The Multi-Channel Option is designed for users who need multiple viewports from within an application, such as visual simulation, virtual reality, or entertainment applications. The Multi-Channel Option runs on these compute platforms:
Crimson™ equipped with RealityEngine™ graphics subsystem
POWER Series™ equipped with RealityEngine graphics
Skywriter™ equipped with RealityEngine graphics
Onyx™ deskside or rackmount systems equipped with the VTX™ or RealityEngine2™ graphics subsystem
The option consists of a board that fits into a VME slot in the chassis, plus paddleboards, cables, I/O panels, and software.
 | Note: This document is intended for use only by Silicon Graphics® System Support Engineers. |
The Multi-Channel Option requires:
IRIX™ version
on any compute platform, at least one Raster Memory (RM) board, revision level (as shown by the gfxinfo program) 00101 or greater (p/n 030-0235-004), 00102 or greater (p/n 030-0337-001, 030-0338-001, 030-0359-001, or 030-0360-001) for field-sequential formats, in which red, green, and blue signals are multiplexed on a single cable
The Multi-Channel Option Installation Instructions includes the following chapters:
| Chapter 1 | "Kit Contents" depicts and gives part numbers for all Multi-Channel Option components. | |
| Chapter 2 | "Installing the Option: Older Version (No Breakout Box)" describes how to install the version of Multi-Channel Option with I/O door panels. | |
| Chapter 3 | "Installing the Option: Version With Breakout Box" describes how to install the version of Multi-Channel Option with the breakout box. | |
| Chapter 4 | "Setting VME Addresses" explains how to write the DG2 EEPROM with an MCO VME address and reconfigure the kernel to recognize it. | |
| Chapter 5 | "Testing the Installation" details how to ensure that the Multi-Channel Option is installed properly. | |
| Chapter 6 | "Using Multi-Channel Option Diagnostics" explains how to use IDE and other tests for the Multi-Channel Option. | |
| Appendix A | "Multi-Channel Option Error Messages" lists error messages and their explanations and solutions. |
An index completes this guide.
Tightly coupled to the Silicon Graphics graphics subsystem—interfacing to the digital graphics output board (DG2)—the Multi-Channel Option converts digital information stored in the graphics frame buffer into a variety of multiple analog video signals (or channels), ranging from multiple high-resolution outputs (1280 x 1024) to lower-resolution outputs, such as VGA. The output can then be displayed on additional monitors, projection devices, or both. Output can be genlocked to an external reference signal.
The Multi-Channel Option can drive up to six independent channels per graphics pipe, eliminating the need to purchase multiple systems and genlock the outputs together. A system with more than one RealityEngine graphics subsystem can support multiple Multi-Channel Option boards. The Multi-Channel Option can display the same format on all outputs or, depending on the system configuration and the format chosen, display two different formats simultaneously.
Table I-1 summarizes Multi-Channel Option configurations.
Table 1. Multi-Channel Option configurations
Platform | Number of Channels |
|
|---|---|---|
| No Breakout Box | Breakout Box |
Crimson or POWER Series | Up to 4 | Up to 6 |
POWER Series rack system | Up to 6 | Up to 12 |
SkyWriter rack system with 2 Multi-Channel Option boards | Up to 6 | Up to 12 |
Onyx deskside system | Up to 4 | Up to 6 |
Onyx rack system with 3 Multi-Channel Option boards | Up to 14 | Up to 18 |
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