ASTRO SP-8848 User manual

Portable signal generator programming software
SP-8848
Instruction Manual
Ver.2.6

Portable signal generator
programming software
SP-8848
Instruction Manual
2007.2
Ver.2.6
ASTRODESIGN,Inc

C
CO ON NT TE EN NT TS S
Chapter 1 About the SP-8848 .........................................................................................................................................1
1.1. General....................................................................................................................................................................1
1.2. Features...................................................................................................................................................................1
1.2.1. Software program compatible with Windows ....................................................................................................1
1.2.2. Simple data management functions with a high degree of freedom..................................................................1
1.3. Software installation.................................................................................................................................................1
1.3.1. Installing the SP-8848.......................................................................................................................................1
1.3.2. Installing the USB driver ...................................................................................................................................3
1.3.3. Uninstallation method .......................................................................................................................................3
1.3.4. Directories and files ..........................................................................................................................................4
1.3.5. Other files .........................................................................................................................................................5
1.3.6. Registration of Registry.....................................................................................................................................6
1.3.7. Usage as Multiple Users...................................................................................................................................6
Chapter 2 Operation........................................................................................................................................................9
2.1. General....................................................................................................................................................................9
2.2. Starting up VGBase..................................................................................................................................................9
2.3. Closing VGBase..................................................................................................................................................... 11
2.4. Configuration settings ............................................................................................................................................ 11
2.4.1. Startup method................................................................................................................................................ 11
2.4.2. Window screen and description...................................................................................................................... 11
2.5. Creating and editing the program data...................................................................................................................16
2.5.1. Startup method................................................................................................................................................16
2.5.2. Window screens and description ....................................................................................................................16
2.6. Creating and editing the user characters ...............................................................................................................58
2.6.1. Startup method................................................................................................................................................58
2.6.2. Window screen and description......................................................................................................................58
2.6.3. Operation methods .........................................................................................................................................59
2.7. Creating and editing the group data.......................................................................................................................61
2.7.1. Startup method................................................................................................................................................61
2.7.2. Window screen and description......................................................................................................................61
2.7.3. Operation methods .........................................................................................................................................62
2.8. Creating and editing the auto display data.............................................................................................................64
2.8.1. Startup method................................................................................................................................................64
2.8.2. Window screen and description......................................................................................................................64
2.8.3. Operation methods .........................................................................................................................................65
2.9. Converting the image data.....................................................................................................................................67
2.9.1. Startup method................................................................................................................................................67
i

2.9.2. Window screen and description......................................................................................................................67
2.9.3. Operation methods .........................................................................................................................................68
2.10. Creating and editing the optional patterns............................................................................................................69
2.10.1. Startup method..............................................................................................................................................69
2.10.2. Window screen and description....................................................................................................................69
2.10.3. Operation methods .......................................................................................................................................72
2.10.4. Convert to 256-color VBM file.......................................................................................................................74
2.11. Monitoring and changing the IP/Gateway address...............................................................................................76
2.11.1. Startup method..............................................................................................................................................76
2.11.2. Window screen and description ....................................................................................................................76
2.11.3. Operation methods........................................................................................................................................77
2.12. Selecting and editing the layout data files............................................................................................................78
2.12.1. Startup method..............................................................................................................................................78
2.12.2. Window screen and description (Layout Edit)...............................................................................................79
2.12.3. Operation methods (Layout Edit)..................................................................................................................85
2.13. Setting the port number and IP address...............................................................................................................87
2.13.1. Startup method..............................................................................................................................................87
2.13.2. Window screen and description....................................................................................................................87
2.13.3. Operation methods .......................................................................................................................................88
2.13.4. General IP address classes..........................................................................................................................88
2.14. Color difference coefficient data editing program.................................................................................................89
2.14.1. Startup method..............................................................................................................................................89
2.14.2. Window screen and description....................................................................................................................89
2.14.3. Operation methods .......................................................................................................................................90
2.14.4. Menus...........................................................................................................................................................91
2.15. Creating and editing the DDC data ......................................................................................................................92
2.15.1. Startup method..............................................................................................................................................92
2.15.2. Window screen and description....................................................................................................................92
2.15.3. peration methods..........................................................................................................................................94
2.15.4. Menus...........................................................................................................................................................96
2.15.5. Block operations ...........................................................................................................................................97
2.16. Cursor tool program.............................................................................................................................................98
2.16.1. Startup method..............................................................................................................................................98
2.16.2. Window screen and description....................................................................................................................98
2.16.3. Operation method.......................................................................................................................................100
2.16.4. Menus.........................................................................................................................................................101
2.17. All data copy tool................................................................................................................................................102
2.17.1. Startup method............................................................................................................................................102
2.17.2. WINDOW SCREENS AND DESCRIPTION................................................................................................102
2.17.3. OPERATION...............................................................................................................................................103
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2.18. ClosedCaption/V-chip data transmission tool.....................................................................................................105
2.18.1.Startup method.............................................................................................................................................105
2.18.2. Window screen displays and descriptions ..................................................................................................105
2.18.3. Operation method....................................................................................................................................... 113
Chapter 3 10bit Image data.........................................................................................................................................115
3.1. 10bit Image data .................................................................................................................................................. 115
Chapter 4 Error message reference............................................................................................................................117
iii

Forew Word
Thank you for purchasing the programmable video signal generator.
This manual provides details on how to use the SP-8848 software program to edit, create, send and receive data
used for the programmable video signal generator (hereafter abbreviated to "VG"). (The figures and diagrams
referred to in this manual show what applies when the VG-848 has been connected, and there may be
differences when connections are made with another VG. Refer to the help provided for each editing program.
The basic operating methods are the same no matter which model VG has been connected.)
This manual describes how to use the SP-8848. For details on specific setting items, settings or other such
aspects, refer to the SP-8848 help or the instruction manual of the VG concerned.
After reading through this manual, keep it in a safe place for future reference.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING
Concerning foreign matter
● Do not spill liquids onto the product or drop inflammable objects or metal parts onto it. Use under these
conditions may cause a fire, electrical shock or malfunctioning.
CAUTION
Concerning the installation and operating locations
● Install this product in a stable place.
● Before installing the product, be absolutely sure to turn off the power of the computer and unplug its power
cable.
Concerning impact
● This is a precision piece of equipment and, as such, subjecting it to impact may cause malfunctioning. Take
special care when moving the product.
iv

1
1 About the SP-8848
1.1. General
The SP-8848 is an application software program for operating the VG-848, and it is designed to run in a Windows
environment. It enables the statuses of the VG-848 to be captured and its settings to be changed. It can also create
data and execute the data which has been created.
All operations are conducted at the personal computer, and the data created can be stored in the computer as files.
1.2. Features
1.2.1. Software program compatible with Windows
This program enables data to be edited and executed in a Windows environment.
1.2.2. Simple data management functions with a high degree of freedom
Timing data and pattern data can be organized separately in their own files. Data management can easily be exercised
by such features as the list display, sort function and naming function.
1.3. Software installation
This section describes how to install the files which are used for operating the SP-8848 in a Windows environment.
These instructions apply to the installation which involves the use of the following disk.
SP-8488 installation CD, Windows edition
1.3.1. Installing the SP-8848
(1) Place the SP-8848 installation CD in the CD drive, and in Windows select [Start] →[Settings] →[Control Panel] →
[Add/Remove Programs] →[Install]. The installer now starts up, and the setup begins.
(2) The "Welcome" dialog screen is the first to appear. When the
[Next] button is clicked, the setup advances to the next step;
conversely, when the [Back] button is clicked, it returns to the
previous step. The setup is aborted by pressing the [Cancel]
button.
Click the [Next] button.
1

(3) On the "Select installation destination" dialog screen, select the
directory into which the SP-8848 is to be copied. As the default, the
"ASTRO¥SP-8848" directory is created in the C: drive root
directory, and the files are copied into it. The copy destination
directory can be changed to any directory specified by the user.
Click the [Browse] button and set the directory.
(4) Select the [Install] button. The file installation dialog screen now
appears, and installation begins.
(5) The setup is now completed. Press the [Finish] button.
(6) The user is now prompted to restart the PC. Be absolutely sure
to select [Yes].
(7) The installation is now completed. In Windows, select [Start] →[Programs] →[SP-8848] →[Guide Help] and read
through the guide help. Then select [Start] →[Programs] →[SP-8848] →[VGBase] to start up [VGBase].
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Chapter 1 About the SP-8848
3
1.3.2. Installing the USB driver
(1) When the system is connected with the VG for the first time, it recognizes the VG, and the [Add New Hardware
Wizard] dialog box appears. Select the [Next] button.
(2) Select [Search for optimal driver for device in use (recommended)] as the search method, and select the
[Next] button.
(3) Place the SP-8848 installation CD in the CD drive, check [Specify search location], specify CD drive
and select the [Next] button.
(4) Check that "VgUsb.sys" has been found, and then select the [Next] button. Installation now begins.
(5) For the remaining steps, follow the on-screen directions.
*When installing the driver in Windows XP, the following dialog box appears referring to the fact that Microsoft
has not officially certified its use. Press the [Continue] button.
1.3.3. Uninstallation method
In Windows, select [Start] →[Settings] →[Control Panel] →[Add/Remove Programs], and delete the software by
following the on-screen directions.
During this process, the user will be asked whether to delete "VGPIO.vxd" which has been installed in the Windows
system directory. Leave it if it is required. However, if the software is to be re-installed, the files and registry settings
must be deleted by uninstalling them before proceeding. The data files in the VGInt directory and UserChar directory
are read-only files and, as such, they are not deleted by uninstallation. Delete them separately. Similarly, if the USB
driver has been installed, it will not be deleted by uninstallation either, so delete it separately.

1.3.4. Directories and files
The directory and files listed below are created by the installation of the software.
Specified directory (default: C:¥ASTRO¥SP-8848)
Data (data files used by the data editing programs)
(*.lot)
Sample.lot
AutoDispt
(*.adp)
Sample.adp
Group
(*.grp)
Sample1.grp，Sample2.grp
Image
(*.vbm)
usagi.vbm
XGA.vbm
SXGA.vbm
UXGA.vbm
1080_10bit.vbm
(*.bmp)
usagi.bmp
XGA.bmp
SXGA.bmp
UXGA.bmp
OptPtn
(*.mc)
g1_test.mc/g8_test.mc/window.mc/ptn_test.mc/256_col.mc/CbarGray.mc/IMG1.m
c/Crosst90.mc/CheckWin.mc/10_step.mc/cs_cr_ch.mc/cs_cr_gr.mc/DispAdj.mc/G
rayCirc.mc/RGBW_bar.mc/smpte271.mc/
(*.mo)
g1_test.mo/g8_test.mo/window.mo/ptn_test.mo/256_col.mo/CbarGray.mo/IMG1.
mo/Crosst90.mo/CheckWin.mo/10_step.mo/cs_cr_ch.mo/cs_cr_gr.mo/DispAdj.mo
/GrayCirc.mo/RGBW_bar.mo/smpte271.mo
Program
(*.prg)
SVGA.prg/CGA.prg/EGA.prg/PGA.prg/XGA.prg/UXGA.prg/VGA1.prg/VGA2.pr
g/VGA3.prg/XGA.prg
Temp
UserChar
(*.uch)
VGIntF0.uch - VGIntF7.uch
VGInt
(*.prg)
VGInt850.prg - VGInt999.prg
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Chapter 1 About the SP-8848
5
Exe (executable files of SP-8848)
(*.exe)
ADEdit.exe/CharEdit.exe/CnfgEdit.exe/GrpEdit.exe/LpEdit.exe/OptEdit.exe/PrgEdit.
exe/
VbmCvt.exe/VGBase.exe/VGManage.exe/CDCEdit.exe/CurTool.exe/Monitor.exe/VersionUp.e
xe/ (*.dll)
CmdDll.dll/GuiCmd.dll/ADDll.dll/CharFile.dll/CVSBMP.dll/GrpSetDll.dll/Layout.dl
l/LimitDll.dll/OptPtnFile.dll/PrgFiles.dll/RegDll.dll/TransDll.dll/TransUsb.dll/DDCE
dit.dll/DDCFile.dll/CDCFile.dll/ImgCom3.dll/imged32.dll/ImgEtc3.dll/ImgFile3.dll/I
mgTiff3.dll/ImgDsp3.dll/IpDlg.dll/
(*.msg)
SP_VG.msg/SPErr.msg/VGErr.msg/
OptDoc (text describing how to create the optional patterns)
make_OPT.txt
Help (help files)
(*.hlp)
ADEdit.hlp/GrpEdit.hlp/PrgEdit.hlp/CnfgEdit.hlp/CharEdit.hlp/VbmCvt.hlp/VGBase
.hlp/LpEdit.hlp/OptEdit.hlp/make_opt.hlp/VgManage.hlp/Vgerrmsg.hlp/Guide.hlp/D
DCEdit.hlp/CDCEdit.hlp/CurTool.hlp/VerUP.hlp/
(*.CNT)
ADEdit.CNT/GrpEdit.CNT/PrgEdit.CNT/CnfgEdit.CNT/CharEdit.CNT/VbmCvt.CN
T/VGBase.CNT/OptEdit.CNT/make_opt.CNT/VgManage.CNT/Guide.CNT/DDCEdi
t.CNT/CDCEdit.CNT/CurTool.CNT/VerUP.CNT/
1.3.5. Other files
File copied into the [¥Windows¥System] directory by the software installation
VGPIO.VXD
File copied into the [¥Windows¥System32¥Driver] directory by the USB driver installation
VGUSB.SYS
File copied into the [¥Windows¥Inf] directory by the USB driver installation
VGUGB.INF

1.3.6. Registration of Registry
The data is registered in the registry as below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
¥Software¥Astrodesign¥SP8848¥
By starting up SP-8848, the data is copied from the above registry to the below registry.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER
¥Software¥Astrodesign¥SP8848¥
When uninstalling it, the data after ¥SP8848 in “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE” is deleted, however, the data after
¥SP8848 in “HKEY_CURRENT_USER” is not deleted. If the data after ¥SP8848 in “HKEY_CURRENT_USER”needs
to be deleted, it should be done manually.
* Please be careful when you delete registry data manually. If the data in the wrong place is deleted, the
Window OS may not start up.
* ASTRODESIGN does not take any responsibility to any result (including direct result and indirect result) after
user deletes the registry data manually.
1.3.7. Usage as Multiple Users
When using SP-8848 by “Multiple Users”, please install it as below.
(1) Install SP-8848 as “Administrator”. Some files and registries can not be installed if “Administrator” is not selected.
(2) Re-log-in with the other user name.
(3) Start up SP-8848. Then, it can be used as it is.
* If SP-8848 version is before 4.01, please follow the below instruction.
(1) Install SP-8848 as “Administrator”. Some files and registries can not be installed if “Administrator” is not selected.
(2) Re-log-in with the other user name.
If it is installed as Administrator, Exe file and short cut can be seen with Power Users, however, registry has to be
re-installed because it is set by user.
(3) Select SP-8848 in the [START] – [SET] – [Control Panel] – [Add and delete Application] .
Then, click the below figure.
6

Chapter 1 About the SP-8848
7
The below screen is shown.
(4) By pressing “Repair” button, SP-8848 is re-installed.
(5) When repair work is done, SP-8848 can be used.

8

2
2 Operation
2.1. General
The basic operations consist of starting up "VGBase," creating and editing data, sending the data to and receiving it
from the VG, and storing the created data in the memory. The layout data used by "VGBase" is grouped together in sets,
and the data, data numbers, codes, etc. sent to the VG are retained in the memory. (For details on how to create and
edit the sets of data, refer to the help sections in the editing programs concerned.)
*Each setting screen is a thing at the time of VG-848 connection. Setting
screens may differ at the time of connection with other VG(s).
2.2. Starting up VGBase
Procedure for starting up "VGBase"
(1) Select [Start] →[Programs] →[SP-8848] →[VGBase].
*When connecting with VG-848, 849, 835, 859 and 830, SP reads the version number of
VG when SP starts. If the version is before 2.00, the message appears.
When message appears, upgrade the firmware of VG first.
(2) The "Select VG Type" dialog box for setting the VG type now appears. Select the VG Type from the options given in
the [Type] combo box, and click the [OK] button. (Once the VG Type is selected, the selection is stored in the memory,
and the dialog box will no longer be displayed when the software program is next started up.) Before the "Select VG
Type" dialog box appears, a "Warning" message (Com Port Open Error) may be displayed. This means that
communication with the VG has not been established: after starting up "VGBase," perform the configuration settings.
(See "Configuration settings" in Section 3-3.)
9

(3) The "Layout Info Setting" (layout data setting) dialog box for setting the data at startup appears. If layout data is to be
used, select [Use Layout File], and click the [OK] button. Otherwise, select [No Info], and click the [OK] button. If the
no data layout will be used, "VGBase" is started up here.
(4) When the layout data is going to be used, the "Load File" file selection dialog box appears. (It does not appear when
the layout data is not going to be used.) Select the "Sample.lot" file in the Data directory (default:
"C:¥Astro¥SP-8848¥Data"), and click the [OK] button. (When a new file is to be created, enter its filename in the [File
Name] box.)
(5) The sample layout data is now loaded into "VGBase" and "VGBase" is started up.
In order to perform the interface and other settings, the configuration settings must be
performed once when the VG is started up. (See "Configuration settings" in Section 3-3.)
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Chapter 2 Operation
11
2.3. Closing VGBase
Procedure for closing "VGBase"
Click the [Close] button.
2.4. Configuration settings
Procedure for changing the VG execution mode and other configuration settings
2.4.1. Startup method
Click the [Config] button of "VGBase." This starts up the "Configuration Editor" program which performs the
configuration settings.
2.4.2. Window screen and description
■Environment page
The directory containing the data files can be set on this page.
Model Name The VG model name is indicated here.
Data Dir The directory in which the data is stored is set here. Under normal
circumstances, no changes should be made to the directory since it
requires a specific structure.
All the settings must match the communication parameters which are set for the
VG unit. As such, special care is required when setting or changing the items on

Click [Apply] so that the configuration settings will take effect and the actual changes will be made. When this button is
clicked on the [Interface] page, the commands are sent to the VG unit and the settings are changed only if
communication is enabled. If communication is disabled, only the configuration data managed by the PC will be
updated.
Bear in mind that even when the settings have been changed, these changes will
b
e lost if the software is closed without clickin
g
the
[
A
pp
l
y]
button first.
Click [Close] to close the configuration setting program.
■Interface page
The parameters for communication with the VG unit can be set on this page.
Select the communication
method here.
Selecting the communication method
Enable This setting enables communication and allows "VG (Serial)," "VG (LAN)" or
"PC" to be set. The setting items differ depending on the VG model.
VG (Serial) This setting selects the RS-232C port to be used as the communication method.
VG (LAN) This setting selects the LAN to be used as the communication method.
PC This setting selects access to the memory card, which is connected directly to the
PC and on which is written the data, as the communication method.
12