Kramer Electronics, Ltd.
Contents Contents 1 2 2.1 2.2 3 4 4.1 5 6 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.
Contents 9 9.1 9.2 Controlling via the Embedded Web Pages Connecting to the VP-8x8AK via your Browser The VP-8x8AK Switching Matrix Page 26 26 28 9.2.1 9.2.2 9.2.3 Switch an Input to an Output via the Embedded Web Pages Operate in the Confirm Mode Store and Recall Setups 29 29 30 9.3 9.4 10 11 12 13 14 14.
Contents Figure 23: Selecting a preset Figure 24: Save Preset Message Figure 25: Load Preset Message Figure 26: Recalling a Preset in the Confirm Mode Figure 27: Audio Gain Page Figure 28: CONFIGURATIONS Embedded Web Page 31 31 32 32 33 34 Tables Table 1: Front Panel VP-8x8AK 8x8 VGA / UXGA / Audio Matrix Switcher Features Table 2: Rear Panel VP-8x8AK 8x8 VGA / UXGA / Audio Matrix Switcher Features Table 3: Technical Specifications of the VP-8x8AK 8x8 Video Audio Matrix Switcher Table 4: Default Communica
Introduction 1 Introduction Welcome to Kramer Electronics! Since 1981, Kramer Electronics has been providing a world of unique, creative, and affordable solutions to the vast range of problems that confront the video, audio, presentation, and broadcasting professional on a daily basis. In recent years, we have redesigned and upgraded most of our line, making the best even better! Our 1,000-plus different models now appear in 11 groups1 that are clearly defined by function.
Getting Started 2.1 Recycling Kramer Products The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC aims to reduce the amount of WEEE sent for disposal to landfill or incineration by requiring it to be collected and recycled.
Getting Started 3
Overview 3 Overview The VP-8x8AK is a high performance 8x8 computer graphics video matrix switcher for high-resolution video and stereo audio signals. The VP-8x8AK is HDTV compatible and lets you route any combination of inputs and outputs.
Your VP-8x8AK 8x8 VGA / UXGA / Audio Matrix Switcher Control the VP-8x8AK using the front panel buttons, or remotely via: • RS-485 or RS-232 serial commands (using Kramer 2000 and 3000 protocols) transmitted by a touch screen system, PC, or other serial controller • The Kramer infrared remote control transmitter or infrared remote extension cable transmitter (optional) • Ethernet over a LAN The VP-8x8AK is dependable, rugged, and fits into two vertical spaces (2U) of a standard 19” professional rack.
Your VP-8x8AK 8x8 VGA / UXGA / Audio Matrix Switcher Figure 1: VP-8x8AK 8x8 VGA / UXGA / Audio Matrix Switcher – Front View 6 KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Your VP-8x8AK 8x8 VGA / UXGA / Audio Matrix Switcher Table 1: Front Panel VP-8x8AK 8x8 VGA / UXGA / Audio Matrix Switcher Features # 1 2 3 4 Feature IR Receiver POWER LED SELECTOR OUT Buttons SELECTOR IN Buttons 5 6 ALL Button OFF Button 7 VIDEO Button 8 AUDIO Button 9 AFV Button 10 STO (Store) Button 11 RCL (Recall) Button 12 TAKE Button 13 14 15 16 AUDIO LEVEL 17 - Button + Button LOCK Button STATUS 7-segment display REL.
Your VP-8x8AK 8x8 VGA / UXGA / Audio Matrix Switcher Figure 2: VP-8x8AK 8x8 VGA / UXGA / Audio Matrix Switcher – Rear View 8 KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Your VP-8x8AK 8x8 VGA / UXGA / Audio Matrix Switcher Table 2: Rear Panel VP-8x8AK 8x8 VGA / UXGA / Audio Matrix Switcher Features # 3 4 5 6 Feature AUDIO INPUT 3.5mm Mini Connectors AUDIO OUTPUT Terminal Block Connectors Power Switch INPUT 15-pin HD Connectors OUTPUT 15-pin HD Connectors PROG Button 7 RS-485 TERM DIP-switch 8 9 RS-232 9-pin D-sub Port REMOTE IR Opening2 10 FACTORY RESET Button 11 12 ETHERNET Connector RS-485 Terminal Block Port 13 Power Connector with Fuse 1 2 4.
Installing the VP-8x8AK in a Rack 5 Installing the VP-8x8AK in a Rack This section describes what to do before installing in a rack and how to rack mount.
Using the VP-8x8AK 6 Using the VP-8x8AK This section describes how to: • Connect the VP-8x8AK rear panel (see Section 6.1) • Connect a balanced stereo audio output (see Section 6.2) • Connect the VP-8x8AK to a controlling device via RS-232 (see Section 6.3), RS-485 (see Section 6.4) and/or the ETHERNET (see Section 6.5) • Set the switching delay time (see Section 6.7) • Set the machine number (see Section 6.8) • Connect several VP-8x8AK machines (see Section 6.9) 6.
Using the VP-8x8AK Figure 3: Connecting the VP-8x8AK 8x8 VGA / UXGA / Audio Matrix Switcher 12 KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Using the VP-8x8AK 6.2 Connecting the Balanced/Unbalanced Stereo Audio Output This section illustrates how to wire: • A balanced output connection, see Figure 4 • An unbalanced audio output, see Figure 5 Figure 4: Connecting the Balanced Stereo Audio Output Figure 5: Connecting an Unbalanced Output 6.3 Connecting a PC or Controller to the RS-232 Port You can connect to the VP-8x8AK via an RS-232 connection using, for example, a PC. Note that a null-modem adapter/connection is not required.
Using the VP-8x8AK To connect a device with a RS-485 port to the VP-8x8AK: • Connect the A (+) pin on the RS-485 port of the PC to the A (+) pin on the RS-485 port on the rear panel of the VP-8x8AK • Connect the B (–) pin on the RS-485 port of the PC to the B (–) pin on the RS-485 port on the rear panel of the VP-8x8AK • Connect the G pin on the RS-485 port of the PC to the G pin on the RS-485 port on the rear panel of the VP-8x8AK 6.
Using the VP-8x8AK Figure 6: Local Area Connection Properties Window 6. Select Use the following IP Address, and fill in the details as shown in Figure 7. You can use any IP address in the range 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.255 (excluding 192.168.1.39) that is provided by your IT department. 7. Click OK. Figure 7: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties Window 6.5.1.
Using the VP-8x8AK 6.5.2 Ethernet Port Configuration To configure the Ethernet port, download the Device Properties Ethernet configuration software. Extract the file to a folder and create a shortcut on your desktop to the file. Follow these steps to configure the port: 1. Double click the desktop icon. The Connect screen appears as follows: Figure 8: Connect Screen 2. Select the method to connect to the Ethernet port of the VP-8x8AK.
Using the VP-8x8AK Figure 9: Device Properties Screen 4. If required, make changes and press Set. If not, click Close. 6.6 Control via the Ethernet Port You can control the VP-8x8AK via RS-232/RS-485 or the Ethernet using the Kramer K-Router application. If you are controlling a standalone unit via RS-232 or the Ethernet, configure the unit as master (Mach No. 1), see Section 6.8.
Using the VP-8x8AK 6.7 Setting the Switching Delay Time You can achieve clean transitions when switching between non-genlocked sources by setting the delay time—ranging from 0sec to 3.5sec1. The factory default delay is to 0sec. To set the delay time, do the following: 1. Press the VIDEO and AUDIO front panel buttons simultaneously. The 7-segment display shows the current switching delay time. 2. Use the + and – front panel buttons to set the delay time as required.
Using the VP-8x8AK 5. Set the RS-485 TERM DIP-switch ON on the first and last VP-8x8AK units (terminating the RS-485 line at 120Ω). Set the RS-485 TERM DIP-switch OFF on the other VP-8x8AK units.
Operating the VP-8x8AK 7 Operating the VP-8x8AK This section describes how to: • Use the IN and OUT buttons (see Section 7.1) • Understand the 7-segment displays (see Section 7.2) • Confirm settings (see Section 7.3) • Store and recall input/output configurations (see Section 7.4) • Lock the front panel (see Section 7.5) • Choose the audio-follow-video or the breakaway feature (see Section 7.6) • Use the audio gain control (see Section 7.7) 7.
Operating the VP-8x8AK Figure 12 shows an example of the display immediately after switching on the power. This display disappears after a few seconds, replaced by the normal display. Firmware version # Machine # Figure 12: 7-segment Display after Turning the Switcher ON 7.2.2 The REL AUDIO LEVEL 7-Segment Display The REL AUDIO LEVEL display, as illustrated in Figure 13, is active only in the AUDIO and AFV modes (see Section 7.7). Figure 13: REL AUDIO LEVEL 7-segment Display 7.
Operating the VP-8x8AK 7.3.1 Toggling between the At Once and Confirm Modes To toggle between the At Once and Confirm modes, do the following: 1. Press the TAKE button to toggle from the At Once mode (in which the TAKE button does not illuminate) to the Confirm mode (in which the TAKE button illuminates). Actions now require user confirmation and the TAKE button illuminates. 2. Press the illuminated TAKE button to toggle from the Confirm mode back to the At Once mode.
Operating the VP-8x8AK 7.4.1 Storing an Input/Output Configuration To store the current status in memory, do the following: 1. Press the STO button. The STO button blinks. 2. Press one of the 16 IN/OUT buttons (this will be the setup # in which the current status is stored). If in the Confirm mode, press the blinking TAKE button to confirm the action. The memory stores the data at that reference. 7.4.2 Recalling an Input/Output Configuration To recall an input/output configuration, do the following: 1.
Operating the VP-8x8AK 7.6 Choosing the Audio-Follow-Video or Breakaway Option You can switch stereo audio signals in one of two ways, either: • Audio-follow-video (AFV), in which all operations relate to both the video and the audio channels; or • Breakaway, in which video and audio channels switch independently 7.6.
Flash Memory Upgrade The VP8x8AK output audio signal level1 is shown on the REL. AUDIO LEVEL 7-segment display. The factory default audio gain is set to 0dB. An audio gain value of 0dB indicates that the output signal value is identical to the input signal value. When increasing/decreasing the audio gain, the output signal level is higher/lower than the input signal level.
Controlling via the Embedded Web Pages 9 Controlling via the Embedded Web Pages You can remotely operate the VP-8x8AK using a Web browser via the Ethernet connection (see Section 9.1). To be able to do so, you must use a supported Web browser; Microsoft (V6.0 and higher), Chrome or Firefox (V3.0 and higher). To check that Java is installed correctly and running, browse to: http://www.java.com/en/download/help/testvm.xml This page runs a test and displays a Java success (see Figure 15) or failure message.
Controlling via the Embedded Web Pages The following window appears: Figure 17: Loading the Embedded Web Pages Check that Java and JavaScript is enabled in your browser. The following window appears: Figure 18: First Time Security Warning 3. Click Run. The VP-8x8AK switching control page is displayed (see Figure 19).
Controlling via the Embedded Web Pages The Web embedded screens let you control the VP-8x8AK via the Ethernet. The menu appears on the left side of the screen. There are three remote operation Web pages: • The switching matrix (see Section 9.2) • Audio gain control (See Section 9.3) • Configuration (See Section 9.4) A help box is available for each screen when clicking the question mark that appears on the left side of the screen. 9.
Controlling via the Embedded Web Pages You can perform the following operations via this Web page: • Operate in the AFV mode or switch the audio and video separately, by clicking the Audio, Video or AFV buttons (see Section 9.2.1) • Deselect an audio and/or video signal1 by clicking that signal indicator • Operate in the At Once or Confirm mode (see Section 9.2.2) • Lock or unlock the front panel, by clicking the lock icon • Store and recall switching configurations (see Section 9.2.3) 9.2.
Controlling via the Embedded Web Pages Figure 21: Switching an Input to an Output 3. Click either Take (to accept change) or Cancel. You can repeat steps 2 and 3 several times. To confirm several actions, select several switching points and then press TAKE 4. Click the Online button to exit the Confirm mode. If you click the Online button before you click the TAKE button, the following warning appears: Figure 22: Exiting Offline Warning 9.2.3 Store and Recall Setups To store a matrix configuration: 1.
Controlling via the Embedded Web Pages Figure 23: Selecting a preset 2. Click the Preview button to view the current setup stored in Preset 7. 3. Make sure the matrix is set to the desired configuration. If not, set it as required. 4. Click Store. The following window appears: Figure 24: Save Preset Message 5. Click OK. The new In/Out configuration is stored in Preset 07. To recall a preset configuration: 1.
Controlling via the Embedded Web Pages 2. Click and hold the Preview button to view the selected Preset and then release. 3. Click Recall. The following window appears: Figure 25: Load Preset Message 4. Click OK. The new In/Out configuration takes effect. You can recall a preset configuration in the Confirm mode by repeating the above procedure in the Offline state. The recalled configuration will become active when you press the Take button.
Controlling via the Embedded Web Pages 9.3 Audio Gain Page The AUDIO GAIN screen lets you set the gain for each of the input and output channels: Figure 27: Audio Gain Page To change an input or output gain, select the channel number, then click and hold the + or – buttons to increase or decrease the gain, respectively. A single click will increase/decrease the audio gain by 0.5 units; double click to increase/decrease the gain by 1 unit.
Controlling via the Embedded Web Pages 9.4 The Configurations Page The CONFIGURATIONS page lets you view some Ethernet settings1 and change others (see Figure 28). To change the configuration definitions: 1. Click CONFIGURATIONS. The CONFIGURATIONS Web page appears. 2. Change the definitions as required. 3. Click the Submit button to apply changes2. A window appears asking if you are sure you want to change the network settings. 4. Click Yes.
Technical Specifications 10 Technical Specifications Table 3 lists the technical specifications: 1 Table 3: Technical Specifications of the VP-8x8AK 8x8 Video Audio Matrix Switcher INPUTS: OUTPUTS: MAX. OUTPUT LEVEL: BANDWIDTH (-3dB): DIFF. GAIN: DIFF.
Default Communication Parameters 11 Default Communication Parameters Table 4 lists the default communication parameters as used in Kramer Electronics products.
Table of ASCII Codes for Serial Communication (Protocol 3000) 12 Table of ASCII Codes for Serial Communication (Protocol 3000) Table 5 and Table 6 list the ASCII codes that switch an input to an output for a single VP-8x8AK machine. For more detailed information, see Section 14.2.
Hex Codes for Serial Communication (Protocol 2000) Table 8: VP-8x8AK Audio Output Gain Codes OUTPUT 1 OUTPUT 5 #AUD-LVL 2,1, -100CR #AUD-LVL 2,5, -50CR … #AUD-LVL 2,5, 0CR … #AUD-LVL 2,5, 13CR #AUD-LVL 2,X, -100CR #AUD-LVL 2,1, -50CR … #AUD-LVL 2,X, -50CR … #AUD-LVL 2,X, 0CR … #AUD-LVL 2,X, 7CR 0dB … … … #AUD-LVL 2,1, 13CR -50dB … … … #AUD-LVL 2,1, 0CR -100dB Mute … … … … #AUD-LVL 2,5, -100CR … … Level [Rel] OUTPUT X* +7dB (Max) * Where X is the output number from 1 - 8.
Hex Codes for Serial Communication (Protocol 2000) Table 11 lists the Hex codes that increase or decrease the audio input gain: Table 11: VP-8x8AK Hex Codes for Increasing/Decreasing the Audio Input Gain IN 1 IN 2 IN 3 IN 4 IN 5 IN 6 IN 7 IN 8 Increase 18 81 86 81 18 82 86 81 18 83 86 81 18 84 86 81 18 85 86 81 18 86 86 81 18 87 86 81 18 88 86 81 Decrease 18 81 87 81 18 82 87 81 18 83 87 81 18 84 87 81 18 85 87 81 18 86 87 81 18 87 87 81 18 88 87 81 Table 12 lists the Hex values t
Kramer Protocol 14 Kramer Protocol By default, the VP-8x8AK is set to protocol 3000 (see Section 14.2) but is also compatible with Kramer’s Protocol 20001 (see Section 14.3). Section 14.1 describes how to switch between protocol 3000 and protocol 2000. 14.1 Switching Protocols You can switch protocols either via the front panel buttons (see Section 14.1.1) or the protocol commands (see Section 14.1.2). 14.1.
Kramer Protocol 14.2 Kramer Protocol 3000 This RS-232/RS-485 communication protocol lets you control the machine from any standard terminal software (for example, Windows® HyperTerminal Application) and uses a data rate of 115200 baud, with no parity, 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit. 14.2.
Kramer Protocol 14.2.2 Command Parts Details Command: Sequence of ASCII letters ('A'-'Z', 'a'-'z' and '-'). Command will separate from parameters with at least single space. Parameters: Sequence of Alfa-Numeric ASCII chars ('0'-'9','A'-'Z','a'-'z' and some special chars for specific commands), parameters will be separated by commas.
Kramer Protocol Table 15: Instruction Codes for Protocol 3000 Help commands Command Protocol Handshaking Syntax #CR Response ~OKCRLF Device initiated messages Command Start message Syntax Kramer Electronics LTD. , Device Model Version Software Version Switcher actions Audio-video channel has switched (AFV mode) AV IN>OUT Video channel has switched (Breakaway mode) VID IN>OUT Audio channel has switched (Breakaway mode) AUD IN>OUT Result codes (errors) Syntax COMMAND PARAMETERS OK No error.
Kramer Protocol Switch Video and Audio input 3 to output 7 #AV 3>7CR ~AV 3>7 OKCRLF Switch Video input 2 to output 4 #V 2>4CR ~VID 2>4 OKCRLF Switch Video input 4 to output 2 in machine #6@VID 4>2CR number 6 ~6@VID 4>2 OKCRLF Disconnect Video and Audio Output 4 #AV 0>4CR ~AV 0>4 OKCRLF Switch Video Input 3 to All Outputs #V 3>*CR ~VID 3>* OKCRLF Chaining Multiple commands* #AV 1>* | V 3>4, 2>2, 82>1, 0>2 |V 82>3| A 0>1 | V? * CR First switch all Audio and video outputs from input 1, Then swit
Kramer Protocol Preset commands Command Syntax Parameters Description: PRESET = Preset number. OUT = Output in preset to show for, '*' for all.
Kramer Protocol Machine info commands Command Syntax Response * Time settings commands require admin authorization Read in\outs count INFO-IO? INFO-IO: IN INPUTS_COUNT, OUT OUTPUTS_COUNT Read max presets count INFO-PRST? INFO-PRST: VID PRESET_VIDEO_COUNT, AUD PRESET_AUDIO_COUNT Reset configuration to factory default FACTORY FACTORY RESULT Identification commands Command Syntax Response Protocol Handshaking #CR ~OK CRLF Read device model MODEL? MODEL MACHINE_MODEL Read device serial number SN?
Kramer Protocol Network settings commands Set gateway address NET-GATE GATEWAY_ADDRESS NTGT NET-GATE? Read subnet mask NTGT? Set DHCP mode Read subnet mask NET-DHCP DHCP_MODE NTDH NET-DHCP? NTDH? NET-GATE GATEWAY_ADDRESS RESULT NET-GATE GATEWAY_ADDRESS NET-DHCP DHCP_MODE RESULT NET-DHCP DHCP_MODE DHCP_MODE = 0 – Don't use DHCP (Use IP set by factory or IP set command). 1 – Try to use DHCP, if unavailable use IP as above.
Kramer Protocol 14.3 Kramer Protocol 2000 This RS-232/RS-485 communication protocol uses four bytes of information as defined below. The default data rate is 9600 baud, with no parity, 8 data bits and 1 stop bit.
Kramer Protocol Used to address machines in a system via their machine numbers. When several machines are controlled from a single serial port, they are usually configured together with each machine having an individual machine number. If the OVR bit is set, then all machine numbers will accept (implement) the command, and the addressed machine will reply. For a single machine controlled via the serial port, always set M4…M0 = 1, and make sure that the machine itself is configured as MACHINE NUMBER = 1.
Kramer Protocol INSTRUCTION # DESCRIPTION DEFINITION FOR SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION INPUT OUTPUT NOTE 61 1 - video machine name 2 - audio machine name 3 - video software version 4 - audio software version 0 - Request first 4 digits 1 - Request first suffix 2 - Request second suffix 3 - Request third suffix 10 - Request first prefix 11 - Request second prefix 12 - Request third prefix 13 1 - number of inputs 2 - number of outputs 3 - number of setups 1 - for video 2 - for audio 14 62 IDENTIFY MACHINE D
Kramer Protocol NOTE 10 – This code is reserved for internal use. NOTE 13 - This is a request to identify the switcher/s in the system. If the OUTPUT is set as 0, and the INPUT is set as 1, 2, 5 or 7, the machine will send its name. The reply is the decimal value of the INPUT and OUTPUT. For example, for a 2216, the reply to the request to send the audio machine name would be (HEX codes): 7D 96 90 81 (i.e. 128dec+ 22dec for 2nd byte, and 128dec+ 16dec for 3rd byte).
For the latest information on our products and a list of Kramer distributors, visit our Web site: www.kramerelectronics.com, where updates to this user manual may be found. We welcome your questions, comments and feedback. Safety Warning: Disconnect the unit from the power supply before opening/servicing. Caution P/N: 2900- 000539 Rev: 5 Kramer Electronics, Ltd. Web site: www.kramerelectronics.com E-mail: info@kramerel.
