Page 1: Media Server
SOFTWARE VERSION 3.4 WWW.PRG.COM ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
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.
Page 3 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. ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 4 Re-organized and updated the DMX512 Mapping Charts at the end of the manual. 02.9800.0001.33 October 28, 2010 Updated to include v3.3 changes. Updated to include v3.4 changes. 02.9800.0001.34 April 22, 2011 Updated instructions for the new Remote II application. ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 5: Table Of Contents
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................
Page 6 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 &...
Page 7 Mbox Daemon ..................................100 General Operation ..................................101 Description of Indicators ................................104 Monitor HUD..................................... 104 Setting Mbox Extreme Server Preferences Remotely ......................105 Setup of Alignment Rectangles Using Remote II ......................105 Server Control Commands............................... 106 Timecode Window..................................107 Note About Thumbnails................................
Page 8 Notes ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 9: Introduction
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.xx) Virtuoso® Series Control Console User Manual (02.9651.0001.xx) For more information regarding DMX512 systems, refer to the DMX512/1990 &...
Page 10: Customer Service
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:...
Page 11: Chapter 1. Overview
OVERVIEW This chapter provides an overview of product features, components, and operations. DESCRIPTION COMPONENTS THEORY OF OPERATION FIXTURE DESCRIPTIONS...
Page 12: Description
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.
Page 13: Controllable Elements
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) ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 14: Components
COMPONENTS Mbox Extreme Case Assembly The following illustrations show the case components for the Mbox Extreme v3 hardware. Auxiliary Input Panel ** Dual I/O Module * UPS Power Unit UPS Power Unit FRONT VIEW REAR VIEW ETHERNET LEFT RIGHT SMPTE IN...
Page 15: Dual I/O Module
VIDEO SYNC 2 DVI IN 2 A/C Input Connector DVI Inputs Video Sync Ethernet (Art-Net) (1 & 2) Ports (1 & 2) Ports (A & B) Figure 1-2: Mbox Extreme Dual I/O Module ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 16: Auxiliary Input Panel
R - Y IN B - Y IN (COMPOSITE) BALANCED AUDIO OUT Ethernet SDI (SD/HD) B-Y Input SMPTE Port 2 Input R-Y Input Unbalanced Audio Out (3.5mm Mini Jack) Figure 1-3: Mbox Extreme Auxiliary Input Panel ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 17: Theory Of Operation
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.
Page 18: Art-Net Input Configuration: Network Switch And Multiple Media Servers
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. Art-Net...
Page 19: Output Configuration: Single Media Server With Plasma Display And Lcd Projector
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. VGA IN PLASMA DISPLAY LCD PROJECTOR DVI 1 OUT MBOX EXTREME Figure 1-6: Single Media Server with Plasma Display and LCD Projector ®...
Page 20: 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.
Page 21: Ambient Light And Spot Lights 1 - 4
If you are using arrayed display devices to create one larger image, Mbox Extreme can assist with edge blending and tiling. There are four independent edge blend controls and three blending curves that may be selected: steep, medium, and shallow.
Page 22: Texture + Object = Layer
(e.g. dissolves, wipes, bleeds) and a time for the Texture transition on each layer. If a layer’s transition time control is set above 0, Mbox Extreme will use the layer’s current transition mode to change from one image to the next in the time designated.
Page 23: Chapter 2. Installation
INSTALLATION This chapter provides instructions for unpacking the Mbox Extreme case, connecting to the system and powering up for the first time. SETUP GETTING STARTED...
Page 24: Setup
Step 4. At front of case, connect local monitor data cable to DVI Preview connector. Step 5. Connect local monitor power cable to UPS or to local AC power service. Step 6. Connect UPS power cable to local AC power service. Step 7. Turn on UPS. ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 25: System Connections
Therefore, this port on the computer and the two ports on the I/O module should not be used for any other purpose. If you want to network your Mbox Extreme servers together for the purpose of content distribution or remote monitoring, you must use the second Ethernet port located on the Auxiliary Input Panel at the rear of the rack (refer to "Auxiliary Input Panel"...
Page 26: Getting Started
GETTING STARTED Patching Fixtures The Mbox Extreme server is designed to work with moving-light consoles. Consequently, most of its features are not compatible with conventional consoles. If you are unsure about which consoles are compatible with Mbox Extreme, please contact PRG for more information. PRG can provide a console profile for your console if one is available.
Page 27 Martin Maxxyz™ console. Mbox Extreme v3 is not compatible with the High End Systems Hog® 2 or iPC consoles running Hog 2 software. Neither PRG nor High End Systems will support the use of Mbox Extreme v3 on any console running Hog 2 software.
Page 28: Layers
DMX512 universe per server for Single Output, Panoramic Wide, and Panoramic Dual modes, and two DMX512 universes per server for the Dual Independent mode. You are not able to patch more than one Mbox Extreme to a single universe. By default, Mbox Extreme is configured to respond to Art-Net universe 0. This allows the server to respond to DMX512 data via the DMX to Art-Net converter built into the I/O module.
Page 29: Dmx Mapping
All 16-bit values are in Big Endian format. For example, the value 23 would be presented as 0 in the first channel and 23 in the second channel. Note: In addition to the four modes outlined on the following pages, the Mbox Extreme software can be configured to operate in several legacy modes. See Appendix D on page 117 for more information.
Page 30 Layer 7 Layer 6 Layer 8 Layer 9 Layer 7 372 Total Layer 10 Layer 8 DMX Channels Layer 11 Layer 9 372 Total Layer 12 Layer 10 DMX Channels Layer 11 Layer 12 ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 31 Keystone Control Keystone Control Layer 1 Layer 1 Layer 2 Layer 2 Layer 3 Layer 3 Layer 4 Layer 4 Layer 5 Layer 5 Layer 6 Layer 6 Total DMX Channels Total DMX Channels ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 32: Powering Up
Powering Up To power up the Mbox Extreme Media Server, be sure the UPS is powered up, then press the power button on the front of the computer and allow it to boot. The Mbox Extreme application should start automatically. If it does not start automatically, click on the icon in the dock.
Page 33: Chapter 3. Media Content
MEDIA CONTENT This chapter provides instructions for managing media files which reside on the Mbox Extreme Media Server and for adding your own custom content. CONTENT SPECIFICATION CONTENT MANAGEMENT...
Page 34: Content Specification
3D Model Files (Objects) Custom 3D models can be added to the Mbox Extreme Media Server. The Mbox Extreme server supports the Alias Wavefront™ 3D .obj format. There are several third-party applications that can export files to this format, including Maya®, Poser®, Bryce®...
Page 35: Recommended Practices
96). If you change the file extension of a DV movie file from .mov to .vid, you can cause Mbox Extreme to deinterlace that movie on the fly. The results of de-interlacing on the fly are not as good as when using deinterlaced content, but this feature means that you can play interlaced content without it looking as noticeable.
Page 36: Content Management
Folder 000 in both the Media and Models folders is reserved and should not be used. You will find the stock PRG video and still images in Media folders 001 - 038 and 248 - 254. Media folder 255 is reserved for video inputs and layer copy functionality.
Page 37: Additional Media Organization Guidelines
Mbox Extreme scans for content at application startup. If new content is added while the Mbox Extreme application is running you must rescan the Media and Models folders to use that new content. You can rescan these folders while Mbox Extreme is running by pressing [ R] on the server's keyboard or from the console by using the control channel on the Camera fixture.
Page 38: Adding Content
Step 3. Copy model files into the new folder. Step 4. For each file, add a unique 3-digit index value to each file (between 0-254) along with a descriptive name that includes the file extension. For example, "001.man.obj", "002.hammer.obj", "003.airplane.obj", etc. ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 39: Chapter 4. Operation
OPERATION This chapter provides instructions for setup and operation of the Mbox Extreme server. APPLICATION WINDOW HEADS UP DISPLAYS (HUDS) DUAL I/O MODULE...
Page 40: Application Window
While 3D models are preloading, the computer will not respond to any user input. Overview The Mbox Extreme application window allows you to view the Mbox Extreme Media Server output in either Window or Fullscreen mode on the local monitor. While in Window mode you can access tabs to change the information that Mbox Extreme displays.
Page 41: Setup
Set Texture size. Enable or disable Diagnostics, Deinterlace, Pixel Mapping, and Audio Playback. Set the network port for CITP communications between Mbox Extreme and Mbox Remote and/or any lighting console or visualizer that supports CITP and MSEX. (Refer to "Mbox Daemon"...
Page 42 In the DMX Profile section of the Setup tab, you can set the operating mode for the software. As noted earlier, there are several modes that can be used with Mbox Extreme. Therefore, take care to match the operating mode to the console profile that you are using.
Page 43 The extra screen area outside the requested fullscreen dimension will be rendered in black. You are not able to place any content in that area. As in the prior case, the Mbox Extreme software has no control over the actual resolution that the operating system provides.
Page 44 License: Every server should be licensed when you receive it. Even without a valid license key, the Mbox Extreme software will be licensed as long as the I/O module remains connected to the computer via USB. If the server is unlicensed and the I/O module is disconnected, then the video output will be a watermarked and the application will quit automatically after 30 minutes of use.
Page 45 "Pixel Map Enable" toggles the processing of pixel-mapping patches and the resulting Art-Net output. Unless you are using pixel-mapping, this box should be left unchecked. If you enable or disable "Audio Playback," you must quit and restart the Mbox Extreme application for the change to take effect.
Page 46: Heads Up Displays (Huds)
Program activity and timecode input can be monitored on the display. Since the screen may be programmed to go black at certain points in time, this provides an indication that Mbox Extreme is still running, and also provides an on- screen indication of current timecode.
Page 47: Dual I/O Module
Overview The Mbox Extreme v3 server rack includes a new version of the I/O module. This new 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 (SD/HD) stage outputs.
Page 48 DVI IN 2 VIDEO SYNC 2 A/C Input Connector DVI Inputs Video Sync Ethernet (Art-Net) (1 & 2) Ports (1 & 2) Ports (A & B) Figure 4-2: Mbox Extreme Dual I/O Module (Rear View) ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 49: Connected Display Devices And Edid
Mac. When you open this preference pane, each output of the server will show a window similar to that in the picture below. The header of each window will display the name (circled in red below) of the EDID set. e.g. PRG-MbE 60Hz or the name of the captured EDID.
Page 50: Edid Capture
If the custom EDID data in the Dual I/O module is no longer needed, you can revert that data back to one of the standard data sets. In this case, you should quit Mbox Extreme, have a monitor connected to both output sections, and have the Displays preference pane open prior to performing the following steps.
Page 51: Sdi Output (Sd - Standard Definition & Hd - High Definition)
In order to output SDI, you merely need to ask Mbox Extreme to use the appropriate Fullscreen mode setting and the Dual I/O module will automatically output SDI at that resolution and frequency setting (refer to "Connected Display...
Page 52 Step 3. Press the Detect Displays button on the Displays preference panel. Reset the desktop resolution/frequency of both displays to 1280 x 720 and 59.94Hz. Step 4. On the Mbox Extreme Setup tab (refer to page 33), in the Fullscreen mode section: select "Custom" in the mode pop-up menu, enter 1280 and 720 in the width and height fields respectively, enter 59 in the combo box for frequency, and 1.778 in the aspect ratio box.
Page 53: Genlock (Generator Lock)
To ensure that genlock input and output work successfully you must make sure that the devices you are attempting to synchronize are set to refresh at identical rates. If Mbox Extreme is set to output video with a refresh rate of 60Hz, then its output can only be usefully connected to another device that is set to refresh at 60Hz.
Page 54 Notes ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 55: Chapter 5. Advanced Features
ADVANCED FEATURES This chapter provides instructions for using the advanced features available on the Mbox Extreme Media Server. OBJECTS AND DIGITAL GOBOS ANIMATED TEXTURES DRAWMODES DECAY TEXT FILES AUDIO OUTPUT SYNCHRONIZATION ALIGNMENT RECTANGLES THUMBNAILS EFFECTS AND TRANSITIONS...
Page 56: Objects And Digital Gobos
002.LargeObjects.preload Preloading a very large number of objects will cause Mbox Extreme to take longer to start up and should only be done if the models in question do not appear on screen as rapidly as desired. When models are preloaded, it is the vertex array file that is preloaded rather than the original .obj or .vle file.
Page 57 - 001.NewObject.pixels.obj In this case, an object that is 200 generic units tall will appear as 200 pixels tall in Mbox Extreme. And a piece of 2D content that is 200px high would fit exactly when applied to that object.
Page 58: Creating A Digital Gobo With Adobe Illustrator Cs3
Option 1 or Option 2. The texture applied to the gobo will fill the crop area when the gobo is used in Mbox Extreme. Note: It is not recommended that the crop area be sized or positioned so that any portion of an object fall outside the crop area.
Page 59: Animated Gobos
If you are saving as an AI file you need to make sure that "Use Compression" is not checked. Animated Gobos Mbox Extreme animated gobos are similar to SVG gobos, but they have built-in functions which have their own /Mbox/Models/002.Animated gobos controls.
Page 60 Texture Scale (on the same layer) will affect the size of the flakes and Z-rotation will affect the direction in which the flakes fall. ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 61 Modifier A is the amplitude of the ripples and modifier B is the number of ripples. Ring Stripe (002/005) Animation Speed controls the scale. Modifier A is the segment thickness and modifier B is the number of segments (= value +1). ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 62 Modifier B (default = 127) controls the rotation of the screen around its own Y-axis (rather than around the global Y axis of Mbox Extreme's 3D environment).
Page 63 Note: The MultiScreen Editor provides the toolset for creating and editing the MultiScreen.plist file that the MultiScreen gobo uses as its instruction set. CAUTION: The MultiScreen Gobo and MultiScreen Editors are advanced topics. You should receive instruction and assistance from a PRG representative before using it. ® MBOX EXTREME...
Page 64: Animated Textures
Scrub In Mirrored fan Mirrored L-R Scrub Out Bounce Bounce FWD Loop XF Once Once Rev Loop XF Scrub Scrub FWD Loop IPR Mirrored T-B Timecode sync Bounce Layer Slave Once Layer Master Scrub ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 65: Layer Copy
When using the Raw copy mode, if a source layer makes a timed transition, any destination layers using that source will not receive the transition. Their content will change immediately. A layer cannot copy another layer that is already copying a third layer. ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 66: Drawmodes
But you’re only using one layer not two. You can set the Drawmode back to 0 and try out the other lighting fixtures to see how they affect the gobo. ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 67: Drawmode 16 - Orthographic View
Drawmode 16 causes 3D objects to be drawn using orthographic projection. Typically when 3D objects are drawn in Mbox Extreme, they all share one vanishing point, which is a fixed point at the center of the screen (assuming the camera is in its default position). Because of this, any object that has depth will show some amount of perspective shift as it is moved around the screen or as the camera moves.
Page 68: The Stencil
Here are the two together and then showing the holes being cut into the Stencil by the gobo: And finally, here is the Stencil on its own showing the holes cut into it: ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 69 The benefits of the various Drawmodes become more apparent when the holes cut into the Stencil are used to affect more than one layer. You can achieve very interesting results if you use a movie with a transparency effect applied to cut the Stencil. ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 70: Layer Blending Modes
For example, Drawmode "Draw thru stencil" has a value of 6. Blend Mode Exclusion has a value of 128. To use these two items together, set the drawmode channel to a value of 6 + 128 = 134. ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 71: Decay
You cannot tell that the gobo is rotating from the picture, but it is. But you see no decay, as there is no "nothingness" behind it. However, if you reduce the opacity of Layer 1 behind the gobo, you can begin to see the decay. ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 72: Fog
They look as if they are all the same distance from the camera. In this second picture the fog effect has been turned on. The object furthest from the camera is darkest. ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 73: Text Files
Justification in the document is ignored, use spaces in the text instead. You can also display text by creating a .txt file. If there is more than one line of text in the file, Mbox Extreme will "play" that file line by line. Adjusting play speed will cause the file to play faster or slower. Text quality is quite low in comparison to that of RTF files.
Page 74: Audio Output
Audio Output Features In addition to movies, still, and 3D objects, Mbox Extreme can also play audio files. Audio can be played through the internal speaker on the Mac, through the XLR connectors (for balanced output) or 3.5mm jack (for unbalanced output) on the Auxiliary Panel, or through the Mac's SPDIF audio jack.
Page 75 Embedded Audio Tracks in QuickTime® Movies Mbox Extreme can also play audio that is embedded in a movie clip. To get Mbox Extreme to play the embedded audio in these files, you need to rename the file: a file named - would be renamed as - 001.MyMovie.mov...
Page 76: Synchronization
(Timecode Sync Playmode) Timecode Synchronization Mbox Extreme v3 allows you to synchronize movie playback to both external SMPTE or MIDI timecode as well as a simple internal clock. Timecode sync works with both 30 fps non-drop and 30 fps drop-frame timecode.
Page 77 30fps non-drop-frame and 30fps drop-frame formats. MIDI Timecode MIDI timecode input is achieved through the MIDI in connector on the Auxiliary Input panel. This connector passes signal to a MIDI/USB adapter, and from there into the Mac. ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 78: Layer To Layer Synchronization
Layer To Layer Synchronization Mbox Extreme also offers the ability to synchronize playback of a designated master layer on one server to a layer on another server. You can have a layer on one server sync to the same numbered layer on another server or select one of 16 sync streams for both sync mastering and slaving.
Page 79: Kiosk Playmodes
243 - Playout Mode, last 20 seconds - playback position will skip ahead to twenty seconds from the end of the movie. - Playout Mode, last 30 seconds - playback position will skip ahead to thirty seconds from the end of the movie. ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 80: Alignment Rectangles
"Setup of Alignment Rectangles Using Remote II" on page 105. Like many other settings for Mbox Extreme, the alignment rectangle settings are stored in a plist file. This file's default /Mbox/alignment/alignment.plist location is You can also create more complex rectangles with alternate colors, variable lineweight, no crosshairs, and adjustable opacity.
Page 81 - Group 7 rectangles with X & O - Group 8 rectangles without X & O - Group 8 rectangles with X & O - Group 9 rectangles without X & O - Group 9 rectangles with X & O ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 82: Thumbnails
THUMBNAILS Creating Thumbnail Images Each Mbox Extreme server can create thumbnail images of the content on the machine. To create thumbnails on a server, press [ CAUTION: While thumbnails are being created, playback performance on the server will be severely affected.
Page 83: Effects And Transitions
. In order to enable Mbox Extreme to use these Image Units properly, a file must be created to define the parameters of the effect. These files are saved in the standard Apple Property List Editor format but with special file extensions – not ".plist".
Page 84 This is how the White Diagonal transition normally looks about halfway through the transition. It moves from top left corner to bottom right corner. The stripe at the transition point is white and has a particular thickness. This is what the plist information for this transition looks like: ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 85 UserVisibleName properties. If you fail to use the correct type or an appropriate value for a property then it is likely that the entire effect or transition will fail when used with Mbox Extreme. It is best to start by modifying values to a small extent to examine the result of those changes.
Page 86 Notes ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 87: Chapter 6. Pixel Mapping
PIXEL MAPPING This chapter provides a description of setup and operation for the pixel-mapping functionality of the Mbox Extreme Media Server. CONCEPT BASIC SETUP ADVANCED PIXEL-MAPPING...
Page 88: Concept
Art-Net directly. When pixel-mapping, Mbox Extreme retains both the stage and preview outputs so you can still send a video signal to a display device.
Page 89: Basic Setup
LED fixtures, you may be better served by using an existing video pixel-mapping product rather than the Mbox Extreme pixel-mapping. You should strive to create a pixel-mapping context that is as small as possible while still allowing you to map your content to fixtures in the manner that you desire. Initially some trial and error may be ®...
Page 90 When you place a fixture on the context grid, an entry for that fixture is added to the table on the right of the grid. Mbox Extreme will automatically patch fixtures in order (as you place them) beginning with Art-Net universe 1.
Page 91 0, to allow all Art-Net levels to pass - settings of 254 or 255 will suppress some or all of the Art-Net output. ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 92: Advanced Pixel-Mapping
The default slew rate is 0 seconds - Mbox Extreme will allow the fixture to change color as fast as it can. The other settings allow you to reduce the speed of the changes progressively, up to a maximum of 8 seconds.
Page 93: Sampling Areas
If you create numerous custom fixture profiles, save your patch file to an external drive and take them with you for the next show. PRG has the capability to create special fixture types that cannot be created by the on-board fixture creation tool.
Page 94 However you will probably not be using a video output if you are using Sample Areas. Outlines of sample areas Layers placed inside areas Previsualization ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 95: Chapter 7. Maintenance
MAINTENANCE This chapter contains procedures for extended care of the Mbox Extreme Media Server. ROUTINE MAINTENANCE...
Page 96: Routine Maintenance
Step 3. Remove grill and air filter. Step 4. Clean filter with compressed air (or water, if allowed to fully dry). Step 5. Re-install. Air Filter Grill Screw (6) Figure 7-1: Air Filter Removal ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 97: Removing The Computer
Step 2. At front of rack, remove grill and air filter. Refer back to Figure 7-1 on page Step 3. Carefully slide computer out of case (Figure 7-2). Step 4. Remove side brackets from computer. Figure 7-2: Computer Removal ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 98 Notes ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 99: Appendix A. Content Creation And Utilities
CONTENT CREATION AND UTILITIES This Appendix contains information on the proper formatting of content for playback on the Mbox Extreme Media Server, along with content management and conversion utilities. CONTENT CREATION GUIDELINES MEDIA UTILITY APPLICATIONS...
Page 100: Content Creation Guidelines
As discussed earlier in this manual, Mbox Extreme cannot play some QuickTime® movies as well as those created using preferred codecs. While Mbox Extreme will do the best job possible to play any movie, if you do not optimize your movie content specifically for Mbox Extreme you may experience poor results. There are many elements of movie files that need to be considered when creating content: file extension, codec, compression, frame rate, movie resolution, and audio.
Page 101 60 then the movie will play more smoothly; so 20fps, 15fps, and 10fps will look better than other frame rates. So if Mbox Extreme's output frequency is 50Hz, then it would be best to create content that is rendered at 25fps.
Page 102: Discrete Audio Support For Multichannel Audio
Alpha Channel in Movies – the Animation and ProRes 4444 Codecs It is often very useful to be able to add areas of transparency to a layer when using Mbox Extreme. So as to see other layers behind, to create a "knockout" for IMAG, or for proper display of a movie that uses green-screen technology.
Page 103: Media Utility Applications
Mbox Extreme server. Before going any further, please note that you should never lock your original copy of any content. Once you lock content it can only be played on Mbox Extreme and not on any other computer.
Page 104: Mbox Extreme File Converter
"fix" the file so that Mbox Extreme can play it. The changes made do not affect the codec or quality of the movie. But no matter which quality setting is selected, the application will always attempt to correct any errors in the file.
Page 105: Mbox Extreme Plist Editor
Mbox Extreme File Convertor will accept file drops of more than one file at a time. It processes four files simultaneously and will queue additional files. The application creates new copies of the original file in the same location as the original file.
Page 106 ). The natively recognized movie and 2D file extensions are: mov, vid, jpeg, jpg, pct, pict, png, rtf, tga, tif, tiff, and txt. If you want Mbox Extreme to play additional file types, you can add the three or four character file extension to the appropriate category –...
Page 107: Appendix B. Mbox Remote Ii Application
MBOX REMOTE II APPLICATION This appendix provides operation instructions for the Mbox Remote II application. MBOX REMOTE II OPERATION...
Page 108: Mbox Remote Ii Operation
D] while Mbox Extreme is in Window mode. To set the network port that Mbox Extreme and Daemon will use to communicate with external monitoring devices (like Remote II or CITP-enabled consoles and visualizers), use the CITP pop-up on the Mbox Setup tab as shown...
Page 109: General Operation
General Operation Before opening the Remote II application, ensure that your computer is on a network with one or more Mbox Extreme servers. It is important that all Mbox Extreme servers be running the latest versions of the Mbox Extreme and the Mbox Daemon applications, and that all computers have compatible network settings.
Page 110 To add an Mbox Extreme server for monitoring, double-click on the server. The server(s) will be added to the window: At the Server View Settings section of the Preferences window, adjust the Size (width in pixels), Mode (single or dual output), Aspect (4:3 or 16:9), and number of columns as desired.
Page 111 To delete a Server View or Breakout View, right-click on the view and then select "Remove" from the pop-up menu. To see more information about a server or layer, hover the cursor over one of the Breakout video streams for approximately 3 seconds. ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 112: Description Of Indicators
The Mbox Extreme application can be running, but unless the Daemon application is also running, Remote II will only display the red dot and will not provide any feedback. Server IP Address – each Mbox Extreme server’s IP address is shown under the server’s name in the Server View column.
Page 113: Setting Mbox Extreme Server Preferences Remotely
Step 5. Use X, Y, W, and H fields to specify an origin (X, Y) and size (Width, Height) for the rectangle. Keep in mind that the origin (0,0) of Mbox Extreme's display is the top-left corner. Step 6. Use Line field to enter a lineweight for the rectangle. (The default lineweight is 1.) Step 7.
Page 114: Server Control Commands
File Sharing Off – turns File Sharing off. Go Fullscreen – if the Mbox Extreme application is in Window mode, it will enter Fullscreen mode. Exit Fullscreen – if the Mbox Extreme application is in Fullscreen mode, it will enter Window mode.
Page 115: Timecode Window
Remote II. Instead, you can use any browser to view the same information. Just type the following URL into the navigation field of the browser: http:// IP Address of server/Mbox/MboxContent.html For example: http://192.168.0.123/Mbox/MboxContent.html ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 116 Notes ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 117: Appendix C. Video Input
VIDEO INPUT This appendix provides setup instructions for the four video inputs. VIDEO INPUT SETUP...
Page 118: Video Input Setup
Overview The Mbox Extreme software allows for up to four video inputs to each server. Each input must be set up in advance for it to work properly with the video signal that is being used. The two types of supported video inputs are: QuickTime®...
Page 119: Setting Video Input For Decklink Card
Before attempting to use a video input from the Decklink card, you must configure the card for the type of video signal that it will be receiving. This configuration is done outside the Mbox Extreme application. Follow the steps below: Step 1.
Page 120: Configuring Video Input Within Mbox Extreme
Decklink card, Mbox Extreme needs to listen to the 720p/59.94 stream and not one of the others. Step 1. Start the Mbox Extreme application. Step 2. Make sure that no layer on Mbox Extreme is being told to display a video input. Send all fixtures to their default state on the console to be sure.
Page 121 Because the names of the streams are so long and get truncated, you need to be careful to select the correct stream. Remember that Mbox Extreme only supports 8-bit inputs; exactly half of the streams are 10-bit and cannot be used. The 8-bit streams come first in the list.
Page 122: Deinterlacing
Interlaced (i) vs. Progressive (p) Content/Input (Deinterlacing) Because Mbox Extreme outputs a progressive video signal from the MacPro, you will get the best results if you use progressive movie content. This recommendation also applies to the video input signal. When using a video input, you need to be especially aware of the difference between interlaced video signals and progressive video signals.
Page 123: Guide To Deinterlacing
However, if you have the option of using a progressive signal you will be rewarded with better looking results. If you must use an interlaced video input, you can force Mbox Extreme to deinterlace that signal by checking the "Deinterlace Video Inputs" checkbox on the Setup tab. The results are quite good, but you may want to test with both settings first.
Page 124 Notes ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 125: Appendix D. Dmx512 Mapping
DMX512 MAPPING This Appendix contains tables for the combined DMX512 channel map, as well as additional controls such as play modes, tiling, shutter shapes, aspect control, blending control, texture effect, transitions, and built-in shapes. DMX512 MAPPING CHARTS...
Page 126: Dmx512 Mapping Charts
Mbox Extreme Control Channel Breakdown One Mbox Extreme Media Server running v3.2 software is made up of between 14 and 22 fixtures depending on the operating mode. For ease of use some consoles may split the Layer fixture into two separate fixtures. Previous operating modes have significant differences in the arrangement of DMX channels.
Page 127 Layer 7 Layer 6 Layer 8 Layer 9 Layer 7 372 Total Layer 10 Layer 8 DMX Channels Layer 11 Layer 9 Layer 12 Layer 10 372 Total DMX Channels Layer 11 Layer 12 ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 128 Keystone Control Keystone Control Layer 1 Layer 1 Layer 2 Layer 2 Layer 3 Layer 3 Layer 4 Layer 4 Layer 5 Layer 5 Layer 6 Layer 6 Total DMX Total DMX Channels Channels ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 129 Blur No function Pixel Map Intensity master for pixel- Level mapping Art-Net output Pixel Map Control functions for pixel- Control mapping Audio Level master for audio output Volume ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 130 Corner 3X adjustment Shutter Rotation of shutters Top-Left corner U/D Rotation Corner 3Y adjustment Top-Right corner L/R Corner 4X adjustment Top-Right corner U/D Corner 4Y adjustment Keystone Rotation of entire keystoned Rotation image ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 131 Moves the layer towards and Modifier 1B Second modifier Z Position away from the camera (3D Object objects only) 3D effect applied to the layer Effect 2 Modifier 2A First modifier Modifier 2B Second modifier ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 132 Camera Fog and Blur controls are mapped to Blend and Overlap respectively. These controls are used to Values Command make changes to the blend for use with the Wide Pan- Enable All oramic mode. Disable Masked Disable All ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 133 A round iris, scale is magnified to 30-39 Iris Mode Second Order Shallow enclose the screen. No other controls. A Bezier curve is drawn touching the "Blob" 40-49 midpoints of the rectangle formed by Mode Leko Mode. ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 134 4x4 - 2 of 16 4x4 - 3 of 16 4x4 - 16 of 16 Tiling Positions are in row major order (rows are filled in order). For example, the 3x3 arrangement is laid out as follows: ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 135 Ratios scaling from 1:4 to 1:1 frame time. This is a square-law control, and 50% 1-255 blend time is achieved at DMX 210, 25% blend time 128-255 Ratios scaling from 1:1 to 4:1 at DMX 165 ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 136 Local Video Input 4 opaque) Local Video Input 3 layer’s colors are inverted and are Local Video Input 2 Invert Additive added to inverse of underlying Local Video Input 1 colors (blacks appear transparent) ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 137 Torus torus distortion width Twirl twirl distortion radius angle Vortex vortex distortion radius angle Lozenge lozenge distortion width Edge Work B&W conversion radius Edge Detect edge detection with color intensity ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 138 File number Flip Mode Alpha Mask From File Drop Shadow X-offset Y-offset Drop Shadow w/ position Drop Shadow 2 Simple drop shadow Offset Amount Luma Lines Color & Luma block effect Width Rows ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 139 This effect requires that the second effect channel on the corresponding layer be set to 255. At that point, Mod 2A sets the half- universe for the start addr. This effect is quite complex and you should contact a PRG representative if you want to use it, as further settings are required.
Page 140 Split L/R Center old image splits and slides left and right from the center Split Down old image splits and slides down Split Up old image splits and slides up ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 141 Newsflash 1 objects spin in/out both in same direction, variable spin w/ Object XFade Angle Newsflash 2 as above but objects spin in opposite directions MbE: Y = Built-in, N = Supplementary File ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 142 The damping is divided equally between the start and end of the movement curve. Effect parameters can be adjusted during a move to affect only one side of the curve. ® MBOX EXTREME MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL...
Page 143 Mbox Extreme® Media Server User Manual Version as of: April 22, 2011 PRG part number: 02.9800.0001.34...
Page 144 Production Resource Group Dallas Office 8617 Ambassador Row, Suite 120 Dallas, Texas 75247 www.prg.com...

PRG MBOX Extreme User Manual

Introduction

Chapter 1. Overview

Chapter 2. Installation

Chapter 3. Media Content

Chapter 4. Operation

Chapter 5. Advanced Features

Chapter 6. Pixel Mapping

Chapter 7. Maintenance

Appendix A. Content Creation and Utilities

Appendix B. Mbox Remote II Application

Appendix C. Video Input

Appendix D. DMX512 Mapping

Quick Links

MEDIA SERVER

Need help?

Questions and answers

Related Manuals for PRG MBOX Extreme

Summary of Contents for PRG MBOX Extreme

Table of Contents