The Multi-Channel Option is designed for users who need multiple viewports from within an application, such as visual simulation, virtual reality, or entertainment applications.
Use the following information as a quick reference for Multi-Channel Option.
Available video output formats are listed in
/usr/gfx/ucode/RE/vs2/vof/{1rm,2rm,4rm}
where 1rm, 2rm, and 4rm correspond to the number of Raster Memory (RM) boards in your system.
To start Multi-Channel Option, follow these steps:
Run setmon:
setmon -S[g][t] format
where format is the name of the desired video format. For the Multi-Channel Option, the flag -S is required; note that it is uppercase. The flag -g genlocks to an external source; -t genlocks to an external source at TTL levels.
Switch to multi-channel mode:
/usr/gfx/stopgfx /usr/gfx/startgfx |
When the Multi-Channel Option is running, RealityEngine™ graphics does not output to the standard output display.
For multipipe systems, set the environment variable DISPLAY to the pipe number being configured. For example, to set pipe 0 to 2@1280x1024_60, pipe 1 to 6@640x480_60, and pipe 2 to 3@1024x768_60:
$ setenv DISPLAY :0.0 $ setmon -S 2@1280x1024_60 $ setenv DISPLAY :0.1 $ setmon -S 6@640x480_60 $ setenv DISPLAY :0.2 $ setmon -S 3@1025x768_60 $ /usr/gfx/stopgfx $ /usr/gfx/startgfx |
For information on cursor control, see “Cursor Position” in Chapter 2, “Using setmon.”
For instructions on using the Multi-Channel Option panel, including information on multipipe systems, see Chapter 3, “Using the Multi-Channel Option Panel.”
The Multi-Channel Option runs on these compute platforms:
Crimson™ equipped with a RealityEngine graphics subsystem
POWER Series™ equipped with RealityEngine graphics
SkyWriter™ equipped with RealityEngine graphics
Onyx™ systems equipped with a VTX™ or RealityEngine2™ graphics subsystem
Requirements are:
The option consists of a board that fits into a VME slot in the chassis, plus paddleboards, cables, I/O panels, and software.
The Multi-Channel Option Owner's Guide includes the following chapters and appendices:
| Chapter 1 | “Using Multi-Channel Option” explains features of the option, including formats. | |
| Chapter 2 | “Using setmon” explains how to use the setmon command to set output format. | |
| Chapter 3 | “Using the Multi-Channel Option Panel” explains how to use the panel to fine-tune video outputs. | |
| Appendix A | “Hardware Specifications” summarizes Multi-Channel Option technical information. | |
| Appendix B | “Multi-Channel Option Error Messages” lists error messages with explanations and solutions. | |
| Appendix C | “Setting VME Addresses” explains how to reset the Multi-Channel Option board address. | |
| Appendix D | “Cabling the VIDI/O BOX” explains how to cable the VIDI/O BOX™ available from Truevision® (Indianapolis, IN) so that it works with the Multi-Channel Option. |
A glossary and an index complete this guide.
In command syntax descriptions and examples, square brackets ( [ ] ) surrounding an argument indicate an optional argument. Variable parameters are in italics. Replace these variables with the appropriate string or value.
In text descriptions, IRIX filenames are in italics. The names of IRIS® keyboard keys are printed in boldface typewriter font and enclosed in angle brackets, such as <Enter> or <Esc>.
Messages and prompts that appear on-screen are shown in typewriter font. Entries that are to be typed exactly as shown are in boldface typewriter font.