THOMSON Grass Valley Zodiak How to use

Zodiak
DIGITAL PRODUCTION SWITCHER
Release Notes
SOFTWARE VERSION 4.0
071812709
NOVEMBER 2004

2 Zodiak Release Notes
Contacting Grass Valley
Copyright © Thomson Broadcast and Media Solutions All rights reserved.
Grass Valley Web Site
The www.thomsongrassvalley.com web site offers the following:
Online User Documentation — Current versions of product catalogs, brochures,
data sheets, ordering guides, planning guides, manuals, and release notes
in .pdf format can be downloaded.
FAQ Database
— Solutions to problems and troubleshooting efforts can be
found by searching our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) database.
Software Downloads
— Software updates, drivers, and patches can be down-
loaded.
Region Voice Fax Address Web Site
North America [phone]
Support: 530-478-4148 Sales: [phone] Support: [phone] Grass Valley P.O. Box 599000
Nevada City, CA 95959-
7900 USA
www.thomsongrassvalley.com
Pacific Operations [phone]
Support: 852-2585-6579 [phone]
U.K., Asia, Middle East [phone] [phone]
France [phone]
Germany, Europe [phone] [phone]

Zodiak Release Notes 3
Contents
Zodiak Release Notes
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
New Features in Release 4.0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Changes in Release 4.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Additional Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
FTP Software Compatibility Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Glow and Defocus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Glow and Defocus Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Glow Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Defocus Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Keyer Menu Defocus Mask . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Router Destination Selection Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
External Device Time Code Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Effects Send Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Menu on PC Knobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Frame Software Diagnostics Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Diagnostics Data File Transfer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Diagnostics Data Collection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Zodiak 4.0 Update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Hardware Notes and Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Mix Effect Module Heat Sinks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Control Processor SBC1000 Submodule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Dual Mix Effects Module Fuse Upgrade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Installing Zodiak System Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Update Software with Zodiak Software Update Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Install Zodiak System Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Install Still Store Loader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Verify Switcher Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Verify or Set Date and Time of System Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Verify or Set Menu Panel Date and Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Verify or Set Video Processor Date and Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Verify or Set Main Panel Date and Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Other Zodiak Update Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Drain NV RAM Procedure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Zodiak System Default IP Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

4 Zodiak Release Notes
Contents

Zodiak Release Notes 5
Version
4.0
NOVEMBER 2004
Zodiak Release Notes
Introduction
This document describes installation and other information specific to
Zodiak Digital Production Switcher Release 4.0 software.
WARNING Make sure that required heat sinks have been added to the Mix Effects
module(s) in the Zodiak Video Frame before you install this version of
Zodiak software. Your hardware must be modified before software instal-
lation or the Mix Effects module(s) will overheat.
CAUTION Zodiak 3.x and higher software requires an SBC1000 Frame Processor
upgrade for optimum performance on 3 M/E systems. The SBC1000 sub-
module requires 2.2 or later software. You must install compatible software
BEFORE you install the SBC1000.
CAUTION Five amp replacement fuses must be installed in the Zodiak Dual Mix Effects
module 671634700 before you install the 3.x or higher software. See page 20
for specific Zodiak system update instructions.
New Features in Release 4.0
•Defocus/Glow (see page 7).
•Router Destination selection menu (see page 12).
• External Device Time Code Selection (see page 13).
•Effects Send Menu (see page 15)
•Menu on PC Knobs (see page 16).
• Frame Software Diagnostic Tools (see page 17).
•Disk Space Status (
Available
and
Capacity
) is now reported on the Zodiak
Frame Web Browser page.

6 Zodiak Release Notes
Version 4.0
• 32-Crosspoint Remote Aux Panel Software Update is available for
download from the Thomson Grass Valley website. Refer to the sepa-
rate Remote Aux Panel Update Instructions supplied with the package
for specific information.
Changes in Release 4.0
• The
Dsk Link
(Downstream Key Link) feature now dissolves linked
downstream keyers, instead of cutting them on and off. The behavior
of Dsk Link has also changed to correct a design incompatibility. The
current Dsk Link state is no longer saved as part of an E-MEM effect. To
use Downstream Key Link with effects, activate the
Dsk Link
Main panel
button before recalling the effect.
Additional Information
FTP Software Compatibility Issues
The FTP server built into the Zodiak system is tested with the Microsoft
Internet Explorer browser and the Microsoft FTP utilities. These are the rec-
ommended programs to use for FTP with Zodiak systems.
Some browsers and FTP utilities are not compatible with the Zodiak frame
FTP software. These browsers do not recognize the Phar Lap Real-Time
Operating System FTP server used by Zodiak systems, and do not follow
the established standard of performing binary transfers when communi-
cating with an unrecognized FTP server. If your browser or FTP program
does not work with a Zodiak system, use the programs recommended
above instead, or contact the maker of that browser or FTP program to
request a fix.

Zodiak Release Notes 7
Glow and Defocus
Glow and Defocus
Two image processing features have been added with this Zodiak release.
Glow adds a soft edged variable opacity border around keys, leaving the
original keyed image unmodified, and is a standard feature available on all
Zodiak systems. Defocus blurs the actual keyed image, and is available
with the Transform Engine option.
Glow and Defocus Menus
Glow Menu
Glow controls are available on the Transform Engine Glow menu, accessed
via
Transform
,
Glow
(Figure 1). You must turn Effects Send on for each keyer
on you wish to use the glow feature (touch the
Effects Send
button, then
touch the desired keyers). The Glow controls on the menu affect the dele-
gated keyer. Only one keyer can be delegated at a time (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Glow Menu

8 Zodiak Release Notes
Version 4.0
Glow Pane
Off
— The Glow effect is deactivated.
Glow
— The Glow effect is applied around the keyed image which remains
visible.
Glow Only
— The glow effect is applied to the entire keyed area, replacing the
original keyed image. Only the glow is shown.
Outline
— The glow effect is shown around the keyed area, but the original
keyed image is not shown. Only the border area of the glow is visible.
When the Glow pane is activated, knob controls for Glow
Width
,
Aspect
,
Opacity
, and
Softness
are available.
Note The Glow Softness parameter value is shared with Drop Shadow Softness.
Adjusting either Glow or Drop Shadow Softness will affect both Glow and
Drop Shadow Softness.
Glow Matte Pane
When the Glow matte pane is activated, knob controls for matte
Hue
,
Satu-
ration
, and
Brightness
become available. An approximation of the color of the
matte is shown at the bottom of the pane (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Glow Menu, Matte Controls Activated

Zodiak Release Notes 9
Glow and Defocus
Glow Path Pane
Controls for glow path, using the standard
Hold
,
S Linear
,
Linear
, and
Curve
parameters, are applied when the Glow feature is activated.
Defocus Menu
Defocus controls are available on the Transform Engine Glow menu,
accessed via
Transform
,
Defocus
(Figure 3). This menu is only available when
a Transform Engine option has been installed.
Figure 3. Defocus Menu
Defocus Pane
Off
— The Defocus effect is deactivated.
Defocus
— The Defocus effect is applied to the original keyed image.
Defocus NAM + — The defocused image is compared to the original image on
a pixel by pixel basis, and the lighter (higher luminance) pixel of the two is
used in the final image.
Defocus NAM -
— The defocused image is compared to the original image on
a pixel by pixel basis, and the darker (lower luminance) pixel of the two is
used in the final image.

10 Zodiak Release Notes
Version 4.0
When the Defocus pane is activated, knob controls for
Video Defocus
,
Video Aspect
, and
NAM Ratio
are available.
Video Defocus
— Adjusts the total amount of defocus applied to the
image.
Video Aspect
— Adjusts the percentage of defocus applied to the vertical
and horizontal axes of the image.
NAM Ratio
— Adjusts the level of luminance at which the Defocus effect
will be applied to NAM pixels. This value applies to both NAM + and
NAM - modes.
NAM Matte Pane
NAM Matte Enable
— When selected a matte color is applied to the selected
NAM (lighter or darker) portion of the keyed image (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Defocus Menu, NAM Matte Activated
When the NAM Matte pane is activated, knob controls for matte
Hue
,
Satu-
ration
, and
Brightness
become available. An approximation of the color of the
matte is shown at the bottom of the pane.

Zodiak Release Notes 11
Glow and Defocus
Keyer Menu Defocus Mask
A
Defocus Mask On
button has been added to the Keyer Mask menu. This
feature is available when the delegated keyer has Defocus turned on and
an
Inhibit
mask has been selected (Figure 5).
Figure 5. Keyer Mask Menu, Defocus Mask On
When on, the Defocus effect can be masked so it is applied to only a portion
of the image.
Defocus is not available with a
Force
mask.

12 Zodiak Release Notes
Version 4.0
Router Destination Selection Menu
On Zodiak systems configured to operate with an external router, you can
now select router destinations for Zodiak sources from a menu. In the Eng
Setup Source Definition menu, when choosing a source with a
Router
source
type assigned, touching the
Destination
data pad takes you to a menu similar
to Figure 6.
Figure 6. Router Destination Selection Menu
The Zodiak Video Processor frame receives a list of destinations from the
router and displays them on this menu. Touching the button for the desired
destination assigns it to the previously selected Zodiak router source.
Router destination names can still be entered manually. Touching the
Router Destination
data pad at the top of this menu opens an alphanumeric
keypad.

Zodiak Release Notes 13
External Device Time Code Selection
External Device Time Code Selection
On the External Device Enables menu you can specify what type of time-
code the Zodiak system will use with each device. It is assumed the con-
trolled external device is operating with the same time code type as
selected. The current time code mode is displayed in the Time Code
column (Figure 7).
Figure 7. External Device Enables Menu
Touching the
Time Code
data pad for a device opens a Timecode Mode
window (Figure 8).
Figure 8. Time Code Mode Selection Window

14 Zodiak Release Notes
Version 4.0
Auto
— The controlled device returns the best source of timecode available.
At speeds less than 0.25 play Longitudinal Time Code (LTC) will be used if
it can be read.At these slow speeds if LTC is not found but Vertical Interval
Time Code (VITC) is available, VITC will be used. At speeds greater than
0.25 play, VITC will be used if it can be read.At these higher speeds if VITC
is not found but LTC is available, LTC will be used. At any speed, if neither
LTC or VITC is readable, Corrected LTC will be used, which is the last good
LTC time corrected by the tape timer.
LTC
— Longitudinal Time Code will be used.
VITC
— Vertical Interval Time Code will be used.
Tape Time
— The current zero based tape time setting of the controlled
device will be used.
Selecting a timecode mode assigns that setting to the device and closes the
pane.

Zodiak Release Notes 15
Effects Send Menu
Effects Send Menu
The Effects Send menu is accessible from the M/E and Transform Engine
Menus by touching the
Effects Send
button (Figure 9).
Figure 9. Effects Send Menu
The buttons on this menu activate the
Int DPM
Effects Send loop on each
keyer of each M/E. This menu allows you to turn the Effects Send loop on
and off without having to first delegate that keyer on the Main panel.
Activating Effects Send is also a necessary precursor to using the Glow fea-
ture, which is standard on Zodiak systems.

16 Zodiak Release Notes
Version 4.0
Menu on PC Knobs
Knob controls are now available to users of the Menu on PC application.
From the Home menu, touch the Menu on PC Knobs button to display the con-
trols (Figure 10).
Figure 10. Menu on PC Knob Controls
Clicking on the clockwise and counterclockwise arrows changes the asso-
ciated knob value. The % Delta/Click slider control changes how much the
knob value changes per click. Other parameters (like menu item selections)
are not affected by the delta control.

Zodiak Release Notes 17
Frame Software Diagnostics Tools
Frame Software Diagnostics Tools
Diagnostics Data File Transfer
A Grab SW Diag Data button has been added to the Status and Diagnostics
menu. This button provides a convenient method to save the current con-
figuration files (Eng Setup, User Prefs, Suite Prefs), E-MEM, Macro, and
also any frame software diagnostics data files that may exist (see Diag-
nostic Data Collection below). If you need to contact Grass Valley for assis-
tance about any software problems, the engineering team will need these
files for efficient troubleshooting.
Figure 11. Status - Versions Menu
Pressing the Grab SW Diag Data button opens a file browser window. After
selecting the destination for the files, pressing the Save SW Diag Data button
on this browser menu initiates the file copy process. The time required to
transfer the files varies depending on the amount of data being saved, and
may take a couple minutes. The Zodiak Main panel can be operated during
the file transfer process. However, it is recommended not to exit from the
browser menu while the files are being copied. A SW Diag Data directory
will be created for the files. If a directory of that name already exists at that
destination, it will be overwritten. After the files have been copied, the

18 Zodiak Release Notes
Version 4.0
entire contents of the directory should be compressed into a .zip archive.
Grass Valley Customer Service can provide instructions on how to send
this information to the engineering team for analysis.
Diagnostics Data Collection
Zodiak systems incorporate internal code that gathers information should
software problems occur. If the Video Processor frame crashes, extensive
data detailing the current state of the frame software is automatically
logged onto the frame hard drive. This data can help the Grass Valley engi-
neering team quickly address the problem. The information is retained
indefinitely, but is overwritten should another frame crash occur.
Zodiak systems running version 4.0 or later software have an additional
internal diagnostic tool available that can force the logging of the state of
the frame software at any time. To accomplish this, the frame software must
be halted and a frame reset will be required to resume system operation.
CAUTION The Diagnostics Data Collection tool should only be used under the guidance
of Grass Valley Customer Service or the Zodiak engineering team.
The tool is activated by turning the Zodiak Video Processor frame COM
Boot Dial switch to 6(six) and leaving it there for more than one second. Do
not reset the processor at this time. The processor will halt and the status
LEDs on the module will count in binary as the diagnostic information is
written to the frame hard drive. When all of the data is recorded (about 30
seconds), the counting stops and all the frame’s CPU status LEDs will illu-
minate. The COM boot dial switch should then be set back to 0(zero) and
the frame reset. The Zodiak system will then return to normal operation.

Zodiak Release Notes 19
Zodiak 4.0 Update
Zodiak 4.0 Update
Hardware Notes and Requirements
Mix Effect Module Heat Sinks
Before installing this version of Zodiak software, make sure that required
heat sinks were added to the Mix Effects module(s) in the Zodiak Video
Frame. The heat sinks and instructions were provided with each version 2.1
software CD shipped.
In a 2.5-M/E Zodiak system, there is one Dual Mix Effects module in slot 2
of the Video Frame requiring 8 heat sinks. In a 3-M/E system there is a Dual
Mix Effects module in slot 2 (8 heat sinks) and a single Mix Effects module
in slot 3 (4 heat sinks). Each FMN kit will include enough heat sinks for a
3-M/E system.
WARNING Your hardware must be modified before software installation or the Mix
Effects module(s) will overheat. The ICs on this module may be quite hot
when the module is first removed from the frame. Let the module cool
before proceeding.
Refer to Field Modification Note (FMN) 075-0693-00 for specific heat sink
installation instructions.
Control Processor SBC1000 Submodule
A new SBC1000 (single board computer) submodule is now installed on
Zodiak Frame Control Processor modules shipping from the factory (part
number 671-6346-02).
CAUTION Zodiak 3.0 software requires an SBC1000 Frame Processor upgrade for
optimum performance on 3 M/E systems. The SBC1000 submodule requires
2.2 or later software, for proper boot kernal file. You must install compatible
software BEFORE you install the SBC1000. Once installed, if you wish to back
down to 2.1 or earlier software you will need to reinstall the earlier Frame pro-
cessor before you load the older software.
Zodiak 3 M/E systems need additional computing power to support some
advanced features. While 4.0 software will run on the earlier slower frame
processors, some complex effects may not run smoothly. The processing
time required for complicated effects may exceed the time available within
a frame, and so frames could occasionally be skipped. Installing the

20 Zodiak Release Notes
Version 4.0
SBC1000 processor upgrade will prevent this from occurring. Note that
Zodiak systems running at 50 Hz have longer field times, and so are less
likely to be adversely affected if they use an earlier Frame processor.
1. If you have not already received an SBC1000 processor for your 3 M/E
system by prior arrangement, contact Grass Valley Customer Service
for ordering information.
2. After the 4.0 software has been installed, remove the existing Video
Processor frame Control Processor submodule and replace it with the
SBC1000 submodule. Refer to the Field Modification Note (FMN)
document supplied with your SBC1000 processor for specific hardware
installation procedures.
Check Zodiak System Operation
After the processor upgrade, confirm that the Zodiak system operates
properly before you continue.
Dual Mix Effects Module Fuse Upgrade
Additional power consumption by newer software can cause the 3 amp
fuses on the Dual Mix Effects module 671634700 to blow. A Field Modifica-
tion Kit should have been sent to all Zodiak users that contains 5 amp
replacement fuses. These fuses must be installed before you upgrade the
Zodiak software. Contact Customer Service if you did not receive the FMN
kit. Refer to FMN 075075800 for specific instructions.
Installing Zodiak System Software
Perform the Zodiak software update in the following order:
1. Back-up all system configuration and E-MEM files to the Zip disk.
2. Verify that the heat sinks are installed on the Mix Effects module(s).
3. Update Zodiak system software with Software Update Tool.
Note If updating from earlier software, prompts for updating the frame kernel will
appear.
4. Install Still Store Loader application with Software Update Tool
(optional).
5. Verify correct switcher operation after update. If this is an upgrade
from a version earlier than 2.2, reconfigure existing Serial and CPL
ports and devices with new Ports & Devices menu.
6. Verify date and time settings on the Menu panel, Video Frame, and
Main panel.