General Scan Converter Installation

Software on supplied disks

Please note:  The software included with your scan converter is OPTIONAL.  It is not needed to make the scan converter work properly.  This software is a screen control utility only.  It is not a driver.

If you have not installed the software and you are having trouble making your scan converter work properly, installing the software will not help.  It is recommended that you get the scan converter working before you install the software - in most cases it is not needed. (See also Scan converter FAQ's   -- Do I have to install the software?)

There are two parts to setting up your scan converter - physical installation and system setup - you can jump to the specific section by clicking on the 'bookmark' below.

PHYSICAL INSTALLATION

SYSTEM SETUP - Does not apply to the MultiPro Plus.

PHYSICAL INSTALLATION

1. CONNECTIONS
   • Check to see which type of inputs your TV or Display device offers.

               See the attached list of connector types if you are unsure.

   • If your TV, VCR, or camcorder uses either the "RCA" or "S-VHS" connectors, then you MUST tell that device which input you are trying to use. FOR EXAMPLE:
   • Your TV has an "RCA" style VIDEO IN connector. The TV must be switched to the VIDEO IN (sometimes VIDEO1, Aux, Input, Vid, Line, Line In, etc.) mode selection. This is most often done by pressing an INPUT, VIDEO, or similar button on the device or it's remote control.   See also TV/VCR video mode switching.

                    IF YOU ARE UNSURE HOW TO MAKE THIS SELECTION, READ THE TV's MANUAL FOR HELP.

• If your TV has only the "F" type connector, then you must obtain an RF Modulator. An RF modulator has a Composite VIDEO input and has an "F" style output connector. The output connects directly to the antenna or cable input on your TV.  Be sure that the channel selected on the TV matches that selected on the modulator - either channel 3 or 4.

NOTE!!! An RF modulator is not the same device as the common video game connector box!  Be sure that you are using a true RF modulator when attempting this kind of connection.  Most VCRs have a built in RF Modulator, this is the F connector labeled Out, To TV or RF Out.  See the VCRs manual for details on using it to show the output of the scan converter. The MultiPro CTV and the 1108 have a built-in RF Modulator eliminating the need for the purchase of a separate unit.

2)   LOGISTICS

• Verify that all the cables are connected according to the installation instructions.
• Verify that the Scan Converter has power, and that the Power Adapter is functioning. Be sure to check the power light on the scan converter. If necessary, a Volt-Ohm Meter can be used to measure the output voltage of the power adapter. The typical non-loaded voltage is 12-15VDC. Note that the Pro PC/TV 1 and the 1108 have an automatic power down function when there is no VGA input. This means that when you turn off the computer these units will turn themselves off automatically. If you try to test the 1108 or the Pro PC/TV 1 right out of the box (not connected to an operating computer) the power LED will NOT light.
• If you are using a VCR between the TV and the scan converter, try bypassing it, and connecting the OUTPUT of the scan converter directly to the TV. Also, as mentioned in the section above, make sure the VCR is selecting the Composite VIDEO INPUT selected.

3)  LAPTOP USERS

• Make sure that the laptop computer has been switched to External display mode. You will know you are in this mode because the laptop display will go blank.   If you are not sure how to do this please refer to the manual for the computer. The following are some typical ways to switch video modes on a laptop.  See also Laptop VGA mode switching.

1. HOTKEYS - The majority of laptop computers use a HOTKEY combination to switch the computer among it's supported video display modes. An "Fn" key is typical - used in combination with a function key ( F1-F10). (see also Laptop VGA mode switching  ).
2. SOFTWARE- Some Laptops us a piece of software to change the modes. This is usually accompanied by a re-booting of the machine. There may be a tab in the Display Properties or in the Start/Programs menu for your laptop.  Some laptops require making this setting in the BIOS Setup. 
3. AUTO-DETECT - Some laptops try to auto-detect whether there is a monitor attached to the external VGA port, and will switch to it if there is when you boot up the laptop. 

**AITech's earlier scan converters do not appear as a monitor to some laptops - which may require booting with a computer monitor attached, then switching to the scan converter. **

• SCREEN MOVEMENT - Most laptop computers will not allow the screen to be moved while the LCD or Internal display is active. This is a safety device to protect the LCD panels, and is not correctable on most computers. To get around this, the internal display must be disabled. With the LCD panel disabled - the external VGA port will usually respond to the screen movement commands.  (see also Laptop VGA mode switching   )
• DRIVE COMPRESSION - Programs such as Stacker, DoubleSpace and DriveSpace prohibit the screen control software, and the TSR's for scan converters from functioning properly. The only solution is to remove the compression software from the system's hard drive completely.

4)  CONNECTOR TYPES:

Your TV will have one or more of the following connectors for inputting a TV signal.

"F" Connector - This is a Threaded connector used for the antenna, and Cable TV connectors. This is a standard connector for TV's, and VCR's. The "F" connector is for RF (Radio Frequency or broadcast) signals ONLY.  RF signals combine the VIDEO and AUDIO information into one signal on a high frequency RF carrier. The RCA connector is the industry standard for audio and video connectors on consumer electronics devices. S-video (separated video) is a standard that separates the (composite or combined) video signal into its component parts.

"F" CONNECTORS	RCA CONNECTORS	S-VIDEO CONNECTOR

SYSTEM SETUP - Does not apply to the MultiPro Plus.

The scan converter requires three basic settings in Windows. These setting will be made differently depending on whether you use Windows 3.x or Win95. In either case you must make sure that you have theses settings made in Windows:

In Win95 open your Control Panel and select Display. You should have four or more tabs showing. Click the Settings tab. You will notice on the lower left, the setting for the color palette, and next to it the setting for Desktop Area. Set these as directed above. You may have a tab that says Scan Rate or Refresh Rate. Set this for 60 Hz. In most cases you will have to click on Change Display Type and set the Monitor Type to Standard VGA 640x480. In the newer version of Windows 95 use the Advanced Properties button. In this version of Windows 95 you will find a drop down box at the bottom of the Adapter card. Click on the down arrow. You may see a listing of scan rates, select 60 Hz, or select Adapter Default.

You must set the TV for the proper source. Normally the TV is looking for input from its antenna. You must set it to look at the auxiliary input on the rear. This is may be in a menu or via on a button on the remote. In either case you will need the remote to make this setting. If you are connecting to a VCR you must select its external input. This is done with the remote or the VCR's menu system, or with a special channel such as 00. In either case you may have to refer to the unit's manual for proper setup. Refer to your TV or VCR manual to determine how to switch your equipment to the video mode. One clue is that you must NOT see a channel number on your TV screen - it must have something like: video, line, aux, etc.  Please refer to a separate document on TV/VCR video mode switching. Please Reference TV/VCR video mode switching

If you are using a laptop computer you must set the computer to output the video signal to the external monitor port. This is usually done with the Fn key and one of the F1...F12 keys. The key is usually labeled LCD/CRT or CRT or has an icon of a computer monitor. Please reference Laptop VGA mode switching.  This hot key combination (Fn+F#) usually has three settings:

            a) internal only (LCD)

            b) both internal and external (Simultaneous or Dual Display mode)

            c) external only (CRT).

In the last (c), the internal LCD screen will go black. This is the mode in which you want to do your testing. You may have to refer to your laptop manual for proper settings for the VGA port.  See also separate document on Laptop CRT mode switching.

VGA Pass-through

The VGA pass-through is not required to use to use the scan converter. If 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 may be something wrong with the unit. You should be able to view your monitor just as you did before the scan converter was attached.    Please call our tech support line or visit our Web site for further information and instructions.

Macintosh Installation

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.

1. 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.

 

2. 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.

Last update 3-01-2001