Frox FroxSystem, Installation Manual

Page 1: ...Frox Inc 323 Sinclair Frontage Road Milpitas CA 95035 408 957 7420 FAX 408 946 3657 Frox Technical Support may be contacted at 800 525 5257 during the hours of 8 30AM to 5 00PM PST Monday Friday...

Page 2: ...mbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the product s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a ri...

Page 3: ...umbers Serial Numbers Model Numbers Serial Numbers WARNING TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPUANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTIJRE CAUl10N TO PREVENT ELECfRIC SHOCK DO NOT USE TIllS POLARIZED...

Page 4: ...cleaning needs Never use any petroleum based liquid or aerosol cleaners o 4 Placement and Mounting Never place the Frox components on an unstable stand table cart bracket or the like Acart or stand m...

Page 5: ...ty purpose of the grounding type plug To prevent the risk of fire or electric shock never overload wall outlets and or extension cords Frox recommends the use of a safety fused properly grounded regu...

Page 6: ...riods of time unplug the Frox processors from the wall outlet after powering down the system using the FroxWand s power off button and disconnect the antenna or cable system connected to it This will...

Page 7: ...e h Your product does not appear to operate normally by following these operation instructions within the Owner s Manual Adjust only those controls covered by the operating instructions as improper ad...

Page 8: ...rence in a residential installation This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accor dance with the instructions may cause harmful interferen...

Page 9: ...yers 49 Speakers 51 Miscellaneous Analog Audio Devices 55 IR Emitters 57 IR Repeaters 59 Using X IO Modules 61 Multiroom Audio 62 Software Installation Getting Started 63 Preferences 64 Authorizations...

Page 10: ...ATION GUIDE Acknowledgments The Frox DolbyTM Pro Logic processing is manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories LicenSing Corpora tion Additionally licensed under one or more of the following...

Page 11: ...dea to read the entire installation manual as if is was a novel As the FroxSystem is an integrated platform combining audio videoand sophisticated computer technologies all installation topics are ver...

Page 12: ...g of procedures and words For example button names are in all caps as illustrated in the sentence To change the FroxWand speed click on the FROX button to access the Frox Go To menu and then INSTALLAT...

Page 13: ...he Installation Control Stripe_ SCROLL BARS Scroll Bars can be found adjacent to lists that extend to another page of information They are commonly found at the bottom of device lists and television c...

Page 14: ...INSTALLATION GUIDE Introduction INSTALLER S NOTES 14...

Page 15: ...sually at a later date Do not try to fool the FroxSystem into doing something it isn t intended to do This important rule will save an installer from inevitable future headaches Preparation with a goo...

Page 16: ...nning Stable Power Supply As listed on the rear of the Media Processor and the Video Preprocessor the FroxSystem will operate with a continuous AC voltage in the range of 90 to 132 VAC The key here is...

Page 17: ...t is plugged directly into the same UPS as the Media Processor and Video Processor This should eliminate most of the loop and the noise it generates Cable television companies often do not prOvide ade...

Page 18: ...Instruc tions on how to install these accessories can be found in the Hardware section Using X lO Modules Never plug the Video Preprocessor into the switched outlets on the back of the Media Processo...

Page 19: ...versions 2 0 and prior did not back this informa tion up the way V3 0 does CONVERTING FROM V2 0 TO V3 0 The V3 0 upgrade I c l includes a set of PROMs and a FroxCD The existing hard disk in the Media...

Page 20: ...s the one closest to the fan Also note that the dimple on the end of the PROM must face towards the front of the Media Processor o 5 Using the PROM puller remove the PROMs Grasp each PROM with the pul...

Page 21: ...r FroxSystem could not be read Contactyour Frox service center or to use the FroxBoot CD booting utility squeeze click the FroxWand now If the problem is only software FroxBoot will fix it If it is ha...

Page 22: ...o disk it is posted to the bottom one Each word of INSTALLATION GUIDE Upgrading FroxSystem code is written in a single pixel on the screen and the pixels are drawn one after another This is a visual r...

Page 23: ...cessor hard disk writes too slowly and can t keep up with the rate of data flowing off of the CD This could occur if the disk encoun ters numerous soft errors while writing or it could mean that the d...

Page 24: ...FI button to continue Scratches on the CD can render portions of it unreadable This is why multiple copies of the data are distributed over the CD allowing you to bypass problem areas Use care when ha...

Page 25: ...eck the contents of the Media Processor Video Preproces sor and AAP Ol Frox Accessory Kit boxes The contents of each box should include the following Media Processor box o 1 Media Processor o 2 AC Pow...

Page 26: ...26 ij l FroxWand front and side view Unversal DB 15 to 4 BNC video connector INSTALLATION GUIDE Hardware IR emitter BNC female to female connector...

Page 27: ...om plate of the FroxWand This exposes two openings inside the shaft of the FroxWand One is marked negative and the other is marked positive o 3 Place two batteries with negative side up in the opening...

Page 28: ...he respective boxes Use a pencil INSTALLATION GUIDE Hardware when writing down which components are connected to each port As stated on page one these charts will be a useful tool when entering the So...

Page 29: ...ONNECTING THE MEDIA PROCESSOR WITH THE VIDEO PREPROCESSOR o 1 Connect one end of the SCSI cable provided in the AAP 01 Frox Accessory Kit to the Media Processor Digital Video In port and the other end...

Page 30: ...INSTALLATION GUIDE Hardware INSTALLER S NOTES 30...

Page 31: ...e sure to install the audio video device needed to be active under every circumstance in the VCRI In port The alternate monitor feature sends video to a television through the S video and or composite...

Page 32: ...e Ground INSTALLATION GUIDE Hardware Signal Timing Pixel Clock 28 636363 MHz Horizontal Frequency Horizontal Period Horizontal Active Scan Horizontal Blanking Horizontal Front Porch Horizontal Sync Pe...

Page 33: ...y scale and color balance using reference test patterns and signals typically derived from test pattern generators or reference videotapes or laserdiscs While this is fine for analog systems it is not...

Page 34: ...rox images SYNCHRONIZATION ISSUES WITII DATAGRADE MONITORS Datagrade monitors input analog video signals broken down into separate red green blue and synchronization sync components The sync component...

Page 35: ...he Media Processor than the provided cable allows This will require that each of the red green blue and sync leads be extended using coaxial cable Remember that when running video via coaxial cable on...

Page 36: ...of a high quality S video or com posite video cable to the appropriate Laserdisc VCR2 output of the Video Preprocessor o 3 Connect the other end of the cable to the desired S video or composite video...

Page 37: ...tem be sure that a Signal strength of at least 7dB is available at the Video Preprocessor RF input Ideally the FroxSystem would like to see lOdB at the Video Preproces sor RF input Passive RF signal...

Page 38: ...h FroxSystems Use top quality audio and video cables gold plated connectors etc These cables can vastly improve audio and video performance in properly wired installations Cheap INSTALLATION GUIDE Har...

Page 39: ...V signal to the Video Preprocessor Antenna port If a cable decoder is used for this input connect the cable carrying the TV signal to the RF input on the decoder first and then run a second cable from...

Page 40: ...INSTALLATION GUIDE Hardware INSTALLER S NOTES 40...

Page 41: ...stallation W Amaximum of 4 CD players including analog CD players digital CD players and FroxCD Changers may be Installed per FroxSystem Installation INSTALLING A FROX CD CHANGER CDC OI D l Connect on...

Page 42: ...coaxial wire is used connect the wire to either the Digital Audio In ports 1 or 5 If a fiberoptic cable is used connect the cable to the Digital Audio In ports 2 3 4 6 7 or 8 o 3 Connect the manufact...

Page 43: ...when using a VCR with the FroxSystem use a model that has a built in digital time base corrector These models typically cost more than the average VCR but will ultimately provide better signals to the...

Page 44: ...h quality video cable to the corresponding video output on the time base corrector o 4 Connect the other end of the cable to the desired video input on the Video Preprocessor INSTALLATION GUIDE Hardwa...

Page 45: ...the RF input on the Video Preprocessor if cable decoders are being used always dedicate a cable decoder to a single RF input Never split the output from a cable decoder to more than one RF input If de...

Page 46: ...gh quality S video or composite video cable to the desired video output of the VCR o 2 Connect the other end of the cable to the VCRI or Laserdisc VCR2 S video or composite video input on the Video Pr...

Page 47: ...RF input on the VCR If a cable decoder is required for viewing a particular channel and that channel is desired for recording insure that a decoder is in the path of the television signal that enters...

Page 48: ...INSTALLATION GUIDE Hardware INSTALLER S NOTES 48...

Page 49: ...og and digital outputs of the laserdisc player to the FroxSystem When a laserdisc player is installed and a digital audio input is assigned a DIGITAL ANALOG toggle button will appear on the Laserdisc...

Page 50: ...G LASERDISC PLAYER VIDEO CR1 V L R In outl 1 S Video 1 S Video2 In Out In Out o 1 Connect one end of a high quality S video or composite video cable to desired video output of the laserdisc player o 2...

Page 51: ...figuration on the supplied back panel charts by mapping each speaker to a physical output port on either the Media Processor or the Video Preprocessor noting which audio channel the speaker is suppose...

Page 52: ...Hardware which then connects to a D A converter the D A converter analog output labeled left would carry channell and the output labeled right would carry channel 2 AUDIO AMPUFIERS AND TIlE FROXSYSTE...

Page 53: ...Remember that the left channel output represents the first channel of the audio channel pair that will be asSigned to a FroxSystem output during the software installation of speakers o 4 Wire the corr...

Page 54: ...ERS Digital speakers will be connected to the FroxSystem by using accessory fiberoptic cables that connect to both the speaker and the Digital Audio Out ports on the Media Processor While the rear pan...

Page 55: ...l There are two stereo pairs of analog audio inputs on the FroxSystem s Video Preprocessor Aux In 1 Aux In 2 Aux Audio 1 L R Aux Audio 2 UC RlS When a miscellaneous analog audio component is installed...

Page 56: ...INSTALLATION GUIDE Hardware INSTALLER S NOTES 56...

Page 57: ...is desired in a system the FroxSystem can be configured to be device selective Installations With two Similar Components If an installation has one or more instances of two similar components the IR...

Page 58: ...all the installation rules as defined previously in this section INSTALLATION GUIDE Hardware INSTALUNG AN IR EMITTER CABLE o 1 Connect the 1 8 male mini phono end of the IR Emitter Cable provided in...

Page 59: ...ts on the Media Processor s rear panel These inputs are compat ible with most third party IR repeaters They can be connected via the Frox FCI OO1 interface cable available from Frox and Videolink Alte...

Page 60: ...ccur even if the sensor being contaminated is not the one currently being used to input FroxWand commands i e one located in another room zone The effects of noise and or interfer ence are additive wi...

Page 61: ...ters that plug into the Device ports located on the back of the Media Processor see the Hardware Installation section Connecting IR Repeaters to review how the FroxSystem treats zones X lO commands wi...

Page 62: ...routing platform in addition to the system s primary home theater role INSTALLATION GUIDE Hardware Separate FroxZone hardware and software installation documentation is available from Frox Contact th...

Page 63: ...ing the PWR button on the FroxWand Hard power cycling the FroxSystem can take up to 30 seconds before full functionality is available During the course of a hard power cycle the front LED Frox triangl...

Page 64: ...ighting false command triggers can occur This includes some IR commands from other manufacturer s IR remote controls There are three Wand Sensitivity settings Low Mid and High The Low setting will att...

Page 65: ...the WAND SPEED button o 2 Click on the SLOW MID or FAST button under Speed as desired TO SELECT A WAND SENSITIVITY o 1 Click on the WAND SPEED button o 2 Click on the LOW MID or HIGH button under Sens...

Page 66: ...he FroxSystem Software Installation procedure o 1 CLICK ON the FROX button o 2 Scroll down to the second menu page INSTALLATION GUIDE Software o 3 CLICK ON the INSTALLATION option 0 PIP Mono Volume Q...

Page 67: ...4 5 6 IFrail CD Player 7 8 9 0 Space Clear Del IEnter I I Set Install Password I Enter Authorization Code I Locale II Analog Audia Video II TV Channels II Next II Done I ISpeakers II Digital Audio It...

Page 68: ...allation password and click on the ENTER button Upon re entering iNSTALLATION the system will wait for the entry of this installation password The data entry box will now read Enter InstallPassword Al...

Page 69: ...Haven Boston Provlden e Albany New York Metro Penn N y lo ale Fri May 28 1993 1 30 27 pm o 1 Click on the market area in the scroll menu that best describes Your IV Market Area 1 21JAnalog Audio Video...

Page 70: ...INSTALLATION GUIDE Software INSTALLER S NOTES 70...

Page 71: ...Installation Control Stripe The TV Channels installation section is used to assign the proper FroxCast Data Channel configure a cable modulation channel and assign channel numbers to local and nation...

Page 72: ...in your area If you are unsure as to which FroxCast data carrier is available in your area chose one from this chart Please use a national FroxCast Data Carrier Region VBI Line WTBS National 20 WGN Na...

Page 73: ...channel number is only a single digit then the ENTER button must be selected ASSIGNING CHANNEL NUMBERS TO LOCAL AND NATIONAL STATIONS o 1 Click on the NATIONAL channels button below the stations list...

Page 74: ...INSTALLATION GUIDE Software INSTALLER S NOTES 74...

Page 75: ...ble or antenna path prior to entering any RF input I i When installing the RF tuner inputs on VCRs or the RF input on the Video Preprocessor always dedicate a cable decoder to a single RF input Never...

Page 76: ...equipment INSTALLING TV SIGNALS Instructions for installing TV signals to VCR RF inputs are described below and is repeated under the section regarding VCRs o 1 Using the NEXT and PREY buttons on the...

Page 77: ...Make and Model IVCtt 1lJ VC Jerrold 400 old4SQ __ VCR Tuner In 1Cable ith Decode rtll RC5S0 Oak RCU400 c Always Use Alternate Monitor J Learn o 3 If a Cable with Decoder is selected click on the appr...

Page 78: ...INSTALLATION GUIDE Software INSTALLER S NOTES 78...

Page 79: ...Alternate Monitor I B i 9 V J TV Channels I Next I Done Avideo device such as a VCR or laserdisc player must be installed in Video Speakers I Digital Audio thorizationI Prev I Maintenance I In 1 befo...

Page 80: ...CR from S video In o 3 From the list of devices click on the Device Make and Model for the VCR in question If the particular model number for a manufacturer is not listed select another model from the...

Page 81: ...Monitor I number for your decoder is not available in the provided listings select another model from the same manufacturer It is quite probable that models from the same manufacturer use the same inf...

Page 82: ...another model from the same manufacturer It is quite probable that models from the same manufacturer use INSTALLATION GUIDE Software the same infrared IR codes If there is no suitable chOice then the...

Page 83: ...ns on the Installation Control Stripe scroll through the pages of installation screens to locate the desired Current Connection Video In 1 or Video In 2 o nection and Component Frox Component IVideo P...

Page 84: ...tware and Model for the LD player in question If the particular model number for a manufacturer is not available in the prOvided listing select another model from the same manufacturer It is quite pro...

Page 85: ...there is no subcode information available on the analog output of a CD player all data related FroxSystem features such as CD Identification and Elapsed Time Counter will not be available Only one 10...

Page 86: ...trWSome CD players including combination CD LD players with digital outputs strip the subcode information from the digital data stream Though these components can be used to play audio through the Fr...

Page 87: ...L c _ _ 5 t _35_ __ J Current Connection I DIgitalIn 1 Wired Devita M ke and Model I tCxt M1D IPhilips eND o 4 If additional digital CD players are to be installed repeat steps 1 through 3 INSTALUNG...

Page 88: ...Model of your analog CD player If the particular model number is not available in the device list select another model from the same manufacturer It is quite probable that models from the same manufa...

Page 89: ...COMPONENTS To enter the miscellaneous analog audio device installation section click on the ANALOG AUDIO VIDEO button located on the Installation Control Stripe Current Connedion Always Use Alternate...

Page 90: ...When a miscellaneous analog audio device is installed in Aux In 1 or Aux In 2 an OTHER or OTHER 2 button will appear as options in the Audio Routing Screen Aselection of these controls will route the...

Page 91: ...droom 4 Kitchen Den Family Room Patio Rec Room Bathroom 1 Bathroom 2 Bathroom 3 Great Room and Pool Room names can B IAnalog Audio Video I TV Channels I Next I Done Digital Audio J IAuthorization J El...

Page 92: ...channel 2 An interactive graphical representation of the FroxSystem analog and digital audio outputs is displayed on screen to simplify the installation process INSTALLATION GUIDE Software INSTALLING...

Page 93: ...as gray filled when the room associated with those ports in not the current room selected o 6 Click on the appropriate Center Speaker Type If any Center Surround speakers have been installed this will...

Page 94: ...the room associated with those ports in not the current room selected If the L R SUBWOOFER button is selected the entry in the Associated Speakers browser will read Left Right Sub instead of Left Righ...

Page 95: ...here is a button called CALIBRATION that presents a subpanel of detailed calibration controls Once the room is calibrated for optimum sound it is advised that the installer lock this menu away from al...

Page 96: ...INSTALLATION GUIDE Software INSTALLER S NOTES 96...

Page 97: ...ability and displays the Frox Gill with its proper graphics resolution When an alternate monitor is active all devices installed in Video In 2 will become inaccessible The alternate monitor feature fo...

Page 98: ...alternate monitor is engaged the FroxSystem can turn the television ON or OFF via the FroxWand s F2 control INSTALLING THE ALTERNATE MONITOR FOR ON DEMAND USE o 1 USing the NEXT and PREV buttons scro...

Page 99: ...ate Monitor o 4 If the television is not required to be powered ON and OFF when the alternate monitor is activated click on the Generic 1V option under Device Make and Model o 5 If the television is r...

Page 100: ...INSTALLATION GUIDE Software INSTALLER S NOTES 100...

Page 101: ...configuration Restore Setup Restore the last system configuration ISystem Update I Update system to a new software release CD Covers Read CD cover images from videotape Converge Show test patterns an...

Page 102: ...nt version of FroxSystem software is now required Without the FroxCD execution of System Update will result in an inoperable system o 2 Click on the CONFIRM button to proceed with System Update or the...

Page 103: ...ps to correct this First turn off the Automatic Digital Tracking feature com monly found on VCRs consult the VCR s user s manual With the VCR now in a Manual Tracking mode adjust the tracking until th...

Page 104: ...nitor calibration verses external patterns generated by a laserdisc or test pattern generator There are three test patterns provided for calibrating monitors The Cross Hatch Gray Scale and SMPTE Color...

Page 105: ...a single monitor in a system insure that the screen positioning is at a happy medium for all monitors Be aware that the user interface shifting will affect all monitors in the system To move the User...

Page 106: ...ceived by the system the second is the number of bad packets received Upon exiting this screen both numbers will be reset to zero The FroxCast Data Channel and VBI tine must be installed before any re...

Page 107: ...sekeeping Time button LATE NIGHT or EARLY AFTERNOON as desired OTIlER STATISTICS INFORMATION Every FroxSystem Media Processor has its own chassis Serial Number This number is displayed on the screen a...

Page 108: ...INSTALLATION GUIDE Maintenance INSTALLER S NOTES 108...

Page 109: ...ng the SATURATION level Symptom The video looks washed out even though the video processingparameters are pushed high Possible causes The monitor is not set up to work properly with the FroxSystem Rea...

Page 110: ...ome other problem Check the installation of the component and speakers Symptom When attempting to route a new audio source to a room or when selecting an audioprocessing option an informationalpop up...

Page 111: ...the Video Preprocessor is plugged into the switched outlets of the Media Processor If so remove and reconnect the AC power directly to a source outlet There may be a bad or missing connection between...

Page 112: ...uses Check to see if the FroxCast Data Channel is installed properly along with the VBI Line Number_ Remember the FroxSystem will only receive FroxCast data when the system is soft powered OFF_ Is the...

Page 113: ...should be removed from the work area o All work areas should be conductive bench tops or covered by conductive mats properly connected to earth ground o The installer and the FroxSystem should be grou...

Page 114: ...in which the Media Processor and Video Preprocessor are plugged INSTALLATION GUIDE Appendix B o 2 Remove the three screws that hold down the lid of the Media Processor These screws are found on the u...

Page 115: ...INSTALLATION GUIDE Appendix B WAAI l I 5 115...

Page 116: ...er supply UPS or surge protector in which the Media Processor and Video Preprocessor are plugged o 2 Remove the three screws that secure the lid of the Media Processor These screws are found on the up...

Page 117: ...from a remote control do not hit the keys in rapid succession This will allow the FroxSystem to properly isolate and receive each command TIlE MEANING OF FROXWAND CUCKS During the course of a Learn sc...

Page 118: ...he current position When the disc is paused and the PLAY key is pressed does the disc resume playing from the current position INSTALLATION GUIDE Appendix D Please press FORWARD SCAN BACKWARD SCAN FOR...

Page 119: ...ing from a new chapter CABLE DECODER LEARN MODE SCRIPT When learning to control the Cable Box the FroxSystem will ask you to perform a sequence of operations on the Cable Box remote control while you...

Page 120: ...LATION GUIDE Appendix D activation trigger on the FroxWand Please turn off the light during the learning process To continue select the PROCEED button and CLICK ON the FroxWand Please type the manufac...

Page 121: ...st CLICK ON the FroxWand instead of that key Please select the number that describes the behavior of the CD player when the last track of a CD is playing and the NEXT TRACK key is pressed 1 Stays on t...

Page 122: ...DIGITAL output INSTALLATION GUIDE Appendix D VCR LEARN SCRIPT When learning to control the VCR the FroxSystem will ask you to perform a sequence of operations on the VCR remote control while you point...

Page 123: ...IlCK ON the FroxWand Assuming the VCR is ready for FORWARD SCAN please press the keystroke s to start the slowest FORWARD SCAN and step to the fastest You may have to press the same key more than once...

Page 124: ...Assuming the VCR is in slowest SLOW MOTION PLAY please press the keystroke s to step to the fastest You may have to press the same key more than once Please refer to the Operations Manual for assistan...

Page 125: ...d of that key Please press numbers 0 20 sequentially and 0 20 sequentially once again Please DO NOT press the number 20 key instead of the number 20 key If any key for example 20 does not exist CLICK...

Page 126: ...INSTALLER S NOTES 126...