User manual

VIRGO VIDEO DEVICE CONTROLLER
Chapter 16 1
CHAPTER 16:
THE VIRGO VIDEO DEVICE CONTROLLER
INTRODUCTION
The Virgo Video Device Controller (VDC) is one of the Intelligent Controllers that comprise the Universal Theater
Control System (UTCS). Each Virgo VDC provides four independent control channels to send serial command
strings to compatible devices. The Virgo VDC control channels can be internally confi gured for compatibility with
any of the following hardware specifi cations.
1. RS-232
2. RS-422
3. MIDI (Requires optional MIDI upgrade.)
4. DMX
The Virgo VDC also contains several device specifi c drivers, software, that can be easily assigned to any control
channel. It can be thought of as a language ‘translator’ that converts UTCS commands from Hercules into commands
that can be understood by the target device. The Virgo VDC also provides two TTL compatible digital parallel ports
to provide additional control capabilities.
The Virgo VDC is designed to control video sources (DVD, Laser Disc, and S-VHS players), video projectors (LCD
and CRT), audio devices (Fostex VF160 and D-108), and other serially controlled devices (Kodak EktaPro slide
projector. It is important to note that the Virgo VDC, when used as part of a video system does not manipulate the
video signal in any way. Another UTCS Intelligent Controller, the Virgo Video Fader/ Switcher (VFS) is designed to
control the various aspects of the video signal such as brightness and contrast. UTCS installations that need complete
control of the theater’s video display system will have both the Virgo VDC and the Virgo VFS installed.
The Universal Theater Control System (UTCS) can have up to 64 Intelligent Controllers attached to the
communication network. This allows direct access to up to 256 devices. All functions can be automated using the
Hercules Central Processor, or manually operated with the Cygnus Manual Control System.
The Virgo VDC and the other Intelligent Controllers in the UTCS are ‘smart boxes’ that can be periodically updated
with newer internal software to enhance and/ or increase their capabilities. These upgrades are done over the UTCS
network and can be performed by theater personnel. This means the theater can continue to expand without the need
for downtime and expensive service calls.
The Virgo VDC also accepts ASCII text commands transmitted via serial communication cable from any computer.