Digigram VX881e User manual

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
VX881e
VX882e
Professional Multichannel
Sound Cards
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
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
User manual

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For technical support,
please contact your system supplier.
Digigram S.A.
82/84 Allée Galilée, 38330 Montbonnot-Saint-Martin, FRANCE
Tel: +33 (0)4 76 52 47 47• Fax: +33 (0) 4 76 52 18 44• E-mail: [email protected]
Digigram Asia Pte Ltd.
60 Albert Street - #19-11OG Albert Complex Singapore 189969, Singapore
Tel : +65 6291 2234 • Fax : +65 6291 3433 • E-mail : [email protected]
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2

VX881e & VX882e
User Manual
Table of Contents
INFORMATION FOR THE USER 6
IMPORTANT NOTICE 7
CONTENTS OF THIS PACKAGE 8
FEATURES 8
VX881e main hardware features 8
VX882e main hardware features 8
Main software features 9
REQUIREMENTS 9
Minimum hardware requirements 10
Software requirements 10
Supported operating systems 10
HARDWARE INSTALLATION 10
Installing the card 10
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION 12
Standard installation under Windows 14
Removing the driver under Windows XP
and Windows Server 2003 17
Removing the driver under other Windows versions 17
How to check the installation 17
The ‘Digigram Hardware Settings’ (‘DHS’) control panel 19
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SPECIFICATIONS 21
APPENDICES 24
VX881e Schematic Diagram 24
VX882e Schematic Diagram 24
Card layout 25
VX881e cable diagram 26
VX881e wiring diagram 27
Adapter cable Sub-D 62⬄ SCSI 68 MDR (before July 2015)
27
Adapter cable Sub-D 62⬄ SCSI 68 MDR (since July 2015)28
Connection cable VX882e ⬄ BoB8 (before July 2015) 29
Connection cable VX882e⬄ BoB8 (since July 2015) 29
Sub-D 62⬄ SCSI 68 MDR wiring diagram 30
VX882e cable diagram 31
VX882e wiring diagram 32
VX881e cable pinout 33
VX882e cable pinout 34
Copyright 2007 - 2010 Digigram. All rights reserved. 
No portion of this manual may be reproduced without prior written consent from Digigram. The copyright
protection claimed here includes photocopying, translation and/or reformatting of the information contained in this
manual. 
While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Digigram is not responsible for errors and omissions, and
reserves the right to make improvements or changes in the products and programs described without notice. 
Digigram and the Digigram logo, VX882e, and VX881e are registered trademarks or trademarks of Digigram S.A.
Other trademarks are property of their respective holders. 
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4

VX881e & VX882e
User Manual
INFORMATION FOR THE USER
This device complies with part 15 of FCC rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
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
instructions contained in this data sheet, may cause harmful interference to
radio and television 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 the receiver
* connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that of the
receiver
* consult the dealer or an experienced audio television technician.
Note  : Connecting this device to peripheral devices that do not comply with
CLASS   B requirements or using an unshielded peripheral data cable could also
result   in harmful interference to radio or television reception. The user is
cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved
by   the   party responsible for compliance could void the user’s
authority   to   operate   this   equipment.   To   ensure that the use of this product
does   not   contribute   to   interference,   it   is   necessary   to   use shielded I/O
cables.
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5

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IMPORTANT NOTICE
This card has been tested and found to comply with the following
standards:
● International: CISPR22 Class B
● Europe: EMC 89/336/CEE (1992) specifications
● United States: FCC Rules-Part 15-Class B (digital device)
In order to guarantee compliance with the above standards in an
installation, the following must be done:
● the provided cable must not be modified
● additional cables used must have their respective shield
connected to each extremity
Warning:
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage
several components on the board. To avoid
such damage in handling the board, take the
following   precautions:
Bring the card and everything that contacts it to
ground potential by providing a conductive
surface   and   discharge   paths.   As   a   minimum,   observe   these   precautions:
●Disconnect   all   power   and   signal   sources.
●Place   the   card   on   a   grounded   conductive   work   surface.
●Ground   yourself   via   a   grounding   wrist   strap   or   by   holding   a
grounded   object.
●Ground   any   tool   that   will   contact   the   card.
Due to the reduced length of the PCI EXPRESS 
TM bus connector
and the resulting lack of mechanical stability, we strongly advise
against transporting the card(s) installed in a computer, unless its
chassis or case provides a dedicated support to keep the card
securely   in   place   in   order   to   avoid   physical   damage.
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6

VX881e & VX882e
User Manual
CONTENTS OF THIS PACKAGE
Thank you for purchasing a Digigram VX sound card.
The package consists of the following components:
* a VX881e or VX882e sound card
The end user version additionally includes:
● breakout cable(s)
For   the   OEM   version,   the   cables   are   available   optionally.
Also available:
2U 19-inch breakout box allowing straightforward and secure
connection to all the cards’ I/Os
FEATURES
VX882e and VX881e are audio cards for PCI EXPRESSTM (PCIe®)
bus. They are in PCI EXPRESSTM x1 format and can thus be plugged
into any PCIe® slot
(x1, x2, x4, x8, x16, x32).
VX881e main hardware features
● 4 digital AES/EBU ∗ stereo inputs, with hardware sample rate
1
converters
(up to 192 kHz)
● 4 digital AES/EBU∗ stereo outputs (up to 192 kHz)
● 1 digital AES/EBU∗ stereo sync input (up to 192 kHz in play and
record)
● 1 standard Word Clock input (up to 96 kHz)
● 1 standard Word Clock output (up to 96 kHz)
● 1 video sync input
● 1 SMPTE/LTC (Linear Time Code) sync input
1∗
  can   be   used   as   S/PDIF   interface   as   well
7

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VX882e main hardware features
All features of the VX881e, plus:
● 8 balanced ∗∗ analog mono line inputs, with software
2
programmable analog and digital gain
● 8 servo-balanced ∗∗∗ analog mono line outputs, with software
3
programmable analog and digital gain
● 192 kHz / 24-bit converters
● Maximum level on analog inputs and outputs: +24 dBu
Note  :   The   digital   outputs   always   play   the   digital   version   of   the   corresponding
analog   outputs.
The   selection   of   the   AES/EBU   input   excludes   the   selection   of   the
corresponding   analog   inputs.   Nevertheless,   it   is   possible   to
simultaneously   record   AES   and   analog   inputs,   as   long   as   the   channels
are   different.
Main software features
● Real-time, simultaneous PCM record and playback (8, 16 and 24
bits), Float IEEE754 (with 24-bit fixed-point dynamic range)
● When using the np SDK, real-time mixing of several PCM audio
streams, direct monitoring, level adjustment, panning, cross-fades,
punch-in/punch-out, scrubbing
● Low latency DirectSound, Wave ∗∗∗∗, and ASIO drivers
4
Note:  the  HR Runtime package for Windows Vista does not include a
Wave driver. In case your audio application explicitly requires a
Wave interface, a Wave driver is available on request. In this
case,   please   contact   Digigram  .
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2∗∗ can
  be   used   with   unbalanced   signals
3∗∗∗
  electronically   servo-balanced   outputs   provide   automatic   level   adjustment
to   accommodate   either   balanced   or   unbalanced   lines
4∗∗∗∗ Windows
  XP   and   Server   2003   only
8

VX881e & VX882e
User Manual
REQUIREMENTS
Minimum hardware requirements
PC with one free PCI EXPRESSTM (PCIe®) slot (x1, x2, x4, x8, x16 or
x32).
CPU power and memory required depend on the operating system and
on the audio application used.
Software requirements
To use your VX881e or VX882e, install the driver from the HR Runtime
package version 1.60 or higher. This package includes:
● a Digigram np driver enabling OEM applications to best
capitalize on the boards
● a WDM DirectSound driver. Microsoft DirectX 9 or higher
must be installed on your computer
● a Wave driver ∗ (32 bits, installation optional)
5
● an ASIO driver (32 bits, installation optional)
Supported operating systems
VX1221e and VX1222e cards run under Windows XP, Windows
Server 2003, and following Windows versions.
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Due to the reduced length of the PCI EXPRESS
TM bus connector and the            
resulting lack of mechanical stability, we strongly advise against transporting         
the card(s) installed in a computer, unless its chassis or case provides a            
dedicated support to keep the card securely in place in order to avoid            
physical damage. 
The card has to be installed in the computer prior to installing its driver.
Installing the card
Gently plug the card in a free PCI slot and press it down to position it
firmly. Tighten the screw.
Interrupt and memory address
5∗ Windows
  XP   and   Server   2003   only
9


Hardware interrupt and addresses are automatically set up at start-up
by the PCI PnP BIOS.
10

VX881e & VX882e
User Manual
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
Note: the installation of the software requires administrator rights
on   your   computer
Please visit the Digigram web site at www.digigram.com for the most
recent driver.
In case you run a specific application developed or installed by a
Digigram Partner, this application might require the use of a specific
driver version. In this case, make sure that the updated driver has
been approved by your supplier.
Important note: this default procedure installs the ‘Digigram Hardware       
Settings’ control panel. This application allows the configuration of the         
hardware resources of Digigram cards for all audio applications. The DHS          
allows for instance to define the clock of the card, the input source, input             
and output analog and digital  gain, Sample Rate Converters, digital output           
format, etc...
Please note that, with the DHS installed, controls available through
the DirectSound control panel are limited to:
●Volume control for input and output
●Wave control
Under Windows XP and Server 2003 you may also install the driver without            
installing the DHS control panel, and in this case more controls are available            
through the DirectSound control panel:
●Volume control for input
●Wave control
●Monitoring control
●Analog input level
●Digital input level
●Clock selection: AES Sync, AES1, Word Clock
●Digital output format: professional, consumer

11


To do so, install the driver with the command line: “ setupx_topology ”         
(not available under Windows Vista). For detailed information, please refer         
to the dedicated document on our web site.
12

VX881e & VX882e
User Manual
Standard installation under Windows
If the driver has been downloaded from our web site, it has to be
expanded prior to the driver’s installation as follows: double-click on
the downloaded file (self-expanding). You can use the default
destination location (Windows temporary folder) or select another
directory.
● Shut down your computer and insert your VX card.
● Restart your computer.
● Click on Cancel if the Found New Hardware Wizard
appears.
● Double-click on the HR Runtime vxx.msi/HR Runtime
vxx.msi for Vista icon to launch the driver installation.
● A welcome message is displayed, click Next to continue.
● The “License Agreement” window appears: read it, and
click on
“I accept the terms in the license agreement” to approve
it.
● Do the same in the next window for Virtual PCX and PC
Codec Legal Notice.
● In the “Custom Setup” window, the “Drivers for the HR
board  s” are displayed; by default, both WDM DirectSound
and ASIO HR are installed.
To install the Wave driver ∗, select ‘Wave’.
6
To be able to use your VX card through np, select the
‘Digigram np’ component option (or make sure that the np
application   explicitly   sets   the   ‘VX_FLAG’   with   PCXInitialize()  ).
Next.
● In the “Ready to Install the Program Window”, click on Install
to start copying the files.
●Note:  In case you use an unsigned driver
version, the “Digital Signature Not Found”
message may appear because a non-Microsoft
software   is   about   to   be   installed.
Click on  Continue  in the  “Hardware
6∗ Windows
  XP   and   Server   2003   only
13


installation” window (Windows XP,
Server 2003).
●Under   Windows   Vista:
Click   Allow   in   the   “  User   Account   Control  ”   window.
Click   Install   in the “  Windows   Security  ”   window.
● In the “Digigram drivers” window, select the number and
the size of buffers required by your applications. Click on Ok.
● Click Finish to complete the driver installation.
Parameterizing the ASIO and Wave drivers
Note  : for most current ASIO/Wave applications (e.g. Cubase,
Nuendo, Winamp etc...) you have the choice between a
32-bit version and a 64-bit version when installing them
under Windows  ≥  Vista. For operation with your sound
card,   make   sure   to   use   the   32-bit   version!
For all sound cards of the VX range, “PCM only” is the only operating
mode, therefore this button is not functional in the Digigram control
panel (CPL). (To access this control panel, go to <Start>,
<Programs>,<Digigram>,<Digigram Control Center>). For detailed
information on how to use the Digigram control panel, please refer to its
online help (“? Help” button).
14

VX881e & VX882e
User Manual

15


Removing the driver under Windows XP
and Windows Server 2003
● Open the Windows Control Panel and double-click on the
Add/Remove Software icon.
● Select “Digigram   HR   Runtime   …”  , and Change/Remove.
● Select Remove in the np Runtime window.
● Follow the instructions to finish to remove the driver.
Removing the driver under other Windows versions
● Open the Windows Control Panel and double-click on the
Programs and Features icon.
● Select “Digigram HR Runtime for Vista…”  , and
Change/Remove.
● Select Remove in the HR Runtime window.
● Follow the instructions to finish removing the driver.
How to check the installation
Once the cards and the driver have been installed according to the
procedure described in this manual, you can verify that the card is
properly installed and works fine as follows:
● Menu <Start> <Settings> <Control panel>,<Sound and
Multimedia>, tab “Audio”,Default device (Playback device,
Recording device). The card’s channels can be selected. The
card can be used with any DirectSound   application.
Available WDM recording and playback devices are:
● VX881e (VX882e) 1+2 (WDM) (record   and   playback  )
● VX881e (VX882e) 3+4 (WDM) (record   and   playback  )
● VX881e (VX882e) 5+6 (WDM) (record   and   playback  )
● VX881e (VX882e) 7+8 (WDM) (record   and   playback)
● VX881e (VX882e) 5.1 (WDM) (record   and   playback  )
● VX881e (VX882e) 7.1 (WDM) (record   and   playback  )
● The card is also visible via the np interface: go to <Start>
<Programs> <Digigram> and select <Digigram Control
Center>.
● In the “Digigram drivers” window, select the ‘General
Information’ tab.
In the “Modules Information” window, you can see the
16

VX881e & VX882e
User Manual
HR Runtime modules that have been installed, and their
versions.
● In the “Digigram drivers” window, select the
‘Diagnostics’ tab.
You should see here the icons of the cards you have
installed.
● If the card you have installed is listed:
● Right click on the icon of the card.
● Select ‘Diagnostics’, and Play   Sine  . This plays in
loop a sine signal on the outputs of the card. You can
also select Play   file   to play in loop a file of your
choice (PCM only).
If the playback is correct, the card is correctly
installed and works.
● To stop the playback, right click on the card icon, and
select Stop   Activities  .
● If the card is not displayed:
● Make sure that during the HR Runtime installation
the “Driver for the HR boards” has been selected
in the “Select components” window.
● Make sure that the card is correctly inserted in the
PCI slot, and screwed on the PC chassis.
● If necessary, uninstall the HR Runtime package as
described in this manual, and re-install it.
● If the Wave driver has been installed ∗:
7
● Go to menu <Start>,<Settings>,<Control panel>,
<Sound and Multimedia>, tab “Audio”, Default
device (Playback device, Recording device). The
card’s channels can be selected. The card can be
used with any Wave application.
Available Wave recording and playback devices are:
● VX881e (VX882e) 1+2 (Wave) (record and
playback  )
● VX881e (VX882e) 3+4 (Wave) (record and
playback  )
7  ∗ Windows
  XP   and   Server   2003   only
17


● VX881e (VX882e) 5+6 (Wave) (record and
playback  )
● VX881e (VX882e) 7+8 (Wave) (record and
playback  )
● VX881e (VX882e) 5.1 (Wave) (record and
playback  )
● VX881e (VX882e) 7.1 (Wave) (record and
playback  )
● VX881e (VX882e) 5.1+2 (Wave) (record and
playback  )
● If the ASIO driver has been installed:
● The card is visible from any ASIO application.
Note:
5.1   plays   on   outputs   1,   2,   3,   4,   5,   6
7.1   plays   on   outputs   1,   2,   3,   4,   5,   6,   7,   8
5.1+2   plays   on   outputs   1,   2,   3,   4,   5,   6,   7,   8

The ‘Digigram Hardware Settings’ (‘DHS’) control
panel
Digigram hardware settings (DHS) is an application allowing to
configure the hardware resources of Digigram cards for all audio
applications using them.
A resource being managed by the DHS application can not be modified
by any other applications. To enable an audio application to modify a
Digigram card resource, this resource must not be managed by the
DHS.
Note: As soon as a resource of a card is managed by the DHS,
the   clock   selection   of   this   card   MUST   be   defined   in   the   DHS.
The DHS allows to:
●Select the clock the card uses
●Select the input source
●Set analog and digital gains of an input
●Enable Sample Rate Converters of an input
●Select the input monitored on an output
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VX881e & VX882e
User Manual
●Set the monitoring gains
●Set the analog and digital gains of an output
●Define the digital output format
For help on how to use this control panel, please refer to its on-line
help.
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
SPECIFICATIONS
Configuration
VX881e
VX882e
Bus/Format
PCI EXPRESSTM (PCIe®) x1
(x2, x4, x8, x16, x32 compatible)
Digital Signal Processor
Motorola 56321 at 240 MHz
RAM
512 kWords
Size
168 mm x 111 mm x 20 mm
Power requirements
(+3.3V / +12V)
1.3 A / 0.5 A
2.5 A / 0.1 A
Operating: temp / humidity
(non-condensing)
0°C/+50°C • 5%/90%
Storage: temp / humidity
(non-condensing)
-5°C/+70°C • 0%/95%
Inputs
VX881e
VX882e
Analog line inputs (mono)
-
8 balanced ∗
8
Maximum input level/
impedance
-
+24 dBu/ >10 kΩ
Digital inputs (stereo)
4 AES/EBU ∗∗ with hw Sample Rate
9
Converters,
7.5:1 to 1:8, up to 192 kHz
Programmable input gain
digital:
from –110 dB to +18
dB
analog:
from –94.5dB à +15.5
dB ⊗
10
digital:
from –110 dB à +18 dB
Other inputs
AES/EBU Sync (up to 192 kHz),
Word clock (up to 96 kHz), LTC, Video
8∗
 can   be   used   with   unbalanced   signals
9∗∗
 can   be   used   as   S/PDIF   interface   as   well
10⊗ maximum
  sensitivity:   0   dBFs   for   –15.5   dBu   input
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