CONNECT CobraNet and CONNECT AVB Network Audio Bridge for CONVERGE PRO & SR Products Quick-Start Guide
Table of Contents THE CONNECT COBRANET AND CONNECT AVB...........................1 QUICK-START OVERVIEW.................................................................1 Quick-Start Summary. ..........................................................................3 UPDATE THE CONVERGE PRO FIRMWARE.....................................3 SET THE DEVICE ID...........................................................................4 CONNECTING THE CONNECT COBRANET/AVB UNIT ...................
QUICK-START GUIDE THE CONNECT COBRANET AND CONNECT AVB The CONNECT CobraNet® and CONNECT AVB network bridges add networked audio capabilities to CONVERGE PRO and CONVERGE SR products enabling them to transmit audio through Ethernet networks. IMPORTANT: The CONNECT CobraNet and CONNECT AVB bridges only can be used with CONVERGE Pro/SR systems operating at version 4.2 or higher software and firmware. The latest version of the CONVERGE Pro firmware can be found on the ClearOne website at: http://www.clearone.
CONNECT NETWORK BRIDGES Both CobraNet and AVB networks can be audio sources to CONVERGE Pro/SR mixers using the appropriate types of audio network bridges. The following diagram shows how several CONVERGE Pro/SR stacks can connect over AVB and CobraNet networks.
QUICK-START GUIDE Quick Start Summary These steps must be done in the following order to use the CONNECT network audio bridge in your CONVERGE Pro Site: 1. Update the CONVERGE Pro firmware to version 4.2.X using CONVERGE Console. 2. Set the Device ID of the CONNECT CobraNet and/or CONNECT AVB using the Device ID rotary selector switch at the back of the bridge. 3. Connect the CONNECT CobraNet and/or CONNECT AVB to the updated CONVERGE Pro/SR via the Expansion bus (E-bus). 4.
CONNECT NETWORK BRIDGES NOTE: Save the CONVERGE Console site file before performing any firmware upgrade. 1. Download the 4.2.X firmware file to the stack of units. 2. The units will default and reboot after the download of 4.2.X firmware. 3. Units are fully upgraded. 4. Verify units have been upgraded by checking the firmware version on the front panel. Reconnect all E-bus cables, if needed, to complete the stack of units.
QUICK-START GUIDE CONNECTING THE CONNECT COBRANET/AVB UNIT Connect the CONNECT CobraNet/AVB units to the CONVERGE Pro/ SR stack via the E-bus connections using CAT5/CAT6-24AWG solid conductor RJ45 cables. Power to the CONNECT CobraNet/AVB is supplied by a standard power adapter supplied with the unit.
CONNECT NETWORK BRIDGES UPDATING CONNECT COBRANET/AVB FIRMWARE NOTE: All CONNECT CobraNet/AVB Pro units in the site must be running firmware level 4.X to be compatible with the CONVERGE Pro/SR units in the site. 1. Connect the E-bus cable between the CONVERGE Pro units and the CONNECT audio network bridge. 2. Connect the CONVERGE Pro units with CONVERGE Console. 3. Open the Firmware Loader screen. 4. Browse for the CONNECT firmware file: cobranet.mdo for the CONNECT CobraNet, and avb.
QUICK-START GUIDE ADDING CONNECT NETWORK BRIDGES TO SITES Each CONNECT CobraNet and/or AVB network bridge must be added to the site using the CONVERGE Console 4.2.X and later software. This software also provides the capability selecting the audio channels and other characteristics. Refer to the online help available with the CONVERGE Pro/SR software for adding devices.
CONNECT NETWORK BRIDGES CobraNet Settings The next two figures show the Unit Properties tabs for the CONNECT CobraNet bridge. Set the Device ID (DID) to match that of the rotary selection switch of the CONNECT CobraNet device.
QUICK-START GUIDE RX and TX Bundle Numbers When a receiver on one interface is assigned the same bundle number as that of a transmitter on another interface, the CobraNet protocol automatically establishes a connection for transmitting audio data between the interfaces. ClearOne CobraNet is a single-bundle, eight-channel device with a fixed 48 kHz sample rate. The eight channels of audio correspond to E-bus assignments S through Z. Any audio placed on these busses will be transmitted in the CobraNet bundle.
CONNECT NETWORK BRIDGES AVB Settings The next two figures show the Unit Properties tabs for the CONNECT AVB bridge. Set the Device ID (DID) to match that of the rotary selection switch of the CONNECT AVB device.
QUICK-START GUIDE AVB Mode “AVB” uses the AVB protocols for streaming of audio with AVB switches. “Legacy” simplifies the AVB packets allowing them to pass through “legacy” LAN switches and routers Reset Used to force initialization of audio streaming after Talker and Listener and TX changes are made. Talker and Listener Stream ID’s AVB endpoints are able to pass streams between each other. The Talker sends the stream and the Listener receives the stream.
CONNECT NETWORK BRIDGES Channel Assignment Complete the audio channel assignments in the Matrix in CONVERGE Console for the channels present in the network bridge. Eight audio channels are supported and are assigned to E-bus channels S through Z. UPGRADING FROM OLDER VERSIONS OF CONVERGE FIRMWARE Please follow the steps listed below to upgrade your firmware: NOTE: Save the CONVERGE Console site file before performing any firmware upgrade. Upgrading from CONVERGE Pro 3.X firmware 1. Remove any 1.X, 2.
QUICK-START GUIDE 6. Verify units have been upgraded by checking the firmware version on the front panel. Reconnect all E-bus cables, if needed, to complete the stack of units. Upgrading from CONVERGE Pro 2.X firmware 1. Remove any 1.X, 3.X and 4.X units from the stack by disconnecting the expansion bus link cable from the 2.X units. 2. Re-connect to the 2.X stack with CONVERGE Console. 3. Download the 4.X firmware file to the stack of units. 4.
CONNECT NETWORK BRIDGES 5. Reconnect to the stack with CONVERGE Console. Download 4.X a second time to the units. The units will reboot. 6. Units are fully upgraded. 7. Verify units have been upgraded by checking the firmware version on the front panel. Reconnect all E-bus cables, if needed, to complete the stack of units.
