360 Systems MAXX-2420EX - Manual (Page 72)

Page 72 MAXX-2420-EX Owner’s Manual
Note that the VDCP checkbox option to “show first frame” for a Cue command is ignored for
channels in ganged mode. The automation system must issue a Still command to Channel 1 to
achieve this effect.
Ingesting a TARGA file via FTP automatically creates a key clip and a fill clip, each a single
frame in length. For example, if file “xyz.tga” is transferred to a server via FTP, then a pair of
single-frame clips is created: “xyz” and “xyz_” containing the fill and key material.
Combined Video and Graphics Capabilities
MAXX 2420-EX includes graphics import capability, enabling the server to function as both a
graphics still-store, and an animation playout server. Its four outputs give it the power to
provide key-and-fill material along with two additional video feeds simultaneously.
The server supports FTP import from most graphics systems, including Photoshop®, After
Effects®, Final Cut Pro®, Xpress Pro™, Liquid Edition and Vegas Video.
Importing TARGA Graphics Files
The server can recognize and ingest single-frame TARGA files via FTP. TARGA files have a .tga
extension, and may contain an alpha (or key) channel. During transfer, the server will split the
TARGA file into a Fill frame, and a Key frame if it exists. If no alpha layer exists, a white field is
created. These will be converted to high-resolution files, one frame in length.
For example, if an original file is named Logo.tga, the files created will be named Logo.mxf (the
fill file) and Logo_.mxf (the key file). Note the trailing underscore “_” added to the file name of
the key. This allows the TARGA file to be used for key and fill applications when channels 2
and 3 are ganged together.
The resolution of a TARGA image should be 1920 x 1080 for use in 1080i format, or 1280 x
720 for use in 720p format. If the original TARGA image is not of this resolution, the server will
re-scale it, possibly introducing some dimensional distortion. The bit depth of the files must be
24 or 32 bit. The server does not support Targa sequences, only single frame graphics.
Animation Import (Uncompressed .mov files)
From the server’s standpoint, an “animation” is a clip with a minimum length of two seconds.
Clips used for sequential (back-to-back) seamless playback must be a minimum of four seconds
long. A separate Alpha channel may or may not be present. Any graphics workstation capable
of exporting files supported by the server can make transfers to it via FTP. If an alpha channel is
present, the naming conventions of the Key/Fill Mode apply: the file name for the key video is
the same as the filename for the fill video with the addition of an underscore character ( _ ).
Many software programs have the ability to create content compatible with the server,
including Final Cut Pro®, Avid® Xpress, Liquid Edition, Vegas Video; and Adobe® After Effects®,
Premiere® and Photoshop®.
Animation sequences to be sent to the MAXX-2420-EX should be saved in QuickTime
Animation format. The image size should be 1920x1080 interlaced (with Top Field First) or
1280x720 progressive. An alpha channel may be present. The field rate should be either 59.94
or 50 Hz.
Note that when Exporting from some NLEs such as Final Cut Pro, you must Export to a storage
volume that is considered a Macintosh volume in order to create compatible .mov files that are