- Do I have to install the software? *
- What is the software for?
- How do I use the software?
- Why do I get a software installation
error telling me to change autoexec.bat?
- Do I have to change my display
adapter (video card driver)?
- Why do I have to change settings in my computer? *
- How far can I run a cable to
the TV?
- How many TV抯 can I use with
my scan converter?
- Why do I only get a black and
white image on the TV?
- Can I use the scan converter
with my laptop computer?
- When I use my laptop I can only see it on the TV or the laptop
but not both.*
- How do I get my laptop into this CRT mode?*
- My laptop has built-in TV - is
this a problem?
- Why can抰 I get the scan converter
to connect to my TV?
- Why do I only get snow on my
TV?
- Why do I only get a blank blue
or black screen on my TV (or connected to a VCR)?
- Why don抰 I hear the computer
on my TV ?or how do I get sound?
- Do I have to attach a monitor?
- Why does the TV look fuzzy or
blurry?
- How do I install for Macintosh (MultiPro CTV, MultiPro
Plus, and ProPC/TV 1 only)
- Can I use my scan converter in
DOS mode?
- How do I use my scan converter
with a PAL TV?
- Why is there a pin missing in
my VGA connector?
- Parts
*
(Does NOT apply to MultiPro Plus)
NO!
No,
software is required to use any of AITech's scan converters.
The software is NOT a driver - it is a screen control
utility that allows you to do some screen positioning
and sizing only. If you install the software
do not do the "Update Driver Now" option - continue
using the default "Update later" option. The
only time you will have to install the software is
if you want to use the scan converter in a PAL country.
When you install the software you will need to configure
it for PAL. See also
How do I use my scan converter with a PAL TV?
Your
scan converter software gives you the ability to adjust
the position of your screen resize the screen if necessary.
It is NOT necessary to install this software
to use your scan converter. If you install the software
do not do the "Update Driver Now" option - continue
using the default "Update later" option. The
only time you will have to install the software is
if you want to use the scan converter in a PAL country.
When you install the software you will need to configure
it for PAL. See also How do I use my scan converter with a PAL TV?
The
software will install the control dialog box card
TV OUT in your Display Properties (see below).
In most cases you will not need to use these controls.
Refer to your manual on using these positioning and
other buttons. It is not necessary to use the
TV OUT button as you will make the settings manually
so you can change them back when you need to.
The software
will also install a listing in your START/PROGRAMS
menu (see below). If you decide that you need the
sizing option to make your image fit better on your
TV you can use this option. When you click on
Update Display Driver your setting of 640x480 will
be changed to 600x440 to better fit the image on your
TV screen. See also the document on Screen
Sizing Considerations. Some display drivers
do not like the non standard display size and you
may see a message telling you that your display driver
is not supported. If so, you have the option
of loading the Windows Standard Display Adapter (VGA).
If you do this you will be limited to 16 colors.
DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TO YOUR
SYSTEM UNTIL YOU WRITE DOWN THE CURRENT SETTINGS.
It is recommended that you keep your native
driver and work around any sizing issues
you may have - please refer to separate document Screen
Sizing considerations.
Part of the
installation process is making an entry to your autoexec.bat
file. If this file is write protected or does
not exist you will get an error message saying the
system could not open the file and telling you to
add the movescr.com instruction to the autoexec.bat
file manually. In most cases this is because
your system does not have an autoexec.bat file.
The easiest
way to create one is to open your Note Pad (or any
standard text editor) and create a new file with nothing
in it. Save this file to your root directory
autoexec.bat (c:\autoexec.bat). Once this is
done your software will install with out the error
message.
NO!
It
is recommend that you DO NOT change your display adapter
to the Standard VGA driver. This will limit
you to only a 16 color display and cause more problems
for you than the sizing limitations. This will
also cause many of your programs that require higher
color settings (256 or 16 Bit colors) not to run.
The
scan converter requires that these settings be made
in order to produce a display on the TV. The two basic
settings that you must make are the screen area (640x480)
and the scan rate setting, which MUST be set to 60
Hertz (Hz). The scan rate or refresh rate is provided
by the computer (not the scan converter) and must
be 60 Hz in order to get a stable display on the TV.
Many video card drivers do not provide a place to
set the scan rate. In the case that you have no place
to set the scan rate you must make two other settings.
The first is your color ?set this to 256. Secondly,
set your monitor type to standard VGA 640x480?/b>.
These two settings along with the 640x480 screen size
will generally get your video card in a 60 Hz mode.
See also the page on General Setup and Troubleshooting
for specific instructions on making these changes.
Refer to General Setup and Troubleshooting.
Before
you make any changes to the settings in your computer
write them down.
For
setting the 60 Hz scan rate look for a tab in your
display properties that says scan rate, refresh, or
the name of your video card like Diamond, Chips, etc.
Look for the 60 Hz setting. If you are using Win95
OSR2 (release B), look for a drop down box on your
Adapter card in Advanced properties. There may be
a listing of scan rates, choose 60 Hz or if no listing
select Adapter Default (not Optimal).
There is a practical
limit of about 20 feet between the scan converter
and the television. We have received reports from
customers that they have achieved distances up to
about 50 feet using good shielded cable using the
composite output (RCA) connector. We have also had
reports of up to 100 feet using expensive Monster
Cable on the S-Video output.
Please note that
AITech will NOT troubleshoot nor support installations
with cables longer than the stated 20 feet. If you
have in installation with a cable longer than 20 feet
and you need technical support for you scan converter
please install the requisite 20 foot cable before
calling us. If you need a long run from the scan converter
to the TV it is recommended that you purchase a video
amplifier and use this to drive your long cable. You
should be able to find one of these amplifiers at
any good video supply store.
The
scan converter you have was designed to send a signal
to a single TV but should be able to drive two TV's
without using an amplifier. You may be limited to
a total of about 20 feet of cabling (to both televisions).
Note that you have two outputs on your scan converter.
These outputs are the composite (RCA) and the S-Video
outputs. There is no reason that you cannot use both
outputs at the same time. If one TV has an S-Video
input use that for one TV and the composite (RCA)
input for your second TV. If you need to drive many
TV's it is recommended that you purchase a video distribution
amplifier for this purpose. You can get one of these
from a good video supply store.
The scan converter
you are using needs to be reset. This happens now
and then during installation or after first booting
the computer. There is a very simple fix for this.
You need only remove the power connector from the
rear (or side) of the scan converter for a few seconds
and then reinsert it. You should have a sharp color
display after doing this. If you do not have a sharp
color image on the TV, the settings made in Windows
may not be correct.
Yes. There is no
practical difference at all between using a desktop
computer and a laptop. The main difference is in the
monitor connection. Since you are using a laptop you
will likely not be attaching a standard CRT monitor
to the scan converter.
This is a function
of the hardware design of the laptop. In most cases
you will probably not be able to see both displays
at the same time. The reason for this has to do with
the way a TV operates and the fact that the scan rate
is dependent on the computer. When the laptop is in
the simultaneous mode the computer switches the signal
back and forth splitting it between the LCD display
and the CRT display (where the scan converter is attached).
You must switch your laptop to the CRT (or external
monitor) mode in order to see a stable display on
your TV. You will know you are in the CRT mode when
the laptop screen goes black. When in the simultaneous
mode the TV gets its signal chopped up and you get
a chopped up image on the TV. If your application
requires a local display we recommend that you look
into purchasing the MultiPro Plus.
Most laptops have
a hot-key combination using the Fn key (lower left
corner of the keyboard) and one of the function keys
at the top of the keyboard (F1 ?F12). You should see
an icon of a monitor on one of these keys or the lettering
LCD/CRT or something similar. Hold the Fn key and
press the associated F# key. This is usually a three
mode switch ?it rolls around between LCD, Simultaneous,
and CRT modes. You will usually have to press this
key combination two times to turn off the laptop screen.
Please refer to your user抯 manual on how to do this.
There is an associated page in this technical support
section that gives you a listing of many laptop brands,
the hot key combinations and what you should expect
to see on that key. Note that this compilation does
not cover every laptop in existence nor does it specify
models.
If
your laptop has built in TV output it may cause a
problem with your scan converter. Be sure that
this feature is turned off in your
laptop. You may have to do this in your system BIOS.
The VGA output may be changed by the laptop to adjust
for its own internal TV converter. This may cause
very strange output to the TV.
There are two types
of connectors available with our scan converters,
the composite video (RCA) and the S-Video connector.
In order to use the scan converter you must connect
it to a matching connector on your TV or VCR. All
VCR抯 have at least one set of video input connectors
on the rear (newer units have one set on the front).
This is to allow for recording from an external camera.
Most newer TV抯 have these same RCA connectors for
direct video input. Some newer and more expensive
TV抯 and VCR抯 also have the S-Video input. If you
have both types of connectors on your TV, use the
S-Video for a sharper image on the TV.
If your TV does
not have an RCA connector for direct video (composite)
input you will not be able to use your scan converter
in its current configuration. You will have two choices
at this point. You can use your VCR if you have one
or purchase an RF Modulator. The RF Modulator changes
the composite video signal to an RF signal. The RF
Modulator attaches to the TV using the F connector
?the screw on coax connector where your antenna or
cable-box cable attaches. You can purchase an RF Modulator
from Radio Shack for about $30. You cannot
use a simple adapter that changes the RCA cable connector
to the F connector.
If you attach the
scan converter to your VCR you will have to set the
TV channel to the one used in your area for VCR抯
(channel 3 or 4). You will then have to switch your
VCR to its External Video Mode. See the next entry
for how to do this.
Snow
on the TV screen (the random gray screen with the
sound of rushing water (white noise)) is an indication
that the TV is expecting to get input from its tuner
via the antenna or cable box. In most cases you will
need to manually switch your TV to its video mode.
There are a few TV models that have an automatic switching
mechanism. Please refer to your owner抯 manual for
instructions on switching your TV to its video mode.
See also the associated article in this section listing
many TV brands and their method of switching. In most
all cases you will need to use the remote control
that came with your TV to make this video mode change.
Many so-called universal remotes do not include some
of the special functions like this one. See also the
section below on switching a VCR to its video mode.
Your VCR (as well
as some newer and more expensive TV抯) has a video
blanking feature that will not allow the loud white
noise and ?b>snow?/b> to be displayed on the
TV when it does not get a normal TV signal. The above
section describes the setting of a TV to its video
mode. Setting the VCR is very similar and usually
requires the standard remote control to switch to
video mode. Like the TV, the VCR requires you to switch
it to its external video mode. Please refer to your
owner抯 manual for how to do this and see also the
associated article in this section listing many VCR
brands and their method of switching.
Your scan converter
is a video conversion device ?it converts the computer抯
VGA signal to an NTSC composite video signal (or S-Video)
that can be used by your TV. This device does not
do any audio ?conversions or connections. If your
application demands the use of sound at the TV or
if you are taping your presentation and desire sound
on the tape, you must connect an audio cable from
the LINE OUT connector on your sound card to the audio
input connections on your TV or VCR. You will need
a suitable stereo or mono cable and an adapter from
the 3mm stereo jack in the sound card to stereo RCA
jacks. Both of these items can be purchased at Radio
Shack or any stereo supply store.
It is not
required to use the VGA pass through to use the scan
converter - as in using this device with a laptop
- a VGA monitor may not be wanted
nor available. If you are experiencing
a problem with your VGA monitor attached to the VGA
pass-through on your scan converter, there is something
wrong with the unit. You should be able to view your
monitor just as you did before the
scan converter was attached. Return
it to your vendor for a replacement.
There is no need to call technical support because
the technician will tell you the unit is not
functioning properly and to return it to your vendor
for a replacement.
You are probably
looking at the very fine text that
is under the folders and icons on the Windows Desktop.
This text is about the finest text
you will find displayed in Windows. A TV does
not have the capability of displaying
fine text clearly on the screen. If it did we
would all be using cheep TV's on
our computers instead of expensive
VGA monitors. What you see displayed
on your TV screen is a function of
that TV. Some TV's are better
than others, and this is not always
a function of the cost
of that TV. There are several controls
in the TV that can enhance the display
you see. Adjusting for color, sharpness, contrast,
and brightness can help enhance the image coming from
the computer.
The TV does not
have the ability (band width) to
make the changes that would allow you to see fine
text clearly. You can opt for using large
text within Windows. In most
cases this display ability will not
be a problem for you. Most
likely you will be using this for presentations
using applications like PowerPoint, or you will be
playing games, showing pictures,
working with graphics, or surfing
the web. For these applications
your scan converter will work well for you.
It is only in the applications such as word processing,
databases work and the like that you will have a problem
with the fine text. This can be corrected
by choosing large block or bold fonts
for your presentation.
There are several
things you can do to enhance the fonts on your system
if you need to make presentations with programs that
have smaller fonts.
Internet
Explorer
You can select a
larger font for displaying the Internet
pages you are showing on the TV. Click View
- Fonts - and select a larger
font to your liking. Note that Medium
is the default font size for the normal screen view.
Windows
Desktop
In Windows
you can specify the font you use for the different
areas of the Windows Desktop. To get to your Display
Properties just right
click a blank area of your desktop
- click Properties at the bottom of the menu - and
click the Appearance tab
at the top of the dialog box as shown below.
Please note the
graphic above that show you how to set the font for
the different areas of the Windows. Note the
Item list shown immediately
above. This list will allow you to change
the appearance of virtually all areas of your desktop.
For the purpose of these instructions you will only
be interested in changing the font
size for the Icons.
The graphic above
shows you how to change the size of the font.
Select the size you think will work and click the
Apply button. If this
setting is not suitable for your needs choose one
higher or lower that you like better.
Note that the default font size is 8 point text. Standard
printed text is 12 point. The list goes up to 18 point
text but this setting may be too large. Click
the OK button when you find
a font size that you like.
Installing
the scan converter on a Macintosh requires the use
of the two supplied adapters. Note that one is longer
than the other. The longer adapter is connected between
the Macintosh and the scan converter (#1 below); the
shorter adapter connects between the Mac monitor and
the scan converter VGA output connector (#2 below).
Note that some Macintosh models may not require the
use of both of these adapters.
- Connect
your encoder cable to the VGA Out side of the shorter
adapter. The Mac In side of this connector attaches
to the monitor connection on your Macintosh computer.
Figure
1 - Showing how to connect the Macintosh input
adapter to the scan converter. The Mac In
side of this connector connects to your Macintosh
VGA (monitor) output connector.
- Connect
the VGA IN side of the longer Mac adapter to the
side of the scan converter on the VGA Out (VGA
connector). Your Macintosh monitor cable then
connects to the Mac Out side of the longer adapter.
Figure
2 - Shows how the Macintosh output adapter
attaches to the VGA Out connector on the scan
converter. Connect your Mac monitor to the
Mac Out side of the adapter.
The
simple answer is yes. Usually the default state
of the video card is 60 Hertz in the DOS mode.
In some cases you may have to run the program on your
install disk called movescr.com.
This program will stabilize your DOS
refresh rate at 60 Hz. You can add this file
to your DOS (or any) folder and make an entry in your
autoexec.bat file so it
will run whenever you go to DOS mode. You can
also create a shortcut and run it manually whenever
you need to work with your scan converter in DOS mode.
You will
have to install the software if you want to use the
scan converter in a PAL country or with a PAL TV or
VCR. When you install the software you will
need to configure it for PAL. Follow the general instructions
on these pages and in the installation guide but change
your scan rate to 50 Hz (not 60 Hz).
There
is nothing wrong with your scan converter VGA connector.
The VGA connector on most of AITech's scan converter
cables has pin 9 missing deliberately.
The VGA connector was made with this pin missing because
some VGA cards have the pin 9 connector hole plugged.
This comes from a specific manufacturer that has gone
its own way with non-standard parts implementation.
Please note picture below.
| Scan
converter VGA connector showing missing
pin 9. This pin is deliberately missing
- there is nothing wrong with your scan
converter nor the connector. |
|
|
