Extron electronic Stereo Receiver VSC 150 User Manual

User’s Manual  
VSC 150  
Scan Converter  
Extron Electronics, Europe  
Extron Electronics, Asia  
Extron Electronics Information  
68-469-01  
Printed in the USA  
Extron Electronics, USA  
Beeldschermweg 6C, 3821 AH Amersfoort 135 Joo Seng Rd. #04-01, PM Industrial Bldg.  
+31.33.453.4040 FAX +31.33.453.4050 +65.383.4400 FAX +65.383.4664  
ExtronWEB : www.extron.com  
1230 South Lewis Street, Anaheim, CA 92805  
800.633.9876 714.491.1500 FAX 714.491.1517  
USA  
:
ExtronFAX  
714.491.0192  
The Netherlands  
Singapore 368363  
24-hour access—worldwide!  
© 2001 Extron Electronics. All rights reserved.  
 
Table of Contents  
Chapter 1 • Introduction .......................................................... 1-1  
About this Manual ................................................................ 1-2  
About the VSC 150 ................................................................ 1-2  
Features ...................................................................................... 1-2  
Chapter 2 • Installation and Operation......................... 2-1  
Installation Overview.......................................................... 2-2  
Mounting the VSC 150 ........................................................ 2-2  
Tabletop/desktop placement ................................................ 2-2  
Rack mounting....................................................................... 2-3  
Front Panel Features ............................................................ 2-4  
Rear Panel Features.............................................................. 2-7  
Cabling ........................................................................................ 2-9  
Mac-HV/VGA cable connector pin assignments ................. 2-12  
Optimizing the Image ....................................................... 2-12  
Setting Up Genlock and  
Vertical Interval Switching............................................. 2-13  
Vertical interval switching setup ........................................ 2-13  
Genlock setup ...................................................................... 2-14  
Oscilloscope displays............................................................ 2-16  
Troubleshooting ................................................................... 2-17  
If the image does not appear .......................................... 2-17  
If the image does not display correctly ............................ 2-18  
If the scan converter does not respond to controls ......... 2-19  
Chapter 3 • Remote Control .................................................. 3-1  
RS-232 RemoteControl........................................................ 3-2  
Host-to-VSC communications................................................ 3-2  
VSC-initiated messages ...................................................... 3-2  
VSC error responses ........................................................... 3-3  
Time-out ............................................................................ 3-3  
Using the command/response table .....................................3-3  
Command/response table ..................................................... 3-4  
Control software for Windows ............................................. 3-6  
Installing the software....................................................... 3-6  
Using the software ............................................................ 3-6  
IR Remote Control................................................................. 3-7  
Using the memory feature .................................................... 3-8  
(Continued)  
VSC 150 • Table of Contents  
i
 
Table of Contents, cont’d  
Appendix • Specifications, Accessories and  
Part Numbers................................................................................... A-1  
VSC 150  
Specifications ......................................................................... A-2  
Included Parts......................................................................... A-4  
Accessories............................................................................... A-4  
Chapter One  
1
Introduction  
About this Manual  
About the VSC 150  
Features  
68-469-01 D  
Printed in the USA  
01 01  
VSC 150 • Table of Contents  
ii  
 
Introduction  
Picture centering and panning — Center the picture  
horizontally and vertically or pan across the picture  
with these front panel rotary controls.  
About this Manual  
This manual contains information about Extron’s VSC 150  
scan converter and how to install, operate and configure it.  
It also explains how to operate the IR 601 remote control.  
Freeze mode — This feature provides a still image of the  
scan-converted picture.  
Filtering controls — Horizontal, vertical and encoder  
filtering levels are user-selectable from the front  
panel or remote controls for control of picture detail  
clarity and flicker reduction.  
About the VSC 150  
Extron’s VSC 150 is a high resolution computer-to-video  
scan converter with all digital controls. The VSC 150  
converts a computer video signal into two display outputs  
– composite video and one of the following:  
• S-video,  
• component video, or  
• RGB video (RGBHV or RGBS)  
Memory presets — The VSC 150 offers 30 factory-defined  
and 30 user-defined presets for size, zoom, panning,  
centering and filtering settings. These settings can  
be recalled automatically in association with a  
particular input signal scan rate. Three additional  
user-defined presets can be stored and retrieved  
manually via IR or RS-232 remote control.  
for simultaneous scan-converted output on two separate  
devices. This allows the video from a computer to be  
displayed on a television monitor or recorded on a DVD,  
VCR, video editing bay or other recording device. All of  
the outputs are NTSC/PAL.  
Executive mode To prevent unauthorized or accidental  
adjustments to the VSC 150’s settings via front panel  
controls, Executive mode locks all the front panel  
features except centering controls. Adjustments can  
still be made via RS-232 control and IR remote  
control when executive mode is active.  
This scan converter accepts one Macintosh or VGA  
computer input of a resolution up to 1152 x 900 and  
provides a local monitor loop-out.  
The VSC 150 is 1U high and one half rack wide. It is rack  
mountable, and has an internal, autoswitching power  
supply. It can be controlled via front panel buttons, RS-232  
remote control, and infrared (IR) control.  
Infrared (IR) remote control — All the functions that can  
be controlled via front panel controls can be also be  
controlled via an IR remote control.  
RS-232 control — The VSC 150 can also be controlled via  
computer or another control device through an  
RS-232 connection and Extron’s Simple Instruction  
Set(SIS) or the Extron graphical control program  
for Windows®.  
FILTERING  
VERT  
CENTERING/PAN SIZE  
GENLOCK  
HORZ  
ENCODER  
I
I
I
MIN/ BURST HORZ  
MAX LOCK PHASE  
SUB  
PHASE  
II  
II  
II  
III  
III  
FREEZE  
SIZE  
VSC 150  
SCAN CONVERTER  
VIDEO  
GENLOCK  
IN  
B/B-Y  
Choice of output formats — NTSC/PAL composite video  
output is continuously available on a rear panel BNC  
connector. In addition, one other output can also be  
active. Choose from the following formats via a rear  
panel switch and cable connections:  
100-240 V  
0.3A  
R/R-Y  
G/Y  
O
U
T
P
U
T
I
N
P
U
T
S
MAC  
VGA  
S-VIDEO  
RGB  
S-VIDEO  
S
H
V
S
OUT  
50/60 Hz  
R-Y/B-Y/Y  
RS-232  
VSC 150 front and rear panels  
• RGBHV (separate horizontal and vertical sync),  
• RGBS (composite sync),  
Features  
Y, R-Y, B-Y (component video), or  
• S-video output.  
Picture sizing/zoom controls — Separate digital rotary  
controls on the VSC 150 allow horizontal and/or  
vertical picture resizing to fit the display device or  
zoom in or out. These settings are stored in user-  
defined memories.  
Genlock (burst lock) synchronization — The VSC 150 can  
be connected to a genlock (burst lock/black burst)  
sync signal generator via rear panel connectors, and  
the phase differences between the genlock sync and  
output video sync can be adjusted separately for the  
VSC 150 • Introduction  
1-2  
VSC 150 • Introduction  
1-3  
 
Introduction, cont’d  
horizontal and color subcarrier signals. Genlocking  
VSC 150  
provides for seamless vertical interval switching  
between the scan-converted signal and signals from  
other video sources.  
VGA or Macintosh input and local monitor output — The  
15-pin HD and 15-pin D connectors allow easy  
connection to a PC or Mac local monitor. The  
included male Mac-VGA cable connects the VSC 150  
to the computer without need for additional  
adapters.  
Rack mountability — The VSC 150 can be rack mounted  
on one side of an optional 1U rack shelf (Extron part  
#60-190-01).  
Chapter Two  
2
Installation and Operation  
Installation Overview  
Mounting the VSC 150  
Front Panel Features  
Rear Panel Features  
Cabling  
Optimizing the Image  
Setting Up Genlock and Vertical Interval Switching  
Troubleshooting  
VSC 150 • Introduction  
1-4  
 
Installation and Operation  
Rack mounting  
Installation Overview  
1.  
If feet were installed on the bottom of the VSC 150,  
remove them.  
To install and set up the VSC 150, follow these basic steps:  
Turn all of the equipment off. Make sure that the  
source computer, the VSC 150, the output devices  
(projector, monitors), genlock device (black burst  
generator), and remote control devices are turned off  
and disconnected from the power source.  
1
2.  
Place the VSC 150 on one half of the 1U (one unit high,  
one unit wide) rack shelf (part #60-190-01). Align the  
front of the VSC 150 with the front of the shelf, and  
align the threaded holes on the bottom of the VSC 150  
with the holes in the rack shelf.  
Mount the scan converter. See “Mounting the  
VSC 150” in this chapter.  
2
3
4
3.  
Attach the VSC 150 to the rack shelf with the two  
provided 4-40 x 1/8” machine screws. Insert the  
screws from the underside of the shelf, and securely  
fasten them into diagonally-opposite corners as  
shown in the illustration below.  
Set the rear panel toggle and DIP switches. See “Rear  
Panel Features” in this chapter for details.  
Attach the cables. See “Cabling” and “Rear Panel  
Features” in this chapter.  
Connect power cords and turn on all the equipment.  
5
6
The image should now appear. If not, ensure that all  
devices are plugged in and receiving power. Check  
the cabling and rear panel switches, and make  
adjustments as needed. See “Troubleshooting” in  
this chapter if needed.  
Using an oscilloscope, set up and adjust the genlock  
signal. See “Setting Up Genlock and Vertical Interval  
Switching” in this manual.  
7
8
False front panel  
uses 2 front holes  
Adjust filtering and other settings from the front  
panel buttons, or RS-232 or IR remote controller. See  
“Front Panel Features” in this chapter for details. See  
“Troubleshooting” in this chapter if needed.  
H
O
R
F
Z
IL  
T
F
E
R
R
E
IN  
G
E
I
Z
E
V
E
R
T
II  
I
E
N
C
O
D
E
II  
II  
R
I
C
E
N
I
T
E
R
II  
III  
IN  
G
/P  
A
N
S
IZ  
E
S
IZ  
E
G
E
N
L
M
M
O
C
IN  
X
/
K
A
B
U
O
R
C
L
S
T
P
Mounting the VSC 150  
H
O
A
K
R
Z
H
S
E
S
U
H
P
B
S
A
(2) 4-40 x 1/8" Screws  
E
VSC 150  
S
C
A
N
C
O
N
V
E
R
T
E
R
Select tabletop placement or rack mounting. Follow the  
appropriate installation instructions on these two pages.  
Use 2 mounting holes on  
opposite corners  
Rack mounting  
Tabletop/desktop placement  
For tabletop or desktop placement only, install the self-  
adhesive rubber feet/pads (provided) onto the four corners  
of the bottom of the enclosure.  
4.  
Attach the false front panel (provided with the rack  
shelf) to the unoccupied side of the rack (as shown  
above), or install a second half-rack-width device in  
that side by repeating steps 1 – 3.  
5.  
Attach the rack shelf to the rack using four 10-32 x ¾”  
bolts (provided). Insert the bolts through #10 beveled  
washers, then through the holes in the rack ears and  
rack, as shown above.  
VSC 150 • Installation and Operation  
2-2  
VSC 150 • Installation and Operation  
2-3  
 
Installation and Operation, cont’d  
Front Panel Features  
2 seconds to activate Executive mode. Executive mode  
prevents unauthorized or accidental adjustments to the  
VSC 150’s settings via front panel controls by locking all  
the front panel features except centering controls.  
Adjustments can still be made via RS-232 control or  
IR remote control when Executive mode is active. To  
release Executive mode and allow access to all front panel  
functions, press the Freeze and Size buttons simultaneously  
again for 2 seconds.  
FILTERING  
VERT  
CENTERING/PAN SIZE  
GENLOCK  
HORZ  
ENCODER  
I
I
I
MIN/ BURST HORZ  
MAX LOCK PHASE  
SUB  
II  
II  
II  
III  
PHASE  
III  
FREEZE  
SIZE  
VSC 150  
SCAN CONVERTER  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10  
11 12  
13  
14 15 16  
17  
Freeze indicator LED — This LED lights green to indicate  
that the freeze feature is active.  
4
5
Adjustments to front panel features and controls do not  
affect the local monitor.  
Horizontal (Horz) filtering control — Press this button to  
choose between the two levels of horizontal filtering to  
yield the best picture detail.  
Power/signal lock LED — If this indicator...  
1
Lights amber yellow without blinking, the VSC 150 is  
receiving power, but no input signal is present.  
Blinks green, the unit is receiving power, but the input  
signal has a resolution that is too low or too high.  
Blinks green when the signal is within range, the  
VSC 150 is receiving commands from the IR 601  
remote control.  
Horizontal filtering LEDs — These LEDs light yellow to  
indicate the selected horizontal filtering level.  
6
7
Vertical (Vert) filtering control — Press this button to  
choose one of the three levels of vertical filtering. Select  
the setting that yields the least amount of flicker.  
Lights green without blinking, the input signal is within  
range, and the VSC 150 has locked to that particular  
resolution.  
Vertical filtering LEDs — These LEDs light yellow to  
indicate the selected level of vertical filtering.  
8
9
Encoder filtering control — Press this button to choose  
one of the three levels of encoder filters. Select the setting  
that gives the best picture detail.  
IR receiver window — The VSC 150 receives infrared  
signals from the IR remote controller through this window.  
The IR remote controller must be in the direct line of sight  
of this window when it is in use.  
2
3
Encoder filtering LEDs — These LEDs light yellow to  
indicate the selected level of encoder filtering.  
10  
11  
Freeze control — Press this button to display (or record) a  
still image of the scan-converted picture from both display  
outputs. (See “Rear Panel Features” and “Cabling” for  
information on these outputs.) The freeze LED indicator  
lights while this control is active. To turn this feature off,  
press the Freeze button again. Freeze affects both outputs  
simultaneously. No matter what the format is (RGB,  
component, S-video or composite video), the image will be  
“frozen”. The image on the local monitor will not be  
“frozen”.  
Size control — Press this button to activate the size  
feature. When Size is active, the picture can be resized  
vertically and/or horizontally by rotating the vertical and  
horizontal Centering/Pan/Size rotary controls (13).  
Observe the picture on screen as you adjust the controls.  
To zoom in, adjust the size so the picture exceeds the  
screen’s limits. The Min/Max LED (14) lights red when the  
minimum or maximum limit of a control has been reached.  
The size feature affects both display outputs  
All controls except Freeze will be locked on both the front  
panel and the IR remote control while Freeze mode is  
active. Press the Freeze button again to turn off Freeze  
mode and unlock the other controls.  
simultaneously. The image is resized no matter what  
format is selected (RGB, component, S-video or composite  
video). The local monitor loop-out is not affected.  
The size function remains active for 8 seconds after the  
rotary controls become inactive. The rotary controls then  
+
Executive mode (Freeze + Size) — Press the  
11  
3
Freeze control together with the Size button for  
(Continued on the next page)  
VSC 150 • Installation and Operation  
2-4  
VSC 150 • Installation and Operation  
2-5  
 
Installation and Operation, cont’d  
default to the standard centering and pan functions. To  
turn the size feature off, press the Size button again.  
Rear Panel Features  
VIDEO  
GENLOCK  
IN  
B/B-Y  
100-240 V  
0.3A  
See Freeze control (3) for information on using Executive  
mode.  
R/R-Y  
G/Y  
O
U
T
P
U
T
I
N
P
U
T
S
MAC  
S-VIDEO  
RGB  
S-VIDEO  
Size control LED — This LED lights green to indicate that  
the size feature is active.  
12  
13  
S
H
V
S
OUT  
50/60 Hz  
R-Y/B-Y/Y  
VGA  
RS-232  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10  
Vertical ( ) and horizontal ( ) Centering/Pan/Size  
rotary controls Turn these knobs to adjust vertical or  
horizontal centering (when the image size does not exceed  
screen size) and panning (when the image size exceeds the  
screen size) in the regular mode. Rotate these controls to  
adjust picture size when the Size mode is active.  
AC power input connector — Connect a standard IEC AC  
power cord here for power input (100VAC to 240VAC,  
50/60 Hz).  
1
2
Min/Max LED — This lights red when the minimum or  
maximum limit of a control (13) has been reached.  
VGA computer input/Macintosh local monitor output  
connector — Connect a VGA-type computer to the  
VSC 150 via this 15-pin D connector (and the provided  
Mac-VGA cable) to use a VGA-type computer as the video  
signal source.  
If a Macintosh, instead of a VGA-type PC, is used as a  
source, this connector serves as the Mac local monitor pass-  
through output connector.  
14  
15  
Burst Lock (genlock) LED — This lights green to indicate  
that the VSC 150 is receiving a genlock (black burst) sync  
signal via the rear panel genlock input connector. Genlock  
is a sync timing reference signal used to synchronize an  
entire system’s components. If this LED does not light  
when genlock is active, then either further phase  
adjustment is needed, or a different, more stable or time-  
base-corrected sync signal must be used for the genlock  
source.  
Macintosh (Mac) input/VGA local monitor output  
connector — Connect a Macintosh computer to the  
VSC 150 via this 15-pin HD connector (and the provided  
Mac-VGA cable) to use a Mac as the video signal source.  
If a VGA/SVGA-type computer, instead of a Macintosh, is  
used as a source, this connector serves as the VGA local  
monitor pass-through output connector.  
3
4
Horizontal phase (Horz Phase) control — During genlock  
setup use a small screwdriver to rotate this control to align  
the horizontal phase of the composite video sync signal  
with that of the genlock signal. See “Setting Up Genlock  
and Vertical Interval Switching” in this chapter for details.  
16  
17  
DIP switches — These two switches select the signal  
standard (NTSC or PAL) applied to the scan converted  
video output, and the video input termination (75 ohm or  
high impedance).  
Subcarrier phase (Sub Phase) control — During genlock  
setup use a small screwdriver to rotate this control to align  
the color subcarrier phase of the composite video sync  
signal with that of the genlock signal. See “Setting Up  
Genlock and Vertical Interval Switching” in this chapter for  
details.  
1 — PAL Out — Select the output standard with this  
switch. This switch affects both of the display outputs  
(composite video and one other), but not the local  
monitor.  
ON — The output is in PAL (Phase Alternate Line)  
format (625 lines/frame at 50 Hz vertical,  
15.625 kHz horizontal).  
OFF — The output is in NTSC (National Television  
Standards Committee) format  
(525 lines/frame at 60 Hz vertical, 15.734 kHz  
horizontal).  
(Continued)  
VSC 150 • Installation and Operation  
2-6  
VSC 150 • Installation and Operation  
2-7  
 
Installation and Operation, cont’d  
2 — 75 Ohm (video input termination) — This switch  
switching between sources. See “Cabling” and  
“Setting Up Genlock and Vertical Interval Switching”  
in this chapter.  
provides a way to prevent blooming when no local  
monitor or termination adapter is connected.  
ON — The VSC 150 provides 75 ohm video input  
termination. Select this setting when a  
local monitor is not used.  
RS-232 connector — Connect a computer or RS-232  
control module to this 9-pin D connector to allow  
remote control using the Simple Instruction Set or the  
Extron graphical control program for Windows. See  
chapter 3, “Remote Control” for details.  
10  
OFF — The VSC 150 provides high Z (high  
impedance) video input termination. Use  
this setting when the system includes a  
local monitor.  
Cabling  
Attach cables to the scan converter as detailed in the steps  
below. A diagram on page 2-11 shows how the system  
looks when cabling is finished.  
Composite video (Video) output connector —  
Composite video output is continuously available on  
this BNC connector.  
5
1.  
Connect the local monitor via its video input cable to  
the corresponding (Mac or VGA) “input” connector  
on the VSC 150’s rear panel.  
S-video output connector — This 4-pin mini-DIN  
connector is for S-video output.  
6
7
Output selection switch — In addition to the  
2.  
Using the included Mac-VGA cable, connect the  
computer’s video output to the other input connector.  
See the diagram below and the pin assignment  
information on page 2-12.  
composite video output, one other output can  
also be active. Choose from the following  
formats via the output selection switch:  
S-VIDEO  
RGB  
R-Y/B-Y/Y  
• S-video output (select S-video),  
If the source computer is a Macintosh, plug the  
VGA (15-pin HD) end into the VSC 150, and plug  
the other (15-pin D) end into the computer’s  
output connector.  
• RGBS (composite sync) output (select RGB),  
• RGBHV (separate horizontal and vertical sync)  
(select RGB), or  
Y, R-Y, B-Y (component video) output  
(select R-Y/B-Y/Y).  
If the source computer is a VGA-type PC, plug  
the Mac (15-pin D) end into the VSC 150, and  
plug the other (15-pin HD) end into the  
computer’s output connector.  
The output cables must also be connected to the  
appropriate connector(s) for the second output.  
100-240  
V
0.3A  
100-240  
V
0.3A  
I
I
Connect cables for only one output in addition to  
the composite video output. Do not connect  
cables to outputs that will not be used for your  
application. Connecting cables to more outputs  
will overload the circuits and yield weak signals.  
N
P
U
T
S
N
P
U
T
S
MAC  
VGA  
MAC  
VGA  
50/60 Hz  
50/60 Hz  
Mac-VGA  
cable  
Mac-VGA  
cable  
RGB/component video output connectors — These  
BNC female connectors are for RGB output (red, green,  
and blue video output; and horizontal, vertical, and  
composite sync output), or for component video output  
(R-Y, Y, B-Y). See “Cabling” in this chapter for details.  
8
9
PC Computer  
Mac Computer  
Mac-VGA cable local monitor connections  
Genlock connectors — A genlock (black burst  
generator) device can be connected to the VSC 150 via  
these female BNC connectors to synchronize it with  
other system components for seamless vertical interval  
If a local monitor will not be used, set the 75 Ohm DIP  
switch to On (75 ohms), or install a termination  
adapter on the unused local monitor connector.  
VSC 150 • Installation and Operation  
2-8  
VSC 150 • Installation and Operation  
2-9  
 
Installation and Operation, cont’d  
3.  
4.  
5.  
6.  
Set the PAL Out (NTSC/PAL output) DIP switch. Use  
“Rear Panel Features” in this chapter as a guide.  
configuration, the last device must provide genlock  
termination. See “Setting Up Genlock and Vertical  
Interval Switching” in this chapter.  
Connect the composite video display or recording  
device to the composite video output BNC connector.  
OUT  
Select the format of the second output by setting the  
output selection toggle switch.  
Timing Source  
GENLOCK  
IN  
GENLOCK  
IN  
IN  
Connect a cable from the input of the second video  
display/recording device (projector, monitor, VCR) to  
the appropriate VSC 150 rear panel output connectors.  
To Next Device  
or Terminate  
OUT  
OUT  
RS-232  
RS-232  
VSC 150  
Rear Panel  
VSC 150  
or Other Device  
For S-video, connect the cable to the 4-pin mini-DIN  
connector.  
Connecting genlock cables in a daisy chain  
For RGBHV (separate H and V sync) output, connect  
coaxial cables to the BNC connectors labeled  
R/R-Y, G/Y, B/B-Y, H and V, as shown below.  
8.  
If RS-232 control will be used, connect the RS-232  
remote controller or computer to the RS-232 connector.  
For RGBS (composite sync), connect the coax cables  
to the R/R-Y, G/Y, B/B-Y, and S connectors, as  
shown below.  
9.  
Connect power cords and turn on all the equipment.  
The system is now ready for operation.  
For component video, connect the coax cables to the  
The illustration below shows typical system installation  
and cable connections.  
R/R-Y, G/Y, B/B-Y connectors as shown below.  
R/R-Y  
G/Y  
B/B-Y  
R/R-Y  
G/Y  
B/B-Y  
R/R-Y  
G/Y  
B/B-Y  
i
C
a
r
o
l
H
i
C
a
r
ol  
H
Infrared System  
RS-232 Control  
H
V
S
H
V
S
H
V
S
Remote  
External Genlock  
Timing  
RGBHV  
output  
RGBS  
output  
Component video  
output  
Outputs  
Video output BNC cable connections  
IN  
GENLOCK  
Terminator  
B/B-Y  
Projector (RGBHV)  
G/Y  
S-232  
Connect cables for only one output in addition  
R/R-Y  
or  
VIDEO  
S-VIDEO  
RGB  
O
U
T
P
U
T
to the composite video output. Do not connect  
cables to outputs that will not be used for your  
application. Connecting cables to more  
outputs will overload the circuits and yield  
weak signals.  
I
S-VIDEO  
P
U
T
R-Y/B-Y/Y  
A
75OHM  
S
S
MA  
0.3A  
0
V
0-24  
10  
VG  
z
0/60  
H
5
Video Editor  
(Component)  
VSC 150  
Video Outputs  
Composite  
Video  
7.  
Connect the coax cable from the genlock device (or the  
genlock output of another device that shares the  
genlock signal) to the Genlock In BNC connector. If  
no genlock device will be used, do not attach cables to  
these connectors.  
Videoconferencing  
System  
S-video  
VCR  
NOTE:  
Only one S-video or component  
video or RGB device may be  
connected in addition to the  
composite video device and  
local monotor.  
If another device in the system will use genlock,  
connect the device to the Genlock Out BNC connector  
of the VSC 150 as shown in the illustration on the next  
page. Otherwise, attach a termination adapter to the  
Genlock Out connector. If the genlock signal is  
connected to several devices in a daisy chain  
or  
VGA Input  
Mac Input  
A typical VSC 150 system application  
VSC 150 • Installation and Operation  
2-10  
VSC 150 • Installation and Operation  
2-11  
 
Installation and Operation, cont’d  
posite video and one other), but not the local monitor.  
Mac-HV/VGA cable connector pin assignments  
ON — The output is in PAL format.  
OFF — The output is in NTSC format.  
The illustration below shows the pin locations on the 15-pin  
connectors at opposite ends of the Mac-HV/VGA cable that  
is used for connecting the computer to the VSC 150.  
Size the image to fill the screen  
6
1
5
10  
1
8
1.  
2.  
Press the Size button on the front panel.  
Rotate the vertical and horizontal Centering/Pan/Size  
rotary controls to adjust the vertical and horizontal  
size. Observe the picture on screen as you adjust the  
controls. The Min/Max LED will light red when the  
minimum or maximum limit of a control is reached.  
9
15  
11  
15  
D15 Pin Locations  
Male  
HD15 Pin Locations  
Male  
VGA (15-pin HD) and Mac (15-pin D) connector  
pin locations  
The size feature affects both display outputs, but local  
monitor loop-out is not affected. The size function  
remains active for 8 seconds after the rotary controls  
become inactive. The rotary controls then default to  
the standard centering and pan functions.  
The table below lists signals and their pin assignments for  
both the VGA (15-pin HD) and Mac (15-pin D) connectors  
of this cable.  
3.  
4.  
Press the Size button again to turn the size feature off.  
VGA Pin  
Function  
Mac Pin  
Center the picture by rotating the vertical and  
horizontal Centering/Pan/Size rotary controls.  
1
2
3
Red video  
Green video  
Blue video  
2
5
9
5.  
Repeat steps 1 through 4 as needed.  
Select the filtering levels  
4
5
6
7
8
9
ID bit  
ID bit  
Red ground  
Green ground  
Blue ground  
Not used  
4
8
1
6
13  
1.  
Press the horizontal, vertical and encoder filtering  
controls to select the filtering levels that give the best  
picture sharpness and the least amount of flickering.  
The LEDs next to each control will light to indicate the  
selected level of filtering.  
10  
11  
12  
13  
14  
15  
Composite & vertical sync gnd 11, 14  
If the filters are set before the image size is adjusted,  
you must set the filters again after adjusting the  
image size.  
ID bit  
ID bit  
7
10  
Horizontal sync  
Vertical sync  
ID bit/composite sync  
15  
12  
3
Setting Up Genlock and  
Vertical Interval Switching  
A genlock (black burst generator) device can be connected  
to the VSC 150 to synchronize it with other system compon-  
ents for seamless vertical interval switching between sources.  
Optimizing the Image  
After you have installed the scan converter, follow the  
procedures in this section in sequence. This will help you  
configure the scan converter for the best settings for your  
display environment.  
Vertical interval switching setup  
For vertical interval switching (to allow clean switching  
between signals from several devices during the vertical  
blanking period of each signal), a composite sync signal can  
be applied at the Genlock In connector, and also passed to  
another device via the Genlock Out connector.  
Select the output standard  
1.  
Select the output standard with the PAL Out DIP  
switch. This switch affects both display outputs (com-  
VSC 150 • Installation and Operation  
2-12  
VSC 150 • Installation and Operation  
2-13  
 
Installation and Operation, cont’d  
If the genlock connectors are used only for vertical interval  
switching, no horizontal or subcarrier phase adjustments  
are required, and the Burst Lock LED does not light.  
termination adapter to the other “input” connector, or  
by setting the 75 Ohm DIP switch to On (75 ohms).  
The Burst Lock LED lights green to indicate that the  
VSC 150 is receiving an acceptable genlock (black  
burst) sync signal via the Genlock In connector.  
Genlock setup  
Genlock differs from simple vertical interval switching in  
that an external device (a black burst generator) generates a  
reference sync signal for the system, and every device that  
uses that signal has its output signal’s horizontal and  
subcarrier phases adjusted to exactly match that of the  
generator to allow precise timing and full synchronization.  
Genlocked systems produce cleaner switches between  
inputs than do those without this type of synchronization.  
4.  
Connect oscilloscope (“scope”) probe A to the Genlock  
Out connector. This will provide the scope’s reference  
signal. In order to avoid altering the genlock signal,  
use the cabling configuration that will be used in the  
installation. Either connect the genlock signal cable  
from the scope to the next device in the system to be  
timed, or provide 75 ohm termination at the scope’s  
genlock output.  
An oscilloscope is required for genlock setup, and a vector-  
scope is recommended. Waveform monitors of types other  
than a vectorscope may give the appearance that timing is  
adjusted correctly when it is 180 degrees out of phase,  
which will result in incorrect colors or picture artifacts.  
5.  
6.  
Connect scope probe B to the VSC 150’s composite video  
output connector. Ensure that the rear panel PAL Out  
DIP switch is set for the desired standard (NTSC/PAL).  
Using the instructions for the scope you are using, set  
the scope to view the signals’ horizontal phases.  
Adjust the VSC 150’s Horz Phase control until there is  
no (0º) difference between the composite video  
output’s horizontal sync phase and the genlock signal’s  
horizontal phase. See “Oscillocope displays”.  
All equipment in the system must be powered up  
and turned on for at least 15 to 20 minutes before  
genlock setup adjustments can be made and before  
the equipment is used in a genlocked application.  
7.  
Set the scope to view the subcarrier signals. Adjust  
the VSC 150’s Sub Phase control until there is a zero  
phase difference between the genlock signal and the  
NTSC/PAL output. The Burst Lock LED should light.  
To synchronize the VSC 150’s video output with a genlock  
signal, follow these steps:  
1.  
Power up and turn on all the devices that will use the  
genlock signal. The devices must be on for at least 15  
to 20 minutes before proceeding with any adjustments.  
If the Burst Lock LED does not light at this point,  
either adjust the horizontal or subcarrier phases  
further, or use a different genlock source.  
Computer Video  
OUT  
Signal In  
Timing Source  
The color subcarrier adjustment range is 90° from  
0° for a total adjustment range of 180°.  
VIDEO  
GENLOCK  
IN  
B/B-Y  
100-240  
V
0.3A  
R/R-Y  
G/Y  
O
U
T
P
U
T
I
N
P
U
T
S
MAC  
VGA  
S-VIDEO  
RGB  
S-VIDEO  
8.  
View the horizontal phases again. If the phase  
difference is not zero, repeat steps 6 and 7 until the  
settings do not change.  
S
H
V
S
OUT  
50/60 Hz  
R-Y/B-Y/Y  
RS-232  
To Scope Probe B  
To Scope Probe A  
and Termination  
If the Burst Lock LED does not light at all when  
genlock is active and the horizontal and subcarrier  
phases have been adjusted to match the genlock  
signal, do not continue with this procedure. A  
different, more stable or time-base-corrected sync  
signal must be used for the genlock timing source.  
Cable connections for genlock setup  
2.  
3.  
Connect the active timing source signal to the  
Genlock In connector on the rear panel.  
Connect the active computer video input signal to the  
appropriate input as explained in step 2 of the Cabling  
section on page 2-9. Ensure that the input is properly  
terminated either by connecting a local monitor or a  
9.  
Once the settings are stable and the Burst Lock LED  
lights, disconnect the oscilloscope, and reconnect the  
genlock cables and terminator to the proper devices in  
the system.  
VSC 150 • Installation and Operation  
2-14  
VSC 150 • Installation and Operation  
2-15  
 
Installation and Operation, cont’d  
shows black burst only (with no color). The burst vector is  
pointing to the left from the center.  
10. Check the display(s) for proper colors and for  
undesirable artifacts in the image(s). Make  
adjustments as necessary. Once the genlock timing  
has been adjusted, it should not require readjustment  
when changing to a new computer video signal input.  
0
10  
350  
20  
340  
30  
330  
40  
320  
50  
310  
60  
300  
290  
280  
11. If other VSC 150s are part of this genlock daisy chain,  
connect the oscilloscope to each device, and repeat  
this procedure.  
70  
80  
270  
260  
90  
100  
250  
240  
110  
120  
Oscilloscope displays  
230  
130  
What you see on the oscilloscope while adjusting the  
VSC 150 to match the genlock signal depends on the type of  
signal used, the type of oscilloscope, and the procedure the  
scope requires. This section shows some examples of  
oscilloscope displays.  
220  
140  
210  
150  
200  
160  
190  
170  
180  
Vectorscope screen during  
horizontal phase adjustment  
The figure below shows the genlock input signal (top) and  
an out-of-alignment NTSC composite sync output signal  
(bottom) displayed on a waveform monitor to check for  
alignment. When the phases are aligned, the wave peaks  
on the bottom waveform should line up with those in the  
reference signal above it.  
The figure below shows an example of a view of a  
vectorscope during adjustment of the color subcarrier  
phase (SC/H). The subcarrier phase should be aligned to 0º  
(indicated in the figure by the triangle).  
0
10  
350  
20  
340  
With this method there is no way to know if the signals are  
180º out of phase. A delayed sweep on a time-based scope  
would allow a more accurate display of the input and  
output signal phase relationships.  
30  
330  
40  
320  
+40  
A1  
A2  
50  
310  
60  
300  
290  
280  
70  
80  
A3  
B1  
270  
260  
90  
100  
250  
240  
110  
120  
B2  
B3  
230  
130  
-40  
220  
140  
210  
150  
200  
160  
190  
170  
180  
Vectorscope screen during  
color subcarrier phase adjustment  
Troubleshooting  
The image should appear properly on the screen(s).  
Superimposed waveforms  
If the image does not appear  
A vectorscope is more accurate than a waveform monitor.  
The next figure shows an example of a vectorscope display  
when the horizontal phase is adjusted to align it with the  
burst (genlock) vector. Adjust the Horz Phase control until  
the difference between the two vectors is 0º. This example  
1.  
2.  
3.  
Ensure that all devices are plugged in.  
Make sure that each device is receiving power.  
Check the cabling, wiring and grounding, and make  
adjustments as needed. Ensure that the rear panel  
output selection toggle switch and PAL Out DIP switch  
VSC 150 • Installation and Operation  
2-16  
VSC 150 • Installation and Operation  
2-17  
 
Installation and Operation, cont’d  
are set for the formats that match the cable configuration  
and the requirements of the display/recording devices.  
If the scan converter does not respond to controls  
Symptoms  
Solutions  
4.  
5.  
6.  
Verify that the 75 Ohm video input termination DIP  
switch has been set correctly.  
The VSC 150 may be set for  
Executive mode.  
The picture does not move  
on screen when the  
To test the system setup and output, substitute a video  
test generator for the computer input.  
horizontal and vertical  
centering controls are  
rotated, and the filtering  
settings do not change  
when the filtering controls  
are pressed.  
Adjustments can be made via  
RS-232 control, or...  
Confirm that the input is receiving a signal with a com-  
patible scan rate (horizontal frequency between 24 kHz  
and 70 kHz, and a vertical frequency of 50 Hz to 120 Hz).  
Executive mode can be turned  
off by pressing the Freeze and  
Size controls simultaneously for  
2 seconds. See page 2-4.  
7.  
Call Extron’s customer support hotline if needed. Be  
prepared to discuss the steps you have taken and the  
equipment involved.  
Signals from the IR 601 remote  
control may not be reaching the  
scan converter.  
The VSC 150 responds to  
adjustments made via the  
front panel, but not to  
selections from the IR  
remote control.  
If the image does not display correctly  
Change the placement of the  
equipment so the signals have a  
clear transmission path between  
the remote control and the  
VSC 150.  
Symptoms  
Solutions  
The picture is  
shifted off the  
screen edges.  
Adjust the centering and sizing controls  
(
,
).  
Ensure that the baud rate  
(9600 baud) and communication  
protocol are set correctly. See  
page 3-2.  
The image is  
stable, but it has  
ghosting or  
There is no response to  
commands from the  
RS-232 controller.  
Change the 75 ohm/high Z video input  
termination. If that doesnt solve the  
problem, use a different input cable.  
blooming.  
Video input may be double-terminated. If  
a local monitor or a termination adapter is  
attached to the local monitor output  
connector, make sure that the 75 Ohm  
video input termination DIP switch is set  
to Off (for high Z termination).  
The picture is  
faint or cuts out,  
and the signal is  
weak.  
Disconnect all unused output cables. Do  
not connect cables to both the S-video and  
RGB/component outputs at the same time.  
Adjust the hue/tint and color controls on  
the display device.  
The picture  
appears without  
color.  
Make sure that the video display/  
recording equipment is using the same  
standard (NTSC or PAL) as the VSC 150.  
In a genlocked  
system,  
displayed color  
is incorrect.  
The color subcarrier phase (Sub Phase)  
might require readjustment.  
The image still  
does not display  
correctly.  
Call Extrons customer support hotline.  
VSC 150 • Installation and Operation  
2-18  
VSC 150 • Installation and Operation  
2-19  
 
Installation and Operation, cont’d  
VSC 150  
Chapter Three  
3
Remote Control  
RS-232 Remote Control  
IR Remote Control  
VSC 150 Installation and Operation  
2-20  
 
Remote Control  
The VSC 150 can be remotely controlled via a computer or a  
The VSC 150 displays the copyright message when it first  
powers on. Vx.xx is the firmware version number.  
control panel attached to the rear panel RS-232 connector.  
Alternatively, the VSC 150 can be controlled using the IR  
601 infrared remote control. This chapter discusses how to  
use each of these options to control the scan converter.  
RECONFIG  
The VSC 150 sends the Reconfig message  
when the input source is changed and when changes have  
been made to one or more of the settings.  
RS-232 Remote Control  
VSC error responses  
The VSC 150 can be controlled by a host computer or other  
control device via an RS-232 connection with a protocol of  
9600 baud, 1 stop bit, no parity, and no flow control. The  
When the VSC 150 receives a valid SIS command, it  
executes the command and sends a response to the host  
device. If the VSC 150 is unable to execute the command  
because the command is invalid or it contains invalid  
parameters, it returns an error response to the host. The  
error response codes and their descriptions are as follows:  
5
1
control device (host) can use either Extrons  
Simple Instruction Set (SIS) or the graphical  
control program for Windows.  
9
6
DB9 Pin Locations  
Female  
E10 Invalid command  
E11 Invalid preset number  
The rear panel RS-232 9-pin D connector has the following  
pin assignments:  
E13 Invalid value (the number is out of range).  
Pin RS-232 function Description  
Time-out  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Tx  
Rx  
Gnd  
Not used  
Transmit data  
Receive data  
Not used  
Signal ground  
Not used  
Not used  
Not used  
Not used  
A delay of 10 or more seconds between command sequence  
characters causes a time-out. The command operation is  
stopped, and there is no indication that a time-out occurred.  
Using the command/response table  
The command/response table on the next page lists valid  
command ASCII codes, the VSC 150s responses to the host,  
a description of the commands function or the results of  
executing the command, and an example of each command.  
Lower case characters are acceptable in the command field  
only where indicated.  
Host-to-VSC communications  
SIS commands consist of one or more characters per field.  
No special characters are required to begin or end a  
command sequence. When the VSC 150 determines that a  
command is valid, it executes the command and sends a  
response to the host device. All responses from the scan  
converter to the host end with a carriage return and a line  
feed (CR/LF = ), which signals the end of the response  
character string. A string is one or more characters.  
The ASCII to HEX conversion table below is for use with  
the command/response table.  
ASCII to HEX Conversion Table  
VSC-initiated messages  
When a local event such as a front panel selection or  
adjustment takes place, the VSC 150 responds by sending a  
message to the host. No response is required from the host.  
The VSC-initiated messages are listed here (underlined).  
(C) COPYRIGHT 1999, EXTRON ELECTRONICS, VSC 150,  
Vx.xx  
VSC 150 Remote Control  
3-2  
VSC 150 Remote Control  
3-3