ActionMedia II

@EFDC.ADF IBM ActionMedia (TM) II Display Adapter/A
@EFDC.ADF Intel DS2 Adapter same card / rename to @EFDC.ADF

191-189 PS/2 Actionmedia II Display Adapter/A 2MB, Capture Option
291-594 Actionmedia II Developer's Toolkit ver. 1.0
292-360 Actionmedia II Developer's Toolkit ver. 1.1
192-153 Actionmedia II Upgrade Kits (drivers only)


ActionMedia Evolution
ActionMedia/2 Error Codes
Configure ActionMedia/2 Under OS/2 with AM/2 Configuration Utility

Person To Person (P2P) Page
Person2Person for OS/2 * Possible Person 2 Person, ver 2.0? IMG format
DVI Technology Products by Douglas Dixon

Software
Documentation
ActionMedia II
   Delivery Card
     Setting Jumper E1 for Digital or Analog Keying
   Capture Card
     CS2 option standoff / spacers / support dimensions
     Install Capture Card
Removing the AVE Contacts
Further Thoughts on AVE Connector (Terminate unused RGB lines...)
Connectors and Cables
   Video Cable connector (HDD15)
     RGB Overlay Cable Attached (Analog Keying)
     Video Cable Pinout
   Auxiliary Video Output Connector (S-VHS / 4 pin DIN)
   Audio/Video Capture Cable 
     Audio/Video Capture Connector Pinout (Female socket on AM2)
     Capture Cable Mini-DIN Plug Pinout (Male plug on 8 Way Mini-DIN)
   69F9736 Complete The 8 way cable, S-VHS adapter, and two BNC to RCA adapters
Connecting The Video Capture Source
     Composite Video Format
     S-Video Format
     RGB Composite Sync Format
     RGB Sync On Green Format
Connecting The Audio Capture Source
   Audio Signal Cable
     ActionMedia/2 to M-ACPA Cable
Power Usage
Autoconfiguration Problems (Not present or disabled)
Intel DS2 and IBM AM2 ADF Oddities ("Disabled" in "Extended Memory Window")
False 10906x6 Error (Related to autoconfig issue!)
ADF Sections


Software

AM2DRV.EXE: v2.12 driver Win3.x, Indeo Video v2.12, YVU9 Video, PLV v2.0, AVS.
AM2SET.EXE: (v2.10). Setup and configuration
actmed2.exe Option disk from IBM
AM2DOC.PDF: Hardware installation guide for ISA cards under Windows
AM2SFTDC.PDF: AM2 Driver for Indeo Video Installation Guide for ISA /Windows
amiiprog.zip AM II Programmer's Guide and Ref for MCI programming in MMPM/2
   (source with library included)
VfW11e SDK and runtime for 3.1x, 95, NT (AM2 works under 3.1x only...)
AVSAVI.EXE: Windows program which converts some AVS into AVI files.
avsavi.txt Reame for AVSAVI.EXE
am2os21.exe 558 Kb OS2 driver v1.2 1/2
am2os22.exe 450 Kb OS2 driver v1.2 2/2 Media Control Driver for MMPM/2
am2wav.rar ActionMedia II Wave Audio Device Driver 1.10
am2win1.exe 271 Kb Windows driver v1.2, 1/2
am2win2.exe 463 Kb Windows driver v1.2, 2/2
DVision Cineworks

Total Movie Converter (AVI, MPG, WMV, MPEG and AVS, maybe...)


Documentation

Tech Notes

ActionMedia® II Resource List (archive)
Limitations of Using the ActionMedia® II in Windows 3.x (archive)
ActionMedia® II vs. Smart Video Recorder Pro Comparison (archive)
ActionMedia® II End Of Life Letter (archive)

Other

Capturing Digital Video Using DVI Multimedia and the i750 video processor (Dr. Dobbs)
   Capturing DigitalVideo Using DVI (HTML version of above)

Transport and Display Mechanisms For MM Conferencing Across Packet-Switched Nets
Multimedia Playout Synchronization Using Buffer Level Control

Intel DVI Multimedia Publications

Description Intel Doc
AM II Delivery Board Installation Guide for ISA Computers 468479-001
AM II Delivery Board Installation Guide for MC Computers 468478-001
AM II Software Installation Guide 468747-001
AM II Software Library Overview 468748-001
AM II Software Library Reference 468749-001
AM II DOS Media Preparation Utility Reference 468750-001
AM II Capture Module Installation Guide 468480-002
AM II RGB Overlay Cable Installation Guide 468481-002
Intel 82750PB Microcode Programming Guide 466718-001
PR0750 DVI 2" Binder/Slipcase 463665-003
Multimedia Applications 555130


ActionMedia II Adapter/A

Delivery Card FRU P/N 69F9733, P/N 69F9732

E1 Digital or Analog Keying
J1 60 Strip Pin Header
J2 20 Strip Pin Header
J3 HDD15 video connector
J4 S-Video Connector
J5 Audio/Video Capture Connector
J6 Audio Signal Output
U20 Intel 82750LV VRAM Gate Array
U21 Intel 82750PB Pixel Processor 25
U22 Analog Devices ADSP-2105
U23 Intel 82750DB Display Processor
U24 FPX10.0
U25 27C256-12 PLCC
U26 25.0000 MHz osc
U27 Intel 82750LA Audio Gate Array
U32 FPX16.9
U33 Analog Devices ADV476KP35E
U35 Intel 82750LH Host Gate Array

Intel 82750PB Microcode Programming Guide
i750 Video Processor Technical Specifications Oct90 82750PB and 82750DB
82750LA Keying and Audio Gate Array (KAGA) Technical Specifications
82750LH Host Interface Gate Array (HIGA) Technical Specifications
82750LV VRAM SCSI Capture Gate Array (VSCGA) Technical Specifications
ACM - The i750 Video Processor: A Total Multimedia Solution (original HERE)
ADSP-2105 DSP Microcomputer datasheet
ADV476KP35E CMOS 40 MHz 256x24 Color Palette RAM-DAC datasheet

Jumper Block E1

Analog Analog keying. Need RGB Overlay Cable
Digital Digital keying via AVE / BVE
   Note: Limited to 256 colors!

E1 is under installed Capture Board (CS2). Fiddly to move jumper after installing CS2 board. Recommend you set E1 before attaching CS2 board.

Analog vs Digital Keying

Keying Method Cable To Use Advantages/Disadvantages
Analog
(recommended)
RGB Overlay Cable Advantages: Greatest compatibility with graphics boards, higher resolution and better color depth of video image.
Disadvantages: Possible issues with DOS, third party software products used with AM2 boards.
Digital BVE to AVE Advantages: Programmable keying. Video board connects via BVE connector to AM2 in AVE connector
Disadvantages: Some high-performing graphics boards may not support digital keying.
Digital keying supports only 256 colors from the graphics board.

Removing the AVE Connectors
  While deep in the depths of a hand-to-keyboard struggle with Warp 3 and the ActionMedia/2, I faced a desperate conundrum. I wanted to use an ATI Graphics Ultra Pro, which is an AVE adapter, along with an ActionMedia/2, which is also an AVE adapter. Unlike BVE capable cards, AVE adapters MUST be placed in the AVE slot.

   Fortified with desperation and caffeine, I figured that the AM/2 was to be used with the three port video cable, 69F9737, which means that I'm dealing with analog, so the need for digital keying is moot. Note: If you don't have the overlay cable, do NOT whack the AVE connector, as you are stuck with digital keying over the AVE / BVE connectors.

   I took an AM/2 which had complained of a serious error, cut the connector off, and tested it with advanced diagnostics. It passed all tests. The problems that it reported earlier were gone. I then altered another AM/2 and placed it into Slot 1. Configured without a hitch and passed advanced diagnostics.

  I used a pair of diagonal cutters, parallel to the edgecard traces, and just snipped it off a little at a time. I cut the remaining "tooth" off, then used an X-Acto knife to whittle the ragged edge down. I didn't worry about shorting out any traces or pulling them up when I nipped and shaved my way to bliss. The green solder resist is TOUGH and it holds everything in place.

Further Contemplation on the AVE Connector
  After digging up my Video Capture Adapter/A and M-Motion Video Adapter/A, I actually read the stuff on termination of the R, G, and B lines to prevent image degradation. It is entirely possible that removing the AVE extension was unnecessary.

 A note from the VCA/A:
  "  If you don't have an RGB monitor with 75 ohm termination, place RCA Term plugs on 2, 3, and 4. If RGB outputs are not terminated, the Y/C and Comp Video outputs will distort image brightness"


Capture Card Also called the CS-2, FRU 69F9735, P/N 69F9734

J1 20-pin Header
J2 60-pin Header
U3 CS5338-KS (lower left corner)
U10 Motorola PC44010A
U15 Motorola XC44250FN
U11,16,18,19,21 Intel N85C220 PLD
U20 Motorola GSC38PG386CE02
U24 PLCC
U25-U28 NEC D42101G-3
U30-U33 NEC D42101G-3
X1 17.734455 MHz xtal (upper left of U10)
X2 14.3181 MHz xtal (upper left of U10)

CS5338-KS 16-Bit, Stereo A/D Converters for Digital Audio Datasheet

CS2, 1293 two solder pads for each xtal near the edge of the PCB but oddly enough, the xtal cases are NOT soldered to them. The cans can flex on the two leads... X2 leads run straight to their solder pads (not through holes), but X1's two leads are offset, doglegged, so X1 clears X2's case.

 The earlier CS2 used SMD crystals, but they changed over to the can format....

CS2, 1194 single lead soldered to the top of each xtal case, connecting the case to ground. The two xtal leads run directly to the through holes and the through holes and leads are correctly spaced.

CS2 option standoff / spacers / support dimensions:
Sometimes you scrounge up a CS2 board, and the little nylon PCB standoffs are gone. Unfortunately, there is no hard and fast rule for naming these puppies. I see them as supports, spacers, posts, and possibly spacers.

The AM2 and CS2 PCBs are .065" thick. The mounting hole IDs are @ .152" diameter. The distance between the AM2 and CS2 boards is 7/16" (.439").

Posts - Miniature
Model: 30353-N 

  Std mm
PCB thickness .065" (1.57)
Hole ID .150" (3.86)
Shaft diameter .185" (4.70)
Shaft length 7/16" (11.1)
Standoff OAL .724" (18.4)

This standoff was on a '94 production card. It was not as costly as a threaded nylon standoff.

Looks to take a #6 machine screw (#6 holes are @ .146"). A threaded nylon post and matching #6 nylon screws would work. Now to find the 7/16 (.439") spacer length...

Install Capture Card


       Single monitor configurations, operating in either VGA 640x480 non-interlaced or in XGA 1024x768 interlaced modes, are supported when the text and graphics information provided by the host PS/2 may be overlaid on the images provided by the AM2 display adapters.  In these configurations, the keying of the overlay is controlled by the output of the host graphics adapter, such that a zero (black) output results in the host information becoming transparent to the images provided by the AM2.

       A dual-monitor configuration is also supported, with one monitor used for the host's graphics adapter and a second monitor used for the images provided by the AM2, but that does not allow any host text or graphics overlay.

      The AM2 Capture Option (CS2) extends the AM2's capabilities to include capturing and digitization of audio and of analog video input signals (either NTSC or PAL), allowing such signals to be monitored on the PS/2 display screen, captured as still frames, or compressed in real time using the DVI Technology Real Time Video capability. 

MACHINE REQUIREMENTS:   The AM2 /A can be installed in PS/2 Models 8555, 8557, 8565, 8570, 8573*, 8580, 8590, 8595, and the 7546 Industrial Computers.  Use of the AM2 Audio Video Kernel requires a minimum of 4MB of system memory.  If additional OS/2 applications are required to run in the PS/2, then a minimum of 6MB of system memory is recommended.
* Models 161 and 401 only, and when configured for external display only.
Note: The AM2 Display requires a 16 or 32-bit AVE slot. 

Supported graphics adapter and monitor cabling configurations :
o PS/2 color monitor connected to AM2 and host VGA with AM2 Video Cable.
o PS/2 color monitor connected to AM2 and host XGA adapter with AM2 Video Cable
o PS/2 color monitor connected directly to AM2 and a second PS/2 monitor connected directly to the host VGA / XGA output connector. 

PROGRAMMING REQUIREMENTS:  IBM OS/2 Version 1.3 required for installation of Audio Video Kernel Version 1.0 device drivers.
       The MEDIAscript OS/2 Desktop Edition program product from Network Technology Corporation (NTC) is available from NTC for those customers who require an OS/2-based ActionMedia II application authoring and development environment. 

We have found a problem that causes a "Trap 8" (double protection exception) in the device driver "HWDDD$" which is part of ActionMedia II. The problem is caused by a configuration incompatibility with the 3270 connection card. The problem will typically be found when booting up OS/2 with both ActionMedia II, and the 3270 connection ver A card installed at interrupt level 9.

     The 3270 Connect ver A card has only one interrupt level - 9.  The ActionMedia II 2MB/A card has three interrupts, audio, video and capture.Video defaults to level 10, audio to level 10, and capture to level 11. Audio and capture can be set to level 10 or 11, and video to 9, 10, 11 or 12.


Connectors and Cables

ActionMedia/2 Video Cable
   This is FRU 69F9737, the three port cable.

Auxiliary Video Ouptut
   This is a standard S-VHS / S Video connector 20160430
   Is this an Input? ISA Installation manual thinks so...

Audio/Video Capture
   This is FRU 69F9736.

Audio Output
   Uses standard 3.5mm connector.


ActionMedia II Video Cable connector (Video Cable is FRU 69F9737)

The AM2 Video Cable connector (15-pin) enables the AM2 Display Adapter/A to take the video signals from a normal PS/2 VGA or XGA display adapter, combine it with AM2 video signals, and send the mixed video signal to a PS/2 display.

The presentation on the PS/2 display is developed from either:
  o VGA or XGA video signals,
  o ActionMedia II video signals, or
  o Mixed ActionMedia II and VGA or XGA video signals.
  The default is to pass VGA or XGA video signals to the PS/2 display. 

RGB Overlay System (Analog Keying)

Note: Ensure black and grey connectors are correctly connected. Any other cable connection may cause the adapter to malfunction and cause damage to its internal components. BLACK (short cable) end to AM2 and the (longer cable) end with GRAY connector to VGA (System board) or XGA adapter. The GREY connector has a pin hole blocked and will not fit on an XGA-2 adapter.

Note: You could use a 1/16 drill to open the XGA-2 Pin #9... But the 800x600 resolution is unsupported.

Video Cable Pinout FRU 69F9737

This may not be perfect.

Base (White)MonitorAMII (Black)
1AMII (15)1AMII (1)1Mon 1
2AMII (4)2AMII (2)2Mon 2
3AMII (12)3AMII (3)3Mon 3
4Mon 44Base 44Base 2
5NC5AMII (10)5Base 6-9,10
6AMII (5)6AMII (7)6Mon 7
7AMII (5)7AMII (7)7Mon 7
8AMII (5)8AMII (8)8Mon 8
9NC9NC9Base 14
10AMII (5)10AMII (10)10Mon 10
11Mon 1111Base 1111Base 13
12Mon 1212Base 1212Base 3
13AMII (11)13AMII (13)13Mon 13
14AMII (9)14AMII (14)14Mon 14
15AMII (15)15Base 1515Base 1

Note: The (White) Base Video HDD15 has Pin 9 missing, the (Black) AMII HDD15 has all pins present.


Auxiliary Video Output Connector

The Auxiliary Video Output Connector (4-way DIN) connects an AM2 Adapter to an S-VHS (also referred to as Y-C) video recorder or similar device.
Note: ISA Installation Manual refers to this as an Input connector. YMMV.

   Pin Signal       Pin Signal
    1  Y Video Gnd   3  Y Video Gnd
    2  C Video Gnd   4  C Video Out

S-VHS Capture Cable Female Connector Pinout

Pin Color Description
1 Red Y Gnd
2 Green C Gnd
3 Red Y Signal
4 Green C Signal
The Green cable is for "C" Chrominance
The Red cable is for "Y" Luminance

Audio/Video Capture Connector
      The Audio/Video Capture Connector FRU 69F9736 (8-way  DIN) is only required when the Capture Option is installed.  "Composite 1" refers to the red and green connectors of the 8 pin DIN.

Video source R G B Y
-Composite video 1 (VCR)
Yes
NC
NC
NC
Composite video 2
NC
Yes
NC
NC
SVHS (Y/C)
Y
C
NC
NC
RGB (sync-on-green)
R
G
B
NC
RGBS
R
G
B
S
R= Red, B=Blue, G= Green, Y= Yellow
69F9736 Complete

The BNC items at lower left are BNC to RCA adapters. They go on the Blue and Yellow.

S-VHS Cable




Connecting The Video Capture Source

Composite Video Format
Connect a Composite Video Adapter (if phono-to-BNC plug conversion is necessary) and the video device's cable to the red connector on the Capture Cable

To do audio capture, continue with the section, "Connecting The Audio Capture Source."

If you are not going to do audio capture, continue with the "Power On" section.

S-Video Format
1. Connect red and green connectors on Capture Cable to corresponding color-coded S-Video Adapter (Y=red, C=green) supplied with Capture Module, as shown in Figure 4-19.

2. Connect video device cable's 4-pin DIN connector to S-Video Adapter's 4-pin DIN connector..

To do audio capture, continue with the section, "Connecting The Audio Capture Source."
If you are not going to do audio capture, continue with the "Power On" section.

RGB Composite Sync Format
1. Connect red, green, blue, and sync connectors on Capture Cable (sync=yellow) to corresponding color-coded connectors on video device, as shown in Figure 4-20.

To do audio capture, continue with the section, "Connecting The Audio Capture Source."
If you are not going to do audio capture, continue with the "Power On" section.

RGB Sync On Green Format
1. Connect red, green, and blue connectors on Capture Cable to corresponding color-coded connectors on video device, as shown in Figure 4-21.

To do audio capture, continue with the section, "Connecting The Audio Capture Source."
If you are not going to do audio capture, continue with the "Power On" section.

Connecting The Audio Capture Source

This procedure describes how to connect the audio capture source to your computer.
1. Locate audio device cable.
2. Connect cable to audio device. Refer to manufacturer's instructions.
3. ID left- and right-output channels on device's cable. Refer to manufacturer's instructions.
4. Connect audio device's left- and right-channel phono ("RCA") connectors to Capture Cable connectors (black=left, white=right), as shown in Figure 4-22.
  Note: If you have a mono device, you may need to purchase a Y-adapter cable.



Capture Connector Female Receptacle Pinout

Pin Description Pin Description
1
Comp Sync In
5 Red Video In
2
Blue Video In
6 Green Video In
3
Left Audio In
7 Right Audio In
4
Video Ground
8 Audio Ground

Note: I swept a Capture Cable to confirm the Mini-DIN pinout. Pin 5 is all by itself, Pins 3 and 4 are close together. The IBM / Intel documentation is wrong. It will make much more sense when I rotate the connector 90 degrees clockwise and reverse the connector horizontally.

Capture Cable Mini-DIN Male Plug Pinout


Pin Color Description Pin Color Description
1 Yellow Sync 5 Black Audio Left
2 Blue Blue In 6 Green Green In
3 Red Red In/Comp 7 White Audio Right
4 N/A Video GND 8 N/A Audio GND

Note: I swept the pins, Pin 1 (Yellow) and Pin 2 (Blue) are correct (as of 16 Nov 2017). Any previous diagram of mine or IBM / Intel of the AM2 Mini-DIN 8 port may be wrong.

All BNC shells are connected to Video Ground (Pin 4)

The RCA plug shells for Audio Right and Left are connected to Pin 8.

Audio Source Device Levels:
High LINE level output of 6.0 Vp-p. max (audio CD interface).
Low LINE level output of 2.0 Vp-p. max (std LINE interface).
MIC output of 60 mVp-p. max. A preamp may be needed for CD players , VCRs, and mics.


Audio Signal output connector
      The Audio Signal output connector is a 3.5mm standard stereo jack output connector. An amplifier, or active speakers can be attached to the AM2. The input impedance of the headphones or speakers should be at least 600 Ohms to match the output impedance. Use of a lower impedance devices may cause a POST error and a reduction in audio quality. 

   If you are going to use sound, a stereo amplifier or self-amplified stereo device that can accept standard LINE-level audio output (0-2.0 Vp-p.) from the Delivery Board. The audio device must have an input impedance level of approximately 10K Ohms or greater.

   Headphones are generally low-impedance devices. To use headphones, plug them into an audio amplifier rather than directly into the Delivery Board socket. 

AM2 to ACPA Audio Cable


Errata: This is from a stock IBM illustration, however, it doesn't make much sense.

Some current thoughts... (the text in image is wrong!)

AM2 audio output to ACPA Line Input - this cable works.

ACPA Line Out to AM2 - use stereo mini-plug to two (2) RCA plugs, which then plug into the matching Black and White AM2 Capture cable audio jacks.


Power Usage
      When configuring a PS/2 System with AM2, it may be necessary to limit the utilization of the system expansion slots to avoid the possibility of overloading the 12 volt power supplies.
      If the AM2 is being installed with the AM2 Capture Option then, besides the slot for the AM2, it is necessary to have a  minimum of either:
           One empty expansion slot, or one slot occupied by a card not requiring +12 Vdc or -12 Vdc power. As a guide, it may be assumed that option cards providing networking or communication support are likely to require  +12Vdc or -12Vdc power. 

ActionMedia II Board Power Requirements

Voltage Delivery Board
(2 MBytes VRAM)
CaptureModule Total Power
+5 V 1200 mA 400 mA 8.0 W
+12 V 140 mA 190 mA 4.0 W
-12 V 60 mA 40 mA 1.2 W


Is anyone successfully using the ActionMedia II board to improve the performance of Video for Windows and as a capture device.  It looks to me from the Microsoft documentation that I will need INDEO drivers.  I have the MCI and other Windows drivers for AM2. 

Kevin Laux replied:
        The INDEO drivers are included with Video for Windows.  If you go into the control panel and run the drivers applet, you should see the INDEO driver. Click on setup which will bring up a dialog box that has two checkboxes, one that says Software only, the other says Hardware first, then Software.  If the second checkbox is grayed out, then there are several steps that you must take.

        First of all, you must have AM2MCI\BIN in your PATH.  Then you must have a particular microcode file in this directory that Video for Windows looks for in order to enable the hardware assist.  If you don't have the microcode file, which is KE080201.BIN (I think; maybe it's KE080205.BIN), you must get the files from Intel in Princeton, NJ (609-936-7611 is the Customer Support number - leave a message and they'll call you back).

        Once you have the appropriate key microcode file, run the drivers applet from the control panel.  Choose Add, then Add updated or unlisted driver.  Insert the Drivers diskette for Video for Windows and indicate what floppy drive to the Add driver dialog (such as A:\).  Next a list of drivers will be displayed.  Choose the INDEO driver.  You are reinstalling this driver.  If it has already been installed, you will be prompted whether to replace it or not.  Choose New.  The driver will be reinstalled.  You should then see a Message Box saying that the AM2MCI software has been detected and has been updated.  I think you should also see the dialog box I described above concerning the Hardware first, the Software.

        Once, this is complete, you'll be ready to play and capture AVI files with AM II hardware assist.  Note that you only get the assist on AVI files that are INDEO files.  Actually they are RTV 2.1 files in an AVI wrapper.

        Lastly, this stuff is NOT documented anywhere that I know of (well, it is now that I've done this post :-)). Oh, and finally, if you don't have the AM2MCI software, you can call Asymetrix and get into the Beta program - the latest release is Beta 3.  The phone number is 206-637-1660.

;   Has anyone been able to use the IBM/INTEL ActionMedia 2 card with a laser disc player? Specifically, I want to use my PS/2 DV M57 486SLC2 to operate a Pioneer LD-V4400 player. IBM's multimedia group in Atlanta says I can't do it ... that I would an M-motion card to do what I want. I'm not sure I believe them. Suggestions as to software which can do what I want are greatly appreciated.

George Mulford
   With an ActionMedia II you can control the videodisc player using the MCI drivers from Pioneer (bulletin board number recently posted here).  You can (alternatively) use the MCI drivers included in the most recent version of the M-Control program from IBM;  that's the only way to control a Pioneer 6000, as far as I know.  But the M-Control Program is and has always been a separate product from the M-Motion card...more's the pity, if you bought an M-Motion and wondered where the drivers were!

   You need the capture option on the ActionMediaII in order to do video overlay.  Now...maybe this is what Atlanta was saying:  there is no MCI support for the overlay capability of the ActionMediaII.  You have to link the AVK functions.  Here I get fuzzy:  there exists ToolBook code to do this, but it was only available in the "DVI ToolBook" that was in beta test for a bit and has now been withdrawn?  Have I got this right?  Is anybody bossing the ActionMediaII from ToolBook without using the (now black-market) beta DVI ToolBook?

Digital Video Arts has operating system support software for Windows 3.1 for the AM 2 card.  Called the NewWorld Operating Environment, it provides indeo acceleration, WAV driver support, digital video MCI device driver support, AVI and AVS file support and more.  Several utilities are included for capture and conversion of movies and still images.  Their phone number is (215) 586-7920.

>>We've purchased an IBM Action Media II board a while ago, and we've captured some videos in AVSS format with it. Now that MMPM/2 is available, it would be nice to play these videos without having the board installed. Since AVSS seems not to be supported directly by MMPM/2, the AVSS files probably need to be converted to AVI format. Does anybody know about a converter for doing that or has experience in using AVSS files with MMPM/2?

>AVSS files contain compressed video using either RTV or PLV proprietary Intel algorithms.  These data streams are rather computationally complex for realtime playback in software.  I understand Intel provides a utility that changes the file format to AVI format and converts the RTV or PLV data to Indeo 2.1. Since the AM2 had it's own audio formats, I've heard that audio can be problematic depending on how the original clip was created.

        Well, having done a few....you first of all need to capture using RTV 2.1, not 2.0. It will take the audio out of the AVS file, an save it as a Wave file, to be integrated with the AVI file. But this utility is SLOW! It runs at 1 frame per second...even on a DX2/66 M77 machine!

        There is another utility called "SPLICE". It did faster conversions...but again, it had to be RTV 2.1 captures. The New Version of Splice doesn't support AVS/DVI, so it is kinda useless.


Automatic configuration problem with ActionMedia/2
   After an Automatic Configuration, the drivers for the ActionMedia/2 will claim that the adapter is not present, or is not functional (No video).

   The current automatic configuration algorithm selects the adapter configuration address option that occupies the smallest amount of space in the "adapter ROM area." For OS/2 or Windows, this may not be adequate.  These address options are the same choices displayed during the manual "Change Configuration" function. This will select "NO SPACE USED (DISABLED)" for the ActionMedia/2 ROM space.

    Use the RefDisk (System Partition) "View Configuration, Change configuration" function, to manually configure the ActionMedia/2 ROM address to a other than 'DISABLED'.

Note: Neither the Intel DS2 or the IBM AM2 ADFs have any "Disabled"  for "POST Prom Address Range" / "Adapter Memory Location". My SWAG is that this really refers to IBM's "Extended Memory Window", which DOES have "Disabled". Intel's "VRAM Window Size and Starting Address" lacks any "Disabled".

Intel DS2 and IBM AM2 ADF Oddities
Perhaps one could have a easier install of an AM2 by editing the "IBM ActionMedia (TM) II Display Adapter/A" ADF. Either remove this line from "Extended Memory Window" entirely or comment it out with a ":"

Choice  "Disabled" POS[1]=XXXXXX1Xb   POS[0]=XXXX111Xb

Intel DS2 Adapter -- 12 July 1991
"VRAM Window Size and Starting Address" 8K, 32K, no "Disabled"

IBM ActionMedia (TM) II Display Adapter/A
"Extended Memory Window" 8K, 32K, "Disabled" exists

False 10906x6 Error

 Lorenzo Mollicone was in the AM2 mines, when he got error code "1090636"  a long beep, two short beeps, and OS/2 complained that the ActionMedia adapter was not found

109 - AM2
06 - 2-digit test category/subsystem code (FIFO Register test failed)
3 - Slot 3 (AVE connector) (9576 system)
6 - nature of failure or portion of test that failed

06x6 read EMS [0xffffc] (PAR0-PAR3) - FIFO Register test failed, indicating problem with memory access mechanism. Replace Delivery Board.

So he replaced the board. Blammo, 1090636 again... After he got the System Programs to run (had to hold a key down after cold boot to force System Programs to come up), he found out that the Extended Memory Window was disabled. If you read the Automatic Configuration Problem above, you will understand that the autoconfig chose to disable the Extended Memory Window, which IS needed by OS/2 and Windows...

Quote:
"The OS/2 and Windows drivers for this adapter require an 8K window to operate. Some other drivers may require a 32K window"

Can't read Extended Memory with no window... thanks, Captain Obvious! Now we have a no foolin' reason why you need to set the extended memory window...

Once Lorenzo set an Extended Memory Window in System Programs (he chose 32KB in size) the beeps and error code disappeared and he was able to play the demo under OS/2.

Solution: Do NOT allow the System Programs to auto configure an AM2. It just might set the Extended Memory Window to "Disabled" and you will spend an hour chasing a non-existent hardware problem!


AdapterID EFDC IBM ActionMedia II Display Adapter/A

Adapter I/O Addressing
   The AM2 occupies 64 bytes of I/O space, located on any available 1024 byte boundaries.
  <"I/O Addresses C000 - C03F" >, C400 - C43F, C800 - C83F, CC00 - CC3F, B000 - B03F, B400 - B43F, B800 - B83F, BC00 - BC3F

Extended Memory Window
  OS/2 and Windows drivers for the AM2 require an 8K window to operate. Some other drivers may require a 32K window
   <"8K  at Address C0000" (C000-C1FF)>, C2000, C4000, C6000,  C8000, CA000, CC000, CE000,  D0000, D2000, D4000, D6000, D8000, DA000, DC000, DE000, "32K  at Address C0000"  (C000-C7FF), D0000, D8000, Disabled

Note: Intel DS2 ADF "VRAM Window Size and Starting Address" lacks "Disabled". Remove the line Choice  "Disabled" POS[1]=XXXXXX1Xb   POS[0]=XXXX111Xb or use a ":" to remark the line out.

Capture Option Interrupt Level
    You can use interrupt 10 or 11 for the capture Even/Odd interrupts.
      <"Level 11">, Level 10

Video Interrupt Level
     You can use one interrupt from level 9 - 12 for Video interrupts.
     <"Level 10">, Level 11, Level  9, Level 12

Audio Interrupt Level
      You can use level 10 or 11 for Audio interrupts.
     <"Level 10">, Level 11

Adapter Memory Location
   An 8KB block is needed only when the POST prom runs.
        <"C0000-C1FFF">, C2000-C3FFF, C4000-C5FFF, C6000-C7FFF, C8000-C9FFF, CA000-CBFFF, CC000-CDFFF, CE000-CFFFF, D0000-D1FFF, D2000-D3FFF, D4000-D5FFF, D6000-D7FFF, D8000-D9FFF, DA000-DBFFF, DC000-DDFFF, DE000-DFFFF

Content created and/or collected by:
Louis F. Ohland, Peter H. Wendt, David L. Beem, William R. Walsh, Tatsuo Sunagawa, Tomáš Slavotínek, Jim Shorney, Tim N. Clarke, Kevin Bowling, and many others.

Ardent Tool of Capitalism is maintained by Tomáš Slavotínek.
Last update: 24 Mar 2024 - Changelog | About | Legal & Contact