Black Box PC Image II User manual

CUSTOMER
SUPPORT
INFORMATION
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Mail order: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]
MARCH 1994
AC461C
PC Image II

1
PC IMAGE II
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy
and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions, may cause interference to radio communication.
It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of
Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection
against such interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause interference, in which case the user at his own expense will be required
to take whatever measures may be required to correct the interference.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for Radio noise emission from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada .
Le présent appareil numérique n'émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les
limites applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe B prescrites dans le Règlement
sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par Industrie Canada.
TRADEMARKS
Windows™is a trademark, and Microsoft®is a registered trademark
of Microsoft Corporation.
PostScript®is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
IBM®and AT®are registered trademarks of IBM Corporation.
RCA®is a registered trademark of General Electric Co.
Sound Blaster™is a trademark of Creative Labs, Inc.
Sony®is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation.
Novell®is a registered trademark of Novell Corporation.
All applied-for and registered trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.

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PC IMAGE II
Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................5
1.1 Block Diagram of PC Image.......................................................5
1.2 PC IMAGE II Functions .............................................................7
1.3 System Requirements .................................................................7
2. QUICK INSTALL ....................................................................................8
2.1 Install the Hardware...................................................................8
2.2 Connect External Devices to PC Image II.................................9
3. HARDWARE INSTALLATION ............................................................13
3.1 Hardware...................................................................................13
3.1.1 Set the CD-ROM Jumpers............................................15
3.1.2 Connect the Audio-Header .........................................15
3.1.3 Install the Audio Header Cover ..................................16
3.2 Attach PC Speaker Wires (Optional) ......................................16
3.3 Connecting SCSI CD-ROM Drives...........................................16
3.3.1 CD-ROM Drive Settings ..............................................17
3.3.2 Connecting the Data Cable .........................................17
3.3.3 Connecting the Audio Cable.......................................17
3.3.4 Reassemble the PC .......................................................17
3.4 Connecting to a Television Monitor .......................................18
3.4.1 RCA Plug (Video Out).................................................18
3.4.2 4-Pin DIN Plug (S-Video).............................................18
3.4.3 Cable Input (Antenna Input)......................................18
3.5 Protecting Your Sound Equipment .........................................18
4. SOFTWARE INSTALLATION..............................................................19
4.1 Installing DOS Drivers and Software.......................................19
4.2 Installation Procedures ............................................................19
4.3 CD-ROM Driver Setup..............................................................21
4.3.1 Using Your SCSI Driver................................................21
4.3.2 Optional Parameter .....................................................21
4.4 The MSCDEX Driver................................................................21
4.4.1 Optional Parameters ....................................................22
4.5 MVSOUND.SYS Driver.............................................................22
4.6 Changing the Volume Level ....................................................23
4.7 Changing Hardware Settings With A Text Editor ..................23
4.8 Installing the DOS Video Driver..............................................23
4.8.1 Flicker Reduction .........................................................23
4.8.2 Screen Position.............................................................23
4.9 Installing Windows Drivers ......................................................23

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PC IMAGE II
4.9.1 Installing MCI CD-Audio Drivers ................................24
4.9.2 Changing the Hardware Settings for Windows ..........25
4.9.3 Resolving DMA and IRQ Conflicts in DOS ................25
4.9.4 Understanding IRQs ....................................................25
4.9.5 Understanding DMA Channels...................................26
4.9.6 Conflicts With Other Programs...................................27
5. PAS UTILITY 28
5.1 Introduction to PAS ................................................................28
5.2 Mixer Control Panel.................................................................29
5.3 Command Line Mixer Control................................................31
5.3.1 PAS Keywords ...............................................................31
5.3.2 Help...............................................................................32
5.4 PAS Utility Examples................................................................33
5.4.1 Audio Source Input Level Control..............................33
5.4.2 Fading ...........................................................................34
5.4.3 Equalizer Control (Enhancements)............................34
5.5 Master Volume Control............................................................35
5.6 Mute .......................................................................................35
5.7 Queue Control..........................................................................35
5.7.1 Reset Command ...........................................................36
5.8 Error Messages..........................................................................36
5.9 Playback and Record Utilities ..................................................36
5.9.1 PLAYFILE.EXE.............................................................37
5.9.2 RECFILE.EXE...............................................................38
6. WINDOWS UTILITIES.........................................................................39
6.1 Pro Mixer Utility .......................................................................39
6.1.1 Using the Multimedia Mixer Dialog Box....................40
6.1.2 Changing the Volume..................................................41
6.1.3 Set an Audio Source for Playing or Recording ..........41
6.1.4 Using the Equalizer......................................................42
6.1.5 Using the Timed Fade Dialog......................................43
6.1.6 Cross-Channel Fades ....................................................44
6.1.7 Mixer Setting Delays.....................................................44
6.2 Pocket Recorder .......................................................................45
6.2.1 File Menu Functions ....................................................46
6.2.2 Edit Functions ..............................................................47
6.2.3 Effects Functions ..........................................................48
6.3 Using Pocket Recorder ............................................................49
6.3.1 Selecting a Region of a Wavefile .................................49
6.3.2 Playing a Waveform File...............................................50
6.3.3 Recording a Waveform File .........................................51

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PC IMAGE II
6.3.4 OLE and Pocket Recorder...........................................53
6.3.5 Exiting From Pocket Recorder....................................54
6.4 Pocket Mixer Utility..................................................................54
6.4.1 Using Pocket Mixer......................................................54
6.4.2 Creating a MIX File......................................................56
6.4.3 Recording/Playback Considerations ..........................57
6.4.4 Recording with a Microphone.....................................57
6.4.5 Setting an Audio Source for
Playing or Recording....................................................57
6.5 Media Player .............................................................................57
7. VGA, TV, AND VIDEO PRIMER ..........................................................59
7.1 The Basics .................................................................................59
7.2 VGA Basics ................................................................................59
7.3 TV/Video Basics .......................................................................59
7.4 Converting VGA to Television .................................................60
7.5 Best Results on TV....................................................................60
7.6 Best Results on Videotape........................................................61
7.7 Audio and Video Output to TV or Videotape ........................61
7.7.1 Record to Videotape ....................................................61
8. TROUBLESHOOTING ........................................................................62
8.1 Poor Sound or No Sound ........................................................62
8.2 CD-ROM and Disk Drive Problems .........................................64
8.3 System Hang-Ups or Lock-Ups ................................................65
8.4 Windows Questions ..................................................................65
8.5 Video Questions........................................................................66
APPENDIX A: TECHNICAL INFORMATION ...............................................68
A.1 I/O Addresses...........................................................................68

5
CHAPTER 1: Introduction
With PC IMAGE II, you can convert
your PC’s VGA output to be
displayed on a television or recorded
to a VCR. This capability, combined
with PC IMAGE II’s complete sound
card functions, brings audio and
video production to your PC.
Please take a few minutes to read
this introduction carefully. It details
the use of this manual and the
functional blocks of the PC IMAGE
II; and provides a glimpse of the uses
for this innovative device.
1.1 Block Diagram of PC Image
There are several sections to the PC
Image board. The combination of
these parts is what gives the PC
IMAGE it’s unique capabilities.
With PC IMAGE II, you can record
audio onto your hard disk from a
microphone, CD, or external (AUX)
device. MIDI data can play the on-
board FM synthesizer, or can be sent
to external synthesizers. All audio
sources can be mixed and modifed
via the mixer.
The video block of PC Image II takes
the external VGA signal and does
two things. First, it splits the signal
and passes part of it to the PC Image
II’s VGA port, for viewing on a VGA
monitor. Second, it connects the
signal to a televsion signal, and
sends it out to the PC IMAGE II’s
video out ports for recording and
display.
1. Introduction

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PC IMAGE II
1.2 PC Image II Functions
•Business Presentations — Your
PC IMAGE II gives you the power
to record, edit, and play back all
audio and video elements for a
dynamic and effective presen-
tation, product demo, or
multimedia expereince.
Presentations can be recorded
to videotape for distribution, or
alternatively can be distributed
on floppy disk.
• MIDI — Your PC IMAGE II puts
a recording studio in your PC.
You can use your PC Image II
with the latest MIDI sequencer
software (optional) as well as
explore possibilities of hard disk
recording.
•MPC Compatible — The PC
IMAGE II meets or exceeds all
the specifications for the
Multimedia PC (MPC) platform.
It is fully compatible with the
Microsoft®Windows™graphical
environment with Multimedia
Extensions, Version 1.0 and
Windows 3.1, and all the
applications requiring an MPC
audio adapter.
•Audio Mixer — PC IMAGE II’s
high-fidelity audio mixer ties
together CD-audio, sequenced
MIDI synthesizers, digitally
sampled audio samples, and
external audio and plays them
through whatever playback
system you want. You can mix
all your sound sources to a single
stereo output; play sounds
together; and solo, or pan them
from one side of the stereo field
to the other.
PC IMAGE II CHAPTER 1: Introduction
1.3 System Requirements
Your PC must meet the following
minimum specifications for your PC
IMAGE II to work properly. If it does
not, you will need to upgrade the
deficient areas.
• IBM®AT®, 80286, 80386, 80486,
or other compatible
• 3.5" disk drive
• 640K RAM System Memory
• DOS 3.1 or higher
• Hard disk with 6 MB free space.
• Headphones (using a 1/8-inch
stereo phono plug)
Optional:
• Microphone (600 to 10K ohm
dynamic
• External audio source (tape
player, stereo, etc.)
MIDI interface cables and MIDI
sequencing software.

7
PC IMAGE IICHAPTER 1: IntroductionPC IMAGE II CHAPTER 1: IntroductionPC IMAGE II
Figure 1-1. Block Diagram of PC IMAGE II.
FM
Synthesizer
MIDI
Controller
External
MIDI In/Out
Dig./Analog
Converter
(.WAV files)
CD-Audio
Output
Mic
Input
AUX
Input
VGA Card
Output
Analog/Dig.
Converter
VGA-Pass
Through
Output
NTSC
Output
VGA-NTSC
Module
Audio
Output
AmplifierMixer

8
PC IMAGE II
This chapter is designed for people
who have a thorough under-standing
of both their PC and their video and
audio hardware. If you are not one
of these people, refer to the detailed
instructions beginning in Chapter 3.
2.1 Install the Hardware
Set the CD-ROM Jumpers
Your PC IMAGE II board includes
a CD-ROM interface. If you wish to
connect a CD-ROM drive, you will
have to set two jumpers. If you are
not using the CD-ROM interface, go
to the next heading.
Jumpers 15 and 16 set the IRQ level
and DMA channel for the PC
IMAGE II’s CD-ROM interface. Set
these so that they do not conflict
with other peripherals in your PC.
Connect the audio header cable.
Take this time to locate the audio
header. This unit is a long, flat,
ribbon cable with an expansion-slot
connector at one end. Plug this
cable into the back of the PC IMAGE
II board (see Figure 2-1). Pin 1 on
all of the board connectors is
indicated by a small triangle.
2. Quick Install
Figure 2-1. PC IMAGE II Board.

9
CHAPTER 2: Quick Install
Install the board.
Remove the cover from your PC and
install the board in an unused 16-bit
expansion slot. Secure the card with
the screw from the PC’s expansion
slot cover.
Install the audio-header cover.
Remove one of the slot covers from
the back of your PC. Route the
audio-header cable to the back of
the PC and install it in the
expansion-slot opening.
2.2 Connect External Devices to PC
IMAGE II
CD-ROM
If you are using a CD-ROM drive
with your PC IMAGE II, install it
now. Follow the instructions that
came with the drive, and use the
manufacturer’s supplied cables for
interfacing the drive to the PC
IMAGE II card. Connect both the
SCSI controller cable and the CD-
audio interface.
There are no jumpers to set when
installing the SCSI CD-ROM drive.
The settings are controlled through
the PC IMAGE II installation
software.
PC Speaker
You can hook up your PC’s speaker
to PC IMAGE II, although it is not
necessary. Unplug the PC speaker
from the motherboard, and plug it
into the PC IMAGE II board (see
Figure 2-2).
Do not plug in the internal speaker
if you are going to connect external
speakers. External speakers are
usually far superior to the PC’s
internal speaker.