Hall Research Technologies VSM-A-4-4 User manual

UMA1197 Rev. N/C
Order toll-free in the U.S. 800-959-6439
FREE technical support, Call 714-641-6607 or fax [phone]
Address: Hall Research, 1163 Warner Ave. Tustin, CA 92780
Web site: www.hallresearch.com E-mail: [e-mail]
CUSTOMER
SUPPORT
INFORMATION
Genesis ™ Series
4x4 VGA & Audio Matrix Switches
User’s Manual
VSM-A-4-4
4x4 VGA + Audio Matrix Switch
VSM-I-A-4-JA4
4x4 VGA + Audio Matrix Switch
with
A/V on Twisted Pair (UTP) outputs & Control over IP

Genesis™ Series 4x4 AV Matrix Switches
1
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.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not
installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions, may cause interference to radio communication. It has been designed to
comply with the limits for a Class A computing device in accordance with the
specifications in Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are intended to provide
reasonable protection against such interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause interference, in which case the user at their own expense will be required to take
whatever measures may be necessary to correct the interference.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

User’s Manual
2
Contents
1. Introduction............................................................................................................ 3
1.1 General..................................................................................................................3
1.2 Features ................................................................................................................ 4
2. Installation.............................................................................................................. 5
2.1 Package Contents .................................................................................................5
2.2 Input and Output Connections...............................................................................5
2.3 Connection Block Diagrams ..................................................................................8
3. Configuration & Operation ................................................................................... 8
3.1 Front-Panel Buttons and Indicators.......................................................................8
3.2 Turning the unit on and off.....................................................................................9
3.3 Making AV Routings or “Ties” from Front Panel..................................................10
3.4 Saving Presets (routing patterns)........................................................................11
3.5 Recalling Presets (routing patterns) ....................................................................11
3.6 Resetting system to factory defaults....................................................................11
4. Control Commands (RS-232 and IP).................................................................. 11
4.1 Routing Functions................................................................................................ 12
4.2 Preset Save and Recall Functions ...................................................................... 13
4.3 Power Functions..................................................................................................13
4.4 Special Commands .............................................................................................14
4.5 Error Responses.................................................................................................. 14
5. IP Control Basics................................................................................................. 15
5.1 Getting Device IP Address ..................................................................................15
5.2 Controlling the Matrix via Web Interface..............................................................16
5.3 IP Specific Serial Commands .............................................................................. 20
6. Telnet Interface.................................................................................................... 22
6.1 Telnet Interface Commands ................................................................................22
7. Troubleshooting .................................................................................................. 23
7.1 Contacting Hall Research....................................................................................23
7.2 Shipping and Packaging......................................................................................23
8. Specifications ...................................................................................................... 24
Appendix 1 – Front Panel Quick Reference Guide............................................... 25
Appendix 2 – Command Summary ........................................................................ 25

Genesis™ Series 4x4 AV Matrix Switches
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1. Introduction
1.1 General
Thank you for purchasing this professional quality and compact Genesis™ Matrix
Switch from Hall Research. This User’s Manual applies to 4x4 VGA + Audio Matrix
Switchers that are available in two versions:
Model VSM-A-4-4 4x4 VGA + Audio Matrix Switch
Model VSM-I-A-4-JA4 4x4 VGA + Audio Matrix Switch with A/V on Twisted Pair
(UTP) outputs & Control over IP
As members of Hall’s Genesis™ series these matrices are synonymous with high
performance, intuitive and powerful user interface, easy to use control command set,
and unsurpassed reliability.
The Matrix switches are VGA and YPbPr compliant, support DDC (EDID), and have
550 MHz of analog bandwidth to handle PC resolutions to WUXGA (1920x1200) or
HDTV resolutions to 1080p. Each input is accompanied by a corresponding audio
channel. The audio inputs are L/R stereo on balanced terminals that eliminate ground
loops noise that plagues most similar devices.
Audio routing can follow video (synchronized routing) or be independent of video path.
All Matrices feature the Hall Research’s beautiful and intuitive front panel for making or
reviewing ties, and for saving and recalling Preset patterns.
The VSM-I-A-4-JA4 adds RJ45 outputs to send the video and audio on a single Catx
cable to compatible receivers (e.g. URA, URA-SKU, or URA-XT) and adds the ability
to control the matrix via IP using smart built-in server that allows the user to configure
and control the matrix from any browser or smart tablet or phone.
Figure 1 - AV on UTP outputs and IP control
EDID support, wide-bandwidth, zero cross-talk, fast switching, low profile (only 1 RU),
Preset capabilities, RS-232, IP and comprehensive front panel controls, make the
Genesis™ matrices ideal for home theater, conference room, multimedia presentation
systems, and other similar settings.

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1.2 Features
•Cross-point switching of PC or HD video and audio signals
•Supports all Component HDTV and RGB PC resolutions
•550 MHz video bandwidth to for sharp and unsurpassed clear image
•Zero cross-talk, so no bleed from unselected inputs on the output image
•Supports balanced stereo line-level audio inputs and outputs
•Independent or synchronized switching of Audio and Video
•Outputs can be blanked
•Powerful and intuitive front panel controls
•Preset Save and Recall of commonly used routing patterns
•DDC/EDID compliant inputs
•Includes RS-232 port with Hall Research’s intuitive Genesis Control
Command Set (GCCS™)
•IP (LAN) version includes http-server with easy to use controls user definable
I/O names, Telnet control, and more
•1RU high compact & rugged rack mountable metal enclosure
•100% designed and manufactured in USA

Genesis™ Series 4x4 AV Matrix Switches
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2. Installation
2.1 Package Contents
Your package should contain the 1RU Matrix Switcher, a Universal power supply
(Model 511-3A-161WP05, 5v @ 2.6A 2.1mm plug), and a User’s Manual.
Figure 2 – Power Supply with international switchable blades
2.2 Input and Output Connections
The matrix is housed in a 1RU 19” wide rack mountable enclosure. All of I/O, control,
and the power connections are on the rear of the unit.
Figure 3 – Rear Panel Connections (for VSM-I-A-4-JA4)
Using quality VGA cables connect the inputs to video sources.
Connect audio inputs to the detachable screw terminals. If your audio source
is balanced then connect the + and – inputs to the appropriate inputs and
shield to the GND terminal.
On the other hand if your audio input is unbalanced (as on most PC’s or MP3
players), then you can connect the source to the balanced as shown in Table
1 below
Use only regulated 5v DC supply (center
positive) as supplied with the unit.

User’s Manual
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Easy Connection
Note connection is to negative inputs
Alternate Connection
If connecting to Positive inputs, you must
jumper negative inputs to ground or
volume will be cut in half
Connection to remove ground loop
If your source is ground referenced and
the output of the matrix is also connected
a ground referenced device, and there is
noise between the grounds, or you are
using long audio cables, then you have a
classis situation for picking up 60 cycle
and other noise due to ground loop. In
this case we recommend this alternate
connection where you remove the
connection to the ground screw terminal.
se this only if you have noise and
suspect it is caused by ground loop
Table 1 – Unbalanced input connection methods
Plug the HD15 video outputs to LCD’s
If you have the JA4 output option, then you can use Cat5e/6 UTP cables to
connect the outputs to compatible Receivers upto 1000 feet (300m) away.
Compatible receivers include URA, URA-SKU, or URA-XT. Note that the

Genesis™ Series 4x4 AV Matrix Switches
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URA does not have RGB Skew correction so you would need to use low-
skew UTP cable for that option if the distance is over 200 ft. The URA-SKU,
or URA-XT, both have RGB skew correction so you can use any Cat5e or
Cat6 cable regardless of length
Similar to the audio input, the audio outputs are also balanced. So when
connecting to balanced devices use both + and – terminals. But if you are
connecting the output to unbalanced sinks (such as using 3.5mm mini-stereo
plugs), do not
connect the unused outputs to ground. You can connect the
tip and ring to either + sides or the – sides, as shown below.
Figure 4 –
Connecting balanced audio outputs to
unbalanced devices
If the matrix needs to be controlled via RS-232, plug the controller (or PC) to
the DB9 Female port on the rear of the matrix. Connection to PC’s DB9 Male
is made using a straight through DB9 Male-to-Female cable (as shown
below).
DB9-Female on Matrix Controller DB9-Male
Pin
Function
Pin
Function
2 TX (output) 
2 RX (input)
3 RX (input) 3 TX (output)
5 Ground 5 Ground
Table 2 – RS-232 Control Port Pinout
Note on RS-232 port availability on PC
Most PCs do not have a serial port, so you may need
a USB to RS-232 Serial converter. These are available
from Hall Research (Model USB-RS232-1).
The 4x4 VSM matrix is available with IP port (VSM-I- …). On these units
there is an RJ45 (10/100 Base-T) for connection to your Local Area Network.

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2.3 Connection Block Diagrams
Figure 5 – Connection Block Diagram for VSM-A-4-4
Figure 6 – Connection Block Diagram for VSM-I-A-4-JA4
3. Configuration & Operation
3.1 Front-Panel Buttons and Indicators
An image of the front panel for the 4x4 matrix is shown below.
Figure 7 – HSM-04-04 front panel controls & indicators