VueFinder ITM
Jog/Shuttle Control Panel

Online Manual: RS 422, RS 232(Sony), or RS 232 (Panasonic)

The VueTech VueFinder is a self-contained control panel providing basic transport remote control functions for video tape recorders and hard drive-based video recorders. The VueFinder plugs into any 9-pin remote control port that supports the Sony Serial protocol. Many video machines support this RS422 protocol, including Sony (eg- BVW, PWV, UVW1800, DSR80), JVC, and Panasonic (eg- AJ-D4xx, 6xx, 7xx). Other versions of VueFinder connect to the 25-pin RS232 remote control port found on some industrial VTRs, including the Sony UVW-1200 and 1400, and Panasonic AJ-D230/-D250.

Desktop Version

Rack Mount Version (front)

Rack Mount Version (back)

Dual Rack Mount Version (front)

Dual Rack Mount Version (back)

The VueFinder panel includes five push buttons for direct control of the Pause, Stop, Play, Record, Rewind and Fast Forward functions. Pushing any of these buttons sends the appropriate serial command to the transport. The Control Knob enables the operator to have fingertip control over Reverse Shuttle, Forward Shuttle, Reverse Jog and Forward Jog functions.

The original VueFinder Jog/Shuttle knob works differently than any other jog/shuttle on the market today. To provide a wide latitude of control, the jog /shuttle knob has two speed ranges and always starts off in low range. To access the high range, press the <<(Rewind) or >>(Fast Forward) buttons. Once PLAY or STOP are pressed, the speed range reverts back to slow speed. The low range includes tape jogs plus shuttle speeds to 2x play speed; the high range accesses only the shuttle speeds, up to 32x play speed.

The VueFinder II substitutes a new Jog/Shuttle control that uses the familiar shuttle ring and jog disk. The spring-loaded Shuttle ring gives a wide range of forward and reverse shuttle speeds. The jog disk includes a finger dimple for easy use with one's index finger.

The RS232 versions have a single speed range only, including tape jog and shuttle speeds -16x to +16x play speed.

In the low-speed range, starting from its most counter-clockwise rotation, the one knob covers the range from 2x reverse, to still, through 12 jog steps, to 2x 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.

The low-speed shuttles use the following tape speeds: 1/30, 1/20, 1/14, 1/8, 1/6, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 3/4, 1, and 2, in both forward and reverse directions. The high-speed shuttles use the following tape speeds: 1/10, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 1.5, 2.2, 3.2, 4.5, 6.5, 9.3, 13, 20, and 32, in both forward and reverse directions.

 

The VueFinder also has option jumpers allowing for selection of one of the following options: Insert Edit Option, Preroll Option or Eject Option.

The VueFinder is available in three operational versions: Standard version, GPI version and Serial Pass Thru. The Standard and GPI versions are available for either RS422 or RS232 control. All versions are self powered from the data control lines. The latest VueFinder II includes the GPI functions in the Standard version.

The Standard version has the basic control functions as listed. The option jumpers are internal to the unit. The only connection to the VueFinderis a single 9 wire data control line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The GPI version is similar to the Standard version but has an additional input connector allowing wire-per-function control of the five pushbutton functions. This allows simple contact closures to trigger the basic VTR functions. The GPI version also has access to the option jumpers via the GPI connector.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Serial Pass Thru version has a RS-422 pass-through connector that allows the transport to be alternately controlled by either an edit controller or the VueFinderTM front panel. This version is ideal for PC-based edit controllers without physical buttons or knobs for transport control, and also for use with machine control systems.

A single 9-conductor cable connects the control panel to the transport. This cable transfers power to the control panel and control data back to the transport. The GPI and Edit versions have second 9-pin D connectors for additional deck control.