NI 5431 Composite Video Generator
Intermediate Insert ITS in Composite Signal

This intermediate VI example shows you how to include Insertion Test Signals (ITS) in your video signal. An ITS is typically inserted in the vertical blanking period of the video signal, but this is not a restriction. In fact, you can build an entire video signal using ITS. This allows you to keep full control of the accuracy on the data you are generating. Also, some ITS cannot be generated from RGB data such as a signal with a luminance value of zero, but a saturation value different from zero. Refer to Create RGB Color Bars Insertion Test Signal and Create YUV Color Sweep Insertion Test Signal for more information on how to create an ITS.

You can access this VI example in the LabVIEW palette by selecting Functions»Video Generation»Generator Examples»Intermediate insert ITS in composite signal.

To insert test signals in your video signal, follow these steps:

1. After selecting the example VI icon in the LabVIEW palette, click the LabVIEW diagram to place the icon there. Double-click the VI example icon to open it in LabVIEW.

Note  You can also access this VI from the installation drive by double-clicking the Composite Video Generator Examples.llb library. The File Dialog box appears. Click Intermediate insert ITS in composite signal.vi, then click OK. The VI opens in LabVIEW.

2. Make sure theDevice ID control value matches device number assigned in MAX during device configuration. Refer to the NI Signal Sources Getting Started Guide for more information about device configuration.
3. On the front panel of the VI, using the LabVIEW palette operator tool and the up and down arrows on the Video type control, select the appropriate video format.
4. Run the VI. An Input BMP File ? dialog box appears, prompting you for the bitmap image file to convert to a binary video data file.
5. Double-click the BMPs shortcut, then double-click the appropriate subdirectory based on the video format you chose in step 3. An Input ITS file ? dialog box appears.
6. Double-click the Insertion test signals shortcut to browse for the appropriate insertion test signals file based on the video format you chose in step 3.
7. Double-click a subdirectory, then double-click an .its file.
8. The VI will by default insert an ITS on line 19.

If your video monitor does not have options that allow you to see the vertical blanking lines (cross-pulse mode), modify the Line number control from 19 to a higher value such as 50. The ITS line in the upper part of your video image appears.