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Chongo Service Training. Software Summary James Pearce <james.pearce@thomson.net>. Architectural Overview. Software Architecture Operating Systems Operating System Communications System Components Services. Software Architecture Overview. Almost identical to M-Series architecture.
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Chongo Service Training Software Summary James Pearce <james.pearce@thomson.net>
Architectural Overview Software Architecture Operating Systems Operating System Communications System Components Services
Software Architecture Overview • Almost identical to M-Series architecture. • Exceptions: • File System stack • Newer Streaming/Transcoding subsystem • New Application front-end
Operating Systems • Chongo is a multi-tier system, compromising multiple processing components. • Each component runs an appropriately targeted operating system: Host: Windows XP Embedded Front Panel: Windows CE RTS: vxWorks
Windows XP Embedded • Componentized version of Windows XP • Using Service Pack 2 • Not all components are installed (eg Solitaire) • Installation of 3rd party tools and applications is not permitted • QFEs and patches are only available from Grass Valley • Consider it a Grass Valley Operating System
Windows CE 4.2 • Windows for Consumer Devices, and PDAs • The version we use is built and targeted specifically at the panel device • OS Image is downloaded and flashed from the host only when necessary. • Not all system updates will require a reflash of the front panel.
VxWorks • The CODEC runs VxWorks • Provides Real-Time capabilities • Good intertask communication and synchronization • Fast interrupt responses • RTS image is flashed on system update
OS Communication • Windows CE and Windows XP Embedded communicate through USB. • The software uses DCOM (a remote inter-process communication framework). • DCOM Permissions must be configured correctly on the host • To check DCOM permissions: msdtc –install dcomcnfg • Firewall must be disabled* • If in doubt – run a system repair
OS Communication • vxWorks and Windows XP Embedded communicate across the PCI bus • Use short KIPM messages to communicate with each other • Mechansim provided by a device driver (kipmdrv.sys)
System Software Components • Installed on top of the Windows XPe OS: • DirectX • MSDE • MSXML • MainConcept MPEG • ActiveSync • Quicktime • Windows Media libraries
DirectX 9 • A set of loosely related media technologies • We use DirectDraw and DirectShow for streaming, transcoding (importing and exporting), and firewire device imports • DirectShow is an API for streaming media. Very flexible – supports any format or device
MSDE 8 SP3 • “Microsoft Desktop Engine” • A cut-down version of SQL Server for desktop applications • Includes hard-wired resource limitations • It’s free
MSXML • XML itself is “Extensible Markup language” • MSXML is an API from Microsoft for manipulating XML
MainConcept MPEG libraries • The MainConcept libraries are used for MPEG2 encoding and decoding in software • We use them for file imports and exports and firewire imports • Provide good performance and support for HD
ActiveSync 3.8 • Normally used for synchronization of PDA devices • We use it for communication with the Front Panel • Provides TCP/IP support over USB • Provides RAPI access from the host for image flashing and file copying
Quicktime 6.5 • A set of libraries from Apple for reading and writing Quicktime files, as well as editing and streaming services • We use if for Quicktime file decoding when importing files
Windows Media Format 9.5 libraries • A set of libraries from Microsoft for the encoding and decoding of Windows Media Audio and Video • Used by file transcode subsystem for the import and export of Windows Media files
Services • Since XP Embedded is a targeted operating syystem, all services are critical to normal usage • If suspicious services appear in the list, perform a system repair/update • Do not stop or remove services
Software Operation System Installer AppCenter Front Panel Configuration MediaMonitor Recorder Player Playlist
System Installer • Runs from a bootable CD Simply put the CD in the CDROM tray and reboot Follow the on-screen instructions • No Setup.exe • Replaces the OS too • Fire and forget Once installation started, no user input required • Two options available • Update/Repair • Reset to factory defaults
System Installer • Update/Repair • Replaces the system software • Overwrites contents of C: drive • Media and Configuration is retained • May not be available if system is badly corrupted or a existing version could not be found
System Installer • Reset to Factory Condition • Overwrites all data • Rebuilds partition table • All media lost • All configuration lost
System Installer • “Secret” options: • Press Ctrl+O to enter option mode -- asterisk appears in title bar. Press the following to enable/disable features: • Ctrl+B: Disable reboot on completion • Ctrl+L: Disable RTS loader stage • Ctrl+F: Switch on low-level disk formatting • Ctrl+P: Open a command prompt
AppCenter • Brings channel applications, asset management and configuration together • Launches automatically at system start • Manages resource control with front panel • Runs as a collection of applications running in separate address spaces
Front Panel • Provides a large sub-set of the functionality available from AppCenter • Functionality not available from the front panel includes: • Network streaming • Asset metadata editing and searching • On-line help
Configuration • Access from AppCenter’s “File” menu • Configurable items: • System • Channel • GPI • Front Panel • Configuration is stored as XML files in V:\System\<HOSTNAME>\config
Configuration • System includes: • Reference Standard • Set to NTSC for 59.94 Hz recording and playout • Set to PAL for 50 Hz recording and playout • Data rate • Sets the MPEG bit-rate for recording
Configuration • Channels • Recorder includes: • Video/Audio input type Selects the baseband inputs for audio and video • Noise reduction Enables and sets the level of the Lee Filter • Audio Input Format For digital audio recording – selects AC-3 or PCM audio
Configuration • Channels • Players include: • Output Format SD or HD video format • Aspect Ratio the ratio of the playout monitor • Aspect Ratio conversion How to convert mismatching formats
Aspect Ratio • A clip can be 4:3 or 16:9 • A clip’s aspect ratio is independent of its format or resolution. • For example, a 720x480 SD clip could be 4:3 or 16:9 • A clip’s aspect ratio is simply an indication of it’s intended display format
Aspect Ratio • Asset aspect ratio is separate to output monitor aspect ratio For example, a clip might be 16:9, but a display projector might be 4:3 • The asset aspect ratio is set when it is recorded • The output aspect ratio is set thru configuration • Conversion hints indicate how a 4:3 clip should be displayed on a 16:9 display or vice versa • Bars – pads the picture with black bars • Crop – removes parts of the active frame to fit the display • Bars and Crop – half and half
MediaMonitor • Used for Asset Management • View asset properties • Send assets to file, stream, or another bin • Import assets from file or stream • Rename and Delete assets • Search for assets • Apply metadata to clips
MediaMonitor • Drag-drop assets into Players and PlayList • Cut and Paste assets between bins • Create new bins, Delete bins • Drag-drop files from desktop to initiate imports
MediaMonitor • Streaming, File Import and Export • Supported file formats are controlled through plugins • Imports, Exports and Streaming run in parallel to normal operation • View ongoing operations from the Transfer Monitor (File Transfer Monitor) • Executables called “Sessions” run the import, export or stream instance • A maximum of 4 sessions are executable at one time
Recorder • “New Clip” creates a named, empty clip • “Preview” loads the currently recording clip into the player • “Properties” shows properties of the currently recording clip • TimeDome shows space remaining
Recorder Options • Recorder options are available in the “Recorder” menu item when the recorder is active • Widescreen (16:9) or Standard (4:3) • Configures the recorded clip as 16:9 or 4:3 material • IEEE1394 or base-band recording • Configures the recorder for Firewire import • Supports DV, MPEG and HDV devices • Transport controls control device • Other options available in Channel Configuration
IEEE1394 Recorder • Frame accurate fixed length records for DV. Non-frame accurate for MPEG. • IEEE1394 imports from DV require transcoding to MPEG • A special sparse buffer file is used to allow background transcode from a real-time source • Once the device record is finished, the clip can be ejected – the transcode will continue • Can record from devices without transport controls (such as camcorders in Camera mode, or DTV decoders)
Player • “Load Clip” loads a clip from a bin • “Subclip” allows the user to create a subclip from the loaded clip • “Goto” allows scrollbar access to any position in the clip
Player • Fully Agile: • Format of clip and format of output channel are independent • System Reference must match • EE supported • Simple Editing • Trimming • Subclips
Playlist • “Insert” inserts a new clip • “Properties” shows the properties of the currently active clip • “Goto” allows scrollbar access to any position in the playlist
Playlist • Mixed Media supported • Can mix HD and SD clips in the same list
Software Diagnostics Log System Traps DbgView
Log • System Logs are stored as mmf files in c:\logs • View logs using the system log viewer: c:\profile\log.exe • Export log using the export log utility: c:\profile\exportlog.exe
System Traps • System traps are viewable from AppCenter • HelpSystem Status • Provide more user-friendly errors than the log • Can be generated from non-Grass Valley components • Motherboard devices (fans, etc) • Hard Disks • Etc
DbgView • DbgView is a 3rd party tool from SysInternals • Views Windows System log • Useful for lower-level debugging • Not all components log to the Windows System log • Useful as a last resort • Download from http://www.sysinternals.com