Avid Media Composer 8.1.0 User Guide

a
Media Composer
Release 8.1 Release Notes
for the Macintosh Operating System
Important Information
Avid recommends that you read all the information in these release
notes thoroughly before installing or using any new software release.
The documentation describes the features and hardware of all models.
Therefore, your system might not contain certain features and
hardware that are covered in this documentation.
n
c
If you are upgrading to Release 8.1, read about important changes to the
software and hardware described in Upgrades: Application Key (Dongle)
Updater on page 32 and Running Updaters on page 34.
Only Mac OS 8.6 and Mac OS 9.0 are supported at this time. If you
do not have one of these on your system, you must install it. For
instructions on uninstalling or installing the operating system, see
your Apple documentation.
Contents
Symbols and Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Media Composer Installation Check List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Whats New for Release 8.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
New Hardware for Release 8.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
About the USB Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Dual Streams of Uncompressed Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1
Setting Deck Preferences for Digital Cut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Using Media Composer with Avid Unity MediaNet . . . . . . . . . . 9
Hardware and Software Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Required Macintosh Operating System and ROM Versions . . 10
The Ethernet Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Built-in RAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Changing the Memory Allocated to the Application. . . . . . . . . 14
Troubleshooting Memory Allocation Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Required Libraries and Extensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
PCI Board Revision History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Using Avid System Test Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Verifying the Macintosh Operating System Version . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Obtaining the Macintosh Operating System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Obtaining the Macintosh OS ROM Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Verifying That the Font Manager Update File Is Installed. . . . 23
Guidelines for Installing the Macintosh Operating System . . 24
Guidelines for the Japanese and Chinese Macintosh OS 8.6 . . 24
Choosing the Avid Drive and Restarting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Installing Software Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Installing the Media Composer System Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Checking Virtual Memory and Cache Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Disabling Hard Disk Sleep Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Preliminary Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Installation Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Custom Installations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Upgrades: Application Key (Dongle) Updater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Disabling the ATI Driver Update File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Running Updaters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Test Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Software Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Avid QuickTime Codec for Windows NT Version 9.2 . . . . . . . . 37
Compatibility with Prior Releases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Moving to Media Composer Release 8.1 for Macintosh . . . . . . 37
List of Effects for Avid Media Composer Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Special Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Warning Regarding Your Application Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Starting AvidNet Automatically. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Drive Striping Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Fibre Channel Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Automation Gain Tool Enhancement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Using Media Composer with FilmScribe or EDL Manager . . . 56
Calibrating Audio Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Limitation When Using Consumer Decks or Decks Without
Time-Base Correctors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Changes to the Timing of Video Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Black Levels When Outputting SDI from NTSC Input . . . . . . 66
New File Extension for PICT Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Setting Up the Edit Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Documentation Changes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Hardware Configuration Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Connecting the USB Devices and Installing the Drivers . . . . . 68
Sharing Bins and Projects on Avid Unity MediaNet . . . . . . . . . 68
AVIDdrive Utility 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Avid StorEx. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Render Completion Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Rebuilding Media Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Avid Media Composer Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Media Composer Release 8.0 Online Publications CD-ROM . 79
Limitations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Fixed Bugs in Release 8.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Known Bugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Technical Support Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Symbols and Conventions

These release notes use the following special symbols and
conventions:
Look here in the margin
for tips.
In the margin you will find tips that help you perform tasks more
easily and efficiently.
Avid drive
In this document, Avid drive refers to the Macintosh systems internal

hard drive. Apple Computer, Inc. names the internal hard drive
Macintosh HD. Depending on your systems setup, the internal hard
drive might have a different name.
A check mark indicates a bug that has been fixed.
An X indicates a known bug or limitation. Where appropriate, a

workaround is provided.
A note provides important related information, reminders, recommendations,

and strong suggestions.
A caution means that a specific action you take could cause harm to
your computer or cause you to lose data.
Media Composer Installation Check List

This check list covers the major steps required to install the
Media Composer application. For more detailed information about
each step, see the section referenced in these release notes.
1. Read these release notes completely.
2. Check the configuration of the USB devices; see About the USB
Devices on page 7.
3. Turn on the system components as described in the Avid Composer
Products Setup Guide.
4. Ensure the USB hub is turned on, if available.
5. Verify the version of the Macintosh OS and ROM; see Verifying
the Macintosh Operating System Version on page 22.
6. Verify that the Font Manager Update file is installed on Macintosh
OS 8.6 systems; see Verifying That the Font Manager Update
File Is Installed on page 23.
7. For deck control and other peripheral devices, install any software
drivers for the USB devices connected to the Avid system; see
Installing Software Drivers on page 25.
8. Check the size of virtual memory and cache; see Checking
Virtual Memory and Cache Size on page 26.
9. Disable hard disk sleep mode; see Disabling Hard Disk Sleep
Mode on page 26.
10. Install Media Composer; see Installation Procedure on page 27.
11. Update the Avid application key, if necessary; see Upgrades:
Application Key (Dongle) Updater on page 32.
12. Disable the ATI driver updater file; see Disabling the ATI Driver
Update File on page 32.
13. Run all appropriate updaters; see Running Updaters on page
34.
Whats New for Release 8.1

This section lists the new hardware and features for Media Composer
Release 8.1 for the Macintosh operating system.
New Hardware for Release 8.1

Media Composer Release 8.1 for the Macintosh operating system
supports the Meridien video subsystem on the Power Macintosh
G4 platform. For information about hardware and software
requirements, see Hardware and Software Requirements on page
10.
The Power Macintosh G4 system provides slots for the following
boards:
Apple graphics board
Avid PCI Extender host interface board
Keyspan SX Pro four-port serial board for deck control
Including the serial board in the system configuration prevents the use of ICE
PCI boards. The serial board corrects an infrequent and intermittent system
hang during batch digitizing. Avid is actively working on a solution to
correct the system hang and to eliminate the use of the serial board. For
information about the serial board, see Hardware Configuration Change
on page 67.
The Avid PCI Extender provides six usable slots for the
Media Composer system.
The Power Macintosh G4 system uses universal serial bus (USB)
devices. There are two USB ports on the back of the Power Macintosh
G4. A seven-port USB hub attaches to one of the USB ports.
Avid supports the following USB devices:
A USB floppy drive
A USB-to-MIDI connector for fader connections (there is no MIDI

connector at the rear of the G4 system)
A USB keyboard with a USB mouse that connects to the keyboard
For configuration information, see the Avid Composer Products Setup

Guide.
Avid Technology does not support additional devices on Apples Ultra SCSI
bus.
About the USB Devices

The Avid Composer Products Setup Guide describes how to connect the
USB devices. This section covers additional information about the USB
devices.
The USB technology is rather new to the marketplace. While it offers some
major benefits in terms of connectivity and choice of peripherals, Avid has
experienced some intermittent problems with some USB devices. Avid is
continuing to work with Apple and a number of USB peripheral vendors to
improve overall USB reliability.
Connecting the USB-to-MIDI Converter

To reduce the traffic on the USB bus, only connect the USB-to-MIDI
converter if you need to use the JL Cooper FaderMaster Pro fader or
the JL Cooper MCS-3000X fader.
Connecting the Avid Application Key

The Avid Composer Products Setup Guide states that the Avid application
key (dongle) connects to the keyboard. If your site is ESD sensitive,
you should connect the Avid application key to a USB port on the USB
hub.
About the Two-Button Mouse

The Media Composer system ships with a two-button USB mouse.
Media Composer Release 8.1 does not support the right mouse button.
If you install the Macally software you cannot shuttle or scrub with the
mouse.
USB Mouse Not Responding

If your Avid system is not used for a period of time (approximately
1 hour), the mouse might not respond when you move it. If this
happens, disconnect the mouse cable from the keyboard and then
reconnect it.
You can perform this procedure with the Media Composer application open
and the Macintosh turned on.
Changing USB Devices

To change a USB device:
1. Exit the Media Composer application.
2. Change the USB device.
3. Restart the Macintosh system.
4. Start the Media Composer application.
Dual Streams of Uncompressed Video

Media Composer Release 8.1 running on a Power Macintosh G4 with
the Meridien video subsystem supports dual streams of
uncompressed video. For information about the drive striping
requirements, see Table 11 on page 52.
Setting Deck Preferences for Digital Cut

Table 6-2 in the Avid Media Composer Users Guide describes the Deck
Preferences options. Poll deck during digital cut is a new option for
this release.
The Poll deck during digital cut option is selected by default.
During a digital cut, if this option is selected, Media Composer checks
the deck for the current timecode and displays it in the timecode
window of the deck controller.
If you see degraded image quality on your digital cut (particularly
visible as noise during black), deselect this option and rerecord the
digital cut. With the option deselected, the timecode display in the
deck controller will not update for the duration of the digital cut. The
digital cut to tape is frame accurate even without displaying the
timecode in the Timecode window of the deck controller.
If a complex sequence successfully plays, but you receive video underrun

errors during a digital cut, deselect the Poll deck during digital cut option
and rerecord the digital cut.
Using Media Composer with Avid Unity MediaNet

Avid Unity MediaNet allows you to share bins and projects across
the network. When you place your bins and projects on Avid Unity
MediaNet workspaces (drive volumes), several users can work on the
same project at the same time.
Each user can perform tasks from his or her own Avid system. The
Media Composer application provides a simple locking mechanism to
help you keep track of who is currently working in a bin. The method
allows one writer access and multiple readers access to a bin.
For information about sharing bins and projects, see Sharing Bins
and Projects on Avid Unity MediaNet on page 68.
Hardware and Software Requirements

The following sections provide information about the Macintosh
operating system, the Ethernet, random-access memory (RAM)
requirements, required libraries and extensions, Avid processor
boards, and Avid System Test Pro.
For information about the status of Avid products and Y2K readiness, see the
Avid Web site at www.avid.com/y2k.
Required Macintosh Operating System and ROM Versions

Table 1 lists the required versions of the Macintosh operating system
and ROM for Media Composer Release 8.1.
Other versions have not been tested and might cause problems.
Table 1
Required Mac OS and ROM
Power Macintosh with

the Avid PCI Extender
Processor Speed
Mac OS
Version
ROM
Version
G4
350 MHz a
8.6
9.0
1.8.1
3.0.0
G3 (blue and white)
400 MHz
8.6
9.0
1.6
3.0.0
G3 (beige)
333 MHz
8.6 or 9.0
NAb
9600
350 MHz, 300 MHz,

233 MHz, or 200 MHz
8.6 or 9.0
NAb
a. Also 400-MHz and 450-MHz processors when approved by Avid

b. Not applicable
10
For more information, see Verifying the Macintosh Operating

System Version on page 22.
Make sure your drive has sufficient space. Otherwise, the Macintosh
system might crash if you export any of the following file formats:
Alias
IFF
QRT
TARGA
BMP
PCX
Rendition
TIFF
Chyron
Photoshop
SGI
Wavefront
Cineon
Pixar
Softimage
X Windows System
Framestore
PNG
Sun Raster
YUV
The Ethernet Network

If you use the AvidNet Transfer Tool, your system must also be
connected to an Ethernet network.
For more information about connecting to a network, see the
AvidNet Transfer Tool Users Guide.
Built-in RAM
Built-in RAM refers to the physical random-access memory installed
in your Macintosh system. Memory requirements vary, depending on
what applications you are running. Table 2 shows the built-in RAM
requirements for Release 8.1.
11
Table 2
Built-in RAM Requirements
Installed Application
Minimum Requirements
Required:
Media Composer
147 MB
Mac OS 8.6 or Mac OS 9.0
30 MB
Digidesign Audio Engine (DAE )

(for AudioSuite Plug-Ins)a
8 MB
Recommended 6 MB free
6 MB
Optional:
EDL Manager
21 MB
AvidNet
18 MB
QuickHelp (Help System)
6 MB
AVX Plug-Ins
20 MB
Total Minimum
247 MB
Total Recommended
256 MB
a. Your system is installed with DAE; 20 MB of memory is necessary

to accommodate DAE when you start the Media Composer system. If you do not plan to use AudioSuite Plug-Ins, you can disable DAE and use its memory allotment for another application.
New memory kits are available from Avid for updating your existing
RAM configurations. For details, contact your Avid sales
representative.
12
Supported RAM Configurations

Avid recommends installing the same size and speed RAM from the
same manufacturer in paired slots in all Power Macintosh 9600 CPUs.
Table 3 lists the supported RAM configurations.
Table 3
Supported RAM Configurations
Power Macintosh
CPU G4 and CPU G3
(Blue and White)
Power Macintosh
CPU G3 (Beige)
Power Macintosh
CPU 9600
Type:
168-pin, 8-ns PC-100

SDRAM
168-pin, 3.3-V, 10-ns

SDRAM DIMMs
168-pin, 5-V, 70-ns or

faster DRAM DIMMs
Banks:
4 (G4)
3 (G3 blue and white)
Modules/Bank:
Built-in RAM:
Standard Configuration:
256 MB
256 MB
96, 120, or 192 MB
Largest DIMM Size:
256 MB
256 MB
32 MB
FPM:
NAa
NAa
Yes
EDO:
No
No
Yes
Mix FPM & EDO:
No
No
No
Parity:
NAa
NAa
NAa
Interleaving:
No
No
Yes To take advantage

of interleaving, you
must have the same size
and speed chip in paired
banks.
a. NA = Not applicable
13
Changing the Memory Allocated to the Application

When you install Media Composer Release 8.1, the Minimum and
Preferred default memory settings for the application are each
147,900 KB.
If you have a system that has less than 256 MB of RAM, change the default
memory settings for Release 8.1 back to their original Minimum and
Preferred values.
You might need to increase the Preferred size if you are working on
large projects with Media Composer.
If you increase the amount of memory allocated to the application,
make sure to leave enough memory to run the Macintosh operating
system and other applications, such as EDL Manager, AvidNet, and
Help. The operating systems need for memory is dynamic; therefore,
the operating system might require more memory when running
certain processes.
To change the amount of memory allocated to the application:
1. Click the application icon to highlight it.
2. Choose Get Info from the File menu.
14
The Media Composer Info window opens.

Close box
Show
pop-up menu
Minimum size
Preferred size
3. Choose Memory from the Show pop-up menu.

The memory requirements appear.
4. Double-click the number in the Preferred Size text box.
5. Type the amount of memory you want to allocate to
Media Composer.
Do not set the Preferred size to less than the Minimum size.
6. Click the close box in the upper left corner to close the
Media Composer Info window.
7. Restart the Macintosh system.
15
Troubleshooting Memory Allocation Problems

If you have problems starting or running Media Composer after
adjusting the memory allocation, click the desktop and choose About
This Computer from the Apple menu. About This Computer shows
the total built-in memory installed in your system, how much memory
the operating system currently is occupying, and the largest unused
block.
Depending upon the amount of free memory you have allocated to

Media Composer, one of the following problems might occur when
you start Release 8.1:
A screen message warns you to close other applications to make

more memory available. For more information on allocating
memory to the application, see your Macintosh documentation.
The application might not start and you might see an error
message stating that the system was unable to load one of the
required libraries. The error message indicates that not enough
free memory is available to run Media Composer or that the
required libraries are not installed in the system. For more
information on allocating memory to the application, see your
Macintosh documentation. For information on installing the
16
required libraries, see Required Libraries and Extensions on

page 17.
Required Libraries and Extensions

The libraries and extensions in this section must be installed on your
Macintosh for the Media Composer system application to start.
The following libraries are installed automatically in the
SupportingFiles/Libraries folder within your application folder
during the Easy Install procedure:
AVXLibrary
DB Library
GT Library
HIIP Library
MT Library
Universal
coreLibrary
QAPSharedLibrary
MSL_RuntimePPC++.DLL
17
The following files are installed automatically in the Extensions folder

during the Easy Install procedure:
Pinnacle libraries (you need the Pinnacle libraries even if you do

not have the 3D Effects option)
-
PGENIE.NDR
SVI.CF
PIM3.slib
TrilliumUtilities
Avid Codec
AvidDriverInit
DigiSystem_INIT (Release 3.4.2)
ExpressRAID
E3ITF
USB Sentinel
If a library or extension is missing and you attempt to start the

Media Composer application, an error message appears stating that
the required item is missing.
The following files are installed by Apple with the operating system:
ObjectSupportLib
QuickTime Version 2.5 or later
QuickTime PowerPlug
The QuickTime and QuickTime PowerPlug extensions are also available in

the QuickTime folder inside the Utilities folder.
DigiSystem_Init
The Avid system uses an extension called DigiSystem_Init to process
audio files. The installation software automatically installs the file in
18
the Extensions folder inside the System folder. The installation

software also installs a backup copy in the Backup System Files folder
in the Utilities folder.
The Avid system requires a specific version of DigiSystem_Init. The
Avid system checks whether the correct version is present at startup. If
the correct version is not present, the system displays a dialog box
requesting that you locate and install the correct version.
The version for this release is 3.4.2. To check the version, select the file
and choose Get Info from the File menu.
To install the correct version of the DigiSystem_Init file:
1. Locate the System folder on your Avid drive.
2. Open the System folder.
3. Open the Extensions folder.
4. Locate the DigiSystem_Init file.
5. Check the version by selecting the file and choosing Get Info from
the File menu.
The correct version for this release is 3.4.2:
If you do not have the correct version, delete or move the file
to another folder.
If there are multiple versions of the file, delete or move the

extra versions.
6. Locate the Utilities folder on your Avid drive.

7. Open the Utilities folder and open the Backup System Files folder.
8. Copy the DigiSystem_Init file from the Backup System Files folder
to your Extensions folder.
9. Restart the computer.
The system will use the new version of the DigiSystem_Init file.
19
PCI Board Revision History

Table 4 lists the minimum revision levels of PCI boards required to
run your Media Composer system on the Macintosh. To determine
board revision levels, use Avid System Test Pro. For more information,
see the Avid Composer Products Setup Guide or the Avid System Test Pro
Help.
Table 4
PCI Board Minimum Revision Levels
PCI Board on a Power Macintosh G3, G4,

and 9600 System
Minimum Level
for Release 8.1
Dual-channel SCSI LVD board (G4)
Dual-channel SCSI LVD board (G3 and 9600)
Keyspan SX Pro four-port serial board
Meridien video I/O board
Meridien serial digital video I/O board
Meridien eight-channel audio interface board
Meridien 3D effects board set
Meridien 3D effects interface
C1
Meridien 3D effects signal board
Meridien 3D effects power board
Genie 3D DVE board
Meridien digital media board
Fibre Channel FCE3210C controller board

(standalone) A4
20
Table 4
PCI Board Minimum Revision Levels (Continued)
PCI Board on a Power Macintosh G3, G4,

and 9600 System
Minimum Level
for Release 8.1
Fibre Channel FCE3210N controller board

(standalone) A4
Fibre Channel controller board (standalone) A2
Meridien display controller board (single)
Using Avid System Test Pro

Avid System Test Pro, located in the Utilities folder, allows you to view
a profile of the Avid system configuration and to test system boards.
Avid System Test Pro displays information about the operating
system, mounted volumes, system extensions, control panels, and
peripheral boards. For information on using this test, see the Avid
Composer Products Setup Guide or the Avid System Test Pro Help.
You can see a visual representation of drive space in the Hardware
Tool window. Use Avid System Test Pro to view all other system
information.
The Avid System Utility is no longer part of the utilities applications. Board
functions that it performed are now performed by Avid System Test Pro.
21
Verifying the Macintosh Operating System Version

To find out if you have the correct version of the Macintosh operating
system (OS) and ROM, go to the Finder and choose About This
Computer from the Apple menu. The operating system and ROM
shown in the illustration are Mac OS 8.6 and Mac OS ROM 1.8.1. For
information about the operating system version required for
Media Composer Release 8.1, see Required Macintosh Operating
System and ROM Versions on page 10.
To verify the ROM version of a G3 (blue and white) system with Mac OS 8.6,
click the Mac OS ROM file in the System folder and choose Get Info from the
File menu.
If you do not have the correct version of the Macintosh OS and ROM,
obtain and load the operating system as described in Obtaining the
Macintosh Operating System on page 23 and Obtaining the
Macintosh OS ROM Update on page 23.
22
Obtaining the Macintosh Operating System

The Avid Media Composer Release 8.1 for the Macintosh Operating
System CD-ROM does not include a copy of the Macintosh OS
software. A separate Macintosh CD-ROM contains the OS. Two
methods are available for getting a newer version of the Macintosh OS:
Install the software from the Macintosh CD-ROM. You receive this
CD-ROM when you purchase a new Power Macintosh. Follow the
instructions in Guidelines for Installing the Macintosh
Operating System on page 24 of these release notes.
Obtain the OS from an Apple Computer dealer. Copies are

available on CD-ROM.
Obtaining the Macintosh OS ROM Update

You can download the Mac OS ROM update from the Apple Web site,
if you need to update the version of the Mac OS ROM. For information
about the ROM version required for Media Composer Release 8.1, see
Required Macintosh Operating System and ROM Versions on
page 10.
Verifying That the Font Manager Update File Is Installed

The Macintosh OS 8.6 Font Manager might create corrupt FOND
resources or corrupt fonts. When this occurs, fonts with corrupted
resources cannot be moved.
Verify the Macintosh system running OS 8.6 has the Font Manager
Update file in the Extensions folder. If the file is missing, you can
obtain the file from an Apple Computer dealer.
23
Guidelines for Installing the Macintosh Operating System

Use the following guidelines for installing a new Macintosh OS:
Check the internal hard drive and repair any problems by using
DiskWarrior Version 1.0.4 or Apple Disk First Aid.
Failure to repair any problems found on the internal hard drive

could result in a corrupt installation.
Start the Macintosh from the Macintosh CD-ROM and perform a

clean system software installation by following the instructions
provided in the user guide supplied with the Macintosh.
Make sure the Destination Disk is the internal hard drive (usually
named Avid).
The Avid system does not support Norton Utilities.
Guidelines for the Japanese and Chinese Macintosh OS 8.6

You must use the Language Kit Updater included with the Macintosh
OS 8.6 CD-ROM if you are using one of the following language kits:
Japanese Macintosh OS 8.6 with Japanese Language Kit,

Version 1.2
Chinese Macintosh OS 8.6 with Chinese Language Kit, Version 1.2
Chinese Macintosh OS 8.6 with Chinese Language Kit, Version 2.0
The Language Kit Updater is located in the Apple Extras folder. If you
don't use the Language Kit Updater, you will encounter Apple menu
problems.
24
Choosing the Avid Drive and Restarting

If you changed your startup disk to install the OS, restart the
Macintosh from the internal hard drive, using the following steps:
1. Choose Startup Disk from the Control Panels on the Apple menu.
2. Select the internal hard drive (usually the Avid drive).
The internal hard drive might be named Macintosh HD.

3. Close the window and restart your Macintosh.
The system starts up from the Avid drive.
Installing Software Drivers

The software drivers for the USB devices and serial board ship
separately from the Avid CD-ROM installer. If needed, you must
install the USB device drivers and serial board driver before you
install the Media Composer application.
Install the software drivers for the USB devices and serial board in the
following order:
1. Serial board (drivers are preinstalled)
2. USB-to-MIDI connector (if needed)
3. USB floppy drive
n
n
Do not install the Macally mouse software drivers. If you install the Macally
software drivers, you cannot shuttle or scrub with the mouse.
If the devices are connected to the Avid system before the software drivers are
installed, you will receive error messages. To eliminate the error messages,
install the software drivers and restart the Avid system.
25
Installing the Media Composer System Software

You can install Media Composer on a Power Macintosh G4 system that
has Meridien hardware, or you can upgrade to Media Composer
Release 8.1 from a system running Media Composer Release 8.0. For a
list of supported systems, see Required Macintosh Operating
System and ROM Versions on page 10.
Checking Virtual Memory and Cache Size

Before you install the Media Composer application, check virtual
memory and cache size. You must turn off virtual memory and set the
cache size to run the Media Composer software. If you have not
already done so, do the following:
1. Choose the Memory Control Panels from the Apple menu.
2. Set the Cache Size to 128K.
3. Turn off virtual memory and close the window.
4. Restart your Macintosh.
Disabling Hard Disk Sleep Mode

Before you install the Media Composer application, disable hard disk
sleep mode. The Macintosh OS has an Energy Saver control panel that
can put your system, display, or hard drives into Sleep mode when
you dont use them for a designated period of time. If the internal hard
drive goes into Sleep mode while your Media Composer system is
running, the system might hang or crash.
To disable the hard disk Sleep mode on your Media Composer system,
choose Energy Saver from the Control Panels list, and set the option
Put the system to sleep when its inactive for to Never.
26
Preliminary Information
Verify that the version of the Macintosh OS is a supported version, see
Verifying the Macintosh Operating System Version on page 22.
New systems are shipped with the current version of the Macintosh
OS installed, but you should still verify that you have the current
version.
c
n
This installation overwrites any prior release of Media Composer

software that is loaded. If you prefer, you can save the old release of
the Media Composer system software by renaming the folder on the
Avid drive that contains the application. This also saves the old
Settings and SupportingFiles folders.
If you have problems installing the software when using these instructions,
try turning off any virus-checking extensions or other system-monitoring
software running on your Avid system. Use the Extension Manager to turn
off these applications, and then repeat the installation process.
After installing the software, use the Extension Manager to turn on any
virus-checking extension or other system-monitoring software that you
normally run on your Avid system, and restart the system.
Installation Procedure
Before you install Media Composer, make sure the software for the
USB devices and serial board are installed, see Installing Software
Drivers on page 25.
Do not install the Macally mouse software.

To install Media Composer:
1. Restart your Avid system.
2. Quit any applications that open automatically at startup.
3. Insert the Avid Media Composer 8.1 CD-ROM.
27
4. Double-click the MC 8.1 Installers CD icon.

The MC 8.1 Installers window opens.
5. Double-click the MC 8.1 (Media Composer) Install icon.

A splash screen introduces the Installer.
28
6. Click Click here to continue.

The MC 8.1 Install window opens.
Avid Drive icon
Avid
Media Composer
icon
7. Drag the Avid Media Composer icon to the Avid Drive icon. The
installation takes several minutes.
29
A Restart message appears.
8. Click Restart.
9. Install the FilmScribe software from the CD-ROM. For
installation procedures, see the Avid FilmScribe Release Notes.
Custom Installations
You can perform a custom installation to install particular files from
the installation CD-ROM. For example, you might want to install only
the EDL Manager files. You can also reinstall an individual component
of the Media Composer system if it becomes lost or damaged.
To perform a custom installation:
1. Open the MC 8.1 Install window by following the steps in
Installation Procedure on page 27.
2. Click Show Other Installations.
Click here.
30
The dialog box displays items that can be installed individually.

Avid Drive icon
Items you
can install
3. Click any item that you want to install. To install multiple items,
Shift+click additional items.
4. Drag the highlighted items to the Avid Drive icon.
The system proceeds with the installation. After the installation is
complete, the system asks whether you want to install additional
items or quit the installation procedure.
31
Upgrades: Application Key (Dongle) Updater

If you are upgrading to Media Composer Release 8.1 from a
Media Composer system that previously did not include a Meridien
video subsystem, you must update your application key (also called a
dongle) before you run the Media Composer Release 8.1 software.
With your upgrade package, you received a dongle Updater floppy
disk. This will update your application key to run the
Media Composer Release 8.1 software.
For more information about the application key, see Warning
Regarding Your Application Key on page 47.
To update your application key:
1. Insert the Updater floppy disk.
2. Double-click the Updater icon.
The Updater window opens.
3. Double-click the Updater for Media Composer model icon.
The updater updates your application key.
Disabling the ATI Driver Update File
c
n
The ATI Driver Update file needs to be disabled before using the
Media Composer application.
For systems in France, the Avid installer removes the
Mise jour gestionnaires ATI driver.
If the ATI Driver Update file is not disabled, the system will crash
when you quit Media Composer.
32
To disable the ATI Driver Update file:

1. Choose Control Panels from the Apple menu.
2. Choose Extensions Manager.
The Extensions Manager window opens.
3. Under Extensions, locate the ATI Driver Update check box.
4. If an X appears, click the check box to disable the file.
Disable ATI Driver

Update check box.
33
Running Updaters
If you are upgrading a Macintosh G3 or 9600 system to
Media Composer Release 8.1, you might need to update the various
firmware by running the updaters.
The updaters are:
ASTFlasherPro updates the firmware on the Meridien display

controller board. Double-click ASTFlasherPro in the
Utilities/AvidSystemTest folder to run the updater.
VideoIOUtil updates the firmware on the Meridien serial digital

video I/O board. Double-click VideoIOUtil in the
Utilities/AvidSystemTest folder to run the updater. You must turn
the power off and on to the Meridien I/O box after you run the
VideoIOUtil updater.
ExpressPCI_UL2D updates the firmware on the dual-channel SCSI LVD

board. Only run the ExpressPCI_UL2D updater when you are moving the
dual-channel SCSI LVD board to a G4 system. If you plan to move the board
to a G4, you must run the ExpressPCI_UL2D updater before you move the
board to the G4. Media Composer Release 8.1 functions with the current
firmware on the dual-channel SCSI LVD board in your G3 or 9600 system.
After you run ExpressPCI_UL2D, you need to turn the power off and on to
the Avid system.
Test Patterns
Test patterns are no longer located in the Goodies folder. They are now
located in the SupportingFiles folder and should be imported with 601
video levels.
34
Software Utilities
Table 5 lists software utilities, current revision levels, and the folders
where the utilities are located.
Table 5
Software Utilities Revisions
Software
Version
Installed Folder Location
ADU2
2.3
Utilities
ASTFlasherPro
2.0
Utilities/AvidSystemTest
AvidLogExchange
2.8
Utilities/ALE
AVIDstartup
3.0.0
Utilities/Backup System Files and

System Folder/Startup Items
Avid System Test Pro
2.0
Avid Codec (extension)
9.2D1

System Folder/Extensions
AvidDriverInit
1.0.2

CommCloser
Utilities
CompactPro
1.51
Utilities/Compact Pro
DAE
3.4.2
Utilities/Backup System Files/DAE

Folder and System/DAE
DigiSystem_INIT
3.4.2

Display Name Registry
1.0b1
Utilities
DiskWarrior
1.0.4
Utilitiesa
35
Table 5
Software Utilities Revisions (Continued)
Software
Version
Installed Folder Location
Dongle Dumper
5.0.0
Utilities
EDL Manager
8.1
EDL Manager
ExpressPCI_UL2D
1.4.4uf1 (G4)
1.3.6uf0 (G3 or 9600)
Utilities
ExpressRAID
2.3f0
Utilities/ATTO and
FilmScribe
2.0.1
FilmScribe
FreeTerm
3.0b3
Utilities/FreeTerm
MacsBug
6.6
System Folder
MediaLog
8.1
MediaLog
StorEx
1.4
Utilities/StorEx
SVI.CF
3.2.0.95

Vantage
System Folder/Apple Menu Items
Vantage Installer
1.6.1
Utilities/Vantage Utilities/
External Functions
VideoIOUtil
2.0
a. This is a third-party product. The folder location depends on the users installation process.
36
Avid QuickTime Codec for Windows NT Version 9.2

Included with the installation package for Media Composer XL for the
Macintosh Operating System is a PC floppy disk containing the
installation software for the Avid QuickTime Codec to be used on a
Windows NT system. This codec allows Windows NT applications
that read QuickTime to make use of the native resolution capability of
the Avid Codec. QuickTime exports that use source compression will
be readable on any Windows NT application capable of reading
QuickTime. Those applications will also be able to export native Avid
resolution QuickTime files for fast-import to Media Composer.
Compatibility with Prior Releases

Table 6 describes how to move projects to Media Composer
Release 8.1 for the Macintosh operating system. For a complete
description of moving projects, media files, and graphics to and from
Avid products, see the Avid Products Collaboration Guide. For an online
version of the Avid Products Collaboration Guide, see the Customer
Service section of the Avid Web site at www.avid.com.
Moving to Media Composer Release 8.1 for Macintosh

Media Composer Release 8.1 for the Macintosh operating system
supports the Meridien video subsystem on the Power Macintosh G4,
G3, and 9600 platforms.
This section includes instructions for moving work to
Media Composer Release 8.1 (Macintosh). When you are moving
projects to Media Composer Release 8.1, some products have direct
compatibility while others do not. Table 6 lists the products from
which you can move project files to Media Composer Release 8.1
(Macintosh) and their level of compatibility.
37
Table 6
Moving Project Files to Media Composer Release 8.1

(Macintosh)
Project Files from
Compatibility with Media Composer Release 8.1

(Macintosh)
Avid Symphony Release 2.1
Supported: Native Video, Native Audio, Compositions, Bins

Not Supported: 24p projects
Media Composer Release 9.1

(Windows NT)
Avid Xpress Release 3.1

(Windows NT)
Supported: Native Video, Native Audio

Compositions, Bins

(Macintosh)

(Macintosh)
Supported: Native Audio, Compositions, Bins
Media Composer Release 6.5.3

(Macintosh)
Supported: Compositions, Bins

(Macintosh)

(Macintosh)
NewsCutter Release 1.5
Supported: Native Audio, Bins
Not Supported: 24p projects
Not Supported: Native Video
Not Supported: Native Video, Native Audio
Not Supported: Native Video, Compositions
Before beginning a project that you will be moving to Media Composer

Release 8.1 (Macintosh), set your audio file format to AIFF. This format
allows the simplest method of transferring audio files between the two
applications.
38
To transfer project files to Media Composer Release 8.1 (Macintosh):

1. Prepare the project files for export.
2. Transfer the project information.
3. Open the project and redigitize.
4. Batch import graphics.
5. Transfer or import audio files.
6. Import any graphics or effects files.
7. Re-create the title media.
8. Render non-real-time effects.
List of Effects for Avid Media Composer Models

Table 7 lists all the effects available in the Avid Media Composer
system. The Avid Media Composer model and the exact options you
have determine which effects are available.
Key to Table 7:
S = standard non-real-time effect
RT = standard real-time effect
FR = standard fast-rendered effect
The information in this section is accurate for Media Composer Release 8.1.
The available effects can change with a new release of the system and might
not be reflected in this document.
For a description of each effect, see the Avid Media Composer Effects
Guide.
39
Table 7
Effects Available for Avid Media Composer

Models
Effect
Category
Effect Name
Media
Composer
1000 XL
Media
Composer
Offline XL
Blend
3D Warp
RT
RT
Blend
Dip to Color
RT
RT
Blend
Dissolve
RT
RT
Blend
Fade from Color
RT
RT
Blend
Fade to Color
RT
RT
Blend
Picture-in-Picture
RT
RT
Blend
Superimpose
RT
RT
Box Wipe
Bottom Box
RT
RT
Box Wipe
Bottom Left to Top Right
RT
RT
Box Wipe
Bottom Right to Top Left
RT
RT
Box Wipe
Left Box
RT
RT
Box Wipe
Right Box
RT
RT
Box Wipe
Top Box
RT
RT
Box Wipe
Top Left to Bottom Right
RT
RT
Box Wipe
Top Right to Bottom Left
RT
RT
Conceal
RT
RT
Conceal
RT
RT
40
Table 7

Models (Continued)
Effect
Category
Effect Name
Media
Composer
1000 XL
Media
Composer
Offline XL
Conceal
Bottom to Top
RT
RT
Conceal
Left to Right
RT
RT
Conceal
Right to Left
RT
RT
Conceal
RT
RT
Conceal
RT
RT
Conceal
Top to Bottom
RT
RT
Edge Wipe
Horizontal
RT
RT
Edge Wipe
Horizontal Open
RT
RT
Edge Wipe
Lower Left Diagonal
Edge Wipe
Lower Right Diagonal
Edge Wipe
Upper Left Diagonal
Edge Wipe
Upper Right Diagonal
Edge Wipe
Vertical Open
RT
RT
Edge Wipe
Vertical
RT
RT
Film
1.66 Mask
RT
RT
Film
1.85 Mask
RT
RT
Film
16 x 9 Mask
RT
RT
Film
Anamorphic Mask
RT
RT
41
Table 7

Models (Continued)
Effect
Category
Effect Name
Media
Composer
1000 XL
Media
Composer
Offline XL
Film
Blowup
RT
RT
Film
Film Dissolve
RT
RT
Film
Film Fade
RT
RT
Film
Mask
RT
RT
Image
Color Effect
RT
RT
Image
Flip
RT
RT
Image
Flip-Flop
RT
RT
Image
Flop
RT
RT
Image
Mask
RT
RT
Image
Paint Effect
Image
Resize
RT
RT
Image
Scratch Removal
Key
AniMatte
Key
Chroma Key
RT
RT
Key
Luma Key
RT
RT
Key
Matte Key
L-Conceal
Bottom Left
RT
RT
L-Conceal
Bottom Right
RT
RT
42
Table 7

Models (Continued)
Effect
Category
Effect Name
Media
Composer
1000 XL
Media
Composer
Offline XL
L-Conceal
Top Left
RT
RT
L-Conceal
Top Right
RT
RT
Matrix Wipe
Grid
Matrix Wipe
One-Way Row
Matrix Wipe
Speckle
Matrix Wipe
Spiral
Matrix Wipe
Zig Zag
Motion
Freeze Frame
RT
RT
Motion
Variable Speed
(Slo-Mo Forward)
RT
RT
Motion
Variable Speed
Motion
Strobe
Motion
Interpolated
Peel (2D)
Bottom Left Corner
RT
RT
Peel (2D)
Bottom Right Corner
RT
RT
Peel (2D)
Bottom to Top
RT
RT
Peel (2D)
Left to Right
RT
RT
Peel (2D)
Right to Left
RT
RT
43
Table 7

Models (Continued)
Effect
Category
Effect Name
Media
Composer
1000 XL
Media
Composer
Offline XL
Peel (2D)
Top Left Corner
RT
RT
Peel (2D)
Top Right Corner
RT
RT
Peel (2D)
Top to Bottom
RT
RT
Push
Push
Push
Bottom to Top
Push
Left to Right
Push
Right to Left
Push
Push
Push
Top to Bottom
Sawtooth Wipe
Horizontal Sawtooth
Sawtooth Wipe
Horizontal Open Sawtooth S
Sawtooth Wipe
Vertical Open Sawtooth
Sawtooth Wipe
Vertical Sawtooth
Shape Wipe
4 Corners
Shape Wipe
Center Box
RT
RT
Shape Wipe
Circle
44
Table 7

Models (Continued)
Effect
Category
Effect Name
Media
Composer
1000 XL
Media
Composer
Offline XL
Shape Wipe
Clock
Shape Wipe
Diamond
Shape Wipe
Ellipse
Shape Wipe
Horizontal Bands
Shape Wipe
Horizontal Blinds
Shape Wipe
Vertical Blinds
Spin (2D)
X Spin
Spin (2D)
Y Spin
Spin (2D)
Z Spin
RT
RT
Squeeze
Bottom Centered
RT
RT
Squeeze
Bottom Left
RT
RT
Squeeze
Bottom Right
RT
RT
Squeeze
Bottom to Top
RT
RT
Squeeze
Centered Zoom
RT
RT
Squeeze
Horizontal Centered
RT
RT
Squeeze
Left Centered
RT
RT
Squeeze
Left to Right
RT
RT
Squeeze
Right Centered
RT
RT
45
Table 7

Models (Continued)
Effect
Category
Effect Name
Media
Composer
1000 XL
Media
Composer
Offline XL
Squeeze
Right to Left
RT
RT
Squeeze
Top Centered
RT
RT
Squeeze
Top Left
RT
RT
Squeeze
Top Right
RT
RT
Squeeze
Top to Bottom
RT
RT
Squeeze
Vertical Centered
RT
RT
Xpress 3D
3D Arrow
RT
RT
Xpress 3D
3D Ball
RT
RT
Xpress 3D
3D Bumps
RT
RT
Xpress 3D
3D Center Burst
RT
RT
Xpress 3D
3D Multi Wave
RT
RT
Xpress 3D
3D PIP
RT
RT
Xpress 3D
3D Page Curl
RT
RT
Xpress 3D
3D Page Fold
RT
RT
Xpress 3D
3D Quad Split
RT
RT
Xpress 3D
3D Sine Wave
RT
RT
Xpress 3D
3D Slats
RT
RT
46
Special Notes
This section contains important information about system-level
changes that affect the way your Media Composer software and
hardware operate.
Warning Regarding Your Application Key

For information about
installing the
application key, see the
Avid Composer Products
Setup Guide.
The application key, commonly referred to as a dongle, allows your

Media Composer application to operate. Protect your application key
from loss or theft; your Media Composer system cannot function
without it, and acquiring a new key from Avid involves a fee.
Starting AvidNet Automatically

To increase the performance of your system when using
Media Composer, Avid recommends that you do not automatically
start AvidNet. Do not select the Launch AvidNet on Startup option
in the AvidNet Settings dialog box.
Drive Striping Configurations

This section provides the drive striping information available when
Media Composer Release 8.1 was released. This information refers to
the number of drives that need to be striped to achieve a specific
resolution.
For the latest drive striping configurations, see Obtaining the Latest
Drive Striping Configurations on page 54.
47
Avid MediaDrive and MediaDock Shuttle Striping Tables

Avid supports several families of MediaDrive enclosures,
MediaDock Shuttle packs, and MediaDock shuttles. Table 8 lists
the families, their specifications, and their available capacities. For
additional information on a specific MediaDrive or MediaDock
shuttles, see the setup and users guide that shipped with the
MediaDrive or the MediaDock shuttle.
The family name of your drive can be found on the front of the MediaDrive or
MediaDock shuttle.
Table 8
MediaDrive and MediaDock Shuttle Information
Family Name
SCSI Type
RPM
Drive Type
Available
Capacities
iS
Fast, wide
7200
Fixed MediaDrive and

MediaDock Shuttle
9 GB, 2 GB
iS Pro
Fast, wide
7200
Fixed MediaDrive and

MediaDock Shuttle
9 GB, 18 GB
iS Plus
Fast, wide
10,000
MediaDock Shuttle
9 GB, 18 GB
rS Plus
Fast, wide
10,000
Fixed MediaDrive
9 GB, 18 GB
iS Plus LVD
LVD
10,000
MediaDock shuttle
9 GB, 18 GB
iS LVD
LVD
10,000
MediaDock shuttle
18 GB, 36 GB
rS LVD
LVD
10,000
Fixed MediaDrive
9 GB, 18 GB, 36 GB
MediaShare F/C Drive
Fibre Channel
7200
Fixed MediaDrive
9 GB
MEDIArray Drive
Fibre Channel
10,000
Fixed MediaDrive
18 GB
48
Table 9 through Table 13 list the MediaDrive enclosure, MediaDock

Shuttle pack, and MediaDock shuttle striping requirements for the
Macintosh release of Media Composer XL Release 8.1 and later.
The information is based on support for:
One stream of uncompressed video
Two streams of uncompressed video when using the G4 platform
Eight channels of audio at 48 kHz with real-time downstreamkeyed titles and graphics
If you need additional information or if you have any questions,

please contact Avid Customer Support at 800-800-AVID (2843).
49
Table 9 is a guide for productions with typical edit densities. For projects
involving high-cut densities (extensive cuts at fewer than 10-frame edits),
Avid recommends increasing to the next striping increment.
Key to Table 9:
RT = Real time; two streams supported.
NS = This resolution is not supported.
Table 9
Drive
Family
Macintosh Striping Single-Drive Unstriped
Single-Field
Resolution
NTSC/PAL
Two-Field Resolution
NTSC/PAL
Uncompressed
Two-Field
Resolution
NTSC/PAL
15:1s
4:1s
2:1s
20:1
10:1
3:1
2:1
1:1
iS
RT
RT
1 stream
RT
RT
1 stream
NS
NS
iS Pro
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
NS
NS
iS Plus
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
NS
rS Plus
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
NS
iS Plus LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
NS
iS LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
NS
rS LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
NS
50
Key to Table 10:
Table 10
Drive
Family
Macintosh Striping 2-Way Striped Drivesa
Single-Field
Resolution
NTSC/PAL
NTSC/PAL
Uncompressed
Two-Field
Resolution
NTSC/PAL
15:1s
4:1s
2:1s
20:1
10:1
3:1
2:1
1:1
iS
RT
RT
1 stream
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
NS
iS Pro
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
NS
iS Plus
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
NS
rS Plus
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
NS
iS Plus LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
NS
iS LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
rS LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
a. Use two SCSI channels for fast, wide MediaDrives and MediaDock Shuttle packs, or one
SCSI channel for LVD MediaDrive enclosures or MediaDock LVD shuttles.
51
Table 11 is a guide for productions with typical edit densities.

Key to Table 11:
Table 11
Drive
Family
Single-Field
Resolution
NTSC/PAL
NTSC/PAL
Uncompressed
Two-Field
Resolution
NTSC/PAL
15:1s
4:1s
2:1s
20:1
10:1
3:1
2:1
1:1
iS
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
NS
iS Pro
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
NS
iS Plus
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
rS Plus
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
iS Plus LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 streamb
iS LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RTc
rS LVD
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RTc
a. Use two SCSI channels for fast, wide MediaDrives and MediaDock Shuttle packs, or one
SCSI channel for LVD MediaDrive enclosures or MediaDock LVD shuttles.
b. Four-way striping is supported for 1:1 resolution using iS Plus LVD (MediaDock shuttle).
Avid recommends switching to 8-way striping for projects that use extensive cuts of fewer
than 10-frame edits.
c. Uncompressed 2 streams for 1:1 resolution is supported only when you are using a G4
platform and you 4-way stripe across two SCSI channels by using the iS LVD and rS LVD
drive families. For projects involving high-cut densities (extensive cuts at fewer than
10-frame edits), you must render before you play back switching to 8-way striping will
not help.
52
Table 12 is a guide for productions that use extensive cuts of fewer than
10-frame edits. Use of 8-way striping for drives not shown in the table does
not gain you any functionality over 4-way striping.
Key to Table 12:
Table 12
Drive
Family
iS Plus LVD
Single-Field
Resolution
NTSC/PAL
NTSC/PAL
Uncompressed
Two-Field
Resolution
NTSC/PAL
15:1s
4:1s
2:1s
20:1
10:1
3:1
2:1
1:1
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
a. Use one SCSI channel for iS Plus LVD (MediaDock shuttles).
53
Key to Table 13:
Table 13
Macintosh Fibre Channel Striping 6-Way or

10-Way Striped Drivesa
Drive Family
Single-Field
Resolution
NTSC/PAL
MediaShare F/C
or MEDIArray
Drivesa
NTSC/PAL
Uncompressed
Two-Field
Resolution
NTSC/PAL
15:1s
4:1s
2:1s
20:1
10:1
3:1
2:1
1:1
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
RT
1 stream
a. Use 10-way striping for MediaShare F/C drives, and 6-way or 10-way striping for
MEDIArray drives.
Obtaining the Latest Drive Striping Configurations

When drive configurations are tested and when drives and software
are released, the most up-to-date drive striping configurations are
available in the Documentation section of the Avid Customer Service
Knowledge Center.
To access drive striping information from the Avid Web site:
1. Click the Avid Customer Service link at www.avid.com.
2. Click Knowledge Center.
If you are not already a registered user of the Knowledge Center, register now.
Registered users can access more information.
54
3. Click Products.
4. Choose Utilities from the Storage + Networking menu.
5. Click Documentation.
6. Click Release Notes.
Links to the latest drive striping information are posted here.
If you have trouble navigating to this document in the Knowledge Center,

search for drive striping.
Fibre Channel Configurations

If your Avid system is configured with a Fibre Channel board and the
Avid Fibre Channel driver is enabled, make sure:
There are drives connected to the Fibre Channel board and they
are turned on.
The connection is on for Avid Unity MediaNet configurations.
The Fibre Channel driver searches for drives. If none are connected to
the Fibre Channel board or if the Avid Unity MediaNet connection is
off, the performance of Media Composer is affected.
Disable the Fibre Channel driver if no drives are connected to the Fibre
Channel board or if the Avid Unity MediaNet connection is off:
1. Quit Media Composer.
2. Choose Control Panels from the Apple menu.
3. Choose Extensions Manager.
The Extensions Manager window opens.
4. Duplicate the current set of extensions and rename the file.
5. Disable the Avid Fibre Channel Driver on the duplicated set of
extensions.
6. Restart the Macintosh.
55
Automation Gain Tool Enhancement

The Automation Gain tool contains an OMS Active indicator. If you
have the OMS software installed on your system, the indicator will be
green to indicate that OMS is in use.
Using Media Composer with FilmScribe or EDL Manager

If your Avid system includes FilmScribe or EDL Manager, and your
projects contain complex sequences or large bins, you might need to
increase the minimum memory size for FilmScribe or EDL Manager.
For information about changing the memory size, see Changing the
Memory Allocated to the Application on page 14.
Calibrating Audio Hardware

You can now use the Audio Settings dialog box to change your default
audio hardware calibration. The applications default audio hardware
calibration is set to 14 dBFS and new audio I/O devices (888 I/O)
shipping from Avid are calibrated to 14 dBFS. If you change the
applications default, you must recalibrate your audio I/O device to
match.
The Avid applications audio hardware calibration setting must match
the calibration of your audio I/O device. The Avid application cannot
determine the calibration of your audio I/O device. If you are using
older audio hardware or if you are unsure of your audio devices
calibration, you might need to change the calibration of your audio
I/O device.
If the applications hardware calibration setting value does not match
the calibration of your audio I/O device, the analog VU (volume unit)
scale in the Audio tool will display incorrect values.
56
To synchronize the audio hardware calibration setting with the audio

I/O device, do one of the following:
Change the calibration of the audio I/O device to match the

applications hardware calibration setting value.
Change the applications hardware calibration setting value to

match the calibration of the audio I/O device.
For procedures on how to calibrate the audio I/O device, see

Calibrating Input Channels of the Audio I/O Device on page 59
and Calibrating Output Channels of the Audio I/O Device on
page 61.
Calibrating the audio I/O device requires a sine wave generator and a
screwdriver.
For example, if your audio I/O device is calibrated to 14 dBFS, you
can set the applications hardware calibration setting value to
14 dBFS. After you change the applications hardware calibration
setting value, the following settings also change to match:
Reference Level in the Set Reference Level dialog box (Peak Hold
pop-up menu Audio tool)
Calibration Tone in the Set Calibration Tone dialog box (Peak Hold
pop-up menu Audio tool)
57
Changing the Audio Hardware Calibration Setting

To change the audio hardware calibration setting:
1. Double-click Audio in the Settings scroll list of the Project
window.
The Audio Settings dialog box appears.
2. Select a new default hardware calibration setting from the

Hardware Calibration pop-up menu: 14 dBFS, 18 dBFS, or
20 dBFS.
An alert box appears.
58
3. Do one of the following:
If the calibration of your audio I/O device does not match the
new Hardware Calibration setting value, click Help for
procedures on how to calibrate the audio I/O device, or see
Calibrating Input Channels of the Audio I/O Device on
page 59 and Calibrating Output Channels of the Audio I/O
Device on page 61.
If the calibration of your audio I/O device matches the new

Hardware Calibration setting value, click OK.
4. Save the new Hardware Calibration as a Site setting. To establish a

global setting, see Using Site Settings in the editing guide for
your Avid product.
Calibrating Input Channels of the Audio I/O Device

To calibrate input channels for the audio I/O device:
1. Double-click Audio in the Settings scroll list of the Project
window.
The Audio Settings dialog box appears.
2. Select a new default hardware calibration value from the
Hardware Calibration pop-up menu: 14 dBFS, 18 dBFS, or
20 dBFS.
An alert box appears.
3. Click OK.
59
4. Connect a sine wave generator that can produce a 1-kHz tone,

+4 dBu @ 0 VU to channel 1 of the audio I/O device.
5. Send a 1-kHz tone into channel 1 of the audio I/O device.
6. In the Audio tool, click the In/Out toggle button for channel 1 to
display I for input.
You should see a level in the meter display.
7. Choose Calibrate from the PH (Peak Hold) pop-up menu in the
Audio tool.
The Audio tool changes to Calibrate mode: the scales display a
range of approximately 2 dB, and the meters indicate levels within
this range.
Indicates the hardware

calibration value you
selected in step 2, either
14, 18, or 20.
The Volume Unit scale

varies, displaying a custom
reference level setting,
+1 dB above and 1 dB
below.
8. Adjust the channel 1 input level by inserting a screwdriver into the

trim pot on the audio I/O device and turning it until the Audio
tools on-screen meter reaches 0 VU.
The input channel is now calibrated.
9. Repeat this procedure for each input channel of the audio I/O
device.
60
To return to the default Audio tool display, choose Calibrate from the
PH (Peak Hold) pop-up menu.
Calibrating Output Channels of the Audio I/O Device

If the input channels of the audio I/O device are calibrated correctly,
you can use the input channels to calibrate the output channels.
To calibrate output channels for the audio I/O device:
1. Make sure the audio I/O device is calibrated properly for input
(see Calibrating Input Channels of the Audio I/O Device on
page 59).
2. Connect two output channels to two different input channels.
For example, connect output channels 1 and 2 to input channels 7
and 8.
3. Choose Set Calibration Tone from the Peak Hold (PH) pop-up
menu in the Audio tool.
4. In the Calibration tone level text box, enter the system reference
level (for example, 14) and click OK.
5. Click the In/Out toggle buttons to display I for the channels you
are using for input, for example, 7 and 8. Click the In/Out toggle
buttons to display O for the channels you are calibrating, for
example, 1 and 2.
6. Choose Calibrate from the Peak Hold (PH) pop-up menu.
7. Choose Play Calibration Tone from the Peak Hold (PH) pop-up
menu.
8. Adjust the audio I/O device trim pots on the output channels
(1 and 2) to 0 VU, using the meters of the input channels (7 and 8)
as your guide.
9. Repeat this procedure for each channel.
61
Limitation When Using Consumer Decks or Decks Without

Time-Base Correctors
This section describes some difficulties you might encounter when
working with consumer video decks and tapes (such as VHS) or decks
that do not provide time-base correction or stabilized timing on their
outputs. Workarounds are described when available.
Digitizing from Unstable Time-Base Sources

The Meridien subsystem used in Avid Media Composer is optimized
for use with modern, broadcast-quality VTRs that contain time-base
correctors (TBC). When presented with a stable input, the Meridien
subsystem will digitize that video by using a high-quality, very-lowjitter clock reference. However, some sources do not include an
internal TBC (including various S-Video decks or composite VHS,
-inch, or Hi-8 decks). In some cases, due either to the deck
performance or the deck performance in conjunction with a particular
videotape, the Meridien subsystem will not lock to non-TBC sources.
As a result, the image might be unstable or might have reduced or
missing color, or syncing might not be possible at all.
If you select the Consumer Source option in the Video Input tool, a
wider bandwidth, more closely tracking time-base will improve the
range of syncing capability. In this mode, the video input levels will be
set by automatic gain control. Not all of the Video Input tools
adjustment sliders will operate, and the video might be slightly
softened, but the syncing in most cases will be more reliable and more
stable. The overall image quality will not be as high as with normal
operation.
The availability of the Consumer Source option depends on the model of your
Media Composer.
If you continue to experience difficulty with a source that does not
include an internal TBC, Avid recommends the video signal be
62
processed through an external TBC for maximum image quality. For

more information on time-base correctors, contact your Avid reseller.
Green Line in VHS Video

Some VHS tape decks do not output the full 240 lines of video
normally included in the VHS format. As a result, after you digitize
from a device such as a VCR, a green line might appear at the bottom
of the monitors in Media Composer.
This line is at the bottom of the visible area of the picture, and is not
seen in a standard consumer monitor in most cases. If you use the
video in a circumstance in which the line is visible, you can remove it
by cropping the bottom edge of the picture.
For more information on cropping, see the Avid Media Composer Effects
Guide.
Changes to the Timing of Video Signals

Genlocking is now different from that of previous Avid video-based
editing products for Macintosh systems. The systems timing is now
modeled on that of a VTR; it uses only a single time-base that is
switched between input and output.
Note the following operation modes:
Timing during video capture: When capturing (that is, recording)

an input video signal, sync timing will be derived from that input
signal. The timing of the captured video and audio will be correct.
The green Video Sync light on the Meridien I/O box will be on
when synchronization to that signal is attained.
Passthrough video outputs: During capture, timing of the
recorded media files will be correct. The timing of the passthrough
output signals, however, will be correct relative to themselves but
will have slight delays relative to the input time-base. In
63
particular, the composite output will have one line of additional

delay, due to comb filter operation compared to Serial Digital and
other analog modes. This is normal operation.
Passthrough audio versus video: During capture, the recorded
video and audio will be correctly timed. However, since
passthrough audio does not undergo delay, the previously
described video delays will exist relative to the undelayed audio.
In media files, the video and audio will be synchronized.
If you are digitizing audio only from a source that uses REF IN (with
black burst, for example) on the Meridien I/O box for sync, the
system will change the timing reference to the video input signal
when the option Always display incoming video in the
Client monitor is selected in the Digitize Settings dialog box. To
avoid losing the REF IN sync source, deselect this option before
capturing audio only.
Timing during capture for audio with no video present: Timing

will be derived from any signal present on the REF input. If no
reference signal is detected there, the timing will automatically
switch to an internal, free-running, highly accurate time-base and
the green Video Sync light will not be lit.
Timing during playback: In all playback modes, the video timing

is derived either from the external genlock source (the REF input)
or from the accurate internal time-base. If a composite reference
signal is present on the REF input, that signal will be used for
deriving genlock and system timing. The green Video Sync light
will be lit. If no lock is detected to a signal on the REF input (or if
no signal is present), the system will automatically switch to its
internal timing source and the Video Sync light will not be lit.
For additional information on digitizing with consumer or prosumer video

decks (such as VHS, Hi-8, and some -inch decks), see Limitation When
Using Consumer Decks or Decks Without Time-Base Correctors on
page 62.
64
Simultaneous Output Modes

The video outputs are all simultaneously active with one exception:
only one of the S-Video or Analog Component outputs can be active at
the same time. You select the one you want with the Video Output
tool.
Genlock Timing Adjustments

Adjusting the genlock timing to the house reference at switchers or
routers can be done only in Playback mode. With previous Avid
implementations for Macintosh systems, this could have been done in
Passthrough mode. You could either record your own test signal and
then play it back; alternatively, you could put out a test pattern from
the applications Video Output tool and use that for doing the usual
HPHASE and SCPHASE adjustments.
Only one format of the active outputs can be accurately genlocked at a
time. Since there is only a single adjustable output time-base, you
simply set the genlock parameters for the critical output that is the one
you choose to genlock. For most applications, this will be either the
composite or the SDI outputs.
All the video output signals Composite 1, 2, and 3, Serial Digital (if
that option is on your system), and component or S-Video are
synced to the same time base, and hence are synced to each other.
However, they all have slightly different internal delays. This means
that you can set the HPHASE so that only one the one you choose
will be exactly synced to an external genlock reference. The other
output signals will be properly timed relative to themselves but will
not be precisely genlocked.
Operation of the Green Video Sync Light on the Meridien I/O Box
The green Video Sync light is lit whenever the timing is successfully
locked to either REF or to the video input signal. If the green light is
off, the timing is being obtained from the internal, free-running time
base.
65
Black Levels When Outputting SDI from NTSC Input

When video input is NTSC with setup and video output is SDI (which
does not use setup), the half lines at the top and bottom of the analog
frame will contain blanking and black setup at two different levels
(zero and 7.5 IRE).
When the input videos black at setup is properly adjusted to
correspond to digital 16, the blanking level will correspond to
approximately digital 1. This can result in video levels in the SDI
output that are below black in several places:
The first half of the top half line (line 283) will be below black, at
approximately digital 1.
The last half of the bottom half line (line 263) will be below black
at approximately digital 1.
The horizontal blanking edges can have pulses that go down to

near digital 1 at the left and right edges of the image. This is due to
the fact that the 720-pixel ITU-R 601 frame extends beyond the
edges of the NTSC setup pedestal by a few pixels. These few pixels
will be at approximately the blanking level (digital 1), while the
rest of the horizontal line will be at black at digital 16.
When the video is played back as SDI, there will be negative pulses
that appear for this reason. If the output is NTSC with setup, these
pulses will be canceled out. If, however, the SDI output ultimately
goes to an NTSC-EIAJ encoder, these pulses will be below blanking.
This latter problem is common to other equipment as well and is a
property of the difference between the black levels of these three
formats.
66
New File Extension for PICT Files

The default file name extension for PICT files has changed from .pic to
.pct for exporting PICT files to third-party applications that require the
.pct file name extension.
Setting Up the Edit Monitor

Make sure the color depth for the Edit monitor is set to Millions. For a
procedure on setting up the Edit monitor, see the Avid Composer
Products Setup Guide.
Documentation Changes
This section describes changes and additions to the Media Composer
Release 8.0 documentation.
Hardware Configuration Change

A change to the hardware configuration was made after the printing of
the Avid Composer Products Setup Guide.
The hardware change is:
The USB-to-serial converter is not being used. This device is

described in the Avid Composer Products Setup Guide as connecting
to a port on the USB hub.
A Keyspan SX Pro four-port serial board was added to the

peripherals kit. The serial board is normally located in PCI slot 3 of
the G4 system, see Figure 1.
67
You must load the serial converter software prior to loading and
executing the Avid software, see Installing Software Drivers on
page 25.
G4 platform (rear)
1
2
1 2
Serial board
PCI slot 3
Figure 1
Serial Board Location
Connecting the USB Devices and Installing the Drivers

The Avid Composer Products Setup Guide indicates that you should
connect the USB devices before installing the device drivers. This is
incorrect and will cause error messages when you turn on the Avid
system. To eliminate the error messages, install the software drivers
and restart the Avid system.
Sharing Bins and Projects on Avid Unity MediaNet

Avid Unity MediaNet allows you to share bins and projects across the
network. When you place your bins and projects on Avid Unity
MediaNet workspaces (drive volumes), several users can work on the
same project at the same time.
68
For example, an editor can create sequences in one bin while an

assistant redigitizes media in another bin. At the same time, other
users can add audio effects or titles to other bins in the project.
Each user can perform tasks from his or her own Avid system. The
Media Composer application provides a simple locking mechanism to
help you keep track of who is currently working in a bin. The method
allows one writer access and multiple readers access to a bin.
The lock does not prevent you from deleting the media in a locked
bin if you have write access to the workspace. It ensures only that
you dont overwrite changes to the bin.
Mapping Workspaces on the Avid Unity Network

For information on mounting workspaces, see the Avid Unity MediaNet
for Macintosh Clients Quick Start Card. These instructions assume that
Avid Unity MediaNet is up and running. For details on Avid Unity
MediaNet, see the Avid Unity MediaNet Administration Guide.
Sharing Methods
Before you begin copying or creating bins and projects on an
Avid Unity MediaNet workspace, you need to determine the sharing
method you will use for the project.
Shared Bins
When you use this method, you store the project on your Avid system
and store bins and media files on the shared workspace. This method
allows users in a shared environment to share only selected bins with
other users.
The Media Composer application uses the following methods to
identify the shared bins:
Stores the bin in a Unity Bins folder in the Project window. This
folder is similar to the Other Bins folder.
69
Displays an extra column of information for the bin that identifies

the Avid system that currently has the bin locked.
Uses bold text to identify bins that are locked by other users.
Shared Bins and Projects

If you share bins and projects, you create and store the project folder
and bins on the shared workspace (or copy an existing project, bins,
and the related media files). The Media Composer application uses the
following methods to identify information from each Avid system
using the shared workspace:
Creates a project folder for each Avid system that accesses the
project. Media Composer adds the Avid systems computer name
to the folder name to create a unique name and stores any projectspecific information in the folder. This mechanism prevents users
from overwriting the project-specific data for other users.
The folder is similar to the folder created when you choose New
Folder from the Project Window Fast menu. For more information,
see Managing Folders and Bins in the Working with the Project
Window chapter of the Avid Media Composer Users Guide.
Displays an extra column in the Project window that identifies the

Avid system that has the bin locked.
Uses bold text to identify bins that are locked by other users.
Creates a folder at the top level of the shared workspace called

Unity Attic. This folder contains backup files for each project on
the shared volume.
Depending on the number of users sharing a workspace, you might want to

increase the number of files that the Media Composer stores in the Attic folder
(use the Bin Settings dialog box).
70
The following illustration shows the Project window for a shared

project.
Bold bins are locked

for editing but can
be viewed.
Avid system that

currently has
the bin locked
Project folders for

each user
The following illustration shows the contents of a shared workspace at

the desktop level.
Shared media files
Shared projects
Unity Attic folder
71
Opening a Shared Project

To open an existing project on the shared volume:
1. Start Avid Media Composer.
2. In the Open Project dialog box, navigate to the project on
Avid Unity MediaNet.
The following illustration shows an example.
3. The Project window opens. For a description of the

MediaNet-specific elements of the Project window, see Sharing
Methods on page 69.
4. Open one of the bins by double-clicking the Bin icon.
The bin appears with a Bin Lock Status button. You can click the
Bin Lock Status button (redlocked or greenunlocked) to view
a history file that shows which Avid systems and users have
modified the bin and the date and time of the modifications. The
following illustration shows an unlocked bin.
72
Bin Lock Status button:

Green Unlocked bin
Red Locked bin
When a bin is unlocked, you have permission to make changes.

You should not make changes to a locked bin. See Restrictions
and Limitations for Locked Bins on page 74.
The Bin Lock Status button does not appear if the bin is not on the
Avid Unity MediaNet environment.
Working with Locks

Media Composer uses a simple locking mechanism to help you keep
track of who is currently working in a shared bin. This allows one
writer access and multiple readers access to the bin.
Default Locking Mechanism
The user who opens the bin first gets the lock and obtains write access
to the bin. Media Composer uses bold text in the Project window to
identify bins that are locked by another user. When the person who
owns the lock closes the bin, it becomes available for another user to
open and take the lock.
If one user has the lock and second user has the same bin open, when
the first user closes the bin, the second user must close and reopen the
bin to get the lock.
73
You can click the Bin Lock Status button in the bin to view a history file
that shows which Avid systems and users have modified the bin.
To open a bin without taking the lock, Option+double-click the bin in
the Project window.
Overriding the Default Locking Mechanism
You can instruct Media Composer to keep a bin locked even after you
close it.
To permanently lock a bin:
1. Select one or more bins in the Project window.
2. Choose Lock Project Bin from the Clip menu.
An asterisk (*) appears next to the user name in the Project
window. In this case, the bin remains locked even after you close
it.
To unlock the bin, click the bin in the Project window and choose
Unlock Project Bin from the Clip menu.
Restrictions and Limitations for Locked Bins

The following restrictions apply to bins locked by another user:
You cannot select a locked bin for operations such as digitizing,

title creation, and importing. This helps to minimize the problems
of modifying a locked bin.
You cannot drag to a locked bin.
If you drag from a locked bin to an unlocked bin, the

Media Composer application will create a duplicate (not a copy) of
the selection in the unlocked bin. The original item is not removed
from the locked bin. This operation is the equivalent of
duplicating a selection and then dragging the duplicate to another
bin.
74
You cannot move a bin that is locked by another user.
If you modify a locked bin, the Media Composer application will

not let you save the bin to the same name, but it will allow you to
save the bin to another name. However, this causes duplicate bin
IDs and might cause system-level conflicts with the contents of the
two bins. The Media Composer application will see the duplicates
of the contents of these bins and will resolve the conflicts by
newest modifications (this might not be desirable behavior).
You should avoid creating duplicate bins by modifying a locked
bin. If you do create a duplicate bin in this way, you should
manually merge the changes into the original bin and delete the
duplicate bin.
The lock does not prevent you from deleting the media in a locked
bin if you have write access to the workspace. It ensures only that
you dont overwrite changes to the bin.
AVIDdrive Utility 2
The following features and support have been added to AVIDdrive
Utility 2 since the manual was printed:
1. AVIDdrive Utility 2 (ADU 2) supports the Desktop FieldPak
Adapter.
When you use ADU 2 with the FieldPak Adapter, you can move
the mounted FieldPak to a Raw state (no file system) and then
place a Macintosh file system on the FieldPak. This allows you to
use the FieldPak like any other Macintosh hard drive (mount and
unmount it). Later, when you move the FieldPak back to the
camera, you must reinitialize the FieldPak for use with the camera.
2. You can use AVIDdrive Utility 2 to erase and partition Avid rS
MediaDrives, iS MediaDrives, all Pro MediaDrives, and Avid
MediaDock Shuttle LVD packs.
3. You can no longer create 2-GB partitions. A 4-GB partition is the
smallest partition allowed by AVIDdrive Utility 2. If you have a
75
2-GB drive, you must choose maximum size when asked for the
size of the partition.
Repartitioning your drive will overwrite data currently on the drive.

4. You can use a SCSI LVD board to perform 4-way and 8-way
striping.
For striping information, see Drive Striping Configurations on page

47.
5. When ADU 2 first scans the SCSI bus, it checks each drive for the
latest driver. If a drive does not contain the latest driver, the
software asks if you want it updated. If you click OK, the software
places the driver into the same partition, so it will not rewrite or
move other files or directories.
6. The buttons that point to Norton Utilities and to Disk First Aid
have been removed. You should now use the DiskWarrior
diagnostic. DiskWarrior software and a CD-ROM that contains the
online manual ships with your system.
7. The Save Report feature has added more information. The device
list now prints out the vendor, model and revision of the SCSI
board that connects the SCSI devices.
76
Avid StorEx
The Options tab in the Main window of Avid StorEx has a new check
box, Remap Bad Sectors, located in the Error Handling panel (see
Figure 2).
Remap Bad Sectors

check box
Figure 2
Option Tab Change
The Remap Bad Sectors check box functions only when you are
performing destructive (write) tests (for example, during a sequential
write test). If you click the Remap Bad Sectors check box during a
destructive test, StorEx remaps any bad sectors found to known good
sectors on the drive.
Destructive tests write data to the hard drive. This test data
overwrites any data, the file system structure, and the partition map
that is currently on the drive. Avid does not recommend the use of
this check box unless recommended by a support technician.
77
Render Completion Sound

The name of the customized Avid Render Completion Sound changed
from Avid Sound to Render Sound. The Render Settings dialog box
contains the Render Completion Sound option. Table 3-2 in the Avid
Media Composer Effects Guide describes the Render settings options.
Rebuilding Media Database

When you rebuild your database, by removing the .pmr and .mdb
files, and a corrupted file is found, the system displays a dialog box
informing you that an error has occurred reading the media file. To
help you find those corrupted files, Media Composer replaces the first
character of the file with a plus sign (+) so that the file can be easily
identified by choosing Finder from the Apple menu.
Avid Media Composer Help

For each keyword entry in the Index, the Help system lists both a topic
and an entry. Both of these index entries display the same Help topic.
This is due to a limitation with the Help application.
For example:
16-bit audio (keyword entry)
Export Settings Dialog Box Options (topic)
exporting (entry)
Choose either the topic (which appears with initial capital letters) or
the entry (which is lowercase) to display the same Help topic.
78
Also, for some keywords, multiple entries appear. For example:

Audio mixdown
Deleting Media Files with the Media Tool
Mixing Down Audio Tracks
Audio Mixdown dialog box
Audio mixdown
deleting files
performing
Media Composer Release 8.0 Online Publications CD-ROM

The Avid Media Composer Release 8.0 for the Macintosh Operating
System Online Publications CD-ROM shipped with your system
includes documentation books and Help systems. The books and Help
systems can be viewed on both a Macintosh or PC system. For more
information, see the Using This Collection included on the
CD-ROM.
Limitations
Avid/Mezzo Archiver Release 3.1.9 or earlier is not supported with
Media Composer Release 8.1. Contact your Avid reseller for
availability of updated versions of Avid/Mezzo Archiver.
79
Fixed Bugs in Release 8.1
You can automatically start DiskWarrior from

AVIDdrive Utility 2 Version 2.2.
Auto-save now functions correctly when you start Media Composer

by double-clicking on a project.
You can move media files from Avid Symphony Release 2.1,
Media Composer Release 9.1 (Windows NT), Film Composer
Release 9.1 (Windows NT), or Avid Xpress Release 3.1
(Windows NT) to a Media Composer Release 8.1 (Macintosh)
system, and then consolidate the media without receiving errors.
An undersized QuickTime file will now resize on import when the

Maintain and Resize option is selected.
When you choose a compression setting in the Compression tool,

the setting remains set until you change it in the Compression tool.
Setting the Preroll option in the Automation Gain tool allows

recording to start at the set preroll.
You can scrub audio-only clips by using the step (jog) buttons or the
mouse without receiving an unmapped memory exception.
In previous releases, MediaLog might put 30 fps in the CFPS column

when a PAL deck was attached. This would in turn prevent batch
digitizing from the logged clips. This problem has been fixed.
In previous releases, you might receive an Access Violation error

message when renaming a media file. This problem has been fixed.
80
In previous releases, you might notice noise in the Black signal

when performing a digital cut. This problem has been fixed with the
addition of the Poll deck during digital cut check box to the Deck
Preferences dialog box, see Setting Deck Preferences for Digital
Cut on page 9.
In previous releases, if you disconnected the application key

(dongle) from the ADB chain and restarted the Avid application, the
system might display an Assertion Failed error message. This
problem has been fixed. The system correctly displays a dialog box
stating that the application key is missing.
Starting Apple System Profiler from the Apple menu with the PCI
expansion chassis turned on no longer causes a fatal error.
81
Known Bugs
Audio
If you plan to use Pro Tools on the same system as Media Composer,
note that Pro Tools uses different versions of the following files:
DigiSystem_Init stored in the Extensions folder
Default AudioSuite Plug-Ins stored in the DAE folder in the

System folder
If you plan to use Pro Tools on your Media Composer system, you will
need to keep separate copies of these files and copy them to the correct
location before you start the application. For the default AudioSuite
Plug-Ins, you should keep separate copies of the entire DAE folder
(located in the System folder).
After you replace the files, you must restart the system for
DigiSystem_Init to take effect.
An exception error occurs when you play a group clip with an audio
pan over the edit.
Audio fades do not get extracted from the OMFI file when pan/vol is
on the clip. When you import this OMFI file into another system,
the dissolve will be unrendered. You might want to perform an audio
mixdown of the clip before exporting.
Compatibility with Other Products and Releases
If you eject a local drive from a system that has Avid Unity
MediaNet volumes mounted, when you select Mount All from the
File menu, the following error message displays:
Mac Error -65 (r/w requested for an off-line drive)
82
Media from Media Composer Release 8.1 (this release) cannot be

brought back into Avid Symphony 1.0 and Avid Xpress Release 2.0.
You need to upgrade your Symphony system to Release 1.1v1 and
Avid Xpress to Release 2.1v1 or later.
Media from Symphony Release 1.0 and Avid Xpress Release 2.0 can be
brought into Media Composer Release 8.0.
Media files can become temporarily hidden when moving projects

and media files from Macintosh to Windows NT systems. When you
move a project and media files from Media Composer (Macintosh
system) to Avid Symphony (Windows NT system), the directory on
the HFS volume can become corrupted when you start the Symphony
application. If this happens, the media files in the OMFI media file
folder will become hidden from the operating system.
Workaround: In this case, you should bring the drive back to the
Media Composer system and run the DiskWarrior application to
rebuild the directory structure on the drive. Then the media files
should reappear.
To avoid this problem, use the following method to transfer the files:
1. Copy the OMFI media files folder on the HFS volume to an NTFS
volume on the Symphony system.
2. Shut down the Symphony system, remove the drive, and restart
the system.
3. Start the Symphony application. It should recognize the OMFI
media files.
Symphony Releases 1.0 and 1.1 do not support 10:1 video resolution.
Workaround: Redigitize at another resolution when bringing in media
to Symphony from Media Composer 8.1.
83
Consolidating Master Clips
Consolidated master clips have inaccurate locators.
Not all frames in the Timeline are updated after redigitizing a

sequence and the clips.
When batch digitizing, the digitize process might stop before

reaching the OUT point, but appear to continue past the OUT point.
The tape will continue running past the OUT point.
When opening the Digitize tool you might receive an Unmapped

Memory Exception error.
When you use the function keys to digitize, press the F4 key to start
digitizing. This function was moved from the B key because of a new
feature that allows you to type clip names during digitizing. The
change to the F4 key allows you to type the letter B in clip names.
Switching input sources prevents the Waveform and Vectorscope

monitors from adjusting properly. If you have a bad signal coming in
through a Serial Digital Input (SDI) format and you switch the input
settings to a different format (Composite or Component), the
Waveform and Vectorscope monitors do not adjust properly to the
new signal.
Digitizing with Macrovision copy-protected tapes causes sync

problems.
If the video input signal is interrupted, it is possible for the internal

Vectorscope monitor to display incorrect data once the signal is
restored. This does not affect the signal being digitized. The signal
Digitizing
84
could be interrupted when cables are disconnected, or when signal

generators or decks are turned off.
Workaround: Click the V button in the Digitize tool off and then back
on again, and the Vectorscope monitor should correct itself.
Editing
The display of accent characters (set from the Apple Key Caps
window) in the bin is different from the display in the Timeline.
Scenes and takes can get lost in scene pull lists whenever
overlapping names or numbers occur.
Dual-sided trim does not function with extend edit and sync locks
enabled.
The Reverse Match Frame function is not working correctly with

motion effects.
There might be a hue shift noticed in certain colors when Avid

graphics are being drawn on video. Since the graphics are not
displayed during play, it will not affect the output of your digital cut
and will only be noticeable when parked on a frame. Examples of Avid
graphics include mark IN, mark OUT, and sawtooth marks denoting
the beginning or end of a clip.
The Matte Key effect might cause a slight luminance level drop to
the background media under the matte key.
The luminance level will drop slightly in non-real-time keys when

crop or position parameters are adjusted.
Effects
85
When playing a sequence with a non-real-time transition effect that

is applied to a clip with a color effect, the Client monitor might
display a color shift.
If you move bins that contain paint and AniMatte effects to

Symphony Release 2.1 or Media Composer Release 9.1
(Windows NT system), and you modify the effects, you cannot move
the bins back to Media Composer Release 8.1 (this release). You will
receive an error message.
The 3D Drop shadows that travel independently of their object do

not play smoothly.
Borders on 3D PIP effects are not always equal.
The Stamp effect will not work on the first keyframe of an effect.
AudioSuite effect templates only work with the original master

clips.
Certain 3D effects display highlights and shadows as black and

white lines.
When you Option+drag to copy a title, 3D title, or a Matte Key effect

from a bin, the clip name will be missing.
The 888 I/O audio meters do not always display accurately. The
meters could show a signal that is not present.
Hardware
86
Help System
The Print Topic command generates an error message but works

correctly. On some systems, when you choose Print Topic from the
Contents tab of the Help Topics window, the system prints the topic
correctly but also displays a message that you have encountered a link
that does not work. You can ignore the message.
Import and Export
The padding for sequential PICT files is wrong.
When you export an OMFI graphic to a drive with insufficient disk

space, the system freezes.
Workaround: Export to a drive with adequate storage space.
Batch importing a duplicate of a master clip causes the original

master clip to be offline.
Workaround: Unlink the duplicate before batch importing it.
When you export a file larger than 2 GB, a system error occurs.
Workaround: Ensure that the file you are exporting does not exceed
the 2-GB limit. If the error occurs during a video mixdown, try to mix
down in smaller segments.
The position indicator will not be used if you export by pressing the
Option key and using the drag-and-drop method. Option+drag does
not use the position indicator and will always use mark IN and mark
OUT, even if Use Marks is disabled.
87
Media Composer does not support QDesign Music audio. If you try
to import audio formatted with the QDesign Music codec, QuickTime
crashes.
Workaround: Choose to Import Video Only or cancel the import.
If you import an OMF composition with video media and change

the resolution on import, you might encounter problems if you
delete the media clip and then attempt to reimport the file to the
same bin. If you attempt to reimport the same file to the same bin (or
to a different bin while the first bin is open), the system imports the
composition but not the media.
Workaround: Close the bin, open another bin, and import the file to
the new bin. You can also try quitting and restarting the
Media Composer application and then reimporting the file.
If you set Autodetect Sequential Files to ON in the Import Settings

dialog box, folders ending in digits larger than 1 will not appear in
the Import Files dialog box.
Workaround: Set Autodetect Sequential Files to OFF in the Import
Settings dialog box, or rename folders so they do not end in digits
larger than 1.
Monitors
You cannot change the monitor resolution while Media Composer is

running.
Workaround: Quit the Media Composer application before changing
the monitor resolutions.
88
Output
When generating a cut list for a sequence that contains three or more
video tracks, you might receive a Serious Programming Error
message.
Workaround: Selecting separate channels allows a cut list to generate.
When you perform an audio-only digital cut, the audio will come in
approximately one field earlier. This occurs only when the source
audio track is selected in the Digital Cut tool.
Workaround: Select both the video track and the audio track in the
Digital Cut tool.
Play
Video and audio underrun errors might occur when playing a

sequence with the Scroll While Playing option set. The more
information that the system has to scroll (larger Timelines) increases
the chances that the system will not respond to a video or audio
request.
Workaround: Deselect the Scroll While Playing option in the Timeline
Settings dialog box. This option is deselected by default.
The monitor displaying the Source and Record monitors and

Timeline might not refresh quickly.
When you start to play on a stamped keyframe, a purple flash

appears on the odd field. If the position indicator is on a stamped
keyframe, when you press the Play button, the odd field plays as
purple. If you move the position indicator off the stamped keyframe
and play, no purple appears.
Timeline
89
Titles
When saving a very complex rolling title, you might receive a

MEM_OUT_OF_MEMORY message.
Workaround: Try reducing the complexity of the rolling title.
When you import a Photoshop .psd title file, you receive an

Exception: No Error message. The file does not import.
Workaround: Save the Photoshop file as a PICT file when saving and
exporting from the Photoshop application.
In Transition Corner Display mode, extending and shortening a

dissolve effect on a rolling title might cause a BAD TIMING
message. This should not affect your work.
Editing or saving a large, multipage file can take a few minutes.
Playing a long, complicated, rolling title can cause an exception

error.
Workaround: Try reducing the complexity of the rolling title.
You cannot revise a title after exporting it as OMFI Version 1 or 2.
In the Effect Editor, if the Acceleration category is set to 100 (fast),

dragging the scroll bar through the Timeline over a keyframe might
causes an error message.
Workaround: Acceleration is not recommended for rolling titles or
other DSK titles with vertical motion, due to anti-aliasing effects that
cause flicker.
90
When you import an OMFI 2.0 file with rolling titles, the icons for
the rolling titles are blank.
Some italic text in titles can become truncated.

Workaround: Click the Right, Left, or Center Justification buttons to
eliminate truncation of text. You might have to create several text
blocks to resolve this problem with multiple lines of text in your titles.
Some 3D titles might not crop properly. The first letter of the title
might be clipped.
Workaround: Open the left crop bar and adjust until the first letter is
no longer clipped.
Mixing different fonts, different sizes, and different styles might

realign the vertical placement of a title.
Media Composer does not support MSM media when you use OMF
utilities from Media Composer Release 7.1.
Utilities
91
Technical Support Information

If you require technical assistance and are currently covered under an
Avid Assurance support contract, you may call our technical support
representatives at 800-800-2843 from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. local time,
Monday through Friday. If you are not covered or are due for renewal
of your Avid Assurance support contract, please contact Avid
Assurance Contract Sales at 800-949-2843, option #6. International
customers may contact either their Avid Reseller or local Avid office
for assistance.
As an Avid Assurance customer, you are entitled to access technical
support information and product information, as well as the latest
news from our Web-based Knowledge Center. Simply navigate to
www.avid.com and select Customer Service.
If you need help locating the reseller or Avid office nearest you, please
visit our Web site at www.avid.com/misc/dealer.html. Customers in
the United States and Canada may obtain this information by calling
the Avid Customer Relations Desk at 800-894-5654.
92
Copyright and Disclaimer

Product specifications are subject to change without notice and do not represent a commitment on
the part of Avid Technology, Inc. The software described in this document is furnished under a
license agreement. The software may not be reverse assembled and may be used or copied only in
accordance with the terms of the license agreement. It is against the law to copy the software on any
medium except as specifically allowed in the license agreement. Avid products or portions thereof
are protected by one or more of the following United States patents: 4,746,994; 4,970,663;
5,045,940; 5,063,448; 5,077,604; 5,245,432; 5,267,351; 5,309,528; 5,325,200; 5,355,450;
5,396,594; 5,440,348; 5,452,378; 5,467,288; 5,513,375; 5,528,310; 5,557,423; 5,568,275;
5,577,190; 5,583,496; 5,584,006; 5,627,765; 5,634,020; 5,640,601; 5,644,364; 5,654,737;
5,701,404; 5,715,018; 5,719,570; 5,724,605; 5,726,717; 5,729,673; 5,731,819; 5,745,637;
5,752,029; 5,754,180; 5,754,851; 5,781,188; 5,799,150; 5,812,216; 5,828,678; 5,842,014;
5,852,435; 5,883,670; 5,889,532; 5,892,507; 5,905,841; 5,912,675; 5,929,836; 5,929,942;
5,930,445; 5,930,797; 5,946,445; D352,278; D372,478; D373,778; D392,267; D392,268; D392,269;
D395,291; D396,853; D398,912. Additional U.S. and foreign patents pending. No part of this
document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the express written
permission of Avid Technology, Inc.
1999 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved.

Attn. Government User(s). Restricted Rights Legend
U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS. This Software and its documentation are commercial
computer software or commercial computer software documentation. In the event that such
Software or documentation is acquired by or on behalf of a unit or agency of the U.S. Government,
all rights with respect to this Software and documentation are subject to the terms of the License
Agreement, pursuant to FAR 12.212(a) and/or DFARS 227.7202-1(a), as applicable.
Trademarks
AirPlay, AudioVision, Avid, CamCutter, Digidesign, FieldPak, Film Composer, HIIP,
Image Independence, Marquee, Media Composer, Media Recorder, NewsCutter, OMF,
OMF Interchange, Open Media Framework, Pro Tools, and Softimage are registered trademarks and
888 I/O, AniMatte, AudioSuite, AutoSync, AVIDdrive, AVIDdrive Towers, AvidNet, AVIDstripe,
Avid Unity, Avid Xpress, AVX, DAE, D-Fi, D-FX, D-Verb, ExpertRender, FilmScribe, Intraframe, iS9,
iS18, iS23, iS36, Lo-Fi, Magic Mask, Matador, MCXpress, MEDIArray, MediaDock,
MediaDock Shuttle, Media Fusion, Media Illusion, MediaLog, Media Reader, MediaShare, Meridien,
Natural Match, OMM, QuietDrive, Recti-Fi, rS9, rS18, Sci-Fi, Sound Designer II, Symphony,
tools for storytellers, Vari-Fi, and Video Slave Driver are trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc., or its
subsidiaries or divisions.
Alias is a registered trademark and Wavefront is a trademark of Alias|Wavefront, a division of Silicon
Graphics Limited. Apple, Mac, Macintosh, Power Macintosh, and QuickTime are trademarks of
Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the United States and other countries. Chyron is a registered
trademark of Chyron Corporation. Cineon is a trademark of Eastman Kodak Company. CompactPro
is a trademark of Bill Goodman. Disk First Aid is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. DiskWarrior is
a trademark of Alsoft, Inc. DragInstall is a registered trademark of Ray Sauers Associates, Inc.
FaderMaster Pro is a trademark of JL Cooper, a division of Sound Technology. Macrovision is a
registered trademark of Macrovision Corporation. Norton Utilities is a registered trademark of
Symantec Corporation. OMS is a registered trademark of Opcode Systems, Inc. PCX is a trademark
of Zsoft Corporation. Photoshop is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated. Pixar is a
registered trademark of Pixar Animation Studios. Sentinel products are registered trademarks of
Rainbow Technologies. Sun Raster is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Vantage is a trademark
of Baseline Software, Inc. Windows NT is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
X Windows System is a trademark of the X Consortium, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein
are the property of their respective owners.
Avid Media Composer Release 8.1 Release Notes Part 0130-04415-01 Rev. A December 1999
tools for storytellers
93

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a

Setting Deck Preferences for Digital Cut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

List of Effects for Avid Media Composer Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Symbols and Conventions

In this document, Avid drive refers to the Macintosh systems internal

A check mark indicates a bug that has been fixed.

An X indicates a known bug or limitation. Where appropriate, a

A note provides important related information, reminders, recommendations,

Media Composer Installation Check List

Whats New for Release 8.1

New Hardware for Release 8.1

Apple graphics board

Avid PCI Extender host interface board

Keyspan SX Pro four-port serial board for deck control

Avid supports the following USB devices:

A USB floppy drive

A USB-to-MIDI connector for fader connections (there is no MIDI

A USB keyboard with a USB mouse that connects to the keyboard

For configuration information, see the Avid Composer Products Setup

About the USB Devices

Connecting the USB-to-MIDI Converter

Connecting the Avid Application Key

About the Two-Button Mouse

USB Mouse Not Responding

Changing USB Devices

Dual Streams of Uncompressed Video

Setting Deck Preferences for Digital Cut

If a complex sequence successfully plays, but you receive video underrun

Using Media Composer with Avid Unity MediaNet

Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Macintosh Operating System and ROM Versions

Required Mac OS and ROM

Power Macintosh with

G3 (blue and white)

350 MHz, 300 MHz,

a. Also 400-MHz and 450-MHz processors when approved by Avid

For more information, see Verifying the Macintosh Operating

The Ethernet Network

Built-in RAM Requirements

Mac OS 8.6 or Mac OS 9.0

Digidesign Audio Engine (DAE )

QuickHelp (Help System)

a. Your system is installed with DAE; 20 MB of memory is necessary

Supported RAM Configurations

Supported RAM Configurations

168-pin, 8-ns PC-100

168-pin, 3.3-V, 10-ns

168-pin, 5-V, 70-ns or

96, 120, or 192 MB

Largest DIMM Size:

Mix FPM & EDO:

Yes To take advantage

Changing the Memory Allocated to the Application

The Media Composer Info window opens.

3. Choose Memory from the Show pop-up menu.

Troubleshooting Memory Allocation Problems

Depending upon the amount of free memory you have allocated to

A screen message warns you to close other applications to make

required libraries, see Required Libraries and Extensions on

Required Libraries and Extensions

The following files are installed automatically in the Extensions folder

Pinnacle libraries (you need the Pinnacle libraries even if you do

DigiSystem_INIT (Release 3.4.2)

If a library or extension is missing and you attempt to start the