DISCLAIMER Television screens are simulated and subject to change without notice. This device is not to be used for the unauthorized copying of copyrighted material. TRADEMARKS MX-4 DV, the FOCUS Enhancements logo, and MX-4 DV are trademarks or registered trademarks of FOCUS Enhancements Hi8 and i.LINK are trademarks of Sony Corporation. FireWire is a registered trademark of Apple Computer. VHS is a registered trademark of JVC.
CONTENTS Identifying Colors • 42 Using Color Backgrounds • 42 Changing Colors and Styles • 42 Creating Custom Colors • 43 Using Borders • 43 Changing Border Styles • 44 DISCLAIMER • 2 TRADEMARKS • 2 FCC Statement • 2 1 INTRODUCTION Major Features • 2 Common Uses for MX-4 DV • 4 MX-4 DV Package Contents • 5 About this User Guide • 6 2 5 Basic Transition Concepts • 48 Transition Categories and Menus • 50 Basic Transitions Category • 51 Edges Transitions Category • 51 Misc.
CONTENTS Changing the Routing • 74 Example: Changing the Routing • 75 Routing Audio Through Color or Background Channels • 76 Sub-Route Menus • 77 Learn • 78 Compose • 79 PIPs • 79 Audio Mix • 79 Freeze • 79 Field and Frame Freezes • 79 Major Freeze Functions • 80 Freeze Examples • 80 8 PIPS Single PIP • 84 Background Tile • 84 Foreground Tile • 84 Using Other Effects with Single PIPs • 86 Multi-PIP • 87 Using Freeze Effect with Multi-PIPs • 88 9 COMPOSE Basic Composition Steps • 90 Backgrounds • 90 For
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Welcome to the MX-4 DV, and thank you for buying FOCUS Enhancements products. This chapter contains: • Brief descriptions of major MX-4 DV features • Typical uses for the MX-4 DV • How to contact FOCUS Enhancements • An inventory of package contents • Description of the contents of this User Guide Please take a few moments to read the material so you can take full advantage of all MX-4 DV benefits.
2 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 1 MAJOR FEATURES MX-4 DV contains features found on most video mixers. In addition, it contains the special features described in this section. Superb Video Quality — To ensure the highest video quality, the MX-4 DV uses 10-bit (4:2:2) video technology for Y/C applications, and 8-bit 4:2:2 for composite applications. Four Input Synchronized Switcher — MX-4 DV provides four input channels that mix analog sources.
INTRODUCTION MAJOR FEATURES 3 Connectivity — MX-4 DV provides multiple video/audio outputs, including one DV output, two Y/C Program outputs, two composite Program outputs, one composite Preview output, two sets of stereo audio outputs, and a Headphone output. Joystick — The joystick gives you fine control over color adjustments and positioning of PIP (picture-in-picture), compose, and the chromakey cursor. Color Correction — Apply true RGB color correction to any or all input sources.
4 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 1 COMMON USES FOR MX-4 DV Multiple-Source Video Production — In a video production setup, you can connect one or more video sources (VCRs, camcorders, video disc players, cameras, title generators, computer graphics systems, and so forth) to MX-4 DV’s four input channels. The Program output can then be sent to a VCR or directly to a monitor. You can determine what is sent to the output. While the original inputs play, you can switch between any of MX-4 DV’s channels.
INTRODUCTION MX-4 DV PACKAGE CONTENTS 5 MX-4 DV PACKAGE CONTENTS The MX-4 DV package contains the items shown below. Check your package against the illustration. MX-4 DV Unit MX-4 DV USER GUIDE Product registration card and other information POWER ADAPTER AND CORD If your package doesn’t contain all of the items shown here, contact the dealer where you purchased the MX-4 DV for the necessary replacements.
6 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 1 ABOUT THIS USER GUIDE This User Guide contains the chapters, appendixes, and other sections shown in the following table. Table 1: User Guide Contents CHAPTER DESCRIPTION Chapter 1 Introduction Basic overview of MX-4 DV features, description of package contents, description of manual. Chapter 2 Quick Start Brief steps to setting up MX-4 DV with your equipment. Provided for people quite familiar with connecting video equipment.
INTRODUCTION ABOUT THIS USER GUIDE 7 Table 1: User Guide Contents (continued) CHAPTER DESCRIPTION Appendix D Technical Specifications MX-4 DV product specifications. Appendix E Help for MXPro DV Users Summarizes operational differences between MX-4 DV and FOCUS Enhancements’s Video Mixers. Glossary Definitions of terms frequently used in conjunction with MX-4 DV and video mixing procedures. Index Standard index to topics in this manual.
8 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 1 An Output displays or records a mixed signal (such as the video on one channel, a transition, and the video on another channel) on an output device. The output device might be a recording VCR or a live broadcast signal.
CHAPTER 2 QUICK START This chapter contains brief instructions for setting up MX-4 DV with basic equipment. The instructions do not go into detail. If you feel comfortable connecting video and audio equipment, you can probably get started quickly using these instructions. If you are upgrading from the Videonics MXPro DV, refer to Appendix APPENDIX E, Help for MXPro DV Users, for helpful information in setting up your MX-4 DV. Skim the instructions in this chapter.
10 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 2 QUICK START STEPS Setting Up Input Source Input Source IN 1 IN 2 Preview Monitor OUT 1 Output Monitor PREVIEW OUT Output Device • Connect a COMPOSITE-type monitor to MX-4 DV’s PREVIEW OUT jack. • Connect an Input Source (such as a VCR or camcorder) to the MX-4 DV’s DV IN 1 jack. • Connect a second Input Source to the MX-4 DV’s Y/C IN 2 jack.
QUICK START THE PREVIEW SCREEN • Connect the MX-4 DV power supply to the power supply jack on the rear panel. • Connect the MX-4 DV’s power cord to a suitable outlet. • Turn on all devices (the MX-4 DV power switch is located on the right end of the unit) and let the tapes roll. 11 For more detailed information about setting up your equipment, refer to Chapter 3, Installing the MX-4 DV.
12 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 2 Using the Route The Route function ensures that the MX-4 DV understands where your input devices are connected Function on the rear panel. If you connect Y/C devices to the IN1, IN2, IN3, and/or IN4 jacks, re-routing is not necessary. Go on to the next section, “Running the Demo”. • After starting the MX-4 DV with all devices connected and turned on, press ROUTE to display the Route screen.
QUICK START CUTTING BETWEEN SOURCES 13 Cutting Between Sources • Press CUT/A. When you press a CUT button, the small light below the button glows steadily to indicate it is the CURRENT source. When you press a NEXT button, the small light above the button blinks to indicate it is the NEXT source. The light below the A button comes on and the Output monitor displays the signal from whatever device is plugged into the inputs labeled IN 1.
14 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 2 Use LEFT and RIGHT ARROWS to move the selection horizontally. Use UP and DOWN ARROWS to move the selection vertically: or, press 2 then OK to select the transition by number. Selected Transition The MX-4 DV transitions between the two sources using the horizontal wipe transition with the Output screen showing the results. Running Transitions You can run transitions automatically or manually. Automatic • Transitions Press PLAY.
QUICK START CHOOSING TRANSITIONS 15 Choosing Transitions The Preview screen contains the Transitions Menu. This menu contains icons and other information for all MX-4 DV transitions. A blue highlight indicates the transition selected for the next transition. • Select Transitions in the following ways: ARROW keys – Simply use the arrow keys to highlight the desired transition. NUMBER keys – The MX-4 DV assigns a unique number to every transition.
16 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 2 • Using the DEMO/DISPLAY button to change the content of the Preview screen. • Freeze the picture, and compress it. • Separately control the sound. • Apply input effects, such as mosaic, paint (posterization), negative, and more. • Use chromakey to combine parts of one picture with parts of another. • Compose your own pictures, made up of several stills, color rectangles, and a moving picture.
CHAPTER 3 INSTALLING THE MX-4 DV This chapter explains how to install (or, set up) MX-4 DV to use with other equipment.
18 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 3 SOURCES AND OUTPUT Source and Output refer to the way you use devices with MX-4 DV. Source Source Source Source MX-4 DV Output Output Source — A source is an input device. Each source provides a video signal, audio signal, or both. You use the MX-4 DV to combine and (optionally) animate these signals. Output — An output is a device on which you record and/or broadcast a signal. The signal might contain video, audio, or both.
INSTALLING THE MX-4 DV PREVIEW MONITOR Preview Monitor 19 Program Monitor Preview Monitor The Preview monitor is your “working” monitor. Most of the time it contains controls for managing Source and Output devices. For example, it shows miniature versions of images coming from the attached VCRs and camcorders. The Preview monitor also shows a menu of transitions and other effects from which you can choose. Refer to “Using the Preview Screen” beginning on page 35.
20 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 3 UNDERSTANDING MX-4 DV CONNECTORS To properly setup the MX-4 DV, you need to know how and where to connect external components – such as VCRs, camcorders, and so forth. Use cables to connect video devices to the MX-4 DV’s rear panel. Refer to “Cables and Adapters” on page 22. Remove the MX-4 DV from its package and set it so you can see the rear panel. Refer to the panel and the illustration on the next page while reading this section.
MX-4 DV REAR PANEL Please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the connections on the MX-4 DV Rear Panel before you begin setting up your equipment.
22 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 3 Power Connector The MX-4 DV package contains the required transformer and power cord for the unit. Male Socket Female Plug Power Adapter Plug Male Plug Transformer Power Cord WARNING USE ONLY THE POWER CORD AND TRANSFORMER PROVIDED IN THE PACKAGE. DO NOT USE THIS POWER CORD AND TRANSFORMER WITH ANY OTHER EQUIPMENT. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THESE CONDITIONS CAN DAMAGE YOUR EQUIPMENT AND VOID YOUR WARRANTY.
INSTALLING THE MX-4 DV CABLES AND ADAPTERS 23 CAUTION When making connections, always connect the OUT from one device to the IN on the other device. NEVER connect OUT to OUT or IN to IN GOOD! BAD! Microphones You can connect a microphone to any MX-4 DV input jack, but you may need a special adapter to make the connection. The type of adapter needed varies depending on the type of microphone you want to use.
24 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 3 INSTALLATION EXAMPLES This section shows examples of two common MX-4 DV configurations, but does not describe every possibility. Before proceeding, study the following diagram (MX-4 DV Installation Concept) that shows overall configuration concepts. MX-4 DV Installation Concept Channel A Channel B SOURCES Channel Channel C D This diagram illustrates the overall concept for installing equipment with MX-4 DV.
INSTALLING THE MX-4 DV USING HEADPHONES 25 Using Headphones To use headphones, connect them to the Headphone jack, which is located on the middle of the unit. The jack accepts standard stereo headphones with a miniature plug. If your headphones have a large plug, you need an adapter to switch it to a miniature plug. VCR Selector Switches Many VCRs have an input selector switch that routes between Line (or AUX, EXT, A/V, or S) and Tuner. Here are some examples.
26 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 3 Post Production Configuration This configuration is useful in a Post-Production environment—where you mix two or more programs together. This installation example below shows the use of DV equipment in combination with analog equipment. 1 Connect the VIDEO OUT from a DV VTR 1 to DV IN 1 on the MX-4 DV rear panel. Connect the AUDIO OUTs from a DV VTR 1 to AUDIO IN 1 on the MX-4 DV rear panel. 2 Connect the VIDEO OUT from a DV VTR 2 to DV IN 2 on the MX-4 DV rear panel.
8 1 7 Program Monitor POST PRODUCTION CONFIGURATION DV IN 6 2 3 4 5 Preview Monitor DV Out INSTALLING THE MX-4 DV POST PRODUCTION CONFIGURATION 27
28 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 3 Live Broadcast Configuration This configuration is useful in a Live Broadcast environment. 1 Connect the VIDEO OUT from Camera 1 to VIDEO IN 1 (Y/C) on the MX-4 DV rear panel. Connect the AUDIO OUTs from Camera 1 to AUDIO IN 1 on the rear panel. 2 Connect the VIDEO OUT from Camera 2 to VIDEO IN 2 on the MX-4 DV rear panel. Connect the AUDIO OUTs from Camera 2 to AUDIO IN 2 on the rear panel.
9 1 LIVE BROADCAST CONFIGURATION 2 DV IN Program Monitor 3 8 4 7 6 Preview Monitor DV Out 5 INSTALLING THE MX-4 DV LIVE BROADCAST CONFIGURATION 29
30 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 3 USING A MICROPHONE WITH MX-4 DV This section explains how to connect a microphone to MX-4 DV.
CHAPTER 4 BASIC OPERATIONS This chapter describes several basic MX-4 DV operations, including: • Starting and stopping the MX-4 DV • Using the MX-4 DV keyboard • Using the Preview screen • Using CURRENT and NEXT sources • Selecting Sources • Using the VIDEO/AUDIO selector • Cutting Between Sources • Working with Color • Using Backgrounds • Using Borders
32 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 4 STARTING AND STOPPING THE MX-4 DV Press the Power switch to start or stop the MX-4 DV. The switch, located on the right-end of the unit, is a rocker-type switch. UNDERSTANDING THE KEYBOARD Use the MX-4 DV keyboard to control how the unit operates. This section briefly describes the button groups and, in some cases, individual buttons and controls. Additional information appears throughout this User Guide.
UNDERSTANDING THE KEYBOARD 10 1 2 8 7 9 3 MX-4 DV KEYBOARD 11 12 4 13 5 14 6 BASIC OPERATIONS 33
34 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE 9 CHAPTER 4 Control Buttons — Use these buttons to reverse transition direction, change transition speed, specify background and border colors, and set border styles. 10 Numeric Keypad — Use for various functions, such as entering the number of a transition you want to use, setting a precise speed for a transition, and so forth.
BASIC OPERATIONS USING THE PREVIEW SCREEN 35 USING THE PREVIEW SCREEN The Preview Screen is your control center for the MX-4 DV operations. This section describes individual items on the Preview screen. The Preview screen appears on the monitor attached to the MX-4 DV PREVIEW OUT jack.
36 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 4 • Next — (SHIFT+4) Displays full-screen image of the NEXT input source. Transitions menu not displayed. • Current — (SHIFT+5) Displays full-screen image of the CURRENT input source. Transitions menu not displayed. Refer to “Display” beginning on page 69 for more information. Unless stated otherwise, this guide assumes you are using the Standard preview. Input Source Previews A small, preview image from each input source appears in a separate window.
BASIC OPERATIONS COLOR SELECTOR 37 Color Selector The Color Selector shows current choices for background color, border color, and border style. The selector shows the actual colors, and the numeric values associated with each. This example shows a background color 5, border color 7, and border style 5. Background Color Border Style Border Color If you turn off the border (that is, set the border style to zero), the border color swatch and number do not appear in the Color Selector.
38 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 4 Using CURRENT and NEXT Sources The concept of CURRENT and NEXT sources is fundamental to MX-4 DV operations. As you go about creating productions, you always have a CURRENT and NEXT source. Example… Suppose you want to create a sequence of transitions from Kong’s thoughtful gaze to footage of a fighter plane contemplating take off and, finally, a shot of Stonehenge for a mystic closing.
BASIC OPERATIONS SELECTING SOURCES 39 6 Select a transition to use this time to switch from CURRENT to NEXT source, such as a slow dissolve. The CURRENT source (the fighter plane) continues running, and continues to appear on the output device. 7 To transition to Stonehenge, hold down the SHIFT button and move the T-BAR to the bottom of its slot, release the SHIFT key, then swing the T-BAR upwards at whatever speed you want the dissolve to happen.
40 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 4 Example… You are producing a documentary on hot air ballooning. You want to over-dub the video footage of hot air balloons with a narrative audio track. Using the VIDEO/AUDIO selector you can process only the video from the VCR and combine it with the audio from an audio tape containing the voice-over material. To do this type of mixing: 1 Connect the VCR to one of the MX-4 DV inputs on the rear panel, such as set number one.
BASIC OPERATIONS WORKING WITH COLORS 41 To switch sources using this method: 1 Press the CUT button for the source with which you want to begin — for example, press CUT/A. 2 Press the NEXT button for the other source — for example, press NEXT/B. 3 Use the ARROW keys to highlight and select a transition, or enter the transition number on the numeric keypad. Press OK.
42 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 4 Identifying Colors Background Color The Color Selector appears in the upper-right corner of the Preview screen. It indicates colors selected for the background and borders as well as border style. Border Style The inner-most rectangle shows a sample of color assigned to the background as well as the color number. The border around the rectangle shows both the current border style and color and their associated color and style codes.
BASIC OPERATIONS CREATING CUSTOM COLORS 43 Creating Custom Colors You can change any color other than color 0 (black) (refer to Table 2 on page 41) to create custom colors. You cannot add more colors, but you can change the existing ones. Once you create a custom color, it stays permanently in the MX-4 DV unit until and unless you change it again. BG COLOR and BORDER COLOR share the color palette. Therefore, changing any color affects both the background and border colors.
44 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 4 You can also use borders to frame images in a picture-in-picture (PIP) image, and so forth. Whatever purpose you use a border for, you can specify the color and style for the border. To specify border color: • Repeatedly press BORDER COLOR to cycle through the available colors. The Color Selector shows the current color. Press BORDER STYLE+0 (zero) to immediately turn off the border.
BASIC OPERATIONS CHANGING BORDER STYLES The MX-4 DV automatically stores the border style so that it is available until and unless you change it again.
NOTES
CHAPTER 5 TRANSITIONS The MX-4 DV contains over 700 transitions from which you can choose. Furthermore, you can manually control any transition to change the way it works, thereby creating your own versions of the supplied set. Transitions artistically switch from one scene to the next in a production. The MX-4 DV transitions range from simple cuts, dissolves, and wipes to sophisticated zooms, fly-ins, and flips.
48 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 5 BASIC TRANSITION CONCEPTS Transitions create on-screen effects used when switching from one source to another (that is, one scene to another). The most basic type of transition is the cut, where the first frame from the NEXT source immediately replaces the last frame from the CURRENT source. Cuts produce abrupt changes. Other types of transitions use special effects to produce a smoother, more artistic change from one source to the next.
TRANSITIONS BASIC TRANSITION CONCEPTS 49 You can select the CURRENT source, the NEXT source, and the transition in any order, and change them as many times as necessary before actually running the transition. At the completion of the transition, the CURRENT and NEXT sources swap places — that is, CURRENT becomes NEXT, and NEXT becomes CURRENT.
50 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 5 TRANSITION CATEGORIES AND MENUS To help manage the 700+ transitions, the MX-4 DV separates them into five logical categories — User, Basic, Edges, Shapes, and Misc. Use the Transition Category buttons to access the different categories. Transition Category Buttons When you press a Transition Category button, MX-4 DV displays the transitions available in that category in the Transitions Menu. The content of the menu differs depending on which category you select.
TRANSITIONS BASIC TRANSITIONS CATEGORY 51 The MX-4 DV color codes the transition icons in the menu: Basic Edges Misc. Shapes White Blue Yellow Red Basic Transitions Category This category includes common transitions, such as wipes and dissolves. The transitions in this category are color coded white. Refer to page 136 for samples.
52 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 5 TIP During production planning, determine which transitions you want to use, then set up the User category to contain those transitions. This gives you quick, immediate access to the transitions without having to search through the other categories. See the following section (“Changing User Transitions Menu”) to learn how to tailor the menu to your preferences.
TRANSITIONS SELECTING TRANSITION SOURCES 53 SELECTING TRANSITION SOURCES An important step in setting up a transition is to identify the CURRENT and NEXT sources. Use CUT and NEXT to choose the two sources. The MX-4 DV provides feedback in a couple of different ways to confirm your choices. Selecting Sources and Getting Feedback The lights between the rows of CUT and NEXT buttons act as indicators. A steady light identifies the CURRENT source (A) – a flashing light identifies the NEXT source (C).
54 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 5 SELECTING TRANSITIONS To select a transition to use between the CURRENT and NEXT sources, do one of the following: • Use the ARROW keys to select from the Transitions Menu on the Preview screen; or, • Enter the transition’s assigned number on the MX-4 DV numeric keypad, then press OK. Use ARROW keys to select a transition from the Transition Menu on the Preview Screen… or Preview Screen … …enter the transition number on the keypad… then press OK.
TRANSITIONS USING TRANSITION NUMBERS 55 Using Transition Numbers Every transition has a number assigned for reference and identification. The number appears in the Transitions Menu just below each transition icon. The transition number… in this example, number 14 To select a transition using transition numbers: 1 Enter the transition number on the keyboard. 2 Press OK. To immediately play back the transition, press PLAY rather than OK.
56 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 5 ADJUSTING TRANSITIONS Every transition runs at a pre-set speed and direction. Symbols appear below the transition icon in the Transitions Menu indicating the current speed and direction. Transition Icon Transition Direction Transition Speed Use the SPEED and REVERSE buttons to change the speed and/or direction of a transition.
TRANSITIONS CHANGING TRANSITION DIRECTION 57 To reverse a transition: • Press REVERSE. Remember, all transitions run in reverse until you press REVERSE again. Reverse has no effect on a simple Cut or Dissolve transition because reversing those transitions produces no visible result. MX-4 DV changes the Transition Direction indicator below the transition icon to the currently selected direction. When the arrow points right, the transition runs in its normal direction.
58 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 5 RUNNING TRANSITIONS After selecting the CURRENT and NEXT sources and the transition to use, you can run the transition either automatically or manually. • Use PLAY to run transitions automatically, when you want them to run smoothly and always the same way. • Use the T-BAR to run transitions manually, when you want fine control over the way it runs. For example, you can make the transition speed up, slow down, or even reverse itself at any point.
CHAPTER 6 INPUT EFFECTS This chapter describes MX-4 DV Input Effects, that are available in the following button group on the MX-4 DV keyboard. Use Input Effects in the following ways: • Apply input effects to any source. • Combine many different input effects to create entirely new effects. • Apply input effects to some, none, or all sources, in any combination. • With miscellaneous transitions. • With multi-PIPs. • In compose mode.
60 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 6 INPUT EFFECTS MENU Press any input effects button to display the Input Effects Menu — or, press the EFFECTS button. POSTERIZE B&W NEGATIVE FLIP HORIZONTAL MOSAIC MX-4 DV updates the preview images to show Input Effects. B&W COLOR CORRECT COLOR NEGATIVE VIDEO ADJUSTMENT FLIP VERTICAL STROBE When you press one of the input effects buttons (such as POSTERIZE), the MX-4 DV automatically selects that effect in the menu.
INPUT EFFECTS SPECIAL KEY COMBINATIONS 61 Special Key Combinations Use the following key combinations while working with the Input Effects menu. Table 6: Input Effects Mode Key Combinations KEY COMBINATION RESULT ARROW keys Moves cursor (or, highlight) between the different Input Effects. Numeric Keypad Directly sets the parameter value for the highlighted effect. EFFECTS or OK Exits from Input Effects mode.
62 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 6 USING INPUT EFFECTS To apply a parameter value: Please select a channel source before choosing an Input Effect.MX-4 DV. 1 Press EFFECTS or one of the input effects buttons to display the Input Effects menu. 2 If you haven’t already done so, use the ARROW keys or EFFECTS button to select the desired Input Effect to which you want to apply parameter values. 3 Set the parameter value to 0 (zero) to turn it OFF, or to 1 to turn it ON.
INPUT EFFECTS B&W 63 B&W Changes the input picture to black and white. Removes all color from the image. Parameter Values — Zero or one. 0 = Off: 1 = On B&W NEG Reverses all black and white values in the image. If applied to a color image, reverses all black and white values but does not change any color values in the image. Parameter Values — Zero or one. 0 = Off: 1 = On TIP To create a black and white negative effect, also turn on the B&W effect.
64 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 6 MOSAIC Divides picture into tiles. Parameter Values — Zero through nine. Zero turns off the effect. Low values create numerous, small tiles. High values create fewer, larger tiles. Highest values might make image difficult to recognize. COLOR CORRECT Adjusts overall color values throughout the entire image. You can set Color Correction values separately for each channel. Parameter Values — Zero or one.
INPUT EFFECTS VIDEO ADJUSTMENT 65 VIDEO ADJUSTMENT Allows you to access the Brightness, Color Saturation, Contrast, and Hue adjustment menu. Use the ARROW keys to select this option, then press OK. The MX-4 DV then guides you to the video adjustment menu. Refer to “Using Input Effects” on page 62 for complete details. Parameter Values — Zero or one. 0 = Off: 1 = +OK activates video adjustment menu. CHROMAKEY 1 2 3 Chromakey replaces all occurrences of a color in an image with a different image.
NOTES
CHAPTER 7 FUNCTIONS This chapter describes the Function buttons, that give you access to the MX-4 DV’s built-in functions. The function button group contains eight buttons, but gives you access to more than eight functions.
68 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 7 DEMO Press SHIFT+DEMO/DISPLAY to run a demonstration of several MX-4 DV transitions and other effects. Demo works in conjunction with the CURRENT and NEXT sources. (If you have one source selected as CURRENT and NEXT, the demo works with that source only.) The demo shows many of the effects you can produce with the MX-4 DV. The demo runs automatically and, upon reaching the end, starts over from the beginning.
FUNCTIONS DISPLAY 69 DISPLAY To control what appears on the Preview monitor, use the DISPLAY function. Press DEMO/DISPLAY to cycle through the different display configurations. Refer to samples of these configurations on the next page. The illustrations show the key combination you can use to directly access any display configuration. STANDARD – Provides most extensive display. Shows preview images of all active input sources and a menu of up to 30 different transitions from which you can choose.
70 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 7 DISPLAY CONFIGURATIONS Standard – SHIFT+1 Full – SHIFT+3 Next – SHIFT+4 For all examples on this page, assume source A is CURRENT and source B is NEXT. Input sources C and D show up only when using Standard or Full options. Two Channel – SHIFT+2 Flashing white border indicates CURRENT source, unless that source is the COLOR channel. Current – SHIFT+5 Use the shortcut keys or press DISPLAY to cycle through the display options.
FUNCTIONS SETUP 71 SETUP The Setup functions control various aspects of the way the MX-4 DV operates, including Force Field Freeze, GPI Out Mode, Comb Filter, Dual Monitor Mode and 7.5 IRE Pedestal. To access the Setup functions, press SETUP. Force Field Freeze 7.
72 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 7 Force Field Freeze The Force Field Freeze option lets you specify whether you want the MX-4 DV to perform a frame or field freeze. This option works in conjunction with the Freeze feature (refer to “Freeze” on page 79). Frame Freeze produces best quality, but it might produce a jittering effect when trying to freeze objects in motion. In such cases, use a Field Freeze. Field Freeze – The MX-4 DV freezes only every other line of the image.
FUNCTIONS FTP 73 If you are working with equipment that requires 7.5 IRE, set Pedestal to 1. NOTE This option is not available on PAL versions of the MX-4 DV. FTP The FTP function lets you network your MX-4 DV to a PC using the Ethernet connector on the back of you unit. You can copy background, foreground and still frame jpeg images to or from your unit. Refer to “Ethernet Connection” in Chapter 13 for complete information.
74 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 7 Changing the Routing To change the routing, 1 Press ROUTE to display the Route menu. The MX-4 DV has four internal channels: A, B, C and D. The route menu lets you select which of the twelve inputs are connected to each of the four channels. Audio sources can be routed to the same four channels (A, B, C and D) and in addition, can be routed to the color channel (Color) or the background audio channel (BKGD). Refer to Chapter 12, Working with Audio, for more information.
FUNCTIONS EXAMPLE: CHANGING THE ROUTING 75 2 3 4 5 4 5 Select the Audio source to use with your selected channel. Use the DOWN ARROW key to highlight the Audio row, then use the LEFT ARROW/RIGHT ARROW keys to select an audio source. a Audio can be a stereo pair of inputs from a DV source IN1-4 or from analog inputs IN1-4 b Audio is available to output on DV audio channels 1 and 2 or on analog outputs L1 and R1, if you select 2-channel 48kHz audio output in the Setup Menu.
76 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 7 2 Select the channel by pressing NEXT/C. Verify that channel C is highlighted. 3 Select the Video. Use the UP ARROW/DOWN ARROW keys to move the red highlight bar to the Video row, then use the LEFT ARROW/RIGHT ARROW keys to select DV IN1. 4 Select the Audio channel. Since you are in a 2-channel input, use the UP ARROW/DOWN ARROW keys to move to the Audio row representing the Digital section, then use the LEFT ARROW/RIGHT ARROW keys to select L1 and R1 within DV IN 1.
FUNCTIONS SUB-ROUTE MENUS 77 Sub-Route Menus You can select Sub-Route menus for the following: • Input graphics • Foreground graphics • Background graphics Once you highlight the selection on the Route Menu, press OK to continue into the selected submenu. Input Graphics and Once you have chosen either a graphic as an input or apply a background graphic from the main Background router menu, you will be directed to the menu referenced below.
78 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 7 Importing jpegs for background, input or foreground use will automatically replace what currently exists on your MX-4 DV. A factory reset will not restore the original 12 inch Design jpegs that are included on the MX-4 DV. Refer to the included CD or use the FOCUS Enhancements website to re-import the original jpegs if desired. Foreground Once you have selected “foreground graphics” from the main router menu, you, are directed to the Graphics Menu menu below.
FUNCTIONS COMPOSE 79 Once you activate the Learn feature, the MX-4 DV remembers each step you go through in preparing a production — including all transitions, input effects, and other operations. You can play back this Learned Script to automatically perform all of the steps and functions it contains. Refer to Chapter 11, Learn Mode, for complete information. COMPOSE Use Compose to create screen images made up of several different graphic elements.
80 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 7 Frame Freeze – Captures all horizontal lines, thereby producing a higher resolution (better quality) image. Use Frame Freeze when working with still images, such as photographs. Using Frame Freeze with images in motion normally produces jitter in the movie. The MX-4 DV captures using Frame Freeze, by default. Refer to “Force Field Freeze” on page 72 to learn how to change the default setting.
FUNCTIONS FREEZE EXAMPLES 81 Creating Still You can use the Freeze function to transition between a series of still images to create a “still monMontages tage.” You can use from one to four sources. To create a still montage: 1 Route a video source to Channel A. Remember, you can use up to as many as four sources for this procedure. This example starts from a black screen, then transitions to a still image. 2 Enter BG COLOR+0 (zero) to set the background color to black.
82 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE NOTES CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8 PIPS With the MX-4 DV you can easily produce single and multiple Picture-in-Picture displays. Single PIP Multi-PIP PIP (Picture-In-Picture) provides a way to combine images on the same screen. For example, one image appears inside a small rectangle, and the other image fills the remainder of the screen as shown by Single PIP, above. You can freeze the background or foreground, or make either one a solid color.
84 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 8 SINGLE PIP In a single PIP configuration, one tile fills the background while another tile and its mask float atop the background. The CURRENT source always serves as the background tile; the NEXT source always serves as the PIP image. Foreground Tile and Mask …from NEXT Source Background Tile …from CURRENT Source Background Tile The background tile always fills the entire screen.
PIPS FOREGROUND TILE 85 Manipulating the This section explains how to change the position, size, shape, and so forth of the foreground tile. In Foreground Tile each case, do the steps after pressing PIPS, as described in the preceding steps. You can do any of these steps while the PIP plays on the Output. Table 9: Manipulating PIPs Tiles TO CHANGE TILE… USE OR PRESS… NOTES… JOYSTICK Moves the tile and its mask around the screen. OK+JOYSTICK Moves the tile around the screen.
86 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 8 You can apply the following shapes to PIP tiles. To select a shape, press the numeric key (0 through 9) that corresponds to the shape you want, as indicated below. Additional shapes can be selected for PIP mode using the SHAPES button. Manipulating the The mask changes shape, size, and position when you change the corresponding attribute of the Mask foreground tile. You can, however, manipulate the mask independently, as discussed in this section.
PIPS MULTI-PIP 87 MULTI-PIP In Multi-PIP, as many as 4 separate images can share the screen at the same time. Each image appears inside a separate tile. You can use any of the four input sources to provide the images that appear in the tiles. You can choose from 9 different multi-PIP configurations by pressing the number keys shown in the following table. Table 11: Multi-PIP Screen Configurations NO . CONFIGURATION NO . CONFIGURATION NO .
88 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE 4 CHAPTER 8 If this is the Multi-PIP configuration you want to use, move on to the next step: otherwise… a Press the number on the keyboard that corresponds to the PIP configuration you want to use. (Refer to Table 11, “Multi-PIP Screen Configurations,” on page 87, at the beginning of this section.) MX-4 DV displays the configuration on the Preview screen.
CHAPTER 9 COMPOSE A composition can contain up to four moving (or still) video tiles, an unlimited amount of solid color tiles, and one background. Compose provides a way to create screens containing picture elements, solid colors, and rectangles. A composed screen consists of a background and one or more objects (called tiles) placed atop the background. The background fills the entire screen. Tiles can vary in size and appear anywhere on the screen. You cannot save composed screens.
90 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 9 BASIC COMPOSITION STEPS This sequence shows how the composition at the beginning of this chapter was produced. More detailed descriptions of the steps follow. 1 Select the background. This example uses a still image of a mountain range. You can use imported still jpeg images, gradients, solid color backgrounds, or color bars. 2 Create a solid color tile. This rectangle serves as a background for the next element and separates it from the main background image.
COMPOSE FOREGROUND TILES 91 As you’ll learn later in this chapter (under “Creating a Composed Image”), you must establish the background before entering Compose mode. FOREGROUND TILES Creating Color Tiles and Lines Color tiles can be rectangles of any size and shape. Colored lines are simply thin rectangles. You can create horizontal and vertical lines, but not diagonal ones. When you place a color tile on the screen, it can overlap other tiles.
92 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 9 Sizing Tiles You can make foreground tiles any size you want, from covering the entire screen to a thin horizontal or vertical line. Always establish the size of the tile before filling it with a solid color, moving video, gradient, or jpeg image. Use the SHIFT key in conjunction with one of the ARROW keys to adjust tile size. Enter SHIFT+0 (zero) to restore the tile to its default size. to reproportion the tile based on its current width.
COMPOSE CREATING A COMPOSED IMAGE 93 CREATING A COMPOSED IMAGE To create a composition: 1 2 Create or choose the background, foreground, gradient, or still frame jpeg image on the Route screen. Do this before entering Compose mode because the CURRENT source at the time you enter compose mode automatically becomes the background for the composition. a Solid Color Background – Use the BG COLOR button to select the color you want.
94 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE 6 Repeat steps 3 through 5 until your composition is complete. 7 Use the PLAY button or T-BAR to send your composition to the program output. CHAPTER 9 PLAYING THE COMPOSITION To play a composition on the output device: • Press PLAY or use the T-BAR. Moving the T-BAR from the bottom-to-top in its slot transitions the composition to Program. Moving it from top-to-bottom dissolves it out.
CHAPTER 10 CHROMAKEY Using Chromakey you can combine two completely separate images to create a composite image that might be impossible to create any other way. You’ve probably seen the chromakey effect used in television weather reports. The weather person stands in front of a “blue screen” (a solid blue background) and the weather map then keys onto the background from some other source. Chromakey combines two sources to create a composite image.
96 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 10 • The color used for the background must not appear elsewhere in the image. For example, if Kong’s head (in the example above) contains colors close to the chromakey background, the picture of the bridge would appear in those areas. (Professionals often use a special “blue screen” paint for the backdrop when filming the image.) • The color of the background must be evenly distributed. Glare from camera lights and shadows of the subject can alter the background color.
CHROMAKEY PREPARING THE KEYED FOOTAGE 97 PREPARING THE KEYED FOOTAGE Preparation of the keyed footage presents a challenge. It is the most important and most difficult step, because the solid colored background is so crucial to the success of the illusion. To achieve the required background requires, in most cases, special props, lighting, and other materials. In this example, we placed our flying hero atop a platform centered on the set.
98 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 10 The Preview screen displays a full-screen picture of the keyed footage from source C. A cursor (a small flashing circle) appears atop the image. Chroma Key Cursor Once you activate the Chroma Key, it stays in effect until you specifically deactivate it (which you’ll learn to do later in this procedure).To change the selected color or colors for the Chroma Key, press SHIFT+CHROMAKEY.
CHROMAKEY PERFORMING THE CHROMA KEY 99 PERFORMING THE CHROMA KEY When the preview screen shows the desired chroma key results: • Press PLAY. The output monitor shows the chroma key image. Press PLAY again to cut back to the background source. You can also dissolve between the background footage and the chroma key footage using the T-BAR, rather than pressing PLAY. Using Freeze and You can apply Input Effects (including Freeze) to the background footage, but not to the keyed Other Input footage.
NOTES
CHAPTER 11 LEARN MODE In Learn Mode, the MX-4 DV “remembers” most of what you do, such as which transitions you used and how you used them. You can subsequently instruct the MX-4 DV to replay those steps, at which time the MX-4 DV creates the production on the output device. The basic steps involved in using Learn mode include: • Create a Learned Environment. • Place the MX-4 DV in Learn mode. • Create the production, complete with transitions, freezes, input effects, and so forth.
102 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 11 LEARNED ENVIRONMENTS A Learned Environment can be thought of as a “snapshot” of your current the MX-4 DV configuration, including input effects, functions, styles, and so forth, that are in effect when you create the Learned Environment. You can subsequently recall a Learned Environment whenever you want to use it.
LEARN MODE LEARNED SCRIPTS 103 To create a Learned Environment: 1 Set up the MX-4 DV the way you want for this particular environment. This includes setting any input effects you want, selecting the initial CURRENT and NEXT sources, defining color, defining borders, and so forth. 2 Enter LEARN+, where can be any value from 1 to 5. The MX-4 DV saves all current settings under the number you enter.
104 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 11 TIP Using ARROW keys to select a transition consumes one step for each key pressed. In most cases, to fit as many transitions as possible into a Learned Script, use the numeric keypad to enter transition numbers rather than using the ARROW keys. Select the CURRENT and NEXT sources before entering LEARN mode. LEARN mode interprets pressing the CUT button as a transition. USING LEARN MODE Learn mode involves the following steps: 1 Activate all devices.
LEARN MODE OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION 105 OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION When the MX-4 DV comes to the end of a Learned Script, it stops. You can re-initiate the same or any other Learned Script by entering SHIFT+LEARN+ for the script you want to run. You can do the following in a Learned Script: • Perform transitions, including use of Reverse and Speed settings. • Choose CURRENT and NEXT sources. • Use the Freeze function. • Transition audio, video, or both.
NOTES
CHAPTER 12 WORKING WITH AUDIO The MX-4 DV provides flexible control for audio sources. You can: • Easily switch between devices. • Record video and/or audio from a device, in any combination. • Allow or disallow transitions to affect audio. • Automatically or manually fade the sound between sources. • and more… Before using audio sources, make sure they are properly connected to the MX-4 DV. Refer to Chapter 3, Installing the MX-4 DV, for instructions.
108 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 12 AUDIO DEVICES YOU CAN USE You can: • Use dedicated audio input sources, such as audio cassette players, compact disc players, and even live microphones. (Refer to “Using a Microphone with MX-4 DV” on page 30 for installation instructions.) • Use the audio signal coming from combined input sources, such as the audio track contained on a video tape. • Separate the audio signal to record only the audio track from a video tape, laser disk player, and so forth.
WORKING WITH AUDIO SELECTING AUDIO SOURCES 109 Selecting Audio Sources Select audio sources the same way you select video sources, using the CUT and NEXT buttons and the highlights at the top of the Preview screen. CURRENT Audio Source Indicates that source can be monitored through the MX-4 DV’s headphone jack NEXT Audio Source Remember, the MX-4 DV highlights the CURRENT video source in yellow (above the Preview window).
110 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE 2 Press VIDEO/AUDIO until both the VIDEO and AUDIO lights are on. 3 Press PLAY or use the T-BAR to run the transition. CHAPTER 12 Both the video and audio transition together. The audio mixes together — that is, audio from the first video scene fades away gradually as the audio from the next scene fades in and mixes with the original audio. You can control the duration of the fade by adjusting the speed of the transition.
WORKING WITH AUDIO USING THE AUDIO MIXER 111 USING THE AUDIO MIXER The MX-4 DV Audio Mixer provides extensive control over all audio channels. You can, for example, subdue the audio on one channel (such as background music) and pump up the audio on another (such as the narrative). To access the Audio Mixer, press AUDIO MIX in the Functions button group.
112 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 12 Audio Mixer Controls The following tables explain how to operate the Audio Mixer controls from the MX-4 DV keyboard.
WORKING WITH AUDIO USING HEADPHONES 113 USING HEADPHONES You might find headphones helpful for monitoring audio input signals. You can plug a set of headphones directly into the MX-4 DV by connecting them to the headphone jack located on the rear panel of the unit. Headphone audio is stereo. Normally, headphones carry only the main sound, that is, the sound coming from the CURRENT input source.
114 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 12 To display the Audio Adjustment screen, press SHIFT+AUDIO MIX. The four slider groups represent the four analog and DV audio inputs on the rear of the MX-4 DV: IN1, IN2, IN3, and IN4. DV audio adjustment can be applied to each input by adjusting he second “DELAY” slider. Make the proper adjustment depending upon which analog or DV output has been selected in the Route menu.
CHAPTER 13 ADVANCED OPERATIONS This chapter discusses operations you might not use very often, but are quite helpful when you need them.
116 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 13 USING TITLES In Chapter 3, Installing the MX-4 DV, you learned how to install a character generator (CG) to use with the MX-4 DV (refer to “Live Broadcast Configuration” on page 38). Using a setup where you connect the CG between the MX-4 DV and the output device (downstream), you can create titles for your productions. Using any of the Videonics TitleMaker products, you can superimpose titles over video and use transitions for sophisticated titling.
ADVANCED OPERATIONS PERFORMING ROLL EDITS 117 PERFORMING ROLL EDITS Two types of roll edits are commonly used in video editing — A/A rolls and A/B rolls. You can do both types of rolls with the MX-4 DV. A/A rolls can be accomplished with relative ease. As you’ll learn later in this section, you can also do A/B roll editing with the MX-4 DV, although it does require good preparation and manual control of the devices. Cutting Between Scenes Simple cuts between scenes do not require special features.
118 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 13 A/B Roll Edits A/B roll editing involves editing scenes from multiple sources. When doing A/B roll edits, you must manually synchronize the sources so that they are timed correctly. Normally, you record a countdown before each scene so you know when it starts, then back-time the transition accordingly. Example… Scene 1 is playing on VCR A. You know it ends soon, so you start VCR B, and pause it at a point 5 seconds before its action starts.
ADVANCED OPERATIONS TRANSITIONS TO MODIFIED SOURCES 119 4 Press BG COLOR as many times as necessary to make the background black. 5 Press PLAY to run the transition and fade to black. 6 Assume your NEXT source (the one you are transitioning into) is on Channel C — press NEXT/C to make that the next source. 7 Select the transition you want to use from the Transitions Menu — again, for this example select a slow dissolve. 8 Press PLAY to transition from solid black to Channel C.
120 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 13 USING A GPI DEVICE You can connect a GPI (General Purpose Interface) device to the MX-4 DV. The GPI device can trigger an event from an external source, such as a push-button switch or an edit controller with GPI output. A GPI device is especially useful when you are positioned some distance away from the MX-4 DV but still want to be able to control its operation. A GPI pulse causes the MX-4 DV to behave exactly as if the play button were pressed.
ADVANCED OPERATIONS INSTRUCTIONS FOR BUILDING A GPI TRIGGER 121 INSTRUCTIONS FOR BUILDING A GPI TRIGGER This section contains a diagram of the GPI Trigger Button you can build and all associated instructions. Required Tools Soldering Iron and Solder and Parts Wire Cutters Electric Drill Parts Required A “normally open momentary push-button switch” (A). One four-inch piece of 3/4-inch PVC pipe (C) and two end caps (B and E). 3-conductor, 22-24 gauge stranded wire cable (D). A stereo 3.
122 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 13 11 Solder the wires of the other end of the cord to the poles from the tip and base of the stereo mini-pin plug (F). If you aren’t sure which poles are which, ask at the store when you make the purchase. 12 Plug your new remote trigger plug into the GPI jack on the MX-4 DV rear panel. Using a GPI Trigger Device If your edit controller is automatic and has a GPI trigger, you can trigger each page in a project with the controller.
ADVANCED OPERATIONS CONNECTING WITH ETHERNET 123 CONNECTING WITH ETHERNET Network your MX-4 DV to a PC or a Macintosh using the included crossover cable. Copy the following to and from the MX-4 DV: • Background and Foreground jpegs • Operating software To work on a standard Ethernet network, each MX-4 DV requires an unique IP address. This address and associated information can be static (assigned and typed in), or dynamic (assigned by a DHCP server).
124 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE 5 CHAPTER 13 The MX-4 DV is now networked, and it should be visible as an FTP device. IP Setup for a Computer or Laptop To set up your PC to communicate with the MX-4 DV (Static IP address): Win98SE/Win2000/XP Pro/WinT40/WinT40 Server 1 Plug in the crossover cable (R5) to the MX-4 DV Ethernet port and your computer’s Ethernet port. NOTE A straight cable has the same wire configuration colors on each end. A crossover cable has two different wire configuration colors on each end.
ADVANCED OPERATIONS IP SETUP FOR A COMPUTER OR LAPTOP b 3 125 Select TCP/IP and click Properties. On the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties screen or identified as the Network screen for Windows 95/98, switch the default selection from Obtain an IP Address Automatically to Use the Following IP Address and type in the following IP address: 192.168.1.2. Press the TAB key.
126 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 13 The subnet mask information should be automatically filled in the blank space. If not, fill in the subnet mask blank space with the following: 255.255.255.0. NOTE If you have selected the ADVANCED button before typing in the subnet mask (or pressing the TAB key), you will be taken to a new window asking you to input the subnet mask. The correct subnet mask number will appear next to the IP address. Select OK and the subnet mask blank space will be filled.
ADVANCED OPERATIONS IP SETUP FOR A COMPUTER OR LAPTOP 9 127 Type the following in the command line: ping 192.168.1.2. (Make sure there is a space between ping and 192.) Press the ENTER key and a ping test is executed. The reply messages should appear similar to the following screen. 10 Type the following command on the command line: ipconfig. Press the ENTER key.
128 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 13 To set up your Macintosh computer to communicate with the MX-4 DV (Static IP address): Macintosh OS 10.2.8/OS 10.3.6 1 Plug in the included crossover cable to the MX-4 DV Ethernet port and your computer’s Ethernet port. NOTE A straight cable will have the same wire configuration colors on each end. A crossover cable will have two different wire configuration colors on each end. Make sure to use a crossover cable if you are working with a Macintosh computer.
ADVANCED OPERATIONS IP SETUP FOR A COMPUTER OR LAPTOP 129 Now you are ready to import new, updated software or jpeg images to and from your MX-4 DV. Details about how to transfer files are described in further detail in “Transferring Files TO or FROM the MX-4 DV” on page 130. To connect to a network (Dynamic IP): 1 Set the IP address to 0.0.0.0 to indicate that you want DHCP, or it will stay static. 2 Power down the MX-4 DV.
130 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 13 Additions DHCP If your MX-4 DV is connected to a network and the IP address is automatically assigned to your Tips computer, perform the following procedure: 1 Hook up a standard straight network cable between the router or hub and the MX-4 DV unit. 2 Switch on the mixer. 3 The MX-4 DV will recognize the new address assigned by the network and allow access to any browser or FTP application by typing in the address appearing on the MX-4 DV’s ftp menu.
ADVANCED OPERATIONS UPDATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE 131 Updating System Software The hidden file software is the MX-4 DV’s operating software. This file resides in the top level directory, but isn’t displayed by communications software. Without this file, the MX-4 DV would power up with minimum functionality. Updating system software consists of replacing the firmware with a newer version. You can do this using Ethernet. Upon restart, the MX-4 DV will boot from the replacement (newer) version.
132 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 13 6 Click Tools and select Disconnect. Upon exiting this FTP program, the software will transfer to the MX-4 DV. You can also select File and select Upload and go to the directory of desktop and select the previously saved software. 7 To activate the new software, recycle the power on the MX-4 DV (power off and power on). 8 To verify the new software version, hold down the SHIFT key and press the #9 key.
ADVANCED OPERATIONS INFORMATION ABOUT FTP CLIENTS 133 NOTE An example of an FTP program to upgrade the MX-4 DV’s software and the transfer of files is FTP Explorer. It can be found at the following site: http://www.ftpx.com/download.html for Windows. Use Fetch 3.0 for the Macintosh. The instructions in this chapter are for the FTP Explorer, so they may change slightly depending upon the program you use.
134 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE CHAPTER 13
APPENDIX A TRANSITIONS LIST This appendix shows the icons assigned to each MX-4 DV transition, and identifies them by number. Some transition descriptions use special terms and abbreviations to describe how the transitions work. (A) — The CURRENT source: the one on the screen before the transition begins. (B) — The NEXT source: the one on the screen after the transition finishes. Dissolve — One image fades away as another fades in. Wipe — A simple window or boundary that reveals the underlying video.
136 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE BASIC TRANSITIONS APPENDIX A
TRANSITIONS LIST BASIC TRANSITIONS 137 Basic Transitions (continued) 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 The Basic Transitions category contains transitions numbered from 0 through 299. The category contains a wide assortment of effects.
138 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE APPENDIX A Table 1: Descriptions of Basic Transitions # DESCRIPTION # DESCRIPTION Default Transition Assortment 0 Cut 15# H Comp. (A) alongside (B) in motion; Exp. (B) 1 Dissolve 16 Comp. (A) to 1/2; roll R to (B); Exp 2 H Wipe 17 Slide in slice (B) from L at T; Wipe slice to full 3 V Wipe 18 V Comp. (A) to Ctr slice; H collapse slice to Ctr point 4 H Curtain Wipe (B) from Ctr to full 19 Butterfly from T L/random proportion 5 V Curtain Exp.
TRANSITIONS LIST BASIC TRANSITIONS Table 1: Descriptions of Basic Transitions (continued) # DESCRIPTION # DESCRIPTION 44 H Exp. (B) from L Ctr/Comp. (A) to R Ctr 45 H Exp. (B) from L Ctr/Slide (A) to R 150 Diagonal Wipe (B) from BRC 46 H Wipe (B) from R Ctr 151 Diagonal Exp. (B) from BRC 47 H Exp. (B) from R Ctr 152 Diagonal Comp. (B) to BRC; Exp. 48 H Exp. (B) from R Ctr/Comp. (A) to L Ctr 153 Diag. Exp. (B) from BRC/Comp. (A) to TLC 49 H Exp.
140 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE APPENDIX A Table 1: Descriptions of Basic Transitions (continued) # DESCRIPTION # DESCRIPTION 71* V Comp. (A)/Wipe (B) 176 Ctr Wipe (B) with Slide from B L 72* V Slide (A)/Wipe (B) 177 Ctr Wipe (B) with Slide from B R 73 V Wipe (A)/Exp. (B) 178 Ctr Wipe (B) with Slide from T L 74 V Comp. (A)/Exp. (B) 179 Ctr Wipe (B) with Slide from T R 75 V Slide (A)/Exp. (B) 180 Comp. (A) to 1/2; roll R to (B); Exp. 76 V Wipe (A)/Slide (B) 181 Comp.
TRANSITIONS LIST BASIC TRANSITIONS 141 Table 1: Descriptions of Basic Transitions (continued) # DESCRIPTION # DESCRIPTION 101 V Wipe 1/2 slice (B); H Wipe 1/2 slice (B); V wipe (B) to B 206* Comp. (A) to R; CW spiral out to R 102* V Comp. (A) T to 1/2 screen slice; Slide slice to B 207* Comp. (A) to R; CCW spiral out to R 103* V Comp. (A) T to 1/2 screen slice; Slide to B; slide under Ctr line 208* Comp. (A); CW spiral to Ctr 104* V Comp. (A) T to 1/2 screen slice; Slide to B; Comp.
142 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE APPENDIX A Table 1: Descriptions of Basic Transitions (continued) # DESCRIPTION # DESCRIPTION 127 Diag. Slide (B) from TLC/Comp. (A) to BRC 232 H stripe-wipe 128* Diagonal Comp. & Dissolve (A) to TLC 233 V stripe-wipe 129* Diagonal Slide & Dissolve (A) to TLC 234 Checkerboard w/middle dissolve 130 Diagonal Wipe (B) from TRC 235 Checkerboard w/start to finish dissolve 131 Diagonal Exp. (B) from TRC 236 Checkerboard w/shrinking checkers 132 Diagonal Comp.
TRANSITIONS LIST BASIC TRANSITIONS 143 Table 1: Descriptions of Basic Transitions (continued) # DESCRIPTION # DESCRIPTION 259 H slide in (A) to BRC; CCW Exp Spiral into Ctrt. 280 Comp slide (A) from B to T; Comp slide from T to B with H flip. 260 Ctr Exp (A); Slide from T to B with Exp to full screen. 281 Comp h flip (CA) from Crt to B; Exp H flip from T to B. 261 Slide in (A) from R to L; Slide T to B then Exp from Ctr. 282 Comp V flip (A) from Ctr to R; Exp V flip from L to R.
144 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE APPENDIX A EDGE TRANSITIONS Edge transitions move a border across the screen between the outgoing and incoming images. Edge transitions group into sets of six. For example, transitions 300 through 305 perform the same type of effect, but using six different edges: transitions 306 through 311 perform the same type of effect, but using the same six edges as the preceding group: and so forth.
TRANSITIONS LIST MISC. TRANSITIONS 145 MISC. TRANSITIONS Table 3: Misc. Transitions NO . ICON DESCRIPTION NO.
146 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE APPENDIX A SHAPE TRANSITIONS Shape transitions use various geometric and custom shapes (stars, hearts, and so forth) to transition from one image to the next.
TRANSITIONS LIST SHAPE TRANSITIONS Table 4: Shape Transitions (continued) Ctr Wipe 554 555 556 557 559 560 561 562 558 Ctr Wipe (B) with Horizontal Slide from T 563 564 565 566 568 569 570 571 572 573 574 575 577 578 579 580 567 Bounce off edges/Wipe 576 Ctr Wipe (A) to 1/16 screen; CCW spiral reveal * 581 582 583 584 586 587 588 589 585 Random Sizes Flips (B); fills screen at end 590 591 592 593 595 596 597 598 594 Random Wipes (B); Ctr wipe to full screen 599
148 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE APPENDIX A Table 4: Shape Transitions (continued) Horizontal Curtain Expand (B) from Ctr to full 617 618 619 620 622 623 624 625 621 Horizontal Compress (A) to Ctr line; Expand (B) from line 626 627 628 629 631 632 633 634 630 Horizontal Compress (A) L to 1/2 screen slice; Slide slice R * 635 636 637 638 640 641 642 643 639 Horizontal Compress (A) L to 1/2 screen slice; Slide to R; slide under Ctr line * 644 645 646 647 649 650 651 652 648 Horizo
TRANSITIONS LIST SHAPE TRANSITIONS Table 4: Shape Transitions (continued) 685 686 687 688 Horizontal Wipe (A)/Expand (B) 689 690 691 692 694 695 696 697 693 Horizontal Compress (A) to L edge; Expand (B) from edge 698 699 700 701 702 703 704 705 706 709 710 711 714 715 716 719 720 721 724 725 726 729 730 731 733 734 735 736 738 739 740 741 744 745 746 Slide in Slice (B) for R Ctr: Wipe slice to full 707 708 Slide to Ctr slice (B) from T; Wipe slice to full
150 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE APPENDIX A Table 4: Shape Transitions (continued) Bounce off edges/Wipe 747 748 749 750 751 754 755 756 759 760 761 763 764 765 766 768 769 770 771 774 775 776 780 781 785 786 Ctr Wipe (A) to 1/16 screen; CCW spiral reveal 752 753 Random Sizes Flips (B): fills screen at end 757 758 Random Wipes (B): Ctr wipe to full screen 762 (A) wanders out 767 Horizontal Curtain Expand (B) from Ctr to full 772 773 Horizontal Compress (A) to Ctr line; Expand (B)
TRANSITIONS LIST DEFAULT USER TRANSITIONS 151 Table 4: Shape Transitions (continued) 802 803 804 805 806 809 810 811 814 815 816 820 821 Horizontal Compress (A)/Wipe (B) 807 808 Horizontal Wipe (A)/Expand (B) 812 813 Horizontal Compress (A) to L edge; Expand (B) from edge 817 818 819 DEFAULT USER TRANSITIONS The User Transitions category contains a default set of transitions compiled from the other categories.
NOTES
APPENDIX B TIME BASE CORRECTOR The MX-4 DV contains a Time Base Corrector (TBC) that ensures top quality results in your productions. The TBC operates automatically at all times. You don’t have to do anything special to use the feature. TBC compensates for image “shifting” and “wavering” that occurs with many VCR’s, camcorders, and other video devices.
154 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE APPENDIX APPENDIX B TBC TECHNICAL INFORMATION The following information might be useful to video technicians. • The MX-4 DV’s TBC has no control options. The MX-4 DV always applies TBC to the entire signal, including the horizontal and vertical intervals. • The MX-4 DV provides a frame-based TBC to correct four sources at a time. • The output sync of the TBC may be either independent of all input signals, or locked to houseblack.
APPENDIX C VIDEO QUALITY The MX-4 DV meets the highest video quality standards. However, video artifacts can appear in video productions, especially when you use sophisticated effects and transitions. This appendix describes some of the video artifacts that can occur. NOTE The situations and artifacts discussed in this appendix normally apply to advanced video concepts. They might, therefore, be of interest only to a selected audience.
156 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE APPENDIX APPENDIX C VIDEO SCALING ARTIFACTS Reducing a video image’s size can create artifacts because some picture information must be discarded to reduce the number of pixels in the image. In some cases, picture information might disappear when eliminating pixels. For example, lines in the image might appear jagged when the MX-4 DV removes pixels and, therefore, parts of the line. Some MX-4 DV transitions scale an image down gradually.
APPENDIX D TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS The MX-4 DV is a four-input video production switcher, mixer, frame synchronizer/TBC (Time Base Corrector), Manual Color Corrector, and special effects generator. Table 1: MX-4 DV Technical Specifications GENERAL Power Supply External in-line; 110VAC@60Hz/240VAC@50 Hz universal CE/FCC/UL/CSA Approved (Non-US/Canada versions meet local regulatory standards) Dimensions 16.6” x 9.5” x 3” 422mm x 241mm x 76mm Weight 4 lbs. (1.
158 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE APPENDIX APPENDIX D Table 1: MX-4 DV Technical Specifications (continued) Digital Outputs 1x6 pin IEEE 1394 (Firewire, i.
APPENDIX E HELP FOR MXPRO DV USERS This appendix helps Videonics MXPro DV users make an easy transition to the MX-4 DV. It highlights key operational commands from the MXProDV that have changed with the MX-4 DV. The MX-4 DV offers may new features and expands the capability of some MXProDV operations. You won’t be able to enjoy the full benefits of the new features without reading the other chapters in this Users Guide.
160 MX-4 DV USER GUIDE APPENDIX APPENDIX E Refer to “Operating the T-Bar” on page 58. Chapter 5, Transitions, contains several sections explaining use of the T-BAR. Transitions Compatibility If you are upgrading to the MX-4 DV from the Videonics MXProDV Video Mixer, the transitions in the Basic category are the same as the MXProDV except that there are 60 new transitions. The MX-4 DV provides a set of hot keys that directly correspond to the MXProDV Effect buttons.
GLOSSARY Some terms defined in this glossary might not appear in the body of the User Guide. A/A Roll A term originating in the film world. Normally describes rolling a single source into an effects device, such as the FOCUS Enhancements MX-4 DV, and creating transitions between the individual scenes. A/B Roll Variation of A/A Roll (described above).
GLOSSARY PAL Phase Alternating Lines. The dominant color television format in Western Europe, Australia, most of Asia, and parts of South America and Africa. PAL is characterized by each frame being composed of 625 horizontal scanning lines occurring 25 times per second. (Also see NTSC and SECAM.) RCTC Rewritable Consumer Time Code (also referred to as RC). Commonly available on 8mm and Hi-8 format devices. S-Video A video standard used by camcorders.
INDEX A adapters 22 arrow keys 34 audio accompanies video 109 adjust sliders 112 continuous 110 control 108 devices 108 fade 110 monaural 23 source 109 highlight 109 speaker icon 109 stereo 23 transitions 108 using COLOR channel 111 AUDIO MIX 32 channel slider 111 select channel 112 Audio Mode 72 auto-reverse transition 57 B B&W 63 B&W NEG 63 BACK COLOR 13 BACKGROUND 39, 40, 42 background color 37, 42 COMPOSE 90 tile 84 using 13 BASIC 32 basic transitions 51, 136 BG COLOR 37 background 42 COMPOSE 93 custom
INDEX function buttons 32, 67 build 121 trigger 122 GRADIENT COMPOSE 93 green highlight 14 basic steps 101 COMPOSE 93 custom color 43 environments 102 INPUT EFFECTS light 104 locked demo 68 maximum steps 103 steps 103 using 104 live environment 119 H M G GPI headphones 25 icon 109 jack 109 I input effects 59 source highlight 36 preview image 36 INPUT EFFECTS 59 B&W 63 B&W NEG 63 CHROMA KEY 99 COLOR CORRECT 64 COLOR NEG 64, 65 COMPOSE 93 FLIP Horizontal 63 FLIP Vertical 65 key combinations 61 LEARN 10
INDEX STROBE 65 S-Video 22 system software, updating 131 T T-BAR 32, 40, 42 AUDIO MIX 110 CHROMA KEY 99 color correction 64 COMPOSE 93, 94 LEARN 103 transition 48 tile 84 background 84 foreground 84 change 85 Time Base Corrector 153 titler 116 transferring files 130 transformer 22 transition adjust 56 audio 108 auto-reverse 57 basic category 51 category basic 51 defined 50 edges 51 miscellaneous 51 shapes 51 user 51, 52 category button 32, 50 color highlight 54 direction change 56 effect 15 highlight 37 me
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