Contemporary Research QMOD-HD User Manual

Product Manual

QMOD-HD

QMOD™ HDTV Modulator

July 29, 2013
Control Firmware Ver 5.4
Encoder Firmware 02E7

Contemporary Research 1 QMOD-HD

Table of Contents

Overview ............................................................................................................................................. 3

Features ................................................................................................................................................... 3

Specifications ...................................................................................................................................... 4

Front Panel Setup ............................................................................................................................... 5

Front Panel Menus .................................................................................................................................... 5

Tips & Troubleshooting ....................................................................................................................... 7

Common Symptoms and Solutions ............................................................................................................. 7

General Symptoms and Solutions .............................................................................................................. 8

RS-232 Control Protocol ................................................................................................................... 10

RS-232 Commands ........................................................................................................................... 11

Control Commands ..................................................................................................................................11

Terminal Communication Commands ........................................................................................................11

RS-232 Cable Connections ................................................................................................................ 12

Single QMOD-HD .....................................................................................................................................12

QMOD-HD Daisy-Chain ............................................................................................................................12

Rack Mounting .................................................................................................................................. 13

RK2 Dual Rack Kit with Tie Bar Mounting ..................................................................................................13

RK1 Single Unit Rack Mount .....................................................................................................................13

RK2 – Locking Cases together ..................................................................................................................13

Limited Warranty and Disclaimer ..................................................................................................... 15

Contemporary Research 2 QMOD-HD

Overview

CR QMOD™ technology is opening the door to new HDTV applications. Create your own on-site HDTV broadband distribution system
using a variety HD, SD, and AV sources with the Contemporary Research QMOD-HD HDTV Modulator. No matrix routers or IP resources
required, just tune in with standard displays or CR HDTV tuners.

Compact and easy to integrate, the QMOD-HD accepts HD RGBHV or Component video, or SD S-Video/Composite NTSC, as well as
stereo and digital PCM audio, converts the audio and video to a digital cable channel, and amplifies for distribution through broadband
cable system. Innovative in design and value, the QMOD-HD opens the door to cost-effective distribution of digital signage and HD
subscriber sources using existing broadband coax cabling in sports, retail and entertainment facilities, corporate offices, colleges,
schools and worship centers. Front-panel buttons and text menu display simplify QMOD-HD setup, with options for 2-way integration
with custom control systems. GPI inputs can switch to AV inputs for EAS broadcasts.

Features

Accepts RGBHV, Component, or S-Video/Composite NTSC, 720p/1080i/480/480i formats



Presents 480p/480i video as full-screen image

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Employs pro-grade HD encoding that minimizes artifacts for motion video and signage “tickers”

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Merges audio with video from analog stereo, digital optical and coax inputs

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Creates an HD 720p/1080i or SD 480p/480i MPEG-2 stream with MPEG1 stereo audio for broadcast



Delivers a fully agile QAM 64/256 digital cable channel 2-135

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Amplifies for distribution over an on-site broadband cable system with adjustable output level, compatible with all cable



format broadband systems

Sets up with front-panel buttons and easy to use menus, including inputs, encoding, channel, and RF options



Allows creation of two-part (XX-XX) and single-part (XXX –emulates Guide channel ID) virtual channels

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Allows use of locking BNC-HD15 or HD15-HD15 cables to connect YPbPr video via the RGB input



Responds to GPI inputs to switch to EAS composite video and audio

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Integrates with RS-232 control and feedback with simple ASCII commands

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Saves power and rack space using efficient design, fan-free cooling, and compact enclosure

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Includes compact switching power supply

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Mounts in optional 1RU single (RK1) or dual (RK2) 19” rack kits

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Meets RoHS safety and California energy standards

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New – Auto-sync for input resolution, no need to set output resolution

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New – Free option to drive 2-4 QMOD Modulators from a 12 VDC 4A power supply.



Integration

Connect one source to VGA, Component, or S-Video/Composite inputs



Use the QMOD-HDSC for VGA sources – computers do not output video-standard 720p/1080i signals



Connect audio to digital optical, coax, or stereo audio inputs

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Select inputs, channel, resolution, and RF output parameters from front-panel menus

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Specifications

Physical

Size: 8.5” [216mm] wide x 1.75” [44mm] height (1RU) x 6.0” [153mm] deep
Weight: 1.5 lbs [0.68kg]
Temperature: +32° to 122° F operating temperature, convection cooled
Mounting: Rack mounting for one or two units side-by-side optional (RK1, RK2)

Front Panel

Setup, Select and directional buttons for front-panel setup
Menu LCD, 2 lines of 20 blue characters each

Encoding

MPEG2 Profile: MP@HL for HD, MP@ML for SD
1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i resolution, depending on input
Video Encoding bitrate 13, 15, 18, and 25 Mbps
MPEG1, Layer 2 audio

Modulation

Switchable 64/256 QAM, J83 Annex B, Interleaving Modes (128,1)
MER 38 dB typical

Latency

Compliance

360 ms@720p, 660ms1080i, includes all processing and tuning
HDTV modulators experience more latency, as the media is converted to
MPEG2 and QAM, then distributed over RF.
FCC Class B, ROHS, meets California standards

Power

2.1mm coaxial jack (inside center conductor positive)

0.7 A maximum, 11.5 to 13.5 VDC, 12 VDC typical

Real Panel

RS-232

GPI

Video Inputs

Audio Inputs

RF Out

DB-9 male, RS-232 data link to control system
300 to 19,200 baud (9600 default), 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit
DB-9 male, RS-232 data link to control system
300 to 19,200 baud (9600 default), 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit
3 GPI Pins in DB-9, selects composite/stereo inputs for EAS
4=1, 9=2, 5=GND

RGB: RGBHV DB-15 female (1080i/720p/480p), 59.94/29.97 Hz
Component: RCA Y, Pb, Pr (1080i/720p/480p/480i) , 59.94/29.97 Hz

Note: If source outputs Component on a DB-15, use VGA cable to wire to QMOD, set
QMOD to Component

S-Video: Y(Composite), C (Blue Pb) 480i, 29.97 Hz
Composite: RCA female (480i), 29.97 Hz

Digital SPDIF: Coax and TOSlink optical output, PCM 48K sample rate
Analog L and R: 2 stereo RCA female jacks

Inputs assignable to video inputs
‘F’, female, 75 ohm impedance
Agile, channels 2-135 (48-860 MHz), standard, HRC, or IRC spacing
6 MHz bandwidth fits any open channel without interference to adjacent channels
1 KHz resolution, +/- 30 ppm accuracy, +/- 35 ppm stability
29 dBmV typical output power, attenuated in 5 steps, approx 4 dB

Includes

PS12-1 Switching power supply, 1A 12 VDC, fits in typical AC power strips

Options

RK1 Single Rack Kit
RK2 Dual Rack Kit
RK2-EZ Dual Rack Kit
RK1-AC Single Rack Kit with accessory shelf for digital signage player or video scaler
CC-COM RS-232 Null Modem Cable

Firmware

4.5 Improved composite video operation

4.6 allows selection of 4:3 or 16x9 format on 480i, requires 02E7 encoder firmware

4.7 adds auto-sensing of input resolution

5.1 resets FPGA after 2 encoder resets

5.4 removes background color glitch

Pwr In

12 VDC

0.7A max

RS-232
Control

Made in USA

RGB

R Aud L Video

Pr Y Pb

SPDIF

Optica lCoax RF Out

A/V Inputs

(+)(_)

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Front Panel Setup

Menu

Parameters

Basic Settings

In most cases, the menus below will work for most displays at sites.

Video Input

This selects the appropriate input:

- RGBHV (1080i, 720p, 480p)

- YPbPr (1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i)

- Video (automatic ally uses 480i)

- S-Video (automatically uses 480i)

Video Format

The QMOD-HD will now auto-sync to the source resolution. Selections are locked
unless there is no active input. Video and S-Video inputs are automatically set to
480i.

- 1080i - 480p

- 720p (default) - 480i

Channel

XXX
Left/Right steps through channel numbers (use Left to access high channels)

Cable Format

Standard cable frequencies (default)
HRC – same as Standard, channels 5 and 6 slightly different
IRC – All channel frequencies are different than the standard cable setting

RF Level dB

Sets the output level of the RF output, in dBmV

- 29 (default) -17

- 25 -13

- 21 -9

Audio Input

Digi (Digital) Optical
Digi Coax
Analog (default)

No Vid Color

Displays a color background with there is no video input, or the resolution doesn’t match the

QMOD settings.

- Orange

- Purple (default)

- Green

QAM Type

Today, most displays are set to tune 256 QAM. If a site has some very old displays, they
might only be able to tune in channels set to 64 QAM. Continuous Wave is often used to test
the channel with a meter.

- 64

- 256 (default)

- CW (Continuous Wave)

There are a number of parameters that can be set by front-panel Setup commands. In normal operation the
Up/Down arrows select channels, and the Left/Right arrows adjust volume.

 Pressing Setup enters the setup menus, shows last menu accessed
 Pressing Up and Down arrow keys steps through the QMOD-HD options
 Pressing Left and Right keys steps through options for each front-panel menu
 Press Select to save desired option
 Pressing Setup ends menu item editing or exits the front-panel setup mode

Front Panel Menus

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