This chapter contains these sections:
The Video Panel displays the capabilities of video devices connected to your workstation and lets you control the signals sent by those devices. It is the first tool you use to get your workstation ready to save graphics or video to make movies you can then record to videotape.
Use the Video Panel to:
control the signals coming from a camera or VCR hooked up to your workstation
adjust the quality of the incoming and outgoing video signals
send video and graphics to videotape
The Video Panel works in conjunctions with other Silicon Graphics, Inc. media tools to let you combine audio and video clips into movies you can play on your workstation or record onto videotape. Here's how the tools work together:
Use the Video Panel in conjunction with the Audio Panel to adjust and stabilize the video and audio input signals.
Click the words Video Panel to open the Video Panel. Click the words Audio Panel to open the Audio Panel.
Use the Capture tool to save incoming video to your system disk.
Click the word Capture to open the Capture tool.
Use Sound Editor and Movie Maker to add audio and edit the video you've saved.
If you wish to record the movie to a videotape, use the Video Panel and Audio Panel again at the end of the editing process to adjust the output signals for communication with the VCR.
Use Movie Player to play your finished movie on your workstation.
The Video Panel contains settings that let you tell the workstation what kind of signal to expect from VCRs, video cameras, and other video equipment connected to it. If you have a VCR connected to your workstation, the signal coming from the VCR must be timed to match the signal the workstation expects. Use the Video Panel to adjust the signals and lock them together.
The Video Panel also contains a variety of “professional” settings that let you adjust for digital, component analog, or composite analog signals. Once you've set the workstation to expect a certain combination of elements, use the Pro menu to make chroma, gain, and other changes to the digital and analog signals.
 | Note: Whenever you see a reference to “save” in this documentation, it refers to saving video or graphics to a file on your system disk. When you “record” something you are recording video, graphics, or both to videotape. |
If you don't have optional video hardware installed on your workstation, see “Video Panel on an Indy.”
If you have an optional video board installed on your workstation, see “Video Panel on Systems With Optional Video.”
If you are working on an Indigo workstation or on an Indigo workstation with Indigo Video, see Appendix A, “Video Control Panel for Indigo Workstations.”
Use the commands available from the Menu Bar to adjust the video signal. There are five commands: File, Device, Pro, Utilities, and Help.
The commands under the File menu let you save the settings or adjustments you have made on the Video Panel.
| Save Current Setting |
| |
| Restore Setting |
| |
| Restore Factory Settings |
| |
| Quit | Closes the Video Panel. |
The Device menu lists the optional video equipment installed in your workstation. Choose the device you want the Video Panel settings to affect.
The Pro menu gives you access to the “professional” settings sophisticated users need to adjust the video signal. Choose one of the panels from the rollover menu to change the video signals set at the factory.
| Device Controls |
| |
| Analog Video Input |
| |
| Analog Video Output |
| |
| Digital Video | Lets you adjust the digital video signal. |
See “Using the Pro Panels” for more information about the different adjustments you can make to the video signal.
The commands in the Utilities menu let you run applications that save incoming video to disk, record video to videotape, and launch the Audio Control Panel.
| Live Video Input |
| |
| Live Video Output |
| |
| Audio Control Panel |
|
The Video Panel that appears on Indy workstations is shown in Figure 1-1. If you have a workstation that contains optional video hardware, see “Video Panel on Systems With Optional Video.”
The Indy workstation supports input from the Indy Cam, which is a digital source, and one analog source, such as a VCR or video camera. It does not support video output. On workstations without additional video hardware, you can use the Video Panel to:
choose either the Indy Cam or an analog source as the default input.
adjust the Indy Cam picture by clicking the White Balance button.
choose Composite or S-video input timing for an analog source.
specify the video signal for an analog source.
The Devices region lets you choose the video input source. The Indy workstation does not support video out without additional hardware.
| Default In | Choose the Indy Cam or an analog device as the source of the incoming video signal. If you have an Indy Cam and an analog device (such as a video camera) connected to your workstation, you can toggle between these two to change the input source. |
The Inputs region lets you adjust the incoming video signal.
| Indy Cam | If you have an Indy Cam, click the White Balance button to adjust the picture to correct for the light in your environment. | |
| Analog Video Input: |
| |
| Lock to VTR | If your workstation is connected to a VCR, click the Lock to VTR button to stabilize the incoming signal. This helps improve picture quality. | |
| Video Format | Choose “Composite” or ”S-video” depending on the kind of equipment you are using as an input source. Most VCRs and video cameras send composite signals. Most high-end consumer VCRs and video cameras send and receive S-video signals. (Composite equipment is connected to your workstation with RCA cables. S-video equipment is connected to your workstation using mini-DIN connectors.) | |
| Input Timing | Select the signal timing to be the same as the video equipment. See NTSC and PAL and the video equipment owner's manual. |
The Video Panel changes if you have an optional video board installed on your workstation:
If you are using a system with Indy Video, Indigo2 Video, or Galileo Video installed, read this section for information on the video panel.
If you are working on an entry Indigo workstation with an IndigoVideo board, see Appendix A, “Video Control Panel for Indigo Workstations.”
If you are using a system with any other type of optional video installed, refer to the manual that came with that video option for information about your video panel.
The Video Panel that appears on systems with Indy Video, Indigo2 Video, or Galileo Video is shown in Figure 1-2.
| Note: You'll notice that on systems with Indigo2 Video, there is no facility for choosing pixel format in the Outputs region of the panel. Indigo2 Video doesn't have component video features. |
The Devices region contains the controls that let you set up the software to accept a specific video input.
| 601 Option Genlock |
| |
| Default In | Specify whether the incoming signal is digital or analog. | |
| Default Out | Specify whether the outgoing signal is digital or analog. | |
| Input Timing | Select the signal timing to be the same as the video equipment. See NTSC, PAL, and CCIR 601. | |
| Sync | Determines the timing source for all video outputs. Synchronizes video output to an incoming signal or allows hardware to generate independent timing internally. See internal, slave, and genlock. | |
| Genlock Src | Sets the source of the timing signal. This is only valid when Sync is set to a mode of slave or genlock. |
The Inputs region lets you adjust the incoming signal.
| Lock to VTR | If you workstation is connected to a VCR, click the Lock to VTR button to stabilize the incoming signal. This helps improve picture quality. | |
| Synchronizer Mode |
| |
| Input Source | Select the video signal that matches the signal being sent by the input source. |
The Outputs region lets you select the output format.
| Lock to VTR | Click the Lock to VTR button to stabilize video output. This helps improve picture quality. | |
| Pixel Format | Choose the pixel format for the component video signal. You don't have to choose a format if your equipment is composite or s-video. See the glossary for information about YUV and RGB. |
If you have an Indy workstation, you also received an Indy Cam video camera. To receive video input from the Indy Cam:
Plug the camera into the back of the workstation.
See the Indy Workstation Owner's Guide for instructions.
On the Video Panel set the Default In setting to IndyCam.
The white balance sets the natural range of colors. The balance is set in the factory, but you may want to adjust it to fit your own environment. To adjust the white balance, click the White Balance button on the Video Panel.
To fine-tune the color display, change the shutter speed, use the freeze frame control, or adjust the lighting and contrast, use the Indy Cam Controls panel. From the Pro Menu choose “IndyCam” and rollover to the Indy Cam Control panel. See “Using the Pro Panels” for a description of the fields in the Pro Panel.
When connecting a VCR, VTR, or video camera to your workstation, you need to:
Use the right kind of cable (see “About Choosing a Cable”).
Use the Video Panel to adjust for the type of signal coming from the video device (see “Making the Connection”).
To connect a video device to your workstation, you should know what kind of signal your video device sends and use the right kind of cable to connect it to your workstation. Your workstation supports four types of video signal: composite analog, S-video, component analog, and component digital, described here:
| composite analog |
| |
| S-video (Y/C) | Most high-end consumer VCRs and camcorders send and receive s-video signals. S-video carries the luminance (brightness) and chrominance (color) components of the picture on separate wires (Y and C). S-video connectors are also called Y/C connectors. Connect s-video equipment to your workstation using mini-DIN connectors. Most VCRs that use S-VHS and Hi-8mm tape feature s-video connectors. | |
| component analog |
| |
| component digital |
|
You can buy BNC and mini-DIN cables at stores that sell camera, television, or computer equipment.
Follow these steps when connecting a VCR or video camera:
Connect the video device to the proper port on your workstation.
See your workstation owner's guide for instructions connecting video devices to your workstation. Alternatively, if your system has a video option board, see the owner's guide that came with the option board for information on how to connect video equipment to the option board.
If it is not already open, click these red launch words: Video Panel to open the Video Panel now.
Use the Default In menu button to choose the default input.
For example, if you have connected a VCR, select “analog” as the default input.
Use the Input Timing menu button to choose the timing standard used by your video device.
If you are not sure which standard to choose, check the documentation that came with your video equipment. Also, you can click on these underlined words for definitions: NTSC, PAL, or CCIR.
If you are not using a video option board, use the Video Format menu button to select the type of video signal that represents your video device.
See “About Choosing a Cable” for a list of video signal descriptions.
If you are using a video option board, use the Input Source menu button to select the type of video signal that represents your video device.
If you have connected a VCR or VTR, make sure that the “Lock to VTR” checkbox is selected (under Analog Video Input).
To display video from videotape to your workstation screen, you must have a camera or VCR connected to your workstation. See “Connecting a VCR or Video Camera.”
Use the videoin tool to display video in a window. Follow these steps:
From the Utilities Menu choose “Live Video Input.”
A window appears that displays the video input source you've specified.
Resize the window by pulling the corners; zoom up and down by using the + and - keys.
To record graphics and audio from your workstation screen to videotape, you'll need:
a VCR
a microphone to record audio (one came standard with your workstation)
A 3.5mm stereo jack to RCA adaptor
two RCA-to-RCA cables (one for audio and one for video)
if you are recording to Hi8mm or S-VHS you will need a mini-DIN-to-mini-DIN cable as well.
Follow these steps:
Connect the RCA-to-3.5mm adapter to Line Out on your workstation.
Connect one end of the RCA cable to the adaptor in Line Out.
Connect the other end of the RCA cable to Line In on your VCR.
Using the second RCA-to-RCA cable, connect Video Out on your workstation to Video In on your VCR.
Open the Audio Panel. Click the words Audio Panel . Now do the following:
From the Input menu, select “Microphone” to record audio through the microphone.
Click the Monitor checkbox. A checkmark appears to indicate that the monitor is turned on. Audio from the workstation is mixed with audio input from the microphone and recorded to videotape.
From the Utilities Menu in the Video Panel, select “Live Video Output.” A button labelled Live Video Output appears attached to your cursor.
Place the button somewhere on the screen.
A window with a white border appears in the upper left-hand corner of your screen.
Click and hold down the left mouse button on the window outline. Drag it around the screen to enclose the area that you want to record. Or, if you want to record the entire screen, go to Step 9 instead.
Note: You cannot resize the video output window. If you wish to record the entire screen, move the mouse over the Live Video Output button and hold down the right mouse button. Choose “Send Full Screen.”
Note: 1280 x 960 lines of the 1280 x 1024 graphics screen are converted to video, so the bottom 64 lines are not recorded. Turn on the flicker filter.
Click and hold down the right mouse over the Live Video Output button. Choose “Flicker Filter” from the menu that appears.
Note: The flicker filter reduces flicker on text and graphics that have one-pixel-wide lines. This is a standard problem when converting computer graphics to video. The output picture may appear slightly blurred due to the averaging that makes the one-pixel-wide lines visible on the video output. Push the Record button on the VCR. To add audio, speak into the microphone connected to the VCR.
Note: If you see dropped or duplicate frames, tearing, or motion artifacts, it may be that the graphics and video signals are not synchronized. (Graphics is running at 72Hz and video is running at 50Hz for PAL or 59.94Hz for NTSC.) See “Synchronizing Graphics To Video” for information.
To record graphics or display video on a graphics monitor, the video and graphics signals must be generated at the same rate. When you synchronize the signals, you framelock the video and the graphics. Framelocking eliminates tearing and motion artifacts that occur if the video and graphics signals aren't synchronized.
Choosing NTSC from the Input Timing field doesn't automatically lock graphics to video. Once you framelock the signals, see “Sending Graphics to Video” for information on how to record video and graphics to videotape.
Framelock the graphics and video signals using these commands in the UNIX shell:
On Indy and Indigo2 XL systems:
For PAL video type: setmon -Fg 50
(This runs the graphics at 50Hz refresh mode.)For the NTSC video standard, type: setmon -Fg 60
This runs the graphics at 60Hz refresh mode.)
Adjusting the refresh rate may be enough to eliminate most artifacts. Professional users will want to continue.
On Indigo and all Indigo2 graphics except XL:
Connect the video source to the graphics board.
On Indigo, a BNC connector is provided on the back of the graphics board.
On Indigo2, you'll need a miniBNC to BNC adapter. Connect the miniBNC end of the adapter to the back of the graphics board. The adapter is included with your video board option. If you didn't receive an adapter, contact your local sales or support representative.
On Galileo Video, connect the BNC end of the adapter to the sync output connector on the breakout box. On all other systems, connect the BNC end of the adapter to the video source.
Type the command for the video standard you are using.
For PAL, type setmon -Fi 50
For NTSC, type setmon - Fi 60
Now you are ready to display graphics synchronized to your video input or output graphics without motion artifacts.
Launch the tools described in this section by typing the name of the tool into a Unix shell. From the Desktop toolchest in the upper left corner of you screen, choose “UNIX Shell.” Type in the name of the tool at the prompt.
For more information on how to use the UNIX shell, see IRIS Essentials. See the reference pages for more information about the tools.
Command line video tools include:
vintovout
Sends videoout input to video output. There are three optional parameters:
-n devicenum The number of the video device to use. Use the command vlinfo to find the node number for the device.
-o outputnodenum
The number of the output node to use. Use the command vlinfo to find the node number for the device.-I Print the node and path numbers for use with the command line interface.
-v The number of the input node to use. Use the command vlinfo to find the node number for the device.
vlinfo
Type vlinfo in a shell to see information about video devices.
videoout
Displays a rectangular or near full-screen (1280 x 960) area of the screen in a video window. Move the cursor on top of the Live Video Output button and press the right mouse button to access a popup menu. This program is also available from the Utilities menu.
Available on Indigo2 Video, Galileo Video, and IndyVideo products.
videoin
Displays incoming video in a window. It also sends the incoming video out. This tool is also available from the Utilities menu.
Available on Indy, Indy Video, Galileo, and Indigo2 Video products.
Note: The videoin and videoout windows cannot overlap. vidtomem
Saves frames from video to disk.
Available on all video products.
memtovid
Writes frames from a file to video.
Available on Galileo Video, IndyVideo, and Indigo2 Video products.
To record individual video or graphics frames, a trigger input mechanism is included with the Galileo and Indigo2 video boards. Access to the trigger mechanism is provided through a line on the digital port. There are two ways to connect to the port:
Using the trigger-in BNC connector on the Galileo 601 digital video option box.
Using a trigger adapter cable to connect directly to the digital port without using the 601 option box. This cable is included with your video board option. If you didn't receive the trigger adapter cable, contact your sales or support representative for a free one.
Connect the trigger BNC connector to an interface box, such as the ALIX box from Videomedia, Inc., or an equivalent VLAN or IVAS interface box, or to a suitable edit controller. The output connector is usually labelled “GPIO.” Consult the documentation that came with the edit controller for information on how to use that product.
Use the Device Control Pro Panel in the Video Panel to select the controls for pulse polarity, external trigger line number, and the dominance field for the record.
If you aren't using a third-party application, use the shell command vidtomem -t to record the frames when the board gets the trigger signal from the edit controller.
Using the Pro Panels, available under the Pro menu, you can control the “professional” settings on the Video Panel. This section contains a list of the different fields and settings available on the Pro Panels. Not all of the settings are available on all platforms.
| AGC | Move the Gain slider back and forth along the slider bar. The image changes to reflect the values you choose. To lock the gain control in place and have the device perform automatic gain control, put a checkmark in the AGC (Automatic Gain Control) box. | |
| Anti-Dither | Removes interference between frequency components generated by dithered graphics images and chrominance frequency components present in video signals. This is done with a notch filter in luminance. Recommended only for use when dithering causes a problem. Affects only composite and Y/C out. | |
| Aperture | Selects different aperture factors for luminance on composite and Y/C inputs. | |
| Bandpass | Selects different aperture bandpass filters for luminance on composite and Y/C inputs. | |
| Blank Level | Sets the digital level for blanking in the custom table. | |
| Black Level | Sets the digital level for black in the custom table. | |
| Bottom Flutter | Available only in CCIR sampling. Compensates for horizontal phase jump on the selected line number. | |
| B-Y Gain Fine | Controls gain of B-Y component input in fine steps. Useful in tweaking gain or setting to a particular format. Active on Galileo Video only for Y/R-Y/B-Y input. | |
| B-Y Gain Coarse |
| |
| Chroma AGC | Chrominance automatic gain control speed for composite or Y/C. | |
| Chroma Band | Select standard chrominance bandwidth of about 1.3 MHz or enhanced bandwidth (non-standard) of about 2.5 MHz for composite and Y/C outputs. | |
| Chroma Delay | Available only in CCIR sampling. Changes composite or Y/C chrominance delay without affecting luminance delay. | |
| Chroma Gain | Fine adjustment on chroma gain for composite and Y/C inputs. | |
| CLUT Load | Loads default table or custom table. Default table gives standard output levels. Custom table allows user to specify nonstandard output levels as defined by the other controls in this panel. | |
| Color Out Kill | Makes composite or Y/C out monochrome, by shutting off color burst and chrominance. | |
| Color Kill Threshold |
| |
| Color mode | Gives you the following options:
| |
| Component | Selects which component table is to be loaded with the custom setup. | |
| Coring | Selects different coring levels for luminance on composite and Y/C inputs. | |
| C Gain | Adjusts burst and chrominance output level of composite and Y/C simultaneously. | |
| First Unblanked Line Out |
| |
| Fine H Offset | Same effect as H Offset but with a narrow range. Resolution is pixel clock steps. | |
| Genlock H-phase |
| |
| Horizontal Position |
| |
| Hue | Adjusts hue of composite or Y/C input. | |
| Luma Delay | Changes composite or Y/C luminance delay without affecting chrominance delay. | |
| Pixel Format | Set expected peak white amplitude and setup or no setup on black for Y of Y/R-Y/B-Y input. The Beta format uses 714mV/setup. The SMPTE and EBU formats use 700mV/no setup. | |
| Prefilter | Boosts luminance frequency response on composite and | |
| Quantization | Sets the number of quantization levels. Set to maximum for no effect. | |
| R-Y Gain Fine | Controls gain of R-Y component input in fine steps. Useful in adjusting gain or setting to a particular format. Active on Galileo Video only for Y/R-Y/B-Y input. | |
| R-Y Gain Coarse |
| |
| R-Y/B-Y Gain | Sets the color difference gain factor in the custom table. | |
| Subcarrier Frequency |
| |
| Synchronizer Mode | | |
| SC-H Phase | Adjusts sync-to-subcarrier phase with +/- 180 degree adjustment range. | |
| Vertical Noise | Selects the mode of vertical noise reduction. | |
| V Offset and H Offset |
| |
| White Level | Sets the digital level for white in the custom table. | |
| Y/C Gain | Adjusts output level (sync, burst, luminance and chrominance) of composite and Y/C simultaneously. |
Consult the list in this section if you encounter problems trying to display video on your workstation screen.
If no video appears:
Make sure the camera or device is properly connected to the workstation and turned on.
Make sure you have selected the proper port for input for the input device. Refer to your workstation Owner's Guide.
If you have attached a video device, maker sure you are using the right kind of cable. Refer to “About Choosing a Cable” for more information.
If the video is of poor quality:
Make sure the NTSC or PAL and composite or S-video settings match those of your input source by clicking on them again.
Put a checkmark in the Lock to VTR checkbox if your source is not a camera.
Try restoring the factory settings.
If you don't hear the audio input:
Make sure one end of an audio cable is plugged into the video device and the other end is plugged into Line In on the back of your workstation.
Open the Audio Control Panel to make sure Monitor is on, the volume is properly adjusted, and “Line” is selected.
If the video is black and white you may have plugged in a composite camera but selected S-video.
If you can't get a stable video out, select internal mode if no video input source is connected.
If black lines appear at the bottom of the screen, choose the NTSC or PAL standard format before running the application.
See the release notes for other potential problems and solutions.