HQ Power VDPLAT1 User manual

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ANIMATED RGB LED TILE
USER MANUAL

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VDPLAT1 – ANIMATED RGB LED TILE
1. Introduction
To all residents of the European Union
Important environmental information about this product
This symbol on the device or the package indicates that disposal of the device after its lifecycle could harm
the environment.
Do not dispose of the unit (or batteries) as unsorted municipal waste; it should be taken to a specialized
company for recycling.
This device should be returned to your distributor or to a local recycling service.
Respect the local environmental rules.
If in doubt, contact your local waste disposal authorities.
Thank you for buying the VDPLAT1! Please read the manual thoroughly before bringing this device into service.
The VDPLAT1 is a system that is suitable for a wide range of indoor applications such as architectural lighting, stage
lighting and floor effect applications. The system is controlled using the simple and quick-to-learn software allowing
the user to display many different formats of pictures, videos, text and graphics.
On receiving this product, please carefully check that there has been no damage caused in transportation and that
the following parts are enclosed: software (transmitter card, DVI signal cable, RS232 signal cable, CD-ROM, net
cable, LED R16 receiver hub, LED R16 external power supply), LED tile, power cable, signal cable and this manual.
System Requirements: Windows XP/XP2 operating system, >200MHz CPU, 32MB internal memory, standard
VGA256 graphics card, ATI display card (NVIDIA is not compatible).
a. Safety Warnings
ALWAYS READ THE USER MANUAL BEFORE OPERATION. PLEASE CONFIRM THAT THE POWER SUPPLY
STATED ON THE EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY UNITS IS THE SAME AS THE SUPPLIED MAINS POWER IN
YOUR AREA.
•This product must be installed by a qualified professional.
•Always operate the equipment as described in the user manual.
•A minimum distance of 0.5m must be maintained between the equipment and any combustible surface.
•The receiver and power supply units must be placed in a well-ventilated area.
•Always make sure that the equipment is installed securely. Keep this equipment away from any form of water or
moisture.
•DO NOT stand close to the equipment and stare directly into the LED clusters.
•Always disconnect the power before attempting any maintenance. Always make sure that the supporting structure
is firmly secured.
•The earth wire must always be connected to the ground. Do not touch the product or power cables if your hands
are wet.
ATTENTION
This product left the place of manufacture in perfect condition. For safe operation and to maintain this condition, the
user must always follow the instructions and safety warnings described in this user manual.
•Avoid shaking or strong impacts to any part of the equipment.
•Make sure that the all parts of the equipment are kept clean and free of dust.

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•Always make sure that the power connections are connected correct and secure.
•If there is any malfunction of the equipment, contact your distributor immediately.
•When transferring the product, it is advisable to use the original packaging that the unit left the factory in.
b. Technical Specifications
Greyscale red / green / blue – 256 grade (8 bit)
Colours 256 x 256 x 256 = 16m
Supports Display 640 x 480 / 800 x 600 / 1024 x 768
Supports Display Card DVI connector
Interface Cards data collection card, 2 x display driver card
Range 768 x 512
Dimmer hardware 16 grade, software 256 grade
Frequency 16MHz, 12MHz, 8Mhz, 6Mhz (adjustable)
Sweeping Frequency > 90Hz
Scan Mode 8 rows / area
Output Port 2 x 50
Signal Cable 5-core net cable
Max. Signal Transmission Distance high speed > 100m (no breaks)
Common Power +5V
2. Hardware
a. Limitations
Vertical
Min. 1 panel = 8 rows of LED clusters = 8 vertical pixels
Max. (1 receiver) 16 panels = 128 rows of LED clusters = 128 vertical pixels
Horizontal
Min. 1 panel = 8 rows of LED clusters = 8 vertical pixels
Max. (1 receiver) 16 panels = 128 rows of LED clusters = 128 vertical pixels
Resolution
Min. 1 x 1
Max. (1 receiver) 32 x 16
b. Panel Installation
The tile is connected together as shown in section “2.c”. The units must be installed so that they are on a flat plane. It
is advisable that a spirit level is used in aligning the animate tiles. Use the rubber feet to adjust the height of each tile.
c. Receiver to Panel Connection
Each receiver has 16 output ports (J1-J16) with one output port controlling 1 row of tile units. The number of output
ports used is determined by the length (L) of the matrix screen (see section “3.d” for further details on connection of
receiver output ports). Please note that the orientation of the connection must be as in the figure with the raised
tongue on the left.
Example: If the application requires a length of 2m, then this will require connection to the receiver as follows:
J1: first row of animated tiles.
J2: second row of animated tiles.

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d. System Setup Diagram
Tongue on the left Correct orientation for IDE 20 cable

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e. Setup Checking
•Check that connection from the LED CLUSTERS to the DRIVERS is correct.
•Check that the power supply units are correctly connected and that the power load has not been exceeded (220V
- up to 16 panels in series / 120V – up to 8 panels in series).
•Confirm that that power supply units stated voltage is the same as your local area.
•Check that all connecting wires with the PC are correct and secure.
•Connect the power and confirm that the LED on each driver is red. If the LED is not red, please check the driver
and replace with a new one.
•Start the i.TOP software, if the LED matrix is not detected, the software will hint to the user that the LED matrix is
not found. Please check all connecting cables and hardware.
•Select “Grid Test” from the control panel. Select “Color Change 3 color”. If the LED MATRIX screen changes from
one colour to the other with a grid of diagonals then all connecting cables are connected correctly.
3. System Card Setting
a. Transmitter Card
The transmitter card is installed in the PC and acts as an interface between the PC hardware & software and the
LED matrix screen hardware.
The PIN definitions of the DVI port must correspond to the PIN
definitions of the display card. The DVI cable provided must
be used to connect the DVI port to the display card.
•OUT 1 & OUT 2 PORTS
OUT 1 & OUT 2 are 8P double-net card ports. OUT 1 is connected to the receiver using the net cable. Each port is
capable of transmitting 256 rows of information. At OUT 1 the data value ranges from row 1 to row 256. At OUT 2 the
data value ranges from row 257 to row 512.
•AUX PORT
This port is a standard 6P telephone connection port. Connect the provided cable with the RS232 port. This port
allows control of the r variable, gray scale, LED matrix active area, LED matrix lock & LED matrix range.
•POWER SUPPLY
Power Supply port is a 5V power supply connection for when the transmitter card is operating external of the PC.
b. System Card Installation
Insert the transmitter card in the relevant available PCI slot in the PC.
•Connect the transmitter card and the display card together using the DVI cable provided.
•Connect the serial port (OUT 1) to the receiver card using the net cable.
•Connect the transmitter aux port and the PC COM port using the cable provided.
•Check that all connections are secure.
•Calculate the correct positions for the receiver switches.
•Turn on the computer and test the system
NOTE:
If the PC automatically reboots or turns off, please remove the DVI cable from the transmitter and try again. After the
Windows desktop has loaded reconnect the DVI cable.

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c. Receiver Output Connections
When installing the receiver it is necessary to calculate the number of
receiver output ports required. This is calculated on the vertical height of
the LED matrix screen in number of rows (H). The figure shows the
receiver output ports J1-J16.
In order to calculate the number of receiver output ports required, please refer to the table below. H refers to the
number or rows (vertical pixels) of the LED matrix screen.
Example: A tile screen of length 12 units (or 12m) would consist of 12 x 8 rows = 96rows. Therefore the receiver
output ports J1to J12 must be connected to the LED floor tile.

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d. Receiver Settings
When installing the receiver it is necessary to calculate the position settings for the receiver JP1 switches. This is
calculated on the length of the tile screen in number of columns (L). The diagram below shows the receiver default
switch settings where a black square represents the position of the switch (i.e. JP2 switches 1-5 are OFF, switches 6
& 7 are ON). The installation of the receiver must be in accordance with the size of the tile screen. JP1 switches 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8 & 11 are control switches for the width in columns (W) of the tile screen.
JP1 switches correspond to the following values:
3 = +W32 4 = +W64 5 = +W128 6 = +W256 7 = +W512 8 = +W1024 11 = -W16
Example: An LED tile of width 22m would consist of 22 x 8 columns = 176 columns. The start value of JP1 is 32, so
therefore 176 = 32 + 144, referring to the table, receiver switches 5(W128), 3(W32) and 11(-W32) must be in the ON
position. Please refer to figure below for all columns and switch settings. The diagram below shows to correct
settings for the receiver with a width of the LED matrix screen of 176 columns.

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e. ATI Display Card Settings
f. System Checking
•STEP 1
Check that the green LED on the transmitter card is flashing. If the green LED is flashing, please move to step 3.
If the green LED is not flashing, please restart your computer and check the status of the green LED during the
start up of your PC. If the green LED is flashing please move to step 2. If the problem is not solved check that the
DVI cable is connected properly as there is likely an error at the transmitter card, display card or at the DVI cable.
Please eradicate possible areas of error and repeat step 1.
•STEP 2
Please follow out the instructions in Section 3 to verify all settings and/or re-install and then once again verify the
settings. Please repeat this step until the green LED is flashing. If the green LED is still not flashing, please check
and repeat step 1.

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•STEP 3
Check that the green LED on the receiver and the green LED on the transmitter card are flashing in step. If the
two are in step, please move onto step 5. If the red LED (power supply) is on please move to step 4. If the red
LED is not on, please check the status of the yellow LED (power supply Protection). If the yellow LED is not lit,
please check that the power supply is connected correctly and that there is power supplied from the mains. If the
yellow LED is lit, please check that the voltage is 5V. Disconnect the power, and check that all the connections in
the receiver are correctly connected. If the problem is still not eradicated, replace the receiver and repeat step 3.
•STEP 4
Check that the net cable is corrected correctly and that the length does not exceed that recommended in this user
manual. If the problem is not solved, please replace the receiver and then repeat step 3.
•STEP 5
Check the LED to the screen power supply is lit. If not lit, please repeat step 4. Disconnect the power, and check
that all the connections in the receiver are correctly connected.
•STEP 6
Check that the receiver switch settings are correct. Please see section “3.e” for further explanation.
g. Making Additional Net Cable
NOTE:
Standard net cable cannot be used to replace the net cable required to transmit the information for the LED matrix
system.
Please follow the following instructions in order to create extra net cable.
Bear back the outer casing of the wire by around 30mm. The wires should now be coloured as follows: 1 = white &
orange; 2 = orange; 3 = white & green; 4 = green; 5 = blue; 6 = white & blue; 7 = white & brown; 8 = brown.
Twist the following pairs together so that only the plastic is touching (the metal wires must not touch): 1 & 2, 3 & 4, 5
& 6, 7 & 8. Insert each wire into an RJ45 connector with the white & orange wire connected to PIN 1, the orange wire
connected to the second PIN, etc. Both ends of the net wire are connected in this way.
4. Software
a. Installation
The software is compatible with most modern PCs. Please see the requirements below before installing the software
into your PC. Operation system: Windows XP/XP2. Hardware: > 200MHz CPU, 32MB internal memory, standard
VGA256 display, ATI display card (NVIDIA is not compatible).
Insert the CD-ROM. Select the required version of the software for installation version (LEDStudioD.exe for demo
version or LEDstudio.exe for the standard version. The installation wizard will start.

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Proceed installing according to the prompts. Note: This software is protected
by a serial number. The correct serial number must be input in order to
continue installing the software. The current serial number for this product is
36121080. After completing the steps in the installation wizard, the software
will appear in the <Start-Programs>. Select <LEDstudio> to start. There will
also be a new shortcut icon created on the desktop <Shortcut to LEDstudio>.
Double click on this icon to start the software.
b. Uninstalling
The software also includes a complete program removal function. This
allows the user to easily delete all LEDSTUDIO files, shortcuts &
programs. The user may delete all the relevant files by selecting
<ADD/DELETE> from the <CONTROL PANEL>. Select <Automatic> in
order to remove all relevant files.
c. Getting Started
Setup the hardware after installing the software. Please check that your hardware is setup with the default settings as
shown below. Please follow the steps in order to check that your default settings are correct.
Check that the default settings for all three windows are as below. Please note that it is important that the
system is set as 8 rows/zone in <System Setup>.
Once the hardware and interface cards are set up as described in sections 2 & 3. The LED matrix screen will now
automatically display the area at the top-left corner of the <DESKTOP DISPLAY> on the PC monitor. The size of the

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area displayed will correspond directly to the resolution of the LED matrix screen. If the LED matrix screen's
resolution is 256 x 128 (i.e. 256 columns x 128 rows of LED clusters then the top-left 256 x 128 pixels of the
<DESKTOP DISPLAY> will be seen on the LED matrix by starting the LED studio software it is possible to select a
different area of the <DESKTOP DISPLAY> to be displayed by the LED matrix screen.
Starting the software will allow the user to create, save and play programs designed to be automatically displayed in
the defined area. This allows for simple display and editing of any file imported into the software.
d. Main Operation Control Panel & Display Screen
The main operation of this software is comprised of 2 operation windows: <Display window> and <Control Panel>.
•Display Window
Display window shows the images that will be displayed on the LED matrix screen. The user can view all images
whether it is text, pattern, photo, animations, etc. The images displayed in the display window will be in-step with
the images displayed on the LED matrix screen. More than one window may be opened at any time with ach
window displaying different images in-step with the LED matrix screen.
•Control Panel
The user can control all of the functions of the software from the <Control Panel>. The main function menus in the
<Control Panel> are <File>, <Control>, <Tool>, <Option>, <Test> & <Help>.
e. File Menu

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f. Control Menu
g. Tool Menu
Direct access to <MS Word>, <MS Excel>, <Paint>, <Notepad> & <Calc>.
Please note that when opening <MS Word> and <Paint> from the <Tool> menu, the page size created in <MS
Word> or <Paint> will automatically be the same as the preset screen area (factory setting).
<MS Excel> and <Notepad> do not have this function.
<Calc> - Calculator is simply to allow the user to carry out simple calculations.
h. Option Menu

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i. Test Menu
j. Help Menu

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k. Creating a New Program
Select <New> from the <File> menu to create a new file or simply click the new file icon . The <Screen 1> window
will appear as below.
Add step using the add step icon . The following window will appear as below.
After the new program has been created and the time, background and background music settings have been
designed for the application. The user may now begin to create display windows. All display windows opened in the
same program will open at the same time and play for the same length of time as the program. If the file size of the
file played in the display window is large, it is recommended that the user should create less display windows.
•Click the new window icon < >.
•Select new display window format by clicking on the corresponding icon. Please note that a new window can only
be created once there is a new program created or an existing program opened.
Please refer to the following sections for further explanation on how to create and edit display windows.
l. Displaying Text
Text can be displayed in four different display window formats: <Text window>, <Single Line Text Window>, <Static
Text Window> & <File Window>.
•Displaying Text in a Text Window
This function is most suitable for simple text such as short welcome notes, notices,
names, etc. Click the Create New Window button < > and select <Text Window>.

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Next window will appear:
To insert/edit text click the Add Text icon . The following
window will appear:
Text may be directly input or copied into the <Text Edit> window. In this window all text formatting operations may be
performed such as change font, colour, background, paragraph format, reveal speed, reveal action, pause time, etc.
Close the Text Edit window in order to return to the Text Window. All text and formatting operations will be stored and
a Text file will be created.
•Single-Line Text Window
Text may be directly input into this window and all simple text formatting, font selection, colours, reveal actions, etc.
may be directly performed in this window. Click the Create New Window button < > and select <Text Window>.

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Following window will appear:
Directly input text into the text box and perform the required format and effect operations (note that for scrolling,
please select left/right in the action box).
•Displaying Text in a File Window
Click the Create New Window button < > and select <File Window>.
Click the Add File icon < >.
Select file to be opened and then perform the required format and effect operations.

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•Displaying Text in a Static Text Window
Click the Create New Window button < > and select <Static Text Window>.
Input text directly into the Text box. Perform the desired format and action operations.
m. Displaying Picture Files
Click the Create New Window button < > and select “File Window”.

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Click the Add File icon < >.
Select file to be opened. After the Picture File is selected, effects
operations can be performed using the tools shown in the figure.
To insert Background click the browse icon. Select the Picture File to import as the
background and click open. To insert Music click the sound icon. Select the Sound
File to insert and click open. To insert Text click the Text box button. The following
window will appear.
Click the <Add> button to open the Text Edit window. Input text into the Text Edit window. Perform required
formatting, font and other text effect actions. Closing the Text Edit will automatically store all actions to the
Picture/Text window and will automatically be displayed when the program is played.
n. Displaying Animations
Click the Create New Window button < > and select “File Window”.

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Click the Add File icon < > Select file to be opened. After the Flash File is
selected, effects operations can be performed using the tools shown in the
figure.
o. Displaying a Table
There are two methods of displaying a table in the software. The user may either use the software directly to create a
table in Table Window or by importing an existing table from Word or Excel (please see section “4.l” for more
explanation). Click the Create New Window button < > and select “Table Window”.