Projector Christie Roadie 25k User Manual

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Roadie 25K User’s Manual 3-25 
Resize Presets 
Select a Resize Presets option 
to quickly display an image in 
its native resolution or to 
automatically resize an image 
to closely fill the projector’s 
native resolution of 2048 x 
1080, or to optimize the width 
or height of your display. Size, 
Position and Blanking 
parameters will automatically 
adjust accordingly. Or, if Blanking is set first, which defines an Active Input Area, 
Resize Preset scaling will occur in this region of interest only. Resizing options are 
explained in detail below. 
WHAT IS THE RESIZING DEFAULT? By default when displaying a new source, your 
image will utilize as much of the projector’s display area (2048 x 1080) as possible 
for the type of incoming source data, but with minimal changes to aspect ratio. For 
example, incoming signals having a more “square” aspect ratio than that of the 
projector will be maximized to approximately 1080 pixels from top-to-bottom, with 
the image centered between black side bars. See Select “Default” below. 
WHEN “CUSTOM” APPEARS: The “Custom” re-size descriptor automatically appears 
in the Size and Position menu when any of the values for Size, Vertical Stretch, H-
Position, V-Position or Blanking do not correspond to those for a preset. This option 
is not a choice in the Resize Presets pull-down list. 
• Select
 “DEFAULT” for most sources (factory default). The image will be centered 
and displayed as large as possible depending on the type of source, as described 
below: 
9 A graphic image will enlarge to fill the screen height, and be centered 
between black side bars. 
9 A video image will enlarge to fill the screen height, and be centered 
between black side bars.  
9 An anamorphic (16:9) image will fill the height and slightly stretch 
horizontally to fill the small amount of display area remaining on both 
sides. 
 
• Select
 “NO RESIZING” to display the image in its native resolution, which is 
probably smaller than the projector’s 2048 x 1080 resolution. For example, for a 
source with a native resolution of 800 x 600, “No Resizing” will center a small 
image within a black border—the black border areas are unused areas. See below. 
 
  
						

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• Select
 “FULL SCREEN” to use all pixels (2048 x 1080) 
for displaying the image, regardless of source or 
original aspect ratio. See right. 
• Select 
“FULL WIDTH” to fill the projector’s display from left-to-right without 
changing the original aspect ratio of the image. Depending on the source, data at 
the top and bottom may be discarded (cropped), or the display may have black 
borders at the top and bottom. See below. 
 
• Select 
“FULL 
HEIGHT” 
to fill the 
display from top-to-
bottom. Depending 
on the source, this 
may create borders.  
• Select
 “ANAMORPHIC” to display an anamorphic image 
in its native 16:9 aspect ratio. The image will fill the 
screen from top-to-bottom, and be centered between 
narrow black bars on each side. 
 
Size 
Size controls both the image width and height in tandem, maintaining the current 
aspect ratio (proportion) of the displayed signal data. 
Vertical Stretch 
Vertical stretch adjusts the height of the image while keeping the width constant. Use 
Vertical Stretch to change the aspect ratio of the display. 
  
 
 
 
  
						

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Pixel Track 
Steady flickering or several soft vertical stripes or bands across the entire image 
indicates poor pixel tracking. Proper pixel tracking helps ensure that the image 
quality is consistent across the screen, that aspect ratio is maintained, and that pixel 
phase can be optimized (described below). Tracking determines the frequency of the 
pixel sampling clock, indicated by the number of incoming pixels per line, so that all 
pixels generated by a particular source are sampled. 
NOTE: By default, the projector samples at the correct frequency for most sources. 
For best results, use a good test pattern such as a smooth gray consisting of a clear 
pattern of black and white pixels, or a similar “half on, half off” graphic image, such 
as the Windows shutdown screen. Adjust the slidebar until the vertical stripes broaden 
to the point where one large stripe fills the image. If the image still exhibits some 
shimmer or noise, adjust Pixel Phase (below). 
Pixel Phase 
NOTE: Adjust Pixel Phase after Pixel Tracking. 
Adjust pixel phase when the image (usually from an RGB source) still shows 
shimmer or “noise” after pixel tracking is optimized. Pixel phase adjusts the phase of 
the pixel sampling clock relative to the incoming signal. 
For best results, use a good test pattern such as a smooth gray consisting of a clear 
pattern of black and white pixels, or a similar “half on, half off” graphic image, such 
as the Windows shutdown screen. Adjust the slidebar until the image stabilizes and 
each pixel is clearly defined. You may notice that you can stabilize the image at more 
than one point—i.e., you may find that the image appearance at 11 is identical to 
the image appearance at 38, thus you can use either setting. 
If some shimmer from a video or HDTV source persists, use the “Filter” control to 
remove high-frequency noise from the signal. 
H-Position 
This option moves the image right or left within the area of available pixels. 
NOTE: The value shown represents where the approximate center of the image lies in 
relation to the total number of pixels available horizontally. This varies widely 
according to the signal—watch the image while adjusting. 
V-Position 
This option moves the image up or down within the area of available pixels. 
NOTE: The value shown represents where the approximate center of the image lies in 
relation to the total number of pixels available vertically. This varies widely 
according to the signal—watch the image while adjusting.  
						

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Advanced Size and Position — SUBMENU 
This submenu consists of the 
following options: 
ACTIVE INPUT WINDOW: This 
read-only value indicates the 
current size (i.e., area) of your 
displayed data or “region of 
interest” as defined by the 
blanking controls. For example, if 
you have blanked (cropped) 100 pixels from both the left and right edges of an 
incoming source of 2048 x 1080, the remaining active input window will be 1848 x 
1080. When using a video source at 
INPUT 3 or INPUT 4, the default blanking of  “0” 
defines an active input window of 720 x 483. 
BLANKING (TOP, BOTTOM, LEFT, and RIGHT): 
Crop the image as desired so that unwanted 
edges are removed from the display (changed 
to black—see right). Blanking defines the 
size of the Active Input Window, creating an 
area of interest. Range of adjustment depends 
on the source resolution and other factors for 
your application. 
NOTE: Blanking a PIP image resembles 
zoom (see Figure 3.16). For example, left 
Blanking zooms the right side of the PIP 
image; Right Blanking zooms the left side. 
There are no black bars.  
 
 
Figure 3.16. Blanking of a PIP Image 
 
 
 
Figure 3.15. Blanking of a 
Primary Image  
						

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PLUG & DISPLAY (EDID): By default, a Plug & Play 
(EDID) source outputs a signal according to the EDID 
information provided by the projector. To override 
this information and display in a different format (for 
example, if your Plug & Play [EDID] device does not 
support the projector’s resolution and/or frequency), 
select the desired Plug & Play (EDID) resolution 
from the list. 
Any daisy-chained projectors will also display 
according to the chosen Plug & Play (EDID) format. 
EDID = Extended Display Identification Data standard. 
Use options in the Image 
Settings menu to alter your 
image without affecting its 
size or position. Changes 
made to the Image Settings 
menu are applied 
immediately and are saved 
when you exit the menu 
(press 
Exi t or Menu). Options 
not available for the projector 
model or source are disabled 
and appear dim (gray). 
Contrast 
(
SHORT CUT: Press Cont and adjust the slidebar.) 
“Contrast” increases or decreases the perceived difference between light and dark 
areas of your image (0-100). For best results, keep close to 50. If contrast is set too 
high, the light parts of the image lose detail and clarity. If set too low, the light areas 
will not be as bright as they could be and the overall image will be dim. For best 
results, start with a low value and increase so that whites remain bright but are not 
distorted or tinted, and that light areas do not become white (i.e., are “crushed”). 
NOTE: If the environment lighting changes, an adjustment of Gamma is 
recommended (see below). 
Brightness 
(
SHORT CUT: Press Bright and adjust the slidebar.) 
“Brightness” increases or decreases the amount of black in the image (0-100). For 
best results, keep close to 50. Start with a high value and decrease so that dark areas 
do not become black (i.e., are “crushed”). Conversely, high brightness changes black 
to dark gray, causing washed-out images. NOTE: Brightness affects contrast, and 
should be adjusted first. 
 
 
 Image Settings Menu 
 
  
						

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Gamma 
(
SHORT CUT: Press Gamma and adjust the slidebar.) 
“Gamma” is a global setting that determines what gray shades are displayed between 
minimum input (black) and maximum input (white) for all signals. A good gamma 
setting helps to optimize blacks and whites 
while ensuring smooth transitions for the 
“in-between” values utilized in other colors. 
Thus, unlike brightness and contrast settings 
controls, the overall tone of your images can 
be lightened or darkened without changing 
the extremes, and all images will be more 
vibrant while still showing good detail in 
dark areas. 
Gamma fine-tunes the gamma table currently in use, ranging from 1– 3 (default = 
2.5, indicating that the chosen gamma table has not been adjusted). If excess ambient 
light washes out the image and it becomes difficult or impossible to see details in 
dark areas, lower the gamma setting to compensate. This will improve contrast while 
maintaining good details for blacks. Conversely, if the image is unnatural with 
excessive detail in black areas, increase the setting. For more information, see 
Gamma Table. Again, look for good contrast and good details in very dark areas. 
Filter 
The proper filter setting is automatically set for virtually all 
signals, and rarely needs to be changed.  It applies a low pass 
filter for noise reduction in the incoming input signal, 
particularly for HDTV or SDTV. Applied in the analog domain 
before sampling, this filtering removes high frequencies and thus 
reduces pixel phase noise (note this also reduces signal bandwidth). Override only if 
standard pixel tracking and phase adjustments do not adequately clear up a “noisy” 
video signal, or if a graphics signal appears overly “soft”. Both instances indicate that 
“Filter” may be set to the wrong option. 
Detail 
“Detail” adjusts the sharpness of a video image so that edges remain clearly defined. 
It can be particularly useful if a significant “Noise Reduction” adjustment has caused 
the image to appear too soft. Adjust until the display is as sharp as desired, keeping in 
mind that because “Detail” adds some high frequencies back into the image, it can 
also re-introduce a certain degree of noise. 
Noise Reduction 
Noise reduction is similar to the “Filter” control, but operates in the post-sampling 
digital domain with a more subtle effect. Higher settings are most useful for clearing 
up noisy RGB images such as those from a PC. Adjust as desired, keeping in mind 
that reducing noise (which reduces high frequencies) may also soften the image. 
Color Space 
“Color Space” determines how the color components of an 
analog input signal or certain digital signals connected to 
INPUT 
1, INPUT 2, INPUT 5
 or INPUT 6 are decoded for accurate color in 
the display. Although color space for these analog signals is 
 
 
 
  
 
  
						

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automatically determined by the projector, in some circumstances you may wish to 
override this and manually set a specific color space. 
NOTE: For most digital signals or for signals connected to 
INPUT 3 or INPUT 4, the 
color space function is entirely automatic and the pull-down list disabled. 
The current color space appears in the Image Settings menu. Press 
 to select a 
different option: 
• Select 
RGB unless you are using component video at INPUT 1, 2, 5 or 6. 
• Select 
YPbPr (Video) with a standard definition televised signal (SDTV) 
• Select 
YPbPr (HDTV) with a high definition televised signal (HDTV). 
NOTE: When certain RGB signals are first connected, the projector may not initially 
recognize them as RGB and will incorrectly decode their color information as YPbPr 
(video). These signals can include: 
• RGB signals in NTSC, PAL, SECAM frequency ranges 
• Scan-doubled sync-on-green 
• Scan-quadrupled sync-on-green 
For these signals, change the Color Space to RGB, then define a new channel for 
future use. 
Video Options 
— SUBMENU 
This submenu is used with video 
sources only (Inputs 3 or 4). 
NOTE: Best results are obtained with 
defined channels. Otherwise, 
switching from one video source to 
another can sometimes cause slight 
disturbances in the display, indicating 
that the Auto function is struggling. 
Recover by briefly selecting a different video standard, then going back. 
ENABLE DECODER AGC:  Automatic Gain Control affects decoded video images only. 
Enter a checkmark (default) in most instances—this activates the decoder’s AGC 
circuit to ensure properly bright images. Delete the checkmark if a decoded video 
image exhibits strange color artifacts such as stripes in highly saturated colors, 
indicating an incompatibility between this source and the AGC. 
VIDEO STANDARD: For all but the more unusual video standards 
available in the world, the projector automatically detects the 
incoming horizontal and vertical frequencies and sets the 
projector’s processing of this signal to the corresponding standard. 
The current video standard name appears in the Video Options 
submenu, and includes an “A” if it has been auto-detected. Press 
 to view or select a different video standard from those 
available to the projector—any that are disabled have frequency 
characteristics that differ from those of the incoming signal. 
Selecting a specific standard forces the projector to process the signal according to 
this standard. 
 
 
 
  
						

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Table 3.3. Regions and Video Standards: Summary 
StandardWhere Used (SUBJECT-TO-CHANGE) 
NTSC N. America and Japan 
NTSC 4.43 A tape-only standard for partially-translated hybrid signals 
PAL Most of Europe, China, Australia, some of S. America, some of Africa 
PAL-M Brazil 
PAL-NC Argentina, Chile, other Latin American countries 
PAL 60  
SECAM France, Eastern Europe, most of Africa 
NOTE: Generally, use “Auto” for all instances EXCEPT: 1) a poor quality input 
signal or 2) a black-and-white video signal. In order to detect and display such 
signals, select the relevant standard from the list. 
INPUT VIDEO BLACK — This control 
compensates for incoming elevated black 
levels present in certain video signals, and 
ensures that blacks in the display are 
neither crushed (i.e., where dark grays appear black) nor excessively elevated (i.e., 
where blacks appear dark gray). By default, the projector automatically determines the 
best setting according to the type of incoming video signal: 
• 
0 IRE – Used for DVD output with “enhanced black”, SECAM, most 
PAL standards, and Japanese NTSC. 
• 
7.5 IRE – Used for most NTSC video signals. 
For some types of video, you can override the setting. The control is disabled for other 
types of video (and all graphics sources). Generally, if black appears crushed when 
brightness = 50, choose “0 IRE”. If black appears excessively elevated, use “7.5 IRE”. 
COLOR —  This slidebar adjusts the color saturation level, i.e. the amount of color in a 
video image. Lower settings produce less saturated colors — for example a setting of 
“0” produces a black and white image. If the color level is too high, colors will be 
overpowering and unrealistic. 
TINT —  This slidebar adjusts the red/green color hue for true color reproduction of 
video and HDTV signals connected to Input 3 or 4. For best results, adjust tint while 
displaying an external test pattern—otherwise, it is recommended that tint remain at 
its default setting. 
DECODER LUMA DELAY – This control affects any incoming composite or S-video 
signal, delaying the luma signal (intensity) in relation to the chroma (color). In the 
image, increasing the luma delay will move luma (seen as a shadow where colors 
overlap) to the right slightly, with colors remaining in place. Decreasing this delay 
will move the shadow slightly to the left. If necessary for your current source, adjust 
so that no shadows occur with adjacent colors. 
Input Levels 
— SUBMENU 
NOTES: 1) Because the projector automatically optimizes input levels for all but the 
most unusual of sources, it is recommended that only experienced users use the Input 
Levels submenu. 2) Before beginning, check that overall contrast and brightness 
settings are near 50 and that color temperature is properly set up on an internal 
grayscale test pattern. 3) There must be at least 6-12 consecutive white pixels present 
in the image for proper “Auto Input Level” function. Leave this control off after use.  
 
  
						

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Good RGB or input 
levels—that is, the drives 
and blacklevels for each of 
the three colors, red, green 
and blue—ensure that 
images from analog sources 
other than decoded video 
have maximum contrast 
without crushing black or 
white. By default (and in an 
“Auto Setup”), the projector 
automatically determines 
the best input levels by 
monitoring image content and adjusting the controls appropriately—further 
adjustment is typically not required to obtain proper blacks or whites. NOTE: This 
automatic adjustment requires at least 6-12 consecutive white pixels in the image. 
Without these pixels, input levels may produce skewed colors, particularly in non-
video images. 
However, for a very unusual source exhibiting one or more overly high blacklevels 
(typically caused by a noisy source causing blacklevel spikes), an experienced user 
may prefer to use the Input Levels menu (shown above). These adjustments, which 
together serve as a calibration process compensating for differences in sources and 
cabling, enable an experienced user to perfect the source image input levels and 
eliminate the “overshoot” and “undershoot”. Note that Input Levels are of limited use 
with digital signals, but do offer some ability to tweak poorly mastered source 
materials. 
AUTO INPUT LEVEL – Keep off for virtually all sources (default). Temporarily enter a 
checkmark only if you are an experienced user and you have an unusual source that 
you feel needs further color temperature and/or input level adjustment. This 
compensates for incoming out-of-range drives (white) and blacklevels (black) that 
would cause “crushing” of light and dark colors in the image. After entering a 
checkmark, wait for the six slidebar values to stabilize, then delete the checkmark 
and exit. Auto Input Level should be automatically turned off upon exit. 
BLACKLEVELS AND DRIVES - To check your image and adjust these controls: 
1.  Make sure overall Contrast and Brightness are both set to near 50. 
NOTE: Not required for “Auto” adjustment. 
• 
Cont = 50 (approx.) 
• 
 = 50 (approx.) 
2.  Check the color temperature setup using an internal grayscale test 
pattern, making sure to obtain a neutral grayscale. NOTE: Not required 
for “Auto” adjustment. 
3.  Confirm that you are using an analog source not connected to 
INPUT 3 or 
INPUT 4, as Input Levels are not applicable for digital sources or sources 
going through the decoder. A grayscale is recommended. 
4.  If the blacks and/or whites appear OK, input levels do not need 
adjustment. If black levels are too high (and/or whites are too low, which 
is rare), you likely have a noisy source that is producing skewed input 
levels. Continue with Step 5. 
 
  
						

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5.  Temporarily enable “Auto” in the Input Levels submenu. Wait for all 6 
values to stabilize. Alternatively, do not use “Auto”—reduce blacklevels 
manually instead. Judge by eye and change one or more of the six levels 
as necessary to obtain proper blacks and whites. You may want to see 
only a certain color while adjusting—use the “Color Enable” option 
(described below). 
6.  Delete the “Auto” checkmark and leave the Input Levels menu. 
IMPORTANT: Do not use Input Levels to adjust color temperature. This will 
distort Contrast and Brightness functions as well as color temperature. 
AUTO COLOR ENABLE –  When a checkmark is present, selecting a specific blacklevel 
or drive to adjust will automatically enable the corresponding color in the display. 
Delete the checkmark to see all colors, or to enable a different specific color through 
the Color Enable Control. 
CLAMP LOCATION – This option (formerly known as sync tip 
clamping) can brighten the image produced from certain high-
resolution high-frequency graphic sources. For almost all sources, 
the best clamp location is automatically selected by the projector. 
Use the normal Back Porch location if the image is either sufficiently bright or overly 
bright. Select Sync Tip if the image appears unusually dim, if there are horizontal 
streaks across the image, or if there is significant color drift. This moves the clamping 
pulse from the normal backporch location (which is likely too short) to the tip of the 
horizontal sync pulse. Tri Level is typically recommended for an HDTV source where 
the back porch is also short. 
COLOR ENABLE –  Select which color or colors you want to see in the display, useful 
while working with color temperature white levels or input levels. 
PEAK DETECTOR – The Peak Detector is a fast method for defining individual input 
levels, and can improve the accuracy of input levels set by the Auto Input level 
function. Enabling the Peak Detector activates a special operating mode for detecting 
only pixels that are considered black or white—all other levels are displayed as a 
mid-level gray. When used with a smooth grayscale pattern in which black and white 
are known to be at opposite edges of the image, you can watch these isolated areas 
while adjusting individual blacklevels and input drives until both black and white 
edges are just visible and distinguished from neighboring pixels. Images from this 
source will then display correct blacks and whites without crushing or washing out. 
See Figure 3.17. Adjusting Input Levels Using the Peak Detector
: 
1) Display a 16 level grayscale test pattern from the desired external source, and 
enter a checkmark in the Peak Detector checkbox. NOTE: The “Peak Detector” 
will initially render the grayscale as a uniform gray field before adjustment. 
2) Display one primary color (use Color Enable to automatically select as you go). 
3) For the current color, adjust its corresponding “Blacklevel” slidebar just until a 
single band of black appears at one edge of the screen. This band represents the 
first band of the grayscale pattern, which should be 100% black. Do not adjust 
too far. 
4) With the same color still active, adjust its corresponding “Input Drive” slidebar 
just until a single band of color appears at the opposite edge of the screen. This