Black Box AC095A User manual

CUSTOMER
SUPPORT
INFORMATION
Order toll-free in the U.S. 24 hours, 7 A.M. Monday to midnight Friday: 877-877-BBOX
FREE technical support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone]
Mail order: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]
FEBRUARY 1995
AC095A
AC096A
ProVideo Converter
Video Scan Converter II
TEST
POWER
INPUT
Video Scan Converter II
UNDER
SCAN
FREEZE
ANTI-
FLICKER
TEST
POWER
INPUT
ProVideo Converter
UNDER
SCAN
HOME
FREEZE
ANTI-
FLICKER
MAGNIFY

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
AND
INDUSTRY CANADA
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS
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 A
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 necessary 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 A 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 classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le
brouillage radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
Apple, Mac, and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple
Computer, Inc.
IBM is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation.
RCA is a registered trademark of General Electric Co.
UL is a registered trademark of Underwriters Laboratories
Incorporated.
Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property
of the trademark owner.
FCC AND IC STATEMENTS, TRADEMARKS

PROVIDEO CONVERTER AND VIDEO CONVERTER II
NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM) ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT
INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD
1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes
de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.
2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para
referencia futura.
3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de
operación deben ser respetadas.
4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.
5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo,
cerca de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca,
etc..
6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales
que sean recomendados por el fabricante.
7. El parato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como sea
recomendado por el fabricante.
8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más
allá a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio
deberá ser referido a personal de servicio calificado.
9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no
interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama,
sofá, alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se
debe colocar en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los
orificios de ventilación.
10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de
calor como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos
(incluyendo amplificadores) que producen calor.
11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo
del tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en
el aparato.

NOM STATEMENT
12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la
polarización del equipo no sea eliminada.
13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que
no sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos,
poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen
del aparato.
14. El equio eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las
recomendaciones del fabricante.
15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las
lineas de energia.
16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo no
sea usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.
17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos
no sean derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.
18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:
A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u
B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro
del aparato; o
C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o
D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio
en su desempeño; o
E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

PROVIDEO CONVERTER AND VIDEO CONVERTER II
Contents
Chapter Page
1. Specifications ............................................................................................. 1
2. Introduction ............................................................................................... 4
3. Installation .................................................................................................. 5
3.1 Initial Steps .......................................................................................... 5
3.2 Hooking Up Video Output ................................................................ 5
3.3 Selecting Your Video Standard .......................................................... 7
3.4 Booting Your Converter System ......................................................... 7
4. Operation ................................................................................................... 8
4.1 Indicators ............................................................................................. 9
4.2 Using the Front-Panel Controls ......................................................... 9
4.3 Other Features .................................................................................. 11
5. What to Expect from Converted Computer Images .............................. 13
6. Troubleshooting ...................................................................................... 15
6.1 Common Concerns ........................................................................... 15
6.2 Calling Your Supplier ....................................................................... 17
6.3 Shipping and Packaging ................................................................... 17
Appendix A: S-Video, the Improved-Quality Video Standard ...................... 18
Appendix B: Connector Pinouts .................................................................... 19

1
CHAPTER 1: Specifications
Approvals — FCC Part 15 Class A, IC Class/classe A
System Software
Required — None
Standards — Input, Computer Output: VGA, SVGA, or Mac video
at the refresh rates and resolutions listed below;
Television Output: NTSC or PAL composite,
S-Video (including Hi-8 and Beta-ED), and/or RGBS
Compatibility — All operating systems and environments
Color — Up to 24-bit (“true”) color (16.8 million colors)
Refresh Rates and
Resolutions — ProVideo Converter (AC095A):
VGA, SVGA:
320 x 200, 640 x 200, and 640 x 350 at 70 Hz;
640 x 480 at 60, 72, 73, or 75 Hz;
720 x 350 and 720 x 400 at 70 Hz;
800 x 600 at 56, 60, 70, 72, 73, and 75 Hz;
1024 x 768 at 60, 70, 72, 73, and 75 Hz;
Mac:
640 x 480 at 66 Hz;
832 x 624 at 75 Hz;
1024 x 768 at 60 Hz;
Video Converter II (AC096A):
VGA, SVGA:
320 x 200, 640 x 200, and 640 x 350 at 70 Hz;
640 x 480 at 60, 72, 73, or 75 Hz;
720 x 350 and 720 x 400 at 70 Hz;
800 x 600 at 56, 60, 70, 72, 73, and 75 Hz;
Mac:
512 x 384 at 60 Hz;
640 x 480 at 66 Hz;
832 x 624 at 75 Hz
1. Specifications

2
PROVIDEO CONVERTER AND VIDEO CONVERTER II
Computer- and TV-
Video Processing — Input Sampling: 24-bit (8 bits per RGB), 708 samples
per active portion of computer-video line;
Graphics-Mode Detection: Automatic;
Video Processing: 24-bit separate RGB;
Video-Memory Size: 708 x 740 x 24 bits (1 video
frame);
Video-Encoding Process: 24-bit RGB encoding with
10-bit output D/A;
RGB Output Processing: 24-bit RGB with 3 x 8-bit
output D/A;
Differential Gain: Less than 1%;
Differential Phase: Less than 1˚;
Frequency response for composite, S-Video: 6.5 MHz
(–3 dB)
User Controls — (9 [AC096A] or 10 [AC095A]) External:
(1) Rear-mounted slide switch for NTSC/PAL
selection;
(8 [AC096A] or 9 [AC095A]) Front-mounted
pushbuttons:
Both models: (1) Underscan, (1) Flicker
Reduction, (1) Freeze Image, (1) Test,
(4) Image Positioning;
AC095A only: (1) Magnify
Indicators — (6 [AC096A] or 7 [AC095A]) Front-mounted LEDs:
(2) on panel: Power, Input;
(4 [AC096A] or 5 [AC095A]) on buttons:
Both models: Underscan, Flicker Reduction,
Freeze Image, Test;
AC095A only: Magnify
Connectors — (6) Rear-mounted:
(1) DB15 female for VGA input or Mac output;
(1) DB15HD female for Mac input or VGA
output;
(1) RCA phono jack for composite output;
(1) 4-pin mini-DIN female for S-Video output;
(1) DB9 for RGBS output;
(1) Inverted phono jack for power

3
CHAPTER 1: Specifications
Power — From UL®, CSA, and TUV certified desktop power
supply:
Input range: 95- to 250-VAC, 47 to 63 Hz
(autosensing) at 0.9 amps;
Output: 5 VDC at 5 amps
Size — 1.5"H x 7.25"W x 6.25"D (3.9 x 18.5 x 15.9 cm)
Weight — 3 lb. (1.4 kg)

4
PROVIDEO CONVERTER AND VIDEO CONVERTER II
Thank you for purchasing the ProVideo Converter or Video Converter II. We
are sure you will find it to be a reliable and useful product. You now have the
ability to convert your computer monitor’s signal into a form suitable for
recording on a VCR, displaying on a conventional TV or video monitor, or
integrating into a multimedia production system. And you can do this without
installing any boards or software in your computer!
Chapters 3 and 4of this manual show you how to install and operate your
Converter. Chapter 5 gives you some guidelines on what you should (and
shouldn’t) expect from your converted computer images and explains how
to get the best quality of image display. Chapter 6 gives you tips for handling
problems that might occur with your Coverter system. Appendix A explains
what S-Video is and why it should be used as output from your Converter
whenever possible. Lastly, Appendix B shows the pinouts of all of your
Converter’s connectors.
2. Introduction

5
CHAPTER 3: Installation
Follow the procedure outlined in this chapter to install your ProVideo
Converter or Video Converter II.
3.1 Initial Steps
1. Disconnect your monitor from the monitor port on your computer.
2. Connect one end of the special 6-foot (1.8-m) input cable provided with
the Converter to the monitor port on your computer. (See Section 4.3.3
for more info on this cable.) Plug the other end into the appropriate
connector on the rear panel of the Converter: either the one labeled
VGA IN if you are taking VGA video from an IBM®PC or compatible
or the one labeled MAC IN if you are taking Macintosh®video from
an Apple®Macintosh. See Figures 3-1 and 3-2 on the next page.
3. If you want your monitor to continue to display, connect it to the
appropriate MONITOR output connector, either VGA OUT or
MAC OUT. See the next section for a description of this ouput.
4. Plug the output cord of the power supply provided with the Converter
into the connector labeled POWER. Plug the power supply’s input cord
into the wall outlet to provide power to the Converter. (If you ever need
an AC-line cord specific to another country, call Black Box.)
5. Connect your video equipment to one or more of the Converter’s video
outputs (refer to the next section).
3. Installation