Clarity SN-4215-P User manual

®
SN-4215-P
42" SignPost Plasma Display
User’s Guide
070-0038-01
08 June 2000

ii
© 2000 by Clarity Visual Systems™, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission of Clarity Visual Systems,
Inc.
Trademark Credits
Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Corp.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corp.
All other names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
Clarity Visual Systems Company makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material. While every
precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual, Clarity Visual Systems shall not be liable for
errors or omissions contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the
furnishing, performance, or use of this material.

iii
LIMITED WARRANTY. Clarity warrants to Buyer that the SN-4210-P (the "Product"), if properly used and
serviced, will perform substantially in accordance with the product data sheet and users manual, and will be
free from defects in material and workmanship for 1 year following date of shipment. This warranty does not
apply to consumable parts or retained images on the Product.
If any Product fails to conform to the written warranty, Clarity's exclusive liability and Buyer's exclusive
remedy will be, at Clarity's option, to repair, replace or credit Buyer's account with an amount equal to the
price paid for any such defective Product returned by Buyer during the warranty period, provided that: (a)
Buyer promptly notifies Clarity in writing that such Product failed to conform, furnishes an explanation of any
alleged deficiency and obtains from Clarity a return authorization; and (b) Clarity is satisfied that claimed
deficiencies actually exist and were not caused by accident, misuse, neglect, alteration, improper installation,
repair or improper testing. Clarity will have a reasonable time to make repairs, to replace Products or to credit
Buyer's account.
LIMITATIONS. Any written warranty offered by clarity is in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied.
Clarity neither assumes nor authorizes any other person to assume any other liabilities in connection with the
sales or use of any product without limitation. Clarity disclaims all other warranties, express or implied,
including any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular.
In no event will clarity be liable to buyer or any other party for procurement costs, loss of profits, loss of use, or
for any other incidental, consequential, indirect or special damages or for contribution or indemnity claims,
however caused. Clarity's liability shall be limited to actual direct damages not in excess of the amounts paid
to clarity by buyer for the product. These limitations will apply to all claims, including, without limitation,
warranty, contract, indemnity, tort (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise.

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Table of Contents
1 InformationYouNeedtoKnow ............... 1-7
1.1 What is the SN-4215-P? ..............................1-2
1.2 YourSafetyIsImportant .............................1-4
2 HowtoInstalltheDisplays .................. 2-1
2.1 BeforeYouStart…..................................2-2
2.2 Installing the Display ................................2-4
2.3 ConnectingPowerandSignalCables ..................2-6
3 SettingUptheDisplaysElectronically ......... 3-1
3.1 Setup:AnOverview .................................3-2
3.1.1 AbouttheRemoteControl......................3-4
3.1.2 ThePowerUpSequence.......................3-6
3.2 ConnectingtheSource ..............................3-8
3.2.1 SelectingPCSources ........................3-10
3.2.1.1 SelectingtheFormatforPCSources.......... 3-12
3.2.1.2 AboutAutoDetectforPCSources............ 3-14
3.2.2 SelectingVideoSources ......................3-16
3.3 AdjustingforOptimumPictureQuality .................3-18
3.3.1 InputLevels—ComputerSources...............3-20
3.3.2 Frequency&Phase—ComputerSources.........3-22
3.3.3 InputAdjustments—VideoSources .............3-24
3.4 Saving and Recalling the Settings .....................3-26
3.5 AdjustingDisplaysinaVideoWall ....................3-28
3.5.1 Filling the Wall With One Image ................3-30
3.5.2 AdjustingPositionandSize(Zoom) .............3-32
3.5.3 MatchingtheColors..........................3-34
3.6 SomeAdditionalControls ...........................3-36
3.7 What’sintheMiscControlMenu?.....................3-38
4 ControllingtheDisplaysRemotely ............ 4-1
4.1 How RS232 Commands Work .........................4-2
5 Maintenance.............................. 5-1
5.1 Cleaning and Transportation ..........................5-2
6 Troubleshooting........................... 6-1
6.1 PowerandStartupProblems .........................6-2
6.2 ImageProblems....................................6-4

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6.3 CommonQuestions(andAnswers).................... 6-6
7 References ............................... 7-1
7.1 RS232 Commands ................................. 7-2
7.2 Menus ........................................... 7-4
7.3 ConnectorPinouts ................................ 7-10
7.4 LEDs ........................................... 7-11
7.5 Regulatory Information ............................. 7-12
7.6 Specifications .................................... 7-14
7.7 Making Test Patterns With “Paint” .................... 7-18
7.8 TechnicalSupportForms ........................... 7-20
Index........................................ 7-23

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1 - 1
1Information You Need to Know
1.1 What is the SN-4215-P?
1.2 Your Safety Is Important

1 - 2
1.1 What is the SN-4215-P?
The Clarity Visual Systems SN-4215-P is designed for moving display applications where the thick-
ness of the display device is a concern. The units accept computer and (optionally) video signals, as
well as RS232 control commands. All plasma displays, such as this one, are subject to burn-in from
still images left too long on the screen.
The big advantage of the Clarity plasma display
is its thickness, or rather its thinness. And its
brightness. The SN-4215-P is about 30% bright-
er than previous models.
The SN-4215-P has several mounting op-
tions:
• Flat to the wall in landscape orientation,
using the supplied hanger hardware;
• Flat to the wall in portrait orientation,
using the same supplied hardware;
• Angled down at 5, 10, or 15 degrees in
landscape orientation, using optional
hardware.
The power supply is separate from the display
unit itself and connects with a 9-foot cable. This
reduces heat build-up in the display, reducing
the need for heavy duty fans, and making the
display quieter. It also reduces the weight of the
display and makes installation more flexible.
Be sure to read about Image Retention, page 2-2.
The SN-4215-P screen has a 16x9 aspect ratio,
and the electronics module accepts a variety of
input types:
SN-4215-P Signal Types
Signal Frequency Signal Format
640x480 (VGA)
800x600 (SVGA, crop-
ped)
852x480
832x624 (cropped)
640x400
RGB, H&V sync sepa-
rated
RGB, composite sync
RGB, sync on green
525/60* NTSC, composite or
S-video
625/50* PAL or SECAM, compos-
ite or S-Video
*Video signal processing is an option.
In some cases, the computer signal is crop-
ped top and bottom, because the screen’s aspect
ratio is 16x9 and the signal’s aspect ratio is 4x3.
The computer signals come in through
15-pin VGA-style connectors. There are two
such connectors, Input 1 and Input 2. Either of
these can be selected electronically. The selected
input is also output from the loop-thru connec-
tor, another 15-pin connector.
The video connectors are BNC and S-Video
4-pin DIN, each with its own loop-thru. The
video signals are internally terminated in 75Ω.
Video signal processing is an optional feature.
Two 9-pin connectors are used for RS232
communications, one input and one loop-thru
output.
Options: An optional video processor allows the
direct display of composite or S-video in NTSC,
PAL, or SECAM.

1 - 3
Standard Accessories for the SN-4215-P
Quantity Part
1 Plasma Display
1 Power Supply Module with connecting cable
1 Mounting bracket for the back of the display
1 Mounting bracket for the wall
3 6-32 x ¾ Phillips head screw
3 ¼-20 x ½ socket cap screw
2 8-32 x 2" standoff
1 VGA cable, 15-pin D-sub
1 AC Power cord
1 Remote control with batteries
1 User’s Guide (this manual)

1 - 4
Carry the display panel like this.
Not like this.
1.2 Your Safety Is Important
This list of safety warnings isn’t very long. Reading it could save you from getting an electric shock or
a cut. And maybe save you from destroying the display beyond repair.
First, the display itself is heavy. Even though it
isn’t very thick, it weighs about 65 pounds (30
kg). Always get help when moving it. Never try
to move it alone.
Second, it has a glass panel. If this panel
cracks, the display is ruined and cannot be re-
paired.
Third, the power supply produces some pret-
ty high voltages. Never turn on the power sup-
ply switch, unless it is connected to the display.
Do not open the back of the display. There are
no user serviceable parts inside.
Transporting the display—Always, always,
always transport the display vertically. Never,
never, never transport it lying flat. The display
was shipped to you vertically, and that is the
way it should always be transported. The glass
panel will break if it is transported lying flat,
and the display will be ruined.
WARNING Transporting the SN-4215-P while it is lying flat will probably destroy the display panel. The
glass will probably break. This cannot be repaired, and the display will have to be scrapped.

1 - 5
WARNING Disconnect power cord before servicing this unit.
WARNING When mounting the display on the wall, be sure to mount it to wall structures, not to wall board
or paneling.

1 - 6

2 - 1
2 How to Install the Displays
2.1 Before You Start…
2.2 Installing the Displays
2.3 Connecting Power and Signal Cables

2 - 2
2.1 Before You Start…
Here are some questions you need to answer before installing these displays: How high should the
displays be mounted? Will there be adequate ventilation? How strong do the mounting points need to
be? How will power and signal cable be routed? Is there adequate AC power available? Should the
display be oriented Landscape or Portrait? Where will the power supply go?
Weight—Each display, without the power sup-
ply, weighs 65 lbs. (29.5 kg). Most displays are
mounted on walls using the Clarity mounting
brackets. The wall must be strong enough to
hold this weight.
Power—Each display draws a maximum of 8.7
amps at 115 VAC (4.4 amps at 230 VAC). Usu-
ally the current is less than this, around 3 amps,
but you have to prepare of the maximum. No
more than two displays should be used on a
normal 115 V, 20 A circuit.
One potential problem with any plasma display
is image retention. Still images left on the
screen for as little as ten minutes can leave a
permanent image. This is sometimes called
“burn-in.” The SN-4215-P is not a good choice
of display product that will show one image for
a long time.
WARNING Do not allow still images to stay on
the screen for more than a minute or
two.
What kind of applications might produce
burn- in? Any application where the same thing
will be shown in the same part of the screen for
a long time. For example:
• Each picture is on the screen for more
than one or two minutes.
• Text displays, where the headline, or
some other part, never changes, even
though the rest of the text continually
changes.
• Moving images in which the background
never changes, such as the background in
video conferences.
What does a burned-in image look like? Burn-
in is not noticeable until you go to the next
image. Then you see a ghost of the first image
over the second image.
Can a burned-in image be fixed? Yes, some-
times. If the burn-in isn’t too bad, you can try
displaying a white image for several minutes.
Use a completely white image, without any
other picture information in it. There is no
guarantee that this will work every time.
Of course, the best way to cure any problem
is not to have the problem in the first place.
• Do not allow still images to stay on the
plasma screen for more than a minute or
two.
• Do not use still images if they are high
contrast.
• Avoid a series of still images where one
part of the screen doesn’t change, such as
tables of figures where the column head-
ings never change.
• Avoid moving images where part of the
screen doesn’t change, such as video con-
ferences, where the picture hanging on the
wall behind the speaker and the filing cab-
inet in the background never move. And
even the speaker hardly moves!

2 - 3
Preventing Image Burn-In
Do not allow still images to be displayed for more than one or two
minutes.
Avoid moving images where one part of the scene does not move.
High contrast images burn in faster and stronger than low contrast
images.
If using still images, keep the cycle time at no more than one minute
per image.

2 - 4
2.2 Installing the Display
The display can be mounted in either landscape or portrait orientation. A mounting bracket set is
included. The power supply can be installed up to nine feet away from the display panel.
The easiest way to mount the display is to use
the two mounting brackets supplied in the ac-
cessories kit. One of these brackets has two
large tabs and mounts to the rear of the display
with three bolts. The other bracket has two slots
and mounts on the wall.
When mounted and hung in landscape ori-
entation, using the brackets supplied, the top of
the display will be 1-7/8" (4.8 cm) higher than
the row of mounting holes in the wall bracket.
When mounted and hung in portrait orienta-
tion, the top of the display will be 9-1/2"
(24.1 cm) higher than the row of mounting
holes in the wall bracket.
When you plan the installation, leave at least
1–3/4" (4.5 cm) of space above the top of the
display. This will allow you to lift the unit over
the wall bracket. This is true for either orienta-
tion.
Taken together, this means that in landscape
orientation, the holes for the wall bracket
must be at least 3-5/8" (9.2 cm) below the ceil-
ing. In portrait orientation, the holes of the wall
bracket must be at least 11-1/4" (28.6 cm) below
the ceiling.

2 - 5
1-7/8"
SN-4215-P
Bracket
on rear
of display
Bracket
mounted
to wall
Mounting
bolt
Wall
At least 1-3/4"
to ceiling
Mounting the display panel
in landscape orientation
SN-4215-P
Bracket
on rear
of display
Bracket
mounted
to wall
Wall
At least 1-3/4"
to ceiling
Mounting
bolt
9-1/2"
Mounting the display panel
in portrait orientation

2 - 6
2.3 Connecting Power and Signal Cables
The display itself receives power from the power supply, which is connected to the AC mains.
Computer and video signals connect to the electronics module through one of two inputs, and both of
these can be looped through to the next display. RS232 commands loop in and out of 9-pin connec-
tors.
Power
The power supply can be placed anywhere
that is convenient, as long as the power cable
from the supply module can reach the back of
the panel. There is no extension available for
this cable, because it should not be extended.
The display can draw as much as 8.7 amps at
115 V (4.4 A at 230 V). This high current draw
occurs when the screen is all white, which it
will be during some of the setup procedures. Be
sure the AC power source can handle this cur-
rent. Consider all the other devices that may be
connected to this AC circuit.
1. Connect the power supply module to the
power connector on the rear of the display
panel.
2. Connect the AC power cord to the power
supply module.
Signal cables
1. For computer sources, connect the compu-
ter’s display output connector (15-pin) to
the PC1 connector on the display. If the
computer is a MAC, use an adapter cable
(not supplied) from the MAC 15-pin con-
nector to the display’s PC-type connector.
2. If there is a second computer source, con-
nect it to PC2.
3. For video sources, connect a composite
video source (usually a round connector
with only one central pin) to the C-Video
input. Connect S-Video sources to the
S-Video connector.
4. If you are using more than one SN-4215-P
display, you can loop the signal from one
display to the next.
• For computer sources, connect the
LOOP-THRU output to the next display’s
PC1 input. The signal coming out of
this loop-thru is either PC1 or PC2, as
selected in the Source Select menu.
• For composite video sources, connect
the C-Video output to the C-Video in-
put of the next display.
• For S-Video sources, connect the
S-Video output to the S-Video input of
the next display. It is not necessary to
terminate the last video connection in
the loop.
Control cables
The displays can be controlled with RS232
commands as described later in Chapter 4.
1. Connect the computer’s Comm Port to
the RS232 Input of the nearest display.
This is a 9-pin D-sub connector. Use a
9-pin to 9-pin cable (not supplied) with
one male and one female connector.
2. If you are using more than one display,
connect the RS232 Output to the next dis-
play’s RS232 Input, and so on. Use high
quality cables for best results.
3. If you are using more than one display, be
sure to set the Monitor ID of each display
to a different address. This lets you con-
trol the displays individually and in
groups.

2 - 7
Rear panel of display
Video inputs with their loop-thru outputs
RS232 input and output
PC inputs with their common loop-thru output
Power input connector on rear panel

2 - 8