Projector Station for Blending

User’s GuidePlease read this manual thoroughly before operation, and retain it for future reference.

4-456-370-11 (1)

© 2012 Sony Corporation

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NOTICE TO USERSDocumentation © 2012 Sony Corporation.All rights reserved. This manual or the software described herein, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced, translated or reduced to any machine readable form without prior written approval from Sony Corporation.

SONY CORPORATION PROVIDES NO WARRANTY WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE OR SUCH OTHER INFORMATION. IN NO EVENT SHALL SONY CORPORATION BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON TORT, CONTRACT, OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THE USE THEREOF.

Sony Corporation reserves the right to make any modification to this manual or the information contained herein at any time without notice.The software described herein may also be governed by the terms of a separate user license agreement.

About Trademarks• Microsoft, Windows, and Windows Vista are registered

trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

• All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies or their respective makers.

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Table of ContentsOverview...........................................................................................4

Features ................................................................................................. 4System Requirements ............................................................................ 4Installing and Uninstalling the Software ............................................... 4Configuring Settings.............................................................................. 5

Window Construction......................................................................7Main Window........................................................................................ 7[Layout] Tab.......................................................................................... 8[Transmission] Tab................................................................................ 8[Positioning] Tab................................................................................... 9[Blending] Tab .................................................................................... 10[Specify Correction Zones] Dialog Box.............................................. 11[Options] Tab ...................................................................................... 12

Troubleshooting ............................................................................13

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Overview

Features

When using multiple projectors to project an image, this software allows you to use a connected computer to make detailed adjustments to the positioning of each projector image and to the overlapping areas between the images (i.e., blend areas).By using this software in addition to adjusting the projectors physically, you can adjust the image with greater precision.

This software is intended for use with projectors that support edge blending functions.

System Requirements

We recommend the following environment when using this software.

Supported OSMicrosoftWindows XP Home Edition / Professional Service Pack 3 or later, Windows Vista Home Basic / Home Premium / Business / Enterprise / Ultimate Service Pack 2 or later, Windows 7 Home Basic / Home Premium / Professional / Enterprise / Ultimate Service Pack 1 or later, Windows 8 / Pro / Enterprise

* 32-bit and 64-bit editions are supported for the Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 series.

ComputerA computer that meets the requirements of one of the Windows systems.

Other required equipment• USB interface, USB cable (when using a USB to

RS-232C conversion cable to connect the projectors)• RS-232C serial interface, 9-pin D-Sub cross (reverse)

cable (when using an RS-232C cable to connect the projectors)

• Network/LAN connector, LAN cable (when using a LAN cable to connect the projectors)

Display resolutionXGA (1024×768 dots) or higher

Even if the above requirements are met, operation is not guaranteed on all computers. Macintosh computers are not supported.

Installing and Uninstalling the Software

Install the software on your computer beforehand as follows.

Log in using an administrator account to perform installation.

1 Double-click the “PJS_Blending_vXXX.exe” file (XXX is the version number) downloaded from the website.

The installer screen appears.If the [User Account Control] screen appears in Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8, click [Yes].

2 Click [Next] in the installer screen.

Installation starts automatically, and the setup dialog box appears. Follow the instructions in the setup dialog box to perform installation.

Be sure to read the “End User License Agreement” that appears during installation. You can only perform installation if you agree to the terms.When updating to a newer version of the software, be sure to quit the existing version of the software and uninstall it. Install the new version of the software after uninstalling the previous version.

Uninstalling the softwareQuit the software before uninstalling.

For Windows XP

1 Click the [Start] button.

The [Start] menu appears.

2 Click [Control Panel] in the [Start] menu.

The [Control Panel] screen appears.

3 Double-click [Add or remove programs].

Note

Note

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Overview

The [Add/Remove Programs Properties] dialog box appears.

4 Select [Projector Station for Blending] from the list box, and click [Remove].

Uninstallation starts. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete uninstallation.

For Windows Vista and Windows 7

1 Click the [Start] button.

The [Start] menu appears.

2 Click [Control Panel] in the [Start] menu.

The [Control Panel] screen appears.

3 Click [Uninstall a program] under [Programs].

The [Uninstall or change a program] dialog box appears.

4 Select [Projector Station for Blending] from the list box, and click [Uninstall].

Uninstallation starts. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete uninstallation.

For Windows 8

1 Right-click [Start] in the desktop screen.

2 Click [Programs and Features].

The [Uninstall or change a program] dialog box appears.

3 Select [Projector Station for Blending] from the list box, and click [Uninstall].

Uninstallation starts. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete uninstallation.

Configuring Settings

1 Install the projectors, and connect them to the video playback equipment.

2 Connect the computer on which the software is installed to the projectors via a network or RS-232C interface.

3 Start the software.

To start the software, click [Start] > [All Programs] > [Sony Corporation] > [Projector Station for Blending] > [PS for Blending].

For Windows 8, start the software using the [PS for Blending] tile.

4 Specify the number of installed projectors and their layout in the [Layout] tab.

5 Configure the transmission method for each projector in the [Transmission] tab, and run a connection test.

6 Make precise adjustments to the projection positions in the [Positioning] tab.

Project a test pattern, and adjust the screen positions so that the images projected from adjacent projectors blend properly.

Aligning the vertical lengths beforehand using the lens zoom facilitates adjustment.

7 Configure the blend area with the [Blending Position and Width] settings in the [Blending] tab.

Specify start and end points that match the blend area settings of the input signals.

8 Specify the gamma to configure for the blend area with the [Blending Area Gamma] setting in the [Blending] tab.

Select the gamma mode in which the image seams are least noticeable.

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5Overview

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9 Adjust the black levels of each zone with the [Correction Zone] setting in the [Blending] tab.

Adjust the RGB values so that the black levels of each zone are uniform.

Overview

Window Construction

Main Window

[Real Time Transfer]Select this checkbox to automatically send the setting values to the projectors whenever the values are changed.When this checkbox is cleared, the setting values will only be sent when you click the [Apply] button in each tab.

[Image Position]Displays the projector layout configured in the [Layout] tab and the projector IDs.Click a projector ID to configure settings for that projector.You can scroll left and right by clicking the [T] and [t] buttons.

[Projector Information]Displays the model name and serial number of the selected projector.The communication status of each projector is also displayed.

TabsSwitch between tab screens and configure settings.

[Load] buttonLoad setting configurations from a file.

[Save] buttonSave setting configurations to a file. You can also select whether to save the settings to the projector itself in a dialog box.

Tabs

7Window Construction

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[Layout] Tab

This tab allows you to specify the number of installed projectors and their layout pattern.Specify the number of projectors in the vertical and horizontal directions according to the projector installation.

Blocks appear in the center of the screen according to the specified number of projectors, and the IDs assigned to each projector are displayed. These settings are also simultaneously applied to the configuration under [Image Position] in the left side of the window.

[Transmission] Tab

This tab allows you to configure the transmission method for each projector and perform connection tests.Select the projector for which to configure settings under [Image Position].

[Projector ID]Displays the ID of the projector for which the settings will be configured. You can select a projector under [Image Position].

[RS-232C]Select this when connecting to the projector via RS-232C interface.

[COM Port]Select the port to use for RS-232C transmission.

[Baud Rate]Select the RS-232C transmission speed.

[Network]Select this when connecting to the projector via a network.

When [Network] is selected, PJTalk must be enabled in the projector’s settings.

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Window Construction

For details, refer to the operating instructions for the projector.

[IP Address]Specify the projector’s IP address.

[Port No.]Select the port number to use for network transmission.

[Community]Enter the same character string that is configured on the projector side. The default setting is “SONY”.

[Test Connection]Manually test the projector’s connection. If connection is successful, the projector’s model name and serial number appear under [Projector Information]. If connection fails, an error appears under [Projector Information].

A connection test is also performed automatically whenever you switch to a different tab from the [Transmission] tab.

[Positioning] Tab

This tab allows you to adjust the projector’s positioning.Select the projector for which to configure settings under [Image Position].

Adjustment pointSelect the point you want to adjust using a mouse.The solid lines indicate the position of the selected projector. The dotted lines indicate the edges of the adjacent projectors’ images.

[Cursor Display]Select whether to display a cursor on the adjustment point.

[Test Pattern]Select a test pattern configured on the projector and project it.

[Point Fine Adjust]Adjust the x-axis and y-axis position of the selected point (unit: dot).

[Reset] buttonResets the selected adjustment point.

[Reset All] buttonResets all the adjustment points.

[Apply] buttonSends the settings in the tab to the projector.If the [Real Time Transfer] checkbox is selected, settings are automatically sent without having to click this button.

Tip

Adjustment point

9Window Construction

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[Blending] Tab

This tab allows you to adjust the position and color of blend areas.Select the projector for which to configure settings under [Image Position].

[Data Import]Click the [Import] button to import the default settings from the projector.

[Cursor Display]Select whether to display a cursor on the blend area. When [ON] is selected, cursors will appear at the start and end positions of the blending position.

[Cursor Color]Specify the color of the cursors that appear at the start and end positions.

[Blended Area Gamma]Configure the gamma curve of the blend areas.While viewing the projected image, select the gamma curve in which the image seams are least noticeable.

Verifying the blending gamma on a blue or white screen facilitates adjustment.

[Unblended Area Gamma]Configure the gamma curve of the black level correction zones.

[Blending Position and Width]Configure the width of the area to be blended.Select the checkboxes for the positions that are adjacent to other projectors (top, bottom, left, and right), and specify the start and end points.The start point is the edge of the projector’s projected position, while the end point is the position where blending ends.

Unlike adjustment on the projector itself, changing the blending width here will not redraw the correction zone. The correction zone will be redrawn after adjustments are made in the [Specify Correction Zones] dialog box.

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Tip

Window Construction

[Correction Zone]Configure the black level using RGB values for each zone that appears on the right. When the [RGB Linked] checkbox is selected, all the values will increase or decrease simultaneously.

You can measure the brightness and chromaticity of the blend areas using a color meter, and adjust the black level correction zones to the same values to perform uniform adjustments.

[Specify Correction Zones] buttonOpens the [Specify Correction Zones] dialog box, and allows you to adjust the position of each zone precisely.

[Reset] buttonReturns all settings in the tab to their original values.

[Apply] buttonSends the settings in the tab to the projector.If the [Real Time Transfer] checkbox is selected, settings are automatically sent without having to click this button.

[Specify Correction Zones] Dialog Box

Allows you to adjust the position of correction zones precisely.Specify the coordinates of the four corners of each zone. The coordinates of the top left corner of the projected image are (0,0).

[Back] buttonCloses the dialog box, and returns to the [Blending] tab.

[Reset] buttonReturns all settings in the dialog box to their original values.

[Apply] buttonSends the settings in the tab to the projector.Tip

11Window Construction

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[Options] Tab

This tab allows you to switch between using the adjustment values of the software or those of the projector.

[Control]Select [PC Application] to use the adjustment values configured in the software, or select [Projector] to use the adjustment values configured on the projector.

When [PC Application] is selected, adjustments cannot be made on the projector.

If setting configurations were saved to the projector by clicking the [Save] button, [PC Application] will be selected automatically.

[Apply] buttonSends the settings in the tab to the projector.If the [Real Time Transfer] checkbox is selected, settings are automatically sent without having to click this button.

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Tip

Window Construction

Troubleshooting

If there is a problem with the computer or a device connected to the projector, refer to the operating instructions for the respective device.

Symptom Cause and solutionA “poor” communication status appears in the projector information.“A transmission error has occurred” appears.

The PJ Talk setting is not enabled in the Web screen of the projector.t Connect to the projector via a

Web browser, and enable PJ Talk in the setup menu. (The default setting is “disable.”) For details, refer to the operating instructions for the projector.

The RS-232C or LAN settings are incorrect.t Check the settings in the

[Transmission] tab of this software.

The RS-232C cable or LAN cable is not connected, or the cable type is incorrect.t Check the cable.

The projector is not turned on.t Refer to the operating

instructions for the projector, and turn it on.

The standby mode is set to “low,” and the projector is in standby mode.t Refer to the operating

instructions for the projector, and change the standby mode.

“File open error” appears.

The settings file has not been saved or does not exist.

Edge blending, keystone, and warping cannot be adjusted in the projector’s menu.

[PC Application] is selected in the [Initial Setting] tab of this software.t Change the setting to

[Projector]. Changing the setting may return adjustment values to their default values in some cases.

The projected image distorts when the projector is restarted.

You restarted the projector while adjustment in this software was in progress.t Disconnect the projector’s power

cord, and reconnect it.

13Troubleshooting

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