User manual

2 ExtroNews 12.1 January/February 2001
System Switchers (cont.)
System 5cr Plus Switcher
Extron’s new System 5cr Plus is a five input,
one output switcher. This unit was designed
with the smaller conference room or training
facility in mind. The System 5cr Plus provides
a total of five inputs—two for RGBHV, two
for composite or S-video, and one that is
configurable for composite video, S-video, or
RGBHV. One of the RGBHV inputs, a 15-pin
HD connector, is located on the front panel.
This makes connecting a laptop very easy. For
every video input, there is also a stereo audio
input. The System 5cr Plus also includes a
small stereo amplifier for small to medium
sized rooms.
The System 5cr Plus is compatible with
most projectors. Programming for projector
control is done entirely by users in the field.
Programming can be accomplished in one of
two ways—either through IR learning or by
using the supplied control software to
download the specific projector driver from
the Extron Web site.
IR learning makes setup and operation
simple and customizable. There is no
hardwired communication link. To program
the switcher to transmit commands to a
projector, point the projector’s remote control
at the IR receiver on the front panel of the
System 5cr Plus, and press the button for
desired command. (See
Figure 2.)
The System 5cr Plus ships with control
software that manages basic switching and
switcher configuration. To configure for a
projector, this software is used with projector
drivers that can be downloaded from Extron’s
Web site.
The System 5cr Plus also offers several
different options for switcher and projector
control: through its own front panel, using an
Extron IR 40 remote control, through RS-232
control software, or using an Extron
mountable keypad called the SCP 100P, SCP
250, or SCP/AAP A.
In addition to universal projector control, the
System 5cr Plus has a room control feature.
This feature lets users automate a single
function in a presentation room, such as
lighting, screen settings, and lowering and
raising the projector lift, making the switcher
an ideal control solution for smaller
applications.
System 8 and 10 Plus Switchers
The System 8 and 10 Plus Switchers are an
all-inclusive solution that enables multi-brand
projector control from one switching device.
These switchers are designed for large-scale
A/V systems integration and staging
applications. Both feature universal inputs
(RGBHV, RGBS, RGsB, S-video, and composite
video signals) and stereo audio switching.
The two differences between the
System 8 Plus and the System 10 Plus are the
number of inputs and the bandwidth.
The eight input System 8 Plus offers
300 MHz (-3dB) bandwidth, and the ten input
System 10 Plus offers 250 MHz (-3dB)
bandwidth .
The System 8/10 Plus communicates bi-
directionally using a projector-specific
communication adapter between the switcher
and projector. The System 8/10 Plus switchers
are initially configured at Extron to work with a
specific projector. Reconfiguring the System
8/10 Plus switcher to work with a different
projector can be easily accomplished in the field
by changing rotary switches. In some instances,
updating the switcher firmware may be
necessary.
System 4LDxi Switcher with Line Doubler
The System 4LDxi is a four input, one output
projector control switcher with a built-in line
doubler. It’s ideal for environments where
conventional NTSC, PAL, or SECAM video is
being displayed on a large screen. Four inputs
To help resolve these issues, Extron built
universal projector control into our entire line
of system switchers. (See
Figure 1.)
Universal Projector Control
Ten years ago, Extron introduced the first
universal system switchers, the System 8 &
10. These switchers allowed for basic power
on/off and input switching capabilities
between the switcher and any brand of
projector. Universal Projector Control is now
a standard feature of all Extron system
switchers including the new System 5cr Plus,
System 8 and 10 Plus, System 4LDxi, and the
new System 7SC.
Extron’s system switchers offer universal
control for virtually every projector in the
market. To meet the needs of changing
applications, the different models in the
system switcher line use different methods of
communication with the projectors, ranging
from bi-directional RS-232 to infrared (IR).
These system switchers can all be
addressed through RS-232, including
commands from the switcher to the
projector. This means there are advantages
to using the universal projector control in
conjunction with a control system. Typically,
if a control system is being used to control
the projector, and the projector has to be
replaced, an experienced programmer will be
needed to edit or create new code. However,
if projector commands are routed from the
control system through these switchers, the
control system commands will remain the
same when a new projector is installed. To
communicate with the new projector, all
that’s required is a quick reconfiguration of
the switchers.
Now, let’s take a closer look at how each of
these system switchers operates, and how easily
they can be configured for projector control.
ProjectorSystem Switcher
What kind of
projector is
this
?
Figure 1. Extron system switchers can be configured to work with any brand of projector.
RX LEARN
Plus
INPUT 3
PC
Projector's Remote
IR Learn
System 5 cr Plus
Figure 2. Programming the System 5cr Plus for a
projector using IR learning.