QSC DCM series User Manual
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QSC DCM series User Manual

QSC DCM series User Manual

Digital cinema monitor & crossover system
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DCM Series
Digital Cinema Monitor & Crossover System
U S E R
M A N U A L

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  • Page 1 DCM Series Digital Cinema Monitor & Crossover System U S E R M A N U A L...
  • Page 2 The DCM hardware unit and DCM Commander software are the property of QSC Audio Inc. Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of QSC Audio. The software described here is furnished under a licensing agreement. It is against the law to copy the software on any medium except as specifically allowed in the licensing agreement.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    ..........1. QSC Amplifier Dataports .
  • Page 6 C. Starting The Program ........... . D.
  • Page 7 iii. Fault Diagnostics ..........5.

  • Page 8: Introduction

    (for example, Dolby, Sony, or dts) and the speakers. The DCM series consists of one of three hardware units (DCM-1, DCM-2, and DCM-3) and the PC based control software called the DCM Commander. The DCM-1 supports a typical Dolby 6 ch. 2-way system. The DCM-2 supports a typical Dolby 6 ch.

  • Page 9: System Requirements

    An available RS-232 serial port A display capable of at least 640X480 resolution in 16 colors. A standard DB9 RS-232 cable (male to female) To complete a full Cinema System, you will also need a cinema processor, QSC DCA amplifiers, speakers, and cables.

  • Page 10: Package Contents

    IV. PACKAGE CONTENTS Open the box and remove the contents. You will find the following items: This user manual An envelope containing the DCM Commander installation diskettes (or CDROM) with the software license agreement A linecord for connection to AC power The DCM hardware unit main assembly (either a DCM-1, or a DCM-2, or a DCM-3) If anything is missing, immediately contact your salesman.

  • Page 11: System Concepts

    V. SYSTEM CONCEPTS A. System Design Features The DCM series Digital Cinema Monitor has many unique features which combine to make this the most cost effective and versatile systems solution in the industry. This system addresses the following needs: Installer Feature Provides Monitor and Crossover functions in one box.

  • Page 12: Programmable Routing And Crossover Settings

    2. Programmable routing and crossover settings Almost all of the internal circuitry within the DCM series can be adjusted using commands over the RS-232 port from the DCM Commander software. Configuration files can be stored to a dis- kette and used for other DCMs.

  • Page 13: Emergency Bypass

    7. Emergency Bypass One of the main design goals of the DCM series was to offer a foolproof method of getting sound into the theater "no matter what"! To accomplish this, a passive crossover has been built into the center channel routing so that even with a total loss of power to the DCM, a usable sound path will be maintained.
  • Page 18 DCM-2 and DCM-3 DataPort ABC and EF Detail...

  • Page 19: Dcm Hardware Description

    VI. DCM HARDWARE DESCRIPTION A. Front Panel Features The front panel of the DCM series resembles traditional cinema monitor products. This was done to allow a typical machine room projectionist a well known and easy to understand user interface. This also follows our design goal of presenting an easy to understand product to the user while still offering a state-of-the-art cinema sound control system for installation technicians and advanced users.

  • Page 20: Diagnostics / Indicators

    setting monitors the speakers on the backwall. Other installations might require speaker sets where some speakers are along the theater side walls where other speakers are under a balcony overhang. By connecting these speakers as "zo- nes", the sound levels will be much easier to balance. Any of these amplifier outputs can be verified by selecting them to be routed to the DCM monitor speaker.

  • Page 21: Test Jacks

    Computer industry VGA-style cables can be used to connect between the DCM and QSC amplifi- ers. However, make sure that your cable passes ALL connections between the two 15 pin connec- tors. See Appendix 1 for pinout information. Contact QSC if you would like to purchase specially made cables.

  • Page 22: Rs-232 Connection

    NOTE: There is no signal processing of the surround signal in a standard DCM-2 or DCM-3, how- ever, the system is "Active Surround Ready". Please contact the QSC factory for more information. ========== WARNING: Incorrect frequency connections can damage tranducers. Physically verify proper connections AND listen to each individual transducer at very low volume before applying full au- dio power.

  • Page 23: Terminal Strip Connections

    "TO SURROUND EX DECODER" connector or directly to the DCM DataPort connections. 7. Power Input The power connector uses a standard IEC power cable. Since the DCM series uses a switching power supply, a wide range of AC power can be accepted without affecting system performance.

  • Page 24: Dcm Commander Windows Pc Software

    NOTE: If a CDROM version is supplied, merely select the correct drive letter and double-click on setup.exe. C. Starting The Program Select Start | Programs | QSC DCM | DCM Commander. This will cause the program header (with version number) to appear. D. Working with Configuration Files 1.

  • Page 25: Editing A Configuration File

    ========== WARNING: Do not send audio to your amplifiers and speakers until you have verified that the crossover and gain settings are appropriate. Incorrect crossover settings can damage speakers! NOTE: all screen channels default to a crossover frequency of 1.5 kHz. ========== In a typical installation, you will need to do the following...

  • Page 26: Main Control Screen

    ========== WARNING: Remember... the next step can change all of the audio signal volumes and fre- quency content. Incorrect frequencies can damage speakers! Turn down the volume on all amplifiers. ========== Step 5: Write the file back to the DCM by selecting Connect | Write Configuration to DCM Step 6: Save this "post-modification"...

  • Page 27: Communications

    2. Communications This menu choice refers to the communications between the Windows PC and the DCM hardware unit. i. Connect / Disconnect Selecting Connect tells the program to initialize communications with the DCM hardware unit. This will need to be selected before parameter settings can be transmitted to or from the DCM hardware unit.

  • Page 28: General Config

    General Config This section is mainly designed for selecting the number of channel inputs and crossover types able to be supported by the DCM series. c Installed Outputs Selecting these check boxes will allow the front panel LED indication and sound moni- toring to behave correctly.

  • Page 29: Surround

    d Surround This screen presents the surround processing options. Standard versions allow external processing of the surrounds using products such as the Dolby SA-10. DCM-2 and DCM-3 “Active Surround Ready” configuration options will be shown here if this feature is installed. e Security Password security is available for situations where you want to keep your system set- tings confidential.

  • Page 30: Amp And Speaker Configuration Settings

    Amplifier Models Select exactly which QSC amplifier model is being used in your installation. The DCM hardware unit needs this information to properly measure wiring or speaker load faults. NOTE: If you leave this choice as "Unknown", load fault indication will be turned off for...

  • Page 31: Speaker Models

    Speaker Models A very powerful feature of the DCM series is the ability to load factory supplied cros- sover settings files for popular cinema speakers. Simply select the type of speaker be- ing used in your installation from the QSC supplied speaker database, and all crossover, filter, gain, transducer delay, and impedence settings will be loaded into the Cros- sover | DSP settings screen.

  • Page 32: Speaker Arrangement

    c Speaker Arrangement In order to do proper Load Fault monitoring, the DCM hardware unit needs to know if you have wired multiple speakers to an amplifier output. Simply indicate if any speaker transducers are wired in series or parallel (branches) here so the DCM can compensate for the impedence changes that this wiring will cause.

  • Page 33: Impedence Limits

    d Impedence Limits This allows a technician an overview of the impedence settings when troubleshooting.

  • Page 34: Speaker Database

    (Make), a model number, a crossover type (1 way, 2 way or 3 way), and the manufacturers impedance specifications. Speaker models are separated into two cate- gories, Default (supplied by QSC), or Custom (created by you). a Default Database Many speaker types that are common in the cinema industry are available here.

  • Page 35: Crossover

    Screen window. This is an easy method of finding the correct parameter to edit. NOTE: There is no signal processing of the surround signal in a standard DCM, howev- er, the DCM-2 & DCM-3 are "Active Surround Ready". Contact QSC if you need this feature.

  • Page 36: Screen Settings

    b Screen Settings These screens allow full control of all the crossover parameters within the DCM hard- ware. REMEMBER: All parameter changes become active within the DCM only after selecting Communications | Write Configuration to DCM.

  • Page 37: Sub Dsp Settings

    If you selected a speaker model under the Configuration | Speaker Configuration window, the Use Speaker Settings button will be selected, and the speaker model name will appear in the Speaker Model text area. If you select Customize, all parameters are able to be modified. If you create a set of parameters which you would like to save for later reference, either select File | Save As...

  • Page 38: Sub Settings

    b Sub Settings High-pass filtering and gain are available for fine tuning the response of your subwoofer channel. NOTE: The Sub filter settings ARE NOT set by selecting a SUB Speaker in the AMP & Speaker Configuration | Speaker Models window. That sets the impedences only. Always set these either by loading a full configuration file from a similar venue or manually.

  • Page 39: Mute Settings

    iii. Mute Settings This window allows all channel on / off settings to be changed. This is usually only used dur- ing setup or trouble shooting when testing single output channels in the theater. REMEMBER: All parameter changes become active within the DCM hardware unit only af- ter selecting Communications | Write Configuration to DCM.

  • Page 40: Help

    5. Help i. About This shows the software version number for reference when talking with customer service or keeping track of software updates. ii. Contents A table of contents for the help file allows you an overview of the help subjects available. Almost all of the text within the help files comes from this manual, but this has the added benefit of being extremely easy to navigate to descriptions of specific functions and features.

  • Page 41: Dcm 1St Time Troubleshooting

    F. DCM 1st Time Troubleshooting 1. No PC to DCM Communications If you select Communications | Connect and the response is DCM not responding, the most likely a problem with your RS232 connection. Check that the RS232 cable is seated properly, and you have selected the correct COM port for your computer.

  • Page 42: System Installation

    DataPort cables can be computer industry VGA-style cables, but make sure that your cable passes ALL connections between the two 15 pin connectors. See Appendix 1 for pinout information. Contact QSC if you would like to purchase specially made cables that use shielded audio cable. 5. Processor Connections Many common cinema processors use a standard 25 pin subD connector for their outputs or have adapter cables available.

  • Page 43: Hearing Impaired Connection

    Refer to the user manual for the brand and model cinema processor that you are using. ========== WARNING: Turn the volume knob on all of the QSC amplifiers all the way down until crossover set- tings and levels are verified!

  • Page 44: Theater - Audio Level Adjustments

    1. Theater - audio level adjustments The combination of QSC amplifiers and common speakers contained in the software database will require little or no DCM adjustment! Transducer sensitivity imbalances within the speakers have been compensated for by the factory recommended crossover settings. If you are using a pow- ered subwoofer, or a speaker not contained in the factory supplied speaker database, you may need to make level adjustments.
  • Page 45 within one speaker. Consult the speaker manufacturer for help in determining this setting. Chan- nel delay compensates for the distance that a speaker is located from the screen. We have in- cluded some screen delay adjustment, but most typical theaters will not need to use this because surround channels are delayed coming from the cinema processsor.

  • Page 46: System Installation Troubleshooting

    D. System Installation Troubleshooting 1. If no sound in the theater... 1) Monitor the PROC position to verify proper sound input to the DCM. 2) Check sound in AMP position. 3) If no sound, check that the amplifiers are on and the volume is up. 4) verify no Load Fault indication.
  • Page 47 speaker. NOTE: If the DCM unit is okay, place the Bypass switch back to the NORMAL position and the Load Fault indicator will light (after a few minutes) if there was a gross defect (open circuit or short) in either of these cables.

  • Page 48: Appendix 1: Cable Details - Pinouts

    Appendix 1 RS-232 Cable Detail (DCM to Computer Connection) The RS-232A cable is required to allow your PC to communicate with the DCM hardware unit. This cable can be purchased directly from any computer or electronics store. Configuration: 9 pin SubD male to 9 pin SubD female. DCM Pinout: 9 Pin Function...
  • Page 49 Processor Cable Detail (Cinema Processor to DCM) The Processor cable connects the audio signal outputs from the Cinema Processor to the DCM signal inputs. This cable is available from Cinema equipment suppliers. Configuration: 25 pin SubD male to 25 pin SubD male. DCM Pinout: 25 Pin Function...
  • Page 50 (DCM to QSC Ampliers) The DataPort cable contains all of the input, output, and monitoring signals between the DCM and the QSC amplifiers. These can be a standard VGA cable , but be careful that the connections are pin-to-pin for all 15 pins.
  • Page 51 Surround Insert Cable Detail (DCM to Special Surround Processor Unit) The Surround Insert cable connects the audio signal inputs and outputs which are needed to insert a Dolby SA Surround Processor. Configuration: 9 pin SubD female to loose wires (attach to terminal strip) Pinout: 9 Pin Function...

  • Page 52: Appendix 2: Dcm Specifications

    Appendix 2: DCM Series Specifications (typical) General Dimensions 19" (wide) x 5.25" (high) x 14" (deep) Line Voltage 85 VAC - 260 VAC, 50/60 Hz Safety Regulations UL 813, CSA EMC Regulations FCC Class A Connectors 9-pin RS232 - female...
  • Page 53 Subwoofer Screw Terminals Max. Output Level +14.2 dBu (4.0 Vrms) Output Z 50 ohms (+/- 5%) Hearing Impaired Output Max. Output Level -11.8 dBu (200 mVrms) Output Z 50 ohms (+/- 5%) PC Communications Baud rate 19,200bps...

  • Page 54: Appendix 3: Address & Telephone Information

    Appendix 3: Address & Telephone Information Address: QSC Audio Products, Inc. 1675 MacArthur Boulevard Costa Mesa, CA 92626-1468 USA Telephone Numbers: Main Number (714) 754-6175 Sales Direct Line (714) 957-7100 Sales & Marketing (800) 854-4079 (toll free in USA only)
  • Page 56 1675 MacArthur Boulevard Costa Mesa, CA 92626-1468...

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