Daktronics

VLink 4400 VLink 4500: setup for Left-Right split

Potential Symptoms

How is a VIP-4500 or VIP-4400 set up for left/right split?

Environment

  • DMP-7000, VMAX4
  • VIP-4500 firmware version 2012.12.0.13
  • VIP-4400 firmware version 2015.03.0.00
  • Transmitter Cards Syncing

Resolution

VIP-4500 firmware version 2012.12.0.13

Note: It is recommended that each display section (left/right) be an equal amount of pixels. If this is not possible, have the smaller sign size transmitter card output into the larger sign size transmitter card. For this example, the larger sign size will be on the left side.
  1.  Confirm both sections have identical Vmax4 frame size
  2.  Confirm coax cable connects two Vmax4 transmitter cards as shown
    Note: Sync Cables are custom made cables which should be under 1' long
  3. Create diagonal sequence and blank sequence as per DD2069104
  4. Create a syncing script called "Sync Test", create this in a V7Dsply - Scripting page. 
    • Name a cell "Sync Test" and include the following commands:

    OpenWindow Local "leftsign" 1 FALSE
    OpenWindow Local "rightsign" 1 FALSE
    VMaxSetFrameAlpha Local "leftsign" 255
    VMaxSetFrameAlpha Local "rightsign" 0
    VMaxSetOverlayAlphaAndColor Local "leftsign" 0 0 0 0 255
    VMaxSetOverlayAlphaAndColor Local "rightsign" 0 0 0 0 0
    PlaySequence Local "leftsign" "D:\V7000\leftsign\Default.Lib\diagonal.SQ7" C 1
    VLSetSource Local "leftsign" VENUS 1
    VLSetSource Local "rightsign" VENUS 1
    Wait 20000
    VMaxSetFrameAlpha Local "rightsign" 255
    VMaxSetOverlayAlphaAndColor Local "rightsign" 0 0 0 0 255
    PlaySequence Local "leftsign" "D:\V7000\leftsign\Default.Lib\blank.SQ7" C 1
    PlaySequence Local "rightsign" "D:\V7000\leftsign\Default.Lib\blank.SQ7" C 1
    VLSetSource Local "leftsign" VIDEO 1
    VLSetSource Local "rightsign" VIDEO 1

Note: This script is set for the sync cable to come from the left transmitter card to the right transmitter card.
  • Save the script. This script closes left/right windows, sets VIP's to Venus Mode, and plays diagonal sequence on the left side for 20 sec. Alpha levels are changed so that what is played on the left side will also play on the right side. If both sides show the same content, the sync signal is present. Increase the wait time if you need the sequence to play longer.
  1. SV command sets VIP 4500/4400 index position. (If there are Index 1 and 2 VIPs; set for both) There are four numbers for this setting; position horizontally and vertically of the specific VIP and the total number of VIP horizontally and vertically.  Note example:
    sync.jpg
  2. Enter Window Area settings for first VIP channel. Typically this is the sign size, but may vary depending on customer site.
  3. Enter Viewable Area settings for first VIP channel. This is dependent on the input source and aspect ratio. It is recommended to use the attached calculator.
  4. Play still or slow moving content with fine detail to confirm alignment between the two VIP's.
  5. Play fast moving content to confirm synchronization.
    Note: Several minutes are required to reach synchronization between the left and right sides.
  6. Repeat steps 3-5 for each VIP channel used. All unused channels should have fade set to zero.
  7. Open V7 VLink Debug, enter CF S command for each VIP to save the configurations as default.
  8. Save configuration as per How to save configuration for VIP-4400, VIP-4500 and VIP-4000, DD2036611.
  9. Restart V7SS or Venus 7000 sign service and repeat step 4 and 5 to confirm alignment.
    Note: If alignment is not achieved, reference DD2078315 to realign.

Note: The top and height values for the viewable area and window area for both sides of the split need to be the same number in order to get multiple VIPs to sync properly. Left and width values do not need to be exactly the same, but should be relatively close.

VIP-4400 firmware version 2015.03.0.00 Left/Right set up.
  1.  Confirm left and right VIP-4400's meet the following requirements:
    1. Identical frame rate (i.e. 60Hz, 59.94Hz) of incoming signal.
    2. SDI loop outs are not used.
    3. All unused BNC connectors are terminated with a 75ohm terminator (P-1255).
    4. TM 1 is set on both VIP-4400's (if syncing without Vmax 4 cards)
    5. Identical Vmax4 frame size incoming (if Vmax4 cards is used for sync).
    6. Any VIP-4060 receiving signal from VIP-4400 with version 2015.03.00 will need firmware 1.11.5 or newer
  2. VIP-4400 sync can be achieved by the follow two wiring methods.
    1. Method 1
      Without vmax 4.png
    2. Method 2
      with vmax4.png
      NOTE: If using method 2 the Vmax 4 TX cards will need 2.56 update to operate as sync generator.
  3. Enter Window Area settings for first VIP channel. Typically this is the sign size, but may vary depending on customer site.
  4. Enter Viewable Area settings for first VIP channel. This will be dependent on the input source and aspect ratio. It is recommended to use the attached calculator.
  5. Play still or slow moving content with fine detail to confirm alignment between the two VIP's.
  6. Play fast moving content to confirm synchronization.
    Note: Several minutes are required to reach synchronization between the left and right sides.
  7. Repeat steps 3-5 for each VIP channel used. All unused channels should have fade set to zero.
    NOTE: Recommended to have vertical and horizontal filters set to 9 IF using Chroma mode.
  8. Open V7 VLink Debug, enter CF S command for each VIP to save the configurations as default.
  9. Save configuration as per How to save configuration for VIP-4400, VIP-4500 and VIP-4000, DD2036611.
  10. Restart V7SS or Venus 7000 sign service and repeat step 4 and 5 to confirm alignment.

KB ID: DD2069103

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