Clarity Leopard VN-3820-VA User Manual

Leopard
VN-3820-VA

User Guide

VN-3820-VA
VN-3830-VA

User’s Guide

070-0032-06

7 October 2003

© 2003 by Clarity Visual Systems™, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission of Clarity Visual Systems,
Inc.

Trademark Credits
Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Corp.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines, Inc.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corp.
All other names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Disclaimer
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
Clarity Visual Systems Company makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material. While every
precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual, Clarity Visual Systems shall not be liable for
errors or omissions contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the
furnishing, performance, or use of this material.

ii

LIMITED WARRANTY. Clarity warrants to Buyer that the VN-3820-VA or the VN-3830-VA (the “Product”),

if properly used and serviced, will perform substantially in accordance with the product data sheet and users
manual, and will be free from defects in material and workmanship for 1 year following date of shipment.
This warranty does not apply to lamps (see following section for lamp warranty) and other consumable parts.

The main illumination lamp is considered a consumable and is warranted against failure for 30 days from the
date of installation or first day of rental. The replacement of other consumable parts are the Buyer's
responsibility.

If any Product fails to conform to the written warranty, Clarity's exclusive liability and Buyer's exclusive
remedy will be, at Clarity's option, to repair, replace or credit Buyer's account with an amount equal to the
price paid for any such defective Product returned by Buyer during the warranty period, provided that: (a)
Buyer promptly notifies Clarity in writing that such Product failed to conform, furnishes an explanation of any
alleged deficiency and obtains from Clarity a return authorization; and (b) Clarity is satisfied that claimed
deficiencies actually exist and were not caused by accident, misuse, neglect, alteration, improper installation,
repair or improper testing. Clarity will have a reasonable time to make repairs, to replace Products or to credit
Buyer's account.

LIMITATIONS. Any written warranty offered by clarity is in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied.

Clarity neither assumes nor authorizes any other person to assume any other liabilities in connection with the
sales or use of any product without limitation. Clarity disclaims all other warranties, express or implied,
including any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular.

In no event will clarity be liable to buyer or any other party for procurement costs, loss of profits, loss of use, or
for any other incidental, consequential, indirect or special damages or for contribution or indemnity claims,
however caused. Clarity's liability shall be limited to actual direct damages not in excess of the amounts paid
to clarity by buyer for the product. These limitations will apply to all claims, including, without limitation,
warranty, contract, indemnity, tort (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise.

iii

Table of Contents

Information You Need to Know ................... 1-1

1.1 What is the VN-3820-VA (VN-3830-VA)? .................1-2

1.2 Your Safety Is Important .............................1-4

How to Install the Displays....................... 2-1

2.1 Before Your Start . . . ...............................2-2

2.2 Two Ways to Install the Displays .......................2-4

2.2.1 How to Remove and Replace the Screen ..........2-6

2.2.2 Installing: Hanger Method ......................2-8

2.2.3 Installing: Flush to Ceiling .....................2-10

2.3 After the Units Are Hung … ..........................2-12

Setup, Control, and Calibration ................... 3-1

3.1 About the Remote Control............................3-2

3.2 The Power Up Sequence.............................3-4

3.3 Adjusting for Optimum Picture Quality ..................3-6

3.3.1 Adjusting Black and White Levels ................3-8

3.3.2 Matching Frequency & Phase ..................3-10

3.3.3 Matching the Displays to Each Other ............3-12

3.3.3.1 About Color Balancing..................... 3-14

3.3.4 Changing the Position of the Image .............3-16

3.4 Saving and Recalling the Settings .....................3-18

3.5 Setting Additional Controls ..........................3-20

3.6 Controlling with RS232 Commands ...................3-22

Routine Maintenance Is Important................. 4-1

4.1 Replacing Lamp and Air Filter.........................4-2

4.2 Cleaning the Screen and Mirror .......................4-4

If You Have Trouble … .......................... 5-1

5.1 How to Fix Startup Problems..........................5-2

5.2 How to Fix Image Problems ..........................5-4

5.3 Common Questions (and Answers) ....................5-6

References ................................... 6-1

6.1 Menus ...........................................6-2

6.2 LEDs.............................................6-7

6.3 Connections, Interlocks and Lockout ...................6-8

6.4 RS232 Command List ..............................6-10

iv

6.5 Installation Check List .............................. 6-13

6.6 Adjustment Check List ............................. 6-14

6.7 Technical Support Request ......................... 6-15

6.8 Regulatory Information ............................. 6-16

6.9 Specifications .................................... 6-17

6.10 Measurements, millimeters.......................... 6-20

6.11 Measurements, inches ............................. 6-23

6.12 Dimensions for Banner Installations ................... 6-27

6.13 Making Test Patterns With “Paint” .................... 6-28

Index........................................6-31

v

vivi

1 Information You Need to Know

1.1 What is the VN-3820-VA (VN-3830-VA)?

1.2 Your Safety Is Important

1 - 1

1.1 What is the VN-3820-VA (VN-3830-VA)?

The Clarity VN-3820-VA and VN-3830-VA were designed for overhead displays, where several units
are used side-by-side. They display analog VGA signals, just like a computer monitor, using bright
LCD projection technology. They can be controlled with RS-232 signals or with an IR remote control
(supplied). The 3830 model has a brighter lamp, but at the cost of a shorter lamp life. Otherwise, the
two models are the same.

These displays use LCD projection technology
for an image that is bright all the way to the
corners, even in well-lit environments such as
shops, restaurants and sports arenas. The 3800
series, with a 38" (965mm) screen, measured
diagonally, was designed for applications where
several units are lined up side-by-side in a
banner configuration. They are usually mounted
above the viewers. The screen tilts down at a
10° angle for optimum viewing in these
applications.

This manual covers both the VN-3820-VA
and the VN-3830-VA. The only difference
between them is that the 3830
but with half the average lamp life. In this
manual the term VN-3820-VA will mean either
model, unless specifically stated otherwise.

Model Average Life Brightness
VN-3820-VA 8,000 hours 125 fL
VN-3830-VA 4,000 hours 150 fL

!

Note: Average lamp life of 8,000 hours means that

after 8,000 hours of use half the lamps will
still be functioning (and half won’t).

The VN-3820-VA is shipped with the cable tray
removed for easier installation. Plastic buttons
are in place to cover the side-to-side mounting
holes. The batteries are already in the remote
control.

Standard accessories:

• One 3 m 10A IEC power cord

• One 3 m HD15 D-sub VGA patch cable

• One remote control with batteries
installed

• One upper mounting rail (hanger rail)

is 20% brighter

• One lower mounting bracket

• Three bolts, washers and nuts for bolting
the displays side-to-side

• Two end caps with screws for the lower
cable channel doors, left and right ends

• Two bolts for securing the unit to the
lower mounting bracket

• One cable channel door (not really an
“accessory,” but it comes in the
accessories box)

• One User’s Guide (this manual)

Optional accessories:

• A pair of strong magnets to remove
screens in the middle of a banner display
(SRT-200).

• Lock for channel cover (VN-38-LK)

• Power loop-thru cable (VN-38-PL)

• 1 m RS-232 daisy chain cable with RJ45
connections at each end (VN-38-RL)

• 10 m RS-232 host computer cable with
RJ45 connections (VN-38-S-232)

• 9-pin D-sub-to-RJ45 adapter (VN-38-RA)

• Service Manual (VN-38-SM; available
after 31 August 1999)

You will have to supply the hardware to install
the rails on the wall and the tools for this
hardware. For the display, you won’t need any
special tools. If the thumb screws and tight, you
can use a coin to loosen them.

About this manual: You will find some
information repeated in several places. This is
done on purpose. However, the explanation of
how to remove the screen is too long to repeat
every time it is needed; it is given once. The
serial number is located on the back panel and
again in the lower cable channel.

1 - 2

Two displays mounted side-by-side

Top cable channel

Vertical cable channel

Side bolt holes

Lower cable cha nnel
with end cap in place

Display unit, front top view

1 - 3

1.2 Your Safety Is Important

This list of safety warnings isn’t very long. Reading it could save you from getting an electric shock, a
UV radiation burn, or a heat burn.

These display units were designed with the
user’s safety in mind. However, if a user doesn’t
heed the safety warnings and cautions, there is
great potential for physical harm. The safety
warnings are on stickers in various places in and
on the display. They are reproduced on the
facing page so you can see them all at once.

There are some other items you should be
aware of that relate to safety, things to keep in
mind while installing and using the displays:

• The displays need at least 8" (200mm) of
clearance at the bottom. This is not just
for air circulation, which is important, but
also to allow the lamp and air filter doors

to open.

• There is no electrical interlock of the
screen. Opening the screen does not turn
off the power. The screen is held in place
by locks secured with screws. There are no
user-serviceable parts inside, so there is no
reason for a user, who is not a qualified
service person, to open the screen.

• The wall on which the displays will be
mounted must be strong enough to hold
them. Each units weighs about 68 lbs
(31kg). Simply mounting them into
wallboard won’t be adequate.

WARNING TURN OFF POWER SWITCH BEFORE OPENING COVER. HOT LAMP INSIDE. ALLOW AT

LEAST 15 MINUTES FOR LAMP TO COOL BEFORE REPLACING. RISK OF EXPLOSION.
HANDLE BULB WITH CARE. SEE USER’S MANUAL FOR LAMP REPLACEMENT.

AVERTISSMENT COUPER L’ALIMENTATION ELECTRIQUE AVANT OUVERTURE DE LA FACE AVANT.

ATTENTION, LA LAMPE EST CHAUDE. LAISSER REFROIDIR AU MOINS 15 MINUTES AVANT
SON REMPLACEMENT. RISQUE D’EXPLOSION. MANIPULER L’AMPOULE AVEC
PRECAUTION. SE REFERER AU MANUEL DE L’UTILISATEUR POUR TOUT
REMPLACEMENT DE LA LAMPE.

WARNUNG DEM ÖFFNEN DES DENKELS-STROM ABSCHALTEN. VORSICHT-EXPLOSIONS GEFAHR-

LAMPE IST HEIß. WARTE WENIGSTENS 15 MIN. FÜR DIE LAMPE ZUM ABKÜHLEN.
VORSICHT MIT DER LAMPE BEIM HANTIEREN. FOLGE ANWEISUNGEN FÜR DEN LAMPEN
WECHSEL IM REPARATUR MANUAL.

1 - 4

DISCONNECT POWER CORD BEFORE SERVICING.
NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.

FRON T

!

WARNING

HOT SURFACES NEAR
LAM P. SKIN B URN
HAZARD

Lamp housing as seen from the

bottom of the display

1 - 5

1 - 6

2 How to Install the Displays

2.1 Before You Start . . .

2.2 Two Ways to Install Display

2.2.1 How to Remove and Replace the Screen

2.2.2 Installing: Hanger Method

2.2.3 Installing: Flush to Ceiling

2.3 After the Units Are Hung …

2 - 1

2.1 Before Your Start . . .

There are some important things to think about before you install the displays: How high should the
displays be? Will there be adequate ventilation? How will power and signal cables be routed? Is there
adequate AC power available?

Before you drill holes in the wall, plan ahead. It
won’t take long and could prevent you from
“doing it right the second time.” Here is a list of
the things you should think about:

Power: For every 4 units, you will need one
115V outlet rated at a minimum of 15 amps
(230V rated at a minimum of 8 amps). The
displays have auto-ranging power supplies, so
they work at 230 or 115 VAC without any
manual switching. (Specifications: p. 6-17)

Each unit has an IEC power loop-through
(not fused, not switched) to provide power to the
next units in a line. The limit for this string at
115V is 4 units. The limit on stringing together
the 230V lines is 8 units.

Power enters the unit at the bottom front,
inside the lower cable channel. See Cable
Routing on this page.

Clearance: There must be at least 8 inches
(200mm) of free space below the unit. This is
not just for air flow, although that is certainly
important. This 8" space provides access to the
lamp and air filter doors.

If the display will be mounted with the
hanger method, leave 1" (25mm) above the unit.
This is room enough to lift the unit off the
hanger and remove it.

The sides and back have no clearance
specification.

Stacking units: No stacking permitted! Each
unit needs space below it, as stated above. You
can install them side-by-side, right up against
each other; the units were designed specifically
for this. But no vertical stacking, please.

enclosed cable channel. This is open at
each end, so cables can run from one unit
to the next. End caps are supplied, so you
can close the ends of a row.

• Upper channel: Along each side of the top,
from front to back, there is an open
channel. With adjacent units, these
becomes an open-top tray connected to
the vertical channel.

• Vertical channel: Down the front of each
side is an enclosed cable channel which
connects the upper and lower cable
channels.

With these three channels you can route
cables from the top rear, along the top channel
between a pair of displays, down one of the
vertical channels, and horizontally in the lower
channel from unit to unit.

Wall strength: Each display unit weighs 65 lbs
(30 kg). Be sure to attach the hangers, or the
units themselves in flush mounting, to the wall
studs (interior vertical wall structures).

Mounting at an angle: When the display is
mounted with the back vertical, the screen has a
down angle of 10°. You can mount and use the
displays with the back tilted forward or
backward up to 20°, so the screen will tilt down
at 30° or up at 10°.

The displays can also be mounted with a left
or right tilt of up to 20°. (We don’t know why
you would want to do this, but you could do it.)

Mounting bolts: The upper and lower support
rails are supplied, but you will have to supply
your own hardware for installing these rails.

Cable routing: The units have three channels
for routing cables, both data and control:

• Lower channel: Beneath each unit, going
all the way across the bottom front, is an

2 - 2

Hanger flange

Top cable channel

End cap

Lower cable
channel, closed

Circuit
breaker

Hole for
optional
lock

Bottom rear view

Upper rail

Lamp access
door

Air filter
access door

LED panel

Mirror
adjustment
scr e w, r ear

Lower rail

Viewing cone is ±10° from normal. Display is shown 7 feet (2.1 m) high at bottom.

Back of display is vertical. Screen (normal) is angled down 10°. People shown are 6 feet (1.8 m) tall.

2 - 3

2.2 Two Ways to Install the Displays

There are two standard methods to install the displays: on the supplied hanger or flush mounted. The
hanger method is preferred, because it makes servicing easier. Use the flush mount method only if
the top of the display must be flush with the ceiling. The bottom of the unit must have 8" (200 mm)
of space below it. Two physically capable people are needed to install the displays.

Of the two ways to install the displays—hanger
and flush mount—the hanger method is pre­ferred. It is easier to remove it from the wall, if
you need to do this for servicing. This table
compares the two installation methods:

Hanger Flush to Ceiling

Easy to install and remove
from the wall

Sticks out ½" (13mm) from
the wall

Must be 1" (25mm) below
the ceiling

Unit is securely mounted
to the wall

Bottom of display needs
8" (200mm) clearance

Routine servicing (lamp
and filter replacement)
from below

As you can see, several items are the same
between the two methods. In either case, the
screen must be removed during the initial
installation, and that requires a qualified service
person.

The hanger and lower support bracket are
supplied, but with either method, you must
supply the mounting hardware.

The Flush Mount method can be done by
attaching the display directly to the wall or by
mounting the display on Unistrut™ or other
preformed metal support system.

The Flush Mount method must use the

Must remove screen to
remove from the wall

same

Can be flush against the
ceiling

Same

Same

Same

lower support rail for each display. This makes
the units more secure.

To give you a general idea of the process
involved in the two methods, here are the basic
steps. The details for each method are given in
the next two sections of the manual. Read those
sections. Don’t try to mount the units for the
first time with these brief instructions.

Hanger Method:

1. For all units, mount the upper hanger rails
to the wall, keeping it the proper distance
from the ceiling to allow the display unit
to be lifted onto the hanger.

2. Mount the lower support rails on the wall
the proper distance below the hanger rails.

3. Hang the display units on the hanger rail
and secure it to the lower support rail.

4. Remove the screen and bolt the units
together, side-to-side.

5. Replace the screen.

Flush Mount Method:

1. Measure and drill holes in the wall for the
mounting bolts which you have supplied.

2. Measure for and mount the lower support
rails.

3. Remove the screen.

4. Hold the display against the wall and
install the mounting bolts.

5. Install the bolts in the lower support rails.

6. Bolt the displays together, side-to-side.

7. Replace the screen.

2 - 4

775 mm

19 mm

75 mm

Upper Support Rail

13 mm hole
for flush
mounting

Lower support rail

737 mm

68 mm

Hanger flange

524 mm

19 mm

Rear view, showing support rail dimensions

and holes for flush mounting

!

Note: Drawings in inches are in the Reference section on page 6-23

No more than 4

115 VAC

12 534

Do not connect more than 4 units in an AC series

2 - 5

2.2 Two Ways to Install the Displays

2.2.1 How to Remove and Replace the

Screen

The screen should only be removed by a qualified service person. It can be removed even if the unit is
mounted flush to the ceiling. There are two captive screws at the bottom, inside the cable tray, that
must be loosened to open the screen locks. Then “pop” out the screen at the top.

The screen is removed or replaced in many of
the following procedures, so these instructions
are only given here.

The screen is held in place at the bottom by
tabs that make a sort of hinge and by spring­loaded latches at the top. It is locked by screen
locks at the bottom which are held by screws.
Only qualified service persons should remove
the screen. There are no user serviceable parts
inside.

To remove the screen:

1. Open the lower cable channel door, if it is
not already open. This is at the bottom of
the unit. Loosen the two captive thumb
screws at the left and right ends of the
access door.

2. Unscrew the two screws at the end of the
cable channel which hold the screen lock
levers.

3. Pull down the screen locks. They pull
straight down about an inch (25mm).

4. Pull the screen out sharply at the top. The
screen will “pop” out at the top.

• If the screen is not against the ceiling,

you can reach the back of the screen at
the top corners and pull out.

• If the screen is against the ceiling and it

is in the middle of a banner (row) of
displays, it can be nearly impossible to
grab the top of the screen to pull it. Use
the optional tool, SRT-200. This
accessory is two strong magnets, each
with about 90 lbs. of pulling strength.
Put the magnets at corners of the wide
mullion near the top. Pull out sharply.
To remove the magnets, tilt them so
one of the long sides comes off.

5. Rotate the screen down a little and lift it

up and off.

To replace the screen:

1. At the bottom of the screen, see that the
screen locks are pulled out.

2. Insert the tabs at the bottom of the screen
into the slots at the bottom of the display.

3. Rotate the screen up against the display
unit.

4. Press sharply with the palm of your hand
to “pop” the screen latches in place at
both top corners. Check that both sides
are properly latched.

5. In the lower cable channel, push the
screen locks up, one on each side.

6. Secure the screen locks with the screws.

CAUTION

requirement to install these screen locking screws.

!

Note: If you are going to transport the display,

7. Close the lower cable channel door and

The cable channel cover swings down on hinges,
but it can also be removed. To remove the door,
unscrew the thumb screws at each end of the
channel and let the door swing down. There are
three hinges, and the center one has a spring
clip to keep the door in place. With the door
open, lift the spring clip and slide the door to
the left. The hinge pins will come out and the
door can be set aside.

This is important! It is a safety

tighten all thumbscrews with a screwdriver. If
the display will not move, “finger tight” is
enough.

secure it with the thumb screws.

2 - 6

Location of
scree n lo cking
scre ws

Screen locking screws are in the cable channel at the sides of each unit.

Screen locking screws
in neighboring units

Screen lock screws of side-by-side units

Screen being removed

2 - 7

2.2 Two Ways to Install the Displays

2.2.2 Installing: Hanger Method

This is the standard, and preferred, mounting method. When the display is mounted using the
hangers that are provided, it is easy to remove it from its position in the banner. Remember to leave a
one-inch clearance at the top.

With the Hanger Method, you need a one-inch
(25mm) space above the display so you can lift
the unit up and onto the hanger. And, of course,
you need an 8-inch (200mm) clearance at the
bottom (measured after the units are hung in
place) to be able to open the lamp and air filter
access doors.

Mounting hardware is not supplied, except
for the bolts that hold the unit to the lower
support rail. You will have to supply appropriate
bolts or screws to attach the rails to the walls.

CAUTION

persons only.

This is a procedure for qualified service

CAUTIONBe sure the mounting bolts go into the

structural member of the wall (wall stud). It is not
safe to mount the hanger rail or lower support rail on
wall board alone.

The center holes of the upper rail, on which
the unit hangs, should be at least 3 11/16 inches
(93mm) below the level of the ceiling. This will
leave at least one inch (25mm) of space to lift
the unit up and over the lip of the hanger rail.

Measuring from the center of the holes in the
upper and lower rails, the lower support rail
should be 20 11/16" (525mm) down from the
hanger rail. This will put it in the right place so
the bottom of the display will rest on the lower
rail when the unit is hung on the upper rail. It is
okay if the distance between the rails is slightly
less than this—it can be as little as 20 9/16"
(522mm)—but don’t make it more.

The hanger rail is 23" (584mm) long. They
should be spaced horizontally 7½" (190.5mm)
apart.

The lower support rails are 30" (762mm)
long. They should be spaced ½" (13mm) apart.

Larger drawings in millimeters and inches are
shown in sections 6.10 and 6.11.

Steps for installing the hanger rails:

1. Measure and mark the positions of the
upper hanger rail and the lower support
rail. Measurements are given in the
preceding paragraphs and in the drawings.
When hanging several units together in a
row, notice that the two rails are not as
wide as the unit itself.

2. Drill holes appropriate for your mounting
hardware.

3. Mount the upper and lower rails for each
unit. Be sure all the rails are even with
each other and properly spaced.

4. The units have three 1/4" holes on each
side for bolting the them together. The
displays are shipped with these holes filled
with plastic buttons. Remove all these
buttons except the ones on the outside
ends of the row. Do not use washers on
these bolts. They are designed to grip the
chassis.

5. Hang each display unit on its hanger rail
and position them so they rest on the
lower support rails.

6. Install the two bolts which hold each unit
to the lower rail. Use washers on these
bolts. (There may be an extra washer in
the accessories kit.)

!

Note: Drawings in inches are in the Reference

section on page 6-23.

Now go to section 2.3: After the Units Are

Hung, page 2-12.

2 - 8

Rear view showing hanger flange

and upper cable channel

Lower support rail

582 mm

609 mm

Hanger
flange

121 mm 316 mm

68 mm

Upper
support

rail

13 mm

524 mm

13 mm

Lower
support

rail

Side view with dimensions to center of holes in support rails

2 - 9

2.2 Two Ways to Install the Displays

2.2.3 Installing: Flush to Ceiling

The flush mounting method is not the preferred method, However, for those installations that
absolutely require the unit to be flush mounted to the ceiling, this is the way to do it. It is a little
more difficult to remove a unit from its position when mounted this way.

With this method, you do not need any space
between the ceiling and the top of the display.
Heat is not a problem. However, it is still
necessary to leave 8" (200mm) below the unit to
be able to open the lamp and air filter doors.

The units can be mounted directly to the
wall. The display will stick out from the wall the
thickness of the hanger flange. Or you can use
Unistrut™ or some other preformed metal
support system. These systems allow the units
to slide sideways for final positioning, but the
units will stick out from the wall by the thick­ness of the support system hardware.

CAUTION

Always secure the unit to structural members within
the wall, such as studs.

Do not mount directly to wallboard.

CAUTIONAlways use the lower support rail of

some type. If your planned installation will not use
the supplied lower support rail, use some other
structurally sound method of securing the bottom of
the units to the wall.

The lower support rail provides a vital
measure of safety. It is a rest for some of the
weight of the unit, and it secures the unit to the
wall. Always use the lower support rail in flush
mounting the displays. The lower support rails
are 30" (762mm) long. They should be spaced
½" (13mm) apart.

Steps for mounting flush to ceiling:

1. If you will use a preformed metal support
system, measure and mark the positions

for these and for the lower support rail.

— or —

1. If you will install the units directly to the
wall, measure and mark the positions of
the lower support rail and the two
mounting holes. Measurements are given
in the drawing on the facing page.

2. Drill holes appropriate for your mounting
hardware.

3. Mount the lower rail for each unit. Be sure
all these rails are even with each other.

4. Remove the screens from all units.

5. The units have three 1/4" holes on each
side for bolting the them together. The
displays are shipped with these holes filled
with plastic buttons. Remove all these
buttons except the ones on the outside
ends of the row.

6. With someone holding the unit in
position, install the two upper mounting
bolts.

7. Optionally, you may bolt the units togeth­er side-to-side. Do not use washers on
these bolts.

8. Install the two bolts which hold the unit
to the lower support rail. Use washers.
There may be an extra washer in the kit.

9. Replace the screens and secure their
latches. Tighten (only finger tight) the
screen latch screws.

Now go to section 2.3: After the Units Are
Hung, page 2-12.

2 - 10

775 mm

19 mm

75 mm

13 mm holes (2)
for flush mounting

Lower support rail

737 mm

Hanger flange

592 mm

19 mm

Back view with flush mounting hole dimensions, no upper support rail

!

Note :

Drawings in inches are in the Reference section on page 6-23.

2 - 11

2.3 After the Units Are Hung …

Bolt the units together side-to-side. Each unit has three channels for cables. After the cables are laid
out in these, all the video, control and power connections are accessible from the bottom cable
channel.

At this stage, the units are all mounted on the
wall. The next step is to bolt the units to each
other. Three 1/4" bolts with wingnuts are
provided for this purpose. With all the screens
removed, bolt the units together, removing the
plastic buttons if you have not already done this.

Lay out the cables in the channels, bringing
everything to the lower cable channel. The three
cable channels are:

• Along the top from front to back there is
an open channel made by two neighboring
units.

• There is a vertical channel down the front
of each side which connects the upper and
lower channels.

• There is a lower channel with a door
which can be removed. (The displays are
shipped with this door removed.) There is
an optional lock available for this door,
and there are end caps for the units on the
end of the row. The lower channel has
cable clamps for dressing cables so they
don’t fall down when the door is opened.

All cables should be routed in these channels:
video data, RS-232 control and power.

Power can be looped from one unit to the
next with the optional VN-38-PL Power
Loop-Thru cable.

CAUTION

at 240V) should be looped together for power.

RS-232 control cables can be looped together
to make one line. The only limit on number of
units is signal strength at the end of a long line.
Always use the best quality RS-232 cables
available. It saves time and headaches.

End caps should be installed on the two ends

No more than 4 units at 115V (or 8 units

of the lower cable channel for a neater
appearance and to keep curious hands out. Open
the cable channel door. Clip the end cap onto
the door with the slanted part toward the front
of the door. Secure the end cap with a screw
(supplied). Close the door. The doors can now
be opened and closed with the caps in place, and
they can’t be removed with the doors closed.
(Yes, you will have many extra end caps.)

When all the cables are connected, it’s time to
close the units. Here is a check list:

• Screens are in place, the screen locks are
closed (up), and the two Phillips head
screws are tightened on each lock.

• Video data cables and RS-232 control
cables are connected.

• Power cables are connected. If you used
power loop-thru, no more than 4 units at
115V (8 units at 240V) are looped
together.

• End caps are installed at each end of the
row and secured with screws.

• Plastic buttons are installed in the side
bolt holes on the end units.

• Lower cable trays are closed and secured
with the thumb screws at each end. If
these units have the optional lock
(VN-38-LK), they are locked.

• The air filter door is closed and the air
filter is installed in it.

• The lamp is installed and its access door
is closed.

One last thing: Stand in front exactly between
each pair of displays. Look straight at the point
where the sides of two units meet. Sometimes
there is a slight crack between them, and you
can see light coming from above the displays. If
this is going to be distracting, use black tape on
the top of this crack to block the light. The tape
won’t be visible from the front.

2 - 12

Computer input; RS-232 input and output

AC power input and output

No more than 4

115 VAC

12 534

o not connect too many units in series for AC power.

Four (4) display units is the limit.

2 - 13

2 - 14

3 Setup, Control, and Calibration

3.1 About the Remote Control

3.2 The Power Up Sequence

3.3 Adjusting for Optimum Picture Quality

3.3.1 Adjusting Black and White Levels

3.3.2 Matching Frequency & Phase

3.3.3 Matching the Displays to Each Other

3.3.3.1 About Color Balancing

3.3.4 Changing the Position of the Image

3.4 Saving and Recalling the Settings

3.5 Setting Additional Controls

3.6 Controlling With RS-232 Commands

3 - 1

3.1 About the Remote Control

The units can be controlled with the remote control and with RS-232 commands coming from a
“control” computer. It is generally faster and easier during initial setup to use the remote control.
This section is an overview of the remote control.

A remote control is provided with each unit,
although you will probably only need one of
them for the entire row of displays. If there are
lots of people around the displays, it is probably
a good idea to keep these out of sight to prevent
curious fingers from turning the units off,
changing the settings, and generally causing lots
of trouble.

The remote control operates like a TV or
VCR remote with IR (infra-red) signals. Aim the
remote at the screen. When there are several
displays in a row, you may have to get close to
the unit you want to control. Otherwise you
find yourself affecting two or three units. There
is a way around this, which is explained below
under How to control only one unit.

Many of the functions on the remote control
will seem obvious. Here is an explanation of the
main features:

•The

ON and OFF buttons turn the lamp on

and off. It takes a few seconds for the
lamp to light when you press the ON
button. OFF turns the lamp and fans off,
of course. The electronics remains on as
long as there is power and the circuit
breaker is on.

•The

MENU button opens the main menu

on the screen. From this menu you
highlight an item with the up-down
arrows. Then press

ENTER to activate the

highlighted selection.

•The

PREV MENU button closes the current

menu and keeps the “parent” menu, if
there is one. If there isn’t a parent menu,
this button removes the last menu.

•

ENTER selects the highlighted item and

opens that menu. Or, if the highlighted
item is like this:

[ ] Flip Vert

it turns on (or turns off) the feature.

• Seven of the main menu items have fast

access buttons that let you get to the
feature immediately. These are in the
upper right corner of the remote. (In this
display, the Source button has no
function; it is used in other Clarity
products, which use the same remote.)

• In general, the up-down arrow buttons
move through the menus, and the right­left arrow buttons change the highlighted
value.

•The

ID and MON SEL buttons are different

because their functions are not available in
the main menu.

How to control only one unit: The IR signal
from the remote radiates over a fairly broad area,
and it is sometimes hard to control just one
unit, especially if you are more than 10 feet
(3m) back. To solve this, turn off the IR sensor
in the units you don’t want to control. Get close
to the units you want to “turn off” and press

MON SEL and press ENTER. Now that unit will not

respond to any commands except another

- ENTER, which will turn it back on.

SEL

MON

In this manual, buttons on the remote control
will be printed in a style like this:

LEVEL

and menu items will be printed like this:

Input Level

3 - 2

This control is
not functio nal in
this display

These two controls
are not found in the
Main Menu

This opens the
Main Menu

Adjust a value

OFF

SOURCEON

CURTAIN

RESET

IDMON S EL

PREV MENUMENU ENTE R

LEVEL

PHASE

FREQ

COLO R

These controls are
also found in the
Main Menu

Select or
activate a feature

Back up one
menu le vel

Move through
the menu

The Remote Control

3 - 3

3.2 The Power Up Sequence

The lamp doesn’t start immediately, because the turn-on sequence has a 15-second delay. The LEDs
will tell you a lot about what is going on and what, if anything, is wrong.

The main power switch is on the bottom of the
display in a recessed pocket. This is a lighted
circuit breaker, which is lit when unit power is
switched on and unlit when it is off.

Turning on the circuit breaker initiates the
start-up sequence. For the first 5 seconds it
seems like nothing is happening, but internally
the electronics module is going through an ela­borate initialization routine. Then all the LEDs
turn on for a second. The fan starts and the

STANDBY LED blinks.

About 10 seconds later everything is settled
down, and the lamp turns on. It takes the lamp
another half minute to become fully illuminat­ed. The

FAN and LAMP LEDs will be lit, which

you can see by looking at the bottom of the unit,
and the

STANDBY LED is out. Several other LEDs

will be on, indicating normal conditions:

STANDBY off

LAMP ON on

BALLAST POWER on

12 VOLTS on

5 VOLTS on

TEMPERATURE on

FAN on

INTERLOCK on

SOURCE on(if there is a valid VGA

signal coming from the
source computer)

RS232 GLOBAL off

RS232 LOCAL off

REMOTE off

About the circuit breaker

When the current through the breaker
exceeds its rating, the circuit breaker trips,
which shuts off all power to the display. Power
to the neighboring units via the loop-thru is not
interrupted, so one circuit breaker does not turn
off the whole row.

If the circuit breaker trips off, the rocker
switch moves to t again he off position. To
reset, push the switch on. If it continues to trip

off, leave it off and contact a qualified service
person.

Auto Lamp On

The normal (default) state of the unit is

Auto Lamp On, which is a menu item in the
Misc Control menu. When there is an in

this item (the default condition), the display
does not have a standby period. The lamp starts
immediately after the electronics module has
completed its startup routine after AC power is
applied.

However, if Auto Lamp On does not have
an x, thelamp will not turn on automatically at
the end of the startup period, and the

STANDBY

LED will be on steadily.

Auto Lamp On

in Misc

Standby LED will …

Control menu
Has x flash during startup, then

go out; lamp turns on
without an ON command

Does not have x flash during startup, then

stay on; unit waits for ON
command from remote or
RS232.

The LEDs provide lots of information about
what’s going on with the display. The table of
the facing page explains each LED. All the LEDs
are green. Some of them flash or blink to
indicate different states of the unit.

Lockout is indicated by a flashing

STANDBY LED.

During lockout, you cannot turn on the lamp. If
the lamp access door is opened,
flash for 30 seconds. After that,

STANDBY will
STANDBY stays

on without flashing, and the display waits for an
ON from the remote or an RS232 command.

3 - 4

LED Meaning

STANDBY

LAMP ON

BALLAS T POWE R

12 VOLTS

5 VOLTS

TEMPER ATUR E

FAN

STANDBY

LAMP ON

BALLAST

POWER

12 VOLTS

5 VOLTS

TEMPERATURE

FAN

INTERLOCK

SOURCE

On if the unit is in the standby mode (waiting for an ON

command)
Blinking during the lock-out time
Off if the lamp is on

On if the lamp is illuminated
Off if the lamp is off

Flashes with TEMPERATURE if the lamp is over temperature
On if the 300V supply is working and providing power to the

lamp ballast

On if this voltage is available to the electronics module
On if this voltage is available to the electronics module
Shows the status of the temperature of the LCD and lamp:

On if all measured temperatures are OK

Flashes with LAMP ON if the lamp temperature is too high

Flashes alone if the LCD is over temperature.
On if the fan is operating properly

Off if the fan is off
Blinking if the fan has a “locked rotor”

On if all interlocks are “closed” (normal operation)
Flashes if any interlock opens, lamp door or thermal

On if a valid source is present at the VGA connector

INT ERL OC K

SOURCE

RS232 GLOBAL

RS232 LOCAL

REMOTE

RS232 GLOBAL

RS232 LOCAL

REMOTE

On very briefly if any RS232 activity is detected at the RS232

IN connector
Off if there is no activity here

On very briefly if a valid RS232 command for this unit is

received. This includes all global RS232 commands sent

without specific addressing and all commands addressed

to this specific unit or the group that this unit is in.

On very briefly when receiving IR (infra-red) commands, or

when unit sense stray IR.

3 - 5

3.3 Adjusting for Optimum Picture Quality

Black Level, White Level, Frequency, and Phase must be adjusted every time the input is changed.
Black Level must be done before White Level. Color Balance should be checked whenever a lamp is
changed in any unit in a banner. This section presents an overview of the adjustment process, which
is then given in detail in the following sections.

All video sources are different, even separate
outputs on the same video card. Sometimes they
are different by a lot, but usually they aren’t
different by much, maybe just a few millivolts.
Still, these differences are important. The

Input Level adjustments—Black Level and
White Level—compensate for these small

differences and match the display to the specific
computer video output card.

The four adjustments described here and in
the next two sections match the display to a
particular computer video output card. If you
change computers, or if you change the video
card connected to a display, do these
adjustments again.

!

Note: Black and White Level adjustments cannot

be used to make color adjustments. Color
adjustments, getting the units to match in
color and brightness, is accomplished with
Color Balance controls, described in section
(page 3-12.)

What voltage is the video card using for
black? That is the question the Black Level
adjustment answers. What is the voltage
difference between black and white? That is the
question White Level answers. Fortunately,
these two adjustments are automatic. However,
the automatic sequence must be initiated
manually.

area around the upper left corner of the Black
Level menu. If the picture is absolutely black or
white in this area, it is enough.

Frequency and Phase are two other adjustments
that compensate for differences in video output
cards. Frequency matches the display’s internal
dot clock to the incoming signal’s frequency.
Phase does a similar job with the signal’s phase.

Frequency and Phase are not automatic, but
the adjustments are not difficult. You need an
external checkerboard signal to make these
adjustments.

Where do you get a checkerboard pattern?
One of the "fill" patterns in Windows 95 Paint
has this pattern. Section 6.13 on page 6-28
shows how to make the checkerboard pattern as
well as solid black and white patterns.

With MAC OS 8.0, look for a checkerboard
pattern in File, Control Panel, Desktop Patterns.

After the Black and White Levels and Frequency
and Phase adjustments are finished, make the
displays match each other using the Color
Balance controls. Lamps vary slightly from one
display to the next in their brightness and their
“color temperature.” The Color Balance process
reduces these differences to a minimum.

Use the internal test patterns, White and
50% Gray, to do this color balancing.

!

Note: Black Level and White Level must be

adjusted with external black and white
signals. You can’t use the display’s internal
test pattens for this. Also, you must use the
computer that will be used for the video
program. If this computer changes, do all
these adjustments again.

For the Black and White external test
patterns, it is not necessary for the whole screen
to be black or white. The electronics looks at the

3 - 6

List of Picture Quality Adjustments

• Black Level and White Level: Black Level must be done before White Level. Both
of these must use a black (or white) image from the video source. Use the Auto
for Black and for White.

• Frequency: Use a checkerboard pattern from the video source. Adjust Frequency
to eliminate vertical bands in the picture.

• Phase: Use a checkerboard pattern from the video source. Adjust Phase for
minimum horizontal noise or streaking.

• Color Balance: Use the internal white and gray patterns to match the displays to
each other. (Section 3.3.3)

• Position: Center the image with the Position controls.

LED panel

Bottom of display unit

Circuit breaker

3 - 7

3.3 Adjusting for Optimum Picture Quality

3.3.1 Adjusting Black and White Levels

Black and White Level adjustments compensate for differences in video output cards. These
adjustments cannot be used to adjust for color differences between display units. The electronics
must know that the input source means by “black” and “white” The level adjustment sequence,
which is automatic but started manually, does this job. You must use external signals.

Black Level must be done before White Level.
Both must use an external signal. The internal
test patterns cannot be used.

You should adjust the Black Level and White
Level with the actual computer and the actual
video card output that will be used for program
material. If you change computers, or if you
change the video card output connected to a
display, do these adjustments again. No two
video cards are alike. These adjustments are
quick and easy to do. Take a moment to get it
right.

!

Note: Do not use the Black Level or White Level

controls to adjust for color differences
between displays. Use the Color Balance
controls for this.

Here is the procedure for black and white
level adjustment:

1. On the remote, press

LEVEL. This opens

the Input Level menu. (This menu is also
available from the main menu.)

2. With the highlight on Black Level, press

ENTER. Black must be done before White.

3. Generate a black signal from the computer
source. Any picture that is completely

black around the upper left corner of the
menu will work. However, it must be
completely black, not just very dark gray.
When in doubt, make a black signal with
Windows Paint, as described on page 6-28.

4. Highlight Auto and press

ENTER. In less

than two seconds the electronics will
automatically find the incoming signal’s
black level and adjust to it.

5. Press

6. Highlight White Level and press

LEVEL again.

ENTER.

7. Generate a white signal from the
computer source.

8. Highlight Auto and press

ENTER. This

automatic process takes longer than the
black adjustment, but it is still only five
seconds or so. When the numbers stop
changing, it’s finished.

9. Press

PREV MENU to close the menu.

It is possible to adjust these levels manually, but
there is no reason to do this. The automatic
method is more accurate and much faster than
the manual method, so the manual method will
not even be described. Stick with automatic.
Everybody does.

3 - 8

Input Level

[ ] Black Level
[ ] White Level

Input Level menu

Always do Black Level first.

Black Level

(Requires black field)

Auto [ ]
All

! #

Level Sample
Red 127 000
Green 123 001
Blue 131 000

Black Level menu

White Level

(Requires white field)

Auto [ ]
All

! #

Level Sample
Red 127 254
Green 123 255
Blue 131 255

White Level menu

3 - 9

3.3 Adjusting for Optimum Picture Quality

3.3.2 Matching Frequency & Phase

These adjustments match the internal dot clock to the external signal. An external checkerboard
patterns is required. This pattern must come from the source computer.

These two adjustments require an external
checkerboard pattern. The instructions for
making this pattern in Windows 95 are in
Section 6-13, page 6-28.

In an emergency, you can get a pretty good
checkerboard pattern from the Windows shut­down screen. First, minimize all applications
and use a plain white background for the Desk
Top. Select Start, then Shut Down, but don’t go
any further. The window now has a pattern in
which every other pixel is black.

With MAC OS 8.0, look for a checkerboard
pattern in File, Control Panel, Desktop Patterns.

Always do Frequency before Phase, because the
phase adjustment is meaningless unless the
frequency is correct. Here is the procedure:

• Generate a checkerboard pattern on the
source computer.

• On the remote, press

MENU.

• Highlight Misc Control and press

ENTER.

• See that Sharpness has an x in it. If it
doesn’t, highlight it and press

• On the remote, press

FREQ.

ENTER.

• Adjust Frequency with the right-left arrow
keys. When the frequency is wrong, you
will see vertical bands of noise in the
picture. (If there is horizontal streaking as
well, ignore that for now.) As you change
frequency, the number of bands will

increase or decrease. At one frequency,
there will be no bands. That’s what you
want. All displays using the same
computer source, even with different video
cards, will have the same Frequency
number at the end of this process.

!

Note: It doesn’t matter what the Frequency number

is. This is just a reference number between
000 and 127. It is not the frequency.

• Press PHASE.

• Adjust Phase with the right-left arrows.
When the phase is wrong, you will see
horizontal streaks of noise. As you change
the Phase the noise will increase or
decrease.

!

Note: It doesn’t matter what the Phase number is.

This is just a reference number between 000
and 031.

• Try to adjust for no noise at all. It may
not be possible to eliminate all of it, in
which case reduce it to a minimum.
Sometimes within the 000–031 range of
the Phase number, there are two places
where noise is eliminated. Run the Phase
number up and down the scale. Find the
area where the horizontal noise is reduced
over the widest range of Phase numbers.
Set the Phase in the middle of this range.

3 - 10

LEVEL

PHASE

FREQ

Frequency
and Phase

OFF

SOURCEON

CURTA IN

RESET

Menus

COLOR

IDMON SEL

PREV MENUMENU ENTER

Remote control with location of Frequency and Phase

buttons

Phase Select

016

Phase Select menu

Frequency Select

064

Frequency Select menu

3 - 11

3.3 Adjusting for Optimum Picture Quality

3.3.3 Matching the Displays to Each Other

To get all the units in a row to look the same, you must balance their colors and their brightness. Use
the internal White and Gray patterns, and match all the units to the darkest one. Color balancing can
be done before or after the other adjustments in Chapter 3, because it does not interact with any
other adjustment. Some help with this procedure is given in the next section, too.

Color Balancing compensates for differences in
lamp brightness and color. Lamps are not all the
same, no matter how closely the manufacturing
process is controlled. You should check color
balance and adjust for any differences whenever:

• you change any lamp in the display group;

• you install a new display unit;

• you change the electronics module in any
display.

Each lamp has a fixed brightness level, and
there is nothing you can do to change it. There­fore, you will use the electronics to dim the
image slightly on the brighter units to make
them match the brightness (and color tempera­ture) of the least bright unit.

Color balancing should always be done with
the internal white and gray patterns.

!

Note: Never attempt to color balance with the

White and Black Level controls.

How to Color Balance:

1. Turn on the internal white pattern in all
displays. (

ENTER > Test Patterns > ENTER >

MENU > Misc Control >

White )

2. Turn off the menus (

PREV MENU) but leave

the White pattern up.

3. On all displays, open the Color Balance
menu (

!

Note: In the Color Balance menu, the up-down

COLOR).

arrows move the cursor through all the
choices in both columns. It is a common
mistake to try to move between columns with
the right-left arrows. The right-left arrows
change the value. Highlighting the pair of
arrows above either column and pressing
right or left changes all three values in the
column together. Highlighting just the
number next to

Green changes the green

value only.

4. Adjust the Wht numbers so they are 031
for Red, Green and Blue in all displays.
This is important.

5. Adjust the Gry numbers so they are 007
for Red, Green and Blue in all displays.
This is just as important.

!

Note: The Gry numbers range from 000 to 015. Be

sure to start the whole color balancing
process at 007.

6. Choose the darkest display in the group.
We will call this the baseline display. It is
now as bright as it is ever going to be, so
we will adjust all other displays to this
baseline display.

7. Choose one of the displays next to the
baseline display. This will be called the
variable display.

8. Close the menus (

PREV MENU) on all

displays except the variable display.

9. On the variable display, adjust the Wht
level down for all three colors until the
brightness of the variable closely matches
the brightness of the baseline display.

10. Adjust the individual colors of the variable
until the “color” of the variable matches
the baseline unit. (The next section,

3.3.3.1, has some additional hints about
color matching.) If you need more Blue,
but Blue is already at 031, try subtracting
both of the other two colors, Red and
Green.

11. When this variable unit matches the
baseline unit, choose the display on the
other side of the baseline. This one now
becomes the variable display. And the
previous variable display is now another
baselines unit, because they are the same
color and brightness. Adjust the new

3 - 12

variable display to match the baseline in
the same way.

12. Continue matching each display to its
neighbor until you have all displays
looking alike in white. It is not important
to make the displays project a pure white.
It is only important that they all look alike
when a white signal is received.

13. On each display, save the settings: Press

MENU > Save Config > ENTER > use left

arrow to highlight Yes >

ENTER. Now if

you accidentally change the White color
balance setting, you can recall these
values. (Saving is fully explained in
Section 3.4)

14. Go to the Test Pattern menu and choose
50% Gray (

ENTER > Test Patterns > ENTER > 50%

MENU > Misc Control >

Gray) for all displays.

15. Look for the display that has a gray level
somewhere in between all of the other
units. (You can use a middle brightness
value this time, because in gray, you can
adjust down and up from the 007 starting
point.) This is the new baseline display.

16. Using the Color Balance controls in the
Gry column, adjust all the displays to
match the baseline unit, starting with the

Color Balance

Wht Gry

units nearest to the baseline unit.

17. Continue adjusting variable units for Gray
until all displays match each other for
brightness and color.

18. On each display, save the settings again:

MENU > Save Config > ENTER > left

arrow to highlight Yes >

ENTER.

The first time you do it, color balancing will
take a while. Don’t be discouraged. It gets easier
with practice. And the results are worth the
effort.

!

Note: Do not try to color balance using the Red,

Green and Blue test patterns. Match the
Whites and Grays, and the rest will take care
of itself.

SOURCEON

CURTAIN

OFF

RESET

LEVEL

PHASE

FREQ

Color Balance

COLOR

IDMON SEL

PREV M ENUMENU ENTE R

Menu

All

! # ! #

Red 031 007
Green 031 007
Blue 031 007

Color Balance menu

Location of Color Balance menu button

3 - 13

3.3 Adjusting for Optimum Picture Quality

3.3.3 Matching the Displays to Each Other

3.3.3.1 About Color Balancing

The previous section gave the steps to achieve color balancing. However, if you have not done a color
balance before, you may need the hints in this section to help you understand how to get all those
screens to look alike. Sometimes you get the color you want by reducing the colors you don’t want.

For our purposes, white light is made up of three
separate primary colors: Red, Green, and Blue.
These combine in various amounts to give us all
the other colors. Adding colors of light together
is not the same as mixing paint colors.

When you mix red, green, and blue paint
together, you will get black, or at least a dark,
muddy brown. When you mix red, green, and
blue light together, you get white.

Here is how the colors of light mix to get the
other colors:

• Red + Blue = Magenta (a kind of purple)

• Blue + Green = Cyan (a kind of sea green)

• Green + Red = Yellow (hard to imagine,
but true)

• Red + Green + Blue = White

In trying to color balance a group of displays,
you must always start with the darkest cube
first. This darkest one cannot ever get brighter
than it is right now (with its present lamp), so
you have to bring everything down to this
baseline unit.

You must also make the color of the other
cubes match the color of this darkest one. If you
do this accurately for white and for gray, all the
other color shades will match each other. An
image of a person walking from one display to
another will keep the same skin tones for the
entire trip.

You cannot adjust the saturation or the hue
of the three primary colors, red, blue and green.
Matching the displays for white and gray will
make all the other colors appear the same from
one display to the next. However, as the color of
an image approaches a pure red, green, or blue,
the less control you will have when trying to
match them. This is why color balancing in
done with whites and grays and not with
primary colors.

It takes practice to color balance several
displays quickly, but patience and practice will

go a long way to achieving good color balance,
even for a beginner.

!

Note: If you suffer from any degree of color

blindness, more common in men than in
women, it would be a good idea to give the
color balancing job to someone else.

In the color balancing process, focus your
attention on just two displays. At first this will
be the baseline display and one of the displays
next to it. Ignore all the others. Let’s call the one
you are changing the “variable” unit.

First, reduce the brightness of the variable
unit. Use the up/down arrow buttons to
highlight the two arrow symbols below the word
“Wht.” Then, click the left arrow button a few
times and watch the brightness of the variable
display go down. It may also change color as it
gets darker.

Using the left/right arrow buttons, get the
brightness of this cube to be as close as possible
to the brightness of the baseline cube. It is
sometimes difficult to judge when the two cubes
are the same “brightness” when they are
different in “color,” but get them as close as you
can.

Now comes the judgement part. How does
the color of the variable cube differ from the
baseline cube? Is it more blue, more green, more
yellow? Try to judge the color of the middle of
the cubes, because the edges sometimes are a
little darker. (This is only noticeable when both
cubes are very bright, as they are now.) Here is a
table to help you know what to change:

If the
variable is
…

… more green, reduce the green

then __ in the variable

3 - 14

… more blue, reduce the blue
… more red, reduce the red

If the
baseline is
…

… more green, reduce blue and red
… more blue, reduce green and red
… more red, reduce blue and green

then __ in the variable

Here are some more hints:

• Stand in the center of the viewing area. If
you are off to one side or above or below
the centerline, the apparent brightness
will change.

• Stand well away from the units. If you are
very close, the viewing angles will vary
from one unit to the next, and the appar­ent brightness may be different among
units.

• Always adjust the “variable” cube, not the
baseline cube.

• “Rock” the setting. Go beyond the closest
setting and then come back. Sometimes
when you see what is on both sides of the
“almost right” spot, it is easier to deter­mine what is the best setting.

• If adjusting one of the variable’s colors
won’t get it right, try adjusting one of the
other two colors.

• Try to judge the color by the middle of the
cubes, because the edges sometimes are a
little darker. (This is only noticeable when
both cubes are very bright, as they are

now.)

• When you have the whites matching, then
do the grays. The baseline cube for gray
may be different from the one for white.

• The white and gray adjustments interact
with each other. If you finish the whites
and start on the grays, don’t go back to
adjust the white levels. If you do, you will
have to do the grays again from the begin­ning.

• If the entire group has been matched for
white and gray, then check program
material. It should look fine without any
very noticeable change in color or
brightness from one cube to the next.

• Don’t try to match the primary colors.
When you turn all the cubes to one of the
internal test colors, such as red, the match
may not be absolutely perfect, even if color
balancing was done correctly. Do not try
to change the color balance settings to
compensate for this.

• Never try to color balance with the Black
and White Level settings. This is the path
to disastrous color results.

• If you think you are close to color
matching two cubes, Save the settings.
Then, if you try some further adjust­ments, you can always Recall what you
had before.

• If you Reset any settings, color balance
goes to the factory default values of 031
and 007, which is not correct. For color
balance values, factory default is not best;
it is simply where you start.

Color Balance

Wht Gry
All
Red 031 007
Green 031 007
Blue 031 007

! # ! #

Color Balance menu

3 - 15

3.3 Adjusting for Optimum Picture Quality

3.3.4 Changing the Position of the Image

The Position control is used to move the electronic image slightly. If the display is black at any edge,
and Position doesn’t correct this, the unit needs optical adjusting.

The Position control will make minor adjust-
ments in the electronic position of the picture,
but it won’t change the optical position of the
picture. It is important to understand the
difference between these two types of position
control.

Optical position means moving the LCD (for
up-down, right-left, or tilt), the lens (for size) or
the mirror (for keystoning). These are
mechanical adjustments you make if the picture
is keystoned, or tilted, or if the one edge of the
picture image leaves a dark line at the edge of
the screen. Or if the image doesn’t fill the screen
or fills it too much. Optical positioning moves
the bright area of the screen. Of course, the
picture in the bright area moves, too.

Think of optical positioning as moving a
cinema projector. Moving the projector moves
the bright image around on the white screen. If
you move it too much, there will be a dark area
on one edge of the screen.

Before you adjust anything, you should know
the goal of alignment and understand the parts
of the Geometry test pattern. The goal is to have
a rectangular image with three pixels hidden
behind each mullion (each screen border).

The internal Geometry test pattern helps in
hiding three pixels. Here is the pattern:

2-pixel-wide magenta rectangle; the 1-pixel
magenta rectangle and the next two pixels of
white should be completely hidden. As with
most ideal situations, this is difficult to achieve
precisely. If you come within ±2 pixels of this
ideal, be satisfied.

To adjust LCD alignment, press

MENU.

Highlight Misc Control and press Enter. Choose
Test Patterns, then choose Geometry. Adjust
the LCD alignment with two screws at the
bottom of the display. These move the LCD up
and down and rotate it. Inside the air intake
door, you can find the horizontal adjustment
screw for the LCD.

If the image is too large or too small, rotate
the lens. You can reach the lens by opening the
air intake door and reaching up and back toward
the center of the unit. Rotating the lens changes
the image size, not the focus.

Electronic position means moving left-right or
up-down with the Position control. The
image moves within the bright area of the
screen, but the bright area does not move.

If your banner application will have pictures
that span across two or more display units, it is
important that adjacent parts of the picture
match correctly. Minor adjustments with the
Position control will do this.

2 pixels white (hide)

1 pixel magenta (hide)

Lower left corner of internal Geometry test pattern

showing size and position of magenta lines

Ideally, you should just see the outer edge of the

3 - 16

2-pixel -wid e
black grid

white background

2 pixels magenta (see)

To move or position the image electronically,
follow these steps:

1. Open the Position menu (
Position >

ENTER.)

2. Highlight Position and press

MENU >

ENTER.

3. In the Position menu, use the four
arrow buttons to move the image.

4. Press

PREV MENU twice to exit Position.

Position moves the image in increments of

one pixel each time an arrow is pressed. You
can press and hold an arrow key to move

continuously in one direction. Position wraps,
so eventually the image will jump to the other

Position

$

% &

'

side and continue.

LCD adjustment screw locations: 2 up-down screws in holes shown by circles;

left-right screw inside air filter door indicated by arrow.

Front of
Display

Up

Left-right LCD adjustment screw

inside air filter door, indicated by

white arrow.

A screwdriver is inserted in the

adjustment screw.

3 - 17

3.4 Saving and Recalling the Settings

It is important to save the settings. Saving the settings means that every time the unit turns on, it
knows what it needs to do to look right. It also means that if you change something experimentally,
you can go back to where you were before. And you can always Reset to the factory default settings.

The “settings” refers to everything you setup
through the menus: Frequency, Phase, Color
Balance, Position, Flip Horz, Buzzer on or off—
everything. After you save all this, you can
change anything, then easily recall the saved
settings. The display unit always turns on with
these saved values.

The menus for Save, Recall and Reset all
operate in basically in the same way. As the
diagram shows, there are three places where
settings are stored.

The first storage place is the Active Settings.
This is what the unit is actually doing when it is
on. If you change anything, this is where the
change occurs. (Actually, the Active Settings
isn’t really a memory. When the power goes off,
everything in this register is lost. However, on
power up, the Saved Memory is copied into
Active Settings.)

The second storage place is Saved Memory.
When you Save, a copy of the contents of Active
Settings is placed in Saved Memory. When you
Recall settings, a copy of Saved Memory is
placed in Active Settings, and the unit follows

these instructions. Saved Memory is not lost
when the power goes off, even if the AC power
is lost.

The third storage place is Factory Default
Values. You can’t change these, of course. If you
get things all tangled, you can always Reset to
the original factory settings. This will not
change the Saved Memory settings. It simply
puts the factory defaults into Active Settings.
This way you can compare what you saved with
what the factory settings were without
destroying any saved values.

To put Factory Default into Saved Memory,
Reset and then Save.

About Reset: The factory default values are not
the “best” values. If you Reset to the default
values, Black Level, White Level, Frequency and
Phase won’t be right, because the factory did not
have the particular computer you are using as a
source. Color Balance values won’t be right
either; they will all be 031 and 007 for white
and gray.

3 - 18

When you choose

Save Config from the main

Save Config

[ ] Save

Save Configuration,

first screen

menu, the first box looks like the one on the left.
The

cursor is

in the

Save

brackets

.

Whe

Save Config

[ ] Save

n you

push

ENTER,

the box

Are you sure?

Yes No

changes

to

the one

on the

Save Configuration,

second screen

right,

and the cursor is on No.

To save the configuration, press the left arrow to

highlight Yes, then press

ENTER.

The Recall Config and Reset Config

menus operate in a similar way.

Recal l

Activ e
Settings

Save

Reset

Saved
Memory

Factory
Defau lt
Values

Relationship of the three memories to Saving, Recalling, and Resetting

3 - 19

3.5 Setting Additional Controls

There are a few more controls that you will set once and probably never change again. Or you may
use them for testing. Most of these are available through the main menu, but Monitor Select and ID
have exclusive buttons of their own.

MON SEL is a special button on the remote, and it

means Monitor Select. It is used to turn off the
display’s ability to respond to all other remote
control commands. When you try to control one
display with the remote, it sometimes happens
that the neighboring displays respond to the IR
signals, too, especially if you are some distance
from the units. Infra-red radiation is not focused
like a laser beam; it spreads out.

To handle this situation, use the

MON SEL

(then ENTER) on all the units you don’t want to
control. This prevents these units from
responding to all remote commands except
another

MON SEL command, which opens this

menu again.

In some environments there is stray infra-red
radiation which can cause the units to
misbehave. Use

SEL has no effect on the reception of RS232

MON SEL to counteract this. MON

commands.

ID is another special button, a command which

does not appear in the main menu. This
displays the unit’s Group ID and Unit ID
numbers. In this menu, you can set the Group
and Unit ID numbers with the left and right
arrow keys.

The two ID settings identify the display unit
for RS232 commands. Group and Unit are hex
numbers ranging from 0 to F (0 to 15 decimal).
Normally, all displays in one banner will have
the same Group number, and the Unit numbers
will start with 0 at the left end and increase to
the right, like reading (in western cultures).

To change the Group and Unit numbers,
press

ID on the remote control, and highlight

either number. Then use the left/right arrow
buttons to change it.

The ID values are saved and recalled when
you Save and Recall Settings (see page 3-18).

following special controls:
Sharpness should always be on. If the box is

not checked, the video goes through a low-pass
filter, softening the image. Sharpness must be
on to set Frequency and Phase.

16M Colors, when checked, means the system
uses 16 million colors; otherwise it uses 256
thousand colors.

Buzzer Enable turns on (or off) the beep you
hear when a remote control command is
received. The triple beep, which means a
command was received but will not be executed,
is not affected; they are always audible. You
might hear a triple beep when you try to turn
the display on and the lamp access door is open.
The interlock is open and the lamp won’t light.

Flip Horz and Flip Vert reverse the image .
Auto Lamp On is the normal state. It means

the unit will try to turn on the lamp (strike the
lamp) after the electronics module gets power
(and after some initialization procedures and a
short delay time). If this box is not checked, the
electronics module goes into a STBY mode, the

STANDBY LED stays on, and the unit waits for an

On command. When you select Test
Patterns and press

ENTER, the Test Patterns

menu appears. These are all internal test
patterns, which cannot be used for Frequency,
Phase or Black or White Level adjustments. Be
sure to set Test Patterns to Off when you are
through testing. The About item in the main
menu opens a general information screen giving
the name and address of the manufacturer and
some factory information about the firmware
version.

In the Misc Control menu, you will find the

3 - 20

Test Patterns

[ ] Off
[ ] White
[ ] Black
[ ] 50% Gray
[ ] Red
[ ] Green
[ ] Blue
[ ] Geometry

Misc Control

[ ] Sharpness
[ ] 16M Colors
[ ] Buzzer Enable
[ ] Flip Horz
[ ] Flip Vert
[ ] Auto Lamp On
[ ] Test Patterns

Miscellaneous Controls menu

SOURCEON

CURTAIN

RESET

Monitor
Select

Monitor
ID

OFF

IDMON SEL

PREV ME NUMENU ENTER

Figure 52 Location of MON SEL and ID

buttons

Clarity Visual Systems
9025 SW Hillman Court

Suite 3122
Wilsonville, OR 97070
USA

Tel [phone]
Web www.ClarityVisual.com

Project: 573-0200-00
Version: Rev A
Build: 0675

LEVEL

PHASE

FREQ

COLOR

Test Patterns menu

About menu

3 - 21

3.6 Controlling with RS232 Commands

RS232 commands come from the controlling computer ,which may be the same as the video source
computer or a different one.

With RS232 commands, you can do everything
you can do with the remote control and more.
(However, you cannot set the Group and Unit
ID numbers.) There are lots of “rules” about
RS232 commands:

• Transmission speed: 9600, 19200, 38400
or 57600 bps, set in Misc Controls
menu

• 8 bits, 1 stop bit, no parity

• No standard hardware or software pacing
is used, such as DTR/RTS or XON/XOFF.
Commands should be paced using the
ACK, NAK, UNK, or ERR responses from
the displays, or by timing.

• Standard RS232 levels of +/ 12V are
used. Some laptops use ground (earth) and
+5V. These are not always successful in
communicating with the display.

• The display’s RS232 port is always active,
except during the boot-up process, which
is the first 5 seconds after power is
applied.

• In the single address mode, when only one
unit is being addressed, the host computer
should wait for an ACK, NAK, UNK or
ERR response before sending the next
command.

• When global commands are sent, no reply
is returned from the display. Use a ½
second delay between commands. This
will avoid the problem of a new command
being sent before the execution of the
previous command completes.

• The protocol for communication is a
7-byte command line:

•

STX IDT CMD ETX

1 byte 2 bytes

3

bytes

1 byte

STX = Start of transmission character = 02h = ☺
IDT = Monitor Identification

This is used to identify which unit will
execute the RS232 command. The address is
divided into a Group Address (1
Address (2

nd

byte). There are four possible

st

byte) and Unit

address forms:

Single address: The whole address is
specified, such as 00, 01, A3, FF. Only the
single display that matches this address
attempts to execute this command, and an
ACKnowledgment is sent.

!

Note: If several displays have the same Group and

Unit address and they receive a command to
their common single address, they will all
respond to the command, causing confusion
on the RS232 data line.

Group address: The group part of the address
is specified, the unit part is not, such as 1*, 9*,
A*, E*. (A * is a wildcard in the address.) All
displays which have the group number attempt
to execute the command, but no
acknowledgment is sent.

Unit address: The unit part is specified, the
group part is not, such as *2, *9, *D. All
displays matching the unit number attempt to
execute this command, but no acknowledgment
is sent.

Broadcast address: Neither group nor unit is
specified, so the IDT part of the command is **.
All displays attempt to execute the command,
and no acknowledgments are sent.

CMD = 3-byte command character string. These

commands are shown in the table in section 6.4,
page 6-10

!

Note: Time from STX to ETX must be less than 1

sec.

3 - 22

ETX = End of transmission character = 03h = "

Example command: ☺06 PON"

This turns on Unit 6 in Group 0.

!

Note: Valid data packets must start with STX and

end with ETX, and the time from STX to ETX
must be less than one second.

remote control. Press the

ID button. This will

open a menu where you can highlight either

number with the up-down buttons and change it

with the right-left buttons.

Monitor ID

The ID number for each display is set with the

Group 0

RS232 command structure

Start of
transmission

Group and Unit

Identification Command
STX IDT CMD ETX
1 byte 2 bytes 3 bytes 1 byte

End of
transmission

3 - 23

3 - 24

4 Routine Maintenance Is Important

4.1 Replacing Lamp and Air Filter

4.2 Cleaning the Screen and Mirror

4 - 1

4.1 Replacing Lamp and Air Filter

The lamp replacement schedule depends on which unit you have: 3820 or 3830. When you replace
the lamp, reset the Lamp Hours meter. The air filter should be replaced each time the lamp is
replaced, or more often, if the filter gets dirty earlier.

“How often should I replace the lamp?” That
depends on which unit you have. The lamp life
for the VN-3820-VA is rated at 8,000 hours and
the VN-3830-VA at 4,000 hours.

But what does “lamp life” mean? It means
that in any group of lamps, at least half of them
will still be working after 8,000 (4,000) hours.
And, of course, some of them will not be
working.

If is important in your installation that there
should never be a lamp out, you might consider
replacing all the lamps every 4,000 (2,000)
hours. Or less.

The air filter should be replaced every time
the lamp is replaced. If the environment is dirty
or there is grease in the air, replace the filter
more often. Cooling air flow is important for the
life of the lamp and the LCD. Air filters are
cheap compared to lamps and LCDs. At the very
least, inspect the air filter regularly.

To replace the lamp:

1. Turn off the power with the circuit
breaker. The circuit breaker is in a
recessed niche in the bottom of the
display.

2. The lamp is very hot. Allow at least one
minute for the lamp to cool.

3. Open the lamp access door, which is held
by two thumb screws. The door is hinged
so it can be removed, so open it carefully.

4. Loosen the captive screw and pull down
on the wire handle.

5. Don’t touch the face of the new lamp.
This lamp gets very hot, and oil from you
skin is not good for it. Don’t reach up into
the lamp cavity; there is nothing to fix or
play with up there, and you are likely to
touch something that shouldn’t have your
skin oil on it.

6. The lamp has an arrow. The arrow should
point toward the screen. Push the new

lamp into the lamp housing.

7. Snap the pull handle up and out of the
way.

8. Tighten the captive screws to hold the
lamp in place. Finger tight is enough.

9. Close the access door and tighten the
thumb screws. It doesn’t have to be
tightened with a screwdriver. The
screwdriver slots are there in case it was
put on too tightly last time. (This is
meant be a no-tool job.)

10. Turn on the power with the circuit
breaker.

11. Reset the Lamp Hours (see below).

How to reset Lamp Hours: Always reset the
Lamp Hours timer when you install a new
lamp.

1. With the remote control, press

MENU.

2. With the up-down arrows, highlight
Hours and press

ENTER. This brings up

the Lamp Hours menu.

3. With the left-right arrows, highlight
[ ] Yes and press

ENTER. This opens a

confirmation menu: Was Lamp
Changed?

4. With the left-right arrows, highlight
[ ] Yes and press

ENTER.

The confirmation menu is there so you won’t
inadvertently reset this hour meter. If you are
installing a new lamp, reset the meter. If you are
putting in a used lamp, you will have to keep
track of lamp life in some way that you devise.

The System Hours shows how long the
Electronics Module has been powered up. You
can’t reset it.

How to replace the air filter

1. Open the air filter access door, which is
held by two thumb screws. The door is
hinged so it can be removed, so open it

4 - 2

carefully, then remove it. You don’t need
to turn off the lamp to replace the air
filter.

2. Remove the old filter and inspect it.
Replace if necessary. (Air filters are

cheaper than lamps and LCDs.) The new
filter goes in with the sponge side down.

3. Reconnect the door, close it, and tighten
the thumb screws.

Air filter door, open

Air filter, partially removed from door

Lamp door, open

Lamp door has been removed;

lamp being removed

4 - 3

4.2 Cleaning the Screen and Mirror

The screen and mirror should be cleaned with an acceptable cleaner that will not leave scratches and
won’t smear. Always spray the cleaning solution on the cloth, not on the screen.

Rule #1: Always spray the cleaning solution on
the cloth or the paper wipe. Never on the screen
itself.

Rule #2: Always follow Rule #1.
Why? Because the screen is a laminate of two

layers. If liquid runs down the screen, it can
collect at the bottom. Then it can wick up
between the laminated layers. This can leave a
permanent stain on the screen when it dries.

The best way to clean screens is with clean,
dry, compressed air and try to blow off the
debris. If this does not work (a finger print, for
instance) use a good quality optical cleaning

solution and lint-free paper wipes or
cheesecloth.

The best way to clean the mirror is with clean,
dry, compressed air. This will remove most
dust. If the mirror has a smudge or grease spot,
use a cleaning solution like the ones listed here.
Use a new clean cloth or lint-free wipe. Why a
new cloth? Because a used cloth may have hard
dirt or grit embedded in it which you can’t see.
This can scratch the mirror. The mirrors are
front surface mirror, so the reflecting coating is
on the front of the mirror, not behind it, like the
mirrors in your home.

Some representative cleaning products are:

1. Zero Charge Screen & Keyboard Cleaner, made by Tech Spray,
Amarillo, Texas; [phone]

2. Klear Screen Laptop & Computer Screen Cleaner, by Merridrew
Enterprises, Danville, California; [phone]

3. Sparkle, made by Paulson and Roles, Portland, Oregon;
[phone]

4 - 4

Don’t spray liquids

directly onto

the face of the screen

4 - 5

4 - 6

5 If You Have Trouble …

5.1 How to Fix Startup Problems

5.2 How to Fix Image Problems

5.3 Common Questions (and Answers)

5 - 1

5.1 How to Fix Startup Problems

If there is no image at all, this is the place to start. If you have an image, but it doesn’t look right, go
to the next section. For most startup problems, reading the LEDs will lead you to the correct solution.

About half the time you get no image, there will
be some simple answer, such as, “it wasn’t
plugged in.” (Every technician makes this
mistake at least once.) The other times there
will be something seriously wrong, such as the
lamp is dead. Either way, you should be able to
find the answer here.

If you have not read the section The Power

Things to check if you have no image:

• Is the unit plugged in?

• Is there power in the AC mains?

• If this unit gets its power from an AC cord
connected to a neighboring unit, are all
the separate AC cords plugged in? (The
interconnecting cords must be connected,
but those units do not have to be turned
on. AC power will be available on the
whole line, unless one of them is
unplugged somewhere.)

• Is the circuit breaker on? It should be lit
red.

•Is the
remote at the screen and press

•Is the

STANDBY LED lit? If it is, aim the

ON.

STANDBY LED flashing or blinking?

If it is, this is the Standby mode. Wait 30
seconds for the LED to become steady,
then press

•Is the

ON is also flashing, the lamp temperature

ON.

TEMPERATURE LED flashing. If LAMP

is too high. Call a qualified service person.
If

INTERLOCK is flashing with TEMPERATURE,

the thermal interlock on the lamp was
tripped. Again, call a qualified service
person. If

TEMPERATURE is flashing alone,

Up Sequence on page 3-4, read it now. It has
lots of information about what is suppose to
happen during startup.

Here are some things to check if you have no
image. Some of them may seem so obvious that
they don’t need mentioning, but we tried to be
thorough. It is better to check each item in the
list, rather than make assumptions.

the LCD is over temperature. Call a
qualified service person.

•Is the

INTERLOCK LED on. It should be, if

all interlocks are closed. If it is flashing,
an interlock is open, such as the lamp
access door.

• On the remote, press

MON SEL. If you do

not see a menu, go to the next item. If you
see the Monitor Select menu, the
lamp is lit. (If IR Disabled has an x,
press

ENTER to get the remote to work

again.)

•Is Curtain on? Press
>

ENTER. If there is anx for Curtain, it

MENU > Curtain

means no video can come through and the
screen is forced black. Press

ENTER to

remove the x.

•Is the

LAMP LED lit? If it is, the unit

thinks the lamp is on. Try replacing the
lamp.

•Are the

should be, if the power supply is working. If
one of them is out, call a qualified service
person.

12 VOLTS and 5 VOLTS LEDs lit? They

5 - 2

LED Meaning

STANDBY

On if the unit is in the standby mode
Blinking during the lock-out time
Off if the unit is operating

STANDBY

LAMP ON

BALLAS T POWE R

12 VOLTS

5 VOLTS

TEMPER AT URE

FAN

INTER LO C K

SOURCE

RS232 GLOBAL

RS232 LOCAL

REMOTE

LED panel

LAMP ON

BALLAST

POWER

12 VOLTS
5 VOLTS

TEMPERATURE

FAN

INTERLOCK

SOURCE
RS232 GLOBAL

RS232 LOCAL

On if the lamp is operating
Off if the lamp is off

Flashes with TEMPERATURE if the lamp is over temperature
On if the 300V supply is working and providing power to the

lamp ballast

On if there is a voltage on this line.
On if there is a voltage on this line.
Shows the status of the temperature of the LCD and lamp:

On if all measured temperatures are OK
Flashes with

LAMP ON if the lamp temperature is too high

Flashes with INTERLOCK if the thermal interlock on the

lamp is tripped

Flashes alone if the LCD is over temperature.

On if the fan is operating properly
Off if the fan is off
Blinking if the fan has a “locked rotor”

On if all interlocks are “closed” (normal operation)
Flashes if any interlock opens

Flashes with TEMPERATURE if the thermal interlock is open
On if a source is present at the VGA connector

On very briefly if any RS232 activity is detected at the RS232

IN connector

Off if there is no activity here
On very briefly if a valid RS232 command for this unit is

received. This includes all global RS232 commands sent
without specific addressing and all commands addressed
to this specific unit or the group that this unit is in.

REMOTE

On very briefly when receiving IR (infra-red) commands, or

when stray IR radiation is sensed.

5 - 3

5.2 How to Fix Image Problems

If you have an image, but it doesn’t look right, start here.

If there is no image, you have a startup problem.
See the previous section.

Many image problems were discussed in

earlier sections, and all those detailed

• Is the image reversed left and right?

• Is the image upside down?

•Are the white areas “blooming,” looking
too white?

•Are the blacks too black? Are areas in the
dark parts of the image all one shade?

•Are the colors on one screen different
from the colors on the other screens?

instructions would not fit in this section. So
here you will find out where to go to learn how
to fix the problem.

On the remote, press

Control and press
Horz and press

On the remote, press

Control and press
Vert and press

MENU. Highlight Misc

ENTER. Highlight Flip

ENTER.

MENU. Highlight Misc

ENTER. Highlight Flip

ENTER.

Go to Section 3.3.1 Adjusting Black and White
Levels on page 3-8.

Go to Section 3.3.1 Adjusting Black and White
Levels on page 3-8.

Go to Section 3.3.3 Matching the Displays to
Each Other on page 3-12,
and Section 3.4.1 Adjusting Black and White
Levels on page 3-8.

• Are the images noisy? Are there
horizontal streaks, especially at the edges
of high contrast areas?

• Are there vertical bands in the image?

• Is the image wider at the top or the
bottom?

• Is there a dark line of no video at one or
two of the edges and Position doesn’t
fix it?

5 - 4

Go to Section 3.3.2 Matching Frequency &
Phase on page 3-10.

Go to Section 3.3.2 Matching Frequency &
Phase on page 3-10.

This is a service problem. Contact a qualified
service person.

This is a service problem. Contact a qualified
service person.

5 - 5

5.3 Common Questions (and Answers)

Here are some questions that may have been answered in other places in this manual. We pulled
them together here for your convenience. And because you might not have read the whole manual.

How high can I stack the display units in my system? You can’t stack them. No stacking. Period.
Can I mount them upside down? No.
Can I tilt them forward or backward? Yes, the back of the display may be tilted up to 20 either

forward or backward from vertical. The screen is already
tilted 10 down, so this would make the screen tilt 30

down or 10 up.
Can I tilt them sideways? Yes, up to 20 either left or right.
How do I get service help? Contact the company that sold you the displays.
One of the LEDs is flashing. Does that mean trouble?

Why did my lamp fail before 8000 (or 4000) hours? This is not unusual. The average lamp life is 8000 hours,

One of the displays is darker than the others. A dark display can be caused by many things; check them

Can I set the display on top of a table? No. The unit needs cooling air, which it gets from the

Can the unit be mounted flush against the ceiling? Yes. This is one of the two mounting methods. See

It may mean something isn’t right. The

does flash sometimes, but it doesn’t mean trouble. Most of

the others only flash when something is wrong. See the

chart on page 5-3.

which means half of the lamps may fail before they reach

8000 hours. The lamps are not guaranteed to have any

particular length of life. (In the VN-3830-VA, the average

lamp life is 4000 hours.)

all. Start by displaying the White internal Test Pattern.

Long lamp use: Lamps tend to become darker and

change color as they near the end of their life.

Black Level and White Level: Check them both. Poorly set

levels, or using a different computer, can change

brightness. See page 3-8.

Dirty mirror or lens: It requires lots of dust to significantly

reduce the light output, but it is possible. See page 4-4.

Color Balance: Check the color balance using the internal

test patterns. See page 3-12.

bottom. It needs 8 inches (20 cm) of clearance at the

bottom.

chapter 2.

STANDBY LED

Does the unit need any clearance on the sides or back? No.
Is the lower support bracket necessary? Yes. It is not safe to rely on the hanger alone.

5 - 6

How many hours has the lamp been used? Aim the remote control, at the screen.

MENU.

Press
With the up/down arrows, highlight Hours. Press ENTER.

Read lamp hours:minutes.
Lamp hours is total time lamp was lit since the

Hours

electronics module had power.

Can I use an SVGA source? No. VGA 640 x 480 only.

was last reset. System Hours is total time

Lamp

What does the

How do I find a qualified service person? Contact the company that sold you the display. Or call

SOURCE button do?

Nothing. (The remote control is used with other Clarity
products that have this function.)

Clarity Visual Systems: 503 570 4634

5 - 7

5 - 8

6 References

6.1 Menus

6.2 LEDs

6.3 Connections and Controls

6.4 RS232 Commands

6.5 Installation Check List

6.6 Adjustment Check List

6.7 Technical Support Request

6.8 Regulatory Information

6.9 Specifications

6.10 Measurements, millimeters

6.11 Measurements, inches

6.12 Dimensions for Banner Installations

6.13 Making Test Patterns with "Paint"

6 - 1

6.1 Menus

The following tables show the structure of the menus, but not what they look like on the screen, and
give a brief description of the meaning of each menu item.

Notes for menu descriptions:

* This command is also available from a special button on the remote control.
† In the Color Balance menu, the up-down arrows move the highlight through the two

columns. The left-right arrows change the highlighted value.

‡ This command is available only from a special button on the remote control.

§ The numbers in this menu are for reference only; they are not measurements.

Main menu

Frequency *

Phase *

Input Level *
Position
Color Balance *

Curtain *

Hours

Save Config
Recall Config
Reset Config *

Misc Control

Opens the Frequency Select menu, where the electronics module’s frequency is
adjusted to the computer’s frequency

Opens the Phase Select menu, where the electronics module’s phase is adjusted to
the computer’s phase

Opens the Input Level menu, the gateway to the Black Level and White Level menus
Opens the Position box, where the image may be moved electronically
Opens the Color Balance menu, where the brightness and color of the displays are

matched to each other
Opens a Curtain Select box, where the Curtain can be turned on and off. The special

Curtain button on the remote turns the Curtain on (black screen) and off without
bring up the Curtain menu.

Opens the Hours box, where Lamp Hours can be read and reset and System Hours
can be read (only)

Opens the Save Config(uration) box, where the configuration can be saved
Opens the Recall Config(uration) box, where the saved configuration can be recalled
Opens the Reset Config(uration) box, so the unit can be returned to the factory

default configuration
Opens the Misc Control menu

About

Frequency Select *

000

Phase Select *

000

6 - 2

Opens the About box

Adjust the frequency; number shown does not directly correlate to frequency. §

Adjust phase; number shown does not directly correlate to phase. §

Input Level *

Black Level

Opens Black Level menu

White Level Opens White Level menu

Black Level
(Requires Black field)

Auto [ ]

All ! #

Level Sample
Red 127 001
Green 126 000

Automatically adjusts the display’s Black Level to the incoming video from
the PC or MAC. (Always use this option rather than adjusting this level
manually.)

Raises or lowers all three (RGB) levels together
Level show the current (internal) setting of R, G, and B. §

Sample shows the levers (in bits) detected in the incoming signal; 000 is
black, 255 is maximum white.

Blue 131 000

White Level

(Requires White field)

Auto [ ]

All ! #

Automatically adjusts the display’s Black Level to the incoming video from
the PC or MAC. (Always use this option rather than adjusting this level
manually.)

Raises or lowers all three (RGB) levels together

Red 127 254
Green 126 255
Blue 131 255

Position

$

% &

'

Level Sample

Moves image left / right / up / down. Wraps at the “end,” so image will jump to the
other side.

Level show the current (internal) setting of R, G, and B. §
Sample shows the levels (in bits) detected in the incoming signal; 000 is
black, 255 is maximum white.

6 - 3

Color Balance H *

In this menu, the up-down arrows move the highlight through both columns, and the left-right arrows change the
selected value.
The Wht (White) range is 000-031 and the Gry (gray) range is 000-015.

Wht Gry

All ! # ! #

Red 031 007
Green 031 007
Blue 031 007

Curtain Select *

[ ] Curtain On

Lamp Hours: 2347
System Hours: 2534
Reset Lamp Hours

[ ] Yes [ ] No

Was Lamp Changed?

Wht (white) values 000–031; Gry (gray) values 000–007
Left-right arrows change all three values (brightness) of White or Gray Color

Balance
Left-right arrows change Red values of White or Gray Color Balance
Left-right arrows change Green values of White or Gray Color Balance
Left-right arrows change Blue values of White or Gray Color Balance

ENTER turns Curtain on and off. x means Curtain is on and no video will be

displayed.

Shows number of hours lamp was on since last Lamp Hours Reset
Shows number of hour system (electronics module) has been used

To reset Lamp Hours, use left arrow to highlight [ ] Yes, then press ENTER. New
menu (below) asks for confirmation.

[ ] Yes [ ] No

To confirm Lamp Hours reset, use left arrow to highlight [ ] Yes, the press

ENTER.

ID I The Group and Unit numbers are hexadecimal (0BF)

Group 0

Unit 0

Shows Group ID hexadecimal number of this unit; can be changed with left-right
arrows.

Shows Unit ID hexadecimal number of this unit; can be changed with left-right
arrows.

Misc Control

[ ] Sharpness
[ ] 16M Colors
[ ] Buzzer Enable

[ ] Flip Horz
[ ] Flip Vert

Turns Sharpness on and off (should be On for PC and MAC input)
Toggles between 16 million colors and 256 thousand colors.
Turns Buzzer on and off; does not affect buzzer for main On and Off buttons, or for

command error (triple beep)
Reverses image left-right
Reverses image up-down

6 - 4

[ ] Auto Lamp On

When x is present, lamp tries to turn on after the standby delay has elapsed. This is
the default condition. (See also page 6-9.)

[ ] Test Patterns
[ ] Temperature
[ ] Baud Rate

Test Patterns

[ ] Off
[ ] White
[ ] Black
[ ] 50% Gray
[ ] Red
[ ] Green
[ ] Blue
[ ] Geometry
[ ] Gray Scale

Opens Test Patterns menu; patterns are internally generated.
Opens Temperature menu
Opens Baud Rate menu

No test pattern; external video passes through to screen
Internal white field
Internal black field
Internal gray (50% white) field
Internal red field
Internal green field
Internal blue field
Internal grid pattern showing edges of LCD image
Internal pattern ranging from black to white (left to right) showing all bit levels.

Temperature Menu

Sensor Current High

LCD: xxxC/xxxxF xxxC
Lamp:

Baud Rate Menu

[ ] 9.6 Kbps
[ ] 19.2 Kbps
[ ] 38.4 Kbps
[ ] 57.6 Kbps

Monitor Select

[ ] IR Disabled

xxxC/xxxxF xxxC

Chooses the baud rate for RS232 transmit and receive. This rate must match the
baud rate of the RS232 commands coming from computer.

I

Prevents stray infra-red (IR) radiation from disturbing electronics module. Also used
to turn off IR reception in some units so remote control does not change them. When

x is present, only ID button on remote control will affect the unit. Use ENTER to
toggle the x.

Shows the current temperature at the LCD and Lamp sensors in both
Celsius and Fahrenheit. The “High” value shows the value where the

TEMPERATURE LED will begin to flash.

Save Config

6 - 5

[ ] Save

Are You Sure?

Initiates the Save process, where all current values and toggle states are saved; Are
You Sure menu (below) opens

[ ] Yes [ ] No

Recall Config

[ ] Recall

Reset Config *

[ ] Reset

About

Confirmation of Save, Recall and Reset decisions

Initiates the Recall process, where previously saved values and toggle states are
made current; Are You Sure menu (above) opens

Initiates the Reset process, where factory default values and toggle states are made
current; Are You Sure menu (above) opens

Contains manufacturers name and contact information, firmware revision letter, and
some manufacturing data.

6 - 6

6.2 LEDs

This table shows all the LEDs and their meanings. (This is the same chart as in Sections 3.2 and 5.1.)

LED Meaning

STANDBY

LAMP ON

BALLAST

POWER

12 VOLTS
5 VOLTS

TEMPERATURE

FAN

INTERLOCK

On if the unit is in the standby mode
Blinking during the lock-out time
Off if the unit is operating

On if the lamp is operating
Off if the lamp is off

Flashes with LAMP TEMP if the lamp is over temperature
On if the 350V supply is working.

On if there is a voltage on this line.
On if there is a voltage on this line.
Shows the status of the temperature of the LCD and lamp:

On if all measured temperatures are OK
Flashes with LAMP ON if the lamp temperature is too high
Flashes with INTERLOCK if the thermal interlock on the

lamp is tripped

Flashes alone if the LCD is over temperature.

On if the fan is operating properly
Off if the fan is off
Blinking if the fan has a “locked rotor”

On if all interlocks are “closed” (normal operation)
Flashes if any interlock opens

Flashes with TEMPERATURE if the thermal interlock is open

SOURCE
RS232 GLOBAL

RS232 LOCAL

REMOTE

On if a source is present at the VGA connector
On very briefly if any RS232 activity is detected at the RS232

IN connector

Off if there is no activity here
On very briefly if a valid RS232 command for this unit is

received. This includes all global RS232 commands sent
without specific addressing and all commands addressed
to this specific unit or the group that this unit is in.

On very briefly when receiving IR (infra-red) commands, or

when stray IR radiation is sensed.

6 - 7

6.3 Connections, Interlocks and Lockout

This is a complete set of connector diagrams with pin designations. Interlock information is on the
following page.

12345678

RS232 In, RJ45 connector

12345678

1. No connection

2. No Connection

3. Transmit Data (TXD)

4. Ground (earth)

5. Ground (Earth)

6. Receive Data (RXD)

7. No connection

8. No connection

1. No connection

2. No connection

3. Receive Data (RXD)

4. Ground (earth)

5. Ground (earth)

6. Transmit Data (TXD)

7. No connection

8. No connection

To change the RJ45
connectors to 9-pin D-sub
connectors, use a standard
RJ45-to-9-pin adapter and
connect as follows:

Yellow wire pin 3
Black wire pin 2
Green wire pin 5

RJ45 9-pin

63
55
32

Use straight-thru cables
between RS232 In and Out
connectors.

6 - 8

RS232 Out, RJ45 connector

Computer Input

1. Red Video

2. Green Video

3. Blue Video

4. No Connection

5. No Connection

6. Ground

7. Ground

8. Ground

9.-pin adapter connector

9. No Connection

10. Ground

11. No Connection

12. No Connection

13. Horizontal Sync

14. Vertical Sync

15. No Connection

Interlocks:

There are three interlocks. If any interlock

opens, the lamp power is shut off.

• Lamp access door: When the lamp access
door opens slightly, a switch opens that
shuts off lamp ballast power.

• Lamp thermal cutoff: If the lamp
temperature exceeds a safe limit, a
thermal cutoff switch opens, which
mechanically shuts off power from the
lamp ballast. This cutoff works even if
something is wrong with the electronics
module. If this cutoff has been tripped,
something is seriously wrong. Do not
reset it. Call a qualified service person.

• Fan rotor: The fan motor has a “locked
rotor” sensor. If the fan motor stops
turning, the electronics module shuts off
power to the lamp ballast.

There is no interlock for the screen. Removing
the screen does not turn off the high voltage
lamp ballast. This is why the screen has locks
that are held in place by screws. Only qualified
service persons should remove the screen.

Lockout:

With Auto Lamp On enabled (the factory
default condition) in the Misc Control menu,
the ballast will try to ignite the lamp three
times, waiting 30 seconds after each try. Here is
the order of events from the initial application
of power.

1. The lighted circuit breaker is turned on.

2. The electronics module goes through
some initialization procedures. This takes
about 10 seconds.

3. The fans start and the

STANDBY LED

flashes for another 10 seconds or so.

4. The electronics module tries to ignite the
lamp. If it senses that the lamp is lit, the

STANDBY LED goes out, and all is normal.

If it does not sense that the lamp is lit …

5. The

STANDBY LED flashes for 30 seconds.

During this time, the ON command will
not turn on the lamp.

6. The electronics module tries to ignite the
lamp a second time. If it senses that the
lamp is lit, the

STANDBY LED goes out, and

all is normal. If it does not sense that the
lamp is lit …

7. The

STANDBY LED flashes for another 30

seconds. During this time, the ON
command will not turn on the lamp.

8. The electronics module tries to ignite the
lamp a third time. If it senses that the
lamp is lit, the

STANDBY LED goes out, and

all is normal. If it does not sense that the
lamp is lit, the

STANDBY LED turns flashes

for a third 30-second period. Then it stays
on without flashing, and the unit waits for
a manual ON command.

6 - 9

6.4 RS232 Command List

For information on the structure of protocol of the commands, see Section 3.7 on page 3-22.

Function RS232

RS232 Data Comments
Commands
Incr Decr Get Set

System Controls

Power / Standby PON POF PO* Run state PON

Frequency Adjust FRU FRD FR$ FW# $ and # = 0–126
Phase Adjust PHU PHD PR$ PW# $ and # = 0–31
V-Position Up / Down VPU VPD VR$ VW#
H-Position Left / Right HPL HPR HR$ HW#
V-Image Control Normal /

Reversed
H-Image Control Normal /

Reversed
Curtain CON COF CO* CON = on, COF = off
Sharpness SON SOF SO* SON = on, SOF = off
Buzzer BON BOF BO* BON = on, BOF = off
IR Remote Enable / Disable ION IOF IO* ION = on, IOF = off
Monitor ID Menu Display MID Display monitor ID dialog box
Hours Menu Display LHR Display hours dialog box
Read Lamp Hours (high byte) LH$
Read Lamp Hours (low byte) LL$
Lamp Hours Reset LRS Reset Lamp Hours to zero
Read System Hours (high byte) TH$
Read System Hours (low byte) TL$

VF0 VF1 VF* 0 = normal, 1 = reversed

HF0 HF1 HF* 0 = normal, 1 = reversed

Standby state POF
Lockout state POX
Any unknown state PO?
PO* returns PON, POF, POX

Source Controls

Save All Settings SAA
Recall All Settings RCA
Reset All Settings RSA
Input Level / Offset Controls
Display Input Level White Menu LVW
Auto-adjust White Input Level AWL
Input White Level Adjust ALL LAU LAD IA# # = 0–255
Input White Level Adjust Red LRU LRD LR$ IR# $ and # = 0–255
Input White Level Adjust Green LGU LGD LG$ IG# $ and # = 0–255
Input White Level Adjust Blue LBU LBD LB$ IB# $ and # = 0–255
Display Input Level Black Menu LVB
Auto-adjust Black Input Level ABL
Input Black Offset Adjust ALL OAU OAD QA# # = 0–255
Input Black Offset Adjust Red ORU ORD OR$ QR# $ and # = 0–255
Input Black Offset Adjust Green OGU OGD OD$ QG# $ and # = 0–255
Input Black Offset Adjust Blue OBU OBD OB$ QB# $ and # = 0–255
Input Level Data Red DR$ Read back red sample in FPGA
Input Level Data Green DG$ Read back green sample in FPGA
Input Level Data Blue DB$ Read back green sample in FPGA

6 - 10

Function RS232

RS232 Data Comments
Commands
Incr Decr Get Set

Color Controls

Display Color Balance Menu BAL
Red Color Balance Adjust (white) BRU BRD BR$ CR# $ and # = 0–31
Green Color Balance Adjust

(white)
Blue Color Balance Adjust (white) BBU BBD BB$ CB# $ and # = 0–31
Red Color Balance Adjust (gray) GRU GRD GR$ RR# $ and # = 0–7
Green Color Balance Adjust (gray) GGU GGD GG$ RG# $ and # = 0–7
Blue Color Balance Adjust (gray) GBU GBD GB$ RB# $ and # = 0–7
Gamma Control GON GOF GO* 1 = on, 0 = off
Auto Re-strike Controls
Enable / Disable Auto Re-strike LF1 LF0 LF* LF1 = auto re-strike active

BGU BGD BD$ CG# $ and # = 0–31

LF0 = auto re-strike inactive

Test Signal

Controls

Test Signal Disable (pass video) TSD TS* TSD removes test signal and allows video to

Test Signal - White Field WHT
Test Signal - Black Field BLK
Test Signal - 50% Gray Field GRY
Test Signal - Red Field RED
Test Signal - Green Field GRN
Test Signal - Blue Field BLU
Test Signal - Geometry
Test Signal - Gray Ramp GE4
Test Signal - TS* 0 = off, 1 = on
Test Signal - Data Red TR# Set test signal red level 0–255
Test Signal - Data Green TG# Set test signal green level 0–255
Test Signal - Data Blue TB# Set test signal blue level 0–255

show
0 = off, 1 = White, 2 = Black, 3 = Gray,
4 = Red, 5 = Green, 6 = Blue,
7 = Geometry,
10 = Gray Ramp

System Monitor

Ping PNG Verifies that a cube is at an address
Product ID P00 Gets the product ID (hex)

Version ID VER Get software version ID (hex)

Protocol Control (1)
Received Valid Command ACK Command successfully executed
Received Invalid Command NAK Command error on execution
Unknown Command UNK Unknown command
Parameter Error ERR Parameter error

In the About menu, the project number is
573-xxyy-zz. The xx value is returned as a
hex number.

0x01 = Rev A
0x02 = Rev B
0x03 = Rev C, etc.

6 - 11

6.5 Installation Check List

This is a quick check list of things to do for installation. It is not meant for first-time installers. It is a
check list for someone who has installed many units and wants to be sure nothing is left out.

• Upper part of display is secured to the wall.

• If hanger method, upper hanger rail is secured to internal structural members of the wall;
display is hanging on it.

• If flush mount method, upper two mounting holes are secured to internal structural
members of the wall.

• Lower support rail is secured to internal structural members of wall.

• Display is resting on lower support rail

• Display is secured to lower support rail with supplied bolts.

• Units are side bolted.

• Screen is installed.

• Screen locks are up and secured with screws.

• End caps installed for the end lower cable channel doors.

• Power cord is connected to live AC socket.

• No more than 4 units are in one AC loop-thru series (if you are using 115V; 8 units if you are
using 230V).

• VGA cable is connected.

• RS232 loop-thru connections are complete (optional).

• Cables in cable clamps.

• Lower cable channel door closed (and locked, if the optional lock is installed).

• Circuit breakers are on (red light).

• Image on all screens.

• Remote control is safely stored.

6 - 12

6.6 Adjustment Check List

This is a quick check list of things to do for adjustment. It is not meant for first-time installers. It is a
check list for someone who has adjusted many units and wants to be sure nothing is left out.

• Connect the computer that will really be used as the source of the pictures.

• With a black signal from this computer, do Input Level auto adjust for Black Level. (p. 3-8)

• With a white signal from the same computer, do auto adjust for White Level. (p. 3-8)

• With a checkerboard signal from the computer, do Frequency. (p. 3-10)

• With the checkerboard pattern still there, do Phase. (p. 3-10)

•With an internal white test pattern on all units, Color Balance for white. (p. 3-12)

•With an internal gray test pattern on all units, Color Balance for gray. (p. 3-12)

• Position the image. (p. 3-16)

• If this installation will use RS232 commands, set Group and Unit ID numbers for all units. (p.
3-20. This must be done with the remote control. There is no way to do this with RS232
commands.)

• Save the settings. (p. 3-18)

6 - 13

6.7 Technical Support Request

Company: Date:
Reseller/Installer: Unit Serial Number:
Contact Name: Phone or E-mail:
Description of the Failure:

Did the failure occur during start-up or was the display in operation when the failure occurred?

Lamp Hours of the
display (if accessible):
Ambient air temperature: Temperature at the intake air filter:
Describe the installation and how the displays are mounted.

If the display will not come on or stay on, describe what the status lights on the back of the display are doing.

Are there any sounds coming from the display?

What have you done to verify the problem?

System Hours of the
display (if accessible):

Clarity Visual Systems
9025 SW Hillman Court, #3122
Wilsonville, OR 97070
503 570 4634 (Customer Service Direct Line)
503 582 8570 (fax) [e-mail]

6 - 14

6.8 Regulatory Information

Declaration of Conformity
Manufacturer's Name: Clarity Visual Systems

Manufacturer's Address: 9025 SW Hillman Court, Suite 3122

Wilsonville, Oregon 97070

declares that the products

Model Numbers: VN-3820-VA and VN-3830-VA (LCD projector)
Product Options:All

conforms to the following
Product Specifications:

Safety: EN 60950 - Safety of IT Equipment
EMC: EN 55022 - Emissions from IT Equipment

EN 55082-1 - General Immunity Standard,
including: IEC 801-2 ESD

IEC 801-3 Radiated E Field
IEC 801-4 Fast transients

FCC Regulations

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in an installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will
not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate receiving antenna.

• Increase separation between equipment and receiver.

• Connect equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.

• Consult your dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician.

Note: Any changes or modifications to the display not expressly approved by Clarity Visual could
void the user's authority to operate this equipment. Use of a shielded interface cable is required to
comply with the Class A limits of Part 15 of FCC rules.

Other Certifications

UL, CUL, TüV, CE

6 - 15

6.9 Specifications

Mechanical

Specification Maximum Minimum Typical Notes

Outside dimensions

Width 30.5" 775mm
Height 24.0" 610mm
Depth 23.0" 76mm (at top)

Depth 18.75" 476mm (at bottom)
Weight 68 lbs 31kg
Shipping weight 85 lbs 39kg
Stacking Unlimited side-to-side, no vertical stacking
Orientation 20° Tilt of top surface plane on any axis
Chassis color Black
Ventilation 8", 203mm Clearance on bottom
Screen size (front face) Including all mullions

Diagonal 37.6" 955mm

Width 30.2" 767mm

Height 22.4" 569mm
Mullion 0.150",

4mm

From edge of viewing area to edge of cube

Electrical

Specification Maximum Minimum Typical Notes

AC requirements

Line voltage 115V range 130V 90V

230V range 260V 180V

Line current

115V range, VN-3820 2.0A 1.3A

115V range, VN-3830 2.4A 1.6A 3

230V range, VN-3820 1.0A 0.7A 8

230V range, VN-3830 1.2A 0.8A 6

AC loop-thru 8A

Total power requirements

VN-3820-VA 200W 160W

VN-3830-VA 240W 200W

@ 50/60 Hz auto ranging, power factor
corrected

Maximum number of units in series power
loop: 4

6 - 16

Optical

Specification Maximum Minimum Typical Notes

Viewable screen size

Diagonal 37.6" 955mm
Width 30.2" 775mm

Height 22.4" 569mm
Image position +1 pixel –1 pixel 0 pixel Deviation of center pixel
Rotation – ½ pixel +½ pixel 0 pixel Slope displacement over image length
Pincushion/Barrel –1 pixel +1 pixel 0 pixel Deviation at center of edges
Keystoning –1 pixel +1 pixel 0 pixel Slope displacement over image length
Focus/Aberration No objectionable defocusing or chromatic

aberration at 1.5D by a 20/20 vision viewer

Screen

Type Two-part screen composed of a front UCS

type lenticular and a back Fresnel lens
Gain 6.5 ±10% nominal
Fresnel Focal Length 680mm

Brightness

ANSI white 125 fL for

VN-3820
150 fL for
VN-3830

Non-uniformity Using ANSI 13 point measurement

Bright ±25%
Dim ±40%

Equivalent Lumens 150 Using ANSI 9-point average

Viewing angle Relative to normal axis of screen

Horizontal half-gain ±21°
Vertical half-gain ±4°
Vertical quarter-gain ±10°

Resolution

Horizontal 640 color pixels
Vertical 480 color pixels

Lamp life Average according to UHP specification (50%

VN-3820-VA 8000 hours
VN-3830-VA 4000 hours

Using ANSI 9 point average measured normal

to screen

still operational after specified average lamp

life)

Environmental

Specification Maximum Minimum Typical Notes

Temperature operating 40°C 0°C All performance specifications are

non operating 60°C -10°C

Altitude (barometric pressure) 10,000 ft Above sea level, or equivalent

Humidity 80% R.H. 20% R.H.

maintained within this temperature range

barometric pressure

≤40°C non-condensing

6 - 17

6 - 18

6.10 Measurements, millimeters

Back and side views in millimeters. Remember to leave an extra 25mm above the unit, if you use the
Hanger Method. This lets you lift the unit off the upper support rail.

775 mm

19 mm

75 mm

Upper Support Rail

13 mm hole
for flush
mounting

Lower support rail

737 mm

68 mm

Hanger flange

524 mm

19 mm

Rear view

6 - 19

582 mm

609 mm

Hanger
flange

68 mm

Upper
support

rail

13 mm

524 mm

13 mm

121 mm 316 mm

6 - 20

Lower
support

rail

Side view

3
8

5

7

19

12. 7

12.7

25.4

25. 4 ty p .

584

Hanger rail, millimeters

10.5

1
1

44.5

1
9

3
8

38

25. 4

25.4 ty p.
762 mm

Lower support rail, millimeters

6 - 21

6.11 Measurements, inches

Back and side views in inches. Remember to leave an extra 1" above the unit, if you use the Hanger
Method. This lets you lift the unit off the upper support rail.

30 - 1/2"

3/4"

2 - 31/32"

Upper Support Rail

1/2" hole
for flush
mounting

Lower support rail

29 - 1/32"

2 - 21/32"

Hanger flange

20 - 21/32"

6 - 22

3/4"

Rear view, inches

22 - 15/16"

23 - 31/32"

Hanger
flange

2 - 21/32"

Upper
support

rail

1/2"

20 - 21/32"

1/2"

4 - 25/32" 12 - 7/16"

Lower
support

rail

Side view, inches

6 - 23

1

-

1

2

/

-

2

1

"

/

4
"

3/4"

1/ 2 "

1/ 2 "

1" 1"

typ.

23"

Hanger rail, inches

7
/

1
6
"

3
/

4
"

1

-

1
/

2
"

3-1/4"

1-3/4"

1-1/2"

6 - 24

1" 1"

typ.

30"

Lower support rail, inches

Bottom view showing measured locations of parts

6 - 25

6.12 Dimensions for Banner Installations

The following chart gives some overall dimensions for installing several displays in the typical
VideoBanner

®

configuration.

VN-3820-VA and VN-3830-VA Configurations

1 x 11 x 21 x 31 x 41 x 51 x 6

123456

24.0 2 4.0 24.0 24. 0 24 .0 24.0

30.5 6 1.0 91.5 122. 0 152.5 183.0

23.0 / 1 8 .7 5 23.0 / 1 8 .7 5 23.0 / 1 8 .75 23 .0 / 18 .7 5 23 .0 / 1 8 .7 5 23.0 / 1 8 .7 5

610 610 610 610 610 610
74714952242298937364484

584 / 476 584 / 476 584 / 476 584 / 476 584 / 476 584 / 476

2.0 4. 0 6. 0 8.0 10.0 12.0

230 460 690 920 1150 1380

2.4 4. 8 7. 2 9.6 12 14.4

276 552 828 1104 1380 1656

Display Size

Inches, Height

Width
De pth at top / bottom

Millimeters, Height

Width
De pth at top / bottom

115 VAC Input, VN-38

Current, amps
Power, watts

115 VAC Input, VN-38

Current, amps
Power, watts

Height x Width

20

30

230 VAC Input, VN-38

Current, amps
Power, watts

230 VAC Input, VN-38

Current, amps
Power, watts

Notes: Current and power are maximum va lues.

Depth does not include 1/2" (13 mm) ha nger flange at top rear.

20

1.0 2. 0 3. 0 4.0 5.0 6.0

230 460 690 920 1150 1380

30

1.2 2. 4 3. 6 4.8 6.0 7.2

276 552 828 1104 1380 1656

6 - 26

6.13 Making Test Patterns With “Paint”

To adjust the display to the computer you need three signals: Black, White, and a special 50% gray
pattern. You can make these with the Windows Paint program.

When you connect a Clarity display to a
computer source, you must make four
adjustments in the display electronics:

•Black Level

•White Level

• Frequency

•Phase

It is easy to make these adjustments, but
they must be made with signals coming from
the source computer. Not just any computer,
but the actual computer that will be used as the
content source.

To adjust the Black and White Levels, the
computer must generate a pure black and a pure
white signal. To adjust Frequency and Phase,
the computer must generate a signal in which
alternate pixels are black and white. The screen
will look gray, but it is not the same as making
all pixels gray.

These three signals are easy to make with the
Windows Paint program. This is how to do it.

1. Open the Windows Paint program. Click
on Start, Programs, Accessories, Paint.

2. Click Image on the menu bar.

3. Highlight Attributes and press Enter.

4. In the Attributes dialog box, select the
“Black and white” button. Click OK.

5. A warning box appears. Click Yes.

6. Click the “fill” tool, which looks like a
paint bucket spilling paint. The cursor
will now be this spilling bucket when it is
over the paint window, the area in the
middle of the screen.

7. At the bottom of the screen, click the
Black square. This is the left square on the
top row of black and white boxes.

8. Click somewhere in the center window. It
will become black.

9. Click File, Save. Name the file
BLACK.BMP.

10. Click the White square at the bottom of
the screen. This is the left square on the
bottom row of black and white boxes.

11. Click somewhere in the middle of the
screen. The screen will become white.

12. Click File, Save As
WHITE.BMP.

13. In the bottom row where you picked the
White square, count this White square as
square number 1. Count over to the 9
square and click it.

14. Click somewhere in the center widow. It
will become gray, but this gray will be a
pattern of alternating black and white
pixels.

15. Click File, Save As
CHKRBORD.BMP, for Checkerboard.

You can now use these three patterns to adjust
Black and White Level with the black and white
screens, and Frequency and Phase with the
CHKRBORD pattern.

To use these signals, start the Paint program.
Click File, Open, and choose one of the signals.
To make the signal fill the entire monitor, press
Ctrl-F. Return to the Paint screen by pressing
Enter.

. Name the file

th

. Name the file

6 - 27

Paint can
button

Attributes dailog box in Paint program

Warning box; click Yes

Paint program; location of “fill” bucket, “color” selector, and the 9th button

6 - 28

"Color"
selection

9th square
in bottom
row

6 - 29

Index

page page

12 volts LED................................ 3-5

16M Colors................................ 3-20

5 volts LED................................. 3-5

9-pin to RJ45 ............................... 6-8

About ..................................... 6-6

accessories ................................ 1-2

ACK ..................................... 3-22

active settings ............................. 3-18

address, group & unit ....................... 3-20

adjustment check list ........................ 6-14

adjustments ........................... 3-8, 3-10

air filter .................................... 4-2

angle

mounting ............................... 2-2

screen, adjustment of ..................... 2-2

arrow buttons............................... 3-2

Auto ...................................... 3-8

Auto Lamp On .............................. 3-4

access door ............................ 6-9

average lamp life ............................ 1-2

ballast power LED ........................... 3-5

banner dimensions ......................... 6-27

baseline cube.............................. 3-14

batteries ................................... 1-2

baud rate .................................. 6-5

Black Level.................3-6, 3-8, 3-15, 6-3, 6-28

bolting together ............................ 2-12

bolts, side.................................. 1-2

bottom channel ............................ 2-12

bottom view, parts on ....................... 6-26

bracket, mounting ........................... 1-2

broadcast address.......................... 3-22

buttons, plastic............................. 2-12

cable channel.......................... 2-2, 2-12

door, removing .......................... 2-6

lower .................................. 2-6

cautions ................................... 1-4

Certifications .............................. 6-16

check list

adjustment ............................ 6-14

installation ............................. 6-13

checkerboard.......................... 3-6, 6-28

circuit breaker .............................. 3-4

cleaning products ........................... 4-4

cleaning the screen .......................... 4-4

clearance ........................... 1-4, 2-2, 5-6

Color Balance ......................... 3-13, 6-4

color balancing ....................... 3-12, 3-14

command not executed...................... 3-20

common questions .......................... 5-6

Computer Input ............................. 6-8

connectors................................. 6-8

control, remote.............................. 3-2

crack between ............................. 2-12

Curtain .................................... 6-4

Declaration of Conformity .................... 6-16

depth ...................... 6-17, 6-20, 6-23, 6-27

dimensions, banner ......................... 6-27

door, removing.............................. 2-6

drawings

inches ................................ 6-23

millimeters............................. 6-20

DTR/RTS ................................. 3-22

end caps .......................... 1-2, 2-2, 2-12

Enter...................................... 3-2

ERR ..................................... 3-22

fan interlock ................................ 6-9

fan LED................................ 3-4, 3-5

FCC Regulations ........................... 6-16

fL......................................... 1-2

flashing LED ............................ 3-4, 5-6

Flip Horz, Vert ............................. 3-20

flush mount ........................ 2-4, 2-10, 5-6

Frequency ......................... 3-6, 3-10, 6-2

global commands .......................... 3-22

group address ........................ 3-20, 3-22

hanger method ......................... 2-4, 2-8

hanger rail, length .................. 2-8, 6-22, 6-25

hardware .................................. 2-8

height ...................... 6-17, 6-20, 6-23, 6-27

hinge pins .................................. 2-6

ID ........................... 3-2, 3-20, 3-23, 6-4

image problems............................. 5-4

image, flip................................. 3-20

Input Level ..........................3-6, 3-8, 6-3

installation check list ........................ 6-13

installation methods.......................... 2-4

interlock ............................... 1-4, 6-9

interlock LED ............................... 3-5

invert the image ............................ 3-20

IR signals .................................. 3-2

lamp

access door ........................ 3-4, 6-9

brightness .............................. 1-2

hours ........................... 4-2, 5-7, 6-4

LED ................................... 3-4

life .................................... 1-2

life, meaning of .......................... 4-2

on, LED ................................ 3-5

replacement ............................ 4-2

thermal cutoff ........................... 6-9

LEDs...................................... 3-4

flashing ................................ 5-6

meaning of ......................... 5-3, 6-7

level ...................................... 3-8

light leaks................................. 2-12

light mix .................................. 3-14

lockout ................................ 3-4, 6-9

lower cable channel.......................... 2-6

lower channel.............................. 2-12

6 - 30

lower rail.............................. 2-8, 2-10

length............................. 2-8, 2-10

MAC OS ................................... 3-6

magnets ................................... 2-6

main menu ................................. 6-2

matching colors ............................ 3-12

matching the displays ....................... 3-12

measurements

inches ................................ 6-23

millimeters .............................6-20

mounting ............................... 2-8

memory .................................. 3-18

menu ..................................... 6-2

menu button................................ 3-2

Misc Control........................... 3-20, 6-4

mon sel............................ 3-2, 3-20, 6-5

monitor ID............................. 3-2, 3-23

monitor select.............................. 3-20

mounting

hardware ............................... 2-8

rail .................................... 1-2

mounting angle ............................. 2-2

NAK ..................................... 3-22

optional accessories ......................... 1-2

Paint program ............................. 6-28

parts, bottom view .......................... 6-26

Phase .............................3-6, 3-10, 6-2

pinouts .................................... 6-8

Position.................................... 6-3

power ................................ 2-2, 2-12

power up sequence.......................... 3-4

prev menu ................................. 3-2

primary colors ............................. 3-14

problems

image.................................. 5-4

startup ................................. 5-2

protocol .................................. 3-22

questions and answers ....................... 5-6

rail, mounting............................... 1-2

recall settings .......................... 3-18, 6-6

references ................................. 6-1

Regulatory Information ...................... 6-16

remote control .......................... 1-2, 3-2

arrows ................................. 3-2

Enter .................................. 3-2

mon sel ................................ 3-2

prev menu .............................. 3-2

remote LED ................................ 3-5

removing screen ............................ 2-6

replacing air filter ............................ 4-2

replacing lamp .............................. 4-2

replacing screen ............................ 2-6

reset settings .......................... 3-18, 6-6

reverse the image .......................... 3-20

RJ45 ...................................... 6-8

cable .................................. 1-2

connectors ............................. 6-8

to 9-pin ................................ 6-8

rotate (flip) ................................ 3-20

RS232

cable .................................. 1-2

commands ....................3-22, 6-5, 6-10

global LED.............................. 3-5

IN ..................................... 6-8

local LED ............................... 3-5

OUT ...................................6-8

pacing ................................ 3-22

protocol ............................... 3-22

safety ................................. 1-4, 6-9

Save, Recall and Reset .................. 3-18, 6-6

screen

angle adjustment......................... 2-2

locks .................................. 2-6

removing ........................... 2-6, 6-9

replacing ............................... 2-6

tilt..................................... 1-2

screen, cleaning ............................. 4-4

select monitor.............................. 3-20

serial number ............................... 1-2

service

help ................................... 5-6

manual................................. 1-2

settings, saving and recalling ................. 3-18

Sharpness ................................ 3-20

side bolts .................................2-12

source..................................... 5-7

source LED................................. 3-5

Specifications

Environmental.......................... 6-19

Mechanical ............................ 6-17

Optical................................ 6-18

SRT-200 tool ................................ 2-6

stacking units ............................... 5-6

standard accessories......................... 1-2

standard mounting........................... 2-4

standby.............................3-4, 3-5, 6-9

startup problems ........................ 5-2, 6-9

support rails, length ............ 2-8, 2-10, 6-22, 6-25

SVGA .....................................5-7

Technical Support Request ................... 6-15

temperature LED ............................ 3-5

temperature menu ........................... 6-5

test patterns ........................... 6-5, 6-28

thermal interlocks............................ 6-9

tilt ........................................ 5-6

adjustment.............................. 2-2

tools; see optional accessories ................. 1-2

top channel ............................... 2-12

triple beep ................................ 3-20

tripped circuit breaker ........................ 3-4

troubleshooting ......................... 5-2, 5-4

turn on sequence............................ 3-4

Unistrut................................... 2-10

unit address .......................... 3-20, 3-22

UNK ..................................... 3-22

upper channel ............................. 2-12

upper rail ............................. 2-8, 2-10

upside down................................ 5-6

UV radiation ................................ 1-4

variable cube .............................. 3-15

6 - 31

vertical channel ............................ 2-12

VGA ...................................... 5-7

VN-3820-VA ................................ 1-2

VN-3830-VA ................................ 1-2

wall strength............................ 1-4, 2-2

warnings ................................... 1-4

Was Lamp Changed? ........................ 6-4

White Level.................3-6, 3-8, 3-15, 6-3, 6-28

width....................... 6-17, 6-20, 6-23, 6-27

Windows Paint ............................. 6-28

wingnuts.................................. 2-12

XON/XOFF ................................ 3-22

6 - 32

6 - 33

Feedback About Manuals

Clarity Visual Systems, Inc. is constantly striving to provide the best product available at a reasonable cost.
Part of this Clarity product is the manual, part number 070-0032-06. If you have found an error in this manual,
or if you would like to comment about it, please feel free to respond using this form.

You may fax this form to Clarity Visual Systems at [phone].
Or you may email comments or corrections to [e-mail]. When you use email, please
mention the part number of the manual, which starts with 070- and is on the title page.

What I like about this manual:

What I don’t like about this manual:

Error(s) I found in the manual:

In future manuals of this type, I wish you would:

Thank you for taking the time to help us improve.

[e-mail] fax: [phone]