Black Box AC1034 A Video Test Pattern Generator User Manual

March 2005

AC1034A

Video Test Pattern Generator

DVI - VGA - Y Pb Pr

AC1034A

CUSTOMER

SUPPORT

INFORMATION

Order toll-free in the U.S. 24 hours, 7 A.M. Monday to midnight Friday: 877-877-BBOX

FREE technical support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax 724-746-0746

Mail order: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018

Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]

Video Test Pattern Generator

TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL

BLACK BOX and its logo

Corporation. are registered trademarks of Black Box

Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines

Corporation.

SGI is a registered trademark of Silicon Graphics, Inc.

Sun and Sun Microsystems are registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems,

Inc. in the United States and other countries.

Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property of the trademark owners.

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Model AC1034A

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

AND CANADIAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio communication. It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device in accordance with the specifications in

Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference, in which case the user at his own expense will be required to take whatever measures may be necessary to correct the interference.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference

Regulation of the Canadian Department of Communications.

Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe

A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique publié par le ministère des Communications du Canada.

EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

This product complies with the requirements of the European EMC directive 89/336/EEC

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Video Test Pattern Generator

Normas Oficiales Mexicanas (NOM)

Electrical Safety Statement

INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD

1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.

2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para referencia futura.

3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de operación deben ser respetadas.

4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.

5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo, cerca de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca, etc.

6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales que sean recomendados por el fabricante.

7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como sea recomendado por el fabricante.

8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más allá a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio deberá ser referido a personal de servicio calificado.

9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama, sofá, alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se debe colocar en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los orificios de ventilación.

10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de calor como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos (incluyendo amplificadores) que producen calor.

11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo del tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en el aparato.

12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la polarización del equipo no sea eliminada.

13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos, poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen del aparato.

14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las recomendaciones del fabricante.

15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las lineas de energia.

16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo no sea usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.

17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.

18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:

A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u

B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del aparato; o

C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o

D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio en su desempeño; o

E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

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Model AC1034A

Contents

1. Introduction .............................................................................. page 5

1.1 General ................................................................................ page 5

1.2 Features ............................................................................... page 5

2. Installation ................................................................................. page 6

3. Operation ................................................................................... page 7

4. Troubleshooting....................................................................... page 10

4.1 FAQ.................................................................................... page 10

4.2 Calling Black Box .............................................................. page 10

4.3 Shipping & Packaging........................................................ page 10

5. Specifications........................................................................... page 11

6. Reference Information ............................................................. page 12

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Video Test Pattern Generator

1. Introduction

1.1 General

The Black Box Model AC1034A is a video test pattern generator for high-resolution display devices.

The unit provides DVI, PC (VGA through SXGA), and HDTV

Component Video (Y,Pb,Pr) outputs. The AC1034A features 28 static and dynamic video test patterns specially designed for testing, calibrating, and troubleshooting high end video gear & installations.

In addition to all of standard PC resolutions and refresh rates (up to

SXGA at 85 Hz), it is capable of providing HDTV outputs from 480p to 1080i both in DVI digital and in YPbPr formats. The OSD indicates output resolution and refresh rate settings. Among the available 28 test patterns are: color bar, multi-bust, circle, and crosshatch.

The AC1034A comes in a sturdy metal case and it includes DVI, VGA, and VGA-to-Component cables to handle most high-end testing and installation requirements. The AC1034A is ideal to use with LCD, plasma, CRT monitors, and projectors that are equipped with PC,

Component, or DVI inputs.

1.2 Features

•

3 devices in one. VGA, Component, and DVI video test pattern Generator

•

Programmable PC output resolutions from 640x480 to

1280x1024 (VGA/SVGA/XGA/SXGA)

•

Programmable HDTV output resolutions from 480p to 1080i

(480i 576i 480p 567p 720p 1080i)

•

28 typical and custom video test patterns (both static and dynamic)

•

Easy-to-use push-button OSD menu control

•

Includes all cables required

•

Packaged in highly portable EMI shielded enclosure

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Model AC1034A

2. Installation

1. Plug the supplied AC adapter to the Power input connector located on the rear of the unit. Use the supplied adapter or a 100% equivalent only. There’s a small green LED that turns on when the unit is powered up.

NOTE

The Video Pattern Generator requires 5 volts regulated DC

Center positive input power, using any other voltage or reverse polarity will damage the unit and void the warranty.

Figure 1 – Rear Panel & Power Connection

2. Included in the package are all the cables that you may need: a DVI cable, a VGA cable, and a HD15 to component Cable (shown below)

Figure 2 – HD15 to Component Cable

Choose and use the cable required for your application .

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Video Test Pattern Generator

3. Operation

Ø The front panel of the unit is pictured below:

Figure 3 - Front panel

Ø There are two output connectors on the box that are both active simultaneously. One VGA (HD15) and one DVI.

Ø The VGA output is dual purpose. It can output standard RGBHV

VESA signals similar to those that are output by most PC’s, as well as YPbPr component video output. The output mode of the HD15 connector is determined by a small slide switch.

Ø There’s an indicator LED next to the slide switch that comes on when the output resolution is one of the standard HDTV resolutions AND the slide switch is in YPbPr mode.

Ø To operate the unit you use 3 push-button switches. One button is used to walk through all the resolutions and refresh rates that are available (it is labeled OUTPUT MODE). The other 2 buttons are used to change the video pattern being generated - there are 28 patterns (these buttons are labeled + and - ).

Ø For quick jump to a known resolution (instead of walking through them one by one using the MODE switch), pressing two buttons simultaneously jumps to a given resolution/refresh rate. Pressing the left two buttons gets you to XGA at 60 Hz (and subsequent pressing of the MODE button will take you up from there).

Pressing the right two buttons gets you to 480p (a standard HDTV mode). Please note that in these HDTV modes, the DVI is outputting the proper signal and if the slide switch is in VGA you are getting RGBHV output and if in YPbPr you get component video (with sync on Y) and the LED will light to indicate that the unit is outputting a proper YPbPr output.

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Model AC1034A

Ø Here is a list of output resolutions that the Mode button will walk you through (there’s an on screen display OSD which indicates the mode setting):

VGA

SVGA

XGA

WXGA

SXGA

PC Resolutions

640 X 480 @ 50/60/72/75/85 Hz

800 X 600 @ 50/56/60/72/75/85 Hz

1024 X 768 @ 50/60/70/75/85 Hz ---- (Quick Select)

1280 X 768 @ 50/60 Hz

1280 X 1024 @ 50/60 Hz

HDTV Resolutions

720 X 480 @ 50/60 Hz ---- (Quick Select) 480P

576P

720P

720 X 576 @ 50/60 Hz

1280 X 720 @ 50/60 Hz

1080i 1920 X 1080 @ 50/60 Hz

Ø

As mentioned earlier the + and – buttons change the video output screen among the different patterns that are provided. Most standard patterns are included such as: Color bars, Color bar and Multiburst on same screen, Grey-scale, Checkerboard, Circle, Crosshatch, etc. However several unique and interesting pattern are also available.

There are 2 dynamic patterns one which changes the screen smoothly from black to full white, and another which is a checkerboard that switches white and black squares about once per second (this pattern may be useful for viewing compression artifacts in a situation where video is going to be compressed for lower bandwidth transmission or processed in some way).

Figure 4 – Some of the test patterns

Ø There are 2 patterns with Red Green and Blue horizontal bars over white and black background that are great for video distribution testing especially when long cables (both milti-coaxial, or

Category5/6) are used. The high frequency loss in the long cable runs will cause the color of the horizontal bars to smear to the right.

Black Box sells high quality video amplifiers and extenders have provisions for compensating for these losses (usually be means of

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Video Test Pattern Generator

dip switches or potentiometers as in AC090A). These two patterns are perfect for these types of installations. The user can set the amount of compensation perfectly! q

Figure 5 – Video transmission test patterns

The same 2 patterns are also useful for Video-over-UTP Category cable both for the high-frequency loss compensation (above paragraph), but also for Skew Compensation for those devices that give you this flexibility. The right and left edges of the RGB bars should vertically line-up. Again, this pattern gives you a convenient means for making this adjustment.

Operation Summary

To change the resolution being produced press the OUTPUT

MODE button repeatedly. The output screen has an OSD to indicate the resolution and refresh rate settings

NOTE: It is possible to set the output resolution to one that your monitor does not support. In this case you my not get a screen.

You can either keep pressing the OUTPUT MODE button as it eventually goes through all the available outputs in a circular

fashion, or use 2-button “QuickSelect” combinations. q To change pattern press the + or – keys. q To get analog high res. component video output at the HD15 connector (instead of VGA), slide the switch to YPbPr and press the 480p “QuickSelect”. The LED will turn on to indicate that there is a valid component output signal present.

NOTES: If the LED is not on that means you are not getting a proper analog component output! The DVI connector outputs all

available resolutions (both PC and HDTV) q

When you change the output, the AC1034A memorizes your settings after 8 seconds and the next time the unit is tuned on it will recall the memorized settings.

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Model AC1034A

4. Troubleshooting

4.1 FAQ

If your monitor goes blank or says “mode not supported”…

It is possible to set the output resolution to one that your monitor does not support. In this case you my not get a screen. You can either keep pressing the OUTPUT MODE button as it eventually goes through all the available outputs in a circular fashion, or use 2-button

“QuickSelect” combination to jump to a specific output immediately

4.2 Calling Black Box

If you determine that your unit is malfunctioning, do not attempt to repair the unit. Contact Black Box Tech. Support at 724-746-5500.

Before you do, make a record of the history of the problem. We will be able to provide more efficient and accurate assistance if you have a complete description, including:

• The nature and duration of the problem;

• The components involved in the problem—that is, what type of cable, makes and models of computers and monitors, etc.

• The results of any testing you’ve already done.

4.3 Shipping and Packaging

If you need to transport or ship your Splitter:

• Package it carefully. We recommend that you use the original container.

• Before you ship the unit back to Black Box for repair or return, contact us to get a Return Authorization (RA) number.

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Video Test Pattern Generator

5. Specifications

Compliance CE; FCC Part 15 Subpart B Class A, IC Class

Standards PC (RGBHV): VGA, SVGA, XGA, SXGA video.

HDTV (YPbPr): 480P, 576P, 720P, 1080i

Interfaces

DVI: All of the above

Supported Analog Video: VGA, and YPbPr

Digital Video: DVI –I Single link

Video Level 0.7 volts peak-to-peak, on RGB, 3 v on H & V

1vp-p on Y signal, 0.7 vp-p on Pb&Pr in YPbPr mode

Connectors HD15 for VGA and YPbPr

29 pin female DVI connector

Temperature

Tolerance Operating: 32 to 122°F (0 to 50°C);

Storage: –40 to +185°F (–40 to +85°C)

Enclosure

MTBF

Power

Steel

90,000 hours (calculated estimate)

From utility-power (mains) outlet, through included external power supply. Output Voltage: 5v DC Center-

Positive 1.5A, maximum

Size

Weight

7" W x 7" D x 1.2" H

1.3. lb box only; 3 lb shipping

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Model AC1034A

6. Reference Information

DVI Connector pin-out

Pin

7

8

9

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

11

12

C1

C2

C3

Figure 6 – Face of DVI Female connector

N/U = Not Used on this product

Signal name

TMDS Data2–

TMDS Data2+

TMDS Data2/4 Shield

TMDS Data4– (N/U)

TMDS Data4+ (N/U)

DDC Clock

DDC Data

Analog vertical sync

TMDS Data1–

TMDS Data1+

TMDS Data1/3 Shield

TMDS Data3– (N/U)

Analog red

Analog green

Analog blue

Pin

19

20

21

22

13

14

15

16

17

18

23

24

C4

C5

Signal name

TMDS Data3+ (N/U)

+5V Power

Ground for +5V Power

Hot Plug Detect

TMDS Data0–

TMDS Data0+

TMDS Data0/5 Shield

TMDS Data5– (N/U)

TMDS Data5+ (N/U)

TMDS Clock Shield

TMDS Clock+

TMDS Clock–

Analog horizontal sync

Analog ground

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© Copyright 2005. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.

1000 Park Drive Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 724-746-5500 Fax 724-746-0746