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Support

Customer support is available during normal business hours (8 am to 6 pm) Mountain Time, Monday through Friday at the number found on the Contact page. Customer Support Contracts are available with 24/7 coverage. Contact your sales representative for further information.

Email Support

Please direct all support emails to: techsupport@texscan-msi.com

Frequently Asked Questions:

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Prizm Digital Systems

Question:Will the Prizm inserter accommodate the year 2000 and beyond?
Answer: Yes, the Prizm is year 2000 compliant and will continue to operate without date concerns until year 2093.

Question: What do I do to change the type of decks that I have been utilizing with the system? Say for instance, I have been using U-matic decks and now I want to change to SVHS decks.
Answer: The control cables for the different deck types are different and will have to be the appropriate type for the format being used. The audio/video cables for most deck formats will be the same and these cables should not need to be changed unless the decks require a different connection type. The only software change that you will have to make is a change in the VCR Configurations. In the VCR Configuration merely select the deck type that you wish to use.

Question: Can I share the same decks among several networks when using the Prizm inserter like an older CSR-294D ComSerter?
Answer: The most recent versions of Prizm operating software support the sharing of decks across networks in a pooling configuration. If you would like to acquire this software please contact Texscan MSI.

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Prizm Analog Systems

Question:Will the Prizm inserter accommodate the year 2000 and beyond?
Answer: Yes, the Prizm is year 2000 compliant and will continue to operate without date concerns until year 2093.

Question: What do I do to change the type of decks that I have been utilizing with the system? Say for instance, I have been using U-matic decks and now I want to change to SVHS decks.
Answer: The control cables for the different deck types are different and will have to be the appropriate type for the format being used. The audio/video cables for most deck formats will be the same and these cables should not need to be changed unless the decks require a different connection type. The only software change that you will have to make is a change in the VCR Configurations. In the VCR Configuration merely select the deck type that you wish to use.

Question: Can I share the same decks among several networks when using the Prizm inserter like an older CSR-294D ComSerter?
Answer: The most recent versions of Prizm operating software support the sharing of decks across networks in a pooling configuration. If yg configuration. If you would like to acquire this software please contact Texscan MSI.

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Z-Series Character Generators

Question: How can I change the clock and calendar on my Z-Series Character Generator?
Answer: To change the clock and calendar settings, press < EDIT >, < SET CLOCK >. Edit each setting using the < SPACE BAR > and < ENTER > key. Set the seconds about 10 seconds forward, because once you press < ENTER > after setting the stop page the time will begin to run .

Question: What are Regions?
Answer: Regions are sections divided on the screen for display. Each region has assigned lines, which can be adjusted. The total lines for all regions must be 26. The default setting for the Z-Series Character Generator (as wellg for the Z-Series Character Generator (as well as the SGe/3/4 models) is 4 regions. For example, the title region (the very top section) is known as Region 1. The region below that is Region 2, this is used for the clock and date. The region below that is Region 3, this is used for your main text. The region below that is Region 4, this is used for crawling information. There are a total of 6 regions that can be used. Remember, each region size can be adjusted by changing the amount of lines. To do this press < EDIT >, < SET CHAN >. Edit each region by changing the number of lines. The total lines must equal to 26 . Press < ENTER > all the way through to save the settings .

Question: What are Events?
Answer: Events are schedules that can be set up on the Z-Series Character Generator. Events allow users to schedule times during the day or days within in a week to either display certain pages, to do a batch transfer between other character generators, or even to control a VCR to play .

Question: What is a quick programming procedure for a new user?
Answer: The complete programming and operating instructions can be found in the product manual, butfound in the product manual, but you can find a very brief programming procedure on our web site. Click here for the quick programming procedure.

Question: What are the key sequences to remote connect to a character generator?
Answer: To connect/dial into a character generator from a keyboard, press < A >, < T >, < D >, < T >, < the phone number > (dial 1 if it is long distance), then press < ENTER >.

 

Question: When I press, I see a display saying "The information is being updateisplay saying "The information is being updated...", how do I get to the edit screen?
Answer: Press the < EDIT > key, hold down the < ALT > key and press < EDIT - title >, and then press < ON/OFF LINE >.

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Comserter Series (CSRs)

Question:Will the CSR-x9x Family (Non-D Series) accommodate the year 2000 and beyond?
Answer: CSR x9x Families (Non-D Series) with firmware below Version 3.0 will not accommodate the year 2000. The firmware needed to correct this problem is Version 3.0.

In addition to Y2K compliance, Texscan has completed a project to provide an economical analog to digital conversion kit for the CSR family. Our video server (Terra-Wave) replaces the existing VCR decks. This allows the proven durability of Texscan's CSR's to be used as the heart of a digital (MPEG-II) commercial insertion system. Owners of CSR equipment will be able to retain their investments in equipment and training, and still take advantage of the benefits of a digital commercial insertion system.. For more information, contact Texscan at 801-956-0000.

Question: Will the CSR-194D/292D/294D accommodate the year 2000 and beyond?
Answer: Yes, these models of inserters will handle the rollover to the year 2000 and continue correct operation until the year 2010.

Question: Will the CSR-91/92/94 accommodate the year 2000 and beyond?
Answer: No, these models of inserters will not handle the rollover to the year 2000. These models of inserters are obsolete. There is only limited customer support available for these systems. The most recent version of the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) software by Perfect Sync has a provision to accommodate the rollover problem of older CSR-91/92/94 inserters. With this software, the user is able to set the clock on the inserter back 10 years so that it will continue to function properly. Then the ATC software does a translation of all logs to the current year so that all Texscan MSI inserters can continue to be operated past the year 2000.

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EditExpress Tape Compiler

Question: How can I help preserve the integrity of my Edit Express database?
Answer:

  1. 1. Back up your database on a daily basis when used. Utilize at least three different floppy disks to back up the database so that even with the loss of two disks the database isn't totally lost. Rotate through the back up disks so that, for instance, if compiles are done on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday basis, use disk 1 to back up Monday, disk 2 for Wednesday and disk 3 for Friday. Finally, replace the floppy disks being used for back ups on a timely basis as dictated by use.
  2. 2. Try to keep the database as small as is reasonable for your system and spot inventory requirements. Obviously, keeping a company's spot who went out of business five years ago does nothing but clutter the system and take up space. This will allow quicker database operations and seems to minimize overall problems.
  3. 3. Run the datacomp utility on a regular basis according to use.

 

Question: Can I mark long play tapes (greater than 2 minutes) with the Edit Express tape compiling system?
Answer:

  1. 1. You can mark spots longer than 2 minutes, but there is a limit to the duration a spot can be on the Edit Express system. The spot duration limit is approximately 5 minutes. The software was not written to mark spots longer than about 5 minutes.
  2. 2. To accomplish tape marking of program material longer than 5 minutes you must use a ComSerter or some other system as the marking device.

 

Question: How can I force the compiler to re-add a spot to a library or master tape following some sort of change in the spot?
Answer: Change any field in the spot definitions and information about the spot and the system will see the difference and cause the spot to be re-ce and cause the spot to be re-added to the tape. Normally this will be needed when changing the video "copy" on a master tape. Texscan recommends that customers utilize a normally unused field if possible to force the change so that what has transpired will be easily noticed by all operators. Be aware that the next time that the tape is compiled the system will want to add the spot once again if the current information does not match the traffic and billing directory information exactly. Normally this will be OK and afterwards no further adding of this specific spot will be called for.

Question: Is it possible to force the tape directory and the database directory to match each other?
Answer: Utilizing the "Create Directory From Database" function from the Miscellaneous Functions will cause the database directory for a specific tape to be recorded on the loaded tape. This function can be very helpful if there is known corruption of the tape title or directory and every time that the tape is loaded you get the error message that the wrong tape has been loaded. The caution for this function is that you must be aware that once the directory has been recorded onto the tape the process is not reversible. Be sure that all spot videe sure that all spot video and spot information is correct in the database before committing it to the tape!

Question: Should I ever utilize the "Update Spot File Using Directory" function?
Answer: This function should be avoided since it has been known to introduce corruption into the database.

Question: What are the required specifications for a computer to run the Edit Express tape compiling software?
Answer: The computer should be an Intel 80386 or 80486 based system running at a maximum speed of 66 MHz. Minimum RAM should be approximately 4 Megabytes. The hard drive size should be at least 300 Megabytes. The Edit Express software was written to run under the MS-DOS operating system and Texscan recommends MS-DOS version 6.22 primarily for certain functions available in this version of DOS. Version 5.0 will also run the Edit Express software .

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SG-eB/3B/4B Character Generators

Question: Are the SGe, SG3 and SG4 Character Generators compliant for the year 2000?
Answer: Sorry, All versions of SGe, SG3 and SG4 Character Generators are not compliant for the year 2000. The functions of the character generator will still be operable, however the only problem that will occur is that the year will roll over to 1900. Currently, there are no plans to modify the operating code of these models to accommodate the year 2000 and beyond. Reasons are due to the obsolescence of components.

Question: Do you sell any character generator that is compliant for the year 2000?
Answer: Yes, Our new version of character generator products are year 2000 compliant. The new versions are the Z-Series SpectraGen Character Generators. If you have any questions on our new line of character generators please give us a call or email us.

Question: How can I change my clock and date on the SGe Character Generator?
Answer: To chbr>Answer: To change the clock and date settings on the SGe Character Generator press , then press for Clock Set. Using the and keys, change the clock and date. Note: To have an accurate time, set the seconds ahead (about 10) and once the key is pressed after the STOP PAGE, the seconds will begin to run.

Question: How can I change my clock and date on the SG3/4 Character Generator?
Answer: To change the clock and date settings on the SG3/4 Character Generator press , then press + . Using the and keys, change the clock and date.

 

Question: What are Regions?
Answer: Regions are sections divided on the screen for display. Each region has assigned lines which can be adjusted.. The total lines for all regions must be 26. The default setting for the SGe, SG3/4 and SpectraGen Z-Series Character Generators is 4 regions. For example, the title region (the very top section) is known as Region 1. The region below Region 1 is Region 2, this is used for the clock and date. The region below Region 2 is Region 3, this is used for your main text. The region below that is Region 4, this is used for crawling information. There are a total of 6 regions that can be used. Remember, each region size can be adjusted by changing the amount of lines. To do this press , . Edit each region by changing the number of lines. The total lines mustequal to 26. Press repeatedly to exit the menu and save the settings .

Question: How do I set my SGe Character Generator to use EVENTS?
Answer: Before scheduling Events for the character generator, the EVENTS function must be enabled. To enable EVENTS, press , and select for Channel Region Setup. Located on EVENTS press for yes.

Question: What type of modems can I use on the SG3/4 Character Generators?
Answer: The modems tested with these character generators are the Universal Data Systems 212A, Universal Data Systems 212ALP and the US Robotics Sportster FaxModems. Note: The older character generators were designed to work with "dumb" modems (i.e. UDS 212A/ALP). Since the UDS modems can no longer be found the US Robotics Sportster FaxModems with switches has been approved as a substitute, however the Sportster modems can only be used on the answer site, a "dumb" modem must still be used on the originating site. The US Robotics Sportster FaxModems must be programmed.

Question: What are the key sequences to remote connect to a character generator?
Answer: To connect/dial into a character generator from a keyboard, press < A >, < T >,< D >, < T >, (dial 1 if it is long distance), then press .