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Introduction
Thank you for selecting the DVI Buffer Box for LC Series LED video display panels from Martin®. This
document describes how to connect the DVI Buffer Box, and how to install and use the included LC
software.
For the latest software updates, documentation, and other information about this and all Martin
please visit the Martin
Comments or suggestions regarding this document may be e-mailed to service@martin.dk or posted to:
Technical Documentation
Service Department
Martin Professional A/S
Olof Palmes Allé 18
DK-8200 Aarhus N
Denmark
About the DVI Buffer Box
The DVI Buffer Box is an accessory device for use with LC Series LED video panels. It serves the following
functions:
• 1024 x 768 XGA monitor emulation (required by the PC or Maxedia media server)
• Genlock synchronization with other video devices
• Interface between panels and LCS, the LC series panel management PC software
®
web site at http://www.martin.com
®
products,
About LCS
The LC software allo w s th e user to:
• Set video curtain luminance and color levels
• Adjust individual panel levels
• View and set each panel’s XY coordinate address (overriding the panel DIP-switch)
• Tune the panel frequency for the video source
• Set vertical and horizontal video offset
• Generate test colors
• Select panel cooling mode and view panel temperature
• View panel firmware version number
• Upgrade panel firmware
Intended users
As part of a video display system, the DVI Buffer Box is intended to be installed by qualified video
technicians. The product is for professional use only. It is not for household use.
LCS is intended for use by qualified video technicians and projectionists.
Included items
The DVI Buffer Box is shipped with the following items:
• LC software CD-ROM
• RS-232 serial cable
• 2 jumper caps
• User manual (on CD-ROM)
4DVI Buffer Box user manual
Installation and setup
Important! Always remove power from the system before connecting or disconnecting video cables.
DVI Buffer Box connections and jumper settings
DVI IN socket
DVI-D single-link digital input from video source.
Connect with video devices powered off.
DVI OUT socket
DVI-D single-link digital output to splitter or LC
panel. Connect with video devices powered off.
BNC term. jumper
Provides BNC cable termination. Used
when the DVI Buffer Box is the last
device on the cable.
60 Hz jumper
Selects 60 Hz monitor emulation.
50 Hz jumper
Selects 50 Hz monitor emulation.
Figure 1: Connections overview
RS-232 socket
Serial data port for connection to PC.
BNC socket
Genlock/composite video signal input from video
control desk or other video device.
RS-232 com. LED (blue)
Flashes when data is exchanged with PC.
DVI com. LED (red)
Lights when the box is receiving 5V power
through the video input.
Installation and setup 5
DVI video connection
The DVI Buffer Box accepts a 1024 x 768 XGA DVI-D single link
(digital and DDC) signal.
It has two DV I connectors: one for input and one f or output. Although
the video signal is DVI-D single link, the connectors are DVI-I dual
link type. The advantage of this solution is that any D VI cab le can be
used, although only the pins that carry the DVI-D single link signal
are actually used.
The DVI Buffer Bo x is po wered b y the 5 V power line in the DVI input
cable. The “DVI Com.” LED lights when the device is receiving
power.
Up to 6 panels may be connected in series (daisy-chained) to the
DVI output in first generation. For more information regarding DVI
link configuration, please refer to the LC 1140/2140 LED Video
Screen user manual.
To connect the DVI signal:
1. Power all panels and devices off while making connections.
2. Use a short (1.5 m) DVI-D cable to connect the DVI output from the source (Martin Maxedia, for
example) to the DVI Buffer Box input.
3. Use a short (1.5 m) or medium length (3.2 m) DVI-D cable to connect the DVI output from the D VI Buff er
Box to the first panel or splitter. The total DVI-D cable length from the video source to the first panel or
splitter may not exceed 5 m (16 ft.)
DVI-I dual link connector
DVI-D single link pins
Figure 2: DVI connectors
Genlock connection
The video curtain can be synchronized with other video devices via an external synchronization signal
connected to the DVI Buffer Box. A composite video signal or master sync pulse signal may be used.
When using an external signal, connect the cable from the signal source or previous video device to the
BNC terminal. Y ou will need a cable splitter (T-connector, not included) if the signal must be fed to additional
devices.
Select a BNC termination option as described below, under “Jumper settings”.
PC connection
The DVI Buffer Box communicates with the LC software through the PC’s serial (COM) port. To connect the
DVI Buffer Box to a PC, connect the included serial cable to the RS-232 port on the buffer box and a COM
port from 1 to 4 on the PC. LCS automatically detects the hardware when it starts up.
The serial cable connects pins 2, 3, and 5 on each end. Tip: If a longer serial cable is needed, use a
shielded data cable with the shield connected to pin 5 on each end.
No documentation or support is available for the selection or use of an accessory serial port adaptor.
Jumper settings
DVI signal frequency and BNC cable termination are selected with the jumpers on the DVI Buffer Box. Set
as follows.
• Place one jumper cap on either the 50 Hz or 60 Hz jumper to match the frequency of the DVI source.
• If the DVI Buffer Box is the last device connected to the sync cable, place a jumper cap on the
“BNC term.” jumper. When not used, store the termination jumper cap by placing it on one pin
as shown to right.
6DVI Buffer Box user manual
Using LCS
Software installation
LCS runs on Windows XP.
To install the software:
1. Save your documents and close any open programs.
2. Insert the LCS CD-ROM in the disk drive.
3. Locate and double-click the installation file named “lcs_XXX” or “lcs_XXX.exe”, where the “XXX” is the
software version number.
4. An installation wizard opens. You are prompted to close all applications. Click OK to continue or Exit Setup if you need to go back.
5. The next dialog prompts you for the installation destination. The default location is C:\Program Files\lcs.
To select another location, click Change Directory.
6. Click the install button shown below.
click install
button
Figure 3: Destination dialog
7. The Choose Program Group dialog opens. The text entered in the Program Group field determines the
name that appears in the “All Programs” list. Change the name if desired.
Figure 4: Program Group dialog
8. Click Continue to finish the installation process. When completed successfully, a confirmation dialog
opens. Click OK.
Using LCS 7
Starting the application
The installation wizard places a shor tcut to LCS in your program list.
To start LCS:
1. Connect the DVI Buffer Box to the computer’s COM port and verify that
its “DVI com.” LED is lit.
2. Click the Windows start button, then click All Programs.
3. Point to the LCS program group and click the LCS icon.
4. If starting LCS for the first time, click the Factory Default and 300Hz buttons.
After starting, LCS automa tically detects connected panels and displays their firmware version numbers in
the grid display. If no version numbers appear in the grid display, check all connections and verify that the
D VI Buffer Box is connected.
Figure 5: LCS icon
Important usage tips
How to change numeric values
In LCS, you change numeric values by moving the PC’s pointing device (a trac kball is recommended) while
holding down the left button as follows:
1. Place the cursor over the field to modify.
2. Hold down the left button of the pointing device.
3. Move the pointing device up or to the right to increase the value, or down or to the left to decrease the
value.
4. Release the left button.
Allow commands to execute
Commands must be allowed to ex ecute bef ore launching new commands. Ex ecution is indicated by rotation
of the line above the Messages field. Wait until rotations stops before continuing.
Tip: To minimize the time it takes to execute commands, set the wall size (see page 9) to the minimum
required to display the video curtain.
Figure 6: LCS screen
Figure 7: Execution status indicator
8DVI Buffer Box user manual
Main window controls
This section describes the controls found in the main LCS window.
Grid display
The grid display represents the
panels in the video curtain and is
used to select panels.
Panels are shown in grey. A single
grey cell represents an LC 1140
panel. A double grey cell
represents an LC 2140 panel.
The selected panel is shown in
green. Empty cells are shown in
black.
2140 panel,
25 x 50 pixels
1140 panel,
25 x 25 pixels
selected panel
Wall Size and origin
no panel
fields
The Wall Size fields determine
the number of cells in the grid
display. The Origin fields determine the XY coordinates of the top-left cell, which are 0,0 by default. Change
the values as described on page 8, under “How to change numeric values”.
To adjust the wall size and origin for optimal display:
1. Click Connect.
2. Increase the top Origin field (X) to eliminate empty rows above the panels.
3. Increase the bottom Origin field (Y) to eliminate empty columns to the left of the panels.
4. Adjust the X and Y Wall Size fields as required to display all panels.
Figure 8: Grid display
Figure 9: Opt mini zing the grid
Using LCS 9
Pixel Position fields
The position fields allow you to fine tune the pixel coordinates of the video image. The values in the
horizontal and vertical fields are pixel offsets that are added to each panel’s video coordinates as
determined by its XY address.
Figure 10: Pixel position adjustment
Change the pixel position values as described on page 8, under “How to change numeric values”. To adjust
the pixel position of the video image:
1. Click Run to view the image on the LED curtain.
2. To mov e the image to the right or left, adjust the Hor: value up or down.
3. To move the image up or down, adjust the Vert: value up or down.
4. To save the settings in each panel’s non-volatile memory, click Save Parameters.
If you need to move the image more than the position fields allow, change the XY coordinates of the video
wall with the addressing controls.
Addressing controls
Show Addresses button
Clicking Show Addresses freezes the video output and displays the XY coordinates on the panels. Click
Run to clear the address display.
Enable Move check bo x
When Enable Move is selected, the XY coordinate address of the selected panel can be set using LCS.
This overrides the panel’s DIP-switch address setting.
Figure 11: Moving a panel in LCS
To change a panel address:
1. Click the Show Addresses button.
2. Place a check in Enable Move check box.
3. In the grid display, left-click the panel to move.
4. Right-click the cell at the desired XY coordinates for the panel.
5. Click Show Addresses to update the address displayed on the panel.
6. To save the new address in memory, click Save Parameter s.
7. When all panels are addressed, remove the check from the Enable Move check box to prevent
accidental changes.
10DVI Buffer Box user manual
Split Addresses button
Click Split Addresses when 2 or more panels have the same XY coordinates. This gives each panel a new,
randomly assigned XY coordinate address. Once split into individual addresses, the panels can be moved
to new positions.
Note: This procedure will reset the grid display’s origin to 0, 0.
2 panels with
same XY
coordinates
panels split to
different positions
Figure 12: Splitting identical addresses
To split 2 or more panels with identical addresses:
1. If there are no empty cells in the grid display, add a row or column to the grid using the Wall Size fields.
2. Click the Show Addresses button.
3. In the grid display, click the cell at the position of the panels with the same address.
4. Click Split Addresses.
5. Click Show Addresses to refresh panel address display.
6. Move the XY coordinate addresses of each of the split panels as described above.
DIP Switch button
Setting the XY coordinate address in LCS overrides a panel’s DIP-switch address. Clicking DIP Switch
erases the software-set address and returns the selected panel to its DIP-switch-set address.
To return a panel to its DIP address:
1. In the grid display, click the desired panel.
2. Click DIP Switch.
3. Click Show Addresses to refresh panel address display.
4. To undo the change before saving, reset the panel with the Reset Panel command in the Options
menu.
5. To sav e the setting, clic k Save Parameters.
Note: Any change to the DIP-switch itself also returns the address to the DIP-switch address.
Wall Brightness
The Wall Brightness fields adjust the global luminance (Y) and red,
blue, and green intensity values.
The panels are factory-calibrated to provide maximum brightness at a
luminance value of 150%. Higher Y values may boost dark signals.
Change the overall and individual color values as described on page 8,
under “How to change numeric values”.
To save the wall brightness values in each panel’s non-volatile memory,
click Save Parameters.
Figure 13: Wall Brightness
Using LCS 11
Panel Level Adjust
The Panel Level Adjust function allows you to adjust the color levels in
individual panels to compensate for differences in performance.
The red, green, and blue fields display the brightness levels for the
selected panel. The values can be refreshed by clicking Connect or the
All Levels > PC button. The radio buttons are not intended to be click ed.
Use the Fill Color fields instead to select the color to adjust.
To adjust individual panel levels:
1. Select red, green, or blue using the Fill Color fields. Do not select the white fill color.
2. Place a check in the Panel Level Adjust Enable check box.
3. An on-panel cursor appears when the panel level adjust function is enabled. Use the trackball
(recommended) or other pointing device to select a panel.
4. With the cursor on the desired panel, hold the left button down and move the pointing device up or right
to increase the color intensity, or down or left to decrease it. Release the left button.
5. Clicking Default to 100% brings all levels to 100% in the selected panel.
6. Using the same fill color, repeat the process for each panel that needs adjustment.
7. Repeat for the other fill colors.
8. When all adjustments have been made, click Save Parameters to save the panel levels in non-volatile
memory. Remove the check from the Enable check box.
Figure 14:
Panel Level Adjust
Freeze/Run buttons
The Freeze / Run buttons toggle the video stream on (run mode) and off (freeze mode). Freeze mode is
required when displaying addresses or using the color fill function. The other commands can be executed in
run or freeze mode.
Factory Default button
Clicking Factory Default returns all panels to LCS default values for wall brightness, pixel position, and
cooling mode. The settings take effect immediately but are not saved in the panels’ non-volatile memories
until Save Parameters is pressed.
Fill Color
The Fill Color fields allow you to fill the screen with a solid color
for test and adjustment purposes.
Each control ranges in value from 0 (off) to 255 (full intensity).
The maximum brightness that can be achieved using the Fill
Color fields is limited by the Wall Brightness settings.
Change the color values as described on page 8, under “How to change numeric values”. To clear the fill
color, click Run.
Figure 15: Fill Colors
12DVI Buffer Box user manual
Genlock controls
Phase Off check box
The Phase Off check box determines whether panels are
phase-synchronized (genlocked) to the selected signal. When
checked, panels will be frequency tuned only when you perform
the tuning procedure below. This may provide better perf ormance
if the sync signal is irregular or unstable.
DVI / External Vsync radio buttons
These radio buttons select the synchronization reference signal.
• To synchronize panels using the signal at the BNC connector, select External Vsync.
• To synchronize panels using the DVI signal, select DVI.
Tune button
Clicking Tune causes LCS to calculate the optimum refresh frequency based on the selected
synchronization signal.
To tune the video refresh frequency:
1. Click on any panel in the grid display.
2. Select a signal source: DVI or External Vsync.
3. For genlock synchronization, remove the check from the Phase Off check box. When checked, panels
are frequency tuned only.
4. Click Tune. The DVI signal and panel refresh frequencies are displayed as the process runs. If the “No
Panel” message appears, select a panel and try again.
5. Allow the tuning process 2 to 3 minutes to complete. The Tune button changes back to light grey when
tuning is completed.
6. Click Save Parameters to save the refresh frequency in each panel’s non-volatile memory.
Figure 16: Tuning controls
300 Hz button
Clicking 300Hz resets the panel refresh frequency to approximately 300 Hz. This may be required if the
panels cannot be tuned because the video input is unstable or missing.
Connect button
Click Connect to refresh the grid display anytime, after changing address settings, and to display the
panels’ firmware version numbers.
Figure 17: Firmware version display
Using LCS 13
Refresh Wall button
Clicking Refresh Wall refreshes all panels with the current LCS values.
Save Parameters button
Clicking Save P arameters sa v es an y changes to settings in each panel’s non-v olatile memory. If not sav ed,
changes to the settings will be lost when the panels are powered off.
Show Temperatures button
Clicking Show Temperatures displays the temperature of the LC panels’ DSP circuit boards in the grid
display. Significantly higher temperature in one panel probably indicates a defective cooling fan, which must
be replaced.
Figure 18: Temperature display
Fan Cooling radio buttons
The Fan Cooling radio buttons determine the operation of the
panels’ cooling fans.
• Constant operates the fans continuously and provides
maximum cooling.
• Automatic r uns the fans at intervals when the panel
electronics are below 35° C (95° F), resulting in quieter operation.
To save the fan setting in each panel’s non-volatile memory, click Sa ve Parameters.
Figure 19: Fan cooling
14DVI Buffer Box user manual
Options menu
Read Firmware (to FIRM_UPD_**.BIN)
This option copies firmware from a selected panel to the “lcs”
folder on the PC’s C driv e . The firmware can then be installed on
other panels. This is useful if some panels have outdated
firmware but there is no convenient Internet access.
Service technicians with access to an EEPROM burner can use
the file to make a copy of the panel’s EEPROM, including calibration values.
To copy firmware from a panel to the PC:
1. In the grid display, click the panel to copy from.
2. Select Options > Read Firmware (to FIRM_UPD_**.BIN) from the main menu.
3. Allow the process several minutes to complete.
4. To confirm the operation, verify that the firmware is located in the lcs folder.
Update Firmware (to one panel)
This option installs firmware on the currently selected panel.
To install firmware in a single panel:
1. Download the firmware update from the Support Area of the Martin
save it in the C:/lcs folder.
2. Click in the grid display to select a panel to update.
3. Select Options > Update Firmware (to one unit) from the menu.
4. Click the firmware file to install. Click Open.
5. At the panel reset prompt, click Yes or No.
6. The panel will flicker and the progress indicator rotates during the update. When the update is
completed, LCS writes “Finish, please connect after 20 sec.” Wait 20 seconds and press Connect.
Figure 20: Options menu
®
web site at www.martin.com and
Update Firmware to all panels
This options installs firmware on all panels.
To install firmware:
1. Download the firmware file from the Support Area of
the Martin
the C:/lcs folder.
2. Select Options > Update Firmware to all panels
from the menu.
3. Click the firmware file to install. Click Open.
4. At the “Overwrite all, or only older versions?” prompt,
click No unless you are installing an older version of
firmware.
5. The update occurs one panel at a time. The panel’s
firmware version number is displayed while the update
is in progress and underlined when completed. When
all panels are updated, LCS writes the message “--finish--”.
6. Press the Connect button to refresh the grid display.
®
web site at www.martin.com and save it in
Figure 21: Firmware update progress
update complete
update in
progress
Reset Panel
This option resets the selected panel with the settings stored in the panel’s non-volatile memory. Unsaved
settings will be lost.
Reset complete Wall
This option resets all panels. Resetting is recommended after making settings changes to confirm that the
settings have been saved.
Using LCS 15
Troubleshooting
ProblemProbable cause(s)Remedy
Check the “DVI com.” LED. If it is not lit, check DVI
input connections and verify that the media server
is running.
Check the RS-232 connections and verify that the
device is connected to a COM port from 1 to 4.
When connected properly, the “RS-232 com.” LED
will flash in response to commands from LCS. Exit
LCS and restart.
Test system without other devices connected to
COM ports 1 - 4. Assign the conflicting to device to
COM port 5 or higher.
Short term: reset panels and exit LCS.
Long term: replace DVI splitter. See LC Series user
manual for recommendation.
Click Save Parameters after making changes to
settings.
Refresh wall, then apply factory default settings and
save so all panels have same settings. Adjust
settings as desired and save again.
LCS does not connect to any
panels. LCS message bar reads
“No RS232-DSP Interface
found” at startup.
Some panels respond to LCS,
some do not.
Panels do not start up with the
expected settings.
No power to DVI Buffer Box via DVI input
cable.
DVI Buffer Box not connected to a COM port
from 1 to 4.
Conflict with another device connected to
COM port 1 to 4.
The DVI splitter does not relay the
DDCCLOCK and DDCDATA signals on pins 6
and 7 to every output.
Outdated firmwareUpdate panel firmware.
Failure to save settings in non-volatile