2 Chapter 1 Getting Started
Product overview
The generator enables you to test a broad range of video displays including composite or
component television video signals as well as computer video display terminals. The
generator enables you to quickly set the format appropriate for each display simply by
twisting a knob. The generator’s functions can be customized to support video display
testing in a variety of environments such as development, repair center, or production line.
Standard features
There are over 250 built-in video formats with the generator including VESA, ATSC,
EIA-770, SMPTE, NTSC, and PAL. The generator contains a library of over 250 test
images which enables comprehensive testing of color, size, linearity, convergence, focus,
persistence, and more. You can create custom formats and images, and create test
sequences to automatically progress through a list of formats and images for production
line environments. You can also configure the generator to continuously loop through the
test images.
The generator provides a hot sync feature through the VGA, DVI, or HDMI interface. This
feature simplifies format selection by filtering formats in accordance with the Extended
Display Identification Data (EDID) it receives and processes from the display.
A probe pulse feature is available on the Special Sync BNC connector. This enables you to
trigger an oscilloscope or to synchronize an inspection camera. You can position the
leading edge of the probe pulse anywhere within the video frame. This feature facilitates
troubleshooting by enabling you to focus on very specific video signal problems occurring
anywhere in the video signal. The probe BNC connector can also be configured to output
frame sync, line sync, composite sync, or a special probe pulse.
You can control the generator using the front panel knobs and keys, a command line
interface, or a Windows-based graphical application called Video Generator Manager
(VGM).
The generator supports custom data backup, automatic or on-demand calibration, and
downloadable firmware upgrades.
Optional features
Your generator may include one or more of the following options:
• Digital Visual Interface (Single Link and Dual Link). The generator can be equipped
with a single link or dual link Digital Visual Interface (DVI) transmitter. The DVI
transmitter enables testing of DVI compliant video displays. The DVI option includes
EDID parsing and a hot-plug, EDID-driven format list.