QSC DCM-1 manual

1 DCM Series *TD-000106-00* TD-000106-00 Rev .B Digital Cinema Monitor & Crossover System USER MANUAL DCM-1 DCM-2 DCM-3[...]

2 © Copyright 2002, QSC Audio Products, Inc. QSC® is a registered trademark of QSC Audio Products, Inc. “QSC” and the QSC logo are registered with the U.S. Patent and T rademark Office IMPORT ANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS & EXPLANA TION OF SYMBOLS The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the [...]

3 The DCM hardware unit and DCM Manager software are the property of QSC Audio Inc. Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of QSC Audio. The software described here is furnished under a licensing agreement. It is against the law to copy the software on any medium except as sp[...]

4 Thank you and congratulations on your purchase of the QSC DCM Digital Cinema Monitor . This product represents the state-of-the-art for cinema-based signal processing and monitoring functions in a single, integrated system. Designed to compliment QSC’ s DCA (Digital Cinema Amplifier) Series amplifier products, the DCM optimizes loudspeaker perf[...]

5 The DCM is highly durable and carefully packaged. We recommend you inspect the unit carefully after removing it from the packaging, as occasionally there may be damage due to some unfortunate incident during shipment. Report any damage to the shipping carrier . W e recommend saving the carton and packing material in case the unit must be shipped [...]

6 System Design Features The DCM series Digital Cinema Monitor has many unique features which combine to make this the most cost effective and versatile systems solution in the industry . Installer Features: •Provides Monitor and Crossover functions in one box. •Minimizes the amount of cabling required. Only 1 cable per two-channel amplifier! ?[...]

7 6. Password Security : The crossover settings that you create can make a dramatic difference in the sound quality within the theater . Many installers pride themselves on being able to adjust the electrical parameters (crossover points, equalization, delay , etc) to exactly compliment the speaker and room interactions. As such, their ability to s[...]

8 ILLUSTRA TIONS- DCM-1 1- Power switch 2- Monitor output speaker 3- Processor/Amps selector switch 4- Monitor source selector switches 5- Monitor volume control 6- Diagnostics check switch 7- Power “on” and diagnostics fault indicator LEDs 8- Monitor output test points 9- Bypass switch DCM-1 FRONT P ANEL 1- Emergency bypass level controls 2- S[...]

9 ILLUSTRA TIONS- DCM-2 1- Power switch 2- Monitor output speaker 3- Processor/Amps selector switch 4- Monitor source selector switches 5- Monitor volume control 6- Diagnostics check switch 7- Power “on” and diagnostics fault indicator LEDs 8- Monitor output test points 9- Bypass switch DCM-2 FRONT P ANEL 1- Emergency bypass level controls &[...]

10 ILLUSTRA TIONS- DCM-3 1- Power switch 2- Monitor output speaker 3- Amplifier/Processor selector switch 4- Monitor source selector switches 5- Monitor volume control 6- Diagnostics check switch 7- Power “on” and diagnostics fault indicator LEDs 8- Monitor output test points 9- Bypass switch DCM-3 FRONT P ANEL 1- Emergency bypass level control[...]

11 HARDW ARE DESCRIPTION- Front Panel FRONT PANEL The front panel of the DCM series resembles traditional cinema monitor products. This provides the projec- tionist a well known and easy to understand interface. The Emergency Bypass switch setting alters the Power Status of the Center Channel amplifier . BYP ASS switch set to NORMAL BYP ASS switch [...]

12 Monitor Source Selection Switches: Pressing any of the Monitor Select buttons will either select or deselect the corresponding (marked) signal for monitoring. Each button can select either the Proces- sor signals (input to the DCM) or the Amplifier signals (output to the speakers), depending on the current selection of the PROC/AMP switch. LEDs [...]

13 Diagnostics Check Button and Indicators: The Diagnostics / Indicator section includes an ex- tremely simple method of verifying proper system operation and performing basic troubleshooting. The Power LED shows whether the DCM unit is on or off. The Input Clip LED is helpful in verifying that the cinema format processor is not over -driving the D[...]

14 HARDWARE DESCRIPTION- Front Panel Emergency Bypass: This is an extremely powerful feature. If there should ever be a problem with the DCM or system cabling, you have the ability to bypass all of the DCM active circuitry and get sound to the center channel. In the NORMAL position, the DCM performs normal monitor and crossover functions. In the EM[...]

15 Amplifier DataPorts: One QSC amplifier DataPort includes all connections required to send two channels of audio from the DCM to the amplifier input circuitry , and current and voltage information back from the two speaker terminal outputs. Also included on this connector is remote on/standby control of the amplifier which allows the DCM to act a[...]

16 From Processor Output: This connection is from the cinema processor , and is the input source of all film sound into the DCM unit. The 25-pin connector is an industry standard type and pinout, and will connect into your system very easily . These cables are available from several cinema supply houses. HARDWARE DESCRIPTION- Rear Panel Emergency B[...]

17 HARDW ARE DESCRIPTION- Rear Panel T erminal Strip Connections : The terminal strip in- cludes convenient connections for output to a powered subwoofer , a Hearing Impaired audio output, and on the DCM-2 and 3, a remote control on/off logic connection ( EX MODE ) for the surround decoder system. IEC-type AC Power Cord Receptacle : The power recep[...]

18 T o access the powerful crossover and system calibration functions of the DCM hardware, you must use the DCM Manager control software. A 9-pin male to female serial data cable is also needed to connect your PC to the DCM. One of the computer’ s available COM ports (RS-232) provides communications between the DCM Manager software and the DCM ha[...]

19 INST ALLA TION- Rack Mounting RACK MOUNTING Rack mounting of the DCM is optional. Four , self-adhesive rubber feet are included with your DCM for non- rack mount applications. If using the DCM in non-rackmount applications, we recommend the rubber feet be installed on the bottom of your DCM to minimize the chances of scratching any supporting su[...]

20 INST ALLA TION- Rear Rack Ears (optional accessory) For mobile and touring use, it is extremely important to support the rear of the DCM. The chassis and rack can be damaged if the DCM is not properly supported. Unless the DCM is being installed in its final, fixed location, QSC strongly recommends supporting the rear of the unit. Rear rack ears[...]

21 1- IEC-style AC power cord (included with the DCM) 2- QSC DataPort cable for every amplifier (8, 11, or 15 cables depending upon model) 3- Cinema Processor cable (DB25 male-male) 4- RS-232 cable (DB9 male-female, used only during setup with the DCM Manager software) 5- Surround EX Decoder cable 6- Shielded audio cable for Hearing Impaired and Po[...]

22 The RS-232 port is used only for setup and system troubleshooting. Connect the 9-pin serial data cable from the host PC to this connector on the DCM. Orient the male DB9 connector to match up with the RS-232 port, push the connector into the receptacle to seat it, and finger -tighten the retaining screws. Do not use “null- modem”-type serial[...]

23 The QSC DataPort connection carries input signals, amplifier output monitoring signals, remote amplifier power on/standby control, amplifier temperature, and more, all on one cable. Each DataPort is clearly marked indicating which channel’ s amplifier it should be connected to. Follow the back panel labeling. Connect each DataPort to its respe[...]

24 Audio signals are input to the DCM via the FROM PROCESSOR OUTPUT connection. This DB25-type connection conforms to cinema industry standard pinout. Most common cinema processors use this DB25 connec- tion standard, making connection to the DCM simple. Orient the DB25-type connector properly , push gently to seat the pins, then finger -tighten th[...]

25 The Hearing Impaired output signal is available on the screw terminal connector on the rear of the DCM. The output signal is similar to levels that are output from a standard CD player . HEARING IMP AIRED CONNECTION INST ALLA TION- Connections: Hearing Impaired, Powered Subwoofer Screw terminal connections make it possible to send a balanced sig[...]

26 Surround insert connections are provided for connection to a Dolby Surround Processor . The surround insert connections are made using the TO SURROUND EX DECODER connection. Connect a cable between this connector and an external processor such as the Dolby SA-10. Signals will be routed out of the DCM to the processor and back into the DCM for ou[...]

27 Connect a PC computer to the RS-232 connector , turn on the DCM unit, load the DCM Manager software and either load a full configuration file (if this theater uses the exact same settings as another theater), or select and enter all of the new data. The General, Amp, Speaker , and DSP Settings tabs must all be set correctly and downloaded to the[...]

28 INST ALLA TION- System Calibration 3. Monitoring - audio mix adjustments The DCM Manager software allows balancing of the high/low or high/mid/low signals being fed to the front panel monitor speaker . Input pink noise into all of the DCM input channels and select individual channels using the DCM front panel buttons. Select the surround channel[...]

29 TROUBLESHOOTING If the DCM Manager program is unable to communicate with the DCM hardware... • V erify the RS-232 cable connections. Re-seat each cable-end and finger-tighten connector retaining screws. • Make sure the 9-pin serial data cable (RS-232 cable) is a normal type cable. “Null-modem” or other “special” cable will not work w[...]

30 TROUBLESHOOTING If no sound in the theater ... If one audio channel is missing ... - If PROC inputs are active, then monitor the AMPS outputs (next step). - If PROC inputs are not active, check the cable between the DCM and the Cinema Processor or the Cinema Processor itself. • V erify the Cinema Processor is providing active inputs to the DCM[...]

31 • V erify that the DCM Input Clip LED is not lit. If it is, the cinema processor output signal needs to be turned down. TROUBLESHOOTING If theater audio is distorted ... If switching the BYP ASS to EMERGENCY does not restore sound to the center channel... -DCM output level is adjusted using the DCM Manager software. Determine which channel’ [...]

32 SPECIFICA TIONS DCM Inputs, Screen Channels and Subwoofer Input Stage T ype Active balanced Input Impedance 20k ohms Maximum Input Level +14.2 dBu (4.0 Vrms) A-to-D Conversion 24-bit delta-sigma 128x oversampled (analog subwoofer on DCM-1) Surround Channels Hardwire pass-thru to DataPort Outputs (via Surround-EX insert) DataPort Outputs Screen C[...]

33 SPECIFICA TIONS Hearing Impaired Output Output Stage T ype Single-ended balanced impedance Output Impedance 50 ohms Nominal Output Level -11.8 dBu (200 mVrms) Loading Requirements R min = 2k ohms, C max = 4 nanoFarads Monitor Speaker Driver 4.5-inch full-range Amplifier 10 watt class AB Frequency Response 70 hertz to 15 kilohertz (±2 dB) Dynami[...]

34 Disclaimer QSC Audio Products, Inc. is not liable for any damage to speakers, amplifiers, or any other equipment that is caused by negligence or improper installation and/or use of this cinema product. Product Warranty QSC Audio Products, Inc. (“QSC”) guarantees its products to be free from defective material and / or work- manship for a per[...]

35 This page intentionally left blank.[...]

36 QSC Audio Products, Inc. 1675 MacArthur Boulevard Costa Mesa, California 92626 USA “QSC” and the QSC logo are registered with the U.S. Patent and T rademark Office. ©2002 QSC Audio Products, Inc.[...]