Connector Question

[rkgibbons]

Hi Folks,

I own a Pinnacle DC2000 capture card (purchased 2nd hand). The breakout box has professional inputs and outputs, including component video (B-Y, R-Y, Y), XLR audio, and Composite (VHS) inputs/outputs.

However, it also has two connectors labelled "Reference (AUX)", one for input and one for output. They're the same type of connector as the Component inputs (BNC connectors) -- but I have no idea what they're for.

Does anyone know what Reference (AUX) inputs and outputs can be used for?

Thanks for your assistance!!

Keith.

[edDV]

According to VideoMaker via Google,

"All the analog I/Os are present on the breakout box: component, S-video and composite (along with composite aux for reference). "

Reference is usually a black burst from the sync generator locking your card and VTR's h and subcarrier phase. You can typically H and subcarrier phase the VTR (usually a Betacam) to the card using the timing controls on the VTR. Read the manual. The card will probably will self lock to a composite NTSC input without using this AUX port.

Typically a blackburst input is requried to time the card into a timed destination like a production switcher.


http://www.videomaker.com/scripts/article_print.cfm?id=8509

[rkgibbons]

Thanks for the info...although to be honest, the answer has made me even more confused.

It gives me a place to start though...

Thanks!

Keith.

[edDV]

In summary, you bought a card capable of being timed into an analog broadcast studio environment. The "(B-Y, R-Y, Y)" conectors were intended to be used with Sony Betacam type VTR's or similar.

http://www.pinnaclesys.com/support/products/info/default.asp?ProductID=406&Langue_ID=7
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/support/display.asp?ProductID=406&DocTypesID=2

Looks like it is still supported by Premiere Pro 1.5 but maybe not with XP
http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/6cards.html

[rkgibbons]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I guess I should have provided a bit more detail.

I own several DC2000 boards, but lost one of my breakout boxes about a year ago (stolen? lost during an office move? Not sure...)

I've been using one Dc2000 board for capturing component video and XLR balanced audio (into highest quality AVI), then editing the footage (in Premiere 6.5), and then using the other DC2000 board to capture the footage in MPEG/2 for the production of DVDs. (So, two computers. One for AVI capture & editing, the other for re-capturing in MPEG).

Anyway, I'm attempting to build a new breakout box to replace the stolen one. I have the full pin-out documentation, so it should be possible. Anyway, I managed to purchase a Media 100 breakout box off eBay (for $20!) which has all of the connectors I need except the reference BNC's. I've retrofitted the case to include the two reference BNC's...but I had no idea what they do.

It'll be a few weeks before I'm able to test the "home-made" breakout box. I was soldering the 62-pin connector last night and managed to melt the plastic mold that holds all the pins. Anyway, I lost a critical pin -- and now I need to buy another connector. Can't source the damn things locally, so I have to order off the 'Net.

It's my first experience with soldering irons and voltage meters, so I fully expect to fry my computer when I plug the thing in...but it's been fun giving it a whirl.

[edDV]

Good Luck