Runco Vx 44d Projector User Manual

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Runco VX-44d/-55d Owner’s Operating Manual 49 
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3. Select Locked from the Channel Setup menu and press ENTER to clear the check 
box. 
Figure 3-18. Unlocking a Channel
Auto SetupUse the Auto Setup feature of the VX-44d/-55d as a convenient starting point for 
calibrating the projector DVI input for optimum picture quality. 
Auto Setup is an automated process in which the projector quickly optimizes critical 
display parameters such as size, position and pixel tracking, based on the type of 
incoming video signal. An Auto Setup allows you to quickly get the image “in the ballpark” 
after which you can perform further calibration, if necessary. 
To perform an Auto Setup, do one of the following: 
On the Theater Master Remote Control: Press FUNCS, then AUTO followed by 
Enter. When the Auto Setup completes, press Enter again to keep the new settings. 
On the Projector Rear Keypad: Press AUTO SETUP followed by Enter. When the 
Auto Setup completes, press Enter again to keep the new settings. 
On the DHD Controller Remote Control: Press MENU, then select Service from the 
Main menu. Select Display Device from the Service Menu. Finally, select Configure 
from the Display Device menu, then select Auto Setup.
What an “Auto Setup” Does: Auto Setup sets the following parameters to their default 
values:
 White Level (Contrast)
 Black Level (Brightness)
 Pre-Calibration (Auto Input Level) (off) 
 Sharpness (Detail) (if video source)
 Filter
 Luma Delay
1. Name 1080i16x9 nt
2. Number 02
3. Input 2
4. In Menu
5. Auto Source
6. Locked
7. Previous Channel
8. Next Channel
Channel Edit
Clear this check box
to unlock the channel
You cannot use Auto Setup with a locked channel; you must unlock 
it first. Refer to 
Unlocking Channels on page 48. Note 
						

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Auto Setup also optimizes the following settings, based on the characteristics of the 
incoming signal:
 Pixel Tracking 
 Pixel Phase 
 Size and Blanking 


 White Balance (Input Levels) 
If additional fine-tuning is necessary after performing an Auto Setup, continue with the 
next section.
Size and Position Menu In the Size and Position Menu, you can increase or decrease the size of your image, 
change its proportion (aspect ratio), move the image to a specific area of the screen, and 
refine other related parameters. Use Size and Position controls to match the image 
precisely to the screen. Changes made in the Size and Position menu take effect 
immediately and are saved when you exit the menu.
Size Presets: Select a Size 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 1920x1080, or to optimize the display width or height. 
Size, Position and Blanking parameters automatically adjust accordingly. If Blanking is set 
first, which defines an Active Input Area, Size Preset scaling occurs in this region of 
interest only.
The default setting is either No Resizing or Custom, depending on the input signal 
resolution. Do not change it unless specifically instructed to do so by Runco 
Technical Support. 
sizing: Select No Resizing to display the image in its native resolution, which 
may or may not match the projector’s resolution. For example, for a computer display 
with a native resolution of 800 x 600, “No Resizing” uses the central 800 x 600 pixels 
and has a black border – the black border areas are unused pixels. 
 
Figure 3-19. Resize Presets: No Resizing
➤
1. Size Presets No Resizing
2. Size 0.866
3. Height 1000
4. Pixel Tracking 858
5. Pixel Phase  0
6. Horizontal Shift 360
7. Vertical Shift 262
8. Reserved
9. Reserved
0. AdvancedSize and Position
The “native” aspect ratio is with the primary lens only. With an 
anamorphic lens in the light path, the aspect ratio is 2.35:1. Note
1920
1080
1080
1080
1080
192019201920SVGA 800x600
Source Type
NTSC HDTV 720p HDTV 1080i
No Resizing
Active
Image
AreaActive
Image
AreaActive
Image
AreaActive
Image
Area
Unused Pixels Unused PixelsUnused Pixels 
						

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Runco VX-44d/-55d Owner’s Operating Manual 51 
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For 1080i digital and 1080p signals, channels are pre-configured at the Runco factory for 
each aspect ratio. These channels use Custom size presets to achieve the selected 
aspect ratio. 
stom” Resizing: The “Custom” re-size descriptor automatically appears in the 
Size and Position menu when any of the values for Size, Height, Horizontal Shift, 
Vertical Shift or Blanking do not correspond to those for a preset. This option is not 
offered in the Size Presets pull-down list. 
Other resizing options are described below, for the sake of completeness. In actual 
practice, though, they are rarely (if ever) used when the VX-44d/-55d is used with the DHD 
Controller. 
 Default Resizing: When you select a new source, the image utilizes as much of the 
projector’s display area as possible for the type of incoming source data, but with 
minimal or no changes to aspect ratio. The image will be centered and displayed as 
large as possible depending on the source type and projector model: 
 A video image or 4:3 graphic image is enlarged to fill the screen height, centered 
between black side bars. 
 A 5:4 graphic image is enlarged to fill the screen height and is centered between 
black side bars.
 An anamorphic (16:9) image fills the whole screen.
 Full Size: Select Full Size to use all pixels for displaying the image, regardless of 
source or original aspect ratio. Incoming source material having a different aspect ratio 
than the projector will be stretched to fill the display. 
 Full Width: 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 (called “letterbox”). 
 Full Height: 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 whole screen.
Size: “Size” controls both the image width and height in tandem, maintaining the current 
aspect ratio (proportion) of the displayed signal data. 
Height: “Height” adjusts the image height while keeping the width constant. Use this 
setting to change the aspect ratio of the display. 
Pixel Tracking: 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 (see 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. 
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. 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 (described below).  
						

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Pixel Phase: 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. 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; that is, you may find that the image 
appearance at “11” is identical to the image appearance at “38.” Use either setting in such 
cases. If some shimmer from a video or HDTV source persists, use the “
Filter” control in 
the Image Settings menu (described later) to remove high-frequency noise from the signal. 
Horizontal Shift: This option moves the image right or left within the area of available 
pixels.
Vertical Shift: This option moves the image up or down within the area of available 
pixels.
Picture Quality Menu Use options in the Picture Quality menu to alter your image without affecting its size or 
position. Changes made in this menu are applied immediately and saved when you exit 
the menu. Options not available for the projector model or source are disabled and appear 
dim (gray). 
White Level (Contrast): “White Level” increases or decreases the perceived difference 
between light and dark areas of your image (0-100). For best results, keep it under 50. If 
the White Level is too high, the light parts of the image lose detail and clarity. If it is 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 (“crushed”). 
Black Level (Brightness): “Black Level” 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 (“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. 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. 
Adjust “Pixel Tracking” before “Pixel Phase.”
The values shown represent where the approximate center of the 
image lies in relation to the total number of pixels available 
horizontally or vertically. This varies widely according to the signal; 
watch the image while adjusting.
Note
Note
➤
1. White Level 50.0
2. Black Level  50.0
3. Gamma 2.2
4. Filter Off
5. Sharpness 0
6. Noise Reduction 0
7. Color Space RGB
8. Decoder Adjust
9. White Balance
0. AdvancedPicture Quality
If the environment lighting changes, an adjustment of Gamma is 
recommended (see below). Note 
						

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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. 
Sharpness: “Sharpness” changes the amount of high-frequency detail in 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 “Sharpness” adds some high 
frequencies back into the image, it can also reintroduce 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. With the VX-44d/-55d, this should 
always be set to RGB. 
Decoder Adjust: This sub-menu is not applicable to the VX-44d/-55d.
White Balance: Good RGB or white balance — that is, the white and black levels for 
each of the three primary 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. 
However, for a very unusual source exhibiting one or more overly high black levels 
(typically caused by a noisy source causing black level spikes), an experienced technician 
may prefer to use the White Balance menu (shown above). These adjustments, which 
together serve as a calibration process compensating for differences in sources and 
cabling, enable an experienced technician to perfect the source image input levels and 
eliminate the “overshoot” and “undershoot.” 
1. Pre Calibration
2. Red Black Level  256
3. Red White Level 256
4. Red Black Level  256
5. Red White Level 256
6. Blue Black Level  256
7. Blue White Level 256
8. Auto Color Enable
9. Clamping Back Porch
0. Clipping Detector
 Color Enable  RedWhite Balance
1. The White Balance controls are of limited use with digital signals, 
but do offer some ability to tweak poorly mastered source 
materials.
2. Because the projector automatically optimizes input levels for all 
but the most unusual of sources, it is recommended that only 
experienced technicians use the White Balance submenu.
3. 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.
 
Note 
						

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54 Runco VX-44d/-55d Owner’s Operating Manual
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 Pre-Calibration: Keep off for virtually all sources (default). Temporarily enter a check 
mark only if you are an experienced technician and you have an unusual source that 
you feel needs further color temperature and/or white balance adjustment. After 
entering a check mark, wait for the six slidebar values to stabilize, then clear the check 
mark and exit. This compensates for incoming out-of-range drives (white) and black 
levels (black) that would cause “crushing” of light and dark colors in the image. 
s and White Levels: 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 “Pre-Calibration” adjustment.) 
2. Check the color temperature setup using an internal grayscale test pattern, making 
sure to obtain a neutral grayscale. (Not required for “Pre-Calibration” adjustment.) 
3. 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 4. 
4. Temporarily enable “Pre-Calibration” in the White Balance submenu. Wait for all six 
values to stabilize. Alternatively, do not use “Auto” — reduce black levels 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). 
5. Delete the “Auto” check mark and exit the White Balance menu. 
 Auto Color Enable: When a check mark is present, selecting a specific black level or 
drive to adjust will automatically enable the corresponding color in the display. Delete 
the check mark to see all colors. 
 Clamping: This option 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. 
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 back porch location (which is likely too short) to the tip of the 
horizontal sync pulse. 
Tr i  L e v e l is typically recommended for an HDTV source where the back porch is 
also short, or for video sources or any RGB source with sync information included 
on the video (for example, sync-on-green). 
1. There must be at least two consecutive white pixels present in 
the image for the “Pre-Calibration” function to work properly. 
Otherwise, input levels may produce skewed colors, particularly 
in non-video images.
2. Uncheck this item before exiting this menu.  
Note 
						

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Runco VX-44d/-55d Owner’s Operating Manual 55 
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 Clipping Detector: The Clipping Detector is a tool to assist with defining individual 
input levels, enabling you to accurately set the white balance for any particular source 
with the appropriate image. 
Enabling the Clipping 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 black and white levels 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. 
Figure 3-20. Adjusting Input Levels Using the Clipping Detector
1. Display a 16-level grayscale test pattern from the DHD Controller. 
2. Enter a checkmark in the Clipping Detector checkbox.  
3. Display one primary color.  
4. For the current color, adjust its corresponding “Black Level” 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. 
5. With the same color still active, adjust its corresponding “White Level” 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. 
The Clipping Detector will initially render the grayscale as a uniform 
gray field before adjustment or extreme crushing.
Selecting Auto Color Enable ensures that the correct color is 
displayed for each setting.
3.  Adjust corresponding
     black level (red, green or 
     or blue) until one black 
     band appears.
 4.  Adjust corresponding
     white level (red, green or 
     or blue) until one bright 
     band appears. 
2.  Choose one primary
     color at a time. 
1. Pre Calibration
2. Red Black Level  256
3. Red White Level 256
4. Red Black Level  256
5. Red White Level 256
6. Blue Black Level  256
7. Blue White Level 256
8. Auto Color Enable
9. Clamping Back Porch
0. Clipping Detector
 Color Enable  Red
White Balance
Note
Tip 
						

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56 Runco VX-44d/-55d Owner’s Operating Manual
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6. It may be advantageous to go back and check the black band. Adjust the blacklevel 
slidebar if necessary. 
 
 
7. Repeat Steps 4 through 6 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 White Balance menu, the 
Clipping Detector checkbox will clear. 
 Color Enable: Select which color or colors you want to see in the display. This is 
useful when working with color temperature white levels or black levels. 
When you have finished optimizing the picture quality, lock the channel that you unlocked 
previously (refer to 
Unlocking Channels on page 48), unlock the next channel and 
repeat the calibration procedure. Do this for each of the remaining channels. 
Installation MenuSelect Installation from the VX-44d/-55d Main Menu to access these advanced lamp 
and lens configuration options:
 LumaCal™, for maintaining constant lamp brightness
 OptiCal™, to save and restore lens positions
Calibration and Test Patterns – LumaCal (Lamp Calibration): LumaCal defines the 
range of power needed to maintain lamp brightness over time.
To use LumaCal:
1. Select Installation from the Main Menu.
2. Select Calibration and Test Patterns from the Installation Menu.
3. Select LumaCal from the Calibration and Test Patterns Menu.
4. Select Calibrate LumaCal to calibrate the lamp using your projectors unique 
specifications (recommended). Or, select Use Default Settings to undo the effects 
of a previous calibration.
In the event of a power failure, the projector reverts to the default LumaCal settings in 
which case you should re-calibrate the lamp. 
Readjusting the black levels affects the gain at this point; only 
readjust when absolutely necessary.Note
➤
1. Language English
2. Picture Orientation Front
3. Reserved
4.  Auto Power On
5. Set Date and Time
6. OSD Adjust
7.  IR and Serial Adjust
8. Geometry and Color
9. Calibration and Test Patterns
0. Service Mode
  Option 1 Card: Empty
  Option 2 Card: EmptyInstallation
1. Test Patterns Grid
2.  Test Pattern Level  512
3. Freeze Image
4. Color Enable White
5. Odd Pixel Adjustment
6. Reserved
7. Clipping Detector
8. Level Detector
9. Level Value 512
0. LumaCal Calibrate LumaCal
 OptiCal Full
 Aspect Ratio OverlayCalibration and Test Patterns
For best results, allow the projector to warm up for 15 minutes prior 
to using LumaCal.
LumaCal lamp calibration takes approximately two minutes. 
Note
Note 
						

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Runco VX-44d/-55d Owner’s Operating Manual 57 
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OptiCal (Primary Lens Calibration): OptiCal provides the ability to store and recall 
focus, zoom and position settings for the primary lens.
To enable OptiCal:
1. Select Installation from the Main Menu.
2. Select Geometry and Color from the Installation menu.
3. Select OptiCal from the Geometry and Color menu.
4. Press ENTER to check the box labeled OptiCal.  
 
5. Press EXIT to exit the Geometry and Color menu. 
6. Select Calibration and Test Patterns from the Installation Menu.
7. Select OptiCal from the Calibration and Test Patterns Menu.
OptiCal gives you a choice of three types of lens calibrations: 
Reference calibration establishes a reference point (starting position) for measuring 
relative lens movement. All distances are measured from this reference point. 
A
 reference calibration is lost when power is removed from the projector and occurs on 
every power-up as long as OptiCal is enabled.
Motion calibration determines the characteristics of each motor and values are 
saved in the projector’s memory. If OptiCal is enabled and a motion calibration has 
previously been done, the projector automatically recalls these settings from memory 
when it’s being powered up and a motion calibration will not take place.
Full calibration performs both a Reference calibration and a Motion calibration.
If no calibration has previously been done you may be prompted to do a Full calibration. If 
a motion calibration has been done, you will be prompted to complete a reference 
calibration. If both calibrations have been done, the OptiCal checkbox is checked and 
OptiCal enabled. 
When OptiCal is enabled, the VX-44d/-55d performs a reference calibration when the 
projector is turned on. The lens returns to its last saved position (or actual position, if no 
motion calibration has been done previously). Further adjustments to the zoom, focus and 
position are automatically saved. 
1. Test Pattern Grid
2. Keystone 50.0
3. Brightness Uniformity
4. Edge Blending
5.  Color Adjustments by X,Y
6. Color Saturation
7. Black Level Blending
8.  Default Color Adjustments
9. OptiCalGeometry and Color
1. Test Patterns Grid
2.  Test Pattern Level  512
3. Freeze Image
4. Color Enable White
5. Odd Pixel Adjustment
6. Reserved
7. Clipping Detector
8. Level Detector
9. Level Value 512
0. LumaCal Calibrate LumaCal
 OptiCal Full
 Aspect Ratio OverlayCalibration and Test Patterns
1. OptiCal control is a preference setting and is retained between 
power cycles. 
2. OptiCal has no effect on the secondary anamorphic lens, only 
the primary lens. 
Note 
						

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3.13 
Working With the 
Lamp 
Access the Lamp Adjust menu to: 
 Choose a lamp mode for regulating power and light output.
 Change the optical aperture size.
 View information pertaining to past and present lamps.
 Record the lamp serial number in the projector’s memory. 
Lamp Hours (read-only): Lamp Hours shows the number of hours logged on the 
current lamp. Whenever you record a new lamp serial number, the VX-44d/-55d 
automatically resets this value to zero and begins to log time for the new lamp. 
Lamp S/N (read-only): Lamp S/N is the serial number recorded for the current lamp. 
When you install a new lamp and enter its serial number, the number appears here.
Lamp Message: Enter a check mark for Lamp Message to enable a warning message 
that appears upon power-up when the lamp has reached the specified lamp limit and 
should be replaced. Delete the check mark to prevent display of this message – instead, 
when your lamp expires, only the status display messages on the back of the projector will 
provide a visual warning to replace the lamp. 
Lamp Limit: Set Lamp Limit to the number of hours you expect to log on the current 
lamp before replacing it. This will trigger a lamp message on-screen (if enabled). 
 Lamp Hours 147
 Lamp S/N 123456789
1. Lamp Message
2. Lamp Limit 1000
3. Lamp Mode Power
4. Power 500
5. Intensity 0
6. RVR 3
7. Lamp History
8. Change Lamp
9. Reserved
Lamp Adjust
1. It is recommended that the Lamp Message check box remain 
enabled. 
2. When a lamp warning message appears, press EXIT to 
temporarily dismiss the warning. The message will continue to 
appear upon power-up until you install a new lamp. 
1. If you change modes over the life of a lamp, the lamp limit you 
originally expected may no longer be possible. 
2. Turning the lamp on and off reduces lamp life significantly, as do 
other factors.
3. It is recommended that Lamp Limit not exceed the expected 
lamp life, otherwise a lamp could become dangerously fragile 
with overuse.
Note
Note