Norpak Corporation
EMAIL: info@norpak.ca
TEL: 613-592-4164
FAX: 613-592-6560

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Questions  
General

openGear

TES3/ 5/ 7 /9
   
Answers  

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    Does my encoder support LAN connections?

Refer to the Norpak label located on the left side of the TES encoder (when viewed from the front). If the last 2 digits of the model number are "60" or "66" then the encoder supports both serial RS232 and modem connections only. If the last two digits are "70" then the unit supports both serial RS232 and LAN connections only.

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    The status LED on my TES3/5/7 is always off, why?

The AC power input of the unit is protected by a 1 ampere fuse located behind a small cover on the rear panel power entry module. Assuming the encoder is plugged in and that the power switch is in the ON position, verify the integrity of the fuse using a continuity meter or a ohm meter. To gain access to the fuse perform the following:
- Remove the power cord from the receptacle.
- Insert a small flat screwdriver into the slot on the left inside edge of the power receptacle, and gently pry off the cover of the fuse holder which is immediately to the left of the receptacle.
- The fuse holder is attached to this cover and will come out as you remove it.
- Once the holder has been removed, the active fuse should be visible in a clip at the end furthest from the cover. If this fuse fails a continuity test discard it.
- A replacement fuse (1A) is located in a "drawer" in the part of the holder nearest the cover. Using the small screwdriver, gently press on the top or bottom of the holder near the cover. A plastic drawer containing the spare fuse will slide out. Place this fuse in the clip where the damaged one was located. Replace the spare-fuse drawer. Replace the fuse holder into the power entry module.
- Plug the power cord into the receptacle and turn the power switch on.

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    The status LED on my TES3/5/7 encoder is red, what does this mean?

The TES family of encoders can take up to 3 min. to complete their boot cycle. During this time the status LED will remain red and the encoder will be in bypass mode. If the status LED remains red for any longer than 3 min. after power up the encoder may have a hardware failure. Please contact Norpak technical support for assistance.

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    The status LED on my TES3/5/7 encoder is green but the bypass LED is red, why?

A red bypass LED usually indicates either there is no valid video detected on the encoder's program input or the unit's bypass switch is in the "Bypass" position. If the bypass switch is "Active" and the correct video signal is applied to the Program input (the Program LED on the front panel is green) run the TES setup utility (SETTES32 for TES3/TES5 encoders, SETTES7 for TES7 encoders) and confirm the software settings match the incoming video format. If these settings appear correct and the unit is still in bypass mode contact Norpak tech support for assistance.

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    All the front panel LED's on my TES3/5/7 encoder are flashing at the same time, what's wrong?

This indicates the encoder's internal power supply has failed. Please contact Norpak technical support for assistance.

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    The status LED on my TES3/5/7 encoder is flashing, what does this mean?

This condition is exclusive to serial RS232 encoders and is used to help identify various port configuration problems. There are two types of errors that can occur: one turns the status LED red and the other turns it yellow then flashes red. The first type of error indicates problems with the serial ports and can be generated by any software module. The number of times that the LED flashes red indicates which source device is having the problem. One flash to five flashes indicates a problem with the modem, port A, port B, port C and NABTS decoder respectively. There is about a 2 second delay after the flashing before the flashing cycle is repeated again. The serial port errors that cause the LED to flash are: a framing error or a receive buffer overrun error. A framing error usually indicates that the encoder and the transmit computer are not operating at the same baud rate. A framing error usually causes the LED to begin flashing as soon as data is sent to the encoder. A receive buffer overrun error is typically caused by the transmit computer not recognizing flow control. This error takes a few seconds to occur after the start of data. These are the most common errors encountered with the serial ports. They are solved by making sure the configuration of the ports is correct. If the status LED is flashing five times, indicating a problem with the NABTS decoder, the most likely cause is that an insufficient number of lines has been selected or the data bridge's priority is not high enough.
The second type of error indicates an input buffer overflow on upstream captions and can be generated by the Captioning module only. When the encoder is inserting caption or text data in Realtime mode, or when text data is being encoded using the N_T command, and upstream line 21 data is being re-encoded, it is important to ensure that there is enough free space (in the line 21 field being used) to encode the new data. If there is not enough free space, then any upstream data in channels having a lower priority than the channel(s) being encoded is stored until it can be encoded. If a lot of data is received, however, it is possible for one or more of the input buffers to overflow. The LED flickers yellow for about 1 second, then flashes red a specific number of times to indicate the channel whose input buffer has overflowed, as given in the table below:

# of Flashes
Ch. Overflow
1
C2
2
T1
3
T2
4
C4
5
T3
6
T4
7
XDS

Note that the input buffers for channels C1 and C3 never overflow, since they are the highest-priority channels in their respective fields. If data in one of these channels is being received (in Realtime mode) from the transmit computer faster than it can be encoded, then flow control is issued to the transmit computer to prevent the input buffer from overflowing. The method of indicating input buffer overflows is only used by the Captioning module of the encoder. It is therefore not necessary to indicate which serial port the overflow occurred on. If this error occurs report its occurrence to the group responsible for providing the information to the Caption module.

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    The Program video LED on my TES3/5 encoder is flashing, what does this mean?

This sequence indicates the incoming Program video is unstable. Much of the TES3/TES5 encoders internal timing is derived from the accuracy of the incoming sync pulse. If you provide the encoder with a poor quality video signal then you compromise this accuracy, thus causing possible encoding/decoding errors. In these circumstances it is also possible that the encoder may randomly flip in and out of bypass mode.

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    I'm attempting to run the SETTESx encoder setup software but am recieveing the message "No login prompt received", why?

If you are attempting to connect via serial port ensure you have placed the encoder in setup mode. To do this perform the following:
- Power down the encoder.
- Connect the RS232 cable (included) from the PC running SETTESx to Port A of the encoder.
- Using a pointed object press in the LOAD switch located on the front panel of the encoder near the Status LED.
- While continuing to depress the LOAD switch apply power to the encoder.
- Release the LOAD switch after approximately 5 seconds.
While booting, the encoder performs a series of diagnostic checks that may take up to 1 minute to complete. Once the Status LED turns solid green your unit is ready to be configured.
If the setup software returns the same message and you are using a RS232 connection ensure you are Using the serial cable that came with your encoder. If you are unable to use the original cable verify the Replacement cable is wired as a null modem type. For more information on null modem cables refer to the following document(link to NullModem.pdf).

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    I'm attempting to run the SETTESx encoder setup software but am recieveing the Message "Error opening COM port", why?

Verify the serial port you have entered is valid for the PC you are using. If you are certain you are specifying the correct RS232 port make sure the port is not being used by another application such as HyperTerminal.

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    How do I switch between serial and LAN mode?

This option only applies if you're using an encoder with LAN capabilities. By setting a LAN encoder to serial, the encoder can be used as a serial encoder. Similarly, by setting a serial encoder to LAN, the encoder can be used as a LAN encoder. To set the encoder type do the following:
- Power down the encoder.
- Connect the RS232 cable (included) from the PC running SETTESx to Port A of the encoder. Using a pointed object press in the LOAD switch located on the front panel of the encoder near the Status LED.
- While continuing to depress the LOAD switch apply power to the encoder.
- Release the LOAD switch after approximately 5 seconds.
- Wait for the Status LED to turn solid green (approximately 1 min.).
- Run the SETTESx utility and select "Serial Port" as your method of connection.
- Wait while the setup software retrieves the current configuration parameters from the encoder.
- Once SETTESx displays the encoder's configuration examine the Stream Setup group box. If any streams are active you must disable them now. This is done by clicking the "Configure" button for each stream. A stream configuration menu will be presented. Select "No Source" from the Source group box and hit "Apply". Repeat this process for all active streams. Please note, the insert lines and other parameters will remain intact when you return to configure the streams for the new source type. Return to the main screen.
- If your encoder is a TES3 or TES5 select the "Configure" button located in the top right corner of the main screen. You will be presented with the "General Encoder Configuration" dialog box. Select either Serial or LAN from the "Encoder Type" group box and hit "Apply" then return to the main screen using "Exit". If you are using a TES7, the encoder type setting is located in the "Encoder Interface" group on the main screen.
- From the main screen select "Exit + Save Permanently". When the SETTESx dialog box closes wait approximately 30 seconds and then proceed to reboot the encoder in LOAD mode. Run SETTESx again and reconnect to the encoder via serial port.
- Wait while the setup software retrieves the encoder's configuration parameters.
- You may now restore your original streams using the drop down boxes and Configure buttons located in the "Stream Setup" group box.
- Once you are satisfied with your changes hit the "OK" button to return to the main screen.
- Select "Exit + Save Permanently". Although it may appear like nothing is happening, the SETTESx program is actually uploading the modified configuration files and subsequently saving them to flash memory. This process may take up to a minute to complete. Note: It is important not to power down the unit during this phase, doing so may render the encoder inoperable.
- You have now successfully changed the encoder type setting.

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    I just received my LAN encoder, how do I configure it's IP address?

Before you can use your encoder on a LAN you must assign it a IP address. Norpak encoders support both DHCP and fixed IP addresses, the method you choose to select will depend on your particular network configuration. To setup the LAN options on your encoder you will need to run the SETTESx utility via RS232 serial port. Below is a step by step example:
- Power down the encoder.
- Connect the RS232 cable (included) from the PC running SETTESx to Port A of the encoder.
- Using a pointed object press in the LOAD switch located on the front panel of the encoder near the Status LED.
- While continuing to depress the LOAD switch apply power to the encoder.
- Release the LOAD switch after approximately 5 seconds.
- Wait for the Status LED to turn solid green (approximately 1 min.).
- Run the SETTESx utility and select "Serial Port" as your method of connection.
- Wait while the setup software retrieves the current configuration parameters from the encoder.
- Once SETTESx displays the encoder's configuration, navigate to the network setting section of the main screen. Hit the "Properties" button. (If the Properties button is disabled please refer to the "How do I switch between Serial and LAN mode" section of this FAQ).
- If you wish to have the server assign a IP address to the encoder select the DHCP ON option. Consult your network administrator as to whether your network uses DHCP.
- If you are using a fixed IP address and Subnet mask enter them in appropriate boxes. These values are usually controlled by your network administrator. If you wish to alter the default TCP/IP port values, ensure the port numbers you select are between 1 and 65535. It is highly recommended you use values greater than 1024 as many lower numbers have been assigned specific functions within the TCP/IP network.
- Once you are satisfied with your changes hit the "OK" button to return to the main screen.
- Select "Exit + Save Permanently". Although it may appear like nothing is happening, the SETTESx program is actually uploading the modified configuration files and subsequently saving them to flash memory. This process may take up to a minute to complete. Note: It is important not to power down the unit during this phase, doing so may render the encoder inoperable.
- When the SETTESx dialog box closes wait approximately 30 seconds and then power cycle the encoder. Assuming the TCP/IP settings you entered are valid, you should now be able to run SETTESx via LAN (you do not need to place the encoder in setup mode when connecting via TCP/IP).

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