Operator'

Introduction
The VueFinder transport control panel provides basic transport control for video tape recorders. This version of the VueFinder connects into the RS232, 25-pin remote control connector found on the Sony UVW-1200/-1400 VTRs. The control knob enables the operator to have fingertip control over the Reverse Shuttle, Forward Shuttle, Reverse Jog, and Forward Jog functions. Switching is automatic between the shuttle and jog modes.

Other versions of the VueFinder control panel plugs into any RS422, 9-pin remote control connector that supports the Sony serial protocol. Many video machines support this protocol, including Sony, JVC, Panasonic, and some video disks units.

Installation
A single 9-conductor cable connects the control panel to the transport. This cable transfers power to the control panel and control data to the transport. Simply plug one end of the supplied cable into the VueFinder control panel and the other end into the video transport (ie- VTR). Set the remote control switch on your video transport to "REMOTE" to enable the serial port. The VueFinder should be active at this point.

Many VTR connectors use metric thread (2.6mm or 3.0mm) rather than the more familiar #4-40 SAE thread. VueTech has replacement jack screws that are available upon request. Replacement is a simple matter of backing out the standard jack screws from the molded cable end and screwing in the metric thread jack screws. Fax or call Tech Service for these screws; there is no additional charge. All metric-threaded screws are colored on the caps to help distinguish them from SAE-threaded screws (red for 2.6mm, blue for 3.0mm).

Panel Layout and Operation
The control panel includes five pushbuttons for direct control of the Pause, Stop, Play, Record, Rewind, and Fast Forward functions. Pushing any of these buttons causes the appropriate serial command to be sent to the transport.

Stop and Pause share the button labeled "Stop". One press of the Stop button causes the video transport to go into still mode. In the case of VTRs, the tape is still against the video playback heads. A quick, double press of the Stop button causes the video transport to truly stop. In the case of VTRs, the tape unthreads from the playback heads; some VTRs also turn off the rotary head motor.

From the Stop mode, another double push of the Stop button will cause the tape cassette to eject.

The Record button, by itself, does nothing. To record video, the Record button must be held down while pushing the Play button. This two-button lockout is intended to prevent undesired tape erasures. Once a Record or Play operation has been commanded, the jog/shuttle knob is disabled so that any inadvertant bumps to the knob will not abort a record operation. As soon as the Record is terminated with a Stop, the jog/shuttle knob becomes active again.

The jog/shuttle knob works differently than any other jog/shuttle on the market today. Starting from its most counter-clockwise rotation, the one knob covers the range from 16x reverse, to still, through 10 jog steps, to 16x forward speed. The cross-over between jog and shuttle is automatic and intuitive for the operator. The operator doesn't need to keep track of which mode is active, he just keeps his eyes on the video display monitor as the video is searched.

Cabling
All VueFinder control panels are shipped with cables suitable for direct connection to the VTR. Should you wish to use custom cables (eg - to increase length), use the following wiring charts:

RS232 Cable to Sony UVW1400 panel deck
9pinD 25pinD Signal flow
Mandatory signals:

pin 2 => pin 3 Transmit from panel to deck

pin 3 <= pin 2 Receive to panel from deck

pin 4 <= pin 20 DTR to panel from deck

pin 5 --- pin 7 Ground

For the edit pass-through connector, if a standard PC COM port is functioning as the editor output, then a "cross-over" or null-modem cable will be required.

GPI Connections
The GPI Switch pins need to be connected to ground via a switch for the assigned function to occur. Use only as long a GPI cable as necessary; longer cables are more susceptible to noise than shorter cables. The use of shielded cabling will also help reduce the effects of electrical noise. Intermittant and unexplained deck control might be due to electrical noise. If the VueFinder control panel works well only without the GPI cable attached, the GPI cable is likely at fault.

The pin assignments are as follows:
1: Fast Forward
2: Reverse
3: Record (or preroll or insert, if enabled)
4: Play
5: Stop
6: Ground
7: undefined
8: enables Preroll function instead of Record (connect permanently to ground)
9: enables Insert Edits instead of Record (connect permanently to ground)
Both the Preroll and Insert Edit options cannot be enabled at the same time.

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expence.

Should you encounter any troubles or have any suggestions, please contact the technical service number listed below.

Phone: 530 477 2905
Fax: 530 272 1528
Tech Service: 831 372 6192
Website: www.vuetech.com