TDM/non-TDM SC2s... HELP!

[HoosierSnd]

Okay, I bought a TDM daughtercard, and then a
SC2, so that I could put that all in the ExpChas with the 4x 442/TDM PT system. Alright.
Then I got the SC2, and read the manual, which refers to either PCI or Nubus SC2s, so I think that all is as current as it can be, and then I look at the SC2, and there are NO SOCKETs FOR the TDM DAUGHTERBOARD!!!!
ARRRRRGH.
I had no idea that SC2s were built w/o the ability to TDM...
The card sez "Rev H"...
So what Rev do I need for TDM capability? Can I trade this one for a TDM one?
I'll try some dealers on that one...

Anybody want to trade a non-TDM SC2 for a TDM-ready Nubus SC2?

HELP?

Thx,

steveV

[TechSupt]

Hi Steve,

What you need to do is figure out what type of card your SampleCell is. There are 3 mac-based types in existence; SampleCell I, SampleCell II NUBUS and SampleCell II PCI.

Each of these cards have their own piggybacks and cannot accept a piggy that was designed for another type of SampleCell card.

First determine whether your SampleCell card is a I or II. The major differences between them is that the I board has a large amount of blue diodes and other electronic paraphenalia covering the board. SampleCell II cards have very little blue parts if at all. Secondly, SampleCell II cards generally have serial numbers that begin with an A. SampleCell Is will either just have numbers for a SN number or they will begin with a D.
Lastly if your that card is filled with RAM and you know you only have 8 megs available for samples, then that is a SampleCell I. SampleCell IIs would have 32 megs if the card was filled.

Now, assuming you have a SampleCell II NUBUS which is what you'll need to integrate it into expansion chasis and TDM system, you could be getting confused by the fact that the connector for the piggy looks suspiciously like a set of jumpers encased in a plastic socket. Those aren't jumpers, that entire thing is the piggy connector. Assuming you have the correct piggy it should just plug nicely right into that plug.

The last pitfall you could be experiencing is that you may have something other than a SampleCell II NUBUS piggyback. My guess is if you just purchased the piggy back it could be a PCI one. They are not interchangable and you'll need to exchange it for a NUBUS one. Your dealer should be able to help you with this.

Extra Trivia:
Two Piggybacks exist for the SampleCell I card. One it came with, and another that was produced to make it compatible with Quadra computers. SampleCell I cards cannot accept the SampleCell II piggybacks and be used in a TDM system.

-BM-

[HoosierSnd]

Hi MB,

Thanks for the help!!

<<What you need to do is figure out what type of card your SampleCell is. There
are 3 mac-based types in existence; SampleCell I, SampleCell II NUBUS and
SampleCell II PCI.>>

Uh, lessee... the BOX sez
"SampleCell II" and "For NUBUS Systems Only".
The card has no blue stuff, has a Nubus connector and will hold 32 meg of ram. It came empty of memory and I have added 4 four-meg
30pin, 70ns simms.

<<Secondly, SampleCell II cards generally have serial
numbers that begin with an A.>>

SN=AN06477
Oh, yes, a little black sticker on the Nubus connector says a buncha stuff about the FCC and then sez, "FCC ID#[SAMPLECELL2]."

The TDM card looks just like all my other ones, an MH2 card, RevC, SN+AO 0197. "TDM Piggyback, Single Interface Master. (c) 1993
Digi', Inc."

<<The last pitfall you could be experiencing is that you may have something other
than a SampleCell II NUBUS piggyback.>>

Is there a specific TDM card for the SC2, as opposed to a generic TDM card, which work wonderfully on the 442 cards and DSP Farms that I have in the ExpChassis???

There must indeed be... I see the vertical row of 'jumper'-looking pins on the SC2 to which you
referred earlier...

Many Thanks!!!

steveV

[TechSupt]

Yes, the SCII cards have a special piggy back. If your looking at a piggy back that is almost as long as the SCII card then your looking at the TDM single piggy back which is the one that works with your 442 cards.

The SCII NUBUS piggy is only about 4 inches long (just long enough to go from the outputs to where the RAM slots are). All in all it's about half the length of the 442 piggys.

-BM-

[HoosierSnd]

Okay, good...

What is the actual designation of these?
A model name or number that I can use to find one of these?
Are they still being made/sold by Digi?

If they are still being made what might I expect to pay for one?

Thanks!

steveV

[TechSupt]

The the dealer sales codes are:

MH052 = Nubus
MH052PCI = PCI


MH052PCI is the only one that is still made. The nubus ones you would find used. Or contact our prodinfo guys. They might have refurbished Samplce Cell III TDM Nubus piggy backs.

[ProdInfo]

We don't have any refurbished units, but we had a couple new ones left (the NuBus version) last month. Give us a call at 800-333-2137 (choose to speak to a Product Specialist) and we'll see if we can't find one for you. (we have to to some sleuthing in the warehouse) If you live in Indiana, HoosierSnd, try giving Sweetwater Sound a call at 800-222-4700.

Bruce Paine
Digidesign Product Information

[HoosierSnd]

Great!

Thanks guys!

I'll check with your (800) and with SwH20. I have
a good relationship with
them, so this will work one way or another...
(And, yes, I am in sweet
ol' Indiana)

Thanks again!

steveV

[HoosierSnd]

Hi again,

One last Q: If using the Nubus SC2 -without- the TDM card, should I place it in the Expansion Chassis (where everything else is on the TDM busses) or in the host Q950? There are only a video card and the Exp Chas card in the Q950.

Thanks!

steveV

[TechSupt]

It should work in either configuration just fine.

-BM-

[HoosierSnd]

Hi Bruce,

Ok, cool!

Thanks for all the great help!

steveV

[HoosierSnd]

Hi Bruce,

Ok, cool!

Thanks for all the great help!

steveV

[blue moose]

is there a rev # or something special to look for, for a SCell II TDM card, nubus, that will go in an Avid expansion chassis. (I am looking for a used or refurb. one).

[TechSupt]

Blue,

There is only one TDM piggyback that will fit onto a SampleCell II NUBUS card. This piggy was designed to integrate it into existing TDM systems. Unfortunately I have no knowledge on whether this will or will not work in an Avid Chasis.

-BM-