Comprehensive CVG-FW4X4 User manual

1
CVG-FW4X4
4X4 Firewire Switcher
USER MANUAL

Contents
i
Contents
1Introduction 1
2Getting Started 1
3Overview 1
4Your FireWire Switcher 2
5Using the FireWire Switcher 3
5.1 Connecting the FireWire Switcher 3
5.2 Operating the FireWire Switcher 3
6Technical Specifications 4
Figures
Figure 1: CVG-FW4x4 4x4 FireWire Switcher 2
Figure 2: Connecting the CVG-FW4x4 4x4 FireWire Switcher 3
Tables
Table 1: Front Panel CVG-FW4x4 4x4 FireWire Switcher Features 2
Table 2: Rear Panel CVG-FW4x4 4x4 FireWire Switcher Features 2
Table 3: Technical Specifications of the CVG-FW4x4 4x4 FireWire Switcher 4

Introduction
1
1 Introduction
Congratulations on purchasing your CVG-FW4x4 4x4 FireWire Switcher.
This product is ideal for:
• Small digital video editing systems
• Data switching systems
The package includes the following items:
• CVG-FW4x4 4x4 FireWire Switcher
• This user manual
2 Getting Started
We recommend that you:
• Unpack the equipment carefully and save the original box and packaging
materials for possible future shipment
• Review the contents of this user manual
3 Overview
FireWire is a serial bus standard1that enables quick universal interfacing
between video and computer hardware items2. FireWire hubs let you:
• Connect more items than you otherwise could3
• Extend the distances
FireWire is simple to use and operates independently of the host system. In
addition, FireWire supports:
• Plug and Play4
• Hot swapping5
• Isochronous6as well as asynchronous applications
Achieving the best performance means:
• Positioning your CVG-FW4x4 in a location free from moisture and away
from excessive sunlight and dust
1 Originally developed by AppleTM and published as IEEE 1394 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
2 Hardware items include digital cameras, computers, printers, VCRs, CD-ROMs, hard disks, scanners and graphic cards
3 A computer only has limited ports available
4 Configures automatically without any driver. Whenever a device is added or removed the 1394 bus re-enumerates.
5 You can connect and disconnect inputs and outputs dynamically, without having to restart the PC or cycle power
6 Video / audio applications require constant transfer rates, which the serial bus provides by supporting isochronous transfers

• Connecting only good quality connection cables, thus avoiding
interference, deterioration in signal quality due to poor matching, and elevated
noise levels (often associated with low quality cables)
• Avoiding interference from neighboring electrical appliances that may
adversely influence signal quality
4 Your FireWire Switcher
The high quality CVG-FW4x4 4x4 FireWire Switcher is a mechanical 4x4
switcher for FireWire signals, using 6-pin FireWire connectors. In particular,
the CVG-FW4x4:
• Is designed for applications requiring a compact desktop unit for routing
FIRE WIRE signals1between any one of 4 sources to any one of 4 acceptors2
• Is ideal for high speed data signals up to 400 MB/s
• With its high quality switching components and carefully designed
circuits, provides excellent isolation between inputs
• With its unpowered design is advantageous for applications in which
various regulatory compliances would otherwise be required
Figure 1 and Table 1 define the CVG-FW4x4 4x4 FireWire Switcher:
Figure 1: CVG-FW4x4 4x4 FireWire Switcher
Table 1: Front Panel CVG-FW4x4 4x4 FireWire Switcher Features
# Feature Function
1 INPUT SELECTOR Buttons Selects a source from 1 to 4
2 OUTPUT SELECTOR Buttons Selects an acceptor from 1 to 4
Table 2: Rear Panel CVG-FW4x4 4x4 FireWire Switcher Features
# Feature Function
1 OUT 6-pin Connectors Connects to the acceptors from 1 to 4
1 For example, digital video or data
2 The CVG-FW4x4 can only provide one signal path at any given time (one active crosspoint). It cannot distribute a signal to
multiple outputs simultaneously

Using the FireWire Switcher
3
2 IN 6-pin Connectors Connects to the sources from 1 to 4
5 Using the FireWire Switcher
Sections 5.1 and 5.2 describe how to connect and how to operate your
CVG-FW4x4 4x4 FireWire Switcher, respectively.
5.1 Connecting the FireWire Switcher
You can connect the CVG-FW4x4 4x4 FireWire Switcher to up to 4 sources
and to up to 4 acceptors, using 1394 cables with 6 pin connectors.
For example, to connect the CVG-FW4x4 4x4 FireWire Switcher to 2
sources (a PC and a laptop) and to one acceptor (a digital video camera), as
Figure 2 illustrates, do the following:
1. Connect a PC to the IN 1 port and connect a laptop to the IN 3 port.
2. Connect the OUT 4 port to the digital video camera.
Figure 2: Connecting the CVG-FW4x4 4x4 FireWire Switcher
5.2 Operating the FireWire Switcher
You can route any one of 4 sources to any one of 4 acceptors when operating
your CVG-FW4x4 4x4 FireWire Switcher.

For example, to route the signal from the PC to the digital video camera, as
Figure 2 illustrates, do the following:
• Press the INPUT SELECTOR IN 1 button
• Press the OUTPUT SELECTOR OUT 4 button
The signal from the PC routes to the digital video camera
For example, to route the signal from the laptop to the digital video camera,
as Figure 2 illustrates, do the following:
• Press the INPUT SELECTOR IN 3 button
• Press the OUTPUT SELECTOR OUT 4 button
The signal from the laptop routes to the digital video camera
6 Technical Specifications
Table 3: Technical Specifications of the CVG-FW4x4 4x4 FireWire Switcher
Inputs: 4 firewire, 6-pin connectors
Outputs: 4 firewire, 6-pin connectors
Switching System: Mechanical, break-before-make
Compatibility: Up to 400 MB/s
Dimensions: 18.8cm x 10.2cm x 4.4cm (7.4" x 4" x 1.7"), W, D, H.
Weight: 0.70 kg. (1.55 lbs.) approx.
Options: 19" rack adapter RK-81
For Technical Support, contact us at:
Comprehensive Video Group
55 Ruta Court
South Hackensack, NJ 07606
800-526-0242
e-mail:[e-mail]
www.comprehensivevideo.com