Hall Research Technologies CC-101 User manual

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1163 Warner Ave Tustin, CA 92780, Ph: [phone], Fax [phone]
Model CC-101 & CC-101-PRO
Closed Caption and Text Video Overlay
With CC Streaming, Progressive Component (YPbPr)
and VGA outputs on the ‘-PRO’ unit
UMA1116
Rev 2.6

Model CC-101 & CC-101-PRO
2

Closed Caption & Text on Video Overlay
3
Table of Contents
1.0 General ................................................................................................ 4
2.0 Features................................................................................................ 5
3.0 Installation ........................................................................................... 5
. Included Cables ................................................................................. 5
. Inputs & Outputs ............................................................................... 5
. Connecting the CC-101 ..................................................................... 6
. Rack Mounting the CC-101............................................................... 6
4.0 Operation ............................................................................................. 7
. Closed Captioning ............................................................................. 7
. Text Overlay ...................................................................................... 8
. CC Stream out (CC-101-PRO Only) ................................................. 8
5.0 Storing and playing back messages from internal memory ................. 9
. GUI (Graphical User Interface by Hall Research)............................. 9
. . Selecting the Com Port .............................................................. 10
. . How to insert Text Overlay Commands .................................... 10
. . Inserting Hex Bytes ................................................................... 10
. . Inserting standard ASCII characters.......................................... 11
. . Inserting non-standard characters .............................................. 12
. . How to use “Delay to Next String” and invoke repeat loop ...... 13
. . Set CC Alt.................................................................................. 13
. . Show strings on power-on ......................................................... 13
. . Show strings on Upload............................................................. 14
. . CC streaming on power-on (CC-101-PRO Only)...................... 14
. . CC streaming on Upload (CC-101-PRO Only) ......................... 14
6.0 Serial Port Communication................................................................ 15
. Query Mode..................................................................................... 15
. Overlay/Command Mode ................................................................ 16
. . Starting the Overlay/Command Mode ....................................... 16
. . Overlay/Command Set............................................................... 17
8.0 Troubleshooting................................................................................. 20
9.0 Specifications..................................................................................... 21
Appendix – Advanced Programming ...................................................... 21
Application Example: .......................................................................... 22

Model CC-101 & CC-101-PRO
4
1.0 General
Thank you for purchasing Hall Research’s CC-101 or CC-101-PRO
Closed Caption Decoder and Text Video Overlay Unit.
These units can capture the closed captioning text (CC1 through CC4),
information and then overlay it on the video output. They can also display
any user defined text anywhere on the video. On the CC-101-PRO units,
the closed captioning text can also be streamed out the serial port and
captured on another device.
The closed captioning overlay can be turned on or off from the front
panel. Furthermore, the unit can decode CC1 through CC4.
The unit is equipped with a serial port, through which the unit can display
user defined text anywhere on the screen. The unit also has EEPROM
(internal non-volatile flash memory) in which the user store up to 10
strings of data and automatically display them either every time the unit is
turned on or the playback can be activated via the front panel.
Free Windows™ software is available that allows the user to define and
store text in the unit’s memory for playback. This powerful software
allows timers so the text can stay for predefined time on the screen. You
can also configure the unit to end and freeze the last displayed text on the
screen or to loop the playback from the beginning ad infinitum. Also,
during the playback, you can turn on Closed Caption decoding for long
periods of time. This makes the unit to be useable as a digital signage
playback device where either constantly or periodically you can display
stored messages.
The CC-101 has both S-Video and Composite Video inputs and outputs.
There is a front panel switch that you can use to select the input that you
are going to use. If you select the CV input then you must use the CV
output and if you use the S-Video input, then you should use the S-video
output. Do not use the unit to convert from one standard to another.
The CC-101-Pro also has progressive outputs of either component video
(Y Pb Pr 480p/576p) or VGA (RGBHV 640x480/800x600). There is
switch on the front panel to set the progressive output mode as either
component video or VGA. The progressive output resolutions are based
on the input standard (NTSC/PAL).

Closed Caption & Text on Video Overlay
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2.0 Features
9Overlays User Defined Text on Video
9Decodes Closed Captioning data and overlays it on video
9RS232 port for configuration or real-time video text overlay
9CC-101-PRO has the ability to stream out the Closed Caption via the
RS232 port
9Free Windows™ GUI software for defining and storing messages in
built-in flash memory of the unit for later manual or automatic
playback
9S-Video and Composite Video inputs and outputs
9CC-101-PRO also has progressive outputs (YPbPr and VGA)
9Front panel switches for selection closed captioning mode, input
selection, and progressive output mode (on –PRO unit)
9Ships with universal (100~240 VAC) power supply
9Compact, Rugged, Reliable, and Economical
9Made in USA
9Perfect for classrooms and digital signage applications where closed
captioning decoding may not be an option (such as when projectors
are used or scalers that strip-out the captioning
9Excellent for adding titles to any video
9Choice of font sizes and background styles for text overlay
9Screen can be Blanked with Closed Caption text displayed
9-PRO unit eliminates interlace flicker with its progressive output
3.0 Installation
. Included Cables
The CC-101 comes with a 6 ft Male/Female DB9 Serial Cable. The –
PRO also includes HD15-to-3 RCA cable for component video output.
All other cables are to be supplied by the user.
. Inputs & Outputs
The CC-101 has 2 video inputs: S-Video and Composite Video. The unit
has 2 video outputs: S-Video, Composite Video. –PRO unit also has a
choice of, VGA or Component Video.
On CC-101 use the same output as the input (S-Video or Composite
Video), there may be an image on both outputs, but the one not
corresponding to the input, will have color or image artifacts. The -PRO
output will display either the S-Video input or the Composite video input.

Model CC-101 & CC-101-PRO
6
. Connecting the CC-101
Connect your video source (S-Video or Composite Video) to the CC-101
and select the source by pressing the “Input select” button on the front
panel. If the selected input does not have valid video, then the
corresponding LED on the front panel will be blinking.
On the –PRO unit connect the video output to your display device using
either a VGA cable or the supplied HD15 to Component cable. If you
have a –PRO unit, the front panel PRO OUTPUT will be lit.
Connect the included power supply to the CC-101-PRO and apply power
(do not substitute power supplies, inputs over 5.5 VDC cause damage).
For programming the unit’s internal memory with your own text or for
streaming ASCII data to the unit, Connect the supplied DB9 RS-232
Serial cable to your PC and the CC-101 or CC-101-PRO.
. Rack Mounting the CC-101
The CC-101 has threaded holes on the bottom that allows 3 of them to be
installed on a Hall Research 1U rack mount shelf (Model RMS-1U-1A)

Closed Caption & Text on Video Overlay
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4.0 Operation
. Closed Captioning
The CC-101-PRO has the ability to display 4 different Close Captioning
data channels. The CC data channels that can be displayed are CC1, CC2,
CC3, and CC4.
The CC-101-PRO can cycle between CC1 and a user-defined CC
Alternate, which can be defined as CC2, CC3, or CC4. Defining the CC
Alt selection is done via the RS-232 Serial interface, but it is set as CC2 at
the factory. See the Overlay Mode Parameter Commands section for
specifics.
Selecting the CC data channels is accomplished by pressing the
“CLOSED CAPTION” select button on the front panel. The button will
cycle between: CC1 ÎCC Alt ÎCC off. The respective LED’s will be
turned on or off.

Model CC-101 & CC-101-PRO
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. Text Overlay
Text Overlay is the ability to superimpose user-generated text over the
output video. Text Overlay and CC are mutually exclusive; i.e. at any
given time, you can only display CC or text overlay but not both. Text
Overlay is generated via RS-232 Serial port (in live mode) using an
application such as HyperTerminal, or played-back from internal memory.
Note on RS-232 port availability on your PC
Some PCs and notebooks do not have a
serial port. To program the sender you may
need a USB to RS-232 Serial converter.
These are available from Hall Research
(Model USB-RS232-1).
Text overlay requires a video input; this means that if you have no video
connected, you cannot get a video output.
The unit can display a variety of text styles on the screen as shown below:
. CC Stream out (CC-101-PRO Only)
Press the “CC” and the “Pro Output” selection buttons simultaneously to
enable/disable the Closed Caption streaming out through the RS232 serial
port.
When the Closed Caption stream out is enabled, the CC green LED will
blink for 3 seconds. And when the Closed Caption stream out is disabled,
the CC red LED will blink for 3 seconds.
To have the unit default to streaming the CC out on power up, you must
use the RS232 port with the available GUI software to turn on the feature.

Closed Caption & Text on Video Overlay
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5.0 Storing and playing back
messages from internal memory
The CC-101 units will playback data from its internal user programmable
memory. While the unit is in playback mode, the CC mode LEDs will be
blinking. To stop playback, hit the CC mode selection button.
. GUI (Graphical User Interface by Hall Research)
You can download a Windows® GUI from the CC-101(-PRO) product’s
webpage on www.hallresearch.com. There are multiple versions of the
program available depending on the revision of firmware in the device.
The newer revisions programs are not 100% compatible with older
firmware devices.
This software will allow you to upload up to 10 different strings to the
CC-101 or CC-101-PRO for text overlay. Each of these 10 strings may be
up to 200 bytes in length. A wait time of 0 seconds to 65,535 seconds
may be added to the end of each of these strings.
After these strings have been uploaded to the CC-101(-PRO), there are 4
different ways to tell the CC-101(-PRO) how to show these stored strings.
1. Specify, in the GUI, to show these stored strings every time the
unit is turned on.
2. Press the “Input” and the “CC” selection buttons simultaneously
for 3 seconds. Hitting the closed caption “CC” mode button will
terminate the playback mode. (Note that there is a slight delay
after pressing the buttons before the playback starts). Both the
red and green led’s will blink to indicate that a playback is
occurring.
3. Specify, in the GUI, to show these stored strings immediately
after the upload is complete, via the “Show strings on upload”
checkbox.
4. Send a hex command to display these stored strings on power-
up. Hex commands are listed in table 2.
These 10 strings can be composed of ASCII characters, Hexadecimal
characters, and special TOC (text overlay commands)

Model CC-101 & CC-101-PRO
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. . Selecting the Com Port
The Programming Software will detect your available COM ports. Just
select the COM port you will use to connect the CC-101(-PRO) to your
PC.
. . How to insert Text Overlay Commands
Select the command from the “Command to Insert” drop down menu
Depending on the command selected, a parameter may be needed. If a
parameter is needed you will need to specify a value in the Command
Parameter text box.
After you have entered a valid parameter, the Insert Command Button
will show up and be available. Click on this button and the command will
be inserted into the selected string at the current position.
. . Inserting Hex Bytes
Enter a 1 byte hexadecimal value into the Hexadecimal text box then click
the Insert Hex Byte button and your hex byte will be inserted into the
selected string at the current position.

Closed Caption & Text on Video Overlay
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. . Inserting standard ASCII characters
To insert standard ASCII characters into the selected string, select the
large Serial String text box and just type directly from the keyboard
You can use [Enter] to insert a CR, or use [Backspace] to erase characters
The standard Windows® cut and paste functions are disabled.

Model CC-101 & CC-101-PRO
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. . Inserting non-standard characters
Refer to Table 1 for the Hexadecimal codes to use to insert standard and
non-standard ASCII characters.
For example:
To insert a vertical line, insert the Hexadecimal byte AC.
To insert an upside down question mark, insert the Hexadecimal
byte 13.
TABLE 1

Closed Caption & Text on Video Overlay
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. . How to use “Delay to Next String” and invoke repeat loop
A “Delay to Next String” wait time can be added to the end of each stored
string. This wait time can be anywhere from 0 to 65,535 seconds (~18
hours). When these stored strings are displayed by the CC-101(-PRO),
they will be displayed in order from 1 to 10. After each individual string
is shown, the CC-101(-PRO) will wait the amount of time specified in the
“Delay to Next String” field for that string. After that wait time is
complete, the CC-101(-PRO) will display the next string.
After string 10 is displayed, if there is a wait time specified in “Delay to
Next String” for string 10, the CC-101(-PRO) will wait that amount of
time then it will loop and begin displaying the stored strings again starting
with string #1. If there is no wait time specified in “Delay to Next
String” for string 10 the CC-101(-PRO) will not loop back to string #1.
Whatever text is currently overlaid on the screen will remain until the CC
Selection button is pressed.
Important note on Delay or Wait Times
The “Delay to Next String” wait times are not exclusive. This
means that during the wait time period, other actions can take
place like changing the input or output.
The “Wait Frames” command is an exclusive wait. During this
time, the CC-101-PRO will be unresponsive to any button press
or Serial communication. Use it sparingly!
. . Set CC Alt
It is used to set the current CC Alternate by selecting the desired option
button.
. . Show strings on power-on
When this checkbox is checked, the CC-101(-PRO) will always display
the stored strings immediately on power-up.

Model CC-101 & CC-101-PRO
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. . Show strings on Upload
When this checkbox is checked, the CC-101(-PRO) will display the
stored strings immediately after a successful upload has been completed.
NOTE: You cannot start uploading your strings while the CC-101 is
playing back some data in playback mode (CC LED’s are blinking). The
unit will pause for 10 seconds after reset or power-on before it starts
playing back (if you have set the start on power on flag). This gives you
enough time to start uploading your commands even if you are looping
the playback
. . CC streaming on power-on (CC-101-PRO Only)
When this checkbox is checked, the CC-101-PRO will always stream out
Closed Caption through RS232 immediately on power-up.
. . CC streaming on Upload (CC-101-PRO Only)
When this checkbox is checked, the CC-101-PRO will stream out Closed
Caption through RS232 immediately after a successful upload has been
completed.

Closed Caption & Text on Video Overlay
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6.0 Serial Port Communication
The CC-101(-PRO) operates at 9600 baud (8 bits, no parity) and has 2
modes.
1. Query Mode (default on power up)
2. Overlay/Command Mode
...................................................................................................
. Query Mode
In Query Mode, the CC-101(-PRO) will print out current states in
response to properly formatted queries. All Query Mode commands and
responses are in ASCII format. Commands and responses will be inside
double quotes. The double quotes are not part of the command or
response. Only what is inside the double quotes is the command or
response.
Query: Video Status (Is there an active video on the selected input?)
Command: “?V”
Response: “A” = Active. “I” = Inactive (no video)
Query: Video Standard (What is the video standard of the video?)
Command: “?S”
Response: “N” = NTSC standard. “P” = PAL or SECAM standard
Query: Current Output CC-101-PRO (What is the PRO output?)
Command: “?O”
Response: “V” = VGA. “C” = 480P (Component)
Query: Current Input (What is the selected input?)
Command: “?I”
Response: “S” = S-Video. “C” = Composite Video
Query: Current CC selection (What is the current CC selection?)
Command: “?C”
Response: “1” = CC1. “A” = CC Alternate. “N” = CC Off
Query: Current CC Alternate value (What CC version is Alternate?)
Command: “?A”
Response: “2” = CC2. “3” = CC3. “4” = CC4
Query: Current Firmware Version (What is the current firmware version?)
Command: “?F”
Response: “Firmware Ver 2.x”
Query: Turn On/Off CC
Command: “S” (or “s”)
Response: “Enable CC stream” or “Disable CC stream”
Query: Blank Video Output
Command: “B” (or “b”)
Response: Video Output Blanks (Closed Caption or Text still displayed)
Query: Un-Blank Video Output
Command: “U” (or “u”)
Response: Video Output Un-Blanks

Model CC-101 & CC-101-PRO
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NOTE: The GUI, described in the previous section, requires that your unit
be in Query mode for uploading the strings, but if you want to create your
own strings see the Appendix.
Certain characters have special meaning in the QUERY MODE
Character 0xC0 (192) Enter OVERLAY/COMMAND MODE
Character 0xEE (238) Enter DOWNLOAD MODE
Character 0xFA (250) Resets unit to FACTORY Defaults
Character 0xFB (251) Requests device version (0x00 or 0x01)
Character 0xFE (254) Reserved
. Overlay/Command Mode
In this mode, you can send ASCII text and display it in real-time on the
screen. Non-ASCII bytes are either reserved for special functions, such as
changing the text style (see Table 2), or display special characters shown
in Table 1.
. . Starting the Overlay/Command Mode
The serial mode is switched to Overlay/Command Mode from Query
Mode by issuing the hexadecimal command hC0 (192 Decimal).
When this mode is activated, CC will automatically turn off and all
existing CC on the screen will be cleared.
From HyperTerminal you can hold the [Alt] key down and hit 0192 on
numeric keys and let go of [Alt]. This will send a hex character “C0” to
the serial port.

Closed Caption & Text on Video Overlay
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. . Overlay/Command Set
Refer to Table 1 for all the printable characters. These include all the
standard ASCII characters plus some non-standard characters. Next refer
to Table 2 (below) for additional commands:
(Note that you must have entered ‘OVERLAY/COMMAND’ Mode by
sending a 192 (0C0h) first as described above)
Description Byte 1,2 Byte 3
Number of rows 255, 20 (hFF,h14) 1 – 13 [h01 – h0D]
Base row 255, 21 (hFF,h15) 1 – 13 [h01 – h0D]
Cursor position 255, 22 (hFF,h16) 1 – 32 [h01 - h20]
Standard character 255, 23 (hFF,h17)
Double wide char 255, 24 (hFF,h18)
Drop shadow 255, 25 (hFF,h19)
Box 255, 26 (hFF,h1A)
Horizontal Position 255, 27 (hFF,h1B) 1 – 20 [h01 - h14]
Clear Row 255, 28 (hFF,h1C)
Clear Page 255, 29 (hFF,h1D)
Wait Frames 255, 30 (hFF,h1E) 0 – 65 [h00 – h41]
Flash (blink) On 255, 31 (hFF,h1F)
Flash (blink) Off 255,32 (hFF,h20)
No Background 255, 33 (hFF,h21)
No Background space 255, 34 (hFF,h22)
Black Characters 255, 35 (hFF,h23)
Black Underlined Characters 255, 36 (hFF,h24)
White Characters 255, 37 (hFF,h25)
White Underlined Characters 255, 38 (hFF,h26)
Set CC Alt Mode 255, 39 (hFF,h27) 2 – 4 [h02 – h04]
Brightness (-PRO) 255, 40 (hFF,h28) 0 – 255 [h00 – hFF]
Contrast (-PRO) 255, 41 (hFF,h29) 0 – 255 [h00 - hFF]
Show Stored Strings on Power 255, 42 (hFF,h2A)
Don’t show Stored Strings on
Power
255, 43 (hFF,h2B)
Turn on CC 255, 44 (hFF,h2C)
This command terminates the
OVERLAY/COMMAND mode
CC Stream on Power 255, 45 (hFF,h2D)
No CC Stream on Power 255, 46 (hFF,h2E)
Exit OVERLAY/COMMAND
mode
255, 192 (hFF,hC0)
Factory Defaults 255, 250 (hFF,hFA)
*** Table 2 ***

Model CC-101 & CC-101-PRO
18
Number of Rows: Sets the number of Text Overlay rows to be shown
above and including the base row. It can be from 1 to 13 rows.
Base Row: Sets the location of the bottom row where new text is entered.
As you stream text, each Carriage Return will scroll data up above this
line.
Cursor Position: Within each row there are 32 standard character
positions (16 double wide). Character positions start with position 1 on
the left hand side of the row. Character 32 (16 double wide) is on the right
hand side of the row. The cursor position will specify where you want
your next character to be printed. Characters written past the right edge
of the screen will overwrite the last character on the screen.
Standard Character: Printable characters from Table 1 come in 2 sizes,
Standard and Double Wide. A Standard Character takes up the space of 1
of the 32 character positions in a row. You can mix Standard and
Doublewide characters in the same row.
Double Wide Character: A Double Wide Character will take the space of
2 of the 32 character positions in a row. You can mix Standard and
Doublewide characters in the same row.
Drop Shadow: When displaying Text Overlay Drop Shadow indicates
there will be a black shadow behind each character displayed.
Box: When displaying Text Overlay, Box indicates there will be a black
box behind each character typed to make the character more easily
readable. This is very much how CC is displayed.
Horizontal Position: This refers to the left/right position of the Text
Overlay rows. This will allow you better center the Text Overlay rows.
The value range for Position is 1 to 20. 1 is starting the left hand side of
the Text Overlay rows at the left edge of the screen and 20 is ending the
right hand side of the Text Overlay rows at the edge of right hand side of
the screen. ALL rows move to the same horizontal position.
Clear Row: This will delete the entire current row regardless of the
current cursor position.
Clear Page: This will clear all the rows of the Text Overlay and reposition
the cursor at row 1 Cursor Position 1.

Closed Caption & Text on Video Overlay
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Wait Frames: This is essentially a small timer. This will wait for a
specified number of video frames. The number frames to wait can range
from 1 to 65 frames. There are 30 frames per second. This is 33.3 ms per
frame.
The “Wait Frames” command is an exclusive wait. During this time, the
CC-101(-PRO) will be unresponsive to any button press or Serial
communication. Use it sparingly!
Flash ON: Starting with the current Cursor Position, all the characters
display until the end of the row will be flashing. The next row will
automatically turn off the flashing off.
Flash OFF: This will stop the flashing of characters from the current
position to the end of the row.
No Background: Will make the entire Text Overlay have a no
background.
Space with no Background: Will print a space with no background.
Black Characters: Will print black characters.
Black Underlined Characters: Will print black underlined characters.
White Characters: Will print white characters.
White Underlined Characters: Will print white underlined characters.
Set CC Alt Mode: Will choose the CC mode to be used for the CC
Alternate selection. The values can be [2-4] 2 = CC2, 3 = CC3, 4 = CC4
Brightness: Set the brightness of the scaled video outputs. The brightness
value can be in the range [0-255]
Contrast: Set the contrast of the scaled video outputs. The contrast value
can be in the range [0-255]
Show Stored Strings on Power: Display the stored strings immediately on
power-up.
Don’t Show Stored Strings on Power: Don’t display the stored strings on
power-up.

Model CC-101 & CC-101-PRO
20
Turn on CC: Turn on the ON-SCREEN Closed Captioning. (This
command takes you out of OVERLAY/COMMAND mode). To turn off
the Closed Captioning, enter OVERLAY/COMMAND mode and send
any character). Because of this, this should be the last command you send.
CC Stream on Power: Enable Closed Caption stream-out through RS232
port immediately on power-up.
No CC stream on Power: Disable Closed Caption stream-out through
RS232 port on power-up.
Factory Defaults: This will restore the factory defaults for brightness,
contrast and Text Overlay. All stored strings are erased.
7.0 Resetting the CC-101(-PRO)
If for any reason you need to reset the CC-101(-PRO), press the “Input”
and “Pro Output” buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds and the unit will
reset. This will not result in the loss of any serial command programming.
This will only reboot the unit. All the serial commands are still stored in
the unit.
8.0 Troubleshooting
Make sure that all your connections are solid, and check the state of the
LED’s on the front of the unit. Do not open or try to repair the unit
yourself. There are no customer repairable items in the unit and you will
void your warranty.
Contact Hall Research Technical Support at 714-641-6607 or via email or
our website, www.hallresearch.com.
If you need to ship your converter for repair, make sure to get a Return
Material Authorization (RMA) number first by calling us.