Runco VIRTUAL VHD-4404 ULTRA Operation manual

OWNER’SOPERATING MANUAL
Virtual High Definition Processor With Aspect Ratio Control
VHD-4404 ULTRA
IRTUAL
V
HIGH DEFINITION
TM

OWNER’SOPERATING MANUAL
VHD-4404 ULTRA
Virtual High Definition Processor With Aspect Ratio Control
IRTUAL
V
HIGH DEFINITION
TM

The software installed in the VHD-4404 ULTRA is protected by copyright
laws and International copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual
property laws and treaties.
IMPORTANT - READ CAREFULLY: This Runco License Agreement is a
legal agreement between you (either an individual or a single entity) and
Runco International for the Runco software product installed within the
VHD-4404 ULTRA. By using the VHD-4404 ULTRA, you agree to be
bound by the terms of this License Agreement. If you do not agree to the
terms of this License Agreement, do not use the VHD-4404 ULTRA; you
may, however, return it to your place of purchase.
© 2001, Runco International. All rights reserved.
2

CONTENTS
3
Warnings and Safety Precautions. . . . . . . . . . . 4
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
General Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Features and Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Front and Rear Panel Description. . . . . . . . . . . 7
Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Control Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Quick Set-up Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Connection Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Overall Function Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Menu Description and Navigation . . . . . . . . . . 14
Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Picture Quality Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Installation Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Screen Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Scan Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Selecting a Scan Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Fixed Pixel Displays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
CRT Projectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Output Format (Sync) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Side Bar Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Blanking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
System Reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Aspect Ratios. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
RS-232 Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Supplied Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

4
CAUTION:
To turn off main power, be sure to remove the plug from power outlet. The power
outlet socket should be installed as near to the equipment as possible, and should
be easily accessible.
REMARQUE:
Pour mettre l’appareil hors circut, s’assurer de retirer la fiche de la prise d’alimenta-
tion. La prise d’alimentation doit être installé aussi proche que possible de l’appareil
et doit être facile d’ accès.
TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARDS, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO
RAIN OR MOISTURE. ALSO DO NOT USE THIS UNIT’S POLARIZED PLUG WITH
AN EXTENSION CORD RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLETS, UNLESS THE
PRONGS CAN BE FULLY INSERTED. REFRAIN FROM OPENING THE CABINET
AS THERE ARE HIGH-VOLTAGE COMPONENTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
POUR EVITER UN FEU OU UN RISQUE D’ELECTROCUTION NE PAS EXPOS-
ER CET ENSEMBLE A LA PLUIE OU A L’HUMIDITE; DE MEME, NE PAS
BRANCHER LA PRISE POLAIRE AVEC UNE RALLONGE A MOINS QUE LES
DENTS DE LA PREMIERE NE S’Y INSERENT PLEINEMENT.
EVITER D’OUVRIR LE COFFRET CAR IL Y A, A L’INTERIEUR, DES COM-
POSANTS SOUMIS A UNE HAUTE-TENSION; POUR LES REPARATIONS,
S’ADRESSER A UN PERSONNEL QUALIFIE.
WARNING
AVERTISSEMENT
Warnings and Safety Precautions

5
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when
the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment gener-
ates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the installation manual, may cause harmful interfer-
ence to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area
is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case, the user will be required to
correct the interference at his own expense.
DOC compliance Notice
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
DOC avis de conformation
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Réglement
sur le Matériel D’interférence du Canada.
WARNING:
Please read and follow the safety precautions listed below to ensure the equipment
is free from damage, and to ensure that no injury will occur as a result of improper
use.
•Do not insert any object, especially metal or liquids, into the VHD-4404 ULTRA.
•Do not place any objects containing water or any other liquid on top of the
VHD-4404 ULTRA
•Do not place the unit in direct sunlight, near heaters or in extremely dusty or
humid locations
•Do not install this unit outdoors or otherwise exposed to the elements
•Do not place heavy objects on top of the unit
•If the power cord is damaged or frayed in any way, electrical shock and/or fire
may result. Please do not place objects on the power cord, and keep the cord
away from heat-emitting devices. Should the power cord become damaged in
any way, please contact your Runco dealer for a replacement cord.
•Do not remove the cover of the unit for any reason. If any problems arise with
the unit, please contact a Runco dealer or Runco International for service.
Removing the cover will void the warranty.
Safety Tips

Welcome to the high-end world of Runco video processing! Your new VHD-4404 ULTRA has been
designed to be flexible enough to be compatible with virtually and type of display device, from dif-
ferent types of CRT projectors to various types of fixed pixel displays. In addition, it will provide
aspect ratio control for those displays that would otherwise not have that capability, whether on a
standard 4:3 screen or a 16:9 (wide) screen.
In general, this processor will greatly improve the video quality and efficiency of the display device it
will be used with. For CRT projectors, the scan rate output of the processor can be set so as to
maximize the resolution AND light output of the projector it is to be used with. For example, projec-
tors with smaller CRTs (i.e. 7") might be used with a scan rate of 540p or 600p; projectors with larg-
er CRTs (i.e. 8" or 9") might use 840p, 960p or even 1080p. And for fixed-pixel displays, the vari-
ous output resolutions will accommodate many different displays, including DLP™, LCD, D-ILA and
even Plasma monitors. The most efficient way to process video for a fixed-pixel display is to feed
the display with a resolution matched pixel-for-pixel to the display's native resolution.
Finally, many displays do not include any type of aspect ratio control, or have aspect ratio control
limited to 4:3 screens. The VHD-4404 ULTRA can provide three geometrically correct aspect ratios
whether the display is on a 4:3 screen OR a 16:9 screen. In a nutshell, your VHD-4404 ULTRA will
expand the use of any compatible display device while providing top-notch video
processing no other processor can match.
The VHD-4404 ULTRA has many great features and benefits that make it a flexible, high-quality
processor. Its many benefits include:
• An adaptive 2-dimensional comb filter that greatly reduces artifacts when using a composite video
signal as an input.
• A Luma edge enhancement circuit makes the edges of objects appear sharper without the
ringing and noise increase associated with traditional sharpness circuits
• A Chroma edge enhancement circuit is included to compensate for lower chroma resolution found
in composite and S-video.
• Inverse Telecine (3:2 pulldown) detection and processing allows the scaler to almost completely
eliminate interlace artifacts associated with other scalers
• The controller can correctly scale anamorphic, letterbox and 4:3 formats to fit on a wide aspect-ratio
screen, and scale anamorphic formats on a 4:3 screen
• A pass-through connector is supplied for routing HDTV or computer graphics directly to the
display.
• An RS-232 input is provided for easy integration into the automated home theater environment
• A TBC (Time Base Corrector) circuit is provided for unstable sources such as VCR’s.
• 12V outputs are provided for drop screens and screen masking.
• A simple 7-button remote controls all aspects of operation. One button source selection and aspect
ratio control is also provided via the remote control.
6
INTRODUCTION
General Description
Features and Benefits

7
FRONT AND REAR PANEL DESCRIPTIONS
Front Panel
MULTIFILM
M
e
n
u
4404 ULTRA
12
345
78
6 9
RUN
C
O
1. IR RECEIVER
Receives the IR commands from the remote control.
2. POWER BUTTON
Toggles the power on and off. For a discreet on or off command, you can use the direct access buttons.
NOTE: When the main AC power switch is first turned ON, the processor will go through an initiation cycle for
approximately 15 seconds. The processor cannot be turned on or operated until the initialization is complete
3. LED DISPLAY
Indicates the model#, current source, scan rate or resolution and aspect ratio.
4. UP BUTTON
When no menus are present on-screen, the UP button will toggle you through aspect ratios in the following order:
Standard (4:3) Letterbox Anamorphic
When the menu is on-screen, the UP button will move the cursor up within the menu.
When an adjustment item has been selected (i.e. brightness), the UP button will increase the value of that
function.
5. LEFT BUTTON
When no menu is present on-screen, the LEFT button will toggle you through the four different sources, in the
order of:
Pass-through Component S-Video Composite
6. ENTER BUTTON
When an item is highlighted on the On-Screen Display, the ENTER button will select the item.
7. DOWN BUTTON
When no menu is present on-screen, this button will toggle you through the different aspect ratios.
When the menu is on-screen, the down button will move the cursor down within a menu. When an adjustment
function has been selected (i.e. brightness), the DOWN button will decrease the value of that function.
8. RIGHT BUTTON
When no menus are present on-screen, the RIGHT button will toggle you through the four different sources, in
the order of:
Composite S-Video Component Pass-through
9. MENU BUTTON
Pressing the MENU button will bring up the main menu. If no action is taken within approximately 10 seconds,
the menu will time-out (disappear). Also, if you are in an adjustment mode or function, pressing MENU will bring
the menu back one level.

8
1. 12v Fuse
This fuse protects the 12v outputs from the MASK and SCREEN jacks.
(Screen Fuse: 5mm x 25mm, AGC, 0.5A 250V Fast Acting, 250V, Fast Blow)
2. Mask
This is a 12V output that is used to trigger masking on screens that have that capability.
(For use on motorized screens only).
3. Screen
This is a 12V output that is used to trigger the screen to drop.
(For use on motorized screens only).
4. RS-232 In
This is for systems using serial (RS-232) to control the VHD-4404 ULTRA.
5. RGB OUTPUT
This is the main output of the VHD-4404 ULTRA. The RGB Signal goes directly to the projector; If
component is used through the pass-through, then only the R (Pr), G(Y) and B(Pb) jacks will be active.
Individually, the jacks are: V=vertical sync, H=horizontal sync, B=Blue, G=Green, R=Red.
NOTE: If setting the output for ‘sync on green’ or ‘component’ (see Installation Menu section); disconnect
the sync cables (H & V) from the processor. If using composite sync, the sync output will be on the ‘H’
connector.
6. Pass-through
Anything input to this port will by-pass the processing of the VHD-4404 ULTRA and be sent straight to the
display. This is useful for computer graphics and HDTV signals which do not require processing.
7. Component Input
This is the input for component video from sources such as DVD players.
Note:
The component output from a DTV decoder or a progressive-scan DVD cannot be used with this port; it
must be input to the Pass-through port.
8. S-Video Input
This is the input for S-video from sources such as Satellite receivers, S-VHS VCR’s and DVD players.
9. Composite Video Input
This is the input for Composite video from sources such as Laser disc players, VCRs and other
miscellaneous video sources.
Rear Panel
12v Fuse
Mask Screen
RS-232 IN VHBGR
Pass-through Pb
Pr
Y
1
10
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 13
RUNCO
12
RS-232 OUT
S-VIDEO COMPOSITE

10. RS-232 OUT
Reserved for future use.
11. Power Input
Plug in main power here.
12. 115 VAC Fuse
This is the main AC input fuse.
(Main Fuse: 5mm x 20 mm, 500mA, 250v, Slow Blow)
13. Main Power Switch
Disconnects or applies main power to the processor.
9

10
A. IR OUTPUT INDICATOR
Illuminates when a button is pressed, indicating that an IR signal is being
transmitted.
B. POWER BUTTON
Toggles the power on and off. For a discreet on or off command, you can
use the direct access buttons (see 'J'). Note: When the main AC power
switch is first turned ON, the processor will go through an initiation cycle
for approximately 15 seconds. The processor cannot be turned on or
operated until the initialization is complete.
C. UP BUTTON
When no menus are present on-screen, the UP button will toggle you
through aspect ratios in the following order:
Standard (4:3) Letterbox Anamorphic
When the menu is on-screen, the UP button will move the cursor up
within the menu. When an adjustment item has been selected (i.e.
brightness), the UP button will increase the value of that function.
D. LEFT BUTTON
When no menus are present on-screen, the LEFT button will toggle you
through the four different sources in the following order:
Pass-through Component S-Video Composite
E. DOWN BUTTON
When no menus are present on-screen, the DOWN button will toggle you
through aspect ratios in the following order:
Anamorphic Letterbox Standard (4:3)
When the menu is on-screen, the DOWN button will move the cursor
down within the menu. When an adjustment item has been selected (i.e.
brightness), the DOWN button will decrease the value of that function.
F. RIGHT BUTTON
When no menus are present on-screen, the RIGHT button will toggle you
through the four different sources in the following order:
Composite S-Video Component Pass-through
G. MENU BUTTON
Pressing the MENU button will bring up the main menu. If no action is
taken within approximately 10 seconds, the menu will time-out (disap-
pear). Also, if you are in an adjustment mode or function, pressing MENU
will bring the menu back one level.
H. ENTER BUTTON
When an item is highlighted on a menu, pressing ENTER will select that
item.
I. PROGRAM BUTTON
If the remote control loses its 'memory' as a result of weak or dead bat-
teries, it must be re-programmed for the VHD-4404 ULTRA's code set.
To reprogram the remote, press the PROGRAM button followed by 0,1,3.
Note: Pressing Enter after typing in the code is not necessary.
M
R UNCO
PWR
AB
C
D
E
J
F
G
H
I
12 3
45 6
78 9
I
N
P
U
T
0
N
P
U
T
I
OFF
ON
J. DIRECT ACCESS BUTTONS
These buttons will allow you to directly
access an aspect ratio, source, or turn the
unit on or off without having to go through
any menus. These buttons are:
1: Selects COMPOSITE video
2: Selects S-video
3: Selects COMPONENT video
4: Not used
5: Selects PASS-THROUGH
6: Enables or Disables the Installation
Menu (see page 18)
7: Selects the ANAMORPHIC aspect ratio
8: Selects the STANDARD (4:3) aspect
ratio
9: Selects the LETTERBOX aspect ratio
0: Turns the processor ON.
OFF: Also known as the button left of '0',
this turns the processor OFF.
REMOTE CONTROL DESCRIPTION

While there are many different ways to connect your source equipment to your
VHD-4404 ULTRA, the examples shown above are the most common.
• COMPOSITE VIDEO INPUT:
Composite video is the most common type of signal used, but is also the lowest in
picture quality. Many sources have outputs that are limited to composite video, such
as some VCR’s and camcorders; others such as Laser Disc players actually pro-
duce slightly better results when using composite video.
• S-VIDEO INPUT
S-video is the second-best type of signal that can be used, but is MUCH better than
composite video. Using such sources as Satellite receivers, high-quality VCRs and
DVD players (with no component output) will produce a MUCH cleaner and sharper
signal.
• COMPONENT INPUT
Component video is the best type of signal that can be used. The most common
sources that use component outputs are DVD players, and it is highly recommend-
ed that component be used when possible. Component video goes one step
beyond S-video in picture quality; chroma (color) information is more resolved and
the overall picture appears more well-defined.
• PASS-THROUGH
This input is used to ‘pass-through’ any high-definition or computer signals that do
not require processing. The signal by-passes the VHD-4404 ULTRA’s processing
and is sent directly to the display. The pass-through may be used for COMPONENT
outputs from a DTV decoder, a progressive-scan DVD player or RGB outputs from
a computer or other high-resolution sources.
11
QUICK SET-UP GUIDE
Connection Examples
Display Device
Computer or
DTV decoder
DVD Player
Sattelite
receiver or
SVHS player
VCR, Laser
disc player,
camcorders
R
U N
C
O
Reserved for future use
Automation
System
12v Fuse
Mask Screen
RS-232 IN VHBGR
Pass-through Pb
Pr
Y
RU
NCO
RS-232 OUT
S-VIDEO COMPOSITE

12
Now that your VHD-4404 ULTRA has been installed, it's time to get it configured for
use in your system. Please follow the procedures and recommendations below:
1. First, connect all sources (DVD, VCR, Satellite receiver, etc.) to the VHD-4404 ULTRA, if this has not
already been done. Also, ensure all sources are ON and functioning, if possible.
2. Connect the RGB (or component) output of the VHD-4404 ULTRA to the display device it is to be used
with. NOTE: It may be necessary to set the 'output format' and 'scan rate' in the Installation menu to
match the input type and scan rate of the display device it is to be used with (see page 19).
3. With everything properly connected, turn the VHD-4404 ULTRA on, followed by the display device itself.
4. If the output scan rate and output format have not been optimized for the display device the processor will
be used with, set them now (see page 19 for recommendations).
5. Next, set the 'screen type' in the installation menu, either 16:9 screen (for installations using widescreens
or other display devices with a 16:9 aspect ratio (i.e. a plasma display)) or 4:3 screen for those displays
using a 4:3 screen only.
Once the initial settings have been completed, the 'front panel settings' (color, tint,
sharpness, etc.) can be adjusted for each aspect ratio. The calibration procedures for
these adjustments are outlined in 'picture quality adjustments', page 15.
Getting Started

13
Overall Functional Description
The VHD-4404 ULTRA has many useful purposes. It has many different scan rate outputs
that can match most types of displays, including CRT projectors and fixed-pixel displays. Also,
the sync polarity and output type (RGB, Component, Sync on green, etc.) can be changed to
meet the requirements of the display device, ensuring that the VHD-4404 ULTRA will be fully
compatible in all respects to just about every type of display.
In addition to being compatible with most displays, it also includes aspect-ratio control. This is
extremely beneficial for those displays that do not have any type of aspect ratio control, as all
movies can now be viewed in their native format instead of having to settle for 4:3.
So, how does the VHD-4404 ULTRA work, anyways? In a nutshell, the VHD-4404 ULTRA
is an advanced processor known as a SCALER. A scaler takes the interlaced NTSC signal
(such as that from a standard DVD player or VCR, for example), de-interlaces it, and then
scales it to one of many selectable resolutions. It is the advanced Runco scaling algorithms
that gives the VHD-4404 ULTRA the ability to change not only scan rates and resolutions, but
aspect ratios as well.
As mentioned, the VHD-4404 ULTRA is compatible with many types of display devices. To
ensure a display device is capable of working with the VHD-4404 ULTRA, it must have the
following specifications:
•Capable of a horizontal scan rate of at least 31.5 KHz
•Capable of a resolution of at least 854 x 480
•Can accept RGB (separate or composite syncs, or sync on green), or component signals
In addition, the processor is designed to work properly on widescreens with an aspect ratio of
either 1.78:1 (16:9) or 1.85:1, or any 4:3 screen. The processor is not designed to provide
aspect ratio control for 2.35:1 screens.
For input signals, the VHD-4404 ULTRA can accept NTSC or PAL signals from most typical
sources. This includes interlaced signals from standard DVD players, Satellite receivers,
VCRs, Laser Disc players, camcorders and other similar equipment. For higher-resolution sig-
nals such as a computer, high-definition decoder or progressive DVD players, these signals
MUST be connected to the Pass-through port. The VHD-4404 ULTRA will not accept
progressive signals on its Component input port (i.e. progressive DVD players).
Please ensure that your display device is compatible with any high-resolution signal you input
to the pass-through port. NOTE: The VHD-4404 ULTRA will not process any signal on its
pass-through port; it will simply loop the signal directly to its output. Also, the pass-through
port will not convert component signals to RGB signals; component signals input to the pass-
through port will be output as component signals.
Compatibility

14
When the MENU button is pressed on either the remote control or the front panel, the main menu
will appear on-screen. An example of the main menu is shown above.
The active source is indicated by an arrow to the left of the source; note that in the example
above, Composite is the current source.
To select a source via the main menu, press either the up or down buttons on the remote or
front panel and highlight the desired source, and press ENTER. Otherwise, you may select a
source by pressing either the left or right arrow buttons (on the remote or front panel) when no
menus are on-screen, or by pressing one of the direct access buttons on the remote control
(recommended; see page 10).
If pass-through is selected, note that no on-screen menus will be displayed since the signal is
simply being 'looped' directly to the RGB output. When pass-through is the selected source,
pressing MENU will automatically select S-video as the source. If you wish to choose another
source, Runco recommends using the direct access buttons to select the desired source as
opposed to pressing MENU.
Aspect Ratio provides selection of one of three aspect ratios: Anamorphic, Letterbox or standard
4:3. To select an aspect ratio via the main menu, press either the up and down buttons on the
remote or front panel, highlight ASPECT RATIO and press ENTER. The aspect ratio menu will
then appear with the three choices; highlight the desired aspect ratio with the up or down buttons
and press ENTER. Otherwise, you may select an aspect ratio by pressing either the up or down
arrow buttons (on the remote or front panel) when no menus are on-screen (see page 10), or by
pressing one of the direct access buttons on the remote control (recommended; see page 10).
Installation is where the scan rate and sync types can be adjusted, as well as screen types,
'side bar' levels, image shift and blanking controls. A full description of this menu is on page 18.
NOTE: If INSTALLATION does not appear on the main menu, see page 18 for an explanation on
how to access the Installation menu.
MENU DESCRIPTION AND NAVIGATION
Main Menu
MAIN MENU
>COMPOSITE
S-VIDEO
COMPONENT
PASS THROUGH
ASPECT RATIO
INSTALLATION
Source selection and
picture quality adjustments
See "installation" section
Aspect ratio selection

Picture quality adjustments (also known as "Front Panel Controls") are the controls that change different
parameters of the image such as the amount of color, black level, etc. While these adjustments can be set to
suit the needs of the user, there is a way to set these properly. This section will describe what each function
does and how to adjust them properly.
To access the picture quality adjustments, press MENU, highlight the active source (indicated by the arrow)
and press ENTER. The picture quality sub-menu will then appear (see above).
To make an adjustment to a particular function, highlight the function with the up or down arrow buttons and
press ENTER. Once the function is on-screen (i.e. brightness), pressing the UP arrow button on the remote or
front panel will increase the value of that function; pressing the DOWN arrow on the remote or front panel will
decrease the value of that function.
While each of the picture quality adjustments can be set to suit the needs of the user, there is a 'proper' way
to set the adjustments. For setting TINT and COLOR, please refer to the color bar test pattern below.
NOTE: For many display devices, a BLUE FILTER must be used so only the blue color bars can be seen; if
no blue color filter is available, see if the display device has the ability to mute (turn off) the red and green
colors via its menu structure (most CRT projectors have this feature). Blue filters are provided with the Video
Essentials or AVIA test DVDs, or can be purchased from the Imaging Science Foundation
(www.imagingscience.com).
15
MAIN MENU
>COMPOSITE
S-VIDEO
COMPONENT
PASS THROUGH
ASPECT RATIO
INSTALLATION
TINT
COLOR
BRIGHTNESS
CONTRAST
SHARPNESS
LUMA ENHANCE
CHROMA ENHANCE
Picture Quality Adjustments
Tall color bars
Short color bars
Tint
Color
white
yellow
cyan
green
magenta
red
blue

16
TINT (also known as 'hue') is essentially the ratio of red to green in the color portion of the image. If TINT is
decreased, the image will appear redder, and increasing it will cause the image to appear greener. To set
TINT properly, look at the color bar pattern through a blue filter (or mute the red and green outputs). Adjust
TINT until the middle two tall color bars match the middle short color bars (see color bar drawing).
COLOR (also known as 'saturation') increases or decreases the amount of color in the image. To set
COLOR properly, look at the color bar pattern through a blue filter (or mute the red and green outputs).
Adjust COLOR until the outer two tall color bars match the outer short color bars (see color bar drawing).
For setting CONTRAST and BRIGHTNESS, please refer to the PLUGE pattern below:
CONTRAST adjusts the white level of the image. To adjust this properly for CRT projectors, adjust CON-
TRAST until there is no blooming (or distortion) in the brightest bar in the PLUGE pattern (see above).
For Fixed-pixel displays, adjust contrast until there is a distinct definition between the two brightest bars.
NOTE: For best results, Runco recommends that CONTRAST be set to '0' or very close to it.
BRIGHTNESS adjusts the black level of the image. To adjust this properly, adjust BRIGHTNESS until the
'below black' bar JUST disappears, but the 'above black' bar is still barely visible.
NOTE: Some DVD players cannot pass the 'blacker than black' bar (they won't pass PLUGE), and that bar
will never be visible. In a case like this, adjust the 'above black' bar until it is slightly brighter than the back-
ground that surrounds it.
Below black
Above black
Set contrast
untill there is
no 'blooming'
in this bar.

SHARPNESS adjusts the amount of high-frequency detail in the image. This can be adjusted to the prefer-
ence of the user. Keep in mind that when SHARPNESS is decreased, fine details in the image will become
'soft'; when it is increased, fine details will become sharper but will also make the picture appear 'noisy' if
adjusted too high.
LUMA ENHANCE acts as an edge enhancement, especially around black to white transitions in the image.
Essentially, this has the same characteristics as sharpness but affects the edges of objects far more that the
rest of the image.
FREQUENCIES HIGH/LOW affect the overall range of the LUMA ENHANCE feature. For example, if using a
lower-quality video source such as a VCR, the FREQUENCIES should be set to LOW. For a good quality
source such as a DVD player, set FREQUENCIES to HIGH. To set FREQUENCIES, press ENTER while
LUMA ENHANCE is on-screen.
CHROMA ENHANCE acts as an edge enhancement, especially around color transitions in the image.
Essentially, this has the same characteristics as sharpness but affects the edges of objects far more that the
rest of the image.
FREQUENCIES HIGH/LOW affect the overall range of the CHROMA ENHANCE feature. For example, if using
a lower-quality video source such as a VCR, the FREQUENCIES should be set to LOW. For a good quality
source such as a DVD player, set FREQUENCIES to HIGH. To set FREQUENCIES, press ENTER while
CHROMA ENHANCE is on-screen.
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The Installation menu is where you can adjust the scan rate and sync type, as well as set the type of screen
(4:3 or 16:9), shift the image or set blanking, and even set the level of the 'sidebars'.
When the VHD-4404 ULTRA is turned on for the first time, the INSTALLATION item will not appear in the
main menu. To enable the INSTALLATION menu, there are two options:
·With the processor ON and no menus on-screen, simultaneously press the ENTER, UP and LEFT buttons
(you don't need to hold them down). Release the three buttons and press MENU, ensure INSTALLATION is
now on the bottom of the main menu.
·With the remote control, press button 6 (with no menus on-screen).
After pressing '6', press MENU and ensure INSTALLATION is now on the bottom of the main menu.
After INSTALLATION has been accessed, press MENU, highlight INSTALLATION and press ENTER.
This will bring up the INSTALLATION MENU, shown below:
Installation Menu
INSTALLATION
4:3 SCREEN
16:9 SCREEN
SCAN RATE
OUTPUT FORMAT
SIDE BAR LEVEL
IMAGE SHIFT
BLANKING
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