DCM Series Digital Cinema Monitor & Crossover System USER MANUAL DCM-1 DCM-2 DCM-3 *TD-000106-00* TD-000106-00 Rev.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS & EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS 1- Read these instructions. 2- Keep these instructions. 3- Heed all warnings. 4- Follow all instructions. 5- Do not use this apparatus near water. 6- Clean only with a dry cloth. 7- Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with QSC Audio Product’s instructions. 8- Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
CONTENTS Introduction........................................................4 System Requirements......................................................5 Unpacking......................................................................5 System Concepts................................................................6 Illustrations................................................................8 Hardware Description..............................................................11 Software Description............
INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION 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 performance while facilitating easy cinema sound system wiring and configuration.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS and UNPACKING SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS DCM Manager software is designed to control one DCM hardware unit at a time. To use this software with the DCM hardware unit, you must have the following: 1- Digital Cinema Monitor unit 2- DCM Manager software installation CD 3- IBM-compatible PC with a 200 MHz Pentium processor (or better) Windows 98, NT, XP, or 2000 Microsoft® Internet Explorer 4.
SYSTEM CONCEPTS SYSTEM CONCEPTS 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! •Minimizes setup time, particularly in megaplexs with similar rooms.
SYSTEM CONCEPTS 3. DSP processing: Digital filtering of audio signals is known to have several advantages over analog solutions. DSP (digital signal processor) IC chips allow extremely accurate and reliable control of frequency and time adjustments (boost, cut, cutoff frequency, delay time), and stability (immunity from temperature variations).
ILLUSTRATIONS- DCM-1 DCM-1 FRONT PANEL 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 REAR PANEL 1- Emergency bypass level controls 2- Subwoofer output 3- Hearing Impaired system output 4- Audio input connector (from Cinema Processor) 5- RS-232 port 8 6- DataPort outputs to amplifiers
ILLUSTRATIONS- DCM-2 DCM-2 FRONT PANEL 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 REAR PANEL 1- Emergency bypass level controls & bypass switches 2- DataPort outputs to amplifiers 3- Audio input connector (from Cinema Processor) 4- Subwoofer output 5- Hearing Impaired system output
ILLUSTRATIONS- DCM-3 DCM-3 FRONT PANEL 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 REAR PANEL 1- Emergency bypass level controls & bypass switches 2- DataPort outputs to amplifiers 3- Audio input connector (from Cinema Processor) 4- Subwoofer output 5- Hearing Impaired system o
HARDWARE DESCRIPTION- Front Panel FRONT PANEL The front panel of the DCM series resembles traditional cinema monitor products. This provides the projectionist a well known and easy to understand interface. Power Switch: The power on/off switch is the master control for the DCM and the amplifiers connected to it. Amplifiers must be connected to the DCM with DataPort cables and power switches must physically be in the “on” position.
HARDWARE DESCRIPTION- Front Panel FRONT PANEL (continued) 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 Processor signals (input to the DCM) or the Amplifier signals (output to the speakers), depending on the current selection of the PROC/AMP switch. LEDs provide confirmation of the active monitor source for each of the cinema channels.
HARDWARE DESCRIPTION- Front Panel FRONT PANEL (continued) Diagnostics Check Button and Indicators: The Diagnostics / Indicator section includes an extremely 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 DCM input circuitry.
HARDWARE DESCRIPTION- Front Panel FRONT PANEL (continued) Test Jacks: The Test jacks give you access to any of the signals being sent to the front panel speaker (before the gain potentiometer). These signal levels are at the exact same level as the cinema processor output signals (unity gain) and can be used as a test point for system calibration. Emergency Bypass: This is an extremely powerful feature.
HARDWARE DESCRIPTION- Rear Panel REAR PANEL 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 as a master system power controller.
HARDWARE DESCRIPTION- Rear Panel REAR PANEL (continued) 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. RS-232 Connection: This connects to the RS-232 serial port on the host PC.
HARDWARE DESCRIPTION- Rear Panel REAR PANEL (continued) Terminal Strip Connections: The terminal strip includes 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. SUB OUT provides the exact same signal as the subwoofer output used on DataPort G. It is assumed that you use either DataPort G or the terminal strip connection, but not both at the same time.
SOFTWARE DESCRIPTION DCM MANAGER WINDOWS SOFTWARE To 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 hardware. The PC must meet the minimum System Requirements outlined on page 5.
INSTALLATION- Rack Mounting RACK MOUNTING Rack mounting of the DCM is optional. Four, self-adhesive rubber feet are included with your DCM for nonrack 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 surface.
INSTALLATION- Rear Rack Ears (optional accessory) SUPPORTING THE REAR OF THE DCM (requires optional hardware) 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.
INSTALLATION- Connections: General Information and AC Mains CONNECTIONS Making the required connections to the DCM is simple. Just make sure that you have all of the correct cables. “Mass-termination” connectors are used wherever possible. This reduces installation time from hours to minutes and makes any required connection changes fast, easy, and reliable.
INSTALLATION- Connections: RS-232 RS-232 CONNECTION 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 “nullmodem”-type serial data cables; they will not work with the DCM. Use a “normal” 9-pin serial data cable.
INSTALLATION- Connections: DataPort DATAPORT CONNECTION 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 respective amplifier’s DataPort.
INSTALLATION- Connections: Cinema Processor CINEMA PROCESSOR CONNECTION 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 connection standard, making connection to the DCM simple. Orient the DB25-type connector properly, push gently to seat the pins, then finger-tighten the retaining screws.
INSTALLATION- Connections: Hearing Impaired, Powered Subwoofer HEARING IMPAIRED CONNECTION 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. Output Level -11.8 dBu (200 mVrms) DCM-1 Terminals DCM-2 and -3 Terminals Impedance 50 ohms (±5%) Connect other end of cable according to equipment manufacturer’s instructions.
INSTALLATION- Connections: Surround Insert SURROUND INSERT CONNECTION 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. DCM-1 Surround Insert Connector and Selector Switch 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 output to the amplifiers.
INSTALLATION- System Calibration SYSTEM CALIBRATION When installing a typical cinema sound system, most of the calibration involves the Cinema Processor. Refer to the user manual for the Cinema Processor that you are using.
INSTALLATION- 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 channels first to make a reference level (the DCM contains no processing of these channels).
TROUBLESHOOTING If the DCM Manager program is unable to communicate with the DCM hardware... • Verify 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 with the DCM. • Try a known-good serial data cable, if possible. • Verify the COM port selection in the DCM Manager program.
TROUBLESHOOTING If some of the front panel LEDs don’t illuminate.... • The DCM will only select and monitor amplifier channels that have been enabled using the DCM Manager program. The front panel LEDs and audio monitoring only allow use of channels set in the software. Connect the host PC to the DCM and run the DCM Manager program. Upload the current configuration and check the settings in the General tab/ Installed Outputs section. Make any required changes and download to the DCM.
TROUBLESHOOTING If theater audio is distorted ... • Verify that the DCM Input Clip LED is not lit. If it is, the cinema processor output signal needs to be turned down. •If any of the amplifier CLIP warning LEDs are illuminating, the output level of the DCM must be reduced or amplifier input sensitivity must be reduced. -DCM output level is adjusted using the DCM Manager software. Determine which channel’s amplifier is clipping and make the necessary gain adjustments. This is done in the DSP Settings tab.
SPECIFICATIONS DCM Inputs, Screen Channels and Subwoofer Input Stage Type Input Impedance Maximum Input Level A-to-D Conversion Surround Channels DataPort Outputs Screen Channels Output Adjustment Dynamic Range THD+N at +12 dBu Input Level Frequency Response D-to-A Conversion Filter Topology Subwoofer Output Adjustment Dynamic Range THD+N at +12 dBu Input Level Frequency Response Filter Topology Surround Channels 32 Active balanced 20k ohms +14.2 dBu (4.
SPECIFICATIONS Hearing Impaired Output Output Stage Type Output Impedance Nominal Output Level Loading Requirements Single-ended balanced impedance 50 ohms -11.8 dBu (200 mVrms) Rmin= 2k ohms, Cmax= 4 nanoFarads Monitor Speaker Driver Amplifier Frequency Response Dynamic Processing 4.5-inch full-range 10 watt class AB 70 hertz to 15 kilohertz (±2 dB) 1.4:1 compression Dimensions 19" (wide) x 5.25" (high) x 14" (deep) Weight 17.
WARRANTY INFORMATION & HOW TO CONTACT QSC WARRANTY (USA only; other countries, see your dealer or distributor) 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.
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QSC Audio Products, Inc. 1675 MacArthur Boulevard Costa Mesa, California 92626 USA 36 “QSC” and the QSC logo are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. ©2002 QSC Audio Products, Inc.
