I have the IMG_ERR_VLCK error when trying to acquire a VGA signal using IMAQ 1409 and MAX.

[craig_smith]

My IMAQ 1409 is connected to a PC monitor VGA signal through a NI bnc breakout box with red, green, blue, hsync, and vsync bnc connectors on videos 1, 2, 3 and hsyncin, vsyncin respectively. I am configured in the External HSYNC/VSYNC Mode with all four camera channels set to VGA, and RGB stillcolor mode. When I click Snap or Grab in MAX I get the IMG_ERR_VLCK error.

[BruceAmmons]

Craig,

I'm not sure the 1409 can acquire the signals from the PC. I think your best solution is to talk to NI tech support, and make sure your setup is supposed to work.

Bruce

[cld]

Craig,

The setup you have should work. There are a few things you will want to check:
1) The monitor is producung a 640x480 VGA image (not SVGA)
2) You have set the monitor frequency to 60Hz
3) If you are still having trouble, verify with a scope that you have the appropriate timing signals coming from your HSYNC and VSYNC lines. Some monitors and RGB cameras will include the SYNC info on the green channel.

I hope this helps!
Chris D
NI Applications Engineer

[craig_smith]

I am not sure if I have a VGA or Super VGA input. How do I tell, and will the IMAQ 1409 work with super VGA?

[craig_smith]

I do have a SVGA signal, and I would like to try and modify the .icd file for the VGA(1409) to acquire the super VGA signal. Does anyone have any experience with modifying the .icd file? Changing the resolutions in the file from 640x480 to 1024x768 is simple, however I do not know which other parameters possibly need to be changed.

[cld]

Craig,
If you have an SVGA signal, there are a couple of options. The easiest would be to reset the resoltuion to 640x480 if possible. The second would be to breakout the signals from the Monitor and operate in an external lock mode. The only difficulty here, is that with a nonstandard video signal (such as high resolution SVGA) you will need a pixel clock signal, and not many monitors output the signal. Modifying the camera file probably will not make a difference in since the SVGA signal is not standard and our board will be unable to lock onto it.
I hope this helps!
Chris

[COMPUSAVE]

Assuming your VGA card is 60Hz refreshed, I suggest you try these parameters in MAX:
In img0 properties
Slave acquisition mode CSYNC External
CSYNC Source Channel 1 or 2
PCLK Source Internal 2x
StillColor Mode RGB

Channel 1 Camera 60 Hz Progressive Scan

In Channel 1 properties Basic
Left 120
Top 45
Width 640
Height 480

In Channel 1 properties Advanced
Clamp Start 31
Clamp Stop 47
Lock Speed Normal
An. B.width 30Mhz

I try these parameters with success even without HV sync (but image content dependent). Its better with.
Good luck
Jean-Louis