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Welcome.
There was a time, not very long ago, when the names and makers of equipment was familiar to us.
Some of use remember companies like AMPEX, Altec-Lansing, Daven, GVG, 3M, Lotus Notes, Procomm, Hayes Modems…
To say that that all of this has changed is an understatement.
Before devices were self-contained “black boxes” with-all of the functionality embedded within the unit.
Well, it’s a IT-based-self-service-you’re on your own-world of disparate devices, tethered by IP code.
There’s is nothing wrong with the former model. If there was an equipment malfunction, you just changed the component and kept moving.
Today you need to chase down a missing link. “Is there a dial tone?”
Is device “A” communicating with device “C” because device “B” seems to be dead?
Before you used a meter or a scope or your nose to hash out the issue.
Now you need to examine text or visual icon-type indicators to get a clue.
Don’t despair, you can teach an old dog new tricks.
If you examine the history of the IT revolution in our industry, it was the “Old-Dogs” that pushed technology
forward. Can we give a standing ovation to Steve Jobs? And let’s not forget Bill Gates and many other names not totally familiar to you.
The Video Engineers Cookbook is here to take you inside of this new world.
And remind you to not be afraid of the dark.
Even though most of the modern Broadcast and IT equipment all have different ideas about the Users Interface, there is a common thread inherent in these devices that can help you:
And that is the Terminal Interface.
Most if not all Devices have a an Terminal Interface.
Before I began, let me me tell you a little story. (Hey, it’s an Engineer-thing to tell stories, because that’s how methods are transferred and transmitted.)
The Routing Switcher:
More specifically, the Grass Valley Group Horizon Routing Switcher.
Long ago, but not far away I was the Engineer in Charge of a Television Complex in Manhattan that Recorded Live Performances every week in real time.
As part of the preparation and fax of these Productions, I had to configure each Operator’s user station, with Video & Audio Monitoring, Setup the VPR6′s with Reference, Time-Code and either Switcher Output or ISO input, Route IFB, ecetera, you name it.
I quickly discovered I could save myself some time by configuring the Routing Switcher to Load various Configuration Matrices by connecting to the inside of the Router Frame.
Remember, this is when ideas about this sort of thing was just surfacing.
Grass Valley called these Configurations “SALVOS”.
And it required that you connect a Terminal Device using a Serial cable (DB9) to the Rear of the Frame.
Now you had to set the Baud Rate of the connected Terminal, hit enter and if you were greeted with a blinking cursor on your “green-screen” you were on your way.
Now you set up Labels for your “Salvo” functions, added the User Stations you wanted to configure;
this was the Clerical part of building your list.
Saved your configuration.
I’m not sure if I had to restart the Router, but, now you had to test your Configuration by using the Label Keyword you created to see if it worked.
You would travel to a Router Panel, then punch in your Labels…wait for it…
And Viola, it worked.
Of course I had to edit my Salvos but after everything was “golden”, I was perceived as a hero.
My superiors reacted with raised eyebrows.
What’s the moral of this story?
Well as an Engineer, I couldn’t be afraid of the Dark.
There was no one else capable on site that even had a clue.
Someone, more like me, had to wander into unknown territory and see if there was light at the end of the tunnel.
And that’s my advice to you dear reader: get out of the box and wander down that scary path.
I know you’re thinking, ” I might mess up something, our system is online and thousands of dollars are at stake.”
If the power were to go out at your Facility, and it was stormy outdoors and getting to the Breaker panel seemed hazardess, would you go?
I wouldn’t!
Just kidding, of course you would.
You would grab your Fluke, get your OSHA Gloves and get your HOT Stick and bring about a resolution.
You’re not “scared” are you?
http://www.labsafety.com/refinfo/ezfacts/ezf262.htm
http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/digital-multimeters/fluke-87v-ex.htm?PID=56141
http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/accessories/high-voltage-probes/80k-6.htm?PID=55358
8:55 AM 9/12/2011