Hall Research Technologies VSA-X21 User manual

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User’s Manual
VSA-X21
HDMI Audio Extractor with 50 Watt Audio
Amplifier, HDBT Input, Line Audio Input
RS-232 Ports and IP Control
(Telnet & Internal Web GUI)
UMA1234 Rev A

Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................2
2.0 FEATURES ......................................................................................................3
2.1PACKAGE CONTENTS .......................................................................................3
3.0 SETUP.............................................................................................................4
3.1INSTALLATION .................................................................................................4
4.0 OPERATION ....................................................................................................5
4.1FRONT PANEL.................................................................................................5
4.2REAR PANEL...................................................................................................7
4.3FACTORY DEFAULT ..........................................................................................8
4.4POWER CONNECTION.......................................................................................8
4.5LINEINCONNECTION......................................................................................9
4.6L/RSPEAKER CONNECTIONS...........................................................................10
5.0 SERIAL COMMANDS .....................................................................................11
5.1SERIAL CONNECTIONS.................................................................................... 11
5.2AUTO DETECTION..........................................................................................18
5.3DEVICE ADDRESSING .....................................................................................18
6.0 WEBGUI AND TELNET OPERATION...............................................................20
6.1AUTO DETECTION..........................................................................................20
6.2INPUT SELECT...............................................................................................20
6.3AUDIO MIX ...................................................................................................20
6.4VOLUME CONTROL.........................................................................................20
6.5LOCATING THE DEVICE ON A COMPATIBLE LANNETWORK...................................... 21
6.5TELNET........................................................................................................21
7.0 SENSE FUNCTIONALITY................................................................................21
7.1PAGESENSOR ..........................................................................................21
7.2PAGE SENSOR INSTALLATION...........................................................................22
7.2PAGE MUTE ON CONTACT CLOSURE..................................................................22
8.0 DUCKING AND AUTOMUTE FUNCTIONALITY ................................................22
8.2AUTO MUTING...............................................................................................22
9.0 TROUBLESHOOTING.....................................................................................23
10.0 SPECIFICATIONS.........................................................................................24
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
Hall Research and its logo are trademarks of Hall Research. Any other trademarks mentioned in this
manual are acknowledged as the property of the trademark owners.
FCC RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT
This device complies with part 15 of the 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

HDMI Audio Extractor with Power Amplifier
2
1.0 Introduction
The VSA-X21 is a 4K HDMI Audio Extractor with built-in 50 watt audio amplifier for direct
connection of 8 ohm speakers. It provides an additional line-level stereo audio input that
can mix with the HDMI audio. Volume can be controlled using front panel buttons, RS-
232 commands, WebGUI, Telnet, or via an external rotary digital encoder.
The VSA-X21 provides an independent RS-232 output port that can control other
devices. Typically, to control the power on/off state of the TV or video projector
connected to its HDMI output.
Full EDID management provided allows the user to learn, download, upload, emulate or
pass-thru the EDID from the connected display. Use the USB port on the front panel to
configure the device operation via a free Windows™ GUI available from the VSA-X21
product webpage on http://www.hallresearch.com.
The VSA-X21 can pass through commands from its RS-232 input to the RS-232 output,
but also supports store user-defined commands for controlling devices connected to its
RS-232 output.
The stored RS-232 commands can be triggered automatically (based on detecting +5V
or a HDMI input signal) or manually by user command (RS-232, Telnet or WebGUI),
button press or contact closure.
The device is IP enabled giving the user the ability to control the device through a PC or
Smartphone. The Telnet control uses the same commands as the serial interface.
Figure 1 – Connection Diagram

VSA-X21
3
2.0 Features
4K HDMI audio extractor with EDID management
Built-in 50 watt amplifier for connection to 8 Ohm speakers (25 watts/channel)
Audio input for connecting line-level audio inputs (e.g. wireless microphones).
Control via, front panel, RS-232, digital pot (rotary encoder), Webpage or Telnet
HDMI Ducking (when Line input is detected, HDMI sound volume in the mix is
automatically lowered)
Primary RS-232 port for device control
Secondary RS-232 port for auxiliary device control
Store separate commands for the auxiliary devices
HDMI and HDBT Inputs
Compatible with X21-UI
Compatible with UHBX-SW3-WP or UHBX-SW3-S
Compatible with UI-KNOB-DP
Supports HDMI, DVI, HDCP, 3D and Deep color
Stereo or Mono output
Priority Paging Sensor input (for automatically muting the audio output)
Compact, Rugged, Reliable, and Economical
Made in the USA
2.1 Package Contents
Qty (1) VSA-X21
Qty (1) 48V DC Universal DC Power Adapter
Qty (1) User’s Manual
Qty (1) Type A to Mini-B USB cable
Qty (1) 4 Position Screw Terminal Strip
Qty (1) 9 Position Screw Terminal Strip

HDMI Audio Extractor with Power Amplifier
4
3.0 Setup
3.1 Installation
Connect an HDMI compatible source signal to the HDMI IN connector.
Optionally, connect the HDMI display device to the HDMI OUT connector. A
display device is NOT required for audio only applications.
Connect 8-ohm loudspeakers to the speaker output screw terminals. For
connecting more than two speakers, please see Section 4.6 L/R Speaker
Connections.
Optionally, connect a compatible line-level audio source to the LINE IN
connector. (e.g., wireless microphone or MP3 player)
Optionally, connect a compatible line-level audio output device to the LINE
OUT connector. (e.g., headphones, assistive listening devices). The Line out
signal volume is variable and is set by adjusting output volume
Optionally, connect a compatible RS-232 control device to the RS-232 IN 3-pin
terminal connector. (e.g., Serial Controller)
Optionally, connect the compatible RS-232 device to be controlled to the RS-
232 OUT 3-pin terminal connector. (e.g., Projector or LCD)
Optionally, connect to your compatible LAN using a CAT5e/6 cable plugged to
the LAN connector.
Optionally, connect one of the following functions to the configurable pins on
the rear terminal strip.
The mode in which these pins operate is set using the free
Windows GUI available on product's website.
oExternal digital rotary encoder
(Compatible with Model UI-KNOB-DP)
oPriority Page Sensor (for detecting page announcement)
oOccupancy Detector (to trigger the unit to send out serial
commands to the display).
See section 4.2 Rear Panel for details.

VSA-X21
5
4.0 Operation
The following is a functional block diagram of the audio routing in the VSA-X21:
Figure 2 – Audio Routing and Processing Diagram
4.1 Front Panel
Figure 3 - Front Panel
MUTE
Press this button to mute the output audio. When the unit is muted, the LED glows.
▲& ▼
Press these buttons to increase or decrease the output volume. Volume can be adjusted
regardless of mute status. If volume is changed when the output is muted, it will be at the
new level when un-muted.
LED Volume Bar
The illuminated LEDs show the current audio setting 0 to 100%. The level is adjusted
using the ▲& ▼buttons, RS-232, Windows GUI, WebGUI or Telnet.
NOTE Volume setting affects both the Speaker output as well as the 3.5mm
stereo output. The volume of the audio embedded in the HDMI output is
not affected.

HDMI Audio Extractor with Power Amplifier
6
Audio Mix Buttons
The LINE and HDMI buttons are used to select audio inputs. When both are selected, the
audio from each source is mixed together.
LINE
Press this button to select the Line input and add it to the output audio. When
the Line input is selected, the LED glows.
HDMI
Press this button to select the audio embedded in the HDMI input and add it to
the output audio. When the HDMI input is selected, the LED glows.
Using the HDMI ARC audio
Instead of using the audio from the HDMI input, the user can use the audio signal
returning from the TV connected to the output (TV must support ARC function). To
reassign the HDMI audio from INPUT to ARC, use the free Windows GUI available for
free download on the product's website.
When configured to use ARC, selecting the HDMI button on the front panel lights both
HDMI and ARC LEDs at the same time. This indicates the ARC pin in the HDMI is being
selected.
VIDEO SEL
The VIDEO SEL button selects the desired video input.
HDBT LED
When the HDBT IN connector on the rear panel is the active video input, the
RED HDBT LED is on.
HDMI LED
When the HDMI IN connector on the rear panel is the active video input, the
GREEN HDMI LED is on.
AUTO LED
When the AUTO LED is on when AUTO MODE has been activated. This
means the VSA-X21 can switch to an active INPUT and optionally transmit RS-
232 ON and OFF strings to an external device (like a projector or LCD).
The following methods are available for triggering AUTO MODE:
+5V from SOURCE on HDMI IN or HDBT IN connectors
VIDEO from the SOURCE on HDMI IN or HDBT IN connectors
Contact Closure between CCW and GND terminals
NOTE If nothing is connected to the 3.5mm audio input, it is recommended to
deselect the LINE in the audio mix. This eliminates any possible residual
noise picked up by the analog circuits connected to the unused LINE
input

VSA-X21
7
USB
Connect the supplied USB cable to a compatible Windows™ PC using for use with the
Software GUI available for download from http://www.hallresearch.com.
4.2 Rear Panel
Figure 3 – Rear Panel
HDMI IN
Connect the HDMI connector to a compatible video source. (e.g., such as a DVD or Blu-
ray player).
LINE IN
Connect the 3.5mm jack to compatible line level audio source. (e.g., such as a MP3 or
Microphone).
HDMI OUT (HDMI Connector)
Connect the HDMI connector to a compatible video sink. (e.g., such as a LCD or
Projector).
LINE OUT
Connect the 3.5mm connector to compatible line level audio output devices (e.g., such
as headphones)
L/R 2-Channel Output
Connect 8-16 ohm speakers to the 4-position terminal strip. Observe speaker polarity.
25 watts per channel maximum.
NOT
E
The Line input is configured for nominal Consumer Level
(typical of MP3 players or wireless microphone receivers).
This input connector is stereo (Tip=Left channel, Ring=Right
Channel). Care must be taken when connecting to a mono signal
or a balanced signal.
Refer to Section 4.5 LINE IN Connection below

HDMI Audio Extractor with Power Amplifier
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VOL Control / PAGE Sense Terminals
These 3 terminal strip connections have different purposes based on the system
configuration.
For VOLUME Control
Connect a compatible rotary encoder (Model UI-KNOB-DP) to the CW, CCW
and GND terminals for system volume control. (Factory Default)
OR for PAGE Sensing and Audio Muting
Connect a compatible PAGE SENSOR (Model VSA-PGSNS) to the CW and
CCW terminals for automated PAGE Muting control.
OR for switch controlled Audio Muting
Connect a SPST switch between the CW and GND terminals for automated
PAGE Muting control.
AND, optionally, connect a switch between the CCW and GND terminals for
automated transmission of the user programmed RS-232 ON and OFF strings
associated with the ‘AUTO’ function from the RS-232 OUT terminals.
VOL Control
Connect a rotary encoder (Model UI-KNOB-DP) to the 3-pin terminal for controlling the
volume or a sensor for page control.
RS-232 IN
Connect the PC’s RS-232 port to the input of the unit with a 3-pin terminal connector.
RS-232 OUT
Connect RS-232 out to the controlled device such as a projector using a 3-pin terminal
cable.
LAN
Connect to the compatible LAN network.
DC PWR
Connect to the power supply shipped with the unit.
See Section 4.4 Power Connection.
4.3 Factory Default
Hold the ‘Auto’ and ‘Mute’ buttons for more than 4 seconds to reset the unit to the
‘FACTORY DEFAULT’ state.
4.4 Power Connection
A 120/240 VAC 50/60 HZ to 48 Volt DC 1.5A external universal power supply provides all
the power required for the system to operate.