Alcorn Mcbride V-Page VP4X User manual

V-Page VP4X User’s Guide
August 31, 2018
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................. 1
INTELLIGENT DANTE/AES67 PA STATION

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WELCOME! ................................................................................................................................... 3
PRODUCT FEATURES................................................................................................................ 4
TECHNICAL SUPPORT .............................................................................................................. 4
GETTING STARTED.................................................................................................................... 5
HARDWARE INSTALLATION........................................................................................................................................... 5
LINKING A NEW V-PAGE AND Q-SYS CORE TOGETHER ............................................................................................5
AUDIO CONFIGURATION................................................................................................................................................5
HARDWARE INFORMATION.................................................................................................... 6
VP4X OVERVIEW.............................................................................................................................................................6
NETWORK DESCRIPTIONS .............................................................................................................................................7
ZONE STATUS LEDS.......................................................................................................................................................9
CONFIGURATION OF DIP SWITCHES ............................................................................................................................9
CONNECTORS ...............................................................................................................................................................12
Q-SYS CONFIGURATION AND PLUGIN .............................................................................. 14
Q-SYS V-PAGE PLUGIN:DETAILED VIEW AND EXPLANATION.................................................................................15
Q-SYS V-PAGE PLUGIN:PROPERTIES TAB..................................................................................................................18
LINKING V-PAGE STATIONS TO QSYS ............................................................................... 19
DANTE CONTROLLER SOFTWARE...................................................................................... 19
AES67 AUDIO CONFIGURATION.......................................................................................... 19
FIRMWARE UPDATE ................................................................................................................ 21
FIRMWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE ................................................................................................................................21
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE / FAQ...................................................................................... 22
LOCATING A V-PAGE ON A NETWORK ............................................................................. 24
ACCESSORIES............................................................................................................................ 25
MICROPHONE ................................................................................................................................................................25
RACK MOUNTING KITS................................................................................................................................................25
HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS.............................................................................................. 26

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WELCOME!
Thank you for purchasing The Alcorn McBride V-Page™ Network-enabled paging station. The V-Page provides
facility-wide intelligent paging using Dante™ Audio Networks and the Q-Sys™ PA Station Protocol.
Configuration of your paging network including zone assignments, button and light behaviors and zone priorities is
completely soft programmable using the Q-Sys Designer and administrator software.
Each V-Page station includes illuminated paging zone buttons and microphone input.
A single Ethernet (Cat5e or greater) cable carries audio, power, control and monitor data between the V-Page
station and the Q-Sys system. A facility may incorporate an unlimited number of V-Page stations by simply
connecting them to Power Over Ethernet (PoE) network switches.
SFP connector for an optional transceiver (not included) allows to use fiber cable for data communication.
The V-Page Model VP4X is a four-button station with a 5-pin XLR connector and mounting bracket for a push-to-
talk microphone. It is intended for use with a coiled cord dynamic microphone and mounting bracket, such as the
included MIC-US600EL.We carefully designed this product to be the perfect solution for the unique challenges of
on-board (vehicle-based) audio and show control systems for themed attractions.

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PRODUCT FEATURES
The V-Page offers a wide range of features including:
•Dante and AES67 Audio Network Compatible
•Q-Sys PA Station Protocol
•Audio, Control and Power on one ethernet cable
•Power-Over-Ethernet (Class 3) with indicator
•4 LED Illuminated Page Zone Buttons
•Breakaway feature.
•5-Pin Mic Input Female XLR
•Adjustable LED Brightness
•Mounts in standard 4-gang duplex box
•SFP cage for optional fiber optic cable line
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Now that we’ve tantalized you with all of the wonderful things this product can do, I’ll bet you’re chomping at the
bit to flip all the switches and push all the buttons. Not so fast! Before we get to the fun stuff, we just want to
take a moment to remind you that we are here to help. Chances are that you’re building something really cool
and we want you to have access to the resources and support you need to be successful.
To start, you’ll find a wealth of information on our website. This includes Application Notes that give you detailed
documentation and examples for how this product is used in common types of themed entertainment projects.
You’ll also find the latest downloads for software, firmware, drawings, 3D models, cutsheets, and other helpful
resources on our Support page. The Knowledge Base is especially handy for common questions and helpful
troubleshooting tips. And last, but certainly not least, you always have our friendly and mildly entertaining staff
available by email or telephone.
Application Notes
http://www.alcorn.com/applications
Support Resources
http://www.alcorn.com/support
Knowledge Base (FAQ)
https://alcornmcbride.zendesk.com/hc/en-us
Email Support
[email protected]
Telephone Support
[phone] (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm EST)

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GETTING STARTED
Alright, time to roll up your sleeves and get to work! This section will guide you through basic concepts that will
help you get on your way with V-Page.
The V-Page station(s) communicates with a Q-Sys Core via network connection using a Plugin. To install the plugin
you need to download the file from the website and copy and paste the component to your design. The plug in can
be downloaded from our website at http://alcorn.com/support/software/
*You must be running Q-Sys Firmware 7.0.0 or above and V-Page firmware 2.00 or above for the Plugin to
work. To learn how to do a firmware update please refer to the firmware update section of this manual.
There are three steps that need to be completed to ensure that V-Page and Q-Sys function together properly.
1) V-Page Hardware Installation
2) Linking a V-Page and Q-Sys Core together
3) Configure the audio routing using Q-Sys and Dante controller
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
a. Make sure that all the dip switches are in the “Off” Position
b. Power on V-Page by connecting Ethernet port to the Power Over Ethernet (PoE) switch and wait 10
seconds for V-Page unit to initialize. If no Power Over Ethernet (PoE) is available, refer to the VP4X
Hardware section to learn about using an external power supply.
c. Be sure to have your V-Page units on the same network as the Q-Sys Core
LINKING A NEW V-PAGE AND Q-SYS CORE TOGETHER
a. Single click the V-Page Plugin block for the station you would like to link and ensure your property
settings are configured. (Refer to Plugin Properties section of this manual).
b. Connect to the Q-Sys Core and then double click to open the plugin.
c. Press and hold buttons 1,2 and 4 on the V-Page hardware until the button lights start scrolling down.
d. On the Q-Sys plugin, on the top right corner click “Link”. The station LED’s will blink for a second and
the station will re-boot. After a few seconds the station LED’s will be solid green and the plugin “Online”
LED will light up.
AUDIO CONFIGURATION
a. Launch Dante Controller.
b. Click on the “Device Info” tab and double click on the V-Page station.
c. Enable AES67 under AES67 tab. Once the station has been rebooted, it’s time to create an AES67 multi-
cast flow. Click on “Add Multicast Flow”.
d. Check the “AES67 Flow” box. Add your channel into the new flow. Click “Create”.
e. In Q-Sys Designer, double click your AES67 Receiver Module and pick the new Stream Name.

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HARDWARE INFORMATION
VP4X OVERVIEW
V-Page Model VP4X includes 4 Illuminated Paging Zone buttons, a 5-Pin Female XLR connector and a clip holder
designed for a Push-to-Talk microphone.

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NETWORK DESCRIPTIONS
V-Page is part of a system consisting of a Q-Sys Core, Network Router(s)/Switch(s), and the V-Page Stations
themselves. A single physical connection handles both control and audio transport this connection can either be
via Ethernet cables or Fiber Optics if your installation length exceed 328 ft.

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Note: This is the recommended method where Dante Audio and Control are using the same network switch. Q-
Lan and Dante requires a different QoS configuration while the LAN Aux Network act as a “generic” ethernet
port. Always remember to keep the V-Page units control NIC in the same network as your QSC Q-SYS Core.

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ZONE STATUS LEDS
On a VP4X, each Zone Select pushbutton has a Green/Red indicator.
LED State
Description
All Cycling Colors
Factory Test Mode
All Blinking (Rapid)
Firmware Update Mode
Blinking Green
Zone Selected
All Sequential Blinking Green
Link Active
All Blinking Red
No Sync –No Q-Sys Core Detected
CONFIGURATION OF DIP SWITCHES
The configuration DIP switches are located on the side of the V-Page. Changing the states of these switches alter
the behavior of the V-Page. DIP switching may perform different functions during power up and during runtime.
Default position for all the switches for normal operation is OFF (UP if looking from the side of the unit).
V-Page can power up in one of the following modes (based on switches configuration):
- Normal Mode.
- Factory Test Mode.
- Firmware Update Mode.
During power up, the state of the switch (ON or OFF) determines the action.
During runtime, toggling the DIP switch (OFF => ON => OFF) will perform specified action. See the descriptions
below.
NOTE: Not all switches have a power up function associated with it.
NOTE: Not all switches have a runtime function associated with it.

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DIP SWITCH 1: LINK MODE
RUNTIME –LINK:
OFF => ON => OFF: Activate/deactivate Link. Toggle once to activate, toggle again to deactivate. Link will also
exit on successful completion or will auto-exit after 60 seconds (default).
Link can be used in conjunction with Q-Sys to assign station ID, static IP/Port and Q-Sys feedback information to
the V-Page. In a sense, this pairs the V-Page with a specific Q-Sys Core. While Link is active, LEDs sequentially
light up, one at a time.
DIP SWITCH 2: FIRMWARE UPDATE MODE / RESET FACTORY DEFAULTS
POWER UP –FIRMWARE UPDATE MODE:
ON: Enter Firmware Update mode. In this mode of operation, V-Page disregards all its settings and the rest of
the DIP switches and uses a default IP of 192.168.0.254. Web server serves up Firmware Update page. For a
detailed explanation on Updating V-Page firmware, see the Firmware Update section.
To exit Firmware Update Mode, return the switch to OFF position and perform a power cycle.
OFF: Default state of the switch for normal operation.
NOTE: It’s advised to use AMI Terminal to invoke the firmware update. The V-Page will enter the firmware update
mode on the last known IP instead of fixed 192.168.0.254
RUNTIME –LOAD FACTORY DEFAULTS (IN NORMAL OPERATION MODE ONLY):
OFF => ON => OFF: Perform factory defaults. All LEDs will light up solid RED for a few seconds, then V-Page
will perform reset to defaults. Any stored settings will be erased from non-volatile memory and restored to their
factory defaults. This affects Dante settings as well.
NOTE: Loading Factory Defaults will erase all V-Page settings!!