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Newton Modular Control System
In addition to Gecko, GeckoFlex, and Kameleon products, the NetConfig
software can identify and configure routing control systems anywhere on
the Ethernet LAN or WAN to set IP address, subnet mask, and gateway
network configuration—all through an intuitive interface.
With your devices configured, you can use the NetConfig application to
view them all by IP address or configured device name. Additionally, it can
also generate a facility view with hyperlinks from a user-supplied diagram
or picture. This range of viewing options makes it easy to locate devices
on the network, update software as necessary, and pull up the Web pages
generated by Gecko and Kameleon modules to adjust individual module
parameters.
While control of individual module parameters is available within the
NetConfig application, the signal-processing complexities of most facilities
is such that you should consider using the NetConfig software to set up
basic parameters of the individual modules and then configure Newton
modular control panels for day-to-day operational requirements.
Using the plug-in configuration tool for the NetConfig system, you
can configure the Newton system’s control panels. Doing so is a
straightforward process of naming a new signal-processing path—a
channel—that includes an individual module or a string of modules. Next,
you define the adjustable parameters or
setups
for each channel; setups
could include such things as audio modes, video processing, or timing.
Each setup contains the assignment for each of the four control knobs.
Consider the situation of a television station whose incoming satellite
feed requires video analog-to-digital conversion with processing and
timing adjustment, along with multichannel audio processing and delay.
Using the NetConfig application and configuration tool, you create an
easy-to-remember name for the processing channel which includes all
the modules in the path, such as SAT_5. Now, you only need to drag
and drop the selected modules into the configuration tool and select the
parameters you want an operator to be able to adjust.
In fact, the SAT_5 channel may have a number of adjustment parameters
that need to be controlled, such as video gain, black level, hue, horizontal
and vertical timing adjustments, audio levels, and audio processing
functions such as sum, swap, and phase invert. You can store these
parameters as nested setups then navigate through them using the
Newton system’s control panel. As you do, the Newton system recalls the
current module parameters and presents them in the display over each of
the four control knobs. Each knob takes on the functionality required for
the parameter recalled, be it continuously variable control (such as gain)
or enumerated steps (such as black clip on/off).
Once you complete the setup of your control panel, you can copy it to
an offline storage system, edit it if need be, and load the resulting file to
any other control panel on the network. For example, a studio can easily
define, store, and reload the appropriate control panel configuration
settings for a weekly game show production. Similarly, a mobile
production unit can load standard configuration files to switch from
outdoor baseball to indoor basketball.
For increased security, the configuration plug-in tool within the NetConfig
application lets you specify the control available to each panel on your
network. You can permit or deny access to any frame, module, or
adjustment parameter.
Gecko Video Frame
Newton Hardware Control Panel
Gecko Audio Frame
8960DEC
Control
8960DEC
8921ADT
Control
8921ADT
8960DEC
Video A to D
8921ADT
4 Ch Audio A to D
IRD
Analog
Video
Digital
Video
4 Ch Analog Audio
AES 1
AES 2
AES 1
AES 2
Concerto
Multi-Format Router
8960DEC
Video A to D
8921ADT
4 Ch Audio A to D
IRD
4 Ch Analog Audio
Ethernet Facility LAN
8900NET
Ethernet
Interface
8900NET
Ethernet
Interface
Sat 5
Sat 6
Video
Proc
Sat
4
Video
Timing
Sat
5
Audio
Proc
Sat
6
Master
Control
Sat
7
Studio
Sat
8
Edit
Sat
9
Assign
Route
Monitor
Enable
Ident
NEWTON
MODULAR CONTROL
Instant Control of Multiple Modules
The Newton control panel provides simultaneous access and control to any
combination of modules in a signal-processing path. Additional processing
paths can be selected using the up and down arrow keys or by selecting a
user-configured soft key.
