Axion Ac-axion-4 User manual

User Manual

AVPro Edge’s 4 HDMI Input, 4 HDBaseT/HDMI Output

Matrix Switcher with Dolby Atmos & DTS Audio Down-

mixing and independent resolutions scaling and a robust

user interface.

AC-AXION-4

1

Dolby, Dolby Audio, and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.

Manufactured under license from DTS, Inc. DTS, the Symbol, DTS and the Symbol together, DTS-HD, and the DTS-HD logo are registered trade-

INTRODUCTION ��4

FEATURES ��4

WHATS IN THE BOX ��4

SPECIFICATIONS ��5

COMPATIBLE HDBASET RECEIVERS ��6

FRONT AND REAR PANEL OVERVIEW ��7

INITIAL SETUP: WEBUI ��8

ADVANCED SETUP: WEBUI INPUT SETTINGS �� 12

ADVANCED SETUP: WEBUI OUTPUT SETTINGS �� 13

ADVANCED SETUP: WEBUI EXTRACTED AUDIO OUTPUT SETTINGS �� 14

WEBUI: VIDEO MATRIX �� 16

WEBUI: AUDIO MATRIX �� 17

WEBUI: I/O CONFIG - INPUT SETTINGS �� 18

WEBUI: I/O CONFIG - INPUT SETTINGS CONT� �� 19

WEBUI: I/O CONFIG - OUTPUT SETTINGS �� 19

WEBUI: I/O CONFIG - OUTPUT SETTINGS CONT� �� 20

WEBUI: I/O CONFIG - OUTPUT SETTINGS CONT� �� 21

WEBUI: I/O CONFIG - OUTPUT SETTINGS CONT� �� 22

WEBUI: SYSTEM - IP SETTINGS �� 23

WEBUI: SYSTEM - RS232 SETTINGS �� 23

WEBUI: SYSTEM - TELNET SETTINGS �� 24

WEBUI: SYSTEM - ADMIN WEB INTERFACE �� 24

WEBUI: SYSTEM - USER WEB INTERFACE �� 25

WEBUI: SYSTEM - CLOUD SERVICES �� 26

WEBUI: SYSTEM - FIRMWARE UPDATE CONT� �� 27

WEBUI: SYSTEM - HARDWARE �� 27

WEBUI: DIAGNOSTICS - HDMI IN �� 28

WEBUI: DIAGNOSTICS - HDMI IN CONT� �� 29

WEBUI: DIAGNOSTICS - HDMI OUT �� 30

2

WEBUI: DIAGNOSTICS - HDBT OUT �� 31

WEBUI: DIAGNOSTICS - HDBT OUT CONT� �� 32

WEBUI: CONSOLE �� 33

FRONT PANEL CONTROL - SWITCHING �� 34

FRONT PANEL CONTROL - EDID �� 35

FRONT PANEL CONTROL - AUDIO �� 36

FRONT PANEL CONTROL - NETWORK �� 36

FRONT PANEL CONTROL - IR REMOTE: �� 37

IR CONTROL: �� 37

HDBASET LIGHTS: LINK �� 38

HDBASET LIGHTS: STATUS �� 39

RS-232 AND TCP/IP CONTROL: �� 40

RS-232 AND TCP/IP CONTROL: �� 41

COMMAND LIST: �� 42

COMMAND LIST CONTINUED: �� 43

COMMAND LIST CONTINUED: �� 44

EXTRACTED AUDIO: �� 45

AUDIO OUTPUT LOGIC AND CABLE PREP: �� 46

TROUBLESHOOTING �� 47

BANDWIDTH CHART �� 47

MAINTENANCE �� 48

DAMAGE REQUIRING SERVICE �� 48

SUPPORT �� 49

WARRANTY �� 49

RED TAPE� �� 50

OBTAINING AN RMA� �� 50

SHIPPING� �� 50

LEGAL STUFF� �� 50

EXCLUSIVE REMEDY �� 51

3

The AC-AXION-4 is a high bandwidth audio/video matrix switcher� What makes this product unique is the

ability to downmix bitstream audio beyond 7�1 channel into a 2 Channel audio signal via all four inputs,

including Dolby Atmos and DTS-X� This Matrix switcher’s back-end interface has been completely redesigned

from the ground up, allowing complete control through this Axion Web User Interface�

In a multi-zoned distribution system, every zone can not handle full Dolby Atmos sound� Most zones are

going to need 2 Channel audio� The AC-AXION-4 Matrix Switcher allows you to deliver 24+ channels to your

Dolby Atmos home theater; simultaneously, it provides 2 Channel to the rest of the installation� We do this

by allowing the downmixing only to aect the de-embedded audio outputs. The four mirrored HDMI/HDBas-

eT ports leave the audio unimpeded, enabling you to distribute full Dolby Atmos and DTS HD through them�

Supporting the full HDMI 2.0 a/b specication and supporting every version of HDR, this matrix will ensure

you can get the most out of any system�

Controlling the AC-AXION-4 is not a problem with the AVPro Edge User Interface, as you can manage all

the settings and controls. We also oer drivers for all the top control systems. The AC-AXION-4 will become

a staple in your large demanding installations!

Features

·HDMI 2�0(a/b)

·18Gbps Uncompressed Bandwidth Support on HDMI

·18 Gbps with ICT on HDBaseT outputs

·4K60 4:4:4 Support

·Full HDR Support (HDR 10 & 12 Bit)

·Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and HLG Support

·HDCP 2�2 (and all earlier versions supported)

·1080p > 4K Up Scaling on HDMI outputs

·4K > 1080p Down Scaling on HDBaseT outputs

·Advanced EDID Management

·IR, RS-232 and LAN Control Options

·Digital Toslink Out (7CH PCM, DD, DD+, DTS, DTS-MA)

·Balanced Analog Out (2 CH PCM)

·Audio Delay for Digital & Analog Out

·HDBaseT Compatibility mode for mixed systems! (More

below)

·Driver Support for Crestron, C4, RTI, ELAN and more!!!

·Extracted Audio Supports DD+, DTS Master Audio on

Toslink

·Extracted Audio has 3 Operating Modes� Bound to

Input, Bound to Output, or Independent Matrix

·Built in Test Pattern on Each Output to Verify Infrastruc-

ture

Whats in the box

·AC-AXION-4 Matrix

·IR Remote Control (*No Battery Included)

·IR Extension Cable

·48v Power Supply

·RS-232 terminal blocks

·Rack ears

·Grounding Strap

·x4 AC-CABLE-5PIN-2 CH audio adapters

4

Introduction

*3V CR2025 Battery Required For IR Remote Control

Not Included

Specications

5

Compatible HDBaseT Receivers

AC-EX70-444-RNE (Receiver /No Ethernet)

·70M 4k 60 4:4:4 & HDR

·100M 1080P

AC-EX70-SC2-R (Scaling Receiver)

·70M 4k 60 4:4:4 & HDR

·100M 1080P

AC-CX100-RAMP

·70M 4k 60 4:2:0 / 4k 30 4:4:4

·70M 1080P

AC-EX70-UHD-R

·40M 4k 30 4:4:4/4k 60 4:2:0

·70M 1080P

6

Non AVPro HDBaseT Receivers may work but ICT (our Invisible Compression Technology) will not� This

means higher bandwidth signals (greater than 10�2Gbps) will not pass as this requires ICT�

7

Front and Rear Panel Overview

8

Initial Setup: WebUI

1� With the AC-AXION-4 placed into its new home (AV Rack, cabinet, table top) take a Phillips

head screwdriver and attach the included yellow ground strap to the back of the chassis using

the pre-installed screw, then attach the other end to a suitable grounded object�

2� Connect the HDMI Input sources to the HDMI Inputs on the back of the matrix�

3� Connect the HDMI/HDBaseT devices to the HDMI/HDBaseT Outputs�

4� Connect the network LAN cable to the RJ45 port labeled LAN (between the Micro USB and 3pin RS232

port)�

5� Power on the sources (Inputs)�

6� Power on the Output devices/displays�

7� Connect the 48V power supply to power on the matrix and then to a suitable power source�

8� Using the front panel display and control/arrow buttons navigate to NETWORK and press

the OK button to enter the IP Settings menu�

9� Either manually enter in your desired IP settings, or enable DHCP and let your network assign the

correct settings� Use the UP/DOWN arrow keys to highlight the row you want to change (HIP, RIP, TCP

Port, etc), click OK, use left/right arrow keys to select and the UP/DOWN arrow keys to change the

setting. Click the OK button again to conrm those changes.

10�With the matrix connected to the local network, using a computer on the same network open up a web

browser and type the HIP (Host IP Address) into the address bar to navigate to the WebUI�

The AC-AXION-4 can be controlled using the Micro USB port, 3pin RS232, or over TCP/IP using the LAN

connection� For initial setup it is recommended to connect the matrix to a local area network (LAN) and use

a computer on the same network in conjunction with the built in WebUI� After making all the physical con-

nections, the rst step will be to check for any Firmware Updates. The below steps are an example of this

setup, other control options are covered in separate sections of this user manual�

9

11� With the Axion WebUI open, navigate to System� Click on the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this will

open these documents in a new tab for review� Once read click on the boxes next to each to agree�

When both are checked the switch for Enable Cloud Services will be selectable (will be red or disabled

by default)� Click to enable (the switch will turn green)�

12� With the Cloud Services enabled under the Hardware section click the Update Firmware button to

check for new Firmware OTA (over the air). This will compare the rmware versions currently loaded

on the AC-AXION-4 and compare to the latest available� If it is up to date, you will see a prompt stating

“No update available!”

13� If an update is available, the following prompt will show� Simply click UPDATE�

14� If a new update is available a le will automatically be selected, simply click the UPLOAD button to

load the rmware les to the Matrix. Uploading does not install the Firmware, that is the next step.

10

15� Once the rmware le has been uploaded, it will display all containing rmware les. Here you can

select individual rmware les to load or simply leave all les/options selected. If the version currently

installed is not newer (does not need to be updated), then that update will be skipped automatically�

Click the UPGRADE button to start�

16� Once the progress bar hits 100% click the CLOSE button, the rmware upgrade process is complete.

17� With the Firmware up to date it’s time to start setting up the matrix� With the Axion WebUI open,

navigate to the I/O Conifg section� Label the applicable Inputs (Apple TV, Cable Box, Roku, etc) under

the Input Settings - Label�

18� Label the Outputs (Living Room, Bedroom, Den, etc) under the Video Output Settings - Label�

11

19� Set the HDMI/HDBaseT Video Scaling if needed� HDMI outputs can be upscaled (1080P signal up to

4k) and the HDBaseT outputs can be downscaled (4k signals down to 1080P)�

20� With the system and all it’s components powered up it’s time to verify signal path from source to the

sync� For now leave EDID settings to their default 1080P 2 CH, the next section Advanced Setup will

cover the more advance settings�

21� Use the Signal Indicator on the HDMI INPUTS� Green means HDMI source is detected, red means

that the source is not detected� If red verify that the input is powered on and that the HDMI cable is

properly connected to the source and to the back of the matrix�

22� Now verify the connections to the HDMI/HDBaseT outputs using the Signal indicator� Green means

HDMI/HDBaseT sync is detected, red means that the HDMI/HDBaseT sync is not detected� If red verify

that the sync devices are powered on and that the HDMI/HDBaseT cables are properly connected to

the back of the matrix�

23� With everything connected and powered on, green indicators across the applicable inputs and out-

puts, verify you are getting all of your sources on all of your displays�

24� Problems with a source or sync, see the Troubleshooting section for help on page 45�

Advanced Setup: WebUI Input Settings

After verifying good signal path from source to sync now it is time to go through the rest of the settings to

maximize the setup� Starting with the input side with the EDID and Audio Mode settings�

12

1� With the WebUI open, navigate to the I/O Conifg tab and focus on the Input Settings section at the

top�

2� Set the EDID on each input by selecting the resolution drop-down rst (default is set to 1080P). The

options are 1080P, 4K30Hz, 4K60Hz Y420, and 4K60Hz� If you select USER1 EDID, then the drop-

downs change to allow you to select from and output to copy from� You can select any of the 4 HDMI

outputs, or any of the 4 HDBaseT outputs, then click the COPY button� This will save that outputs EDID

to the USER1 slot�

3� Next use the drop-down to select NO 3D, or 3D depending on the displays capability�

NOTE: Currently the only resolution you can choose NO 3D for is 1080P�

4� Next drop-down select either SDR (standard dynamic range) or HDR (High Dynamic Range)�

5� The fourth drop-down in the EDID section is for the audio, you can select 2 CH, 6CH, or 8CH�

6� Click the APPLY button to set the EDID�

7� Verify you are still getting that source to all your displays and that the image looks correct�

NOTE: Some older displays may take an HDR signal and display correctly (ignoring the HDR Metadata)

others will not ignore the HDR part of the signal and may display incorrectly�

Audio Mode - see Page 19 “Input Settings - Audio Mode” for more info�

Advanced Setup: WebUI Output Settings

13

8� Now navigate to the Video Output Settings under I/O Cong

9� In addition to the output Label (name/alias), there are 3 settings for each HDMI output and 3 settings

for each HDBaseT output�

10� Under State, you can enable/disable that port (turn that port on or o) and also enable a 1080P test

pattern, the Video Scaling mode (HDMI you can choose to No Scaling or 1080P to 4k, HDBaseT you can

choose ICT or 4K to 1080P), and you can Enable or Disable the Bitstream Audio (slider icon Green=ON,

Red=OFF)�

O

Disabled

On

Enabled

1�

Advanced Setup:

WebUI Extracted Audio Output Settings

1� Now navigate to the Extracted Audio Output Settings under I/O Cong.

2� The extracted audio ports have 3 distinct operating modes, use the drop-down at the top to select� The

three options are�

Bind to Input (Default) - where the audio port number corresponds to the input signal� This is ideal

for systems where audio is matrixed separately in a zoned amplier.

Bind to Output - this conguration the audio will automatically follow the HDMI/HDBaseT output. This

is ideal for systems that use local AVR’s for some of the Zones�

Matrix - This mode allows you to matrix the extracted audio ports independently from the HDMI/

HDBaseT outputs� In this mode you there will be a Tab for the extracted audio under the Matrix page,

allowing you to route the audio just like routing the video� If the matrix is set to Bind to Input or Bind

to Output this tab will not be visible�

3� Other available settings for the extracted audio ports include Enable/Disable, Volume control (1-100),

EQ presets (7 generic preset options to choose from), Left/Right balance, and audio delay� Each of

these 5 settings can be changed per extracted audio port�

NOTE: The balanced 5pin and Toslink ports are mirrored and always down-mixed to 2 CH audio�

4� You can use the slider or text box to change the volume (settings are 0-100)�

14

15

5� To change the EQ settings of that port click on the emblem to the right of the volume slider� This will

bring up the Audio Conguration Page. Here you can choose from 8 dierent EQ settings, change the

Left / Right balance, and set the audio delay�

6� Delay (eight settings in 90 millisecond increments)

None (default), 90, 180, 270, 360, 450, 540, and 630�

16

WebUI: Video Matrix

Use this page to route the video INPUTS and OUTPUTS�

·Click on the INPUT number to select (example below shows IN 1)

·With the INPUT selected simply click on the OUTPUT you want to send that source to�

·Note: If you rename the INPUTS/OUTPUTS using the I/O Cong page they will display here.

17

WebUI: Audio Matrix

Use this page to route the extracted audio�

NOTE: The extracted audio ports can only be manually changed (matrixed) when in Matrix Mode� If the

extracted audio is set to Bind to Input (default) or Bind to Output then this tab will not be visible, example

below� See Page 14 “Advanced Setup: WebUI Extracted Audio Output Settings” for more info�

·Click on the INPUT number to select (example below shows IN 1 - Apple TV)

·With the INPUT selected simply click on the OUTPUT you want to send that audio to�

·Note: If you rename the INPUTS/OUTPUTS using the I/O Cong page they will display here.

18

WebUI: I/O Cong - Input Settings

Input Settings Label - Use this to give an name/alias to your inputs (Apple TV, Cable Box, Roku, etc)�

Note: There is a 15 character limit to this eld, the name will replace the default “IN #” throughout the rest

of the WebUI (for instance the Video Matrix tab)�

Input Settings Enable switch - Use this enable/disable switch to turn the cor-

responding Input port on or o. The default setting is enabled (green) by default.

Input Settings EDID - Use these four drop-downs to select your preferred EDID�

The available combinations are as follows�

1� 1080P_2 CH

2� 1080P_6CH

3� 1080P_8CH

4� 1080P_3D_2 CH

5� 1080P_3D_6CH

6� 1080P_3D_8CH

7� 4K30HZ_3D_2 CH

8� 4K30HZ_3D_6CH

9� 4K30HZ_3D_8CH

10� 4K60HzY420_3D_2 CH

11� 4K60HzY420_3D_6CH

12� 4K60HzY420_3D_8CH

13� 4K60HZ_3D_2 CH

14� 4K60HZ_3D_6CH

15� 4K60HZ_3D_8CH

16� 1080P_2 CH_HDR

17� 1080P_6CH_HDR

18� 1080P_8CH_HDR

19� 1080P_3D_2 CH_HDR

20� 1080P_3D_6CH_HDR

21� 1080P_3D_8CH_HDR

22� 4K30HZ_3D_2 CH_HDR

23� 4K30HZ_3D_6CH_HDR

24� 4K30HZ_3D_8CH_HDR

25� 4K60HzY420_3D_2 CH_HDR

26� 4K60HzY420_3D_6CH_HDR

27� 4K60HzY420_3D_8CH_HDR

28� 4K60HZ_3D_2 CH_HDR

29� 4K60HZ_3D_6CH_HDR

30� 4K60HZ_3D_8CH_HDR

NOTE: If you select USER1 EDID, then drop-downs change to allow you to select from and output to copy

from� You can select any of the 4 HDMI outputs, or any of the 4 HDBaseT outputs, then click the COPY but-

ton (this replaces the Apply button)� This will save that outputs EDID to the USER1 slot�

O

Disabled

On

Enabled

19

WebUI: I/O Cong - Input Settings Cont.

Input Settings Audio Mode - There are 7 settings available (Default state is o/disabled).

The AC-AXION-4 automatically down-mixes the source audio signals down to 2 CH� for the extracted audio

Toslink and balanced 5pin ports. Changing the audio mode here will aect that inputs audio on all the ex-

tracted ports�

Default (o), Low Center+, Mid Center+, High Center+, Middle FX, Full FX, and Voice FX.

NOTE: There are also EQ, Balance (left/right), and Delay settings you can change per Output, see WebUI:

I/O Cong - Output Settings on pages 20-21 for more info.

Input Settings Signal - The Signal Indicator on the HDMI INPUTS shows the current state of the connec-

tion HDMI source� Green means the HDMI source is detected, red means that the source is not detected� If

red verify that source is powered on and that the HDMI cable is properly connected to the source and to the

back of the matrix�

Global Input Settings - There are two settings available

·SupportsDolbyMAT-CheckthisboxtoenableDolbyMATaudio

·RequiresDolbyVisionLowLatency-CheckthisboxtorequireDolbyVisionLowLatency(Player-led)

overStandardDolbyVision(TV-Led).SourcesliketheAppleTVandX-BoxSeriesXuseLowLatency.

Output Settings Label - Use this to give an name/alias to your outputs (Living Room, Den, Kitchen, etc)�

Note: There is a 15 character limit to this eld, the name will replace the default “OUT #” throughout the

rest of the WebUI (for instance the Video Matrix tab)�

Output Settings State - This drop-down has 3 settings, just like the input settings you can Enable or dis-

able this port� In addition you can also choose Test Pattern to enable a 1080P color bar test pattern on that

output� This is helpful in verifying the signal chain from Matrix to sync (display)� To disable the test pattern,

change the state back to Enabled (default)�

WebUI: I/O Cong - Output Settings

WebUI: I/O Cong - Output Settings Cont.

Output Settings Video Scaling - The HDMI outputs can up-scale a 1080P signal to 4k� This scaling only

changes the pixel density, it does not alter frame rate or color space�

Output Settings Bitstream Audio - This is an enable/disable switch� By default this will be Enabled/

Green� To change the setting simply click to switch� Disabled/Red there will be no Audio passed on that

HDMI output�

NOTE: This setting has no aect on the HDBaseT or Extracted Audio output.

Output Settings Signal - The Signal Indicator on the HDMI OUTPUTS shows the current state of the con-

nection HDMI Output� Green means HDMI sync is detected, red means that the sync is not detected� If red

verify that the output is powered on and that the HDMI cable is properly connected to the sync and to the

back of the matrix�

Output Settings State - This drop-down has 3 settings, just

like the input settings and HDMI outputs you can Enable or

Disable this port� In addition you can also choose Test Pattern

to enable a 1080P color bar test pattern on that output� This

is helpful in verifying the signal chain from Matrix to sync (dis-

play)� To disable the test pattern, change the state back to

Enabled (default)�

Output Settings Video Scaling - The HDBaseT outputs can

down-scale a 4K signal to 1080P� This scaling only changes the

pixel density, it does not alter frame rate or color space� The

other setting is ICT Mode (default), AVProEdge’s Invisible Compression Technology designed to work with a

compatible AVProEdge HDBaseT Receiver (RX)�

Output Settings Bitstream Audio - This is an enable/disable switch� By default

this will be Enabled/Green� To change the setting simply click to switch� Disabled/

Red there will be no Audio passed on that HDBaseT output�

Output Settings Signal - The Signal Indicator on the HDBaseT outputs shows the current state of the

connected HDBaseT Receiver� Green means HDBaseT receiver is detected, red means that the receiver is not

detected� If red verify that the category cable is properly terminated on both ends, and properly connected

to both the matrix and the HDBaseT receiver�

20

O

Disabled

On

Enabled

Axion AC-AXION-4 User manual

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