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PRG MBOX 2016 Hardware Manual

Dual output media server
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2016
DUAL OUTPUT
HARDWARE
WWW.PRG.COM
MBOX
2016 DUAL OUTPUT
®
MEDIA SERVER
HARDWARE MANUAL
(rev. A)

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  • Page 1 2016 DUAL OUTPUT HARDWARE WWW.PRG.COM MBOX 2016 DUAL OUTPUT ® MEDIA SERVER HARDWARE MANUAL (rev. A)
  • Page 2 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.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1. Hardware Hardware Components Mbox 2016 Dual Output Case Assembly ........................4 Dual I/O Module ................................5 Sonnet xMac Pro ................................7 Mac Pro Computer ............................... 9 Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB/Audio Interface ....................... 10 Hardware Setup Basic Setup and Connections ............................
  • Page 4 Appendix A. Maintenance Routine Maintenance Cleaning or Replacing the Air Filter ..........................36 Removing the Computer ............................37 Removing the PCIe Card Cage ..........................38 PCIe cards Overview ..................................39 Replacing PCIe Cards ..............................39 Additional Peripherals Overview ..................................39 Appendix B.
  • Page 5 REVISION HISTORY This manual has been revised as follows: Version Release Date Notes revA September 20, 2017 Initial Release MBOX® 2016 DUAL OUTPUT HARDWARE MANUAL...
  • Page 6 Important Note About Control The Mbox 2016 Dual Output hardware is designed to work with either the Mbox Director software or moving-light consoles. There is a new version of the Mbox Director software (v4) required to control the Mbox v4 software. Mbox v4 will work with any moving-light console that can have a compatible profile, including: PRG V676®, V476®, and...
  • Page 7 Notes MBOX® 2016 DUAL OUTPUT HARDWARE MANUAL...

  • Page 8: Chapter 1. Hardware

    HARDWARE This chapter provides an overview of the Mbox 2016 Dual Output hardware and its setup + HARDWARE COMPONENTS + HARDWARE SETUP...

  • Page 9: Mbox 2016 Dual Output Case Assembly

    HARDWARE COMPONENTS Mbox 2016 Dual Output Case Assembly The following illustrations show the main case components for the Mbox 2016 Dual Output hardware: Dual I/O Module UPS Power Unit UPS Power Unit FRONT VIEW REAR VIEW S T A G E B L A C K OUT...

  • Page 10: Dual I/O Module

    Dual I/O Module Function The function of the Dual I/O module is to provide video conversion, final dimming of the video signal, and to send EDID information to the Mac computer. The module also handles DMX512, sACN, and Art-Net input for the computer. The module functions as a “dual”...
  • Page 11 DMX Input - The DMX512 XLR connectors are used to receive DMX512 data from an external console or other controller. Electronics in the I/O Module automatically convert DMX input on these connectors to Art-Net that is then broadcast via the Ethernet connectors on the I/O Module. The left-hand DMX512 input will be converted to Art-Net universe 0, while the right-hand DMX512 input will be converted to Art-Net universe 1.

  • Page 12: Sonnet Xmac Pro

    Function The Mbox 2016 Dual Output hardware includes a Sonnet xMac Pro unit. This unit’s primary function is to hold the Mac Pro computer and three PCIe cards. The xMac Pro provides a Thunderbolt to PCIe bridge between the Mac Pro and the PCIe cards.
  • Page 13 Rear Panel Components Genlock Power Power Controller (Power Relay) Relay Thunderbolt DV I 1 DV I 2 HDMI E NE T A E NE T B 100-240V. 50-60Hz Power HDMI Ethernet Video Input eSATA Power (Computer) Output (PCIe card Auxiliary cage) Ethernet AC Power Input - There are three IEC input connectors on the rear of the xMac unit.

  • Page 14: Mac Pro Computer

    Mac Pro Computer The Mbox 2016 Dual Output Server hardware includes an Apple Mac Pro computer. The Mac Pro computer runs the Mbox software and provides input and output of various control, video, and audio signals. The computer itself has standard computer connections for signals such as Thunderbolt, USB, and Ethernet.

  • Page 15: Focusrite Scarlett 2I2 Usb/Audio Interface

    Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB/Audio Interface The Mbox 2016 Dual Output Server uses a USB/Audio interface for audio output (i.e. audio playback from the Mbox software) and for SMPTE (LTC) timecode input. The audio interface connects to the Mac Pro computer via USB and provides 3-pin XLR connectors on the front of the xMac unit for input and output.

  • Page 16: Hardware Setup

    HARDWARE SETUP Basic Setup and Connections To interconnect the case components: Step 1. Remove front and back covers from case. Step 2. Remove keyboard and trackball from case. ➊ ➋ Remove covers Remove keyboard and trackball Step 3. At rear of case, verify that DVI (2), USB (3), Ethernet (1), Video In (4), Thunderbolt (1), Video Sync (1), and IEC power cables (3) are connected to the Sonnet xMac unit’s rear panel.

  • Page 17: Connecting The Stage Output

    Mbox is now ready for operation. IMPORTANT! On Mbox 2016 Dual Output servers, the Mbox application is set to go into fullscreen mode immediately when the application launches! Because of this, the monitors may display a black image if no control data is present or if control data is not causing any content to be visible.

  • Page 18: Chapter 2. Dual I/O Module

    DUAL I/O MODULE This chapter provides additional information on the setup and use of the Dual I/O Module + OPERATION OVERVIEW + CONNECTED DISPLAY DEVICES AND EDID + SDI OUTPUT + GENLOCK + DMX AND ETHERNET...

  • Page 19: Operation Overview Function

    OPERATION OVERVIEW Function Note: For an overview of Dual I/O Module components, refer back to “Dual I/O Module” on page 5. The Dual I/O Module handles video conversion and dimming of the video outputs, while also providing genlock and EDID management to the Mac Pro computer. The module also handles DMX512 conversion to Art-Net and Art-Net/ sACN transmission to the computer.

  • Page 20: Overview

    The EDID information for each of the computer’s outputs is shown in the Displays pref pane. Both outputs will show a window similar to the illustration below. The header of each window will display the name of the EDID set (e.g. PRG- MbE 60Hz) or the name of the captured EDID (e.g.
  • Page 21 When changing EDID sets or capturing EDID on the I/O Module it is necessary to force the computer to reread the EDID by pressing the “Detect Devices” button on the Displays pref pane. Note: In the supplied version of the Mac OS, the Detect Displays button is not visible unless the [option] key is pressed. Once EDID has been read from the I/O Module, the Displays pref pane will display the available formats.

  • Page 22: Switching Between Standard Edid Or Capturing Edid

    Guidelines: Capturing EDID data from a specific device requires a DVI or VGA connection. When capturing EDID, the I/O Module looks at the connectors in a specific order - Stage DVI first, then Stage VGA, and finally Preview DVI - and the first connected device found is the only data that is captured. To reduce the possibility of incorrect capture, it can be best if only one device is connected at the time that EDID is captured.
  • Page 23 To switch between the three standard EDID sets: Step 1. Exit fullscreen mode or quit the Mbox application. Step 2. Connect monitor to one or both preview output connectors of the I/O Module. Step 3. Open System Preferences > Displays pref pane. Step 4.

  • Page 24: Possible Issues With Edid And The I/O Module

    To capture custom EDID: Step 1. Exit fullscreen mode or quit the Mbox application. Step 2. Open System Preferences > Displays pref pane. Step 3. Connect monitor to preview output connector of the I/O Module output section that not being used for EDID capture.
  • Page 25 To Return to a Visible Image on a Display Device If the EDID in the I/O Module has a resolution and frequency that the connected display device does not support, it can result in no picture on the display. Without a picture, while it is possible switch EDID sets using the switches, it is not possible to press the Detect Displays button on the Displays pref pane because it is not visible onscreen.

  • Page 26: Frequency Selection

    Overview The Mbox 2016 Dual Output hardware supports SDI output (both SD and HD) directly from the Dual I/O module without need for a scan converter. SDI can be sent from both outputs of the I/O Module simultaneously. A DVI monitor may still need to be connected to the Preview output of the I/O Module so that the desktop can be viewed when the Mbox application is not running in Fullscreen mode.
  • Page 27 CAUTION! Due to special timings in the built-in EDID sets that the I/O Module uses to generate SDI, some DVI or VGA display devices may not work properly. If SDI output is required, use a monitor that works with those timings (e.g. Dell 2410).

  • Page 28: Genlock (Generator Lock)

    Step 2. Using the switch combinations outlined on page 18, change the EDID set on both outputs of the I/O Module to the PRG-MbE 59.94Hz set. Step 3. On the Displays pref pane, click the Detect Displays button. Then set the resolution and frequency of both displays to be 1280 x 720 and 59.94Hz respectively.
  • Page 29 Note: The I/O Module provided with the Mbox 2016 Dual Output system supports both tri-level (HD) and bi-level (composite) sync input. However, the I/O Module provided with the older Mbox EXtreme system only supports bi-level sync. The I/O Module can also output a pseudo-genlock signal to other devices, if desired. Genlock Output connectors are provided on the I/O module for this purpose.

  • Page 30: Dmx And Ethernet

    To ensure that genlock input and output work successfully, make sure that all devices being synchronized are configured to refresh at identical frequencies. If the Mbox computer is set to output video with a refresh rate of 59.94Hz, then it can only genlock to a reference sync of 59.94Hz and its output should only be connected to another device that is set to refresh at 59.94Hz.

  • Page 31: Ethernet

    Ethernet The I/O Module has a total of four Ethernet connectors - two on the front panel and two on the rear. The Ethernet section of the I/O Module incorporates an Ethernet switch, meaning that all four connectors to be on the same physical Ethernet network.

  • Page 32: Chapter 3. Capture Card

    CAPTURE CARD This chapter provides information regarding the use of the Blackmagic Decklink Quad capture card for video input and output. + OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW + INPUT + OUTPUT...

  • Page 33: Operation Overview Function

    7. The Mbox 2016 Dual Output server hardware includes a Blackmagic Decklink Quad capture card. This card is located in the PCIe card cage section of the Sonnet xMac Pro unit. The capture card provides up to four simultaneous SDI inputs in standard configuration.

  • Page 34: Output

    Mbox software’s Preferences tab. Output While video output through Blackmagic devices is fully supported in the Mbox v4 software, the Mbox 2016 Dual Output server is not set up by default. There are several steps required to enable and configure video input.
  • Page 35 Notes MBOX® 2016 DUAL OUTPUT HARDWARE MANUAL...

  • Page 36: Chapter 4. Usb/Audio Interface

    USB/AUDIO INTERFACE This chapter provides information regarding the use of the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB/Audio interface. + OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW + AUDIO OUTPUT + AUDIO INPUT (LTC)

  • Page 37: Operation Overview

    Input Audio input for the Mbox 2016 Dual Output server is typically only a single channel. This single channel of input audio is in the form of Linear Time Code (LTC) which is often called SMPTE timecode. LTC is usually a balanced line-level signal, but the audio interface will also accept an unbalanced and/or instrument-level input.

  • Page 38: Output

    Output Audio playback in Mbox is supported with audio embedded in movies and also with “sidecar” audio files. Either of these playback options can have between two and twenty-four channels of audio. Audio playback and output from the Mbox 2016 Dual Output server is typically two channels - stereo. And as noted above the Scarlett 2i2 audio interface is limited to two channels of output.
  • Page 39 Notes MBOX® 2016 DUAL OUTPUT HARDWARE MANUAL...

  • Page 40: Routine Maintenance

    MAINTENANCE This appendix contains procedures for extended care of the Mbox 2016 Dual Output server. + ROUTINE MAINTENANCE + PCIE CARDS + ADDITIONAL PERIPHERALS...

  • Page 41: Cleaning Or Replacing The Air Filter

    ROUTINE MAINTENANCE Cleaning or Replacing the Air Filter To clean/remove air filter: Step 1. Disconnect power from the server. Step 2. At the front of the rack, remove six screws to release front panel. Step 3. Remove the front panel and air filter. Step 4.

  • Page 42: Removing The Computer

    Removing the Computer The Mac Pro computer can be removed to be cleaned or replaced, or to have additional peripherals plugged into it. To remove computer: Step 1. At the rear of the rack, disconnect all power, USB, Ethernet, and DVI cables from the rear left side of the Sonnet xMac unit.

  • Page 43: Removing The Pcie Card Cage

    Removing the PCIe Card Cage The PCIe card cage in the Sonnet xMac unit can be removed from the case to be cleaned or replaced, or to have different PCIe cards inserted. To remove PCIe card cage: Step 1. At the rear of the rack, disconnect all power, Thunderbolt, Ethernet, and video cables from the rear right side of the Sonnet xMac unit.

  • Page 44: Pcie Cards

    PCIe CARDS Overview The Mbox 2016 Dual Output server includes three PCIe cards that are pre-installed in the PCIe card cage that is part of the Sonnet xMac Pro unit. The standard cards are: Slot 1 (top) - Small Tree NIC.
  • Page 45 Notes MBOX® 2016 DUAL OUTPUT HARDWARE MANUAL...

  • Page 46: Intra-Rack Connections

    INTRA-RACK CONNECTIONS This appendix contains a diagram of the connections made between items in the Mbox 2016 Dual Output rack + DIAGRAM...

  • Page 47: Diagrams

    INTRA-RACK CONNECTIONS Diagrams This diagrams below show the cable connections between equipment in the Mbox 2016 Dual Output rack. For added clarity, colors have been assigned to specific equipment and signal types. Thunderbolt AC Power Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Rear Panel 1/4”...
  • Page 48 SPECIFICATIONS This chapter provides specification information for the Mbox 2016 Dual Output server + MBOX RACK + DUAL I/O MODULE + COMPUTER + SONNET XMAC PRO + FOCUSRITE SCARLETT 2I2...
  • Page 49 Dimensions ( L x W x H): 30” x 24” x 26” Weight: 236 LBS Dual I/O Module PRG Proprietary Dual I/O Module: Dual Output video sections EDID management - three built-in sets, capture from connected display Video format conversion - DVI to VGA and SDI...
  • Page 50 Computer Apple Mac Pro 6,1 Late 2013 (https://www.apple.com/mac-pro/): 8-core 3.0GHz processor 32 GB RAM 256 GB Flash Storage Dual D700 GPU Includes custom modification for genlock functionality with Mbox Dual I/O Module 100-240v 50-60Hz Sonnet xMac Pro Sonnet xMac Pro Server expansion system (http://www.sonnettech.com/product/xmacproserver/index.html): Rack mount computer enclosure Thunderbolt 2 interface to PCIe card cage Front/rear-mounted I/O connections for USB, Ethernet, DVI, Thunderbolt...

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