Overview
The Contemporary Research 232-STS is a versatile RS-232 controlled TV tuner featuring high-quality
S-Video video and balanced stereo audio output, switchable composite AV input, closed-captioning and on-screen text,
125-channel access in off-air, CATV, HRC, or IRC modes, front-panel operation and feedback, and intelligent RS-232
control. Fully programmable, the unit can restore all settings on power-up from non-volatile memory. A list of
channels can be stored in memory, used to provide convenient channel up/down operation and restrict direct access
to other channels. Enjoy a full range of wireless control with the optional IC-RC IR Wireless Remote.
An onboard character generator displays on-screen text for closed captioning, channel names, interactive menus, and
system feedback. Switchable inputs for composite NTSC video and stereo audio are included for display of PC
graphics, VCR, camera or other A/V sources. AV from inputs and off-air broadcast are output as composite video, S-
Video and balanced/unbalanced stereo audio.
The front-panel buttons, LEDs, and channel/mode display can be used for general operation and to program basic
features for tuning, RS-232 baud rate and local control. Full setup, control, and feedback is provided by RS-232. Up to
nine units can be controlled from a single RS-232 port. In addition, remote tuning ring channel up and down operation
can be accessed through contact closure inputs.
•
Tunes
125 channels in off-air, CATV, HRC, or IRC modes
•
Outputs S-Video signal for improved image quality for monitors, large-screen displays and video projectors,
employing adaptive comb and anti-aliasing filtering, as well as cross-color and cross-luminance reduction
•
Delivers balanced MTS stereo/mono/SAP audio with programmable volume, bass, and treble levels
•
Switches between tuner and composite stereo AV inputs, output as composite and S-Video NTSC video
•
Stores programmable tuning ring in memory to control channel access
•
Interacts with PCs and control systems via RS-232, using simple ASCII commands
•
Provides front-panel control for A/V Mute, mode select, and channel up/down, with and LED feedback for Mute,
current channel and programming mode, enabled via front-panel and RS-232 commands
•
Accesses channel up/down from contact closure inputs
•
Displays closed-captioning text and on-screen channel names, interactive menus, and system feedback
•
Restores all operation status after loss of power from data stored in non-volatile memory
•
Inserts blue screen video image when unit senses loss of video level
•
Accepts IR control from IR wireless remote from front-panel sensor or rear IR In jack, discrete IR power and input
commands available with upcoming firmware upgrade
•
Mounts in 19" rack with optional RK1 or RK2 kit for dual side-by-side installation
•
Operates from Tuner Helper .NET software for easy setup and onscreen control
•
Upgradeable firmware via S12 Flash program, downloadable from
•
Now includes IR In jack for external sensor or wired IR
New Features (Rev 3.4-4.0)
•
Request Tune Ring and Channel Label, IC-RC Remote emulation from RS-232 (V 3.4)
•
19.2 Kb, audio always unmated when External AV selected, Q2 Video only mute (V 3.5)
•
Up to 9 units can be controlled from a single RS-232 control port (V 3.5)
•
Fixes audio dropout after DC power glitch (V3.6)
•
AV Muting when video is lost (Q2) can be disabled (V3.8)
•
Sending a command to Unit#0 (Zero) acts as a global command to all tuners (V4.0)
Contemporary Research
3
232-STS Stereo S-Video TV Tuner
