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Multi-Channel Option

The Multi-Channel Solution

[Multi-Channel Option] The Multi-Channel Option (MCO) from Silicon Graphics is a flexible, cost-effective solution for multiple video outputs or channels. The MCO enables you to drive from two to six independent video outputs - all from a single RealityEngine, RealityEngine2 or VTX graphics pipeline - rather than purchasing multiple computer systems and integrating the outputs. The MCO consists of a single circuit card, associated cabling, system software, and an external breakout box. Ideally suited to support visual simulation, virtual reality, or interactive entertainment applications, the MCO allows you to configure the environment which best matches your hardware performance requirements to your budget.


Unprecedented Configuration Possibilities

The polygon and pixel processing capacity of the graphics pipelines can now be shared among multiple channels as never before. With the MCO installed, the standard monitor video is redirected to provide multiple outputs available for connection to monitors or other types of display devices at the breakout box. Up to six video outputs can be provided from a single graphics pipeline. Rack Onyx systems support up to three RealityEngine2 graphics pipelines, providing a total of 18 video outputs from a suitably configured system.

Independent views can be generated for each display, permitting contiguous genlocked panorama displays, or 2D data can be displayed in selected channels with 3D data in others. This is ideal for visual simulation or entertainment applications in which both out-the-window and heads-down displays must be generated simultaneously.


Reconfiguration Has Never Been Easier

The MCO gives you unparalleled flexibility for system reconfiguration. A large library of video output formats is included with the MCO system software, enabling you to customize applications to program requirements and available system resources. A standard system command is used to change system resolution, video format, or the number of channels by selecting a format combination from the existing format library. No hardware changes are required.


A Wide Range of Video Resolutions and Formats

Resolutions in the video output format library have been selected to support standard display devices as well as maximize use of the graphics hardware. Most formats are non-interlaced, although limited support is available for interlaced as well as field-sequential video. Two channels of VGA field-sequential video can be generated to support many new helmet-mounted displays for virtual reality and visual simulation. (See Table.)


Low Additive Transport Delay

Visual simulation and virtual reality applications require very low transport delays. Because the MCO is tightly incorporated into the graphics subsystem, less than one half millisecond is added to the total system delay.


Simplified Configuration, Adjustment and Calibration

Applications requiring sensitive customization can use a graphical user interface to change the video horizontal phase calibration, enable video pedestal, make monitor-specific gamma corrections, and enable or disable sync.


Technical Specifications

The table specifies available video formats for the MCO and identifies the RealityEngine raster manager configuration required to support various levels of antialiasing.

Multi-Channel Option                          Multi-Sampling Support

Video Output Format                               Raster Managers
Channels   Resolution   Timing                    1      2      4

   2        640x480     60Hz non-interlaced       M      L      L
   4        640x480     60Hz non-interlaced       S      M      L
   6        640x480     60Hz non-interlaced      n/a     S      M

   2        640x480     Field sequential RGB     n/a     L      L

   2        640x486     30Hz interlaced           M      L      L
   4        640x486     30Hz interlaced           S      M      L
   6        640x486     30Hz interlaced          n/a     S      M

   4        640x640     60Hz non-interlaced      n/a     S      M

   6        745x224     60Hz non-interlaced      
   4        720x544     60Hz non-interlaced      n/a     S      M
   3        800x600     60Hz non-interlaced      n/a     S      M
   4        960x620     60Hz non-interlaced      n/a     S      M

   2        960x680     60Hz non-interlaced      n/a     M     n/a

   3        960x680     60Hz non-interlaced      n/a     S      M
   3        850x850     60Hz non-interlaced      n/a     S      M
   2        1025x768    60Hz non-interlaced      n/a     S      M

   3        1025x768    60Hz non-interlaced      n/a    n/a     S

   2        1200x900    72Hz non-interlaced      n/a     S      M
   2        1280x1024   60Hz non-interlaced      n/a     S      M
   2        1280x1024   50Hz non-interlaced      n/a     S      M

   Key:

   S    supports small pixels for non-antialiased imagery
   M    supports medium pixels for 8 sub-sampled antialiasing
   L    supports large pixels for 16 sub-sampled antialiasing
  n/a   not supported

A combination format is also available which simultaneously supports one channel at 1280x1024 and two channels at 640x480, both 60Hz non-interlaced video. This format requires two Raster Managers for non-antialiased video and four Raster Managers for eight subsampled antialiasing.

System requirements

Outputs Per Channel


Loop through input


For more information please call:
U.S. 1(800) 800-7441
Europe (41) 22-798.75.25
North Pacific (81) 3-5420.71.10

South Pacific (61) 2-879.95.00
Latin America 1(415) 390.46.37
Canada 1(416) 625-4747

Silicon Surf World Wide Web Server
URL: http://www.sgi.com/

Corporate Office
2011 N. Shoreline Boulevard
Mountain View, CA 94043
(415) 960-1980

Copyright 1994 Silicon Graphics, Inc. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice. Silicon Graphics, IRIS, and the Silicon Graphics logo are registered trademarks, and RealityEngine, Reality Engine2, VTX, and Onyx are trademarks, of Silicon Graphics, Inc. All other products mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

MCO DS (10/94)

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Ian's SGI Depot: FOR SALE! SGI Systems, Parts, Spares and Upgrades

(check my current auctions!)
[WhatsNew] [P.I.] [Indigo] [Indy] [O2] [Indigo2] [Crimson] [Challenge] [Onyx] [Octane] [Origin] [Onyx2]
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