Venus 7000: How do I create a basic sign?

⚠️ The steps outlined below, if performed incorrectly, may result in equipment failure. Do not attempt these steps without proper training and understanding of product operation. Consult a Daktronics technical support technician if you need assistance.

1. From V7000 Shell click on the Configure Button
2. Click on the Signs tab
3. Select sign to edit or click on new sign
   1. If adding New Name sign. 
      1. Note this sign name can not be modified after this point.
      2. Sign Name should include, Size, Description, and if the sign is a Host or Window
4. Enter number of pixel Rows for the sign.  Note: for a Host sign this number will need to be divisible by 8, and for a Window sign needs to be divisible by 1.  If the exact number of Rows can not be used, choose the next larger number that can be divisible by those numbers.
5. Enter number of pixel Columns for the sign.  Note: for a Host sign this number will need to be divisible by 16, and for a Window sign needs to be divisible by 4 If the exact number of Columns can not be used, choose the next larger number that can be divisible by those numbers.
   1. Note:  If the exact number for rows or Columns was not able to be used for the Host sign, A window will need to be created later for the exact sign size.  See Venus 7000: How to Create and Move Windows
6. Enter Color Technology.  RGB LED 16 Million Shades (DIB) is almost always the one used today.  (if the display is a VMax 3 display, confirmation of this setting may need to take place, from documentation or from Technical Support)
7. Enter Pixel Technology.  LED is what this should be selected unless the display is Incandescent (light bulbs) or Reflective (Glow Cube)
8. Enter a Device Driver for the display if it is a Host sign.  (this is telling the software, which output card and what output will output to the display)
   1. When the dropdown is selected a list of drivers should appear. 
      1. VMax 4 signs, will have sets of 4 drivers.  V70QT0_0 thru V70QT0_3 for the First card.  V70QT1_0 thru V70QT1_3 for the second card.  Only the V70QT0_0 and the V70QT1_0 are valid.  Choose V70QT0_0 for card 1 and V70QT1_0 for card 2.
      2. VMax 3 Signs, will have lists of 1 to 4 drivers.  Unlike VMax4 signs each available option is an actual output on the card.  Select the output to be used for this sign, or the lowest one used if the sign uses multiple outputs.  V7000 will assume that the next output will be used when using multiple.  Example: if 1 output is used for the top of the display and 1 output for the bottom of the display.   Choose the 1st output for the top, and V7000 will automatically assign the second output to the bottom of the display.
9. Select the number of outputs used.  Generally this is the number of signal fibers used from the control room to the display, there are some custom applications where this does not hold true.
10. Orientation -  When multiple outputs are selected, an orientation will need to be selected.  Vertical, Horizontal, Quad or Custom.  Choose the option that best fits the output scheme of the display.  Custom can be chosen for any orientation.
11. Firmware EPLD File - This is the firmware that will push to the card when the sign service is started.  (Note: important that the right file is selected as the card may be harmed if it is not)
    1. Click OK on the sign configuration window to exit to main configuration page.
    2. Click on the device drivers tab
    3. Retrieve the Ver number (most common Ver is 2.55, the number needed is behind the decimal point, so 55 is what is relevant in this instance)
    4. Click on the Signs Tab
    5. Select the sign that was just closed in step 11-1
    6. Select Edit
    7. Select the firmware file that matches the Ver.  In the example of 2.55 select rgb24vm4_55.v70.  Also note there is one that is rgb24vm4HD_55.v70, do not use this one.
    8. Select the Daughter EPLD, this should auto select the correct one based on the EPLD selection.  The correct file for the above selection is rgbvm4_55.v70d
12. Select a Module Desc file.  This is module dependent.  If your module appears in the list, select it, if it does not select None.
13. Click on DD 1 Tab
14. If applicable Click on DD 2 tab or higher.  (If more than 4 outputs were selected click OK out to the shell and re-enter into the sign config.  More tabs will now be available.
15. Click on the VMax 4 Tab
    1. Select the Frame size of the display.  This size needs to be larger than the Sign size. 
    2. Rate - Select the Rate for the output.  60 is normally used for the Americas, and 50 is normally used for the rest of the world
    3. Advanced - Sometimes a Custom Frame size is used and the advanced area is how to enter them.  (this should not be used without Engineering approval)
16. Sign - Should not be touched, may affect the output of your sign in a negative way.
    1. Sign No.:  0
    2. Top:  0
    3. Left:  0
    4. Loop Count:  1
17. Click on the Advanced Tab and enter applicable information.
    1. Enter an Enhanced RTD number.  This is a number that can be used to call out this sign for Data or playback options.  A number should be inserted here and not left as default 0.
       1. Standard for ERTD Sign Numbers
          1. 1-9 are for special uses (Chyron, 720P card, etc)
          2. 10, 20, 30, etc are host sign numbers
          3. 11-19 (window sign numbers for Host 10, 21-29 window sign for Host 20, and 31-39 are window signs for Host 30
    2. Enter Standard RTD Input for Selected Frame - Is the input that selected Frame data will be coming from.  Not used on most sights.
    3. Frame Buffer Size - Amount of frames V7000 will buffer before outputting.  Normally left at the default of 8.
    4. Max Frame Rate - Maximum frame rate of the V7000 output.  Should match the Rate from the VMax 4 tab if possible.
    5. Schedule Mode - Options for alternative Schedule Modes
    6. Default Sequence - If a default Sequence is desired to play when the display is stopped, enter the sequence here
    7. Power Failure Recovery - When the computer shuts off abnormally and reboots.
       1. Schedule - Select a schedule here if a Schedule is desired to start in the case of Power Failure Recovery.
       2. Sequence - Select a schedule here if a Sequence is desired to start in the case of Power Failure Recovery.  A play Mode and Count may also be selected.
18. Click on the VLink Tab - This tab sets up communications to the VLink if one is used in the system.
    1. Click on VLink1 port drop down and select the comport that VLink 1 is attached too.
    2. Click on Type drop down and select the VLink type that it is attached too
    3. Click on Baud/IP drop down and select the VLink Baud Rate. (normally 115200)
    4. If Multiple VLinks are attached to this sign, proceed to enter in values for VLink 2
19. Click On the Windows Tab - Windows are used to break up the display into various sizes for output options
    1. See Venus 7000: How to Create and Move Windows
20. Click on Web - Not used
21. Click on Color - Used in some cases to modify the color output to the display when needed. (this should only be used if required)
    1. Click on the Module button
    2. Select the Module Type Drop Down
    3. Find the Contract number for the display and select
    4. Choose Target space of HDTV
22. Click on Apply
23. Restart Sign Service