Sierra Video G.R.I.P. V3.1.0 - Manual (Page 57)

GRIP 3.1.0
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first source that is mapped to that input is used. The behavior is slightly different depending on
whether he is composing an all-levels (AFV) take, or a breakaway take. If an all-levels take is
being composed, the name is first looked up in the source name table, and if not found, the
input name table is searched for the name. If a breakaway take is being composed, the search
order is just the opposite, with the input name table searched first, and then the source name
table. In many cases the search order would make no difference, because the same names are
used for source and its mapped input.
The number of sources and destinations in a Sierra virtual-mapped router can be configured
by the user. It can be many more than the physical size of the router, which can be useful in
different ways.
There are many uses for virtual mapping, such as:
1. Virtual sources can be mapped in such a way as to permit an all-levels take of that source to
accomplish what would previously have to have been done with a breakaway take. You could
map some virtual sources on all levels, while mapping others on only a few levels, and leaving
other levels unmapped. This permits doing all-level takes that affect only some levels.
2. You may wish to keep all the signals from one type of machine grouped together in the same
group of source or destination numbers, and yet you may want to have the flexibility to add
more of these signals at a later time without having to move a lot of signals from one connector
to another. Suppose that VTR1-VTR8 are assigned to input connectors 1-8, and CAM1-
CAM12 are assigned to input connectors 9-20. The mapping table is set up so that sources 1-8
are VTR1-VTR8, and sources 9-20 are CAM1-CAM12. Later on, you add VTR9, and you
want to make it be source 9, and make CAM1-CAM12 be sources 10-21. But at the same time
you do not want to have to move all the connectors CAM1-CAM12 down one. You could put
VTR9 on input connector 21, and map source 9 to input 21. You would have to change the
mapping of sources 10-21 so that they mapped to inputs 9-20.
3. In partially-stuffed routers with holes, mapping allows the holes to be “mapped away”, so that
control panels see one continuous set of sources or destinations.
4. Two separate levels can be “joined together” into one level, by mapping first one level, then
the other, to successive sources or destinations. For example, suppose you have two levels,
each 16x16. Sources 1-16 could be mapped to level 1 inputs 1-16 with level 2 unmapped.
Sources 17-32 could be mapped to level 2 inputs 1-16 with level 1 unmapped. Likewise for
destinations. You would not be able to connect source 1 to destination 17, for example, but you
could connect any source 1-16 to any destination 1-16, or any source 17-32 to any destination
17-32. You would not have to concern yourself with levels.
5. A more complete join of two levels could be done by cabling inputs of the two levels together.
For example, if you had a router with two 64x64 analog video levels, you could connect 64
inputs to the first level and then cable them in parallel to the second level also, so that both
levels received the same 64 inputs. Then, you could map destinations 1-64 to level 1 outputs
1-64, and destinations 65-128 to level 2 outputs 1-64. You would end up with a 64x128 single-
level router.
6. One source could be mapped on all levels, while another one might be mapped only on audio
levels. The first would be used to set up all levels of a destination, while the second would be
used to change the audio while leaving the video unchanged. An all-levels take could be done
with the second source, yet only the audio levels would change. Note that this is a use of
multiple mapping.
7. If one level is a machine control level, you can selectively map that level only for those
sources or destinations where you want machine control routing to take place.
8. Some signals may include video but not audio, or vice-versa. For these signals, mapping table
entries can be unmapped on those levels where there is no signal. Router inputs and outputs
need not be wasted. For example, if output 17 is used for a monitor’s video signal on level 1
and for a totally unrelated audio signal on level 2, separate destinations can be mapped to each
level, permitting all-level takes of the MON that don’t affect the audio level, and vice-versa.