Elan MOD3000 User manual

ELAN Home Systems • 1999 • All Rights Reserved MOD3000 Installation Instructions
MOD3000
3-CHANNEL DIGITAL MODULATOR
The ELAN MOD3000 3-Channel Digital
Modulator makes it easy to distribute any three
audio/video sources to unused channels over your
multi-room cable wiring. Now you can enjoy
clear, clean pictures from a security camera, laser disc,
video tape or any other video signal on any channel of any
television set throughout your home!
Because the MOD3000 merges these video sources into
your existing cable signal “before” the signal reaches your
television sets, the new channels will be available on every
set connected to your coax cable! You can even distribute
the audio signal from your stereo system over an unused TV
channel for music to any room that has a cable connection
to a television set.
BASIC INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
The MOD3000 Digital Modulator is easy to hook up to
your existing cable network! The diagram on the next page
gives you an overview of source connections, and where and
how the MOD3000 connects to your existing cable network.
First you will need to determine what channels are
“unused” by your cable provider. Most late model TV’s have
a programmable “channel search” feature that determines
what channels are present and detected by your television
set(s). These unused channels are usually grouped by the
cable company into blocks or “ranges”. Within these
“ranges” will be the three (3) channels to which you will
want to map your video sources.
Make sure the MOD3000 is
not plugged into a 110V wall
jack. Find the Channel Range
Selection DIP switches (1-4)
located to the right of the power
cord on the back panel of the
unit. From the channel ranges
available on the table above the
DIP switches, select your range
and band by configuring the DIP
switches in the correct position. The 3 band prefixes on the
table are ULTRA, UHF and PAL. If you are modulating to
unused cable channels, select channel ranges with the
Switch Band/Channels
ULTRA (65-135)
UHF (14-78)
UHF (14-39)
+ULTRA (91-135)
PAL-K (13-56)
PAL-G (21-69)
DIP SWITCHES
1 2 3 4
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

To connect the MOD3000 to your existing cable
network, you will need a 2 to 1 video signal splitter. For
maximum performance, we recommend the ELAN
VDS200 signal splitter due to its outstanding design and
product quality. Do not let the markings on the splitter
confuse you, just follow the connecting instructions in the
next paragraph.
Connect the video cable (supplied) to the connector
marked “RF OUT” on the rear of the MOD3000. Connect
the other end to one “output” of the splitter. Connect the
existing CATV/antenna cable to the other “output” of the
splitter. To the “input” of the splitter, connect the cable that
feeds your TV or additional video splitters that distribute
video signal to all televisions in your home.
Power up the MOD3000. The LED display on the front
panel will show the currently selected input source (A, B, or
C) and the channel to which that source is currently being
sent. Turn on your TV, then press the SELECT button (located
on the top panel over the display) on the MOD3000 to
cycle the display light to the A, B, or C input whose channel
you wish to set. Once you have scrolled to your selected
source input, press and hold the SELECT button down for
two seconds until the A/B/C light on the front panel blinks.
This puts the MOD3000 in the “Channel Change” mode for
that input source. Press the UP or DOWN button to scroll
to the desired channel number.
NOTE: Again, for best picture performance, you are
required to leave at least 2 unused channels between
each modulated channel!
When satisfied, press the SELECT button again to exit
channel-change mode (the MOD3000 will automatically
exit channel-change mode after 5 seconds of inactivity).
Repeat the above process to set your two remaining video
sources. When all video
sources are “ON” and
transmitting signal to the
MOD3000, the “VIDEO
IN” LED’s located on the
front of the MOD3000
should be lit. Check that
each source is present
and properly modulated to
its appropriate channel by
simply viewing each channel.
In some cases you may need to install an inexpensive
video amplifier to your cable/antenna signal. Check the
diagram for where to place this unit in your cable wiring.
A video amplifier may be needed to balance the signal
strength if there is a discrepancy between the signal strength
of the MOD3000 and your cable/antenna signal.
This is our installation for a basic set-up. The informa-
tion on the following pages will help you configure more
sophisticated home networks. We also provide you with a
trouble shooting section for possible solutions to any prob-
lem you may have.
ELAN Home Systems • 1999 • All Rights Reserved MOD3000 Installation Instructions
ULTRA prefix. If you are modulating on to an off-air anten-
na cable, use channel ranges with the prefix UHF. For
Europe, use the PAL-K or PAL-G band prefixes and channel
ranges.
Example: Your cable provider has channels 70 thru 78
as unused (by evidence that these channels don’t do
anything on your TV). You configure the four “Range”
DIP switches in the “0011” position for mapping to
cable channels 65 thru 135. Now you may modulate
three separate video source signals to unused channels
70, 73, and 76. (It is recommended that you leave at
least two channels free between modulated channels to
avoid frequency interference).
It is a good idea to make sure your video sources are
transmitting properly before connecting them to the
MOD3000. Connect them directly to a TV and check the
sound and picture for good signal. Next, connect base band
video and audio outputs of each piece of source equipment
to the A, B, and C video and audio inputs on the back panel
of the MOD3000.
Basic setup for the MOD3000 is
very simple. Just plug up to three
separate video sources into the
“VIDEO IN” sockets on the back
(plug in associated audio, if
available, also).
Then plug the output of the
MOD3000 and your existing
broadcast TV cable into a signal
splitter (not supplied). We
recommend adding an inexpensive
signal amplifier to your existing
cable input line, as shown on the
schematic. See installation
instructions for details.
Finally, plug the output of the
splitter into your TV set or into any
combination of signal amplifiers
and splitters you want to use to
distribute the signal to all the TV
sets in your house.
MOD3000 BASIC SETUP
Closeup View of
MOD3000 LED Display

MORE SOPHISTICATED SYSTEMS
Sophisticated home “networks” involving many televisions
are feasible with the MOD3000. In developing a network,
care must be taken to design an optimum signal distribution
system.
TV’s are designed for signals around 10dBmV. Signals sub-
stantially below 5dBmV result in weak, fuzzy, snowy
pictures. Signals above 15dBmV may overdrive older TV sets
which don’t have modern auto gain controls (which can han-
dle signals up to 40dBmV). An in-line attenuator (pad) can
also be used to reduce these signals, and to balance
radically different signal strengths at all your televisions. The
MOD3000 has an signal output level adjustment (red screw
marked ATT on the rear of the unit) which affords you the
ability to balance (increase or decrease) modulated signal
strength for optimum performance with your existing TV set(s).
Signal strength decreases with coax cable length,
connectors, splitters and combiners, so it is important to
determine cable length and what in-line devices you will be
using. Adjustment of input signal levels with video ampli-
fiers, either in-line or at the front end of your network, will
compensate for any line losses you may experience. The
following charts will help you calculate likely losses
through coax cable runs and splitters.
SIGNAL LOSS PER 100 FEET, BY COAX CABLE TYPE
Freq RG-11 RG-6 RG-59
400MHz 2.54dBmV 3.90dBmV 4.86dBmV
500MHz 2.87dBmV 4.93dBmV 5.46dBmV
600MHz 3.17dBmV 4.83dBmV 6.01dBmV
700MHz 3.45dBmV 5.25dBmV 6.51dBmV
800MHz 3.71dBmV 5.63dBmV 6.99dBmV
900MHz 3.96dBmV 6.00dBmV 7.44dBmV
SPLITTER SIGNAL LOSSES
Splitter Signal Loss
2-Way 3.5dBmV
4-Way 7.0dBmV
8-Way 10.5dBmV
In-line RF amplifiers are powered through the coax
cable and can be used to achieve modest signal strength
gains. AC powered RF amplifiers offer more amplification,
higher gain (17 to 25dB) and (usually) adjustable gain and
tilt controls. Your system should provide 10dBmV to every
TV (maximum is 15.5dBmV, per FCC regulations).
Reverse isolation is used to prevent the signal from your
MOD3000 from leaking out to the cable distribution system
(which the cable company doesn’t appreciate) or broadcast-
ing off your antenna (which your neighbors won’t appreciate
either). Reverse isolation is accomplished by placing an
amplifier between your antenna or cable company input and
the MOD3000 2-Way Video Splitter. This prevents the
MOD3000 signal from traveling back up the input line.
Band pass filters stop or filter out unwanted frequencies
while passing all others along. They are handy if a channel
you want to use for a MOD3000 source is already in use.
MOD3000 Installation Instructions ELAN Home Systems • 1999 • All Rights Reserved
Taps and directional couplers are used to redirect a
portion of a signal from a “main” line while passing the
remaining signal through. For example, a 24dBmV tap
would attenuate 24dBmV from a 30dBmV signal and
siphon the remaining 6dBmV to a branch line. (Minor signal
losses would occur in both lines).
TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR
MOD3000 INSTALLATION
Try these “remedies” for the problems we have listed
below. If all else fails, call ELAN Home Systems Technical
Support for assistance at 1 (800) 622-ELAN (3526), Monday
thru Friday, 9:00AM to 6:00PM EST.
No Picture At All
Check cable connections. Check cable/antenna mode or
programmable feature on television set. Check MOD3000
Channel range/band DIP switches for proper setting.
Snowy Picture (Weak Signal)
Check cable connections. Increase signal level output of
MOD3000 by turning ATT control pot (red) clockwise. Add
signal amplifier in-line before splitter output.
Lines In TV Picture (Signal Too Strong)
Reduce signal level output of MOD3000 by turning ATT
control pot (red) counter clockwise. If using a signal amplifi-
er, remove it, decrease output, or move it “further up” the
cable line. Add attenuator in line.
Lines In Video Source Picture
Confirm modulated channel has no interference from broad-
cast signals (“clean snow” prior to channel assignment).
TV Picture Is “Ghosting” (FM or Multiple
Signals, Interference)
Make sure all video ports are terminated. Install video
amplifier between antenna input and 2 to 1 video combiner.
Video Source Picture Is Overly Bright
OR Overly Dark
On the bottom panel of the MOD3000, directly beneath the
video source inputs are Picture Quality Level adjustments
for each video source input channel (A, B, and C). Normally,
video source equipment output signals are factory set at one
volt peak to peak, and should not need to be adjusted for. In
some cases, an adjustment on the MOD3000 will need to
be made to compensate for weak or strong signal inputs
from source equipment. Identify which video source input
channel (A, B, or C) needs adjustment and go to that adjust-
ment screw (you will need a small Phillips screwdriver).
If the picture is overly bright and flooded with color, turn the
screw counter-clockwise slightly until the picture exhibits

ELAN Home Systems • 1999 • All Rights Reserved MOD3000 Installation Instructions
normal color. It is recommended that before you begin
adjusting the picture levels of each video source, mark the
original position of the screws with a pencil mark on the
edge of the screw holes. If the picture is overly dark, the
adjustment screw should be “tweaked” clockwise.
Another cause of a “dark picture” occurs when you “split”
(using a Y-cord) the output signals of source equipment to
two modulators (or one modulator and a surround sound
processor). If this is the case, the MOD3000 has Video Input
Termination Selector Switches (DIP switches located to the
right of the red ATT pot on the rear of the MOD3000) that
overcome this problem. Locate the DIP switch for the “split”
video source (A, B, or C) and flip it in the up to the 1K
(Hi-Z) position. If you are splitting a video source to 2
Modulators, leave the corresponding channel on the other
Modulator in the 75 Ohm DIP switch position. This should
alleviate a dark picture.
ELAN HOME SYSTEMS
MOD3000 LIMITED WARRANTY
ELAN Home Systems will repair or replace any defect in material or work-
manship which occurs during normal use of this product (MOD3000) with
new or rebuilt parts, free of charge in the USA, for one year from the date
of original purchase by the end user. This warranty does not cover damages
in shipment, failures caused by other product not supplied by ELAN Home
Systems, or failures due to accident, misuse, abuse, lightning damage, tran-
sient voltage or alteration to equipment. This warranty is only extended to
the original purchaser, and a purchase receipt, invoice, or other proof of
original purchase date will be required before warranty repair is provided
by ELAN Home Systems.
Before you can receive warranty service, you must call ELAN Home
Systems Technical Support Department at 1 (800) 622-ELAN. At that time,
an ELAN Support Technician will deem your unit defective after an inquiry
about the operation of your MOD3000. A Return Authorization Number
will be issued and the unit, with proof of purchase, must be shipped to
ELAN Home Systems with the Return Authorization Number prominently
displayed on the outside of the shipping carton. Shipping costs to ELAN are
the responsibility of the end user. Return shipping costs to the end user will
be incurred By ELAN if the product is deemed within the warranty period.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights
(which vary from state to state). If a problem with this product develops
during or after the warranty period, please contact ELAN Home Systems,
your dealer, or any factory authorized service center.
ELAN Home Systems, LLC
2428 Palumbo Drive
Lexington, Kentucky 40509
Voice - 1(606) 269-7760
Fax- 1(606) 269 7972
www.elanhomesystems.com
SPECIFICATIONS
Output Frequency (Channel) Range 470 - 860 MHz
Output Level 10 - 30 dBmV (Adjustable)
Audio/Video Carrier Ratio 17dB
Video Frequency Response +/-1dB
Output Impedance 75 Ohms
VIDEO:
Video Input 1 Volt, Peak to Peak
Depth of Modulation 87.5%
Signal To Noise Ratio >55dB
Differential Gain <2%
Differential Phase <3%
Input Impedance 75 Ohm/1K (Hi-Z) Selectable
CHANNEL RANGES:
UHF (Antenna) (471.25 - 856.25 MHz) Channels 14 - 78
ULTRA (Cable) (469.25 - 859.25 Mhz) Channels 65 - 135
Split Channel Range Channels 14 - 39 and 91 - 135
AUDIO:
Input Level (For 22kHz Peak Deviation) 1 Volt, Peak to Peak
Intercarrier Offset Frequency 4.5 MHz +/-5KHz
Input Impedance High
Frequency Response +/- 1dB
GENERAL:
Power 90 - 120VAC 60 Hz, 8 Watts
Dimensions 9” X 6” X 2.8”
(230mm X 155mm X 70mm)
Weight 2.65 lbs /1.2kgs
TYPICAL HOME SIGNAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
*Audio output
from a stereo
system can also
be “piped” to the
networked TVs
the same way.
*
NOTE: For installation with an ELAN TD®or
HD®System, please consult the Installation
Manual for each system.
A/V loop-through connectors feed
selected audio and video signal
direct to stereo TV (the signal
appears on its “regular” channel)
while also delivering the signal with
monaural audio to the MOD3000 for
distribution to the other TVs on the
network. When using this configu-
ration, make sure the video imput
termination selector switch for that
channel is set to the 1K position.