Avid Technology Satellite Link User manual

Satellite Link Guide
Version 8.1

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Contents iii
contents
Chapter 1. Introduction to Satellite Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
System Requirements and Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
About This Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
About www.avid.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chapter 2. Installing Satellite Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Network Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Installing Satellite Link Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Authorizing Satellite Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Removing Satellite Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Chapter 3. Using Satellite Link. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Configuring Satellite Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Linking Satellite Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Using Satellite Link with MachineControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Control Surface Support for Satellite Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Satellite Link Guideiv

Chapter 1: Introduction to Satellite Link 1
chapter 1
Introduction to Satellite Link
The Avid®Satellite Link option lets you link up
to 5 Pro Tools®systems (or up to 4 Pro Tools sys-
tems and an Avid Media Composer®, Avid
Symphony Nitris DX®, or Video Satellite LE sys-
tem) over an Ethernet network so that you can
cue, play, and stop the transports, make play se-
lections, and solo tracks across any of the sys-
tems from any linked workstation.
From each linked Pro Tools system, Satellite
Link lets you link and unlink networked systems
and see the link status of other connected sys-
tems.
By setting Satellite Link preferences, you can
configure those Pro Tools systems for single- or
multi-operator workflows.
Satellite Link can be used simultaneously with
Avid MachineControl™. Satellite Link allows
one linked Pro Tools system to go online and
drive a 9-pin capable device.
On systems with a D-Control™ console, Satellite
Link can work in conjunction with D-Control
Multi-mode, allowing you to operate the trans-
port of any of the networked Pro Tools systems
from the D-Control Transport section.
System Requirements and
Compatibility
Satellite Link requires a Avid-qualified
Pro Tools|HD®system running Pro Tools 8.0 or
higher.
Each satellite Pro Tools system must have an
iLok authorization for the Satellite Link option
and have an Ethernet connection to a Local Area
Network (LAN). The administrator Pro Tools
system does not require an iLok authorization.
In addition, each Pro Tools system in a Satellite
Link network must be resolved to a common
video reference, or “house sync,” using a
SYNC HD™ or SYNC I/O™ sync peripheral.
To use Media Composer with Satellite Link,
Media Composer 3.1 or higher (with the Video
Satellite option) is required.
To use Symphony Nitris DX, version 5.0 or
higher (with the Video Satellite option) is
required.
Avid can only assure compatibility and provide
support for hardware and software it has tested
and approved.
For complete system requirements and a list of
qualified computers, operating systems, hard
drives, and third-party devices, visit:
www.avid.com/compatibility
Video Satellite LE provides limited Satellite
Link features. For more information on using
Satellite Link with Video Satellite LE, see the
Video Satellite LE Guide.

Satellite Link Guide2
Registration
Your software purchase is automatically regis-
tered when you activate your iLok license (see
“Authorizing Satellite Link” on page 5).
Registered users are eligible to receive software
update and upgrade notices.
For information on technical support, visit
www.avid.com.
About This Guide
This guide describes features of the Satellite Link
option. For complete instructions on connect-
ing and configuring your Pro Tools|HD system,
see the HD Setup Guide.
For additional information about using
Pro Tools software, see the Pro Tools Reference
Guide.
Conventions Used in This Guide
Pro Tools guides use the following conventions
to indicate menu choices and key commands:
:
The names of Commands, Options, and Settings
that appear on-screen are in a different font.
The following symbols are used to highlight
important information:
Convention Action
File > Save Choose Save from the
File menu
Control+N Hold down the Control key
and press the N key
Control-click Hold down the Control key
and click the mouse button
Right-click Click with the right
mouse button
User Tips are helpful hints for getting the
most from your system.
Important Notices include information that
could affect your data or the performance of
your system.
Shortcuts show you useful keyboard or
mouse shortcuts.
Cross References point to related sections in
this guide and other Avid guides.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Satellite Link 3
About www.avid.com
The Avid website (www.avid.com) is your best
online source for information to help you get
the most out of your Pro Tools system. The fol-
lowing are just a few of the services and features
available.
Product Registration Register your purchase
online.
Support and Downloads Contact Avid Customer
Success (technical support); download software
updates and the latest online manuals; browse
the Compatibility documents for system re-
quirements; search the online Knowledge Base
or join the worldwide Pro Tools community on
the User Conference.
Training and Education Study on your own using
courses available online or find out how you can
learn in a classroom setting at a certified
Pro Tools training center.
Products and Developers Learn about Avid
products; download demo software or learn
about our Development Partners and their
plug-ins, applications, and hardware.
News and Events Get the latest news from Avid
or sign up for a Pro Tools demo.

Satellite Link Guide4

Chapter 2: Installing Satellite Link 5
chapter 2
Installing Satellite Link
Network Connections
Satellite Link requires all linked systems to be
connected to an Ethernet Local Area Network.
All systems should be on the same subnet, and it
is recommended that all systems be on the same
Ethernet switch, in order to minimize response
time over the network.
Installing Satellite Link
Software
You need to install the Satellite Link option on
each system that you want to use as a satellite.
You do not need to install Satellite Link on the
system that you want to use as the administrator
system.
To install Satellite Link software:
1 Insert the Satellite Link Installer disc into your
computer.
2 Double-click the Satellite Link installer appli-
cation.
3 Follow the on-screen instructions to complete
the installation.
4 When installation is complete, click Close
(Mac) or Finish (Windows).
Authorizing Satellite Link
Software is authorized using the iLok USB Smart
Key (iLok), manufactured by PACE Anti-Piracy.
An iLok can hold over 100 licenses for all of your
iLok-enabled software. Once a license for a given
piece of software is placed on an iLok, you can
use the iLok to authorize that software on any
computer.
iLok USB Smart Key
An iLok USB Smart Key is not supplied with
plug-ins or software options. You can use the
iLok included with certain Pro Tools systems
(such as Pro Tools|HD-series systems), or
purchase one separately.

Satellite Link Guide6
To authorize Satellite Link:
1 If you do not have an iLok.com account, visit
www.iLok.com and sign up for an account.
2 Transfer the license for your software to your
iLok.com account by doing the following:
• Visit www.avid.com/activation.
– and –
• Input your Activation Code (listed on your
Activation Card) and your iLok.com User
ID. Your iLok.com User ID is the name you
create for your iLok.com account.
3 Transfer the licenses from your iLok.com ac-
count to your iLok USB Smart Key by doing the
following:
• Insert the iLok into an available USB port
on your computer.
• Go to www.iLok.com and log in.
• Follow the on-screen instructions for trans-
ferring your licences to your iLok.
4 Launch Pro Tools.
5 If you have any unauthorized software
installed, you are prompted to authorize it.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete
the authorization process.
Removing Satellite Link
If you need to uninstall the Satellite Link option
from your system, follow the instructions below
for your computer platform.
Mac OS X
To uninstall an option:
1 Open the Pro Tools folder on your Startup
drive (Applications/Digidesign).
2 Drag the option to the Trash and empty the
Trash.
Windows XP
To uninstall an option:
1 Choose Start > Control Panel.
2 Double-click Add or Remove Programs.
3 Select the oprion from the list of installed ap-
plications.
4 Click Remove.
5 Follow the on-screen instructions to remove
the option.
For more information, visit the iLok website
(www.iLok.com).

Chapter 3: Using Satellite Link 7
chapter 3
Using Satellite Link
Configuring Satellite Link
Configuring Network Settings
Satellite Link systems communicate over Ether-
net Local Area Networks. You can configure the
network settings on each Pro Tools system to
build one or more Satellite Link networks on the
same LAN.
Ethernet Interface
On computers with multiple Ethernet inter-
faces, you can select the interface you want to
use for Satellite Link communications.
To select the Ethernet interface for Satellite Link:
1 Choose Setup > Peripherals and click Satellites.
2 Under Advanced Network Settings, choose the
Ethernet interface from the Interface pop-up
menu.
3 Click OK.
TCP/UDP Port
Systems in a Satellite Link network need to use
the same TCP/UDP port to communicate. Avail-
able satellite systems will only appear on other
satellite systems using the same port.
By default, Satellite Link uses TCP/UDP port
28282.
If the default port is already in use, or if you
want to set up separate Satellite Link networks,
you can select a different TCP/UDP port for Sat-
ellite Link communication.
To select the TCP/UDP port for Satellite Link
communication:
1 Choose Setup > Peripherals and click Satellites.
2 Under Advanced Network Settings, enter the
TCP/UDP port number you want the system to
use.
3 Click OK.
For Satellite Link to function properly, if
you choose not to use the default TCP/UDP
port, you must choose a port between 1024
and 65534.

Satellite Link Guide8
Configuring a Satellite Link
Network
To set up Pro Tools systems or Video Satellite LE
for Satellite Link operation, one Pro Tools sys-
tem on the network must be designated an ad-
ministrator system.
Other systems on the network are set up as sat-
ellite systems, then they are added to the net-
work from the administrator system.
Configuring Satellite Systems
Do the following for each Pro Tools system you
want to configure as a Satellite Link satellite:
1 Choose Setup > Peripherals and click Satellites.
2 In the System Name text box, enter a name for
the system.
3 Under Mode, choose Satellite.
4 Click OK.
To configure a Media Composer system as a Video
Satellite:
1 In Media Composer, choose Edit > Preferences.
2 In the Project window, click the Settings Tab
and double-click Video Satellite.
3 In the Video Satellite Settings window, select
Video Satellite Mode.
4 Click OK.
To set up a Video Satellite LE system as a
satellite:
1 On the Pro Tools LE system, choose Setup >
Peripherals and click Satellites.
2 In the System Name text box, enter a name for
the system.
3 Under Mode, choose Enable Satellite Mode.
4 Click OK.
Configuring a satellite in the Satellites page of the
Peripherals dialog
Configuring a Video Satellite LE system in the Satellites
page of the Peripherals dialog

Chapter 3: Using Satellite Link 9
Configuring an Administrator System
If a Pro Tools system does not have the Satellite
Link option installed, it can only operate as an
administrator. You can, however, change a sat-
ellite system to an administrator system.
To configure a Pro Tools system as a Satellite Link
administrator:
1 Choose Setup > Peripherals and click Satellites.
2 In the System Name text box, enter a name for
the system.
3 Under Mode, choose Administrator.
4 Under Administrator, choose the current sys-
tem from the System 1 pop-up menu.
5 Click OK.
Adding Satellites to the Network
When systems have been configured as satel-
lites, they become available on the administra-
tor system. The satellite systems are then de-
clared from the Administrator system to build
the Satellite Link network.
To declare satellite systems:
1 On the administrator system, choose Setup >
Peripherals and click Satellites.
2 Under Administrator, declare the systems you
want to use as satellites from the System 2-5
pop-up menus.
3 Click OK.
Systems 1-5 appear, in order, from left to right,
in the Synchronization section of the Transport
window.
Configuring the Administrator system in the Satellites
page of the Peripherals dialog
Declared satellites in the in the Satellites page of the
Peripherals dialog
Declared satellites in the in the Synchronization section
of the Transport window

Satellite Link Guide10
Linking Satellite Systems
When a Pro Tools system has been declared as a
satellite, it can then be placed in a linked state
from the local machine or from another satel-
lite. When a system is linked, the following fea-
tures/commands can be controlled across all
linked systems:
• Linking and unlinking of the system
• Transport controls (Stop, Play, FF, Rew)
• Play selections
• Scrub/Shuttle location
• Channel solo (including Solo clear)
• Clearing system errors (e.g., DAE errors)
Satellite Link Controls
When a Pro Tools system has been declared as a
satellite, the following Satellite Link controls ap-
pear in the Transport window:
Link Button Controls the link status of the local
system.
Satellite Link Buttons Control the link status of
the other satellite systems. On every system, one
of these buttons corresponds to that system’s
main Link button.
Link buttons highlight to indicate linked status.
To display Satellite Link controls in the Transport
window:
Choose View > Transport > Synchronization and
View > Transport > Expanded.
To link or unlink the local Pro Tools system:
Click the Link button in the Transport win-
dow.
To link or unlink other satellite systems:
Click the corresponding Satellite Link button
in the Transport window.
To link or unlink all declared satellite systems:
Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac) the
Link button or a Satellite Link button in the
Transport window.
Linking Systems During Playback
You can link or unlink a system while it or any
other linked system is playing back (“join in
play”), and the transports will play in sync. In
cases where both systems are playing back, the
newly linked system will cue to the location of
the system on which the link was initiated.
Satellite Link controls in the Transport window
Link button
Satellite Link buttons

Chapter 3: Using Satellite Link 11
Linking Play Selections
You can set linked Pro Tools systems to transmit
and receive play selections from other satellite
systems. This lets you configure your setup to se-
lectively mirror Edit window selections between
systems, or to have all systems mirror Edit win-
dow selections on all other systems.
If you are working in a multi-user dub stage
environment where dialog, FX, and music reside
on different systems, it can be useful to set those
systems to only transmit play selections, and set
the recorder/video Pro Tools system to only re-
ceive play selections.
If you are working in a single-user mix envi-
ronment and are moving between systems, it
can be useful to set all systems to transmit and
receive play selections, so that you can work
with the same selection on any system.
To set satellite Pro Tools systems to mirror play
selections on other satellite systems
1 On the systems where you will be making play
selections, do the following:
• Choose Setup > Preferences and click Syn-
chronization.
– and –
•IntheSatellites section of the Synchroniza-
tion page, select the Transmit Play Selections
option.
2 On the systems that you want to mirror the
play selections, do the following:
• Choose Setup > Preferences and click Syn-
chronization.
– and –
•IntheSatellites section of the Synchroniza-
tion page, select the Receive Play Selections
option.
3 Make sure the systems are linked.
Solo Linking
You can set linked Pro Tools systems to transmit
the solo status of their tracks and receive solo
status information from other satellite systems.
If you are working in a multi-user dub stage
environment where dialog, FX, and music reside
on different systems, it can be useful to set those
systems to send and receive solos, and set the re-
corder/video Pro Tools system so that it does not
transmit or receive solos.
If you are working in a single-user mix envi-
ronment and are moving between systems, it
might be useful to set all systems to transmit
and receive solos, so that solos propagate across
all systems.
Solo Safe When Solo Linking is enabled, tracks
on all systems retain their Solo Safe status.
Solo Clear When Solo Linking is enabled, a Solo
Clear operation (Option+Solo) clears all solos on
systems set to receive solos.
To set satellite Pro Tools systems to transmit or
receive solo status:
1 On the systems that you want to solo tracks,
do the following:
• Choose Setup > Preferences and click Syn-
chronization.
– and –
•IntheSatellites section of the Synchroniza-
tion page, select the Transmit Solos option.
2 On the systems where you want tracks to fol-
low solo behavior for solos on other systems, do
the following:
• Choose Setup > Preferences and click Syn-
chronization.
– and –
•IntheSatellites section of the Synchroniza-
tion page, select the Receive Solos option.

Satellite Link Guide12
3 Make sure the systems are linked.
Using Solo Link without Linking
Transport Controls
If you are synchronizing multiple Pro Tools sys-
tems to an external synchronizer, you can still
take advantage of the Solo Link feature.
You can set a satellite Pro Tools system to always
send its solo status, whether linked or unlinked,
so you can solo tracks across systems without
linking transport controls.
To set a satellite Pro Tools system to always solo
even when it is not linked:
1 Choose Setup > Preferences and click Synchro-
nization.
2 In the Satellites section of the Synchroniza-
tion page, select the Solo Independent of Linked
State option.
Solo Link Behavior in the Solo Modes
Solo in Place With Solo Link, when using Solo
In Place, the mode of solo operation is deter-
mined by the system transmitting the solo.
If a linked system is in Solo Latch mode, solo-
ing a track on that system adds to the number of
tracks in solo, regardless of the solo mode of
other systems set to receive solos.
If a linked system is in Solo X-OR mode, solo-
ing a track on that system cancels all other sys-
tem’s solos regardless of the solo mode of other
systems set to receive solos.
AFL and PFL Modes With Solo Link, AFL and PFL
solos on a linked system have no effect on other
systems.
An AFL-soloed track on a linked system can be
muted by a Solo In Place on another system. To
avoid this, use PFL instead of AFL.
Satellite Link Operation
Clearing Errors on Linked Systems
By default, linked systems will continue to oper-
ate if one of the systems experiences an error
and its transport stops. Any error message on a
linked system appears in the tool tip for the cor-
responding Satellite Link button in the Trans-
port window.
You can set each system to stop playback when
it experiences an error.
To clear an error dialog on a linked system:
In the Transport window on another linked
system, Shift-click the Satellite Link button for
the affected system.
To set a linked system to stop the transport on all
systems when an error occurs:
Make sure the DAE Errors Stop All Linked Sys-
tems option is selected in the Synchronization
Preferences.
To set all systems to stop the transport when an
error occurs, make sure this option is selected on
all linked systems.
Playback and Modal Dialogs
Linked systems will stop playback (or prevent
playback from starting) if a modal dialog (such
as the I/O Setup, Hardware Setup, or Playback
Engine dialog) is opened on any linked system.
To avoid interrupting playback on another
system when opening a modal dialog,
unlink the system before opening the dialog.

Chapter 3: Using Satellite Link 13
Using Satellite Link with
MachineControl
MachineControl Deck Control Mode can be
used to operate a 9-pin synchronization device
(such as a Soundmaster ATOM or a CB Electron-
ics 9-Pin synchronizer), allowing Pro Tools to
act as a “code only master” for systems con-
trolled by the synchronizer.
Satellite Link lets you use MachineControl on
one linked Pro Tools system at a time.
When one linked Pro Tools system is already
online and you go online with another linked
Pro Tools system, Satellite Link will automati-
cally take the first system offliine.
Any linked Pro Tools systems set to
“Transport=Pro Tools” will follow Satellite Link
transport commands.
Any linked Pro Tools systems set to “Trans-
port=Machine” cannot transmit Satellite link
transport commands, but will follow Satellite
Link transport commands if they are offline.
Control Surface Support for
Satellite Link
Linking Satellite Systems
(D-Control, D-Command and C|24)
To link or unlink the local Pro Tools system:
Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac)
and press the Machine Online switch in the
Transport section.
Satellite Link Soft Keys
(D-Control and D-Command)
To link or unlink other satellite systems:
1 Hold Control (Mac) or Alt (Windows) and
press the Modes switch in the Automation Soft
Keys section.
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to the
name of the system that you want to link or un-
link.
The Soft Key lights solid to indicate that the cor-
responding system is linked, and flashes to indi-
cate that the corresponding system is displaying
an error.
To link or unlink all declared satellite systems:
Hold Alt+Control (Windows) or
Option+Command (Mac) and press the Online
switch in the Transport section.
To toggle the solo transmit status of the local
Pro Tools system:
1 Hold Control (Mac) or Alt (Windows) and
press the Modes switch in the Automation Soft
Keys section.
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to
“Transmit Solo.”
The Soft Key lights solid to indicate that trans-
mit solo is enabled.

Satellite Link Guide14

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