Kramer Electronics, Ltd.
Contents Contents 1 2 2.1 3 4 4.1 5 6 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Introduction Getting Started Quick Start Overview Defining the RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher Using the IR Transmitter Installing in a Rack Connecting the RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher Wiring a Balanced/Unbalanced Stereo Audio Input/Output Connecting to the VP-88K via RS-232 Connecting to the VP-88K via RS-485 Connecting to the VP-88K via the Ethernet Port 1 1 1 3 4 8 8 9 10 11 12 12 6.5 7 7.1 7.2 7.
Contents 9 9.1 9.2 Connecting to the VP-88K via your Browser Connecting to the VP-88K User Manual via your Browser The Main Switching Matrix Page 28 28 30 9.3 9.4 10 11 12 13 14 15 15.1 Audio Input Gain Control Page The Configuration Page Flash Memory Upgrade Technical Specifications Communication Parameters Tables of ASCII Codes for Serial Communication (Protocol 3000) Tables of Hex Codes for Serial Communication (Protocol 2000) Kramer Protocol Switching Protocols 35 36 37 38 39 39 40 42 42 15.
Contents Figure 19: Status Display Showing OUTPUT 8, Gain -4.
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 groups 1 that are clearly defined by function.
Getting Started 2 KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Overview 3 Overview The high performance VP-88K RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher is designed for high-resolution computer video graphics signals and balanced stereo audio signals. Each machine is a true matrix, routing any input to any or all outputs simultaneously.
Defining the RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher 4 Defining the RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher Figure 1 and Table 1 define the front panel of the VP-88K.
Defining the RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher Table 1: VP-88K RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher Front Panel Features # 1 2 3 4 5 6 Feature IR Receiver LED POWER LED OUTPUT SELECTOR buttons INPUT SELECTOR buttons TAKE button 9 INPUT-OUTPUT STATUS display LOCK button AUDIO LEVEL + button – button AFV Button 10 AUDIO Button 11 VIDEO Button 12 RCL Button 13 STO Button 14 OFF Button 15 ALL Button 7 8 Function Lights yellow LED when receiving signals from the Kramer infra-red remote contro
Defining the RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher Figure 2 and Table 2 define the rear panel of the VP-88K.
Defining the RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher Table 2: RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher Rear Panel Features # 1 Feature INPUT BNC connectors 2 3 OUTPUT BNC connectors REMOTE IR 3.5mm mini connector 4 5 EXT. SYNC BNC connector EXT.
Installing in a Rack 4.1 Using the IR Transmitter You can use the RC-IR3 IR transmitter to control the machine via the built in IR receiver on the front panel or via an external IR receiver 1. The external IR receiver can be located 15m (49ft) away from the machine. This distance can be extended to up to 60 m (197ft) when used with three extension cables 2. Connect the external IR receiver to the REMOTE IR 3.5mm connector.
Connecting the RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher 6 Connecting the RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher To connect the VP-88K RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher 1 (see Figure 3): Figure 3: Connecting the VP-88K RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher 1. Connect up to 8 RGBHV video sources 2 to the BNC INPUT connectors 3. 2. Connect up to 8 balanced/unbalanced stereo audio sources to the AUDIO INPUT terminal block connectors. 3. Connect up to 8 RGBHV video acceptors to the BNC OUT connectors3. 4.
Connecting the RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher 5. Set the RS-485 termination and Machine number (see Section 6.5). 6. If required, connect a PC and/or controller to the: RS-232 port and/or RS-485 port and/or Ethernet connector 7. Connect the power cord 1.
Connecting the RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher Figure 5: Wiring an Unbalanced Stereo Audio Output Figure 6 illustrates how to wire an unbalanced source to the balanced input on the VP-88K. Figure 6: Wiring an Unbalanced Source to a Balanced Input 6.2 Connecting to the VP-88K via RS-232 You can connect to the VP-88K via an RS-232 connection using, for example, a PC. Note that a null-modem adapter/connection is not required.
Connecting the RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher To connect to the VP-88K via RS-232 as illustrated in the example in Figure 7): • Connect the RS-232 9-pin D-sub rear panel port on the VP-88K unit via a 9-wire straight cable (pin 2 to pin 2, pin 3 to pin 3, pin 5 to pin 5) to the RS-232 9-pin D-sub port on your PC 6.3 Connecting to the VP-88K via RS-485 You can operate the VP-88K via the RS-485 port from a distance of up to 1200m (3900ft) using a PC equipped with a card that provides an RS-485 port.
Connecting the RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher 2. On the PC, click Start > Control Panel. 3. Double-click Network Connections. 4. Right-click, and from the menu select Properties. The Local Area Connection Properties window appears. 5. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) (see Figure 8). Figure 8: Local Area Connection Properties Window 6. Click the Properties button. 7. Select Use the following IP address, and fill in the details as shown in Figure 9.
Connecting the RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher Figure 9: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties Window 8. Click OK. 6.4.2 Connecting via a Network Hub, Switch, or Router You can connect the Ethernet port of the VP-88K to the Ethernet port on a network hub, switch, or router, via a straight-through cable with RJ-45 connectors. The VP88K Ethernet port has to be configured to be compatible with your network (see Section 6.4.3). 6.4.
Connecting the RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher Figure 10: Connect Window 3. Select one of the following methods to connect to the Ethernet port of the VP-88K: Ethernet, if you are connected via an Ethernet cable. Enter the IP address 1 or the machine name The default IP address is 192.168.1.39 and the default name for the unit is KRAMER_XXXX 2 Serial, if you are connected via a serial port. Select the COM port from the Select Port drop-down list. 4. Click OK. The Device Properties window appears.
Connecting the RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher Figure 11: Device Properties Window 5. Make the required changes. 6. Click Set to save changes, or click Close to exit and not save the changes. 6.5 Setting the VP-88K DIP-switches This section describes the VP-88K DIP-switch settings that configure RS-485 bus termination and VP-88K machine number. Figure 12 illustrates the factory default DIP-switch positions.
Connecting the RGBHV/Balanced Audio Matrix Switcher Table 3: DIP-switch Settings # DIP-switch Number Function 1 1 RS-485 Termination 2 2, 3, 4 Not used 3 5, 6, 7, 8 Machine number (see Table 4) DIP-switch 1 determines the RS-485 bus termination for the VP-88K. Moving the switch up turns the termination off (default), moving the switch down turns the termination on. DIP-switches 2, 3, and 4 are not used. DIP-switches 5, 6, 7, and 8 determine the machine number of the VP-88K.
Operating the VP-88K 7 Operating the VP-88K You can operate the VP-88K via the following methods: • Front panel buttons • RS-232 • RS-485 serial commands transmitted by a touch screen system, PC, or other serial controller • Ethernet • The Kramer RC-IR3 Infra-Red Remote Control Transmitter 7.1 Displaying the Configuration of the VP-88K For five seconds after being powered on, the unit’s model and software version is displayed (see Section 7.4.1).
Operating the VP-88K The Confirm Mode In the Confirm mode: • You can enter several actions and then confirm them by pressing the TAKE button to simultaneously activate the multiple switches • Every action requires user confirmation which protects against erroneous switching • Execution is delayed 1 until the user confirms the action 7.3.1 Toggling between At Once and Confirm Modes To toggle between the At Once and Confirm modes: 1.
Operating the VP-88K 7.4 Understanding the 7-Segment Status Display Information The VP-88K has three display modes: • Immediately after the power is turned on (see Section 7.4.1) • During normal operation (see Section 7.4.2) • During Audio Gain Level Setting (see Section 7.4.3) 7.4.1 Status Display Immediately After Power is Turned On Immediately after the unit is turned on, the status display shows: 1.
Operating the VP-88K Figure 15: Status Display During Normal Operation In the VIDEO mode, the display shows the video signal configuration. In the AUDIO mode, the display shows the audio signal configuration. In the AFV mode (see Section 7.5.1), the display shows both signal configurations. 7.4.
Operating the VP-88K • If the AUDIO differs from the VIDEO, then the TAKE and the AUDIO buttons flash. Also, the audio outputs of the STATUS 7-segment display which change, flash 1. Press the TAKE button to confirm the modification. The audio follows the video 7.5.2 Setting the Breakaway Option To set the Breakaway option: • Press either the AUDIO (for audio control only) or the VIDEO (for video control only) button.
Operating the VP-88K 2. Press the appropriate INPUT/OUTPUT SELECTOR button (the INPUT SELECTOR button number corresponding to the setup number). The memory recalls the stored data from that reference. 7.6.3 Deleting an Input-Output Configuration To delete an input-output configuration: 1. Press the STO and RCL buttons simultaneously. The STO and RCL buttons flash. 2. Press the appropriate INPUT SELECTOR button.
Operating the VP-88K Figure 19: Status Display Showing OUTPUT 8, Gain -4.5 3. Press either the (+) button to increase or the minus (–) button to increase or decrease respectively the gain level setting. The display changes accordingly. 4. Press either the Audio or Video button to exit the gain level setting mode. If no button is pressed for 10 seconds, the VP-88K automatically exits the gain level setting mode and the display reverts to normal operation. The factory default audio gain is set to 0dB.
Controlling the VP-88K 8 Controlling the VP-88K The VP-88K can be controlled via any of the following: • RS-232 (see Section 8.1) • RS-485 (see Section 8.2) • Ethernet (see Section 8.3) 8.
Controlling the VP-88K 1. Connect the video sources and acceptors, the appropriate audio sources and acceptors, and the power cord to each VP-88K. 2. Connect the RS-232 port on the first VP-88K to the PC (see Section 6.2). 3. Set the Machine # to 1 of the unit connected to the PC. 4. Set Machine 1 RS-485 termination to On (see Section 6.5). 5. Set the Machine # on all VP-88K units other than Machine 1 to a unique number between 2 and 16 (see Section 6.5). 6.
Controlling the VP-88K 5. Set the Machine number on all VP-88K units other than Machine 2 to a unique number between 3 and 16 (see Section 6.5) 1. Figure 22 shows the DIPswitch setting for Machine 2. 8.3 Controlling the VP-88K via Ethernet Before trying to control the VP-88K via Ethernet, the unit must first be configured according to the instructions in Section 6.4. To control the VP-88K via Ethernet: Figure 23: Controlling the VP-88K via Ethernet 1.
Connecting to the VP-88K via your Browser 9 Connecting to the VP-88K via your Browser You can remotely operate the VP-88K 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, Firefox (V3.0 and higher). To check that Java is installed 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 24) or failure message.
Connecting to the VP-88K via your Browser Figure 26: The Loading Page The first time that you run the Kramer applet a security warning appears. Figure 27: First Time Security Warning 3. Click Run. The main switching control page is displayed which shows a graphical representation of the front panel (see Figure 28). There are three remote operation Web pages: • Main switching matrix (see Section 9.2) • Audio gain control (see Section 9.
Connecting to the VP-88K via your Browser • Configuration (see Section 9.4) Select a page by clicking on the relevant link on the left hand side of the window. 9.2 The Main Switching Matrix Page Figure 28: Main Switching Matrix Page The main switching matrix page allows you to: • Switch any audio/video input to any/all outputs independently (see Section 9.2.1) • Set the audio to operate in AFV (Audio Follow Video) mode (see Section 9.2.2) • Operate the unit in the Offline mode (see Section 9.2.
Connecting to the VP-88K via your Browser Figure 29: Selecting a Switching Point on the Matrix A blue video icon In 1 and Out 4. appears indicating that the video channel is switched to Figure 30: Switching an Input to an Output 3. Repeat the above steps for each video and audio (clicking the purple Audio button) channel that you want to switch. 9.2.2 Setting the AFV Mode Audio channel In 1 is currently switched to Out 4. To set the AFV mode: 1. Click the AFV button. The following warning appears.
Connecting to the VP-88K via your Browser Figure 31: AFV Mode Warning 2. Click OK. The AFV button outline becomes dark. All audio channels are switched according to the corresponding video channels. In this example, audio channel In 2 is now switched to Out 4. Figure 32: AFV Mode Audio Channels Switched All configuration changes now switch audio and video simultaneously. 9.2.
Connecting to the VP-88K via your Browser Figure 33: Switching Audio in the Offline Mode 3. If required, repeat Step 2 for several audio/video channels. 4. Click either Take to accept the change or Cancel. 5. Click the Online button to exit the Offline mode. If you have made any changes since clicking the Take button, the exiting Offline warning appears. Figure 34: Exiting Offline Warning 9.2.4 Storing and Recalling Setups You can store switching configurations in presets and recall them at any time.
Connecting to the VP-88K via your Browser Figure 35: Selecting Preset 07 2. Click Store. A confirmation message appears. 3. Click OK. The configuration is stored in Preset 07. To recall a setup: 1. From the Preset drop-down list, select a preset (in this example, Preset 03). Presets that contain a configuration are displayed with a blue background; presets with no configuration have a white background.
Connecting to the VP-88K via your Browser 2. Click Recall. A confirmation message appears. 3. Click OK. The configuration from Preset 03 is loaded. Note: You can also recall a preset in the Offline mode (see Figure 38) and make it active when you press the Take button (see Section 9.2.3). Figure 37: Recalling a Preset in Offline Mode 9.2.5 Locking the Front Panel Buttons You can lock the front panel buttons to prevent tampering.
Connecting to the VP-88K via your Browser Figure 39: Selecting Audio Input Gain for Channel 2 2. Click the – or + button to decrease or increase the gain. Hold the – or + button down to cycle through the values. Note: Each click increments/decrements the value by 0.5. To change the gain by a whole number, you must click the +/– button twice. 9.4 The Configuration Page The Configuration page lets you edit the IP-related settings and only view the others. Editable fields have a white background.
Flash Memory Upgrade • Gateway • Subnet Mask The following fields can be viewed: • Model • Serial Number • Firmware Version • MAC Address To edit the IP-related settings: 1. Edit the required field. 2. Click Submit. The Network Settings confirmation message appears. 3. Click OK. A message appears showing that the settings have been successfully changed. 4. If the IP address was changed or you selected DHCP, reload the Web page using the new name or IP address.
Technical Specifications 11 Technical Specifications Table 5 provides the technical specifications for the VP-88K. Table 5: Technical Specifications 1 for the VP-88K INPUTS: OUTPUTS: MAX. OUTPUT LEVEL: BANDWIDTH (-3dB): S/N RATIO: CROSSTALK (all hostile): DIFF. GAIN DIFF. PHASE CONTROLS: AUDIO THD: POWER SOURCE: DIMENSIONS: WEIGHT: ACCESSORIES: OPTIONS: 8x3 video (RGB): 0.
Communication Parameters 12 Communication Parameters Table 6 lists the communication parameters as used in Kramer Electronics products.
Tables of Hex Codes for Serial Communication (Protocol 2000) Table 8: VP-88K Audio Signal Codes OUT 1 OUT 2 OUT 3 OUT 4 OUT 5 OUT 6 OUT 7 OUT 8 IN 1 #A 1>1 CR #A 1>2 CR #A 1>3 CR #A 1>4 CR #A 1>5 CR #A 1>6 CR #A 1>7 CR #A 1>8 CR IN 2 #A 2>1 CR #A 2>2 CR #A 2>3 CR #A 2>4 CR #A 2>5 CR #A 2>6 CR #A 2>7 CR #A 2>8 CR IN 3 #A 3>1 CR #A 3>2 CR #A 3>3 CR #A 3>4 CR #A 3>5 CR #A 3>6 CR #A 3>7 CR #A 3>8 CR IN 4 #A 4>1 CR #A 4>2 CR #A 4>3 CR #A 4>4 CR #A 4>5 CR #A 4>6 CR #A 4>7 CR #A 4>8 CR IN 5 #A 5>1 CR #A 5>2 CR #A
Tables of Hex Codes for Serial Communication (Protocol 2000) codes are used when the VP-88K is connected via RS-485 and the machine is set to number 2. Table 11 lists the Hex codes that switch video channels.
Kramer Protocol IN 1 IN 2 IN 3 IN 7 * … * Level [Rel] IN 8 … * … * IN 6 … * IN 5 … … … … * IN 4 * * 16 81 F1 81 16 82 F1 81 16 83 F1 81 16 84 F1 81 16 85 F1 81 16 86 F1 81 16 87 F1 81 16 88 F1 81 * … * … * … * … * … … … … * 0dB * * 16 81 FF 81 16 82 FF 81 16 83 FF 81 16 84 FF 81 16 85 FF 81 16 86 FF 81 16 87 FF 81 16 88 FF 81 +14dB (Max) * BYTE 3 = 0x80 + Gain Value (0x00-0x7F) Table 15 lists the Hex codes that increase or decrease the audio output gain.
Kramer Protocol 15.1.1 Switching Protocols via the Front Panel Buttons To switch from protocol 3000 to protocol 2000, press and hold 1 the OUT 1 and OUT 2 buttons for a few seconds. To switch from protocol 2000 to protocol 3000, press and hold the OUT 1 and OUT 3 buttons for a few seconds. 15.1.
Kramer Protocol ~ message Sender_id@ CR LF Device long response (Echoing command): Start ~ Address (optional) Sender_id@ Body Delimiter command SP [param1 ,param2 …] result CR LF CR = Carriage return (ASCII 13 = 0x0D) LF = Line feed (ASCII 10 = 0x0A) SP = Space (ASCII 32 = 0x20) 44 KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Kramer Protocol 15.2.2 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 Device initiated messages Command Syntax Kramer Electronics LTD. , Device Model Version Software Version Start message 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 input 4 to output 2 in machine number 6 #6@VID 4>2CR ~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 switch video input 3 to output 4, video input 2 to output 2, video input and disconnect video output 2.
Kramer Protocol Preset commands Syntax Command Response Parameters Description: PRESET = Preset number. OUT = Output in preset to show for, '*' for all.
Kramer Protocol Parameters Description: STAGE = "In","Out" or Numeric value (present audio processing stage). For example: "0" for Input level, "1" for Pre-Amplifier, "2" for Amplifier (Out) etc. CHANNEL = Input or Output # VOLUME = Audio parameter in Kramer units, precede minus sign for negative values. ++ increase current value, -- decrease current value.
Kramer Protocol Identification commands Command Syntax Response NEW_MACHINE_NUMBER @MACH-NUM OLD_MACHINE_NUMBER ,NEW_MACHINE_NUMBER OK Network settings commands NET-IP IP_ADDRESS NET-IP IP_ADDRESS RESULT NTIP Set IP Address Read IP Address NET-IP? NTIP? NET-IP IP_ADDRESS Read MAC Address NET-MAC? NTMC NET-MAC MAC_ADDRESS Set subnet mask NET-MASK SUBNET_MASK NTMSK NET-MASK SUBNET_MASK RESULT Read subnet mask NET-MASK? NTMSK? NET-MASK SUBNET_MASK Set gateway address NET-GATE GATEWAY_ADDRESS NTG
Kramer Protocol AFV-MODE = Front panel AFV mode "0" or "afv" to set front panel switching buttons in audio-follow-video state. "1" or "brk" to set front panel switching buttons in their previous state when audio. 15.3 Kramer Protocol 2000 This RS-232/RS-485 communication protocol uses four bytes of information as defined below. For RS-232, a null-modem connection between the machine and controller is used. 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 # DEFINITION FOR SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION DESCRIPTION INPUT NOTE OUTPUT 30 LOCK FRONT PANEL 0 - Panel unlocked 1 - Panel locked 0 2 31 REQUEST WHETHER PANEL IS LOCKED 0 0 16 42 AUDIO PARAMETER SETTINGS FOR INSTRUCTIONS 22, 24, 25 INPUT Bit: I0 - 0=input; 1=output I1 - Left I2 - Right 0 - Gain 1 - Bass 2 - Treble 3 - Midrange 4 - Mix On 24 56 61 CHANGE TO ASCII IDENTIFY MACHINE 62 DEFINE MACHINE 0 Kramer protocol 3000 19 1 - video machine name 2 - audio mac
Kramer Protocol NOTE 9 - An error code is returned to the PC if an invalid instruction code was sent to the switcher, or if a parameter associated with the instruction is out of range (e.g. trying to save to a setup greater than the highest one, or trying to switch an input or output greater than the highest one defined). This code is also returned to the PC if an RS-232 instruction is sent while the machine is being programmed via the front panel. Reception of this code by the switcher is not valid.
LIMITED WARRANTY Kramer Electronics (hereafter Kramer) warrants this product free from defects in material and workmanship under the following terms. HOW LONG IS THE WARRANTY Labor and parts are warranted for seven years from the date of the first customer purchase. WHO IS PROTECTED? Only the first purchase customer may enforce this warranty. WHAT IS COVERED AND WHAT IS NOT COVERED Except as below, this warranty covers all defects in material or workmanship in this product.
For the latest information on our products and a list of Kramer distributors visit www.kramerelectronics.com where updates to this user manual may be found. U We welcome your questions, comments, and feedback. Safety Warning: Disconnect the unit from the power supply before opening/servicing. Caution Kramer Electronics, Ltd. Web site: www.kramerelectronics.com E-mail: info@kramerel.
