Since the Still Store is undergoing a major re-write ... Why not write software that allows the Still Store to acquire an M/E Partition, so that Still Store Playlist management can include transitions? One M/E Partition with 2 keyers can key two Paired Still Stores and transition between them (as a mix or a wipe), and by using Layered mode, this Partition can be keyed on another M/E. If Still Stores are not paired (ie full-raster images), then one M/E Partition is capable of providing two outputs that can mix between two Still Store outputs: B/G-A with Key-1 (Key-1 mixes in and out by varying the opacity of the key), and B/G-B with Key-2 in look-ahead preview mode on MEpA (again with Key-2 mixing via the opacity control). So SS1 can be on Key-1 and SS2 on B/G-A, and the MEA output is a mix-transition between these 2 Still Store channels. Similarly, SS3 can be on Key-2 and SS4 on B/G-B, and the MEpA output is a mix transition between these 2 channels. Since an M/E partition is being used, you could allow the M/E bank to control your playlist: Imagine that M/E1-Secondary is your SS transition partition. When you delegate M/E1 to the Secondary side, the Source Name display could show (say) the next 8 Still Store titles in the Playlist. Source Select buttons could be used for commands such as "Take", "Skip Next", "Back One". One button could be used to put the M/E numeric keypad into "Still Select" mode, where you could enter an ad hoc number to insert into your Playlist (or it could automatically be in this mode when the M/E Partition is delegated as Still Store Transition). Perhaps the M/E "Take" button could become the "Still Store Advance" button. I understand that the software for Kalypso and Zodiak are meant to be compatible, and that the Zodiak usually doesn't have Source Name Displays, so even if control is relegated to a menu (and Macros used to control the "Take" command), it would be better than nothing. I know some of the people from Thomson occasionally read this forum ... if you think my idea is a good one, perhaps your responses might convince them to incorporate something in this major software re-write we all expect in the Still Store. brad

[quote="Dan Berger"]I have heard word that v14 has a major rewriting of the SS software, and to make it all bug free, and faster. Unfortunately, the SS has always been an issue, and they are just getting around to fixing it, and it isn't an easy fix, and seems to be a complete rewrite. Also, back to your earlier question about SS monitors. That's an easy one. Assign an output to an Aux, and route the SS to that Aux. I believe you can assign an output as a SS directly, not sure if you have to assign it to an Aux (I'm not at a Kalypso so I can't see), cause if so, that'd take up 8 Aux busses, or 4 if everything is paired. --- Dan[/quote] Good to hear they should be fixing SS problem.. Turns out 6 of the 8 outputs were assigned already. I think I found two more outputs that were not needed anymore for the other two.. We had the effect send card plus 3 other cards. So it seems effect send can be used for whatever, we are using 6 of the effect send out for the SS monitoring.. thanks Bill

I have heard word that v14 has a major rewriting of the SS software, and to make it all bug free, and faster. Unfortunately, the SS has always been an issue, and they are just getting around to fixing it, and it isn't an easy fix, and seems to be a complete rewrite. Also, back to your earlier question about SS monitors. That's an easy one. Assign an output to an Aux, and route the SS to that Aux. I believe you can assign an output as a SS directly, not sure if you have to assign it to an Aux (I'm not at a Kalypso so I can't see), cause if so, that'd take up 8 Aux busses, or 4 if everything is paired. --- Dan

[quote="EricG"]Bill, I see that problem in the SS all the time, as well. One workaround I have for the still not showing up in the list after I save it - I just go to a different section of the menus (timeline, keyers, whatever) then back into the SS menu, and 99% of the time, the still has magically appeared in the list on the left. I also then reload it into whatever SS channel I want it in, and that appears to make everything ok.[/quote] Eric, cool, thanks for the workaround. I have found that also works sometimes. Also sometimes I go back and one of them is missing that was there. I have zero confidence after freezing a SS, that it will be there when I need it. Obviously tieing it to an emem may help, not sure. Not that I am happpy about it, but I am glad it is all Kalypso's and not a problem with mine that will be blamed on something we may never figure out. Basically it's a bug. Wonder if ver 14 will fix it. thanks Bill

Bill, I see that problem in the SS all the time, as well. One workaround I have for the still not showing up in the list after I save it - I just go to a different section of the menus (timeline, keyers, whatever) then back into the SS menu, and 99% of the time, the still has magically appeared in the list on the left. I also then reload it into whatever SS channel I want it in, and that appears to make everything ok.

Hmm... why don't they provide this information to us?

One way to help solve this problem that we found in the lab is to change directories, and then return to your original directory. Unfortunately, according to the software guys, when you change directories you should also perform a reset of the frame to clear the info from the old directory. According to them, in all pre-version 14 software releases, NEVER EVER use the CLEAR ALL function that's on the CACHE page...that's a sure way to confuse the still store & can help to provoke the disjointed operation between the BMP's of the thumbnails and the actual still store data & metadata within each file.

[quote="jwillis"]Sorry Bill, no I think that what you are seeing as inconsistencies in your still store are not unique to your operation. I spoke to a couple of people yesterday who are seeing the same things and I have been seeing them too. The problem seems to be a fairly basic one with the way still store references its contents and I hear that this is to be addressed in a very robust way by the next software release - V14. It feels like the use of thumbnails has made it much more obvious but is nothing to do with the cause. I'll see if we can get word from the testers. John[/quote] Thanks John

[quote="jwillis"]I'm not sure what the deal with the still store is at the moment. On the Effects send question it is also good to know that these outputs do not pass embedded audio - where all the others do. John[/quote] Does that mean that this is normal operation of the SS for Classic Kalypso? Or is it a problem I am having?? thanks Bill

[quote="Bob Ennis"]The SD Kalypsos have external Effects Send Outputs. These allow you to send keys out to either a DVEous or a Krystal, and then use the returned (DVE modified) signal as the keyer output (in addition to the DVE signal coming back into the switcher as its own input). The use of these outputs requires that you set up the appropriate send paths in the ENG SETUP menu - you will need to assign the external DVE as an effects-send target. Otherwise the 4 target boxes won't light up in the EFF SEND menu. However, you can "lie" to the system and set up false DVE channels (the system doesn't know the difference). I have used this technique in order to send key buses out to (and use the return path from) non-DVE devices, such as color correctors.[/quote] So if not using a DVE, I can obviously just send anything I want out these outputs. Played a little with them today. Looking for some unused outputs for ME pvw's. Currently there are none. :) That and I would like the 8 channels of SS on some monitoring as well.. Slightly off topic does the SS system not really work good? I grab and save stuff and sometimes it will show up as saved (with thumbnail and correct #). Other times it won't show up at all. Then there are times I go back 20 minutes later or the next day !, and these stills will either be gone or the one's that never showed up now are there. Very unreliable. I have tried hitting flie ops and cache menu's to have it re-read maybe. The stills always seem to be in the file ops list, but not on the thumbnail list, which I presume means I can't put it to air.. Fustrating for sure, is this normal, am on ver 12.1 I think. Bill

The SD Kalypsos have external Effects Send Outputs. These allow you to send keys out to either a DVEous or a Krystal, and then use the returned (DVE modified) signal as the keyer output (in addition to the DVE signal coming back into the switcher as its own input). The use of these outputs requires that you set up the appropriate send paths in the ENG SETUP menu - you will need to assign the external DVE as an effects-send target. Otherwise the 4 target boxes won't light up in the EFF SEND menu. However, you can "lie" to the system and set up false DVE channels (the system doesn't know the difference). I have used this technique in order to send key buses out to (and use the return path from) non-DVE devices, such as color correctors.