Nvidia QUADRO G-SYNC II User manual

DU-02796-001_v02
User Guide
NVIDIA QUADRO G-SYNC II

Table of Contents
Introduction 1
About This Guide 1
NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II 3
System Requirements 3
Implementing SLI Technology 3
NVIDIA Frame Synchronization 4
Unpacking 4
NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II Equipment 5
Safety Instructions 6
Installing NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II Card 7
NVIDIA Frame Synchronization Under Windows 9
How To Set Up Genlock 10
Set Up the Hardware 10
Set Up the Software 12
How To Set Up Frame Lock 16
Set Up the Hardware 17
Set Up the Server Software 18
Changing the Timing Signal Frequency 19
Set Up the Client Software 20
Swap Sync Setup 22
Setting Up Genlock + Frame Lock 23
Checking the Connection Status 24
Swap Sync 25
NVIDIA Frame Synchronization Under Linux 27
Using the nvidia-settings Utility 28
How To Set Up Genlock 28
Set Up the Hardware 29
Set Up the Software 30
How to Set Up Frame Lock 34
Set Up the Hardware 34
Set Up the Server Software 35
Test the Connections 37
Swap Sync 38

Setting Up Genlock + Frame Lock 39
Leveraging Frame Lock/Genlock in OpenGL 40
Frame Lock Restrictions 40
Supported Frame Lock Configurations 41
Configuring Frame Sync Using nvidia-settings Command 42
General Steps 42
Sample Configurations 42
Writing a Frame Lock NV-CONTROL Client 49
Writing a Frame Lock Client for NV-CONTROL 1.8 49
Writing a Frame Lock Client for NV-CONTROL 1.9 51
Using the OpenGL Extensions 55
Frame Synchronization Using the OpenGL Extensions 56
About Buffer Swaps 56
Configuring for Swap Sync 58
OpenGL Extensions 59
References and Resources 63
Getting Driver Updates 63
Registration, Support and Warranty 65
Registering Your Quadro G-Sync II 65
Warranty and Support 66
Compliance and Certifications 67
NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II User Guide

Introduction to
NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II
The NVIDIA®Quadro™G-Sync™II is an option card for the
NVIDIA Quadro 6000, 5000, Quadro FX 5800, and FX 4800
graphics boards. Featuring frame lock and genlock functionality,
the Quadro G-Sync II delivers unprecedented levels of realism,
visualization and collaborative capabilities by enabling advanced
multi-system and multi-device visualization environments.
Note: It is important to register your NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II in order
to receive NVIDIA Customer Care online and phone support. You
can register your Quadro G-Sync II at www.nvidia.com/register
About This Guide
This User Guide discusses the installation and configuration
of the NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II option card.
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NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II User Guide

NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II
System Requirements
Operating System (32-bit or 64-bit)
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows Professional x64 Edition,
Microsoft Windows Vista 32 bit and 64 bit
Microsoft Windows 7 32 bit and 64 bit
Linux
Solaris x86
Processor
Intel Pentium 4 or Xeon processor or higher
AMD Opteron processor or higher
RAM
2 GB minimum, 4 GB recommended
System Interface
1 open expansion slot
Implementing SLI Technology
To take advantage of NVIDIA’s SLI™technology combined with
Genlock/Frame lock functionality, you must install one NVIDIA
Quadro G-Sync II card in conjunction with two supported NVIDIA
Quadro graphics boards in a Quadro SLI certified chassis.
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See http://www.nvidia.com/object/quadro_sli.html for more information..
NVIDIA Frame Synchronization
Visual computing applications that involve multiple displays or
even multiple windows within a display can require special signal
processing and application controls in order to function properly.
For example, in order to produce quality video recording of animated
graphics, the display graphics must be synchronized with the video camera.
As another example, applications presented on multiple displays must be
synchronized in order to complete the illusion of a larger, virtual canvas.
The NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II option card and Frame
Synchronization software lets you synchronize windows and
displays for various visual computing applications.
Unpacking
Prior to unpacking your new NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II
option card, it is a good idea to make sure you meet all the
system requirements (page 3) for a smooth installation.
Be sure to inspect each piece of equipment shipped in the packing
box. If anything is missing or damaged, contact your reseller.
NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II User Guide
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NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II Equipment
The following equipment is included in the
NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II box.
One (1) NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II Option Card
Installs into an open expansion slot in your computer.
Two (2) Ribbon Cables
Used to connect the primary G-Sync connector
on the G-Sync II option card to the G-Sync
connector on the Quadro FX graphics board.
One (1) Quadro G-Sync Cable
Used to connect multiple Quadro G-Sync II enabled systems.
NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II
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Safety Instructions
To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and injury
always follow basic safety precautions.
Note: All hardware must be installed prior to installation of the drivers.
Remove power from your computer by disconnecting the AC
main source before cleaning. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.
Use a soft, damp cloth from cleaning exposed surfaces.
Do not operate this product near water or
when your hands or body are wet.
Do not place this product on soft surfaces that could
block the ventilation slots and cause overheating.
Do not place this product near a heating register or radiator.
Place this product securely on a stable surface. Serious
damage to this product may result if it falls.
Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord.
Do not place this product where a person can step
or trip on the power cord or telephone cords.
Do not disassemble this product. There are
no user-serviceable parts inside.
Do not put lighted candles, cigarettes, cigars,
and so forth, on this product.
Do not overload the AC main source and power extension
cords. Doing so increases the risk of fire and electric shock.
NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II User Guide
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NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II
Installing NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II Card
Before you begin, make sure that the supported Quadro
graphics board and NVIDIA drivers are correctly installed.
The following is additional information concerning
installation of the NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II card.
Note: The NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II option card must be
used only in conjunction with an NVIDIA Quadro 6000,
5000, FX 5800, or FX 4800 graphics board.
1. Install the Quadro G-Sync II option card into any
available expansion slot within six inches of the G-Sync
connector on the appropriate Quadro graphics board.
2. Use the cable that comes with your Quadro G-Sync II option
card to connect the primary G-Sync connector to the Quadro
FX graphics board G-Sync connector shown below.
Quadro G-Sync II
Quadro graphics board Cable connecting the Quadro G-Sync
card to the Quadro graphics board
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NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II User Guide

NVIDIA Frame Synchronization
Under Windows
This section describes how to set up frame synchronization
under Windows. It contains the following sections:
How To Set Up Genlock
How To Set Up Frame Lock
Setting Up Genlock + Frame Lock
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How To Set Up Genlock
The following are the basic steps to genlocking a system.
Detailed instructions are provided in the related sections:
Set Up the Hardware
Connect the external sync source to the BNC
connector on the graphics board.
Set Up the Software
Use the NVIDIA Control Panel Workstation->Synchronize
displays page to establish the system as the server, to
choose the sync source, and configure the sync pulse.
Set Up the Hardware
1. Start the system, then connect the external source signal to the House
Sync connector (BNC) of the Quadro G-Sync II option card.
The Quadro G-Sync II supports the following
external synchronization signal types:
TTL (3.3 volt level)
Composite Bi-level (NTSC or PAL sources
use bi-level composite signals)
Composite Tri-level (HDTV sources commonly
use tri-level composite signals)
NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II User Guide
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1. Check the LED on the connector panel.
A green LED means the hardware has detected the
timing signal and you can proceed to the next step.
An occasional red flash is OK.
A solid red LED means the hardware
can’t detect the timing signal.
Check the signal source and correct the
problem before proceeding.
NVIDIA Frame Synchronization Under Windows
NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II
Connector Bracket ServerSync Source
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Set Up the Software
This section provides intructions for using the NVIDIA
Control Panel to set up the genlock system.
Basic Genlock Setup
Detecting the House Sync Signal
Using the House Sync Signal
Restoring an Unstable Display
Basic Genlock Setup
1. Right-click the desktop and then from the pop-
up menu click NVIDIA Control Panel.
2. From the NVIDIA Control Panel Select a Task pane, under the
Workstation heading, click Synchronize displays to open that page.
NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II User Guide
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3. Under The timing server is, click the On this system radio button.
4. Click Apply.
The graphics board should automatically detect the
sync signal and no further action is needed.
The following sections provide information on other tasks such as
how to adjust the synchronization to the external house sync. You can
also consult the online help by pressing F1 to open the Help file and
then opening the Workstation->Frame Synchronization contents.
Detecting the House Sync Signal
Normally, the software automatically detects the signal
type that is being used. If necessary, you can force the
software to detect the signal type as follows:
1. On the system that you have
set up to be the server, right-
click the desktop and then
from the pop-up menu click
NVIDIA Control Panel.
2. From the NVIDIA Control
Panel Select a Task pane, under
the Workstation heading,
click Synchronize displays
to open that page, then click
Edit Settings to open the
Server Settings dialog box.
3. Click the Sync
signal detection list arrow and then click the item
corresponding to the house signal source.
4. Click OK to save the settings.
NVIDIA Frame Synchronization Under Windows
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Using the House Sync Signal
This section describes how to:
Select which edge of the house sync signal to use as the trigger
Double the trigger frequency from the house sync signal
Properly handle interlaced house sync signals
Introduce a timing delay to the house sync signal
1. From the NVIDIA Control Panel Select a Task pane,
under Workstation, click Synchronize Displays.
2. Make sure that the On this system radio button
under The timing server is selected.
3. Open the Server Settings dialog box using
one of the following methods:
From the Synchronize Displays page, click Server Settings.
4. Under The synchronization pulses are based on, click the An
external house sync signal radio button.
The Server Settings dialog
box will show the incoming
house sync frequency. A
frequency of 0.00 Hz indicates
that the system has not yet
been set as the server.
NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II User Guide
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5. Configure additional synchronization settings as needed:
Select which edge of the sync signal to use to trigger
the sync pulses - leading or falling edge.
If necessary, you can double the sync frequency by
clicking the Both edges radio button under Trigger
sync pulses from the frame start signal using.
Note: This control is available only for TTL signals.
If the external signal is an interlaced signal - such as
is used to drive a 1080i display - then click the The
external signal is an interlaced signal check box.
This causes the first field of an interlaced signal to
be used to synchronize the display. For example, for
a 60Hz interlaced signal, the effective 120 Hz field
sync is converted to a 60 Hz frame-sync signal.
To introduce a timing delay to the house sync signal:
In the Sync delay text box enter the delay (in
microseconds) that you want to introduce.
6. Click OK.
A Monitor Settings dialog box appears, asking if
you want to keep the changed settings.
7. Click Yes to keep the new settings, or click No
to revert to the previous settings.
NVIDIA Frame Synchronization Under Windows
Outgoing Sync triggered from leading and falling edge
House signal
Sync Pulse
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Restoring an Unstable Display
If your display becomes unstable and you want to restore it to
its original configuration, do one or more of the following:
Click Restore Defaults and then click Apply.
Disconnect the external house sync.
Viewing the Connection Status
See the section Checking the Connection Status (page 24).
How To Set Up Frame Lock
The following are the basic steps to frame locking several systems. Detailed
instructions are provided in the section Set Up the Hardware (page 17).
Set Up the Hardware
Connect all the systems together using standard CAT5 patch cabling.
Note: WARNING! The voltage and signal on the frame lock
ports are different from Ethernet signals. Do not connect
a Frame lock port to an Ethernet card or network hub.
Doing so can cause damage to the hardware.
Set Up the Server Software
Use the NVIDIA Control Panel Synchronize Displays
page to establish the system as the server.
Set Up the Client Software
Use the NVIDIA Control Panel Synchronize Displays page
for each client to enable frame lock on that system and to add an
optional delay to the sync pulse before transmitting to other clients.
NVIDIA Quadro G-Sync II User Guide
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