IOGear GHSW8441 User manual

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True 4K 4/8-Port Switcher with HDMI Connection
GHSW8441/GHSW8481
PART NO. M1529
User Manual
www.iogear.com

©2019 IOGEAR. All Rights Reserved. Part No. M1529, the IOGEAR logo is trademarks of IOGEAR. IOGEAR makes no warranty of
any kind with regards to the information presented in this document. All information furnished here is for informational purposes only
and is subject to change without notice. IOGEAR assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies or errors that may appear in this
document.

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Table of Contents
Package Contents 4
System Requirement 4
Introduction 5
Features 6
Overview 7
GHSW8441 7
GHSW8481 8
Hardware Installation 10
Rack mounting (GHSWS8481 only) 12
Operation 15
Cascading the GHSW8441 and GHSW8481 20
Safety Instructions 22
Specications 24
FAQ 26
Compliance Information 28
Limited Warranty 29
Contact 30

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Package Contents
1 x GHSW8441 4-Port 4K HDMI Switch
Or
1 x GHSW8481 8-Port 4K HDMI Switch
1 x Power Adapter
1 x IR Remote Control Unit
1 x HDMI Cable
1 x User Manual
1 x IR Extender Cable (GHSW8481 only)
Note: Check to make sure that all the components are
present and that nothing was damaged in shipping. If
you encounter a problem, contact your dealer.
Read this manual thoroughly and follow the installa-
tion and operation procedures carefully to prevent
any damages to the unit, and/or any of the devices
connected to it.
Please visit IOGEAR website for any updates that may
become available in the future
1. No cables are included in this package. We strongly
recommend that you purchase high-quality cables of
the appropriate length since this will affect the quality
of the audio and video display.
2. If you wish to utilize the GHSW8441/GHSW8481’s
high-end serial controller function, you will need
to purchase an appropriate RS-232 cable. See
hardware installation number 5 for the RS-232
Controller, page 10.
System Requirement
• Up to 4/8 HDMI Source Devices
• 1 HDMI Display or Projector

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Introduction
The IOGEAR 4/8-Port True 4K Switch with HDMI connection offers smooth, quick switching between four/eight
HDMI video sources such as a computer, Blu-ray, media player and cable or satellite receivers and a single
HDMI display. Send crystal clear, Cinema 4K video reaching true 4K resolutions to 4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz with
4:4:4 chroma subsampling, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and uncompressed audio/video for any variety of uses
including home theater, in lobbies and conference rooms and for digital signage.
Easily switch between each source automatically or manually. Utilize one of three switch modes and auto-cycle
through your sources with smooth video transitions to display a variety of content. Manually switch between
sources with the included IR remote control, program a universal remote via the RS-232 serial interface or select a
source via front panel push-buttons in settings where a remote control is not needed.
Enjoy clear, superior Cinema 4K video quality with true 4K resolutions to 4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz (4:4:4) and HDR
support to the display.

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Features
• Connect and switch between 4/8 HDMI sources on 1 HDMI display
• Resolutions up to True 4K of 4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz (4:4:4)
• Distribute uncompressed audio and video formats
• Flexible control via push-button, IR remote & RS-232 serial control
• Bi-directional RS-232 support for universal remotes & touch panels
• Auto-switch mode detects & selects new HDMI port connections
• Supports high-speed data rates up to 18 Gbps
• No-slip locking power supply mechanism
• Cascade up to 3-levels
• HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 compliant
• CEC compliant
• Plug-n-Play

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Overview
1
4
5 7
814
6
10 9
GHSW8441
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12
13

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21 3
4
5 6 7 8 9 10
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GHSW8481

No. Component Description
1 Port selection Pushbutton Selects the corresponding HDMI input
2 Power Button Power button (GHSW8481 only) to enable/disable Standby mode and will NOT turn the
unit on or off. This is a lower power mode that will disable port selection button, port LEDs
and IR receiver.
3 Power LED Lights green to indicate the GHSW8481 in Standby mode (GHSW8481 only)
4 Port LED Port LED lights green indicating the selected port
5 Power jack Connects to the power adapter
6On/Off Auto Switch This switch enables/disables the next mode. In ON, the RS-232 is turned on. In OFF, the
switch will remain in next mode regardless of RS-232 commands
7 HDMI output port Connects to the HDMI IN port of the display device
8 HDMI input ports Connects to the HDMI Out port of the Source device(s)
9 IR Extension port Connects to an IR extender to extend the reception range for IR signals (not included)
10 RS-232 serial port Connects to a serial controller via a serial cable
11 Port Up/Port Down button Port Up will cycle to port forward (Port 1 to Port 2) Port Down will cycle to port backward
(Port 2 to Port 1)
12 On/Off button No function on the GHSW8441. For the GHSW8481 this will enable/disable HDMI output
13 Port Selection button This will select the port by port number
14 IR receiver Receives IR signals from an IR remote control unit (GHSW8441 only)
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Hardware Installation
To install the switch, refer to the installation diagram as you perform the following steps:
1. Use an HDMI cable to connect the video display device to the HDMI output port on the rear of the GHSW8441/
GHSW8481.
2. Use HDMI cables to connect the video source devices to the HDMI input ports on the rear of the GHSW8441/
GHSW8481.
• If you are using the serial control function, use an appropriate RS-232 serial cable to connect the computer or
serial controller to the GHSW8441/GHSW8481’s female RS-232 port.
• Use a grounding wire to ground the unit by connecting one end of the wire to the grounding terminal and the
other end of the wire to a suitable ground.
• Note: Do not omit this step. Proper grounding helps to prevent damage to the unit from surges or static
electricity.
3. Plug the provided power adapter into an appropriate AC power source and plug the power adapter cable into the
power jack on the GHSW8441/GHSW8481.
4. Connect an IR extender (not supplied) to the external IR receiver input port (if you will be using this feature,
otherwise you can skip this step). This completes the basic installation of the 4/8 port 4K HDMI Switch. You may
now power on the display and source devices.
5. In order to use the RS-232 serial interface to attach to a controller (such as a PC) and the GHSW8441/
GHSW8481, use a serial modem cable. The end connecting to the GHSW8441/GHSW8481 should have a 9-pin
male connector (DB-9).
Note:Tocongurethecontrollerserialport,seepage15.

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1
2
5
4
3

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Rack mounting (GHSWS8481 only)
• Beforeworkingontherack,makesurethatthestabilizersaresecuredtotherack,extendedtotheoor,
andthatthefullweightoftherackrestsontheoor.Installfrontandsidestabilizersonasinglerackorfront
stabilizers for joined multiple racks before working on the rack.
• Alwaysloadtherackfromthebottomup,andloadtheheaviestitemintherackrst.
• Make sure that the rack is level and stable before extending a device from the rack.
• Use caution when pressing the device rail release latches and sliding a device into or out of a rack; the slide
railscanpinchyourngers.
• After a device is inserted into the rack, carefully extend the rail into a locking position, and then slide the
device into the rack.
• Do not overload the AC supply branch circuit that provides power to the rack. The total rack load should not
exceed 80 percent of the branch circuit rating.
• Make sure that all equipment used on the rack – including power strips and other electrical connectors – is
properly grounded.
• Ensurethatproperairowisprovidedtodevicesintherack.
• Ensure that the operating ambient temperature of the rack environment does not exceed the maximum
ambienttemperaturespeciedfortheequipmentbythemanufacturer.
• Do not step on or stand on any device when servicing other devices in a rack.

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Operation
You can operate the GHSW8441/GHSW8481 using the pushbuttons on the front panel, the IR remote control unit,
or an RS-232 serial controller. Below is a table of operation offered between each mode.
Action
Operation Methods
Panel Pushbuttons IR Remote Control Unit Serial Controller
Switch the port
Switchthedisplaytoaspecicsource ✔ ✔ ✔
Switch to the next available port ✔
Switch to the previous available port ✔
Set the switch mode
Enable the off mode ✔ ✔
Enable the next mode (default) ✔ ✔
Enable the priority mode ✔
Enable/disable the POD mode ✔
Other settings
Enable/disable the stanby mode ✔
Read (display) the device settings ✔

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Source Device Selection
The front panel pushbuttons, the remote control, or the RS-232 serial interface of the GHSW8441/GHSW8481
offersaneasyandexiblemethodtoselectsourcedevices.
Manual Selection
To manually select an HDMI source for the display, press the port pushbutton that corresponds to the input port
of the source device that it is connected to. Pressing the pushbutton will select the attached HDMI source device
for the display device.
Note: The input port LEDs light to indicate which source device is currently selected for the display.
Remote Control Operation
The remote control can change the Input source for the display; power on/off (GHSW8481) will enable or disable
HDMI output only, but will not power off the switch.
RS-232 Serial Interface
The GHSW8441/GHSW8481’s built-in bi-directional RS-232 serial interface allows system control through a
high-end controller, PC, and/or home automation.
Note: Make sure to use the IR remote control unit within the effective range of 20 feet. For optimum performance
make sure you have a clear line of sight from the remote to the IR extender.
Enabling and disabling the Next Mode
Slide the On/Off switch to enable or disable the Next Mode respectively.
Commands can also be sent through the RS-232 by using commands from the table on page 18.
Enabling and disabling the Priority and POD Mode
Send an RS-232 command from the serial controller. For detailed steps please refer to the table below

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Setting the switch mode
Switch mode Description
Off Mode No automatic switching. RS-232 function is also turned off in this mode.
Next Mode (Default) Switch to the next port that has a device connected to it.
Priority Mode Switch to user-assigned source as soon as the source is detected on that port.
PoD Mode Power on detection mode allows the switch to automatically switch to the next source port that is powered
on when the currently connected source is powered off. The PoD mode functions independently of any
other switch modes.
Enabling/Disabling the Standby Mode
Standby mode is a low-power mode where the port selection pushbuttons, Port LEDs and IR receiver are disabled.
This is done through the Power button on the device panel. The same button will enable or disable the standby
mode. In standby mode all the port LEDs are turned off and the power LED will turn green.

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Executing RS-232 Commands
Connect your device to the RS-232 port of the GHSW8441/GHSW8481
Task Commands Description
Switch the source
Switchdisplaytoaspecicsource sw i<source_number For example to switch to port 1 type sw i01 or sw
Turn on the output port sw on -
Turn off the output port sw off -
Change the switch mode
Enable the next mode (Default) swmode next The GHSW8441/GHSW8481 switches to the next port that
has a new source device connected to it.
Enable the priority mode swmode i<source_number>
priority
The GHSW8441/GHSW8481 switches to and only displays
thesourcefromtheuser-denedportassoonasthesource
is detected from the port e.g. to prioritize port 1: swmode i01
priority or swmode priority
Disable the switch mode swmode off Disable the switch mode and the GHSW8441/GHSW-
8481will not switch ports automatically.
Enable the POD mode Swmode pod on The Power-on-Detection (POD) mode allows the
GHSW8441/GHSW8481 to automatically switch to the next
port with a powered-on source device when the current con-
nected source device is powered off. The POD mode works
independently to other switch modes.

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Task Commands Description
Other
Read display the GHSW8441/
GHSW8481 settings
read -
Note: Separate each command string with a space

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Cascading the GHSW8441 and GHSW8481
The 4 and 8 port switch can be added to provide additional ports should the need arise by cascading. The switches
can be cascaded up to 3 levels. Remember that you will lose 1 port for each switch.
Cascadingisdonebyattachingtherstswitchoutputtosecondswitchinputandsecondswitchoutputtothird
switch input..
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 POWER
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 POWER
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 POWER
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 POWER
4K media player
4K cable box
PS3/PS4
4K media player
4K cable box
PS3/PS4
Single Level Extension
Multi-sourceDisplay
4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz (4:4:4)
10 ft. Output 10 ft. Input