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ZvBox® 170
Configuration Manual
Configuring ZvBoxes can be as simple as changing
the RF channel used for broadcast, or as powerful
as associating audio ports with video ports and
controlling how video gets processed and
broadcast. This manual explains how to do it all.
If you run into any problems, please refer to the Zv
Support page at www.zeevee.com, where you will
find answers to frequently asked questions and
helpful tips from ZeeVee experts. If you still cannot
find the answers you need, our technical support
hotline at 877‐5ZEEVEE (877‐593‐3833) is here to
help.
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Table of Contents
Related Manuals for ZeeVee ZvBox 170
Summary of Contents for ZeeVee ZvBox 170
- Page 1 ZvBox® 170 Configuration Manual Configuring ZvBoxes can be as simple as changing the RF channel used for broadcast, or as powerful as associating audio ports with video ports and controlling how video gets processed and broadcast. This manual explains how to do it all. If you run into any problems, please refer to the Zv Support page at www.zeevee.com, where you will find answers to frequently asked questions and helpful tips from ZeeVee experts. If you still cannot find the answers you need, our technical support hotline at 877‐5ZEEVEE (877‐593‐3833) is here to help. ...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
Basic Menu .......................... 6 Advanced Menu .......................... 7 RF, Cable, and Broadcast Commands ..................... 8 Set Channel .......................... 8 Set Channel Name ........................ 8 Set RF Output Power ........................ 8 Set the Cable Plan ........................ 8 Cable Scan ........................... 9 Show Last Cable Scan Results ..................... 9 Audio Input Command ........................ 10 Associate Audio Input for VGA and Component Inputs ............ 10 Video Input Commands ........................ 10 Select Active Video Source ....................... 10 Select Underscan Resolutions to Present in VGA EDID ............ 11 MPEG2 Encoding Control ...................... 11 Set Encoding Bit Rate ........................ 11 Visual Watermark ........................ 12 Miscellaneous Commands ...................... 12 Reset to Factory Defaults ...................... 12 Front Panel Lockout ........................ 12 Show Operating Status ...................... 12 Show Status Display Description .................... 14 ® ZvBox 170 Configuration Manual Page 2 www.zeevee.com Rev 1.0 ... -
Page 3: Configuring Zvbox ® 170
® Configuring ZvBox 170 In most cases, the ZvBox® 170 can be configured using the front panel buttons. Configuration is simple, and usually just involves setting the RF channel on which the ZvBox® will broadcast. Settings are stored in ZvBox® and not lost on power‐down. Component video sources connected to the ZvBox® 170 should be set for 720p output, and VGA sources should be set for 1280 x 720 output. If ZvBox® 170 receives a 1080 signal, it will display a warning message and the picture will appear at a very low frame rate. Important Note: Many additional configuration settings can be accessed by connecting a PC to the ZvBox® (via USB), and running either ZvConfig or ZvCli configuration software. You can download either on the ZeeVee web site. The same USB connection can also be used to update the unit’s firmware. Quick‐start Following are instructions on how to perform the most common setting adjustment (setting the RF channel the ZvBox® will use for broadcast) using the front panel controls. ZvBox® 170 Front Panel Item Description Function 1 Status Display High‐visibility character display for setting and displaying configuration including channel, power, and label configuration; input selection; video output parameters; scanning/system status. 2 Next Button For scrolling between functions. 3 +/‐ Buttons For scrolling between options within a function. 4 OK Button For selecting functions and options. ... -
Page 4: Compensating For Cropped Video From Vga Sources
Component Video sources aren’t terribly affected; they’ve always been designed to be displayed on TVs that might crop off a portion of the picture. Content is specially designed to keep important information inside of a ‘safe area’. There is no need (and no ability) to adjust the source to better fit the TV– you’ll simply see a little more picture on one TV vs. another. VGA sources are quite a different matter. These are usually computer images that have important information at the edges of the screen: • Windows has a Start button and the task bar right on the edge. • Apple has a dock on the edge. • Digital signage applications typically put a text crawl on the edge. Any cropping of the image may cause important information to be lost. ZeeVee has developed a patent‐pending mechanism to help compensate for this behavior. By changing the information presented to the computer via EDID on the VGA connection, we can give the computer an alternate “underscan” resolution that’s a little smaller than the default. Although ZvBox® ships with a default underscan resolution, we also allow you to optimize the settings to match the exact behavior of your TV. Here are the steps involved: 1. Broadcast a VGA source to your HDTV(s). Note which TV crops off the most. 2. Press the Next button until the display reads “SET VIDEO‐SOURCE” 3. Press the + or ‐ button until “Test‐Image‐1“ appears on‐screen, then press OK 4. On the TV that crops the most, note the largest resolution that is visible. It will look like this: 5. Press the Next button until the SET VGA‐RES command appears in the window. 6. Press + or – buttons to select a resolution that is closest to, but not larger than, the one you saw on the HDTV (that will ensure that the entire picture fits on‐screen). 7. Press OK to apply that resolution. 8. Unplug the VGA cable from your computer, wait a few seconds, and reconnect it. There should ... -
Page 5: Zvbox® 170 Front Panel Dashboard
VGA: resolution unsupported or Input video resolution not supported by ZvBox. Component: resolution unsupported Change to supported resolution. Input video resolution of 1920x1080 unsupported; VGA: 1080 unsupported or message appears at HDTVs as well. Change to Component: 1080 unsupported – supported resolution. ZvBox is in danger of overheating; make sure all air Temperature critical or inlets and outlets are clear, and that nothing is Temperature warning stacked on top of ZvBox The digital signal processor (DSP) is not functioning DSP error, reboot correctly. Try rebooting the unit, or call technical support. ZvBox® 170 Front Panel Setup The front panel buttons operate as follows: • Next scrolls through available settings • + and – buttons scroll through possible values for a setting and multiple status lines • OK saves the selected value ® ZvBox 170 Configuration Manual Page 5 www.zeevee.com Rev 1.0 ... -
Page 6: Basic Menu
VGA or Component, sets both. USB None SET LANG/IDIOMA English Sets the language that is used at the Front Panel Display. Español SHOW STATUS Transmit (whether transmitting) Note: Scrolling through the SHOW STATUS section does not V‐in (Video input resolution) allow you to change settings‐ it simply gives you information V‐out (Video output resolution) about the operating status of your ZvBox 170 A‐in (Audio input type) A‐out (Audio output type) SN (Serial number) HW Rev (Hardware version) SW (Software version) Temp (Temperature) Up (Indicates continuous run time) CC (Closed caption status) ADVANCED MENU Enter the advanced menu LOCK FRONT PANEL Lock Note: To unlock front panel, press all four front‐panel buttons simultaneously (Next, + , ‐, OK) ® ZvBox 170 Configuration Manual Page 6 www.zeevee.com Rev 1.0 ... -
Page 7: Advanced Menu
20 dBmV 25 dBmV SET CABLE‐PLAN Standard If sharing coax cabling with cable company feed, set to same HRC cable plan as cable co.; normally Standard IRC SET WATERMARK On Enables/disables on‐screen Zv watermark Off SET VGA‐RES Various from 1120x630 to 1264x711 Used to shrink 1280 x 720 VGA source picture to better fit an HDTV screen START CABLE‐SCAN Start Scans the cabling to see which channels are currently unoccupied on the coax system. SHOW SCAN RESULT Note: RF channel scan results are Displays unoccupied channels on coax cabling which can be displayed; information includes channel used to broadcast the Zv channel plan, open and occupied channels RESET DEFAULTS Restores ZvBox® to factory defaults ® ZvBox 170 Configuration Manual Page 7 www.zeevee.com Rev 1.0 ... -
Page 8: Rf, Cable, And Broadcast Commands
Set Channel Name The ZvBox® channel name appears on HDTV screens when tuned in. Technically there are three names that could appear: the short channel name, long channel name, and EIT (or program) name. The name may be customized‐ 7 characters spaces are available. If customized, all three possible names are changed to the new customized name. Syntax SET CHANNEL NAME<A….Z> factory default: MYTV‐HD Sets the name that will appear on HDTVs when the ZvBox channel is tuned in. When the name is customized, all three channel names adopt the customized name. Set RF Output Power Sets the power level that ZvBox® will use when broadcasting. Syntax SET RF‐POWER {Off | 5dBmV | 10dBmV | 15dBmV | 20dBmV | 25dBmV} The ZvBox® has a maximum output power of +25 dBmV, matching the highest power levels typically entering a home from providers such as FIOS and Comcast. When using a ZvBox® to add a channel to an existing lineup, it is important to match the power of existing channels, otherwise adjacent lower‐powered channels can be difficult to tune with some televisions. There are five power levels available, each dropping the output power approximately 5 dBmV, plus ‘off’. Set the Cable Plan ZvBox®’s built‐in spectrum analyzer can identify the cable plan (channel alignment) the cable company is using for its channel lineup; options are Standard, HRC, and IRC. Once the cable plan is detected, the ZvBox® can be set to use the same plan. Matching the ZvBox to the cable company cable plan allows the HDTVs to tune both the Zv channel and the cable company channels reliably. ® ZvBox 170 Configuration Manual Page 8 www.zeevee.com Rev 1.0 ... -
Page 9: Cable Scan
Syntax START CABLE‐SCAN RF frequencies on the coax cabling are scanned from lowest number to highest. The scan cannot be interrupted once started. Example: (some results omitted to save space) START CABLE‐SCAN Determining cable plan RF 2: Open RF 3: Digital RF 4: Analog … RF 135: Open SCAN COMPLETED ‐ Hit NEXT Show Last Cable Scan Results ZvBox® remembers the results of the last cable scan performed. This command shows the results. The first line shows the cable‐plan type that was determined (standard, HRC, or IRC). Syntax SHOW SCAN RESULTS Example: SHOW SCAN RESULTS Hit +‐ to scroll Cable‐plan STD Open 2 3 4 5 6 7 Open 8 9 10 11 … Digital 12 13 14 15 … Analog 16 17 18 19 ® ZvBox 170 Configuration Manual Page 9 www.zeevee.com Rev 1.0 ... -
Page 10: Audio Input Command
Associate Audio Input for VGA and Component Inputs Syntax SET AUDIO‐SOURCE {Dig‐optical | Dig‐coax | USB | None} This command sets the audio input that is associated with the currently selected video input. If the video input is neither VGA nor Component, then the selected audio source is associated with both VGA and Component inputs. The Dig‐ optical input is a TOSLINK connection that delivers digital audio. The Dig‐ coax input carries the same information in a different physical form. If the received audio is PCM, it is encoded into a Dolby Digital 2.0 stream. All other Dolby encodings, including 5.1, are directly passed through as‐is to the video stream. Note that DTS encoding is not supported. If USB is selected, the USB port will present itself as a standard USB audio device to whatever device it is connected. No special software is required to use this connection. If None is selected, no audio will be passed with the video stream Video Input Commands These commands are used to select which video source to broadcast, and set some parameters for how to process that video. Select Active Video Source Selects the video input that will be encoded and broadcast. Audio will be processed based on the audio port associated with the selected video input. Syntax SET VIDEO‐SOURCE {Component | VGA | Test‐image‐1 | Test‐image‐2 | None} factory default: component If idle‐screen is selected (‘None’), the animated Zv logo is played. If a test image is selected, a fixed test image is displayed. These are designed to help you calibrate your HDTVs‐ test images are broadcast in 720p. On very rare occasions, the audio and video processing may need to be restarted. To do so, change the video‐source to ‘None’ and then back to the previous setting. Note that video‐source can be selected via the IR control port on the rear panel of the ZvBox® 170. ® ZvBox 170 Configuration Manual Page 10 www.zeevee.com Rev 1.0 ... -
Page 11: Select Underscan Resolutions To Present In Vga Edid
The following command allows you to set an underscan resolution for 720, which will be communicated to your PC via EDID. Once an underscan resolution has been selected, you may set your PC’s output resolution to that resolution. Note: each TV will perform a different amount of overscan, so keep this in mind when selecting an underscan resolution. It can be useful to have the ZvBox® output test‐image‐1 (i.e. “set video‐source test‐image 1”) when determining the correct underscan resolution. Syntax SET VGA‐RES {1264x711 | 1248x702 | 1232x693 | 1216x684 | 1200x675 | 1184x666 | 1168x657 | 1152x648 | 1136x639 | 1120x630} MPEG2 Encoding Control This group of commands can be used to fine‐tune the characteristics of the MPEG2 encoder. The factory defaults have been set to values that produce the best picture, while also maximizing the chance that all HDTVs will correctly display the encoded video. We have found that some HDTVs are sensitive to certain things like total bit‐rate or number of bits of DC coefficients. The picture may sometimes break up, or in some cases not display at all! Experimenting with these settings can improve the quality of the encoded video, but we strongly advise you to test any changes on *each type of HDTV* that may receive the signal. Set Encoding Bit Rate A digital cable (QAM) RF channel allows for a data rate up to 38.78 Mbps. Usually, that stream is divided into multiple digital channels, each having a lower effective data rate. Since ZvBox® is placing a single digital channel in the stream, it can send more data during complex scenes, up to the 38.78 Mbps limit. This can result in significant improvements in video quality for certain very complex scenes. However, some HDTVs will experience some picture breakup if the data rate ever exceeds 19.4 Mbps for a single digital channel. We have observed that this is true of some Sharp HDTVs, and may be true of others. “Normal” will keep the encoder’s output data rate to 19.4 Mbps. High will allow the encoder to operate up to 38.78 Mbps. At this time, Low and Normal have the same effect. Syntax SET DATA‐RATE {low |normal | high} factory default: high ® ZvBox 170 Configuration Manual Page 11 www.zeevee.com Rev 1.0 ... -
Page 12: Visual Watermark
ZvBox® overlays a Zv logo in the lower right corner of the broadcast stream. The logo has a ‘heartbeat’, slowly appearing and disappearing. This is used to identify a ZvBox® as being the source of video. This visual mark can be disabled, however, every encoded video stream also has an embedded digital watermark containing information about the ZvBox® and system that created it, that cannot be removed. This is added to help trace the source of potentially pirated video, and does not affect visual quality in any way. Syntax SET WATERMARK {off | on } factory default: on Miscellaneous Commands Reset to Factory Defaults This command resets all settings to their original factory defaults. It is especially useful when some prior configuration change causes the system to malfunction. Defaults are listed in this document in the command summary, and with each command description. The unit will reboot after it has reset to factory defaults. Note that when configuring ZvBox® via ZvCli (with a PC via the USB connection), you can use the ‘script’ command to save the configuration to a file before setting to factory defaults, and also to restore the configuration from that file. Syntax RESET DEFAULTS Front Panel Lockout To prevent accidental changes to ZvBox® settings, the front panel buttons can be locked. Syntax LOCK FRONT PANEL Note: The panel can be unlocked by simultaneously pressing all four buttons: Next, +, ‐, and OK. Set Language The ZvBox® 170 supports both English and Spanish languages at the Front Panel Display. Syntax SET LANG/IDIOMA {English | Español} factory default: English Sets the language that is displayed on the Front Panel Display. ® ZvBox 170 Configuration Manual Page 12 www.zeevee.com Rev 1.0 ... -
Page 13: Show Operating Status
Show Operating Status The system and operating status for ZvBox® can be reviewed using the Show Status display, which is useful for optimization and troubleshooting purposes. This display is only for review; actual configuration setting changes must be done in the Basic or Advanced menus. Syntax SHOW STATUS ® ZvBox 170 Configuration Manual Page 13 www.zeevee.com Rev 1.0 ... -
Page 14: Show Status Display Description
Unknown = unknown audio format A‐out Audio output: • Power off = RF output is turned off • AC3 = an audio source is detected, ZvBox is outputting AC3 audio • No output = either no input detected, or unknown audio format from input source SN Shows serial number of ZvBox HW Shows hardware version of ZvBox SW Shows firmware version of ZvBox Temp Temperature status • Okay = normal operating temperature • Warning = Hotter than normal operating temperature • Critical = Unit about to shut down automatically Up Uptime = shows how long ZvBox has been running since power on or reboot CC Closed captioning adaptor status: • Connected = ZVCC closed captioning adapter connected • Not connected = no ZVCC closed captioning adapter connected ® ZvBox 170 Configuration Manual Page 14 www.zeevee.com Rev 1.0 ... - Page 15 ZeeVee, Inc. One Monarch Drive Littleton, MA 01460 ...
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