PVI Vecoax Compact RF Series User manual

VECOAX COMPACT RF SERIES MODULATOR
MANUAL
USER MANUAL

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Vecoax Compact RF series modulator Manual
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NOTE: BEFORE INSTALLATION
Please test each unit with your TV’s before installing your units to
ensure you are receiving signal. This makes troubleshooting easier
epesically for the Blade and Rack series of this Product.
This can be done simply by connecting your TV with a short piece of
Coax cable to the RF out of the Unit. No HDMI needs to be Connected.
This will display our PVI logo on your TV.
By default our unit is set to QAM(J.83B Cable) Mode.
This can be changed by refering to our QUICK GUDIE below.
Depending on your supported TV standards, scan for Digital channels.
Please refer below for our QUICK GUIDE to setting up your Device for
your application and needs.

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Vecoax Compact RF series modulator Manual
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PRODUCT SPECS
Power - 12v/DC (12v/1A)
All Major TV Encoder standards build-in. No need to reprogram or flash the unit to a
different Format.
QAM (J.83B Digital Cable), ATSC (Digital Over the Air Channels), ISDBTb, DVBT, DVBC,
DMBT Set via Color Display
Compact Design allows installation anyway.
Ultra-Low latency provides the ability to use menus on your HDMI source with ease.
Works with many different TV brands including Samsung, Sony, Vizio, LG, and More.
Receives on TV’s as its own HDTV channel as a FULL HD signal Up to 1080P with Dolby
Digital Audio (AC3)
Easy Plug and Play Setup with customization options available in the easy to use menu
via a Color Display.
Can be controlled Via Computer USB port on the unit with a custom application
specifically made for the Unit.*(Option May Vary Depending on Model)
Works With any HD Video HDMI source.*(720P or 1080P/I Fixed Resolution)
Can be mixed with other HDTV signals such as Digital Cable or Over the Air Channels*
(depending on Frequencies available for you to use)
Modular –Expandable –Reliable - 5 Year Warranty - Affordable
POWERING THE DEVICE. –QUICK GUDIE –USA/CANADA

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a) It is recommended to test the device first on a test bench for your
application before making it a permanent installation to your system so
troubleshooting is easier.
b) Connect your included Power adapter the unit.
c) Once the unit is powered on you will see the main menu.
d) First, Connect a short piece of coax cable to your TV’s tuner and the other
end to the unit’s RF out.
e) On the unit press the enter button to enter the menu of the unit. The
second option would be TV Standard.
f) Set your Standard you require. If you are unsure most newer TV’s 3 years
and above accept both ATSC(over the air channel) and QAM(J.83B Digital
Cable).
g) By default, the unit is set to QAM (J.83B Digital Cable) Mode with a
Frequency of 783.000 MHz which is Channel 122. The TV will Scan for the
Frequency and pick up the channel on Cable.
h) Auto Scan for Channels on your TV. Depending on your Location and
Supported TV standards for your TV such as QAM (J.83B Digital Cable) or
ATSC (Digital over the Air) will determine the Standard you need to set on
the unit. Please Refer to CUSTOMIZATION below to change these settings.
i) Once the channel is found it will display our PVI logo when no HDMI is
connected to the unit.
j) We can use the Major/Minor channels on the unit’s settings to force change
the channel number that is displayed & stored/referred to on your TV. By
default, this is 1.1: Major 1, Minor 1. You may change this if you like to
122.1: Major 122, Minor 1. This will display and be stored as channel 122.1
on your TV.
k) Once we see our PVI logo on the Channel found on your TV, you may insert
your HDMI source. Please ensure that your HDMI source such as a DVD
player or DirecTV STB is set to a Fixed Resolution of 1080P or 720P.
QUICK GUIDE –USA/CANADA –CONT.

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l) Once you have inserted a valid HDMI Video Signal into the HDMI port > The
On-air LED on the front will Stay steady lit.
m) You should now see the video playing on you Channel.
n) If you wish to change the name of the channel that is displayed, you may do
so under the Short name settings of the unit. 4-6 Characters max is allowed
depending on your TV.
o) More detail information can be found below if more customization is
required.
NOTE: If the above is not working, please check all connections, Units Settings, Correct TV
Standard is set for your TV, and ensure your video source is working or Set to a Correct Fixed
Resolution. Please refer to your HDMI source Owner’s manual on how to set a fixed
resolution. You could also try with another TV with no HDMI connected to ensure you are
getting a signal, or reset the VeCoax unit by holding the ESCAPE button for until it prompts
you to factory reset the unit. Press enter to reset the unit’s settings to default. This may also
be done in the advance menu of the unit called “RESET.” If the “ON-AIR,” LED does not stay
steady, please ensure your HDMI source is set to a fixed resolution of 1080P or 720P and
connected directly to the Unit. If you are using a Splitter, some splitters don’t support EDID
pass-through (Extended Display Identification Data used to tell the source or TV what video
resolution is supported) Test your HDMI source without the Splitter connected.

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CUSTOMIZATION AND PARAMETERS
Each unit is ready to work plug n play by default. After connecting the unit using our
Quick guide above you may customize the unit to your needs such as Frequency,
Major and Minor channel numbers, Short name, or TV standard.
QAM (J.83B DIGITAL CABLE)
These are the Defaults and
Good starting point for PLUG
N PLAY setup.
If you have more than one
unit please ensure you change
the FREQUENCY,
MAJOR/MINOR, and SHORT
NAME so they don’t overlap
and create issues.
•SOURCE –Set your Video Source HDMI,
CVBS, or SDI depending on your model
•STANDARD –Set your TV standard
depending on your needs, location, and
support format of your TV.
•FREQ –Set your Frequency using our
Frequency chart listed at the end of the
manual. TV’s will scan for the Frequency and
the Frequency Channel it relates to first
before being stored using the Major/Minor
Channel you have set on the Unit. This is
called the VCT(Virtual Channel Table)
•VID QUALITY –Set the Latency Mode of
your Video.
•MOD –Modulation Mode you wish to use.
QAM256 is the default mode.
QAM 256 allows more bandwidth which
results in smoother and Sharper picture but
some older TV’s don’t support this. If your
TV does not work in QAM 256 Please revert
to QAM 64 mode.

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Main Screen –this displays a
short version of the current
settings the unit is
broadcasting on
Short Name –you will see this
menu when changing the
short name of your channel
QAM (J.83B DIGITAL CABLE) –
CONT.
•MAJOR CHANNEL –This is the number that
will be displayed and stored on the TV If you
wish to display a different number than what
the ACTUAL Channel is per Frequency Chart.
EXAMPLE: 783MHZ is channel 122. We can
have it Stored as Channel 1.1 on the TV so
when we use the TV Remote and press 1 It
will know to go to Frequency 783MHZ to
display your PVI Channel.
•MINOR CHANNEL –This is your Sub channel
Number. By default 1 is fine. If you wish to
have many channels with the same Major
number ex. 10 you would use the Minor to
create Sub channels ex. 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4
etc.
•SHORT NAME –Name of the Channel you
wish to use. 4-6 Characters max depending
on TV.
•AUDIO FORMAT –Set your desired Audio
Format. AC3 is the Default Standard for ATSC
and QAM mode.
•ADVANCE –Advance options for users who
require Specific PID’s or Fixed EDID
information. Please don’t change these
unless you understand your required PID’s or
EDID per Cable Provider instructions or PVI
Tech Support request.

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ADVANCE MENU –ADVANCE USERS ONLY
These are the Defaults
Please don’t change these
unless you have an
understanding of PID’s or
require a specific PID set by
your Service provider for Coax
STB injection.
Changing these numbers can
create unwanted effects to
your channel.
•DEFAULT –used to
factory reset the unit to
default.
•SERVICE-ID –Used to ID the Transport
Stream
•PMT PID - Program Map Table used to
provide information on each program
present in the transport stream, including
the program number, and list the
elementary streams
•VIDEO PID –Video ID used in the Transport
Stream to Identify the video inside the
packet identifier
•AUDIO PID - Audio ID used in the Transport
Stream to Identify the video inside the
packet identifier
•1080P CONVERSION –Used to Downscale
1080P (Progressive) signals to 1080i
(Interlace) to Support older TV’s that don’t
support 1080P signals through the Tuner. If
you know your TV supports 1080P through
the tuner you may switch this to 1080P to
receive the full 1080P signal from your 1080P
Video Source.
•RF ATTENUATION –Default is 0DB which is
the full strength 40+DBmv from the unit. If
you require it to be lower set the RF
attenuation higher. The higher the number
the lower the signal strength will be. Ex RF
attenuation 10 would be 30+/- DBmv signal.
•FIXED EDID –This will force the unit to only
support a specific resolution so your HDMI
source is forced to only output at that
resolution set. Usual for HDMI sources that
change resolution on the fly ex DirecTV Gene
Boxes or another Cable provider STB’s.

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ATSC (OVER THE AIR CHANNEL)
These are the Defaults and
Good starting point for PLUG
N PLAY setup.
If you have more than one
unit please ensure you change
the FREQUENCY,
MAJOR/MINOR, and SHORT
NAME so they don’t overlap
and create issues.
•ADVANCE –Advance
options for users who
require Specific PID’s or
Fixed EDID information.
Please don’t change
these unless you
understand your
required PID’s or EDID
per Cable Provider
instructions or PVI Tech
Support request.
•SOURCE –Set your Video Source HDMI,
CVBS, or SDI depending on your model
•STANDARD –Set your TV standard
depending on your needs, location, and
support format of your TV.
•FREQ –Set your Frequency using our
Frequency chart listed at the end of the
manual. TV’s will scan for the Frequency and
the Frequency Channel it relates to first
before being stored using the Major/Minor
Channel you have set on the Unit. This is
called the VCT(Virtual Channel Table)
•VID QUALITY –Set the Latency Mode of
your Video.
•MAJOR CHANNEL –This is the number that
will be displayed and stored on the TV If you
wish to display a different number than what
the ACTUAL Channel is per Frequency Chart.
EXAMPLE: 473MHZ is channel 14. We can
have it Stored as Channel 1.1 on the TV so
when we use the TV Remote and press 1 It
will know to go tune to Frequency 473MHZ
to display your PVI Channel.
•MINOR CHANNEL –This is your Sub channel
Number. By default 1 is fine. If you wish to
have many channels with the same Major
number ex. 10 you would use the Minor to
create Sub channels with the same Major ex.
10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 etc.
•SHORT NAME –Name of the Channel you
wish to use. 4-6 Characters max depending
on TV.
•AUDIO FORMAT –Set your desired Audio
Format. AC3 is the Default Standard for ATSC
and QAM mode.
•

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DVB-T GENERIC –PLEASE REFER TO YOUR LOCATION NEEDS
These are the Defaults and
Good starting point for PLUG
N PLAY setup.
If you have more than one
unit, please ensure you
change the FREQUENCY and
LCN so they don’t overlap and
create issues.
•ADVANCE –Advance
options for users who
require Specific PID’s or
Fixed EDID information.
Please don’t change
these unless you
understand your
required PID’s or EDID
per Cable Provider
instructions or PVI Tech
Support request.
•SOURCE –Set your Video Source HDMI,
CVBS, or SDI depending on your model
•STANDARD –Set your TV standard
depending on your needs, location, and
support format of your TV.
•FREQ –Set your Frequency using our
Frequency chart listed at the end of the
manual. TV’s will scan for the Frequency and
the Frequency Channel it relates to first
before being stored using the LCN
•BW –Bandwidth can be changed for your
regions requirements.
EU/NEW ZEALAND = 8 MHz
AUSTRALIA = 7 MHz
COLOMBIA\PANAMA = 6 MHz
•VID QUALITY –Set the Latency Mode of
your Video.
•MOD –Modulation Mode which you can set
to match your region’s needs.
•FTT –Fast Fourier Transform can be set here
depending on your needs and region. This
controls number of carriers per a given
bandwidth
•GI –Guard interval can be set here
•CR –code rate which controls carrier to
noise ratio
•LCN –logical channel number can be set
here. This is the channel number that will be
stored and displayed on the TV
•SERVICE NAME –Name of the Channel you
wish to use. 4-6 Characters max depending
on TV.
•AUDIO –Default is MPEG

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DVB-C
These are the Defaults and
Good starting point for PLUG
N PLAY setup.
If you have more than one
unit please ensure you change
the FREQUENCY, LCN, and
SERVICE NAME so they don’t
overlap and create issues.
•SOURCE –Set your Video Source HDMI,
CVBS, or SDI depending on your model
•STANDARD –Set your TV standard
depending on your needs, location, and
support format of your TV.
•FREQ –Set your Frequency using our
Frequency chart listed at the end of the
manual. TV’s will scan for the Frequency and
the Frequency Channel it relates to first
before being stored using the Major/Minor
Channel you have set on the Unit. This is
called the VCT(Virtual Channel Table)
•VID QUALITY –Set the Latency Mode of
your Video.
•MOD –Modulation mode can be set here
depending on your needs for your region
from 16- to 256-QAM
•LCN –logical channel number can be set
here. This is the channel number that will be
stored and displayed on the TV
•SERVICE NAME –Name of the Channel you
wish to use. 4-6 Characters max depending
on TV.
•AUDIO FORMAT –Set your desired Audio
Format. AC3 is the Default Standard for ATSC
and QAM mode.
•ADVANCE –Advance options for users who
require Specific PID’s or Fixed EDID
information. Please don’t change these
unless you understand your required PID’s or
EDID per Cable Provider instructions or PVI
Tech Support request.

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Vecoax Compact RF series modulator Manual
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ISDBT
These are the Defaults and
Good starting point for PLUG
N PLAY setup.
If you have more than one
unit please ensure you change
the FREQUENCY, KEY ID, and
SERVICE NAME so they don’t
overlap and create issues.
•SOURCE –Set your Video Source HDMI,
CVBS, or SDI depending on your model
•STANDARD –Set your TV standard
depending on your needs, location, and
support format of your TV.
•FREQ –Set your Frequency using our
Frequency chart listed at the end of the
manual.
•VID QUALITY –Set the Latency Mode of
your Video.
•KEY ID –This is the number that will be
displayed and stored into the TV
•SERVICE NAME –Name of the Channel you
wish to use. 4-6 Characters max depending
on TV.
•AUDIO FORMAT –Set your desired Audio
Format. AC3 is the Default Standard for ATSC
and QAM mode.
•ADVANCE –Advance options for users who
require Specific PID’s or Fixed EDID
information. Please don’t change these
unless you understand your required PID’s or
EDID per Cable Provider instructions or PVI
Tech Support request.

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DTMB
These are the Defaults and
Good starting point for PLUG
N PLAY setup.
If you have more than one
unit please ensure you change
the FREQUENCY, LCN, and
SERVICE NAME so they don’t
overlap and create issues.
•SOURCE –Set your Video Source HDMI,
CVBS, or SDI depending on your model
•STANDARD –Set your TV standard
depending on your needs, location, and
support format of your TV.
•FREQ –Set your Frequency here. Because of
the wide range that DTMB covers determine
the Frequencies available. Please search for
these online for your region.
•VID QUALITY –Set the Latency Mode of
your Video.
•MODE –Modulation mode can be set here
depending on your needs for your region
•LCN –logical channel number can be set
here. This is the channel number that will be
stored and displayed on the TV
•SERVICE NAME –Name of the Channel you
wish to use. 4-6 Characters max depending
on TV.
•AUDIO FORMAT –Set your desired Audio
Format. AC3 is the Default Standard for ATSC
and QAM mode.
•ADVANCE –Advance options for users who
require Specific PID’s or Fixed EDID
information. Please don’t change these
unless you understand your required PID’s or
EDID per Cable Provider instructions or PVI
Tech Support request.

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Vecoax Compact RF series modulator Manual
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INSTALLING MULTIPLE UNITS
To install multiple units on the same coax network, make sure to CHANGE the
Frequencies, Major/Minor, and Short Name of each Module BEFORE you connect
them to the same coax network, so there will be no Channel Conflicts. By default, each
unit will be set the same.
Please Test each unit directly connected to a Test TV first with a short piece of coax
BEFORE making it a permanent installation such as a Rack mount to make
troubleshooting easier. Once you have all your units’ setup test again with a test TV
first before combining the units with your coax network.
If you have other modulators or Digital signals you must find a harmony between the
RF levels and Frequency’s that are available such as ATSC (Over the Air Antenna)
signal. Please refer to your other modulators settings to find the frequencies the
populated and set your unit to a different set. Please see combining ATSC/QAM
signals in our manual below for more information about combining with other Digital
Signals from Providers
To change the Frequencies of each module, press enter button the unit to enter the
menu. Navigate using the keys to FREQ. Press enter and use the navigation keys to
change the numbers. The frequency is in Kilohertz. So 783Mhzs would be 783000 kHz
on the unit. Once you have set the Frequency press enter and then move on to
changing the Major/Minor channel as well as the short name if you wish. Once you
have set all your settings press ESCAPE. This will prompt you to save your changes.
Use the navigation keys to Highlight Yes and press Enter. The unit will now go back to
the main screen and restart the encoder. Once the unit saves the settings you will see
“transmitting,” and a Solid Blue LED on the “ON-AIR.”
Write down these values or channel numbers, or put a sticker on each unit with the
newly assigned frequency and channel Number so it will be easy to troubleshoot the
unit in future without the need to reset it or dismantle everything. Depending on your
setup it’s suggested to use an active splitter or combiner with more than 6 units, 40+
TV’s or using multiple splitters(each splitter will lower the DB level 5-10dbs depending
on the quality) to ensure you get a clear signal to all your TV’s no matter the distance.
If your system works without one then it is not necessary. Again this is a Suggestion
and not required for operation of your devices.

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COMBINING SERVICE PROVIDERS SIGNALS OR ATSC WITH YOUR DEVICE
For Combining ATSC (Over the Air channels) you must find the frequencies that are
used by your local stations. This information can usually be found online by searching
for, “(insert your local area) ATSC frequency chart.” This will give you a nice table that
shows all the Frequencies used in your area. Find the ones that are not used and write
those down. Set your device(s) to those unused frequencies. Test using your Test TV.
Note: For installers, it is recommended but not necessary to use a Spectrum analyzer
to see the spectrum available to you to make the installation easier. This does not
require an expensive unit to do this. Any Spectrum tester to view the available
frequencies will help you in the process.
For combining with cable Service provider the same rules apply. You can contact your
local service provider of your basic cable to find the frequencies that they use and fine
the ones that are available for you to use. If you wish to inject into a Digital Cable
Converter box or STB (set-top box) most of the time the service provider will include a
channel you may broadcast onto or some providers require a specific PID’s to be set
which can be set in the ADVANCE MENU in order for the Set to box to be able to read
the channel.

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Vecoax Compact RF series modulator Manual
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AUDIO ENCODING SETTINGS
The unit has three standards of Audio Encoding. Depending on your local and supported
format per TV you can set the following:
•AC3 –2.1 Dolby Digital Audio US/Canada Standard for Broadcasting
•MPEG –MPEG 2 Layer II used in DVB-T EU Standard.
•ACC - Advanced Audio Coding or MPEG-4. Used in some ATSC broadcasts
and ISDBT format. Supported by Most TV’s worldwide.
If your HDMI source has Compressed Audio or Dolby Digital Enabled it is
recommended to set your HDMI source to Stereo PCM or Uncompressed Audio
to ensure you get a clean audio signal to your TV. Double compression can cause
a lot of audio skipping issues.

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Vecoax Compact RF series modulator Manual
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VID QUAILTY MODES
The Vid Quality modes on the unit determine the speed and size of information sent
to your TV’s tuner decoder. The default is LOW LATENCY. Only if you experience any
image issue on the TV should you change this setting. Using the other options
available such as HIGH or Average will only change the speed the information is given
to the TV to be able to decode the picture properly ( For slower Television tuners and
models )
LOW LATENCY - This mode is the fastest in terms of information sent to the TV. It
sends frame by frame which will give you the best picture and ultra-low delay for
applications that require constant use of the HDMI Source menu system such as Cable
provider boxes or DVD players.
AVERAGE –This is a good balance between lower latency and speed of information
sent to your TV’s tuner. This mode sends the Information in smaller chunks rather
than instant refresh rate which helps with slower TV tuners that have slower/smaller
decoder memory. This form of chucks can help give a very slight increase in image
quality due to the Tuner having time to decode each picture at its own pace.
HIGH - This mode sends the Information in Lager chunks than Average mode which
again can help with slower TV tuners that have slower/smaller decoder memory. This
form of chucks can help give a very slight increase in image quality due to the Tuner
having more time to decode each picture at its own pace before the next set of chunks
are received.
Note: A higher delay will occur with these modes due to the delivery of the
information to the tuner in form of chucks rather than picture by picture.

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PC CONNECTION SOFTWARE
Depending on your model you can connect a Mini USB cable to the PC port of the unit
and run the PC control software which can be found on our website at pvisupport.com
and search for “PC control software,”in the search bar.
Once you download this software you can run it and use it to control your unit if you
have multiple to configure or installed in a hard to reach the area where the front
panel is not easily accessible. This software requires you to install the drivers which
are included with the software.
It works the same as the Menu system on the unit.
Once it detects the unit it will refresh the settings on the Controller and display them
for you. If not, you may hit the, “RELOAD,” button to grab the information from the
unit.
Once you have your settings applied hit Broadcast to push the changes to the unit.
This might take a second for the unit to update its settings. You can save these
settings for future use or with other units for easier setup.

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TROUBLESHOOTING
NOT RECEIVING SIGNAL TO MY TV. WHY?
Please check your settings of the unit and ensure the correct standard is set. Check all
your connections and scan for the standard you have set on the unit. Example QAM –
Scan for Digital Cable on your TV
I plugged my unit up and it’s not working? –Please follow our Quick Guide for setting
up the unit. Double check your connections as well.
“ON-AIR” LED IS BLINKING
Check the HDMI source Resolution and please ensure you have a FIXED resolution set.
Please refer to your HDMI source Owner’s Manual on setting a Fixed Resolution and
not auto. The unit see’s your video but cannot accept the resolution to encode it for
coax usage your TV tuner can understand.
UNIT WON’T POWER ON?
Check your included power adapter. Ensure that you have a solid connection and the
DC jack is screwed on correctly.
I SEE THE PVI LOGO BUT NO VIDEO IS PLAYING!? WHY?
Check your HDMI connection. Check the HDMI source Resolution and please ensure
you have a FIXED resolution set. Please refer to your HDMI source Owner’s Manual on
setting a Fixed Resolution and not auto. Test with a different Video source such as a
DVD player or FireTV stick.

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I HAVE 2+ UNITS HOW DO I SET THEM UP TO WORK TOGETHER?
Please refer to our “Installing Multiple Units,” guide above
WHAT ARE THE BEST SETTINGS FOR THE BEST QUALITY VIDEO?
Depending on your Region will determine your settings that need to be set. The unit
already outputs a great quality video.
For people who want the best, we recommend for USA/Canada to use QAM(J.83B)
when available as this will give you the highest bitrate possible as well as using MOD -
QAM256 set on your unit which will increase the bandwidth of the signal allowing
more information to flow.
Set your HDMI source to 1080p
Set your Unit to 1080P Mode -> Advance options -> 1080P Conversion -> Auto
This will allow the 1080P signal to pass. If your TV tuner does not support 1080P
through the tuner you will not receive any signal or video. If this happens, switch it
back to “Interlacing.”
Depending on if you care about the low latency mode or not you can change the Vid
Quality to “HIGH.” A very slight change in image quality will happen as well as an
increase in delay between menus GUI’s due to the information handling sent to your
TV. Please refer to Vid Quality settings in the manual above for more information.