Appendix A. Framelocking

In order to smoothly record graphics from a graphics monitor, the video and graphics signals must be synchronized by framelocking the video and graphics. Framelocking eliminates tearing and motion artifacts that occur if the video and graphics signals are not synchronized. Framelocking is the term given to the software command which causes a workstation to write to the graphics screen at a specified time interval, causing screen graphics to be synchronous with throughput from a video source.

To lock graphics to video, enter a command in the UNIX shell for the video standard you are using:

If you are running double-buffered 32-bit RGBA format on OCTANE/SI or OCTANE/SSI, the timing table values are as follows:

/usr/gfx/setmon -x 1280x1024_72_32db for 72Hz
/usr/gfx/setmon -x 1280x1024_60_32db for 60Hz
/usr/gfx/setmon -x 1280x1024_50_32db for 50Hz

After saving the format, re-initialize the graphics system with the new mode by typing:

/usr/gfx/gfxinit

To enable framelocked, double-buffered 32-bit RGBA format on OCTANE/SSI, type

/usr/gfx/setmon -x <timing table>

For example,

/usr/gfx/setmon -x 1280x1024_59_32db for 60Hz
/usr/gfx/setmon -x 1280x1024_49_32db for 50Hz

  1. To reinitialize the graphics system with the double-buffered mode, type: /usr/gfx/gfxinit

  2. Type the following command for framelocking:
    /usr/gfx/setmon -Fe 1280x1024_59_32db,

    or

    /usr/gfx/setmon -Fe 1280x1024_49_32db

For framelocking for OCTANE/SI, see the information below: