GRASS VALLEY KARRERA, Installation & Service Manual

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6
External Interfaces
Introduction
The GV K-Frame XP Video Production Center has that name because it is more than just a
video switcher. For example, a GV K-Frame XP switcher system is also able to control a
variety of external devices.
Devices can be associated with sources, via source definition. Three types of source
definitions for the GV K-Frame XP are available:
• Direct (used for standard video and key inputs, not for external interfaces),
• Device (used for DDR and VTRs). These devices can be controlled via Ethernet or serial
port using various protocols. Each device uses a Device Definition that specifies the
control mechanism.
• Router (used with an external routing system). This type permits the assignment of an
external routing system destination to that source. Once assigned, different external
routing system sources can be routed to that destination with the system. It is also
possible to associate a router source to a device, to allow machine control of that
source whenever it is selected on the a Grass Valley Control Panel.
Serial ports can also be used to control PBus configured external devices.
GPI outputs can be configured to provide relay closure control of hard-wired external
devices from the system.
In addition, external control of a system is possible using GPI input connections, and by
configuring an Editor with a serial port.
General External Device Interfacing
In general, interfacing an external device to the switcher system involves the following
elements:
• Control cabling and configuration (Ethernet, serial ports, GPIs).
• Video cabling (input connectors).
• Creating an External Device Definition (for DDR, VTR, etc.) and assigning it to a source
definition.
• Mapping that source to a Control Panel button.
Once configured, that external device can be selected as a source on the Control Panel. If a
DDR or VTR it can be directly controlled from the System Bar, Device Control Module, Multi-
Function Module, the Menu Panel, and E-MEM.
PBus and GPI control of external devices is generally accomplished by the operator using
E-MEM. PBus and GPI triggers can be manually tested from the GV Switcher menu
application, and Macros can be created to allow triggering using Control Panel buttons.