FrontRow CM900 Assembly instructions

CM900
INSTALLER GUIDE

YOU’RE ABOUT TO MAKE
LEARNING MORE ACCESSIBLE
Welcome to FrontRow — the teacher- and tech-friendly way
to improve the learning environment in every classroom.
To make your configuration of the FrontRow CM900 as
efficient as possible, we recommend that you first read the
section in this guide called Before You Begin.
If you follow the steps set out in this Configuration Guide
and organize everything you need beforehand, you’ll find
setting up your FrontRow CM900 classroom communication
system to be quite simple. Of course, if you run into any
obstacles, you can always find contact information for our
technical support representatives at www.gofrontrow.com/
contact-us.
Thank you for choosing FrontRow! You're just steps away
from a more productive classroom.

CONTENTS
Step 1: Before You Begin .......................................................................1
Visualize your goal .........................................................................1
Get familiar with input and output ports .......................................................2
What do you want to control? How do you want to control it?.....................................3
Gathering information ......................................................................4
Step 2: Getting Your Configuration Files ..........................................................5
Step 3: Preparing for Configuration ..............................................................6
Step 4: Configuring the CM900..................................................................7
About....................................................................................8
Load/Save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
PA/Intercom ..............................................................................9
Audio Settings ...........................................................................10
Network/COM ...........................................................................11
Command Line ...........................................................................12
Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Action Creator ...........................................................................13
Event Creator ............................................................................14
Add Actions .............................................................................15
Appendix A: Control Commands for the CM900 ..................................................16
Appendix B: Configuration File Settings .........................................................21
Appendix C: Troubleshooting ..................................................................22
Appendix D: Give Your Computer a Static IP Address ..............................................24

1
The FrontRow CM900 is an amplification and control device that is used in ezRoom®classroom AV management systems and
in Conductor™paging, bell and intercom systems. This one device switches and amplifies analog audio, encodes/decodes
streaming audio, auto switches between local classroom audio and IP audio, and allows for direct or “pass though”
control of serial devices such as a projector. It resides on an IP network so it can be accessed remotely and securely to
execute its functions.
1. Visualize your goal
When your FrontRow CM900 is installed as part of an ezRoom TRIO, it may look something like this:
Step 1: Before you begin
AUDIO
RS232
TRIO
SCHOOL
NETWORK
OR AND/
OR
CB6000 CB2050 CB55
CONDUCTOR
MAESTRO
PROJECTOR
COMPUTER
HDMI

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2. Get familiar with input and output ports
1AUX Power Out (12Vdc, 1.0A)
Used to power other components. Most
often used in ezRoom applications to
power the TB-14.
2Channel 1 Audio Line In (switchable)
Connect other classroom media sources
(computer, wireless mic receiver, DVD) to
play audio through connected speakers.
3Channel 1 Switch (Stereo/Balanced)
Use these switches to change the input for
Channel 1. Set both switches to stereo for
stereo input or both switches to Balanced
& Mono for mono input. Do NOT have one
switch on stereo and one on balanced.
4Channel 2 Audio Line In (stereo)
Connect other stereo classroom media sources.
5Channel 3 Audio Line In (stereo)
Connect other stereo classroom media sources.
6Channel 1 Switch (Stereo/Mono)
Use these switches to change the input for
Channel 1. Set both switches to stereo for
stereo input or both switches to Balanced
& Mono for mono input. Do NOT have one
switch on stereo and one on mono.
7PA Out
Terminal to connect speakers. 2 x 8w (8Ω),
2 x 16w (4Ω).
8Line Out
Audio output for lesson capture or to send
audio to another device.
9Main Power In (12Vdc, 5.0A)
10 PoE Power In (12Vdc, 2.0A)
Power jack to connect separate PoE
extractor module. Provides power in event
of a mains interruption.
11 LAN (RJ45)
Provides network connection to device.
10/100Mb/s (auto sensing) using either
TCP/IP or UDP protocols.
12 RS232
Can be used to control two RS232 devices.
The second serial port can also be config-
ured as an input to allow the CM900 to be
controlled via RS232.
13 PGO Detect
Page override interface with 20/70/100V
analog paging systems. Automatically mutes
audio coming from CM900 system during a
paging event.
14 Alarm Detect
Connect to an alarm system to trigger events
or mute audio when the alarm is triggered
15 Intercom (RJ45)
Connect the CB75 intercom panel micro-
phone for communication with front office
when push-to-talk is required (can also be
used with CB85). Connect a CB50 volume
control with a TB8 cable for basic volume
and mute control. Connect the CMBT
Bluetooth audio receiver for wireless audio
streaming and pass-through support for
CB85 mic and CB55 volume control.
16 IR Blaster
Routes IR control signals to devices
connected via an IR emitter cable.
17 Relay (2.0A)
Allows triggering of third party devices,
like strobes or door locks. Can be wired for
“Always Open” or “Always Closed”.
18 PA Fault LED*
Indicates the mute/unmute status of the
local audio (“CH1 Line In” and “CH2 Line
In” ports). Normal operation: solid amber
(muted), unlit (unmuted).
19 Error LED*
Indicates firmware error. Normal operation:
unlit.
20 Status LED*
Indicates the overall operational status of
the CM900. Normal operation: green LED
blinks ½ second on + ½ second off.
21 LAN In
Used with #22 CLAN Out; connect to a net-
work switch.
22 CLAN Out
Used with #21 LAN In to add power to the
network connection; connect to a CB6000
or CB2000 wall control.
1 2 3467 8
910 11 13
12 14 15 16 17
21 22
18
19 20
5
*For fault status, see Appendix C: Troubleshooting (LED Status)

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3. What do you want to control? How do you want to control it?
Your CM900 can let teachers control or communicate with practically any device or person. Now is the time to plan what
you want to do.
Example 1: Typical setup with projector
In this example, the CM900 works to turn a projector on and off, switch inputs or execute any command the projector
has in it’s control library. The diagram also shows optional Bluetooth integration. If FrontRow Conductor™is being used
in the school, the CM900 can also initiate intercom calls and trigger alerts. In combination with powerful tools like
FrontRow Maestro™, this can allow you to ‘network’ and manage projectors that are otherwise not online. Below are
the basic connections for controlling a projector serially.
ETHERNET
SWITCH
CMBT
CM 9 00
CB55
CB6000 CB2050
SCHOOL
NETWORK
HDMI
POWER
SUPPLY
SYMBIO
CEILING SENSOR
AUDIO
CLAN
NETWORK
SENSOR
AUDIO
NETWORK
RS232 AUDIO
PROJECTOR
COMPUTER
OR AND/
OR

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4. Gathering information
You will save a lot of time by working with the school to gather information up front.
• Make a list of all rooms to be outfitted and the equipment to be controlled in each one.
• The IT department will provide you with IPv4 addresses for each CM900 and other FrontRow IP addressable
components (these must be static, or fixed, IP addresses), along with other network information, such as the subnet
mask, router IP address and FrontRow server IP address.
• Will the room include voice amplification?
• Will the room be served by a Conductor system for paging? For intercom?
• Will there be an IR-controlled device?
• Will the room controller be a FrontRow CB2000, CB2050, CB55 or CB6000?
• Organize the network information in a spreadsheet such as the one found at
https://www.gofrontrow.com/sites/default/files/how-to/room-control-project-planning-template.xls

5
Your CM900 needs information about the other devices it needs to communicate with, and how. If your configuration —
the collection of commands you want to issue from CM900 and the devices you want to control — is the same in each
room in your installation, then you will need only one configuration base file which you will modify with specific
IP addresses unique to each room. If the situation is different from room to room, you will need different base files that
are tailored to each configuration.
There are several ways to create your configuration files:
• Go to gofrontrow.com/guides-resources and find the Configuration Files & Scripts section, then the ezRoom
heading. Each Base Configuration File stored here includes the control logic programming needed for the most
common applications.
• If your configuration is uncommon enough that it’s outside the scope of the configuration files, and you have some
basic familiarity with programming, you can easily build your own user interface designs or control logic programming.
When configuring your CM900, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.
Step 2: Getting Your Configuration Files

6
You can reconfigure the CM900 at any point if your setup changes or you make a mistake — but it’s best to plan ahead
so that you don’t have to (see Step 1).
For greatest efficiency, we recommend configuring all of your CM900 systems all at once in the office prior to going to
the installation site, but you can also do it room by room at the school if you prefer.
1. Gather your configuration tools
To configure your CM900 systems you will need to collect:
• Your CM900 systems
• Enough Cat 5e cable to connect between the CM900 and the computer you will use for configuring the device
• A computer with RJ45 connection and a web browser installed (Chrome, Firefox or Safari recommended)
• A completed ezRoom Installer Planning Template or other detailed information about the school’s available
IP addresses for your CM900 systems, and other components (see Step 1)
• Your Base Configuration File(s) (see Step 2)
2. Connect your configuration setup
Take your first CM900 and connect it to your configuration equipment as shown here.
• Connect your laptop computer’s LAN port to the CM900 LAN port with a Cat 5e, or network cable.
• Change the IPv4 address on your laptop to static address 192.168.1.100. See Appendix D for instruction.
Step 3: Preparing for Configuration
CM900 side

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Step 4: Configuring the CM900
Your CM900 has several parameters that can be configured to tell it how to communicate with other devices in an ezRoom or
Conductor installation. While each installation is different most of the default parameters will be appropriate.
1. Access CM900
Open a web browser on your laptop and in the URL field type the IPv4 address 192.168.1.103 and press enter. This is the default
static IP address of the CM900 and will likely be changed when you configure it per the school’s IP addressing scheme.
• You will be connected to your CM900 and see a screen like this:

8
Load Configuration
Browse for a previously saved CM900 configuration file and load it on this device.
NOTE: Configuration files created on FrontRow devices (e.g. Smart Receiver, CM3000) are not interchangeable between device types.
Save Configuration
Save the configuration file from this device for use on other CM900’s.
NOTE: Configuration files created on FrontRow devices (e.g. Smart Receiver, CM3000) are not interchangeable between device types.
2. About
Device Information
The name you choose should contain meaningful information, such as the classroom number, so that a person accessing the
device remotely will have appropriate context. Also on this screen you can see the device MAC address and firmware version.
Password
If the project requires it you can password-protect the CM900 configuration screens by setting a password. If setting a
password for the first time, the “old password” is calypso. Choose a new one based on the school’s guidelines and record the
information. The user name is always admin.
3. Load/Save
The set of configuration parameters created in this interface can be saved in a file for use with other CM900s. In this section you
would “save” a configuration file or “load” a file from a location on your computer. Some of the parameters would still need to be
changed (e.g., the IP address).

9
4. PA / Intercom
These settings are for use when installed with the Conductor IP-based Paging, Intercom and Bell system or with a 25V, 70V, or
100V analog paging system.
Intercom/PA Mode
Intercom Device Checking Intercom device tells the Conductor server that this CM900 is part of the intercom system.
Master Device Checking Master device tells the Conductor server that this CM900 has a microphone and is allowed to initiate
pages. This is set only when the CM900 is part of a Conductor admin station, not when it is simply a part of the intercom system.
Push to Talk Mode (PTT)
When used with a CB75, push-to-talk microphone, the push button can be configured in one of three ways.
Disabled (always handsfree) Audio from the in-room microphone can be heard in the front office with no action from the user
in the room.
After push (initially handsfree) Audio from the in-room microphone can be heard in the front office with no action from the
user in the room until the button is pushed. Thereafter, the user must push the button in the room to activate the microphone.
Always (never handsfree) Audio from the in-room microphone will not be heard until and unless the user in the room is
pushing the button.
GPI Mode
GPI Mode is used with a CB75.
Rotary + Button Choose this so the push to talk (PTT) microphone can be used for classroom intercom
3 GP Inputs Disables the rotary knob. Choose this if the hardware lines are to be used as separate GPI inputs.
Incoming Audio
PA volume The volume of incoming audio from Conductor (pages, bells and intercom); it does not affect the volume of the
local (in room) audio.
PA Release The amount of time it takes for the local (in room) audio to return to normal volume after an incoming audio
stream from Conductor.
Outgoing Audio (talk-back)
Gain setting for the audio sent back to the front office from the in-room intercom microphone, i.e. the wall (CB75) or ceiling (CB85)
unit. The gain setting for the pendant microphone when used as the intercom microphone is set through Ch1 line input gain. The
corresponding Routing checkbox, e.g., “Include sound from Ch1 Line-in”, must be selected to enable the gain adjustment.

10
Volume
Adjusts the master volume of all the inputs together (microphones and auxiliary sources). Individual volumes can be adjusted
based on relative volume of devices or microphones. Note that this is not a permanent setting — it will change when the
volume is changed in other ways, e.g., using Teacher Edition or Encore software, or via control devices such as the CB6000, or
even the knob on a CB75.
Aux Input Volume
Adjusts the individual volumes of the auxiliary inputs. Each input can have a different volume setting. For example, a DVD
player can be set at higher volume than the teacher’s computer. Adjusting the master volume will keep the same relative
difference between the inputs.
Aux Out Volume
Adjusts the volume of the auxiliary (Line Out) audio output. This is important for lesson capture or integration with ALD’s (Assistive
Listening Devices)
Routing for Outgoing Streams
Select which audio stream is sent back to the front office. If both are selected, the combined streams will be sent.
Include sound from Intercom Streams only audio from the from the CB75 or CB85
Include sound from Ch1 Line-in Streams the audio from the audio that is coming in through Ch1, typically a teacher microphone
External Page Override
For use with 25V, 70V and 100V analog paging systems. The CM900 will mute all audio in the room when an announcement is
made over the facility’s paging system. Analog page override requires a connection to the facility’s PA system. For information
about connecting the page override function to the PA system, see Juno Page Override Installer Guide.
Sensitivity Determines how easily the page override will trigger based on the detected voltage of the paging system. If the
CM900 does not detect a page, increase sensitivity. If the CM900 triggers when there is no page, but voltage is detected,
decrease sensitivity.
PGO Release The amount of time it takes for the local (in room) audio to return to normal volume after the audio from the
paging system ends.
5. Audio
These settings affect the local audio in the room (microphones and auxiliary sources) and other device settings

11
6. Network / COM
Network Configuration
Automatic IP Configuration (DHCP) Use this setting to have this device request an IP address from a DHCP server; this
should be enabled only if the IT department has a DHCP server online and has set up static (fixed) IP address reservations
for FrontRow devices; otherwise manually enter the IP address reserved for the device in the IP Address field. It is highly
recommended that static IP addresses be used.
IP Address The field displays and also enables entering (changing) the IP address for the device; while the default address is
192.168.1.103. You must use the address provided by the IT department and ensure that each device has a unique address.
IP Subnet Mask Provided by the IT department; if used as part of a Conductor system, the subnet mask must be
255.255.255.0.
Router IP Address Required when this device is in a network in which router switches determine connectivity across subnets.
Provided by the IT department.
Primary NameServer IP Address Optionally provided by the IT department. Rarely used with this device, only enter an IP
address here if specifically requested by the IT department.
Secondary NameServer IP Optionally provided by the IT department. Only enter an IP address here if specifically requested
by the IT department.
Current Remote Management (CNAP) Port Under rare conditions, it may be necessary to change the network
communication ports used by other devices and software to communicate with this device. If a such a change is necessary,
please direct your browser to the /cfg/advanced.htm page for this device and refer to the help there.

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7. Command Line
Enter Command
Use this section to test commands sent to a device to verify that it performs the action desired. Use the drop down list to
select examples of FrontRow command protocols.
Serial Port Configuration
COM Port The COM Port menu specifies the COM port number that the parameters on this page apply to; the CM900 has
2 COM Ports.
Baud Rate Specifies the data speed at which this device should communicate with the attached serial device; while 9600 and
19200 are typical for projectors, data speeds vary by manufacturer.
Stop Bits Specified by the manufacturer of the connected serial device, but is typically 1.
Parity Specified by the manufacturer but is typically None.
Set to input control mode (COM Port 2 only) Sets the second serial port to a mode where it accepts incoming serial
commands to control things like volume. Ref. Serial Commands in Appendix A.

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8. Shortcuts
Shortcuts
Shortcuts are name substitutions. Defining Shortcuts makes deployment of multiple FrontRow devices of the same type
easier. Use Shortcuts in defining actions that represent the IP addresses of the devices you’ll control. This means that your
configuration file can be written as a template with IP addresses explicitly defined in only one place (the Shortcut), needing to
be changed only once rather than repeatedly throughout your Actions. This saves a tremendous amount of labor as you re-use
the configuration file to control new devices from room to room.
9. Action Creator
Actions are specific instructions that are sent to specific devices (e.g. to turn a projector on or change inputs on a projector).
Once defined, you will link them to various Events which can be triggered in a variety of ways.

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10. Event Creator
With your collection of discrete Actions defined, you can now specify what Events will cause one or more of those Actions to
be executed. Events can be triggered in a variety of ways, Encore and Teacher Edition software, FrontRow Control panels, a
FrontRow push button (CB75 microphone or CB50) or from a non-FrontRow GPI trigger.
Actions can be created using two methods:
1. Using a wizard
• Select an Action Type wizard using the Action Entry Method drop-down list
• Using the wizard’s prompts, enter the syntax necessary to build the specific action
2. Using a Template
• Select the Manual entry method from the Action Entry Method list, then select a template from the second drop-down list
• Edit the syntax necessary to build the specific action (e.g. IP address)
To create an Action:
1. Click New
2. Name the Action
3. Enter the action string or Command

15
To create an Event:
You want to plan which trigger you want, if any. If no specific trigger is needed, plan on selecting event 13 to 20, then click Edit.
Or, select the event with the trigger you plan to use and click Edit. Clicking on New opens the next undefined event number.
Edit
To use a predefined trigger or specific Event, select the Event number and click Edit. Enter Event Name, mode and select
action(s). Then Save. This can also be used the change previously defined Events.
1. Click New
2. Name the Event
Triggers can be physical devices such as a non-FrontRow push button connected to the GPI (GPI open / close), or a
FrontRow device connected to the RJ45 intercom jack (Wall knob press, release, turn right, or turn left). When that defined
trigger is detected by the device the matching Event will be executed. For each such Event, the Actions for the Event will
execute according to that Event’s mode setting (see below). If you care about the order in which Actions happen, put them
all in a single Event and set the mode to Each (in order).
4. Choose a Mode. The mode determines how and in what order each action in the event will be invoked.
All (in parallel): All actions for the event will be executed but in no particular order. When order does not matter but you
want things to happen as quickly as possible, this is the recommended choice.
Each (in order): Actions for the event will be executed in the order listed. This is useful when the order matters to you; for
example, turning off a projector before retracting a projector screen. To change the order of the actions in the event, drag
actions up or down with the three lines next to the action name.
One per call (in sequence): The actions will be treated as a loop, executing the next Action in the series each time the
Event is initiated (e.g., with 2 actions: Action 1 on the first button press, Action 2 on the second button press, Action 1 on
the third button press, etc.). This is useful for toggle functions like power or mute.
5. Add Actions
To add actions, select them and click Add Selected. Actions can be reordered by clicking and dragging the lines to the left of
the action name in the Current Action List.
When there are multiple Actions, they will be performed in the order indicated by the mode selected in step 4.

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Appendix A: Control commands for the CM900
1. Action/Network Commands
The following are some of the more frequently used commands within Actions or sent over the network. For the complete
guide to all such commands, refer to the Calypso Action Control Language (CACL) manual found in the Guides & Resources
section of the FrontRow web site, www.gofrontrow.com/guides-resources.
CM900 Volume Commands
Syntax: #AUDn[Mute,Volume];
Name Required/Optional Data Type Format Description
nRequired Constant 1 Denotes the sub-device. Since the
CM900 has only one sub device,
this is always 1
Mute Optional Variant MCommand
where Command is 0, 1, or +
Audio mute:
• off (0);
• on (1); or
• toggle (+)
Volume Optional Variant VCommand
where Command is an integer
from 1 to 100, +, or -. The + or
- may be followed by a single
digit (1-9) indicating the change
in volume steps to be made. If
no digit is entered, the volume
will increment by one.
Sets the audio volume to:
• the percentage of maximum
volume corresponding to the
integer used;
• an increase in volume (+) by n
steps (+n); or
• a decrease in volume (-) by n
steps (-n)
Examples:
Unmute and increase volume: #AUD1[M0,V+];
Unmute and decrease volume by 2 steps: #AUD1[M0,V-2];
Set volume to 10% of maximum: #AUD1[V10];
Mute: #AUD1[M1];
Unmute: #AUD1[M0];
Toggle mute: #AUD1[M+];
Query current settings (returns value of input, mute, and volume): #AUD1[];

17
For network (NET) commands, we recommend using UDP (“F2”) as the preferred
protocol as it tends to be faster.
Network (NET) Commands
Syntax: #NET[Connection, StringType. Device ‘Command’];
Name Required/Optional Data Type Format Description
Connection Required Variant Fn
where n is 1 or 2
Defines the connection type:
• TCP/IP (1)
• UDP (2)
String Type Optional Variant Tn
where n is 1 or 2
Defines the string type:
• ASCII string (1)
• HEX string (2)
If you leave StringType blank,
a default of T1 is assumed
Device Required Variant If using Shortcuts (recommended):
@{shortcutname}
For explicit device references:
IAddress, PPort
Default port is 7267
A string expression that is the
valid name of a shortcut (see
section 8) or the IP address
and port of the device being
controlled.
Command Required Variant Specific to device. For device
commands, see manufacturers
instructions
A string expression that
contains the command.
Example: (increments the audio input channel of a remote ezRoom by one over TCP/IP protocol using an ASCII string):
#NET[F1,@{shortcutname},’#AIN1[I1,L+];’];
Intercom (HTP Commands
Syntax: #HTP[URL];
Name Required/Optional Data Type Format Description
URL Required Variant http: type URL string URL of remote website
Server Required Variant If using Shortcuts (recommended):
@{shortcutname}
For explicit device references:
IP address of the Conductor server
A string expression that is
the valid name of a shortcut
(see section 8) or the IP
address of the Conductor
server.
Example with shortcuts: (initiates an intercom request to the admin station located in the office):
#HTP[http//@{server}/calypso/conductor/call];
#HTP[http://192.168.1.99/calypso/conductor/call]