After my trusty light meter, the tool I use the most for setting up, examining, and optimizing projectors is my pattern generator. It not only puts out eight sharp images in several resolutions and color depths that I know by heart, but its strong HDMI video signal is often the only thing I can rely on when troubleshooting a projector's problems. In other words, it is always at the top of my toolbox.

Today, pattern generators come in all shapes and sizes, from stationary ones for control rooms to handheld models that can help decipher a variety of audio-visual problems. What they have in common is the ability to send a variety of useful images to a display, making them standard equipment for tweaking a projector.

While many projectors have several internal images available, external pattern generators connect via an HDMI port, although some offer the alternative of using a Serial Digital Interface's (SDI) BNC connector. The key is that pattern generators are stand-alone imaging sources that excel at delivering reliable patterns rather than the inconsistent results often found when using different notebooks and tablets.

For me, the assortment of patterns available determines a generator's usefulness. I like to see several full field screens including white for tracking a projector's brightness over time. In addition, there is often a grid for sharpening the focus and diagnosing pin cushioning, a grayscale ramp for fine-tuning the contrast and brightness settings, as well as a circle pattern for getting the right aspect ratio. Of course, color bars are indispensable for tweaking the image's color balance.

Some go a step further with specialty images and animation sequences, while others are keyed to the Portrait Displays Calman calibration software for fine-tuning a home theater projector. Some can allow uploading your favorite image or the logo for a school or business.

Many go several steps further with in-depth analysis of the video data. To start, most can interrogate the signal for its protocol, timing, color depth, space and much more, providing a better chance to match the specs of the source, cable and display.

My favorite task is testing and verifying an HDMI cable, which can save countless hours of trial and error troubleshooting. All I had to do was plug both ends into the device and start the test. A satisfying "pass" or "fail" determination shows up, often in less than a minute.

Sound is just as important with many of these devices analyzing the audio feed while producing a steady tone that can be a big help in tracking down a burned out amp, a loose speaker wire or just an unplugged connector. Some even produce a synchronization routine akin to the movie's clapperboard to sync up sight and sound.

To look into the state of the art for pattern generators, I gathered together four of the most powerful and recent handheld devices:

• A-NeuVideo 4K UHD + HDMI Signal Generator & Analyzer
• BZBGear BG-AVPTG-Mini
• Kramer 18G 4K HDR Pocket Signal Generator
• Murideo MU-STIX-A 8K 48Gbps Analyzer and Murideo MU-STIX-G 8K 48Gbps HDMI Generator.

I gave each a heavy-duty workout using ViewSonic's LS711HD and Christie's 4K1600-JS projectors to show each pattern dozens of times, while analyzing the video feed, examining the soundtrack and checking cables. The bottom line is that all four of the pattern generators do the basics well with several useful images on tap but what separates the best from the also-rans is the range of images on tap as well as specialty screens or features that can make my day a little easier.

That said, the most useful is the ability of the MU-STIX-G to preview the pattern being sent to the projector on its tiny display. None of the others do this simple, obvious, and meaningful task.

So, the next time you're faced with a reluctant projector or one that needs a little tweaking, the first step should be to plug in one of the pattern generators that follow. It can not only show a bunch of test patterns but help figure out what's what with your video.

Murideo MU-STIX-A 8K 48Gbps Analyzer & Murideo MU-STIX-G 8K 48Gbps HDMI Generator

Price: $249 each

Performance

Ease of Use

Features

Value

Overall

Pros

• Tiny devices
• Inexpensive
• HDMI 2.1 with 8K resolution
• 13 built-in images
• Small color screen with preview

Cons

• Single button interface
• No battery option

Not much bigger than a USB thumb drive, Murideo's MU-STIX-G pattern generator and MU-STIX-A analyzer pair are the mighty mites of the projector world. Punching above their weight class, the $249 STIX devices undercut the price of other pattern generators, work with 8K HDMI 2.1 signals and can help tweak a projector.

Equally good at diagnosing projector problems as optimizing the image, the STIX dynamic duo performance was spotty when used together. Still, the STIX pair are a valuable addition to an AV toolkit.

Features

Murideo shows that good things really do come in small packages with its MU-STIX-A 8K 48Gbps Analyzer and MU-STIX-G 8K 48Gbps HDMI Generator pair. Only slightly larger than a thumb drive, each STIX product can help set up and optimize projectors by troubleshooting and tweaking the video. So small and light that both can fit into a shirt pocket, the irony is that they are too easy to lose.

They come in metal boxes that look like they could hold Altoids mints and at only 0.5 x 0.8 x 2.9 inches (WHD), each device is one-tenth the size and weight of other pattern generators. Despite this, they are not video lightweights.

They set the pace with one-inch OLED screens that're a step ahead of the others by showing thumbnail images in bright and rich color. They're just as good at manipulating the menu as showing the results of tests, although the tiny displays sometimes require squinting for the bifocal crowd.

The dark blue MU-STIX-G image generator is a powerful device that sends consistent and reliable test images to the screen that are previewed on its tiny screen. Its repertoire of 13 patterns ranges from color bars and a range of full field and ramp images to a checkerboard and black and white stripes.

There's the bonus of the STIX-G's Pseudo-Random Binary Sequence (PRBS) to help with isolating video bit errors, signal attenuation, or timing problems that can be tough to track down. This alone makes the STIX-G's size even more amazing.

It can send out a steady 1Khz audio tone but lacks the Kramer's animated synchronization routine. Unfortunately, there's no way to add additional images to display, like a company or school logo.

Still, the STIX pattern generator's focus is on the visuals with a male HDMI-out connection that allows it to be plugged directly into a display with no need for a cable. It also has a USB C port for updating its firmware or powering the device but lacks an AC adapter and has no battery option. Both STIX products worked fine using a projector's USB power and a USB power bank.

Nearly an identical twin, the MU-STIX-A 8K 48Gbps Analyzer has the same male HDMI and USB-C ports but is black instead of blue. Its screen shows a video thumbnail as well as things like data flow, resolution, color space and depth. It excelled at handshake issues or sync losses as well as finding a variety of errors.

The analyzer and generator are compliant with the current HDMI 2.1 standard while others stop at HDMI 2.0. Capable of creating and evaluating 720P, HD, 4K, or 8K streams at up to 120Hz, they can handle a variety of color depths.

Using the STIX siblings is a little more involved because the interface has a single button compared to as many as six keys on competitors' products. A short press on the FUNC button scrolls through the menu a line at a time, while a long press activates it. It takes a little trial and lots of error to get an intuitive sense of the interface. At the bottom of each menu, the STIX interface has a helpful Return command.

Performance

Despite its diminutive size, the STIX-G generator worked well with the ViewSonic LS711HD and the Christie 4K1600-JS projectors with the device's HDMI connector plugged directly into the projector. From a cold start it took 9.1 seconds to start up and show its first image using the projector's USB port for power. This makes it the fastest to get down to work, but not by much.

At that point, The STIX-G took 1.6 seconds to move to the next pattern on the interface, record time. Along with the pattern's preview, the small screen showed the stream's resolution, refresh rate, color depth and space as well as its HDCP status. The STIX-A's operation mirrored this. It started up quickly and showed the results of its analysis nearly instantaneously.

They work better on their own but can be combined using two 8K couplers and a short cable. There's no automatic cable testing sequence but the manual tests and visual inspection of the image should suffice. On the other hand, the devices sometimes balked at video signals above 40Gbps.

While it was in use, the STIX generator used all of one watt and worked fine with the USB ports of my two test projectors. It was warm to the touch but never hotter than 107 degrees Fahrenheit.

With headquarters in South Dakota, Murideo is part of AVPro Global, a brand that also includes AudioControl, ThenAudio, RTI, and ProControl. The STIX devices come with a two year warranty and lifetime support, a deep knowledge base and community Q&A items.

The help line is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:00?a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Central time) but is closed on Saturday and Sundays. It's easy to start a support ticket online but you'll need to register.

Conclusion

The Murideo STIX pattern generator and analyzer may be small, but they stand tall, ready to help getting projectors and components to cooperate. Able to use 8K HDMI 2.1 video streams, the MU-STIX-G pattern generator's display shows a preview of what's being projected while the MU-STIX-A analyzer shows the video being received. They display all the relevant specs although the one-inch screen is anything but spacious.

At $249 for each, they're a bargain, but the company lacks a package deal for both. I have reservations about using the STIX pair together, particularly at high data flow rates, but the 13 available patterns and slew of different tests make the Murideo STIX pair must haves to make video come alive.

Kramer 18G 4K HDR Pocket Signal Generator, Analyzer, and Cable Tester (Model 861)

Price: $825

Performance

Ease of Use

Features

Value

Overall

Pros

• 4K resolution with 18 test patterns
• Audio synchronization
• Can test cables and video signal
• 8-channel audio analysis includes tone
• Comes with battery, cables and case

Cons

• A little pricey
• Limited to HDMI 2.0
• No pattern preview

With a similar array of six buttons and monochrome display, the Kramer 18G 4K HDR Pocket Signal Generator, Analyzer and Cable Tester may look like a black version of A-NeuVideo's 4K UHD + HDMI Signal Generator & Analyzer. Under the skin they are different beasts with separate mixes of patterns, including one for synchronizing audio and video.

Better known as Model 861, the device comes as a full test kit with the unit's battery, cables, and case. At $825, it's more than $200 over the similar A-NeuVideo device, making for a tough choice.

Features

With the ability to look inside a variety of video signals, project a variety of test patterns, and diagnose cable shortcomings, Kramer's 18G 4K HDR Pocket Signal Generator, Analyzer and Cable Tester (Model 861) can make quick work of setting up and optimizing a projector. It's comparable to the less expensive A-NeuVideo's 4K UHD + HDMI Signal Generator & Analyzer, but the more I used the two, the more the differences between them stood out.

Both the A-NeuVideo device and the Kramer 861 measure 5.5 x 1.0 x 3.1 inches (WHD), weigh a hand-friendly 10.8 ounces, and have the solid feel of a rugged aluminum case. Immense compared to the STIX pair, the Kramer 861 has HDMI-in and -out connections as well as a micro-USB power port. Unlike its cousin, the Kramer 861 is black and might be harder to find in the dark while tweaking a projector's settings.

The Kramer device included the expected micro USB cable plus a short HDMI jumper and a green fabric case to put it all in. It is USB powered but didn't include an AC adapter. It worked well with a projector's USB port as well as the device's internal battery pack. Unlike the A-NeuVideo pattern generator, the Kramer 861 included it, but I needed to install the battery myself; it took less than a minute.

It does an excellent job of delivering 18 test patterns to a projector but peaks at HDMI 2.0. It can send out 720p to 2160p signals at 60Hz, although it cannot create 8K images. The images run the gamut and constitutes an unequalled selection with eight full-field color images (including white and black) as well as 256 grayscale—a vertical and horizontal Line on/Life off animation. It has the choice of three color bar targets, including a plain one, one with a moving gray bar, and one with a circular target.

My favorite, however, is the audio sync animation sequence. It shows a white box that appears along with a beep, providing a good way to match a projector's audio and video.

Its six-button interface is nearly identical to the ANI-4KANA-L, with keys for menu, up, down, and mode to change what the device is doing. There are also keys for "enter" and a DHCP test key that also enables one to reset the device to its factory specs.

The 2.4-inch monochrome OLED screen shows the Menu's navigation and tabular test results. It doesn't preview the projected pattern as the STIX-G can.

When set up inline between a source and display, the device can show things like the video's data rate, the pixel clock, and color space. The audio examination yields a useful data sampling rate and ASP layout. Like the ANI-4KANA-L, the Kramer 861 puts out a steady 1KHz 8-channel signature tone.

Performance

Able to display a pattern in 14.5 seconds, it is slower than the STIX units to get started. Just as effective using the ViewSonic LS711HD as with the Christie 4K1600-JS, it took between 1.0 and 3.7 seconds to go between the test patterns.

I used the Kramer 861 to look at how well two cables would convey a video signal. It passed the first one in two minutes and four seconds and failed the other.

Cool to the touch, the Kramer 861 doesn't need a fan. It hit a peak of 91 degrees Fahrenheit. The system consumed 4.5 watts of power while in use.

The device ran on battery power for a continuous three hours and 15 minutes of use and blanked the screen after 10 minutes of idleness to extend its battery life. It lasted an hour longer than the similar A-NeuVideo device but nearly 50 minutes short of the BG-AVPTG-MINI's more than four hours of operation. That should be plenty for a full workday of intermittent use of tweaking projectors, and the Kramer 861 is charged via the system's USB cable.

As is the case with many other pattern generators, the Kramer 861 includes a three-year warranty, lifetime support, and a detailed manual. There are directions on how to use the device via its menu as well as use a USB link to input commands directly via a set of RS-232 commands.

Based in Israel, Kramer has an office with tech support in Clifton, NJ. In addition to emailing questions or concerns, the company lists a phone number for support.

Conclusion

With 18 test patterns available, the Kramer 861 model comes with everything needed to get started, including a battery, cables, and a rugged case but can't upload new images. A powerhouse for getting the most out of a projector, it can help check on cabling and HDMI protocols, although the device stops short of working with HDMI 2.1 video.

Its audio abilities extend to 8-channel sound and tests for its attributes. Its innovative synchronization routine is a breakthrough addition. All told, its $825 price is money well spent for tweaking projectors or just figuring out why they are not working.

A-NeuVideo 4K UHD + HDMI Signal Generator & Analyzer (ANI-4KANA-L)

Price: $600

Performance

Ease of Use

Features

Value

Overall

Pros

• 17 built-in patterns
• 4K resolution
• 8-channel audio with tone
• Can be battery powered
• Cable testing and signal analysis

Cons

• No pattern preview
• Limited to HDMI 2.0

While the A-NeuVideo's 4K UHD + HDMI Signal Generator & Analyzer and Kramer's 18G 4K HDR Pocket Signal Generator, Analyzer and Cable Tester are dead-ringers on the outside, under the surface they couldn't be more different. Also known as the ANI-4KANA-L, the A-NeuVideo pattern generator combines a generous 17 useful images along with sophisticated video signal analysis that can help optimize a projector or test an HDMI cable. The handheld $600 device can output 4K imaging at up to 60Hz while providing a test audio tone in 8-channel sound.

It stops at HDMI 2.0 compliance and can be powered by a rechargeable battery, but you will need to buy and install it yourself. Still the 4K UHD + HDMI Signal Generator & Analyzer has the power to help make a projector's image picture perfect.

Features

Image may not count for everything, but when setting up a projector, it is paramount. A-NeuVideo's ANI-4KANA-L does an excellent job of helping troubleshoot and tweak a range of projector problems by displaying a variety of reliable and useful images and analyzing the video stream.

At 5.5 x 1.0 x 3.1 inches (WHD) and 10.8 ounces, the ANI-4KANA-L looks bulky next to the STIX-G generator. Still, it fits comfortably in the hand and is extremely well built. Its anodized aluminum case might be easier to find in the dark compared to the black finish of the Kramer 861.

It's got HDMI-in and -out connections as well as an on/off switch and micro USB port for power. It can run on an AC adapter or an 18650 lithium battery pack; neither are included. The $10 battery took about a minute to install and is charged with the USB cable. The device has a four-bar battery gauge.

It is one of the best at delivering the basics with an array of reliable images for screen tweaking and troubleshooting. The ANI-4KANA-L works in everything from 720p to 2160p at up to 60Hz, delivering sharp and consistent HDMI 2.0 signals. It, however, lacks the ability to generate 8K or HDMI 2.1 streams.

The 17 patterns it creates is one fewer than the similar Kramer 861 unit but five-times as many as the BZBGear BG-AVPTG-MINI offers. There are full field screens in a variety of colors, including white for brightness testing. In addition to circular and diagonal images, the device has color bars and a sequence for looking for motion anomalies, but there's no way to add additional images, like a company or school logo.

Its interface looks the same as the Kramer unit with six buttons for menu and Task Mode as well as up, down, and enter. Its DHCP test key doubles as a way to reset the device to its factory specs. There's also a 2.4-inch monochrome OLED screen, but it's only for Menu navigation and test results, lacking the STIX-G's ability to preview patterns.

Still, the ANI-4KANA-L does video analysis well with the ability to show a signal's vital specs. In addition to pixel clock timing and data rate, it details the signal's color space and scanning details. It does audio just as well by showing the timing and sampling rate while sending out a steady 1KHz test tone that can be used by a 7.1 sound system.

Performance

Regardless of whether it's connected to the ViewSonic LS711HD or the Christie 4K1600-JS projector, the ANI-4KANA-L took its time getting started by putting its first image on screen in 14.6 seconds from a cold start. In fact, I found it convenient to keep the unit on all day, then plug it in for an overnight recharge.

Once on and running, the ANI-4KANA-L took 5.2 seconds to get to the next pattern. It reports protocol, resolution, frequency, and color depth. The ANI-4KANA-L's ability to analyze a cable to check for its HDMI protocol and faults took two minutes and six seconds to verify a good cable. It rejected a bad cable.

The ANI-4KANA-L uses 4.3 watts of power, and after I installed my lithium 18650 battery, it ran for two hours nine minutes of continuous use on a charge and blanked the screen after about 10 minutes of inactivity. This will likely be fine for a full day of stop-and-go work. The battery can be charged using a USB cable.

Even when it was running cable tests or analyzing a video signal, the ANI-4KANA-L kept its cool. There's no fan and the device never broke 93 degrees Fahrenheit.

With headquarters in North Dallas, TX, A-NeuVideo covers the device for three years and has lifetime support. There's a thorough manual that covers the device's basics with help working with its internal menu as well as the needed RS-232 commands for remote use. There are support personnel on call 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Central) on Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays.

Conclusion

With the ability to show 17 different test patterns, the A-NeuVideo ANI-4KANA-L delivers a lot for its $600 price tag. It can handle 4K resolution, check on the HDMI protocol and color details, as well as output a useful audio test tone for troubleshooting sound problems. Still, it lacks pattern previews and stops at HDMI 2.0 spec video.

More to the point, the device can be battery powered, but you will have get your own battery pack and install it. Its $600 price tag is impressive for all it does but is for the DIYers among us.

BZBGear BG-AVPTG-MINI

Price: $700

Performance

Ease of Use

Features

Value

Overall

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Long lasting battery
• Cable testing and signal analysis
• Five-year warranty

Cons

• Only three static patterns with no preview
• Limited to HDMI 2.0
• Lacks audio features

Easily held in the hand, BZBGear's BG-AVPTG-MINI can not only run on its own battery but can help diagnose lots of video problems. While it provides a scant three images to work with and does not allow uploading new ones, the BG-AVPTG-MINI can interrogate the audio and video for its specs to avoid a mismatch and check on the quality of HDMI cables.

The BG-ACPTG-MINI's five-year warranty leads the pack, but the device is stuck in the HDMI 2.0 world, and its monochrome screen is only for making menu choices, reporting on resolution, HDMI protocols, and color depth. It does not show a preview of the image.

Still, at $700 it can be worth its weight in gold for figuring what's right and wrong with a video feed.

Features

Fitting comfortably in the hand, BZBGear's BG-AVPTG-MINI can help fine-tune a projector by delivering strong images and can be used to check cables and analyze video signals. A jack of all video trades, it measures 3.3 x 1.2 x 4.4 inches (WHD) and weighs 11 ounces, making it easy to hold and carry. That said, the Murideo STIX-G generator is tiny by comparison.

The BG-AVPTB-MINI's black painted aluminum case is similar to the Kramer Model 861 and might be hard to find in the dark. Like many competitors, the BG-AVPTG-MINI has HDMI-in and -out ports for inputting a signal and outputting it to a display as well as an on/off switch. Its micro USB connector is for updating the device's firmware and powering it from an AC adapter (not provided) or projector's USB port. It can be run on its internal lithium battery.

Able to work with HDMI 2.0 video, the BG-APTG-MINI can handle anything from 480p through to 4K video at 60Hz in several color depths but lacks the ability to generate or examine 8K streams. By contrast, the company's $1,199 BG-AVTPG-MINI-G2 is HDMI 2.1/8K ready.

Limited to three static patterns, the BG-AVTPG-MINI's offerings are a bit skimpy and lack some of the imaging mainstays of the others. It has color bars, ramp and a vertical line toggle screen, but there's nothing like full-field images, aspect ratio screens, and maybe a grayscale image. It also lacks the ability to look at a video signal's audio content and synchronize it or add your own images.

With three buttons, its interface is simple and easy to master. The BG-AVPTG-Mini's 2.4 inch monochrome screen doesn't show a preview of the image. It's strictly for navigating its menu and getting test results, like the stream's resolution, color space and depth as well as its HDCP level. It does have a four-element battery gauge in the upper right corner and when examining a video stream, the BG-AVPTG-MINI shows its refresh rate in large numerals.

There are up and down keys for navigating the system's menu as well as an Enter button for when you see what you want. The black type on the display's gray background is a little muddy but OK under most circumstances.

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Performance

Quick on the draw, the BG-AVPTG-MINI showed its pattern in 10.3 seconds. That's faster than either the A-NeuVideo ANI-4KANA-L or Kramer 861 devices.

It worked just as well with the ViewSonic LS711HD as with the Christie 4K1600-JS projector and moved from pattern to pattern in 8.9 seconds, off the pace set by the STIX devices. While its trio of patterns is a little disappointing, the BG-AVPTG-MINI has exceptional analytical abilities, showing a stream's resolution, color depth and space, and HDMI protocol.

I also used it to check out a good and bad cable. It takes a little practice, but it started when I held the Enter down for five seconds to activate the device's HDMI's Character Error Detection protocol. Around 22.8 seconds later, it passed the good cable, showing voltage, CEC, and other parameters.

While being used, the BG-AVPTG-MINI consumed 4.3 watts of power, either from an AC adapter or a projector's USB port. It ran on battery power for five hours and four minutes, delivering a test pattern to my projector for roughly twice as long as the others. It's the marathoner of pattern generators.

While it was working hard sending patterns or evaluating video streams, the BG-AVTPG-MINI was warm to the touch, despite not having a fan. It hit a peak of 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Based in Sacramento, CA, BZBGear provides a five-year warranty for the pattern generator, at least three years longer than other devices. In addition to a cursory nine-page booklet, there are downloads and a thorough FAQ section.

To communicate with the company's tech people, you can use the online chat window, company phone number, or send them an email. The help desk is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (Pacific). You can also make an appointment for a Saturday or Sunday call from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Pacific).

Conclusion

At first glance, the BZBGear BG-AVPTG-MINI is a bargain that should be in every AV pro's toolbox. Able to help streamline figuring out what works and what doesn't, it is close to a complete package with cable testing and HDMI signal analysis, but can put out only three patterns, does not allow uploading extra images, and lacks a preview screen. It stops at HDMI 2.0 level video.

Rugged and well built, at $700 the BG-AVPTG-MINI includes a five-year warranty, meaning that it can be your last pattern generator you will need for a long time.

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