Montana Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use Montana by itself?
- Can I use Montana with a WaveCenter?
- Can I use more than one Montana with my Dakota?
- Do I have to install software to use Montana?
- Does Montana require its own IRQ?
- Can I put Montana in *any* open computer slot?
- How do I control Montana's features?
- Can Montana generate true 48kHz and 44.1kHz sample rates from NTSC (29.97fps) video?
- How can I connect a word clock signal from another machine to Montana, if the other machine has a BNC connector?
- What kind of cable should I use to send a video signal to Montana?
- Is the Montana video/word clock input terminated or unterminated? Why should I care?
- Can I feed Montana's video sync input from my video capture card?
- How can I use Montana's ADAT Sync Out port?
Can I use Montana by itself?
Montana is an expansion card for Dakota and must be used with Dakota.
Can I use Montana with a WaveCenter?
No. Montana is only an expansion card for Dakota.
Can I use more than one Montana with my Dakota?
No. You can only connect one Montana (and/or one Sierra) to each Dakota.
Do I have to install software to use Montana?
No. Montana is automatically recognized, configured, and accessed by the Dakota software driver.
Does Montana require its own IRQ?
No. It's features are fully supported by Dakota's single IRQ.
Can I put Montana in *any* open computer slot?
You can install Montana in any open PCI or ISA slot that is *next to* Dakota.
How do I control Montana's features?
Montana's audio channels, sync input, and ADAT Sync Output are expansions of Dakota's feature set, and are controlled from Dakota control panel. For example, Dakota has ADAT optical output channels A1:8 and B1:8, and with a Montana attached it also has C1:8 and D1:8.
Can Montana generate true 48kHz and 44.1kHz sample rates from NTSC (29.97fps) video?
Yes. The Dakota/Montana sample rate when sync'd to NTSC video can be a true 48kHz or 44.1kHz, or it can be set to the pull-down rates (x 0.999). True sample rates from 25fps PAL or SECAM are also supported.
How can I connect a word clock signal from another machine to Montana, if the other machine has a BNC connector?
You can either 1) use a 75 ohm BNC coax cable from the word clock output to a BNC-to-male RCA adapter (provided with Montana) to Montana's RCA jack, or 2) use a BNC-to-female RCA adapter (not provided) to a 75 ohm coax cable with RCA plugs to Montana's RCA jack.
What kind of cable should I use to send a video signal to Montana?
If the video signal comes from an RCA jack, you should use a 75 ohm coax video cable with RCA plugs. If the signal comes from a BNC jack, then use one of the solutions to the previous question.
Is the Montana video/word clock input terminated or unterminated? Why should I care?
Video and word clock signals contain very high frequency energy. To transmit these properly over even moderate distances you should always use a 75 ohm coaxial cable, and the signal should have a 75 ohm termination at its final receiver. (Other unterminated receivers can be used in between the source and the final receiver.) Montana's video/word clock input can be terminated or unterminated for use in any situation. The Montana User's Guide includes details and examples for proper setting and use.
Can I feed Montana's video sync input from my video capture card?
Yes. Montana has an internal connector that can receive video sync from a video capture card. If your video card does not provide video sync on an internal connector, you can still sync it externally.
How can I use Montana's ADAT Sync Out port?
The current software driver passes the ADAT Sync In port information directly out the Montana ADAT Sync Out port unchanged. With both Dakota and Montana installed, the computer can be in any slave position in an ADAT sync chain. Future versions of the driver will support enhanced functionality on the Sync Out port.
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