Avid Configuration Guidelines
HP Z420 Six-Core CPU Workstation
Media Composer 6.x Symphony 6.x NewsCutter 10.x and later
Page 1 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
1.) HP Z420 AVID Qualified System Specification:
Z420 / AVID Qualified Operating System:
Microsoft® Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Edition with Service Pack 1
Microsoft® Windows 8 Professional / Enterprise 64-bit Edition
Microsoft® Windows 8.1 Professional / Enterprise 64-bit Edition
Z420 Hardware Configuration
Supported CPU
Supported new Gen V2 CPU
Single Intel® 6-Core Xeon® E5-1650 V2 Processor @ 3.5GHz 12MB cache / 1866MHz memory
Supported original Gen CPU
Single Intel® 6-Core Xeon® E5-1650 Processor @ 3.2GHz 12MB cache / 1600MHz memory
Important Note regarding ISIS Connectivity based on CPU / processor generation:
-
-
-
The Z420 has 1 embedded NIC port 82579LM.
If your Z420 is configured with the new generation V2 3.5GHz CPU then the embedded 82579LM NIC port can be used for ISIS 5000 / 7000 connectivity.
If your Z420 is configured with the original generation 3.2GHz CPU then the embedded 82579LM NIC port cannot be used for ISIS 5000 / 7000 connectivity.
-
This is covered in more detail in the Embedded NIC / ISIS Connectivity section of this document.
Supported Video Card
- NVIDIA Quadro 2000 1GB PCI-e video board
- NVIDIA K2000 2GB PCI-e video board
System Disk Drive - 1TB (minimum recommended) SATA-II 3Gb/s 7200RPM
Standard AVID memory configuration: 8GB (4 x 2GB) DDR3 1866 or 1600 ECC memory
–
Gen V2 CPU uses 1866MHz memory, original Gen CPU uses 1600MHz memory
(Requires four 2GB DIMMs, DIMM sizes cannot be mixed sizes )
2GB memory modules must be installed in the following memory slots:
CPU0-DIMM1, CPU0-DIMM3, CPU0-DIMM6, CPU0-DIMM8
Optional 16GB memory configuration:
Optional AVID memory configuration: 16GB (8 x 2GB) DDR3 1866 or 1600 ECC memory
–
Gen V2 CPU uses 1866MHz memory, original Gen CPU uses 1600MHz memory
(Requires eight 2GB DIMMs, DIMM sizes cannot be mixed sizes )
2GB memory modules must be installed in the following memory slots:
CPU0-DIMM1, CPU0-DIMM2, CPU0-DIMM3, CPU0-DIMM4
CPU0-DIMM5, CPU0-DIMM6, CPU0-DIMM7, CPU0-DIMM8
Memory configuration constraints
-
Memory configurations which use “unbalanced” memory configuration are not recommended or formally supported in AVID environments. Memory configurations which mix and match memory module sizes and locations will result in a poor performing, non-optimal operating environment.
Page 2 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
2.) Qualified Operating Systems, Avid Client Editing Applications, Hardware and Shared-Storage support for the HP Z420:
Media Composer / Symphony 5.5.x , NewsCutter 9.5.x or later
Microsoft® Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Edition with SP1 (SP1 required)
Media Composer / Symphony 7.x , NewsCutter 11.x or later
Microsoft® Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Edition with SP1 (SP1 required)
Microsoft® Windows 8.x Professional / Enterprise 64-bit Edition
-
Not Supported
– Any version of Microsoft® Windows XP or Vista
-
Not Supported - Microsoft® Windows 7
– any 32-bit version, or Home or Ultimate
Note regarding Service packs:
As of this writing Service Pack 1 is the current Service Pack release for Win7 and is required for Avid software.
As future Service Packs are released Avid will evaluate and announce formal support when testing is completed.
3.) Qualified O.S., Hardware and shared storage supported:
Qualified / Supported
Nitris DX / Mojo DX
3 rd
Party Qualified Hardware
Unity ISIS 1Gb Ethernet Client
Unity ISIS Hi-res (10 Gbit) client
Qualified Operating System
1394 Adrenaline DNA
1394 Mojo-SDI DNA
1394 Mojo-Analog DNA
Yes
See release notes and Avid website for information regarding supported 3
N/A Not Supported
N/A Not Supported
rd hardware (vendor qualified)
ISIS 5000 / 7000 V4.0
ISIS 5000 / 7000 V4.0
party
Win 7 Pro 64-bit with SP1
Win 8 64bit Pro or 64-bit Enterprise
N/A Not Supported
Page 3 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
AVID qualified HBA
Avid HIB, DX Interface HBA
**
Vendor qualified 3 rd
party hardware interface requiring:
x4 PCI-E or lesser interface
Intel PRO 1000 PT
Intel i350-T2
– Dual Gb NIC
Intel PRO 1000 PF - ISIS
Myricom
10G-PCIE-8B-S
Atto R680
LSI 9200-8e SAS controller
Vendor qualified 3 rd
party hardware interface requiring:
x8 PCI-E or greater interface
AVID qualified HBA info
AVID Part Number
Active: 7030-30048-02
Active: 7030-30048-01
Active: 7030-20084-01
Passive: 7030-30021-01
Slot
Location
#3
Not stocked by AVID #3
Function
Avid DX Hardware Interface HBA
7030-20139-01
Not stocked by AVID
Not stocked by AVID
7030-30041-01
Not stocked by AVID
7030-30036-01
Not stocked by AVID
#4
#4
#4
#4
#5
#5
#4 or #5
Vendor qualified 3 rd
party hardware interface.
See release notes and Avid website for information regarding supported 3 rd
party hardware
Shared Storage: Unity ISIS Copper Gb-Ethernet
Dual Gb ISIS Connectivity. Required only with original generation processor or if a dual 1Gb ISIS connection is required.
If your Z420 has the new generation V2 CPU, and only a single 1Gb connection is needed for ISIS then the embedded
82579LM NIC can be used and this HBA is not required.
Shared Storage: Unity ISIS Copper Gb-Ethernet
Dual Gb ISIS Connectivity. Required only with original generation processor or if a dual 1Gb ISIS connection is required.
If your Z420 has the new generation V2 CPU, and only a single 1Gb connection is needed for ISIS then the embedded
82579LM NIC can be used and this HBA is not required.
Shared Storage: Unity ISIS Optical Gb-Ethernet
Shared Storage: Unity ISIS 10Gb-Ethernet for
Hi-Res client
(ISIS 5000 / 7000)
Local SAS Storage Support
–
Avid VideoRAID ST (5-bay)
Xtore StudioRAID 5Ti (5-bay)
Local SAS Storage Support
–
Xtore StudioRAID 16Re (16-bay) chassis
Xtore StudioRAID 5Te (5-bay) chassis
Vendor qualified 3 rd
party hardware interface.
See release notes and Avid website for information regarding supported 3 rd
party hardware
Page 4 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
**
Avid DX Interface HBA Support Note: (See reference pictures on page 7 of this guide ).
All 4 versions of the DX interface HBA are supported on the Z420 with Media Composer / Symphony and NewsCutter
1) Active DX interface HBA 7030-30048-02
2) Active DX interface HBA 7030-30048-01
3) Active DX interface HBA 7030-20084-01
4) Passive DX interface HBA 7030-30021-01
Page 5 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
4.) Slot Configuration:
Slot #
1
2
6
5
4
3
Electrical x1 PCI-E Gen 2 x16 PCI-E Gen 3
(225Watts) x4 PCI-E Gen 2 x8 PCI-E Gen 3 x16 PCI-E Gen 3
PCI-E 32bit /33MHz
Mechanical x4
Openended
Connector x16
Slot Configuration Information
Not recommended for use in Avid Configurations
Graphics Card:
Nvidia K2000 2GB PCI-e
Nvidia Quadro 2000 1GB PCI-e x8
Openended
Connector x8
Openended
Connector x16
PCI 32/33
Avid HIB, DX Interface HBA
Active: 7030-30048-01 , 7030-30048-02 & 7030-20084-01
Passive: 7030-30021-01
OR
Vendor
Qualified 3 rd
Party Hardware PCI-e Interface
requiring: x4 PCI-E or lesser interface
Shared Storage Controllers required for ISIS 5000 / 7000:
Intel PRO 1000 PT
Intel PRO 1000 PF
Intel i350-T2
Myricom
10G-PCIE-8B-S
OR
Vendor
Qualified 3 rd
Party Hardware PCI-e Interface
requiring: x8 PCI-E or greater interface
Local SAS Storage Controllers:
Atto R680
LSI 9200-8e
OR
Vendor
Qualified 3 rd
Party Hardware PCI-e Interface
requiring: x8 PCI-E or greater interface
Not recommended for use
Shares the same PCI bus as the embedded 1394a controller
Will cause bus contention with embedded 1394a
Embedded Intel
82579LM
Gb NIC
PCI-E x1
Gen 1
If your Z420 has the new generation V2 CPU, then the embedded 82579LM system NIC can be used for ISIS
5000 / 7000 connectivity.
If your Z420 has the original generation CPU, then the embedded 82579LM system cannot be used for
ISIS 5000 / 7000 connectivity.
Page 6 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
5.) Use of embedded NIC port for ISIS connectivity Important Information
-
The Z420 has a single embedded Intel NIC port (82579LM).
If your Z420 has the new generation V2 3.5GHz CPU, and requires only a single 1Gb connection for ISIS then the embedded 82579LM NIC can be used.
-
If your Z420 has the original generation 3.2GHz CPU, then the embedded 82579LM system cannot be used for ISIS
5000 / 7000 connectivity. For this configuration an add-in NIC HBA (Intel i350-T2 or Intel Pro 1000 PT) is required for ISIS connectivity.
-
Understandably, if a dual 1Gb connection is required for ISIS connectivity then an add-in NIC HBA (Intel i350-T2 or Intel
Pro 1000 PT) is required since the Z420 has only one embedded NIC port.
For proper operation and connectivity of the Intel NIC(s) with ISIS the following settings are required:
1. Under the performance settings, change the following parameters:
- Receive Buffers to 1024
- Transmit Buffers to 1024
2. Disable the windows firewall.
6.) Utilization of the Z420 embedded (on-board) 1394 ports for Camera / Deck / Disk Drive support
Media Composer / Symphony 6.0 and NewsCutter 10 and later do not support Avid 1394 hardware such as Adrenaline and
1394 Mojo-SDI. This simplifies utilization of the Z420 embedded 1394 ports. The embedded 1394 ports can and should be used
for all 1394 Camera / Deck / Disk Drive connectivity for all configurations running Media Composer / Symphony 6.0 and
NewsCutter 10.
Page 7 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
7.) Various Configuration Details:
A.) D/X hardware configs
–
All 4 versions of the DX interface HBA are supported for the Z420 with Media Composer / Symphony and NewsCutter
1) Active DX interface HBA 7030-30048-02
2) Active DX interface HBA 7030-30048-01
3) Active DX interface HBA 7030-20084-01
4) Passive DX interface HBA 7030-30021-01
Active DX interface HBA 7030-30048-01 Active DX interface HBA 7030-20084-01
Passive DX interface HBA 7030-30021-01 Active DX interface HBA 7030-30048-02
Page 8 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
B.) Required system BIOS settings for AVID environments:
Hyper-Threading Setting:
Please Note: CPU Hyper-threading should be enabled in all configurations per the chart below. It is currently enabled by default by HP
Software Version
Media Composer v5.5.x , v6.x , v7.x
Symphony v5.5.x , v6.x , v7.x
NewsCutter v9.5.x , v10.x , v11.x
Hyper-Threading Setting
6-core CPU
Enabled (Mandatory)
Z420 Required system BIOS changes:
1. Verify CPU Processors are set to Hyper-Threading
–
2. Set NUMA
–
Disable
3. Set Runtime Power Management
–
Disable
4. Set Idle Power Savings - Normal
Z420 Optional system BIOS change:
1. Set Intel Turbo Mode
**
–
Disable
**
Only required if connecting USB audio I/O devices. This setting will eliminate any audio
“motor-boating” or audio “popping” which may be experienced with USB audio I/O devices.
Set Z420 Required system BIOS changes:
- During boot up press F10 at the HP splash screen to invoke Set Up.
- Select the Advanced tab
- Select Device Options <Enter>
- Select Hyper-Threading
- Verify setting is Enable
If Hyper-Threading is set for Disable then it must be changed to Enable
- Select NUMA
Change this setting from Enable to Disable
- Hi F10 to save the Hyper-Threading / NUMA settings
- Select the Power tab
- Select OS Power Management <return>
- Select Runtime Power Management
- Default setting is Enable
Change this setting from Enable to Disable
- Select Idle Power Savings
- Default setting is Extended
Change this setting from Extended to Normal
- Hi F10 to save the Runtime Power Management and Idle Power Savings settings
Page 9 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
- Press F10 twice to Save
- Save Changes and Exit
- System will Reboot
Set Z420 Optional system BIOS setting:
**
Only required if connecting USB audio I/O devices.
- Select the Power tab
- Select OS Power Management <Enter>
- Select Turbo Mode
- Default setting is Enable
Change this setting from Enable to Disable
- Press F10 twice to Save
- Save Changes and Exit
C.) Nvidia Qualified Driver:
Nvidia qualified drivers
AVID Software
Media Composer / Symphony
NewsCutter
Media Composer / Symphony
NewsCutter
Media Composer / Symphony
NewsCutter
Media Composer / Symphony
NewsCutter
Version(s)
7.0 and later
11.0 and later
6.0.3.4 and later
6.5.2.1 and later
5.5.3.7 and later
(for version 5.5.x)
10.0.3.4 and later
10.5.2.1 and later
6.0 and later
10.0 and later
5.5.3.6 and later
9.5.3.6 and later
Nvidia Driver required
331.65 (mandatory for Win8.1)
320.78 (Win7 and Win8)
310.90
275.89
259.77
Nvidia GPU
K2000
Quadro 2000
K2000
Quadro 2000
Quadro 2000
Quadro 2000
After installation of the AVID software the supported Nvidia driver can be found in the following directory:
Program Files / Avid / Utilities / Nvidia
Page 10 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
Set optimized Nvidia driver settings for Avid editing environments:
1. See picture below
2. Right-Click on the desktop and select Nvidia Control Panel
3. Select Manage 3D Settings
4.
Select “Global Settings” Tab
5.
Under the “Global Settings” tab select “Base Profile”.
6.
Scroll down and locate the “Power Management Mode” feature. The default setting is “Adaptive”. For the “Power management mode” feature, select “Prefer maximum performance” as shown in the picture below.
7.
Depress the “Apply” button.
Page 11 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
D.) Nvidia Quadro GPU monitor connectivity:
The Nvidia Quadro 2000 and K2000 graphics card have a single DVI port and two Display-Port ports
(Important: Display-ports are not HDMI ports; at first glance they do look very similar to HDMI ports)
( Please Note: Only two of the three video ports can simultaneously be used. Connecting to all three video ports at the same time will result in non-functioning video output from the Nvidia GPU video card.)
The HP Z420 includes one Display-Port-to-DVI adapter. HP P/N 481409-002
For dual monitor connectivity:
1. Use the DVI port and one Display-Port (Display-Port connection can be native display-port to monitor via display-port connection, or use the display-port-to-DVI-adapter supplied with the system to connect to a native
DVI monitor).
2. Or use two Display-Ports (Requires monitors with native display-port connections, two display-port to DVI adapters are not recommended when using dual display-port connections).
DVI Port
Display Ports
Page 12 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
E.) Serial Port Deck Control:
Serial Port Deck Control:
The HP Z420 workstation does not have an embedded serial port. Serial port deck control can be established via two methods (both of which have been qualified by Avid and will maintain frame accuracy in Avid environments)
1. Addenda model
RS-USB / 4 direct USB-to-RS422 serial adapter. This is a simple device which connects directly from a
USB port of the Z420 directly to the RS422 port of a deck.
http://www.addenda.com/addenda-elect/products/rsUSB4.php
2. Combination of a Keyspan (Tripp-Lite) Model USA-19HS USB-to-serial-port adapter with Addenda Rosetta
Stone model RS
– 2/8 RS232-to-RS422 converter
- Keyspan (Tripp-Lite) Model USA-19HS (AVID P/N 7080-20013-01) http://www.tripplite.com/en/products/model.cfm?txtSeriesID=518&EID=13384&txtModelID=3914
- Addenda Rosetta Stone (or equivalent) model RS
– 2/8 RS232-to-RS422 converter (AVID P/N
7070-00507-01) http://www.addenda.com/addenda-elect/products/rs28.php
To connect the Keyspan 19HS / Addenda RS -2/8 combination:
- Install the Keyspan 19HS driver before plugging the device into a Z420 USB port.
- Once the Keyspan 19HS driver is installed then plug the Keyspan 19HS into a Z420 USB port.
- The Keyspan 19HS will now show up in device driver.
- Using a serial cable, connect the 9-pin serial port of the Keyspan 19HS USB adapter to the port of the
Addenda marked RS232 from PC
- Using a 2 nd
serial port cable connect the port of the Addenda marked “RS422 to VTR” to the deck control serial port of the deck.
F.) O.S. setting recommendations for optimum performance with Avid Editing applications:
The following links provide O.S. setting suggestions for ensuring optimum performance when working with your Avid editing application with a Windows operating system.
- Optimizations for Video Editors http://avid.custkb.com/avid/app/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=390339
Page 13 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
G.)
Set Windows “Visual Effects” for “best performance”:
1. Right-Click on My Computer / Computer
2. Select Properties
3. The screen below will be displayed:
4. On the left side of the screen above, locate and select
“Advanced system settings”
Page 14 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
5. The System properties window will be displayed. (Picture below).
6.
Under the “Advanced” tab depress the “Settings...” button for performance.
7.
The “performance Options” window will be displayed. (Picture below).
Page 15 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
8.
Under the “Visual Effects” tab select the “Adjust for best performance” selection. (Picture below).
9.
Depress the “Apply” button
10. Reboot Windows
11. Required Windows visual performance settings for Avid environments are now complete.
Page 16 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
H.) Intel NIC Port(s) for ISIS 5000 / 7000 connectivity:
Required for Gb ISIS connectivity:
Embedded 82579LM port / Intel PRO 1000 Dual Gb HBA / Intel i350-T2 Dual Gb NIC HBA
For proper operation and connectivity of any Intel NIC port used with ISIS the settings below are required.
Example below is for the Intel PRO 1000 PT.
1. For the performance settings, change the following parameters:
- Receive Buffers to 1024
- Transmit Buffers to 1024
2. Disable the windows firewall.
To set the Intel NIC Receive / Transmit buffers:
Go to device manager and select each instance of the network adapter device which will be used for ISIS connectivity.
Select performance options and then select Properties.
Page 17 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
Set Receive Buffers to 1024 Set Transmit Buffers to 1024
Perform this for each instance of every Intel NIC port which will be used for ISIS connectivity.
I.)
Disable the windows firewal l:
Navigate to Control Panel / Windows Firewall -- Select Turn Windows Firewall on or off
Page 18 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
Select Turn off windows firewall in both network locations, OK to save
C Jan 17 th
, 2013
Revision Update
Revision Date
Sept 20 th
, 2012 A
B May 2 nd
, 2013
Name
Joe Conforti
Update
Initial release of the Z420 configuration guide for support of
Media Composer 6.x, Symphony 6.x and NewsCutter 10.x
Joe Conforti Added support for Nvidia K2000 GPU, Nvidia driver ver
310.90, changed KB link for system BIOS info, added supported system BIOS versions, Disable NUMA in BIOS, misc corrections
Joe Conforti Added Win8 support, Professional and Enterprise
Added support for V2 6-core 3.%GHz CPU
Utilization of embedded NIC ports for ISIS has changed with the V2
CPU’s, detailed information added for ISIS connectivity.
Added support for Nvidia drivers ver 320.78 and 331.65.
Ver 331.65 is mandatory for Win 8.1
Simplified required Nvidia settings
Page 19 of 19 Joe Conforti
– Avid Technology – Jan 16 th
, 2014
Z420 Rev C
