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
HI*DEF
Video Splitter
User’s Guide

Foresight Imaging
220 Mill Road
Chelmsford, MA 01824
Tel: 978-256-4624
Fax: 978-250-9155
Email: support@foresightimaging.com
Web: www.foresightimaging.com

Part Number: 052535-14

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HI*DEF Video Splitter User’s Guide

Copyright © 2000 by Foresight Imaging, LLC. All rights reserved.

First printing: September 1998.
Second Edition: August 2000
The following document is to be used in conjunction with the HI*DEF Video
Splitter. The information in this document has been carefully checked and is
believed to be accurate. However, Foresight Imaging assumes no responsibility
for inaccuracies. All specifications are subject to change

Acknowledgments
Foresight Imaging is a registered trademark of Foresight Imaging, LLC. I-60, I-
50, I-25, I-60 MV, I-50 MV, I-25 MV, I-Series, I-Series MV, I-Color, I-Color MV,
IDEA, HI*DEF Accura, HI*DEF Plus, and Auto-SYNC are trademarks of Foresight
Imaging, LLC.
This manual may contain product names and references that are used for
identification purposes only. These product names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks and are the sole property of their respective owners.

Disclaimer
Information and specifications in this document are subject to change without
notice.

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Limited Warranty
Foresight Imaging warrants to you that, for a period of ninety (90) days normal
use from your date of purchase, that:
1. The media on which the software is furnished and the electronic
documentation is not defective.
2. The software is properly recorded upon the software media enclosed.
3. The electronic documentation is substantially complete and contains all the
information Foresight Imaging deems necessary to use the Software.
4. The Software functions substantially as described in the documentation.
Foresight Imaging ’s entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be the
replacement of any software media or electronic documentation not meeting
these warranties, which is returned to Foresight Imaging or an authorized
dealer, together with a copy of your paid receipt. The above is the only warranty
of any kind, either express or implied, including, but not limited to the implied
warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular use that is made by
Foresight Imaging on this Licensed Software. In no event shall Foresight Imaging
be liable to you or to any third party for consequential, special, indirect or
incidental damages which you may incur as a result of using the license
software, including, but not limited to, loss of data, or information of any kind
which you may experience.

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FCC NOTICE
WARNING
Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. The limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in
a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be
required to correct the interference at his/her own expense.
Shielded cables must be used with this unit to ensure compliance with the Class A FCC
limits.

Canadian Emissions Requirements

This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

WARNING: Each board has been shipped in its own "plastic" bag. This bag has
properties that prevent the board from being damaged from Electrostatic Discharge
(ESD). After you remove the board from this bag, the board becomes very susceptible to
damage from ESD. We strongly recommend that you use a grounding strap while
handling these boards. Try not to place your fingers on the components on the boards. In
other words, handle the boards by grabbing the edges of the boards between your
fingers. Also remember not to place your fingers on the gold plated edge connectors.

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Using the HI*DEF Video Splitter........................................ 1-1

Description ..........................................................................................1-1
Technical Support ...............................................................................1-2
Before You Begin .................................................................................1-2
Connecting the HI*DEF Video Splitter .................................................1-2
Chapter 2: Technical Specifications ................................................... 2-1
RGB Inputs/Outputs...........................................................................2-1
H-Sync, V-Sync Inputs/Outputs .........................................................2-1
Miscellaneous Specifications ...............................................................2-2
Chapter 3: Technical Support Fax Form............................................ 3 -1

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1
Using the HI*DEF
Video Splitter

Description
The HI*DEF Video Splitter (PN 012007-100) is an extremely high performance
1-Input, 2-Output analog video distribution amplifier designed to split a single
RGBHV signal to two paths. This device has separate amplification circuitry for
each output. This avoids the problem one would have when trying to send a
video signal to two destinations.
The amplifier circuitry within the HI*DEF Video Splitter provides 75 Ohm
termination to avoid reflections and a fast slewing amplifier to maintain a fast
settling time. Both of these are imperative for the HI*DEF board to function
properly.
The HI*DEF Video Splitter is designed to be used with Foresight Imaging’s
HI*DEF high performance frame grabber boards. However, this device can also
be used with any video product.
Sample use of this device: You experience poor video quality due to too much
distance between a camera and a monitor. Connect these two devices with the
HI*DEF Video Splitter. This device now buffers the signal and amplifies it back
to the proper video voltage levels; thus the video quality improves.

HI*DEF
Camera Video Splitter

Figure 1-1: Example of connecting the HI*DEF Video Splitter to a camera and
monitor.
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1-2 HI*DEF Video Splitter User’s Guide

Technical Support
The goal of this manual is to provide you with documentation on the HI*DEF
Video Splitter.
If you need additional assistance after reading this manual, please make a copy
of the Technical Support Fax page in Chapter 3 of this manual, fill it out and
fax it to us at 978-250-9155. This information helps us provide you with the best
support. If you do not have access to a fax, you may send e-mail to
support@foresightimaging.com or visit our web site at
www.foresightimaging.com.

Before You Begin

The HI*DEF Video Splitter interfaces via 75-ohm BNC cables that are not
included. Because this is a high quality amplifier, you should use high quality
video cables to connect both the input and output connections of the box.

NOTE: Most Foresight Imaging cables you may already have can be used
to connect to the OUTPUTS side of the Video Splitter. Your own
video source cables can connect to the INPUTS side of the Video
Splitter.

Connecting the HI*DEF Video Splitter

To use the HI*DEF Video Splitter:

1. Connect the 75-ohm BNC cable from your video source (i.e. camera) to the
INPUTS side of the HI*DEF Video Splitter.

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Chapter 1: Using the HI*DEF Video Splitter 1-3

Figure 1-2: HI*DEF Video Splitter Inputs.

2. Connect the 75-ohm BNC cables from the OUTPUTS side of the HI*DEF
Video Splitter.

Figure 1-3: HI*DEF Video Splitter Outputs.

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1-4 HI*DEF Video Splitter User’s Guide

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2
Technical Information
The following is technical information for the HI*DEF Video Splitter.

RGB Inputs/Outputs

Characteristic Value
Maximum input voltage +/- 5 volts
Input/Output Impedance 75 Ohms +/- 1%
Gain 0dB with 75 ohm termination at the load
Amplifier Settling Time 12 nanoseconds, maximum to 0.1%, with a 2
volt step when driving 5 ft. of RG-59U cable.
Overshoot 5% typical with a 2-volt step.
Differential Gain < 0.06% maximum
Differential Phase <0.02 degrees maximum
Output short to ground Indefinite period of time without damage
3dB Cable Length 400ft using RG59
fmax 350MHz (3dB point)

H-Sync, V-Sync Inputs/Outputs

Characteristic Value
Maximum input voltage -0.5 to 5.5 volts
Type LS TTL, Schmitt Trigger
HIGH-level input voltage (VIH) min 2.0volts @ 20 uA
LOW-level input voltage (VIL) max 0.8 volts @ .4mA
Output series termination 33 Ohms
HIGH-level output voltage (VOH) min 2.7 volts @ .4mA
LOW-level output voltage (VOL) max 0.35 volts @ 8mA
Output short to ground Indefinite period of time without damage
fmax 2MHz
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2-2 HI*DEF Video Splitter User’s Guide

Miscellaneous Specifications

Characteristic Value
Connectors BNC Female
Power Requirements 12 VDC, 250 mA max

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3
Technical Support
Fax Form
If you need assistance and you have access to the Internet, visit Foresight
Imaging’s web site at www.foresightimaging.com. Here, you can access FAQs,
driver downloads and an online support form to assist you.
If you cannot access our web site or if you need additional assistance or
information, please email our technical support department at
support@foresightimaging.com.
Otherwise, please perform the following steps:
1. Copy or print this form.
2. Fill in all appropriate information for your I-Series or HI*DEF product. Be
sure to include a description of the problem, the Compiler revision, the I-
Series/HI*DEF revision and sample code with results.
3. Forward this information to Foresight Imaging. There are three ways:
• Send email to support@foresightimaging.com.
• Fax the page to 978-250-9155, to the attention of “Technical Support”.
• Mail the page to:
Attn: Technical Support
Foresight Imaging
220 Mill Road
Chelmsford, MA 01824
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Foresight Imaging Technical Support Fax Form

Name: Company:
Phone: Fax:

Please fill in as much of the following information as you can and fax to the
Technical Support Department: 978-250-9155:
Type of problem (check one): Hardware Software

I-Series/HI*DEF Hardware Part #/Revision #:

I-Series/HI*DEF Software Part #/Revision #:

Company that hardware was purchased from:

Operating System (check one): Windows 2000 Windows NT Windows 98
Windows 95 Other _____________

Computer CPU Type: RAM:

Motherboard Type: ISA PCI/ISA EISA Other _________________________

Motherboard chip set vendor: Intel OPTI ALR SIS Other

BIOS vendor: Award Phoenix AMI Other _____________________________

Circle any of the following if they are installed in your computer:

SCSI Drive Multi I/O Multimedia Options Network Cards Other

Description of problem: Please provide as much detail as possible. If you are reporting a
documentation problem, note the manual name and page number. Use a separate piece of paper,
if needed.

Other comments:

HI*DEF Video Splitter User’s Guide, V.1.4

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