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How To: Set up your screens on a Video Download Player

Introduction

The VDLP screen configuration and setup is done using Windows Screen Configuration and also checking the settings of the installed graphics card software. There are different combinations for the screen setup and this document describes some of the common configurations.

It is important that the graphics drivers on the system are up to date.

Typical Screen Setup

The typical VDLP setup is to have a monitor for the player interface connected via the graphics output from the motherboard that is usually a VGA or DVI connector. For each channel on the VDLP, a screen should be attached to the connectors on the graphics card(s).

Ensure all displays are connected and switched on first before turning on or rebooting the PC.

Digital Inputs

Digital inputs support higher resolutions and frequencies and should be set to match the optimum setup of the display. Digital connectors include VGA, DVI and HDMI. A monitor will typically have a VGA or DVI connector and modern televisions and projectors will also have them too. The following lists typical digital setups:

Monitor for VDLP Interface:VGA Port

  • Connections: PC Motherboard: VGA -> VGA Cable -> Monitor: VGA
  • Resolution & Frequency: 1280 x 1024 @ 70Hz

TV for Video Channel:DVI Port

  • Connections: PC Graphics Card: DVI -> DVI Cable -> TV: DVI
  • Resolution & Frequency: 1280 x 1024 @ 70Hz

LCD TV for Video Channel using Ethernet Distribution (Superdrug):

  • Connections: PC Graphics Card: VGA -> VGA Ethernet Distribution -> TV: VGA
  • Resolution & Frequency: 1280 x 1024 @ 70Hz

Analogue Inputs

Analogue inputs include composite, S-Video, BNC and RGB. The analogue signals conform to regional standards such as PAL and NTSC. Most televisions and video equipment have composite connectors however modern TV’s may have digital inputs too. The resolution for the analogue signal is lower than the digital formats and should be set according to the setup and source selection on the display.

TV for Video Channel: S-Video Port

  • Connections: PC Graphics Card: S-Video -> S-Video Adapter: Composite-> Composite Cable -> TV: Composite
  • Resolution & Frequency: 640 X 480 @ 25Hz (PAL)

Graphics Drivers

To check the graphics drivers are up to date locate: Computer -> Manage (Right Click Option) -> Device Manager -> Display Adapters

Device manager - Display Adaptors

For each graphics card including the motherboard should be displayed under display adapters. To check the drivers are up to date check the driver version against model on the manufacturer website. To get the driver version Right click on Display Adapter -> Properties -> Driver.

Windows Screen Configuration

The following steps show how to ensure the settings are correct in Windows Screen Configuration for a typical single channel VDLP.

  1. Switch off the PC.
  2. Ensure all displays (Monitors and TVs) are correctly connected to the VDLP PC. (See guides below)
  3. Ensure all displays are switched on.
  4. Turn on the PC.
  5. If the VDLP player is running then exit the player.
  6. Open Windows Screen Configuration: Windows Start -> Control Panel -> Display -> Screen Configuration (right click menu on desktop)
  7. Ensure each display is shown numbered. If you cannot see the display, then click the detect button. If the display is still not shown then check the display is turned on and correctly connected.
  8. Click the identify button to show which display corresponds to which number. Screen 1 should be the monitor and Screen 2 should be the video channel (TV).
  9. Click on screen 1 and set the settings as follows:
    1. Resolution: 1280 x 1024
    2. Orientation: Landscape
    3. Multiple Displays: Extend these displays
    4. Check below Multiple Displays and that it says: 'This is currently your main display'. If not tick the box.
    10. Control Panel > Displays > Primary Display
  10. Click in screen 2 and set the settings as follows:
    1. Resolution: 800 x 600 (see guides below)
    2. Orientation: Landscape
    3. Multiple Displays: Extend these displays
    4. Default Display: Ensure the box is not ticked.
    11. Control Panel > Displays > Second Display
  11. If any settings have been changed then click Apply. Click Identify again to ensure the screen numbers are on the correct displays.
  12. Start the VDLP player and go into the settings and select Video.
  13. Ensure the screen configuration has screen 2 selected and the correct display adapter is shown and should match the model of the graphics card.
    14. Device manager - Display Adaptors
  14. Click Apply to save and changes.
  15. Restart the VDLP and the player interface should be displayed in screen 1 and the video on screen 2.

Setup Guide for TV using Composite

  1. Ensure the VDLP PC has the correct number of graphics card(s) to channels as configured in IMS.
  2. Connect the monitor using a VGA cable to VGA connection on the motherboard.
  3. Connect the 7 Pin S-Video adapter to the S-Video port on the graphics card.
  4. Connect the TV using a composite cable from the adaptor to the TV input. (Repeat for each TV)
  5. Switch on the all displays.
  6. Turn on the VDLP PC.
  7. Open Windows Screen Configuration and check there are the right number of displays.
  8. Check the primary display is on the monitor by clicking the identify button.
  9. Ensure the screen resolution is correct for the additional TV displays. 640 x 480 @ 25Hz for PAL.
  10. Start the VDLP and the interface and video channel should be displayed correctly.

Setup Guide for TV using VGA

  1. Ensure the VDLP PC has the correct number of graphics card(s) to channels as configured in IMS.
  2. Connect the monitor using a VGA cable to VGA connection on the motherboard.
  3. Connect the TV using a VGA or DVI cable to the VGA or DVI connection on the graphics card.
  4. Switch on the all displays.
  5. Turn on the VDLP PC.
  6. Open Windows Screen Configuration and check there are the right number of displays.
  7. Check the primary display is on the monitor by clicking the identify button.
  8. Ensure the screen resolution is correct for the additional TV displays. 800 x 600 @ 70Hz.
  9. Start the VDLP and the interface and video channel should be displayed correctly.

Setup Guide for LCD TV using Video over Ethernet

  1. Ensure the VDLP PC has the correct number of graphics card(s) to channels as configured in IMS.
  2. Connect the monitor using a VGA cable to VGA connection on the motherboard.
  3. Connect the Video over Ethernet using a VGA cable to the VGA connection on the graphics card.
  4. Connect the Video over Ethernet adapters using an Ethernet cable.
  5. Connect the Ethernet adapter using VGA cable to the VGA connection on the TV.
  6. Switch on the all displays.
  7. Turn on the VDLP PC.
  8. Open Windows Screen Configuration and check there are the right number of displays.
  9. Check the primary display is on the monitor by clicking the identify button.
  10. Ensure the screen resolution is correct for the additional TV displays. 1280 x 1024 @ 70Hz.
  11. Start the VDLP and the interface and video channel should be displayed correctly.

Common Problems & Resolutions

  • Picture does not fill the screen.
    • Check the display auto adjust feature. If the screen settings have been adjusted on the PC the picture may not be positioned correctly.
    • Check the user layout is full screen video only.
    • Check the graphics software to ensure aspect ratios are correct.
  • The video has a horizontal split across the middle of the screen. (Screen Tearing)
    • Ensure the resolution and frequency is set to the correct settings for the display.
  • The video is slow and stuttering.
    • Check the latest graphics card drivers are installed.
    • Check the PC has sufficient resources. (CPU & Memory).
    • Check the SLEEPINMILLISECONDS option on the VDLP channel.conf file.
  • Cannot get a picture on additional display.
    • In Windows screen configuration, ensure the additional displays are active and the multiple displays option is set to 'Extend These Displays'.