Gefen EXT-DVI-841 User manual

www.gefen.com
®
8x1 DVI Switcher
EXT-DVI-841
User’s Manual

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Technical Support:
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Technical Support Hours:
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Write To:
Gefen Inc.
c/o Customer Service
20600 Nordhoff St
Chatsworth, CA 91311
www.gefen.com
[email protected]
Notice
Gefen Inc. reserves the right to make changes in the hardware, packaging and
any accompanying documentation without prior written notice.
8x1 DVI is a trademark of Gefen Inc.
© 2010 Gefen Inc., All Rights Reserved
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners
Rev X5

CONTENTS
1 Introduction
2 Operation Notes
3 Features / Package Includes
4 Panel Layout
5 Panel Descriptions
6 Connecting and Operating the 8x1 DVI Switcher
7 RMT-8IR Remote Description
8 RMT-8IR Remote Installation
9 IR Remote Control and 8x1 Switcher Configuration
10 EDID Notes
11 EDID Notes, Continued
12 RS-232 Serial Control Interface
13 RS-232 Serial Control Commands
14 RS-232 Serial Control Commands, Continued
15 RS-232 Serial Control Commands, Continued
16 RS-232 Serial Communication -- Uploading EDID
17 Rack Mount Instructions
18 Specifications
19 Warranty

1
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the 8x1 DVI Switcher. Your complete
satisfaction is very important to us.
Gefen
Gefen delivers innovative, progressive computer and electronics add-on solutions
that harness integration, extension, distribution and conversion technologies.
Gefen’s reliable, plug-and-play products supplement cross-platform computer
systems, professional audio/video environments and HDTV systems of all sizes
with hard-working solutions that are easy to implement and simple to operate.
The Gefen 8x1 DVI Switcher
The rack-mountable Gefen 8x1 single-link DVI Switcher offers an economical
solution by eliminating the need to purchase many displays for each DVI source
in a studio or lab situation. A plug-and-play solution, the 8x1 DVI Switcher shares
one DVI display with up to eight computers or other DVI video sources, saving
space on your desktop. The source computer is selected using the included IR
remote control or through RS-232 control.
How It Works
The DVI monitor is connected to the switcher’s output. Up to eight DVI sources
connect to the switcher’s DVI inputs using included high quality DVI cables.
The included power supply is connected to the switcher via the locking power
plug and then to a power outlet. The currently selected computer’s video signal
appears on the shared monitor. Video sources are selected/switched using the
RMT-8IR remote control, RS-232 control, or the input selector push button on the
front panel of the switcher.

OPERATION NOTES
2
READ THESE NOTES BEFORE INSTALLING OR
OPERATING THE GEFEN 8X1 DVI SWITCHER
• The 8x1 DVI Switcher will take any of up to eight (8) DVI single-link
resolution inputs and switch them, one at a time, to a DVI output device such
as a display/monitor or projector. Resolutions can be up to 1920x1200.
• The 8x1 DVI Switcher is housed in a metal box for better RF shielding.
• Computers must be turned on one at a time and during this process the 8x1
DVI Switcher must be selected to the computer that is currently booting up.
This is so that monitor information (EDID) can be transmitted properly from
the display to each computer. Please see page 6 for further information.

3
FEATURES
Features
• Switches easily between any eight DVI sources
• Maintains highest resolution single-link DVI at 1920x1200
• Discrete IR remote control included
• Serial RS-232 remote port for switching via automated control or PC
• Supports DDWG standards for DVI monitors
• Rack ears included
Package Includes
(1) 8x1 DVI Switcher
(1) RMT-8IR Remote Control
(1) 5V DC Power Supply
(8) 6-foot DVI cables
(1) Set of rack ears
(1) User’s Manual

4
PANEL LAYOUT
Back Panel
Front Panel
57
8
4
2
13
6

5
PANEL DESCRIPTIONS
1 External IR Port
For connection of external IR extension device such as the Gefen IR Extender
(part # EXT-RMT-EXTIR).
2 IR Receiver
Receives IR signal from the handheld Infrared remote control unit included with
the product.
3 DVI Signal Status LEDs 1-8
Provide visual confirmation of the currently selected DVI input signal out of the
eight DVI input ports.
4 Power Indicator LED
Indicates when the 8x1 DVI Switcher is receiving 5V DC power from its included
AC power supply.
5 5V Locking Power Receptacle
Supplies power to the 8x1 DVI Switcher from the included external 5V DC
power supply. The 5V power supply has a locking power tip which screws into
this receptacle.
6 DVI Input Ports 1-8
DVI video sources one through eight attach to the 8x1 DVI Switcher.
7 DVI Output Port
This DVI output port is connected to the display device (Monitor, Projector).
8 RS-232 Serial Communications Interface
Provided for external control of the 8x1 DVI Switcher.

6
CONNECTING AND OPERATING THE 8X1 DVI SWITCHER
How to Connect the 8x1 DVI Switcher to your devices:
1. Connect the supplied DVI cables from the DVI sources into the 8x1 DVI
Switcher’s Inputs.
2. Connect the cable from your display (monitor or projector) into the DVI Out
of the 8x1 DVI Switcher.
3. Connect the included 5V power supply, then plug it into the wall. Turn on the
DVI display or projector first, then the video sources. Turn on the 8x1 DVI
Switcher by screwing its 5V DC power supply tip into the receptacle in the
rear of the chassis.
Note: Computers must be turned on one at a time and the switcher must
be selected to the computer that is currently booting up. This is so that
monitor information (EDID) is correctly transmitted from the display to each
computer.
After one computer completes the startup process, you can boot up the
second computer and repeat the process with the remaining computers.
This can be avoided with the use of the LOCAL EDID mode (page 11)
that will constantly supply each computer with an EDID. In this scenario, a
stored EDID, or user uploaded EDID, is supplied to each input for use by
the connected source device. Then, each computer can boot up in any order
and at anytime, regardless of which computer the switch is selected to.
How to Operate the 8x1 DVI Switcher:
4. Use the RMT-8IR remote control to remotely switch between DVI video
sources.
5. Alternatively, use a RS-232 control system such as a PC with
communications software (for example, Microsoft’s Hyperterminaltm) or an
automated control system such as Crestron.tm

7
8X1 DVI SWITCHER REMOTE DESCRIPTION
LED Indicator
Input Selection
Buttons
The RMT-8IR remote control will allow the user to select which of 8 DVI sources will
be displayed. Please use the information below when selecting the desired source
for output to a display or other DVI video receiving device.
RMT-8IR Button DVI Source
11
22
33
44
55
66
77
88