Matrox Rainbow Runner Operation manual

Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio
• Installation & User Guide •
10537-201-0200
1997.12.19
ENGLISH

2 Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide
Contents
Using this guide 4
More information....................................................................................................................4
Overview 5
Hardware supplied..................................................................................................................5
Software supplied ...................................................................................................................5
Installation overview...............................................................................................................5
Hardware installation 6
Connection setup 9
Quick connection setup ..........................................................................................................9
S-video and composite video................................................................................................12
SCART connector information.............................................................................................13
Rainbow Runner input..........................................................................................................14
Rainbow Runner output........................................................................................................15
Software installation 17
Rainbow Runner Installation CD-ROM...............................................................................17
MediaStudio CD-ROM.........................................................................................................18
iPhoto Express CD-ROM.....................................................................................................18
Matrox PC-VCR Remote program 19
Input setting..........................................................................................................................20
Video file input.....................................................................................................................20
TV tuner card input...............................................................................................................21
Video line input ....................................................................................................................21
Mini remote ..........................................................................................................................23
More features........................................................................................................................23
Matrox TV Out property sheet 26
Using TV mode ....................................................................................................................26
Returning to computer display mode....................................................................................27
Important notes on TV mode................................................................................................27

Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide 3
Matrox VidCap driver 29
Video source settings............................................................................................................ 29
Video format settings............................................................................................................30
Ulead MediaStudio software 31
Step 1 – Getting files for clips..............................................................................................31
Step 2 – Adding clips ...........................................................................................................32
Step 3 – Editing clips............................................................................................................33
Step 4 – Adding effects ........................................................................................................35
Step 5 – Saving your video................................................................................................... 36
More information .................................................................................................................37
Ulead iPhoto Express program 38
VDOnet VDOPhone Internet program 39
Requirements........................................................................................................................39
Network setup....................................................................................................................... 39
VDOPhone setup..................................................................................................................39
Connecting with other VDOPhone users .............................................................................40
More information .................................................................................................................41
Display information 42
Hardware information 45
Troubleshooting 46
Customer support 53
Matrox Web and FTP sites...................................................................................................53
If you have a problem...........................................................................................................53
Free CompuServe introductory membership offer............................................................... 54
Warranty 56
Index 57

4 Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide
Using this guide
This guide assumes you’re familiar with basic functions like click, right-click and double-click, and
that you’re familiar with the basics of the operating system you’re using. Also, we use the following
conventions:
Bold for text that appears on-screen, subheadings and labels*.
Italics for file names, paths, publication titles, and new terms.
Bold Italic for emphasis.
Keyboard keys in square brackets, with a plus sign separating keys that you press simultaneously.
For example: press [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[Del] to restart your computer.
Arrows (“”) to separate ordered directions. For example, “click OK Close OK” is the same
as “click OK, then click Close, then click OK”.
When viewing online, green for cross-references. (Click green text to jump to the page being
referenced.)
More information
We provide important additional information in online documentation, including Help files, readme
files, and Adobe Acrobat PDF (Portable Document Format files. Use the Acrobat Reader program,
which you can install from your “Rainbow Runner Installation” CD-ROM
(guides\english\ar32e301), to view or print PDF files.
This guide is available on the CD-ROM as a PDF file (guides\english\rrst_eng.pdf). The online
version of this guide includes “Matrox software license agreement”, “Customer support” and
“Warranty” information. For more information on the types of documentation provided, see each
software section in this guide.
*NOTE: This guide makes references to labels on external video devices. The actual labels on
your video devices may not be worded exactly the same. Different manufacturers sometimes use
different labelsforthe sametype ofcontrols andconnectors.For example, the VIDEO IN connector
on your TV may be labeled VIDEO 1 (or VIDEO 2). To match labels, see the documentation for
your video devices.

Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide 5
Overview
Thank you for purchasing Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio. Discover a whole new universe of digital
video with your Rainbow Runner: view, record and edit video on your computer; play the latest 3D
games using your TV; watch TV on your computer; and much more. Rainbow Runner turns your
computer into a home entertainment center and digital video editing studio.
Hardware supplied
Software supplied
Rainbow Runner drivers – to use the Rainbow Runner hardware
Matrox PC-VCR Remote – to view and record digital video
Ulead MediaStudio – to edit digital video
Ulead iPhoto Express – to edit digital images
VDOnet VDOPhone Internet – to use your Internet-connected computer as a video phone
MPEG video clips – to see what you can do with Rainbow Runner
Installation overview
To install Rainbow Runner Studio:
1Install the Rainbow Runner Studio add-on card – see “Hardware installation”, page 6.
2Connect your video input and output – see “Connection setup”, page 9.
3Install the software – see “Software installation”, page 17.
* Included with Rainbow Runner Studio for Millennium II only (MIL2/RRST series). For use with Millennium II AGP only. For
more information, see page 8.
Rainbow Runner Studio
add-on card Rainbow Runner video connector 2 composite (RCA) video cables 2 audio cables Video connector bracket *
Before installing, see “System requirements”, page 45.

6 Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide
Hardware installation
This section describes how to install your Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio add-on card. To install,
you’ll need a Phillips screwdriver (star-shaped head). For information specific to your computer, like
how to remove its cover, see your system manual. If your Matrox graphics card is not already
installed in your computer, skip to step 2.
1Remove the Matrox graphics card
from your computer1
aTurn off your computer and unplug it from
its power supply.
bUnplug the monitor connection from the
back of your computer.
cRemove your computer’s cover. This
usually involves removing several screws.
dRemove the screw fastening the bracket of
the Matrox graphics card to your
computer’s rear panel.
eRemove the Matrox graphics card from
your computer. Save the card’s fastening
screw and note which slot the card was in.2
1.Some IBM computers (IBM 300 PL series) have Mystique cards built into their motherboards. A separate kit is
available to install Rainbow Runner Studio on these computers. For more information, contact your IBM dealer or
visit the Matrox Web site (www.matrox.com/mga).
2.If your Matrox graphics card has an add-on memory module attached, carefully remove it. The Rainbow Runner
Studio add-on card and the memory module can’t be attached to the Matrox graphics card at the same time because
they use the same connectors.
WARNING – Static electricity can severely damage electronic parts. Take these precautions:
Before touching any electronic parts, drain the static electricity from your body. You can do
this by touching the metal frame of your computer.
Don’t remove a card from the anti-static container it was shipped in until you’re ready to
install it. When you remove a card from your computer, place it back in its container.
When handling a card, hold it by its edges, and avoid touching its circuitry.
Matrox graphics
card

Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide 7
2Attach Rainbow Runner Studio to
your Matrox graphics card
aPosition the Rainbow Runner Studio
add-on card over the Matrox graphics card
so the connectors line up.
bPress the two cards together slowly and
evenly until the connectors meet
(connection 3may not completely join).
cVisually inspect your combined card from
each edge to make surethere’s no (or very
little) space between connectors 1, 2,
and 4. (The Millennium II card doesn’t
have connector 4.)
3Install your combined card
aPosition the card over the slot you
removed it from. (If you’re installing your
Matrox graphics card for the first time, see
its Installation Guide.)
bPush the card firmly and evenly into the
slot until it’s fully seated. Secure the
bracket of the card with the screw you
removed earlier.
cIf you’ve purchased the Matrox Rainbow
Runner TV card, connect it to Rainbow
Runner Studio (see Matrox Rainbow
Runner TV – Installation Guide).
dPutyour computer’s coverback on. (If you
have a Millennium II AGP card, see step 4
first.)
WARNING: If the cards are not
properly aligned, they could be
damaged when combined.
Rainbow Runner Studio
add-on card
Matrox
graphics card
3
4
2
1
(Mystique only)
Matrox graphics /
Rainbow Runner
Studio card

8 Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide
4Millennium II AGP users only:
Install the video connector bracket
(Because of space limitations, the
Millennium II AGP card doesn’t have a
connector on its bracket for Rainbow Runner
Studio. Rainbow Runner Studio for
Millennium II includes a separate video
connector bracket for AGP cards.)
aRemove the cover for any unused slot.
Save the fastening screw.
bInsert the video connector bracket in the
opening for the unused slot. Secure the
bracket with the fastening screw.
cAttach the end of the ribbon cable to the
connector on top of the Rainbow Runner
Studio card. The connectors are made so
that they only fit one way.
Your Rainbow Runner Studio add-on card is now installed. For information on how to connect it to
external devices like your VCR or video camera, see “Connection setup”.
Note (Millennium II AGP users only): Some computers have an opening in the back for
connectors the same size as the Rainbow Runner video connector. If you don’t want to use
another slot for the separate video connector bracket, you can use such an opening. To do
so, use pliers to unscrew the video connector from its bracket, then fasten it to the opening.
Video connector bracket
Millennium II AGP /
Rainbow Runner
Studio card

Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide 9
Connection setup
After the Rainbow Runner Studio add-on card is installed, you need to connect your external video
devices (TVs, VCRs, and so on), then install the Rainbow Runner software. This section describes
how to connect video devices to your computer.
Quick connection setup
1Connect your monitor
Plug your monitor cable into the monitor connector on the back of your installed Matrox graphics
card. Turn the connector’s thumb screws clockwise to secure the connector. Connect the other
end of the monitor cable to your monitor. For more information on how to connect your monitor
cable, see your monitor manual.
2Attach the Rainbow Runner
video connector
Plug the Rainbow Runner video connector
intotheback ofyourinstalled Matroxgraphics
card1. Turn the connector’s thumb screws
clockwise to secure the connector.
1. For Millennium II AGP cards, the video connector is on a separate bracket. For more information, see page 8.
Monitor connector (blue) Video connector (black)Bracket
Side-view of Matrox graphics card 1
Rainbow Runner
video connector
Monitor
connector
Back of
computer

10 Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide
3Connect Rainbow Runner input
Use one of the two composite (RCA) video
cables supplied with Rainbow Runner Studio.
Connect one end to the Rainbow Runner line
labeled VIDEO IN. Connect the other end to the
VIDEO OUT connector on your VCR, video
camera or videodisc player. (Typically, video
out connectors are yellow.)
For more information, see “Rainbow Runner
input”, page 14.
4Connect Rainbow Runner output
Use one of the two composite (RCA) video
cables supplied with Rainbow Runner Studio.
Connect one end to the Rainbow Runner line
labeled VIDEO OUT. Connect the other end to
the VIDEO IN connector on your TV or VCR.
If you connect to a VCR and you want to see
your computer output on a TV, connect your
TV to your VCR. For more information, see
“Rainbow Runner output”, page 15.
SCART connectors: If your VCR or TV only uses a SCART audio/video
connector (see picture), you may need to purchase a SCART video connector.
For more information, see “SCART connector information”, page 13.
“VIDEO IN”
(VCR, video camera or videodisc player)
“VIDEO OUT”
(VCR or TV)

Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide 11
5Connect sound card input
Use one of the two audio cables supplied with
Rainbow Runner Studio.
Plugthe stereo-jackend of the audio cableinto
the LINE IN connector1on your sound card.
Plug the other end of the cable into the left (L)
and right (R) AUDIO OUT connectors of the
video device you connected to in step 3.
If your video device has only one audio
connector, use the left audio (white) connector
on the cable.
For more information, see your sound card
manual.
6Connect sound card output
Use one of the two audio cables supplied with
Rainbow Runner Studio.
Plugthe stereo-jackend of the audio cableinto
the LINE OUT connector on your sound card.
Plug your speakers into the SPKR (speaker)
connector2on your sound card.
Plug the other end of the cable into the left (L)
and right (R) AUDIO IN connectors of the video
device you connected to in step 4.
If your video device has only one audio
connector, use the left audio (white) connector
on the cable.
For more information, see your sound card
manual.
1.If your sound card has no LINE IN connector, you can use its MIC (microphone) connector instead.
2.If your sound card has no LINE OUT connector, you can use its SPKR connector instead. In this case, all your
computer’s sound output goes to the video device you connected to.
(VCR, video camera
or videodisc player)
(VCR or TV)

12 Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide
S-video and composite video
The Rainbow Runner video connector has two
composite video connectors (one input and
one output), and two S-video connectors (one
input and one output). Most video equipment uses
composite video, but some devices (for example,
S-VHS VCRs) use S-video. S-video is higher-
quality than composite video.
If you have a video device with S-video
connectors, you should use the S-VIDEO IN or
S-VIDEO OUT lines on the Rainbow Runner video
connector. If your S-video device did not come
with S-video cables, this type of cable is available
at most electronics stores.
You can use the Rainbow Runner S-video
connectors instead of – or in addition to – the
composite video connectors. If you use composite
and S-video connectors, you can connect up to
four video devices to Rainbow Runner at the same
time (two input and two output).
Rainbow Runner video output is simultaneous on
its composite (VIDEO OUT) and S-video
(S-VIDEO OUT) lines.
For Rainbow Runner video input, you need to
select either the composite (VIDEO IN) or
S-video (S-VIDEO IN) line in the software (see
page 21).
S-video
connectors
Composite video
connectors

Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide 13
SCART connector information
Some video devices in Europe only have SCART connectors. This type of connector includes video
and audio, whereas composite or S-video connectors include only video.
If your TV or VCR only has a SCART connector, you need a SCART cable adapter to connect to
Rainbow Runner. If you don’t already have a SCART adapter, you should be able to purchase one
from your local electronics store.
To connect your TV or VCR to Rainbow
Runner output, you need a SCART adapter
with 3 female connectors – 2 audio and
1 video.
To connect your VCR to both Rainbow
Runner input and output, instead you need
a SCART adapter with 6 male connectors –
2 audio inputs, 1 video input, 2 audio
outputs, 1 video output. To connect a
Rainbow Runner audio cable to a SCART
adaptor with male RCA audio connectors,
you also need 4 male-to-male adapters.
There are different SCART adapters for
composite and S-video. If you’re not sure
which your TV or VCR supports, see its
manual. If your TV or VCR uses S-video,
the video connectors on your SCART
adapter should be for S-video cables instead
of composite (RCA) video cables.
To use a SCART adapter, connect your
Rainbow Runner audio and video cables to the
SCART adapter, then connect the adapter to
your TV or VCR. For more information on
connecting to a TV or VCR, see “Quick
connection setup”, steps 3–6.
S-video SCART adapter with
3 female connectors
Composite SCART adapter
with 3 female connectors
S-videoSCARTadapter with
6 male connectors
Composite SCART adapter
with 6 male connectors
Male-to-male adapter (RCA)

14 Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide
Rainbow Runner input
VCR as Rainbow Runner input
If you connect Rainbow Runner to your VCR, you
can view, record and edit the video from your
VCR on your computer. You can also use your
VCR as a TV tuner for your computer. This means
you can view, record and edit TV signals on your
computer, and use your VCR’s controls to change
channels. To set up:
1Connect your Rainbow Runner input to your
VCR video output (see step 3, page 10).
2Connect your sound card input to your VCR
audio output (see step 5, page 11).
3Connect your TV antenna or cable TV to your
VCR. If you only want to use your VCR for
playing back video cassettes (not as a TV
tuner), this step is optional.
4Make sure your VCR’s TUNER/LINE input
switch is set to TUNER.
For more information, see your VCR manual.
Video camera as Rainbow Runner input
Ifyou connect RainbowRunnertoa videocamera,
you can view, record and edit live video with your
computer, as well as video conference. Many
video cameras can also play back pre-recorded
video like a VCR does (to connect, see “VCR as
Rainbow Runner input”, steps 1and 2). For more
information, see your video camera manual.
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: Unauthorized recording or use of broadcast television
programming, video tape or other copyrighted material may violate copyright laws. Matrox
assumes no responsibility for the illegal duplication, use or other acts which infringe on the rights
of copyright owners.
TV antenna
or cable TV
VCR
Video camera

Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide 15
Matrox Rainbow Runner TV card
If a Matrox Rainbow Runner TV tuner card
(sold separately) is installed in your computer,
you can connect your TV antenna or cable TV
directly to your computer. With this setup, you
can use Rainbow Runner software to watch TV,
change channels and record TV programs like a
VCR.
For more information, see “TV tuner”, page 25.
Rainbow Runner output
Rainbow Runner output to VCR
If you want to record your computer’s video
onto video cassette, connect Rainbow Runner
output to your VCR:
1ConnectyourRainbowRunner videooutput
to your VCR video input (see step 4,
page 10).
2Connect your sound card output to your
VCR audio input (see step 6, page 11).
3Make sure your VCR’s TUNER/LINE input
switch is set to LINE.
WARNING: Continuous on-screen displays, like your Windows desktop, can cause permanent
damage to TV screens. This damage appears as “pattern burns” on your TV screen. This type of
damage may not be covered by the warranty for your TV, and Matrox assumes no responsibility
for such damage.
To help avoid this problem, you can use the Windows “Blank Screen” screen saver, or turn off
your TV when you’re not using it.
TV antenna
or cable TV
VCR

16 Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide
Rainbow Runner output to TV (through your VCR)
If you want to view your Rainbow Runner video on your TV, you can connect through your VCR.
There are two ways to do this: you can use line connectors (composite, S-video or SCART) or
antenna/cableTV connectors. Aline connection ishigher quality, butsomeTVs only have an antenna
or cable TV input connector.
To use line connectors:
1Connect your VCR’s VIDEO OUT to your
TV’s VIDEO IN.
2If your TV has a TV/VIDEO input switch, set
it to VIDEO.
To use antenna or cable TV connectors:
1Connect your VCR’s antenna or cable
output to your TV’s antenna/cable input.
2If your TV has a TV/VIDEO input switch, set
it to TV.
3North America only: Change the channel
on your TV to 3 or 4, depending on how the
CHANNEL switch on your VCR is set.
For more information, see your VCR and TV
manuals.
Rainbow Runner output direct to TV
If your TV has line connectors1(composite, S-video or SCART), you can connect it directly to your
computer. This setup is good if you just want to view your Rainbow Runner output on your TV,
without recording it on your VCR.
1ConnectyourRainbowRunnervideooutput
to your TV video input (see step 4,
page 10).
2Connect your sound card output to your TV
audio input (see step 6, page 11).
3If your TV has a TV/VIDEO switch, set it to
VIDEO. For more information, see your
TV’s manual.
1.If your TV only has an antenna or cable TV connector, you can use an RF modulator (available in most electronics
stores) to connect directly.
TV
VCR
TV

Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide 17
Software installation
After installing the Rainbow Runner hardware and connecting it to your external video devices (TV,
VCR, and so on), you need to install software. This section describes how to install the software that
comes with your Rainbow Runner Studio add-on card.
Rainbow Runner Installation CD-ROM
1Insert the “Rainbow Runner Installation” CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive.
After you insert the CD-ROM, the Rainbow Runner setup program ( rrsetup) automatically
starts. Select the language you want to use, click Next to continue, then follow the on-screen
instructions.
2If this is a first-time installation, the setup program informs you that the display settings of your
graphics card don’t support Rainbow Runner. Click Next, to update the settings of your graphics
card.
If you have a Mystique graphics card, you’re prompted to choose whether you want DOS TV
output mode on or off. (You can change the setup of your Mystique card at a later time – see
step 8.)
3If the MGA display drivers installed on your computer are older than what is on the CD-ROM,
the setup program prompts to install the newer drivers. Rainbow Runner needs these newer
display drivers to work properly. Click Next, then follow the on-screen instructions. We
recommend you select a Typical installation when prompted.
4If the setup program doesn’t detect Matrox Rainbow Runner and Microsoft ActiveMovie
software installed on your computer, the setup program prompts to install them.1Click Next, then
follow the on-screen instructions.
5The setup program prompts you to restart your computer. Leave the CD-ROM in your CD-ROM
drive and click Restart Computer to continue. You must restart your computer for changes to take
effect.
6Ifa harddisk inyourcomputer hasn’tbeentested beforebyRainbowRunner software,the Matrox
HD Benchmark program starts. This program tests the speed of hard disks and reports the results.
The results are saved and affect the maximum settings you can select with the Matrox PC-VCR
Remote program (see page 22). Disk speed affects the quality of video file recording and
playback. After the test is finished, click OK to continue.
7If this is a first-time installation, the Matrox Quick Connect program automatically starts. This
program lets you interactively test your computer’s connections to external video devices. Follow
the on-screen instructions and when you’re done, exit this program to continue.
1.If you see a message saying that ActiveMovie can’t be installed, it may be because ActiveMovie is already installed
on your computer. If you see this message, click OK and continue the installation normally.

18 Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide
8Click buttons in the main menu, depending on what you want to do. After clicking a setup button,
simply follow the on-screen instructions.
For more information on software installed from the “Rainbow Runner Installation” CD-ROM, see
the following sections:
“Matrox PC-VCR Remote program”, page 19
“Matrox TV Out property sheet”, page 26
“Matrox VidCap driver”, page 29
“VDOnet VDOPhone Internet program”, page 39
MediaStudio CD-ROM
Insert MediaStudio CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive – its main setup program automatically starts.
To install the software, follow the on-screen instructions. For more information on MediaStudio, see
“Ulead MediaStudio software”, page 31.
iPhoto Express CD-ROM
Insert the iPhoto Express CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive – its main setup program automatically
starts. To install the software, follow the on-screen instructions. For more information on
iPhoto Express, see “Ulead iPhoto Express program”, page 38.
Note: An MPEG1 video file converter is included within MediaStudio’s Video Editor program.
For more information, see “Creating a video file”, page 36.

Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide 19
Matrox PC-VCR Remote program
With the Matrox PC-VCR Remote program, you can use your computer like you would a TV or
VCR. To start, click the PC-VCR Remote icon ( ) on the Windows desktop background. The first
time you start PC-VCR Remote, you see the PC-VCR Remote and its video window. Use the
PC-VCR Remote to control what you see in the video window and what you record to file.
PC-VCR Remote interface
* Requires Matrox Rainbow Runner TV card (sold separately)
Menu window
TV channel up*
Raise volume
Show/hide
Closed Captioning
Turn sound on or off
Exit PC-VCR Remote
Video file input
Pause video file or
freeze live video
Skip to previous
video file in playlist
Open video files Take video snapshot
Skip to next
video file in playlist
Record to video file
Play video file Stop and rewind
video file
TV channel
selection buttons*
Jump to previous channel*
Turn “favorite” channel
selection on or off*
TV tuner card input*
Rainbow Runner
video line input
TV channel down*
Lower volume

20 Matrox Rainbow Runner Studio – Installation & User Guide
PC-VCR Remote menu window
(with video file playback)
Input setting
After you’ve made sure your external video devices are properly connected, click an
INPUT button on the PC-VCR Remote to select a video source for the video window.1
This input setting affects many PC-VCR Remote controls. Select a button based on
what kind of input you want to use:
FILE – for video file playback.
TV – to use the Matrox Rainbow Runner TV card (sold separately).
LINE – to use a device connected to Rainbow Runner Studio line input. This can be a VCR, video
camera or videodisc player (see “Rainbow Runner input”, page 14).
Video file input
With PC-VCR Remote, you can play AVI, MOV, MPG, MPS and DAT video files, including the
video files you record with PC-VCR Remote (AVI files).
To view a video file
1On the PC-VCR Remote, click the FILE button.
2Click Open Video Files ( ), then select a video file in the resulting dialog box.
3Click Play ().
1.Depending on your graphics card and display settings, there are maximum video window resolutions (sizes). We
recommend you use a 16-bit color palette setting for your display. For more information, see pages 42–43.
Sleep mode
Timer event
Name of current video file
Video file loop
Shuffle playlist
Volume gauge
Open PC-VCR Remote
Properties dialog box
Playback status bar
(click to ‘seek’)
Change menu window
Increase setting value
Elapsed time
Mode
indicators
(click to
toggle)
Decrease setting value