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HP Z420 Compatibility Information with Pro Tools 10.3 and higher

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HP Z420 Compatibility Information with Pro Tools 10.3 and higher

Last Updated : August 27, 2013
Products Affected : Pro_Tools_1_6, Pro_Tools_HD

HP Z420 AVID Pro Tools HD Qualified System Specification

Z420 Single Processor Workstation support with Pro Tools 10.3 to Pro Tools 11.x

Z420 Hardware Configuration


Processor Requirements
 
Supported Processors
  • Intel Xeon E5-1620 3.60Ghz 10MB 1600 4C Processor "Sandy Bridge-EP"
  • Intel Xeon E5-1660 3.30Ghz 15MB 1600 6C Processor "Sandy Bridge-EP" 
  • Intel Xeon E5-2665 2.40Ghz 20MB 1600 8C Processor "Sandy Bridge-EP" 
  • Intel Xeon E5-2687W 3.10Ghz 20MB 1600 8C Processor "Sandy Bridge-EP" 

Graphics Requirements
 
Supported Nvidia Graphics Cards
  • NVIDIA Quadro 4000
  • NVIDIA Quadro 2000
  • NVIDIA Quadro 600
  • NVIDIA Quadro K4000
  • NVIDIA Quadro K2000
  • NVIDIA Quadro K600
  • Note: there is a known issue with the NVIDIA Quadro 5000.
  •  The width of the card obstructs the use of slot 3.  
Supported Nvidia Quadro FX Graphics Drivers

Pro Tools Only:
  • Quadro driver version 310.90 - supports Pro Tools 11 and 10.3
  • Quadro driver version 306.68 - supports Pro Tools 10.3.x
  • Quadro driver version 305.93 - supports Pro Tools 10.3.x

Qualified Operating System for Avid Pro Tools Software and Hardware on the HP Z420
  • Pro Tools 10.3 to Pro Tools 11
  • Microsoft® Windows 8 & Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit (64-bit only with Pro Tools 11)
  • Pro Tools HD 11 not supported with Windows 8 at this time
Not Supported
  • Microsoft® Windows XP (any version)
  • Microsoft® Windows XP 64-bit (any version)
  • Microsoft® Windows Vista (any version)
  • Microsoft® Windows Vista 64-bit (any version)

Requirements with Pro Tools for Windows

The HP Z420 Workstation is officially qualified with Pro Tools 10.3 to Pro Tools 11.x software and the following Pro Tools HD systems:
  • Pro Tools HDX systems (only two cards supported)
  • Pro Tools HD Native PCIe systems
  • Not supported: Pro Tools HD and Pro Tools HD Accel  TDM PCIe/PCI systems
  • Note: Pro Tools HD 11 (HDX & HD Native solutions) are not supported with Windows 8 at this time

Additional Requirements & Configuration

Video Peripheral Support
The Avid Mojo SDI video peripheral is supported for video record and playback with Pro Tools 10.0
The Avid Nitris DX and Mojo DX video peripheral are supported for video playback with Pro Tools 11
Note: -9171 errors may be encountered if a video peripheral is connected to the onboard FireWire ports of the Z420. 

Serial Port Support for MachineControl
The HP Z420 workstation has an embedded serial-port which has been qualified by Avid for use with MachineControl

Utilization of embedded (on-board) Ethernet ports:
The HP Z420 Workstation has an Embedded Intel 82574L NIC and an Embedded Intel 82574LM NIC with an on-board Ethernet port each, which can be used individually or simultaneously for the following:
  • Video Satellite and/or Ethernet control surface: ICON System (D-Control, D-Control ES, D-Command, D-Command ES), ProControl, C|24, Control|24
  • The bottom port is qualified for Avid ISIS connectivity
  • Known issue: streaming AAE errors may occur with above NICs.  Avid recommends the "Intel Pro 1000" or "StarTech 1 Port PCIe GB Network Server Adapter NIC card - dual profile"
MC Control Support
Note: There is a known issue when using the MC Control for scrub or shuttle.  Errors -9171 or -9093 may be encountered

Storage & Hard Drive Options

  • Shared Storage: Unity ISIS 5000 & 7000
  • Local Storage: Internal SAS (up to 3 HDD)
  • Local Storage: Internal SATA (up to 3 HDD)
  • Local Storage: External 1394 (up to 4 HDD)

HP Performance Advisor

Using HP Performance Advisor
HP Performance Advisor is a utility created by HP which provides detailed system information and access to the computer’s BIOS settings.  Download and install HP Performance advisor here:

HP Performance Advisor

1.  Install all Avid products you will be using. 
2.  Launch HP Performance Advisor and click on Your Software
3.  Select “Avid” and choose Pro Tools Software
4.  Under “Recommended Performance BIOS Settings” click “Apply Recommendations”
5.  Under “Graphics Driver Status” verify if approved driver is installed.  If not, click on the link to download and install the latest approved NVidia graphics driver.
6.  Close HP Performance Advisor
7.  Restart the computer

 
HP Z420 Slot Configuration

Information on slot order in the HP Z420 with and without Avid Video Peripherals:
  • Slot 3* (optional) for Nitris DX or Mojo DX video hardware
  • Slot 4 is qualified for HDX or HD Native PCIe cards
  • Slot 5 is qualified for additional HDX PCIe cards

Slot Order Additional Information
  • Slots 2, 3 & 6 are not supported for HDX or HD Native PCIe cards
  • Slot 5 should not be used for the primary HDX or HD Native PCIe card as performance issues could be encountered
  • Avid supports up to 2 HDX cards installed in the Z420
  • Do not combine both HDX and HD Native PCIe cards
*Firmware reset
If a firmware reset (safe image) is required, the HDX or HD Native PCIe card must be installed in slot 3.  To perform a firmware reset, boot the computer, hold the reset button on the HDX or HD Native PCIe card, launch Pro Tools and update the firmware on the card.  Installing the HDX or HD Native PCIe card in slot 4 or 5 will results in a failure to update.  
 

Pro Tools non-HD interfaces (Win 8 support)
  • USB 3 ports are not functioning consistently with Fast Track and Mbox interfaces using Windows 7
  • FireWire ports exhibit performance problems with 003, Digi 002 and Mbox Pro (3rd Gen) using Windows 7

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