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DCM Series
Digital Cinema Monitor & Crossover System
USER MANUAL
DCM-1
DCM-2
DCM-3
*TD-000106-00*
1
TD-000106-00 Rev.B
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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. 9- Do not defeat th
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CONTENTS Introduction........................................................4 System Requirements......................................................5 Unpacking......................................................................5 System Concepts................................................................6 Illustrations................................................................8 Hardware Description..............................................................11 Software Description
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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. To get the most from your investment, we encourage y
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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 4.0 (or later) Minimum 16MB of RAM Minimum 10MB of available hard disk storage space CDROM drive
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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. Provides speaker setting database for most common theate
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SYSTEM CONCEPTS 3. DSP processing: Digital filtering of audio 6. Password Security: The crossover settings signals is known to have several advantages that you create can make a dramatic difference over analog solutions. DSP (digital signal in the sound quality within the theater. Many processor) IC chips allow extremely accurate installers pride themselves on being able to and reliable control of frequency and time adjust the electrical parameters (crossover adjustments (boost, cut, cutoff freq
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ILLUSTRATIONS- DCM-1 DCM-1 FRONT PANEL 1- Power switch 6- Diagnostics check switch 2- Monitor output speaker 7- Power “on” and diagnostics fault indicator LEDs 3- Processor/Amps selector switch 8- Monitor output test points 4- Monitor source selector switches 9- Bypass switch 5- Monitor volume control DCM-1 REAR PANEL 1- Emergency bypass level controls 6- DataPort outputs to amplifiers 2- Subwoofer output 7- Dolby Surround selector switch 3- Hearing Impaired system output 8- Output to Dolby Surr
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ILLUSTRATIONS- DCM-2 DCM-2 FRONT PANEL 1- Power switch 6- Diagnostics check switch 2- Monitor output speaker 7- Power “on” and diagnostics fault indicator LEDs 3- Processor/Amps selector switch 8- Monitor output test points 4- Monitor source selector switches 9- Bypass switch 5- Monitor volume control DCM-2 REAR PANEL 1- Emergency bypass level controls & bypass switches 6- Surround “EX” mode remote on/off input 2- DataPort outputs to amplifiers 7- Output to Dolby Surround EX decoder 3- Audio inp
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ILLUSTRATIONS- DCM-3 DCM-3 FRONT PANEL 1- Power switch 6- Diagnostics check switch 2- Monitor output speaker 7- Power “on” and diagnostics fault indicator LEDs 3- Amplifier/Processor selector switch 8- Monitor output test points 4- Monitor source selector switches 9- Bypass switch 5- Monitor volume control DCM-3 REAR PANEL 1- Emergency bypass level controls & bypass switches 6- Surround “EX” mode remote on/off input 2- DataPort outputs to amplifiers 7- Output to Dolby Surround EX decoder 3- Audi
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HARDWARE 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. 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. The DataPort connection to DCA amplifiers have a standby contro
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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 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 provide confirmation of the active monitor source for each of the cinema channels. If no LED is
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HARDWARE DESCRIPTION- Front Panel FRONT PANEL (continued) 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 DCM input circuitry. The Load Fault indicator is a unique and powerful feature which verifies tha
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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. If there should ever be a problem with the DCM or system cabling, you have the ability to byp
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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. Custom-length DataPort cables with individually shielded-pair construction
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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. All of the crossover functions and many other features can be viewed
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HARDWARE DESCRIPTION- Rear Panel REAR PANEL (continued) Terminal 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. 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
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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. A typical cinema installation
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INSTALLATION- 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 surface. To use the self-adhesive feet: peel off the protective backing from the foot, place near one of the corners on the bottom, and press firmly to activa
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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. Rear rack ears, required hardware, and a separate instruction sheet are available from QSC’s Technical Servic
