Vantage LED: troubleshooting

Showing posts with label troubleshooting. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

My LED Sign won't work - HELP!

-Deacon Wardlow

So you purchased an LED Sign from XYZ "manufacturer" online. Maybe they had a salesperson in the area who sold you on the system - maybe they were the lowest price or seemed to have a great system. Whatever the reason, you sold it and now (when there's a problem) that company is gone like the wind... What do you do?

We're all too familiar with this scenario. I got into the LED sign side of Digital Signage because people kept asking for my help with systems (both domestic and off-shore/Chinese displays) and I quickly learned there's not a lot of support out there. International trade and a lack of standardization in the LED Sign industry have left a HUGE GAPING HOLE allowing for easy entry to market. Anyone with 5 minutes and access to a web search engine can find off-shore companies willing to (cheaply) white-label product shipped to the USA and suddenly there's a new LED Sign company in the market.

If you're looking at this article, chances are you've taken that leap and landed in a hole. If you haven't yet purchased from a company selling (or reselling) off-shore product... take these words seriously - Check our articles on buying offshore vs. Domestic. I'm biased and would rather you bought from one of our LED Sign manufacturing partners, but really anyone domestic is likely going to be better than buying product sourced from a manufacturer outside of the USA. I know there are many of you who are out of the USA/North America and yes we do cost more than the Asian options... but you really get what you're paying for with technology in this industry. Word to the wise - CHECK - RE-CHECK - and Triple-Check your potential source for LED Sign Systems... Now, let's help you out.

First - checkout the previous blogs on troubleshooting and support I and Scott have put out there:
http://vantageled.blogspot.com/search?q=troubleshooting

More often than not, issues are fairly simple and can be quickly resolved without too much outside assistance. Back in the day, I needed to lean on translating A LOT of Chinese documentation and finding sources for parts - this isn't as big an issue these days. The increased amount of people buying direct from China/Korea/Taiwan (and companies buying from "manufacturers" who resell Chinese/other product) has spawned a backstage support industry as many of the reseller companies quickly disappear after a few years of opening their doors, leaving both end-users and sign companies to fend for themselves for any support and/or repairs required.

If you're stuck with a "black box" (dead LED Screen) - try some of these tips and hopefully it'll help you out.

Content

1. Have the client clear their existing schedule - create a new message (has to be new content - just a simple 'TEST" text message) and send it to the display. If it shows, it may be the content just timed out or there's some bad content in the system.

2. If the display is working (showing TEST) then have the client redo their content as a message may have become corrupted or have a messed up asset (image/video/etc.).

Communications

Check the cable connecting the sign and/or computer to the network (or eachother if directly connected). It's possible a cable is damaged/misconnected - a radio isn't receiving power, or something got damaged causing the display to no longer communicate.

Power Issue

1. Sounds silly - but simple steps are often best to try first - turn off the power to the system, count to 30 and turn it on again. Sometimes there's a fault in the controller or the boards, or power and rebooting the system may (temporarily) clear the error.

2. Check the source power - is the system receiving a steady 120V (or 240V - whatever source power is)? If the voltage in is less than 110 - there may be a feed problem. This would have been noticed earlier with the sign "flickering" or going out at peak usage times (morning/afternoon/evening).

3. Check the power supply (PS) - most power supplies have an LED indicator which should be on. If the indicator is off or not visible, a quick check with a multimeter should show the PS is operational and what it's outputting for power.

4. Check the leads/connections on the power supplies to the controller and the main control boards in the system. Make sure the connections are clean (not rusted/oxidized) and if there's a connecting plug - unplug and re-plug it is to make sure the connections are secure.

Controller Problem

1. Check the control system. Start with the controller (it's either a small black box (PC) or a small black box (control card with power supply using an embedded control system). Disconnect power and reconnect. Check to see if the display "blinks" when reconnected and shows anything. If it (at least) blinks... that's a good sign.

2. Check the connections from the controller to the DVI/Video card (this will be a card connected to the controller with a video cable (likely DVI/VGA computer cable). It should have some small LED indicators - if so, is there a constant lit one and a blinking one? This means there's power and signal. If there's no indicator - move to the next card.

3. Check the next card (logic board aka distribution board aka hub card) - this should have a power LED (constantly lit) and a signal LED (blinking). If you have power, but no blinking - there's no signal and there's a problem with either the controller or the video card. If you have power and blinking (signal) - check the connections to the LED modules and check power to the LED modules. If there's no power or blinking - go back to the PS (Power Supply) and check it.

Note all posts - thoughts - writings- etc. are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically noted. Direct emails can be sent to deacon@spectacularmedia.com for queries and/or assistance.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Digital Signage Need To Know: Help! My sign isn't communicating! Steps to a solving communication problems.

-Deacon Wardlow

If you work with digital signage (LED outdoor or HD interior/exterior systems (LED, OLED, SMD, projection, etc.) at one point or another you may have had "the call." If you're new to the business, you will most likely get the call soon if you haven't already. This is the call where the client can't connect to the "heart and soul" of their marketing system - their new digital signage solution. Don't panic, take deep breaths... there's a solution.

Cables?

Check all cables and connections. More often than not, a communication problem is simply caused by an unplugged cable or missing power adapter.

Radios?

For wireless communication, check both radios (most radios have indicator lights showing power (usually red) and signal up/down (green or yellow - usually flashing). Make sure the devices are powered and showing communications.

When did it stop working? What changed?

For networked signs (signs requiring a static IP address on a network), find out the last time the sign was working. What changed since then? Was a new computer/printer/device added to the network? Did the sign fail when the device was added? It's possible the IP address is conflicted (two devices using the same address). Speak with the IT person in charge or check with the sign manufacturer to see how to verify IP address settings and how to change the settings if necessary.

Backups...

For signs using RS232 or RS485: check the cable connections and power adapters. More often than not, an antenna came loose or a power adapter is unplugged (or failed). Having a backup pair of devices (known to be in good working condition) helps as the devices can be replaced and the radios showing faults can be tested off site for repair and/or replacement.

Connections?

Check the connections inside the sign. In highly humid locations, the communication ports can become oxidized (rusted) and cause disruption with the communication. Use a deoxidizing cleaner (99.9% alcohol with a hogs hair brush for cleaning) or DeOxit. Make sure to remove any dust first and lightly spray/apply cleaner. DeOxit sprays will both clean and coat/protect the connector. Make sure to clean both the connector on the control board/computer of the sign AND the cable's connector to be certain the issue is fully resolved.

Bring your tools!

It's helpful to have a laptop with the LED Sign software on it. Sometimes a communication error can be caused by the client's network and/or computers (a virus or possibly anti-virus software causes issues). If your laptop can communicate directly with the LED sign and communicate using the communication equipment going to the business, it's likely the problem requires the client to speak with an IT professional regarding their network and/or computer(s). For recommendations on a tool kit, check out my earlier post here: TOOLS You can also check out more information below on support issues:

- Networking Basics
- Troubleshooting Power
- General Technical support

At the end of the day, aside from the right tools and know-how having a solid partner is the most important part of a good LED Sign system. Make sure your company is partnered with a manufacturer who can not only support you with the right know-how, but is willing to go above and beyond to help you resolve issues in the field. The telling sign of a good partner isn't how they perform when things are going well, but how they respond to a problem. Make sure your manufacturer is more than a vendor, make sure their an active partner in your success!

Please comment here or send questions or requests for information to deacon@vantageled.com. Vantage LED has white paper resources and more educational material on the website (http://www.vantageled.com), please check it out when you have a moment. Note all posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically noted.attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically noted.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

A year+ in review - Articles from the Vantage LED team for your edification & education.

-Deacon Wardlow

It's been a little over a year now since we first started the blog. We've delivered new content 2x/week every week since the start (including this post, that's 123 articles in 13 months or an average of 9 articles every month). When we first started off, some friends and colleagues asked if we'd run out of things to write. The great thing about DS (Digital Signage) is it's constantly evolving and there's always something new to learn/share.

We're taking a short break (the next post will start up again from August 6). After the short break, we'll continue to bring you fact-based approaches to education on DS issues relating to technology, sales, end-user support, technology, and more. If you'd like to see something in particular, please email us (deacon@vantageled.com) and we'll be happy to get right on it for you.

For all of our fellow Americans, "Happy Fourth of July!" Play safe and come back with all your fingers and such intact on the other side of the holiday (there've been a few times I wasn't as careful as I should have been and am grateful for nothing more than a slight burn to teach me a lesson...).

So you don't have to sort/search and dig around for what you need, I've broken the articles into categories. Here's everything going back to last May 2012:

Digital Signage Sign Tech & Spec:

Digital Signage Content:

Professional Content is a Must!
Real World Effects of LEDs per Pixel on Outdoor Digital Signage
Time and Temperature on LED Signs...to Be or Not to Be
Quality LED Signs Managed Responsibly Improve the Community
Professional Quality Content on LED Signs Benefit Resellers Directly
How 'LinkedIn' is Digital Signage for you/your clients?
Why DS Fails
Keeping Content Current/interesting
Ensuring text comes through LOUD AND CLEAR
LED Signs & Free Speech
Create a call to action with Digital Signage
The benefits of PSAs (Public Service Announcement)
Get the most from your website (Digital Signage is online as well)
Being a good neighbor with LED Signage
Content scheduling/creation (planning ahead)

Digital Signage Sales 101:

Why LED Signage?:

Costs for Digital Signage:

How much can an LED Sign Cost?
Short term gain, long term costs (cost of a "cheap" LED Sign)
"Value Line" vs. Single Level of quality (i.e. why there aren't iPhone or Droid "lite" versions)
Is an LED Sign (or any Digital Signage) an investment or a purchase?
Selling the value of a Digital Signage Solution (LED Sign, LCD, or other)

Digital Signage 'How To':

Digital Signage 'Need To Know':

-DW

*I invite you to comment here and/or email me directly with requests at deacon@vantageled.com. Vantage LED has white paper resources and more educational material on the website (http://www.vantageled.com), please check it out when you have a moment. Note my posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically noted.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Digital Signage How To: Basic LED Sign Troubleshooting and Logic

- Scott Hofheins

One of our main goals for this blog is to be a resource to the industry, regardless of the manufacture. In keeping with that spirit I would like to go through some basic LED troubleshooting principles to help those who are new to LED signs, or have found themselves with a broken sign or a manufacturer who is difficult to work with.

Although the quality and design approaches are different between manufacturers, there are some general concepts that most outdoor LED sign systems will follow. They include basic operating components working together to create a full outdoor LED sign system. Deacon has a great post with some good notes on making sure you’re getting quality components for these systems.

Basic Components

Controller: This is the brain of the LED sign and is typically the junction point for the communications, temp/light sensors, and video input and output for the entire sign.

PC Based (IPC): These are typically internal (sometimes external) industrialized computers running a secure operating system. They are more powerful and tend to give a bit more flexibility to the system with regards to video display, troubleshooting and customization.
Embedded Controller: These will look more like a circuit board and are typically used in systems geared for static text and images. Many will play animations and some video, but the frame rate and storage space is limited.

Video Board: This converts the video signal from the controller into a readable format for the sign hardware. This board is sometimes combined with an embedded controller, but it usually separated on an IPC based system. Terminology can include: DVI Board and Sender Card.
Logic Board: These translate the video signal from the Video Board, to the individual LED modules on the sign, usually in rows or columns depending on the manufacturer. These are sometimes combined with embedded controllers on value systems. Terminology can include: Turbo Boards, Receiver Cards, Hub Cards, Row Boards, and Ribbon Boards.
LED Modules: These are the actual panels of LED’s that make up the entire sign. They can range is size from 8x8 pixels to 16x16 pixels and larger depending on the pixel pitch (how close the pixels are to each other). The rear of the Modules will typically have the power and data connectors integrated. Terminology can include: Driver Boards, Tiles and LED Panels.
Power Supplies: These power the internal hardware for the LED sign. They will usually take in AC voltage, and output DC voltage to the components. They will typically power more than one component or LED module.
Temperature Probe: These are typically used to get outside temperature readings to display on the sign. These have been standard equipment on LED signs since the early days, but are used less frequently now as owners focus more on content and targeted advertising.They vary in appearance, from simple metal probes, to white “finned” apparatuses.
Communication Devices: Many signs use secured Wireless communication devices these days, but many still use traditional wired solutions like Fiber Converters, and hardwired Cat5/6 Ethernet cable.

Troubleshooting LED Signs.

Follow the Data Chain

LED signs rely on a certain amount of “daisy chains” to get data from one component to the next. Generally speaking, it goes something like this:
User’s Computer --- Communication Device on Building --- Communication Device on the Sign --- Sign Controller --- Video Board --- Logic Board (These are daisy chained to other Logic Boards across the sign) --- Rows or Columns of LED Modules Daisy Chained together.

Keep it Simple

Look at your symptoms, and find a logical place to start ruling out causes of the issue. For example, if the sign has a module out, you wouldn’t start testing the communication devices. You would start looking at the LED sign hardware (LED Modules, Data cables, etc...).

Make the Issue Move
When you are physically troubleshooting components, you want to either fix the issue or make it move. If you can make it move then you can isolate the component and replace or repair it to fix the issue.

Re-boot
Electronic devices sometimes get locked up and require a reboot to get going again. Cycling power to the sign can sometimes fix issues. However, you shouldn’t have to do this constantly. If so, then look for the root cause of the freeze ups.

Specific Issues with LED Signs

Sign is Blank

Verify Sign is powered within specs.
Check the other side. If it’s working you may have a communication or power issue between the functioning side, and the blank side.
Check your schedule. Is content scheduled to be playing? An expired schedule is a common cause for a blank LED sign.
Can you communicate to the display? If so, then you know the controller is working and you can check other parts of the system.
If it’s a PC controller can you log in and verify the “player” is running? If it’s an embedded system it may have some diagnostic features that will allow you to see if it’s physically playing data.
Check the Video Board. Is it getting power? Is it getting signal from the PC and sending it to the other components? Check the Data Cables.
Check the Logic Board, and make sure it’s getting power and data. Unless you have a looped system, a bad Logic Board at the beginning of the data chain can cause the rest of the sign to go blank.

One or More Sections of a Face Blank

Verify power is supplied for the first section not working.
Check the Hardware (DVI Board, Logic Board) that is responsible for the first section in the chain that is not working.
Check the power supplies in that same section.

One or more LED modules out or “scrambled”

Always start at the first module in data chain that is NOT working. Make sure it’s getting power, and getting data from the previous data source (LED Module or Logic Board).
Check the module next to it that IS working. Sometimes the output is bad, or the data cable between the two is bad. Swapping these boards can help isolate the issue.
If the module is getting data from the Logic Board, check the data ports and cable. Swapping cables will help determine if it’s a port on the Logic Board, LED Module, or just a bad cable.

Line or Linear Errors Across the Entire Sign.

Double check the content. Make sure your file doesn’t have errors.
Check the Logic Board. This is responsible for whole rows, or columns of LED Modules.
Check the first LED Module in the series. On a smaller sign, it may be sending bad data to the rest of the row or column.

Errors and Display Issues with the Entire Sign

Double check the content. Make sure your file doesn't have errors.
Check the Video Board. This board is responsible for the entire video signal to the rest of the sign. Make sure it’s getting good data from the controller, and good DC power from the power supply.
Check the controller’s video output. Sometimes a loose cable can cause video issues that will affect the entire sign.

Issues can seem complicated and difficult, but if you remember to think linear, keep it simple, and take a step by step approach you will find that they can be isolated relatively quickly. Even the best LED signs will have issues now and then, but remember the quality of the manufacturers design, components and support play a huge factor in how often this happens and how easy it is to fix when it does.

-SH

I hope this post has been informative and helpful. As usual, I welcome ALL constructive comments. Please feel free to comment and add anything I’ve missed, or additional tips you may have regarding this topic. Please visit www.vantageled.com for many other resources, white papers, and of course: Great looking LED Signs!

**All posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.