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MBOX® 2016 DUAL OUTPUT HARDWARE MANUAL
Note:
The I/O Module provided with the Mbox 2016 Dual Output system supports both tri-level (HD) and bi-level
(composite) sync input. However, the I/O Module provided with the older Mbox EXtreme system only supports bi-level
sync.
The I/O Module can also output a pseudo-genlock signal to other devices, if desired. Genlock Output connectors are
provided on the I/O module for this purpose. However, because this signal is not a true genlock signal, it should only be
used to sync one Mbox server to another and should not be used to sync other equipment to an Mbox.
Note that in normal configuration, only the top pair of Genlock connectors on each I/O Module are active.
CAUTION!
The Genlock Out connector should not be used as a daisy-chain pass-through, as the output signal is locally
generated and adds propagation delay. If the genlock output is used, it should be routed to the input of a D/A and then
the individual outputs of the D/A connected to the genlock inputs of the other Mbox I/O Modules.
The Mbox genlock functionality uses a
connection between the rear of the I/O
Module and the Genlock Controller at
the rear of the xMac unit. An additional
cable connects the Genlock Controller
to the Mac Pro computer. The Genlock
Controller is located behind the
computer, above the USB connectors
on the rear of the xMac unit. It has two
indicator LEDs - one red and one green -
which function as follows:
+
If the controller is receiving power
from the I/O Module but no sync
data, the red LED will turn on.
+
When the controller is receiving sync
data (i.e. when a genlock input is
connected to the I/O Module), the
green LED will turn on and the red
LED will turn off.
When a genlock signal is connected to the I/O Module, the Genlock Indicator LED to the left of the Genlock In connector
provides information on the state of the genlock sync:
+
When the genlock signal is first connected to the I/O Module, the Genlock Indicator LED will start to flash. This is to
indicate that the module has recognized the presence of an incoming signal and is attempting to synchronize to it.
+
Once synchronization has occurred, the LED will stop flashing and stay illuminated. It may take 20 - 40 seconds for
the synchronization process to complete, so it is advisable to establish sync a few minutes before needed.
+
If the indicator LED flashes rapidly when genlock is connected, this indicates that the input frequency does not
match the frequency that the computer’s graphics card is outputting - i.e. it is too fast or too slow. Remember that
the computer must already be configured to output the correct matching frequency in advance!
+
If the indicator LED flashes rapidly then turns off altogether, this is an indication that the input signal is not a standard
sync signal. Check the type and quality of the signal.
HDMI
E NE T A
E NE T B
DVI 1
DVI 2
100-240V. 50-60Hz
1
2
3
2
3
4
1
Red LED
Connection to
I/O Module
Green LED
Connection to
Mac Pro
(on rear)
Genlock Controller Detail
