Catalyst Manual - Cal Stage

CHAPTER 21
Multiple Servers
Synchronizing Multiple Servers
Synchronized playback allows two or more Media Servers to play media with accurate
frame-by-frame synchronization over an Ethernet network connection. This applies to
either simultaneous playback of the same media file on multiple servers, or to playback of
coordinated clips utilizing different media files.
Synchronizing only affects server playback rates, not the Layer’s content. Each layer
could be playing different movies; only their playback timing will be the same. To
duplicate a movie on different layers, use the Play Mode parameter’s use layer setting.
When synchronizing multiple servers, assign one layer of one server to provide the
“master” timing for the other servers. This master layer has a unique Sync ID value, a
number from 1 to 20. Other linked layers, on the same server or other servers, act as
“slaves”, taking their playback timings, or frame rate, from the designated master layer.
Synchronization occurs frame by frame, so each layer’s movie files may be different
lengths, sizes, and formats. If the master layer is playing the 50th frame of a movie, the
layers slaved to it will play the 50th frame of whatever movie file is selected on those
systems. The master may be assigned to any of the Play Mode parameters (Play Loop
Forward, Play Loop Reverse, etc.) available from DMX. When assigned to synchronize,
the slave system’s layer matches the master system’s layer playback frame number by
frame number.
If the master layer plays a frame number that does not exist in the slaved layer’s movie,
the slaved layer displays the last available frame of its movie. Therefore, if the master
layer’s movie is longer than the slaved layer’s movie, the slaved layer will effectively
freeze on its last frame until the master’s layer loops.
Both movies
beginning
frame
If the slaved layer’s movie is longer than the master layer’s total movie, the slaved layer
will loop at the same frame as the master’s layer, and the slaved layer will never reach the
end of its movie file.
Both movies
beginning
frame
Slave movie
ending
frame
Master
movie
ending
Master movie
ending frame
Slave movie
frames not
played
176 Catalyst® V3 Media Server User Manual