PRG MBOX EXTREME User manual

SOFTWARE VERSION 3.2
WWW.PRG.COM
MBOX EXTREME®MEDIA SERVER
USER MANUAL

AutoPar®, Bad Boy®, PRG Series 400®, Mbox Extreme®, V676®, Virtuoso®, Virtuoso® DX, and Virtuoso® DX2,
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 Extreme® Media Server User Manual
Version as of: October 15, 2010
PRG part number: 02.9800.0001.32
Production Resource Group
Dallas Office
8617 Ambassador Row, Suite 120
Dallas, Texas 75247
www.prg.com
Mbox Extreme® Media Server User Manual
©2006-2010 Production Resource Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

MBOX EXTREME®MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL I
FOREWORD
Safety Notice
1) Read these instructions.
2) Keep these instructions.
3) Heed all warnings.
4) Follow all instructions.
5) Do not use this apparatus near water.
6) Clean only with dry cloth.
7) Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including
amplifiers) that produce heat.
8) Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with
one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or
the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an
electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
9) Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the
point where they exit from the apparatus.
10) Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
11) Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus.
When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
12) Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
13) Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in
any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the
apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been
dropped.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
CAUTION: These servicing instructions are for use by qualified service personnel only. To reduce the risk of
electric shock do not perform any servicing other than that contained in the operating instructions unless you
are qualified to do so.

II MBOX EXTREME®MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL
Revision History
This manual has been revised as follows:
Version Release Date Notes
02.9800.0001 September 27, 2006 Initial release.
02.9800.0001.22 October 23, 2007 Updated to include v2.2 changes.
Incorporated QuickStart Guide.
02.9800.0001.30 October 15, 2010 Updated for to include v3.0 changes.
Updated to include Dual I/O Module.
02.9800.0001.30 A March 28, 2009 Revised “Important Safety Instructions” on page i.
02.9800.0001.32 February 15, 2010
Updated to include v3.1.1 and v3.2 changes.
Re-organized and updated the DMX512 Mapping Charts at the
end of the manual.
02.9800.0001.32 A October 15, 2010 Updated book format. (No changes to technical information.)

MBOX EXTREME®MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL III
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
About This Manual........................................................................................................................................................................ 1
Additional Documentation ............................................................................................................................................................ 1
Customer Service ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Chapter 1. Overview
Description
Features........................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Controllable Elements .................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Components
Mbox Extreme Case Assembly .................................................................................................................................................... 6
Dual I/O Module ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Auxiliary Input Panel ..................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Theory of Operation
DMX512 Input Configuration: Single Media Server with DMX512 Devices ................................................................................. 9
Art-Net Input Configuration: Network Switch and Multiple Media Servers................................................................................ 10
Output Configuration: Single Media Server with Plasma Display and LCD Projector................................................................ 11
Fixture Descriptions
Mbox Extreme Environment Concept ........................................................................................................................................ 12
Ambient Light and Spot Lights 1 - 4 .......................................................................................................................................... 13
Camera ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Shutter Control ........................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Keystone Control........................................................................................................................................................................ 13
Texture + Object = Layer ............................................................................................................................................................ 14
Texture ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 14
Object ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Chapter 2. Installation
Setup
Case Components...................................................................................................................................................................... 16
System Connections .................................................................................................................................................................. 17
Getting Started
Patching Fixtures........................................................................................................................................................................ 18
Layers ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
DMX Mapping............................................................................................................................................................................. 21
Powering Up............................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Instant Gratification .................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Chapter 3. Media Content
Content Specification
Image and Video Files ................................................................................................................................................................ 26
Recommended Practices ........................................................................................................................................................... 27
Content Management
Overview..................................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Folder and File Numbering ......................................................................................................................................................... 28
Additional Media Organization Guidelines ................................................................................................................................. 29
Adding Content .......................................................................................................................................................................... 30
Video and Image Files ......................................................................................................................................................... 30
3D Objects .......................................................................................................................................................................... 30

IV MBOX EXTREME®MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL
Chapter 4. Operation
Application Window
Starting the Mbox Extreme Application...................................................................................................................................... 32
Overview ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 32
Setup .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 33
Heads Up Displays (HUDs)
Using HUDs ................................................................................................................................................................................ 38
Dual I/O Module
Overview ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 39
Connected Display Devices and EDID ....................................................................................................................................... 41
EDID Capture.............................................................................................................................................................................. 42
SDI Output (SD - Standard Definition & HD - High Definition).................................................................................................... 43
Genlock (Generator Lock)........................................................................................................................................................... 45
Chapter 5. Advanced Features
Objects and Digital Gobos
About 3D Models and Digital Gobos (Objects)........................................................................................................................... 48
Creating a Digital Gobo with Adobe Illustrator CS3 ................................................................................................................... 50
Animated Gobos......................................................................................................................................................................... 51
Animated Textures
About Animated Textures ........................................................................................................................................................... 55
Layer Copy
Using Layer Copy ....................................................................................................................................................................... 56
Drawmodes
Using Drawmodes ...................................................................................................................................................................... 57
Drawmode 16 - Orthographic View ............................................................................................................................................ 58
The Stencil .................................................................................................................................................................................. 59
Layer Blending Modes................................................................................................................................................................ 61
Decay
Decay Effect................................................................................................................................................................................ 62
Fog
Fog Effect ................................................................................................................................................................................... 63
Text Files
Support for Text Files.................................................................................................................................................................. 64
Audio Output
Audio Output Features................................................................................................................................................................ 65
Synchronization
Timecode Synchronization (Timecode Sync Playmode) ............................................................................................................ 67
Layer To Layer Synchronization.................................................................................................................................................. 68
Alignment Rectangles
Using Alignment Rectangles....................................................................................................................................................... 69
Thumbnails
Creating Thumbnail Images........................................................................................................................................................ 71
Effects and Transitions
Effects and Transitions with Additional Input Files ..................................................................................................................... 72
Adding Custom Effects or Transitions ........................................................................................................................................ 72

MBOX EXTREME®MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL V
Chapter 6. Pixel Mapping
Concept
About Pixel-Mapping.................................................................................................................................................................. 76
Basic Setup
Basic Pixel-Mapping Setup........................................................................................................................................................ 77
Advanced Pixel-Mapping
Custom Fixture Creation............................................................................................................................................................. 80
Sampling Areas .......................................................................................................................................................................... 81
Chapter 7. Maintenance
Routine Maintenance
Cleaning or Replacing the Air Filter............................................................................................................................................ 84
Removing the Computer ............................................................................................................................................................ 85
Appendix A. Content Creation and Utilities
Content Creation Guidelines
Creating Movies and Audio Files................................................................................................................................................ 88
Alpha Channel in Movies – the Animation Codec ...................................................................................................................... 90
Applications for Content Creation .............................................................................................................................................. 90
Media Utility Applications
Mbox Extreme Media Lock ........................................................................................................................................................ 91
Mbox Extreme File Converter..................................................................................................................................................... 92
Mbox Extreme plist Editor .......................................................................................................................................................... 93
Appendix B. Mbox Remote Application
Mbox Remote Operation
Using Mbox Remote................................................................................................................................................................... 96
Setup Tab............................................................................................................................................................................ 96
Status Tab ........................................................................................................................................................................... 97
Control Tab ......................................................................................................................................................................... 98
Thumbs Tab ........................................................................................................................................................................ 98
Example Setup of Alignment Rectangles ................................................................................................................................... 99
Appendix C. Video Input
Video Input Setup
Overview................................................................................................................................................................................... 102
QuickTime Streaming Capture Card ................................................................................................................................. 102
USB/FireWire Input ........................................................................................................................................................... 102
Setting Video Input for Decklink Card ...................................................................................................................................... 103
Configuring Video Input within Mbox Extreme......................................................................................................................... 104
Deinterlacing............................................................................................................................................................................. 106
Interlaced (i) vs. Progressive (p) Content/Input (Deinterlacing) ......................................................................................... 106
Guide to Deinterlacing....................................................................................................................................................... 107
Appendix D. DMX512 Mapping
DMX512 Mapping Charts
Mbox Extreme Control Channel Breakdown ............................................................................................................................ 110

VI MBOX EXTREME®MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL
Notes

MBOX EXTREME®MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL 1
INTRODUCTION
About This Manual
This manual provides necessary information regarding product safety, installation, and operation for the following
PRG equipment:
+ Mbox Extreme® Media Server v3.2
Familiarizing yourself with this information will help you get the most out of your PRG product.
WARNING: It is important to read ALL accompanying safety and installation instructions to avoid damage to
the product and potential injury to yourself or others.
Additional Documentation
For more information on using the Mbox Extreme® Media Server with PRG consoles, refer to the following manuals:
+ V676® Control Console User Manual (02.9814.0001.10)
+ Virtuoso® Series Control Console User Manual (02.9651.0001)
For more information regarding DMX512 systems, refer to the DMX512/1990 & AMX 192 Standards publication
available from United States Institute for Theatre Technology, Inc. (USITT).
USITT
6443 Ridings Road
Syracuse, NY 13206-1111 USA
1-800-93USITT (phone)
www.usitt.org
For more information regarding Art-Net protocol, refer to the specification for Art-Net II Ethernet Communication
Standard available from Artistic Licence Ltd.
Artistic Licence (UK) Ltd (Registered Office)
24 Forward Drive, Christchurch Avenue,
Harrow, Middlesex, HA3 8NT, United Kingdom
[phone] (phone)
[phone] (fax)
www.artisticlicence.com

2MBOX EXTREME®MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL
Customer Service
Our comprehensive technical services department ensures you get the full benefit of being a PRG customer. Whether
your needs are simple or complex, our full-time staff of experienced professionals are on-hand to provide support. For
assistance, contact your nearest PRG office:
For additional resources and documentation, please visit our website at: www.prg.com
PRG Dallas (International Service)
8617 Ambassador Row, Suite 120
Dallas, Texas 75247
Ph: 214.630.1963
Fx: 214.630.5867
Service Fx: 214.638.2125
Service Email: [e-mail]
PRG Atlanta
1053 Willingham Dr.
Atlanta, Georgia 30344
Ph: 404.214.4800
Fx: 404.214.4801
PRG Chicago
90 Rawls Rd.
Des Plaines, Illinois 60018
Ph: 847.227.5171
Fx: 847.557.9033
PRG Las Vegas
6050 South Valley View Blvd.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89118
Ph: 702.942.4774
Fx: 702.942.4775
PRG Los Angeles
9111 Sunland Blvd.
Sun Valley, California 91352
Ph: 818.252.2600
Fx: 818.252.2620
PRG Nashville
8351 Eastgate Blvd.
Mount Juliet, Tennessee 37122
Ph: 615.834.3190
Fx: 615.834.3192
PRG New Jersey
7777 West Side Avenue
North Bergen, New Jersey 07047
Ph: 201.758.4000
Fx: 201.758.4312
PRG Orlando
1902 Cypress Lake Dr.
Orlando, Florida 32837
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
PRG Canada
2480 Tedlo Street
Mississauga, Ontario L5A 3V3 Canada
Ph: 905.270.9050
Fx: 905.270.2590
PRG Asia
Asagami Fukagawa Logistics Center B-4F
2-2-1 Shiohama, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan 135-0043
Ph: 81.3.5683.0011
Fx: 81.3.5683.0330
PRG Europe
The Cofton Centre
Grovely Lane
Longbridge, Birmingham
B31 4PT, England
Ph: +44 (0) 845.470.6400
Fx: +44 (0) 845.470.6401
Essential Lighting
Unit E
Imber Court Trading Estate
Orchard Lane
East Molesey, Surrey
KT8 0BY, England
Ph: +44 (0) 208.335.6000
Fx: +44 (0) 208.398.7205

1.
OVERVIEW
This chapter provides an overview of product features, components, and operations.
+DESCRIPTION
+COMPONENTS
+THEORY OF OPERATION
+FIXTURE DESCRIPTIONS

4MBOX EXTREME®MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL
DESCRIPTION
Features
The Mbox Extreme Media Server allows for advanced integration of video playback and effects with automated
lighting. Powerful real time rendering, built-in effects, and interactive 3D objects provide tools for combining
prerecorded video and still images to create visual imagery, which can be displayed by any projector, LED wall,
plasma screen or low-res LED lighting fixture.
The Mbox Extreme server can be programmed and operated directly from DMX512-based moving light consoles,
allowing ease of coordination between video/image effects and lighting cues. Intricate Mbox Extreme sequences can
be generated instantly on site without the need for offline video processing, rendering or editing. The Mbox Extreme
stock library includes a wide variety of video clips, still images and 3D objects. Custom media files may also be
added.
The Mbox Extreme software runs on a rack-mounted Apple® Mac® computer controlled by DMX512 or Art-Net. All
video, still images and 3D objects are stored directly on the Mbox Extreme hard drive, allowing instant access to any
file. The Mbox Extreme is a single server rack unit equipped with two video outputs that can be used to drive a variety
of video display devices. The included dual I/O module provides VGA, DVI, SDI (SD/HD) stage outputs for video, along
with DVI preview capability.
Note: The provided Mac Pro computer requires the Leopard™ (10.5) operating system.
Feature List
+ Single-server rack with integrated UPS, I/O module, and Auxiliary Input panel.
+ Dual video output per server with multiple operating modes: Single Output, Dual Independent, Panoramic Wide,
and Panoramic Dual.
+ Digital Dual I/O Module with built-in DMX-to-Art-Net conversion and Ethernet switch. VGA (RGBHV), DVI, and SDI
(SD/HD) stage outputs, DVI preview output.
+ Accepts live video input SDI (HD/SD), composite and FireWire® (DV).
+ 1080p HD Video playback.
+ Movable camera viewpoint.
+ Ambient and directional light sources.
+ Up to twelve interactive, scalable layers that can be configured as backgrounds or 3D geometric objects.
+ Digital gobos that can be used as backgrounds, masks, or for advanced layer blending effects.
+ Image tiling and edge-blending for multiple-server configurations.
+ Pixel mapping.
+ Mapping of textures (videos or still images) to 3D objects and digital gobos.
+ Real-time crossfades and transitions between videos, images, and objects on the same layer.
+ Effects including blur, pixelate, LED wall, twirl, color, exposure and alpha adjustment can be applied individually or
in combination.
+ Advanced video playback with direction, speed, and in-point/out-point control.
+ User-configurable aspect ratio and output resolution control.
+ Control by DMX512 or Art-Net.
+ Stores up to 65,535 videos and still images.
+ Stores up to 65,535 3D objects.

MBOX EXTREME®MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL 5
Controllable Elements
Light
+ Intensity
+ Color
Camera
+ Intensity
+ Orbit X and Y
+ Dolly, Pitch and Yaw
+ Camera Roll (Spin)
+ Theatrical Framing Shutters (four modes)
+ Shutter X and Y
+ Shutter Scale and Rotation
+ Keystone X and Y
+ Keystone Scale and Rotation
+ Edge Blending
+ Tiling (with overlap control)
+ Master Effect (2)
+ Master Color
+ Fog and Decay
+ Pixel mapping output level
+ Audio output level
Layer: Texture/Object
+ Opacity
+ Texture
+ Object
+ Texture Effect (2 per layer)
+ Object Effect (2 per layer)
+ Color
+ Playmode and Playspeed
+ Frame Blending
+ Transitions (Type and Timing)
+ X, Y, Z Position, Rotation, and Scale
+ Sync (Timecode and Layer-to-Layer)

6MBOX EXTREME®MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL
COMPONENTS
Mbox Extreme Case Assembly
The following illustrations show the case components for the Mbox Extreme v3 hardware.
Figure 1-1: Mbox Extreme v3 Single Rack Unit
SITE WIRING
FAULT
OUT PUT : 12 0V 5 0/60 Hz
SENSIBILITY
INPUT
RESET
PUSH TO
PROTECTOR
OVERLOAD
USBPORT
2
out
optical
audio
LEFT RIGHT SMPTE IN
MIDI IN MIDI O UT SDI IN R-Y IN B-YIN
1
in
2 1
(COMP OSITE)
YIN
BALANCED AUDIO OUT
ETHE RNET
EDID C A PTURE
BA
PREVIEW1 SDI 1
OUTPU T 1
PREVIEW DIM EDID C A PTURE
AB
Rx
VGA2 DVI2 PREVIEW2 SDI 2
ST AGEBLACKOUT
VGA 1
STAGEBLACKOUT PRE VIE WDI M
OUTPU T 2
DVI1
RDMTx
INPUT 1GENLOCK 2 INPUT 2 PORT1 PORT2 BA
ETHERNET
D ual I/O M odu le
US B
OUTIN DMX Rx
RDMRx
GENLOCK 1
DMX
TM
IN OUT
US B
COMP U TER
Tx
LINK
MO D EL 20 -980 4 -010 0
POW E R
ACTIVE
ACTIVE
Mac Computer
(under faceplate cover)
UPS Power Unit Dual I/O Module *
Headphone and
USB Connections Mac
Computer
Auxiliary Input Panel **
UPS Power Unit
2
out
optical
audio
1
in
2 1
Graphics Card
FireWire
SPDIF Audio In/Out
Ethernet
Audio
USB Genlock
Video Capture Card
DETAIL: Rear Connections
FRONT VIEW REAR VIEW
* Refer to "Dual I/O Module" on page 7.
** Refer to "Auxiliary Input Panel" on page 8.

MBOX EXTREME®MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL 7
Dual I/O Module
The Dual I/O module handles DMX and Art-Net input for the computer, and also the video outputs from the computer.
The unit receives two DVI outputs from the computer and uses these two signals to provide two separate output
sections with DVI and SDI preview and DVI, VGA (RGBHV) and SDI (HD & SD) stage outputs. The two output sections
are functionally identical, but are completely independent and each can be configured depending on output
requirements.
Figure 1-2: Mbox Extreme Dual I/O Module
PREVIEW 2
A
PREVIEW 1
A
STAGE BLACKOUT PREVIEW DIM
TM
SDI 2
B
GENL OCK 2
IN OUT
ACTIVE
SDI 1
B
PREVIEW DIM
DVI 2
OUTPUT 2
DVI 1
OUTPUT 1
GENL OCK 1
USB
IN OUT
RDM Rx
RDM Tx
DMX Rx
INPUT 1
DMX
Dual I/O Module
PORT 2
PORT 1
INPUT 2
ETHERNET
COMPUTER
AB
LINK
Rx
Tx
POWER
ACTIVE USB
MODEL 20-9804-0100
EDID CAPTURE
EDID CAPTURE
VGA 2
STAGE BLACKOUT
VGA 1
USB 1 DVI IN 1 VIDEO SYNC 1
100 -240 VAC
1A MAX
50 / 60 Hz
AC IN
ETHERNET A
USB 2 DVI IN 2 VIDEO SYNC 2
ETHERNET B
FRONT VIEW
REAR VIEW
Ethernet (Art-Net)
USB Ports
Video Sync
DVI Inputs
A/C Input Connector
Ports (A & B)
(1 & 2)
Ports (1 & 2)
(1 & 2)
Stage
Blackout
Switch
SERVER
OUTPUT 1
SERVER
OUTPUT 2
Preview
Dim
Switch EDID Capture
Switch
LED Indicates
Active Server
LED
Indicates
USB
RGBHV (VGA)
Output to Stage
DVI
Output to
Stage
Preview
(Monitor)
Output
SDI (SD/HD)
Stage Output
Genlock
Input/Output
DMX512
Inputs
Ethernet (Art-Net) Ports
SDI (SD/HD)
Preview Output

8MBOX EXTREME®MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL
Auxiliary Input Panel
The Auxiliary Input Panel provides input/output connectors for signals other than video and DMX/Art-Net.
Figure 1-3: Mbox Extreme Auxiliary Input Panel
BALANCED AUDIO OUT
RIGHT
MIDI IN
(COMPOSITE)
Y IN
SDI IN R-YIN B-YIN
ETHERNET LEFT
MIDI OUT
SMPTE IN
Balanced Audio Out
(Left and Right) MIDI
In
MIDI
Out
Y Input
(composite)
Ethernet
Port 2 SMPTE SDI (SD/HD)
Input R-Y Input
B-Y Input
Unbalanced Audio Out
(3.5mm Mini Jack)
In

MBOX EXTREME®MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL 9
THEORY OF OPERATION
DMX512 Input Configuration: Single Media Server with DMX512 Devices
In the following configuration, DMX512 control signal is distributed from one DMX512 console to multiple DMX512
devices and one Mbox Extreme Media Server. Data is then distributed from the Mbox Extreme Media Server to the
other components as shown below.
Figure 1-4: Single Media Server with DMX512 Devices
SDI
PROJECTOR
DMX IN
VIDEO OUT
PREVIEW
PROJECTOR
FRONT VIEW REAR VIEW
DMX CO NSOLE
2
in out
VIDEO OUT SDI
VIDEO OUT
MONITOR
PREVIEW
MONITOR
VIDEO OUT
VIDEO CAMERA
VIDEO IN
optical
12
in out
audio
1

10 MBOX EXTREME®MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL
Art-Net Input Configuration: Network Switch and Multiple Media Servers
In the following configuration, Art-Net control signal is distributed from one control console to one network switch.
The network switch then distributes the control signal to all Mbox Extreme Media Servers.
Figure 1-5: Network Switch and Multiple Media Servers
MBOX EXTREME MBOX EXTREME
DMX CONSOLE
NETWORK SWITCH
Art-Net
IN
MBOX EXTREME
IN IN

MBOX EXTREME®MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL 11
Output Configuration: Single Media Server with Plasma Display and LCD Projector
In the following configuration, a Plasma Display and LCD Projector are connected to a single Mbox Extreme Media
Server.
Figure 1-6: Single Media Server with Plasma Display and LCD Projector
VGA IN
PLASMA
DISPLAY
DVI 1 OUT LCD PROJECTOR
MBOX EXTREME

12 MBOX EXTREME®MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL
FIXTURE DESCRIPTIONS
Mbox Extreme Environment Concept
In order to get the most out the Mbox Extreme Media Server, it is important to understand the overall concept of the
Mbox Extreme environment, which is essentially a building platform for "virtual scenery." The final "look" of this virtual
scenery can be comprised of backgrounds, 3D objects, camera angles, and lighting, all of which are controllable
elements within the Mbox Extreme environment. Likewise, each of these elements has a set of controllable
parameters such as color, texture, size, and movement. When all combined, you can achieve an infinite number of
possibilities for your virtual scenery.
At first, the interaction of these elements may seem complicated, but as they are broken down into individual
components, you will find that they are similar to automated lighting parameters which you may already be familiar
with. The only difference is that luminaire parameters coincide with physical hardware - e.g. a motor that controls an
iris - while the Mbox Extreme parameters coincide with software elements. For example, just as you would control a
luminaire’s beam color from a console encoder or keypad, you can control the color of an Mbox Extreme 3D object.
Once configured, the entire Mbox Extreme environment (i.e. the virtual scenery) can be sent to any compatible video
device connected to the unit.
The following illustration is a virtual representation of each element within the Mbox Extreme Environment. (More
detailed descriptions of each element are provided on subsequent pages.)
Figure 1-7: Mbox Extreme 3D Environment
DIRECTIONAL
SPOT LIGHT SPOT LIGHT
DIRECTIONAL
SPOT LIGHT
DIRECTIONAL
3D OBJECT 1
3D OBJECT 2
3D OBJECT 3
3D OBJECT 6
3D OBJECT 5
ORBIT Y
SPOT LIGHT
DIRECTIONAL
ORBITX
AMBIENT
LIGHT
3D OBJECT 3D OBJECT
3D OBJECT
OBJECT
3D
3D OBJECT 4
CAMERA
Note:
This concept drawing shows six backgrounds
and six 3D objects. The system allows up to 12
active entities at one time. For example, 12
backgrounds; 6 backgrounds and 6 objects; 3
backgrounds and 9 objects; 1 background and 11
objects; etc.