Barco ACTAS 2 User manual

BARCO PROJECTION SYSTEMS

Date :

170297 Art. No. :

R5975636

R9827961

R9827968

OWNER'S MANUAL

ACTAS 2

Revision :

Due to constant research, the information in this manual is subject to change without notice.

Produced by BARCO NV, February 1997.

Trademarks are the rights of their respective owners.

Printed in Belgium

BARCO nv/Projection Systems

Noordlaan 5

B-8520 Kuurne

Belgium

Printed in Belgium

Table of contents

i-1

5975636 ACTAS 2 170297

Contents

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1 SETTING UP THE ACTAS

Unpacking the ACTAS ........................................................................................................................... 1-1

Composite units of the ACTAS............................................................................................................... 1-2

The ACTAS Interface ............................................................................................................................................................ 1-2

The ACTAS Control Unit ....................................................................................................................................................... 1-3

The ACTAS Sensor .............................................................................................................................................................. 1-4

Interconnecting the ACTAS Units........................................................................................................... 1-5

Connecting the Interface to the Control Unit .......................................................................................................................... 1-5

Connecting the Control Unit to the Sensor unit ...................................................................................................................... 1-5

Power(mains) Connection...................................................................................................................... 1-6

On safety .............................................................................................................................................................................. 1-6

Power requirements .............................................................................................................................................................. 1-6

Power Adaptation.................................................................................................................................................................. 1-6

CHAPTER 2 THE ACTAS SOFTWARE

Overview flowchart of the ACTAS menu ................................................................................................ 2-1

Start-up messages ................................................................................................................................................................ 2-1

Command menus.................................................................................................................................................................. 2-1

Set parameters menu ............................................................................................................................ 2-2

Selecting menu style ............................................................................................................................................................. 2-2

Selecting auto pause mode ................................................................................................................................................... 2-2

Selecting test pictures ........................................................................................................................................................... 2-3

Test pictures for color alignment ............................................................................................................ 2-3

Basic concepts about color alignment ................................................................................................................................... 2-3

Test pictures generated by the ACTAS Interface unit ............................................................................................................ 2-4

Test pictures generated by a host computer linked to the ACTAS ......................................................................................... 2-5

Test pictures generated by a manually controllable source.................................................................................................... 2-6

Test pictures generated by a fixed source ............................................................................................................................. 2-6

Select / Learn configuration command menu ......................................................................................... 2-7

Selecting a configuration memory block ................................................................................................................................ 2-7

Learn configuration command ............................................................................................................................................... 2-7

Get reference menu ............................................................................................................................... 2-8

Select / Edit setup menu ........................................................................................................................ 2-8

Selecting a Setup memory block ........................................................................................................................................... 2-8

Editing the setup memory blocks........................................................................................................................................... 2-9

Selecting the projector type .................................................................................................................................................2-10

Selecting adjustment modes ...............................................................................................................................................2-11

Selecting a reference kind ...................................................................................................................................................2-12

Specifying the phosphor type ..............................................................................................................................................2-14

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i-2 5975636 ACTAS 2 170297

Initialization brightness & contrast ON/OFF......................................................................................................................... 2-15

Defocusing the blue picture tube ON/OFF........................................................................................................................... 2-16

Tracking correction ON/OFF ............................................................................................................................................... 2-17

Selecting a source for generating test pictures.................................................................................................................... 2-17

Setting the horizontal and vertical scan frequencies for the test pictures ............................................................................. 2-18

Selecting a Sync signal generated by the ACTAS Interface unit .......................................................................................... 2-18

Setting window parameters ................................................................................................................................................. 2-19

Setting horizontal and vertical segments ............................................................................................................................. 2-19

Setting margins................................................................................................................................................................... 2-20

Setting the flicker coarse and flicker fine ............................................................................................................................. 2-20

Setting the measuring frequency........................................................................................................................................ 2-21

Coarse adjustment ON/OFF ............................................................................................................................................... 2-21

Setting the adjustment tolerance ......................................................................................................................................... 2-22

Setting the extra stabilization time ....................................................................................................................................... 2-22

Start adjust menu................................................................................................................................. 2-23

Send again command menu ................................................................................................................ 2-23

Show unadjusted projectors command menu ....................................................................................... 2-23

Remote control command menu .......................................................................................................... 2-24

The 'Adjust keys' mode ....................................................................................................................................................... 2-24

The Pause/Unpause mode ................................................................................................................................................. 2-24

The stand-by/operate mode ................................................................................................................................................ 2-25

The contrast & brightness mode ......................................................................................................................................... 2-25

CHAPTER 3 COLOR ALIGNMENT OF A SINGLE STAND-ALONE PROJECTOR

Connections........................................................................................................................................... 3-1

Communication connection between the ACTAS Interface unit and the projector .................................................................. 3-1

RGB connection between the ACTAS Interface unit and the projector (or video splitter)........................................................ 3-1

Installing the ACTAS sensor onto the projector ...................................................................................... 3-2

Initial installation ................................................................................................................................................................... 3-2

To move the Sensor unit to other projectors.......................................................................................................................... 3-2

Power connection .................................................................................................................................. 3-2

Procedure for alignment......................................................................................................................... 3-3

Set Parameters.................................................................................................................................................................... 3-3

Select / Learn Configuration................................................................................................................................................. 3-3

Select / Edit Setup ............................................................................................................................................................... 3-3

Start Adjust.......................................................................................................................................................................... 3-3

Send Again .......................................................................................................................................................................... 3-3

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i-3

5975636 ACTAS 2 170297

CHAPTER 4 COLOR ALIGNMENT OF A PROJECTOR WALL

Connections........................................................................................................................................... 4-1

Walls of a split video type...................................................................................................................................................... 4-1

Walls of the MVGS system ................................................................................................................................................... 4-1

The 'Host computer' .............................................................................................................................................................. 4-2

Power connection .................................................................................................................................. 4-2

Procedure for alignment......................................................................................................................... 4-3

Set Parameters .................................................................................................................................................................... 4-3

Select / Learn Configuration ................................................................................................................................................. 4-4

Get reference ........................................................................................................................................................................ 4-4

Select / Edit Setup ............................................................................................................................................................... 4-4

Start Adjust .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4-5

Send Again .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4-6

CHAPTER 5 ERRORS AND WARNING MESSAGES

Adjustment obstacles............................................................................................................................. 5-1

Hardware problems ............................................................................................................................... 5-2

Projector communication problems ........................................................................................................ 5-2

Host computer communication problems ............................................................................................... 5-3

Trouble shooting .................................................................................................................................... 5-3

APPENDIX A. SPECIFIC REMARKS ABOUT VIP CUBE

APPENDIX B. SERIAL COMMUNICATION

General..................................................................................................................................................B-1

Master-Slave configuration................................................................................................................................................... B-1

RS232 formats ..................................................................................................................................................................... B-1

Communication protocol....................................................................................................................................................... B-1

ACTAS specific commands.................................................................................................................... B-3

Use of the serial commands................................................................................................................... B-4

Introduction

ii-1

5975636 ACTAS 2 170297

INTRODUCTION

BARCO presents to you this total new product ACTAS 2 - Automatic Color Temperature Alignment System.

The ACTAS was developed to automatically align the color temperature and brightness for all BARCO

present and future CRT projectors.

The incorporation of a unique hardware and software system in the ACTAS ensures both a quick and highly

accurate alignment. It only takes three minutes to align a projector !

The ACTAS can be used to align a single stand-alone projector to ensure a precise color display: it is

necessary where a high quality color re-display is required. The most important application of the ACTAS

is to align multiple projectors in a graphical wall to obtain an overall uniform color display so as to ensure a

precise color picture projection wall.

This manual consists of 5 chapters. In Chapter 1, the ACTAS hardware is explained, and its setup. The

ACTAS software is described in Chapter 2. Procedures for aligning a single stand-alone projector can be

found in Chapter 3 and for a projector wall in Chapter 4. When problems occur, you can refer to Chapter 5

for possible causes and solutions. At the end, there are two appendices: one concerning the VIP cube, the

other concerning the RS232 communication protocol used by the ACTAS Interface.

Please bear in mind that an exact color alignment can only be obtained when the three primary colors (red,

green, blue) from different projectors match. It means that for the projectors identical characteristics are

required as regards to the picture tube phosphors, the lenses, the lens coupling (liquid or air) and the type

of screens (especially for retro projection). Do not try to align multiple projectors of different types.

This manual aims to provide users with related information and operating guidelines to ensure the optimal

use of this system.

Note :Before using the ACTAS for the first time, please read this manual carefully.

Please keep it for future reference.

ACTAS set-up

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5975636 ACTAS 2 170297

1SETTING UP THE ACTAS

ACTAS INTERFACE 230V (or 120V) R762622 (or R7626228) 1

ACTAS CONTROL UNIT R762621 1

ACTAS SENSOR R762623 1

15 meter long cable with male-to-female D9-D9 connectors R3482602 2

Cable with 5 BNC-to-BNC connectors Z348331 1

Cable with male-to-male DIN mini 8 connectors Z3420076 1

Light cover R805734 1

Owner's manual R5975636 1

Sensor

ControlUnit

Interface

Light cover

Cables

UNPACKING THE ACTAS

All parts of the ACTAS are nicely packed and placed in a flight case.

For protection during the transport, the flight case is put into a matching carton box.

The following items are included in the flight case :

Part Part number Quantity

1-2 5975636 ACTAS 2 170297

ACTAS set-up

COMPOSITE UNITS OF THE ACTAS

The ACTAS Interface

The ACTAS Interface supplies power, generates

test pictures and provides communications with the

host computer for the ACTAS system.

C-Sync BG/Gs/Video

TEST PICTURE

OUTPUT

OnthefrontpaneloftheACTASInterfacethere

are three D9-connections : one for the ACTAS

ControlUnit;onefortheRS232portofaprojec-

tor ; one for the host computer. There is also a

powerindication lamp(LED). When thepower

is on, the LED will illuminate.

OntherearpaneloftheACTASInterfacethere

isapowercordwitha3-wiregroundingplugfor

the power (mains) supply.

There are 4 BNC connectors marked as TEST

PICTURE OUTPUT. These connectors supply

the test pictures for the ACTAS alignment.

Rear panel : AC power cord with a

3-wire grounding plug

Front panel :

"TO PROJ. RS232 IN" :

port for connecting

a projector

Power indication lamp "TO HOST" :

port for connecting

a host computer

"TO CONTROL UNIT" :

port for connecting

the Control Unit

ACTAS set-up

1-3

5975636 ACTAS 2 170297

The ACTAS Control Unit

TheACTAS ControlUnit isahand-held microcontroller

with8controlbuttonsinthemiddleanda4x20character

LCDdisplayatthetop.TheLCDdisplayisbacklit which

allowsoperations in thedark.Operatinginstructionswill

beshownonthisLCDdisplay.TheControlunithasnon-

volatilememorytostorethereferencedata.TheControl

Unit is built in a rugged metal housing to increase

protection against damage.

The buttons are configured similarly to the adjustment

buttons on a standard BARCO Remote Control Unit

(RCU).

ADJUST key : to enter the edit mode

EXIT key : toreturnwithoutsavingchangesorto

stop adjustment

ADDRESS key : to start up the initialization process

ENTER key : to save changes or to confirm a

selection

ARROW keys : Left, Up, Right, Down keys

to make selections inside menus

Note :The function of each key will be explicitly

explained in Chapter 2.

The Control Unit provides two connecting ports : one

DIN mini 8 port marked as 'TO SENSOR' at the top end

isusedtoconnecttothe ACTASSensorandoneRS232

communicationport markedas'TO INTERFACE'at the

bottom end is used to connect to the ACTAS Interface.

"TO SENSOR" :

port for connecting

the Sensor unit

"TO INTERFACE" :

port for connecting

the Interface unit

LCD display

1-4 5975636 ACTAS 2 170297

ACTAS set-up

The ACTAS Sensor

The Sensor unit consists of three adjustable grip de-

vices thatcanbeattachedtothethreelensesofaCRT

projector. They are marked as 'BLUE', 'GREEN' and

'RED'. The middle grip marked as 'GREEN' is fixed,

whiletheothertwoonthesidescanbemovedhorizon-

tally and turned around through the slots.

Internally, the Sensor unit contains 3 photo sensors

and an A-D convertor.

There is a DIN mini 8 port provided on the Sensor unit

for connecting to the Control Unit.

The supplied light cover (black cloth) is used to place

over the grips, when strong ambient light is present

during the alignment process. The connecting cable

can be passed through openings in the cloth. "TO CONTROL UNIT" : port for

connecting the Control Unit

Millededgescrews

Grip for

the blue CRT Grip for

the green CRT Grip for

the red CRT

Slotstomove thegripshorizontally

Slots toturnaroundthegrips

One set of 3 claws to

be attached to a lens

of a projector Photo sensor

This manual suits for next models

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