AccessPCHT Installation and Operation Manual

Welcome to AccessPCHT

Welcome to the AccessPCHT installation and operation guide. This guide will help you install and use the AccessPCHT software in your home theater display. Please check to make sure you have the following items in the bundle you received:

• A female DB9 to male DB25 serial cable.
• A CD containing the AccessPCHT software (Model 9A02 version 2.0) and installer.
• Installation and operation instructions.
• One Model 970 Serial Interface.

If any of these items are missing or damaged, please call Audio Authority at 1-800-322-8346 for replacements.

Requirements for Running AccessPCHT

1. PC Compatibility: Access PC runs on any IBM compatible computer that meets or exceeds the following specifications:

   • A 133 MHz Pentium™ CPU (or equivalent)
   • 32 MB of RAM
   • A 2 MB video card capable of 800x600x24bpp
   • A 2 GB hard drive
   • A CDROM drive
   • Two RS-232 serial ports (If the touchscreen monitor is USB, only one RS-232 serial port is needed)
   • Windows™ 95 or later operating system
   • A standard keyboard
   • An optional PS/2 style mouse (or serial mouse not sharing an IRQ)

   Note: Use the included cabling from the PC and touchscreen manufacturers.

2. An Access Model 970 serial interface module (included with the AccessPCHT bundle) connected to an operational Access Demonstration Network.
3. Recommended Monitor: A touchscreen monitor (An Elo 15" or 17" IntelliTouch is recommended).

Note: A standard monitor may be used instead, with a pointing device such as a mouse or trackball.

Hardware Installation/Hookup Procedure

1. Power OFF the Access system.
2. Find a suitable location for the PC in or near the display.
3. Connect the touchscreen to the PC. For serial monitors, connect (DB9) to COM2 on the PC (A). For USB monitors, connect the USB port on the monitor to an open USB port on the PC (B).
4. Connect the DB15 video cable to the touchscreen and PC video card (C).
5. Connect the 970 module to COM1 (DB25 to DB9) on the PC (D).
6. Connect the 970 to the Access system bus (E).
7. Connect the PC keyboard (F).
8. Connect the PC power cable (G).
9. Connect the touchscreen power cable.
10. (Optional) Connect a PS/2 style mouse (H).

* Actual configuration may vary.

** If connector is present. Note: it is possible to use a serial mouse on a COM port that is not sharing an IRQ.

*** Please note that COM1/COM3 and COM2/COM4 share IRQs, so try to avoid IRQ conflicts. Some installations may share an IRQ between the touchscreen and the modem, but only one may be in use at a time. Most installations performed by Audio Authority will use separate IRQs, so all devices can be used at once if the hardware configuration is possible.

Diagram Description (Figure 1): A diagram showing the rear panel of a PC and the Model 970 serial interface module. Label A indicates COM2, B indicates a USB port, C indicates a DB15 video cable connection, D indicates a COM1 connection (DB25 to DB9), E indicates the Access system bus connection, F indicates the PC keyboard connection, G indicates the PC power cable connection, and H indicates a PS/2 mouse connection.

Software Installation and Setup

Apply AC power to the PC and the Access System. Insert the CD into the CDROM drive, and the install program will autoload and guide you through the installation process. Please be sure to read the end user license agreement.

After the installation process is complete, follow the manufacturer's instructions for calibrating your touchscreen. Next, double-click the AccessPCHT icon on the desktop to run the program. During this first run, the software may display error messages because the hardware does not match the defaults. This is normal and should not recur after setup is complete.

Once the software is loaded, touch the "[door icon]" near the sofa (see Figure 7, detail 7) to bring up the administrative password dialog. The default password is "111". Once the correct password has been entered, the administrative dialog will appear (Figure 2).

Diagram Description (Figure 2): A screenshot of the AccessPCHT administrative dialog window, featuring buttons for "Exit Program", "System Shutdown", "Setup", "Edit Database", "Wake", "Sleep", "Done", and "Reset Switching".

Initial Setup

Press "Setup" to display the system configuration dialog (Figure 3). In the lower left section, select the serial port that is connected to the 970 module. Refer to the "Setup" section below to set the other controls to your preference.

After you have finished setup, select "Done/Save". Then press "Exit Program" and restart the AccessPCHT program.

If you encounter any errors at this point, please carefully check all connections and PC hardware for mis-configurations before calling Audio Authority technical support.

Now you may begin building the product database for the display (see Editing the Product Database).

Diagram Description (Figure 3): A screenshot of the System Setup dialog box. It includes fields for "Included Brands", "Administrative Access" (with options for Keypad or Text Password), "Screen Saver Type" (Scrolling Marquee or Picture SlideShow), "Screen Saver Timeout", "Picture Cycle Delay", "Marquee Settings", and "Serial Port to Access System" (with COM port options). It also shows "Access status: OK" and buttons for "Screen Settings", "Product", "Control Panel", "Enable KB", "Timeout", "Cancel", and "OK".

Other Settings

• Included Brands: Type all commonly used brands here. These items will be accessible when editing the product database via pull-down menus. Entering them here saves time and ensures uniform spelling and/or abbreviation.
• Administrative Access: Enter a password. This option allows for the selection of either a numeric password (entered via on-screen numeric keypad) or an alphanumeric password (entered via the keyboard).
• Screen Saver Type: Select either a marquee scrolling a user-defined message or a picture slide show. All files reside in the SCRNSAVR directory and must be BMP files. Pressing the upper left-hand corner of the display terminates the screen saver.
• Screen Saver Timeout: The period of inactivity (in minutes) before the screen saver becomes active.
• Cycle Delay: The number of seconds to display each picture in the picture slide show screen saver.
• Marquee Settings: Enter the message for the marquee screen saver and choose a font and size for the text.
• Serial Port Selection: Select the serial port to which the Model 970 is connected.
• Access Diagnostics: Displays a list of detected modules, selected modules/positions, and error messages. Pressing "Reset/Check" resets the Access system and forces the Model 970 to poll system modules and check for changes.
• Groups: Allows modification of default product group settings on Access switch modules (Figure 4). Ensure all group addresses in this dialog box match your switch module settings. Groups not activated in the Product window are ignored by AccessPCHT.

Diagram Description (Figure 4): A screenshot of the System Setup dialog box, specifically showing "Product Module Settings". It lists various audio components like "Surround", "Frnt Spkrs", "Center Frnt", "Subs", "Sources", "Receivers", "Back Surrounds", and "Back Surround", each with associated port assignments (e.g., S05, E07, S08, S09, E00, E04, S06, S09). It also shows "Normal Access Module Addressing" and a "Groups" section.

Screen Settings and Product Activation

• Screen Settings: Calls up the display properties dialog.
• Product: Activate only those product groups that will be controlled by the Touchscreen. For example, check "Enable Sources" if there are multiple sources. If "Back Surround" or "Back Surrounds" are enabled, it is usually best to also check "Enable Sound Stages" to simplify transitions between 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 audio formats.

This dialog box also controls the visibility of two elements on the main screen: "Enable INFO buttons" (for product details) and "Enable Pricing Information" (for pricing display).

• Control Panel: Calls up the Windows™ operating system control panel.
• Enable KB: Enable or disable the keyboard.
• Timeout: To revert to a "Default System" configuration, enter the position number (e.g., 00, 01, 02) of each component. Enter "-1" for a component to prevent it from changing at timeout. At the bottom, enter the number of seconds of switching inactivity before the Default System is activated.
• Cancel: Exit without saving settings.
• Done/Save: Exit and save settings.
• Close Product Display on Selection: Automatically closes the product display list when a selection is made. Normally, you must touch "Done" in the product display list after selecting a product.

Diagram Description (Figure 5): A screenshot of the System Setup dialog box with "Dynamic Product Selection" options. It includes checkboxes for "Enable Sources", "Enable Receivers", "Enable Back Surround Speaker", "Enable Back Surround Speakers", and "Enable Sound Stages". It also shows options for "Enable INFO buttons" and "Enable Pricing Information".

Diagram Description (Figure 6): A screenshot of the System Setup dialog box showing timeout settings. It allows selection of product positions (e.g., Surround, Frnt Spkrs, Center Frnt, Subs, Sources, Receivers, Back Surrounds, Back Surround) with associated numbers (00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 100, 00, 100). It also includes fields for "Screen Saver Timeout", "Picture Cycle Delay", and "Timeout in seconds" (set to 0 to disable).

Customizing the Q&A Section

The Question and Answer section in the lower right-hand corner of the main screen is customizable. To enter your own questions and answers, navigate to the "Settings" folder within the AccessPCHT installation directory. Find and double-click the file named Info.TXT to edit it.

You may replace or reword questions. Ensure no returns are placed within a question, as text wraps automatically. Place one return after each question so each is on a single line, with no blank lines between questions. Save and close the file.

The file named Info1.TXT contains the answer to the first question. Edit it similarly. Answers can span multiple lines; use double returns to start new paragraphs. Save and close the file. Start AccessPCHT to view the new Q&A.

AccessPCHT Operation Guide

The main screen, shown in Figure 7, is where all product selection occurs. All operating system keyboard functions are locked out while the main screen is active. To shut down the system or exit AccessPCHT, use the Administrative Mode.

Using AccessPCHT

To select a product, press either the product group icon (1) or the selection display area (2) to bring up the product list. If the price feature is active, each selection updates the price in the right-hand column and the System Total window.

Press the "Info" button next to each product group (3) to display product information (if active). To view Q&A topics, press the topic question (4); a text box will pop up, which can be closed by touching it.

To save a system in flash memory (as System A or System B), select the desired system, then press either System A or System B (5) until "STORED" appears above the button. Press briefly to recall a stored system. Press the "Select Previous" button (6) to toggle between the current and last selected system configuration.

Diagram Description (Figure 7): A diagram illustrating the AccessPCHT main screen. It shows numbered interactive elements: (1) Product group icon, (2) Selection display area, (3) "Info" button, (4) Q&A topic question, (5) System A/B save/recall buttons, (6) "Select Previous" button, and (7) the "Door" icon for Administrative Mode. The screen also displays "CURRENT SELECTIONS" for Source, Receiver, Front Speakers, Surround Speakers, Center Speaker, Subwoofer, and Sound Stage (Dolby® 7.1), along with Q&A topics.

Operation tip: Scroll through lists by sliding your finger up and down. Make a selection by lifting your finger. Ensure your touchscreen driver is set up so that each "button" activates when your finger leaves the surface, not when it first touches.

Editing the Product Database

Press the "[door icon]" (see Figure 7, detail 7) to access Administrative Mode. Enter the password (default: "111") and press enter. Choose "Edit Database". In the Database Editing window, select the product group to edit by pressing one of the buttons at the bottom (Figure 7).

To edit an existing record, type information for each field, and press Tab, Enter, or select the next field using the touchscreen, mouse, or keyboard. To add a record, press the "[plus icon]" (Insert Record) button, or scroll to the bottom of the database to a blank record. To remove a record, select it, press the "[minus icon]" (Delete Record) button, or press CTRL-Delete on the keyboard.

The "Brands" pull-down menu can be edited in the System Setup dialog. Add your most commonly used brands for consistent spelling and abbreviation.

IMPORTANT: When finished editing, click the "POST CHANGE" button to make all changes effective. You may also click "Post Change" after each entry. Click "Done" to return to the main screen.

Database Editor Field Descriptions

• SKU#: Use any alphanumeric scheme for internal (store) use.
• Position: The corresponding position for the product as connected to the Access switching system.
• Brand: The brand of the product. Pressing the drop-down arrow displays brand names defined in the setup/brands section.
• Model: The model of the product.
• Price1: The selling price. A value MUST be entered. Enter zero if you do not wish to display a price on the main screen (zero does not display). Do not leave blank. The price feature can be made invisible in the "Product" dialog box (see Figure 5).
• Description: A description of the product (max 80 characters).
• Features: A listing of product features (max 80 characters).
• War_Period: The product warranty period.
• Date Created: Not used by AccessPCHT; shows product entry date (optional).
• Date Discontinued: Not used by AccessPCHT; shows when product should be removed (optional).
• Comments: Add other comments. Displayed at the bottom of the product's info window (if enabled). Max 80 characters.

Diagram Description (Figure 8): A screenshot of the Database Management window, showing "Currently editing: Surround Speakers [EOO]". It displays columns for SKU#, Position, Brand, Model, and Price1, with rows of data. It also shows navigation buttons (First, Prior, Next, Last), record management buttons (Insert Record [+], Delete Record [-], Edit Record), and action buttons (Post Change, Cancel, Refresh, Done). Below are product group selection buttons like "Surround", "Front Spkrs", "Center Frnt", "Subs", "Sources", "Receivers", "Back Surrounds", "Back Surround".

Contact Information

Audio Authority

2048 Mercer Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40511-1071

Phone: 859/233-4599 • Fax: 859/233-4510

Customer Toll-Free USA & Canada: 800/322-8346

Website: http://www.audioauthority.com