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Mac OSX 10.7 Lion We have tested our suite of applications with OSX 10.7 Lion and are pleased to report they are all working correctly. However there are some current issues with third-party Quicktime Components. There is an issue we are trying resolve in turning Lion into an NTP time server. Also, Apple often makes significant changes within the first few months, so we strongly advise you to wait on upgrading show machines until Apple releases at least three point updates (10.7.3). |
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What is the best configuration for running PlaybackPro/PlaybackPro Plus? What are recommended video types? Can I use a video output device (Decklink/MXO2/MOTU) with PlaybackPro? What other software works well alongside PlaybackPro? How do I playback DVD content? What are the recommended System Settings? Can PlaybackPro handle multiple audio channels? Can I run multiple machines in sync? Do I need the controller to operate PlaybackPro? How does PlaybackPro handle interlaced video? Is there a Windows version of PlaybackPro?
What is the best configuration for running PlaybackPro/PlaybackPro Plus? All Macs sold today are capable of running PlaybackPro and PlaybackPro Plus. They can handle up to 1080p with the Apple ProRes 4:2:2 codec, when a separate RAID is used for media storage. In general, MacPro desktop units are preferable unless portability is more important. For MacBook Pro laptops, upgrade to 7200 RPM internal drives. An external RAID over Firewire 800 is recommended, particularly with PlaybackPro Plus. A high resolution anti-glare screen is also a good option. For MacPro desktops, at least two 7200 RPM SATA drives should be added, and striped in a RAID for media storage. These drives are much less expensive when ordered from a supplier other than Apple. A hardware RAID card is not necessary. I/O cards such as Decklink or Kona can be added for capturing, however their outputs cannot be used by PlaybackPro (see Can I use a video output device (Decklink/MXO2/MOTU) with PlaybackPro?). If you’d like to use an older Mac with DT Videolabs’ applications, send your specifications to technical@dtvideolabs.com for review. What are recommended video types? The best video format (codec) for PlaybackPro is Apple ProRes 4:2:2. Our second choice is h.264. This holds true for client recommendations, DVD rips and conversions from formats with less than ideal playback characteristics such as .wmv files. All MacIntosh non-linear-editors can export ProRes as long as its QuickTime component is installed -- just place the unzipped Apple ProRes file in the HD/Library/QuickTime folder. Additional QuickTime Components are included on the installation CD. If your content is created with an Avid or other Windows editing software, we may be able to help with the workflow. Can I use a video output device (Decklink/MXO2/MOTU) with PlaybackPro? Cards and devices that have SDI and genlock capability (such as Blackmagic’s Decklink, Aja’s Kona and IO, Matrox’s MXO2 and MOTU’s HD) are all video output devices that do not have a GPU and therefore are not compatible with PlaybackPro. These devices are designed for ‘print-to-tape’ applications and are given a specific video file that is decoded by their software and/or hardware. This makes them very limited (no GPU), and requires video to be formatted for the card. PlaybackPro is built for the future and utilizes the GPU for the massive per-pixel-processing required for its live transitions, geometry and level functions. If your switching system accepts high resolution computer inputs like VGA, DVI, DisplayPort or HDMI, the Mac can be plugged directly into the system. If you require SDI or genlocked component signals, a digital DVI to SDI/Component/Composite SD/HD frame-buffer like the original Matrox MXO (not MXO2) works very well. The highest quality converter would be the Folsom ImagePro. What other software works well alongside PlaybackPro? QuickTime Player 7 Pro may be used for codec conversions and audio track assignments (when using multi-channel audio, see Can PlaybackPro handle multiple audio channels?). When using OSX 10.6 (Snow Leopard), QuickTime Player 7 must be installed from the operating system DVD and then upgraded to Pro. MPEG Streamclip works on both Mac and Windows and is a good free application for codec conversion and DVD ripping to a format such as ProRes 4:2:2. When DVDs need to be ripped from an encrypted DVD (movies, etc.), Handbrake can often be used, although the quality is less than desired. Flip4Mac is a QuickTime component that allows QuickTime, and therefore PlaybackPro, to decode .wmv files. Although a .wmv file can then be played back directly in PlaybackPro, we recommend converting it to Apple ProRes 4:2:2. [Update, still images are now directly supported in PlaybackPro Plus 3.3.0] Still images are not currently supported, although we’re hoping to add that in a future release. If you wish to use one, follow this procedure to create a video file of the image: 1. Open QuickTime 7 Pro, select File, then Open File (⌘O), and select your image. 2. Edit - Select All (⌘A) 3. Edit - Copy (⌘C) 4. Edit - Paste (⌘V) do this five or more times. 5. Repeat Steps 2 through 4 until you have about 10 seconds of usable footage. 6. Important! Export to a format like ProRes 4:2:2. DO NOT use Save As. 7. Open the exported file as a new clip in PlaybackPro. How do I playback DVD content? DVDs must be ‘ripped’ to Apple ProRes 4:2:2 for use in PlaybackPro. Use an application like MPEG Streamclip or Cinematize to rip unencrypted DVDs. For encrypted DVDs, Handbrake can often be used, but does not produce the highest quality. What are the recommended System Settings? It is important to set a few global System Settings prior to using DT Videolabs' software. Energy Saver: Uncheck Automatic Graphics Switching if this item is available. Set Computer Sleep and Display Sleep to Never in both Power Adapter and Battery sections. Uncheck Put the Hard Disks To Sleep when possible. THIS IS IMPORTANT! Desktop & Screen Saver: Set Start Screen Saver to Never Sound: Set Alert Volume to Zero Uncheck Play User Interface Sound effects Uncheck Play Feedback When Volume is changed Set Output Volume to full CDs and DVDs: Set all options to Ignore Although not in System Preferences, it is best to unmount any network shares before going into show. Can PlaybackPro handle multiple audio channels? Yes. QuickTime compatible movies can be created with multiple audio channels. To assign channels to audio output devices (such as Fastrack 8r), use QuickTime Player 7 Pro. 1. Open the movie, then go to Window / Properties in the menu 2. Select audio track, then select the Audio Settings tab 3. Assign channels to outputs 4. Save movie Audio channels will now map when played back. Can I run multiple machines in sync? PlaybackPro Plus, with the SimpleSync application, will run multiple machines simultaneously. SimpleSync does not require a license or USB enabler key. Do I need the controller to operate PlaybackPro? No. All playback controls can be accessed using keyboard commands or mouse clicks. The PlaybackPro USB controller simply allows quick and accurate access to PlaybackPro show controls. How does PlaybackPro handle interlaced video? When interlaced video is decoded in PlaybackPro (using QuickTime), it is automatically de-interlaced on-the-fly using the graphics card if the QuickTime component that’s decoding the video supports this. ProRes and DV can be de-interlaced on-the-fly, h.264 cannot. If you have interlaced video that cannot be de-interlaced on-the-fly (you see combing during playback), you can either convert to a format that does, or use a file-based de-interlacer such as JES De-Interlacer. PlaybackPro doesn't currently handle timecode directly. Audio timecode can be placed on an audio track (see Can PlaybackPro handle multiple audio channels?). Audio levels are important, so test prior to using. Can I run PlaybackPro and other DT Videolabs’ applications like InstaCue and RecordPro on the same machine simultaneously? For performance reasons, only one DT Videolabs’ application should be run at a time. Be sure to quit one application before launching another. Is there a Windows version of PlaybackPro? Not at this time. While that may be an option in the future, currently PlaybackPro will only run on the Mac operating system. |
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