This chapter describes the steps that you take to:
After you have installed the SunVideo and XIL software, you can install the card. This section explains how to unpack and identify the card. Refer to the Installation Guide or Hardware Owner's Guide that came with your system unit for detailed instructions about installing the card.
The SunVideo card is packaged and shipped in an anti-static envelope that protects it from static electricity. Be sure to save this envelope and all shipping package materials; these materials must be used if re-shipment is necessary. When handling the card, use extreme care and avoid touching delicate electronic components. Perform the following steps:
Caution - Cards are made of delicate electronic components that are extremely sensitive to static electricity. Ordinary amounts of static from your clothes or work environment can damage them. Handle cards only by the non- conducting edges. Do not touch the components on the card or any metal parts. Wear a grounding strap when handling the card. Do not disconnect the power cord from the system unit's power receptacle. The power cord should be left plugged in to a grounded power outlet. This connection provides the ground path necessary so that you can safely remove and install the card and other components. Be sure that the system unit's power is turned OFF.
The SunVideo card, shown in Figure 3-1, takes up a single SBus slot.
Figure 3-1 The SunVideo Card
Power down your system and install the SunVideo card into an SBus slot.
Note - If you are not familiar with how to install an SBus card, refer to the Installation Guide or Hardware Owner's Guide that came with your system unit for step-by-step instructions.
Some system units, such as the SPARCstation 10, require that you remove the backplate extension from the card. To remove the backplate extension, remove the two small phillips-head screws that attach the extension to the backplate.
You may have to remove the SBus card retainer after you install the card in certain system units. Do not discard the retainer; you should use it to remove the card.
After you have installed the SunVideo card and powered the system back on, reboot your system by typing:
# boot -r
The -r (reconfigure) option ensures that the system recognizes the new SunVideo card.
Take the following steps to verify that the card is properly installed.
The SunVideo card's LED (located on the backplate) should light in a few seconds after the workstation is powered on. This indicates that the card's OpenBoot PROM and basic circuitry are operating properly.
The SunVideo software includes a utility (rtvc-verify) that verifies that a SunVideo card is being recognized by the operating system. The command to run the utility is:
% /opt/SUNWrtvc/bin/rtvc-verify
The utility simply checks to see if the card is being recognized - it does not test the card's functions. The utility also verifies that the XIL and SunVideo software are installed properly.
At this point, you can test the card by using the rtvc_display example program to capture and display some video. The steps that follow are provided to enable you to perform a quick test of the SunVideo subsystem using the rtvc_display program's defaults.
The rtvc_display command with no arguments captures video from Port 1 and displays 100 video frames in a window. If, for example, you need to test the card with an S-Video device, refer to Chapter 5, "Capture and Display Example," which describes the rtvc_display example program in more detail.
Take the following steps to run the rtvc_display program:
For example, you can connect a device such as a video camera, VCR, or laser disk. Port 1 is the default port.
% cd /opt/SUNWits/Graphics-sw/xil/examples/test
% rtvc_display
If you have a problem with the card, refer to the section "Troubleshooting" on page 22.
Refer to the section "Connecting Video Devices" on page 19 for more information about how to connect video equipment to the SunVideo card.
The operating system assigns device numbers for cards based on the card type and the order that cards are placed into SBus slots. Therefore, when you install the first SunVideo card into an open slot, the operating system identifies the card as device /dev/rtvc0. If you place a second card in an open SBus slot, its device number will be /dev/rtvc1, and so on.
The operating system maintains the association of slots and SunVideo device numbers, even if you remove a card and later replace it. For example, if you move the first SunVideo card to another slot, the operating system now identifies the card as device /dev/rtvc2. However, if you place a new SunVideo card into the slot that the first SunVideo card originally occupied, that new card will be identified as device /dev/rtvc0.
Connecting video equipment to a SunVideo card is a simple operation. The card has two RCA-type phonojacks and an S-Video jack. You can connect NTSC or PAL video equipment to any of the jacks. As shown in Figure 3-2, the jacks are labeled (left to right): S-Video, Port 1, and Port 2. There is no difference between Port 1 and Port 2; both ports accept composite video signals.
You can connect video equipment to each of the jacks at the same time. The application program that captures video is responsible for selecting which one of the three video input ports to use.
Figure 3-2 SunVideo Input Ports
The phonojack inputs (Port 1 and Port 2) enable video signals to be supplied by standard VCRs, camcorders, video disc players, or video cameras. If your video device uses a phonojack cable, connect the device's output cable to Port 1 or Port 2.
Figure 3-3 shows a typical composite video connection between a SunVideo card and a video device.
Figure 3-3 Composite Video Connection
If your video device uses S-Video, connect its output cable to the input port labeled S-Video on the SunVideo card.
S-Video uses a four-pin mini-DIN connector that provides separate Y (luminance) and C (chrominance) signals.
Figure 3-4 shows examples of typical S-Video connectors. Compared to composite signals, S-Video provides a sharper image with better color separation. Many VCR's, laser disks, and cameras (S-VHS and HI-8) can deliver S-Video signals.
Figure 3-4 Typical S-Video Connectors
If the SunVideo subsystem does not appear to be operating properly, here is a checklist that you can use to troubleshoot the problem.
Table 3-1 Troubleshooting Checklist
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Problem Checklist -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The card's LED is not lit. The LED should be lit whenever the workstation is
powered on. (The LED will turn off for a few
seconds when the SunVideo device driver is
loaded.) If the LED is not lit, power-off the
workstation, reseat the card, power the workstation
back on, and use the boot -r command to reboot
the workstation.
The rtvc-verify utility Power off the workstation, reseat the card, power the
does not detect the card. workstation back on, and use the boot -r
command to reboot the workstation.
The rtvc_display Refer to the section "A Comment About Moving
program returns a "File not SunVideo Cards Among Slots" on page 19 for
found" error message. information about device numbering.
The rtvc_display Verify that a video device is connected to Port 1 of
program does not display the SunVideo card.
video in a window.
Verify that the video device is generating a video
signal. Test the device by connecting it to a monitor,
or try another video device.
Verify that the XIL and SunVideo software are
properly installed.
Use the rtvc-verify utility to verify that the card
is installed properly. Refer to the section "A
Comment About Moving SunVideo Cards Among
Slots" on page 19 if you have moved a SunVideo
card to a different slot.
Verify that the two-pin diagnostic jumper, located
next to the large integrated circuit with the heatsink
(shown in Figure 3-1 on page 16), is installed. The
card will not operate properly if this jumper is not
installed.
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If this troubleshooting checklist fails to help you solve the problem, call 1-800- USA-4SUN (in the continental U.S.A.), your local Sun Microsystems office, or the local Sun Microsystems support provider.
