Upgrading to Avid DS Version 10

The Avid DS v10.0 Read Me which also comes as a PDF on your installation disc, and other information on the Avid website

Archive Restore Bug

DS version 10.1
(Case Study)
I am trying to restore an archive from v7.6 onto v10. When I go through the archive restoration process everything works except for the video on the archive tape. The archive tape does not roll or digitize anything from the tape at all. This problem has been sent to Avid support and this problem did not occur on Avid DS version 10.0.

In the end we had to restore a data only archive and re-capture the media from the original source tapes. Just glad we labeled the tapes well.

According to Avid, this is a known bug and Avid is working on a v10.1.1 QFE that should solve the problem.

(Thanks to Mark O. Rachall, Bevis and Rhys Llewellyn)

Another Archive Bug in version 10

I just archived a small project in v10.1. I put the project files on the hard drive and I dumped the video to tape. The video for the archive was about 15 minutes long. I just tried to do a restore and it only restored about 1 1/2 minutes of the project. All of the media was purged from the computer. It was all archived to tape before the purge.

This is a known bug since November, 2008. Avid does know about it

It is recommended (as a workaround) to create a project with the same format and then sit in it while running restore.

Avid DVD problem

A few DVDs left Avid with Version 10.1 has the single .iso image file rather than the contents of the .iso. What you should get is the folders content with the start.exe that launches the navigation menu and options. You can indeed extract the ISO using gBurner to deal with .isos - (Morey Gers says it works great) and burn your own DVD copy

Dual Booters take note:

Avid DS 10.1 did not work in a dual-boot configuration. That was addressed with v10.1.1 and Symphony 3.5.

Final Cut Pro to DS 10.3

FCP -> Automatic Duck -> MC 3.5.4 -> Avid DS 10.3

Here are the steps to take:

Final Cut Pro

• Make sure all clips are the same Frame Rate.
• Export sequence using Automatic Duck (choose your project settings).

Avid MC

• Move your MXF files over and then import your AAF into a project that matches your previous settings.
• Here's the gotcha that got me!
• >The Canon 7D files didn't have Reel numbers associated with them, so once I relinked to the media in MC I "Modified" the source to an actual 6-digit reel number (i.e. - 000001, 000002, etc.) for each tape / clip.
• Now select the sequence and Transcode to your desired finishing compression. It'll create new MXF files that correct the reel number. Instead of looking for an "Aux" MXF file stringout, it'll look for the reel number stringout. (ex: AUX0001V011234 it'll look for 000001V011234) The reason why this step was important is because the MXF media files created from Automatic Duck will be the same as their File Names in FCP (CLIP01V011234).
• Create an AFE from the Transcoded sequence.

Avid DS

• Create a sequence that matchs your finishing settings, and then import/open the .AFE file. All files should link up.

(thanks to Don Raimondi)

Gamma Problem in 10.1

This is an issue with DPX files.

Case Study
I'm on a v10.1. I have linked to a series of 2K log dpx files using the following settings:

Sequence: 2K full aperture 4:4:4. 10 bit storage, 16bit processing
Capture setting: linear
LUT setting: Linear (0-1023)

I have then built text comps onto the textless plates, and outputted them as follows

• Output levels: linear
• Output LUT: Linear
• DPX Type: 10bit RGB

What is puzzling me is that when I re-link to my outputted files to check them (using the same settings as above), there is a disparity. Just to be clear, I put the linked files on a layer above the track they were output from, and mute the track, to see a slight gamma shift on RGB from the track below.

Moreover, the difference is only apparent in the sections that I have comped, not in the footage either side.

I think I've tried everything obvious. Rendering makes no difference. The change is still visible in 2K as well as in proxy mode.

tried to output the comps as 16bit tifs, then re-import them, and there is no diparity.

Also did 'timeline to clip' of the comp, there was no change.

Also when I then outputted the generated clip to dpx, and re-imported, no change!

So, I've got a workaround, but still no idea what the problem is

Avid writes: There is indeed a known issue and the fix is coming (soon) in the 10.1.1 version update for Avid DS 10.1.

(Thanks to Gareth Parry and Sylvain Labrosse)

New Media Composer Released

From Avid:
Dual boot systems
Avid DS version 10.0 works with Symphony version 3.0 or 3.05
Avid DS Version 10.1.1 works with Avid Symphony version 3.5

Single boot systems
Avid DS versions 10.0 or 10.1 works with Bundled Avid Media Composer v3.5.
Avid DS Version 10.1.1 works with Bundled Avid Media Composer v3.5.


As of May 13, 2009
DS 10.x customers on Avid Support with a valid support contract that have registered their Media Composer v3.0 software will receive a complimentary copy of Avid Media Composer v3.5 upgrade to complement their Avid DS v.10.x system. Any customer with a valid support contract that already received Avid Media Composer v3.5 with their DS 10.1 purchase or upgrade will NOT receive this upgrade kit.

For customers that qualify, Avid has started shipping these upgrade kits the past week and they contain:

• Avid Media Composer v3.5 application DVD
• Avid Media Composer MC v3.5 SW License Upgrade Key
• Installation Guide for Avid Editing Applications
• Dongle updater Key for MC v3.0 to MC v3.5
• Customer Letter

(Thanks to Marianna Montague)

DS Downloads.

Media Composer on Dual-Boot 9300

(Case Study)

I downloaded and installed MC 3.0.5 on the 64 bit side of DS V10.

1. During the install there was a message that popped up stating that I needed to verify something with the software vendor because it was not a Windows Logo compatible program or some such. I had the option of canceling the install or keep going. I kept going despite the fact that the warning was that my machine could become unusable unless I did this verification.
2. When using MC, It's dongle needs to be installed in a USB port with the Symphony dongle removed. If I switch to Symphony, I'll need to swap the dongles.

According to Avid:
You can install MC Soft on the 64-bit DS partition but, as documented, Avid will only support MC for its conform options to DS. Since MC is not officially blessed on XP 64-bit, any broken functionalities will not be logged as bug nor be repaired. Or, you set up MC on another PC supported by Avid. Avid confirms that you must switch dongles for MC function and, alternatively, for Symphony function on a dual-boot system.

What other applications can I use?

Troy Thompson reports: We have Squeeze (4.5) on the 64-bit DS system, but it does not work with REF AVI.
He does not believe that CinemaCraft will run in XP 64. He has an XP 32-bit system set up as a remote machine for 32-bit applications.
Tony Jover reports that Adobe applications behave in XP 64.

What HP Workstations work?

DS 10.0+ is qualified with Nitris on the HP xw8200, xw8400 and xw9300 only. Support for the HP xw8000 and Equinox has been dropped. The HP xw8600 is AJA only.

HP xw8200

From Sylvain:

"To be honest, the HP xw8200 was very close to not be qualified for 10.0 simply because the workstation is borderline on performance. If it was left up to me, the HP xw8200 would have been out. Luckily for some users, I don't make these final decisions..."

Think carefully about whether or not you want to have a trailing-edge workstation with XP 64 and DS version 10. This comment suggests many problems.

SAS Storage Array

Older Avid storage for DS used a smaller block size for media. If you are upgrading to DS Version 10's newer array, Genconverter.exe in v10 is meant to convert GEN media files to the SAS required 4K sector sizes, and to apply a 709 LUT to the media if needed.

This is not a general "convert media files across versions" executable.

The only way to be assured that you do have a good archive of old projects is to archive to tape.

(Thanks to Sylvain)

Case Study:

Do not attempt to install v10 with the dual link option if you're on the xw8200. The AJA dual link card is not compatible with DS v10 on the xw8200. I was aware of this before upgrading. But both the license request form and the installer ask you if you have the dual link option. It was on my 8.4 version. I paid for it. So, if you're like me, you say "yes", and the installer proceeds to install accordingly.

This results in symptoms/problems that are not obviously related to their cause. First of all, your install may or may not match your license specs. If your license says you have dual link "AVID DS DL HAL", then the DS will launch, but as "Software Only" (with disabled I/O functions). If your license does not list the dual link function, but the AJA card is detected, the system wants to launch as an RP workstation and DS won't launch at all.

If you are experiencing this problem, you must remove the AJA card and then re-install v10. If you require dual-link I/O, you have to move to either the xw8400 (for a dual boot system), or the xw8600 (which doesn't support Nitris).

Comment from Avid:

When Avid DS Setup runs, it detects hardware and that is why it saw the presence of the Dual-Link card. Avid allows you to use the Dual-Link or AJA Xena|LHe as a monitoring option in a HP xw8200, but that turns the setup into an Avid DS Software, and that is what you ended up with.

Version 10 licensing has been changed slightly to allow the use of RGB 4:4:4 projects and media, even if you are not actually running the Dual-Link hardware. This is the AVID DS Dual-link option in your license file. So even if you request an Avid DS Nitris license, you will see this entry in your license text. What truly enables the Dual-Link abstraction layer is the AVID DS DL HAL option. If you request the wrong license and you get this option for a 8200, it turns your application into a DS Software with AJA monitoring option.

The HP xw9300 also can run Avid Nitris DNA and the Dual-Link option.

Configuration:

There is some confusion about what goes where and the documentation for DS version 10 was rolled out with a couple of errors that will be corrected very quickly. Here is the straight dope on cards supported in the HP xw8600:

SQA has tested and qualified the PCI-Express controller cards in the HP xw8600:

PCI-E ATTO UL5D for connection to legacy SCSI storage such as the Avid MediaDock Ultra 320 and Avid VideoRAID RTR (dual 10 disks).

PCI-E ATTO Celerity FC-41ES for Avid Unity MediaNetwork 5.1 and 64-bit client (Avid DS v10.0 no longer supports 32-bit, except for Avid DS Software and Avid DS RP, remember?).

DS release notes or install guide says you can't combine Unity media and local storage media on the same timeline. This was true of DS version 7.0 and was a bug that was fixed in DS version 7.1 but the fix did not make it to the documentation. You can combine Unity media and local storage and you have been able to do that since DS version 7.1.

PCI-X cards may probably work but were not fully tested nor qualified and so it is "at your own risk" if you try them.

Obviously, the HP xw8600 ships with on board SAS supporting the new Avid VideoRAID SR 16 disks as 500 GB or 1 TB options.

Avid System Setup Guide for Version 10

Input Level Changes

When you capture DPX files to revise a project after you have upgraded, you can run into problems. A possible solution is here.

AVI CODEC Issues

(Case Study)
Q: I just digitized in a 3 minute SD clip (uncompressed) and have it on the timeline. Now when I export a ref AVI or AVI - neither will open in Media Player. When I drag it into CinemaCraftSP2 to encode for MPEG (read DVD) I get an error "the video codec SIRF not found" or something like that. Can't get it to work with Sorenson Squeeze either. Can't export a QT and QT won't read the AVI or ref AVI file (I get audio but no picture).

A: On XP64, Windows Media Player is still a 32-bit app, so you need to install the 32-bit ref codec separately. DS installs the 64-bit ref codec when DS installs if I remember right, but the 32-bit one does not.

From the installer DVD, there should be a button for on the first autorun menu that pops up.

WMA Audio Files

Unfortunately the underlying wmformat support isn't in Windows XP-64 by default. Before you install Avid DS version 10.x, you must first obtain the Windows Media Encoder 9 Series x64 Edition from Microsoft and then install that on your system. You may then install DS version 10.x and you will have support for WME audio

Temporary to permanent license

I have now received a permanent license. What do I do?

1. Open the Support Console
2. Run DS License Manager
3. Point it at the new license
4. Hit okay and it will verify. If it's verified then it's in use.

(Thanks to Tomio Iwasa and Tony Jover)

What do you get with AJA versus the Nitris hardware?

What are the advantages or disadvantages of setting up version 10 with an existing Nitris I/O as opposed to the AJA Dual link I/O card?

• 720P24 - for one.
• Direct ingestion of more SDI formats for one -- (RGB 4:4:4 for one. There are others).
• Speed (you cannot run DS Version 10 with Nitris on the HP xw8600, which is a really fast machine).

What do you lose with Nitris?

• AJA setup alone CANNOT do any HD cross-conversion on the fly, meaning 23.97 to 59.94.
• No down/cross convert option in software till version 10
• No upconvert option on input, even though card is capable of it.
• Audio/video sync issues in 444 sequences. This was solved in the latest version, after over 6 months of complaints with Avid support/escalation
• According to some, general instability issues that are "worse than Nitris."

Common to both:

• Secondary color correction
• Ability to work with P2 files

AJA Outputs

• In SD, one connector outputs SD. The other upconverts.
• In HD 4:2:2 one is HD. The other is a SD downconvert. The AJA does RT up/down/cross conversion by default.
• In 4:4:4 both outputs are used (obviously) for the 4:4:4 connection.
• The user has controls like the normal AJA control panel, but the DS does not use the standard AJA control panel if you are familiar with it.

Currently with DS the only analog output available with the AJA is component. The Xena 2k does indeed provide a composite option but DS do not expose that, we expose only component RGB or YCC from the output panel.

I wouldn't also recommand using any other software that drives the AJA while DS is running, as you may screw things up. In other words, Avid does not support the use of companion software to configure the I/O for the BOB at the Windows level.

(Thanks to Morey Gers, Tony Jover Sean Stall Karim Arbaoui and Nicolas Courtemanche)

AJA Conversion Modes: A Dual-Boot Option

As is noted above, DS does not work with the AJA Machina software. Christian Vollenhofer decided to do some testing with a dual-boot idea:

I know the AJA can do a lot more but not inside DS. it can do 4:4:4 to 4:2:2 and crossconvert in the AJA Machina software but this is not supported to use with DS drivers. I just tried to install the Machina software only - with no drivers (after an complete system backup) and voila - every conversion is possible in the AJA Machina software and - everything inside DS looks ok - for now. Machina runs under Windows XP-64.

With this dual-boot setup, I will switch to a file-based workflow where I capture media as e.g. .DPX]], {{.TIFF and then do some stuff inside DS or other applications output to tape or export .DPX sequence and crossconvert the final masters 720 50p to 1080 50i or cossconvert 720 60p to 1080 25p using the Machina software.

This is absolutely not supported by Avid but it may be of help to those with these specific workflow issues.

Avid DS Version 10.3

As of Wednesday, 13 January 2010, 10.3 was released:

The new Avid DS v10.3 release contains various bug fixes and feature enhancements. This release is free of charge to all Avid Support customers running version 10.x.and is available on the Avid Support Download Center (login and password required).

Avid has also released Metafuze v2.1 which is fully compatible with Avid DS v10.3. Avid MetaFuze v2.1 is a free application that automates the conversion of formats such as DPX, RED R3D, QuickTime and even 3D Stereoscopic files sequences to Avid DNxHD media for HD offline and 10Bit HD finishing.

Avid DS v10.3.Feature Enhancements:

• Red Rocket Support¹ - Support for Red Rocket, the hardware accelerator for RED cameras, has been added to Avid DS v10.3 running on the HP Z800 and xw8600 platforms.
• RED conform enhancement² - Avid DS v10.3 now includes the latest color science from RED.
• ARRIRAW file format now supported³ – Native support of ARRI 12 bit file format; can also conform from an Avid Media Composer offline project. (plug-in required from ARRI)
• *AVX2 Plug-in Support - Support for the AVX2 architecture will make newer 64-bit AVX2-based plug-ins available for Avid DS.
• Boris Continuum Complete 6 AVX Support
• OFX (Open FX) Support - Avid DS v10.3 now supports an OFX Host, increasing the number of available plug-ins from “The Foundry”.
• Conform of Mixed Rate Sequences - Avid DS now supports conforming of mixed rate sequences (called Mix & Match) from Avid Media Composer to Avid DS, support for mix & match of different frame rates is non real-time and requires a render to be real-time playable⁴.
• Editing Mixed Rate Sequences is supported - you can drop clips of different frame rate like in the previous versions but dropping a DS Sequence of a different frame rate onto the timeline is still not supported.
• Storage LUT - The previous Storage LUT has been removed and replaced with a gamma setting instead. The choices under the gamma setting are Redlog, Redspace and 709.
• Hi-Res Playback on an External Monitor - With the latest Avid DS enhancements and the appropriate graphics card, you can now play back high-res sequences (HD or higher) on an external monitor.
• Alternate Source Conform - Multiple enhancements have been made to the alternate source conform workflow—see Linking to High-Resolution Files during the Conform Session in the Help or in the Avid DS Hi-Res Workflow and Color Guide.
• DNxHD Codec compatibility - Avid DS v10.3 includes the DNxHD Codec introduced in Avid Media Composer v4, Avid Symphony v4 and News Cutter v8.
• Throttle Manager No Longer Required - The Throttle Manager service is no longer required as of Avid DS v10.3. Distribution of work across multiple workstations is still supported and is backwards compatible with previous versions of Avid DS.

Metafuze v2.1 Feature Enhancements:

• ARRIRAW file format is now supported.
  * ARRIRAW 12-bit data support, native support of the ARRI D21 and 1920 x 816 file format support
  * Latest color enhancement for transcoding R3Ds.

• RedRocket support
  * significant improvement for transcoding and reading native R3Ds ALE export enhancement
  * Transcoding to multiple formats multiple ALEs will be generated; dramatically improving the organization of the newly transcoded files in Media Composer.
  * 720P @ 25fps added to the output format
  * Added support for transcoding file to 720P 25 fps in MXF in both 8 or 10Bit
  * Multiple transcoding jobs deletion

Avid Media Composer Compatibility:

Avid DS v10.3 is compatible with Avid Media Composer v4.0.5 (software-only). Avid Media Composer allows the generation of AFE from bins and it also allows the proper logging and capture of P2 and XDCAM that can then be used in Avid DS through an AFE conform. The software can be installed on Windows XP Professional x64 Edition but only for Avid DS conform tasks. Avid does not support Avid Media Composer on this operating system for other purposes.


Avid Media Composer v4.0.5 for DS Support Contract Holders:

Avid DS v10.x customers with a valid Avid Support contract will be allowed to download at no charge from the Avid Download Center (login and password required). Avid DS 10.x customers that were supplied a Avid Media Composer v3.x or higher license must go to http://aviddssupport.avid.com/index.htm?section=licensing to request a license upgrade in order to activate Avid Media Composer v4.0.5. From there they will need to enter their Avid DS system ID and Avid Media Composer Dongle ID (Software License System ID if applicable). Upon verification of the Avid DS contract, they will receive the necessary upgrade license. Customers should be encouraged to run the 30 day Avid Media Composer trial should they have any urgent issues or needs upgrading their license immediately. To rectify a licensing issue, customers should call Avid DS support.


QuickTime Support:

Avid DS requires QuickTime v7.6 or greater. To capture and link to any QuicktTime files, you must have QuickTime v7.6 or greater. Other QuickTime enhancements include:

• Avid DS supports capture and linking to QuickTime files (v7.6 or higher).
• Improved support for timecode matching.
• Now supports the Cineform QuickTime codec (16-bit).

Readme and Known Limitations Documents:

Customers are encouraged to refer to the ReadMe and Known Limitations documentations included with the Download or located on the Knowledge Base for specific information pertaining to Avid DS v10.3 prior to downloading and installing the upgrade.

Notes
¹ DS Version 10.3 doesn't support Red Rocket RT playback yet, but the capture of files is greatly accelearated, especially when decoding in full premium. The rocket is supported in both DS and metazuze.

² In addition to the rocket support, Avid simplified the color management for Red and provided access to the gamma setting (RedSpace, Redlog, 709), added support for .rsx file and improved the conform by allowing the .rlx files selected in metafuze to be carried to MC and then to DS through the AFE. Avid also enhanced the alternate source conform to provide more flexibility when conforming to apply global changes to only some of the settings.

³ Avid worked closely with Arri and has the same level of support for the Arriraw media generated by the Arri D21 camera. The Arri support is delivered through an optional free of charge plugin shipping with DS. The plugin is also supported for metafuze and can be downloaded from the arri web site for users that don't own a DS but want to transcode .ari media using Metafuze.

⁴ The Media Composer player was designed from the ground up to support motion effects, such as timewarps, pulldowns and ramps and has done so far many years. Realtime mix & match just builds upon that support built into Media Composer. DS's player was not designed to support this, thus you must render in order to play back material that does not match the frame rate of the sequence.






Revised: Jan 25, 2011 7:51 am