gibbothegreat Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Hi all, we have an Epson ZB8000WU projector (with around 1300 lamp hours on it) which is fed via a Smart Fade SMF251 switcher. This set-up has worked fine for over four years: however, just recently, the image is intermittently distorted at the top with what I can only describe as a scroll effect - the top 8th (at most) of the image rolls off to one side. It's not always the same side, and even more intermittently it flickers back and forth. It happens irrespective of the source going into the Smart Fade. I've been through every menu option I can find on both the projector and the switcher, but to no effect. It doesn't happen when connected directly to the projector, and we swapped out all the cables en route, so it seems likely that the Smart Fade is the culprit, but I wondered if anyone recognises this fault before I look at repair or replacement? Thanks in advance... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete McCrea Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Have you tried connecting a monitor to the smart fade to see if the problem is on the output of the Smart Fade? I'd be trying a factory reset, but if it's not handling part of the image properly, then it does sound like some sort of internal error. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHYoung Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 is the epson unit a wuxga unit? as from memory the smart fades a fairly limited vga or anaolgue only device. my guess its basically a weak vga signal that the projector is having trouble locking onto. Id guess that its as likely the cable between the two as the units themselves, try swapping that out first... however if im right about the resolutions, you will be severely limiting the projector, and it may be time for a hd capable switcher connected digitally to the projector. Im aware you are "just up the road" so if you want a borrow of a decent bit of cable for testing im sure that could be sorted... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibbothegreat Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share Posted September 23, 2014 Thanks both. It occurs to me that it would probably help if I actually told you the right projector! it's actually the ZB8050W which is a WXGA unit (1280 x 800). The Smart Fade claims to be able to output up to that resolution, so my apologies if I've lead you up a blind alley with that one - but I'll add the caveat that I this isn't my strong area at all, so I will be very open to and grateful for any advice, including upgrade options which provide a better output, separately from sorting the fault. The system has worked up to recently, so something is degrading. My first suspect would be the Smart Fade, simply from being much the oldest component in the chain (it was ex-rental when I got it some five years ago.) I have fired the system back up to connect a monitor, but of course, in the best tradition of intermittent faults, it's now behaving perfectly. I will try that the next time it misbehaves. Your help much appreciated, cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timsabre Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 This type of problem can be caused by an earth loop or multiple earthing, you haven't added any audio connections elsewhere in the system or anything like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibbothegreat Posted September 24, 2014 Author Share Posted September 24, 2014 No, no audio - and (touch wood) we seem to have a pretty sound earth system here, with very few problems to date. Will double check that though, again thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.