Sima SFX-9 User manual

User’s Manual for

SFX-9 Video Effects Mixer

by

Sima Products Corporation

140 Pennsylvania Ave.
Bldg. #5
Oakmont, PA 15139
800-345-7462
www.simacorp.com
PN 21661

©2002 by Sima Products Corp.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written
permission from Sima Products Corp.

SFX-9 Video Mixer Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction ............................................................................. 4

Information........................................................................................................................4

Warnings and Safety information......................................................................................4

Controls and Fu nctions ............................................................ 5

Control Panel diagram.......................................................................................................5

Front Panel diagram..........................................................................................................5

Rear panel diagram...........................................................................................................6

Typical Hook-up................................................................................................................7

Section 1 – Power Indicator ..............................................................................................7

Section 2 – Video Source Select.......................................................................................8

Section 3 - Digital Effects (Source A & B).........................................................................9

Section 4 – Mode Control................................................................................................10

Section 5 – Functions......................................................................................................11

Section 6 – Joystick Control............................................................................................12

Section 7 – Background Color.........................................................................................12

Section 8 - Audio Mixer..................................................................................................13

Section 9 – Audio Level...................................................................................................14

Basic Operation .....................................................................15

To Try a Typical A / B Wipe.............................................................................................15

To Try a Typical MIX (Dissolve)......................................................................................16

Typical PIP (Picture - In - Picture)...................................................................................17

To Try a Typical Center Wipe..........................................................................................17

Try a Typical Key edit (LUMA KEY and BLUE KEY).......................................................18

Typical Auto FADE/WIPE................................................................................................19

Digital Effects ..................................................................................................................20

Audio Mixer.....................................................................................................................21

Specifications ........................................................................22

World Wide compatibility.................................................................................................23

Troubleshooti ng .....................................................................24

90 Day Limited Warrant y ........................................................ 24

3

SFX-9 Video Mixer Introduction

NTRODUCTION

I

Congratulations on your purchase of the Sima SFX-9 Video Effects Mixer. The SFX-9 is a state-of-the-art, Digital
Signal Processing video mixer designed to give amateur and home videographers professional-level effects. This unit is
capable of editing two or more tapes into a single finished piece. It is equipped with 4 video inputs, 5 digital effects, dual
time base correction and can effectively wipe, dissolve, fade and make transitions between video and audio segments.
Please read this manual to become familiar with the SFX-9 and its various controls and then experiment on your own to
make the tapes you want.

Information

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio and television reception. It has been
type tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in
Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference in a
residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause 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:

1. Re-orient the receiver.

2. Relocate this equipment with respect to the receiver.

3. Move this equipment away from the receiver.

4. Plug this equipment into a different outlet so that the equipment and receiver are on different branch circuits.

If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions.
The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission helpful. “How to
Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems”. This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington D.C. 20402, Stock No. 004-000-00345-4.

Warnings and Safety information

Safety Check list

Only a qualified service person should remove the cover or attempt to service this device. To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock,

do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture. Never make or change connections when the power is still switched on To prevent

the risk of electric shock, do not remove the cover (or back). No user- serviceable parts inside. Please refer to important operating and

maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying this appliance

 Read these instructions and keep them for future reference.
 Heed all warnings and follow all instructions.
 Do not use this apparatus near water.
 Clean only with a damp cloth.
 Do not install near any heat surfaces such as radiator, heat registers, stoves or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that

produce heat.

 Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider

than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong is
provided for your safety. When the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the
obsolete outlet.

 Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plug’s convenience receptacles, and the point where

they exit from the apparatus.

Use only with a cart, stand tripod bracket or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is



used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

Unplug this apparatus during lightening storms or when unused for long periods of time.



Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Service is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such



as the power-supply cord or plug is damaged, if liquid has been spilled or an object has fallen into the apparatus or the
apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, has been dropped, and does not operate normally.

4

SFX-9 Video Mixer Controls and Functions

ONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS

C

Control Panel diagram

1. Digital Effects keys

2. Audio mixer controls

3. Source Selection keys

4. Mode Control keys

Front Panel diagram

1. Microphone jack

2. Headphone jack

5. Joystick position control

6. Background color selection control

7. Power Indicator Light

8. Wipe Mode Keys

9. Audio Mixer level

PHONES

MIC

1 2

5

SFX-9 Video Mixer Basic Operations

Rear panel diagram

1. Video Monitor Output (Source 1)

2. Video Monitor Output (Source 2)

3. Audio R / L Input (Source 1)

4. Audio R / L Input (Source 2)

5. Composite video Input (Source 1)

6. Composite video Input (Source 2)

7. S-video Input (Source 3)

8. S-video Input (Source 4)

9. Video Monitor Output (Source 3)

10. Video Monitor Output (Source 4)

11. Aux L audio input

12. Aux R audio input

13. Audio R / L Output *

14. Audio R / L Output *

15. Composite Video Output *

16. Composite Video Output *

17. S-Video Output *

18. S-Video Output *

19. 12V DC power jack

20. 12V DC power supply

21. 120V AC power cord

22. Off/On Power switch

* Note: The A and B outputs are identical sets of the same output signals. These

outputs do not correspond to the A and B source selections on the control panel.

6

SFX-9 Video Mixer Controls and Functions

Typical Hook-up

Section 1 – Power Indicator

POWER INDICATOR – The POWER

INDICATOR light shows at a glance that
power to the SFX-9 is turned on. The
power switch is located on the back panel.
(See rear panel diagram on page 6.)

7

SFX-9 Video Mixer Basic Operations

Section 2 – Video Source Select

You can make a transition between any two sources while applying digital effects, wipes, color keys
and PIP modes.

Use these buttons to select from 4 video inputs
and 1 color background as follows: Note that any
one of the five inputs can be selected for Source
A and Source B.

Input configurations

Video #1

S-Video # 3 S-Video # 4

To select the S-video #3 (or #4) input press the

Video #1 (or #2) and the Background Color

buttons at the same time (as illustrated above).

Video #2

Background Color

Two Sample set-ups

Example #1 Example #2
Video #1 S-Video Input #3
Source A Source A

Video #2 Background Color
Source B Source B

To toggle between S-video and composite video

inputs within a single source try this sequence.

Use only buttons in Source A for this example.

Select S-video #3 by pressing Video #1 and

1.

Bkgd Color at the same time.

Select Video #2 by pressing Video #2 button..

2.

Return to S-video #3 by pressing Video #1.

3.

Exit S-video mode and return to Video # 1 by

4.

pressing Video #1 and Bkgd Color
at the same time

Video Slide Control - The A/B slide controls several transition functions. Moving it between A

and B allows you to fade between sources in the FADE mode. The slide performs A/B wipes in
the WIPE mode and controls the speed of wipes in the AUTO mode. In the KEY mode, the slide
makes color adjustments. Practice using the slide to gain mastery over smooth transitions.

8