Digital Media

INSCC Digital Video Resources

The second most important aspect of viewing and presenting research results within the scientific process is the need to put the 2D and 3D data animation onto various media. The INSCC will provide limited video resources directly available to researchers in the SVL for viewing and recording animated data to various tape formats. A central digital video and editing facility will be available for more complete informational video productions.

SVL Digital Video Resources

Currently in operation is the SGI Origin 2000 system available for rendering animated data. Four high resolution console monitors (with keyboard and mouse) connected to four Lightwave Communications VDE200/350 video extension modules will give direct access to the SGI O2k. Each module will allow the keyboard and mouse to send data over two of six strands of unspliced fiber (3000 ft. in length) to the O2k in 3555 MEB and return the display information from the O2k back over the remaining fiber to the display console in the SVL. The SVL, now located in MEB, will be moved to room 294 and it contains the current systems, an SGI Reality Engine Graphics system, an SGI 250 Mhz High Impact, an IBM RS6000/43p, an Intel PC Pentium Pro and an Apple Power Macintosh G3.

Within the SVL, researchers will be able to record raw animated data to SVHS and DVC Pro video tape formats with SMPTE time code. Not only will many of the systems in the SVL could be connected to these decks, there will be additional fiber lines from the SGI O2k, that will carry NTSC video and digital audio signals to the SVL. A large thirty-two inch video monitor will be mounted in the south-west corner of the SVL for viewing while recording or playing back the raw samples.

Central Digital Video Editing Resources

The central video editing resources of the INSCC will be housed in the video editing and control studio, room 111, Figure 2 located east of the INSCC lecture hall, room 110. The primary source format will be DVC Pro, a relatively inexpensive digital video format about the size of a standard audio cassette. There will be two cameras available for use, a semi-professional DVC Pro video camera with SMPTE time code, and a small hand held camera for the more immediate video shots. Additional formats of BetacamSP, SVHS/VHS (NTSC and PAL) and Hi8mm will be available for dubbing and additional source material. A Softimage Digital Studio production system with enough disk storage for 1 hour of uncompressed video and an Avid MCXpress type system with enough disk storage for 30 minutes uncompressed video will be the central editing facility for the INSCC. The Avid MCXpress will be available for use on a semi-public basis. Users will need to show some proficiency in using the system and must be approved by CHPC digital video staff. The Softimage system will used by CHPC staff only or qualified and trained Softimage DS users. Access to room 111 and 115 will be limited to authorized users only.

Support systems for this facility include such items as a 16 X 16 digital video switcher, a sync/black generator to synchronize all signals of the various video formats, time base correctors/transcoder, scan converter, several sizes of video monitors ranging from nine to nineteen inch, video patch panels, etc., all racked and housed in room 115.

Audio support will be centered around a digital mixing console of 16 analog/digital inputs. This will allow for input sources of DAT, compact disc, cassette tape, microphones and video-audio. This mixer will also be available for use in the auditorium during lectures, presentations and televideo conferences.