Hints, Tips & Reminders for the Radius System

Reminder 1.
Please do not install ANY software on this system. All software will be installed by the system administrator. If the conflict catcher alerts you to a conflict, please do not run a conflict test. Send the GRA email about the problem.

Reminder 2.
Remember that a 2 gigabyte partition can hold 8 min. of broadcast quality video and audio. If you lower the quality of the capture, the recording time per partition will increase.
Reminder 3.
While the system software is backed up, the files on the Data and DV drives are NOT frequently backed up. If you have important data, be sure to find a way to back it up, or talk to the GRA for assistance in making a back-up.
Reminder 4.
Please keep all project files in folders rather than in the root directory of the Data and DV drives. When you name the folder, please be as descriptive as possible, including information such as project name, group name, etc. Also, please do not store any files on the 'Radius System' or 'Radius Data' drives.
Reminder 5.
Please do not store any files on Data 1 or Data 2.

Device Control Setup:
The following is a brief guide to selecting the proper device control setting for the SVHS, Hi8, and BetaSP decks.


SVHS/VHS 
Device Control Switch Setting: B
        Device Control Method: ProVtr 4.4
                 VTR Protocol: Sony VISCA
                  Time Source: TIMER

Hi8 
Device Control Switch Setting: A
        Device Control Method: ProVtr 4.4
                 VTR Protocol: Sony VISCA
                  Time Source: LTC (if no time code on tape, use TIMER)

Beta SP 
Device Control Switch Setting: C
        Device Control Method: ProVtr 4.4
                 VTR Protocol: Sony RS-422
                  Time Source: LTC

For a more detailed discussion with pictures, click here. For a review of the entire capture process, click here.

VIDEO:

  • Be sure all video settings in the MOVIE CAPTURE menu are set properly.
  • Be sure the audio/video switcher is set for the player you are using.
  • If are using the HI8 player and all menu items are correct, try lightly tapping the front of the player. :)
  • Be sure the device control is set for the player you are using.
  • Be sure the Conflict Catcher was set so that you booted into the Telecast Startup GX off mode and not the Telecast Startup GX off TCP mode. The Conflict Catcher boot modes are under the CC pull-down menu in the upper right corner of the screen. The TCP mode should only be used for network access or printing.
  • Be sure the Movie Capture window is on the second monitor when you click record.
  • If you are doing full screen 30 FPS video, be sure to use one of the DV drives to record to and play back from.

    • AUDIO:

  • Be sure all audio settings are set correctly in the MOVIE CAPTURE menu.
  • Be sure the SOUND settings are correct under the SOUND control panel item in the Apple pull-down menu.
  • Check that the audio/video switcher is set correctly.
  • If you want to capture only audio from inside Premiere, do not use the Audio Capture item under the File - Capture menu. This is a documented bug that can cause Premiere to crash with the Telecast. Instead, capture a movie but turn the Video off under the Movie Capture menu.
  • If you want to capture audio only, you can use SoundEdit 16 using the tie clip mic. Please do not use the built-in mic with SoundEdit 16. Plug the tie clip mic into the Mic jack on the Hi8 player and set up the switcher (OUT 1 - IN 4 - OUT 8 - IN 1) so you are ready to capture from the Hi8 player. Finally, under 'Sound-In' in the Sound Control Panel item, select Telecast.

    • Please be sure you know what settings you are changing in Premiere or in the system software. Random changes to the configuration can give nasty results that are difficult to correct.

    If all else fails, sometimes rebooting helps. Remember that the login is digital and the password is video. Try completely shutting the machine off. This sometimes requires unplugging it.

    GRA E-mail: heagy@csgrad.cs.vt.edu