Hardware configurations

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1 Introduction This document describes the typical hardware configurations of Focus Virtual Studios and the main features of their work and adjustment. Focus Studio formed from the basic systems on the platform of Microsoft Windows© with a special expansion cards - graphics accelerators and Input-Output boards. System components are specially selected and tested to ensure adequate application performance, reliability and cost. Accordingly, there are various configuration options of basic systems that are optimized for different types of applications. In special cases, it is possible the formation of a custom system for a specific task (for example, a large number of input channels). Focus Virtual Studios can be equipped with various input-output cards depending on the specific application. Typical configurations are usually built on the boards made by SoftLab-NSK (Series FD: FD300, FD322, FD422, FD842). Currently the FD300 outdated, no longer produced and isn’t installed in the new systems. But the existing fleet of systems using these boards wide enough, so the relevant sections of the documentation retained. In addition, for specific tasks Focus Studios can be equipped with the third party boards (eg, DVI / VGA-Capture). Also there exist optional modules for communication with external equipment (DVM82 converter, GPI-ports Tally signals, etc.). Typical hardware configurations of Focus Studios, represented by the structure of the delivered products, constructed according to the types and amounts of processed and output signals (data streams). The main division is the type of output signal - standard (SDTV) or high (HDTV) definition. To output standard definition can be used simplified and less productive configurations hardware and software as well as streaming and computational loads is much smaller compared with the studios, working in high definition (HDTV). Situation with hybrid studios is more complicated, for example, when the input signals - high-definition, and output - standard. In this case, the load on the system may be close to that in the complete system of high definition. Accordingly, not every studio with standard definition can be upgrade to a hybrid or high-definition studio without replacing the whole system (the base computer and the expansion boards). Possible typical options of configurations and commutation are discussed in a separate chapter.

Document version 3.12 comply with the software SetupHotActions30_06 and FDBoards Drivers ver. 5_04. 2 Typical configurations and commutation Focus Studios Focus Studios are supplied as a set of basic configurations and options to them. In fact there are three basic configurations is: • Focus Live analogue SD • Focus Live Digital SD SDI • Focus Live Digital HD SDI All basic systems provide two-channel input live video with keying (from cameras or other external sources) and output the resulting signal in the appropriate format. Analog Focus Studio can work only with analog audio like balanced and unbalanced. Analog studios usually have at the input a small embedded software commutation matrix that in advance allows to connect multiple sources and to commutate their programmatically on two existing independent input channels processing. The number of available connections depends on the types of used signals, because different types occupy different number of connectors from one (composite) to four (some components). Digital basic configurations don’t work with analog signals (in general) and support only embedded audio signal (goes with the video on a single cable in a single signal). Since the external audio equipment can be very different, for external audio signals is recommended to use third-party tools are widely available on the market (embedders, deembedders, mixers with integrated audio support, and others). With option boards, you can build a variety of advanced or hybrid configurations, by simply increasing the number of standard input channels to building multi-format systems. Now hybrid studios, which input channels HD SDI, while the studio itself is SD, are quite popular. This configuration is cheaper than full HD studio and is quite suitable for those who have basic broadcast in SD format. This achieves a significant improvement in image quality, especially in «collision» on a live actor and other special effects. For many people is important to have opportunity to connect the output of various computer devices to Focus Studio (virtual monitors, characters, titles and the like). For this purpose there are options that allow the input channel signals to use HDMI or DVI / VGA. Sometimes it is necessary to combine analog and digital sources, and it is also possible to realize with optional input boards of different formats. To build interactive (shows, quizzes, competitions) is required input-output control signals, or, for example, signals tally for the cameras. For this there is also a corresponding option «GPI BOX», connectable via USB. Basic configurations of the studio don’t have their own facilities to record the resulting signal and require external recording equipment (recorders, capture station, etc.). It is proposed the relevant software option for writing the result by facilities from the studio, but it obviously requires additional resources, especially when working with high-definition signal, quite important for overall system performance. Focus Studios have built in tools for working with sound, including ensure the necessary delay sound for synchronization. But these tools are designed mainly for setting static parameters when configuring. Possibility of interactive settings control from the user interface exists, but for ergonomic control all sound commonly used external hardware audio mixers. Sound management software in Focus Studio appropriate to use to synchronize the video and audio sources, or to create special effects, that linked to events in the virtual scene. Basic configurations as a rule have output two connectors: one for connecting the recording or broadcasting devices (program output) and the second to connect the monitor (preview monitor for lead) in the appropriate television standard. In some specific hybrid configurations output there is only one connector. If we need at the same time to broadcast or recording in various formats, for this can be used additional signal converters splitters. In particular, you can use the video module DVM81, which has a lot of options for multiple formats. Some video studios have requirements to synchronization of all equipment through a special reference. For this hardware option GenLock provided. Complexity in saturation of basic configurations by optional boards consists in that: the basic configuration can vary significantly in initially pledged performance and expansion capacity. It is desirable in order the basic configuration immediately denote possible potential development (not all combinations are technically possible at all).




3 Initial setup of input-output equipment In standard supply Focus Studios initial configuration of hardware is already done, but always possible situations requiring repeat or change some settings (for example, when upgrading or reinstalling). Usually, all the hardware has appropriate configuration software from the producer. Some boards have built-in protection against unauthorized use and require the installation of the corresponding keys (software or hardware), that allow or deny certain boards functionality (in particular, this applies to all cards series FD). Each producer shall submit own configuration utilities and documentation, and in this document will be considered only features concerning the use of different hardware in the virtual Focus Studio. Before using the equipment properly in the software application Focus Studio usually it is required pre-configure - check or set the correct external commutation, types and signal formats, set the appropriate settings in the software interfaces, etc. Then you can start to the specific input-output settings in applications in a virtual Focus Studio (HotActions, HotActions Live, Presenter). This is, for example, internal commutation settings of sources, rear-projection, color correction, cropping, filtration and the like. These settings are rather universal and basically the same for all types of hardware input / output. Some exceptions are described in the relevant chapter devoted to the settings in the software environment of the studio.


4 Settings features of FDxxx boards for work in studio. (Here describes how to work with boards series FDExt (FD322/FD422/FD842). FD300 board dedicated a separate chapter) Functionality of FD series boards that available to the user is determined by set registry keys (encrypted entries in the registry), corresponding to each specific card (all boards have an individual number). Availability of keys and other equipment are checked with the utility FDConfig2 (available after installing the drivers FDBoardsDrivers from the installation kit).


In the picture marked significant for the initial test fields - number of the board, the license presence and type, required for the correct operation settings (ASI disabling and mixer). For more information about boards and configuration utility you can read in the relevant technical documentation on the producer’s board. In the studio Focus FD322 boards used for input / output analog signals with standard (SDTV) definition (two channels) and analog balanced / unbalanced audio. As this board has its own built-in input commutator, so it is required to make the correct choice of inputs related to a hardware connection. Another feature of these boards is the ability to adjust the model parameters on the input signal decoder. FD422 boards are used for input / output digital signals SDI, as standard (2 channels) and high (1 channel) definition with embedded audio. Additional configuration signal setting isn’t provided, only the choice of the current format. The board can operate in a hybrid mode –to input as HD SDI (1 channel) and to output - SD SDI (1 channel). FD842 boards are used for the multichannel input, up to 4 HD SDI channels at the same time, and for output - up to 2 channels of HD SDI (with embedded audio). Also it is possible to construct hybrid regimes (currently there are restrictions on the possible formats for use (only 50Hz, etc.)). Additional configuration of signals parameters also is not provided. All these boards (unlike FD300) do not contain the integrated hardware audio mixer. Accordingly, the audio delay for synchronization with the video source control and final mix are produced by software tools of Focus Studio applications. Accordingly, work with sound is described in the relevant chapters of the documentation for applications of virtual Focus studio. Input channels in the Focus studio are default plug DirectShow filters, which are created in the system when you install the driver boards. Working capacity of filters can be checked by standard system tools, even without launching applications studio Focus, if the need arises. Settings in the filters are minimal and are usually used by default. Focus Studio output data stream is formed by software rendering module and sent in the board output or for further processing (e.g., coding for the transmission network). In the system can be installed at the same time a number of different input-output boards. Selecting an output device occurs in the Render Engine options dialogue. Availability of different user input filters, formats and output devices is defined by registry keys of Focus studio software applications. All applications require the installation of hardware security USB-key (HASP) and the corresponding software license of registration keys. If the user does not see in the corresponding program selection dialogs installed boards, it may mean that there is no installed license (registration key) to use them, but not any malfunction. More detailed and current information about the settings and functionality FDExt series boards available on the producer's website: http://www.softlab-nsk.com/rus/forward/hardware_all.html. There is also the detailed description of commutate capabilities, options, connectors, technical specifications, etc. 4.1 Output modes setting in Focus studio on board FD842. For correct work of the studio in modes with HD inputs and HD outputs is necessary: 1. Launch the FDConfig2 utility a) enable the mode Single-SDI b) turn off the mixer on output.

2. Run HotActions application a) In the dialogue «Render Options» Select the output device FD842 Board 1 Output 1

3. Video signal at the outputs must be №1 and №2 In this mode, the same output HD-SDI signal is served on the both output connectors. Similarly adjusted output for studio work with signals SD-SDI. 4.2 SD output setting of studio for FD842 board with HD inputs. 1. Launch the utility FDConfig2 a. Enable the mode HD-SDI + SD-SDI. b. Turn off the mixer on all outputs.