360 Systems MAXX2400HD - Manual (Page 73)

Page 72 MAXX-2400HD Owner’s Manual
An automation system could, for example, issue a VDCP Cue command to Channel 3 for a
clip called “logo”. Channel 4 would automatically be loaded with clip “logo_”. A Still or Play
command sent to Channel 1 would cause both Channels 1 and 3 to display the fill and key clips,
respectively.
Note that the VDCP checkbox option to “show first frame” for a Cue command is ignored for
channels in ganged mode. The automation system must issue a Still command to Channel 1 to
achieve this effect.
Ingesting a TARGA file via FTP automatically creates a key clip and a fill clip, each a single
frame in length. For example, if file “xyz.tga” is transferred to a server via FTP, then a pair of
single-frame clips is created: “xyz” and “xyz_” containing the fill and key material.
Combined Video and Graphics Capabilities
MAXX 2400HD includes graphics import capability, enabling the server to function as both a
graphics still-store, and an animation playout server. Its four outputs give it the power to provide
key-and-fill material along with two additional video feeds simultaneously.
Importing TARGA Graphics Files
The server will be able to recognize and ingest single-frame TARGA files via FTP from many
network-attached graphics workstations. TARGA files have a .tga extension, and may contain an
alpha (or key) channel. During transfer, the server will split the TARGA file into a Fill frame, and a
Key frame if it exists. These will be converted to high-resolution files, one frame in length.
For example, if an original file is named Logo.tga, the files created will be named Logo.mxf
(the fill file) and Logo_.mxf (the key file). Note the trailing underscore “_” added to the file name
of the key. This allows the TARGA file to be used for key and fill applications when channels 2
and 3 are ganged together.
The resolution of a TARGA image should be 1920 x 1080 for use in 1080i format, or 1280 x
720 for use in 720p format. If the original TARGA image is not of this resolution, the server will re-
scale it, possibly introducing some dimensional distortion. The bit depth of the files must be 24 or
32 bit. The server does not support Targa sequences, only single frame graphics.
Still Frames
A single-frame clip (a “still”) may be inserted into a playlist. The length of a still will appear as
one frame in the clip list. When a still is encountered, the playlist will pause and hold the still
image until a Play command is issued, at which point the playlist will continue to the next clip in
the list. When using the GUI, the space bar (a keyboard shortcut) will also advance the playlist.
Stills may be placed anywhere in a playlist. In fact, a playlist may be entirely composed of stills.
A still frame clip in a playlist can have a duration assigned to it (See page 66 ). It will then
play for that duration and the list will continue automatically.
Stills are created when TARGA files are ingested. (See page 79 for a description of TARGA file
ingest.) It is also possible to create a still frame by editing any clip. When editing the clip, position
the transport on the desired frame and set both the In and Out points to this frame. Save the clip,
or Save As to a new clip name. The selected frame will be displayed when the clip is played in the
Playlist.