ATEN VS481 User manual

VS481A
USER MANUAL
HDMI Switch

FCC Information
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not
installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may
cause interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna;
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver;
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from
that which the receiver is connected;
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician
for help.
RoHS
This product is RoHS compliant.
SJ/T 11364-2006
The following contains information that relates to China.

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VS481AUser Manual
Online Registration
You can register your product at our online support center:
Online Support
International
North America
International http://support.aten.com
North America ATEN TECH http://www.aten-usa.com/
product_registration
ATEN NJ http://support.aten.com
Email Support [email protected]
Online
Support
Technical Support http://support.aten.com
Troubleshooting
Documentation
Software Updates
http://www.aten.com
Telephone Support 886-2-8692-6959
Email Support ATEN TECH [email protected]
ATEN NJ [email protected]
Online
Support
Techn i c a l
Support
ATEN TECH http://www.aten-usa.com/support
ATEN NJ http://support.aten.com
Troubleshooting
Documentation
SW Updates
ATEN TECH http://www.aten-usa.com
ATEN NJ http://www.aten.com
Telephone Support ATEN TECH 1-888-999-ATEN
ATEN NJ 1-732-356-1703

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Package Contents
The VS481AHDMI Switch package contains the following items:
1 VS481AHDMI Switch
1 IR Remote Control Unit
1 Power Adapter
1 HDMI Cable (1.8 m)
1 User Manual*
1 Quick Start Guide
Check to make sure that all the components are present and that
nothing got damaged in shipping. If you encounter a problem,
contact your dealer.
Read this manual thoroughly and follow the installation and
operation procedures carefully to prevent any damage to the unit,
and/or any of the devices connected to it.
*Features may have been added to the VS481Asince this
manual was printed. Please visit our website to download the
most up-to-date version of the manual.
Copyright © 2008 ATEN® International Co., Ltd.
Manual Part No. PAPE-1286-200G
Printing Date: 02/2008
ATEN and the ATEN logo are trademarks of ATEN International Co., Ltd. All rights
reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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Overview
With more and more HDMI devices entering the Home Theater
market, the need for simultaneous access to different HDMI A/V
sources is becoming increasingly important. Now, the VS481A
HDMI Switch offers an easy and affordable way to add HDMI
capabilities to your home theater system by allowing you to
switch easily between up to four HDMI A/V sources that are
connected to your HDMI display.
With four HDMI A/V input ports, the VS481AHDMI Switch allows
you to connect four HDMI devices (such as an HD camcorder or
satellite box, HD-DVD player, hi-def Blu-ray player, home theater
PC, stand-alone streaming media player, or gaming console) to
your HDMI monitor, display, projector or TV at the same time. The
remote control and convenient front panel pushbuttons allow you
to quickly and easily toggle between A/V sources, while the front
panel LEDS indicate the source device at a glance.
For your convenience, the VS481Ahas a single input port
mounted on the front panel for connecting mobile or temporary
devices, such as digital cameras, while your permanent device
connections are out of sight on the rear of the unit.
Furthermore, for complete system and install integration, RS232
control is standard through the VS481A’s built-in bi-directional
RS-232 serial remote port that allows the switch to be controlled
through a high-end controller, PC, and/or home automation /
home theater software package.

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Features
Allows up to four HDMI A/V sources to be connected to one
HDMI display
Toggle between A/V sources using remote control or front
panel pushbuttons
Supports high-resolution video – HDTV resolutions of 480p,
720p, 1080i, 1080p (1920x1080); VGA, SVGA, SXGA, UXGA
(1600x1200), and WUXGA (1920 x 1200)
Supports 12-bit Deep Color for HDMI formats
Supports Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio
Up to 60 Hz refresh rate
Long-distance transmission – up to 20 m (24 AWG) and 15 m
(28 AWG)
Built-in bi-directional RS-232 serial remote port for high-end
system control
Plug-and-play – no software installation required
DDC compatible
HDMI 1.3b compliant
HDCP 1.1 compliant
Supports HDMI Type A 19-pin female connector
Signaling rates up to 2.25 Gbits in support of 1080p display.
All-metal casing
LED indication of A/V source devices
Easy and affordable way to add four HDMI inputs to your
home theater system

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System Requirements
Source Devices(s)
HDMI Type A output connector(s)
Note: A DVI/HDMI adapter is required when connecting a DVI
source device.
Display Device
A display device or receiver with an HDMI Type A input
connector
Cables
4 HDMI cables
Note: 1. Not all cables are included in this package. We strongly
recommend that you purchase high-quality cables of
appropriate length since this will affect the quality of the
audio and video display. Contact your dealer to
purchase the correct cable sets.
2. If you wish to utilize the VS481A’s high-end serial
controller function, you will also need to purchase an
appropriate RS-232 cable. See Installing the RS-232
Controller, page 11.

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Components
VS481AFront View
No. Component Function
1 HDMI In Plug the cable from an HDMI source
device into this port (number 4).
2 Port Selection
Pushbuttons
Pressing a port selection pushbutton
routes the A/V source from the
corresponding input port to the output port
for display.
3 IR Receiver This receives signals from the IR remote
control.
4 Port LEDs There are two port LEDS next to each port
selection pushbutton.
The ON LINE LED (top, orange) lights
to indicate that the device attached to
the corresponding port is powered on.
The SELECTED LED (bottom, green)
lights to indicated that the port is
selected.
2
4
31
A
1234

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VS481ARear View
No. Component Function
1 Power Jack The power adapter cable plugs in here.
2 HDMI Out The cable from the HDMI display device
plugs in here.
3 HDMI In The cables from the HDMI source devices
can plug into any of three available ports.
4 RS-232 Serial
Port
This is the serial remote port for input
source selection and high-end system
control.
3
21 4
HDMI IN
HDMI IN HDMI IN
HDMI OUT
32
1

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IR Remote Control
No. Component Function
1 Port Up / Port
Down Buttons
Press the Port Up button to cycle forward
through the source devices (1 to 2; 2 to 3; 3 to
4; 4 to 1).
Press the Port Down button to cycle backward
through the source devices (4 to 3; 3 to 2; 2 to
1; 1 to 4).
2 Port Selection
Buttons
Press a button to bring the focus directly to the
source device attached to its associated port.
1
2

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Installation
Installation of the VS481Ais simply a matter of plugging in the
appropriate cables.
To install the switch, refer to the installation diagram on page 12
as you perform the following three steps:
1. Use an HDMI cable to connect the HDMI input port on the
video display device to the HDMI output port on the rear of
the VS481A.
2. Use HDMI cables to connect the HDMI output ports on the
source device(s) to the HDMI input ports on the VS481A.
Three HDMI input ports are located on the rear of the switch;
the fourth HDMI port is located on the front of the switch.
3. Plug the provided power adapter into an appropriate AC
power source; plug the power adapter cable into the Power
Jack on the VS481A.
This completes the basic installation of the VS481AHDMI Switch.
You may now power on the display and source devices.
Installing the RS-232 Controller
In order to use the RS-232 serial interface to attach a high-end
controller (such as a PC) to the VS481A, use a serial cable such
as a modem cable. The end connecting to the VS481Ashould
have a 9-pin male connector. Connect this to the serial interface
on the rear of the VS481A. Refer to number 4 on the diagram on
page 12.
Note: To configure the controller serial port, see page 14.
1. Make sure that the power to all devices you will be
installing has been turned off.
2. Make sure that all devices you will be installing are
properly grounded.

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Installation Diagram
3
1
2
Hardware / Software
Controller
HDMI A/V
Source Devices
HDMI Output Device
4
OR
HDMI IN
HDMI IN HDMI IN
HDMI OUT
32
1

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Source Device Selection
The VS481AHDMI Switch offers easy and flexible source device
selection with either the front panel pushbuttons, with the remote
control, or through the RS-232 serial interface.
Note: Whenever the VS481Ais powered on, it automatically
selects Port 1. You may choose one of the methods
outlined below to select a different port.
Manual Selection
To select a source device, press the pushbutton that corresponds
to the port it is connected to.
Note: The SELECTED LED (green) light indicates which port is
currently selected.
Remote Control Selection
To select a source device with the remote control, press the
number button that corresponds to the port it is connected to.
Alternatively, you may also cycle through the available source
devices by pushing the Port Up and Port Down buttons on the
remote control unit.
Use the Port Up button to select the next available port in
ascending order (from left to right on the front view panel).
Use the Port Down button to select the next available port in
descending order (from right to left on the front view panel).
Note: 1. The maximum range of the remote control unit is 10
meters (30 ft)
2. Aim the remote control unit at the IR receiver located on
the front panel of the VS481A. For optimum
performance, make sure there is a clear line-of-sight
between the remote control unit and the IR receiver.

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RS-232 Serial Interface
The VS481A’s built-in bi-directional RS-232 serial interface
allows system control through a high-end controller, PC, and/or
home automation / home theater software package.
Configuring the Serial Port
The controller’s serial port should be configured as follows:
Serial Commands
The VS481A’s serial commands are as follows
Baud Rate 19200
Data Bits 8
Parity None
Stop Bits 1
Flow Control None
Control
Function
Protocol
Packet Format
Start
Code Head Function Data Length Data Checksum End Code
Switch to
Last Port
0x5A
0x7E
Port
Code
0x81
Switch to Next
Port 0x00
0x00 N/A 0x81 0x81
0xA5
Switch to
Next Port
Switch to Next
Port 0x01
N/A 0x82
Switch to
Port 1
Switch to Next
Port 0x08
0x01 0x31 0xBB
Switch to
Port 2
0x32 0xBC
Switch to
Port 3
0x33 0xBD
Switch to
Port 4
0x34 0xBE

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Powering Off and Restarting
If you power off the VS481A, follows these steps before powering
it on again:
1. Power off the attached devices.
2. Unplug the power adapter cable from the VS481A.
3. Wait 10 seconds, and then plug the power adapter cable back
in.
4. After the VS481Ais powered on, power on the attached
devices.
Note: Whenever the VS481Ais powered on, it automatically
selects the A/V source attached to Port 1.

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Specifications
Function VS481A
Display Connections 1
Connectors Device HDMI In 4 x HDMI Type A Female (Black)
Display HDMI Out 1 x HDMI Type A Female (Black)
RS-232 Port 1 x DB-9 Female (Black)
Power 1 x DC Jack
LEDs On Line 4 (Orange)
Selected 4 (Green)
Video HDTV resolutions of 480p, 720p, 1080i,
1080p (1920x1080); VGA, SVGA,
SXGA, UXGA (1600x1200), WUXGA
(1920 x 1200)
Power Consumption DC5.3V, 2.4 W
Environment Operating Temp. 0–50ºC
Storage Temp. -20–60ºC
Humidity 0–80% RH, Non-condensing
Physical
Properties
Housing Metal
Weight 0.47 kg
Dimensions
(L x W x H)
20.00 x 8.00 x 2.50 cm

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Limited Warranty
IN NO EVENT SHALL THE DIRECT VENDOR'S LIABILITY EXCEED THE PRICE
PAID FOR THE PRODUCT FROM THE DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE
OF THE PRODUCT, DISK OR ITS DOCUMENTATION.
The direct vendor makes no warranty or representation, expressed, implied, or
statutory with respect to the contents or use of this documentation, and specially
disclaims its quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for any particular
purpose.
The direct vendor also reserves the right to revise or update the device or
documentation without obligation to notify any individual or entity of such revisions,
or update. For further inquires please contact your direct vendor.