Silicon Imaging SI-2K Mini Quick Start Note: The SiliconDVR software is evolving rapidly and this manual may represent an interface that is potentially more or less advanced than the version currently in use. Rev 0.3 2/6/2007
General The Silicon Imaging SiliconDVR software can either be run from an SI-2K or, if used with a Mini connected to a PC, as an application on the PC. This Quick Start manual explains the installation and configuration process for external computers. The SI-2K will always have the correct software pre-installed and auto starting during powering up. For SI-2K use, the main interface is the 7 LCD viewfinder with integrated touchscreen. All menus have been devised to operate from the touchscreen with no other I/O devices required. For laptop and workstation operation with a Mini, the user can make selections with a mouse or other pointing device. Keyboard entry is allowed for text areas. It is important to remember that the SI-2K cameras are a new approach to user interface and camera control. All dedicated buttons have been removed and the features available are presented by a flexible touchscreen or mouse interface. New features can be added without hardware changes. Entirely new functions can be available by loading a new camera control file in the field. Software Activation There are two levels of software activation required for a fully operational workflow: 1) the CineForm RAW encoder that works in conjunction with the SiliconDVR application to encode the video stream, and 2) the CineForm editing tools for your editing suite (Pemiere Pro 2 or Final Cut Pro*). For each new user, an email will be issued assigning a serial number for the Cineform tools purchased. The CineForm RAW encoder and Prospect 2K software will each run for 15 days with full functionality after installation, but after 15 days they must be activated. We recommend you activate the software immediately after installation. Cineform RAW Encoder For the SI-2K, the encoder will already be activated at the factory and nothing else needs to be done by the user. For the PC user, after the SiliconDVR software is installed, there will be a CineForm directory added to the start menu. A program called ActivateRAW must be run on the machine that will do the capturing. ActivateRAW will create a system code for this computer. Then, go to the registration site: http://www.cineform.com/register.html and enter the system code, serial number, company name, and email address. An activation key will be emailed to the address provided. Enter the Name and Activation Code into the ActivateRAW dialog exactly as they appear in the activation email you received, and an activation confirmation message should appear. If the encoder is updated there should be no need to reactivate the new version. Revision 0.3 2/6/2007 Page 2
Prospect 2K Once installed, run the Activate.exe utility located found through the Windows Start Menu: Start All Programs CineForm Prospect 2K. Copy the 8-digit System Code from the dialog box. Then, go to the registration site: http://www.cineform.com/register.html and enter the system code, serial number company name, and email address. An activation key will be emailed to the address provided. When you have received the activation code, run the Activate.exe utility and enter both the Name and Activation Code exactly as they appear in the email you received, and an activation confirmation message should appear. NOTE 1: If your machine does not have Internet access you can still activate by managing the Internet transactions on any machine that does have Internet access. CineForm RAW and Prospect 2K License Notes The Cineform RAW encoder and Prospect 2K software are each licensed for operation on one machine at a time. The licenses can be moved easily from one machine to another by deactivating the first machine and activating a second machine. Visit www.cineform.com/register.html for details. To facilitate easy moving of the SI-2K Mini from one machine to another, it is possible to activate up to 3 machines at one time. The license is still only for one copy running at any time but this will provide an easier way to reconfigure on the set. * Coming Soon. Files and File System The standard file system on the removable hard drive is NTFS and can record a maximum file size of 4 TB. This corresponds to a 74 hour single take using Cineform RAW in its highest resolution mode. One caveat is that this file system can be read under Mac OS but not written. If writing is required with the Mac OS, a FAT32 format can be used with a maximum of 4GB file sizes (4 minute takes). The Cineform RAW files recorded to the removable hard drive of the DVR are in.avi format. Audio is16 bit 48KHz stereo encoded embedded in the.avi file. This format provides for external codecs to be used to decode during playback. The Cineform cfdecode.ax file must be present on the playback system for proper quarter resolution preview playback using standard Video for Windows playback tools (Windows Media Player, VirtualDub, etc.). Revision 0.3 2/6/2007 Page 3
VirtualDub is an excellent tool for repairing.avi files. More information regarding this tool can be found at: http://virtualdub.org/ Acquiring the Software The latest release of the software can be found here: http://siliconimaging.com/digitalcinema/alpha/silicondvrsetup.alpha14.256.exe System Setup Prior to loading the SiliconDVR software, either a clean copy of XP Professional SP2 should be loaded, or the existing load should be cleaned. All memory resident applications should be removed. This includes: -Virus checkers - Firewalls - Instant messenger and other chat programs - Automatic updates for any software including the OS Update all system drivers, most importantly the video driver. Download and install the latest copy of DirectX from Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.mspx To test the installation, from the Run on the start bar, run the program dxdiag. The output should look similar to this: DDI version should be 9 or higher. Revision 0.3 2/6/2007 Page 4
Installation SiliconDVR Run the previously downloaded software. You will get a message such as this: Select Run. The installation software wizard will start: We are serious about this. Be sure DirectX is loaded: Revision 0.3 2/6/2007 Page 5
Customer information is entered: It is not suggested that you change the directory: Do a complete installation: Revision 0.3 2/6/2007 Page 6
And select install : Install Secondary Software It is much easier to install these tools as part of the general installation. The Cineform RAW recording encoder (codec) and the communications tool for the gigabit Ethernet capture are both selected: The Cineform RAW codec is installed first: Revision 0.3 2/6/2007 Page 7
It runs its own setup wizard: The EULA must be read and accepted: Again, it is suggested that the default target directory be used: The wizard is completed. You still must activate the software (see below). Next the gigabit driver must be installed. There are two possible drivers, the high performance driver designed to work with Intel Pro/1000 network cards and the filter Revision 0.3 2/6/2007 Page 8
driver which relies on the existing network card driver. In the filter driver case, it is preferred that the card support jumbo frames. Start the installation: The GigE driver installation will search for hardware: A table is generated for all compatible devices: Revision 0.3 2/6/2007 Page 9
Right clicking on a capture device will provide options for installing an appropriate driver: The selection is verified: Be absolutely certain only one driver is activated. It can be either the High Performance or filter driver. Sometimes wireless network interfaces will search for the best driver and find the filter driver. This will cause system problems. Installation is complete: The IP address of the Network Interface card (NIC) should be set to 169.254.143.1. This is done by going to the control panel and selecting Network Connections. Select the appropriate NIC, double click Properties, select TCP/IP and then its properties. Revision 0.3 2/6/2007 Page 10
Cineform Activation Prior to recording with the Cineform RAW format, the encoder must be activated. Silicon Imaging should have provided you with a license code. If not, contact hd@siliconimaging.com for a code assigned to you or your company. You should get an email from Cineform saying that your licensed is ready for activation. You can then run ActivateRAW: Yes, cut and paste can get you in trouble. This is the ActivateRAW page: Use the default directory: Revision 0.3 2/6/2007 Page 11
Read and agree to the EULA: This will start the wizard: Activate will provide you with a hardware fingerprint (system code) that will be needed to run the automated Software activation at www.cineform.com/register.html This page will return a key to you by email. It is then pasted into the popup: Revision 0.3 2/6/2007 Page 12
The encoder now allows up to 3 activations at one time for the encoder. This enables you to run SiliconDVR on multiple machines without deactivating. This is useful since on set you may need to connect to a workstation, laptop or SI-2K recorder at different times. Once Adobe Premiere is loaded onto a machine, Prospect 2K can be installed and activated in a similar manner. Only one copy of Propect 2K can be active at any one time per license. Run Activate: Register your software: Revision 0.3 2/6/2007 Page 13
Enter the activation information: Note that it is also possible to deactivate your software to reactivate from another machine. For Prospect 2K, this might be necessary if you move from a laptop on the set to a workstation for final editing. The on-line deactivate screen: Revision 0.3 2/6/2007 Page 14
Upgrading SiliconDVR At the present time, large upgrades are distributed as new Alpha self installing releases. Smaller upgrades are distributed as new versions of SiliconDVR.exe When they are posted, they are posted in the same directory as the major releases shown above. These releases are called GigEapp.exe packaged as a zip file as shown below. This zip file should be downloaded, unzipped and put in the c:\program Files\Silicon Imaging\Silicon DVR\bin directory: Revision 0.3 2/6/2007 Page 15
The existing SiliconDVR.exe should be renamed. Below, SiliconDVR_old was used. The GigEApp.exe is then renamed SiliconDVR.exe. This keeps any desktop links consistent. Time to make a movie. or at least read the SiliconDVR operator s manual available at the link shown above in Acquiring the Software. Additional Notes - Be sure all memory resident software that is not absolutely required is turned off. You can do this by running MSCONFIG from the run command. - If you are using a laptop, be sure all power saving features for the system and video card are turned off. - Ideally, an Intel Pro/1000 compatible gigabit Ethernet interface should be used. This allows the High Performance driver to operate. If another brand must be used, the Mavell Yukon chip set is preferred. Contact Us We can be reached at hd@siliconimaging.com or 518-279-9098 for further support. Revision 0.3 2/6/2007 Page 16