Using the Scan Converter

This guide will cover a basic set up for the Folsom ViewMAX scan converter and how to record to DV tape from the scan converter. The operations manual for the scan converter is on the scan converter cart for further reference.

Connecting the Scan Converter

Unplug the monitor of the computer you are recording off of from its CPU. Attach a VGA cable from the VIDEO IN jack on the scan converter to the monitor out on the CPU. Attach a VGA cable to the VIDEO LOOP jack on the scan converter to the monitor in jack on the monitor. This patches the scan converter in between the monitor and CPU so you can still use the monitor while you are recording. Not that if you are using a SGI then you may need adapters for the VGA cables. These adapters are provided in a plastic bag on the middle shelf of the scan converter cart.

Setting Up the DV Deck

The input for the DV Deck must be set to "Component" to record from the scan converter. This should be set by default. If the scan converter is properly hooked up and you see an image on the TV when the deck and scan converter are turned on, then the correct input is already set.

To set the correct input, push the "Menu" button, use the "Shift" buttons to VIDEO and push "Select". Highlight VIDEO INPUT and push "Select" until COMPONENT appears. Push "Set" to save the selection. The words DATA SET should appear on the screen. Press "Menu" to exit the menu.

Recording Video from the Computer

If the scan converter is properly connected and the right input selected on the deck, then all you have to do is to turn everything on (TV, deck, scan converter) and you should see the computer image on the TV. The scan converter automatically detects the resolution of the computer screen and sets itself accordingly. Simply press PLAY and REC on the deck to record the image.

If you wish to adjust the image further, see the section below, "Operating the Scan Converter"

Operating the Scan Converter

The front of the scan converter has the following buttons:

Control Knob: The round knob on the unit is used to scroll through the menu options, as well as to adjust settings parameters.

SEL: Selects the highlighted menu option or saves any changes you made to a setting.

ESC: Cancels current operation. Also returns to the previous menu or exits from a menu entirely.

PICT ADJ: Enters the picture adjustment menu. From here, you can adjust many different parameters that affect the image that will be recorded. Usually, you only need to access this menu if you are unhappy with the default image that is presented. See the "Picture Adjustment Menu" section below for an explanation of the options contained within this menu.

TEST PAT: Enters test pattern selection menu and displays the currently selected test pattern.

ZOOM: Push if you want to zoom in on a part of the computer screen. The unit immediately enters into zoom mode. Use the control knob to zoom in or out. Push SEL to exit zoom mode and keep the current zoom settings, or push ESC to cancel any changes to the zoom you have made.

PAN: Push if you want to move the area of the computer screen that appears on the TV. When you first push the pan button, you a presented with a menu in which you select which direction you wish the pan. Use the control knob to highlight the direction you wish, and then push SEL. You are now in pan mode, and the control knob will shift the image in the direction you previously selected. Push SEL to exit pan mode and keep the current pan settings, or push ESC to cancel any changes to the pan you have made.

VIEW 1-4: These buttons are used to access previously saved settings. There is no need to deal with them.

Picture Adjustment Menu

Freeze: Causes the video outputted to the TV to be frozen.

EdgeAdj: Use this to manually set the edges of the image. This only needs to be used in for some reason the scan converter could not automatically lock onto the correct resolution of the computer image (which has never happened yet).

InLevelAdj: Adjusts the brightness, contrast, saturation, hue, and color balance of the incoming signal from the computer. Usually there is no need to adjust this.

AspectRat: Switches the aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9 (should always be on 4:3).

FlickerFlt: This switches between different filters used by the scan converter to reduce flicker. If you have a problem with flicker, scroll through these to see if one of them makes the problem go away.

More…: Enters the configuration menu.

Configuration Menu

OFmt: Enters the output format menu.

Output Format Menu
OutputStd: Selects between NTSC and PAL output (should be NTSC).
CompVid: Selects between RGB and YUV for the component video output (usually set automactically)
SyncOnGrn: Turns on Sync on Green. Sync on Green is used by some SGIs. Try this if you are having a problem with an SGI.
BlankStd: Determines number of lines output video should have. Selects between analog and digital (should be digital).

UScan: TVs overscan the image, meaning that some of the video around the edges is not seen on a TV. However, when this video is viewed on a computer monitor, the entire image is visible. The UScan (underscan) control shrinks the size of the output image so you can see the entire video signal on the TV. When the UScan control is used, a black border will appear around the image when it is imported into a computer, the size of the black border depends on how much underscan adjustment you applied.

ISrc: Selects the input source. For computers, it should be RGB.

View: Saves your settings under one of the view buttons.

GlckAdj: Has to do with genlock, which we don't use.

GenLock: Again, not used, since we don't use genlock.

System: Technical stuff that you shouldn't mess with.

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