This chapter provides an overview of the DMediaPro DM5 graphics-to-video-out option for use with your SGI workstation.
The DMediaPro DM5 graphics-to-video-out option for your SGI workstation consists of a set of components that provide either a high-definition (HD), or standard-definition (SD) video output channel. The VPro graphics board Dual Channel Display option is required to use the DM5 option with your SGI workstation.
The major DM5 hardware components are as follows:
DVI and BNC connector cables
DMediaPro DM5 daughterboard in a Video BreakOut Box (VBOB)
75-ohm terminator
The DMediaPro DM5 daughterboard provides specialized, high-resolution, digital video imagery capabilities for SGI workstations with VPro graphics and a Dual Channel Display (DCD) option. Note that not every SGI workstation with VPro graphics may be upgraded to work with DMediaPro DM5. Contact your SGI sales or service representative if you have any questions regarding workstation compatibility with the DM5 option.
![]() | Note: Your workstation must have a V12 (or higher) VPro graphics board with a Dual Channel Display option installed. The system must be running IRIX version 6.5.16 or later. Systems running 6.5.16 require a software extension (patch) to support DM5. |
The Dual Channel Display DVI connector interfaces on your workstation transmit digital pixel information to the DMediaPro DM5 daughterboard, which converts this information to SMPTE 259M standard definition (SD) or SMPTE 292M high definition (HD) video signals. Many applications may require genlock.
High-definition output formats include the following:
720-line progressive (720p)
1080-line interlaced (1080i)
Standard-definition output formats are CCIR-601 compliant and include:
NTSC timing
PAL timing
Two DVI cables, a BNC timing reference cable, and a 75-ohm terminator are included with the board. All configurations require use of both DVI cables.
The DVI-to-HD15 monitor cable (included in the DCD option kit) connects the DM5 daughterboard's DVI-Out connector to the workstation monitor cable. This gives you a complete High Definition Graphics to Video Out system. With this system, you can use your workstation to convert graphics data to either high-definition or standard-definition serial digital video.
The DM5 option provides you with the following additional capabilities:
A DVI loop-through connector on the DM5 for connecting the workstation monitor.
![]() | Note: The DM5 graphics-to-video-out option is initially configured and installed in the factory. Any reconfiguration should be carefully considered. On-site upgrades are done only with VBOB units that are part number 013-2746-004 (or later). |
Your DMediaPro DM5 graphics-to-video-out option provides the capability to select a raster-sized image from the workstation graphics output. Note that both VPro graphics DCD outputs must be identically sized.
The user selects the origin and size of the region of the graphics display for excision and output to a video device. The general purpose of the DMediaPro DM5 is to select a same-size (or smaller) section of the graphics output for conversion to video. An example might be to have the workstation graphics set to 1280x1024 and to select a 720x486-size region for conversion to NTSC video output.
Figure 1-1 shows the Dual Channel Display board assembly and its connectors. For cabling instructions, see Chapter 2, “DMediaPro DM5 Cabling Configurations”. For software configuration information, see Chapter 3, “Software Configuration and Troubleshooting”.
![]() | Note: You should always cover (and not use) the original 13W3 graphics output connector on your VPro graphics board when the Dual Channel Display option is installed. |
Note the following:
The DVI-to-HD15 interface cable used to connect the workstation's monitor to the DMediaPro DM5 board is included with the Dual Channel Display board option kit (not with the DMediaPro DM5 option).
Always use the 2-meter DVI cables shipped with your DM5. The DVI cables shipped with the Dual Channel Display option are not suitable for use with DM5.
The Video BreakOut Box (VBOB) cannot be upgraded by the end-user. Contact your SGI support provider for any upgrades or changes to use DMediaPro DM5.
![]() | Note: Only VBOB units with part number 013-2746-004 (or later) can be upgraded at a customer site with the DM5 option. All other VBOB units must be exchanged as part of the upgrade. |
A BNC cable, BNC “T” connector, and a 75-ohm terminator are required when genlock connections are needed.