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General Serial Port Problems
EAS (Emergency Alert System)
Graphics
Time and Temperature Probe
GeneralWhat companies use Broadcast Software Solutions products?Please view our partial client list to see some of the companies that have benefitted from our solutions. Do you accept credit cards?Yes, we accept Visa and Mastercard for all purchases. Serial Port ProblemsOverviewThe IBM AT configuration applies to all computers running Windows 95, 98 or NT. The computer hardware is set to use a base I/O address in conjunction with a hardware IRQ (Interrupt Request). When an IRQ is asserted the processor suspends the current task and services the requested interrupt. For serial ports a standard configuration for COM1 and COM2 are as follows:
COM Ports 3 & 4 use the same IRQ as COM 1 & 2. For this reason it is not possible to have COM 1 & 3 or 2 & 4 open at the same time by a running application. When a port is opened in Windows the application which has opened the port is granted sole rights to its use. It is not possible to open the same port with another application. The operating system, in this case Windows, will manage and allocate system resources, including serial ports. Before WinMasterCG can open ports they must first be installed and configured in windows. It is possible to use a different IRQ assignment in Windows when installing additional ports. For example, COM3 could be assigned IRQ 15. By assigning a different IRQ it is possible to open COM1 and COM3 simultaneously. This is used for the temperature probe in WinMasterCG. Why do I get a port error when WinMasterCG starts?There can be several reasons for this type of error. This problem is related to the computer configuration and the serial ports installed. One of the following has happened:
Keep in mind that ports are opened through Windows. It is not necessary to set or configure the baud rate, parity, stop bits, or flow control; WinMasterCG handles these items. Why do I get a "Failed To Acknowledge" message when WinMasterCG is started?There are two possible reasons for this error: either the baud rate is not matched with the device being controlled, or there is a connection problem with the device. Make sure the cable is of the proper type. In some cases a straight through cable is used and in others a null modem cable is required. There may be a problem with the connection to the PC. Be sure the cable is connected to the proper serial port. If after checking the above you are unable to establish communications, close WinMasterCG and open HyperTerminal. HyperTerminal can be found in the accessories folder of Windows. Set up a direct connection in HyperTerminal, usually at 9600 baud, 8 data bits, one stop bit, no parity, and no flow control. If the problem is the Codi not responding, you should be able to simply type in HyperTerminal and see the characters appear on the Codi program video out. Once you can type characters to the Codi be sure the connection is complete by issuing an acknowledge request command with the following: \SA\\. An * should appear on the computer display. This is the command used by WinMasterCG to check for acknowledge. When the * is displayed the Codi connection is complete. Be sure to close HyperTerminal before starting WinMasterCG EAS (Emergency Alert System)Why do I get the Audio Tones but no information appears on the computer when issuing an EAS message?For the TFT EAS 911 this is an indication that menu item 18 is set incorrectly. WinMasterCG requires the protocol to be set to "TFT std I/F." If this setting is not selected, the TFT 911 will activate immediately. If the SAGE EAS system is in use, this is an indication of a communication problem with the computer. See the section on establishing serial communication. Why do I get a message on the TFT display "No response from CG" when receiving an EAS message?WinMasterCG must be running in order to process EAS messages. This is caused by a cabling problem. See the section on establishing serial communication. Why does the EAS crawl run in the upper third position?This is the default position used by WinMasterCG it is also the recommended position for EAS crawls as defined by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). You may change the crawl position if you wish by selecting Configure | EAS in WinMasterCG. Why do some messages received over the air not activate WinMasterCG?If a message type is not defined in the TFT 911 it will hold the message in memory and not forward it to air. It will do the same for locations not defined. If the "Message Waiting" light is on, the TFT is holding a message. Define all locations in your coverage area and all message types you wish to air. Why does my "Required Monthly Test" not display in WinMasterCG?Check the message waiting light on the TFT 911. If this light is on it is an indication that the message is not defined or the location is not defined. The TFT will not forward undefined messages; they will simply be held in the EAS 911 memory. In some areas of the country a monthly test is issued statewide and a definition of "All Locations" is used. Make sure you are prepared to handle this definition. You should consult your state plan to find all message designations and the messages required under the guidelines of your state plan. GraphicsWhy does my Codi Graphics logo not display?When the logo is stored in the Codi it is stored as a key within a font. WinMasterCG will address the logo by font then character to position the logo. WinMasterCG will use the upper left corner of the logo for the display coordinates. When you create your logo, use the scissors to cut out just the logo; do not save the entire frame. This will allow WinMasterCG to position the logo for display. Why does my logo not display with transparency?The Codi must have firmware version 4.03 or higher in order to display transparent logos. If you are keying with an external keyer, the keyer must be capable of linear key to display transparency. The internal Codi keyer is capable of linear keying. Why does a number appear instead of my logo?The logo is not in Codi memory. Make sure the "load on start" check box is checked. If the Codi has been powered down all items in memory will be lost. You must reload the logo. Why does a rating symbol appear instead of my logo?Codi Font 8 is reserved for rating Icons. Do not install your logo in the Font 8 location. How do I use my logo with text?When you download the logo to the Codi, make note of the Font and character position you installed the logo in. Go to "Page Create", type the text, and format the page as desired. To place the logo on the page, select the Font your logo is stored in then press the key your logo is under, and the logo will appear. When you have completed your page layout, save the composite page. To recall the page, use the F3 "Page Display" in WinMasterCG. Why does my logo look "rough" when displayed on the Codi?This is caused by the Codi not having enough color space to display the logo. A cleaner antialiased logo can be achieved by allowing the Codi more palette entries for the logo. When installing a logo for "Palette start" use 24, and for number of "Palette Entries" use 224. This will allow the Codi to use a broad range of palette entries for the logo. Note this can only be used if white text is to be displayed. If color text is required, the palette entries for the logo must be reduced. How do I display a logo using a GPI?First, install the logo on a Codi page (as described above). The Codi has two hardware GPI's (1 and 2). In WinMasterCG go to the menu item Configure | GPI and select Page Display and enter the page to be displayed. For the Second GPI select Page Erase. When GPI 1 is asserted the page with the logo will be displayed, and when GPI 2 is asserted the display will be erased. How do our news people use WinMasterCG for crawls?Windows networking can be set up to allow crawl text to be saved in the CRAWLS directory of WinMasterCG. A network drive may be mapped to C:\PROGRAM FILES\BROADCAST SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS\WINMASTERCG\CRAWLS. Files should be saved as ASCII text to this directory. Crawls may be recalled with the "Load Crawl" button in WinMasterCG. Why is the Codi changing colors with program source changes?This is caused by having station reference connected and using the Codi for inline keying. Correct this problem by removing the reference input from the Codi. Time and Temperature ProbeWhy am I getting a large error in temperature from the temperature probe?Make sure you have connected the temperature probe according to the instructions supplied with the temperature probe. Make note of the connection for the temperature element. Red should be connected to the negative input of the thermocouple. Only thermocouple wire should be used with the temperature probe; copper wire will introduce an error in temperature measurement. The probe should be mounted in such a way that it is shielded from direct sunlight and heat radiation. Why do I no longer get a degree symbol when displaying time and temperature?This can occur when a new font is loaded without the degree Symbol in the correct character position. To correct, select a native Codi font to display the degree symbol. Codi fonts have the degree symbol at character position 174. Why is a hole present when displaying time and temperature over a logo?It is not possible to display time or temperature over a logo. The Codi will not re-draw the background when displaying over a logo. Position your logo so time or temperature are not placed over the logo. What are the pin outs for the GPI connector?Pin 1 - GPI 1 |
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