The SGI HD I/O Board allows the SGI 2000 and 3000 series workstations and servers and the Origin200 GIGAchannel server to generate and receive uncompressed high-definition television (HDTV) signals in real time. The board is also supported in certain other SGI workstations and servers.
You control board features using the Video Library (VL). For a description of VL device-independent calls and controls, see the Digital Media Programming Guide (007-1799-060 or later; online only).
This release, 1.2, adds support for additional video formats.
This guide is provided for the sophisticated video user in a professional or research environment. You should be familiar with video standards, the operation of the Silicon Graphics workstation or server, and the VL related information in the Digital Media Programming Guide.
This guide includes the following chapters and appendices:
Chapter 1, “Features and Capabilities”, outlines the main components of the HD I/O Board.
Chapter 2, “Programming the HD I/O Board”, explains how to use the VL to perform typical tasks.
Chapter 3, “Synchronizing Data Streams and Signals ”, describes how to use unadjusted system time (UST) and media stream count (MSC).
Appendix A, “HD I/O Board Specifications”, summarizes the board's technical specifications.
Appendix B, “Setting Up the HD I/O Board for Your Video Hardware”, explains how to connect video equipment to HD I/O Board connectors and how to use the control panel vcp to configure the board.
Appendix C, “Pixel Packings and Color Spaces ”, describes all the packing formats used by the HD I/O Board.
Appendix D, “Programming Methods for Real-Time Digital Media Recording and Playback”, explains programming concepts, such as real-time disk I/O, and provides examples.
Appendix E, “Installing HD I/O Software on a New Disk”, provides software installation instructions (if required for a new disk).
An index completes this guide.
Besides this guide, Digital Media Connections (007-3525-003 or later) is shipped with the HD I/O Board. The Digital Media Programming Guide is provided with the IRIX digital media development environment software (dmedia_dev); the online version of this manual is included with IRIX 6.5.4 and later.
It is also a good idea to have your system owner's guide available. If you do not have these guides handy, the information is available online in the following locations:
In the IRIS InSight Library, choose Toolchest > Help > Online Books > SGI EndUser or SGI Admin, and select the applicable guide.
In the Technical Publications Library on the Web. Enter the following URL: http://techpubs.sgi.com
Once you are in the library, choose Catalogs > Hardware Catalog > and look under the Owner's Guides for the applicable documentation. For software guides, look on the bookshelf for the applicable IRIX version.
The following conventions are used throughout this document:
Convention | Meaning |
Command | This fixed-space font denotes literal items such as commands, files, routines, path names, signals, messages, and programming language structures. |
variable | Italic typeface denotes filenames, variable entries, and words or concepts being defined. |
user input | Fixed-space font denotes literal items that the user enters in interactive sessions. Output is shown in nonbold, fixed-space font. |
[ ] | Brackets enclose optional portions of a command or directive line. |
... | Ellipses indicate that a preceding element can be repeated. |
manpage(x) | Man page section identifiers appear in parentheses after man page names. |
Helvetica Bold | This font is used for labels on hardware, such as for ports and LEDs on the I/O panel. |
In each chapter or appendix, when the Digital Media Programming Guide is referenced, it appears with its full title at the first occurrence and thereafter as the DMPG.
SGI provides a comprehensive product support and maintenance program for its products. If you are in North America and would like support for your SGI-supported products, contact the Technical Assistance Center at 1-800-800-4SGI or your authorized service provider. If you are outside North America, contact the SGI subsidiary or authorized distributor in your country.
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