Crystal Vision VDA210R User manual

Crystal Vision Ltd., Lion Technology Park, Station Road East, Whittlesford, Cambridge, CB22 4WL, England.
E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.crystalvision.tv Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
VDA210R
Analogue video distribution amplifier

Crystal Vision VDA210R User Manual V3.21
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Contents
1 Introduction 3
2 Installing Statesman 7
3 Statesman operation 7
3.1 Video status and settings 8
Gain 8
Equalisation 8
Status indicators 8
Input standard select 9
Source select 9
Second channel type select 9
3.2 Setting alarm/clamp options and recalling factory defaults 10
Alarm on black 10
Output clamp 10
Cal all 10
4 Using the active control panel 11
Selecting the VDA210R 12
Navigating the display 13
4.1 The VDA210R active panel menu structure 14
Shorthand codes 14
4.2 Adjusting video gain and EQ 15
4.3 Input video status and settings 16
4.4 Checking the output and adjusting clamp/alarm settings 17
4.5 Recalling factory defaults 18

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5 Card edge operation 19
6 Hardware installation 21
6.1 Universal rear connectors 21
Rear module connections with RM01 22
Rear module connections with RM15 22
Rear module connections with RM18 23
Rear module connections with RM02 24
6.2 General purpose interface 25
6.3 Configuration 27
Changing the input termination 27
Optimising error masking - output setup (local mode only) 27
Changing channel two format type (local mode only) 28
Changing output 2 input source (local mode only) 28
Changing the GPI output drive 28
7 Problem solving 29
8 Specification 31

Crystal Vision Introduction
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1 Introduction
The VDA210R is a dual analogue video distribution amplifier with two inputs. In dual
channel mode it supports up to five main outputs per channel. In single channel mode, it
supports up to ten main outputs.
It has adjustable gain, equalisation and clamp and gives sophisticated error reporting,
including dark and white clip video. Input termination is link selectable.
The VDA210R may be used with the RM01 single slot rear connector, the RM02
quadruple slot rear connector and the RM15 and RM18 double slot rear connectors.
The rear module used determines the number of loop-though and main outputs. Passive
loop-through is independent of the amplifier; the module may be removed without losing
the looped-through source.
The unit plugs into the front of the rack frame, and the universal connection system
allows a mixture of Crystal Vision modules in the frame.
The hinged front panel of the case reveals LED indication of Dark, Clip, Input Sync Error
line standard (525/625), PSU status and controls for cable equalisation, gain and output
clamping.
VDA210R video distribution amplifier
General-Purpose Interface lines are also provided to indicate dark, clip and input
presence.

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The main features are as follows:
•Dual 1 in 5-out or single 1 in 10-out video distribution amplifier
•Continuously variable equalisation for up to 300 metres of coaxial cable.
•GPI dark, clip and input presence indication for each channel
•Inputs may be terminated in 75Ωor left unterminated (HiZ) – on-board jumper
•Optimise error correction and clamp for channel two signal type – ideal for split
Luma/Chroma operation
•Bulb or LED GPI drive capability
•Card edge, active/remote panel and Statesman control options
Note: This manual covers the dual channel VDA210R. The single channel VDA110R and the
VDA110M/210M without remote control are also available.

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2 Installing Statesman
The Crystal Vision Statesman PC control software is designed to control a range of
Crystal Vision modules via serial control from a PC. Statesman provides a user friendly
means of configuring and operating the VDA210R with the benefit of see-at-a-glance
status monitoring. Most functions can be accessed from Statesman menus.
The main Statesman application communicates with each module in a frame through an
active or Statesman enabled control panel. A passive panel cannot be used for Statesman
control.
Minimum pre-requisites:
•A PC running either Windows 2000 or Windows XP is recommended
•A parallel port dongle for Statesman PCs with attached Crystal Vision frames
•An RS422 serial connection from the host PC to the Control/422 RJ45 or
Remote/RMT 2 connector on Crystal Vision frames
•An active or Statesman enabled control panel MUST be fitted to the frame with
version 1.63 or above firmware – if it is an Indigo frame the firmware must be
V1.04 or above
•An optional RS422 to RS232 converter if the PC has no RS422 ports
Installing Statesman
•Refer to the readme and/or help file on the CD before proceeding
•To view all application windows, set graphics resolution to at least 1024 x 768
•Remove any previous version of the Statesman software using the Add/Remove
Programs application in the Windows Control Panel
•Ensure that the Statesman dongle is fitted to the parallel port of the host PC
•Insert the Statesman CD and the installation should start immediately – if it
does not, run the setup.exe file on the CD
•Obey any installation program prompts and restart the PC when prompted
Running Statesman for the first time
The Statesman PC Control System may be run from the Crystal Vision programs folder
via the Start menu or by double clicking on the Crystal Vision.exe file in the installed
program directory.
When the program runs it will require licence information and an administrator name and
password. It will also need to know which computer port is being used to connect to a
Crystal Vision frame(s).
Note: For further details of Statesman configuration please refer to the Statesman manual.

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3 Statesman operation
Once Statesman is configured it should automatically detect any statesman compatible
modules in the connected frame or frames and display them in the left hand explorer-style
window of the main application.
Open any frame by clicking on the ‘+’ sign or by double clicking on a frame. Installed
modules should be shown with module icons. Frame and module icons can be named as
desired by right clicking or using the edit menu and choosing rename.
To aid user recognition of module and frame status quickly, the following colour and size
coding is used:
•A module is shown present by full colour and absent by greyed colour
•A module is shown open by large icon size and closed by small icon
•A module is the source of an active alarm if red and not alarmed if green
Double-clicking on a module will enable the display of the main application menus.
Statesman main application window
The two large control panes shown in the upper and lower halves of the window may
display different menus for the same card, or controls for different cards. Click on the
horizontal button-bar between the two panes to close the lower plane or drag the button to
vary the size of the panes.

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3.1 Video status and settings
The VDA 210 Control tab provides access to the following
•Variable gain for each channel
•Variable equalisation for each channel
•Input status/error status/standard for each channel
•Source select
•Second channel type select
VDA210R Control tab
Gain
Video gain may be varied in gain in 0.025dB steps from 70% (–3.0dB) to 140% (+3.0dB)
using the slider provided. Press the CAL button to restore unity gain.
Equalisation
Cable loss compensation may be varied in 1.2m (4 feet) steps from zero to 300m (0 to 984
feet).
Press the CAL button to restore the default of zero equalisation.
Status indicators
Ind Colour Meaning when lit
Inp Presence Green Composite / Y + sync / Green + sync input signal present.
Sync Error Yellow Input sync size <90% or >110% of expected value.
Luma Over Yellow Output Luma levels >110% of peak white
Luma Dark Yellow Output Luma level <15% of peak white for time delay set by
rotary Delay control
525 Green 525-line signal input
625 Green 625-line signal input

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Input standard select
Although the input standard is detected automatically, it may help to match the on-board
video content error detection with the precise input video standard. Use the Input standard
check boxes to select the standard that matches the actual input present.
Std Default Alternatives
625 PAL-B, -G, -H or -I. PAL-N or PAL-N (Argentina).
525 NTSC-M PAL-M or NTSC-M (Japan).
Source select
The VDA210R can be operated in two modes:
•2 x 5 – dual channel mode; seconds channel uses Input 2 as source
•1 x 10 – single channel mode; second channel uses Input 1 as source
To change mode check either Input 1 or Input 2 as the source for Channel 2.
Note: The second channel input will not appear at the output when Channel 2 uses Input 1 and
Input 2 status indicators will be greyed out.
Second channel type select
The Channel 2 CBRUV check box is provided to allow the on-board error detection and
output clamp to be matched with the input 2 video format.
If the CBRUV box is left unchecked a composite video, Y + sync or G + sync input is
assumed. In this case, input error status reporting is activated and the output clamp uses
the sync pulses on input 2 to DC-restore output 2.
If the CBRUV box is checked, a chroma input is assumed. In this case channel 2 error
detection is disabled and the output clamp uses the sync pulses on input 1 to DC-restore
output 2.
Note: The second channel input type box is not greyed out even when Input 2 is not used to
contribute to any outputs.

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3.2 Setting alarm/clamp options and recalling
factory defaults
The Misc tab provides access to the following:
•Alarm on black on/off/delay
•Clamp – fast, slow, off
•Set defaults – Cal All
VDA210R Misc tab
Alarm on black
Use the rotary control to adjust the delay time after which dark (<15% Luma) picture
content sets an alarm. The delay is adjustable in 1 second steps from 1 second to 10
minutes. Check the Off box to disable the dark alarm and the corresponding GPI output.
Output clamp
Check an appropriate clamp option.
Fast provides a recovery time of approximately 6 lines. Slow provides a recovery time of
approximately 60 lines. Off selects an AC-coupled output.
Cal all
Click on Cal All to clear all user adjustments and set the VDA210R to factory defaults.
Note: For further details of Statesman configuration and operation please refer to the Statesman
manual.

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4 Using the active control panel
This operational guide assumes that the panel has been setup according to the Panel setup
procedure described in the Crystal Vision Control Panel manual.
Note: It is ESSENTIAL that the Panel setup procedure is followed and any old or unknown
passwords cleared prior to using the panel for the first time.
At power up, the two line 20-character screen will display ‘Crystal Vision’ followed by
the firmware version number for the control panel. All eight-control panel keys LEDs will
illuminate.
The Crystal Vision control panel start up display
'Control Panel' then briefly replaces the version number display.
If the control panel firmware has been updated for Statesman control Statesman Mode
will be entered and the message, ‘Press CAL to Exit’ will be displayed and the CAL LED
will light.
Statesman mode is entered by default

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To continue with control panel operation or configuration, press the ‘CAL’ key once. A
second press of the ‘CAL’ key will return to Statesman control.
The control panel will display the name of the card that first responds to the polling
request together with its location number.
The location number consists of the frame number plus the card position in the frame.
Selecting the VDA210R
To select a particular card in a frame, press the DEVICE key to go to the Device menu.
The top line of the display will show ‘Available Cards X’, where X is the number of cards
that have responded so far to the polling request.
Device menu showing available cards
Rotate the shaft encoder and the bottom row will display the successfully polled cards by
name and location or slot number.
In the example above, the card displayed is located in the first frame in slot number 7.
When the desired card is selected press the ENTER key to access that card’s HOME
menu.
If remote control has been enabled, the control panel will then enter card mode and
communicate with the VDA210R at the node number (usually location –1 in a single
frame) most recently displayed in the available cards list. If the card is in local mode,
'Remote Ctrl Disabled' will be displayed.
The VDA210R home menu
Note: The VDA210R will need to have the card edge local/remote switch (lever 2) in the
DOWN position to enable active or remote control panel operation. Refer to the Card
edge operation chapter or Installation chapter for more information.

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Navigating the display
The functions assigned to control panel keys are dependent on the card selected for
control, and the panel mode. The following list illustrates the functions when controlling a
VDA210R.
•DEVICE – enters Device menu to select a card or card to control / enter Panel
setup when held down during power up / shows frame status when pressed from
Statesman mode
•CAL – Enter or leave Statesman mode / enter panel diagnostics mode when held
down during power up / set default value when enabled
•Asterisk – enters board rename menu from the Device menu
•F1 to F4 – soft keys, function assigned within each menu
•HOME – moves the display to the home menu
•ENTER – accept current selection
•Upward arrow – used to move up the menu structure / enter lock panel menu
from the Device menu
•Rotary control – shaft encoder used to select options or variable data
Note: Please refer to the Crystal Vision Control Panel manual for details of the Panel Setup,
Lock Panel and Diagnostic menus.

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4.1 The VDA210R active panel menu structure
The main top-level menus for the VDA210R module are obtained by pressing the F1, F2,
F3 and F4 keys from that module’s HOME menu. Menu keys are illuminated when active
and when further menus are available. The four top-level menus are:
•Video gain and/or EQ – press F1
•Input menu – press F2
•Output menu – press F3
•CAL – press F4
The following chart shows the available menus.
The VDA210R menu tree
Note: Function keys and shaft encoder LEDs are illuminated when active.
Menus associated with the shaft encoder for changing assigned values are shown with a
black circle.
Shorthand codes
The following shorthand codes are used in active control panel menus:
Menu code Meaning
EQ Equalisation
Std Video standard
Clamp DC restoration

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4.2 Adjusting video gain and EQ
Pressing F1 from the home menu will display the gain/EQ menu.
Channel gain menu Description
Press the F1 for the Ch 1 gain menu
Press the F2 for the Ch 1 equalisation menu
Press the F3 key for the Ch 2 gain menu
Press the F4 for the Ch 2 equalisation menu
Rotate the shaft encoder to vary Ch1 video gain in
0.025dB steps from 70% (–3.0dB) to 141% (+3.0dB).
Press CAL button to restore 0dB gain.
Rotate the shaft encoder to vary Ch1 input video
equalisation from zero to 984 feet of Belden 8281 or
similar cable. Press CAL button to restore zero
equalisation.
Rotate the shaft encoder to vary Ch2 video gain in
0.025dB steps from 70% (–3.0dB) to 141% (+3.0dB).
Press CAL button to restore 0dB gain.
Rotate the shaft encoder to vary Ch2 input video
equalisation from zero to 984 feet of Belden 8281 or
similar cable. Press CAL button to restore zero
equalisation.
Note: The gain and EQ values in remote mode and local mode may be different to each other
and are retained through power down, and restored when the unit is powered up.

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4.3 Input video status and settings
Pressing F2 from the home menu will display the Input video menu:
•Check – Input horizontal sync status
•Std – Display/set input standard (to optimise error detection)
•Type – Channel 2; Composite, Y or G plus sync or chroma
Input video menu Description
Press the F1 key to view the input sync status
Press the F2 to set input standard details
Displays status of Ch1 and Ch2 horizontal sync pulse.
Press the F1 or CAL button to update the screen with
current status.
Matches the on-board video content error detection
with the input video standard for Ch1.
Matches the on-board video content error detection
with the input video standard for Ch2.
Select the video format type for Channel 2 to allow
the on-board error detection and output clamp to be
matched with the input 2-video format.
Press F1 if Ch2 is chroma (C/B/R/U/V)
Note: The input sync is of the form nnnmV sync, where nnn is the sync-tip to blanking level in
millivolts.
Expected value is 300mV for PAL-B, PAL-G, PAL-H, PAL-I or PAL–N (Argentina).
Expected value is 286mV for NTSC-M, PAL-M or PAL-N.
Although the input standard is detected automatically, it may help to match the on-board
video content error detection with the precise input video standard.
The input standard defaults with a 625-line input to PAL-B, -G, -H or -I. Press the F1 key
to set PAL-N, press F3 to set PAL-N (Argentina). With a 525-line input it defaults to
NTSC-M. Press the F1 key to set PAL-M, press F3 to set NTSC-M (Japan).
By default channel 2 is assumed to be composite video, Y + sync or G + sync input. In
this case, input error status reporting is activated and the output clamp uses the sync
pulses on input 2 to DC-restore output 2. If F1 is pressed for CBRUV (chroma) channel 2
error detection is disabled and the output clamp uses the sync pulses on input 1 to DC-
restore output 2.

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4.4 Checking the output and adjusting
clamp/alarm settings
Pressing F3 from the home menu will display the Output menu.
The following settings can be adjusted:
•Check – output luminance status
•Clamp – display/set DC restoration setting
•Alarm – set dark alarm settings
•Sel2 – select source for output 2
Output video menu Description
Press the F1 key to view output luminance status
Press the F2 key to set output DC restoration
Press the F3 key to set the Dark Alarm settings
Press the F4 key to set the Dark Alarm settings
Displays status of output 1 and output 2 luminance
content
Press the F1 or CAL key to update the screen with
current status
Display/set DC restoration type.
Press F2 or F3 to cycle though the available choices:
Fast, Slow or Off
Adjusts period after which dark (<15% Luma) picture
content sets an alarm. Press the CAL key to set the
dark decay to the default of 60 seconds
Press the F1 key disables the dark & clip alarms
Selects source for Output 2
Press F1 to change between Input 2 and Input 1
Notes: Output luminance status is one of the following:
Ok: Output Luma levels between 15% and 110% of peak white.
Dark: Output Luma levels less than 15% of peak white for a period determined by Dark
Alarm menu.
Over: Output Luma levels greater than 110% of peak white.
Video clamp defaults to Fast (approximately 6 lines recovery time). Press the F2 and/or
F3 keys to set the clamp to Slow (approximately 60 lines recovery time) or Off (AC-
coupled output).
Dark alarm timer adjustable in 1 second steps from 1 second to 10 minutes. Press the F1
key to disable the dark & clip alarms and their corresponding GPI outputs.

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4.5 Recalling factory defaults
Pressing the F4 key provides access to factory defaults recall (CAL) menu.
Cal menu Description
Press F4 from the home menu to display the CAL
menu
Press the CAL key to clear all user adjustments & set
the VDA210R to factory defaults.

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5 Card edge operation
Once the start-up initialisation procedure is complete, the VDA210R card can be
controlled or configured from the card edge, the active control panel or the Statesman PC
interface. This chapter will concentrate on the card edge controls.
The front edge of the card provides power rail monitoring, signal status, gain/EQ
adjustment, output clamp type, dark and clip GPI alarm settings and remote/local
selection.
VDA210R front edge view
The 8-way piano switch allows the card settings be adjusted.
Lever Function UP DOWN
1CAL Rotate ADJUST to alter the selected
parameter (local control only)
Rotate ADJUST to calibrate the
selected parameter (local control only)
2REMOTE Front-panel (local) control Serial remote control
31 / 2 Channel 1 selected (local control
only).
Channel 2 selected (local control only).
4EQ / GAIN Rotate ADJUST to alter cable
equalisation (local control only)
Rotate ADJUST to alter gain (local
control only)
5ALARM Dark and Clip alarm GPI outputs
enabled (local control only)
Dark and Clip alarm GPI outputs
disabled (local control only)
6SLOW Fast (6 lines) output DC restore (local
control only)
Slow (60 lines) DC restore (local
control only)
7AC DC-restored video output (local
control only)
AC-coupled video output (local control
only)
8Not used Not used Not used
8-Way piano switch menu functions
The VDA210R is supplied factory-set with zero cable equalisation and 0dB gain.
EQ CH1 DIL levers 1, 2 and 4 UP: Cable Equalisation continuously variable
from 0 to 300m using the ADJUST control
GAIN
Ch1 DIL levers 1, 2 UP, 4 DOWN: Gain continuously variable ± 3.0dB
using the ADJUST control
For channel 2 gain/EQ put lever 3 into the DOWN position.

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Video monitoring test point
A 75Ωmonitoring output is provided on two test hooks at the board edge. White is
Monitor Out, black is Ground.
LED indication (left hand side)
LED Location/colour Meaning when lit
Ch1 IN Green (bottom) Composite / Y + sync / Green + sync input signal present.
Ch1
ERROR
Red (top) Input sync size <90% or >110% of expected value.
Ch 1
DARK
Red (bottom) Output Luma level <15% of peak white for an extended
period (set by timer)
Ch 1
CLIP
Red (top) Output Luma levels >110% of peak white
Ch 1 525 Yellow (bottom) 525-line signal input
CH 1 625 Yellow (top) 625-line signal input
Ch 1LED indicators
LED indication (right hand side)
LED Location/colour Meaning when lit
Ch2 IN Green (bottom) Composite / Y + sync / Green + sync input signal present.
Ch 2
ERROR
Red (top) Input sync size <90% or >110% of expected value.
Ch 2
DARK
Red (bottom) Output Luma level <15% of peak white for an extended
period (set by timer)
CH 2
CLIP
Red (top) Output Luma levels >110% of peak white
Ch 2 525 Yellow (bottom) 525-line signal input
Ch 2 625 Yellow (top) 625-line signal input
PSU Green Power supply OK.
CH 2 and PSU LED indicators
Please refer to section 6.2 Configuration to set the following options when using card
edge control:
•Changing the output setup – match video content error processing to video
format
•Changing channel two format type – optimise error correction and clamp for
signal type
•Changing output 2 input source – single (1 x 10) or dual (2 x 5) channel
operation