The collected works of Timberoz

Hello, I have a questions in regard to IRIX Software & Programming for the 02's. Firstly this is what I would like to achieve!

I have several o2's that I would like to use as simple video servers to output to multiple video projectors. Each o2 would output a individual video stream, But stored in a common file structure stored local on each machine. The require clips placed in each folder ie: Folder #1= Cue #1.

I want a Master o2 machine to have some form of playback window in which I could call "Cues" to the o2's playback units on the network. This would be a "live" drop & drag situation similar to what can be done on the Output window in IRIX on the o2. One machine calls the cues the others playback the required file. Sounds simple But I am sure that it is not?

The machines that I would use for playback are RM 5200 300mhz/Rm 7000 350mhz o2's with the full gig of ram & the analogue video card option (Svideo) most have single 9 gig 10k drives. Should I use the second drive bay for "Files" only storage? Would this give smoother output performance not running of the system disk?

For the master machine would I need a R12000 (I have a R12000 300mhz) to call cues or would this be over kill? Or could I get away with another R5000? Some would properly suggest an onyx for what I wish to achieve, But I need the system to be both transportable & work in sometimes less that perfect temperature conditions. I have heard that the onxy's like their feet firmly planted on the ground! The o2's would be a more stable machine for moving around.

What Tools or Software will I need to compile a program like this for the 02's & IRIX? I want to be able to give a programmer an o2 to work, develop, test on. What would be the best software to code in as I have a few options available?

Now I have seen some items on ebay.....Are these remotely helpfully for my task? If I buy these, Will I need a license? Do they require licenses? Will they run or are they even useable? I am completely unfamiliar with this side of things.......

SGI IRIX ProDev Developers Suite
Product #812-0768-003

SGI IRIX 6.5 Compilers and Developer Tools Update Kit
Includes:
ProDev Developers Suite May 1999
Compiler Execution Environment 7.3
IRIX Development Foundation 1.2

SGI IRIX MIPSpro C Compiler 7.2.1
SGI part number is #812-0707-002

Open Inventor 2.1.5
Used for IRIX 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5
Product #812-0794-002

Any help or experience would be very appreciated, I am very keen to make this a reality & actually put my blue baby's to good use.

Latter I would like to refine the system to somehow interface to DMX 512 (lighting standard protocol) & be able to trigger the Master o2 Via a lighting control desk for integration with automated lighting, I am thinking throught some form of ethernet communication.

Also on the list to be able to allow for keystone correction, possible by mapping the image to polgons or a surface patch & pull the outer points to reshape the video output. I would want this feature because the LCD projectors that I will be using are mounted on a moving yold (frame) & their position is programable.

I appreciate any suggestions or personal experiences as I am flying Blind!

Craig >Timberoz

The reason that I was leaning towards a o2 for each output rather than splitting the signal with a distribution amp was the plan to stitch multiple whole PAL video frames together to make one larger image.

This is why I would require the images to stay in sync, some of the source material is being rendered from 3ds max. I have also been given some 5m mp digital stills that I was cropping & chopping up in Photoshop to give a static panoramic backdrop for a stage cyc.

At this stage in preproduction the idea is to have 3 projectors aligned side by side for a widescreen effect 2304 x 576 pixels. A plan to feather the sides of source material so that the projectors can have a slight overlap in their alignment to produce a more consistent image across the screen surface. The projectors will be fixed & rear projecting for this event. Keystone is not an issue here, Just the playbacks

The event in November is when I would require the Keystone function under DMX control, The units will be required to project onto multiple screens inside the venue. The plan is for 4 DL1's to be hired & used. http://www.highend.com/products/digital_lighting/dl_1.asp
This would allow for corrected projection onto various screens hung at different levels around the venue & thus the need for live Keystoning. In this case each o2 would project an individual image of different source material rather than the need for frame syncing & alignments like the above event.

The DMX implementation could be an interesting factor, There are quiet a few DMX to Ethernet adaptors on the market but all of the software I have seen thus far has been windows based. If this could be worked out it would allow for a very flexible system & at a realistic cost level that I could afford. Unlike systems like Catalyst (see the url link.) The unit would only ever need to read the 8bit DMX levels, as it would be a slave unit to the lighting board.

I hope what I have outlined makes sense? Do you still think that a central sever is a more realistic option? I have the o2's already. I you think a central server could you suggest what I would need as I only own o2's?
No single video loop would be longer than a couple of minutes in length & many would be less than 30 secs or a complete still frame. The MJPEG codec was what I had planned as it was native to the o2?

It is correct what has been said about keystoning the projector VS the source material & the output quality......But remember in this instance the video projector is not a fixed unit in a fixed position or on the same single screen the whole time.

If with some luck the production company I run may be able to afford to purchase these units before the events rather than cross hire the DL 1's. If this is the case fingers crossed, Keystone will be a built in feature of this fixture & could save quiet at bit of work & programming. http://www.beamover.com/nextStep/beaMover_engl.html

Thanks the the reply's & I welcome any further knowledge or suggestions you can suggest.


Craig>Timberoz

I am after some assistance with a stubborn O2 Effect system (version 6.1.2)
I have a D9 stone (4 x 4gig drives) & the flint dongle attached to serial port two. (thanks to Grant & Rangi) I now know that I my IP address changes it causes problems with the stones.

To be honest my IRIX skills are close to zero, but here is what I am attempting.

I log into the effect account. type Effect -vr & the interface starts at the project splash screen as it should with no errors.
VOLUMEMGT : Warning ( I choose Y) & can hear the drives respond.
If I choose a <New> project
I now have a new screen with no project
Name, [blank]
Description, [blank]
Partition <new>
Setup Dir. [/usr/discreet/project/effecrs/untitled]
Cfg Template film.cfg
Memory 0 (what should this be if my 02 has 1gig of ram?)

I go to Partition & click on <new> & it opens the Framestore Setup window.
I can see that the stonefs has no partitions & plenty of free space. I change the default NTSC tab to PAL click on 4:3 change the name to PAL TEST the apply (ERROR : VOLUMEMGT: PARTITION NAME IS TOO LONG OR CONTAINS INVALID CHARACTERS) so instead I have PAL & click "Apply"

I get an instant flash of white onscreen
then
PANIC: swf age_cut: Mismatched links in list
Kernel/Interrupt Stack Overflow @0x801c4494 sp:0x803a7918 K1:0x40
ra:0x801c4494 stkflag:1

DOUBLE PANIC: Stack underflow/overflow

I have tried numerous button clicks but these all result in the flash of death & a long sigh.
In the project window I can see 3 projects one with a (NTSCDefault : non-existent) & the other (PALDefault : non-existent) & then <new>

Any help or advise would be gratefully received & really appreciated. I am one step closer than I was before, but I am still not quiet there.

Thanks in Advance
Timberoz>Craig

Would anyone be able to give me help or tips on the following please, as I am still banging my head against the wall with this machine.

#1 Where is the licence kept for Effect? & Also the Sapphire 3.0 Sparks? (So I can do a back up)

#2 When I go to start the software, I use effect -riv. (VOLUMEMGT: WARNING: All Data on Volume stonefs will be DESTROYED !) I choose Y
This brings me to the start screen. I am starting to think that the Stone is ok & there is a problem with the Software?

I have the following Clues.....
In the xwsh window after I have typed effect -riv & I go to create at new partition & the system crashed I can see the following
PROJECT: Happy_Meal
USER : default
CONFIG : Warning -could not read /usr/discreet/project/effects/Happy_Meal/cfg?Happy_Meal.cfg

Error reading config file--aborting.

If I jump into that director /usr/discreet/project/effects I can only see a folder Destination_AXN & project.rdb project.rdb.bak
In Destination_AXN is XFERS.omf

At the splash screen I have Project Happy_Meal (NTSCDefault :non-existent)If I hold the mouse over the project bar & click I can see 2 new options <NEW> & default (PALDefault :non-existant) I can't find any files in the Project folder?? Is this part of the problem. Why is the Happy_Meal project the NTSC default?

Could the problem be with the init.cfg file in usr/discreet/effect_6.1.2/cfg/init.cfg?

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in Advance
Timberoz>Craig

Thanks, I have just got the machine out of storage. I will check on that & report back.

Thanks for the help

Timberoz

Put the drive & the riser card also.

Version 7 does require a Dongle, But you don't require a stone array from Discreet.....You can run the raid as an XLV. I have this option running for my copy of version 7.

Timberoz>Craig