Medialon MxMs' Help 
  
Name : Grass Valley K2
Version : 1.0.5
Available for : Manager V5 (All versions), Showmaster (ST & Pro).
Limitation In :  
Device Mark : Grass Valley Group
Positrack Compatible : Yes (available for some commands: see command description)
Resources type : TCP/IP Network or Serial
 
Compatible hardware interfaces - available resource modules (MRC) :
 

 

> Overview | > Installation (MXM) | > Creation (Device) | > Commands (List Of) | > Variables (List Of) | > Support


Overview :

The Grass Valley K2 is video server which supports 4 playback/record streams.

This MxM allows controlling a Grass Valley K2 with the AMP protocol either via Ethernet or RS-422.

The Grass Valley K2 must be setup to be controlled via the AMP protocol using the front panel or the Grass Valley AppCenter.



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Installation (MXM) :

No special installation required.

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Creation (Device) :

Device Creation Window :


Connection Type:
Defines the way the Grass Valley K2 is connected.
- Ethenet: via an Ethernet cable
- Serial Port: via a RS422 Serial Port

Server Address:
Network address of the Grass Valley K2 used in Ethernet mode.

Controlled Channel:
Grass Valley K2 channel which is controlled via Ethernet mode:
- Channel 1 [C1] Playback/Record channel #1

- Channel 2 [C2] Playback/Record channel #2
- Channel 3 [C3] Playback/Record channel #3

- Channel 4 [C4] Playback/Record channel #4


COM Port :
Com port number used to communicate with the Device in serial port mode.

Start Time Code :
Timecode value of the first available image on the Device. This value is used for positrack purpose.

Time Code Type :
Type of Time Code used for this device.

Default Working Bin:
Name of the K2 "Bin" which will be used on device startup.
The current K2 default bin will be used if this field is left empty.

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Graphical User Interface:

Device Control Panel

This MxM provides a Device Control Panel which can be displayed either as a stand alone window or inside a User Screen Contenair object with the "Device Control" Manager command. Note: See the Manager Help menu for details about using this command.

Thumbnails of the current clip and the next clip are displayed. Click on a thumbnail (or on the "Load..." button) to load a new clip, then select a clip from the clip selection window.

The "Clips" button opens a window which allows clip management.

The "Upload..." and "Download..." buttons allows transferring file from or to the K2 Server via the Transfer Clip dialog. The example below shows how to transfer a clip from the default bin of the K2 Server to another volume of the K2 Server in GXF format.


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Commands (List Of) :

Stop :

      Description : Causes the device to stop.
      Parameters :
      Mode : [Type : Enum] : Stop mode.
          Availables values :
          "Normal" : Normal stop.
          "Abort All" : Aborts Auto Mode play process and clears the list of clips to play (PendingClipList).

Note : This command is positracked

Play :

      Description : Starts playing video.Plays the list of clips to play (PendingClipList) if any.
      Parameters :
      No Parameter

      Note : This command is positracked
Record :
      Description : Starts recording video.
      Parameters :
      No Parameter
Fast Forward :
      Description : Performs a fast forward play on the device at the maximum speed.
      Parameters : no parameter.

Fast Reverse :
      Description : Performs a fast reverse play on the device at the maximum speed.
      Parameters : No parameter.
Pause :
      Description : Pauses the device.
      Parameters : No parameter.


      Note : This command is positracked
Locate :
      Description : Sets the device time position to the specified position.
      Parameters :
      TimeCode : [Type : Time] : Time position to go to.
      Usage :

      If the current TimeCodeMode is "Timer", the TimeCode parameter is relative to the beginning of the clip and must be between 00:00:00/00 and the duration of the current clip
      .

      If the current TimeCodeMode is "LTC" or "VITC", the TimeCode parameter is absolute must be between the first frame timecode and the last frame timecode of the current clip.

      Note : This command is positracked
Variable Speed :
      Description : Causes the device to play in variable speed, forward or reverse.
      Parameters :
      Mode : [Type : Enum] : Variable speed mode.
          Availables values :
          "Var" : Basic variable speed.
          "Shuttle" : Shuttle variable speed.
          "Jog" : Jog variable speed.
          "Program Play" Program Play variable speed.
      Speed : [Type : Integer] : Percent of speed. This value could be negative (reverse play) or positive (forward play).

Set Loop Mode :
      Description : Set the playback loop mode of the device.
      Parameters :
      Mode : [Type : Enum] : Loop mode.
          Availables values :
          "Off" : Loop Mode off.
          "On" : Loop Mode on.
Get Clip List:
      Description : Gets the list of existing clips in the Video Disc Recorder. The list is returned in the ClipList system variable as a string. Clip names are separated by CR/LF character.
      Parameters : no parameter.
Create Clip:
      Description : Creates a clip in the Video Disc Recorder. This command may be followed by a "Record" command to start the recording.
      Parameters :
      Name : [Type :String] : The name of the clip.
      TimeCode In : [Type : Time] : Start time code of the clip.
      TimeCode Out
      : [Type : Time] : End time code of the clip. If the timecode value is "00:00:00/00", a subsequent "Record" command will start an open ended recording which would end by a "Stop" command. Otherwise the recording stops when the timecode reaches the "Timecode Out" value

      Usage :

      If the current TimeCodeMode is "Timer", the "TimeCode In" parameter can be used to locate an existing clip to the specified position prior recording.

      If the current TimeCodeMode is "LTC" or "VITC", the "TimeCode In" parameter must be set to "00:00:00/00"
      .
Load Clip:
      Description : Loads part of a clip in the Video Disc Recorder. A subsequent "Play" command will play the specified part of the clip. This command also clears the list of clips to play (PendingClipList).
      Parameters :
      Name : [Type :String] : The name of the clip.
      TimeCode In : [Type : Time] : Start time code of the clip.
      TimeCode Out
      : [Type : Time] : End time code of the clip. If the timecode value is "00:00:00/00", the out point is set to the end of the clip.
      Usage :
      The "TimeCode In" parameter can be used to locate an existing clip to the specified position prior playing.
      If the current TimeCodeMode is "Timer":
      The "TimeCode In" defines a point relative to the beginning of the clip regardless of the clip In Point and Out Point.

      If the current TimeCodeMode is "LTC" or "VITC", the "TimeCode In" parameter is absolute and must be set to a value between the In Point and the Out Point of the clip
      .

Load Next Clip:
      Description : Adds a clip to the list of clips to play (PendingClipList). A subsequent "Play" command will play all of the clips of the pending clip list.
      Parameters :
      Name : [Type :String] : The name of the clip.
      TimeCode In : [Type : Time] : Start time code of the clip.
      TimeCode Out
      : [Type : Time] : End time code of the clip. If the timecode value is "00:00:00/00", the out point is set to the end of the clip
      Usage :
      The "TimeCode In" parameter can be used to locate an existing clip to the specified position prior playing.
      If the current TimeCodeMode is "Timer":
      The "TimeCode In" defines a point relative to the beginning of the clip regardless of the clip In Point and Out Point.

      If the current TimeCodeMode is "LTC" or "VITC", the "TimeCode In" parameter is absolute and must be set to a value between the In Point and the Out Point of the clip
      .
Delete Clip:
      Description : Deletes a clip in the Video Disc Recorder.
      Parameters :
      Name : [Type :String] : The name of the clip to delete.

Get Clip Info:

      Description : Gets the duration and the timecode in point of the specified clip.
      Parameters :
      Name : [Type :String] : The name of the clip.
      Duration : [Type : Time] : Variable which will receive the duration of the specified clip when the command returns.
      TimeCode In
      : [Type : Time] : Variable which will receive the timecode in point of the specified clip when the command returns.

      Usage : Use this command to get information about a clip even if the clip is not currently playing

Eject:

      Description : Unloads the currently loaded clip.
      Parameters : No Parameter

Transfer Clip:
      Description : Transfers and converts a clip to or from the Grass Valley K2.
      Parameters :
      Source Path : [Type :String] : Path of the source clip.
      Source File Type : [Type : Enum] : Type of the source clip.
          Availables values :
          "GXF" :
          "AVI" :
          "Vibrint" : Jog variable speed.
          "Profile" : Native Grass Valley K2 format.

          "MPEG" :.
      Destination Path : [Type :String] : Path of the destination clip.
      Destination File Type : [Type : Enum] : Type of the destination clip.
          Availables values :
          "GXF" :
          "AVI" :
          "Vibrint" : Jog variable speed.
          "Profile" : Native Grass Valley K2 format.

          "MPEG" :.

      Usage : Use this command to transfer video files to or from a Grass Valley K2.
      Example1: To transfer an MPEG file named "Clip1.mpg" located in a shared directory named "Videos" of a workstation called "VideoSource" to the default bin of a Grass Valley K2 machine called "K2", use the following parameters:
      - Source Path: "\\VideoSource\Videos\Clip1.gxf"
      - Source File Type: GXF
      - Destination Path: "K2/V:/Default/Clip1"
      - Destination File Type: Profile
      In this example, the default bin of the K2 is in its V: Drive.
Abort Transfer:
      Description : Abort the file transfer currently in progress.
      Parameters : None
Clear Pending Clip List:
      Description : Resets the preview clip and clears the pending clip list.
      Parameters : None

Set Time Code Mode:

      Description : Specifies the Time Code reference used by the K2 channel related to the device.
      Parameters :
      Time Source : [Type : Enum] : Reference Time Source.
          Availables values :
          "Timer" : The Time Code reference is the Windows system time of the K2 server
          "LTC" : The Time Code reference is the LTC Time Code input of the channel
          "VITC" : The Time Code reference is the VITC Time Code input of the channel

      Usage : The time code mode of a K2 channel modifies the usage for time related parameters of several commands like Locate, Load Clip, Load Next Clip. The time code mode has also an impact on "Deferred Execution" parameters. See each command description for more details.

Deferred Stop :

      Description : Stops the current clip at the specified K2 server time.
      Parameters :
      Exec Time
      : [Type : Time] : Server Time of the execution of the command.
      Usage : A deferred command is triggered when the "Time Source" of the K2 channel is equal to the "Exec Time" parameter.
      For example: if the "Time Source" is "Timer" (that is, using the internal system clock of the K2 server) and the "Exec Time" is "00:01:00/00", the command will be triggered by the K2 server when its internal system clock reaches
      "00:01:00/00".
      The "Time Source" of a K2 channel is selectable via the "SetTimeCodeMode" command.

      Deferred commands are useful when a frame accurate synchronisation between several K2 servers (or K2 server channels) is needed and when several servers share the same time source, for example the same LTC clock.

      Example of Manager programming for deferred commands:

      Algorithm:

      1. Get the value of the common source clock (either from a variable of a K2 device or
      via a TimeCode device)
      2. Add a "preroll" time value to this value.
      3. Execute deferred commands using the computed execution time

      Pseudo Code (ExecuteTime is a user variable):

      Expression( ExecuteTime=TC.TimeCode+"00:00:01/00" )
      K2A_Channel1.DeferredStop( ExecuteTime )
      K2A_Channel2.DeferredStop( ExecuteTime )
      K2B_Channel1.DeferredStop( ExecuteTime )
      K2B_Channel2.DeferredStop( ExecuteTime )

      Note that no positrack is performed for deferred commands.

Deferred Play:

      Description : Starts playing the current clip at the specified K2 server time.
      Parameters :
      Exec Time : [Type : Time] : Server Time of the execution of the command.
      Usage : see "Deferred Stop".

Deferred Record:

      Description : Starts recording at the specified K2 server time.
      Parameters :
      Exec Time : [Type : Time] : Server Time of the execution of the command.
      Usage : see "Deferred Stop".

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Variables (List Of) :

TimeCode :

      Type : Time.
      Description : Current time position of the device.

StartTimeCode :

      Type : Time.
      Description : Timecode of the first availabe frame (image) on the device.

CurrentStatus:

      Type : Enum.
      Description : Current status of the device.
      Available Values :
        "Cassette Out" : No tape is present in the device.
        "Stop" : The device is in stop mode.
        "Still" : The device is in still mode (same state as Stop).
        "Play" : The device is playing.
        "Record" : The device is recording.
        "Forward" : The device is in fast forward play.
        "Rewind" : The device is in fast rewind play.
        "Locate" : The device is performing a time position.
        "Var Speed Still" : The device is in basic variable speed but at speed 0.
        "Var Speed Reverse" : The device is in basic variable speed, reverse play.
        "Var Speed Forward" : The device is in basic variable speed, forward play.
        "Shuttle Still" : The device is in shuttle variable speed but at speed 0.
        "Shuttle Reverse" : The device is in shuttle variable speed, reverse play.
        "Shuttle Forward" : The device is in shuttle variable speed, forward play.
        "Jog Still" : The device is in jog variable speed but at speed 0.
        "Jog Reverse" : The device is in jog variable speed, reverse play.
        "Jog Forward" : The device is in jog variable speed, forward play.
        "Program Play Reverse":
        "Program Play Forward":
        "Not Online": The device is not online
        "Connectiing": The MxM is connecting to the device (Ethernet only)
        "Opening": The device is connected and the MxM opens a control channel (Ethernet only).

        "Closing": The MxM is disconnecting from the device
        .

CurrentError :
      Type : Enum.
      Description : Last occured error.
      Available Values :
        "No Error" : No error.
        "Command Error" : The last command could not be completed due to unacceptable in this state or not supported.
        "Not Online" : The device don't respond, not online.

Current Clip :

      Type : String.
      Description : Name of the current clip. Current clip is the last clip loaded with the LoadClip command.

Current Clip Duration:

      Type : Time.
      Description : Duration of the current clip. Current clip is the last clip loaded with the LoadClip command.

Clip List :

      Type : String.
      Description : List of existing clips in the Video Digital Recorder as retrieved by the GetClipList() command. Clip names are separated by CR/LF.

Clip Count :

      Type : Integer.
      Description : Count of existing clips in the Video Digital Recorder as retrieved by the GetClipList() command.
Pending Clip List :
      Type : String.
      Description : List of remaining clips to play. Clip names are separated by CR/LF.
Pending Clip Count:
      Type : String.
      Description : Number of clips in the pending clip list.
In Time :
      Type : Time.
      Description : "TimeCode In" value of the current clip.

Out Time :
      Type : Time.
      Description : "Time Code Out" value of the current clip.
      Usage : A value of 00:00:00/00 means that the current clip will play up to its end.
Remaining Time :
      Type : Time.
      Description : Available time left for record.

TransferStatus:

      Type : Enum.
      Description : Current status of the file transfer.
      Available Values :
        "Idle" : No transfer has ever been done.
        "Queued" : A Transfer request has been queued in the K2.
        "In Progress" : A transfer is in progress.
        "Error" : An error has occured during the last transfer.
        "Completed" : The last transfer has been completed successfuly.
        "Aborted" : The last transfer has been aborted.

Transfer Progress:

      Type : Integer.
      Description : Transfer progress in percent.

SystemTimeMode:

      Type : Enum.
      Description : Current Time Code Mode of the K2 channel.
      Available Values :
        "Timer" : : The Time Code reference is the Windows system time of the K2 server.
        "LTC" : The Time Code reference is the LTC Time Code input of the channel.
        "VITC" : The Time Code reference is the VITC Time Code input of the channel.

SystemTimeCode:

      Type : Time.
      Description : Value of the currently selected TimeCode reference of the K2 channel.

LoopMode:

      Type : Enum.
      Description : Current playback loop mode of the device.
      Available Values :
        "Off" : Loop Mode is off.
        "On" : Loop Mode is on.

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Support (Difference with previous versions) :

V 1.0.1:

  • Added: Support for Showmaster.

V 1.0.2:

  • Bug Fixed: log trace engine is not correctly initialized.

V 1.0.3:

  • Internal Changes.
  • ControlPanel doesn't open centered in a Container.

V 1.0.4:

  • Added: Support for Showmaster Pro.

V 1.0.5:

  • Added: 'Set Loop Mode' command and LoopMode status.

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