Learning to Use The VG91 Universal Video Generator

Todays TV-video systems can be divided 2. Set the VIDEO PATTERN switch to “EIA
into 3 sections: 1) Tuner/IF, 2) Video and COLOR”.
3) Audio. The VG91 provides signals to
fully test and isolate defects in any NTSC 3. Set MTS STEREO MODE to “MONO”,
TV-video system. This Tech Tip will Set AUDIO FREQUENCY to “300 Hz”.
familiarize you with the VG91 signals, how
to select them and where to use them 4. Set RF-IF SIGNAL switch to “STD TV”
when testing TV-video systems.
5. Set the RF-IF Level switch to “HI”,
You will need the following: Set the RF-IF Level to "1" (NORM)
Fig. 1 Use the TV-RF generator to duplicate
broadcast or cable channels for complete
1. VG91 Operation & Application Manual tuner analyzing. NOTE: HI is the normal range setting when
and supplied test cables. feeding the antenna input.

2. A good TV receiver/monitor preferably channels from 2 through 125. This covers 6. Apply power to the receiver/monitor. To
equipped with MTS Stereo/SAP all standard VHF, mid-band, super-band, test for normal TV off-air reception set
receiving capabilities. (A schematic of and hyper-band cable channels from 50 to the TV receiver/monitor to “Normal TV”
the receiver/monitor may be helpful) 800 MHz. Channels are generated on FCC and select channel 2, Enter “2” into the
assigned frequencies with EIA/NCTA VG91 keyboard.
3. Isolation Transformer channel number designations.
You should see a clear color bars pattern
Selecting RF TV Channels HRC CABLE - The HRC (Harmonically on the CRT with the setting of the VG91's
Related Carriers) CABLE position produces attenuator as in step 5 (1000µV).
The VG91's RF-TV channel generator gives any HRC cable channel 1 through 125.
you access to every TV channel modulated HRC cable channel carriers are shifted - 7. Move the RF-IF RANGE switch to
with video and audio test signals. You’ll 1.25 MHz from the FCC assigned (STD "MED".
use the RF generator to test the tuner cable) frequencies, except channels 5 and
portion of a TV-video system, to 6. Channels 5 and 6 are each shifted t The VG91 attenuator lets you decrease the
performance test video and audio stages, 0.75 MHz. An additional channel, output level to confirm the TV-video
and to provide a reference signal when designated channel 1, is created between system works correctly on weak signals.
substituting signals using companion channels 4 and 5. Other designations for Return to the “HI” RF-IF Range and
analyzers such as the Sencore TVA92 TV this added channel are 4+, 5A, or A-8. “NORM” level.
Video Analyzer. All the VG91's RF-TV
channels are supplied through the RF-IF ICC CABLE - The ICC (Incremental 8. Press the key of the VG91 keypad with
OUTPUT jack. The VG91 has 4 RF-TV Coherent Carriers) CABLE position the arrow pointing up (the channel
channel generator functions: STD TV, STD produces any ICC cable channels 1 display should move up one channel).
CABLE, HRC CABLE, and ICC CABLE. Here through 125. In this position, channels 5 Select the TV receiver to the same
is what each function provides. and 6 are each shifted t 2.00 MHz from channel. You may continue to
the FCC assigned (STD cable) frequency. increment channels or directly select
STD TV - The STD TV position of the RF-IF An additional channel, designated channel channels with the keyboard to check
Signal switch provides any assigned VHF 1, is created between channels 4 and 5. channels 2-13 VHF and 14-69 UHF.
or UHF channel to duplicate any over-the- When directly selecting VG91 channels
air signal. The channels are generated at To use the RF-TV channel generator to enter valid 1, 2 or 3 digit numbers. You
FCC assigned frequencies. test a tuner: are not required to enter O’s preceding a
valid channel number.
STD CABLE - The STD CABLE position 1. Connect the RF-IF Test Cable to the
produces any of the standard cable receiver/monitor’s antenna input. NOTE: If the receiver uses a separate UHF
Fig. 2: Follow these steps to use the VG91's RF-TV channel generator.

antenna jack, move the RF cable to the pushed and held in. This permits you to in the AFT circuits. Good performance in
UHF antenna input to test channels 14-69. view the receivers AFT action. one direction and not the other indicates
the need for AFT centering alignment.
9. To test cable reception: Move the To check the AFT performance of a
VG91's RF-IF SIGNAL switch to STD receiver/monitor:
CABLE, enter “2” into the VG91 Isolating IF Troubles
keyboard. Select the TV 1. Select the desired STD TV or STD
receiver/monitor to “Cable” reception CABLE channel as you did earlier in T h e VG91 p r o v i d e s s u b s t i t u t e a n d
and select channel 2. Increment or steps l-6 when learning to use the alignment signals to isolate problems in
directly select channels to check any TV-RF channel generator. video-IF stages or sound IF stages. The
cable channel 2-125. If the TV VG91's IF generator provides 3 functions:
receiver/monitor must tune to HRC or 2. Select the EIA COLOR BARS pattern. 1) 45.75 MHz Video IF signal, 2) Video IF
ICC cable shifts, select the “HRC (Do not use the Bar Sweep patterns as Trap Setting signals and 3) 4.5 MHz Sound
CABLE” or “ICC CABLE” position. high frequency video will affect AFT IF signal. The signals are output from the
circuit operations) RF-IF OUTPUT jack. Here is what each
See Appendix A of the VG91 Operation & function provides.
Application manual for a complete listing 3. Push and hold the "- 0.5 MHz” AFT
of cable channel video carrier frequencies. TEST button while observing the video 45.75 MHz VIDEO-IF - The 45.75 MHz
display. Video IF position provides an accurate
NOTE: When testing receivers in the 45.75 MHz video carrier. Use ths signal to
“cable” mode of reception, select the When the AFT TEST button is first sub for the tuner and inject into IF stages
channel on the VG91 first then select the depressed the video should degrade and to isolate defects or to align the video IF
channel on the receiver. This permits the then as AFT action restores proper tuning stages. When applied at the correct level to
tuning search performed by digital tuners the video should improve. The same action a properly working IF stages, video and
to properly find and lock to the STD TV, should be observed when the AFT TEST audio information appears at the
STD HRC or STD ICC cable frequencies. button is released. corresponding detector outputs or on the
CRT monitor or speaker(s).
AFT Test 4. Push and hold the "+0.5 Mhz” AFT
TEST button and again observe the AFT Trap Setting Signals - The VG91 produces
The VG91's AFT TEST is used to check the action. three special IF trap signals to align video-
TV receiver/monitor’s automatic fine tuning IF stages. The trap signals consist of a
(AFT) performance. The AFT TEST works Failure to recover a good video picture modulated 45.75 MHz video IF and an
by shifting the RF channel frequency + or - when either AFT TEST button is pushed interference carrier the IF stages are
0.5 Mhz when an AFT TEST button is indicates poor performance or a defective supposed to filter out; ( 41.25 = on channel
sound; 47.25 = lower adjacent channel
sound; 39.75 MHz = upper adjacent
channel video). The RF-IF RANGE and RF-
IF LEVEL controls vary the level of the
interference carrier.

4.5 MHz FM - The “4.5 MHz FM” position

provides an FM modulated carrier used for
troubleshooting the sound IF stages of a
TV-video system. The signal is modulated
with mono or stereo audio to produce an
audio output when injected into a properly
working IF sound IF stage.

In this section you will inject the 45.75

MHz Video IF signal into the 1st IF stage to
see how it lets you find IF problems.

1. Remove the back from the TV

receiver/monitor. Plug the
receiver/monitor into an isolation
transformer.

WARNING

Plug the TV receiver/monitor into an

isolation transformer, whenever the back is
removed. This prevents possible shock
hazards to you, and protects the circuits
from damage.

2. Connect the RF-IF cable to the 1st IF

stage.
Fig. 3: Plug the receiver/monitor into an isolation supply, and then inject the 45.75 MHz Video
The VG91 provides 3 options for making IF in p/ace of the tuner to test the stages through to the CRT.
connections to IF circuits: 1)
Troubleshooting Matching Balun, 2) F- The VG91 is substituting for the signal description of each video pattern and what
connector to RCA Female Adapter cable coming from the tuner. Since the picture you should see.
and 3) F-connector to RCA male adapter comes through you know that all stages
cable. Unplug the “tuner link” at the IF from this injection point to the CRT are 1. Select each pattern with the VIDEO
stage input. Use one of the adapter cables good. PATTERN switch and examine each on
to connect the VG91's RF-IF cable to the your working receiver/monitor.
input to the 1st Video-IF stage. If the tuner NOTE: Some tuners contain the 1st IF
module is directly soldered to the IF stage inside the tuner module. When
circuits, use the Troubleshooting Matching injecting directly into the 2nd IF or SAW
Balun. filter use the "MED" RF-IF RANGE position.
3. Set the RF-IF SIGNAL switch to “45.75 Video Patterns Isolate Troubles
Mhz Video IF”. Set the RF-IF RANGE
switch to “LO” and RF-IF LEVEL to The VG91 provides industry standard and
“NORM”.
exclusive video test patterns. A pattern is
provided to test luminance stages, while
NOTE: The “LO” range is the normal level
others test chroma stages, synchronous
required by the 1st IF stage. Remember
detectors, comb filters, or deflection
the “HI” range was the normal antenna RASTER - The RASTER pattern provides a
circuits. TV-Video. systems with problems
input level. distort the ideal video test pattern. In many blank color raster of any primary or
cases, you can pinpoint defects by viewing secondary color. The color is selected with
4. Turn the TV “ON”. the RASTER COLOR switches. The
the video pattern. Here is a brief
RASTER COLOR switches also add or or adjusting centering, width, height, phase shift of approximately 30 degrees,
delete colors to the Raster, Dot, Dots, linearity, pincushion and other deflection resulting in 10 visible bars of different
Window Circle, Crosshatch and EIA Color circuits. color hues.
pattern. Use the Raster pattern to evaluate
the operation of each color gun, and to
test and align color purity.

CROSSHATCH - The CROSSHATCH EIA COLOR (Full Field) - The EIA COLOR
pattern produces 21 vertical and 15 bars pattern meets the industry-standard
horizontal lines that form squares on the color pattern specified by manufacturers
DOT - The DOT pattern provides a single screen. This pattern is used for the entire for video equipment testing. It consist of
dot centered within the raster. It is used to convergence procedure on one gun CRTS two distinct amplitude portions -
set the static convergence of a color or in-line gun CRTS. luminance (brightness) and color level
receiver or monitor to produce a white dot (saturation). The luminance portion of the
without color shading in the center of the signal forms an uneven, seven-level
display. stairstep. The color saturation is 75%,
which brings the top of the yellow and
cyan bars to the 100% white level. The
EIA COLOR pattern can be used with a
conventional vectorscope and waveform
monitor to analyze the relative amplitudes
and phase of the color signals. The EIA
SPLIT FIELD ADDER switch adds a -1,
white, Q and black reference test signals
to the bottom quarter of the EIA COLOR
10 BAR STAIRCASE - The 10 BAR pattern.
STAIRCASE pattern consists of 10 evenly-
spaced bars, with video levels ranging
DOTS - The DOTS pattern provides the from black to 100% white. Use it to test
standard dynamic convergence pattern the video circuits for proper dynamic
recommended by most manufactures. It range and for alignment of the
is used to set the dynamic convergence of synchronous video detector and color
a color receiver or monitor to produce tracking controls. When properly aligned
white dots without color shading each bar should show a distinct change in
throughout the display. brightness level with no hint of color.

MULTIBURST BAR SWEEP - The

Multiburst Bar Sweep pattern consists of
ten, reference frequency bars beginning
with a solid white “0 MHz” reference bar,
and increasing in .5 MHz steps to 4.5
MHz. This pattern isolates frequency
response problems in video IFs, comb
filters and luminance processing circuits.
A stage that is restricting the video signals
WINDOW CIRCLE - The WINDOW CIRCLE COLOR BARS - The Color Bars pattern is will reduce the amplitude of distort the
pattern consists of several patterns similar to the industry accepted 10 Bar shape of the one or more frequency bars.
combined into one useful pattern; a cross, Gated Rainbow pattern used by video Releasing the BAR SWEEP INTERRUPT
a box and a circle all centered within the servicers for years and still referenced on switches removes or identifies test
raster. This pattern is used for evaluating schematics. Each color bar represents a frequency bars.
 Signal Adders for Special Tests RF channel generator. You should see a
clear Color Bars pattern.
The INTERLACE and VIR buttons modify
any of the VG91's video patterns to more 2. Set the MTS STEREO MODE switch to
accurately duplicate TV-video signals for “MONO”. Set the AUDIO FREQUENCY
testing special circuits. Switching between switch to “300 Hz”.
interlace and non-interlaced video modes
confirms vertical circuits lock to interlaced 3. Set the receiver/monitor for non-stereo
TV broadcast signals or to non-interlaced or “Mono” operation and adjust the
video games or computers. VIR confirms volume to mid-range.
that automatic color circuits work 4. Monitor both the left and right AUDIO
CHROMA BAR SWEEP - The Chroma Bar
properly on VIR controlled receivers. OUT Jacks or the speaker terminals
Sweep pattern consists of three frequency with dual channel oscilloscope or audio
bars at 3.0 MHz, 3.5 MHz and 4.0 MHz. voltmeter.
This pattern is used to isolates chroma
response problems in IF, comb filters and Test Mono or MTS Stereo/SAP A mono receiver only should have a good
chroma processing circuits. Defects Audio Performance audio output. A stereo receiver should be
which may be restricting the 1 MHz band producing equal audio output in the left
of color signals required for good color In addition to video, most TV-video and right channels. Unequal outputs
reproduction will reduce amplitude of systems receive and process the mono or indicates improper balance or need to
one or more of the frequency bars. MTS audio portion of the TV signal. Use adjust the gain of the individual channels.
Releasing the BAR SWEEP INTERRUPT the Mono/MTS S t e r e o / S A P a u d i o
switches removes test freqency bars to generator of the VG91 to test tuner, IF and 5. Set the MTS STEREO MODE switch first
provide a 100% white raster. audio circuits of the TV-video system. to "L+R". Set SAP & STEREO PILOT
The makeup of the audio portion of the switch to “100% NORM”. Set VIDEO
VG91's RF or IF TV signals is determined PATTERN switch to “RASTER”.
by the MTS STEREO MODE, AUDIO
FREQUENCY and SAP & STEREO PILOT 6. Set the receiver/monitor to MTS stereo
switches. operation.

To test the audio circuits of a mono or The "L+R" position produces a stereo
MTS Stereo/SAP receiver monitor: output. You should see proper audio in
both the left and right audio channels and
1 Select the desired STD TV or STD the receiver’s MTS Stereo light should be
CABLE channel as you did earlier in “ON”.
steps 1-6 when learning to use the TV-
LUMA/CHROMA BAR SWEEP - The 7. Switch the MTS STEREO MODE switch
Luma/Chroma B a r S w e e p p a t t e r n to “R CH” and then to “L CH” as you
combines luminance and chroma test observe the left and right channel audio
frequencies. The pattern consists of six
outputs.
luminance frequency bars (0 MHz
reference white, 2.0 MHz, 3.28 MHz, 3.88 The “L CH” and “R CH” positions produce
MHz, 4.2 MHz and 4.5 MHz) and 4
an output in only the left or right channel
chroma frequency bars (2.28 MHz, 3.08 of a properly working MTS Stereo
MHz, 3.58 MHz and 4.08 MHz). This
receiver. This shows you if the MTS
pattern simplifies testing and alignment of
stereo circuits are truly working and
comb filters and may be used to analyze decoding separate left and right audio.
today’s wideband I color decoding circuits
Equal output from each channel indicates
and Y/C (S-Video) inputs. Proper comb
a MTS decoder defect or misalignment.
filter separation should produce
The output that is not 20 dB or more
luminance without color interference.
lower in the non-selected channel
When testing wideband color circuits or
indicates the need for alignment.
Y/C Inputs use the 2.28 Mhz bar to test
the color response. Releasing the BAR 8. Set MTS STEREO MODE switch to
SWEEP INTERRUPT switches removes or "L+R". Decrease the setting of the SAP
identifies test freqency bars. & STEREO PILOT control until the MTS
Stereo indicator light turns off. Increase
Fig. 4: Use the Mono/MTS Stereo/SAP the SAP & STEREO PILOT control until
generator of the VG91 to tesf tuner, IF and the MTS Stereo indicator light turns
audio circuits of a TV-video system. back on.
Varying the pilot signal level tests the
stereo detect circuits. The pilot detect
circuits should turn-off MTS stereo
operation at about the 50% level. Stereo
operation should resume when the pilot
level is increased above 50%.

9. Set the MTS STEREO MODE switch

to “SAP”. Set SAP & STEREO PILOT
switch to “100% NORM”.

10. Set the receiver/monitor to SAP

operation:

The “SAP” position produces an audio

signal only in the SAP portion of the audio
composite signal. You should see the SAP
indicator light illuminate and get proper
audio output in both the left and right
audio channels.

Performance Testing With

The STD Outputs
TV-Video systems often have line inputs to
apply video, audio or luma/chroma (S-
Video) signals directly to the video or
audio stages. These inputs bypass the
tuner, IFs and detector/decoder circuits
and produce higher resolution video or
stereo sound.

1. Connect the video cable from the VG91's

STD VIDEO OUTPUT to the
receiver/monitor’s rear “Video In” jack.

2. Select the receiver/monitor to display

video from this input. Commonly
referred to as: Video In or Aux Video
Fig. 5: Use the VG91's standard outputs to apply video, audio or luma/chroma (S-Video) signals
3. Select the Luma/Chroma Bar Sweep directly to fhe video or audio stages.
Pattern
as from S-VHS VCRs. This input bypasses The standard audio test signal tests the
You should see a good video pattern on the comb filter or conventional passive receiver/monitor’s audio circuits. This
the display. Inputting a standard video test luminance and color filter circuits. With input bypasses the audio IF, detector, and
signal checks the performance of all the this input, separated luma and chroma stereo decoder circuits. You should get a
video, luminance and color stages between signals are feed directly to the luminance good audio output.
the input and the CRT. and color circuits permitting improved
picture resolution or clarity. You should For More Information,
4. Connect the Y/C Cable from the VG91's see an improvement in the clarity of the Call Toll Free 1-800-SENCORE
STD Y/C OUTPUT to the 4.0 and 4.2 MHz luma bars and 2.28 MHz (l-800-736-2673)
receiver/monitors rear “Y/C In” or chroma bars of the Luma/Chroma Bar
“S-VIDEO In” jack. Select the Sweep pattern.
receiver/monitor to display luma/chroma
from this input. 5. Connect the Audio cable from the
VG91's STD AUDIO OUTPUT to the
The standard Y/C signal tests the receiver/monitors rear “AUDIO In” jack.
receiver/monitor’s performance when Select the receiver/monitor to accept
displaying super or S-Video signals such audio from this input.

Form 5283