K-Manager Pro Application Software User Manual

FCC Compliance

In order to comply with FCC/CFR47: Part 15 regulations, it is necessary to use high-quality, triple-screened Media or Monitor cable assemblies with integrated ferrite suppression at both ends.

Patent Information

This product may be protected by one or more patents. For further information, please visit: http://www.grassvalley.com/patents

Copyright and Trademark Notice

Grass Valley®, GV® and the Grass Valley logo and/or any of the Grass Valley products listed in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks of GVBB Holdings SARL, Grass Valley USA, LLC, or one of its affiliates or subsidiaries. All other intellectual property rights are owned by GVBB Holdings SARL, Grass Valley USA, LLC, or one of its affiliates or subsidiaries. All third party intellectual property rights (including logos or icons) remain the property of their respective owners.

Copyright © 2021 - 2022 GVBB Holdings SARL and Grass Valley USA, LLC. All rights reserved. Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Terms and Conditions

Please read the following terms and conditions carefully. By using K-Manager Pro documentation, you agree to the following terms and conditions.

Grass Valley hereby grants permission and license to owners of K-Manager Pro to use their product manuals for their own internal business use. Manuals for Grass Valley products may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose unless specifically authorized in writing by Grass Valley.

A Grass Valley manual may have been revised to reflect changes made to the product during its manufacturing life. Thus, different versions of a manual may exist for any given product. Care should be taken to ensure that one obtains the proper manual version for a specific product serial number.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Grass Valley.

Warranty information is available from the Legal Terms and Conditions section of Grass Valley's website (www.grassvalley.com).

1 K-Manager Pro

1.1 Acknowledgements

"Microsoft® product screen shots reprinted with kind permission from the Microsoft Corporation™."

1.2 Before Starting

This User Instruction Manual will help you through each stage of the setup, configuration and operation. If you have any questions regarding the use and operation of your K-Watch software, please refer to the Service Support contact details listed at the rear of this manual.

Before you can use this Product

• Make sure that your Kahuna Mainframe is running V9.6r1 software or greater.
• You have to load Kahuna MSP software onto your PC to have access to K-Manager Pro. When Kahuna MSP is loaded correctly, K-Manager Pro will automatically be installed onto your PC and you will see a [K-Manager Pro Icon] icon in your PC's desktop.
• You will see the K-Manager Pro launch screen with a button for each of the four tools.

1.3 Minimum System Requirements

Processor: Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU J3355 @ 2.00GHz, 2001Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)

Installed Memory (RAM): 4.00 GB (3.85 GB usable)

System Type: 64-bit Operating System, x64-based processor

Operating system: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro

Graphics: Intel(R) HD Graphics

HDD: 64GB.

2 K-Watch

2.1 K-Watch Overview

K-Watch feature can be used in two modes:

1. In stand-alone mode where the PC converts stills, clips or audio files and stores them on an internal or external memory device.
2. With K-Manager Pro (licence purchase for Kahuna required), the PC converts the stills, clips or audio files and sends them to the Kahuna mainframe over a network.

K-Mirror feature requires a K-manager pro licence purchase.

K-Watch works by constantly looking at a “WATCH” folder on your PC. Any video or still files which are placed in that folder will automatically be converted to the Kahuna .SWS format and the required video standard (as set by the user). The converted files are placed into a “DESTINATION” folder.

The New Kahuna Watch software is faster than the original K-Watch software. All popular video, and still formats are supported.

Important Note: Newer files of same name placed in watch folder, will update previously converted file in destination folder or any existing files with the same file number will be overwritten, if newer!

With K-Manager Pro these files can be automatically uploaded to your mainframe via a network (mainframe option file licence required).

Multiple projects can also be synchronized across mainframes with the K-Mirror scan.

You can have several of these watch services running at the same time – each can have different conversion settings.

The .SWS files are sent to a project in a specified “Destination Folder” on the computer. If the computer is networked to a Kahuna mainframe, the .SWS files will be uploaded to a specified project on the Kahuna mainframe.

2.2 K-Watch Quick Setup

This is a basic step by step overview of how to setup and use K-Watch to convert .TGA files (video clip) into the Kahuna .SWS native format. Convert a .MOV file into a Kahuna .SWS file.

2.3 Step 1 - Setup K-Watch Menus

The first thing to do is to setup a “Watch” folder and a “Destination” folders on your PC. This is so that K-Watch can receive, convert and place converted files into a Destination folder. When done, double on the K-Watch icon.

Visual Description: The K-Watch software interface is shown. The user needs to click the "Add" button to open the "Add New Watch" menu. In this menu, the user names the watch, selects the "Watch Folder" using a browse button, and selects the "Destination Folder" using another browse button. The "Output Video" tab is visible, showing settings like Frame Size, Output Video Standard, Input Aspect Ratio, Position & Scale, and Interpolation.

Steps for Setup:

1. Click "Add" to open the Add New Watch menu.
2. Name the Watch so it can be identified in the Kahuna Watch table.
3. Click browse for the Watch Folder.
4. Click browse for the Destination Folder.
5. Select Output Video settings.
6. Select the type of Video Standard the files will be converted to.

2.4 Other Parameter Buttons

The K-Watch interface includes several buttons:

• ADD: Displays the "Edit Watch" menu to change parameter settings.
• EDIT: Allows modification of parameter settings like File Attributes or File Settings.
• PAUSE: Pauses the conversion process.
• RUN: Resumes the conversion process.
• REMOVE: Deletes a file from the K-Watch table.

Note: If the K-Watch user interface is closed, scheduled watch folders will continue running in the background as a service.

2.5 Step 2 - Naming the Incoming .TGA Files

2.5.1 Supported Formats

A list of supported media file formats can be found at FFmpeg - 2 Supported File Formats, Codecs or Features.

It is important to understand how to name .TGA files before placing them into the Watch folder. For more detailed information, read the “K-Watch File Naming Conventions" section of this manual.

When creating a sequence of .TGA files to create a .SWS clip, follow the naming conventions example:

• Name of the Clip: The name of the clip (e.g., "Clip1").
• 'A' Character: Indicates K-Watch to look for an Audio file.
• Number Sequence: The sequence of .TGA files (e.g., 0001.TGA, 0002.TGA).
• Total Frames: The total number of .TGA files in the clip equals the number of individual frames.

Important Note: The watch system scans file names from right to left. Be cautious with characters like “A”, “F”, or “K” as they might be misinterpreted by the software, potentially preventing .TGA files from converting to .SWS.

Note: If .TGA files have embedded Key data (alpha channel), the "Ignore Alpha /Key Data" function can be used to utilize this data for the key channel without explicit naming.

Visual Description: A diagram shows a sequence of .TGA files (e.g., Clip1A_6_0001.TGA to Clip1A_6_0006.TGA) representing 6 frames, with an accompanying .WAV audio file. This sequence converts to a single .SWS file labeled "Converted Clip".

Naming Convention Examples:

• For clips with Fill and Key data: Use "F" for Fill and "K" for Key (e.g., Clip1FA_4_0001.TGA).
• For clips with Audio: Use "A" for Audio (e.g., Audio1F_1_0001.WAV).

2.6 Step 3 - Naming the .MOV File

Naming a .MOV file is straightforward. The file name determines the clip name and the .SWS file number.

Example: Newsclip1.MOV converts to 1.SWS.

Audio, Fill, or Key information is embedded in the .MOV file. If a .MOV file is 2.5GB or larger, the resulting .SWS file may exceed 4GB and will be split into a .SWS folder.

Visual Description: A diagram shows an original .MOV clip (Newsclip1.mov) converting to a .SWS folder containing split files (e.g., 01_OF_04._XX). The .SWS folder is recognized as a clip by Kahuna.

Step 4 While K-Watch is Running

Place the .TGA or .MOV files into the “Watch Folder”. K-Watch will automatically start converting them to .SWS format. Converted files can be found in the “Destination” folder.

3 K-Watch File Naming Conventions

3.1 Creating Stills

For creating stills, the source file name must include the following fields:

• {Output File Number}
• {Optional 'F', 'K' or 'A' character for fill, key or audio}
• {Optional 'F', 'K' or 'A' character for fill, key or audio}

Note: A key channel is automatically created if the source file contains both fill and key data.

Examples:

• Ex 1: Still001.TGA converts to "1.SWS"; 10.TGA converts to "10.SWS".
• Ex 2: Still001F.BMP requires a "Still001K.BMP" key source file to create "1.SWS" with Fill + Key.
• Ex 3: Still001A.TGA requires a "Still001.WAV" audio source file to create "1.SWS" with Fill + Fill Audio.
• Ex 4: Still001FA.TGA requires "Still001K.TGA" (key source) and "Still001.WAV" (audio) to create "1.SWS" with Fill + Key + Fill Audio.

3.2 Creating Clips

For creating clips, the source file name must include:

• {Output File Number}
• {Optional 'F', 'K' or 'A' character for fill, key or audio}
• {Single Non-Numeric Character}
• {Maximum Number of Still/Audio files}
• {Single Non-Numeric Character}
• {Sequence/Audio group number}

Note: Audio group numbers correspond to channel pairs (1 for 1&2, 2 for 3&4, etc.).

Examples:

• Ex 1: Still1_3_0001.TGA, Still1_3_0002.TGA, Still1_3_0003.TGA convert to a 3-frame clip called "1.SWS".
• Ex 2: BMP files like Still2F_3_0001.BMP, Still2K_3_0001.BMP convert to a 3-frame clip "2.SWS" with Fill + Key data.
• Ex 3: BMP and WAV files like Still3FA_3_0001.BMP and Audio3F_1_0001.WAV convert to a 3-frame clip "3.SWS" with Fill + Key + Fill Audio data.
• Ex 4: BMP and WAV files like Still4FA_3_0001.BMP and Audio4F_1_0001.WAV convert to a 3-frame clip "4.SWS" with Fill + Key + Fill Audio data + Key audio data.

3.3 AVI Files

For AVI files, the naming convention is:

• {Output File Number}

Note: Audio data is added if the source file contains audio.

Example: 5.AVI converts to "5.SWS".

3.4 Naming the Clip

A 53-frame clip can be created using .TGA files (3840 x 2160) with embedded alpha channels and a .WAV file for audio.

Example .TGA: wipe1A_53_0001.TGA

Note: The 'A' character signifies that an "Audio" file is associated with the .TGA files.

Naming Convention Breakdown:

• Name of the Clip: Determines the .SWS file number.
• 'A' Character: Signals K-Watch to look for an Audio file.
• Total Number of TGA files: Equals the total number of individual Frames in the clip.
• Number Sequence: The sequential numbering of the .TGA files (e.g., 0001.TGA, 0002.TGA).

Important Note: When naming clips, avoid using multiple capital letters after the first character. If 'A', 'F', or 'K' are used incorrectly, the software may misinterpret the file content, preventing conversion to .SWS.

Example File List: A list shows files like wipe1A_53_0001.TGA, with dates, types, and sizes.

The audio file should be named similarly (e.g., audio1.WAV or 1.WAV) and placed in the "Watch" folder concurrently with the .TGA files.

Note: If .TGA files have embedded Key data (Alpha channel), un-checking "Ignore Alpha /Key Data" utilizes this data for the key channel.

3.4.1 Start K-Watch Running

After naming files, place all .TGA files into the "Watch" folder. The conversion process will start automatically.

3.4.2 Additional Information

This information is relevant if files lack Key (Alpha) data. For sequences with 50% "Fill" and 50% "Key" files, the naming convention should ensure an even number of Fill and Key files. For instance, increasing the .TGA files to 54 (e.g., wipe1FA_54_0001.TGA to wipe1FA_54_0027.TGA and wipe1K_54_0028.TGA to wipe1K_54_0054.TGA) with corresponding audio files (audio1F_1_0001.WAV or similar) is recommended.

4 K-Watch Menu Controls Explained

Double-click the K-Watch system tray icon to display the K-Watch table.

Visual Description: The K-Watch interface displays a table with configured watches, including Watch Name, Folder to Watch, Destination Folder, Created Date, and Modified Date. Buttons like ADD, EDIT, PAUSE, RUN, and REMOVE are present.

To set up a K-Watch process, click the {Add...} button to open the Add New Watch menu.

The Add New Watch menu is where all parameters for conversion are set:

• Watch Name: The name given to the individual Watch project, displayed in the K-Watch table.
• Watch Folder: The user selects the folder on the PC hard drive where incoming stills, clips, and audio files are placed.
• Destination Folder: The user selects the folder where converted files are placed.

4.1 Output Video Properties:

This section configures the output video settings:

• Frame Size: Options are 'Original' (no resizing) or 'Match Video Standard' (resizes to match the selected video standard).
• Output Video Standard: Selects the video standard for the .sws file (e.g., 1080i/59.94).
• Input Aspect Ratio: Defines how images are interpreted (4:3 or 16:9). 'Square Pixel' assumes square pixels and is ignored for HD.
• Position & Scale: Sets the position and scale relative to the Input Aspect Ratio. 'Full Width' adjusts width, 'Full Height' adjusts height.
• Interpolation: Selects the filter for resizing input images ('Best Quality' or 'Fastest').

4.2 File Settings:

These settings apply to all converted files:

• Exclude Audio: Allows only the video portion to pass.
• Ignore Alpha / Key Data: Used if Key (alpha) data is not required. Typically, this should remain unchecked as most files contain Key data.
• Playback Settings:
  • Auto Play: Clip plays automatically when loaded into Kahuna Store.
  • Loop Play: Clip plays continuously when loaded into Kahuna Store.
  • Override Play Rate: Adjusts the playback speed of the clip.
• Playback Mode:
  • Field: Switches playback to interlaced.
  • Frame: Switches playback to progressive.
  • Field 1 & 2 Only: Plays only interlaced frames 1 or 2.
  • Field Swap: Swaps Field 1 and Field 2 during playback.
• Split Large Files (FAT32): Splits files larger than 4GB into a .SWS folder for import into Kahuna. Necessary when importing via external USB devices.
• Delete Source After Conversion: Deletes the source file from the Watch Folder after conversion.

4.3 Direct Upload to Mainframe:

With a K-Manager Pro license, K-Watch can transfer converted files directly to a specific project on a mainframe. This is configured under "Mainframe Connection" settings.

The "browse" buttons allow selection of available Mainframes and Projects. Any files in the destination project with the same number will be overwritten.

After setup, click OK, select the new Watch in the table, and click the Run button.

5 K-Mirror

K-Mirror enables the following functionalities:

• Mirror projects: Synchronizes projects across mainframes based on the most recent files. It scans project directories, downloads latest files to a local PC folder, and uploads missing/updated files to mainframes, ensuring consistency. Deletions or updates are mirrored back.
• Clone projects: Synchronizes projects based on the primary mainframe's files. It scans the primary, downloads to a local PC folder, and uploads to other mainframes, keeping them in sync. Deleting a file on the primary also deletes it on others.
• Upload projects: Distributes projects from a local folder to multiple mainframes. Deletions on a mainframe trigger a re-sync.
• Mainframe backup: Performs a backup of a mainframe from a local folder on the PC, with restore options.

5.1 Setting up a Mirror or Backup service:

To configure a K-Mirror instance, click the {Add...} button from the K-Manager Pro menu.

Visual Description: The K-Mirror interface shows a table with projects, mainframes, type, folder, and schedule. Buttons for ADD, EDIT, PAUSE, RUN, REMOVE are available.

Type Selection: Choose the mirror instance type: 'Mirror', 'Upload', or 'Mainframe Backup'.

Schedule Selection: Choose the scheduling type: 'Continuous' (monitors for changes) or 'Manual' (pauses after synchronization).

Click the Add Mainframe button to add a mainframe.

Visual Description: The "Available Mainframes" window lists mainframes with IP addresses, network masks, serial numbers, and transfer license status. Options to OK, CANCEL, SET PRIMARY MAINFRAME, CLEAR PRIMARY MAINFRAME, and REMOVE MAINFRAME are present.

Note: Only one mainframe can be selected for Mainframe Backup. Use "Set Primary Mainframe" to enable cloning from a primary mainframe.

Visual Description: The "New Mirror" interface allows browsing for a Mirror Folder and Mirror Project. Project files can be selected individually or as "All Projects" (for Upload type).

Note: In Mirror Project settings, use the "browse" button to select a project. "All Projects" can be selected if the mirror instance type is Upload.

After selecting a project, tick the desired file types to mirror. Switcher States, User Configs, and Eng configs are unchecked by default.

Important Note: Click OK to start the configured mirror project. A Status GUI app will display the running projects' job status.

6 Clip Preview

The KMP Clip Previewer allows users to load, trim, convert, and upload a single media file directly to a Kahuna, using settings from an existing Watch (KMP license required for direct upload).

Visual Description: The Clip Previewer interface shows a "Preview Player" with transport controls (Play, Pause, Stop, Frame Advance), In/Out markers, a Convert button, a File Number input, and a "Select Watch" option.

Steps:

1. Browse PC to find Media File.
2. Use Transport controls.
3. Mark In-Frame.
4. Mark Out-Frame.
5. Select Convert.
6. Enter File Number.
7. Select Watch.

Note: The Clip Previewer uses existing Watch service settings but allows trimming and setting the final File Number. A running Watch service may be temporarily paused during this process and will resume afterward.

7 HDR 3D LUT Translator

This application translates HDR 3D LUT .cube files into the Kahuna .klf format for SDR-HDR and HDR-HDR conversions on Kahuna switchers (v9.6 onwards). A K-Manager Pro license is required for direct transfer of .klf files to a Kahuna switcher. HDR conversion also requires a FormatFusion4 license on the Kahuna mainframe. 3D LUT files must be obtained separately.

Clicking the HDR 3D LUT button opens the Translator tool.

Visual Description: The HDR 3D LUT Translator tool interface includes fields for Cube File Name, Kahuna LUT File Number, Kahuna LUT Name, Input format (SDR/HDR and color gamut), Output format, 3D LUT Type, and Mainframe IP. Buttons for Convert and Abort are present.

Field Explanations:

• Cube File Name: Path and name of the .cube file.
• Kahuna LUT File Number: The file number (0-999) for the Kahuna mainframe and the save location on the PC.
• Kahuna LUT Name: A descriptive name for the conversion displayed in the Kahuna menu.
• Input: Selects the input video format (SDR/HDR) and color gamut.
• Output: Selects the desired output format.
• 3D LUT Type: Selects the signal range (e.g., BBC Type III, BBC Type I).
• Mainframe IP: IP address of the Kahuna mainframe for direct transfer. Check "Transfer to Mainframe" to enable.

Click "Convert" after completing selections. The translation occurs, saving the file to the PC or uploading it to the Kahuna mainframe.

7.1 Using 3D LUT Conversions on a Kahuna

Available LUT files are shown in the HDR LUT folder (menu 1888).

7.1.1 System-Wide HDR / SDR conversion settings

3D LUT conversions for SDR to HDR or HDR to SDR can be applied system-wide via the main System Standard menu (menu 8731).

The main SDR or HDR system format is set in the HDR Format field.

For SDR to HDR conversion, set Use Fixed LUT to Yes and select the required LUT file.

For HDR to SDR conversion, set Use Fixed LUT to Yes and select the required LUT file.

7.1.2 Local Settings for HDR / SDR Input Conversions

Inputs or outputs can use LUT files independently of System settings. For Inputs, this is done via the Inputs, HDR menu (8768). Select the desired input and set it to Local control.

The Local Format settings and System HDR Format determine HDR conversion availability. Local HDR to HDR conversions are also supported.

7.1.3 Local Settings for HDR / SDR Output Conversions

Setting an Output to use a LUT file for conversion is done on menu 8778, similar to inputs.

8 K-Manager Pro Settings

K-Watch & K-Mirror can work with media files on local and network drives. Credentials may be required for network share access.

A dialog box appears on first launch to add "Network Share Credentials" for network access. You can skip this if only using local drives.

Visual Description: A "Configure Service Account" dialog box prompts for Username and Password for network shares. Below it, the K-Manager Pro main menu is shown with options like K-Watch, K-Mirror, Clip Preview, HDR 3D LUT, LOGGING, IP GATEWAYS, and NETWORK.

8.1 Syslog Server Logging

K-Watch can use an external Syslog server for diagnostic output, displaying log files for converted, mirrored files, or error messages.

Visual Description: The SysLog Server settings window allows entering an IP Address and IP Port. An example of a SysLog server output shows a list of converted files with timestamps, IP addresses, and messages.

8.2 IP Gateways

This section configures the system to see mainframes on different networks.

Visual Description: The IP Gateways window shows fields for Outgoing Gateway, Return Path Gateway, and Mainframe IP, with options to REMOVE IP NETWORK and ADD IP NETWORK.

8.3 K-Manager Pro Network

Control network adapters, IP port information, and reset connections. The Port Info button configures UDP port ranges.

Visual Description: The Network window displays MAC Address, IP Address, Netmask, Gateway, DHCP Server, and Primary adapter status. Buttons include PORT INFO, SET PRIMARY ADAPTER, CANCEL, and RESET CONNECTION. The Port Info window shows transfer, watch, and GUI ports, along with MSP UDP Fixed Ports.

9 Technical Information

K-Manager Pro requires specific network privileges. The MSP installer typically configures group policies. Key ports and communication protocols are:

• MSP fixed ports: 5987, 5988, 5990, 7600, 7628, 7629 (UDP communication between K360 mainframe and Kahuna Transfer Service).
• K-Manager Pro fixed ports: 43740, 43741, 43742, 43743 (TCP communication between Kahuna Watch GUI, Kahuna Watch Service, and Kahuna Transfer Service).

10 K-MP Status Display

To view the Status bar, open the status window using the Windows Quick-Launch icon in the Hidden Icons area on the Taskbar.

Visual Description: The K-Manager Pro Status window displays ongoing operations, such as "Transferring PRJ00072\STILLS\60.SWS" with a progress percentage.

Grass Valley Technical Support

For technical assistance, contact the international support center at 1-800-547-8949 (US and Canada) or +1 530 478 4148. For local phone numbers, consult the "Contact Us" section of the Grass Valley website (www.grassvalley.com). An online form for email contact is also available.

Corporate Head Office

Grass Valley
3499 Douglas-B.-Floreani
St-Laurent, Quebec, H4S 2C6
Canada
Telephone: +1 514 333 1772
Fax: +1 514 333 9828
www.grassvalley.com