FTP File Transfers

For standard FTP transfers, the Image Server will recognize the following file formats:

TARGA (.tga)

During transfer, the Image Server will split the TARGA file into a Fill frame and a Key (alpha) frame. These two frames will each be converted to MPEG-2 files, one frame in length. See "Importing TARGA Graphic Files" (above) and "Key/Fill Mode" (below) for additional information.

DV Stream (.dv)

These are ‘elementary' DV files containing a single stream of multiplexed audio and video. The Image Server will recognize and maintain .dv extensions on DV stream files, allowing transfer of .dv files between Image Servers and graphics workstations without modification. Only audio at 48K, 16-bit is supported.

AVI Files (.avi)

An AVI file is a container that encapsulates and describes a type of interleaved audio and video. The Image Server will import Type 1 .avi files (a single stream of multiplexed audio and video) containing DV format video and 48K uncompressed audio. During ingest of .avi files, the server will convert the file into a DV stream (.dv) for storage and future transfer.

MPEG-2 (.mp2, mpg, mpeg, m2v)

The Image Server will ingest valid MPEG-2 program streams or elementary streams. The server's ingest application will recognize a program stream that encapsulates a single MPEG-2 video stream, and up to 2 stereo pairs of 16- or 24-bit, 48kHz, uncompressed audio. 16-bit audio files will be written into a 24-bit space.

MXF - Material Exchange Format (.mxf)

Transfer of MXF files between compatible products will be the preferred method of file interchange to-and-from an Image Server. 360 Systems supports ingest and playout of MPEG-2 files based on SMPTE 377M, 378M and SMPTE 381M, Operational Patterns 1a and 1b.

Key/Fill Mode

When the "Gang to Ch2" box is selected in the Channel 3 transport control window, then a pair of key and fill channels will be ganged and played together. Transport operations on Channel 2 will control both Channel 2 and Channel 3. This allows the server to play locked, frame-accurate key and fill material (either stills or clips) on Channels 2 and 3. Only a single channel of an automation controller is needed to play both the key and the fill.

Communication Protocol Setup

Image Servers support VDCP, P2 and Odetics command protocols.

Remote Serial Control

The Image Server's three 9-pin serial control ports allows independent control of its video channels. Each port can respond to channel ID numbers that are equal to, or multiples of, its base number. For example, channel 1 will also respond to 4, 7, 10, etc. This can be helpful when automation system needs to control many Image Servers at once.

Only one serial controller can control a video channel at a time. For example, the Image Server's multiple serial ports allow simultaneous connection of an automation controller and a desktop editing controller. In this way, one could configure an edit controller on Channel 1 for record, playout, and editing, while an automation controller on Channel 2 manages play-to-air operations. Alternatively, a single controller could control the operation of all Image Server channels.

Controller Priority

When the Serial Control box is checked, the first controller to gain control of a video channel will have exclusive command. This prevents conflicting instructions from causing unexpected behavior. However, a local user may take control of a channel by de-selecting the Serial Control check box in that channel's dialog window. A GUI window will pop up, indicating that the user is about to take control from the Serial Port. Select YES to take control. The user may also take control of the channel by selecting Control > Take Control from the Transport menu.

Many remote control protocols do not provide a method to send a "disconnect" message to the Image Server, or communication might be lost before a disconnect command is received. This may make it difficult for more than one controller to share a video channel. If a channel becomes locked to a controller, you may use the GUI channel control window to break the lock by deselecting Serial Control mode. Another controller may be connected to the channel by selecting Serial Control and sending the new connect commands from the remote controller.

VDCP Options

A number of check boxes are provided that control how the Image Server will respond to certain VDCP commands. Once set, these options remain selected when the server is turned off, and until changed by the user.

Cue Shows 1st Frame

Upon receiving a Cue With Data or a Play Cue command, the server will cue the clip then jog to and display the first frame of video.

Cue with Offset (vs. Timestamp)

When checked, the time code for the clip becomes "zero-based" with reference to the head point.

To move to the head point of the clip, the automation controller would send a time code value of 00:00:00:00, regardless of the clip's original time stamp. When unchecked, the Image Server will calculate time code position based upon the time stamp from the first frame of the original, unedited clip.

Vari-Play 1X Equals Play

Image Server will interpret a Vari-play 1x command as a Play command.

Vari-Play 0 Equals Pause

Image Server will interpret a Vari-play 0x command as a Pause command.

Report Play (vs Still) At End

When the end of the clip is reached, Image Server will report Play to the automation controller, instead of Still.

Ignore Preroll Commands

The default value for Image Server's Preroll time is 10 frames. Automation controllers generally have the ability to set this value in their own configuration menus, negating a need to adjust this value dynamically. This box should typically be checked.

Auto E-E

Toggles Auto E-E mode.

Communication Port Parameters

The serial data transfer parameters for the Image Server are fixed, and cannot be changed. These characteristics are common to all automation controllers:

• Baud Rate 38.4 K Baud
• Start Bits 1
• Data Bits 8
• Parity Odd
• Stop Bits 1