Grass Valley K2 System Guide v.9.0 - Manual (Page 44)

Application System
The K2 Summit Production Client and K2 Solo Media Server application system architecture uses
the COM Express form factor to provide functionality similar to that of standard PC-type computers.
The carrier module contains a CPU module, built in Ethernet, and USB ports. On the K2 Summit
Production Client, the carrier module also includes one PCIe board slot for expansion.
The Application system uses a Windows embedded operating system upon which all internal storage
K2 system applications run for configuration and control of the unit.
Real Time System
Each channel hosts a complete Real Time system that provides the core video disk recorder
functionality. Primary components are as follows:
• Dedicated processor for media access and processing.
• Codec circuits responsible for encoding/decoding video and processing audio and timecode,
including the media-related input and output connectors.
The Real Time system uses a dedicated operating system. This operating system manages all the
hardware involved in controlling the flow of video, audio, timecode, genlock, and GPI in and out
of the K2 system.
Media control and processing
The following section explains how the Application system and the Real Time system work together
to provide K2 system functionality.
The high processing requirements of digital video can overwhelm the processor on a standard desktop
PC, resulting in wait-times that destroy the video’s essential real-time aspect. The K2 system avoids
this problem by providing dedicated systems that isolate processing needs. The components that
work together to provide this functionality are as follows:
Application system — Dedicated to control, configuration, and networking functions that do not
require real-time accuracy. The Application system has the following components:
• Application software provides the user interface for operating the K2 system. The software runs
as Windows programs.
• The Media File system manages clips. It includes a database that associates the clip with its
video, audio, and timecode files and a dedicated file system (separate from the Windows file
system) that controls access to the raw data that makes up each file. Any reading and writing of
clips, be it through play and record operations or through file transfers and media streaming, is
managed by the database. The database and file system run as Windows programs.
Storage system — Includes the media disk drives, controllers, drivers, and adapters necessary for
access and movement of the data. While the primary data flow is within the overall control of the
Real Time system, some components and their communication pathways cross over into the
Application system. For example, the media drives appear as the V: drive to the Windows operating
system.
44 K2 System Guide 06 November 2012
Product description