Datapath X4 User Manual

Display Controller

User Manual

Version 01.03.01

Contents

Safety Instructions 3

Introduction 4

Conguration Examples 5

Unpacking 9

Description 10

Setting up the x4 13

Conguring the x4 14

Operating Instructions 16

x4 Control Application 17

Specication 26

Datapath Limited 27

Index 28

UK Headquarters and Main Sales Oce 30

Safety Instructions

To prevent damage to your Datapath product or injury to personnel operating the equipment, please
read the following safety precautions prior to operation. These instructions should be made available to
all those who will use and operate Datapath products.

Power Supply

All Datapath products require a mains power supply. This power supply must be disconnected when
equipment is being upgraded or relocated. Only the power supply unit provided should be used (x4 only)

Cables

Do not expose cables to any liquids; doing so may cause a short circuit which could damage the
equipment. Do not place heavy objects on top of any cables as this can cause damage and possibly lead
to exposed live wires.

Ventilation

All computer equipment should be located in a well ventilated area. All ventilation holes on the unit
casing must be kept clear of any obstruction at all times. Failure to do so will result in the system over
heating and damaging your equipment.

Working Environment

The equipment should be located in an environment free from dust, moisture and extreme changes
in temperature and should be placed on a stable and solid work surface. Liquids (hot/cold drinks etc)
should not be placed near the equipment as spillage could cause serious damage.

Gas/Flammable Liquids

Electronic equipment should never be used in the presence of gas or any ammable liquid, doing so
could result in an explosion or serious re.

Smoke/Unusual Smells

Should you notice smoke or unusual smells being emitted from your computer, turn o and unplug the
system from the mains supply. The system should then be passed to a qualied technician for
inspection. Continued operation could result in personal injury and damage to property.

Maintenance

Maintenance should only be carried out by competent technicians, any Datapath products that are
physically damaged should be returned to Datapath for repair using Datapath RMA procedures.

Disposal

At the end of life all Datapath products should be disposed of as per local laws and regulations dictate.
In UK contact Datapath to arrange disposal. Our WEE registration number is WEEE/AA0005ZR.

3

Introduction

The Datapath x4 is a stand alone display wall controller that accepts a standard single or dual-link DVI
input and can exibly display this across four output monitors.

Each output can be driven as DVI or analog RGB, and can represent an arbitrary crop region of the
original input image. The output resolution and frame rate does not need to be related to that of the
input as the Datapath x4 will optionally upscale and frame-rate convert each cropped region indepen­dently. However, if the Datapath x4 detects that frame rates identically match it will automatically
frame-lock all outputs and if possible, frame-lock these to the input signal. Additionally, each output
can be independently mirrored or rotated through 90°, 180° or 270° to support creative mixes of land­scape and portrait monitors.

The Datapath x4 is also ideal for use with edge blending projectors, supporting image overlapping.

4

Conguration Examples

Listed on the next few pages are just a few examples of what can be achieved with the Datapath x4. The
list of examples is not denitive and users are encouraged to experiment with dierent display
congurations

Duplicate the input signal x 4 and displays each duplicate on separate screens

5

Divide the input signal into quadrants and display each quarter on separate displays with optional frame
rate conversion (in this case 30Hz to 60Hz). Crop regions can be adjusted to provide monitor bezel
compensation.

6

Duplicate the input signal x2 and display 1 on a single landscape display and divide the 2nd into thirds,
rotate to portrait, upscale and split between 3 displays.

Crop input signal, upscale specic areas and display on 4 separate screens.

7

Crop the input signal into x4 and display x2 quarters landscape and x2 quarters portrait.

Crop the input signal x4 rotate through 90º,180º or 270º, display in landscape and portrait. Arbitrary crop
regions can allow the monitors to be artistically arranged, but maintain an undistorted image.

8

Unpacking

Your packing box should contain the following items:

• The x4 or x4-1U Display Wall Controller

• The x4-PSU Power supply unit with international blades Only the power supply unit provided

should be used (x4 only)

• 1 x Mains power cable (x4-1U only)

• USB 2.0 cable Type A to Type B.

• Datapath CD containing Conguration Application and User Manual.

Note:

Werecommendthatyoudonotdiscardthepackingboxuntilyouarecompletelysatisedwith
thex4anditisfullyinstalledandworkingcorrectly.Wealsorecommendthatyoumakenoteof
theserialnumberofthecontrollerinaprominentplacebeforeyouconnectittothe
computer.ThisshouldhastenanyqueryshouldyouneedtocontactourTechnicalSupportDe­partment.Theserialnumberisdisplayedonthex4andtheboxlabel.

Fitting the x4 PSU Blades

Select the appropriate blade for use, place the top edge of the blade into the recess of the PSU and then
slide upwards ensuring the release catch clicks rmly into place and secures the blade inside the recess.

To remove the blade, press the release catch down fully and pull the blade away from the PSU recess.
The PSU is shipped tted with the UK blade.

9