Paravision SX-1 User manual

TM
Paravision SX-1
User's Guide
Copyright 1994 Paravision, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
2nd Edition -July 1994
1. INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing the SX-1 expansion unit for your Amiga® CD32™and
welcome to the world of personal computing. By adding the SX-1 to your
CD32 you transform an impressive game machine into ahigh-powered
multimedia computer system.
First, make sure that you received everything you need. In this package you
should have:
•the SX-1 unit
•adiskette of set-up software
•awarranty registration card
•this User's Guide
If your SX-1 does not have ahard drive installed, you should also have a
small packet containing four screws and four plastic spacers.
If anything is missing, call our shipping department right away.
Take the time now to fill out the registration card. This information will allow
us to notify you of product updates. Your unit's serial number is on the white
label attached to the back of the SX-1.
2. FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS
The SX-1 is acomplex machine with many options. This section will take each
in turn and explain their uses and capabilities.
Inside the SX-1
Internal Drive Connector. This is astandard 44 pin connector for 25" IDE
Hard Disks. Ahard disk lets you save programs and data just like afloppy
disk—except that it can access them much more quickly than floppies can, and
it can store agreat deal more. Atypical hard disk (60 megabytes) can store
almost 70 floppy disks worth of data.
Configuration Jumpers. These are used to configure some of your SX-l's
SX-1 User's Guide 2nd Ed. -Page 1

SX-1 Main Board Disable
Switch
External IDE Port
Drive
Mounts
Internal IDE
Connector v
X
Configuration
Jumpers
RGB Port
Clock
Battery
Parallel Port
Pass-Through Board
Floppy Port
Serial Port
iKeyboard
Port
SIMM Socket
FMV
Connector
CD32
Connector
Audio
Inputs

options. They will be detailed later.
Battery for the Clock/Calendar Chip. This is along-life CR2032 replaceable
lithium battery that can be found anywhere watch or camera batteries are
sold. Many programs need to know when files were last changed. With a
clock built into the SX-1, you won't have to enter the date every time you
turn the power on.
72-pin SIMM Memory Connector. This is where you add memory to your
system. Computers use RAM as temporary, extremely fast storage for data
and programs. The more memory your system has, the more efficient it can
become* Increased memory can also let you run more programs at the same
time and work with larger data files.
Left Side Panel
RGB Video Connector. This is astandard DB23 Amiga Video connector.
Adding an RGB monitor will give you amuch sharper picture than you can
get from the CD32^composite video connector. If you have Commodore's Full
Motion Video card, you can watch CD-I video disks with the clarity of an
RGB screen.
Back Panel
Parallel Connector. This is astandard DB25 Amiga 1200™ parallel port,
allowing you to connect most printers easily. Also, some video and audio
digitizers can plug in here.
Disable Switch. This switch allows you to disable most of the functionality of
the SX-1 board just in case you find any CD-based software that does not
work. Only the RGB port, memory ana clock functions are left active when
this switch is set toward the parallel port. Normally you will leave it set
toward the External IDE connector. You will have to reset the machine each
time you change this switch.
DB25 Expansion Cutout. This opening allows you to add aSCSI interface card
and neatly mount the connector on the back panel.
External Hard Disk Connector. This DB37 connector lets you attach an
external IDE hard disk. This would be used when you have two hard disks
that you want to use, or when your hard disk is too large to fit inside the
SX-1.
Right Side Panel
Audio Input. This 6-pin Mini-DIN connector allows athird audio stream to be
mixed with the Amiga's audio output and the CD player's audio output. This
is not adigitizer—the Amiga can't do anything with the signal that gets fed in
except send it out the normal CD32 audio connectors. With the proper cables,
you can attach amicrophone and sing along with your music CD's.
AT-101 Keyboard Connector. This connector allows you to plug in an
inexpensive "AT-10T -style keyboard as used on IBM® ATTcomputers.
SX-1 User's Guide 2nd Ed. -Page 3

9pin IBM-compatible RS232 Serial Port. This port allows you to connect to
modems (by wnich your computer can share data with other computers
through the telephone lines), some printers, light pens, and other local
computers (through aspecial cable called anull-modem).
Amiga Floppy Drive Connector. This connector allows you to attach an Amiga
floppy disk drive to the CD32.Both normal Amiga drives (which store about
880 kilobytes of information) and the new Amiga high-density drives (which
store about 176 megabytes of information) are supported.
Pass-Through Board
Full Motion Video Connector. This is where you would attach Commodore's
Full Motion Video (FMV) card.
CD32 Connector. This is where the SX-1 attaches to the CD32.
3. CONFIGURATION AND INSTALLATION
(1) Read through the entire installation procedure before even picking up a
screwdriver. If you have any questions, contact your dealer or Paravision's
Technical Support department.
The standard power supply that comes with the CD32 is very weak. It has
enough power to run the CD32 itself and very little else. If you are using any
one of: one floppy drive, one hard disk, or Commodore's Full Motion Video
module, you should have enough power to run reliably. If you are using
more than one, though, you probably will need areplacement power supply.
Consult your dealer tor the availability of higher wattage power supplies.
Opening the SX-1
(2) If you do not need to open the SX-l's case, skip to step 21: Connecting To
The CD32-
To open the SX-l's case you will need a#1 Phillips screwdriver.
Locate or create astatic-free workspace. Static electricity can seriously damage
any electronic device, and the CD35 and SX-1 are no exceptions. If you have
an electronics store nearby, the salespeople can supply you with and show
you how to use agrounding wrist strap.
(3) Locate the 4screws (one on each comer) holding the SX-l's top cover and
remove them. Lift the top cover straight up to remove it.
Hard Disk Installation
(4) If you are not installing an internal IDE hard disk, skip to step 16:
Installing Memory.
SX-1 User's Guide 2nd Ed. -Page 4

To install an internal hard disk you will need a 5 millimeter nutdriver, a#1
Phillips screwdriver, a44-conductor IDE cable approximately two inches long,
a21/2" hard disk, and acopy of the AmigaDOS 3.x release disks, including
the Install disk.
The hard disk attaches upside-down, underneath the SX-l's main board.
Because of this, you must remove the 10 hex-head screws from around the
SX-l's external connectors in order to get the board out.
(5) Lifting the front (pass-through card) edge first, remove the SX-l's main
board from the case. At this point, the silver shield around one or both of the
rear connectors may come loose. Don't worry: just set it/them aside.
(6) Open the screw/spacer packet and insert one of the screws through one of
the hard drive mounting holes in the SX-1 board such that the head of the
screw is on the top side of the board.
(7) Place one of the plastic spacers over the end of the screw and line up one
of the mounting holes on the bottom of the drive with this screw. Make sure
that the drive's connector is facing the IDE connector on the top of the SX-1
board. Start the screw, but don't tighten it down yet. This step is rather
awkward—you might need someone to help hold things for you while you
get the screw going.
(8) Repeat steps 6and 7for each of the other three screws. Getting the spacers
in between the drive and board can be tricky after the first one, so be patient.
Asmall needle-nosed plier can sometimes help to get everything lined up.
(9) When all four screws are started into the drive, tighten them all down.
(10) Look between the drive and board very carefully. If any of the pins on
the bade of the SX-1 touch any part of the hard disk, stop here. Don't pluc
the board into the CD32 just to see if it will work—serious damage to the aisk,
SX-1, or CD32 is possible (maybe all three). Those pins will have to be
removed before it will be safe to use that hard disk on the SX-1.
(11) Connect one end of your drive cable to the SX-l's IDE connector. If the
cable has astripe down one edge, connect it so that this edge is toward the
back of the SX-1: over the pin marked "1" on the board.
(12) Connect the other end of the cable to the drive.
(13) Replace the connector shielding if any came loose in step 5. Notice how
the connectors are wider at the top than at the bottom. Make sure to put the
shield(s) back on with the wide portion at the top.
(14) Reinstall the SX-1 board into the case. If the drive hits the bottom of the
case and will not allow the connectors on the sides of the SX-1 to line up
with the holes in the case, call Paravision Technical Support for an alternate
spacer configuration.
(15) Reattach all the hex-head screws around the connectors. Don't tighten any
of them down before getting all 10 started into their threads.
SX-1 User's Guide 2nd Ed. -Page 5

Installing Memory
(16) If you are not installing memory, skip to step 19: Configuring Other
Options.
The SX-1 takes one SIMM (Single-row, In-line Memory Module) to provide
Fast Memory for the system. This can be 1, 2, 4, or 8megabytes in size if you
do not have the Full Motion Video card; or 1, 2, or 4megabytes if you do
have the FMV.
This SIMM must be a72-pin type, providing a32-bit wide data path. There
are 36-bit wide SIMMs which will also work but the extra bits are not used in
the Amiga system. Memory chips also have aspeed rating and this SIMM
must be rated at 80 ns (nanoseconds) or faster (a lower number is faster).
Look closely at your SIMM. You will notice that one of the lower corners has
anotch taken out of it. This notch keys the board so that it will go into the
socket in only one direction. This notch should be nearer the pass-through
board when you install the SIMM in the SX-1.
(17) Set the SIMM into the socket at an angle. Once the edge of the SIMM is
down in the teeth of the socket, rotate ithe SIMM so that it is standing
vertically in the socket. Two metal springs (one on each end) will snap into
place to hold the SIMM upright. To remove the memory, simply press the
metal springs away from the SIMM. It will pop out when it is loose.
(18) Set jumpers 1and 2according to the particular size of SIMM you have
installed* Set jumper 3, RAM Disable, ON for now. The RAM Test can be
more thorough when AmigaDOS™ isn't already using the memory.
When ajumper is ON, it is connecting two puis. The best way to set ajumper
OFF is to leave it hanging off only one pin. This keeps them inside the
machine where they won tget lost.
Configuring Other Options
(19) Jumper number 4controls how long the system will wait on acold boot
for the drive to get up to speed. If this jumper is on, the SX-1 will add an
additional 10 seconds to the boot up process. Most drives will not require this
extra delay, so for the first-time installation, leave it off. If, after it's formatted,
the hard disk will not boot when you turn the CD32 on, but will boot just
fine when you press the reset button, try setting this jumper on.
The right-hand Alt (alternate) key is not present on some AT keyboards but is
required for many Amiga programs. If you want to use akeyboard that does
not have aright Alt key you can remove jumper 5. This will let you use the
right Control key, whicn the Amiga normally doesn't have, as aright Alt key.
When your keyboard has aright Alt key, jumper 5should be on. This makes
the right Control and Alt keys function normally.
(20) If you left the Memory Disable Jumper (#3) ON in step 18, continue with
the next section. Otherwise, re-attach the top cover to the SX-1, and screw it
SX-1 User's Guide 2nd Ed. -Page 6

down.
Connecting to the CD32
(21) Detach all the cables from the CD32.
(22) Locate the removable panel on the back of the CD32 unit and remove the
screw holding it in place. Remove the panel.
(23) If you have aFull Motion Video board, remove it from its pass-through
board. Plug the FMV card into the top slot of the SX-l's pass-through board.
(24) Line up the SX-1 with the CD32 so that the bottom slot of the pass-
through board connects with the CD-32's expansion bus. Then press the two
together. Be very careful that the connectors are well-seated before turning on
any power.
(25) Reattach the cables to the CD32 and attach any new devices to the SX-l's
connectors.
Memory Testing
(26) If you want to run the RAM test, or if you have just changed the
memory and need to run the RAM test, continue reacting here. Otherwise,
skip to step 29: Hard Disk Setup.
Boot up the system from aWorkbench™ disk, either on hard disk or afloppy.
If the system won't boot: turn it off, recheck the connections and try again.
(27) When the Workbench screen appears insert the SX-1 Utilities disk, double-
click the SX-1 diskette icon, and then the MBRTest-2 drawer. Double-click the
MBRTest-2 program icon. Select the area of memory labelled "MBX1200Z",
select as many test options as you want, and click on the 'START" button.
(28) If the RAM test runs without problem: turn off the power, set the
Memory Disable Jumper (#3) OFF, and close up the SX-1 stop cover.
If there was an error, double check the jumper settings and all the connections
and try the test again. If there is still aproblem, contact your dealer or
Paravision about getting the SIMM and/or SX-1 tested.
Hard Disk Setup
(29) If you have not just installed ahard disk, then you're done.
Every hard disk needs some setup before it can be used. You have to define
at least one partition, which is anamed area of ahard disk. You can divide
adisk into any number of partitions and each one will show up on the
Workbench screen as if it were aseparate drive. Normally, though, you
won't divide adisk at all, or if you do, not into partitions any smaller than 40
or 50 megabytes.
(30) Boot the system with your copy of the AmigaDOS 3.x Installation disk.
SX-1 User's Guide 2nd Ed. -Page 7

Double-dick the disk icon, then open the HDSetup drawer* Select the
language you wish to use and follow the prompts to partition the hard disk.
At one point it will ask for aunit number: enter 0.
(31) When the partitioning is done, close the HDSetup drawer, open the Install
drawer, and double-dick the icon for your language. Follow the prompts to
install AmigaDOS onto your hard disk.
Congratulations, you're done!
4. USING AN AT-101 STYLE KEYBOARD
The keyboard connector on the right side of the SX-1 allows you to use
inexpensive "AT-101 Key" keyboards to run your CD32.
Selecting AKeyboard
Before purchasing akeyboard to use with your SX-1, make sure that it is in
fact an AT-101 style keyboard, not aPC keyboard. Ordinary PC keyboards
will not work. The AT-101 style can be identified by the extra function keys
"Fir and "F12", and by the cursor keypad separate from the numeric keypad.
Also, we recommend that the keyboard you select has two separate "Alt 'keys:
one on the left side and one on the right.
Many keyboards are switchable between AT and PC compatibility. Check the
documentation that comes with your keyboard and configure it for AT
compatibility. On some keyboards this is controlled by aswitch on the bottom
that is easily changed by setting the keyboard down on anything other than a
clean desk. If at some time you find your keyboard no longer works, double
check this switch.
Some keyboards automatically detect whether they are attached to an AT or a
PC. These "auto-sensing" keyboards will probably not work.
Using Your Keyboard
Because there are differences between the AT keyboard layout and the normal
Amiga keyboard layout, some keys will not function according to the legends
printed on the keytops.
AT Key Label Amiga Function
Fll Left (solid) Amiga key (appears as aCommodore
logo on some Amiga keyboards)
F12 Right (open) Amiga key
Print Screen Help key
Sys Req Help key
Home Shift-Cursor Left
End Shift-Cursor Right
SX-1 User's Guide 2nd Ed, -Page 8
TM

Page Up Shift-Cursor Up
Page Down Shift<Tursor Down
Insert not defined
Pause not defined
Break not defined
Num Lock this key behaves just as it does on AT computers (see
below)
Scroll Lock used to control 'Sticky" mode (see below)
There are two keys on the standard American Amiga keyboard that are not
present on an AT keyboard. The Open and Close Parentheses on the Amiga's
numeric keypad cannot be generated.
Using The Num Lock Key
The NumLock (Numeric Pad Lock) key is used to switch the numeric keypad
between producing numbers and producing cursor movement keys. When the
NumLock light is on, the keys will generate numbers. When the NumLock
light is off, the keys will act to move the cursor.
Just like an AT, holding down either Shift key will temporarily reverse the
NumLock state (it won tchange the light, though.) Some Amiga programs use
the shift keys to modify the meaning of the cursor keys; and you wul have to
be careful if you try to use the numeric pad with these programs. We
recommend leaving NumLock on and using the numeric keypad only for
numbers and using only the cursor keypad for cursor movement.
Using The Scroll Lock Key
Since the Amiga has no provision for aScroll Lock feature like the one the
AT has, the Scroll Lock key has been used to implement something new to
the Amiga. Persons for whom it is difficult or impossible to hold down
multiple keys at once can activate "Sticky Mode" by pressing the Scroll Lock
key for two seconds. When Sticky Mode is active, the Scroll Lock light will go
on whenever the Scroll Lock key is pressed.
In Sticky Mode, any modifier keys that you press (Shift, Control, Alt, or
Amiga keys) will "stick". That is, the Amiga will not be told when the key is
released. Instead, the modifier will be kept active until anonmodifier key is
pressed (anything other than the Shift, Control, Alt, or Amiga keys). The
Scroll Lock light will be turned on to show you that akey is being held for
you. When you press anon-modifier key, all the held modifiers will be
released and the Scroll Lock light will be turned off.
For example: if you need to type aRight-Amiga-Q you would first press the
Right Amiga (F12) key. The Scroll Lock light would go on to tell you that the
Right-Amiga modifier is being held for you. Then you would press the "QM
key. At this time the Amiga gets the Right-Amiga-Q. When you release the
"Q 'key, the stored Right-Amiga modifier is released, and the Scroll Lock light
is turned off.
SX-l User's Guide 2nd Ed. -Page 9

If amodifier key is pressed, but you then decide to do something else,
tapping the Scroll Lock key will release all held modifiers.
To deactivate Sticky Mode, hold down the Scroll Lock key for two seconds.
When the Scroll Lock light goes off, Sticky Mode has been released.
Be particularly careful when using the Control and Amiga keys. Either
Control key plus both Amiga keys (Fll and F12) will reset the CD32 just as
Control-Amiga-Amiga would on anormal keyboard.
Other Differences
Some key combinations are used by Amiga software, but are not supported by
IBM software. These key combinations may or may not be implemented by
your keyboard. In particular, moving the mouse pointer by the equivalent key
presses (either Amiga key plus acursor key) has been found to be impossible
with many keyboards. This problem is inside the AT keyboard and cannot be
fixed in our translation software.
Most AT keyboards use Shift-Tab to move the cursor back to the nearest tab
position to the left. You will see aleft-pointing arrow at the top of your Tab
key. This function is not built into the Amiga soperating system software, so
some of your programs may not support it.
SX-l User's Guide 2nd Ed, -Page 10

5. TECHNICAL SUPPORT
If you have any suggestions for improving this documentation or the product
in general, please drop us anote.
Should you have any problems, please contact your dealer first. If you need
further assistance, contact our Technical Support department.
Paravision, Inc.
500 East Arapaho, Suite 104
Richardson, Texas 75081
United States of America
Phone: [phone]
Fax :[phone]
Internet :[email protected]
Our telephone lines are open Monday through Friday, 09:00 to 1700 US
Central Time.
6. CREDITS, COPYRIGHTS AND TRADEMARKS
Product Design: Jerry Robinson, Redmond Simonsen, Yan Sun
Software Design: Dan Barrans, Joanne Dow, Mike Pinson
Documentation: Bill Knox, Mike Pinson
Package Design: Robert Maynard
This document, its packaging, and accompanying software are Copyright
©1994 Paravision, Inc., all rights reserved,
'SX-1" is atrademark of Paravision, Inc. "Amiga" is aregistered trademark and
"Amiga CD32", "Amiga 1200", "AmigaDOS", and Workbench" are trademarks
of Commodore-Amiga, Inc. "Commodore" is aregistered trademark of
Commodore Electronics, Limited. 'IBM" is aregistered trademark and "AT" is
atrademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
SX-1 User's Guide 2nd Ed, -Page 11

APPENDIX A: CONNECTOR PINOUTS
Parallel Connector
Pin Name Description
1/STROBE Strobe
2DO Data bit (LSB)
3Dl Data bit 1
4D2 Data bit 2
5D3 Data bit 3
6D4 Data bit 4
7D5 Data bit 5
8D6 Data bit 6
9D7 Data bit 7
10 /ACK Acknowledge
11 BUSY Busy
12 POUT Paper Out
Select
13 SEL
14 +5V 5V Power
15 NC No Connect
16 /RESET Printer Reset
17-25 GND Signal Ground
Pins 17-25 are signal grounds. Do not connect them directly to ashield
ground. Pin 14 provides +5V power. Connect this pin only if power is
required by the external device.
Floppy Disk Connnector
1/RDY Disk Ready
2/DKRD Disk Read Data
3-7 GND Ground
8/MTRXD Disk Motor Control
9/SEL1 Select Drive 1
10 /DRES Disk Reset
11 /CHNG EHsk Changed
12 +5V +5V Power
13 /SIDE Disk Side Select
14 /WPRO Write Protected
15 /TKO Track Detected
16 /DKWE Disk Write Enable
17 /DKWD Disk Write Data
18 /STEP Step Disk Heads
19 DIRB Select Head Direction
20 /SEL2 Select Drive 2
21 /SELO Select Drive
22 /INDEX Disk Index Pulse
23 +12V +12V Power
SX-1 User's Guide 2nd Ed. -Page 12

External IDE Connector
Pin Name Description
Drive Keset
1/IDE-RESET
2DO Data bit
3D2 Data bit 2
4D4 Data bit 4
5D6 Data bit 6
6GND Ground
7D8 Data bit 8
8D10 Data bit 10
9D12 Data bit 12
10 D14 Data bit 14
11-17 GND Ground
18-19 +5V 5V Power
20 GND Ground
21 Dl Data bit 1
22 D3 Data bit 3
23 D5 Data bit 5
24 D7 Data bit 7
25 GND Ground
26 D9 Data bit 9
27 Dll Data bit 11
28 D13 Data bit 13
29 D15 Data bit 15
30 /IOW I/O Write
31 /IOR I/O Read
32 IDE-IRQ Interrupt Request
33 IDE-A2 Address bit 2
34 IDE-A1 Address bit 1
35 IDE-AO Address bit
36 /BICS1 Chip Select 1
37 /BICSO Chip Select
Serial Port
Pins Name Description
1DCD Carrier Detect
2RXD Receive Data
3TXD Transmit Data
4DTR Data Terminal Re
5GND Ground
6DSR Data Set Ready
7RTS Request To Send
8CTS Clear To Send
9RI Ring Indicate
SX-1 User's Guide 2nd Ed. -Page 13

RGB Video Connector
Pin Name
1/XCLK
2/XCLKEN
3RED
4GREEN
5BLUE
6DI
7DB
8DG
9DR
10 /CSYNC
11 /HSYNC
12 /VSYNC
13 GNDRTN
14 /ZD
15 /CI
16-20 GND
21 NC
22 +12V
23 +5
Description
External Clock
External Clock Enable
Analog Red
Analog Green
Analog Blue
Digital Intensity
Digital Blue
Digital Green
Digital Red
Composite Sync
Horizontal Sync
Vertical Sync
Return for /XCLKEN
Zero Detect
Clock Out
Ground
No Connect (-12 volts on A1200)
+12V Power
+5V Power
Pins 21-23 provide power. Connect these pins only if the device requires it.
AT Keyboard Port
Pins Name
1KCLK
2KDAT
3NC
4GND
5+5V
Description
Keyboard Clock
Keyboard Data
No Connect
Ground
+5 volts power
Audio Connector
Pins Name
1AUDIO_12V
2LEFT„EXT
3RIGHT_EXT
4/EXT,AUDIO
5AUDIO.GND
6GND
Description
Audio Voltage
Left Signal Input
Right Signal input
Audio Ground
Ground
SX-1 User's Guide 2nd Ed. -Page U

APPENDIX B: QUICK REFERENCE JUMPER SETTINGS
"ON" indicates that ajumper block is connecting two pins. "OFF" means that
the jumper block is either detached completely, or is hanging off only one pin
of tne pair.
Jumper Function
1Controls the number of memory banks contained on the SIMM
ON =2Banks of Memory (a 2or 8Megabyte SIMM)
OFF =1Bank of Memory (a 1or 4Megabyte SIMM)
Default position: OFF
2Controls the size of the memory banks contained on the SIMM
ON =4or 8Megabyte SIMM
OFF =1or 2Megabyte SIMM
Default position: OFF
3Disables Memory Configuration
ON =Defeat Autoconfiguration or No Ram Installed
OFF =Normal Autoconfiguration
Default position: ON
4Power On Delay
ON =Adds additional 10 seconds for hard drive to spin up on
initial cold starts
OFF =Normal boot time
Default position: OFF
5Right Alt control for AT keyboards
ON =Keyboard has two ALT keys
OFF =Keyboard has no right ALT key so function is mapped to
right CTRL key
Default position: ON
SX-l User's Guide 2nd Ed. -Page 15