PRG MBOX EXTREME, User Manual, Page: 53 / 136

MBOX EXTREME
®
MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL 45
Genlock (Generator Lock)
The Mbox Extreme Dual I/O Module provides the user with the ability to synchronize (or genlock) the stage video
outputs of the module to an external genlock source. The Dual I/O module can also output a genlock signal to other
devices if desired. There are two genlock in and two genlock out connectors on the face of the Dual I/O module. Only
the top pair of connectors on each module is active.
Note: The Dual I/O Module only supports composite sync input. It does not support tri-level sync.
Genlock on Mbox Extreme uses an additional connection between the rear of the I/O module and a card in the Mac.
This card is located just above the graphics card and has two LED indicators - one red and one green. If the card is
receiving power but no data, the red LED will turn on. When the card is receiving data (i.e. when a genlock input is
connected to the I/O module), the red LED will turn off and the green LED will turn on.
When a genlock input is first connected to the I/O module, a green LED to the left of the Genlock In connector will
flash rapidly. 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
up to two minutes for the synchronization process to complete, so it is advisable to establish sync a few minutes
before you need it.
To ensure that genlock input and output work successfully you must make sure that the devices you are attempting to
synchronize are set to refresh at identical rates. If Mbox Extreme is set to output video with a refresh rate of 60Hz,
then its output can only be usefully connected to another device that is set to refresh at 60Hz. Similarly, if you intend
to synchronize Mbox Extreme's video output to a video source refreshing at 59.94Hz, you must set Mbox Extreme to
output video with a refresh rate of 59.94Hz. Please note that not all video refresh rates are available on all devices or
are compatible with all devices. You will need to find a rate that works with all of your equipment.
If you attempt to synchronize Mbox Extreme's video output to an external source with a dissimilar refresh rate, the
two devices will never synchronize. The genlock LED on the front of the Dual I/O Module will continue to flash forever.
Additionally, it is strongly recommended that you configure the Mac's desktop resolution to be the same as Mbox
Extreme's Fullscreen mode setting (see
"Setup" on page 33 for more information on Fullscreen mode) as failing to do
so will result in a loss of genlock synchronization every time you quit Mbox Extreme or switch from Fullscreen to
Window mode.