Runco Vx 40d Projector User Manual

							
43Runco VX-40d/-50d/-60d/-80d Owner’s Operating ManualSection 3: Operation

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.
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. By default, 
the projector automatically determines what portion of its full resolution to use, and pixels 
in  the  surrounding  borders  are  turned  off.  You  can  also  specify  a  specific  active  input 
window size by adjusting one or more “Blank” settings. For example, if you have blanked 
(cropped) 100 pixels from both the left and right edges of an incoming source of 1400 x 
1050, the remaining active input window will be reduced to 1200 x 1050. When using SD 
or  HD,  or  a  decoded  video  source  at 
INPUT  3  (Composite)  or INPUT  4 (S-Video),  the 
default blanking of “0” defines an active input window of 720 x 483. 
						

							
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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,  or  area  of  interest.  The  range  of 
adjustment depends on the source resolution 
and other factors.
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 
EXIT or MENU). Options 
not  available  for  the  projector 
model  or  source  are  disabled 
and appear dim (gray).
Image Settings Menu ➤ 
						

							
45Runco VX-40d/-50d/-60d/-80d Owner’s Operating ManualSection 3: Operation

Contrast
“Contrast” increases or decreases the perceived difference between light and dark areas 
of your image (0-100). For best results, keep it under 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
“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.
Gamma
“Gamma” is a global setting that determines how 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 grays. Unlike the Brightness and Contrast 
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 when using the “Gamma” control.
The normal gamma setting of 2.2 is correct for virtually all signals and conditions. 
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 washed out and unnatural, with excessive detail in black areas, increase the 
setting. Again, good gamma improves contrast while maintaining good details for 
blacks and whites.
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. 
						

							
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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 are decoded for accurate color in the display. Selecting 
a  color  space  option  is  useful  only  for  analog  signals  connected  to 
INPUT 1, INPUT 2, INPUT 5 or INPUT 6. Although color space for 
these analog signals is automatically determined by the projector, in some circumstances 
you may wish to override this and manually set a specific color space.
NOTE:  For  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 
7 (or highlight Color 
Space and press Enter) 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, which appear magenta, 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. 
						

							
47Runco VX-40d/-50d/-60d/-80d Owner’s Operating ManualSection 3: Operation

Video Options — SUBMENU
This submenu is used with video sources only 
(Input 3 or Input 4).
ENABLE  DECODER  AGC:  Automatic  Gain 
Control  (AGC)  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  Enter 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.
Standard Where 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. 
						

							
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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 signals connected to  INPUT 3 or 4. For best results, adjust tint while displaying 
an external color bars test pattern—otherwise, use the 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 two consecutive white pixels present in the image for 
the “Auto Input Level” function to work properly. 
Uncheck this item before exiting this 
menu.
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 
S e t u p ” ) ,   t h e   p r o j e c t o r 
automatically  determines 
t h e   b e s t   i n p u t   l e v e l s   b y 
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 two consecutive white pixels in 
the image. Without these pixels, input levels may produce skewed colors, particularly in 
nonvideo 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. 
						

							
49Runco VX-40d/-50d/-60d/-80d Owner’s Operating ManualSection 3: Operation

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. After entering 
a checkmark, wait for the six slidebar values to stabilize, then delete the checkmark 
and exit. This compensates for incoming out-of-range drives (white) and blacklevels 
(black) that would cause “crushing” of light and dark colors in the image.
BLACK LEVELS AND DRIVES  - To check your image and adjust these controls:
  1.  Make sure overall “Contrast” and “Brightness” settings are both set to near 50.  (Not required for “Auto” adjustment.)
    • Contrast = 50 (approx.)
    • Brightness = 50 (approx.)
  2.  Check  the  color  temperature  setup  using  an  internal  grayscale  test  pattern,  making sure to obtain a neutral grayscale. (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.
  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; if so, use the “Color Enable” option (described below).
  6. Delete the “Auto” checkmark and leave the Input Levels menu.
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.
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 T ip 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 back porch 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.
NOTE: Clamp Location is not used for video sources or any RGB source with sync 
information included on the video (e.g., sync-on-green). Use Tri Level instead.
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. 
						

							
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NOTES: 1)  Input  levels  apply  for  the  current  source  only,  but  for  any  color  temperature 
used. 2)  Assuming  that  color  temperature  has  been  set  up  based  on  the  internal  test 
patterns, you can then set up input levels for a given source so that it matches the color 
temperature of the internal test patterns.
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.
See Figure 3.13. 
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 select).
  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 band 
represents  the  last  band  of  the  grayscale  pattern,  which  should  be  100%  white 
(or the current color, if a certain color is enabled). Do not adjust too far.
  5.  Go back and check the black band—adjust the blacklevel slidebar if necessary.  Blacklevel and Input Drive adjustments are related, so you may have to go back 
and forth until both bands are
 just optimized.
  6.  Repeat  Steps  2-5  with  the  other  two  remaining  primary  colors.  When  each  primary color shows 
one optimized black band and white (or colored) band, the 
input levels for this source are correctly set. Upon exiting the  Input Levels menu, 
the Peak Detector checkbox will clear. 
						

							
51Runco VX-40d/-50d/-60d/-80d Owner’s Operating ManualSection 3: Operation

Figure 3.13. Adjusting Input Levels Using the Peak Detector (RED EXAMPLE SHOWN)
Advanced  Image  Settings  — 
SUBMENU
GAMMA  TABLE:  This  control  selects 
and  applies  the  normal  2.2  gamma 
setting  or  a  user-defined  “arbitrary” 
(custom)  gamma  table  that  has  been 
previously  downloaded  to  projector 
memory  (these  custom  gamma 
tables—a.k.a. 
curves—are  created  in 
Runco’s  Arbitrary  Gamma  application 
for  the  PC,  and  are  downloaded  via  a 
separate  utility).  Use  of  custom  curves 
can  improve  performance  for  certain 
kinds of source input and applications. 
Generally  the  best  gamma  curve  is 
one that produces maximum contrast, brightness and color performance for the current 
signal and ambient lighting conditions.
NOTE: If no such curves have been defined and downloaded to projector memory, only 
the “2.2, Normal” default gamma curve is available here—adjust as desired in the main 
Image Settings menu.
SELECT  COLOR  ADJUSTMENT:   In  “Select  Color 
Adjustment”, choose an overall color performance for all 
images. The “Max Drives” factory default simply drives all 
3 colors at their maximum level so that they are fully on 
and cannot be changed. The two other pre-defined color 
adjustment choices—SD Video and HD Video —apply a 
color gamut optimized for video sources (standard or high-
definition). Alternatively, you can specify a color temperature, 
which enables the nearby Color Temperature slidebar and 
applies its current setting (default = 6500K). If none of the pre-defined “Select Color 
Adjustment” options or color temperatures suit your application, select one of four 
color gamuts previously defined by a user (ISF Day, ISF Night, 3, 4). A “User” option 
applies a customized color performance in which the user has precisely set the 
hue and intensity of each color component in the  Color Adjustment by X/Y or Color 
Saturation  submenus, and is most often needed with multiple-projector applications. 
Select the color adjustment producing the best color accuracy for your application 
and installation.
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52Runco VX-40d/-50d/-60d/-80d Owner’s Operating Manual
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To configure a “User” color adjustment (gamut), use either the 
Color Adjustment by 
X/Y or  Color Saturation  submenu found in the Configuration menu under  Geometry 
and Color.
NOTES: 1) “Color Temperature” defaults to 6500K until changed. Both “User” options 
default to SD Video unless they have been redefined by the user. 
2) Factory defined 
color primaries, which ensure consistent color gamut from projector -to-projector, can 
be altered in the Service menu only. If you suspect alteration, the factory settings can be 
recovered with selection of Factory Defaults in the Service menu (password-protected).
COLOR TEMPERATURE —  Adjust to apply a specific and accurate color temperature 
to all displays. Color temperatures are expressed in kelvins (3200-9300K), and utilize 
different combinations of the projector’s original native color primaries to produce 
a “coloration” or cast (reddish or bluish) in images—the lower the temperature, the 
more reddish the cast; the higher the temperature, the more bluish the cast. Note 
that the slidebar is enabled only if you have a source connected and have selected 
“Color Temperature” in the adjacent “Select Color Adjustment” pull-down list in the 
Advanced Image Settings menu.
FRAME DELAY — Set the interval of delay desired between the input signal and 
its appearance on screen. For applications such as simulation, where the feeling of 
“real time” image response is a priority, a minimum setting is usually preferable. For 
projectors capable of 3D (stereographic) applications where alternating left-right 
frames must be synchronized with the corresponding L/R shutters in 3D glasses, a 
frame delay setting of two (or multiple of two) may be more useful. Delay may vary 
between sources.
MOTION FILTER —  This control is most useful for smoothing out 
moving images from interlaced sources. In most cases the proper 
Motion Filter setting is automatically determined according to the type of 
incoming source signal. However, if your source is jittery and/or tearing 
you may wish to “force” a setting to ensure stable processing for this 
source—if desired, override the default “Auto” setting by selecting the appropriate 
motion filter:
  1.  AUTO:  The projector will automatically use the correct motion filter according 
to the incoming signal.
  2.   STILL:  For static images with no motion, such as graphics from a CD.
  3.  MOTION:  For video images that did not originate from film, or for moving 
computer-generated images.
  4.  FILM: For video images that originated from film. This will optimize image 
quality and stability.
FILM MODE THRESHOLD —  This setting determines how sensitively the projector 
can detect if an incoming video signal originated from film or not.
DETAIL THRESHOLD — Use “Detail Threshold” to define at what frequency level the 
“Detail” control will begin to magnify high frequencies, which adds details back into 
the image. Raise the threshold to  ignore more of these high frequencies, and lower 
the threshold to  magnify more of these frequencies. A setting of “0”, for example, 
means no noise will be ignored and all will be magnified. An ideal detail threshold is 
one in which high frequencies that are causing objectionable noise are  not magnified 
when using “Detail”, but frequencies which can help sharpen an overly-soft image 
are magnified when using “Detail”.