Accom WSD/2XTREME User manual

Quick Contents
Chapter 1:
Getting to know
WSD/2X
TREME
• About this manual
• WSD/2Xtreme features
• System Inputs
• System Outputs
• External Control
• System Options
• Front Panel Layout
• WSD/2Xtreme Applications
• Image Transfer Considerations

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AboutThis Manual
This manual provides installation and operating instructions for the
Accom WSD/2Xtreme
™
Video Disk Array. If your system is not yet
installed, refer to Appendix B, Installation . If you’ve already completed
installing the system, begin here in Chapter 1 to learn about operating
WSD/2Xtreme.
This manual contains:
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Chapter 1, Getting to know the WSD/2Xtreme —system features,
capabilities, options, and applications.
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Chapter 2, Keyboard Controls —overview of all the controls on
the Mini-keyboard.
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Chapter 3, Getting Started —power up, power down, and setup.
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Chapter 4, Using the WSD/2Xtreme —operation, including
timecode, recording, playback, segment play mode, and Macros.
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Chapter 5, Ethernet Operation — An overview of
communicating with 2Xtreme through an ethernet connection.
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Chapter 6, SCSI Operation — An overview of communicating
with 2Xtreme through a SCSI connection.
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Chapter 7, Auto Edit Function —Auto Edit Function and edit
commands.
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Chapter 8, Ethernet/SCSI Commands —structure, syntax, and
available options for each command.
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Chapter 9, Using WSD/2Xtreme Audio —the audio option and
all phases of audio operation, including recording, playback, and
moving files between WSD/2Xtreme and the workstation.
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Appendix A, Command Summary —An alphabetical list of
WSD/2Xtreme Commands.
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Appendix B, Installation —hardware and software installation
instructions.

WSD/2Xtreme Features
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WSD/2Xtreme Features
The WSD/2Xtreme Video Disk Array is a desktop real time digital
disk recorder. 2Xtreme is ideal for graphics work, animation, imaging,
and scientific visualization and is the perfect peripheral device for
workstation applications which involve processing or creating images
on a frame-by-frame basis. With 2Xtreme, rendered frames can be
played back in real time, allowing you to view the end result of a cre-
ative process in full motion. 2Xtreme eliminates the need to render to
tape-based or other network related devices, greatly enhancing speed,
quality, and productivity.
WSD/2Xtreme consists of an electronics chassis with floppy disk
drive, an AT-compatible mini-keyboard, and interconnect cables.
Control is through keyboard driven menus or
through ethernet or SCSI connections from
an associated workstation.
WSD/2Xtreme features include:
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Pentium PCI Bus processing
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8-bit or 10-bit digital video recording
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5 minutes
uncompressed storage
with optional increased capacity
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Variable speed playback in forward and reverse
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Fast Ethernet and Ultra-SCSI implementations
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Flexible control via Keyboard, SCSI, Ethernet, or WSD Virtual
Control Panel (WSDVCP)
Note: 10-bit input/output is provided when serial digital I/O option is installed. Other-
wise, 10-bit input/output is through Ethernet or SCSI only. 8-bit AD/DA conversion
only on component analog I/O.

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Analog Video I/O
Component Analog I/O is standard (menu-selectable Betacam or
RGB).
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ITU-R/BT601 Serial Digital Option
Optional ITU-R/BT.601 (CCIR 601) digital serial video I/O.
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Image Transfer Flexibility
Two methods of transferring images between the workstation
and the 2Xtreme are provided:
Ethernet is standard. Pictures can be transferred using TCP/IP
protocol – rcp commands for image transfer and rsh or rlo-
gin commands for control. Refer to Chapter 4 for details
SCSI drivers for SGI Workstations are standard, allowing control
plus fast picture transfer. Transfer images and control 2Xtreme
from within applications that support the 2Xtreme SCSI inter-
face. You can also use the other 2Xtreme command line utilities
or the WSDVCP Virtual Control Panel to transfer files to and
from SGI Workstations and 2Xtreme.
For intensive SCSI use, consider the differential SCSI Board
Option. Software options are available to allow SCSI connection
to Macintosh and PC/NT computers.
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Playback Segments
To take advantage of WSD/2Xtreme’s random access capability, a
playback range (as defined by a marked inpoint and outpoint)
may be defined as a segment and inserted into a segment list.
Each segment has an associated play speed (from -99.999 to
+99.999 times normal play) and direction (either forward or
reverse). The segment list may contain up to 100 segments, and
is saved in non-volatile memory. Segment lists can be edited and
rearranged as desired.

WSD/2Xtreme Features
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Continuous Play Modes
2Xtreme offers two continuous-play modes: “Loop,” and “Ping
Pong,” which are active in Normal, Segment, and Cine play
operation. In Segment Play the In and Out points are defined as
either Segment IDs or as points on the Segment List Timeline.
The Loop mode allows continuous replay of a defined range of
images, in either forward or reverse directions.
The Ping Pong mode allows continuous replay of a defined
range of images by playing from start to finish, then from finish
to start in continuous repetition.
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Timecode
The 2Xtreme internal disk timeline starts at zero (00:00) and
increments to the maximum record capacity of the disk array.
You can choose between timecode display (hours:minutes:sec-
onds:frames) or absolute “frames” display (0 to the maximum
number of frames storable on your array). You can offset the
timecode range to align 2Xtreme material to a Source tape.
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Macros
Keystroke operational sequences can be stored into one of nine
on-line “macros.” Each macro can define up to 50 keystrokes.
Once stored, macro sequences can be played locally or triggered
by GPI input. Macros are saved in non-volatile memory. Macros
eliminate the need for repeated button presses and simplify
repetitive or complex procedures.
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Fast SCSI mode feature
2Xtreme architecture is optimized to provide very fast SCSI
transfer speeds. For example, when transferring images from
2Xtreme to memory on the SGI O2 workstation, we achieve real
time (30 frame-per-second) transfer rates.

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System Inputs
The standard 2Xtreme video input is Analog RGB/Betacam compo-
nent. An ITU-R/BT.601 (CCIR 601) serial digital video input is
optional.
Data and control connections include:
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Mini-Keyboard connector
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Two RS-422 connectors (one for an external edit controller, the
other to provide Sony-compatible VTR control from 2Xtreme)
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Four GPI inputs and four GPI outputs
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100Base-T or 10Base-T Ethernet (RJ45 connection)
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Ultra SCSI-3
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VGA display connector for standard PC VGA monitor
Refer to Appendix B, Installation for connector details.
System Outputs
2Xtreme provides:
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One Analog RGB/Betacam component output
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Two composite outputs for preview purposes (one video only,
the other with user selectable [on/off] control menu overlay)
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One S-Video Output (with menu overlay, user selectable on/off)
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Optional ITU-R/BT.601 (CCIR 601) serial digital video output
Refer to Appendix B, Installation for connector details.

External Control
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External Control
External device interface includes RS-422 ports, GPI (General Pur-
pose Interface) triggers, Ethernet, and SCSI.
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RS-422 Control— Two RS-422 auxiliary ports are provided:
Port 1 is a slave port that allows 2Xtreme to be controlled by an
external edit controller.
Port 2 is a master port used to control a VTR (Sony protocol).
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RS-232 port— Diagnostic purposes only.
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GPI— The GPI (General Purpose Interface) port allows simple
“trigger” control of internal and external functions. Four input
GPIs and four output GPIs are standard:
• Input GPIs trigger programmed macros 1 through 4
• Output GPIs are initiated from the 2Xtreme keyboard
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SCSI port— When used as a SCSI “master,” the Ultra SCSI-3
port provides backup and restore capability to or from a
streaming tape drive.
When used as a SCSI “target,” the SCSI interface allows fast pic-
ture transfer and control with SGI Workstations, or with a PC or
Macintosh computer (requires optional software such as Animaq
Digital from Diaquest).
The Ultra SCSI-3 port is standard. For intensive SCSI transfers
or longer cable runs, the differential SCSI board option is recom-
mended.
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Ethernet port— The Ethernet port facilitates external control of
WSD/Xtreme as well as image transfer. Remote Shell and
Remote Login protocols are available. An extensive command
menu is provided.
External control of 2Xtreme is well documented in later chapters
of this manual.

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System Options
A variety of options are available:
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Serial Digital I/O— The Serial Digital option provides ITU-R/
BT.601 (CCIR 601) Serial Digital input and output in addition
to the standard Analog Component I/O. Full-bandwidth 4:2:2
component digital video quality, 8-bit or 10-bit, provides the
highest quality interface to D1 recorders or other component
digital recording, processing, switching, image storage, and
monitoring devices.
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SCSI Board— In addition to the standard Ultra SCSI-3 port, an
optional SCSI board supports differential SCSI. This board is
recommended for high volume SCSI use.
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Audio Option— Realtime audio playback and record matched
precisely to video. The option includes utilities to transfer
computer .aif audio files via ethernet or SCSI. Audio is digitized
at 16-bit, 48kHz sampling. Audio inputs and outputs are analog.
Additional options include:
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Buf Box with jog/shuttle knob for remote control
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Charybda Driver software package for SGI workstations,
providing file format translation
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Diaquest products for Macintosh and NT computers: Animaq,
3D Studio MAX, and Adobe Photoshop Plug-ins
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Ethernet and SCSI cables and accessories
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Shipping Case

Front Panel Layout
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Front Panel Layout
Note: When using SCSI devices, including 2Xtreme, connected through a SCSI chain
to a workstation, ALWAYS power the workstation up last (after all SCSI devices) and
ALWAYS shut the workstation off first (before all SCSI devices). This protects against
accidental data loss and possible damage to the workstation or SCSI devices.
Floppy Disk Drive– Used to load new software from
3.5 inch diskette, or as an emergency boot drive.
The Reset button resets the CPU and causes a warm
boot to take place.
The Power button turns the unit on or off. The LED
lights when power is on.

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WSD/2XtremeApplications
Primarily, 2Xtreme is used with graphics workstations. Graphics cre-
ated on the workstation are transferred to 2Xtreme for realtime play-
back. You can also record live video on 2Xtreme and transfer these
images to the workstation for rotoscoping or other manipulation.
2Xtreme is the ideal interface between computer imaging and video.
This section provides an overview of a typical system incorporating
2Xtreme.
This typical system includes:
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Workstation— Any workstation used to generate computer
graphics. The workstation is typically connected to 2Xtreme
through ethernet for control and through SCSI for high speed
file transfer.
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2Xtreme— records images transferred from the workstation.
2Xtreme is controlled via keyboard, ethernet, or SCSI.
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Composite Monitor— connected to the 2Xtreme composite
output to view images during recording and playback. Also
displays the operating menus and displays.
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Video Tape Recorder (VTR)— Video recording and playback.
Via Ethernet or SCSI, you control the 2Xtreme and the VTR
from the workstation. This allows you to quickly edit material
into a compiled, edited tape.
Video
Video
Audio
RS-422
VTR
Video Monitor
Computer
WSD/2Xtreme
Ethernet
SCSI
STOPPED +1.000 In= 01.06.20
RLen= 10.00 VA Out= 01.16.20
MENU SELECTIONS (H for help)
F1 MAIN Sh+F1 AUDIO
F2 EDITOR
F3 VIDEO
F4 MACROS
F5 SEGMENT
F6 SYSTEM
F7 BACKUP
F8 TRANSPORT
F9 REMOTE
F10 DISK ARRAY
NORM 15.12 F1V