4. Video Module Test #1 (HDMI Cable Test)
This test is not to be used on HDMI cables that are connected to repeat
ers/splitters, or amplifiers, or which contain embedded signal amplifiers.
Prior to performing this test, disconnect BOTH ends of the HDMI cable
to be tested and attach the Video Remote to one end, and insert the
other end into the TOP HDMI connector on the Video Test Module.
This test performs a continuity check on all pins of an attached HDMI cable,
and displays a cable ID# corresponding to the HDMI pin connection map in
the following chart. If the cable does not have the pin connections as found in
the chart, it will display a "FAIL" message. Otherwise, it will display a "CAbLE
" number corresponding to the matching cable map in the chart. The ID
number of the Video Remote unit will also be displayed above the "CAbLE x"
information.
VTM Cable Type
ID
HDMI Pin Number (X = connec
t
ed
)
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
1
X
X
X X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X X X
X
X X
2
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
4
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X X
X
5
X
X X
X X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
6
X
X
X
X X
X
X
X
X X
X
X
X
HDMI cable pin connections vary from supplier to supplier. Some HDMI
equipment will still operate with various pin connections missing, while some
will not, or may operate at reduced video quality levels. Because of this vari
ability in the cable implementation standards, we have determined that cable
identification is the simplest approach to HDMI cable testing. The entries in
this chart represent the various pin connections of working HDMI cables we
have found through sampling a variety of suppliers. This test will work with
unamplified HDMI cables of up to 50 feet in length.
5. Video Module Test #2 (HDMI DDC Channel Test)
This test uses the HDMI connector on the left SIDE of the Video Test Module
(not the TOP). It is intended to be used with an HDMI video device, such as
an HDMI monitor/display or television connected to the other end of the HDMI
cable. The DOC channel pins of the HDMI cable are used to help identify
capabilities and functions of connected video devices, and if this channel isn't
working, various interoperability problems can occur. This test performs a
simple read test of one or more parameters of the EPROM in the attached
video device, and displays the value of the number it reads. The number can
vary between manufacturers and between models from the same manufac
turer, so the exact value isn't specifically important, simply that the test can
complete, in order to verify functionality of the DOC channel.
6. Video Module Test #3 (HDMI VGA Test Pattern Display)
This test uses the HDMI connector on the left SIDE of the Video Test Module
(not the TOP). It is intended to be used with an HDMI video device, such as
an HDMI monitor/display or television connected to the other end of the HDMI
cable.
This test generates a color bar test pattern of VGA (640x480) resolution,
which is the simplesVdefault video image resolution that all video devices with
HDMI inputs should be able to display. This test can be used to verify cable
connectivity, monitor functionality and video port switch settings when no
other video signal source is available.
7. Video Module Test #4
(F-Type Coaxial Signal Level Test with Remote ID)
This test uses the F-type threaded coaxial cable connector on the Video Test
Module and one or more of the Video Remote Modules. This test is intended
to be used to measure coaxial cable installation dB loss and to help identify
cable routing to installed wall plates. There should not be any other active RF
signal transmission, such as from a CATV provider, cable box or other video
device on the connected coaxial cable installation when performing this test.
One can use Video Module Test #5 (CATV Broadband signal Level Measure
ment) to help verify that no other RF signal sources are active on the cable
prior to performing this test.
To perform this test, plug the Video Remote unit into a wall plate's coaxial
connector. The Video Remote is activated by a trigger signal sent by the
Video Test Module and does not need to be "switched on". Attach the coaxial
cable end of the installation to be tested to the F-Type threaded coaxial con
nector on the Video Test Module and ensure that the connector is securely
screwed on for best results. Select and activate the test - while the Hammer
icon is animated, the module will periodically emit a 24MHz trigger signal
on the coaxial connection and wait for responses from any attached Video
Remotes. If it receives a response from a remote, it will display the Video
Remote ID# at the bottom of the display, and the received signal power level
(in units of dBmV) in the middle of the display. The peak transmit power level
of the Video Remote with a fresh battery is approximately 50 dBmV. If mul
tiple Video Remotes are used, they must each be a unique ID number (sold
separately). If more than one Video Remote is used and detected by the
Video Test Module, the other ID numbers will be also shown at the bottom of
the display. The signal level measurement shown in the middle of the display
will correspond to the selected (steady/non-flashing) Remote ID # shown
at the bottom of the display. To show the signal power level measurements
from the other detected Video Remote IDs, use the Left Arrow or Right Arrow
buttons to scroll through the ID numbers detected. The power level displayed
above will switch to show the measured power level of the signal as received
from the selected Remote ID. As a troubleshooting aid, each Video Remote
has an LED (next to its Hammer icon) which will light when it has received
a trigger signal from the Video Test Module and is transmitting its 430MHz
50dBmV response message. Each Video Remote also has a low battery
alert LED which will light when it has received a trigger signal from the Video
Test Module but doesn't have adequate battery power remaining to transmit
messages.
8. Video Module Test #5
(F-Type Coaxial Broadband signal Level Measurement)
This test uses the F-type threaded coaxial cable connector of the Video Test
Module and it is used to measure the broadband signal power level in a
coaxial cable installation with any general video signal source. An example
application might be to verify that a CATV provider's signal is reaching a new
extension/wall plate installation. The Video Test Module will display (in dBmV
units) the broadband signal level of any signal it measures on the coaxial
cable attached to the F-Type coaxial cable input. The frequency response
range of the measurement is from approximately 15MHz to 3 GHz.
9. Video Module Test #6
(BNC SDI Cable Signal Level Test with Remote ID)
This test uses the BNC coaxial cable connector on the Video Test Module and
it is used to measure coaxial cable installation dB loss and to help identify ca
ble routing with SDI cable installations. There should not be any other active
RF signal transmission, such as from an SDI video device, camera, or video
signal source on the connected coaxial cable installation when performing this
test. One can use Video Module Test #7 (SDI Signal Level Measurement) to
help verify that no other RF signal sources are active on the cable installation
prior to performing this test.
To perform this test, plug the Video Remote unit into an SDI cable installation
end point. It may be necessary to use a BNC to F-Type (Female) adapter
(not included) to connect with the push-on coaxial connector port of the video
remote. The Video Remote is activated by a trigger signal sent by the Video
Test Module and does not need to be "switched on". Attach the coaxial cable
end of the installation to be tested to the BNC coaxial connector on the Video
Rest Module and ensure that the connector is securely latched on for best
results. Select and activate the test - while the Hammer icon is animated, the
module will periodically emit a 24MHz trigger signal on the coaxial connec
tion and wait for responses from any attached Video Remotes. If it receives
a response from a remote, it will display the Video Remote ID# at the bottom
of the display, and the received signal power level (in units of dBmV) in the
middle of the display. The peak transmit power level of the Video Remote
with a fresh battery is approximately 50 dBmV. If multiple Video Remotes are
used, they must each be a unique ID number (sold separately).
If more than one Video Remote is used and detected by the Video Test Mod
ule, the other ID numbers will be also shown at the bottom of the display. The
signal level measurement shown in the middle of the display will correspond
to the selected (steady/non-flashing) Remote ID # shown at the bottom of
the display. To show the signal power level measurements from the other
detected Video Remote IDs, use the Left Arrow or Right Arrow buttons to
scroll through the ID numbers detected. The power level displayed above will
switch to show the measured power level of the signal as received from the
selected Remote ID.
Test Equipment Depot - 800.517.8431 - 99 Washington Street Melrose, MA 02176 - TestEquipmentDepot.com
