Black Box AVSW-VGA8X8-B User manual

BL A C K B OX®
Switch (8) source devices with VGA plus audio
and IR to (8) displays with VGA plus audio.
Use for high-definition LCD television or plasma display applications.
8 x 8 VGA Matrix Switch RS-232 Protocol Manual
Order toll-free in the U.S.: Call 877-877-BBOX (outside U.S. call 724-746-5500)
FREE technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone]
Mailing address: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
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Customer
Support
Information
AVSW-VGA8x8-B

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8 x 8 VGA Matrix Switch RS-232 Protocol Manual
RS-232 Protocol and Command
RS-232 Cable Pin Lines
Matrix Switch RS-232 pins out, PC RS-232 pins,
DB9 female connector DB9 male connector
Not connected 1----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Not connected
TX 2----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 RX
RX 3----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 TX
Not connected 4----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Not connected
GND 5----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 GND
Not connected 6----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 Not connected
Not connected 7----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 Not connected
Not connected 8----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 Not connected
Not connected 9----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 Not connected
1. Transmission rate: 9600 bps
2. Data format: 8 data bits, no parity, 1 start bit, and 1 stop bit
3. Flow control: None
Also known as 9600, 8, n, 1.
Data String Format
The Data String contains four elements:
[Command][ ][Data][;]
The format is:
1. Command
2. Space
3. Data
4. ;
There is a single space after the Command and before the Data string. The data string must conclude with a semicolon “;”
(without the quotes). All text is full ASCII Code and is NOT case sensitive. You can use either capital letters or lower-case letters
and get the same result.
The LINK command must be sent first. This establishes a communications link between an external controller or computer and the
device you want to control. When you have an established link, communication via the IR port is disabled. The front panel remains
operational.

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The format is:
LINK 01; This will establish the link.
LINK 00; This will terminate the link.
Devices that are firmware version x.x or higher will return a status. This status is command dependent.
For example: Response [SKU][ ][Status][;]
The Status is a two-digit numerical code. See page 4 in this document for specific details.
Commands
NOTE: Not all commands are supported on all devices.
Commands
Item Command Description
1Link Establish or disable the data link between the controller and the device.
2Power Set/check the status of power.
3Output [d] Set/check the status of single outputs.
4ActiveSource Check the status of an input for a signal present.
5OutputAll Set/check the status of all outputs.
6Recall Recall a saved matrix configuration from memory.
7Recall [mm] Check the memory address data.
8Memory Save the current matrix.
9Lock Set/check the status of lock.
10 EDID Set/check EDID (VGA only).
11 Signal Format Sets V + A, A only.
1. Link
Function Command Response Description
Leave Link 00; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Leave
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
Link Link 01; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Link
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
Check Link Condition Link ?; Link 00;
Link 01;
System Leave
System Link
2. Power
Function Command Response Description
Power OFF Power 00; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Power off
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
Power ON Power 01; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Power on
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
Check Power Status Power ?; Power 00;
Power 01;
Power off
Power on

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3. Output [dd]
Function Command Response Description
OFF source OUTPUT01 00; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Output 1 is off
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT02 00; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Output 2 is off
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT03 00; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Output 3 is off
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT04 00; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Output 4 is off
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT05 00; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Output 5 is off
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT06 00; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Output 6 is off
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT07 00; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Output 7 is off
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT08 00; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Output 8 is off
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
Set channel status OUTPUT01 01; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 1 to input 1
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT01 02; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 1 to input 2
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT01 03; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 1 to input 3
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT01 04; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 1 to input 4
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT01 05; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 1 to input 5
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT01 06; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 1 to input 6
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT01 07; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 1 to input 7
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT01 08; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 1 to input 8
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
Set channel status OUTPUT02 01; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 2 to input 1
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT02 02; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 2 to input 2
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT02 03; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 2 to input 3
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT02 04; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 2 to input 4
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT02 05; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 2 to input 5
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized

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3. Output [dd] (continued)
Function Command Response Description
Set channel status OUTPUT02 06; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 2 to input 6
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT02 07; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 2 to input 7
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT02 08; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 2 to input 8
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT03 01; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 3 to input 1
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT03 02; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 3 to input 2
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT03 03; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 3 to input 3
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT03 04; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 3 to input 4
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT03 05; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 3 to input 5
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT03 06; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 3 to input 6
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT03 07; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 3 to input 7
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT03 08; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 3 to input 8
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
Set channel status OUTPUT04 01; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 4 to input 1
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT04 02; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 4 to input 2
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT04 03; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 4 to input 3
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT04 04; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 4 to input 4
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT04 05; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 4 to input 5
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT04 06; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 4 to input 6
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT04 07; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 4 to input 7
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT04 08; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 4 to input 8
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
Set Channel Status OUTPUT05 01; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 5 to input 1
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized

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3. Output [dd] (continued)
Function Command Response Description
OUTPUT05 02; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 5 to input 2
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT05 03; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 5 to input 3
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT05 04; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 5 to input 4
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT05 05; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 5 to input 5
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT05 06; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 5 to input 6
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT05 07; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 5 to input 7
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT05 08; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 5 to input 8
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
Set Channel Status OUTPUT06 01; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 6 to input 1
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT06 02; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 6 to input 2
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT06 03; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 6 to input 3
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT06 04; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 6 to input 4
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT06 05; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 6 to input 5
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT06 06; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 6 to input 6
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT06 07; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 6 to input 7
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT06 08; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 6 to input 8
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
Set Channel Status OUTPUT07 01; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 7 to input 1
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT07 02; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 7 to input 2
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT07 03; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 7 to input 3
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT07 04; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 7 to input 4
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT07 05; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 7 to input 5
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized

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3. Output [dd] (continued)
Function Command Response Description
Set Channel Status OUTPUT07 06; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 7 to input 6
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT07 07; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 7 to input 7
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT07 08; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 7 to input 8
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
Set Channel Status OUTPUT08 01; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 8 to input 1
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT08 02; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 8 to input 2
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT08 03; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 8 to input 3
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT08 04; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 8 to input 4
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT08 05; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 8 to input 5
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT08 06; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 8 to input 6
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT08 07; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 8 to input 7
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUT08 08; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set output 8 to input 8
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
Check output status OUTPUT 01 ?; Output01 01; Output 1 to input 1
Output01 02; Output 1 to input 2
Output 01 03; Output 1 to input 3
Output 01 04; Output 1 to input 4
Output01 05; Output 1 to input 5
Output01 06; Output 1 to input 6
Output 01 07; Output 1 to input 7
Output 01 08; Output 1 to input 8
OUTPUT 02 ?; Output02 01; Output 2 to input 1
Output02 02; Output 2 to input 2
Output02 03; Output 2 to input 3
Output02 04; Output 2 to input 4
Output02 05; Output 2 to input 5
Output02 06; Output 2 to input 6
Output 02 07; Output 2 to input 7
Output 02 08; Output 2 to input 8

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3. Output [dd] (continued)
Function Command Response Description
Check output status OUTPUT 03 ?; Output03 01; Output 3 to input 1
Output03 02; Output 3 to input 2
Output 03 03; Output 3 to input 3
Output 03 04; Output 3 to input 4
Output03 05; Output 3 to input 5
Output03 06; Output 3 to input 6
Output 03 07; Output 3 to input 7
Output 03 08; Output 3 to input 8
OUTPUT 04 ?; Output04 01; Output 4 to input 1
Output04 02; Output 4 to input 2
Output04 03; Output 4 to input 3
Output04 04; Output 4 to input 4
Output04 05; Output 4 to input 5
Output04 06; Output 4 to input 6
Output 04 07; Output 4 to input 7
Output 04 08; Output 4 to input 8
OUTPUT 05 ?; Output05 01; Output 5 to input 1
Output05 02; Output 5 to input 2
Output05 03; Output 5 to input 3
Output05 04; Output 5 to input 4
Output05 05; Output 5 to input 5
Output05 06; Output 5 to input 6
Output05 07; Output 5 to input 7
Output05 08; Output 5 to input 8
OUTPUT 06 ?; Output06 01; Output 6 to input 1
Output06 02; Output 6 to input 2
Output06 03; Output 6 to input 3
Output06 04; Output 6 to input 4
Output06 05; Output 6 to input 5
Output06 06; Output 6 to input 6
Output06 07; Output 6 to input 7
Output06 08; Output 6 to input 8
OUTPUT 07 ?; Output07 01; Output 7 to input 1
Output07 02; Output 7 to input 2
Output07 03; Output 7 to input 3
Output07 04; Output 7 to input 4
Output07 05; Output 7 to input 5
Output07 06; Output 7 to input 6
Output07 07; Output 7 to input 7
Output08 08; Output 7 to input 8

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3. Output [dd] (continued)
Function Command Response Description
Check output status OUTPUT 08 ?; Output08 01; Output 8 to input 1
Output08 02; Output 8 to input 2
Output 08 03; Output 8 to input 3
Output 08 04; Output 8 to input 4
Output08 05; Output 8 to input 5
Output08 06; Output 8 to input 6
Output08 07; Output 8 to input 7
Output08 08; Output 8 to input 8
4. Active Source
Function Command Response Description
Check the status of a signal on an input port ACTIVESOURCE ?; ActiveSource 0100; Input 1 = 01 so the signal is active.
Input 2 = 00 so the signal is inactive.
ActiveSource 0101; Input 1 = 01 so the signal is active.
Input 2 = 01 so the signal is inactive.
ActiveSource 0000; Input 1 = 00 so the signal is active.
Input 2 = 00 so the signal is inactive.
NOTE: This does not validate if the signal is within proper format (ex. 1VPP Video), only that one is present and active.

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5. OutputAll
Function Command Response Description
Set all outputs to off OUTPUTALL 00; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Unlock
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
Set all outputs to one source OUTPUTALL 01; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set all outputs to Source 1
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUTALL 02; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set all outputs to Source 2
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUTALL 03; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set all outputs to Source 3
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUTALL 04; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set all outputs to Source 4
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUTALL 05; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set all outputs to Source 5
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUTALL 06; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set all outputs to Source 6
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUTALL 07; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set all outputs to Source 7
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
OUTPUTALL 08; AVSWVGA8X8B 00; Set all outputs to Source 8
AVSWVGA8X8B 01; Command not recognized
Check the status of all outputs OUTPUTALL
01020304
Response all outputs
status
Output1=01, output 1 to input 1
Output2=-02, output2 to input2
Output3=03, output3 to input 3
Output4=04, output 4 to input 4
Output4=05, output 5 to input 5
Output4=06, output 4 to input 6
Output4=07; output 4 to input 7
Output4=08, output 4 to input 8