«625»
«Audio Producer»
«CET»|
K2 is the second life of Targa 3000
It has been a lot written and spoken about Targa 3000 (T3K) card of Pinnacle Systems for the nonlinear editing. However to go to the main subject of the article, I should like previously to remind of its unique hardware-controlled possibilities. Created about three years back, this card has obviously overtaken its time. There were applied some unique decisions, developed earlier during creation of such products from Pinnacle and Truevision, as Targa 2000 RTX, GenieRT and others. What is the difference of the T3K architecture from classical? This is because many old, yes and modern cards, intended for nonlinear editing, are built on the following traditional scheme. For each stream of video its own chip or set of specialized chips are existed, each of which can execute the set of effect, strictly “wired” in a chip. As example we can take the classical line of the cards Matrox DigiSute. In particular, for each video stream (from two existed) of the card DigiSute LE the own set of video processors is corresponded. It is understandable that to increase, for instance, the number of the processed layers or to add the new effects in real time inside one card with such architecture is impossible. Exactly so DigiSute “will not be able” do such, often necessary, effects, as Zoom and alpha-shutters, because they have not hardware realization in this chipset. Single output in this case is the use of the cards with additional processors, specially created for functioning with DigiSute. This was realized with issue of the MAX option, which, being specific module of effects, partly compensate the defect of the “tough” DigiSute architecture. However, some restrictions still remain. It is impossible, for instance, to enlarge the number of the processed layers. Besides, strictly “wired” in chip the format (in this case: PAL 720×576, YUV, 4:2:2, 25 frame/sec) prevents transition in perspective to HD formats. So much more attractive looks the possibility to have one powerful universal video processor, which can be programmable. In this case inside him is realized not only practically any effects, but also is provided the support of different compression formats and algorithms. In common, the architecture of Targa 3000 is built according to this principle.
The card T3K allows working with several streams of uncompressed video and several layers of graphics simultaneously. Why I do not identify the exact number of streams? The fact is that their number depends not as much from card itself as from software. For instance, edit 6.5 allows to work with two, Adobe Premiere — with three, Pinnacle Chrome — with four streams of uncompressed video. Herewith it is possible to use independent effects for each stream. In general, in spite of the fact that built-in in T3K the module of the multi-layered editing is intended to mix four streams of video, according to calculation of some specialists the total number of processed streams for T3K can reach up to nine! This is one of the first cards, using 64-bit PCI-bus. Integrated in T3K the video processor HUB3, which without exaggeration can be named as the most powerful processor in its class (its output is 100 bln. pixel/sec), uses the frame buffer 128 Mbyte (!), and its transfer capacity is equal to 1.5 Gbyte/sec! This provides the multi-layered digital effects in real time, alpha-channel, chroma key, extended color correction and etc. Also, Targa 3000 allows combining in one project as uncompressed, so and compressed by DV and MPEG-2 video format. Moreover, the output of HUB3 allows emulating in real time practically any compression algorithm. For instance, software package edit 6.5, based on T3K, supports input and playback of video material with codecs Matrox M-JPEG and Targa 2000 M-JPEG that provides the compatibility with system edit of previous generation. One more advantage of the T3K architecture is in variety of external switching units (Break-Out Box). Moreover they are not simply traditional switching units of the “empty box with connectors” type. All necessary digital-analog transformations of input and output signals are realized in them exactly. The card receives a digital stream only that allows avoiding any parasitic inducing in analog pass. Now we shall speak of three-dimensional effects. The prototype of the 3D effect module for Targa 3000 named Infinite 3D (later he became known as K2), in the first time was demonstrated simultaneously with the card, however during three years this module did not be on sale, even to OEM-developers. In general the module is a small affiliated card, fixing directly on T3K. On this card is a chip integrated with technology HUB3, however it maintains some other hardware-controlled mathematical algorithms, in contrast with algorithms which are standard for T3K. According to developer statements, this is the same DVE-chip, which is used in “older” products of the line of air and editing video mixers Pinnacle such as DVExtream. In this mixer are realized the extended color correction and three-dimensional deformations such as 3D-positioning, waves, turning over the pages, blur, glares, shades, etc. also, these effects are possible to use independently to each of video or graphics streams. What we can see, the architecture of the hardware-controlled part of T3K is really one of the most powerful. However, as is well known, in using to computer technology the hardware-controlled part is not even a half the work, but only is its beginning. More so this pertains to nonlinear editing systems, where productivity, but in the same way that is identified as usability (applicability, possibility of the real use) of the system is defined not only and not so much by output of the hardware-controlled part, but, first of all, by software, which is realized the following matters: the interface convenience, interactivity, availability of professional editing tools. But in this area just Pinnacle had a serious failure. Till present did not exist the professional software package for work with Targa 3000, with the exception of Discreet edit 6.5, which, however, more then year back was removed from production. And this was much offensively since the Targa 3000 card rightfully is considered as one of the best and most perspective in its class. But the most powerful module K2 of 3D effects did not work nor with one (!) software package. The same we can say about Digital-Analog switching unit. This switching module, which is the most powerful and universal module from all available together with T3K, having all types of analog and digital interfaces as video, so and audio, also did not work nor in one application, except of already mentioned edit 6.5. The situation is strange unless to say as absurd. As so has occurred? I’ll address to history… After the purchase in 2001 of the FAST Multimedia company by Pinnacle, all expected that in the nearest future the beautiful software product of FAST Studio will appear as well for Targa 3000 card. Apropos this became the main reason, why Discreet Company has removed from production this such, maybe, marketed successful product, as edit. The analysts from Discreet have considered that concentration of production of hardware and software in one hand would bring to possibility for Pinnacle sharply reduce the software price due to its sale in kit with card T3K. In such conditions the Discreet Company as producer of expensive edit would not compete. However Pinnacle have not been hurried, continuing to sell already ready products from FAST: blue, silver and purple. Sooner, to “rewrite” the FAST Studio package (is is known as Liquid as well) for T3K was found as not simple task. As a result the software niche for Targa was empty during one year that has brought, naturally, to the fall of T3K sale. Certainly, who want to buy the card per more then $10000 and herewith to use Adobe Premiere as editing package, which have not provided by one half of possibilities of the card?
But finally, the inevitable has occurred! At NAB 2003 for the first time the product named Liquid Chrome was shown, and by the same year summer its became the available for general public. This first and single at present the software product, which is oriented on work with the K2 processor. Moreover, without this processor he simply is not started. Finally, it is really possible to see and feel the whole power of the Targa 3000+K2 kit. What only costs the playback in real time of four uncompressed streams with effects in each of them, but over this — of the same number of graphic layers? The interface of the system is almost not differed from well known blue, silver, purple; the single difference is in hardware-controlled possibility. Certainly, it is necessary to say that not all effects are carried out in real time, but here is revealed one of the key features, which always so the FAST products were glorified: a possibility of the background calculation. “Having strike against” effect, which playback in real time is impossible, the system immediately starts his calculation. Herewith you may peacefully continue the functioning because no “braking” you do not threaten. The calculation lasts even during playback of video with effects. Moreover, calculated part of the effect is already possible to playback. However, do not shall further deepen. The talk about editing package Liquid Chrome is a subject of another article. In conclusion we shall adduce the main features of Targa 3000. There are four streams of uncompressed video plus six and more layers of graphics in real time. For each layer the following 2D video effects are available:
The support of component, composite, S-Video, SDI and DV/IEEE1394 video signals is provided. There is a support of DV25 and MPEG-2, as well as a possibility to mix the signals of different standard in one project. There are provided the RGB colour correction, the possibility to use an additional module for 3D effects (Targa Infinite 3D DVE), and the support of alpha-channel for multi-layered editing and animation, the colour correction with programmable transformation of YUV or RGB colour space, the internal transformations in 4:4:4:4 format without loss of quality. Besides, there is a possibility of the connection of one from external modules (Pro Analog, Pro Digital, Pro Digital&Analog).
The video compression formats are as following: DV25, MPEG-2 (4:2:2, I-frames, 5…50 Mbit/sec), uncompressed video YUV/RGB. Input/output: DV/IEEE1394. Inputs/outputs of video (for Pro Analog module): component, Y/C, composite. Inputs/outputs of audio: analog symmetrical and asymmetrical (Pro Analog), SDI 270 Mbit/sec SMPTE 259M with introduced audio (Pro Digital). The supply kit includes the software Adobe Premiere, Commotion DV, TitleDeko, Terran Media Cleaner, Hollywood FX Bronze, Pipeline ProVTR, Pinnacle Impression DVD. Material is provided by Tivionika Broadcast Systems Company |
Magazine:
For advertising please contact: reclama at 625-net.ru.
All the questions and offers please mail to: magazine at 625-net.ru.
Editorial board: magazine at 625-net.ru, ph./fax: +7 691 7724, 695 9588.
Electronic Mass Media registration certificate El # 77-2794.
© 2003—2009 Publishers 625. All rights reserved.