Page 3
Planar employees. When you purchase a Planar product, you get more than a display, you get the service and support you need to maximize your investment. To find the latest warranty and service information regarding your Planar product, please visit http://www.planar.com/support/warranty...
Portrait The m40L/m46L are only 5”deep. Both have an aspect ratio of 1.77 (16:9). The m40L/m46L have a native HD (1920 x 1080) resolution. Both accept a wide range of input pictures from VGA to 1080p. With the optional Video Input Module, the m40L/m46L accepts NTSC and PAL as composite, component, S-Video or SDI.
WARNING! Wall mounts must be secure. If the display is hung on a wall, the wall must be strong enough to hold it. The m40L weighs about 63lbs (29kg) and the m46L weighs about 84lbs (38kg). Simply mounting it to wallboard or wall paneling won’t be adequate or safe. The mounting method must be capable of holding five times this weight, 315/420 lbs (145/190 kg).
LCD device from any LCD manufacturer. Here are some guidelines to help you avoid TIR: • Use the m40L/m46L to show a screen saver, moving images or still pictures that change regularly. When using high-contrast images, reposition the images frequently.
Normal Use Thermal Guidelines Normal Use Thermal Guidelines Normal use of an m40L/m46L is defined as operating in the open air to prevent heat buildup, and without direct or indirect heat sources such as adjacent displays, lighting fixtures, heating ducts, or direct sunlight that can cause the display to experience high operating temperatures.
VESA Mounts, General Description VESA Mounts, General Description VESA mounts are used to secure the m40L/m46L for display. The m40L/m46L can be installed using a variety of VESA mounts available through Planar. If you do not have a VESA mount and would like to purchase one, contact Planar.
Installing an m40L/m46L This section explains how to install an m40L/m46L. We suggest that you read the entire section before you attempt to install the unit. Before You Begin Make sure you have all the items in these lists before you begin unpacking and installing your m40L/m46L(s).
If your installation included a lot of construction or dust, it is highly recommended that you clean all of the screens after the wall installation and configuration are complete. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Unpacking and Checking Accessories Accessories With Each m40L/m46L Display Quick Start Guide The Quick Start Guide provides the basic setup needed to get the m40L/m46L up and running. It does not contain the detailed information included in this Installation Guide.
Make sure you have the following customer-supplied items as needed to complete your installation: • RJ45 to 9-pin adapter, if you will use RS232 commands to control the displays • RJ45 cable, computer network type • Component video cables • S-Video cables • SDI cables • RS232 cable m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Connecting Source Cables Connecting Source Cables All cabling for the m40L/m46L must be run through the rear of the display. Connecting Picture Sources The three main types of inputs are: • Analog computer (from UXGA down to VGA) • Digital computer •...
Digital Video Interface (DVI) digitally connects computers to their monitors or connects to any display with a DVI input. The m40L/m46L converts the analog inputs to DVI and makes this available at the Digital Out connector. This means you can bring in a picture source - UXGA, SXGA, VGA, 1080p - to the first display and connect the rest of the displays in the loop with DVI.
Connecting Power Connecting Power The m40L can draw up to 2.0A at 120V or 1.0A at 240V. The m46L can draw up to 2.6A at 120V or 1.3A at 240V. For countries outside of North America, it is the responsibility of the installer to provide the power supply cord certified for use in the destination country.
Page 24
About UPS Supplies m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Wire it internally as shown. The wiring shown for this adapter is correct for straight-through cables. Straight-through cables are wired 1-to-1, 2-to-2, etc. RJ45 9-pin Yellow wire Black wire RJ45 looking into the socket Green wire m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Connect a cable from the RJ-45 adapter to the nearest display’s RS232 In connector. For more information about configuring RS232 communications, see "Serial Port Settings and Diagnostics" on page 71. RS232 port connection is on the control board. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
• Set up Tiling for the image on multiple displays (See "Tiling a Display" on page • Adjust Scaling and Cropping (See "Zoom and Viewport" on page 47) • Color Balance the displays (See "Adjusting Color Balance" on page 51) m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
• The batteries in the remote are dead or installed wrong. • The remote was not aimed at the screen. • Something is blocking the IR receiver in the display. • IR remote action was disabled by an RS232 command. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
VIM or SDI VIM Digital Digital input loop- through Connect the power cord and turn on the power switch. If the power was already on, and the backlights are off, press the button on the remote. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Note: HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is not supported. Composite Video and S-Video These two inputs accept NTSC and PAL. The composite connector also accepts SECAM video. SD/HD SDI This input accepts NTSC, PAL, 720p and 1080i. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Ho r i zo n tal R es ol ut i on 1 366 Vert ic al Re so lu t io n 1 602 Fr eq u en cy 22 .5 ° Phas e S h arp n es s In p ut L e vel s m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Page 32
If no message is displayed, maybe the source has timed out and is displaying a blank screen. The next pictures show examples of the how the menu appears when PICTURE different sources are selected. When you are finished, press MENU m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Page 33
NT SC 6 0 H z /3 .5 8 M Hz Ve rti ca l F re q ue nc y (f ra m e l oc ke d ) 60 Hz Sh a rp ne ss I np u t L ev els m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Page 34
H o r iz o n tal Re so lu t io n 136 6 Ve rti ca l R es o lu ti o n 76 8 Sh a rp ne ss Note: For additional information about source selection, see "Preferred Source Detection" on page 58. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Your pictures will not look their best on the display until you adjust for these differences. This is not about adjusting color or contrast. It’s about telling the display what the computer or processor means by black and by white. Semi-Automatic Level Adjustment Select a source in the menu. PICTURE m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Page 36
Although it is not required, we recommend that you save the configuration to a memory slot. (See "Saving Configurations" on page 78) If you have more than one source coming through the same connector, adjust Input Levels for each source. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Page 37
Although it is not required, we recommend that you save the configuration to a memory slot. (See "Saving Configurations" on page 78) If you have more than one source coming through the same connector, adjust Input Levels for each source. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Although it is not required, we recommend that you save the configuration to a memory slot. (See "Saving Configurations" on page 78) If you have more than one source coming through the same connector, adjust Input Levels for each source. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Adjust to make the outer two color bars match. Match them in SATURATION brightness; they will already match in color. Adjust to make the inner two color bars match. Uncheck BLUE ONLY m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Page 40
Although it is not required, we recommend that you save the configuration to a memory slot. (See "Saving Configurations" on page 78) If you have more than one source coming through the same connector, adjust Input Levels for each source. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Choose Image > Attributes to open a dialog box. In the Units section, choose Pixels. In the Color section, choose Black and white. Set the Width and Height in pixels to match the native resolution of the Planar display. When you click OK, the program gives you a warning about losing color. Click Yes.
Find a point that has no streaking or minimal streaking. There is usually a fairly broad range of no streaking, so settle for the point in the middle of this range. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
The aspect ratio of any picture is its width divided by its height. W/H = Aspect Ratio The native aspect ratio of the m40L/m46L is 1.77. This is sometimes referred to as 16:9. The native resolution of the m40L/m46L is HD (1920 x 1080).
Page 44
The display is not capable of compressing the image in one direction while stretching it in the other. For example, if you try to display a UXGA (1600 x 1200) on an m40L (1920 x 1080) at Fill All, the display will letterbox the image and the following note will appear at the bottom of the menu: “Can’t display Change Scale Mode.
Page 45
4 x 3 (1.33) aspect ratio, the ratio of standard television. 4 x 3 is used to display standard video on the analog or component inputs. Its resolution is 720 x 640, which is not 4 x 3, but it should be displayed as 4 x 3 (the pixels aren't square). m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Page 46
16 x 9 display, this will crop the picture top, bottom, and sides. The primary use of One to One is to display the image without scaling artifacts and with minor cropping. The One to One Scale Mode will produce different cropping results and the image size will be different for each input resolution. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
This is used to hide blank areas and stray lines in the edges of an image. The lower the overscan setting, the more of the optical image that is seen. Planar displays have a default overscan of 3% for S-Video and composite video images. Standard CRT televisions have an overscan of about 5%, which may actually hide content or images that you want to see.
S h arp n es s In pu t L e vel s Sharpness settings determine how crisp the image should be. There are sixteen levels of sharpness, where 0 is the softest and 15 is the sharpest. Seven is the default. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Note: Adjusting the too far may cause the image to jump or hop. If the VERTICAL POSITION image appears to flicker or hop, readjust the VERTICAL POSITION m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Page 52
Picture Position m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
If you have a wall of multiple displays, you will need to set up a variety of options that relate to how each display fits into the wall. Whether you use Planar’s Big Picture or an external video processor, your goal is to make the picture fit together properly at the edges.
Unit numbering starts at the top left corner of the array. This display would have a Unit Column value of 1 and a Unit Row value of 1. Wall Mode When checked, this turns on the Planar’s Big Picture feature. When not checked, the display shows the whole picture.
Using Planar’s Big Picture Frame Compensation When video displays are used in an array, the intent is to display a large version of an image. However, even the thinnest of mullions break up the image oddly. One way around this is to adjust the image. Imagine looking out a window made up of many panes of glass.
Using Planar’s Big Picture Frame compensation allows you to mimic the mind’s function by “hiding” portions of the picture (as if the mullions were actually hiding the image) and allow the distributed image to appear as one very large image.
Zoom fits the edges of a large picture - one that covers many displays’ screens - from side to side and top to bottom. Note: Zoom and Viewport adjustments are mainly used for Planar’s cube products with no mullions. Users with direct-view LCD monitors may want to skip this section. To access the Zoom menus, press...
Vi ew p o r t 192 0 x 1 08 0 Display Resolution Shows the resolution of the unit. This has nothing to do with the resolution of the source picture. Viewport Shows the number of display pixels being used. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
“Color Temperature” is a way of measuring these color differences. In general, higher color temperature numbers are bluer or “cooler. ” You may have a reason for wanting your display to be a specific color temperature. For instance, if you are using the m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Adjusting Color Temperature m40L/m46L in a television studio where you will be videotaping the content, you will want a low color temperature. The m40L/m46L defaults to the brightest setting possible, which is 100 in the lines under . You GREEN...
Page 64
Why pick the “least bright” display? Why not pick the brightest and adjust to it? When the white value is 100, the display is as bright as it can get. You are adjusting for slight variations in backlight brightness. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Page 65
Adjust the gray values for all the displays until they match the baseline display. Do one display at a time. Again, match the center part of the picture, not the edges. When all displays match in gray, close all the menus. The test pattern automatically turns off. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
• Changes in the white values affect the gray values but changes in gray values do not affect the white values. Bright Changes in the White value moves this end point. Changes in the Gray value move this mid point. Dark Black White Input Signal Input Signal m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Miscellaneous Options Curtain Pattern The curtain pattern determines what the m40L/m46L will show when you press the button. CURTAIN (EDID) Plug and Play Plug and Play allows the source computer’s video card to query the display and send the correct resolution. Most video cards work with Planar displays. For the few that don’t, you may need to turn off Plug and Play and manually specify the video card...
These work separately to find the frequency and phase of the computer picture and adjust to them. These work best on a picture that has a lot of sharp changes in brightness, such as text (adjacent white and black pixels). m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Determines how many seconds the menu will stay on the screen without any activity. means the menus will not automatically disappear. The maximum NEVER TIME OUT timeout is 60 seconds. The shortest possible timeout is 5 seconds. The default value NEVER TIME OUT m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
To generate and administer text messages, it is suggest that you download the MIP Maker software application from Planar’s website. We suggest you also download the user guide. For more information, refer to the Product Reference Manual, specifically "Accessing Planar’s Technical Support Website"...
Setting the Clock/Scheduling an Event Setting the Clock/Scheduling an Event The m40L/m46L can be easily programmed to update the clock during annual time changes, as well as to schedule specific events, such as turning the unit on or off. To access the...
Press to open the popup menu. ENTER EVENT Do one of the following: • To set the clock, see "Setting the Clock" on page 64. • To schedule an event, see "Scheduling an Event" on page 64. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
MENU Scheduling an Event The most important event that can be “scheduled” for the m40L/m46L is to turn it on or off. Scheduling an automatic shut off time for the m40L/m46L helps ensure that Temporary Image Retention does not occur. The following events can be scheduled: •...
Page 75
• If you selected “Recall Slot” in the previous step and want to recall a memory slot other than the one shown, go to 5. • If you did not select “Recall Slot” in the previous step, go to 6. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Page 76
When you are finished making the appropriate changes, press to see the ENTER new events on the menu. SET CLOCK SCHEDULE EVENTS Press to close the menu system. MENU m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
In the automatic mode, you let the ambient light in the area of the m40L/m46L determine the image brightness. This is useful when the m40L/m46L is in a location that sometimes has daylight, which can vary.
Manual Backlight Control Manual Backlight Control This mode is useful when the m40L/m46L is in a room with no outside windows and unchanging ambient light levels. Set the BACKLIGHT CONTROL MODE MANUAL . Ba ck lig h t C on t r o l...
Note: Ambient light is a relative value, and is pertinent only to the m40L/m46L. It is not an absolute value. You may get different ambient light values with a handheld light meter. Note: The m40L/m46L has a nominal time delay of three minutes before it changes light levels.
Caution: To prevent temporary image retention (TIR), is recommended that you do not leave the m40L/m46L on for 24 hours a day. To get the most out of your display, see "Recommended Usage" on page 4. If the displays normally have the backlights off for part of the day or night, do not check this box.
It does not matter what order you use to set IDs for the displays. It is common practice to use Unit IDs that are in order, left to right and top to bottom, but this is not mandatory. The only rule is: DO NOT USE THE SAME ID FOR DIFFERENT DISPLAYS. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
. For computer-read data, use SYMBOLIC NUMERIC DATA ONLY ASCII Response Terminator Will be determined by what your serial program wants to see at the end of every transmission from the display. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
The RS232 protocol - the “rules” for controlling displays with RS232 commands - are described in a separate document. See "Accessing Planar’s Technical Support Website" on page 89 to see how to get to the web page. Then look for m40L/m46L and under that the RS232 Guide.
Page 84
Controlling With RS232 Commands m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Advantages of Saving Configurations to Memory Slots • You can compare multiple settings quickly • You don’t have to repeat settings when comparing entire configurations • You can revert to a known good setting when testing new configurations m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
It is more than that, but if you think of it this way, you will be close enough. Some parameters are associated with the input. The input in this instance means the input connector: Analog, digital, composite video, etc. The parameters specific to mode and input are saved in memory slots. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Page 87
Viewport Window Left Frequency Viewport Window Right Group ID Viewport Window Top White Level: R, G & B Justify Zoom Window Bottom Menu H Position Zoom Window Left Menu Timeout Zoom Window Right Menu V Position Zoom Window Top m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
W h i te L ev el 16 6 17 0 1 69 Use the + or - keys to move the yellow selector under the character you want to change. Use the up/down arrows to change the character. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
F r eq u en cy /P h a se 1 60 2 / 2 2.5 ° S h arp n es s N o rm al Bl ac k L e vel Wh it e Le ve l 17 0 16 9 m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Page 91
In the menu, is selected. Press to recall the RECALL SLOT RECALL NOW ENTER parameters currently displayed in the menu. We suggest that you create a list of memory slots that contains each slot number, name and description. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Navigate with the arrow keys to the slot you want to delete and press ENTER When navigating, you can only go to the checked numbers. All the slots with checks have something stored in them. The others are grayed out. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Page 93
Ar e y o u Su re? Ye s Note: It is not necessary to delete the data in a memory slot before saving new data. Saving will overwrite the stored data. (See “Saving Configurations” on page 78) m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Page 94
Deleting a Configuration m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Cu r ta in o r Te st P a t te r n is d is p lay ed I nt er na l Te m pe rat u re : 32º C The message has not See “m40L/m46L doesn’t respond 2 Press once on the...
Page 96
Reconnect cable or turn on unit. connected, the power switch is ON and the front LED is illuminated. m40L/m46L doesn’t respond to remote control Possible Cause Possible Resolution Power is not on Confirm that the power cable is connected and the power switch is on and the front LED is illuminated.
In t ern al Te mp e rat u re: 3 2ºC Internal Temperature Indicates the current internal temperature at one point inside the unit. This is not the highest or the lowest temperature of the unit, nor an indicator of ambient temperatures. m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Where to Go From Here Where to Go From Here If none of the suggestions offered thus far have solved your problem, contact Planar’s Technical Support Department. via mail: Planar Systems, Inc. Control Room and Digital Signage 1195 NW Compton Drive Beaverton, OR 97006 ts@planar.com...
Once you enter your login and password, you can access downloadable utility software, new firmware, user manuals, and service manuals. Downloading Additional Documentation and Firmware Some of the other documents for the m40L/m46L, which are or will be available from the Technical Support Department website, are listed below: Document Name...
Go to http://partners.planarcontrolroom.com. Enter your login and password information. Navigate to the section that contains software updates and then look for m40L/m46L. From the list of available software, click on the tool you need. For example, to control the m40L/m46L using RS232 commands, download Serial Talk.
1094mm Height 21” 536mm 25” 638mm Depth 5” 126mm 5” 120mm with front shield, add 5mm (m40L) or 5.25mm (m46L) Weight 63lbs 29kg 84lbs 38kg with front shield, add 7lbs (m40L) or 10lbs (m46L) Shipping weight 74lbs 34kg 95lbs 43kg...
Page 102
50-60 Hz auto switching 230V range 240V 200V 230V 50-60 Hz auto switching Power m40L 205W m46L 278W Current m40L @ 115V 1.78A m40L @ 230V 0.87A m46L @ 115V 2.41A m46L @ 230V 1.2A Heat, BTUs per hour m40L m46L Optical Specifications...
Page 103
95° F 32° F temperature range. non-operating 60° C –20° C 140° F –4° F Altitude (barometric pressure) 2,000 meters Maximum temperature 30° C above sea level Humidity 80% R.H. 20% R.H. non-condensing m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Page 104
Mounting Specifications End to End, Longer End to End, Shorter Specification Screw Size Side of Display Side of Display VESA MIS-F m40L m46L m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Industry Canada (ICES-003): This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada. Any changes or modifications to the display not expressly approved by Planar could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
Page 110
59 auto setup options, 59 H position in menu options, 60 color balance, 51 heat specifications, 91 delete (memory), 82 help, how to obtain, 88 H position, 60 high temperature warning, 69 hide color balance, 55 m40L/m46L Installation Guide...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the m40L and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers