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Summary of Contents for AJA Io Express
- Page 1 Published: 11/29/10 Installation and Operation Guide B e c a u s e m a t t e r s .
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Page 2: Notice
All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders. Notice Copyright © 2010 AJA Video, Inc. All rights reserved. All information in this manual is subject to change without notice. No part of the document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, without the express written permission of AJA Inc. -
Page 3: Limited Warranty
If a product proves to be defective during this warranty period, AJA Video, at its option, will either repair the defective product without charge for parts and labor, or will provide a replacement in exchange for the defective product. -
Page 5: Table Of Contents
Connector Descriptions—Io Express & Cables ........ - Page 6 Easy Setups For Use With Io Express ........
- Page 7 Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Table of Contents Activation Mode ................. . 57 Io Express Information .
- Page 8 Primary and Secondary Video Options Supported by Io Express ....... .
- Page 9 Io Express After Effects CS5 Plugin Overview ........
- Page 10 Appendix B: Specifications Formats ....................121 Video Input .
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Page 11: Chapter 1: Introduction
Io Express is the perfect cross-platform, Mac or PC, interface for anyone who needs an inexpensive monitoring and mastering solution when working with Apple ProRes Formats, XDCAM HD, DVCPRO HD, and more. Portable and simple to use, Io Express is ideal for file- based workflows. -
Page 12: Accepted Inputs
AJA TV application. AJA TV would now use the KONA 3 for its output. If you switch back to Final Cut Pro, you will see that it still uses the Io Express for its input/ output. Note that some applications, like AJA TV, have a provision for playing in the background, so playback on one product could even continue when switching the targeted device for use with another application. -
Page 13: Convert Mode
Convert Mode allows selection of a conversion mode for down conversion between High- definition and Standard-definition formats. The choices offered depend on the AJA capture device present and the Primary and Secondary format chosen. Io Express supports down conversion plus SD-to-SD aspect ratio conversions. See the following tables for conversion options. -
Page 14: Io Express Down-Conversion Options
Software is supplied on CD, including the AJA Io Express Control Panel, drivers for the card itself, and all files necessary for Final Cut Pro and other application support (software application not... -
Page 15: Software For Windows
AJA will repair or replace damaged items. If you find shipping damage, contact your AJA dealer or distributor for details on how to have your Io Express repaired or replaced. Save packing materials and the shipping box. If you ever require service or move your system—... -
Page 16: System Requirements
Hardware Interface: 34mm Expresscard slot for laptop; PCIe slot for tower Recommended Io Express Driver for Mac OSX and Final Cut Pro is FCP 7.5.x - Io Express Driver version (Leopard and Snow Leopard OSX compatible version) For operation under Windows OS XP 32 or Vista 32/64 use Io Express version 4.2. -
Page 17: Cable Connections
10-bit monitors. HDCP is not supported on either input or output. Io Express 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 18: Component Video Output (With Composite And Y/C Functions)
When connecting a reference video source, the locking signal should be the same format as the Primary format selected in the Io Express Control Panel. It is possible in some circumstances to use an alternate format video signal as long as the basic frame rate is compatible. -
Page 19: Chapter 2: Installation & Configuration
Chapter 2: Installation & Configuration Installation Overview The installation and set up of a Io Express 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?” on page 2. -
Page 20: 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 Express using the front power switch. Important: For correct performance, always power Io Express before starting your computer and power down your computer before powering down Io Express. -
Page 21: Cabling The System
4. Connect two SDI cables between Io Express and your digital VTR (Digital Betacam etc.): one from Io Express SDI In to the VTR SDI Out, and one from Io Express SDI Out to the VTR SDI In. The Io Express SDI connections have embedded audio so the VTR must be configured accordingly. - Page 22 VTR with SDI Inputs/Outputs Reference Monitors HD/SD-SDI Video I/O with Embedded Audio Unbalanced Audio In/Out to Monitors RS422 Machine Control HDMI Monitor Adapter Installed Inside Mac External Reference PCIe Adapter (Blackburst) and cable (supplied) or LTC Input POWER CMPTR Storage RAID Apple Mac Pro w/OSX Computer Monitor Windows PC w/ XP/Vista/7...
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Page 23: Installing Io Express Software
1. For CD-ROM: Insert the Io Express CD in the Mac, locate the Io Express CD icon on the OS X desktop. Double click the icon to see the CD contents, which will appear in its own window. - Page 24 Log On Authenticate Prompt 5. Click on the OK button after entering a valid user and password. 6. The installer will launch and you’ll see a series of installer screens. Initial Installer Screen 7. Click Continue to begin installation. 8. 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 25 Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Cabling the System System Check Installer Screen 9. Read and agree to the Software License Agreement. Io Express Software License Agreement Screen 10.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 26 Click the Continue Installation button to proceed. Restart OS X Reminder Prompt 13.The installer will run and put all the necessary Io Express drivers, presets and software on the desired hard drive. When it has completed installation, a final screen will be displayed announcing that “software was successfully installed.
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Page 27: Windows Software Installation
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Cabling the System Windows Software Locate the AJA Windows Software download file or CD packaged with your system and follow the procedure below to install the required software on the host system. There are two versions Installation of AJA Windows Software installation—for 32-bit workstations and 64-bit Vista workstations. - Page 28 Installation Type If you don’t have all the AJA Windows Software supported Adobe Production Studio products installed on your workstation, you may choose to perform a Custom installation (default) and select only the software necessary for your applications.
- Page 29 Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Cabling the System The following screens depict the more elaborate Custom installation. Shown below are the top- level directory of options. Click (+/-) to expand or contract. Top-level Installation Item Selection You may deselect any Item for installation by using the pulldown to make it unavailable.
- Page 30 Use second level options to choose the specific drivers and plugins you would like installed. Custom Selection Second-level Options Disabled selections are marked with a red X. Before clicking Next to install, you can verify your disk space availability by clicking the Disk Usage button. Workstation Disk Usage Display To return to the installation click OK.
- Page 31 Click Next to begin the installation. Installation Progress Screen. When the installer has completed copying the AJA Windows Software to disk, you will see a standard Windows Logo test warning. Click on the “Continue Anyway” button to finish the installation.
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Page 32: Re-Installation & Repair
For video stability and proper system operation, you can genlock all equipment to house sync, however genlock is not required for Io Express due to excellent freerun accuracy. To connect genlock, use a black burst generator output looped through the system. On the Io Express house sync is connected to “LTC/Ref In”. -
Page 33: Chapter 3: Using Final Cut Pro
After you install the Io Express software on your Mac Pro, all you need to do to begin using it is to become familiar with the AJA Io Express Control Panel and how Final Cut Pro works with Io Express. - Page 34 Multiple AJA Devices If you have more than one AJA device installed in a workstation, you will see a device pulldown menu in the top-left corner of the control panel screen. See “Using Multiple AJA Products” on page 2 for details.
- Page 35 (jitter shown or not) and 24 to 30 fps padding patterns. Timecode: monitor and configure timecode Info: displays status information and firmware version # of the Io Express and how it is installed in the host Macintosh. This information is generally intended for...
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Page 36: Input Screen
Video Input—These radio buttons allow you to see and change what’s currently selected and the video format that Io Express has detected there (if any). If you wish to select a different input, click a different radio button. Choices are: •... -
Page 37: Format Screen Settings
(if present). If you select an alternate value in the Primary Format using the pull-down, it will change the format used by Io Express’s framebuffer. Video Format can only be changed when the Control Tab menu has the setting “Input Pass through”. When a change is made via the Video Format pull-down, the block diagram will change to reflect the new format. -
Page 38: Digital Out Screen
The Digital Out screen shows the current setting for both the SDI and HDMI outputs. If an input/output has no video, it will be indicated on the block diagram (“No Video”). Io Express Control Panel, Digital Out Tab Digital Out Screen Settings Information that can appear includes the following items. -
Page 39: Analog Out Screen
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Using The IO Express Analog Out Screen Io Express provides a high-quality analog component or composite output, generally used for monitoring. This screen shows the current settings for that analog output, and allows you to re- configure it when desired. -
Page 40: Hdmi Tab Screen
HDMI Tab Screen Settings HDMI Input—while there are two different ranges of colorspace values that SDI can use (RGB and YCbCr) the HDMI input on the Io Express defaults to the SMPTE video input range. A pulldown allows you to select full range. -
Page 41: Control Screen
This screen also provides control for configuring output timing for external reference video and horizontal/vertical delay. At the top of the Control screen, it will show the current Default Io Express output and the application currently controlling the Io Express card (if there is one). For example, in the screen shown here, the default output is Input Passthrough. - Page 42 QuickTime application is using Io Express. Note: Hold Last Application: this selection directs Io Express to hold and output the last frame of video from the last application to control Io Express. This can be helpful when operating in an environment where you’re switching back and forth between multiple application...
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Page 43: Playback Timing (Greyed-Out When In Input Passthrough)
Freerun: in this mode, Io Express generates video without an external reference source Ref In: directs Io Express to use the Ref Video source for sync (usually an analog black burst video signal) Video: directs Io Express to use whichever video input source has been selected in the... -
Page 44: Setup Screen Settings
Lock Audio Gain To Unity—When set, Io Express will ignore the Final Cut Pro gain setting and set the audio gain at unity. When not set, this checkbox tells Io Express to get the audio gain setting from Final Cut Pro. -
Page 45: Codec Screen Settings
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Using The IO Express Codec Screen Settings 24-30 FPS Conversion—the value selected in this pulldown is used whenever, due to format selection, you’ve chosen to do 24 frames-per-second to 30 conversion where extra fields will be added to pad the existing ones. -
Page 46: Timecode Screen Settings
Use QuickTime Timecode—when checked, this directs Io Express to output timecode from the QuickTime timecode track in playback. When not checked, Io Express uses the Output Timecode Offset value plus the number of frames into the movie. Note: not all QuickTime applications use or support timecode tracks—so sometimes the QuickTime timecode is... -
Page 47: Timelapse Screen
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Using The IO Express Timelapse Screen Beginning with v7.5 drivers, KONA, Io HD and Io Express products now provide a timelapse feature. Within the IO Express Control Panel application, there is a new Timelapse tab. -
Page 48: Info Screen
Io Express Control Panel, Info Tab Saving Your Control After configuring the Io Express Control Panel via the Tabbed screens, you can then save all your settings as a snapshot for later recall—called a preset. In this way, you can organize the Panel Presets presets for all your typical tasks, saving time by not having to manually reconfigure each time. -
Page 49: Who Is Controlling Io Express
Video Settings... ” dialog under A/V Devices. When a QuickTime application is in control of the Io Express, it will be indicated by a label in both the Io Express Control Panel's Format and Control tabs. The Io Express Control Panel’s Primary Format menu will also indicate that it is not active while the QuickTime application is running—it will be grayed-out. -
Page 50: Io Express Control Panel Control
To illustrate such possible confusion, consider this multiple application scenario: 1. Open Final Cut Pro (FCP), select Io Express as the A/V device. FCP takes control of the Io Express and tells it what Primary format to use. If one of the FCP windows covers up the Io Express Control Panel application (which typically happens), you won't be able to see the “Io Express is in use by Final Cut Pro”... -
Page 51: Easy Setups Menu
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Easy Setups for Typical Uses On the following pages we’ll further review the Easy Setups menu and Audio/Video Settings Menu. Easy Setups Menu Both the Easy Setups menu item and the Audio/Video Settings menu item are located under the main Final Cut Pro menu. -
Page 52: Easy Setups For Use With Io Express
The factory default Easy Setups currently shipped with Io Express are updated regularly by AJA and posted on the relevant support web page for your Io Express. Also, there are additional easy setups available on your Io Express Software CD... -
Page 53: To Create A New Easy Setup
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Easy Setups for Typical Uses Audio/Video Settings, Summary Window To Create A New Easy Setup If you have a group of presets that you’d like to use continually, then you can create a new Easy Setup by modifying the settings of the Easy Setup currently selected. -
Page 54: The Sequence Presets Window
Source on your VTR from LTC to VITC, or change the pre-roll and post-roll values. When you save a Setup, it defaults to saving in the Final Cut Pro Custom Setups folder. Each of the tabbed preset screens are described on the following pages for your convenience. For more information, please read the Final Cut Pro user documentation. -
Page 55: The Capture Presets Window
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Easy Setups for Typical Uses Audio/Video Settings, Sequence Presets Editor Window The Capture Presets Window Audio/Video Settings, Capture Presets Window This window lets you choose a preset format for incoming source video and audio media you’ll be capturing. -
Page 56: Capture Presets Editing
Factory AJA presets are easily identified by “AJA” at the beginning of their name. Since Capture Presets will be used frequently as you bring media into Io Express, we’ll discuss the edit screen next. -
Page 57: The Device Control Presets Window
QuickTime Audio Settings—these settings select an audio input source and affect how it’s processed by Final Cut Pro. The Device pull-down should be set to AJA Io Express. The Input pull-down selects that Io Express (AJA Io Express) will be used for capturing audio—it does not select the specific inputs. - Page 58 • Auto Record and PTV Io Express ships with VTR Device Control Presets for Sony and Panasonic VTRs. Select a Device Control Preset for the desired frame rate. Presets for both Sony and Panasonic VTRs are provided with these frame rates: 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, and 59.94.
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Page 59: The A/V Devices Window
You may wish to use a different Io Express output for final Print-to-tape from Final Cut. You can select that in this window by clicking the checkbox “Different Output for Edit to Tape/Print to Video. -
Page 60: Checking The System With A Simple Test Project Of Bars And Tone
Checking the System with a Simple Test Project of Bars and Tone To test that you’ve installed the Io Express drivers and have audio and video monitoring correctly configured, try creating a simple Final Cut Pro project with bars and tone. - Page 61 Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Easy Setups for Typical Uses Click Filmstrip Button in Viewer Window ...Then select “Bars and Tone” Finally, click in the viewer window and drag the “bars” to the Sequence window. Click and Drag Bars and Tone From Viewer Window To Sequence...
- Page 62 Bars and Tone In Sequence Window Click “Play” to Test the System Sequence Window Showing Bars and Tone Clip Dragged from Viewer If everything works properly, go ahead and try capturing audio and video media from your VTR.
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Page 63: Using 8-Bit Versus 10-Bit Video
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Using 8-bit Versus 10-bit Using 8-bit Versus 10-bit Video While both 8- and 10-bit uncompressed video are capable of providing excellent quality broadcast video, 10-bit represents a significantly higher quality and is preferable in many situations. -
Page 65: Chapter 4: Using Aja Machina With Windows
The Machina application is part of the software package that came with your Io Express. If you haven't already done so, launch the latest Io Express Download Package from AJA’s website or use the Install CD that came with your system. -
Page 66: Machina Overview
Pull-down menu options, hot-text entry fields, and play/record controls function and interact. Note: The specific options available to you are determined by the currently active AJA capture device model installed in your workstation. This section will describe all possible options for Machina and note any options exclusive to Io Express. -
Page 67: Full-Screen Desktop Display
(for example, Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Photoshop). In automatic mode, an application or plugin can take active control when the Io Express is not being used. When the controlling application is done (and any processing initiated is complete), control is released, making the Io Express available to others. -
Page 68: Io Express Information
Io Express Information At the bottom of the Machina Setup screen, in the left hand column, you’ll find vital information about your specific Io Express —license type, serial number, and version. This information will be helpful if you ever need technical support. -
Page 69: Sdi Output
Select the type of timecode used by the source video machine — RS-422, Embedded SDI (RP188) or choose to input an External LTC timecode source input via the Io Express RS-422 port. Note: SMPTE RP 188 defines a standard for the transmission of timecode and control code in the ancillary data space of a digital television data stream. -
Page 70: Timebase
Using the Reference pull-down menu, select timing Reference source — Free Run, from External (genlock), or from the video Input signal. Device Control Device Control Options set options for the RS-422 machine control interface on the Io Express card. These functions support Print-to-Tape machine control. Options... -
Page 71: Timecode Source
1x only). • Enable Audio Auto-Search – Io Express software will automatically load the Audio Track list with audio files that have been generated with the same name as the selected video file. Note: When Audio Auto-Search is active, existing file names in the list will be removed or over- written when the Video File is loaded. -
Page 72: Capture Window
Type The Type pull-down menu provides a choice of video/audio file formats: Note: Because the Io Express is a YUV only device, file types that require RGB colorspace cannot be used. • QuickTime Movie •... -
Page 73: Video/Audio
48 kHz 32-bit PCM Mono 48 kHz 32-bit PCM Stereo Io Express 2K also supports 96 kHz 16 through 32-bit PCM Mono and Stereo selections Audio Track Select the number of audio tracks for this project. Io Express models support up to 8 tracks. -
Page 74: Clip Options
This mode also has many limitations when working with YUV files. When using this setting, files may appear pixelated on the desktop display. This does not affect the quality or resolution of the video being captured or output from the Io Express card. -
Page 75: Display To Desktop
The desktop monitor display will be sized according to this setting. You can choose from select sizes (25% to 800%), enter a custom size (Custom), or have Io Express fit the display size according to your Machina screen (Fit). If you use Custom, use the hot text fields underneath Display Sizes to enter a specific percentage and X and Y origin points. -
Page 76: Capture In/Out Mode
Express Status. Capture Status reports current state of activity, capture duration and number of frames captured in ( ), and the number of frames that may have been dropped. Io Express Status reports Active/Inactive status, Primary Format setting, Video Input type, and Audio Input type. -
Page 77: Play Window
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Play Window Play Window Machina Play Screen File Options On the right side of the desktop display you can use the hot buttons at the top to toggle between File Options, Display Options, and Leader/Trailer Options. In File Options, the current file name and path is loaded into the Video field. -
Page 78: Display Options
The desktop monitor display will be sized according to this setting. You can choose from select sizes (25% to 800%), enter a custom size (“Custom”), or have Io Express fit the display size according to your Machina screen (“Fit”). If “Custom” is chosen, use the hot text fields underneath Display Sizes to enter a specific percentage and/or X and Y origin. -
Page 79: Play Modes
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Play Window Go-to-Previous “Most Significant” frame Reverse 1 frame Rewind (8x) Reverse Play Still Stop Play (1x) Fast Forward (8x) Forward 1 frame Go-to-next “Most Significant” frame Play Entire Clip or Marked Segment... -
Page 80: Output Modes
This mode allows you to manually put a clip to tape using the VTR’s current position. You have the option of adding Delay frames. Io Express will wait this many frames after the tape machine’s start command, before it outputs the clip. The Duration Field displays the total length of the clip that will go to tape. -
Page 81: Assemble Edit Procedure
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Play Window Assemble Edit Procedure Assemble Edit features exist in both Machina and the AJA capture Plug-in for Premiere Pro. These features create a two step process for Assemble Editing. The procedure require the tape to have at least a few seconds of timecode already on it. -
Page 82: Play/Io Express Status
Click on the hot toggle buttons of the Status header to switch between Play Status and Io Express Board Status. Play Status reports current state of activity, play duration selected for the current playback, total number of frames in ( ), and lastly, the number of frames that may have been dropped. -
Page 83: Chapter 5: Using Adobe Cs5 Applications
Io Express for Mac installer. See Io Express downloads at: http://www.aja.com/support/io/io-express.php After you install the Io Express software on your workstation, all you need to do to begin using it is to become familiar with the AJA plugins and how Adobe CS5 applications access Io Express options. -
Page 84: Adobe Premiere Pro Realtime Performance
Opening Adobe Premiere Pro CS5, you will select New Project from the Quick Start Screen and choose an AJA Capture Format from the pulldown menu, name the project, and click OK to access the New Sequence setup panel with presets or click the AJA Setup button for custom capture settings. - Page 85 Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Beginning a Project with Io Express New Sequence Setup Panel Here you can select from AJA Presets. The Io Express Presets offer typical project settings. The Description field summarizes the parameters for each preset including: •...
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Page 86: Aja Capture Options Panel
Capture Options Under Capture Options, select the appropriate formats and settings for your project. In Io Express operation, the Primary Format is the captured media format written to disk. Secondary format is for other AJA devices that perform format conversion. -
Page 87: Yuv<->Rgb Range
Embedded SDI • Embedded HDMI SDI Output 1 There is no active selection here. Since there is only one SDI Output in Io Express, it will be Single Link. HDMI Output There is no active selection here for Io Express. -
Page 88: Analog Output
Timecode Input Select the type of timecode used by the source video machine—RS-422, Embedded SDI (RP188) or choose to input an External LTC timecode source input via the Io Express RS-422 port. Note: SMPTE RP 188 defines a standard for the transmission of timecode and control code in the ancillary data space of a digital television data stream. -
Page 89: File Options
48 kHz 32-bit PCM Mono 48 kHz 32-bit PCM Stereo Audio Tracks Select the number of audio tracks for this project, Io Express supports up to eight embedded audio tracks (four stereo pairs). Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 supports six channels. -
Page 90: Io Express Playback Options
Note: Primary Format, SDI and HDMI Outputs are always the same as set in the Sequence Capture Options panel. Refer to the Capture Options section. Audio Device Select “AJA Audio” to output your project audio through the Io Express. To complete audio setup refer to Options Set in Premiere Pro Preferences following. -
Page 91: Analog Output
HDMI video output offers these options: • Protocol – choose Auto Detect, HDMI, or DVI • Color Space – select Auto Detect or YCbCr 10bit (Io Express does not support RGB) • Audio Channels – choose 8 or 2 to be embedded •... -
Page 92: Device Control
Device Control Device Control Options are settings for the RS-422 machine control interface on Io Express. Always us the AJA Serial Control and the Io Express RS-422 port for Io Express capture Edit>Preferences>Device Control>Options Enter the desired value for: Preroll – 0 to 15; the number of frames required to start the source machine before capture. -
Page 93: Timecode Source
(VITC) transported in the video signal’s vertical interval or include both (LTC + VITC). Using Photoshop CS5 Adobe Photoshop CS5 (not included with Io Express) accepts Io Express plugins and drivers to closely integrate Io Express functions into the application. After you install the Io Express software on your workstation, all you need to do to begin using it is to become familiar with the Plugins and how Photoshop works with Io Express. - Page 94 The Preview plugin allows you to adjust output formats and view your current project frame on a monitor connected to a Io Express output before rendering to file. In this section, you will read about the various pull-down options, hot-text entry fields, and play/record controls and how they interact.
- Page 95 Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Using Photoshop CS5 The Play/Record Controls offer standard tapedeck controls and more. The hot-text fields beneath the video display are for writing and reading timing data. Capture mode will determine which fields are operational.
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Page 96: Basic Plugin Operations And Configuration
In this mode, you merely click between the open plugins to make one active. Note: Only one plugin window can have control of the AJA capture device at a time. If the window you click on does not access the Io Express (reporting Board: Active), either another window is still processing operations or it is set in Manual activation mode and must be disabled (check-box empty). -
Page 97: Activation Options
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Using Photoshop CS5 Activation Options For Activation Options details, see Basic Plugin Operations and Configuration. Capture Options Capture Options are the same as described previously for Premiere Pro. Image Options After configuring XENA Options, select the Image Options tab. In the Image Options menu there are four configuration settings—Colorspace, Frame Scan, Set Alpha Channel, and Crop Image. -
Page 98: General Options Menu
Photoshop Capture Window Status Display The Status Display section of the Photoshop Capture plugin, in the left column, reports the settings that you have selected for the Io Express to use when you have control of it: • Primary Format •... - Page 99 Accept – When you have successfully captured the frame you wish to use in Photoshop, Click on Accept in the bottom right corner of the Play/Record pane. The Io Express capture plugin will close and your frame will be opened in Photoshop for editing.
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Page 100: Using The Aja Preview Plugin
The Preview Plugin allows you to view on a monitor the current frame you are working on in Photoshop CS5. Go to File>Export>AJA Preview Setup to configure previews. When you have Preview Plugin Preview Setup the way you want it, subsequent Previews are output by selecting AJA Preview (below AJA Preview Setup). AJA Export Plugins for Photoshop... - Page 101 Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Using Photoshop CS5 The pull-down menu at the top allows you to select any AJA capture device you have installed in your workstation (subject to Activation rules). A check box is provided to enable/disable the Preview function.
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Page 102: Using After Effects
• AJA Preview The Capture and Playback plugin screens allow you to see and edit how the Io Express workflow is currently configured for recording, storage, and playback of your video and audio data. They provide you with standard tapedeck style play/record functions, status display, and configuration options. - Page 103 Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Using After Effects Io Express After Effects CS5 Plugin Layout The Status Display area is read-only information about configuration, current status, and performance. The Play/Record Controls offer standard tapedeck controls and more. Hot-text fields are at the top for writing and reading timing data (Capture plugin only).
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Page 104: Basic Plugin Operations And Configuration
In this mode, you merely click between the open plugins to make one active. Note: Only one plugin window can have control of the Io Express at a time. If the window you click on does not access the card (reporting Board: Active), either another window is still processing operations or it is set in Manual activation mode and must be disabled (check box blanked). -
Page 105: Activation Options
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Using After Effects Io Express Capture Options Menu Activation Options For Activation Options details, see Basic Plugin Operations and Configuration. Capture Options Under Capture Options you select the appropriate formats and settings for your After Effects CS5 workflow. -
Page 106: File Options Menu
File Options Menu After configuring XENA Options, select the File Options tab. In the File Options tabbed menu there are three operation panes below: File Options, Clip Options and Location Options. File Options Menu In the File Options pane you will select the capture file type, capture content (video/audio), video format, audio format and the number of audio tracks included. -
Page 107: Clip Options
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Using After Effects Capture Use the Capture pull-down menu to select the video/audio input combination you will capture: Video Only Audio Only Video - (minus) Audio – video and audio are recorded in separate files Video + (plus) Audio (QuickTime only) –... -
Page 108: General Menu - Device Control Options
Express. The timecode format is used for both monitoring the RP-188 timecode embedded in the digital data stream and for selecting a timecode offset (if required) for the attached VTR (connected to the Io Express RS-422 port). Timecode Format Use this pull-down to select the timecode base supported by your VTR. -
Page 109: Status Display
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Using After Effects Status Display The Status Display section of the AJA Capture plugin, in the left column, reports the settings that you have selected for the Io Express to use when you have control of it: • Primary Format •... - Page 110 Capture Play/Record Controls The pull-down menu on the right enables one of three capture modes: • Capture Now – manual record/stop (crash) capture • Capture Duration – capture a specified number of frames after manual start, based on the timebase of the selected Primary Format •...
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Page 111: Using The Aja Preview Plugin
The Preview Plugin allows you to view on a monitor the current frame you are working on in the timeline as it will appear at the Io Express output. A summary area at the top of the Preview Preview Plugin window shows how the Io Express is currently configured. -
Page 112: Using The Aja Playback Plugin
Using the AJA Use the Playback Plugin to view rendered files that are produced from the After Effects CS5 effects timeline. You’ve previewed your composition, made final adjustments, and rendered it Playback Plugin to a movie or sequence. Now you want to view it in real-time. -
Page 113: Playback General Options
1x only). • Enable Audio Auto-Search – Io Express software will automatically load the Audio Track list with audio files generated with the same name as the selected video file. Note: When Audio Auto-Search is active, existing file names in the list will be removed or over- written when the Video File is loaded. -
Page 114: Leader/Trailer Options
Memory Options Under Memory Options, always leave Enforce Memory Alignment unchecked. It is for SATA controller use only. Playback AJA Options The AJA Options for Playback are much the same as those for Capture. Playback options, however, are for output. -
Page 115: Activation Options
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Using After Effects Playback Screen with AJA Options menu Activation Options Same as Capture Plugin Playback Options Primary Format, YUV-RGB Range, and Output type setting are all the same as those described for the Capture window for Premiere Pro previously. -
Page 116: Play Controls
Display to Desktop – Select one of four modes of desktop display: • • While Scrubbing Only (this mode is suggested) • While Playing Only • Always Note: Display to Desktop uses system resources and could affect performance during capture. Play To Desktop Speed –... -
Page 117: Insert Edit Mode
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Using After Effects Immediately under the scrub bar are standard tape deck icons providing hot buttons for the Play process. They are: Go-to-Previous “Most Significant” frame Reverse 1 frame Rewind (8x) Reverse Play... -
Page 118: Print-To-Video Mode
This mode allows you to manually put a clip to tape using the VTR’s current position. You have the option of adding Delay frames. Io Express will wait this many frames after the tape machine start command before outputting the clip. The Duration Field displays the total length of the clip that will go to tape. - Page 119 Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Using After Effects Status Display The Status Display section of the AJA Playback plugin reports the settings that you have selected for the Io Express you are controlling: • Primary Format • Analog Output type In the right column you will also see current information for: •...
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Page 121: Chapter 6: Using Combustion & Fusion With Windows
Chapter 6: Using Combustion & Fusion with Windows Using Autodesk Combustion 2008 AJA’s Io Express Plugins for Autodesk Combustion 2008 are used for Preview functions only. Select AJA Preview Click Options Combustion Preferences>Framebuffer Menu The Preview Plugin allows you to view on a monitor the current project you are working on in Combustion, at the Io Express output. -
Page 122: Preview Options
If you use Io Express Machina for capture and your Video Input format is 8-bit YUV 4:2:2, then select the 2Vuy mode (uppercase V). Select Update Dynamically to output every frame as you play a segment. Alternatively, you can output only the frame you have stopped on and are currently viewing by deselecting Update Dynamically. -
Page 123: Activation
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Using Autodesk Combustion 2008 Activation Note: Only one plugin window can have control of Io Express at a time. If the application window you click on does not access the card (panel fields are inactive), either another window is still processing operations or it may be in Manual activation mode and requires manual disabling (check box blanked) to release control of Io Express. -
Page 124: Using Eyeon Fusion
Using Eyeon Fusion The Io Express Fusion 5 plugin is a software application integrated into Fusion that allows you to preview your current Fusion project from the Io Express output. Go to File>Preferences to setup AJA Preview. Selecting AJA Preview for Fusion... -
Page 125: Preview Options
AJA Preview Setup Menu for Fusion Preview Options If there is more than one AJA capture device installed in your system, a pull-down menu at the top allows you to select which device to control (subject to Activation rules). In Preview Options, you can change the Primary and Secondary video signal formats and Analog output type (as applicable), and select timing Reference mode—Free Run, External... -
Page 126: Activation
Activation Note: Only one plugin window can have control of the Io Express at a time. If the application window you click on does not access the card (panel fields are inactive), either another application is still processing operations or it may have a Manual activation mode and must be disabled (check box blanked) to release control of the Io Express. -
Page 127: Appendix A: Troubleshooting
(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 Express external device. Control 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 128: Updating Software
Even if you cannot find the cause of the problem, having this information at hand will help when you call Apple or AJA Customer Support for help. If the problem is unknown or you need general help, first contact the dealer where you purchased the product. -
Page 129: Apple Resources
Io Express Installation and Operation Manual — Support If the problem is an AJA Video Io Express issue, then contact AJA Video Customer Support using one of the methods listed below: Contacting by Mail Address: 180 Litton Drive, Grass Valley, CA. 95945 USA Telephone: 1.800.251.4224 or 1.530.274.2048... -
Page 131: Formats
Appendix B: Specifications Formats 525i 29.97 625i 25 720p 50 720p 59.94 720p 60 1080i 25 1080i 29.97 1080i 30 1080PsF 23.98 1080PsF 24 1080P 23.98 1080P 24 1080P 25 1080P 29.97 1080P 30 Video Input Digital: 8- or 10-bit HD/SD SDI, SMPTE-259/292/296/424, 1 BNC HDMI v1.3, 30 bits/pixel, RGB or YUV, 2.25 Gbps, SD, HD Video Output Digital:... -
Page 132: Reference Input
Analog: 2-channel unbalanced output (RCA-jack) Reference Input Color Black or Tri-level sync LTC Input (on Reference input) Machine Control RS-422, Sony-style DE-9 connector. The 9-pin DE-9 connector pinout is as follows: 1 GND 2 RX- 3 TX+ 4 GND 5 No Connection 6 GND 7 RX+ 8 TX-...
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