World Video Sales MicroImage Video Systems VMU250 User manual

Video Caliper
Operation Manual
For Models
VMU250
VMU350
VMU850
MicroImage Video Systems
division of World Video Sales Co., Inc.
PO Box 331
Boyertown, PA 19512
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
[email protected]
mivs.com
Rev 1.00 12-05-2022

2
CONTENTS
UNPACKING ................................................................................................................................ 5
CONNECTIONS ........................................................................................................................... 5
Power Supply ........................................................................................................................... 5
Video Input ............................................................................................................................... 5
Video Output ............................................................................................................................ 5
Other Connections ................................................................................................................. 6
CONTROLS & INDICATORS ..................................................................................................... 6
Unlike previous VMU units, the VMU250, VMU350 and VMU850 have multiple
switches which share functions. Notably, the numeric keypad functions are only
available when the menus are active. ................................................................................ 6
Power Switch ............................................................................................................................ 6
Position Control 1 ................................................................................................................... 7
Position Control 2 ................................................................................................................... 7
Lock Switch 1 & Lock Switch 2 .............................................................................................. 7
Ind & Track Switches .............................................................................................................. 7
POS (Position) Switch ............................................................................................................. 7
OV Off, Line On, All On Display Switches ........................................................................... 7
X & Y Switches .......................................................................................................................... 8
COLOR Switch .......................................................................................................................... 8
MENU Switch ............................................................................................................................ 8
SET Switch ................................................................................................................................. 8
ENTER ........................................................................................................................................ 9
STORE ........................................................................................................................................ 9
RECALL ....................................................................................................................................... 9
MENUS .......................................................................................................................................... 9
Overview ................................................................................................................................... 9
Lines ......................................................................................................................................... 10
1. Vertical 1 Style ....................................................................................................... 10
2. Vertical 2 Style ....................................................................................................... 11
3. Horizontal 1 Style ................................................................................................. 11
4. Horizontal 2 Style ................................................................................................. 11
5. Line Width ............................................................................................................... 11
6. Lock Overrides ...................................................................................................... 12
7. Line/Box Mode ...................................................................................................... 12
8. Track Switch Mode ............................................................................................... 12
9. Line Movement Options .................................................................................... 12
Readout ................................................................................................................................... 13

3
1. Readout Display ...................................................................................................... 13
2. Character Color ....................................................................................................... 13
3. Character Background .......................................................................................... 13
4. Row/Column ............................................................................................................ 14
5. Digits of Precision ................................................................................................... 14
6. Ratio Precision ......................................................................................................... 14
Display ..................................................................................................................................... 14
Clock ......................................................................................................................................... 14
Remote Options .................................................................................................................... 15
System Options ..................................................................................................................... 15
Password Options ................................................................................................................. 15
1. Password Mode ............................................................................................................ 15
2. Protect Now ................................................................................................................... 16
3. Change Password ......................................................................................................... 16
CALIBRATION SET .................................................................................................................... 18
Overview ................................................................................................................................. 18
Set Scale Using X Axis ........................................................................................................... 18
Set Scale Using Y Axis ........................................................................................................... 18
Clear Scale .............................................................................................................................. 19
Select Unit ............................................................................................................................... 19
Define Custom Unit .............................................................................................................. 19
Aspect Ratio Compensation ............................................................................................... 19
MEMORIES ................................................................................................................................. 21
Overview ................................................................................................................................. 21
Memory Store ........................................................................................................................ 21
Memory Recall ....................................................................................................................... 22
PASSWORD PROTECTION ...................................................................................................... 22
Overview ................................................................................................................................. 22
OPERATION ............................................................................................................................... 22
Overview ................................................................................................................................. 22
Calibration .............................................................................................................................. 22
Setting the Scale .................................................................................................................... 22
Adding a unit of measure.................................................................................................... 23
Saving the current configuration....................................................................................... 23
Memory Store ........................................................................................................................ 23
Memory Recall ....................................................................................................................... 24
FACTORY DEFAULTS ............................................................................................................... 24
Overview ................................................................................................................................. 24

4
DIFFERENCES FROM PREVIOUS MODELS ......................................................................... 25
SPECIFICATIONS ....................................................................................................................... 26
WARRANTY ................................................................................................................................ 28
RETURNS .................................................................................................................................... 28

5
UNPACKING
The Video Caliper system includes the following components:
VMU250, VMU350 or VMU850 Video Caliper Unit
12 volt power supply
This operation manual
Please inspect all items carefully and report damaged or missing items to your dealer or
MicroImage Video Systems. Do not power up any damaged unit.
CONNECTIONS
Power Supply
The Video Caliper ships with a standard 12VDC power supply that is suitable for use in North
America. Internationally sold units may include a “world” power supply with multiple plug
adapeters.
Connect the power supply to a suitable power receptacle/outlet which meets the appropriate
ratings on the power supply. You may need to install a different plug adapter for
receptacles/outlets other than those used in the USA.
All Video Caliper units may be optionally powered from a clean source of external +12VDC
(+10 to +20V) negative ground power. Contact MicroImage Video Systems for additional
information.
The unit may take several seconds to power up and initialize.
Video Input
A video source must be connected to the Video Caliper for it to function properly. The unit
will automatically detect the input signal and adjust accordingly. It typically takes less than
one second for a valid signal to be detected and the VMU to set itself accordingly.
The VMU259 and VMU350 Video Caliper may be connected to a composite or B&W video
source (via the Video Input BNC connector).
The VMU850 Video Caliper Video Input may be connected to an HDMI or DVI video source
signal.
Video Output
Connect a suitable output cable from the appropriate Video Out connector to a monitor or
other display device. Make sure that the monitor (or other device) is correctly set to view that
type of video signal. Note that some cameras may output both High Definition and Standard

6
Definition video, and may produce SD video with non-standard vertical to horizontal ratios.
VMU850 note: The VMU850 is compatible with most video cameras that produce a true and
properly formatted video signal. Some cameras do not provide a true quality signal and may
work intermittently or not at all.
Other Connections
If you have a custom option installed which requires an external connection, please see the
supplement to this user guide for additional information.
CONTROLS & INDICATORS
Unlike previous VMU units, the VMU250, VMU350 and VMU850 have multiple switches which
share functions. Notably, the numeric keypad functions are only available when the menus
are active.
Above: Layout of the VMU Control Panel.
Power Switch
The power switch is located in the upper right corner of the front panel. Pressing it once
turns the unit on, pressing it again turns the unit off. When off, the unit draws minimal power.
All VMU units will remember their settings when the power is turned off. More information

7
is provided later in this text. The unit will also remember the power switch setting when
power is removed. If the power switch was on when power is disconnected, it will turn on
again when power is restored to the unit.
Position Control 1
This rotary control will move the left or top cursor (depending on the setting of the X/Y switch)
or it will move both (same axis) cursors together if the track function is enabled. This control
is also used to select the field which is being edited in other menus.
Position Control 2
This rotary control will move the right or bottom cursor (depending on the setting of the X/Y
switch). If track mode is on, it will adjust the spread between the two (same axis) lines. This
control is also used to alter the value of the field being edited in other menus.
Lock Switch 1 & Lock Switch 2
Enabling the lock function will cause the related rotary position control to have no effect
while the corresponding Lock is on (indicated by the RED lamp above the switch), in order to
prevent accidental or unauthorized movement of a control. Lock functions are remembered
independently for the X and Y axes. A Lock override can be set in the menu system to lock a
control regardless of the switch setting (its functional status will be indicated by the light).
Ind & Track Switches
Enabling the tracking function (yellow track (indicator on) will cause the left position control
to move both lines of the same axis together, keeping the spacing constant. The right control
will adjust the spacing between the lines. Depending on the settings in the Track Switch
Mode menu, when active, the right control will either move the second line relative to the
first (Track Mode) or move both lines in opposite directions from a mid-point between them
(Mirror Mode). When IND (Independent mode) is pressed, the tracking function is disabled
(Green IND indicator now illuminated), the two controls will move the lines fully
independently.
POS (Position) Switch
The position set function allows the user to relocate the numeric display. Pressing the POS
switch (indicator on) will activate the position set function for the numeric display. When the
position function is enabled (the orange indicator above it is illuminated), turn the left (#1)
rotary control to change the horizontal position and the right (#2) rotary control to change
the vertical position. Press the POS switch again when finished to disable the position set
function. Note that many other functions are disabled while position set is on.
OV Off, Line On, All On Display Switches
OV OFF - Pressing this switch will turn off all overlay graphics allowing an unimpeded view of
the source image. When the OV OFF is set, a blue indicator above it will illuminate. When the
display is off, many switches and the controls are inactive to prevent accidental changes.

8
LINE ON - Pressing this switch will display only the lines (menus are also allowed). A Magenta
indicator will illuminate when this mode is enabled.
ALL ON - Pressing this switch will enable the lines and coordinate box to be displayed as well
as all menus and addition graphics. A white indicator will illuminate to signal that this mode
is active.
X & Y Switches
The X and Y switches select between X and Y axis movement with the controls. Pressing the
X switch will allow the vertical lines to move horizontally with the controls and is indicated by
a green indicator. The Y switch will allow the horizontal lines to be moved vertically and has
a yellow indicator above the switch to signal this mode is being used.
COLOR Switch
For the VMU250 & VMU350, this switch selects whether the lines are displayed as black, gray,
or white. This switch does not affect the shades used by the numeric display or menu system.
The COLOR switch will repeatedly cycle through the three different shades.
For the VMU850, pressing this switch will bring up a color menu and allow the color of each
line to be selected.
MENU Switch
Pressing the MENU switch places the unit in the menu mode allowing the user to set his or
her preferences. The exact menus are covered in a later chapter in this manual. Pressing
the Menu switch again will exit Menu mode.
If the password protection is turned on, you may have to enter a password before using this
function.
SET Switch
Pressing SET will allow the user to calibrate the unit and also set the unit of measure.
Operation is through simple menus. Pressing the Set switch again will exit the Set menu.
If the password protection is turned on, you may have to enter a password before using this
function.
BACKSPACE KEY
When a menu requires editing, the backspace key will be active. It’s functionality is shared
with the RECALL Switch. Pressing the backspace button will allow you to edit the numeric
calibration or the password as it is being entered. Backspace deletes the character last
entered.
0 thru 9 and . (decimal point)

9
These keys are shared with various other functions and the letting for the numeric kepad is
to the bottom right of the button it relates to. These keys are used to enter the calibration
reference, enter the password and to navigate the menu systems. They are used in a way
similar to a calculator. Note that the 2, 4, 6 and 8 keys are also used as a four directional
cursor array when changing coordinate colors or editing the time and custom unit of
measure settings.
ENTER
Completes the entry of a calibration setting or password, or completes a menu operation.
New time settings, passwords, or user memory settings are not saved until after the Enter
key is pressed. The unit may take several seconds until it saves the data, although the unit
should otherwise return to normal operation almost instantly.
STORE
Pressing the STORE key will illuminate the indicator next to it and allow you to save the unit’s
current settings into one of 9 user memory locations. The memory function will save most
of the settings of the unit, allowing easy access to multiple calibrations. See the section on
Memories later in this manual.
If the password protection is turned on, you may have to enter a password before using this
function. Note: The operation of the above function has changed from the previous model.
RECALL
Pressing the RECALL key will blink the indicator next to it and restore the settings previously
saved into one of the 9 user memory locations. See the section on Memories later in this
manual.
MENUS
Overview
The VMU series of Video Calipers are designed for ease of use along with the ability to be
highly customized to meet many demands. Commonly used functions are easily changed
with front panel switches while less used functions can be changed through the menu
systems. This section will describe the various menus and how they work. For the
calibration set menus and units of measure, please see the next section.
Note that the exact menus present may vary depending on the model.
If you have the Password Protection enabled, you may need to enter a password before you
can enter the menu. See the section on Password Protection for additional information.
The menu system is divided into a hierarchy, or tree structure. Each branch has several
related menus that can be changed. The main or top menu is the first one you see after
pressing the MENU button. You then choose one of the categories and press the number

10
key relating to that menu. This will bring up another menu where you press the numeric key
of choice and so on. Pressing the 0 (zero) key will exit each menu back up to the previous
menu.
SYSTEM OPTIONS
This is the main system menu. Items with a dark arrow following the item name activate a
sub-menu with more choices.
Each menu option will be described below:
Lines
The Line Options menu allows you to set the properties of the horizontal and vertical
measuring lines.
1. Vertical 1 Style
SYSTEM OPTIONS
1. Lines
2. Readout
3. Display
4. Clock
5. Password
6. Remote
7. System
0. Exit
Press a number key to select
Press Menu key to exit
LINE OPTIONS
1. Vertical 1 Style
2. Vertical 2 Style
3. Horizontal 1 Style
4. Horizontal 2 Style
5. Line Width
6. Lock Overrides
7. Line/Box Mode
8. Tracking Mode
9. Line Movement Options
0. Back
Press a number key to select
Press Menu key to exit