Schnick-Schnack-Systems Pixel-Gate User manual

PIXEL-GATE
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Version 0.4.818
english

www.schnickschnacksystems.com
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
2.0
2.1
2.2
3.0
4.0
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.3.1
4.3.2
4.3.3
4.3.4
4.3.4.1
4.3.5
4.3.6
4.3.7
4.3.8
4.3.8.1
4.3.8.2
4.3.8.3
4.3.8.4
4.3.8.5
4.3.8.6
4.4
4.4.1
4.4.2/4.2
4.5
4.6
Content
Introduction
Schnick-Schnack-Systems and the Pixel-Gate
Video Inputs
ArtNet Output
System Overviews
System Architecture
Cabling Example
Installation Advice
Menu System and Operation
Controls
Basic Operation
Detailed Operation
Power up
Changing Modes
Quick Patch Mode
Pixel Patch Mode
Error Messages
Debug-Do not use!
Factory Defaults
Info
Setup
Black Level
DVI DDC Framerate
Doublebuffering
Save Patch Internally
ArtNet
Gamma Correction
Doublebuffer Information
Doublebuffer Tips
Table of Doublebuffer cropping (Firmware Version 1.0)
Interlaced Formats
Menu System Overview

1.1 Schnick-Schnack-Systems and the Pixel-Gate
Schnick-Schnack-Systems GmbH are manufacturers of
LED backlighting systems, founded in 2004 by
Erhard Lehmann and based in Cologne (Germany)
with a UK office located on the London/Kent border.
Although best known for their LED products, the
company devotes equal time and effort to producing
the Power Supplies, accessoires and interfaces, which
combine with these to create complete, bespoke
systems and solutions.
The Pixel-Gate by Schnick-Schnack-Systems is a
hardware interface, designed to convert digital video
signals (DVI or SDI) into ArtNet data.
Pixel/Videodata can be patched directly by using the
built-in Quick Patch mode, or created with
Schnick-Schnack-Systems‘ Pixel-Patch software.
1.0 Introduction
The Pixel-Gate can be accept the following digital
video signals as inputs:
DVI*: (progressive, 50 Hz/60 Hz)
640x480
768x576 (576 p)
800x600
1024x768
1152x864
1280x720(720 p)
1280x960
1280x1024
1368x768
SDI:
720x576 (PAL, 25 Hz interlaced)
720x486 (NTSC, 29 Hz interlaced)
1.2 Video Inputs
}Doublebuffered
}Cropped if doublebuffered**

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Min. 150 Universes
Unicast if supported
10/100 Mbit
*Supported resolutions in firmware version 1.0. Further resolutions are forthcoming.
** See 4.4: Doublebuffer Information.
1.3 ArtNet Output
2.1 System Architecture
2.0 System Overviews
Pixel Gate
ArtNet
SDI In/Thru‘
DVI In/Out

Simple system diagram, showing the topological
position of the Pixel-Gate in an LED lighting system,
relativeto the other system components.
2.2 Cabling Examples
Computer with
special Software
Media Server
Light Desk
Ethernet Switch
System Power
Supply 4E
Sys One
LED Tiles B, C
LED Strip C
LED Strips B, L
with Intelligenz
LED Panel C60
LED Band C100
LED Panel C100
DVD Player
Computer with
DVI Output
Professional
Video Player
Pixel Gate

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Computer with
special Software
Media Server
Light Desk
Ethernet Switch
System Power
Supply 4E
Sys One
LED Tiles B, C
LED Strip C
LED Strips B, L
with Intelligenz
LED Panel C60
LED Band C100
LED Panel C100
DVD Player
Computer with
DVI Output
Professional
Video Player
Pixel Gate

Examine the Pixel-Gate immediately after unpacking,
for any damage which may have occured during
transit. A damaged unit should not be used under
any circumstades.
If the Pixel-Gate is moved from a cold to a warm
environment, then a period of three hours should be
result of the temperature change.
If the Pixel-Gate is to be installed in a rack, care
must be taken to ensure that there is sufficient
airflow arround both the front and back of the unit.
The temperature of the surrounding air should not
exceed 35° C.
3.0 Installation Advice
The use of rails is recommended for rack-mounting,
to relieve strain on the front panel.
Connect the video input and ArtNet output cables.
Power-up the Pixel-Gate, by connecting the mains
input connector. After a few seconds, the Pixel-Gate
is ready for use.
Do not operate the Pixel-Gate in direct sunlight.
Do not use water or aggressive solvents to clean the
Pixel-Gate, wiping with a damp cloth should be
sufficient. Heavy soiling may be removed using a
mild detergent.
4.1 Controls
The Pixel-Gate uses a similar LCD menu system and
operating philosophy to other Schnick-Schnack-
Systems rack-mount products and features the
following six buttons:
Shift Use in conjunction with...
Edit to scroll the cursor backwards through
data entry fields.
Enter to confirm certain operations.
Up and Down to increase the rate at which
selected values are changed.
Edit Scrolls the cursor through data entry fields.
4.0 Menu System and Operation
Quit Used to exit the currently selected mode.
Enter Used to confirm operations,
e.g. mode changes.
Up Scrolls up through list of modes.
Increases the value in the currently
highlighted data field.
Down Scrolls down through list of modes.
Decreases the value in the currently
highlighted data field.

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To change modes, press Quit to exit the current
mode, then Enter to select the mode Menu list.
Alternatively, press Quit a second time to cancel the
change and return to the currently selected mode.
Use Up and Down to scroll through the mode menu
list, until the desired mode is displayed, then press
Enter to select it.
Use the Edit button to scroll through available data
entry fields. Use Shift+Edit to scroll through the data
entry fields in reverse order.
Use Up and Down to change the value in the
selected (highlighted) data entry field. Use Shift+Up/
Down to change the value in larger jumps.
4.2 Basic Operation
If the selected mode has a sub-menu (e.g. Setup),
press Enter, then use Up and Down to scroll through
it. When the desired sub-menu parameter has been
reached, use Edit to select, scroll through its data
entry fields (even if there is only one).
When the desired data entry field has been selected,
use Up and Down to change the value. When the
desired value has been set, press Enter to return
to the sub-menu and use Up and Down to scroll
through it.
Press Enter again to return to the mode menu list.
4.3.1 Power-up
On power-up, the Pixel-Gate will initially display its
info menu and software version for a few seconds.
Following this, the Pixel-Gate will go to the last-set
Patch Mode –Quick-Patch or Pixel-Patch.
4.3 Detailed Operation
Schnick
Schnack
Systems
Pixel-Gate
v0.4.818

To change mode press the Quit button. The LCD will
display the following message:
Press Quit again to cancel the change, or Enter to
confirm. If Enter is chosen, the Mode Menu will be
displayed –use the Up and Down buttons to scroll
through it.
4.3.2 Changing Modes
Change Mode?
Quit Enter
New Mode:
Quick Patch
Quick-Patch mode is used to create simple
Pixel-Patches, which use just one type of LED Panel
(C100, C60-50 or C60-25) directly from the
Pixel-Gate menu.
Use Edit to move the cursor through the data entry
fields. Use the Input field to select the type of input
signal –DVI or SDI. A check mark (tick) in the small
blue square to the right of this field, indicates that a
valid input signal is being received by the Pixel-Gate.
Use the Panel and Of fields to select the number of
Panels in the xand yplanes, along with the Panel
type.
Use the Scale and Offset fields to adjust the video to
fit the installation.
For more complex installations, using multiple Panel
and/or PCB illuminants, the Pixel-Patch mode is
used.
4.3.3 Quick-Patch Mode
Input
Panel
Offset
DVI Scale 1
5
x
2
of
C60-25
x0
y
0

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The Pixel-Patch mode accesses a patch which has
been pre-prepared using Schnick-Schnack-Systems‘
Pixel-Patch software and stored on a standard
SD card. Use the Edit key to scroll through the three
data entry fields on the left of the display.
The Input fiels is used to choose between a DVI or
SDI input signal. File is used to load a Pixel-Patch
file from the SD card.
Patch selects an output Patch to suit the input
resolution.
The Patch must be reloaded, using the Edit and
Enter buttons, if the file or input settings are
altered.
If everything is working correctly, then the Status
field on the display will read Running. In the case of
an error, a message will be displayed. Possible error
messages are shown on the next page.
4.3.4 Pixel-Patch Mode
Input
File
Patch
Status
DVI No Input
<not set>
<not set>
no input
Error Message Description Solution
No Input No input signal is being received. Check that the input cable
connection is secure.
No Patch file loaded No Patch has been loaded. Check that an SD card with a valid
Patch file has been loaded.
No output Patch loaded No output Patch has been loaded. Select an output Patch.
Resolution error The output Patch has a different
resolution from the input.
Choose another output Patch pr
Patch file. Change the resoluti-
on of the source or create a new
Patch file.
Patch overflow The output Patch is trying to
access accesses with a pixel which
does not lie in the memory range.
Switch off the doublebuffer in the
setup menu. Build a new Patch
file with the Schnick-Schnack-
Systems Pixel-Patch software
and choose another resolution,
or shift the desired part of the
content towards the upper part of
the picture area.
4.3.4.1 Error Messages

DO NOT ADJUST THE SETTINGS IN THIS MODE. This mode
is intended for development purposes. Altering the
values in the data entry fields may severely and
irrevocably alter the performance of the Pixel-Gate.
4.3.5 Debug Mode – Do not use!
DEBUG: /
Adr 0x000000
Value 0x000000ffff
Pressing Shift+Enter together when in this mode,
will restore the factory default settings to the
Pixel-Gate interface. WARNING: THIS ACTION CANNOT
BE UNDONE!
4.3.6 Factory Defaults
Restore Factory Defaults?
Quit Shift+Enter
Displays the type of unit and currently installed
software version.
4.3.7 Info
Schnick
Schnack
Systems
Pixel-Gate
v0.4.818
The following attributes can be adjusted using
this menu:
· Black Level
· Gamma Correction
· ArtNet
· Doublebuffer
· Save Patch internally
· DVI DDC framerate
Press the Enter button to access the setup
sub-menu.
4.3.8 Setup
New Mode:
Setup

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Use the Edit button to select the data entry field.
With a Black Level greater than zero, any pixels
which fall below the adjusted threshold value are
faded out. Adjustment of this attribute can be
helpful, if the content originated from an analogue
source.
4.3.8.1 Black Level
Black Level
0
Use the Edit button to select the data entry field.
Setting the prefered the framerate does not actually
specify the framerate, either for the in- or output.
It merely serves Extended Display Identification Data
(EDID) the information to the Display Data Channel
(DDC) of the source PC graphic card or DVD player, in
order to match the resolution with Pixel-Gate.
4.3.8.2 DVI DDC Framerate
DVI DDC Framerate
50 Hz
Switches doublebuffer on or off. Doublebuffer is
necessary in order to be able to play the full, desired
framerate over ArtNet (see doublebuffer information).
Without doublebuffer every second frame is dropped,
so that a 60 Hz DVI source will only be reproduced at
30 Hz on the ArtNet side.
4.3.8.3 Doublebuffering
Doublebuffering
Off
By switching this attribute on, the currently loaded
patch is stored internally.
4.3.8.4 Save Patch Internally
Save Patch internally
On

The ArtNet menu is used to select either unicast or
broadcast output. The unicast parameter indicates
the number of System Power Supply PSUs,
requesting the same universe and can be
switched off if desired.
The polling rate indicates the rate at which new
devices/system power packs in the network are
searched for by the Pixel-Gate. If Pollrate is switched
off, then the unit will check only once, on power-up,
this action is not recommended.
4.3.8.5 ArtNet
ArtNet 1 s
Pollrate
Broadcast Level 0
Switches this function on or off.
4.3.8.6 Gamma Correction
Gamma Correction
Off
N.B. – The following restrictions apply until further
notice, for firmware version 1.0 and should be
waived with future updates:
The maximum number of pixels that can be stored in
a patch is limited to approximately one million.
Therefore, all pixels can be patched for resolutions of
up to 1152x864 pixels.
Above the one megapixel limit the later lines are not
stored, e.g. at a resolution of 1280x1024 the last
205 lines of the picture cannot be patched.
Furthermore: Doublebuffering requires twice the
memory and therefore reduces the highest
resolution that can be patched up to the latest pixel
in the picture, e.g. a resolution of 1024x768 can be
only be patched to line 512, if doublebuffering is
activated.
4.4 Doublebuffer Information
If a pixel cannot be patched because it lies outside
this range, then an error message will be shown in
the display. If this occurs, the content should then
be shifted using the Offset functions, or the
resolution reduced.
Without doublebuffering, only every other frame is
sent, so a 60 Hz DVI source will be reproduced at just
30 Hz on the ArtNet output side.

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· Doublebuffering must be activated
· Since DMX 512 with a full packet length is limited
to 44.1 Hz, the doublebuffer should be deactivated,
if all 512 channels are to be used and/or standard
DMX equipments is to be driven (Special cases
where this does not apply: LED Panels C100, C60-50
and C60-25).
· When using higher resolutions, it is a good idea to
have the desired content in the upper part of the
image to be diplayed.
4.4.1 Doublebuffer tips
Input Resolution Doublebuffer ON Doublebuffer OFF
640x480 + +
720x486 (NTSC) + +
720x576 (PAL) + +
800x600 + +
1024x768 + Cropped at line 512
1152x864 + Cropped at line 455
1368x768 + Cropped at line 383
1280x960 + Cropped at line 409
1280x1024 + Cropped at line 409
4.4.2 Table of doublebuffer cropping
4.5 Interlaced formats
Interlaced DVI is not supported. SDI is interlaced by
definition and is therefore supported.

Press Quit to change mode.
4.6 Menu Overview (v0.4.818)
Change Mode?
Quit Enter
New Mode:
Quick Patch
New Mode:
Pixel Patch
New Mode:
DEBUG
New Mode:
Factory Defaults
New Mode:
Info
New Mode:
Setup

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Press Quit again to restore previous mode.
Input
Panel
Offset
DVI Scale 1
5
x
2
of
C60-25
x0
y
0
Input
File
Patch
Status
DVI No Input
<not set>
<not set>
no input
DEBUG: /
Adr 0x000000
Value 0x000000ffff
Restore Factory Defaults?
Quit Shift+Enter
Schnick
Schnack
Systems
Pixel-Gate
v0.4.818
Black Level
0
DVI DDC Framerate
50 Hz
Doublebuffering
Off
Save Patch internally
On
ArtNet 1 s
Pollrate
Broadcast Level 0
Gamma Correction
Off

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8.0 Declaration of EU conformity