Quantum Data 801GC, 801GF, 801GX User manual

Owner's and
Programmer's
Manual
Model 801GC, 801GF & 801GX
Portable Video Signal Generators
®

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®
Copyright ©1996 Quantum Data Corp.
All rights reserved. The information contained in this document is provided for
use by our customers and may not be incorporated into other products or publica-
tions without the expressed written consent of Quantum Data.
Quantum Data reserves the right to make changes to its products to improve
performance, reliability, producibility, and (or) marketability.
Information furnished by Quantum Data is believed to be accurate and reliable.
However, no responsibility is assumed by Quantum Data for its use.

i
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
9. Service
1. Introduction
2. Basic Operation
3. Built-In Formats
4. Built-In Images
5. Making Connections
6. Programming
7. Troubleshooting
8. Error Messages
9.Maintenance
Appendices
Index
Toquicklyfind
informationonthe
topicsshown onthe
right,justmatchthe
blackbars withthe
blackmarkerson
the edges of the
pages in the
manual.
Formore
informationonthe
contentsofeach
chapter,please
refer to the table of
contentsstartingon
thenextpage.
Tolocate
informationona
specificsubject,
pleaserefer tothe
index at the end of
thismanual.
Model 801GC, 801GF & 801GX
OwnerÕs & Programmers Manual
Part# 68-00157 (rev. A 21-Feb-96)

ii Table of Contents Models 801GC, 801GF & 801GX ¥ Rev. A
TrademarkAcknowledgments:
Quantum Data is a registered trademark of Quantum Data Corporation.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
Macintosh and Apple are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
MultiSync is a registered trademark of NEC Home Electronics, Inc.
Radio Shack is a registered trademark of Tandy Corporation.
Other products or company names mentioned are registered trademarks or trade-
marks of their respective companies.

iii
Table of Contents
Chapter1: Introduction 1-1
Features ..................................................... 1-2
ProductOverview ..................................... 1-3
Formats ................................................. 1-3
Images ................................................... 1-3
Controls ................................................. 1-3
Connectors ............................................ 1-4
Chapter2: BasicOperation 2-1
Introduction ............................................... 2-2
OperatingModes ...................................... 2-2
Front panel operation ............................ 2-2
Normal Format and Images Selection Mode
2-2
Test Sequence Mode ............................ 2-3
Switching operating modes ................... 2-3
Programming Mode ............................... 2-3
DisplaysandIndicators(NormalMode) . 2-4
Knobs ......................................................... 2-5
Format Knob in Normal Mode ............... 2-5
Format Knob in Other Modes ................ 2-5
Image Knob in Normal Mode ................. 2-5
Image Looping in Normal Mode ............ 2-6
Image Knob in Other Modes ................. 2-6

iv Table of Contents Models 801GC, 801GF & 801GX¥Rev. A
Switches .................................................... 2-7
AC Select .............................................. 2-7
Power Switch ......................................... 2-7
Buttons ...................................................... 2-8
Image Button ......................................... 2-8
Video Gate Buttons ............................... 2-9
Analog Monochrome Operation ............ 2-9
Sync Gate Buttons .............................. 2-10
Outputs Button .................................... 2-10
Chapter3: Built-InFormats 3-1
Introduction ............................................... 3-2
Explanationof Terms Used in Charts .... 3-3
Built-inFormats ........................................ 3-4
Chapter4: Built-In Images 5-1
Introduction ............................................... 5-2
DescriptionsoftheImages ..................... 5-4
Acer1 ..................................................... 5-4
Acer2 ..................................................... 5-4
Acer3, Acer4, Acer5 and Acer6 ............ 5-4
Acer7 and Acer 8 ................................... 5-4
Acer9 ..................................................... 5-4

v
Table of Contents
BLU_EM, GRN_EM, RED_EM, WHT_EM,
MEMESony, MESony_B, MESony_G, and
MESony_R ............................................ 5-5
BLU_EM+, GRN_EM+, RED_EM+,
WHT_EM+, MEMEPlus, MEPlus_B,
MEPlus_G, and MEPlus_R ................... 5-6
BLU_PIC, GRAY_PIC, GRN_PIC, RED_PIC,
WHT_PIC, Flat, Flat Gray, Flat_B, Flat_G,
and Flat_R ............................................. 5-7
Box_50mm and Box_64mm .................. 5-9
BriteBox ............................................... 5-10
Burst.............................................................
5-12
Check511 ............................................ 5-13
CheckBy3 ............................................ 5-14
Check_11 ............................................ 5-15
CirclesL ............................................... 5-16
CirclesS ............................................... 5-17
ColorBar .............................................. 5-18
Cubes .................................................. 5-19
Custom ................................................ 5-20
Dot_10, Dot_12, Dot_24 ...................... 5-21
EMITest1 ............................................. 5-23
EMITest2 ............................................. 5-23
EMITest3 ............................................. 5-23
EMITest4 ............................................. 5-23
Focus_@6, Focus_@7, Focus_@8 .... 5-24
Focus_Cx ............................................ 5-25
Focus_H .............................................. 5-26

vi Table of Contents Models 801GC, 801GF & 801GX¥Rev. A
Focus_Oo ............................................ 5-27
Format ................................................. 5-28
GrayBar ............................................... 5-29
Grill_11, Grill_22, Grill_33, Grill_44 ..... 5-30
Hatch_10i, Hatch_10o, Hatch_12i,
Hatch_12o, Hatch_24i, Hatch_24o,
Hatch_24s, Hatch_G, Hatch_M, GRN_HTCH,
and MAGENTA .................................... 5-31
Hatch4x3, Hatch5x4 and Hatch8x8 ..... 5-33
Hatch64W ............................................ 5-34
Hitachi1 ............................................... 5-35
KanjiKan .............................................. 5-36
Linearty(Linearity) ................................ 5-37
LinFocus .............................................. 5-39
Outline0 and Outline1 .......................... 5-41
P1 ........................................................ 5-46
P2 ........................................................ 5-46
P3 ........................................................ 5-46
P4 ........................................................ 5-46
P5 ........................................................ 5-46
P6 ........................................................ 5-46
P7 ........................................................ 5-46
P8 ........................................................ 5-46
Persist ................................................. 5-47
PulseBar .............................................. 5-49
QuartBox ............................................. 5-50
Ramp ................................................... 5-51
Raster .................................................. 5-52

vii
Table of Contents
Regulate .............................................. 5-53
Samsung1 ........................................... 5-54
Samsung2 ........................................... 5-54
SlideG .................................................. 5-54
SlideRGB ............................................. 5-54
SMPTE133 .......................................... 5-55
SMPTEbar ........................................... 5-61
Stairs20 ............................................... 5-66
Strokes0, Strokes1 .............................. 5-67
Text_9, Text_16 .................................. 5-68
Text_9 ................................................. 5-68
TVBar100 & TVBar_75 ........................ 5-70
TVHatch .............................................. 5-73
Chapter5:MakingConnections 5-1
LineVoltageSelector ............................... 5-2
Selecting a line voltage. ........................ 5-2
FuseRequirements .................................. 5-3
ACPowerConnection .............................. 5-3
DisplayConnection .................................. 5-4
D-Sub Output Connectors ..................... 5-4
BNC Output Connectors ........................ 5-6
S-VIDEO Connector (801GX Only) ....... 5-6
DisplayCodes ........................................... 5-6
What is a Display Code? ....................... 5-6

viii Table of Contents Models 801GC, 801GF & 801GX¥Rev. A
Checking a Display Code ...................... 5-7
SUN Display Codes ............................... 5-8
IBM VGA Display Codes ....................... 5-8
Apple Macintosh Display Codes ............ 5-8
ExternalProgramming Connections ..... 5-9
SerialPortConnection ............................. 5-9
PC / Terminal Wiring ........................... 5-11
Apple Macintosh Wiring ....................... 5-12
IEEE-488(GPIB)PortConnection ......... 5-13
Chapter6: Programming 6-1
ProgrammingCapabilitiesOverview ...... 6-2
Editing and adding signal formats ......... 6-2
Editing the format knob directory ........... 6-2
Creating custom test images ................. 6-3
Editing the image knob directory ........... 6-3
Creating a test sequence ...................... 6-3
Setting system parameters .................... 6-4
ProgrammerÕs utility disk ....................... 6-5
Operatingviaremotecontrol .................. 6-6
UsingtheBuilt-InEditors ........................ 6-7
FormatEditor ............................................ 6-9
Knob Functions ..................................... 6-9
FormatKnobDirectoryEditor ............... 6-19

ix
Table of Contents
ImageKnobDirectoryEditor ................. 6-21
CustomImageEditor ............................. 6-24
What is a Sequence? ............................. 6-35
SequenceKnobDirectoryEditor .......... 6-36
SequenceEditor ..................................... 6-38
RunningaSequence .............................. 6-41
CancellingtheSequenceMode ............ 6-42
Creatingyourownformatfile ............... 6-43
Entering the format parameters ........... 6-43
ANALOG_3.CMD Listing ..................... 6-44
Analog Video and Sync Parameters ... 6-45
Digital Video Parameters ..................... 6-48
Digital Sync Parameters ...................... 6-49
Timing Parameters .............................. 6-50
Calculated Rates ................................. 6-55
Active Video Physical Size .................. 6-56
Display Codes ..................................... 6-56
Outputs Control ................................... 6-57
Downloading formats using a DOS- compat-
ible computer ....................................... 6-60
Controllingvia theSerialPort ............... 6-61
ControllingviatheIEEE-488Port ......... 6-62
Input Buffer .......................................... 6-62

xTable of Contents Models 801GC, 801GF & 801GX¥Rev. A
Message Syntax .................................. 6-63
Commands .......................................... 6-63
Queries ............................................... 6-64
Output Queue ...................................... 6-64
Buffer Deadlock ................................... 6-65
The Status Byte .................................. 6-65
Requesting Service ............................. 6-65
Remote/Local Operation ..................... 6-66
IEEE-488 Status Reporting: ................................................. 6-67
Bus Commands ................................... 6-69
Common Commands .......................... 6-69
CommandLanguage .............................. 6-75
CommandandQueryFinder ................. 6-75
FormatParameterSettings ................... 6-76
FormatEditorControl ............................ 6-77
FormatMemoryManagement ............... 6-78
CustomImagePrimitives ...................... 6-79
ImageEditorControl .............................. 6-82
ImageMemoryManagement ................. 6-82
SequenceEditorControl ....................... 6-82
SequenceMemoryManagement ........... 6-83
SequenceParameterSettings ............... 6-83

xi
Table of Contents
DirectoryEditorControl ........................ 6-83
DirectoryMemoryManagement ............ 6-84
SystemParameterSettings ................... 6-84
MiscellaneousSystemParameters ...... 6-85
DirectProcessorControl(Reserved) ... 6-85
Alphabetical Listing of Commands ..................... 6-86
801GMemory(Information)FlowDiagram
6-177
Chapter7: Troubleshooting 7-1
Power-on ................................................... 7-2
Normal power-on ................................... 7-2
Power-on message remains .................. 7-2
Error message at power-on ................... 7-3
Unit will not power-on ............................ 7-3
ComputerInterfacing ............................... 7-3
If All Else Fails .......................................... 7-4
Chapter8:ErrorMessages 8-1
SystemErrors ........................................... 8-2
Power-on Self Test Messages .............. 8-2
Power Fail Message .............................. 8-4

xii Table of Contents Models 801GC, 801GF & 801GX¥Rev. A
FormatErrors ............................................ 8-4
Invalid Data Error Messages ................. 8-4
Corrupt Data Error Messages ............... 8-5
SystemErrorMessageSummary ........... 8-6
FormatErrorMessages ........................... 8-7
Chapter9: Service 9-1
NewProductWarranty ............................. 9-2
UserRegistrationCard ............................ 9-2
ProductUpdates ....................................... 9-3
ServiceAgreements ................................. 9-3
In the U.S.A. .......................................... 9-3
In Europe ............................................... 9-4
GettingYour801G*Repaired .................. 9-4
AuthorizedServiceCenters .................... 9-4
Returning the 801G* .............................. 9-4

xiii
Table of Contents
AppendixA:Specifications 11-1
Model801GC,801GFand 801GXSpecifica-
tions .................................................... 11-2
AdditionalModel801GCand801GXSpecifi-
cations ................................................ 11-4
AdditionalModel801GFSpecifications 11-5
Index

xiv Table of Contents Models 801GC, 801GF & 801GX¥Rev. A
Notes:

1-1
Features
Product Overview
Chapter 1: Introduction

Model 801GC, 801GF & 801GX ¥ Rev. A
1-2 Chapter 1: Introduction
Features
✓low cost
✓portable - fits in a briefcase
✓ultra-simple controls
✓ultra-fast format-loading & image-drawing
✓color NTSC and PAL compatible composite and
S-video outputs on the 801GX
✓self calibrating analog video outputs
✓industry-standard output connectors
✓display and edit formats on the unit under test
✓ over 100 industry-standard signal formats built-in
✓room for up to 300 user-defined formats
✓programmable pixel rates up to 150 MHz on the
801GC and 801GX; up to 250 MHz on the 801GF
✓over 50 test images built-in
✓custom test images can be created and saved
✓user defined format-image test sequencing

1-3
Product Overview
ProductOverview
The 801G series are low-cost portable video signal
generators designed for basic testing and alignment
of various types of raster-scanned displays. This
manual covers the 801GC, 801GF and 801GX mod-
els. Information that mentions the “801G*” applies
to all three models.
The generator is shipped with over 100 signal for-
mats in place for driving a variety of industry-stan-
dard displays. Formats for other displays can be
added using the built-in graphics user interface editor
or a personal computer or terminal via the built-in
RS-232 and IEEE-448 interfaces.
Formats are stored in a non-volatile memory. This
memory has room for up to 300 formats. Permanent
copies of industry-standard formats are stored (along
with the generator's operating code) in EPROM and
can be copied into format memory and modified as
required.
The 801G* features over 50 test images that allow a
wide variety of display criteria to be checked. The
generator has an image loop feature that can be used
for monitor burn-in or at trade shows to display a
series of images over and over. User defined cus-
tom test images can also be created and saved in
non-volatile memory.
The number of controls on the 801G* has been mini-
mized to insure simple operation. Two knobs and 8
lighted push-buttons provide complete control of the
generator. One knob selects the video signal format.
A second selects the test image. Three push-buttons
gate the individual video components on and off.
Another three push-buttons select any of three avail-
able synchronizing signals. A seventh button allows
all of the outputs of the generator to be turned on
or off with a single key stoke. Finally, an image
stepping button is provided that calls up alternate
versions of some images.
Controls
Images
Formats
A format is a set of
specifications that
describe the video
signal required by a
particular type of
display.

Model 801GC, 801GF & 801GX¥Rev. A
1-4 Chapter 1: Introduction
Connectors The output connectors on the 801G* match those
found on popular computers and video systems.
These connectors eliminate the need for expensive
and bulky conversion cables.