Use the following system management practices to ensure your Catalyst Media Server and Software function as designed:
1) Use the following System Preferences settings for your Media Server:
Energy Saver - Sleep
The computer, display and hard disk should be set to never go to sleep.
Energy Saver - Options
Set at the highest processor speed.
Desktop and Screensaver - Screen Saver
Set the screen saver to Never.
Dock -
Set the dock to Automatically Hide.
Software Update -
Switch gcheck for updates." Off
2) Some more reminders for Catalyst performance and stability:
Certain versions of Mac OS (10.3.x through 10.4.x, for example) don't operate reliably with monitors set to different refresh rates.
Ensure there is not a mix of refresh rates on the two Catalyst outputs after Catalyst is launched. You can confirm these values in the Catalyst control window. Changing display resolutions and refresh rates at the Mac OS X System Preference level before the Catalyst application is launched is the most effective method for maintaining system performance.
When Catalyst playback is set to 25 FPS, set all outputs to 75Hz. When Catalyst playback is set to 30 FPS, set all outputs to 60Hz.
Blackmagic desktop interferes with Catalyst graphics timing. Turn off video desktop in the Blackmagic DeckLink Preferences located in "System Preferences". Reboot to implement the change.
File sharing can be used but should be turned off when running shows, as it affects the performance of catalyst playback - intermittent and infrequent random crashes have been reported after file sharing has been enabled. File sharing also increases DMX latency so will affect the timing of DMX cues over Art-Net. File sharing is off by default; but, if ifile sharing has been turned on, disable it via the Sharing system preference.
3) "Zero" your content drive to optimize playback
Zeroing your content drive restores the drive to a digitally blank state, free from data and fragmentation. Some customers have reported improved Catalyst playback following the zeroing of the content drive. Warning! -- Zeroing is a process that destroyes any data files you have created, so proceed with caution. High End Systems is not responsible for any lost or deleted data files.
Before proceeding, copy all data on your content drive to a safe place that you can use to restore the data later.
To zero a content drive:
1. Launch Disk Utility from Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities.
2. Choose the technical description of the content drive on the left pane. 3. Click the Erase tab and the Options button that is active on the Erase tab. 4. Select Zero All Data. 5. Type the name of the drive (in lieu of "Untitled") and click OK.
The zero process can take up to an hour for a 140 GB hard disk. You may be prompted for a username and password following a zero process.
6. Copy your media files back to your Content drive after completing the zeroing process.
This page will be updated
if there is more information.
Visit http://forums.highend.com/ for ongoing discussions of this issue and other detailed discussions on tools and techniques used to create professional digital content for High End Systems Digital Lighting products.
Warning! -- Zeroing is a process that destroyes any data files you have created, so proceed with caution. High End Systems is not responsible for any lost or deleted data files.