Chapter 1. Installing the O2 Digital Video Option Module

This chapter explains how to install the O2 digital video option module in an O2 workstation. It also describes how to verify the hardware installation.

The O2 digital video option is a serial digital interface board that provides four 10-bit, serial, CCIR601/SMPTE 259M channels (two in and two out). A breakout cable provides a genlock connection for locking to analog house sync, house sync loopthrough, and GPI (general purpose interrupt) input and output. The digital video option module also provides an analog audio interface similar to the base O2 workstation. Digital audio is provided by the Silicon Graphics PCI digital audio option board, a separate option. For more information, see your service provider.

The O2 digital video option module does not support analog video or the O2Cam digital video camera.

The following topics are covered in this chapter:

O2 Digital Video Option Package

Your package includes all of the following items. If anything is missing, contact your sales representative.

  • O2 digital video option module

  • breakout cable

  • O2 Digital Video Option Module Installation Guide (this manual)

  • compact disc (CD-ROM)

Installing the Software

Depending on which version of IRIX you are running, you may need to install software for the digital video option module. Read the release notes on the CD for information on which software you need to install.

The booklet that comes with the CD explains how to read release notes and how to install software.

About the O2 Digital Video Option Module

Figure 1-1. The O2 Digital Video Option Module



Note: To identify the ports on the side of the O2 digital video option module, use the icons on the module instead of those on the outer cover of the O2 workstation.

The O2 digital video option provides

  • two serial, CCIR601/SMPTE 259M input channels via standard BNC connectors on the rear panel

  • two serial, CCIR601/SMPTE 259M output channels via standard BNC connectors on the rear panel

  • genlock input via the red connector on the breakout cable

  • genlock output (loopthrough) via the blue connector on the breakout cable

  • general purpose interrupt (GPI) input and output connectors via the breakout cable

  • microphone in, stereo in, headphone out, and stereo out via four 3.5 mm connectors on the side panel

About the Breakout Cable

Figure 1-2. Digital Video Breakout Cable


The breakout cable provides a genlock circuit for locking to analog house sync. The sync input and output is an analog composite video signal that is used as a timing reference for the digital video outputs of the board. The board extracts the timing from the analog video input and apply it to the digital video outputs.

The analog genlock input can be a composite video signal or a composite video blackburst signal. The loopthrough connection allows you to daisy-chain the house sync signal to other video devices that can be genlocked.


Note: The house sync signal must be terminated with a 75 ohm BNC terminator. If you are using a video input only and not looping through to another device, you need to terminate the unused video out connector with a 75 ohm BNC terminator.

The GPI in and out are for synchronizing the O2 workstation with external devices.

Installing the O2 Digital Video Option Module

To install the O2 digital video option module, follow the steps below.

Figure 1-3. Turning Off the Workstation


  1. Turn off the workstation.

    Figure 1-4. Removing the Cables


  2. Remove the power cable from the rear of the chassis, and any other cables from the side of the existing analog audio or audio-visual module. The audio-visual module is on the extreme right as you face the rear of the workstation. You don't have to remove the cables connected to the system module on the left.

    Figure 1-5. Removing the Analog Audio-Visual Module


  3. Remove the existing analog audio or audio-visual module by pulling down the lever and sliding it out of the chassis.

    Figure 1-6. Installing the O2 Digital Video Module


  4. Slide the new digital video option module into the opening on the right of the chassis.

    Figure 1-7. Locking the Digital Video Option Module in Place


  5. Push the lever all the way up to lock the module in place.

    Figure 1-8. Reconnecting the Power Cable


  6. Reconnect the power cable.

  7. Connect the digital video breakout cable and any other cables.

    Figure 1-9. Turning On the Workstation


  8. Turn on the workstation.

Verifying the Hardware Installation

Once you have installed the software and the digital video option module, verify that the system recognizes the new hardware:

Open a UNIX shell. At the prompt type

hinv

Look for a line similar to this:

AV: AV2 Card version xxxx


Note: You only see this listing if you have the video software installed. Read the release notes on the CD for information about which software to install.


Troubleshooting the Installation

If you do not see the hinv listing for the digital video option module:

  1. Check that you have installed the correct software from the CD. Read the release notes on the CD for information about which software to install. The booklet that comes with the CD describes how to read release notes.

  2. If the correct software is installed, turn off the workstation, remove the power cable, and go over each step of the hardware installation instructions again. Make sure the digital video option module is pushed back all the way into the chassis and that the lever is up. The module should be flush with the other modules.

Connecting an SDI Video Source to the Workstation

Follow these steps and refer to Figure 1-10 to connect the digital video source to the O2 workstation.

To record video input, you need a few additional items that are not included in your O2 Digital Video Option package.

  • A professional-quality SDI (serial digital interface) video source.

  • One or two cables with BNC connectors on each end.

  • One or two analog audio cables with 3.5 mm stereo jack connectors on each end.


Note: Digital audio is provided by the Silicon Graphics PCI digital audio option board, a separate option. For more information, see your service provider. Or go to the following location on the Web:
http://www.sgi.com/Products/hardware/desktop/products/digital.html

Figure 1-10. Connecting an SDI Video Source


  1. Attach one end of the BNC cable to the D1 In 601 (primary) or D1 In 601 (secondary) connector on the rear of the digital video option module.

  2. Attach the other end of the BNC cable to the Video Out connector on the SDI video source.

  3. Attach one end of the 3.5 stereo jack cable to the Stereo In connector on the side panel of the digital video option module.

  4. Attach the other end of the 3.5 mm stereo jack cable to the analog Audio Out connector on the SDI video source.

Placing a System Upgrade Regulatory Label

If you received a system upgrade label, tilt the O2 carefully and place it underneath the chassis. Do not cover the original label. For regulatory statements, see “Manufacturer's Regulatory Declarations”.

Exchanging Modules

The O2 digital video option module and the analog audio-visual module are interchangeable. The system recognizes either module, however, you may need tp remove or rename your ~/.videopanelrc file. See “Switching Between Analog Video and Digital Video”. To remove and replace the O2 digital video option module, follow these steps:

Figure 1-11. Disconnecting the Cables


  1. Disconnect the power cable from the rear of the O2 workstation, and disconnect any cables attached to the side or rear of the digital video option module.

    Figure 1-12. Removing the Digital Video Option Module


  2. Pull down the lever on the digital video module and slide the module out of the chassis.

    Figure 1-13. Installing the Analog Audio-Visual Module


  3. Install the analog audio-visual module by sliding it into the chassis.

    Figure 1-14. Locking the Analog Audio-Visual Module in Place


  4. Push the lever all the way up to lock the module in place.

  5. Reconnect any exterior cables.

  6. Turn on the workstation.