The following troubleshooting guide is organized by platform and product. It attempts to address our customers' most frequently asked questions and problems. If you don't see your product below, please contact Technical Support with your questions.
DQ-422+ and DQ-422 Diaquest Video Machine Control Hardware/Software
Animaq for PC Diaquest Video Machine Control Software
Animaq/Digital Diaquest Control Software for Digital Disk Recorders
DQ-Animaq Diaquest Video Machine Control Hardware & Software
Animaq for Macintosh Diaquest Video Machine Control Software
Animaq/Digital Diaquest Control Software for Digital Disk Recorders
Problem: Initializing with SONY422.COM from DOS gives me an ERROR 8: "Video sync signal not connected properly. Please Check." error message.
Problem: Initializing with SONY422.COM from DOS gives me an ERROR 6: "Connect Sony VTR and/or initialize VTR." error message.
Problem: Running the Animaq/PC program from Windows gives me an ""Error Opening COM Port" or "Check Copy Block" message.
Problem: Running the Animaq/PC program from Windows gives me an ERROR 6: "ERROR check VTR & cable", "Video Machine ERROR=6" or "ERR6 CABLE or CONNECT VTR" error message.
Problem: Running the Animaq/PC program from Windows gives me a "Display board initialization ERROR" error message.
Problem: When using QuickPass inside the Animaq/PC program, frames are recorded to tape or captured from tape inaccurately. For recording, this results in frames repeated and/or missing on the finished tape. For capturing, captured frames are repeated, skipped or otherwise out of order.
Problem: QuickPass does not run on my system.
Rule number one for a Diaquest hardware product is that a proper composite sync or stable composite video signal must be connected to the Diaquest board's Ref Sync In. If this signal is not present, the Diaquest software will give an ERROR 8; also, without a proper sync reference, there is no hope that Diaquest will perform frame accurately. This ERROR 8 is one of the most common problems encountered with a Diaquest hardware product.
+ What is physically connected to the Diaquest Ref Sync In?
By far the most common source of the ERROR 8 problem is that nothing is physically connected to the Diaquest sync input!
On the DQ-422+, the Ref Sync In is the center BNC connector on the board itself; on the DQ-422, the Ref Sync In is a BNC cable connected to the board's top 15-pin connector.
+ Re-seat both ends of the cable leading from the sync source to the Diaquest Ref Sync In.
+ Try temporarily connecting a different signal to the Ref Sync In.
For example, if you are using a house sync generator to sync the Diaquest, try using a Diaquest sync output, a Frame Buffer sync output or a VTR video output instead.
+ Re-seat the Diaquest board in the computer. Try to move it to a different PC slot, if possible.
+ If you are using sync or composite video out of a Frame Buffer (e.g. the Targa+ or ATVista) to sync the Diaquest, make certain the Frame Buffer is in a proper NTSC or PAL interlaced output mode.
The SONY422 program will give an ERROR 6 when it does not find a VTR present on one of its two VTR control ports. Normally, SONY422 should check both Diaquest control ports, and should automatically configure itself to whichever port which is actually connected to a VTR.
However, for various reasons, sometimes the software must be specifically configured to use a particular control port.
+ Do you have a proper cable connected between one of the two Diaquest 9-pin VTR control ports and the Remote port of your VTR?
A proper cable is one manufactured by Diaquest, Sony, Panasonic, JVC or some other reputable video manufacturer. If you make the control cable yourself, it must conform to accepted RS-422 video machine control standards, including using suitable twisted pair wire with proper shielding.
For Diaquest-supported RS-232 controlled devices, please be certain that you have the appropriate proprietary Diaquest adapter cable.
+ Is the VTR turned ON?!
+ Re-seat both ends of the cable leading from the VTR Remote port to the Diaquest control port.
+ Are you using Diaquest control Port 1 (the bottom port, or the one closer to the PC mother board) or control Port 2 (the top port, or the one farther from the PC mother board)?
Use the COPYCOM PORT1 or COPYCOM PORT2 commands, followed by the COPYCOM INIT command to force SONY422 to use the desired control port.
+ Try using the OTHER Diaquest control port. If one port works but not the other, contact Diaquest Technical Support with this information.
+ Are you going through a RS-422 router, switcher or patch bay?
If so, try connecting the VTR to the Diaquest board DIRECTLY, bypassing any router, switcher or patch bay.
+ Re-seat the Diaquest board in the computer. Try to move it to a different PC slot, if possible.
+ Can you control the VTR through its same Remote port from any other controller device?
+ Can you control another VTR through the same Diaquest port and cable?
This error indicates that there is an inconsistency between Diaquest hardware settings, Windows Ports settings and Animaq/PC settings. When Animaq/PC is launched, it first checks to see which Windows COM Port was previously selected under Preferences inside the program (the first time default is COM3:). Then, it looks at the Windows Ports Control Panel to find the Base I/O location set for that COM Port.
Finally, it attempts to actually connect to the board through that COM Port. If Animaq/PC does not find a Diaquest board at the configured COM Port Base I/O location, it will give either the message "Error Opening COM Port" or "Check Copy Block". You must make certain that the physical Base I/O setting on the Diaquest board precisely matches the settings in the Ports Control Panel, and that Animaq/PC is properly configured to point to that Windows COM Port.
+ What is the physical Base I/O setting of the Diaquest board?
On the DQ-422+, two jumpers select one of four Base I/O locations. Check the positions of these jumpers. On the DQ-422, the Base I/O is fixed at the Diaquest factory, and is normally set to 0x3e8 (check the documentation which came with the QuickPass Upgrade).
+ How many physical COM ports are present in your PC?
You can use MSD or some other diagnostic program to find out. (Note that the Diaquest board usually appears as a COM port to these programs.) Most users have two physical COM ports, assigned as COM1: and COM2:.
+ Configure the Diaquest board as the lowest available COM port.
For example, if you have two physical COM ports in your PC, use COM3: for the Diaquest board.
+ Do not use a COM port for Diaquest which is already being used by another hardware device such as a Modem.
+ Check the settings in the Windows Ports Control Panel for the COM port selected for Diaquest use.
Make certain that Flow Control is set to None. Make certain that the Base I/O Port Address under the Advanced settings matches the Base I/O set physically on the Diaquest board.
+ Inside Animaq/PC, check the Windows COM Port setting under the Preferences menu. This should match the COM port you already configured for Diaquest in the Ports Control Panel.
ERROR 6 is one of the most common problems for Animaq/PC users, and there are three common sources of this problem:
+ Exit Windows and run the Diaquest SONY422.COM program from DOS.
If this program also gives you an ERROR 6, see the section above on troubleshooting an ERROR 6 from DOS before proceeding further.
+ For Diaquest-supported RS-422 controlled devices, please be certain that you have an appropriate RS-422 VTR control cable.
Be certain to run the Animaq-PC 422 program instead of the Animaq-PC SONY 232 program.
+ For Diaquest-supported RS-232 controlled devices, please be certain that you have the appropriate proprietary Diaquest adapter cable.
Be certain to run the Animaq-PC SONY 232 program instead of the Animaq-PC 422 program.
+ Are you using Diaquest control Port 1 (the bottom port, or the one closer to the PC mother board) or control Port 2 (the top port, or the one farther from the PC mother board)?
Make certain that you set the DIAQUEST Port item (in Preferences) for both the RECORDER and CAPTURE VTR.
Unlike SONY422 from DOS, Animaq/PC does not automatically configure itself to the appropriate Diaquest VTR control port: this is the responsibility of the user. Once set, the configuration is remembered as a preference (the first time default is to use Diaquest Port 1 for both recording and capturing).
+ What IRQ are you using for the Diaquest board?
On the DQ-422+, a jumper selects one of four IRQ settings (three on older boards). Check the position of this jumper. On the DQ-422, the IRQ is fixed at the Diaquest factory, and is normally set to IRQ3 (check the documentation which came with the QuickPass Upgrade).
One cause of an ERROR 6 in Animaq/PC is an IRQ conflict with some other device in the PC. If an IRQ conflict is causing your problem, you should NOT get an ERROR 6 using SONY422 from DOS!
If you do have an IRQ conflict, you must either move Diaquest to use an alternate IRQ (DQ-422+ only) or move the other device.
Once common sign of an IRQ conflict: when you press the PLAY button inside Animaq, the VTR goes into Play mode but Animaq still gives an ERROR 6.
+ Check the IRQ setting in the Windows Ports Control Panel Advanced settings for the selected Diaquest COM port. Does this match what is physically set on the Diaquest board?
This error indicates that Animaq/PC is having trouble finding or properly initializing the video input/output board (or frame buffer). Usually, this is due to improper frame buffer software setup under Windows.
+ Do you have a video frame buffer supported by Animaq/PC?
+ Have you installed all the software which came with that frame buffer from the manufacturer?
+ Many frame buffers use a Memory Segment Address, which is usually configured in a device driver in CONFIG.SYS (e.g. TARGAP.SYS for the Targa+) or in a separate frame buffer setup utility (e.g. PROINIT for the Illuminator Pro).
Make certain the Memory Segment Address used by the frame buffer is properly excluded in BOTH your Expanded Memory Manager program (usually configured in CONFIG.SYS) and the Windows SYSTEM.INI file.
For these frame buffers, there should be an EMMExclude=xxxx-yyyy line in the [386Enh] section of SYSTEM.INI, where xxxx-yyyy is the Memory Segment Address range taken by the frame buffer.
+ The ATVista requires separate initialization before entering Animaq/PC.
Make certain that you can successfully run the Diaquest DQVINIT program from DOS or Windows before launching Animaq.
+ Diaquest does not support running Windows on the frame buffer screen.
You must use a separate screen (usually a VGA screen) for Windows.
DQ-422+ and DQ-422
This problem is almost always caused by an improper sync hook-up: the Diaquest board is not "in sync" with the video board which is not "in sync" with the video recording or playback device. When this happens, Diaquest sends commands to the VTR or frame buffer at the wrong times, causing missed frames. Another occasional cause is bad, missing or discontinuous time code on the tape, or improper VTR time code switch settings.
+ Check your system wiring! Although this may be tedious or daunting, it is most often the cause of the problem.
What is connected to the Diaquest Ref Sync In? What is connected to the frame buffer input (and which input if the frame buffer has multiple inputs)? What is connected to the VTR Reference Video Input? If you are using an Encoder, Decoder or Transcoder, what is connected to its sync input?
You should have one "master" source of sync, and all other devices throughout the system should be locked (genlocked) to it.
The Diaquest manual contains many common wiring configurations in Appendix B.
+ Are you wired through a video "patch bay"?
If so, check that things are still patched properly, particularly the input to the frame buffer (which can often change depending on the job).
+ Re-seat all sync wires.
+ If you are using Diaquest or "house" sync, make certain that frame buffer genlock is turned ON.
If the frame buffer has multiple inputs, make certain the frame buffer is configured to look at the appropriate input for genlock. This is most often done with software which came with the frame buffer. See the frame buffer manual for details.
+ Check to be certain there is time code on the tape, and that the VTR itself can properly read that time code.
One good way to check this: put the VTR in local control mode; cue the tape up until the front panel display reads at least a minute away from zero; eject the tape; turn the VTR off, then back on; load the tape back in; press Play. If the tape has time code and the VTR is reading it, the front panel display should jump back to the old numbers: it should not count up from zero.
+ With the VTR in local control mode and in Play, does the front panel time code display count up smoothly or does it "stick" occasionally on a number?
Sticking indicates a problem with the time code.
+ Check your VTR switch settings. They should match the settings specified in Appendix A of the Diaquest manual.
QuickPass is an OPTION for the Diaquest board, and must be separately purchased. QuickPass is enabled by:
i) a hardware ROM on the Diaquest board;
ii) a Diaquest hardware Security Block on your PC parallel port; and
iii) a setting inside Animaq. If QuickPass is turned on inside Animaq, it will automatically be used whenever it can be.
+ Is the QuickPass Security Block properly installed on a parallel port?
+ Is Use QuickPass checked ON under the Preferences pull-down menu in Animaq? (If Use QuickPass is grayed out, check the Security Block.)
+ How many files are in the sequence you are recording or capturing?
If the sequence is not long enough, QuickPass will not be able to perform multiple edits or captures per pass. Although the number of files where QuickPass "kicks in" will vary greatly from system to system and animation to animation, a "typical" number might be 30 files for recording and 45 files for capturing.
Problem: Initializing with SONY422.COM from DOS gives me an ERROR 6: "Connect Sony VTR and/or initialize VTR." message.
Problem: Running the Animaq/PC program from Windows gives me an "Error Opening COM Port" or "Check Copy Block" message.
Problem: Running the Animaq/PC program from Windows gives me an ERROR 6: "ERROR check VTR & cable", "Video Machine ERROR=6" or "ERR6 CABLE or CONNECT VTR" message.
Problem: Running the Animaq/PC program from Windows gives me a "Display board initialization ERROR" message.
Problem: QuickPass does not run on my system.
The SONY422 program will give an ERROR 6 when it does not find a Diaquest-supported VTR present on the specified serial COM port. SONY422 will check COM2: unless specifically directed to look at a different COM port. See the Animaq manual for additional details and configuration options.
+ Do you have a proper Diaquest Animaq/PC cable connected between one of your serial COM ports and the Remote port of your VTR?
If you are using a 9-25 pin adapter, is it the one provided by Diaquest?
A proper cable is one manufactured by Diaquest.; a proper adapter is one provided by Diaquest. Do not attempt to make your own Animaq/PC cables.
+ Is the VTR turned ON and in 9-pin remote control mode?!
+ Re-seat both ends of the cable leading from the COM port to the VTR control port.
+ Which PC serial COM port are you using? Are you directing SONY422 to look at the proper COM port number? Have you ever used this COM port before? Can you successfully use this COM port with any other device?
+ Try using another serial COM port to control the VTR.
+ Are you going through a RS-422 router, switcher or patch bay?
If so, try connecting the VTR to the Diaquest board DIRECTLY, bypassing any router, switcher or patch bay.
+ Are you using any RS-422 extension cables?
If so, try connecting directly to the VTR using only the Diaquest provided cable.
+ Can you control the VTR through its same Remote port from any other controller device?
+ Can you control another VTR through the same COM port and Diaquest cable?
This error indicates that either i) you do not have your Diaquest Security Block properly installed on a parallel port; or ii) there is an inconsistency between your COM port hardware settings, Windows Ports settings and Animaq/PC settings.
When Animaq/PC is launched, it first checks to find its Security Block on a parallel port. Then it checks to see which Windows COM Port was previously selected under Preferences inside the program (the first time default is COM2:). Next, it looks at the Windows Ports Control Panel to find the Base I/O location set for that COM Port.
Finally, it attempts to actually connect to the VTR through that COM Port. If Animaq/PC does not find a physical COM port at the configured Windows COM Port Base I/O location, it will give either the message "Error Opening COM Port" or "Check Copy Block". You must make certain that the Base I/O setting on the serial COM port precisely matches the settings in the Ports Control Panel, and that Animaq/PC is properly configured to point to that Windows COM Port.
+ Check that the Animaq/PC Security Block is properly connected to a PC parallel port. Re-seat the Block on the port.
+ If additional parallel port Blocks are attached, try running with the Diaquest Block closest to the parallel port.
Also try temporarily removing the other Blocks.
If an external parallel port device (e.g. a printer) is attached to the port, try turning it ON.
+ What is the physical Base I/O setting of the selected COM port?
This may be set physically with jumpers on the serial port board, or set in the ROM BIOS setup for your PC. Check your PC documentation.
+ Check the settings in the Windows Ports Control Panel for the COM port selected for Diaquest use.
Make certain that Flow Control is set to None. Make certain that the Base I/O Port Address in Advanced settings matches the Base I/O set physically on the COM port.
+ Inside Animaq/PC, check the Windows COM Port setting in the Preferences menu.
This should match the COM port number you already configured for Diaquest in the Ports Control Panel.
+ Exit Windows and run the Diaquest SONY422.COM program from DOS.
If this program also gives you an ERROR 6, see the section above on troubleshooting an ERROR 6 from DOS before proceeding further.
+ For Diaquest-supported RS-422 controlled devices, please be certain that you the appropriate Diaquest Animaq/PC VTR control cable.
+ One cause of an ERROR 6 in Animaq/PC is an IRQ conflict with some other device in the PC. If an IRQ conflict is causing your problem, you should NOT get an ERROR 6 using SONY422 from DOS!
If you do have an IRQ conflict, you must either change your COM port to use an alternate IRQ or change the other conflicting device.
One common sign of an IRQ conflict: when you press the PLAY button inside Animaq, the VTR goes into Play mode but Animaq still gives an ERROR 6.
+ Check the IRQ setting in the Windows Ports Control Panel Advanced settings for the selected Diaquest COM port.
Does the IRQ set here match what is set on the serial COM board? Check your PC documentation to find out how to set the IRQ on your selected COM port.
Other Animaq Issues
This error indicates that Animaq/PC is having trouble finding or properly initializing the video input/output board (or frame buffer). Usually, this is due to improper frame buffer software setup under Windows.
+ Do you have a video frame buffer supported by Animaq/PC?
+ Have you installed all the software which came with that frame buffer from the manufacturer?
+ Many frame buffers use a Memory Segment Address, which is usually configured in a device driver in CONFIG.SYS (e.g. TARGAP.SYS for the Targa+) or in a separate frame buffer setup utility (e.g. PROINIT for the Illuminator Pro).
Make certain the Memory Segment Address used by the frame buffer is properly excluded in BOTH your Expanded Memory Manager program (usually configured in CONFIG.SYS) and the Windows SYSTEM.INI file.
For these frame buffers, there should be an EMMExclude=xxxx-yyyy line in the [386Enh] section of SYSTEM.INI, where xxxx-yyyy is the Memory Segment Address range taken by the frame buffer.
+ The ATVista requires separate initialization before entering Animaq/PC.
Make certain that you can successfully run the Diaquest DQVINIT program from DOS or Windows before launching Animaq.
+ Diaquest does not support running Windows on the frame buffer screen. You must use a separate screen (usually a VGA screen) for Windows.
QuickPass is an OPTION for Animaq for PC, and must be separately purchased. QuickPass is enabled by i) a special Diaquest software Key; and ii) a setting inside Animaq. If QuickPass is turned on inside Animaq, it will automatically be used whenever it can be.
+ Do you have the QuickPass option?
If so, you will have been provided on purchase with a special QuickPass software Key. Once you have unlocked the QuickPass option as per instructions, you should be able to use QuickPass.
+ Is the QuickPass Security Block properly installed on a parallel port?
+ Is Use QuickPass checked ON under the Preferences pull-down menu in Animaq? (If Use QuickPass is grayed out, check the Security Block and your software Key.)
+ How many files are in the sequence you are recording or capturing?
If the sequence is not long enough, QuickPass will not be able to perform multiple edits or captures per pass. Although the number of files where QuickPass "kicks in" will vary greatly from system to system and animation to animation, a "typical" number might be 30 files for recording and 45 files for capturing.
+ QuickPass is currently supported when using the Targa+ and Targa2000 frame buffers.
Other frame buffers may be supported in the future. QuickPass will only be enabled when using a supported frame buffer.
Animaq/Digital is enabled by proper installation of the Diaquest Security Block on a PC parallel port. If Animaq does not see this Block, it will give the above error message (or Ethernet will be unavailable).
+ Check that the Animaq/Digital Security Block is properly connected to a PC parallel port. Re-seat the Block on the port.
+ If additional parallel port Blocks are attached, try running with the Diaquest Block closest to the parallel port. Also try temporarily removing the other Blocks.
If an external parallel port device (e.g. a printer) is attached to the port, try turning it ON.
+ Inside Animaq, check the Configuration setting in the Preferences menu. This should be set to "Use Ethernet".
Animaq relies on a working Windows Ethernet connection between the PC and the DDR. This in turn relies on a properly installed Windows Ethernet environment, which includes the file WINSOCK.DLL.
+ Is the file WINSOCK.DLL installed in the WINDOWS directory? WINSOCK.DLL should come with your networking package.
+ Check your Windows Ethernet network installation. Re-install if necessary.
+ Can you use your Ethernet network under Windows with any other device on the network?
A WINSOCK error is one of the most common error messages in Animaq/Digital. There are many types of WINSOCK errors, but they all mean that you do not have a working Ethernet connection under Windows between the DDR and the PC.
Common causes of this problem include improper network cable connections, improper Windows software configuration and improper DDR configuration.
+ Is the DDR turned on and physically connected to Ethernet?
Reset both the DDR and the PC and see if you still get the error.
+ Is another user logged on to the DDR? Many DDRs do not allow more than one user to be logged in via Ethernet at a time.
If you try to connect to the DDR when another user is on, the DDR will be busy and Windows will give the above error. Check with other users and have them disconnect, or reset the DDR to force disconnection.
+ Is Ethernet control on the DDR enabled?
Most DDRs require software setup to enable Ethernet control. Most also have multiple Ethernet ports. Make certain Ethernet control is turned ON and that the DDR is configured to use the correct Ethernet port.
+ Check for appropriate DDR and PC IP addresses. Improperly set IP addresses are one of the most common causes of the above problem.
The IP address of the DDR is set locally on the DDR itself. The IP address of the PC is set in the PC setup software. The DDR and PC must be on the same network.
To grossly oversimplify, try to make sure that the first three groups of numbers of the DDR and PC IP address are exactly the same, and the last numbers are different and non-zero. See the Animaq/Digital manual for more information on appropriate IP addressing.
+ Check the settings in the Digital Disk Recorder Settings box in Preferences:Configuration. Are you typing in the IP address exactly as set locally on the DDR?
+ Are you using a Host name instead of an IP address for the DDR?
If so, try using the explicit IP address of the DDR instead.
+ Are you using a subnet mask, router or network patch bay?
If so, check with your network administrator to make certain things are configured properly. Try a direct connection between the PC and DDR without going through any routing devices.
+ Check for proper physical Ethernet cable connections and termination. Re-seat all network cables.
If you are using thin BNC coaxial connections, make certain you have a 50-ohm terminator on both ends of the network.
+ Check for appropriate DDR software or firmware versions.
A list of appropriate DDR versions is given in Appendix A of the Animaq manual, along with important settings unique to each DDR. Contact the DDR manufacturer if you need an update.
+ Use a network utility such as PING or telnet to make a connection to the DDR under Windows.
If these utilities cannot make a connection, Diaquest will not either.
Other Animaq/Digital Issues
Slow Ethernet image transfers are usually due to a busy or clogged Ethernet network. The solutions are to wait for a less busy time period, to implement a sub-network or to physically isolate your subsystem from the rest of the network. Slow low level network drivers can also cause slow transfers.
+ Is another user logged on to the same DDR?
Some DDRs allow this, but at a great speed penalty to both users.
+ Is another DDR being used on the same network?
This can greatly slow network transfers for one or both users.
+ Are there many active users on the network?
The greater the general network traffic, the slower your file transfers.
+ Check your board-specific network drivers. Are you using 16-bit NDIS or ODI drivers?
If so, check with your network software provider and try to get faster 32-bit NDIS3 drivers for your network board.
+ Try setting up a sub-network to reduce network traffic. Consult your network administrator.
Problem: Launching the Animaq program gives me an ANIMAQ error 8: "Video sync signal not connected properly. Please Check." error message.
Problem: Launching the Animaq program gives me an ANIMAQ error 6: "Connect Sony VTR and/or initialize VTR." error message.
Problem: When booting the Mac, there is a red "X" through the Diaquest INIT icon.
Problem: Video captures inside Animaq crash, or captured and saved files are black.
Problem: QuickPass does not run on my system.
Problem: When using QuickPass inside Animaq, frames are recorded to tape or captured from tape inaccurately. For recording, this results in frames repeated and/or missing on the finished tape.
Rule number one for a Diaquest hardware product is that a proper composite sync or stable composite video signal must be connected to the Diaquest board's Ref Sync In.
If this signal is not present, the Diaquest software will give an ERROR 8; also, without a proper sync reference, there is no hope that Diaquest will perform frame accurately. This error is one of the most common problems encountered with a Diaquest hardware product.
+ What is physically connected to the Diaquest Ref Sync In?
By far the most common source of the ERROR 8 problem is that nothing is physically connected to the Diaquest sync input!
On the newer DQ-Animaq boards (marked Rev 2, the Ref Sync In is the BNC connector on the board itself; on older DQ-Animaq boards, the Ref Sync In is a BNC cable labeled "Ref Sync In" which is one of the cables on the proprietary Diaquest multi-connector cable.
+ Re-seat both ends of the cable leading from the sync source to the Diaquest Ref Sync In.
When using an older DQ-Animaq board and cable, make certain to re-seat the 62-pin cable on the DQ-Animaq board (with the Mac power off).
+ Try temporarily connecting a different signal to the Ref Sync In.
For example, if you are using a house sync generator to sync the Diaquest, try using a Diaquest sync output, a Frame Buffer sync output or a VTR video output instead.
+ Re-seat the Diaquest board in the computer. Try to move it to a different Mac slot, if possible.
+ If you are using sync or composite video out of a Frame Buffer (e.g. the NuVista+ or VideoVision) to sync the Diaquest, make certain the Frame Buffer is in a proper NTSC or PAL interlaced output mode.
Animaq will give an ERROR 6 when it does not find a supported VTR present on one of its VTR control ports. Most DQ-Animaq boards have a single serial VTR control port; however, some DQ-Animaq boards have up to 2 serial and one parallel control ports.
Use the Diaquest Setup Control Panel to configure which port(s) and which VTR(s) Animaq should use for control.
+ Do you have a proper Diaquest cable physically connected between the DQ-Animaq and the Remote port of your VTR?
A proper cable is one manufactured by Diaquest. DQ-Animaq cables are proprietary, and should not be made or modified by the user.
For Diaquest-supported RS-232 controlled devices, please be certain that you also have the appropriate proprietary Diaquest adapter cable.
+ Is the VTR turned ON?!
+ Re-seat both ends of the cable leading from the VTR Remote port to the DQ-Animaq.
+ Check the Diaquest Setup Control Panel.
Do you have the appropriate Machine (VTR) and Control (Diaquest port) selected?
+ Re-boot the Mac and check for the Diaquest INIT icon.
It should come up normally, and should not have a red "X" through it.
+ Are you going through a RS-422 router, switcher or patch bay?
If so, try connecting the VTR to the Diaquest board DIRECTLY, bypassing any router, switcher or patch bay.
+ Re-seat the Diaquest board in the computer. Try to move it to a different Mac slot, if possible.
+ Can you control the VTR through its same Remote port from any other controller device?
+ Can you control another VTR through the same Diaquest port and cable?
The Diaquest INIT icon is a small picture of a VTR. Normally, it appears when the Mac boots. The Mac should pause for a second or two when it gets to the VTR icon, then the icon should sprout a Diaquest logo.
If there is a red "X" through the VTR INIT icon, this means that the Diaquest software is not talking properly to the Diaquest board.
+ Check your Control Panels folder inside the System folder.
You must have one and only one version of Diaquest Setup installed.
+ Select Diaquest Setup and do a Get Info on it.
If you are on a PowerMac, make certain you have Diaquest Setup 2.1.7 or above. If you are on a Quadra, make certain you have Diaquest Setup 2.0 or above. If you have older versions, get a software update.
+ Re-seat the DQ-Animaq board in the Mac. When the board is out, check it to make certain you have no bent NuBus pins. Try to use a different slot, if possible.
+ Although quite rare, hardware or software conflicts can occur.
Use an INIT Manager to disable all unnecessary software INITs. Pull out all other boards. Now re-boot. Do you still get the red "X"?
Other DQ-Animaq Issues
Animaq does not directly do video capture, your video frame buffer does the video capture: Animaq just makes certain the captures are done frame accurately. Therefore, Animaq relies on a properly configured and connected video frame buffer.
+ Check that all your video frame buffer software is properly installed.
Most frame buffers come with a utility program which enables video capture. Make certain the frame buffer can capture by itself before trying to use it with Diaquest and a VTR.
+ Check Set video screens... in the Utilities menu inside Animaq.
Make certain the Digitizing screen is properly set to use your frame buffer card (or its VDIG software).
+ Check your system wiring!
Make certain your video source is actually connected to the frame buffer input. If the frame buffer has multiple inputs, make certain that the proper one is selected for capture: this may be selected in Source under Video Settings for frame buffers that use a VDIG (e.g. VideoVision), or it may need to be selected in a separate frame buffer configuration utility (e.g. VIDI/O for the NuVista+).
Other DQ-Animaq Issues
ProPac with QuickPass is an OPTION for the Diaquest board, and must be separately purchased. QuickPass is enabled by:
+ Is the ProPac QuickPass Security Block properly installed on an ADB port (between mouse and keyboard, keyboard and computer or on a separate port)?
+ Check the Preferences item in the File menu inside Animaq.
Does the Use QuickPass checkbox appear? (If not, check your ProPac Security Block.) Is the Use QuickPass checkbox checked ON?
+ How many files are in the sequence you are recording or capturing?
If the sequence is not long enough, QuickPass will not be able to perform multiple edits or captures per pass. The number of files where QuickPass "kicks in" will vary greatly from system to system and animation to animation. A "typical" number might be at least 30 files for recording and 45 files for capturing; but this will vary greatly.
Other DQ-Animaq Issues
This problem is almost always caused by an improper sync hook-up: the Diaquest board is not "in sync" with the video board which is not "in sync" with the video recording or playback device.
When this happens, Diaquest sends commands to the VTR or frame buffer at the wrong times, causing missed frames. Another occasional cause is bad, missing or discontinuous time code on the tape, or improper VTR time code switch settings.
+ Check your system wiring!
Although this may be tedious or daunting, it is most often the cause of the problem.
What is connected to the Diaquest Ref Sync In? What is connected to the frame buffer input (and which input if the frame buffer has multiple inputs)? What is connected to the VTR Reference Video Input? If you are using an Encoder, Decoder or Transcoder, what is connected to its sync input?
You should have one "master" source of sync, and all other devices throughout the system should be locked (genlocked) to it.
The Diaquest manual contains many common wiring configurations in Appendix B.
+ Are you wired through a video "patch bay"?
If so, check that things are still patched properly, particularly the input to the frame buffer (which can often change depending on the job).
+ Re-seat all sync wires.
+ If you are using Diaquest or "house" sync, make certain that frame buffer genlock is turned ON.
If the frame buffer has multiple inputs, make certain the frame buffer is configured to look at the appropriate input for genlock. This is most often done with software which came with the frame buffer. See the frame buffer manual for details.
+ Check to be certain there is time code on the tape, and that the VTR itself can properly read that time code.
One good way to check this: put the VTR in local control mode; cue the tape up until the front panel display reads at least a minute away from zero; eject the tape; turn the VTR off, then back on; load the tape back in; press Play.
If the tape has time code and the VTR is reading it, the front panel display should jump back to the old numbers: it should not count up from zero.
+ With the VTR in local control mode and in Play, does the front panel time code display count up smoothly or does it "stick" occasionally on a number? Sticking indicates a problem with the time code.
+ Check your VTR switch settings. They should match the settings specified in Appendix A of the Diaquest manual.
Problem: When launching Animaq, I get a message to "Make sure the video device is turned on and connected to the modem (or printer) port".
Problem: When attempting to record or digitize, I get a message that "the video deck and video card are not synced to each other".
Problem: Video captures inside Animaq crash, or captured and saved files are black.
Problem: The Modem and/or Printer port Setup options for a Recorder are grayed out.
The Animaq software cannot communicate to the video recorder or player on the selected Macintosh serial port. This is usually either due to a physical connection problem, or improper configuration inside Animaq.
+ Do you have a proper Diaquest serial control cable connected between a Macintosh serial port and the 9-pin Remote port of the VTR?
Re-seat this cable at both the computer and VTR ends.
+ Is the VTR turned ON and set to 9-pin remote control mode?
+ Which Mac serial port are you connected to: the Modem port or the Printer port?
Check in the Settings menu for the selected Recorder device and make certain you have configured it for the appropriate Mac control port.
Make certain you have selected a properly configured Recorder as the currently controlled Recorder (using the three red Recorder select buttons).
+ If you are using the Printer port, make certain to turn AppleTalk OFF in the Chooser.
+ Try using the other Mac serial port.
+ Try controlling another 9-pin VTR if possible.
This is one of the most common Animaq problems. As the message says, the VTR and the video card (or frame buffer) are not synchronized together. When this happens, it is impossible for Diaquest to do any frame accurate recording or capturing. If the Diaquest software senses this condition, it will prevent the user from recording or capturing and issue the above error message.
Although this may be tedious or daunting, it is most often the cause of the problem.
If you are using an external ("house") sync source, make certain that both the VTR Reference Video Input and the frame buffer Genlock input are connected to your house black burst. Make certain frame buffer genlock is turned ON.
If you are using the frame buffer output to lock the VTR for recording, make certain a frame buffer Composite Video Output is fed to the VTR Reference Video Input.
+ Check your video card (frame buffer) output. Make certain the frame buffer is in a interlaced NTSC or PAL video output mode.
+ Check Set Screens... in the Setup pull-down menu.
Make certain that both the Recording and Digitizing screens are set properly to your video frame buffer. Generally, these two items should both be set to use the same screen.
+ Check that all your video frame buffer software is properly installed.
Most frame buffers come with a utility program which enables video capture. Make certain the frame buffer can capture by itself before trying to use it with Diaquest and a VTR.
+ Check Set Screens... in the Setup menu inside Animaq.
Make certain the Digitizing screen is properly set to use your frame buffer card (or its VDIG software).
+ Check your system wiring!
Make certain your video source is actually connected to the frame buffer input. If the frame buffer has multiple inputs, make certain that the proper one is selected for capture: this may be selected in Source under Video Settings for frame buffers that use a VDIG (e.g. VideoVision), or it may need to be selected in a separate frame buffer configuration utility (e.g. VIDI/O for the NuVista+).
Animaq is configured to use the Modem and/or Printer port by a combination of proper installation of the Animaq hardware Security Block and appropriate software settings.
+ Is the Animaq for Macintosh Security Block properly installed on any Mac ADB port.
+ Check the Setup configuration ports for all other Recorders in Animaq.
You cannot double assign a Port which has already been configured for another Recorder. If it is already in use by another Recorder inside Animaq, a Mac serial port will be grayed out.
Problem: When trying to connect to the DDR via Ethernet, I get a "TCP connection could not be opened" error message.
Problem: When trying to connect to the DDR via SCSI, Animaq does not see the DDR.
Problem: Ethernet image transfers to/from the DDR are very slow.
Problem: The Ethernet and/or SCSI Setup options for a Recorder are grayed out.
This is one of the most common error messages in Animaq/Digital. You must have a working Ethernet connection in effect between the Mac and the DDR.
Common causes of this problem include improper network cable connections, improper Mac software configuration and improper DDR configuration.
+ Is the DDR turned on and physically connected to Ethernet?
+ Is another user logged on to the DDR?
Many DDRs do not allow more than one user to be logged in via Ethernet at a time. If you try to connect to the DDR when another user is on, the DDR will be busy and the Mac will give the above error.
Check with other users and have them disconnect, or reset the DDR to force disconnection.
+ Is Ethernet control on the DDR enabled?
Most DDRs require software setup to enable Ethernet control. Most also have multiple Ethernet ports. Make certain Ethernet control is turned ON and that the DDR is configured to use the correct Ethernet port.
+ Check for appropriate DDR and Mac IP addresses.
Improperly set IP addresses are one of the most common causes of the above problem.
The IP address of the DDR is set locally on the DDR. The IP address of the Mac is set in the MacTCP (or TCP/IP for System 7.5.2 and above) Control Panel. The DDR and Mac must be on the same network.
To grossly oversimplify, try to make sure that the first three numbers of the DDR and Mac IP address are exactly the same, and the last numbers are different and non-zero. See the Animaq/Digital manual for more information on appropriate IP addressing.
+ Check the settings in the Connect to: box for the selected Recorder in Animaq's Setup menu.
Are you typing in the IP address exactly as set locally on the DDR?
+ Are you using a Host name instead of an IP address for the DDR?
If so, try using the explicit IP address of the DDR instead. The Host name file can sometimes become corrupted or inactive.
+ Are you using a subnet mask, router or network patch bay?
If so, check with your network administrator to make certain things are configured properly. Try a direct connection between the Mac and DDR without going through any routing devices.
+ Check for proper physical Ethernet cable connections and termination.
Re-seat all network cables. If you are using thin BNC coaxial connections, make certain you have a 50-ohm terminator on both ends of the network.
+ Check for appropriate DDR software or firmware versions.
A list of appropriate DDR versions is given in Appendix A of the Animaq manual, along with important settings unique to each DDR. Contact the DDR manufacturer if you need an update.
+ Use a network utility such as MacTCP PING or telnet to make a connection to the DDR.
If utilities such as these cannot make a connection, Animaq will not be able to either.
You must have a working SCSI connection in effect between the Mac and the DDR. Common causes of this problem include improper SCSI cable connections or termination, SCSI ID conflicts or improper DDR configuration.
+ Is the DDR turned on and physically connected to the Mac via SCSI?
+ Is SCSI control on the DDR enabled?
Most DDRs require software setup to enable SCSI control.
+ Are there other devices on the same SCSI port, and does the Mac see them?
+ Do you have a SCSI ID conflict?
Check the SCSI IDs of all other devices sharing the SCSI port. Make certain the SCSI ID of the DDR is different.
+ Re-seat the SCSI cable connections. Try a different SCSI cable.
+ Check for proper SCSI termination, either with a physical terminator or a switch on the DDR.
+ If you have a SCSI connection through one or more other external devices, try a direct connection to the DDR only.
+ Does SCSI Probe (or some other SCSI utility) see the DDR?
Slow Ethernet image transfers are usually due to a busy or clogged Ethernet network. The solutions are to wait for a less busy time period, to implement a sub-network or to physically isolate your subsystem from the rest of the network.
+ Is another user logged on to the same DDR?
Some DDRs allow this, but at a great speed penalty to both users.
+ Is another DDR being used on the same network?
This can greatly slow network transfers for one or both users.
+ Are other users logged on to the same network?
The greater the general network traffic, the slower your file transfers.
+ Try setting up a sub-network to reduce network traffic. Consult your network administrator.
Proper installation of the Animaq/Digital hardware Security Block will enable the Ethernet radio button inside the Connect to: window. The SCSI radio button will also be enabled by the Security Block. Animaq/Digital for Accom users will need to purchase the SCSI Control option for SCSI control.
+ Check that the Animaq/Digital Security Block is properly installed on any Mac ADB port.
+ ANIMAQ/DIGITAL FOR ACCOM ONLY:
If you have Animaq/Digital for Accom, SCSI Control is an OPTION. If you do not have this option, the SCSI radio button will be grayed out. If you do have this option, your Animaq Security Block will have both "Accom" and "SCSI" on its label.
Other Animaq/Digital Questions
For more information, answers to questions not listed above, or help with specific problems not listed above, please contact Diaquest Technical Support directly:
by phone 510 547 4544, 8:30-5:30 PST Monday-Friday,
fax 510 654 8370 or e-mail support@diaquest.com.
Always provide your name, company name and return contact information, your Diaquest product name and serial number and a precise and clear statement of your question or problem, along with a complete description of your videographics system.