AJA io XT Installation And Operation Manual

Professional-grade i/o for high-end computers using a thunderbolt interface with 10gbps available bandwidth

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Published: 1/16/12

Installation and Operation

Guide

B e c a u s e

i t

m a t t e r s .

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Summary of Contents for AJA io XT

Page 1 Published: 1/16/12 Installation and Operation Guide B e c a u s e m a t t e r s .
Page 2: Trademarks
AJA Video shall pay for the return of the product to the Customer if the shipment is to a location within the country in which the AJA Video service center is located. Customer shall be responsible for paying all shipping charges, insurance, duties, taxes, and any other charges for products returned to any other locations.
Page 3 Io XT Installation and Operation Manual — Acknowledgment Regarding THIS WARRANTY IS GIVEN BY AJA VIDEO IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. AJA VIDEO AND ITS VENDORS DISCLAIM ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. AJA VIDEO’S...
Page 5: Table Of Contents
Using Io XT with Professional Video /Audio Software ....... . .
Page 7: Chapter 1: Introduction
Thunderbolt interface with 10Gbps available bandwidth. Io XT is the ideal portable companion for lightning-fast video capture, playback and up/down/cross conversion. Designed for today’s workﬂows, Io XT provides a new interface for video Pro's working with 10-bit uncompressed, Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), XDCAM HD, DVCPRO HD, stereoscopic 3D workﬂows, and more.
Page 8: Features
CineForm's Neo3D software tools and CineForm codec to allow stereoscopic editorial and viewing when working with Apple's Final Cut Pro 7 or Adobe's CS5.5. Through it's HDMI 1.4a output, Io XT makes it possible to connect to affordable 3D- capable monitors for stereoscopic monitoring. Broadcast-Quality Io XT features hardware-based full 10-bit broadcast quality motion adaptive SD to HD upconversion, HD to SD downconversion and HD to HD crossconversion.
Page 9 FCP project to an HD deliverable. About Primary & Secondary Video Formats In Io XT operation, the Primary Format is the media format written to disk and used in your project. The Secondary format is that which may be input for capture or output from Io XT to VTRs or other devices.
Page 10 The front panel has an eight-channel VU meter display for monitoring levels. Dual Link Io XT supports Dual Link HD-SDI (4:4:4). Io XT supports the ingest and output of SMPTE-372M compliant 4:4:4 RGB video and high-bandwidth 4:2:2 1080p 50, 1080p 59.94, and 1080p 60 at 10-bit.
Page 11: Software For Mac
Io XT Installation and Operation Manual — Overview When using the Final Cut Pro 7 HDV codec, the Io XT advanced scaling engine takes the native frame (long GOP 1440 HD) and outputs it via hardware-in real time. Precision AJA circuitry re-sizes the video to full-raster 1920 x 1080, providing instantaneous playback of HDV captured by Final Cut Pro 7 for both monitoring and recording.
Page 12: What's In The Box
• Io XT • 12V power adapter and AC power cord • Read Me First Notice—Contains late-breaking news and/or errata related to Io XT and the documentation. • Registration Sheet—allows you to register your Io XT by mail or online (details provided).
Page 13: System Requirements
GPUs. Built in GPU models such as the MacBook Air are still in testing and have not yet been approved for use with Io XT. Below are the current tested and approved Apple models along with representative system conﬁgurations for use alongside Io XT.
Page 14: Cable Connections
(8 channels). Input is HDMI v1.3a while output is HDMI 1.4. HDCP is not supported on either input or output. Io XT HDMI output does not have HDCP, and input sources having HDCP are not supported. The HDMI input is designed to support long cable runs—up to 100 ft.
Page 15 Io XT features a group of 3 BNC connectors for output of component, composite and Y/C functions. The signals are labelled on the BNC connectors on the rear panel of Io XT. A Note About YPbPr—Component Video, or YPbPr, has been given several names over time.
Page 16: In This Manual
Io XT when other items, such as storage arrays, are attached to the Io XT. Unplugging Io XT will cause these devices to go off line since they will be disconnected from the computer.
Page 17: Installation Overview
Chapter 2: Installation & Conﬁguration Installation Overview The installation and set up of an Io XT is very simple. The steps of installation and conﬁguration are discussed here and summarized as follows: 1. Unpack the shipping box (see What’s in the Box later in this chapter 2.
Page 18: Connecting To Your Computer
4. Connect your desired Video I/O, Audio monitoring, reference, and machine control cables. (Refer to Cabling the System following.) 5. Connect the Power Supply to AC power and turn on Io XT using the front power switch. Note: Ensure that the Apple, Adobe, or other software you are going to use has been installed and used at least once before proceeding to the installation of Io XT software.
Page 19: Cabling The System
4. Connect two SDI cables between Io XT and your digital VTR (Digital Betacam etc.): one from Io XT SDI In to the VTR SDI Out, and one from Io XT SDI Out to the VTR SDI In. The Io XT SDI connections have embedded audio so the VTR must be conﬁgured accordingly.
Page 20 Typical Thunderbolt Compatible Laptop System Connections...
Page 21: Macintosh Software Installation
Installation 1. For CD-ROM: Insert the Io XT CD in the Mac, locate the Io XT CD icon on the OS X desktop. Double click the icon to see the CD contents, which will appear in its own window.
Page 22 5. When you launch the installer, you’ll see a series of installer screens. Initial Installer Screen 6. Click Continue to begin installation. 7. The next screen lets you know that the installer will check your Mac to ensure it has the hardware and software resources required (see Minimum Requirements in Chapter 1).
Page 23 Io XT Installation and Operation Manual — Cabling the System 8. Read and agree to the Software License Agreement. Io XT Software License Agreement Screen 9. The next screen shows all the available drives on the Mac Pro. Click on the drive that contains your system ﬁles (Apple default is “Macintosh HD”).
Page 24 10.At the next screen, select the “Io XT Setups” checkbox if you’re using Final Cut Pro versions prior to 10. Check any Easy Setups that you want to use (or all of them) and then click the Continue button to place the software on the drive you previously selected.
Page 25 Io XT Installation and Operation Manual — Cabling the System Installer Screen, Space Reminder Authenticate prior to Installing Software 12.The system will prompt you for your system name and password before writing to disk. Enter your information and click Install Software to continue.
Page 26 Installer Screen, Reminder about Restarting Installation Status Messages are Displayed (while installation takes place) 14.The installer runs and puts all the necessary Io XT drivers and software on the desired hard drive. When it has completed installation, a ﬁnal screen will be...
Page 27: Genlock And Your System
16.Finally, install any AJA plug-ins required for 3rd-party software. These will have to be downloaded from the AJA website: http://www.aja.com/support/io/io-xt.php For example, if you wish to use the Io XT with Adobe Premiere or Adobe After Effects, you would go the AJA website Io XT support page (URL above) and download the “AJA Mac Plug-ins for Adobe CS5.5”...
Page 29: Chapter 3: Operation
Chapter 3: Operation Using Io XT with Professional Video /Audio Software After you install the Io XT software and any AJA plug-ins to support your choice of 3rd-party software, you’re then ready to begin capturing and playing back video and audio.
Page 30: Aja Control Panel Overview
AJA Control Panel Overview The AJA Io XT Control Panel is a software application that provides a simple visual window showing how the Io XT interface is currently conﬁgured, and that allows you to make changes. Settings—both those you changed and those you didn’t—...
Page 31 (such as the “Easy Setups” in Final Cut). It is important to realize that inside the Macintosh many applications can use the Io XT (as you switch from window to window) and it may not always be obvious which currently controls it.
Page 32 Input/Output Icon Conversion Icons—when an input or output is a different standard than the framebuffer, the Io XT may be up- down- or cross-converting the signal to the selected standard. This may be automatic, because it's detected an input signal that differs from the standard currently selected, or because you've explicitly told it to convert.
Page 33 Io XT Installation and Operation Manual — AJA Control Panel Overview Info: displays status information and ﬁrmware version # of the Io XT and how it is installed in the host Macintosh. This information is generally intended for troubleshooting/support. Block Diagram Screen – the top area of the AJA Control Panel shows a visual picture representing the processing (if any) that's currently occurring, including inputs/ outputs, any up/down/cross conversion, reference source, and system status.
Page 34 The Io XT can be controlled by various software applications running on a host Mac. The Control Tab is where you select how the Io XT directs video and is used by application software. This screen also provides control for conﬁguring output timing with regard to external reference video and horizontal/vertical delay.
Page 35 For example, if an SD source tape needs to be dubbed to an HD tape, the signal might be routed from the SD VTR to the Io XT, configured for upconversion in the AJA Control Panel and then passed through to the HD VTR for recording.
Page 36 Format Tab Screen The Formats screen shows the video format currently in use by the Io XT framebuffer (called the Primary Format) and allows you to change it. All throughout the Control Panel, choices are always presented based on what Io XT can do with the signals available and the inputs/outputs selected.
Page 37 Crossconversion: if you have an HD format as your primary and then select a secondary HD format with a different frame size, the Io XT will perform a crossconversion where necessary (input or output) for “like Hz” formats. “Like Hz”...
Page 38 Pillarbox: will produce an image in the center of the screen with black borders on the left and right sides and an anamorphized image in the center V Crop: will transform SD letterbox material to an anamorphic image AJA Control Panel, Formats Tab, Example shows cross-conversion...
Page 39: Video Input
Video Input—the pulldown menu allows you to see and change what's currently selected and the video format that Io XT has detected (if any). In the example shown previously, it shows that video is selected at the HDMI input and the format is 1080i with a frame rate of 29.97.
Page 40: Video Output
(the shape to be cut out from the video - this will appear as a black and white image/matte). Using the second Io XT output as an Alpha Channel key, with the video output, may be useful for feeding production switchers, DVEs or other professional video equipment.
Page 41 3Gb—output (SMPTE 424M) using a single-link transport. HDMI Tab Screen The Io XT’s HDMI input and output are shown and conﬁgured at this tab screen. AJA Io XT HDMI, HDMI Tab HDMI Output Settings—the Source pulldown menu allows you to select either the primary video format (framebuffer) or a secondary one (up/down/cross- conversion).
Page 42 Analog Out Tab Io XT provides a high-quality analog component or composite + Y/C output, generally used for monitoring. This screen shows the current settings for that analog Screen output, and allows you to re-conﬁgure it when desired (format and black-level).
Page 43 60Hz editorial environment. The same might be true for users who do not intend to work with true progressive 1080 material. Note: If a prompt occurs in Final Cut Pro stating that the AJA output device is missing, this may be due to the Active Video Filter for a given parameter being unchecked for the format selected in the application.
Page 44 Lock Audio Gain To Unity—When set, the Io XT will ignore the Final Cut Pro gain setting and set the audio gain at unity. When not set, this checkbox tells the Io XT to get the audio gain setting from Final Cut Pro.
Page 45 A typical application would be putting a television station's call letters or channel over program video content. Keyed video can be from the Io XT internal Frame Buffer (from storage, video In, etc.) or from a graphics ﬁle that has an alpha channel (PhotoShop etc.).
Page 46 Audio Out: Frame Buffer—select audio out to be routed from the Frame Buffer. Audio In—select audio out to be routed from the Io XT’s selected input(s). Graphic File: this pulldown allows you to choose from any recently accessed file or select a new file (“Load File...”), which then brings up a file dialogue.
Page 47 User Bits—For monitoring variable framerate (VFR) timecode (such as Varicam), you may wish to monitor the user bits embedded in the timecode. If you set this checkbox, Io XT will detect and interpret the user bits and display them next to the checkbox.
Page 48 Presets Screen After conﬁguring the AJA Control Panel Tabbed screens, you can then save all your settings as a snapshot for later recall—called a preset. In this way, you can organize presets for all your typical tasks, eliminating time-robbing manual reconﬁguration each time.
Page 49 Io XT Installation and Operation Manual — Control Panel Operation Info Tab Screen This Tabbed screen shows the Io XT software ﬁles that have been installed on your system. This information may be needed if you talk to an AJA Customer Service representative to determine if ﬁles are missing or need updating.
Page 51: If You Run Into Problems
(disable it). 3. Scratch drive not set to the RAID. Media is not being captured from desired Check the settings in the Input tab of the Io XT Control external device. Panel application. Also check equipment cables. Dropped frames during playback Look for scroll bars in the viewer or canvas as a warning sign that the zoom setting exceeds the ﬁt-t-window.
Page 52: Updating Software
If the problem is a 3rd-party software operational issue, Mac system issue, , then call Apple Customer Support or the 3rd-party software manufacturer for help. If the problem is an AJA Video Io XT issue, then contact AJA Video Customer Support using one of the methods listed below: Contacting by Mail Address: 180 Litton Drive, Grass Valley, CA.
Page 53: Formats
Appendix B: Speciﬁcations Formats 525i 29.97 2K1080p23.98 625i 25 2K1080p24 720P 23.98 2K1080p25 2K1080sf23.98 720p 25 2K1080sf24 720P 50 2K1080sf25 720P 59.94 720P 60 1080i 25 1080i 29.97 1080i 30 1080PsF 23.98 1080PsF 24 1080PsF 25 1080PsF 29.97 1080PsF 30 1080p 23.98 1080P 24 1080P 25...
Page 54: Audio Output
Audio Input Digital: 24-bit SMPTE-259 SDI embedded audio, 8-ch, 48 KHz synchronous HDMI embedded audio (8-ch) Audio Output Digital: 24-bit SMPTE-259 SDI embedded audio, 8-ch, 48 KHz synchronous HDMI embedded audio (8-ch) Analog: 8 channel 24-bit balanced analog audio output (via DB-25 breakout cable) Headphone output (mini-TRS) with a lockable level control knob Up-Conversion Hardware 10-bit...
Page 55: Machine Control
Shell..GND DB25 Analog Audio Output Connection Connector Pinout The DB25 connector on the Io XT rear panel supports a TASCAM-style cable snake for balanced 8-channel analog audio. The pinout follows the TASCAM DB-25 standard shown in the drawing above.
Page 57 Appendix C: Safety & Compliance Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Compliance Notices Class A This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15, Subpart B of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide Interference reasonable protection against harmful interference in a commercial installation.
Page 58: Regulatory Compliance
European Union and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Regulatory Compliance This equipment may be operated in the countries that comprise the member countries of the European Union and the European Free Trade Association. These countries, listed in the following paragraph, are referred to as The European Community throughout this document: AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, BULGARIA, CYPRUS, CZECH REPUBLIC, DENMARK, ESTONIA, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, GREECE, HUNGARY, IRELAND, ITALY, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, LUXEMBOURG,...
Page 59 Safety and Compliance — Korean Compliance Statement Korean Compliance Statement Taiwan Compliance Statement This is a Class A product based on the standard of the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) CNS 13438, Class A. Japanese Compliance Statement 1. Class A ITE −...
Page 60 Before operating your AJA unit, read the instructions in this document Warning! Read and follow all warning notices and instructions marked on the product or included in the documentation. Avertissement ! Lisez et conformez-vous à tous les avis et instructions d'avertissement indiqués sur le produit ou dans la documentation.
Page 61 Safety and Compliance — Before operating your AJA unit, read the Warning! Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including ampliﬁers) that produce heat. Avertissement ! N'installez pas l'appareil près d'une source de chaleur telle que des radiateurs, des bouches d'air de chauffage, des fourneaux ou d'autres appareils (ampliﬁcateurs compris)
Page 62 Achtung! Dies ist ein Gerät der Klasse A. Bei Einsatz des Geräts in Wohngebieten kann es Störungen des Radio- und Fernsehempfangs verursachen. In diesem Fall muss der Benutzer alle notwendigen Maßnahmen ergreifen, die möglicherweise nötig sind, um die Störungen auf eigene Rechnung zu beheben. ¡Precaución! Este es un producto clase A.
Page 63 Safety and Compliance — Before operating your AJA unit, read the Warning! 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.
Page 64 Betrieb vorgenommen. ¡Advertencia! No abra el chasis. El interior no contiene piezas reparables por el usuario. El abrir el chasis anulará la garantía a menos que se lo haga en un centro de servicio AJA o en un local autorizado.
Page 65 ¡Precaución! Para un correcto desempeño, siempre encienda Io XT antes de iniciar la computadora y apague la computadora antes de apagar Io XT. Cuidado! Para o desempenho correto, sempre ligue o Io XT antes de ligar seu computador e desligue o computador antes de desligar o Io XT.
Page 66 C-10...

AJA io XT Installation And Operation Manual

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2 : Installation and Configuration

Chapter 3: Operation

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Summary of Contents for AJA io XT

Table of Contents