Runco Food Processor VHD 4403 Ultra User Guide

OWNER'S OPERATING MANUAL  
VHD-4403 ULTRA  
Virtual High Definition Processor With Aspect Ratio Control  
 
 
The software installed in the VHD-4403 ULTRA is protected by copyright  
laws and International copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual  
property laws and treaties.  
IMPORTANT - READ CAREFULLY: This Runco License Agreement is  
a legal agreement between you (either an individual or a single entity)  
and Runco International for the Runco software product installed within  
the VHD-4403 ULTRA. By using the VHD-4403 ULTRA, you agree to be  
bound by the terms of this License Agreement. If you do not agree to  
the terms of this License Agreement, do not use the VHD-4403 ULTRA;  
you may, however, return it to your place of purchase.  
© 2000, Runco International. All rights reserved.  
2
 
CONTENTS  
Warnings and Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4  
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6  
General Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6  
Features and Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6  
Front and rear panel description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7  
Front Panel Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7  
Rear Panel Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8  
Remote Control Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10  
Quick Set-up Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11  
Connection Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11  
Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12  
Overall Function Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13  
Menu Description and Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14  
Main Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14  
Picture Quality Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15  
Aspect Ratios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18  
First the Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19  
Dimensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20  
RS-232 Protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21  
Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22  
Supplied Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22  
3
 
Warnings and Safety Precautions  
CAUTION:  
To turn off main power, be sure to remove the plug from power outlet. The power  
outlet socket should be installed as near to the equipment as possible, and should  
be easily accessible.  
REMARQUE:  
Pour mettre l’appareil hors circut, s’assurer de retirer la fiche de la prise d’alimenta-  
tion. La prise d’alimentation doit être installé aussi proche que possible de l’appareil  
et doit être facile d’ accès.  
WARNING  
TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARDS, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO  
RAIN OR MOISTURE. ALSO DO NOT USE THIS UNIT’S POLARIZED PLUG WITH  
AN EXTENSION CORD RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLETS, UNLESS THE  
PRONGS CAN BE FULLY INSERTED. REFRAIN FROM OPENING THE CABINET  
AS THERE ARE HIGH-VOLTAGE COMPONENTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO  
QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.  
AVERTISSEMENT  
POUR EVITER UN FEU OU UN RISQUE D’ELECTROCUTION NE PAS EXPOS-  
ER CET ENSEMBLE A LA PLUIE OU A L’HUMIDITE; DE MEME, NE PAS  
BRANCHER LA PRISE POLAIRE AVEC UNE RALLONGE A MOINS QUE LES  
DENTS DE LA PREMIERE NE S’Y INSERENT PLEINEMENT.  
EVITER D’OUVRIR LE COFFRET CAR IL Y A, A L’INTERIEUR, DES COM-  
POSANTS SOUMIS A UNE HAUTE-TENSION; POUR LES REPARATIONS,  
S’ADRESSER A UN PERSONNEL QUALIFIE.  
4
 
WARNINGS AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS  
:
WARNING  
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital  
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide rea-  
sonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a  
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio fre-  
quency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the installation manual,  
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in  
a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case, the user will be  
required to correct the interference at his own expense.  
DOC compliance Notice  
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-  
Causing Equipment Regulations.  
DOC avis de conformation  
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Réglement sur le  
Matériel D’interférence du Canada.  
Safety Tips:  
Please read and follow the safety precautions listed below to ensure the equipment is  
free from damage, and to ensure that no injury will occur as a result of improper use.  
Do not insert any object, especially metal or liquids, into the VHD-4403 ULTRA.  
Do not place any objects containing water or any other liquid on top of the VHD-  
4403 ULTRA  
Do not place the unit in direct sunlight, near heaters or in extremely dusty or  
humid locations  
Do not install this unit outdoors or otherwise exposed to the elements  
Do not place heavy objects on top of the unit  
If the power cord is damaged or frayed in any way, electrical shock and/or fire  
may result. Please do not place objects on the power cord, and keep the cord  
away from heat-emitting devices. Should the power cord become damaged in any  
way, please contact your Runco dealer for a replacement cord.  
Do not remove the cover of the unit for any reason. If any problems arise with the  
unit, please contact a Runco dealer or Runco International for service. Removing  
the cover will void the warranty.  
5
 
INTRODUCTION  
General Description  
Congratulations on your purchase of the VHD-4403 ULTRA! This processor is designed to work with  
either a CRT projector or a fixed-pixel device (DLP, Plasma, etc.), and will provide full aspect ratio con-  
trol as well as greatly enhanced picture quality. For example, DLP projectors were not initially designed  
to be used on wide aspect-ratio screens (16:9 or 1.85:1). The VHD-4403 ULTRA, however, expands  
the use of the DLP projector to be able to accommodate Letterbox, anamorphic (16:9) and 4:3 images  
on your wide-aspect ratio screen. This allows you to use the full benefit of your widescreen without  
having to sacrifice aspect ratio control. When using the VHD-4403 ULTRA with a CRT projector (i.e.  
DTV-940), the aspect ratio control feature allows the projector to stay in a single memory, making inte-  
gration into the system much easier.  
The VHD-4403 ULTRA is not only an aspect-ratio controller, but is also scaler with a progressive out-  
put, which virtually eliminates motion artifacts as a result of interlaced signals. Also, its 10-bit process-  
ing results in the cleanest, most resolved video images a processor can provide.  
This preliminary version of the VHD-4403 you have just received has all of the features noted above,  
and has a scan rate output (45 kHz) optimized for the Runco projector you have purchased.  
This processor will be upgradeable in the future; these upgrades include multiple scan rate outputs and  
the ability to optimize the output for either CRT projectors or fixed pixel devices. This upgrade will  
either be in the form of an exchange with a fully upgraded unit, or a software upgrade which involves a  
simple chip replacement. Please contact Runco for more updated information regarding these  
upgrades.  
Features and Benefits  
The VHD-4403 ULTRA has many great features and benefits that make it a flexible, high-quality  
processor. Its many benefits include:  
• An adaptive 2-dimensional comb filter that greatly reduces artifacts when using a composite video  
signal as an input.  
• A Luma edge enhancement circuit makes the edges of objects appear sharper without the ringing  
and noise increase associated with traditional sharpness circuits  
• A Chroma edge enhancement circuit is included to compensate for lower chroma resolution found in  
composite and S-video.  
• Inverse Telecine (3:2 pulldown) detection and processing allows the scaler to almost completely elimi-  
nate interlace artifacts associated with other scalers  
• The controller can correctly scale anamorphic, letterbox and 4:3 formats to fit on a wide aspect-ratio  
screen, and scale anamorphic formats on a 4:3 screen  
• A pass-through connector is supplied for routing HDTV or computer graphics directly to the projector.  
• An RS-232 input is provided for easy integration into the automated home theater environment  
• A TBC (Time Base Corrector) circuit is provided for unstable sources such as VCR’s.  
• A Dual-Screen actuator output for both Widescreens and 4:3 screens is provided  
• A simple 7-button remote controls all aspects of operation. One button source selection and aspect  
ratio control is also provided via the remote control or the front panel.  
6
 
FRONT AND REAR PANEL DESCRIPTIONS  
Front Panel  
2
1
4403 ULTRA  
O
RUNC  
M U LT I F I L M  
3
4 5  
6
7
8 9  
1. IR RECEIVER  
Receives the IR commands from the remote control.  
2. MENU BUTTON  
The MENU button brings up the main adjustment menu. After making adjustments, the MENU button will bring  
you back to the sub-menu, then the main menu. The Menu will then either time-out after approximately 10 sec-  
onds, or pressing the MENU button will remove the menu immediately.  
3. LCD DISPLAY  
Indicates the function or active adjustments and current scan rate.  
4. UP BUTTON  
When no menu is present on-screen, this button will toggle you through the different aspect ratios.  
When the menu is on-screen, the up button will move the cursor up within a menu.  
5. LEFT BUTTON  
When no menu is present on-screen, this button will toggle you through the four different sources, in the order of:  
COMPOSITE  
S-VIDEO  
COMPONENT  
PASS THROUGH  
When an adjustment function has been selected (i.e. Brightness), the LEFT button will decrease the value of that  
function.  
6. ENTER BUTTON  
When an item is highlighted on the On-Screen Display, the ENTER button will select the item.  
7. DOWN BUTTON  
When no menu is present on-screen, this button will toggle you through the different aspect ratios.  
When the menu is on-screen, the down button will move the cursor down within a menu.  
8. RIGHT BUTTON  
When no menu is present on-screen, this button will toggle you through the four different sources, in the order of:  
PASS THROUGH  
COMPONENT  
S-VIDEO  
COMPOSITE  
When an adjustment function has been selected (i.e. Brightness), the RIGHT button will increase the value of that  
function.  
9. POWER BUTTON  
Turns the unit on. The MAIN POWER switch on the rear of the unit must be on first for this button to be active.  
7
 
FRONT AND REAR PANEL DESCRIPTIONS  
Rear Panel  
1
O
RUNC  
12v Fuse  
S-VIDEO  
RS-232 IN  
V
H
B
G
R
RS-232 OUT  
Pass-through  
Y
Pb  
COMPOSITE  
Pr  
Mask Screen  
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11 12 13  
1. 12v Fuse  
This fuse protects the 12v outputs from the MASK and SCREEN jacks.  
(Screen Fuse: 5mm x 25mm, AGC, 1A, 250v, Fast Blow)  
2. Mask  
This is a 12V output that is used to trigger masking on screens that have that  
capability (For use on motorized screens only).  
3. Screen  
This is a 12V output that is used to trigger the screen to drop.  
(For use on motorized screens only).  
4. RS-232 In  
This is for systems using serial (RS-232) to control the VHD-4403 ULTRA. Please  
refer to the RS-232 Protocol section at the end of this manual for information.  
5. RGB OUTPUT  
This is the main output of the VHD-4403 ULTRA. The RGB Signal goes directly  
to the projector; If component is used through the pass-through, then only the  
R (Pr), G(Y) and B(Pb) jacks will be active. Individually, the jacks are: V=vertical  
sync, H=horizontal sync, B=Blue, G=Green, R=Red.  
6. Pass-through  
Anything input to this jack will by-pass the processing of the VHD-4403 ULTRA  
and be sent straight to the projector. This is useful for computer graphics and  
HDTV which do not require processing.  
7. Component Input  
This is the input for component video from sources such as DVD players.  
Note:  
The component output from a DTV decoder or a progressive-scan DVD cannot  
be used with this jack; it must be used with the Pass-through.  
8. S-Video Input  
This is the input for S-video from sources such as Satellite receivers, S-VHS  
VCR’s and DVD players.  
9. Composite Video Input  
This is the input for Composite video from sources such as Laser disc players,  
VCRs and other miscellaneous sources.  
8
 
FRONT AND REAR PANEL DESCRIPTIONS  
10. Phone Jack  
The output of this jack must be connected to the PC Control input of the  
Projector. This communication will allow the controller and projector to be  
turned on simultaneously by turning on just the VHD-4403 ULTRA.  
11. Power Input  
Plug in main power here.  
12. 115 VAC Fuse  
This is the main AC input fuse.  
(Main Fuse: 5mm x 20 mm, 500mA, 250v, Slow Blow)  
13. Main Power Switch  
Disconnects or applies main power to the processor.  
9
 
FRONT AND REAR PANEL DESCRIPTIONS  
Remote Control Description  
A
B
A. LED  
Lights when a button is pressed indicating IR output.  
B. POWER BUTTON  
Turns the unit on. The MAIN POWER switch on the rear of the unit must  
be on first for this button to be active.  
PWR  
C
D
G
F
C. UP BUTTON  
When no menu is present on-screen, this button will toggle you through  
the different aspect ratios.  
P
P
M
When the menu is on-screen, the up button will move the cursor up within  
a menu.  
I
H
D. LEFT BUTTON  
E
When no menu is present on-screen, this button will toggle you through the  
four different sources, in the order of:  
1
4
7
2
5
8
0
3
COMPOSITE  
S-VIDEO  
COMPONENT  
PASS THROUGH  
J
6
When an adjustment function has been selected (i.e. Brightness), the  
LEFT button will decrease the value of that function.  
9
E. DOWN BUTTON  
OFF  
ON  
When no menu is present on-screen, this button will toggle you through  
the different aspect ratios.  
When the menu is on-screen, the down button will move the cursor down  
within a menu.  
RUNCO  
F. RIGHT BUTTON  
When no menu is present on-screen, this button will toggle you through  
the four different sources, in the order of:  
PASS THROUGH  
COMPONENT  
S-VIDEO  
COMPOSITE  
When an adjustment function has been selected (i.e. Brightness), the  
RIGHT button will increase the value of that function.  
1. Composite Video Source Selection  
2. S-Video Source Selection  
3. Component Video Source Selection  
4. Not used  
G. MENU BUTTON  
The MENU button brings up the main adjustment menu. After making  
adjustments, the MENU button will bring you back to the sub-menu, then  
the main menu. The Menu will then either time-out after approximately 10  
seconds, or pressing the MENU button will remove the menu immediately.  
5. Pass-Through  
H. ENTER BUTTON  
6. Not used  
When an item is highlighted on the On-Screen Display, the ENTER button  
will select the item.  
7. Anamorphic Aspect Ratio Selection  
8. 4:3 Aspect Ratio Selection  
9. Letterbox Aspect Ratio Selection  
ON: Discreet ON Command  
OFF: Discreet OFF Command  
I. PROGRAM BUTTON  
Reprogramming of the remote control with lost memory.  
J. DIRECT ACCESS BUTTONS  
These buttons are a shortcut that allow you to go directly to a particular  
source of Aspect Ratio, as well as provide discreet ON/OFF commands.  
These buttons are:  
10  
 
Quick Set-up Guide  
Connection Examples  
O
R
UN  
C
12v Fuse  
S-VIDEO  
RS-232 IN  
V
H
B
G
R
RS-232 OUT  
COMPOSITE  
Pass-through  
Y
Pb  
Pr  
Mask Screen  
Projector  
RUNCO  
VCR, Laser  
disc player,  
camcorders  
DVD Player  
Projector  
Phast or  
Crestron  
Computer or  
DTV decoder  
Sattelite  
receiver or  
SVHS player  
While there are many different ways to connect your source equipment to your VHD-4403  
ULTRA, the examples shown above are the most common and are recommended by Runco.  
• COMPOSITE VIDEO INPUT:  
Composite video is the most common type of signal used, but is also the lowest in picture  
quality. Many sources have outputs that are limited to composite video, such as most VCR’s  
and some camcorders; others such as Laser Disc players actually produce slightly better  
results when using composite video. While the VHD-4403 ULTRA has an excellent decoder  
for composite video, it is recommended that composite video be used only if necessary.  
• S-VIDEO INPUT  
S-video is the second-best type of signal that can be used, but is MUCH better than compos-  
ite video. Using such sources as Satellite receivers, high-quality VCRs and DVD players (with  
no component output) will produce a MUCH cleaner and sharper signal. Decoder artifacts  
that are associated with composite video (dot crawl and ‘rainbows’) are non-existent when  
using S-video.  
• COMPONENT INPUT  
Component video is the best type of signal that can be used. The most common sources that  
use component outputs are DVD players, and it is highly recommended that component be  
used when possible. Component video goes one step beyond S-video in picture quality; chro-  
ma (color) information is more resolved and the overall picture appears more well-defined.  
• PASS-THROUGH  
This input is used to ‘pass-through’ any high-definition or computer signals that do not require  
processing. The signal by-passes the VHD-4403 ULTRA’s processing and is sent directly to  
the projector. The pass-through may be used for COMPONENT outputs from a DTV decoder,  
a progressive-scan DVD player or RGB outputs from a computer.  
11  
 
QUICK SET-UP GUIDE  
Getting Started  
To get started using your VHD-4403 ULTRA and projector, follow these simple steps:  
1. Ensure all sources that you are using are properly connected to the VHD-4403  
ULTRA. This is something your Runco dealer has probably already done for you;  
if not, please refer to the ‘Connection Examples’ and the owners manuals of each  
appropriate source as necessary.  
2. Turn on all sources. If a A/V receiver or a RUNCO OVSS-8 is being used to  
switch the video, ensue that is also turned on.  
3. Turn on the VHD-4403 ULTRA. Make sure the Main Power switch (pg. 8) is ON,  
then press the power button on the front of the controller (or the power button on  
the remote). Ensure the red LED lights up on the front of the unit.  
4. Turn on the projector.  
5. With the left or right buttons on the front panel or remote, select the desired  
source. You may also do this by going through the menu (see pg. 14).  
6. Select the desired aspect ratio by using the up and down buttons on the front  
panel or the remote. You may also do this by going through the menu. For an  
explanation of Aspect ratios, please refer to pg. 18.  
12  
 
QUICK SET-UP GUIDE  
Overall Functional Description  
The VHD-4403 ULTRA’s purpose is twofold. First, it provides aspect ratio control  
and can do so on either a WIDESCREEN or a standard 4:3 screen. Second, it pro-  
vides a clean, progressive signal to the projector.  
The processing the VHD-4403 ULTRA uses is called SCALING. Scaling is simply a  
way of taking a signal, ‘digitizing’ it, then converting it to any of a number of resolu-  
tions. It is by manipulating the algorithms of the scaling process that we are able to  
not only produce properly-configured aspect ratios, but to provide the most effective  
scan rate for the projector it will be used with.  
An INTERLACED signal is the type of signal that comes from all consumer sources  
(with the exception of DTV decoders and computers). DVD players, Laser Disc  
players, and VCRs are all examples of source equipment that have interlaced out-  
puts. An interlaced signal is simply described as this:  
240 lines (odd)  
240 lines (even)  
First 1/60th of a second  
Second 1/60th of a second  
An NTSC picture is made of approximately 480 lines. Images are drawn 60 times a sec-  
ond, but in an interlaced system, only half the lines are drawn each ‘pass’. Therefore, it  
takes two ‘passes’ to actually complete the picture. On the first 1/60th of a second, all of  
the ‘ODD’ lines are drawn, then the ‘EVEN’ lines the next 1/60th of a second. This is also  
called ‘480i’, where 480 is the total number of lines of resolution, and ‘i’ means interlaced.  
A PROGRESSIVE signal, however, draws all 480 lines each 1/60th of a second, not  
half and half like an interlaced signal. A ‘line doubler’, for example, outputs a 480-line  
progressive signal (also known as 480P). The line doubler takes the first field (odd  
lines), and stores them in memory, then takes the second field (even lines) and does  
the same. Then, all 480 are output at once, and then the same frame is repeated.  
The VHD-4403 ULTRA starts off as a line doubler by ‘de-interlacing’ the signal.  
Then, the 480p signal is scaled to appropriate resolution, and then output to the pro-  
jector. It is Runco’s high-quality scaling process as well as its de-interlacing that pro-  
vides the clean, resolved image that you see from your VX projector. It is also how  
the processor can provide aspect ratio control.  
In the next chapter, the individual menu items will be described in detail. Overall, the  
VHD-4403 ULTRA has a number of useful functions aside from the scaling and de-  
interlacing described above. It has typical picture controls, including COLOR (satura-  
tion), TINT (hue), BRIGHTNESS (black level), SHARPNESS, CONTRAST (ratio of  
white to black) and other picture enhancements such as LUMA and CHROMA  
ENHANCE.  
13  
 
MENU DESCRIPTION AND NAVIGATION  
Main Menu  
MAIN MENU  
> COMPOSITE  
S-VIDEO  
ADJUST  
Source selection and  
picture quality adjustments  
COMPONENT  
PASS THROUGH  
ASPECT RATIO  
DISPLAY CONTROL  
Aspect ratio selection  
Sets parameters for  
the projector  
(Not Used In This Version)  
The main menu (shown above) includes two sections: Source Selection/ Picture  
quality adjustments and Functional adjustments. Pressing MENU on the front panel  
or on the remote control will bring up the main menu.  
In the menu shown above, Composite video is selected as the current source. This  
is indicated by an arrow to the left of ‘COMPOSITE’ in the menu. If S-video were  
selected, for example, the arrow would then be to the left of ‘S-video’.  
To select a source, there are two options. First, using the main menu, you can  
highlight the desired source with the up or down arrows (front panel or remote),  
then press enter. The VHD-4403 ULTRA will immediately switch to the desired  
source. The second option is to simply press the LEFT or RIGHT buttons on the  
remote or front panel (see page 7) while there are no menus on screen.  
14  
 
MENU DESCRIPTION AND NAVIGATION  
Aspect Ratio allows selection of one of the three aspect ratios provided by the  
processor. You have two options for selecting an aspect ratio: First, highlight  
ASPECT RATIO on the main menu, then press ENTER. Then select the desired  
aspect ratio, and again press ENTER. The second option is to simply press the UP  
or DOWN arrows on the remote or front panel. Doing this will toggle you through  
the three choices- Anamorphic (16:9), Letterbox and Standard (4:3). For more infor-  
mation on aspect ratios, please refer to pg. 18.  
Display Control: Not used in this version.  
Picture Quality Adjustments  
MAIN MENU  
TINT  
> COMPOSITE  
S-VIDEO  
ADJUST  
COLOR  
BRIGHTNESS  
CONTRAST  
SHARPNESS  
LUMA ENHANCE  
CHROMA ENHANCE  
VCR MODE  
COMPONENT  
PASS THROUGH  
ASPECT RATIO  
DISPLAY CONTROL  
Picture quality adjustments are those that change the various parameters of the  
image, such as COLOR (saturation level) and BRIGHTNESS (black level), among  
others. Typically, these adjustments should be made only once (during initial calibra-  
tion) and then left alone. However, if it is necessary to make any adjustments, per-  
form the following procedure:  
In the example above, note that COMPOSITE is the active source. This is indicated  
by an arrow to the left of the word ‘COMPOSITE’. To make adjustments, highlight  
the active source (composite in this case) and press ENTER.  
Note:  
Pressing ENTER after highlighting a different source will switch you to that  
source instead of making picture quality adjustments.  
15  
 
MENU DESCRIPTION AND NAVIGATION  
After pressing ENTER, the picture quality menu will appear (the menu to the right  
of the main menu above). To adjust a certain function, highlight it with the or  
DOWN buttons, and press ENTER. The following will then appear on-screen (we’ll  
use COLOR as an example):  
COMPOSITE  
COLOR:  
0
AGC ENABLED  
To Change the value of the function (Color in this case), simply press the UP button to increase the  
value, and the DOWN button to decrease the value. For COLOR and CONTRAST, to turn AGC on or  
off, press the ENTER button.  
• TINT  
Also known as ‘HUE’. Decreasing this will give the picture a ‘redder’ tint, increasing it gives the pic-  
ture a ‘greener’ feel. This is actually a ratio of one color vs. another (red, green or blue), so making  
the picture ‘greener’ for example, is actually affecting all three colors. It is recommended that this  
function stay about mid-range.  
• COLOR  
Also known as ‘SATURATION’. Decreasing this will decrease the amount of color in the image (it will  
be black and white if it is decreased all the way), Increasing this will add color to the image. This is  
typically best at about mid-range, but increasing it a little will add more vibrance to the colors.  
However, if it is increased too high, the picture will look very unnatural.  
The ‘AGC enabled/disabled’ function should normally be left in ‘AGC Disabled’. If, however, you are  
using an unstable source and are having color level fluctuations in the image, you may try to use  
‘AGC Enabled’ to see if it helps.  
• BRIGHTNESS  
This actually controls the black level of the picture- not the overall light output! If this is set too low,  
then there will be no detail in the dark areas of the image. If it is set too high, then the picture will  
appear ‘washed out’. This is normally set using a ‘PLUGE’ test pattern; if this has already been cali-  
brated it should not be adjusted (for best results).  
• CONTRAST  
This is the ratio of brightest whites to the darkest scenes. Basically, this increases the ‘white level’ of  
the image. While it will increase the light output to a certain extent it could also cause ‘clipping’ if it is  
increased too high. This appears as a loss of definition in the brightest scenes, where the whites  
appear to ‘bleed together’.  
The ‘AGC enabled/disabled’ function should normally be left in ‘AGC Disabled’. If, however, you are  
using an unstable source and are having brightness (light output) level fluctuations in the image, you  
may try to use ‘AGC Enabled’ to see if it helps.  
16  
 
MENU DESCRIPTION AND NAVIGATION  
• SHARPNESS  
This controls the ‘high-frequency’ detail of the image. The more sharpness is  
increased, the more detail is added into the picture. However, if it is increased too  
much, it will also increase ‘noise’ in the picture as well as other types of artifacts.  
This may be set to personal preference; midrange is factory-preset.  
• LUMA ENHANCE  
This is similar to the sharpness control, but it does not boost the frequencies all  
over the picture. Instead, this is more like an ‘edge enhancement’ that makes transi-  
tions between objects more or less defined. The edges of a building, for example,  
may appear more or less defined depending on the setting of LUMA ENHANCE.  
This affects areas of the image that do not have much color.  
The LOW and HIGH FREQUENCIES setting on the bottom of the LUMA  
ENHANCE adjustment window are for different sources; it should be set to LOW  
FREQUENCIES if a lower quality source is used (VCRs), and HIGH FREQUEN-  
CIES if a good quality source like a DVD player is used. To select HIGH or LOW  
FREQUENCIES, use the ENTER button.  
• CHROMA ENHANCE  
This is basically the same as LUMA ENHANCE, but affects the color edges.It helps  
remove the watercolor look of NTSC images. Use low frequency for VCRs and  
cable and high frequency for DVDs.  
17  
 
ASPECT RATIOS  
First, the Basics  
An ‘aspect ratio’ is simply the ratio of the width vs. the height of the screen. For  
example, the current aspect ratio standard is 4:3 (or 1.33:1), where the image is 4  
units wide and 3 units tall.  
3 units tall  
4 units wide  
All of our ‘regular’ televisions are this aspect ratio. You have probably noticed that  
occasionally you’ll watch a movie that does not fill the screen vertically. This is  
because the movie was filmed in WIDESCREEN (letterbox), and the result is ‘black  
bars’ above and below the image:  
Obviously, watching a movie like this does not lend itself to a truly cinematic experi-  
ence! This is why Runco invented the first-ever multiple aspect-ratio projection sys-  
tem back in 1991, so true movie-lovers can watch actual widescreen (letterbox)  
movies on a WIDESCREEN!  
A WIDESCREEN can be a number of aspect ratios; many movies are either 1.85:1  
or 2.35:1, and HDTV is always 1.78:1 (16:9). The way we create a widescreen (or  
LETTERBOX) aspect ratio is to take a full 4:3 image, then ‘blank’ (or cut off) the top  
and bottom so the displayed image is in a widescreen format. For movies recorded  
in ‘letterbox’, there would be no information above and below the screen anyways,  
so we’re not losing any of the picture. However, if you were to watch standard tele-  
vision broadcast this way, you would lose some information (see next drawing).  
18  
 
ASPECT RATIOS  
Active image area  
(Actual screen area)  
Blanked (cut off)  
areas  
As you can see, our screen in this example is a 1.85:1 ratio. The dashed lines  
show the area that we ‘blanked’. If you recall, watching a letterbox movie on a 4:3  
screen gave us black bars; therefore with letterbox movies, we’re not losing any  
information!  
The ‘other’ type of widescreen is called ‘ANAMORPHIC’. The image is still a  
widescreen format, but instead of ‘blanking’ the top and bottom, we simply reduce  
the overall height of the image:  
As a result, all objects will be ‘short and fat’ (like the circle above), right? Well, not if  
you’re using software that is anamorphic. Most (but not all) DVD movies have an  
anamorphic option.  
Anamorphic material will always produce a better image when using a high quality  
scaler such as the VHD-4403 ULTRA. The reason is that you will actually get more  
lines of resolution (and ultimately more detail) when using anamorphic titles (assum-  
ing your display device has that capability). Basically, a TV image is made of 480  
lines. When using LETTERBOX (the drawing at the top of the page), we’re ‘throwing  
away’ information by blanking the top and bottom. The end result is that there will  
only be around 360 lines of information on the screen. With anamorphic, 480.  
19  
 
DIMENSIONS  
Front Panel  
17.45"  
3.5"  
4403 ULTRA  
RUNCO  
M U LT I F I L M  
Rear Panel  
17"  
O
RUNC  
3.5"  
12v Fuse  
S-VIDEO  
RS-232 IN  
V
H
B
G
R
RS-232 OUT  
COMPOSITE  
Pass-through  
Y
Pb  
Pr  
Mask Screen  
Top  
17"  
16"  
17.45"  
Side  
3.5"  
16"  
20  
 
RS-232 PROTOCOL  
9600 Baud  
8 bits  
No parity  
1 Stop bit  
ASCII  
RxD of the PC or TxD of the VHD is on pin2  
TxD of the PC or RxD of the VHD is on pin3  
Gnd is pin 5  
RTS of the PC or CTS of the VHD is on pin7 (not used)  
CTS of the PC or RTS of the VHD in on pin8 (not used)  
Command format <input><aspect ratio>  
Inputs:  
Aspect Ratios:  
A = Anamorphic  
Power:  
0 = Composite  
1 = S-Video  
ON = Power on  
OF = Power off  
L = LetterBox  
2 = Component  
3 = Pass Through  
S = Standard (4:3)  
H = HDTV (for pass through)  
C = Computer (for pass through)  
To keep the currently selected aspect ratio or input, replace the letter/number with a dash "-"  
Each command must be followed by a carriage return <CR>.  
Examples:  
2L will select the component input and change the aspect ratio to letterbox  
-A will change the aspect ratio to anamorphic, but leave the input selection alone  
1- will change the input to S-Video, but leave the aspect ratio alone  
RS-232 Projector Control requires a cable terminated with male RJ-11 jacks at both ends.  
Wiring is the same as for a phone (ie. in a cross configuration).  
Projector  
VHD-4403 ULTRA  
N.C.  
GND  
RxD/TxD  
RxD/TxD  
GND  
1
2
3
4
5
6
6
5
4
3
2
1
GND  
RxD/TxD  
RxD/TxD  
GND  
N.C.  
21  
 
SPECIFICATIONS  
Inputs:  
(1) Component, (1) S-video, (1) Composite, (1) Pass-through  
Input standards: NTSC (PAL, NTSC export version)  
Output formats: 540p, 600p,720p, 768p (1280 x 720), (45 kHz)  
Bandwidth:  
Video inputs: 5.5 Mhz  
Pass-through: 100 Mhz  
Power input:  
Power  
120V (220V export model), 50/60 Hz  
consumption: 15W  
Control Options: RS-232, Infrared, Front panel  
Operating  
environment:  
41-95° F (5-35° C)  
0-90% humidity (non-condensing)  
Dimensions:  
Width: 17.45 in./443.23 mm  
Depth: 16 in./406.40 mm  
Height: 3.5 in./88.90 mm  
Weight:  
16 lbs./7.26 kg  
Safety  
Regulations:  
Complies with UL, FCC class ‘B’, CE, C-tick  
Fuses:  
(Screen Fuse: 5mm x 25mm, AGC, 1A, 250v, Fast Blow)  
(Main Fuse: 5mm x 20 mm, 500mA, 250v, Slow Blow)  
Rack Ears:  
Included  
Supplied Accessories  
• Remote Control w/ 2 AAA Batteries  
• Power Cord  
• User’s Manual  
22  
 
 
RUMA-005050 rev 10-00  
2463 Tripaldi Way  
Hayward, CA 94545  
510-293-9154 Fax: 510-293-0201  
 

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