Autohue Procedures

Product: Toaster

Platforms: 2000 3000 3000T 4000 4000T

Autohue Procedures:

The Toaster software includes a routine called Autohue, which performs the function of making the output of the digital channel match the original input video. The user inputs source video into input 1, and the Autohue routine runs the video through the digital channels, compares the output to the original input, and determines what compensations must be applied to the digital channel to make the output best match the original source. These parameters are then stored in a file named "HS", for Hardware Settings".

Any calibration is best done when the equipment is fully warmed up. Thirty minutes after power-up should be fine.

Video Source: Must be a directly generated video source, such as live camera output, or color bars from an NTSC color bar generator; The video must be coming direct, not through a TBC, switcher, or any other device.

VT2000 (original model) Toaster Hookup: Video source on Input 1, short cable recommended; loop cable less than three feet long from program output to Input 4; remove cables from all other BNC connectors on the Toaster.

VT2000 with Flyer: The loop cable goes to Input 2 instead of Input 4. You will also need to use this configuration for FlyerCalibrate.

VT4000 Toaster Hookup: Video source on Input 1; remove cables from all other BNC input connectors on the Toaster. The same arrangement applies in Flyer-equipped systems. The output monitors should be attached in Flyer-equipped systems, but in systems which do not have a Flyer attached to the Toaster, if Autohue does not seem to be correctly calibrating the Toaster, try running Autohue with the output monitors detached. This will often produce a good Autohue, and most likely is working around a termination level or ground problem in the output devices.

Before You Run Autohue: For VT 3.5 and earlier, locate and delete the file named "HS" in the drawer "Toaster". Do not delete the file named "HS.default". For the Flyer software, HS is in NewTek/Programs/Switcher_Support. Autohue will write a new "HS" when calibration of the Toaster is complete.

Once these are done, run the Autohue Program.

Note: If you use a directory utility to delete HS, you may also notice that the file size of Autohue is 0. That is correct, as running Autohue actually calls the main Toaster program with instructions just to do the calibration routine.

FlyerCalibrate Notes: FlyerCalibrate may ask for an Autohue each time it is run, but once you have done a proper Autohue you do not need to repeat the procedure each time FlyerCalibrate is run. Just ignore the request.

FlyerCalibrate, however, may need to be run several times in order to achieve matched calibration in the two Flyer output channels. If a clip does not look identical in luma and chroma each time it is played, when played repeatedly, then the channels are not matched. Run FlyerCalibrate repeatedly, checking after each run to see if the channels are matched. Quit when they match. If calibration is not maintained through reboots and at later power ups, you should consult your vendor to have the Flyer checked out.