V4Hd Basics - MOTU V4HD User Manual

V4HD Basics

CHAPTER 5
ONE INPUT TO ALL OUTPUTS
The basic design concept of the V4HD is that you
choose a video input and the V4HD sends the
signal to all outputs, converting the signal where
necessary to conform to the output format,
regardless of the input signal format. Most
common conversions are supported, although not
all. In those few cases, the corresponding output
does not produce a signal.
This allows you to simultaneously connect a
number of input devices, such as cameras, video
decks, DVD players, etc., along with a number of
output devices, such as monitors, video decks and
other destinations. Then choose the desired input
device and the V4HD will feed that signal to all
output destinations simultaneously.
The settings in the MOTU Video Setup software let
you conveniently manage the V4HD's many
routing and conversion features.
Think of FireWire as another input or output
FireWire is, of course, the V4HD's connection to
the computer. However, it might be useful to think
of the FireWire cable as another video input and
output. It can be disabled or chosen as the current
video source, just like one of the video connectors
on the rear panel of the V4HD.
Choosing the current video source
The MOTU Video Setup software lets you choose
the current video source (input). For details, see
"Video Source menu" on page 44. This can also be
done from the front panel LCD. See "Video menu"
on page 98.
Audio I/O and monitoring
On the audio side of things, the V4HD feeds audio
input to the computer and plays audio back from
the computer, so that you can easily capture and
playback audio in Final Cut Pro. But the V4HD also
has a powerful mixer that lets you route inputs to
outputs, independently of what is going on with
capture and playback on the computer. This
powerful audio monitor mixer is managed from
the CueMix FX software (page 79).
FIVE MODES
The V4HD provides five modes of operation:
Capture
■
Convert
■
Playback / Playback only
■
Audio only
■
Standalone (video or audio only)
■
The current mode is clearly indicated by the
MODE LEDs in the VIDEO STATUS section of the
front panel (Figure 5-1). In some cases, multiple
LEDs may illuminate, such as the Standalone and
Audio only LEDs, to indicate Standalone/audio
only mode.
Mode LEDs
Figure 5-1: The MODE bank of LEDs in the VIDEO STATUS section.
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