Eyeheight AR-2n User manual

AR-2n
Multimode Aspect Ratio Converter in a desktop chassis with
software control application.
user manual
eyeheight

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
User Manual Versions
Date
Product
Version
MD S/W
Version
MD F/W
Version
Viper
Version
Changed
13/06/2008
AR-2 V100
AR-2 S104
AR-2MD
F100
V100
17/06/2008
AR-2 V101
AR-2 S106
AR-2MD
F100
V100
- fixed bug with x-fade not being updated when changed
- fixed infinite loop issue with fade to black and invalid input
video/powerup condition
25/06/2008
AR-2 V102
AR-2 S106
AR-2MD
F101
V100
added 507->487 remapping nd fixed hd audio CRC error
06/08/2008
AR-2 V103
AR-2 S106
AR-2MD
F101
V101
fixed numerous issues with VIPER build 100, rest no change
02/10/2008
AR-2MD
V104
AR-2MD
S117
AR-2MD
F113
V106
HD audio fixed, many software changes, many viper changes
14/10/2008
AR-2MD
V105
AR-2MD
S118
AR-2MD
F113
V106
Fixed issue with GPI changes setting variable in incorrect bank
22/10/2008
AR-2MD
V106
AR-2MD
S119
AR-2MD
F113
V106
Fixed bug that caused a memory to be saved in the wrong
location
Fixed a banking error with the simple protocol
07/11/2008
AR-2MD
V107
AR-2MD
S120
AR-2MD
F113
V106
fixed a couple of small issues, see log for details
Versions
Changes
Date
Software
1.0
Initial release
17/6/09
V106
1.1
Softpanel instructions re-directed
01/02/10
V106

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
Table of Contents
Table of Contents..................................................................................................3
Table of Figures....................................................................................................5
1 System Overview ...............................................................................................6
1.1 The nanobox chassis..............................................................................6
1.2 The AR-2n product..................................................................................6
2 Setting up the AR-2n.........................................................................................8
2.1 Associated equipment.............................................................................8
2.2 Connecting the LE-2n using a soft panel................................................8
2.2.1 Installing the software..........................................................................9
2.3 Screen Layout.......................................................................................10
2.3.1 Toolbar...............................................................................................10
2.3.2 Device Info.........................................................................................11
2.3.3 Status Bar..........................................................................................11
2.3.4 Display Buttons..................................................................................11
2.3.5 Rotary Controls..................................................................................12
2.3.6 Next & Previous Buttons....................................................................12
2.4 Menu Navigation...................................................................................12
2.4.1 Go To Another Menu .........................................................................13
2.4.2 Single Parameter Adjustment............................................................13
2.4.3 Double Or Triple Parameter Adjustment............................................13
2.4.4 Information Display............................................................................13
2.5 Connecting the AR-2n using an FP-9. ..................................................13
2.5.1 Flexipanel controls.............................................................................15
2.5.2 Device Buttons...................................................................................15
2.5.3 Menu Navigation................................................................................15
2.5.4 Parameter adjustment of a green menu.............................................15
2.5.5 Parameter adjustment of a red menu.................................................16
2.5.6 Information display.............................................................................16
3 Connecting Video to the AR-2n........................................................................17
4 Other Features/Messaging...............................................................................18
4.1 Messaging with the soft java panel.......................................................18

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
4.2 Messaging with an FP-9........................................................................18
4.3 Tamper Locking the AR-2n...................................................................19
4.4 Primary AR-2N control..........................................................................19
4.4.1 Setting the output video standard ......................................................19
4.4.2 Bypass mode operation.....................................................................19
4.4.3 Loading a memory.............................................................................20
4.4.4 Setting up the GPIs............................................................................22
4.4.5 Setting up embedded video signalling parameters ............................23
4.4.6 Setting up the transition parameters..................................................23
4.4.7 Setting the power-on default values...................................................24
4.5 Advanced AR-2N control ......................................................................24
4.5.1 Adjusting the output picture dimensions ............................................24
4.5.2 Adjusting the input picture blanking ...................................................25
4.5.3 Setting the Audio delay......................................................................25
4.5.4 Adjusting the advanced video options................................................26
4.5.5 Auto-ARC mode and the Clear all vars function ................................27
4.5.6 Saving a user memory.......................................................................28
4.5.7 Viewing a saved memory...................................................................30
4.6 The software upgrade process..............................................................31
4.7 Unit reset options..................................................................................31
5 The AR-2N Menu Set.......................................................................................33
6 Technical Appendix..........................................................................................71
6.1 GPI/Tally/RS232 technical information. ................................................71
6.1.1 GPI Inputs..........................................................................................71
6.1.2 GPI Splitter ........................................................................................72
6.2 Technical Specifications .......................................................................73
6.3 Aspect Ratio Terminology.....................................................................75

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
Table of Figures
Figure 1-1 Figure 1 1 Nanobox chassis with worldwide PSU and USB Cable ......6
Figure 1-2 The AR-2n Front (top) and Rear (below). ............................................7
2-1 Diagram showing the power and data connections.........................................9
2-2 LE-2n Power and control connection using an FP-9.....................................14
Figure 2-3 Flexipanel (FP-9) controls..................................................................15
Figure 2-4 Types of menus showing their characteristic colours.........................15
Figure 3-1 - Video connections to the AR-2N......................................................17
Figure 3-2 AR-2n Connections............................................................................17
Figure 4-1 UK keyboard reference diagram........................................................18
Figure 6-1 Typical GPI Input ...............................................................................71
Figure 6-2 GPI Splitter. Has 2 RJ-45 Sockets, one for the Comms and one for the
GPI's ............................................................................................................72

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
1System Overview
This manual describes the function of the AR-2n which is an AR-2S (SD-SDI) or
AR-2M (SD/HD-SDI) Aspect Ratio Converter (from now on referred to as ARC)
processing card connected within a nanobox desktop chassis.
1.1 The nanobox chassis
The nanobox chassis has been designed to provide a low cost way of operating a
single ARC card for stand-alone use without the complex and more expensive
infrastructure of an etherbox 1RU rack mount chassis (FB-9E) and 1RU
operational panel (FB-9). The AR-2n ARC card is operated by a java software
application for PC or MAC. Connection is via a supplied USB lead.
Figure 1-1 Figure 1 1 Nanobox chassis with worldwide PSU and USB Cable
1.2 The AR-2n product.
The AR-2n is a single channel aspect ratio converter and up/down-converter,
incorporating HD/SD auto-sensing and 3 field temporal processing. It is capable
of high quality bi-directional conversion between different aspect ratios such as
4:3, 14:9, 16:9, etc. with full 10-bit resolution.
In addition to the basic function of the AR-2n listed above, the unit also has the
following features:
WSS/VI control

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
Blanking adjustments
Integrated embedded audio delay which compensates for internal and
external picture delay, settable from a control panel.
InvisiARC™technology for discrete aspect ratio switching
Advanced filter controls including Mosquito Noise Reduction and Block
Artefact Removal
Figure 1-2 The AR-2n Front (top) and Rear (below).

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
2Setting up the AR-2n
2.1 Associated equipment.
The AR-2n can operate in two modes. Each of these modes is determined by a
factory set internal link option. The modes are:
1. Operation using a soft panel on a PC or a Mac computer.
2. Operation using a “hard” eyeheight FP-9 Flexipanel.
Respectively the associated equipment required for operation of the above
modes are:
1. A PC or Mac to operate the softpanel. (User provided) and a USB cable
(Supplied).
2. An FP-9 control panel with an RR-9E rear enclosure (Available from
eyeheight) and a standard ethernet cable with RJ-45 connectors (user
supplied) is also required to connect the FP-9 panel to the AR-2n.
The AR-2n will always be shipped in mode 1 ( Soft Panel) unless the
customer specifies otherwise.
DO NOT CONNECT THE SUPPLIED USB/RJ45 CABLE TO THE
FRONT RJ45 LABELLED “PANEL” THIS COULD RESULT IN
DAMAGE TO THE UNIT.
You cannot operate the softpanel and an FP-9E Flexipanel at the
same time.
2.2 Connecting the LE-2n using a soft panel.
This is the way the LE-2n is normally shipped. The data and power connections
are shown in the diagram below. After power up the Status light should turn from
red to green indicating that it is operational in soft panel mode. If the status light
goes orange the system was factory configured for operation with an FP-9 1RU
panel. In the unlikely event that the status light stays red then the system has
found an error and it will need returning to the factory.

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
2-1 Diagram showing the power and data connections.
THE AR-2n UNIT MUST BE PLACED IN A COOL ENVIROMENT
(ROOM TEMPERATURE IS REASONABLE) WITH ADAQUATE
VENTELATION. DO NOT COVER OR USE IN AN UNVENTELATED
RESTRICTED SPACE.
2.2.1 Installing the software.
The software is provided on an eyeheight USB flash drive which is supplied with
the LE-2n.
The softPanel application requires no installation itself. Simply run “softpanel.jar”
However, it requires three platforms to be in place already:
Java Runtime Environment (Java 5 or later).
RxTx serial drivers for Java (see below).
USB to serial drivers.
For full installation instructions please refer to the softPanel_manual_20xx.pdf
which is available by selecting:
Support -> Manuals -> Software on our website at Eyeheight.com and is also
supplied on the memory stick which comes with the AR-2n.

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
2.3 Screen Layout
2.3.1 Toolbar
File
oExit
Options
oCOM Port
Tick the name of the COM Port that you want to use.
The application will enumerate this list of your COM Ports when it
starts up.
oBaud Rate
This is the speed of the serial comms. You will need to use 115200.
oLarge Displays
If you find the Display Buttons too small, then you can tick this
option to increase the size at the expense of the resolution.
Multi-Device Mode
If you are using the softPanel with a nanoBox (NB-9), you will not need to
set this option.
This option should be set if you are using the softPanel with an etherBox
(FB-9E) to control more than one product, as you would a standard panel
(FP-9).
Tools
oRefresh
The softPanel will request a menu refresh from the active device.
It will also refresh the data displayed in the Device Info box.
oSend Message
The messaging system is used to send text messages from the
panel to a product.
For more info, see section 4.
oUn-acquire product
Like a standard Eyeheight panel (e.g., FP-9), the softPanel
Toolbar
Device
Info.
Status
Bar
Display
Buttons
Rotary
Controls
Next & Previous
Buttons

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
“acquires” control of a product, and retains a lock to prevent other
panels from controlling the same device.
To release that lock, and allow other panels to control the device,
use this tool.
oSearch for products…
Scans the Eyeheight system for available products, and adds them
to the Devices list.
Help
oAbout…
Shows version number, release, and development information.
2.3.2 Device Info.
Shows information about the device that you are controlling, to identify it and
display status information.
NID
The Network ID is an address on the Eyeheight I-Bus communication
network.
Host Alias
Sometimes known as the username, this is a user definable identification,
saved to the product
Software
The version of software that the device is running.
By convention, this is commonly formed from [product name] + [release
date] + [version number].
S/N
Serial Number of the device. This uniquely identifies the product.
Status
This control will display according to the status of the device.
The display colour is based on a traffic light system of green, amber, and
red.
Hover the mouse over the control to see an information tooltip.
2.3.3 Status Bar
Generic GUI component, for conveying information to the user.
In normal use, the status bar will display the Host Alias of the device, but it is also
used to display error messages and status updates.
2.3.4 Display Buttons
The four buttons, labelled A, B, C, and D act both as separate menu displays,
and as larger combined displays, depending on context.

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
They also act as buttons; performing an action when clicked. This action will
depend on what is displayed on the button at the time.
For more info, see Menu Navigation.
2.3.5 Rotary Controls
In normal use, the four rotary controls correspond directly with the four Display
Buttons; each to the display above it.
When a rotary control is not enabled, its marker will be grey.
When it is in use, the marker will be white, and it will respond to the mouse
pointer, when hovered over it:
Not enabled
Enabled
Mouse
hovered over
centre
Mouse
hovered over
minus button
Mouse
hovered over
plus button
Click the plus button to rotate clockwise (increment).
Click the minus button to rotate anti-clockwise (decrement).
The centre button usually restores a menu to its default value.
2.3.6 Next & Previous Buttons
These are aids to navigating the devices “flat” menu systems.
They flash while further menus are available.
2.4 Menu Navigation
Menus are colour coded to show how to interact with them.

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
See below:
Go To
Another Menu
Single
Parameter
Adjustment
Double Or
Triple
Parameter
Adjustment
Information
Display
2.4.1 Go To Another Menu
A common menu item, used for navigating tree-structured menus.
2.4.2 Single Parameter Adjustment
A green menu is one in which there is one adjustable parameter.
There are two ways to adjust the parameter in a green menu:
Press the green Display Button.
This will increment the value in that window.
This is most frequently done when the menu parameter is Textural for
example switching a parameter between ON and OFF. In this case a
button press is most natural.
Use the Rotary Controls to adjust the parameter in the respective Display
Button.
The direction and speed of rotation enable numeric values to be set easily.
2.4.3 Double Or Triple Parameter Adjustment
A red menu is one in which there are two or three adjustable parameters. In this
case it is necessary to first select the menu by pressing the red Display Button.
When the red button is pressed it will turn green, and either two or three of the
Rotary Controls will flash, indicating that the respective Rotary Control will
operate a corresponding parameter.
2.4.4 Information Display
A yellow menu is one in which only information is displayed.
2.5 Connecting the AR-2n using an FP-9.
The AR-2n is normally shipped for operation with a soft panel. If you have
specifically asked for the system to operate with a flexipanel then it will be
shipped this way. The control and power connections are shown in the diagram

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
below. After power up the Status light should turn from red to orange indicating
that it is operational in FP-9 panel mode. If the status light goes green then the
system was factory configured for operation with a soft panel. In the unlikely
event that the status light stays red then the system has found an error and it will
need returning to the factory.
2-2 LE-2n Power and control connection using an FP-9.
The Ethernet cable must be <2M long or you may experience fading of the FP-9
display due to voltage drop from the power supply in the LE-2n. If you wish to
mount the FP-9 panel very remotely (up to 150 Metres) then set the power switch
on the RR-9 (Rear box for the FP-9) to “LOC” (Local) and use the power supply
supplied with the RR-9 to power the panel.

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
2.5.1 Flexipanel controls.
Figure 2-3 Flexipanel (FP-9) controls.
2.5.2 Device Buttons.
There are 8 grey device buttons. These switch between the currently selected
processing cards installed in the etherbox. It is also possible to select cards in
another chassis if the I-Bus is connected to the other chassis.
2.5.3 Menu Navigation.
There are two ways to navigate from menu to menu.
1. Using the NEXT and PREV buttons. These are for “Flat” menu structures.
The NEXT and PREV LEDS will flash while further menus are available.
2. Using a GOTO ANOTHER MENU LCD button (as below coloured orange).
This is more common and will take you straight to a relevant set of menus.
Examples are the Play and UTILS menu‟s shown on Figure 8.
2.5.4 Parameter adjustment of a green menu.
A green menu is one in which there is only one adjustable parameter. There are
two ways to adjust the parameter in a green menu.
1. Press the green LCD button. This will increment the value in that window.
This is most frequently done when the menu parameter is Textural for
example switching a parameter between ON and OFF. In this case a
button press is most natural.
2. Use the Rotary digipot (A,B,C or D) to adjust the parameter in the
respective LCD window (A,B,C or D). The direction and speed of rotation
enable numeric values to be set easily.
GOTO
ANOTHER
MENU
SINGLE
PARAMETER
ADJUSTMENT
DOUBLE OR
TRIPLE
PARAMETER
ADJUSTMENT
INFORMATION
DISPLAY
Figure 2-4 Types of menus showing their characteristic colours

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
2.5.5 Parameter adjustment of a red menu
A red menu is one in which there is two or three adjustable parameters. In this
case it is necessary to first select the menu by pressing the red button. When the
red button is pressed it will turn green and either two or three of the rotary digipot
LEDS will flash indicating that the respective rotary digipot will operate the
respective parameter.
2.5.6 Information display
A Yellow menu (Which on most panels does look a light orange!) is one in which
only information is displayed. An example of this is the software version display.

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
3Connecting Video to the AR-2n
This unit requires HD-SDI or SDI digital video connections to the BNC
connectors.
Figure 3-1 - Video connections to the AR-2N
The main video connections to the AR-2n are shown above. The Main Out 1 and
Main Out 2 are the main ARC outputs. They are functionally identical to each
other. The In 1 Loop is a “reclocked input” loop output. Four GPI‟s can be used to
recall user memories.
Figure 3-2 AR-2n Connections.

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
4Other Features/Messaging
The messaging system is used to access some features within the unit. This is
done differently if you are using the soft panel than if you are using a “hard” FP-9
Panel.
4.1 Messaging with the soft java panel.
Use [Tools > Send Message] to see the message screen as below:
The text box will accept a message up to 32 characters in length.
Click the Send button to send the message. The Status Bar will display a
confirmation or error message to acknowledge success or failure.
Click the Cancel button to return to the normal menu window.
4.2 Messaging with an FP-9.
Plug in a PS-2 Keyboard into a Flexipanel and select the appropriate processor
card with a device button. (See Error! Reference source not found. for
connector location). Hit F9 function key. The LCD displays will change to text
entry mode. Now type in the text and press return to send their message. Please
be aware that the FP-9 only maps to a UK keyboard. Other keyboards may be
used but the location of the keys must be referenced to the diagram below.
Figure 4-1 UK keyboard reference diagram.

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
4.3 Tamper Locking the AR-2n.
The user can lock specific menus or all the menus on the AR-2n so that it cannot
be adjusted with a manual control panel. This does not effect automation.
To lock only menu 52. (General Noise Reduction (GNR)):
1. Use the appropriate messaging system to send “L52:” (do not include the
quotes)
A padlock symbol will appear on the menu and it cannot be adjusted. To unlock
menu 52, type “A52:”. Other menus are done in the same way
To lock the whole product type “L:” and to unlock the whole product type “A:” .
4.4 Primary AR-2N control
4.4.1 Setting the output video standard
Setting the output video standard is done via the below menu, which is found
under “Utils Video Output”
When menu window 3 is selected:
Digipot A will change the output video definition
Digipot B will toggle between Progressive and Interlaced output
Digipot C will select the output video frame rate
It is advisable to make changes to this menu slowly, as the display can lag
slightly depending on the current fade transition settings.
All changes to this menu are saved as they are made, so if the unit loses power
for any reason it will keep the same video standard it had before it lost power.
A complete list of available output standards is listed in the technical specification
found in section 6.2.
4.4.2 Bypass mode operation
The top level menu shown below gives a basic overview of the current state of
the unit, as well as containing the Bypass Mode control.
Defini
Frame
Frame
tion->
form->
rate->
625
I
50

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Eyeheight Limited, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH
Reg. No. 2855535 Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] email: [email protected]
Pressing the “Bypass” button will toggle the state of bypass mode between off
and on. By default the unit will boot up with bypass mode off.
Turning Bypass mode on will display something similar to the display below:
The loaded memory display changes to state the ARC is in bypass mode, and
that the previously loaded memory is not being used. When in Bypass mode:
The output picture size and position are changed to the default values for
the current output video standard.
All picture blanking is turned off.
The audio delay is set to the default for the current input standard.
All menus that have had values changed in this process are locked to
prevent them being changed.
Loading a memory is also locked.
When Bypass mode is subsequently turned off, the previous settings for the
above are re-loaded automatically.
Note that Bypass mode cannot be enabled if no valid input video is present.
All changes to this menu are saved as they are made, so if the unit loses power
for any reason it will keep the same video standard it had before it lost power.
4.4.3 Loading a memory
There are two types of memory: The 11 preset memories and the 53 user
memories. There are several things to bear in mind when loading a memory:
When loading a preset memory, only the output picture aspect ratio is
changed. All other settings (input picture blanking, etc.) are left at their
previous values.
Only user memories saved in the same input standard as the unit currently
detects can be loaded. For example, a memory saved with an input
standard of 625 cannot be loaded if the current input standard is 525, 720
or 1080.
ARC
in
Bypass
Video
Input
=625
ARC
off
Video
Input
=625