PRG MBOX DIRECTOR User manual

SOFTWARE VERSION 3.10
WWW.PRG.COM
MBOX®DIRECTOR
USER MANUAL

AutoPar®, Bad Boy®, Best Boy®, Followspot Controller™, Mbox®, Mini Node™, Nocturne®, Series 400®, ReNEW®, Super Node™,
UV Bullet™, V476®, V676®, Virtuoso®, and White Light Bullet™, are trademarks of Production Resource Group, LLC, registered in
the U.S. and other countries.
Mac®, QuickTime® and FireWire® are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
All other brand names which may be mentioned in this manual are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
This manual is for informational use only and is subject to change without notice. Please check www.prg.com for the latest version.
PRG assumes no responsibility or liability for any claims resulting from errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this manual.
Mbox® Director User Manual
Version as of: August 31, 2015
PRG part number: 02.9800.0002.31
Production Resource Group
Dallas Office
8617 Ambassador Row, Suite 120
Dallas, Texas 75247
www.prg.com
Mbox® Director User Manual
©2011-2015 Production Resource Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

MBOX® DIRECTOR USER MANUAL I
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
About This Manual........................................................................................................................................................................ 1
Additional Documentation ............................................................................................................................................................ 1
Training Videos ............................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Customer Service ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Overview
About Mbox Director .................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Software Versions......................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Communication Protocol.............................................................................................................................................................. 3
Important Concepts ..................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Installation and Setup
Installing Mbox Director................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Network Configuration ................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Running Mbox Director on an Mbox Server.......................................................................................................................... 7
Running Mbox Director on a Separate Mac Computer......................................................................................................... 9
Adding Fixtures .......................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Changing Configuration / Using Dual Output Features.............................................................................................................. 15
Working with the Dual Independent Mode ................................................................................................................................. 18
Adding Dual Independent Fixtures...................................................................................................................................... 18
Switching from Dual Independent to Other Modes............................................................................................................. 18
Switching to Dual Independent from Other Modes............................................................................................................. 19
General Operation
Mbox Director Window............................................................................................................................................................... 20
Icons, Menus, and Hot-Keys (Keyboard Shortcuts) ................................................................................................................... 20
Hot-Key (Keyboard Shortcut) List ....................................................................................................................................... 21
Hot Key (Keyboard Shortcut) Notes.................................................................................................................................... 23
Preference Settings .................................................................................................................................................................... 24
General Preferences............................................................................................................................................................ 24
Media Preferences .............................................................................................................................................................. 25
MIDI Preferences................................................................................................................................................................. 25
OSC Preferences................................................................................................................................................................. 26
Keyboard Macros Preferences............................................................................................................................................ 29
Art-Net/sACN Trigger Preferences...................................................................................................................................... 30
Media Picker............................................................................................................................................................................... 32
Generating Thumbnails ....................................................................................................................................................... 33
Enabling Feedback ..................................................................................................................................................................... 34
Using Fullscreen Mode in Local Configurations......................................................................................................................... 34
Pinning Windows ........................................................................................................................................................................ 35
Undo/Redo ................................................................................................................................................................................. 35
Quick Start
Up and Running.......................................................................................................................................................................... 36
Creating Shows
About Show Files........................................................................................................................................................................ 38

II MBOX® DIRECTOR USER MANUAL
Changing Between Servers ........................................................................................................................................................ 39
Adjusting Master Control Settings.............................................................................................................................................. 39
Adding Content to Layers........................................................................................................................................................... 40
Creating and Editing Scenes ...................................................................................................................................................... 42
Adding or Deleting Scenes .................................................................................................................................................. 43
Editing Scenes..................................................................................................................................................................... 44
Editing Multiple Scenes ....................................................................................................................................................... 46
Separators ........................................................................................................................................................................... 47
Searching the Scene List (Find)........................................................................................................................................... 47
Editing Layers Using Drag and Drop .......................................................................................................................................... 48
Creating Duplicate Layers ................................................................................................................................................... 48
Applying Parameter Settings............................................................................................................................................... 48
Adding Layers to Scenes .................................................................................................................................................... 49
Selectively Store into a Scene ............................................................................................................................................. 50
Editing Multiple Layers ............................................................................................................................................................... 51
Selecting Multiple Layers .................................................................................................................................................... 51
Setting/Resetting All Layer Parameters to Same Value ...................................................................................................... 51
Adjusting Relative Offset Across Layers ............................................................................................................................. 52
Fanning Layers .................................................................................................................................................................... 53
Copying Multiple Layers From One Server to Another........................................................................................................ 54
Playback
Overview ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 55
Playback Using Manual Control ................................................................................................................................................. 55
Playback Using Autofollows ....................................................................................................................................................... 55
Playback Using Loops ................................................................................................................................................................ 56
Playback Using Timecode .......................................................................................................................................................... 58
Timeline Overview ............................................................................................................................................................... 58
Important! Zoom Controls ................................................................................................................................................... 58
Timecode Playback ............................................................................................................................................................. 59
24-Hour Clock ..................................................................................................................................................................... 62
Scrub ................................................................................................................................................................................... 63
Sync Stream ........................................................................................................................................................................ 63
Timecode Editing................................................................................................................................................................. 64
Timeline Pop-up Menu ........................................................................................................................................................ 64
Overlapping Scenes ............................................................................................................................................................ 65
Audio Volume Control ................................................................................................................................................................. 65
MIDI Operation
Playback Using Triggers ............................................................................................................................................................. 66
Setting MIDI Preferences............................................................................................................................................................ 67
External Control Setup ............................................................................................................................................................... 69
Controlling Director with a Lighting Console....................................................................................................................... 69
Controlling Director with a MIDI Device .............................................................................................................................. 70
Parameter Store and Recall
Presets........................................................................................................................................................................................ 71
Store and Recall .................................................................................................................................................................. 72
Editing Presets .................................................................................................................................................................... 73
Unlinking vs. Deleting .......................................................................................................................................................... 75
Window Indicators............................................................................................................................................................... 76

MBOX® DIRECTOR USER MANUAL III
Palettes....................................................................................................................................................................................... 77
Groups........................................................................................................................................................................................ 80
Motley Selection Drag and Drop ......................................................................................................................................... 82
Group Hotkeys .................................................................................................................................................................... 83
Advanced Features
Value vs. Time............................................................................................................................................................................. 84
Resetting Values and Times................................................................................................................................................ 84
Ease In/Out.......................................................................................................................................................................... 85
Blind Mode ................................................................................................................................................................................. 86
Hide and Solo Functions ............................................................................................................................................................ 87
Pop-Up Menus ........................................................................................................................................................................... 88
Server Pop-up Menu ........................................................................................................................................................... 88
Master Pop-up Menu .......................................................................................................................................................... 89
Layer Pop-up Menus........................................................................................................................................................... 89
Parameter Pop-up Menus ................................................................................................................................................... 90
External Control
Control by an External Console (Passthrough)........................................................................................................................... 91
Controlling an External Projector (Serial-Over-Ethernet) ............................................................................................................ 93
Troubleshooting
Network Configuration Errors ..................................................................................................................................................... 94
DHCP Networks .................................................................................................................................................................. 94
IP Address Changed ........................................................................................................................................................... 95
No Reply.............................................................................................................................................................................. 96
Receive Only ....................................................................................................................................................................... 96
Window Mode ..................................................................................................................................................................... 97
Passthrough Errors ..................................................................................................................................................................... 97
Passthrough universe # not received / Passthrough universe # stale ................................................................................ 97
Art-Net Trigger Errors ................................................................................................................................................................. 98
Appendix A. Reference
OSC Syntax ................................................................................................................................................................................ 99
Appendix B. Networking For Mbox
Concepts .................................................................................................................................................................................. 108
Subnet Masking Basics............................................................................................................................................................ 108
Routing Ethernet Communications .......................................................................................................................................... 109
Standard Control Protocols ...................................................................................................................................................... 110
Art-Net............................................................................................................................................................................... 110
sACN ................................................................................................................................................................................. 110
KiNET ................................................................................................................................................................................ 111

IV MBOX® DIRECTOR USER MANUAL
REVISION HISTORY
This manual has been revised as follows:
Version Release Date Notes
3.4 June 15, 2011 Initial release.
3.5 September 15, 2011 Updated to software version 3.5
3.5 A January 26, 2012 Updated to software version 3.5.1
3.6 January 08, 2013 Updated to software version 3.6
3.6 A May 22, 2013 Updated to software version 3.6.1
3.7 January 6, 2014 Updated to software version 3.7
3.8 May 9, 2014 Updated to software version 3.8
3.8 A May 14, 2014 Revised Art-Net Trigger preference instructions.
3.9 December 12, 2014 Updated to software version 3.9
3.10 August 31, 2015 Updated to software version 3.10

MBOX® DIRECTOR USER MANUAL 1
INTRODUCTION
About This Manual
This manual provides necessary information regarding product safety, installation, and operation for the following
PRG product:
+ Mbox® Director
This manual applies to software version 3.10.
Familiarizing yourself with this information will help you get the most out of your PRG product.
This manual assumes a basic understanding of Mbox Media Server concepts. For more in-depth explanations of
Mbox parameters (layers, cameras, lighting, effects, textures, shutters, etc.) and media features, refer to the latest
version of the Mbox Media Server User Manual (02.9800.0001.xx).
Additional Documentation
For information, refer to the following PRG manuals:
+ Mbox® Designer User Manual (02.9800.0001.xx)
+ Mbox® Studio User Manual (02.9800.0003.xx)
+ Mbox® Mini User Manual (02.9800.0004.xx)
+ Mbox® Remote User Manual (02.9800.0005.xx)
+ PRG Lighting Systems Networking Guide (02.3004.1000.0)
+ Vx76 Software User Manual (02.9814.0001.xx)
For more information about DMX512 and sACN protocols, refer to the following documents available from the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) at www.ansi.org:
+ ANSI E1.11 - 2008 (R2013)
Entertainment Technology - USITT DMX512-A, Asynchronous Serial Digital Data Transmission Standard for
Controlling Lighting Equipment and Accessories
+ ANSI E1.31 - 2009
Entertainment Technology – Lightweight streaming protocol for transport of DMX512 using ACN
The above documents are also available in electronic format free to PLASA members at www.plasa.org
For more information about Art-Net, refer to the following document available from Artistic Licence Engineering at
www.artisticlicence.com:
+ Specification for the Art-Net Ethernet Protocol

2MBOX® DIRECTOR USER MANUAL
Training Videos
Mbox Media Server Training Videos are available online. The following is a list of videos that apply to Mbox Director:
+ Patching: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07L0DA9pAb0
+ Director Media Picker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWa83nZREqA
+ CITP – Streaming Feedback & Thumbnails: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQMg9VmJYNM
+ Daemon Application: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpuxdZOErqE
+ Simple Playback: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=916vFB0wAwY
+ Director Interface: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-J41U-VRtg
+ Media Server Concepts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jS1TAd1Thg
+ Parameter Timing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTAsmLayypY
+ Cueing in Director: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbN_Xk6HLJI
+ Scene Timing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv-_mGw1sgs
+ Advanced Cueing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgdE7N3glxo
+ Image Remapping (playlist): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5WLNako6zrgt6xO6t9f3h3cp32IoayhW
Direct links to the videos are also provided throughout this manual, where applicable.
Customer Service
For technical assistance, contact the PRG International Service Center or contact your nearest PRG office. Contact
information for all PRG office locations can be found on our website at: www.prg.com
PRG Dallas (International Service)
8617 Ambassador Row, Suite 120
Dallas, Texas 75247 USA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Service Fax: [phone]
Service Email: [e-mail]
For Mbox support, please contact: [e-mail]
For additional resources and documentation, please visit our website at: www.prg.com

MBOX® DIRECTOR USER MANUAL 3
OVERVIEW
About Mbox Director
Mbox Director is a software application that allows control of an
Mbox media server from a personal computer. It can be used to
configure and control all aspects of the Mbox media content and
playback, therefore eliminating the need for a lighting console.
Mbox Director will run on any Intel-based Mac® computer
(MacBook Pro, MacBook, Mac Mini, Mac Pro, etc.) using the Snow
Leopard®, Lion®, Mountain Lion®, or Mavericks® operating
system. (PowerPC-based Mac computers are not supported.)
Mbox Director can also be run on the Mbox media server itself
without significantly affecting performance during playback. (Mbox
Director can allocate processing priority to the Mbox server using a
Preference setting.)
Mbox Director is capable of controlling one or more Mbox servers
which are connected by a network.
Software Versions
In order for Mbox Director to communicate properly with an Mbox server, both software versions must match.
For example, Mbox Director v3.10 and Mbox Designer v3.10.
Communication Protocol
Mbox Director communicates with Mbox servers by sending Art-Net messages to Mbox network IP addresses. In
most lighting applications Art-Net is a broadcast protocol, but in the case of Mbox Director, the messages are sent to
a specific IP address. This makes it safer to run Mbox Director on a network which may have other Art-Net devices
since it will ignore the IP-specific Mbox Director transmissions. It also allows Mbox Director to control multiple Mbox
servers at the default Art-Net universe '0'.
Important Concepts
It is important to note the following differences between the terms "Fixture" and "Server" in the Mbox Director user
interface.
Fixture:
A Fixture is abstract, and can refer to either the "Server," the "Master" controls for the server, or an individual "Layer."
Server:
A Server is a fixture unto itself.
A Server is also a collection of sub-fixtures, the "Master" fixture, plus one or more "Layer" fixtures.
Figure 1: Mbox Media Server

4MBOX® DIRECTOR USER MANUAL
INSTALLATION AND SETUP
Installing Mbox Director
When installing Mbox Director on a separate Mac computer, be sure it meets the following requirements:
+ Intel-based. (MacBook Pro, MacBook, Mac Mini, Mac Pro, etc.)
+ Running Snow Leopard or newer.
To install Mbox Director application:
Step 1. Download or copy Mbox Director installer file to computer.
Step 2. Double-click installer icon.
Step 3. Follow instructions to accept license and choose destination. (It is recommended that Director be installed
on the main Mac hard drive.) Mbox Director will be installed into the Mac’s /Applications folder.
Step 4. After installation is complete, close installer window.
To launch Mbox Director for the first time:
Step 1. Locate Mbox Director application on Mac hard drive. Double-click to launch.
Note: For easier launching of the application in the future, drag the Mbox Director application icon to the Mac dock.
Step 2. To enable Mbox Director to communicate with the connected servers, proceed to "Network Configuration"
on the next page.

MBOX® DIRECTOR USER MANUAL 5
Network Configuration
When first setting up Mbox Director, it is important to configure the network settings properly so the application will
detect the Mbox server (or servers). This is especially critical when running Mbox Director on a separate Mac
computer, since the network setup will be more involved than when running it locally on an Mbox server.
Mbox CITP Setting
The network CITP setting should always be configured at the Mbox Setup tab. This setting is located in the Network
Ports section of the Setup tab as shown below:
Mbox Daemon
Mbox network communication involves a software
application called Mbox Daemon. This software is required
on all Mbox servers to enable remote feedback. When the
Mbox application is launched (on the Mbox server), it will
automatically launch the last version of Mbox Daemon used
on that computer.
To view the Daemon interface, choose it in the dock or
press [D] while the Mbox application is in Window mode.
The Mbox Daemon screen will always reflect the Network
Interface setting as configured in the Setup tab (see above).
The Network Interface setting can be changed at the Mbox
Daemon screen, however, this is not recommended since
the setting WILL NOT be retained if the Mbox is restarted. A
sample Mbox Daemon screen is shown to the right.
Training Video: CITP – Streaming Feedback & Thumbnails:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQMg9VmJYNM
Training Video: Daemon Application: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpuxdZOErqE

6MBOX® DIRECTOR USER MANUAL
When connecting a Mac computer (running Mbox Director) to an Mbox server, use the Ethernet 1 port for this type of
network connection. The physical Ethernet 1 port on the Mbox server is located on the front of its Dual I/O module. A
network switch can be used if multiple Mbox servers need to be connected as shown below:
Figure 2: Sample Mac to Mbox Connection Diagram
More Information
For additional information and concepts specific to setting up an Mbox network, refer to "Appendix B. Networking For
Mbox" on page 108.
Network Troubleshooting
For troubleshooting assistance while setting up or reconfiguring your network settings, refer to "Troubleshooting" on
page 94.
MAC COMPUTER *
NETWORK SWITCH
MBOX MBOX
To Ethernet 1 To Ethernet 1 Port of MBOX Dual I/O Module
Port of Mac
* This diagram shows a
sample Mac com-
puter. The computer
type may vary.

MBOX® DIRECTOR USER MANUAL 7
Running Mbox Director on an Mbox Server
Use this procedure when running Mbox Director locally. If Mbox Director will be running on a separate Mac computer
or you will be controlling multiple Mbox servers, go to page 9 for networking instructions.
Note: When running Mbox Director directly on an Mbox server, it is important that Mbox Director not affect
performance of the server. In order to guarantee this, Mbox Director can sacrifice the amount of time it spends
drawing on its own graphical user interface. This setting can be adjusted in the Mbox Director Preferences window.
Refer to "General Preferences" on page 24.
To configure network when running Mbox Director on an Mbox server:
Step 1. At Mac desktop, select System Preferences from Apple menu.
Step 2. At System Preferences window, click on Network.
Step 3. At Network window, select Mbox Extreme as Location and select Ethernet 1 in left column as shown
below:

8MBOX® DIRECTOR USER MANUAL
Step 4. Launch Mbox application (if the Mbox application is not already running).
Step 5. At Mbox main window, click on Setup tab.
Step 6. At Network Ports section, set Sync to Ethernet 1 and CITP to Local as shown below. Also, set Single
Output Setup to Output 2.
Step 7. When Mbox is launched, it will atomically launch the Mbox Daemon application. Confirm that Mbox
Daemon is running by pressing [D] (while Mbox server is in Window mode).
Step 8. At Mbox Daemon window, verify that Network Interface reads: Local. (It should update automatically.)
Step 9. At this point, Mbox Director will be synchronized with the Mbox server. Proceed to "Adding Fixtures" on
page 12.
Note: It is not possible to
operate the Mbox server in
a dual output configuration
in Fullscreen mode while
using Mbox Director on
the same computer. Refer
to"Changing Configuration
/ Using Dual Output
Features" on page 15

MBOX® DIRECTOR USER MANUAL 9
Running Mbox Director on a Separate Mac Computer
Use this procedure when running Mbox Director on a separate computer to operate one or more networked Mbox
servers. The computer, in this case, could be a stand-alone Mac
or an Mbox server itself. If Mbox Director will be run
on an Mbox server where it will control
only that server, go back to page 7 for instructions.
For additional information and concepts specific to setting up an Mbox network, refer to "Appendix B.
Networking For Mbox" on page 108.
To configure network when running Mbox Director on a separate computer:
At Mac computer (running Mbox Director)...
Step 1. At Mac desktop, select System Preferences from Apple menu.
Step 2. At System Preferences window, click on Network.
Step 3. At Network window, setup Ethernet 1 port as follows:
a. Set Configure IPv4 to Manually.
b. Enter IP Address and Subnet Mask settings. These will typically be an IP Address format of 2.0.0.xxx,
where xxx is a number from 1 to 254. Observe the following guidelines:
1) IP Address must be different for every machine on the network
2) Subnet Mask must be the same for every machine on the network, and will typically be 255.0.0.0 or
255.255.0.0.
c. Click Apply button to apply network settings.
Note: For more information
about IP Address and
Subnet Mask settings, refer
to "Appendix B. Networking
For Mbox" on page 108.

10 MBOX® DIRECTOR USER MANUAL
Note: If you do not choose "Manually" and/or you are connected to a public network (with a DHCP server), Mbox
Director may warn you that controlling an Mbox server over a DHCP-enabled network is not recommended unless the
network administrator can guarantee that your IP addresses will not change dynamically. The network administrator
should also verify that the subnet mask will allow the two machines to "see" each other.
At each networked Mbox Media Server...
Step 4. Open Mac System Preferences window and click on Network.
Step 5. Confirm that Location is set to "Mbox."
Step 6. Launch Mbox application (if the Mbox application is not already running).

MBOX® DIRECTOR USER MANUAL 11
Step 7. At Mbox main window, click on Setup tab.
Step 8. At Network Ports section, set Sync to Ethernet 1 and CITP to Ethernet 1 as shown below:
Step 9. When Mbox is launched, it will atomically launch the Mbox Daemon application. Confirm that Mbox
Daemon is running by pressing [D] (while Mbox server is in Window mode).
Step 10. At Mbox Daemon window, verify that Network Interface reads: Ethernet 1. (It should update automatically.)
Step 11. At Mbox server, connect Ethernet cable to Ethernet 1 port (refer back to Figure 2).
Step 12. At Mac computer, connect other end of Ethernet cable to Ethernet 1 port.
Step 13. At this point, Mbox Director will be synchronized with the network. Proceed to "Adding Fixtures" on
page 12.

12 MBOX® DIRECTOR USER MANUAL
Adding Fixtures
Once the network is configured and the Mbox servers are connected, the servers will need to be added to Mbox
Director so they can be controlled. The "Add Fixture" window is used to locate Mbox servers on the network.
Before adding fixtures, it is a good idea to configure the DMX Profile type at the Mbox server’s Setup window
(such as Single Output, Panoramic Dual, Dual Independent, etc.) For more information, refer to "Changing
Configuration / Using Dual Output Features" on page 15.
Note: Refer to "Important Concepts" on page 3 for definitions of "Fixture" and "Server."
To add fixtures:
Step 1. At Mbox Director main screen, click Add Fixture icon [+]. (If no servers are connected, the button will be
flashing.)
Sample Mbox
Fixture List
Add Fixture
Delete Fixture
Protocol
Server Setup:
Server IP
DMX Profile
Active Layers
Server Name
(Connected
Set as Backup
Enable
Passthrough
Specify as
Monitor only
Profile Setting
(Mbox, Serial-
Over-Ethernet)
(Art-Net / sACN) Servers)

MBOX® DIRECTOR USER MANUAL 13
Step 2. At "Choose from detected Mboxes" list, select Mbox server. (If the network settings are configured properly,
the servers will appear in this list.)
Step 3. Once an Mbox server is chosen, the IP Address, Art-Net/sACN Universe, Art-Net/sACN Channel, # of
Layers, and DMX Profile fields will be populated according to the settings configured in the Mbox server
Setup window. (Note: If any of these values or settings are changed here at the Mbox Director Add Fixture
window, the conflicting value will be highlighted, but will not be changed at the actual Mbox server.)
Step 4. At Name field, enter custom name if desired. (The name can be edited after the fixture has been created.)
Step 5. Use optional checkboxes to designate as "Monitor Only" and/or "Backup."
Step 6. Choose a Profile setting (".Mbox with Layers" or "Serial-Over-Ethernet") as required. For more information
on the Serial-Over-Ethernet feature, refer to "Controlling an External Projector (Serial-Over-Ethernet)" on
page 93.
Step 7. Enable Passthrough (Art-Net or sACN) as required. For more information on this advanced feature, refer to
"Control by an External Console (Passthrough)" on page 91.
The choices here willdepend
on your particular setup.
Name Field (enter custom name, if desired)
Settings from
Mbox Server
Director
Fixture Settings

14 MBOX® DIRECTOR USER MANUAL
Step 8. When complete, click Add & Save button to add (patch) the fixture.
Step 9. If connecting to multiple Mbox servers, repeat steps 1-7 until all servers have been added. When finished,
close Add Fixture window. The main window will now reflect the added fixture(s).
Training Video: Patching: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07L0DA9pAb0