PHABRIX Product FAQs
Select the PHABRIX product series you would like to know more about:
Sx Series FAQs
Products Covered: SxA, SxE, SxD & Sx TAG
Q: My Sx Won't start up
Please use this document to diagnose the problem
Q: Why do I need to keep my Sx firmware/software up to date?
PHABRIX regularly produces firmware/software releases that introduce new functionality, improvements to existing functionality as well as fixes for issues raised by users.
It is important to regularly check for updates and ensure that your equipment is running at its best and that you benefit from any new features, improvements and fixes. Whilst it is always our intention to allow users to update to the latest version from any previous version, this is not always possible. In certain cases, for example when new options are introduced, the automatic update system cannot function because files required for the update are not present in the currently installed version.
In these cases the release notes available in the Support – Software Release Page of the web site will detail specific manual instructions that may be required to install the latest version.
To ensure that your Sx instrument is up to date, use the Update function:
1. Ensure that the Sx is connected to a LAN that has internet access and that the Sx has the correct network configuration.
2. In the “System” – “Engineer” menu select the “Download” button. This will instruct the Sx unit to check the PHABRIX web site for the latest version of Sx firmware/software. If the currently installed software is up to date then no other action is necessary. If there is newer software this will automatically be downloaded and placed in the dropdown list for installation.
3. At this point it is worth checking the Software Release Page on the website to see if there are any specific instructions about the release.
4. Once you are happy that you have taken all necessary precautions proceed to install the newly downloaded version.
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Q: How do I activate my new Sx software options?
- Power up your Sx unit, go to “Option Security Code” section located in the System → Misc. tab.
- Navigate using the arrow keys to highlight the code section then press OK to enter the new code.
- Clear text then enter the new code that was provided to you and then press the “OK” tab (the code is not case sensitive).
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Q: Does my Sx TAG include Composite and SD/HD SDI Generation as standard?
Sx TAG units with serial numbers including and greater than #006376 will include the Composite
and SD/HD SDI Generation toolset as standard. Sx TAG units with serial numbers including and less than #006375 do not have the Generator toolset as standard. The Generator toolset is available to purchase with option code PHSXO-GEN.
Q: Can I control my Sx unit remotely?
Yes, simple functionality of the Sx unit can be controlled and monitored in a web browser by connecting your Sx unit to a network using an Ethernet cable. Type the IP address of the Sx unit in the browser (connection is not realtime, there is a time delay depending on network traffic).
Q: How can I take a screen grab from my Sx unit?
Bring up the screen you want to grab, press and hold “OK”. You will hear a notification sound and a message with the file name of the screen grab. You can access the screengrabs from a browser or FTP to the Sx unit.
Q: I get an error message "INVALID version" when trying to install new software.
We have disallowed installation of software earlier than the original version that was installed when the unit was released, as some customers were installing old and incompatible software to the hardware revision on their Sx units, which was causing them to stop working.
If you need to go back to the default version that was first installed in the Sx unit, press and hold the Left and Right cursor keys while turning a unit on. This will revert the Sx to the software version it was shipped with. You may then install any newer version (some Sx units may require a multi-stage upgrade if the software revision is earlier then 0.10.0109).
Q: The LCD on my Sx has gone completely dark green!
If you press a Tab menu button twice, it displays the input SDI signal in a full screen window. This speeds up looking at the input signal and then going back to the user interface. However, if you have no signal it will display a full screen of “No video” which is dark green.
Q: Do you provide repair parts including BNC connectors?
We do provide a service to repair Sx units and we also provide specific parts for end users to carry out the repair themselves (including BNCs in your case).
Q: My Sx unit powers up successfully but is not displaying any video from the SDI source?
Sx Unit: To begin with, please check that the generator of the SDI output is turned ON. Using a short BNC cable, connect the Sx unit SDI Out to its SDI In. Go to the Analyser screen and make sure that the SDI source dropdown menu is set to "In1", this is located on the bottom right side of the Analyser/Picture screen below the Curser menu.
Sx TAG Unit: To begin with, please check that the generator of the SDI output is turned OFF. Using a short BNC cable connect the external SDI Out to the Sx TAG SDI In. Go to the Analyser screen and make sure that the SDI source dropdown menu is set to "In1", this is located on the bottom right side of the Analyser/Picture screen below the Curser menu.
Q: Can I reformat or replace the micro SD card in my PHABRIX Sx?
Yes, contact PHABRIX support with your Sx six digits serial number located on the back of the unit to acquire the relevant procedure to for your product.
Q: Sx ‘Free Run Frequency’ Calibration Guide
Connections
- Connect the PHABRIX Sx 5V power supply and switch the unit on and allow for at least 30 minutes warm up time.
- Connect the external signal Bi-level or Tri-level reference to the ‘REF IN’ BNC.
- Select from the TFT display: System ► Engineer
- Use the cursor control keys to select Calibrate button then press OK.
- In the opened window set the Ref. Source dropdown menu to Ref., Highlight Calibrate then press OK.
- When the reference is being calibrated check the displayed number in the open window. It should fluctuate between 512 and 700 before settling to 580-620 as a final value.
- After calibration to check the reference remove the cable from REF IN BNC. The reference figure displayed in the menu bar should turn to ABSENT in RED.
- Reconnect the cable to relock the reference. The reference figure displayed in the menu bar should turn to the set reference value in solid BLACK.
Reference Calibration Complete.
Video Guide -
Q: My Sx handheld needs a new battery – can I order a replacement?
As common with all lithium battery-based products, batteries lose around 20% capacity per year. Therefore it’s usual for our customers to need battery replacements for their Sx devices every 3 to 5 years. Please see our battery replacement page to choose from one of our three service options to order a replacement.
Rx Series FAQs
Products Covered: Rx500, Rx1000 & Rx2000
Q: Why do I need to keep my Rx firmware/software up to date?
PHABRIX regularly produces firmware/software releases that introduce new functionality, improvements to existing functionality as well as fixes for issues raised by users.
It is important to regularly check for updates and ensure that your equipment is running at its best and that you benefit from any new features, improvements and fixes. Whilst it is always our intention to allow users to update to the latest version from any previous version, this is not always possible. In certain cases, for example when new options are introduced, the automatic update system cannot function because files required for the update are not present in the currently installed version.
In these cases the release notes available in the Support – Software Release Page of the web site will detail specific manual instructions that may be required to install the latest version.
To ensure that your Rx instrument is up to date, use the Update function:
1. Ensure that the Rx is connected to a LAN that has internet access and that the Rx has the correct network configuration.
2. In the “System” – “System Info” menu select the “Download” button. This will instruct the Rx unit to check the PHABRIX web site for the latest version of Rx firmware/software. If the currently installed software is up to date then no other action is necessary. If there is newer software this will automatically be downloaded and placed in the dropdown list for installation.
3. At this point it is worth checking the Software Release Page on the website to see if there are any specific instructions about the release.
4. Once you are happy that you have taken all necessary precautions proceed to install the newly downloaded version.
Video Guide -
Q: How do I upgrade the software in my Rx without a LAN connection?
- Download the latest available software from our Support Product Downloads page and extract the contents of the zip file into the root directory of a USB pen drive formatted as FAT32.
- Turn on the Rx chassis then immediately insert the USB pen drive into the front USB slot of the Rx chassis. A copy dialogue will appear on the HDMI screen & Rx2000 front panel.
- Copy the “release**.**.*****” File only from the left hand window to the right hand window using the “copy ->” button. This process may take a few minutes then eject and remove the USB pen drive.
- From the System – System Info menu locate the “release**.**.*****” file in the drop down list and then select “Install”. The installation process will take a few minutes.
- The Rx system should go through reprogramming its IO cards which can take few minutes, the Rx system will then power up with the new software which can be checked on the top left side of the System Info screen.
Video Guide -
Q: How do I Install new software options onto my Rx?
- Press the "Sys Menu” button followed by “System Info”
- Currently installed system options will be listed within this central box.
- Within the “System Info” window select the "Option Security Code" field.
- Clear any existing option code if present, and then enter the new code supplied to you by PHABRIX.
*Note the code is not case sensitive.* - Once you have entered the code, press enter to confirm.
- The "System Options" box will refresh, displaying a full list of activated options on the device.
- For further assistance please contact support@phabrix.com
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Q: What test patterns and video formats are available from the on-board CPU generator?
The following test patterns are available:
100% Colour Bars
75% Colour Bars
Check Field
The following formats are available:
SD 525i (59.94)
SD 625i (50)
SD 525i (59.94)
SD 625i (50)
HD 720p (23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60)
HD 1080i (50, 59.94, 60)
HD 1080p (23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30)
3G-A 1080p (50, 59.94, 60)
3G-B 1080p (50, 59.94, 60)
Q: How do I enable the on-board test pattern generator?
The test pattern generator on the CPU module can be enabled in 2 different ways:
From the Rx2000 Front Panel:
1. Select the “System” – “HDMI/SDI Output” menu.
2. In the “HDMI Output” section select the “Enable (Restricts SDI Output” check box.
3. From the video formats drop-down list select the required format.
From the Rx1000/Rx500 Front Panel:
1. Use the left and right navigation buttons on the front panel until the “HDMI” is displayed in the center of the LED display.
2. Select the button below the LED display to turn on the HDMI output.
Q: How can I get the HDMI Monitor output on the SDI output located on the CPU?
The HDMI Monitor output can be routed to the SDI output on the CPU module. This can be done in different ways:
From the Rx2000 Front Panel:
1. Select the “System” – “HDMI/SDI Output” menu.
2. In the “CPU SDI Output” section select the “Enable” check box.
3. From the video formats drop-down list select the 3G-A format.
4. From the test pattern drop-down list select HDMI Output.
From the HDMI Monitor Output:
1. Create a new “HDMI/CPU SDI Output” window on the HDMI Monitor by right-clicking with a mouse in an empty part of the display.
2. In the “CPU SDI Output” section select the “Enable” check box.
3. From the video formats drop-down list select the 3G-A format.
4. From the test pattern drop-down list select HDMI Output.
The CPU SDI output will now be a clone of the HDMI Monitor output.
Q: How do I select the HDMI output
A: The HDMI output on the Rx instruments is always present. Just connect a 1920×1080 (50, 60, 59.94 fps) HDMI/DVI monitor to the HDMI connector on the CPU module back panel and the Rx instrument output will be displayed.