Cinedeck MCC. Multi-Channel Controller. USER GUIDE - Cinedeck MCC Version RX3G - ZX 20, 40, 45 - MX

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1 Cinedeck MCC Multi-Channel Controller USER GUIDE - Cinedeck MCC Version RX3G - ZX 20, 40, 45 - MX

2 Contacting Cinedeck General Information: For non-support general inquiries, please contact us at: You can also call: The Cinedeck website also has a significant array of resources including brochures, where to buy, video tutorials and technical documents. Support: Technical Support office hours are 9am-6pm US Eastern Time, but we generally respond to support requests from 8am to midnight, 7 days a week, and at odd hours of the night. Response time is generally within minutes during business hours. To initiate a support request, it is preferred that you fill out the support form on the Cinedeck website: The direct support address is: support@cinedeck.com Phone support can be reached at If you do not reach us, please leave a message and use the above noted support form as we do endeavor to respond ASAP within the expanded hours noted above. Please Note! It is generally both helpful and essential to have as much information as possible about the nature of the problem and the setup involved, including; Cinedeck model, Cinedeck software version (Prefs page), Cinedeck settings such as codec, wrapper, storage in use and all related equipment being used; source/camera settings, audio embedders, timecode source, etc. If you are using an esoteric piece of equipment in the signal chain, it is critical that we know so we can make a correct diagnosis. Is it plugged in? Often the simplest things can make life difficult... Always check the basics! Are power, cabling and signal paths all confirmed to be good? Page - I of II

3 Contents - Cinedeck MCC User Guide Contacting Cinedeck I 1.0 Introduction About This Manual Copyright and Trademarks Cinedeck Product Overview Description Known limitations Initial Setup IP Address Changing Settings Input Master & Proxy Encoder Name! Path Override Projects Audio Apply Settings Controlling Channels Recording Control Multiple Channels Playback Transport Controls Load Clip for Playback

4 1.0 Introduction 1.1 About This Manual Important! This manual reflects the state of Cinedeck hardware and software at the time it was published. It will be updated frequently as new features are implemented, and will not necessarily reflect legacy information. 1.2 Copyright and Trademarks All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Cinedeck is a trademark of Cine Design Group LLC ProRes is a trademark of Apple Computer Corporation Avid Media Composer is a trademark of Avid Technology, Inc. DNxHD is a trademark of Avid Technology, Inc. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation Premiere is a trademark of Adobe Corporation 1.0 Introduction 1.2 Copyright and Trademarks All other trade-names referenced are service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Page - 1 of 23

5 1.3 Cinedeck Product Overview In the most basic sense, Cinedecks are video production ingest and playout appliances which can initially be described as tape deck replacements in that you can drop one in place of a tape deck, use the existing connections and put it to work but your Cinedeck s features and functions go far beyond what traditional tape decks have ever offered. Multi-channel ingest and playback using the storage destinations, native codecs and file types which best fit your workflow remain the core benefits of Cinedeck recorders however simplicity is key in todays demanding production environments. Cinedecks Plug & Play nature supported by an intuitive, easy to navigate user interface with a full array of analysis tools allow you to quickly setup and manage your sessions. This is enhanced by the project orientation of your Cinedeck. Leveraging the Cinedeck project based design allows you to have, as needed, full channel flexibility allowing completely separate settings between channels or uniform and simultaneous changes across multiple channels. CODECS First and foremost, Cinedeck provides native support for the widest variety of codecs and file wrappers in the industry and is continuously adding to the list. Of course where appropriate you can optionally select from multiple file wrappers such as; true native Avid OP-Atom MXF, MOV and MXF OP-1A and others. Coming in a later release, Cinedeck will enhance the product line with ArriRAW and CanonRAW recording. Additionally, Cinedeck MX and RX3G handle 422 or 444 color sampling and bit depths of 8bit and 10bit to render your content as accurately as possible. 1.0 Introduction 1.3 Cinedeck Product Overview STORAGE Cinedecks offer the ability to write both master and proxy files for each input and when it comes to writing your files, no other product comes close to Cinedecks flexibility of recording; internally, to local attached drives and to network storage. For internal recording, Cinedeck relies on standard 2.5 SSDs mounted in dual drive removable and hot swappable carriers or sleds. You have the option of utilizing one or more internal drives as needed for your particular production and the available desktop and installable docks with SATA connectivity give you instant high-speed access to your content. Of course additional drive carriers or sleds are available and installing drives in the sleds is simply a matter of a few screws. Before going further with the many other storage options it is important to understand Cinedecks redundant record capability. Page - 2 of 23

6 For each input, Cinedeck can not only write a Master and a Proxy, the file writes can be redundant meaning two copies of each file can be written wherever you need them. And by redundant we don t mean a copy, we mean two concurrent and totally separate file writes of each file. By leveraging this redundant capability you can, for example, have a safe copy in the machine and a network copy, instantly available for editing or a customer take away copy as soon as Stop is pressed. The options are virtually limitless. So as discussed, SSD drives are recommended for internal recording. Each Cinedeck also has a multitude of USB and SATA connections allowing the use of direct attached storage so for example recordings can be made to USB2 or USB3 drives as well as external esata devices such as RAID arrays. Network recording is one of the most important Cinedeck features. Cinedecks run on Windows7 embedded. One of the advantages to being on a Windows platform is Cinedeck can leverage the internal networking capability and where appropriate, 3rd party support for Windows so if you have a SAN system which provides a Windows client, that client can be run on the Cinedeck, allowing direct to SAN recording with all of the advantages of being a true SAN client. Whether it is Avid ISIS, Harmonic MediaGrid, Facilis Terablock or any number of other storage solutions, the advantages and efficiencies realized for multi-cam and other edit hungry productions by providing instant access to new content can easily be measured in real and significant cost savings. Especially when recording to external destinations, it is important to understand bitrate and bandwidth and to thoroughly test your environment before deploying your workflow on a production. In general, when recording across a dedicated V-LAN to an appropriate destination, standard gigabit is fine for the normal compressed formats such as ProRes or DNxHD. Conversely, it goes without saying that you will never achieve the maximum theoretical throughput to any destination or device and recording an uncompressed HD stream across a standard gigabit network will not be successful however there are many more subtle variables when selecting an external destination such as pipe size, network traffic, multiuser and multi-read/write capability, etc., so thorough testing cannot be emphasized enough. 1.0 Introduction 1.3 Cinedeck Product Overview Cinedecks provide dual 1Gb LAN connections which can be teamed if your network supports that. Some Cinedeck models also have an available PCIe slot and the option of installing a 10Gb Ethernet card, 8 or 16Gb Fiber Channel card or direct attached storage adapter, to support high bitrate sessions. Page - 3 of 23

7 2.1 Description Cinedeck MCC is a Windows based multi-channel control application for managing up to 24 Cinedeck channels from a single interface via TCP-IP. Based on the AMP protocol, Cinedeck MCC allows easy selection and management of one or more channels, providing control for record/play; input, encoder, folder and file name settings, etc., from a networked computer. Settings can be applied to one or many channels simultaneously. The Cinedeck MCC Multi-Channel-Control application comes in a zip file. Extract the installer from the zip to a temporary folder. Double click the cinedeck mcc.exe install program and follow the prompts. By default the application and all of its required files are installed in C:\CinedeckMcc 2.2 Known limitations 2.2 Known limitations As noted later in this documentation, it is required to manually set an encoder name for each channel. Typically the channels are named ch1, ch2 and so on however you can use any name you require such as ISO1, ISO2, cam1, cam2, however no matter the name, the encoder name field cannot remain blank. It is not possible with this version of Cinedeck MCC to toggle between Single and Redundant file writing. If this change is required, it must be completed on the Cinedeck directly. Page - 4 of 23

8 2.3 Initial Setup For use of the Cinedeck MCC application, it is recommended that the operator have a basic understanding of the Cinedeck user interface, Cinedeck project setup and deck operation. After installing, double click Cinedeck MCC. Select No at the Connect to Cinedecks? dialog. (Normally you would select Yes however for this first run, some configuration needs to be completed) 2.3 Initial Setup Page - 5 of 23

9 Select Setup to open setup dialog Select No Channels at the left of the dialog. 2.3 Initial Setup Double click the first line s IP address to open the channel setup dialog. Page - 6 of 23

2.4 IP Address The settings initially displayed in the channel setup dialog are the factory defaults. Under Channel Name, you can type a new name that better indicates the source for that channel.

10 2.4 IP Address The settings initially displayed in the channel setup dialog are the factory defaults. Under Channel Name, you can type a new name that better indicates the source for that channel. From the Int Chan drop down, select the appropriate Cinedeck internal channel number, ie, 1, 2, 3 or 4 on a 4 channel deck. 2.4 IP Address In the ip address field, enter the ip address for the deck you want to control. Select OK to save your changes and close the dialog. Repeat the procedure for any additional channels you want to control. Page - 7 of 23

11 Select the channels you want to control by checking the check box next to each channel. Select OK at the lower left of the setup dialog IP Address Select Yes at the Connect to Cinedecks? dialog. Page - 8 of 23

Your main screen should now show data from the connected channels. If no timecode is seen or Off or LOS is displayed, confirm that the desired Cinedeck is running and the ip address is correct.

12 Your main screen should now show data from the connected channels. If no timecode is seen or Off or LOS is displayed, confirm that the desired Cinedeck is running and the ip address is correct. (The Cinedeck ip address can be confirmed on the prefs page of the local Cinedeck setup screen) If you are still having problems, you may want to try pinging the Cinedeck from the remote system to assure there is network contact. 2.4 IP Address From the Windows Start Menu, open a command prompt window and type: ping nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn where the n s are the ip address of the Cinedeck. Press ENTER. Page - 9 of 23

13 2.5 Changing Settings Input Select setup from the lower right of the main screen. Select the channel you want to change on the left. 2.5 Changing Settings The setup area at the right has 5 tabs along the top for setting the parameters for input, encoding, etc. The settings below the tabs reflect the current state of the selected channel. From the drop down fields at the right, adjust the input settings as necessary Input Page - 10 of 23

14 2.5.2 Master & Proxy Select the encode tab to access Master and Proxy settings. Again, from the drop down fields at the right, adjust the encode settings as necessary. Continue and make any other changes for the master and proxy encode setup Encoder Name! Important! It is required to set an encoder name for each channel. Typically the channels are named ch1, ch2 and so on however you can use any name you require such as ISO1, ISO2, cam1, cam2, etc. In any case, the name must be actually set on the encoder page for the decks to properly function with the remote application. Note: For fields such as Encoder Name where you manually type in data, you must press ENTER to confirm your changes. Leaving a changed field without pressing ENTER cancels the change. 2.5 Changing Settings Encoder Name! Page - 11 of 23

15 2.5.4 Path Override If you would like to manually select a path (folder structure) and ignore the project settings, select enabled from the Override Primary Path drop down and enter a new path in the Primary Path field. 2.5 Changing Settings Remember: For fields where you manually type in data, you must press ENTER to confirm your changes. Leaving a changed field without pressing ENTER cancels the change. Continue and make any other changes needed for the master and proxy encode setup Path Override Page - 12 of 23

2.5.5 Projects Select the Projects tab. You can change any of the settings such as project name as needed. Refer to the chart below the project settings for file name variables.

16 2.5.5 Projects Select the Projects tab. You can change any of the settings such as project name as needed. Refer to the chart below the project settings for file name variables. All changes to project settings such as project name, must be typed in. You must press Enter to confirm your changes in each field. Changes to paths on the Project page are not required for encodes which use Path Override Audio Select Master Aud tab to choose and route master audio channels. The left column shows the record channel. The right column shows the source audio channel. 2.5 Changing Settings Add or remove audio channels using the Audio Presets control panel, at the bottom of the screen. + & - add or remove channels. The presets; 2ch, 4ch, etc., activate the selected quantity of channels and sets routing in sequential order Audio Select the Proxy Aud tab to choose and route proxy audio channels. Page - 13 of 23

That completes the process for setting up this channel. 2.5.

17 That completes the process for setting up this channel Apply Settings To apply the same settings to multiple channels, assure that the necessary channels are selected with their check boxes at the left. Select Apply Settings to All Checked 2.5 Changing Settings Select Yes at the Apply to All Checked Channels dialog. Remember! Encoder Name is not applied to all selected channels; Each channel must have its encoder name individually set for the deck to properly function with the remote application. Typically channels are named ch1, ch2 and so on however you can use any name you require such as ISO1, ISO2, cam1, cam2, etc. Ensure that each channel has it s Encoder Name set on the Encoders page Apply Settings Page - 14 of 23

18 After completing Encoder naming and making any other required changes, assure that the channels you want to control from the main screen are selected with their respective check boxes at the left. Select OK at the lower left, to save and close the setup dialog. 2.5 Changing Settings Select Yes at the connect dialog to return to the main screen Apply Settings Page - 15 of 23

19 2.6 Controlling Channels Recording On the main screen, click the channel name at the top left of a channel you want to control. This will highlight the channel by brightening all of the channel description text. You can start or stop recording on a single channel by clicking Record or Stop in that channels section. 2.6 Controlling Channels Recording Page - 16 of 23

20 When recording, the background for the channel turns red and the file naming changes to reflect the current recording. Note: Because Primary Path Override has been activated for this session, the master Encoder A, is using new_folder as its folder path while the proxy, Encode B, is using the NewProj\ch1 path, as determined by the project settings. 2.6 Controlling Channels Recording Page - 17 of 23

21 2.6.2 Control Multiple Channels To control multiple channels, highlight the desired channels by selecting the channel name. 2.6 Controlling Channels Using the controls at the bottom, you can simultaneously trigger all of the selected (highlighted) channels. If you hover your mouse over a transport control button, the associated action will appear as a small pop-up Control Multiple Channels Page - 18 of 23

22 2.6.3 Playback 2.6 Controlling Channels Pressing play, loads and plays the most recent recordings made for the selected channels Playback Page - 19 of 23

23 2.6.4 Transport Controls Ping Pong Loop 2.6 Controlling Channels Select all channels Deselect all channels Rewind Play in reverse Stop Play Forward Forward Fast Record Ping Pong Play continuously from beginning to end to beginning Loop Play in a continuous loop Eject clip from play mode, allow incoming signals (E-to-E) Transport Controls Page - 20 of 23

24 2.6.5 Load Clip for Playback 2.6 Controlling Channels In the channel control section, click Load to open the Cliplist and select a clip for playback Change Transport Bar to step mode. FF & RW buttons move playback one frame forwards or reverse Re-load the most recently played clip Load Clip for Playback Page - 21 of 23

25 Browse, sort and select a clip for playback from the Cliplist window. The list can be sorted by clicking any column header. Note the arrow just below each header name To reverse the sort direction, click the header name again. 2.6 Controlling Channels Load Clip for Playback Page - 22 of 23

Additional rows can be viewed and selected by sliding the vertical window 2.

26 Additional columns can be viewed and selected by sliding the horizontal window slider. Additional rows can be viewed and selected by sliding the vertical window slider. 2.6 Controlling Channels Select a clip and click Load to load the clip into the selected channel for playback Load Clip for Playback Page - 23 of 23

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