TM

USING Scan Do

®

SELECT

WITH PUBLIC INFORMATION

MESSAGING SYSTEMS

DOC. NUMBER: T-16

MARKET: Professional AV,

Presentations, System Integration

Multimedia software has had a dramatic effect on

the way in which information is communicated via

public messaging systems. Affordable and relatively

easy-to-use programs, such as PowerPoint

®

, Scala

®

and Macromedia Director

®

, allow for text, graphics,

animation and video to be integrated into dynamic,

attention-grabbing presentations. Visit most airports,

hotels, museums, conference centers and other

large public gathering places and use of these

presentation tools will become quickly apparent.

Unlike earlier-generation public information sys-

tems, which may have used simple character gen-

erators and been “video” based, newer systems that

rely on multimedia presentations use computers to

generate source material. The output from these

computers are often not compatible with the installed

video (NTSC or PAL) equipment available for dis-

play purposes throughout the public areas. This

TECHnique will describe how Scan Do

®

Select, one

of many scan converters available from Communi-

cations Specialties, enables public information mes-

saging systems to make use of both newer presen-

tation software and older, less expensive and often

“already installed” video display equipment. It will also

discuss how other products from Communications

Specialties may be used to distribute the video sig-

nal to multiple displays for public viewing.

Example of Public Information

Messaging System Installation

In order for computer-generated presentations to

be displayed on standard video equipment, the com-

puter video format in which the presentations origi-

nate must first be converted to lower-resolution, non-

interlaced NTSC or PAL format. In the case of pub-

lic information systems, where the information be-

ing disseminated may be of vital importance, it is

particularly important that the conversion process

result in a clear, crisp picture with no noticeable

loss of critical detail.

Scan Do Select, a scan converter developed spe-

cifically for presentation purposes, is an ideal

Scan Do & HexiSplit are registered trademarks and TECHniques & Beamer-V are trademarks of

Communications Specialties, Inc.

© 2000, Communications Specialties, Inc.



Page 2:

USING Scan Do

®

SELECT WITH PUBLIC INFORMATION

MESSAGING SYSTEMS

For distribution of the signal over extended dis-

tances, a fiber optic video transmission system

might be considered, such as Communications

Specialties’ easy-to-use Beamer-V

TM

. Using Beamer-V,

the signal may be transmitted up to a mile over stan-

dard multimode fiber and will be immune to hum or

interference. This would be particularly helpful in in-

dustrial environments.

device for use in this application. Scan Do Select

supports resolutions as high as 1280 x 1024 (at 60

Hz), will automatically “lock” onto any VGA or Mac

computer video input, and has an extremely effec-

tive three-line anti-flicker filter that provides a crisp

and stable image. Offering both video and S-video

outputs, the unit features a convenient, internal power

supply and can be easily rackmounted. A five-step

zoom control with horizontal and vertical positioning

ensures that displayed output will be correctly sized

and centered on all monitors.

•

Scan Do

®

Select ....................................... 1290

Once Scan Do Select has been used to convert

computer video to TV video, CSI’s distribution am-

plifiers for video or S-video may be used to distrib-

ute the video signal to multiple monitors or displays

that are part of the public information messaging

system. (See diagram on previous page.) CSI’s dis-

tribution amplifiers offer 300 MHz bandwidth, are fully

buffered and can transmit up to 250 feet.

•

HexiSplit

®

for Video ................................... 1806

•

Beamer-V

TM

System ................................. 3105

•

Educational Guide:

Scan Converter Buyers'

Guide

Scan Do & HexiSplit are registered trademarks and TECHniques & Beamer-V are trademarks of

Communications Specialties, Inc.

© 2000, Communications Specialties, Inc.