode, and wipe out the top scan lines of the lower track.
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When VITC information is present on a frame, it is visible along the top of the frame in the Source and Record monitors.
Potential Problems with Preserving VITC Information Several problems can occur when you preserve VITC information when you digitize footage: •
Compressed video in the entire frame might be slightly degraded due to the added entropy or complexity from the VITC lines.
•
Effects can modify the color or brightness of the VITC information to make it unreadable by a VITC reader or to make the signal on those lines unacceptable for certain end uses.
•
When you are using different formats for digitizing and output (for example, SDI input and NTSC analog output), there can be conflicts with respect to black levels.
Preserving VITC Can Affect Compressed Video Quality For resolutions other than 1:1, preserving VITC when you digitize can affect the video quality. For example, depending on the compression ratio, a video frame might look more blocky with VITC information included.
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The Avid system performs the following operations when digitizing a frame: 1. Capture the entire frame (including the vertical blanking interval) as an uncompressed frame. 2. Blank the VITC information if necessary: •
If VITC information should not be preserved (default), fill the vertical blanking interval with video black (R=G=B=16).
•
If VITC information should be preserved, do not modify the vertical blanking interval.
3. Compress the frame if necessary. If the frame contains VITC information, it adds additional complexity to the frame and makes the frame more difficult to compress. If you want to preserve VITC information, either use 1:1 resolution or experiment by digitizing with VITC on and off to make sure that the quality is acceptable for your use. Effects Can Modify the VITC Information Since the VITC is part of the video frame, any effect that modifies the top portion of a frame might affect the VITC information and make it unreadable by a VITC reader. For the example, the following effects can modify the VITC on a frame:
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•
Color correction
•
Dissolves or Flips and Flops
•
Pan and Scan resizes
3D effects automatically blank the vertical blanking area of the affected portion of a sequence. For example, if you use a 3D effect on a transition, the system blanks any VITC information on the frames that make up the transition.
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You might find it useful to wipe in the VITC information from the original clip or to wipe in black to cover the modified VITC information. For additional information, see “Preserving VITC Information” on page 76. Cross-Platform Conflicts with Respect to Black Levels When you are digitizing in SDI and playing back out in SDI, the black and blanking levels on the VITC lines will be proper. However, if you digitize in an NTSC analog format (with setup present) and you play out in SDI, then the fact that SDI has no setup while the analog format does can cause the VITC black level to be below blanking. This effect is described in “Black Levels When Outputting SDI from NTSC Input” on page 46 for the half lines. The description there also applies to any vertical lines that are enabled for VITC.
Using a GPI Device with the Audio Punch-In Tool Your Avid system can send signals to a V-LAN VLXi deck controller and a general-purpose interface (GPI) device that trigger GPI actions. These signals are sent when playback begins and ends and also when recording with the Audio Punch-In tool begins and ends. If you have a V-LAN VLXi deck controller and a GPI device connected to your Avid system and they are configured correctly, you can use the GPI to control additional external hardware while you are working with the Audio Punch-In tool. For example, you might want to control an indicator light in a recording studio to provide a visual cue for performers or to control a light outside the studio that indicates when recording is in progress. To make use of this feature, you must: •
Understand when the system sends GPI trigger signals. For more information, see “Understanding When Your System Sends GPI Trigger Signals” on page 81.
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•
Connect a V-LAN VLXi deck controller and a VLXi-GT GPI to your system. For more information, see “Connecting a V-LAN VLXi Controller and GPI” on page 83.
•
Configure the V-LAN controller and the GPI, and then create appropriate GPI settings for your specific needs. For more information, see “Configuring a V-LAN VLXi Controller and GPI” on page 84.
Understanding When Your System Sends GPI Trigger Signals Your system sends three different GPI trigger signals under the circumstances listed in Table 12.
Table 12
GPI Trigger Signals
Trigger Signal Sent
When
Play Out
Playback begins. Recording with the Audio Punch-In tool ends but playback is still continuing because a postroll value is set in the Audio Punch-In tool (that is, the signal is sent when the Record Status light in the Audio Punch-In tool changes from red to blue).
Record Out
Recording with the Audio Punch-In tool begins.
Stop Out
Playback stops.
For more information on using the Audio Punch-In tool, see the chapter “Working with Audio” in the Help or the Avid Xpress User’s Guide.
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GPI Signal Sequence When Using the Audio Punch-In Tool Without Preroll or Postroll When you use the Audio Punch-In tool without any preroll or postroll, the sequence of signals is as follows: 1. Record Out is sent when recording begins. 2. Stop Out is sent when recording (and playback) ends. GPI Signal Sequence When Using the Audio Punch-In Tool With Preroll and Postroll When you use the Audio Punch-In tool with preroll and postroll, the sequence of signals is as follows: 1. Play Out is sent when the preroll begins (the position indicator begins moving in the Timeline and the Record Status light in the Audio Punch-In tool changes to green). 2. Record Out is sent when recording begins (the Record Status light in the Audio Punch-In tool changes from green to red). 3. Play Out is sent when recording ends and the postroll begins (the Record Status light in the Audio Punch-In tool changes from red to blue). 4. Stop Out is sent when the postroll ends (the position indicator stops moving). Example of Linking GPI Actions to Trigger Signals You can configure the GPI to respond to each of the signals sent by the system in a specific manner. For a simple indicator light, you might create a GPI setting linking the Record Out signal from the Avid system to the GPI’s Set action (to turn the light on) and a setting linking the Stop Out signal from the Avid system to the GPI’s Reset action (to turn the light off). If you were working with preroll and postroll values, you might also link the Play Out signal to the GPI’s Pulse action to flash the light on and off repeatedly during the preroll and postroll periods. (Since the
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Pulse action does not switch between on and off very rapidly, your preroll and postroll durations might need to be quite long to allow for the light to flash enough times to be meaningful.) For more information on configuring the GPI, see “Configuring a V-LAN VLXi Controller and GPI” on page 84.
Connecting a V-LAN VLXi Controller and GPI The V-LAN VLXi controller and VLXi-GT GPI connect to your Avid system through a direct serial connection as shown in Figure 2. For more information on connecting V-LAN equipment to your system, see your setup guide. You must configure the V-LAN VLXi controller to work with the VLXi-GT GPI. Assign the VLXi-GT to a V-LAN node address between 16 and 19. LAN connections of more than 50 feet must have a terminator. For more information on configuring the V-LAN, see the Videomedia VLXi User’s Guide.
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GPI terminals (for connections to external hardware)
All cables are customer supplied.
IN
OUT
IN
OUT
IN
OUT
IN
OUT
IN
OUT
IN
OUT
SERIAL
LAN
VLXi-GT (GPI)
SERIAL
CF AC
1
PARALLEL
REF
2
SERIAL A
3
TIMECODE A IN OUT
4
5
SERIAL B
6
TIMECODE B IN OUT
LAN
CF AC
VLX TRANSMITTER
VLX 2R DUAL RECEIVER
V-LAN connection
Terminator (required when cable length is more than 50 feet)
V-LAN VLXi
VLXi transmitter serial input
Serial cable to serial port connector on Avid system
Figure 2
V-LAN VLXi Controller and VLXi-GT GPI
Configuring a V-LAN VLXi Controller and GPI Once you have a V-LAN VLXi controller and VLXi-GT GPI connected to your system, you can configure the system to communicate with the controller and the GPI and create GPI settings appropriate to your needs. You must create a separate GPI setting for each trigger signal you want the GPI to recognize. For example, you might need one setting for the Record Out signal and another for the Stop Out signal. You can also edit an existing GPI setting or delete a GPI setting so that it no longer appears as an option in the GPI Settings dialog box.
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To configure the V-LAN VLXi controller and the VLXi-GT GPI: 1. Click the Settings button in the Project window. 2. Double-click Deck Configuration. The Deck Configuration dialog box appears. 3. Click Add Channel. 4. From the Channel Type pop-up menu, choose VLAN VLX. 5. From the Port pop-up menu, choose the serial port to which the V-LAN VLXi is connected. 6. Click OK. The autoconfigure message box appears. 7. Click Yes. The connected GPI is automatically detected and appears in the Deck Configuration dialog box. To create a GPI setting: 1. Click the Settings button in the Project window. 2. Double-click Deck Configuration. 3. Double-click the VLXi-GT text box in the Deck Configuration dialog box. The GPI Settings dialog box appears. 4. Select the appropriate settings. Table 13 describes the GPI Settings options. 5. Click Add. The GPI Node Settings dialog box appears. 6. Select the appropriate settings. Table 14 describes the GPI Node Settings options.
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7. Click OK. The GPI Settings dialog box appears. 8. Click OK to set the GPI. 9. Click Apply in the Deck Configuration dialog box.
Table 13
GPI Settings Options
Option
Description
Name
Keep the default V-LAN VLXi name, or type a new name.
Description
(Option) Add a description of the GPI trigger.
Device Type
Select V-LAN, which is the Avid-supported device type.
Address
Select the V-LAN network address to which the VLXi-GT is assigned. Valid addresses on the V-LAN network are 16 through 19. This address must match the internal V-LAN address.
Pulse Duration
Leave this setting at its default value; it does not alter the length of the Pulse action in the GPI.
GPI Control Enable
When you deselect this option, you disable the GPI but keep the GPI settings. This is useful for troubleshooting purposes.
Edit
Click to edit an existing GPI node setting.
Delete
Click to delete an existing GPI node setting.
Add
Click to add another GPI node setting.
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Table 14
GPI Node Settings Options
Option
Description
Function
Select one of the three active functions — Record Out, Play Out, and Stop Out. Seven options are listed, but only the three signals described in “Understanding When Your System Sends GPI Trigger Signals” on page 81 are active.
Node
Choose a node from the Node pop-up menu. Nodes 1 through 6 correspond to the physical connectors on the back of the VLXi-GT GPI box.
Action
Select an action: • Set activates a command. • Reset deactivates a command. • Pulse switches the state between active and inactive.
To edit an existing GPI setting: 1. Click the Settings button in the Project window. 2. Double-click Deck Configuration. The Deck Configuration dialog box appears. 3. Click the VLXi-GT text box. 4. Select the name of the existing GPI you want to edit. 5. Click Edit. 6. Make the applicable changes. 7. Click OK. 8. Click Apply. The GPI setting is updated.
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To delete a GPI setting: 1. Click the Settings button in the Project window. 2. Double-click Deck Configuration. The Deck Configuration dialog box appears. 3. Click the VLXi-GT text box. 4. Select the name of the GPI you want to delete. 5. Click Delete. 6. Click OK. 7. Click Apply. The GPI setting is deleted.
Importing CamCutter Files You can import clips recorded with Ikegami’s disk-based Editcam or Editcam-station products. The Editcam is a digital news gathering (DNG) camera that uses Avid’s CamCutter technology. To import CamCutter files: 1. (Option) Choose Mount All from the File menu. Performing this step in all cases is good practice but is not necessary if it was performed previously or if the FieldPak® was inserted before starting the Avid Xpress application. 2. Open a bin. 3. Choose Import from the File menu. A dialog box appears. 4. Choose CamCutter from the Files of Type pop-up menu.
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5. Select the CamCutter bin as follows:
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a.
From the Desktop, select the FieldPak by choosing the FieldPak drive letter.
b.
Open the bin folder on the FieldPak.
c.
Select the CamCutter bins, or select the .spl files to be imported.
The Outakes.bin contains clips that were discarded by the Editcam operator. These clips are generally not imported, but they can be. 6. Ignore the field specifying video resolution to be imported. 7. Ignore the field regarding video and audio drive selection. 8. Proceed with the import operation. The system displays a dialog box asking you to identify the drives that contain the media files. 9. Select the FieldPak drive letters as appropriate.
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If the drive is not listed, complete step 1 and begin the procedure again. 10. Complete the import process. The system creates entries in the selected bin that reference the clips on the FieldPak. For more information on importing files, see the Help or the Avid Xpress User’s Guide.
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Please note the following restrictions: •
The CamCutter clips are not copied onto a media drive. The Avid Xpress bin references the clips physically located on the FieldPak. If you remove the FieldPak, the referenced clips will appear as Media Offline.
•
The FieldPak has limited performance and is used only to record and play back clips. If multiple streams of video are required to perform advanced effects, it is possible that the data cannot be supplied fast enough for proper operation. If this situation occurs, you can do one of the following: t
Render the effects.
t
Consolidate the sequence to a valid media drive.
t
Import the CamCutter clips as OMFI files. This effectively copies the clips to a media drive.
For additional information regarding Editcam, the CamCutter technology and how these systems operate with nonlinear editors, see www.nltek.com.
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Importing Audio from an Audio CD You can import a track from an audio CD directly into your system. The following procedure describes the basic method for importing an audio CD track. For more information on importing files, see “Importing Files” in the Help or the Avid Xpress User’s Guide. To import an audio CD track: 1. Open the bin in which you want to store the audio file. 2. Choose Import from the File menu. The Select Files to Import dialog box appears.
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3. Select the drive containing the audio CD from the Look In pop-up menu. The individual tracks on the CD appear in the file browser as .cda files, for example, Track01.cda. 4. Select the track you want to import. 5. Select the drive on which you want to store the media files. 6. Click Open. The system imports the files. A message box displays a progress bar indicating the progress of the import.
The system creates the following files: •
An audio clip that appears in the bin. This clip has the same name as the file name from the audio CD.
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•
Associated media files in the format that is set in the Audio File Format pop-up menu of the General Settings dialog box (either .wav or .aif).
Change Sample Rate You can use the Change Sample Rate dialog box to change the sample rate of a clip or sequence. Since you can combine clips of different sample rates in the same sequence, this feature is useful when you need to ensure that the entire sequence has the same sample rate for a digital cut or export.
Using AvidLinks Table 15 in this section is in the Help, but it is not included in the current hardcopy documentation. The last entry in the table contains corrected information on the supported media objects for Avid|DS. AvidLinks enables you to send data from your Avid system to other Avid applications. The AvidLinks option provides you with a choice of several OMFI Export templates. The resulting files will be either composition-only or composition with embedded audio or video.
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You can use AvidLinks to export to any application listed in Table 15.
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For the exported file to be useful in the target application, you must choose one of the supported media objects.
Table 15
Available Avid Applications for AvidLinks Export
Avid Application
Output File Format
AudioVision®
OMFI
Sequence or master clip
Digidesign® Pro Tools®
OMFI
Embed Audio in Sequence or master clip OMF Interchange file
Options
Supported Media Objects
External Audio Files (native AIFF-C only) Media IllusionTM (Composition)
OMFI
Media Illusion (Video)
OMFI
Avid|DS (Composition)
OMFI
Sequence only Convert to 1:1a
Master clip only Sequence only
a. Media Illusion 6.0 requires uncompressed media (1:1 resolution). If your media is not 1:1, select this option. The Avid system will create uncompressed media for the exported file. If your media is 1:1, don’t select this option and the exporting process will be faster.
Error in Avid Xpress Help Avid Xpress Help incorrectly lists “Latency for External Timecode” as a Digitize settings option. This feature is not part of Avid Xpress.
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Documentation Changes for Release 4.0 The information in this section is not included in the Avid Xpress documentation. It was included in the Release 4.0 release notes.
Monitoring Previously Recorded Tracks While Recording a Voice-Over Narration You can now monitor previously recorded audio tracks while you record a voice-over narration with the Audio Punch-In tool. To monitor other audio tracks: 1. Choose Audio Tool from the Tools menu. The Audio tool opens. 2. Choose Direct Out from the Output Options pop-up menu. 3. Choose Audio Punch-In from the Tools menu. The Audio Punch-In tool opens. 4. Follow the procedure “Recording a Voice-Over Narration” in the chapter “Working with Audio” in the Avid Xpress User’s Guide or in the Help. 5. As you record, monitor the previously recorded audio tracks along with your current recording from the meters in the Audio tool and from the sound on the speakers.
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For two-channel audio systems, omit step 2. You can monitor one previously recorded audio track.
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Digitize Settings Table 16 lists more complete descriptions of some of the Digitize settings, which are described in the Help or the Avid Xpress User’s Guide.
Table 16
Digitize Settings Options (General Tab)
Option
Description
Prepare multiple files for (minutes)
When this option is selected, the system preallocates space on the drive partitions to accommodate the specified number of minutes. (The preallocation can take a long time.) The system digitizes for only the specified number of minutes; be careful not to underestimate. The default is 30 minutes.
Space bar stops digitize
Select this option if you want to use the space bar to create clip names during the digitizing process. When you press the space bar during a digitize operation, the system stops digitizing, creates a clip from the digitized material, and places the clip in the active bin.
Change for Goodies.html The document Goodies.html in the Avid Goodies folder mentions MacOpener® as being available on many Avid systems. MacOpener allows Macintosh formatted disks, CD-ROMs, and drives to be mounted and read on a Windows system. For this release, Avid recommends using “MacDrive 2000 Edition for Avid Systems” from Mediafour Corporation for similar operations. For more information on MacDrive, see www.mediafour.com.
Screen Resolutions for Imported Graphics and Sequences Table 17 shows the frame size to use when importing graphics and sequences for different resolutions for NTSC and for PAL.
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For example, when you are using an application such as Adobe® After Effects® to process a sequence that you want to bring into Avid Xpress, use these values when you render the sequence. For more information on importing graphics, see the Avid Xpress User’s Guide or the Help. Table 17 provides information about the resolutions for interlaced media (30i NTSC and 25i PAL projects).
Table 17
Resolution
Graphic Import Frame Sizes: Interlaced
Frame Size (Pixels)
Resolution
Frame Size (Pixels)
15:1s
352 x 243 (NTSC) 352 x 288 (PAL)
10:1
720 x 486 (NTSC) 720 x 576 (PAL)
4:1s
352 x 243 (NTSC) 352 x 288 (PAL)
3:1
720 x 486 (NTSC) 720 x 576 (PAL)
2:1s
352 x 243 (NTSC) 352 x 288 (PAL)
2:1
720 x 486 (NTSC) 720 x 576 (PAL)
20:1
720 x 486 (NTSC) 720 x 576 (PAL)
1:1
720 x 486 (NTSC) 720 x 576 (PAL)
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MediaLog The following information provides more complete instructions for the Avid MediaLog User’s Guide: •
In “Retrieving Bins from the Attic Folder,” in step 12, the last paragraph should read: Repeat steps 8 through 12 for any other backup bin files you copied to the desktop.
•
In “Modifying Data Directly,” in step 2, in the last arrow entry, the Macintosh key combination should be k+V.
Sharing Bins and Projects on Avid Unity MediaNet Avid Unity MediaNet allows you to share bins and projects across the network. When you place your bins and projects on Avid Unity MediaNet workspaces (drive volumes), several users can work on the same project at the same time. For example, an editor can create sequences in one bin while an assistant redigitizes media in another bin. At the same time, other users can add audio effects or titles to other bins in the project. Each user can perform tasks from his or her own Avid system. The Avid Xpress application provides a simple locking mechanism to help you keep track of who is currently working in a bin. The method allows one writer and multiple readers access to a bin.
c
The lock does not prevent you from deleting the media in a locked bin if you have write access to the workspace. It ensures only that you don’t overwrite changes to the bin.
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Mapping Workspaces on the Avid Unity Network For information on mapping workspaces, see the Avid Unity MediaNet for Windows NT Clients Quick Start Card. These instructions assume that Avid Unity MediaNet is up and running. For details on Avid Unity MediaNet, see the Avid Unity MediaNet Administration Guide.
Sharing Methods Before you begin copying or creating bins and projects on an Avid Unity MediaNet workspace, determine the sharing method you will use for the project.
Shared Bins When you use this method, you store the project on your Avid system and store bins and media files on the shared workspace. This method allows users in a shared environment to share only selected bins with other users. The Avid Xpress application uses the following methods to identify the shared bins: •
Stores the bin in a Unity Bins folder in the Project window. This folder is similar to the Other Bins folder.
•
Displays an extra column of information for the bin that identifies the Avid system that currently has the bin locked.
•
Uses bold text to identify bins that are locked by other users.
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Shared Bins and Projects If you share bins and projects, you create and store the project folder and bins on the shared workspace (or copy an existing project, bins, and the related media files). The Avid Xpress application uses the following methods to identify information from each Avid system using the shared workspace: •
Creates a project folder for each Avid system that accesses the project. The Avid Xpress application adds the Avid system’s computer name to the folder name to create a unique name and stores any project-specific information in the folder. This mechanism prevents users from overwriting the project-specific data for other users. The folder is similar to the folder created when you choose New Folder from the Project Window Fast menu. For more information, see “Managing Folders and Bins” in the Help or in the Avid Xpress User’s Guide.
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•
Displays an extra column in the Project window that identifies the Avid system that has the bin locked.
•
Uses bold text to identify bins that are locked by other users.
•
Creates a folder at the top level of the shared workspace called Unity Attic. This folder contains backup files for each project on the shared volume.
Depending on the number of users sharing a workspace, you might want to increase the number of files that Avid Xpress stores in the Attic folder (use the Bin Settings dialog box).
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The following illustration shows the Project window for a shared project.
Bold bins are locked for editing but can be viewed.
Avid system that currently has the bin locked
Project folders for each user
The following illustration shows the contents of a shared workspace at the desktop level.
Shared projects Shared media files Unity Attic
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Opening a Shared Project To open an existing project on the shared volume: 1. Start the Avid Xpress application. 2. In the Select User and Project dialog box, navigate to the project on Avid Unity MediaNet. The following illustration shows an example.
3. The Project window opens. For a description of the MediaNet-specific elements of the Project window, see “Sharing Methods” on page 99. 4. Open one of the bins by double-clicking the Bin icon. The bin appears with a Bin Lock Status button. You can click the Bin Lock Status button (red — locked or green — unlocked) to view a history file that shows which Avid systems and users have modified the bin and the date and time of the modifications.
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The following illustration shows locked and unlocked bins.
Unlocked bin
Locked bin
When a bin is unlocked, you have permission to make changes. You should not make changes to a locked bin. See “Restrictions and Limitations for Locked Bins” on page 104.
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The Bin Lock Status button does not appear if the bin is not on the Avid Unity MediaNet environment.
Working with Locks Avid Xpress uses a simple locking mechanism to help you keep track of who is currently working in a shared bin. This allows one writer and multiple readers access to the bin.
Default Locking Mechanism The user who opens the bin first gets the lock and obtains write access to the bin. Avid Xpress uses bold text in the Project window to identify bins that are locked by another user. When the person who owns the lock closes the bin, it becomes available for another user to open and take the lock.
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If one user has the lock and another user has the same bin open, when the first user closes the bin, the second user must close and reopen the bin to get the lock. You can click the Bin Lock Status button in the bin to view a history file that shows which Avid systems and users have modified the bin. To open a bin without taking the lock: t
Alt+double-click the bin in the Project window.
Overriding the Default Locking Mechanism You can instruct Avid Xpress to keep a bin locked even after you close it. To permanently lock a bin: 1. Select one or more bins in the Project window. 2. Choose Lock Project Bin from the Clip menu. An asterisk (*) appears next to the user name in the Project window. In this case, the bin remains locked even after you close it. To unlock the bin: t
Click the bin in the Project window, and choose Unlock Project Bin from the Clip menu.
Restrictions and Limitations for Locked Bins The following restrictions apply to bins locked by another user: •
You cannot select a locked bin for operations such as digitizing, title creation, and importing. This helps to minimize the problems of modifying a locked bin.
•
You cannot drag to a locked bin.
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•
If you drag from a locked bin to an unlocked bin, the Avid Xpress application will create a duplicate (not a copy) of the selection in the unlocked bin. The original item is not removed from the locked bin. This operation is the equivalent of duplicating a selection and then dragging the duplicate to another bin.
•
You cannot move a bin that is locked by another user.
•
If you modify a locked bin, the Avid Xpress application will not let you save the bin to the same name, but it will allow you to save the bin to another name. However, this causes duplicate bin IDs and might cause system-level conflicts with the contents of the two bins. The Avid Xpress application will see the duplicates of the contents of these bins and will resolve the conflicts by newest modifications (this might not be desirable behavior). You should avoid creating duplicate bins by modifying a locked bin. If you do create a duplicate bin in this way, you should manually merge the changes into the original bin and delete the duplicate bin.
c
The lock does not prevent you from deleting the media in a locked bin if you have write access to the workspace. It ensures only that you don’t overwrite changes to the bin.
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Hardware and Software Limitations This section describes hardware and software limitations for this release.
Limitations When Using Consumer Video Decks This section describes some difficulties you might encounter when working with consumer video decks and tapes (such as VHS). Workarounds are described when available.
Digitizing from Unstable Time-Base Sources The Meridien subsystem used in Avid systems is optimized for use with modern, broadcast-quality VTRs that contain time-base correctors (TBCs). However, some sources do not include an internal TBC (including various S-Video decks or composite VHS, ¾-inch, or Hi8 decks). In some cases, the Meridien subsystem will not lock to non-TBC sources. As a result, the image might be unstable or have reduced or missing color, or syncing might not be possible at all. If you click the Consumer Source button in the Video Input tool, a wider bandwidth more closely tracking time-base will improve the syncing capability. In this mode, the video input levels will be set by automatic gain control. Not all of the Video Input tool’s adjustment sliders will operate and the video might be slightly softened, but the syncing will be more reliable and far more stable. The overall image quality will not be as high as with normal operation. If you continue to experience difficulty with a source that does not include an internal TBC, Avid recommends that the video signal be processed through an external TBC for maximum image quality. For more information on time-base correctors, contact your Avid Reseller.
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Green Line in VHS Video Some VHS tape decks do not output the full 240 lines of video normally included in the VHS format. As a result, after you digitize from a device such as a VCR, a green line might appear at the bottom of the monitors in the Avid system. This line is at the bottom of the visible area of the picture and is not seen in a standard consumer monitor in most cases. If you use the video when the line is visible, you can remove it by cropping the bottom edge of the picture.
Unrendered 3D Effects with Drop Shadow At the start of an unrendered 3D effect with a drop shadow, there is a one-field delay before the shadow appears. This is a hardware design limitation and cannot be fixed for real-time play of an unrendered effect. Workaround: Render the effect.
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Fixed Bugs This section describes bugs that were fixed in Releases 4.0.1 and 4.1.
Problems Fixed in Release 4.0.1 The following problems were fixed in Release 4.0.1.
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Interactive performance when connected to an Avid Unity workgroup has improved. The improvement is noticeable when you perform tasks such as switching between tracks or when using the Effect Editor.
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You can now digitize to multiple bins located on an Avid Unity workspace.
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The Video Input tool now allows you to switch between Component and S-Video input.
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Multilayered title effects now render correctly and allow adjustment of keyframed position values.
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Boris FX™ Pro 2 input effects now work correctly when applied to the Timeline.
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You can now open the AudioSuite window if you are not logged in as an administrator.
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Playing back multicamera sequences across an Avid Unity network no longer results in video underrun errors.
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Problems Fixed in Release 4.1 The following problems are fixed in Release 4.1.
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You can use all AudioSuite plug-ins in an Avid Unity network.
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The 3D Warp effect trails no longer break up, flash, or disappear.
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A corrupt MC state setting no longer prevents the application from starting and does not display a “VRef not found” error.
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Batch digitizing correctly updates the bin display.
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The default path is correct when batch importing an audio clip from an audio CD.
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Audio export to Media Cleaner EZ in direct out mode exports without errors.
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Avid Log Exchange lists generated by MediaLog can be brought back into PAL Method 1 projects.
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Known Bugs Audio
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Audio might export at a rate different from the rate reported in the Audio Project Settings dialog box. If you export audio while a digital input sync mode (AES/EBU or S/PDIF) is set in the Audio Project Settings dialog box, the resulting export file might be created at a sample rate other than the one currently displayed in the Audio Project Settings dialog box. The following scenario demonstrates how this problem can occur. In the Audio Project Settings dialog box, with an AES/EBU or S/PDIF audio source connected to your system: 1. Choose Video Sync from the Sync Mode pop-up menu. 2. Choose an audio sample rate that is different from the digital rate for the source. For example, choose a sample rate of 44.1 kHz when the digital rate for the source is 48 kHz. 3. Choose the appropriate digital option (AES/EBU or S/PDIF) from the Sync Mode pop-up menu. The sample rate is forced to the digital rate of the source (for example, it reverts from 44.1 kHz to 48 kHz). This is normal behavior for the Audio Project Settings dialog box. 4. Export audio with an export setting that uses the project rate as the export sample rate. For example, choose Project Rate as the sample rate in the Audio Format tab for an AVI export. The audio exports at the sample rate you chose before forcing to the digital rate (that is, the sample rate you chose in step 2).
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If you switch back to Video Sync in the Sync Mode pop-up menu of the Audio Project Settings dialog box, the sample rate displayed stays at the forced digital selection but the export still uses the sample rate you chose before forcing the digital rate. In a mixed Macintosh and Windows NT environment, you may encounter the following error during OMFI Version 2.0 export of a clip containing SDII audio: “Exception: CAN'T_EXPORT_MEDIA_AS_SD2 An error occurred during export.” A clip containing SDII audio can be exported from a Macintosh-based Avid system to MediaManager, and from there to an Windows NT-based Avid system. The error occurs when the clip is exported from the Windows NT-based Avid system. The SDII audio format is not currently supported by Windows NT-based Avid systems. Workaround: In mixed Macintosh and Windows NT environments, use AIFF-C audio format.
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Clip gain information is not carried forward from previous releases on segments that include automation gain. If you transfer a sequence from Avid Xpress Release 4.0 or later to an earlier release, save the sequence, and transfer it back again, the original additive clip gain on segments with automation gain will be lost.
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Avid Log Exchange (ALE)
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If you load Avid Log Exchange onto a system running Microsoft Windows 98, files that are 68K or greater will not open.
Bins and Projects
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Logging in to an existing Avid Xpress project from MediaLog corrupts Avid Xpress settings and results in a Fatal Error when you open the project in the Avid Xpress application. Workaround: Create a new project in MediaLog. In Avid Xpress, open or import the new project or bins from the new project. Alternatively, if you have logged directly in to an existing Avid Xpress project from MediaLog, open the Avid Projects file on the Desktop, and delete the Settings.avs file from any projects into which you have logged.
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The view of an opened shared bin can sometimes revert to the view it had when you previously opened it. This applies to bins that are shared over Avid Unity MediaNet. For example, if you choose Frame view for your open bin, close the bin, and then reopen it, it will revert to Text view.
Compatibility
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Redigitize media before re-creating titles from Media Composer Release 7.0, Film Composer Release 7.0, or Avid Xpress Release 2.0. If you move a sequence forward from Media Composer Release 7.0, Film Composer Release 7.0, or Avid Xpress Release 2.0, you should redigitize the media before re-creating titles. If you re-create the titles first, the titles will not be relinked to the sequence because of differences in the video compression.
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✘
The versions of the D-Fi™ AudioSuite Plug-Ins shipped with Media Composer Release 7.x and Avid Xpress Release 2.x are not compatible with the D-Fi AudioSuite Plug-Ins shipped with this release of Avid Xpress. Workaround: Render any D-Fi AudioSuite Plug-Ins before you move them to system with a later version of the application.
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The versions of the D-fx™ AudioSuite Plug-Ins shipped with Media Composer Release 7.x and Avid Xpress Release 2.x are not compatible with the D-fx AudioSuite Plug-Ins shipped with this release of Avid Xpress. An error will occur when you open the plug-in window or render D-fx plug-ins in bins or sequences imported from Media Composer Release 7.x and Avid Xpress Release 2.x. Workaround: Render any D-fx AudioSuite Plug-Ins before you move them to a system with a later version of the application, or perform an audio mixdown of all tracks.
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When you move User settings from Avid Xpress Release 3.0 or later to Media Composer Release 7.2, the Digitize settings are changed.
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After you transfer a sequence that contains a full-frame, multiple-line, static title created in a PAL project on Avid Xpress Release 3.0 or later to Media Composer Release 7.2, and after you re-create the title, the title appears blown up with only half the title displaying during play. The title appears normal when you play it in Effect mode. Workaround: Render the title.
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When you transfer a PAL project that contains a long rolling title from Avid Xpress Release 3.0 or later to Media Composer Release 7.2, the title is truncated when you re-create it.
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✘
Static titles are not supported in OMFI 1.0 or 2.0. When you import a static title from Avid Xpress Release 3.0 or later to another system, the static title will come across as a matte key. Workaround: Use the actual bin where the static title was created, and copy it to the other system.
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When you move Media Composer Release 7.2 film projects with TC 24 columns, duplicate columns might appear. This problem applies to Media Composer Release 7.2 film projects that you moved to Avid Xpress Release 3.0 or later. If you had information in a TC 24 bin column, you might see two TC 24 columns in the Bin Headings menu when you open the project in Avid Xpress Release 3.0 or later. One column will be empty and the other will hold the values you entered in the Media Composer Release 7.2 project.
Consolidating
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Consolidating a sequence with a group could result in the sequence referencing two different groups. When you consolidate a sequence that contains a group clip that has the default clip selected for all tracks and you deselect the option “Consolidate all clips in a group edit,” the Avid system creates a master clip (.new) and a group clip (.new). The sequence references the new group clip for the default clip and the original group clip for any other clips in the group.
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You might receive an inaccurate warning message after consolidating and performing a sample rate conversion. If you consolidate a mixed sample rate sequence while performing a sample rate conversion, and then export the sequence, you might see a message warning that the sequence still contains mixed audio sample rates. If you click Continue and complete the export, all the clips are correctly exported at the sample rate you selected for the conversion,
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and the sequence works correctly in other applications. However, the sequence retains inaccurate mixed sample rate labels on the clips.
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Consolidate ignores the “Lock Bin Selection” setting for a consolidated clip. If you use the “Delete original media files when done” option in the Consolidate dialog box, the system ignores the “Lock Bin Selection” setting for a consolidated clip and deletes the media.
Controllers
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Avid Xpress hangs if you choose another controller in the Controller Settings dialog box when the JL Cooper MCS3 controller is connected to the system. When the JL Cooper MCS3 controller is connected to the COM 1 port, if you select COM 1 as the port and Avid Controller as the device in the Controller Settings dialog box, the Avid Xpress application cannot find the specified device and hangs. If this happens, you must quit Avid Xpress using the Task Manager and then restart Avid Xpress. Workaround: Make sure that the device you select in the Controller Settings dialog box is the device that is connected to the system.
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Deck Control
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The Sony® DNW-A75 deck is currently not compatible with the V-LAN/VLXi.
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Autoconfigure chooses the JVC® BR-D85U deck instead of the JVC BR-D750U deck. If you autoconfigure decks when the JVC BR-D750U Digital S deck is connected, the system incorrectly chooses the JVC BR-D85U deck. If you double-click the deck in the Deck Configuration dialog box, the system displays a message warning that the deck configuration does not match the deck attached to the system. You can close the message box and then select the JVC BR-D750U deck in the Deck Settings dialog box. The system then functions correctly with the deck. However, the message warning that the deck configuration does not match the attached deck will reappear whenever you create a new project.
Digital Cut
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A digital cut doesn’t stop at the end of a tape. If the sequence being output is longer than the tape being recorded to (for example, a 2-hour sequence to a 1-hour tape), the sequence continues to play after the recording ends.
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Timecode drifts slightly when outputting simultaneous timecode. A limitation in the way the system calculates timecode rates results in a slight drifting of timecode values when you output drop-frame and non-drop-frame timecode simultaneously. For a sequence 1 hour long, the two sets of timecode drift apart by approximately one-quarter of one frame. The problem is relatively more noticeable in 24-fps output than in 29.97-fps or 23.976-fps output.
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✘
The Digital Cut tool does not remember window position. When you perform an archive to tape, the Digital Cut tool automatically moves to the upper left corner so that it can’t overlap the Composer monitor. Workaround: When the archive to tape is complete, move the Digital Cut tool back to the position where you want it.
Digitizing
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The Eject Tape button does not work if it is mapped to certain buttons. The Eject Tape button does not work if you map it to the Tab key, or to any of buttons under the Source pop-up monitor or the Composer monitor. Workaround: You can map the Eject Tape button to other keys on the Keyboard palette or to any button on the Tool palette.
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The Avid application does not report a missing video signal when you digitize from a DAT deck and select the Video Track button in the Digitize tool. If you are digitizing audio from a DAT deck by dropping a logged clip on the Digitize tool, and you then select the Video Track button on the Digitize tool, the application does not produce an error message stating that there is no video signal. Workaround: Do not select the Video Track button when you are digitizing audio from a DAT deck.
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✘
If you are using an Avid Unity system as your target drive, you might have a problem digitizing more than six tracks of audio at the same time you are digitizing video at 1:1 resolution. You might receive the message Exception:DIG_STALLED_ERROR. Workaround: If you want to digitize eight tracks, first digitize six, and then digitize the remaining two.
✘
You can lose sync on analog outputs if you interrupt the flow of serial digital video input to the Meridien I/O box. If the Digitize tool is active, and you have selected Serial Digital as the input selection in the Video Input tool, you will lose sync on the analog outputs (Component, Composite, and S-Video output) if you interrupt the flow of serial digital video input to the Meridien I/O box. This can happen either by removing the SDI cable from the Serial Digital Input BNC connector or by using a switcher, which switches the input from one Serial Digital deck to another. Workaround: To avoid this problem, select a different input source in the Video Input tool before you disconnect the cable or switch the signal through a switcher. Then switch the input source back to Serial Digital. The correct way to recover from this problem is to shut down the application, power cycle the Meridien I/O box, and then start the application again.
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There are timing problems with some DAT decks when you use the AES/EBU digital input. Avid recommends that you run reference (black burst) into the DAT deck and the Meridien I/O box when you are digitizing.
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Editing
✘
You cannot move a bin out of the Trash when no other bins exist in the project. Workaround: Create another bin in the project, and then move the bin out of the Trash.
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When copying information from the Info window, you must close the Info window after each copy. If you leave the Info window open, each time you use the paste command it will paste the first information you copied.
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You need to close the MCS3 Controller Settings dialog box before changes take effect. You can select other windows when the settings window is open. This can make it a little confusing to realize that the settings window needs to be closed before any changes take effect. Workaround: Make sure you close the MCS3 Controller Settings dialog box before you try to use updated settings.
✘
Comments created during logging disappear when bin view changes. In each new view in which you would like to see the Comments column, you can type “Comments” in the column heading area of the bin and the comments will appear. The Comments column also shows up in the Headings dialog box at the bottom with the custom columns. To type into the column heading area, you must find or make some room between columns or after the last column; you'll see a cursor at locations where you can type.
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✘
When a group clip is loaded in the Source pop-up monitor, and the Source pop-up monitor is partially obscured (by a bin or other window), the Source pop-up monitor and Client monitor display a single frame instead of the grouped frames. Workaround: Remove the window that is covering the Source pop-up monitor and click the Source pop-up monitor. Both the Source pop-up monitor and Client monitor display the grouped frames.
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The Reveal file command does not work correctly when using the View as Web Pages option with the Windows desktop. The Reveal File command might not work correctly if you are using the View as Web Pages option on your Windows desktop. (This viewing option is available to you if you have installed the Windows Active Desktop.) The Reveal File command should open the desktop view of the hard drive directory and highlight the video track. However, if you are using the View as Web Pages option, the system does not locate the file. Workaround: Turn off View as Web Pages as follows: 1. Double-click the My Computer icon. 2. Choose View, and then choose “as Web Pages” to turn off the Web pages view. There is no check mark beside the “as Web Pages” menu item when it is turned off.
Effects
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Motion effects keep their old clip names in the Timeline after relinking. If you relink a sequence that contains motion effect clips to new master clips, the motion effect clips appear in the Timeline with their old clip names even though they have relinked successfully to the new media.
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✘
Rendering a large sequence with many effects might result in the system canceling the render. If you begin to render all effects in a sequence that includes a large number of complex effects, the Avid system might not have enough memory to render all the effects. A message box appears, warning you that there is insufficient memory to complete the render; the render is then canceled. Workaround: Simplify the render by first rendering nested effects. You can also break up long effects by using the Add Edit function. However, using Add Edit might affect the appearance of effects that use spline or acceleration, so you should use this workaround with caution.
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The highest useful value for Border softness on 2D peels is 12. Promoting to 3D does not increase effective range. Workaround: Limit peel softness to 12.
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When the Marquee plug-in window goes behind the Avid Xpress windows, the Timeline continually refreshes. Workaround: Bring the Marquee plug-in window to the foreground, or quit Marquee.
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Running After Effects and Avid Xpress at the same time might cause a memory error. If Adobe After Effects and Avid Xpress are both running, and you have used After Effects to render media, you might receive the error message MEM_OUT_OF_MEMORY when you attempt to play a clip or sequence in Avid Xpress. Workaround: Quit After Effects.
✘
AVX effects with custom user interfaces and without Avid effect parameters (such as Boris Red) remain rendered after you apply transitions or trim the effect. Apply an effect from an AVX plug-in
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with a custom user interface, such as the Iris Ripple effect from Boris Red, and render the effect. Then add a dissolve to the head frame and a dissolve to the tail frame of the effect. Render all three effects. Only the subsections of the AVX effect under the dissolves are rerendered, which has the appearance of three separate effects. Similar behavior occurs if you trim the head or tail of the effect. Workaround: Mark the AVX effect unrendered and render all three effects. You can mark an effect unrendered either by reopening the AVX user interface and saving or by deleting the precompute for the originally rendered effect.
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3D borders appear uneven at small sizes. In 3D effects, setting the border width to a small value might produce borders with uneven edges.
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ExpertRender at Position does not always recognize a partially completed render. If you attempt to use the ExpertRender at Position command on a partially rendered effect, you might receive the message, No Effects to Render. Workaround: Use the following procedure: 1. Choose Render Ranges from the Timeline Fast menu, and select Partial Only or All. 2. Move the position indicator on top of the red line that indicates the unrendered part of the effect. Now, when you choose ExpertRender at Position, the Expert Render dialog box displays one effect to render.
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Long video mixdown with unrendered effects causes Insufficient Memory error. A video mixdown with many unrendered effects (such as a 15-minute sequence with 176 effects) will abort with a message that states “Insufficient Memory error. Keep or discard?” Choose Keep, and the mixdown up until that point is good. This problem does not occur with Render In/Out or when rendering a long effect.
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Workaround: Render the effects before creating the mixdown, break up the video mixdown into smaller segments, or upgrade the system memory.
✘
If you apply two 3D effects of different shapes to a sequence and then shuttle at 1 fps from before the first effect into the second effect, the second effect will start one frame late.
✘
Trail effects might show flashes if playback begins at or near the head of the effect.
✘
If you colorize a title or a motion effect, the color appears in the bin. If you cut the title or motion effect into the Timeline, the Timeline track does not retain the color.
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Some toolbar buttons in the Script window do not have context-sensitive Help.
Help
Context-sensitive Help is not fully implemented for the toolbar buttons for the Script window. Information on the functions of all the toolbar buttons is available in the “Using Script Integration” chapter in the Help or in the Avid Xpress User’s Guide.
Import and Export
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You cannot change the frame size when using an Avid codec to export a QuickTime movie. Avid codecs are designed to provide a fast export or import at the native frame size. If you change the frame size and then use an Avid codec to export a QuickTime movie, you cannot do a fast export or import and the codec issues the following error message: “Unable to
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export bin. Exception: Parameter Error! This export format may require audio or video tracks.” Workaround: Use a different codec. Alternatively, export the file by using the Same as Source option and change the size in another application, such as Cleaner 5.
✘
Cleaner 5 displays error messages when using the Send To command with items already in the Batch window. If Cleaner 5 already has a clip in its Batch window, and you use the Send to Cleaner command from the Avid application to add another clip, Cleaner displays the following error messages: •
“Unable to open file; image format not recognized.”
•
“Unable to make an alias to movie.”
This problem does not occur when you use Media Cleaner Pro Version 4.0.2. Workaround: Click OK to these error messages. The clip is added to the batch and can be processed successfully.
✘
The sequence loses audio sync when creating DVD files with an AudioSuite effect and sample rate conversion. If you want to create DVD files from a sequence that includes a rendered AudioSuite effect, and the audio sample rate of a sequence is different from the audio project setting, the automatic sample rate conversion does not work correctly. The processed file has a doubled audio track, one of which is delayed and creates an echo. Workaround: Do the sample rate conversion before you create the DVD files.
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✘
You cannot create a DVD from a sequence with no audio tracks. If you select a sequence with no audio tracks and choose Create DVD from the File menu, a message box appears telling you that your sequence needs at least one audio track. You cannot create a DVD from a sequence with no audio tracks. Workaround: Add an audio track to your sequence. The track does not need to contain any information but must be present for you to create a DVD.
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The Cleaner software installer installs a DV codec that causes video tearing during export and import. The Cleaner software included with your Avid application installs a DV codec named RadDVCodec. If you export a file as a DV Stream and then reimport the file into the Avid system, the video will display tearing. Workaround: Remove the RadDVCodec codec. Removing this file does not have any adverse effects on the Cleaner application. Both Cleaner and the Avid application will use the QuickTime DV codec. To remove the RADDVCodec: 1. Navigate to C:\Winnt40\system32. 2. Delete RadDVCodec.qtx. 3. Restart the system.
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✘
You cannot export a PAL film sequence that uses synced subclips as a QuickTime reference movie. If you digitize video and audio separately into a PAL film (Method 2) project, create subclips with video and audio using autosync, and then create a sequence using the subclips, you might not be able to export the sequence as a QuickTime reference movie. In addition, you might not be able to export an individual synced subclip as a QuickTime reference movie. Workaround: You can export successfully if you do one of the following:
✘
t
Export video only or audio only.
t
Disable the audio tracks before export.
t
Mix down the audio tracks before export.
t
Select Premix Audio Tracks in the Export Settings dialog box before export.
The Send to Cleaner command doesn’t appear in the Send To submenu of the File menu. The Send to Cleaner command does not appear in the Send To submenu of the File menu when you are logged in to your system with a user name other than the user name used when you installed Cleaner 5. The command appears correctly when you are logged in to your system using the same user name used when you installed Cleaner 5.
✘
Clip names longer than 32 characters are truncated when imported in a log file. If you export a log file with clip names longer than 32 characters, and then reimport the log file, the system changes the clip names. Each reimported clip name consists of the first 32 characters of the original clip name followed by the tape name.
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✘
Avid ABVB NuVista Codec for QuickTime configuration does not hold settings. Don’t use the Avid ABVB NuVista codec unless you are going to use AVR resolutions. If you need it, click anywhere in the Quality slider and then set things up as you want them in the resulting dialog box. When you save and export, the selections you made are remembered.
✘
You cannot send a sequence to Media Cleaner EZ if it is already running. If you start the Avid application and Media Cleaner EZ, select a sequence, and send it to Media Cleaner EZ, you receive a message stating “Media Cleaner EZ is already running. Please exit it and attempt the operation again.” Each time you want to process another sequence, you need to quit Media Cleaner EZ. Workaround: Do not launch Media Cleaner EZ before sending a sequence, or use Media Cleaner Pro instead of Media Cleaner EZ.
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Rolling titles exported in AAF format need to be re-created after import (Re-create Title Media command).
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You cannot play AVI files with video in RealPlayer that were exported with certain codecs.
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AVI movies with 8-bit video are not supported for import. The image appears split or has junk at the bottom.
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Drag and drop export of AIFF-C or WAVE audio uses the system sample rate only. For example, if you create an export template for AIFF-C with 48 kHz as the sample rate when the system sample rate is 44.1 kHz, the exported audio file will ignore the sample rate setting in the template and will use the sample rate of the system.
✘
Audio glitches occur at the end of the file when exporting a QuickTime movie. For example, create a sequence with 44.1 kHz audio and export it using a QuickTime template set to 44.1kHz, 16 bit, stereo. When you play it in the QuickTime player, at the end of the file the pitch will vary and a glitch will occur.
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✘
You cannot export to Media Illusion™ (Video) through AvidLinks when converting the media to 1:1.
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You might receive an access denied message after you start a Windows NT system and then attempt to access a Macintosh drive. An “Access denied” message might appear after you start a Windows NT system and then attempt to access a Macintosh drive to read or write a file. If this happens, you can temporarily fix the problem by opening the MacFormat option (by clicking the Start menu, pointing to MacOpener, and selecting MacFormat) and then closing MacFormat without formatting anything. Because this is only a temporary solution, the next time you restart the Windows NT system, the problem will occur again.
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OMFI batch import of consolidated master clips might not work. Workaround: If you get errors when you batch import OMFI files, import the files individually.
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Audio fades are not extracted from OMFI when pan/vol is on the clip. When you import this OMFI file into another system, the dissolve will be unrendered. Workaround: You might want to perform an audio mixdown of the clip before exporting.
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Batch Import might not work correctly when bringing forward projects with QuickTime Alpha mattes. This problem applies to projects that you bring forward from Media Composer Release 7.x or earlier or Avid Xpress Release 2.x or earlier. If the project contains an imported QuickTime with alpha effect, Batch Import does not link the QuickTime alpha matte properly. The graphic fill appears but the alpha matte shows MEDIA OFFLINE. Workaround: To fix the problem on the Avid Xpress system, import the QuickTime with Alpha movie normally instead of using Batch
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Import. Then cut the effect into your sequence by hand in appropriate locations. To avoid the problem: On the Media Composer Release 7.x or Avid Xpress Release 2.x system, create one 32-bit QuickTime with Alpha movie, and then create and import two QuickTime movies: one RGB and one Alpha. Create a Matte Key effect using Matte Key in the Effect Palette with these two imported clips and use it in your sequences. Batch Import will work properly when the project is brought forward to Avid Xpress.
MediaLog
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The numeric keypad does not work in MediaLog on Windows 98. In MediaLog, if you use the numeric keypad to enter timecode or other numeric information, the system might display square characters instead of numbers. Workaround: Press the NumLock key on the numeric keypad.
Play
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When you play a clip in a bin, the clip blinks to black before starting to play. If you set a bin to Frame view or Script view, select a clip, and press play, the clip displays black briefly before it starts to play.
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Some versions of the BlueICE board cause the Avid system to hang the very first time that you access an ICE effect. This happens only immediately after a system reboot.
System
Workaround: Open the Windows NT Task Manager, select the Avid application, click the End Task button, and then restart the Avid
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application. The problem should not reoccur until the next system reboot. If you have an ICE board and observe this behavior, contact ICE (Integrated Computing Engines, Inc.) Technical Support.
Titles
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When you play a sequence with several rolling titles close together, you might see an error message. Workaround: Render the rolling titles, or try moving the titles further away from each other.
Workgroups
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A system that is not a workgroup client might see media on a workspace drive that was not created by that system. If you mount a workspace drive on a system that is not a workgroup client, you can then create media on the system and store it on the workspace drive. In this circumstance, the Media tool might display media on the workspace drive that was created by the workgroup clients as well as media created by the current system. For more information on limitations when mixing workgroup and non-workgroup systems and storage, see the Avid Unity MediaManager Release Notes.
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Projects might not close correctly if a bin has been opened over the network and a network error occurs. If you open a bin on another system and modify its contents and then a network error occurs where you can no longer access that bin file on the networked system, the application might not exit because it cannot save the bin. You might have to force quit to exit the program.
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Technical Support Information For Broadcast Sites Avid Customer Support has a variety of technical support options available. Avid Assurance includes annual telephone support, maintenance releases, and advanced hardware exchange (7x24 option available). In North America, Assurance customers with broadcast products may contact our Broadcast Customer Support Center at 800-NEWS-DNG (639-7364). To purchase Avid Assurance, to renew your contract, or for more information on Assurance offerings, in North America, contact your reseller or Avid Inside Sales at 800-949-AVID (2843). For international inquiries and support services, contact your local Avid reseller. Support offerings may vary per location. For the latest information, consult your reseller or www.avid.com. As an Avid customer, you are entitled to access technical support information and product information, as well as the latest news from our Web-based Knowledge Center. Simply navigate to www.avid.com/support/index.html, click the Knowledge Center link, and log in. If you need help locating the reseller or Avid office nearest you, please visit our Web site at www.avid.com/cgi/locator/index.html or call 800-949-AVID (2843). For Postproduction Sites Avid Customer Support has a variety of technical support options available. Avid Assurance includes annual telephone support, maintenance releases, and advanced hardware exchange (7x24 option available). Assurance customers in North America may contact our Customer Support Center at 800-800-AVID (2843). To purchase Avid Assurance, to renew your contract, or for more information on Assurance offerings, in North America, contact your reseller or Avid Inside Sales at 800-949-AVID (2843). For international inquiries and
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support services, contact your local Avid reseller. Support offerings may vary per location. For the latest information, consult your reseller or www.avid.com. In North America, Avid FlexSupport options are also available. Avid On-Call per-event support is available by calling 800-800-AVID (2843) or 900-555-AVID (2843) (United States only). Avid CallPaks (available in the United States and Canada) allow customers to bundle Avid On-Call per-event support in 5-call or 10-call packages for added value. To purchase Avid CallPaks in North America, please contact Avid Inside Sales at 800-949-AVID (2843). As an Avid customer, you are entitled to access technical support information and product information, as well as the latest news from our Web-based Knowledge Center. Simply navigate to www.avid.com/support/index.html, click the Knowledge Center link, and log in. If you need help locating the reseller or Avid office nearest you, please visit our Web site at www.avid.com/cgi/locator/index.html or call 800-949-AVID (2843).
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Copyright and Disclaimer Product specifications are subject to change without notice and do not represent a commitment on the part of Avid Technology, Inc. The software described in this document is furnished under a license agreement. The software may not be reverse assembled and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the license agreement. It is against the law to copy the software on any medium except as specifically allowed in the license agreement. Avid products or portions thereof are protected by one or more of the following United States patents: 4,746,994; 4,970,663; 5,045,940; 5,063,448; 5,077,604; 5,245,432; 5,267,351; 5,309,528; 5,325,200; 5,355,450; 5,396,594; 5,440,348; 5,452,378; 5,467,288; 5,513,375; 5,528,310; 5,557,423; 5,568,275; 5,577,190; 5,583,496; 5,584,006; 5,627,765; 5,634,020; 5,640,601; 5,644,364; 5,654,737; 5,701,404; 5,715,018; 5,719,570; 5,724,605; 5,726,717; 5,729,673; 5,731,819; 5,745,637; 5,752,029; 5,754,180; 5,754,851; 5,781,188; 5,799,150; 5,812,216; 5,828,678; 5,842,014; 5,852,435; 5,883,670; 5,889,532; 5,892,507; 5,905,841; 5,912,675; 5,929,836; 5,929,942; 5,930,445; 5,930,797; 5,946,445; 5,966,134; 5,977,982; 5,986,584; 5,987,501; 5,995,079; 5,995,115; 5,999,190; 5,999,406; 6,009,507; 6,011,562; 6,014,150; 6,016,152; 6,016,380; 6,018,337; 6,023,531; 6,023,703; 6,031,529; 6,035,367; 6,038,573; 6,052,508; 6,058,236; 6,061,758; 6,072,796; 6,084,569; 6,091,422; 6,091,778; 6,105,083; 6,118,444; 6,128,001; 6,128,681; 6,130,676; 6,134,379; 6,134,607; 6,137,919; 6,141,007; 6,141,691; 6,157,929; 6,161,115; D352,278; D372,478; D373,778; D392,267; D392,268; D392,269; D395,291; D396,853; D398,912. Additional U.S. and foreign patents pending. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the express written permission of Avid Technology, Inc.
© 2001 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Attn. Government User(s). Restricted Rights Legend U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS. This Software and its documentation are “commercial computer software” or “commercial computer software documentation.” In the event that such Software or documentation is acquired by or on behalf of a unit or agency of the U.S. Government, all rights with respect to this Software and documentation are subject to the terms of the License Agreement, pursuant to FAR §12.212(a) and/or DFARS §227.7202-1(a), as applicable.
Trademarks AirPlay, AudioVision, Avid, Avid Xpress, CamCutter, Digidesign, FieldPak, Film Composer, HIIP, Image Independence, Marquee, Media Composer, Media Recorder, NewsCutter, OMF, OMF Interchange, Open Media Framework, Pro Tools, Softimage, and tools for storytellers are registered trademarks and 888 I/O, AirSPACE, AirSPACE HD, AniMatte, AudioSuite, AutoSync, AVIDdrive, AVIDdrive Towers, AvidNet, Avid Production Network, AvidProNet, AVIDstripe, Avid Unity, AVX, DAE, D-Fi, D-fx, D-Verb, ExpertRender, FilmScribe, HyperSPACE, HyperSPACE HDCAM, Intraframe, iS9, iS18, iS23, iS36, Lo-Fi, Magic Mask, Matador, Maxim, MCXpress, MEDIArray, MediaDock, MediaDock Shuttle, Media Fusion, Media Illusion, MediaLog, Media Reader, MediaShare, Meridien, NaturalMatch, OMM, Open Media Management, QuietDrive, Recti-Fi, Review & Approval, rS9, rS18, Sci-Fi, Sound Designer II, SPACE, SPACEShift, Symphony, Vari-Fi, Video Slave Driver, and VideoSPACE are trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. Adobe and After Effects are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. Boris FX is a trademark of Artel Software, Inc. Cleaner is a trademark of Terran Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media 100 Inc. DropStuff and StuffIt Expander are trademarks of Aladdin Systems, Inc. DVDit! is a trademark of Sonic Solutions. Editcam is a trademark of Ikegami Tsushinki Co., Ltd. Emulex is a registered trademark of Emulex Corporation. Hi8 and Sony are trademarks of Sony Corporation. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. JVC is a registered trademark of JVC Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. MacDrive and Mediafour Corporation are trademarks of Mediafour Corporation. Macintosh and Mac are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. MacOpener is a registered trademark of DataViz, Inc. Media Cleaner is a registered trademark of Media 100 Inc. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. QuickTime and the QuickTime logo are trademarks used under license from Apple Computer, Inc. Ultimatte is a registered
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trademark of Ultimatte Corporation. V-LAN and VLXi are registered trademarks of Videomedia, Inc. WinZip is a registered trademark of Nico Mak Computing. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. Avid Xpress Release 4.1 Release Notes • Part 0130-04553-02 Rev. A • February 2001
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