Kramer VS-4216 User manual

Kramer Electronics, Ltd.
USER MANUAL
Model:
VS-4216
16 Port RS-422 Matrix Switcher

Contents
i
Contents
1 Introduction 1
2 Getting Started 1
3 Overview 1
3.1 About RS-422 2
3.1.1 Signal Terminology 2
3.1.2 Standards 2
3.1.3 Bi-directional Signals 2
3.1.4 Communication Method via a DB9 Connector 3
3.1.5 Device Definition 3
3.1.6 Automatic Configuration 3
3.1.7 Port Definitions 4
3.1.8 More Than One Slave 4
4 Your Matrix Switcher 4
4.1 Connecting the VS-4216 Matrix Switcher 6
4.1.1 Connecting a PC 6
5 Operating Your Matrix Switcher 7
5.1 Startup Status Display 7
5.2 Bi-directional Connections 7
5.3 MENU Commands Sequence 8
5.3.1 Clearing a Single Slave 8
5.3.2 Clearing a Single Master 9
5.3.3 Clearing All Connections 9
5.3.4 Assigning All to Master 9
5.3.5 Storing and Recalling Setup 9
5.3.6 System Setup Categories 10
6 Technical Specifications 11
7 Communication Protocol 11
Figures
Figure 1: Bi-directional Signals I 3
Figure 2: Bi-directional Signals II 3
Figure 3: VS-4216 Matrix Switcher 5
Figure 4: Connecting a PC without using a Null-modem Adapter 7
Figure 5: Startup Status Display 7
Figure 6: Sequence of MENU Commands 8
Tables
Table 1: Front Panel VS-4216 Matrix Switcher Features 6
Table 2: Rear Panel VS-4216 Matrix Switcher Features 6
Table 3: Storing and Recalling Setups 10
Table 4: System Setup Screen Categories Sequence 11
Table 5: Technical Specifications of the VS-4216 Matrix Switcher 11
Table 6: VS-4216 Matrix Switcher Hex Table 12

Introduction
1
1 Introduction
Dedication by Kramer Electronics since 1981, to the development and
manufacture of high quality video/audio equipment, makes the Kramer line
an integral part of the finest production and presentation facilities in the
world. In recent years, Kramer has redesigned and upgraded most of the line,
making the best even better!
The Kramer line of professional video/audio electronics is one of the most
versatile and complete available, and is a true leader in terms of quality,
workmanship, price/performance ratio and innovation. In addition to our high
quality industrial and broadcast switchers and matrix switchers, we also offer
excellent amplifiers, remote controllers, processors, interfaces and computer-
related products.
Congratulations on purchasing your Kramer VS-4216 RS-422 Matrix
Switcher.This product is ideal for the following typical applications:
 Remote control of video and audio production studios
 Live broadcast remote control
 CCTV and other remote control applications
The package includes the following items:
 VS-4216 RS-422 Matrix Switcher
 Power cord
 Windows 95/98/NT
TM
Kramer control software
 Null-modem adapter
 This user manual
2 Getting Started
We recommend that you:
 Unpack the equipment carefully and save the original box and packaging
materials for possible future shipment
 Review the contents of this user manual
3 Overview
The VS-4216 is a 16 port control matrix switcher that:
 Is RS-422 based, as section 3.1 describes
 Offers simple-to-connect automatic master/slave configuration
 Includes a backlit LCD display showing the status of the matrix switcher

Overview
KRAMER ELECTRONICS, LTD.
2
 Recalls up to 15 configuration setups via the non-volatile memory
 Is controllable via the front panel buttons, or remotely by RS-485 or RS-
232 serial commands transmitted by a touch screen system, PC, or other serial
controller
To achieve the best performance:
 Connect only good quality connection cables, thus avoiding interference,
deterioration in signal quality due to poor matching, and elevated noise levels
(often associated with low quality cables)
 Avoid interference from neighboring electrical appliances that may
adversely influence signal quality
 Position your Kramer VS-4216 in a location free from moisture and away
from excessive sunlight and dust
3.1 About RS-422
RS-422 control switchers differ substantially from video and audio switchers
in both design and in operation, as sections 3.1.1 to 3.1.8 describe.
3.1.1 Signal Terminology
 Connections are between Master and Slave or Controller and Controlled
devices, rather than the regular In and Out or Source and Destination devices.
The difference is not merely one of semantics but a vital distinction when trying
to understand the concept of RS-422 technology
 With a regular In and Out switcher, not only does the front panel have
separate In and Out buttons but the rear panel also has separate ports for input
and output connectors
 With a Master and Slave control switcher, the front panel has separate
Master and Slave buttons but the rear panel has shared Master / Slave
connectors
3.1.2 Standards
RS-422 meets 2 specific standards:
 TIA/EIA-422-B, which defines the electrical specifications
 SMPTE 207M, which defines the rules of exchanging information for
broadcast equipment (the protocol)
3.1.3 Bi-directional Signals
 By using a pair of conductors, each signal travels in both directions via a
balanced line between Master / Slave devices, as Figure 1 illustrates:

Overview
3
Figure 1: Bi-directional Signals I
 When a Master device changes position with a Slave device, the pins
automatically change, as section 3.1.6 describes and as Figure 2 illustrates:
Figure 2: Bi-directional Signals II
3.1.4 Communication Method via a DB9 Connector
 The Master unit usually sends a command to the Slave device via pins 3(+)
and 8(-) and the Slave device responds to the Master via pins 2(-) and 7(+)
 Keep the communication path clear between the Master and Slave units in
both directions, as the Slave device must respond to a command transmitted by
the Master
 If the Master receives no response from the Slave, the Master will cancel
the communication with the Slave machine and will sometimes flag a message:
no communication. For example, in video production when a special controller
(with play and rewind functionality) is the Master device, each command
transmitted to the Slave device must reach that Slave device and that Slave
device must respond, otherwise the Master device will disconnect
3.1.5 Device Definition
 In many broadcast applications, different machines involved in production
can be either Slaves or Masters. Using a device as a Master means that the
device talks via pins 3 and 8 and listens via pins 2 and 7. In another setup, that
uses the same device as a Slave, this will mean that the device talks via pins 2
and 7 and listens via pins 3 and 8
 For example, an edit controller always works as a Master. During an
editing session, a VTR may be the Slave to the edit controller. However, in a
duplication setup, the VTR may become a Master for a second VTR
3.1.6 Automatic Configuration
 After connecting the DB9 connectors and cables between the controlled
units, the VS-4216 automatically configures which pins to use in the DB9
connector according to the assignment of each machine

Your Matrix Switcher
KRAMER ELECTRONICS, LTD.
4
3.1.7 Port Definitions
 Modern equipment usually has only one connector, RS-422, which
functions as a Master as well as a Slave
 Some older broadcast equipment contains 3 RS-422 connectors; RS-422-In,
RS-422-Out and RS-422-In/Out. You can only connect a Master to a RS-422-In
port and you can only connect a RS-422-Out port to a Slave. When connecting
to a RS-422-In/Out port
1
the unit changes dynamically, automatically
reconfiguring the DB9 port pins to be either a Master or a Slave
3.1.8 More Than One Slave
 Communication between one Master and one Slave is simple. However,
communication between one Master and several Slaves, for example, in
duplication applications, is more complicated
 If all the Slaves were to respond simultaneously to a Master command, the
system would grind to a halt. To avoid such a situation, a special algorithm in
the VS-4216 dictates that the Master will receive only the response from the
highest priority slave
2
with more than one Slave device. For example, in a setup
in which port # 7 is the Master, and ports # 5, # 3 and # 6 are Slaves, the VS-
4216 will only transmit to the Master the reply from port # 3 and will discard all
the other replies
 Pay special attention: in broadcast applications, the most common reply
message from a Slave is the TIMECODE data, therefore, with the above-
described algorithm; the response will come from the lowest numbered Slave
4 Your Matrix Switcher
Figure 3 illustrates the front and rear panels of the VS-4216. Tables 1 and 2
define the front and rear panels of the VS-4216, respectively.
1 Item 1 in Table 2
2 The lowest numbered Slave device

Your Matrix Switcher
5
Figure 3: VS-4216 Matrix Switcher

Your Matrix Switcher
KRAMER ELECTRONICS, LTD.
6
Table 1: Front Panel VS-4216 Matrix Switcher Features
# Feature Function
1 Power Switch Illuminated switch supplying power to the unit
2 Master Buttons Select 1 - 16 to connect between a Slave device and a
Master device
3 Slave Buttons Select 1 - 16 to connect between a Master device and a
Slave device
4 MATRIX SLAVE Labels Identifies a cross point between each SLAVE to which the
MASTER displayed alongside it is connected
5 LCD MATRIX MASTER Display Displays the selected MASTER switched to the SLAVE
(alongside the corresponding SLAVE label) and
programming command data
6 LCD STATUS Display Displays the matrix status
7 MENU Button For further programming functions
8 ENTER Button Confirmation button
Table 2: Rear Panel VS-4216 Matrix Switcher Features
# Feature Function
1 RS-422 Ports 16 RS-422 bi-directional connectors
2 CONTROL RS-485 Connector Connector for external RS-485 control (PINOUT: G, -, +)
3 CONTROL RS-232 IN Connector Connect to the PC serial port
4 CONTROL RS-232 OUT Connector
Connect to the RS-232 IN port of the next unit
5 Power Connector with Fuse AC connector enabling power supply to the unit
4.1 Connecting the VS-4216 Matrix Switcher
To connect the VS-4216, connect the following
1
to the rear panel ports:
 Power cord
 DB-9M Connector cables from the Slave and the Master devices
 A PC via the null-modem adapter (when using the Kramer Control
software or other controller) if control via RS-232 is required
 RS-485 Phoenix terminal block cable if control via RS-485 is required
4.1.1 Connecting a PC
To connect a PC to the VS-4216, using the Null-modem adapter provided
with the machine (recommended):
 Connect the RS-232 DB9 rear panel port on the VS-4216 unit to the Null-
modem adapter and connect the Null-modem adapter with at least 3
straightforward wires (pins 2, 3 and 5) to the RS-232 DB9 port on your PC
To connect a PC to the VS-4216, without using a Null-modem adapter:
 Connect the RS-232 DB9 port on your PC to the RS-232 DB9 rear panel
1 Switch OFF the power on each device before connecting it to your VS-4216. After connecting your VS-4216, switch on its
power and then switch on the power on each device

Operating Your Matrix Switcher
7
port on the VS-4216 unit, as Figure 4 illustrates (depending on whether the PC
has a 9-pin or 25-pin connector)
Figure 4: Connecting a PC without using a Null-modem Adapter
5 Operating Your Matrix Switcher
Operate your VS-4216 via:
 The front panel buttons, as this section describes
 RS-232 / RS-485 serial commands transmitted by a touch screen system,
PC
1
, or other serial controller
5.1 Startup Status Display
After switching on the power, the LCD MATRIX MASTER and LCD STATUS
displays show the following (for software version 1.0):
KRAMER ELECTRONICS, Ltd software
16 port RS422 Matrix v. 1.0_
Figure 5: Startup Status Display
5.2 Bi-directional Connections
To connect a Slave to a Master:
1. Press the appropriate SLAVE button.
The blinking cursor appears.
1 For instructions on using the Windows 95/98/NT
TM
Control Software, refer to the separate user manual (included on the
CD-ROM in .pdf format), Kramer Control Software

Operating Your Matrix Switcher
KRAMER ELECTRONICS, LTD.
8
2. Press the appropriate MASTER button.
The MASTER # appears in the LCD Matrix Master display
1
and the
SLAVE switches to the MASTER.
Note that:
 Pressing a Slave # button and a Master # button, when the # is the same,
displays the message: Impossible to connect the same MASTER and SLAVE
 Pressing a Master # button before a Slave # button displays the message:
Assign SLAVE first
5.3 MENU Commands Sequence
Press the MENU button
2
to scan the range of commands, as follows:
Clear single SLAVE
YES -> #SLAVE, NEXT -> menu _
Clear single MASTER
YES -> #MASTER, NEXT -> menu _
Clear ALL connections
YES -> enter, NEXT -> menu _
Assign ALL to MASTER
YES -> #MASTER, NEXT -> menu _
Recall SETUP
YES -> #SLAVE, NEXT -> menu _
Store SETUP
YES -> #SLAVE, NEXT -> menu _
Exit ->MENU SETUP->ENTER
Figure 6: Sequence of MENU Commands
5.3.1 Clearing a Single Slave
Remove a single Slave to Master connection, by:
 Replacing it with a new Slave to Master connection
3
, or
 Deleting it
To delete a single Slave to Master connection, do the following:
1. Press the MENU button once.
The Clear single SLAVE screen appears.
1 Item 5 in Figure 3
2 Pressing a button, which is not relevant to the current MENU function, aborts the menu command
3 This automatically clears the previous connection

Operating Your Matrix Switcher
9
2. Press the Slave # button that you want to delete.
The appropriate digits disappear from the LCD Matrix Master display,
erasing that specific Slave to Master connection.
5.3.2 Clearing a Single Master
To delete a single Master to Slave connection, do the following:
1. Press the MENU button twice.
The Clear single MASTER screen appears.
2. Press the Master # button that you want to delete.
The appropriate digits disappear from the LCD Matrix Master display,
erasing that specific Master to Slave connection.
Note that:
 Pressing the Master # button when several Slaves are connected to that
same Master, erases all the connections to that Master
 Pressing a Master # button that is not connected to any Slave # displays the
message: There are no connections with MASTER # x
5.3.3 Clearing All Connections
To delete all connections, do the following:
1. Press the MENU button 3 times.
The Clear All Connections screen appears.
2. Press the ENTER button.
All the digits disappear, clearing all Master and Slave connections
1
.
5.3.4 Assigning All to Master
To assign all the Slave connections to the Master, do the following:
1. Press the MENU button 4 times.
The Assign ALL to MASTER screen appears.
2. Press the Master # button to which you want to assign all the Slaves.
This assigns that Master # to all the Slave connections, except the Slave
connection with the same number as the Master # button
2
.
5.3.5 Storing and Recalling Setup
Store and recall up to 15 settings in memory. For example, using the Slave #
buttons 1 to 15 (but not # 16), you can switch Slave # 1 and Slave # 2 to
different Masters, and save those
settings as different setups:
1 This action resets the VS-4216 to the default stage, with no Slave connected to a Master
2 This action converts the VS-4216 to a 1x15 Distribution Amplifier for RS-422 signals

Operating Your Matrix Switcher
KRAMER ELECTRONICS, LTD.
10
Table 3: Storing and Recalling Setups
SLAVE to MASTER connection: Appears as follows: Stored as Setup:
Switch SLAVE # 1 to MASTER # 4
Switch SLAVE # 2 to MASTER # 6
04 06
# 1
Switch SLAVE # 1 to MASTER # 9
Switch SLAVE # 2 to MASTER # 3
09 03
# 2
Switch SLAVE # 1 to MASTER # 6
Switch SLAVE # 2 to MASTER # 8
06 08
# 3
5.3.5.1 Storing Setup
To store a setup, do the following:
1. Press the MENU button 6 times.
The Store SETUP screen appears.
2. Press the Slave # button, where the Slave # represents the setup number.
3. Press the ENTER button.
This stores that setup.
5.3.5.2 Recalling Setup
To recall a setup, do the following:
1. Press the MENU button 5 times.
The Recall SETUP screen appears.
2. Press the Slave # button, where the Slave # represents the setup number.
This displays that specific setup
1
.
3. Press the ENTER button.
This recalls the specific setup.
Note that:
 Saving a setup to an already allocated setup #, replaces that previous setup
5.3.6 System Setup Categories
To setup the system:
1. Press the MENU button 7 times.
The Exit ->MENU SETUP->ENTER screen appears.
2. Press the ENTER button.
The first in the sequence of 4 screens, Keyboard action, appears.
3. Continue to press the MENU button, as required, until you access the
required system setup category. Follow the instructions in Table 4:
1 Pressing another Slave # button before pressing ENTER, will display that other setup, allowing you to scan the setups

Technical Specifications
11
Table 4: System Setup Screen Categories Sequence
Press MENU to select: Details of the Command:
Keyboard action setting
Choose the At Once mode, for
immediate execution, by pressing Slave
#1, or the Confirm mode, when actions
require confirmation but are protected
against erroneous switching, by pressing
Slave #2 and then ENTER
slave #1: action AT ONCE current
slave #2: confirm <ENTER>: CONFIRM_
KEYBOARD action
YES -> enter, NEXT -> menu _
AUTO store current SETUP?
Auto save the current setup, or do not
auto save the current setup, by pressing
ENTER
AUTO store current SETUP
No-> enter, NEXT -> menu _
Identify MACHINE
Display essential information (product
name and version number) for technical
support purposes. After a few seconds,
the Change MACHINE NUMBER
command appears. Press ENTER and
change via the Slave # buttons
Enter new MACHINE NUMBER Curr. #01
use SLAVEkey 1-15 New #_
Change MACHINE NUMBER ? Current
YES -> ENTER MACH.#01 _
KRAMER ELECTRONICS, Ltd software
16 port RS422 Matrix v. 1.0_
Initial RESET
Reset the unit without having to switch
the power on and off (preventing
overloading)
WARNING !!! confirm
RESET all settings? <ENTER> _
Initial RESET
YES -> enter, NEXT -> menu _
6 Technical Specifications
Table 5 includes the technical specifications:
Table 5: Technical Specifications of the VS-4216 Matrix Switcher
Connectors: 16 in/out RS-422 ports on DB-9 female connectors, fully compliant to the TIA/EIA-
422-B standard
RS-232 control via DB-9F connector (RS-232 out on DB-9M connector), RS-485 on
terminal block assembly
Control: Manual with pushbuttons on front panel, RS-485 andRS-232 PC interface
Dimensions: 19-inch (W), 7-inch (D) 2U (H) rack-mountable
Power Source:  VAC, 50/60 Hz, (115VAC, U.S.A.) 15VA
Weight: 3.5 kg. (7.8 lbs.) approx
Accessories: Power cord, Windows ™ 95/98 control software, null modem adapter
7 Communication Protocol
Table 6 includes the Protocol 2000 hexadecimal codes (the protocol uses 4
bytes of information, data is at 9600 baud, no parity, 8 data bits and one stop
bit). Full details are available at our web site: www.kramerelectronics.com.

Communication Protocol
KRAMER ELECTRONICS, LTD.
12
Table 6: VS-4216 Matrix Switcher Hex Table
S 1 S 2 S 3 S 4 S 5 S 6 S 7 S 8 S 9 S 10 S 11 S 12 S 13 S 14 S 15 S 16
M 1


































A



B



C



D



E



F





M 2


































A



B



C



D



E



F





M 3


































A



B



C



D



E



F





M 4


































A



B



C



D



E



F





M 5


































A



B



C



D



E



F





M 6


































A



B



C



D



E



F





M 


































A



B



C



D



E



F





M 8


































A



B



C



D



E



F





M 


































A



B



C



D



E



F





M 10

A



A



A



A



A



A



A



A



A



A
B


A
C


A
D


A
E


A
F


A


M 11

B



B



B



B



B



B



B
7


B



B



B
A


B
C


B
D


B
E


B
F


B


M 12

C



C



C



C
4


C



C



C



C



C



C
A


C
B


C
D


C
E


C
F


C


M 13

D



D



D



D



D



D



D



D



D



D
A


D
B


D
C


D
E


D
F


D


M 14

E



E



E



E



E



E
6


E



E



E



E
A


E
B


E
C


E
D


E
F


E


M 15

F



F



F



F



F



F



F



F



F



F
A


F
B


F
C


F
D


F
E


F


M 16






































A



B



C



D



E



F

M = MASTER; S = SLAVE

13
LIMITED WARRANTY
Kramer Electronics (hereafter Kramer) warrants this product free from defects in material and workmanship under the
following terms.
HOW LONG IS THE WARRANTY
Labor and parts are warranted for three years from the date of the first customer purchase.
WHO IS PROTECTED?
Only the first purchase customer may enforce this warranty.
WHAT IS COVERED AND WHAT IS NOT COVERED
Except as below, this warranty covers all defects in material or workmanship in this product. The following are not covered
by the warranty:
1. Any product which is not distributed by Kramer, or which is not purchased from an authorized Kramer dealer. If you are
uncertain as to whether a dealer is authorized, please contact Kramer at one of the agents listed in the web site
www.kramerelectronics.com.
2. Any product, on which the serial number has been defaced, modified or removed.
3. Damage, deterioration or malfunction resulting from:
i) Accident, misuse, abuse, neglect, fire, water, lightning or other acts of nature
ii) Product modification, or failure to follow instructions supplied with the product
iii) Repair or attempted repair by anyone not authorized by Kramer
iv) Any shipment of the product (claims must be presented to the carrier)
v) Removal or installation of the product
vi) Any other cause, which does not relate to a product defect
vii) Cartons, equipment enclosures, cables or accessories used in conjunction with the product
WHAT WE WILL PAY FOR AND WHAT WE WILL NOT PAY FOR
We will pay labor and material expenses for covered items. We will not pay for the following:
1. Removal or installations charges.
2. Costs of initial technical adjustments (set-up), including adjustment of user controls or programming. These costs are the
responsibility of the Kramer dealer from whom the product was purchased.
3. Shipping charges.
HOW YOU CAN GET WARRANTY SERVICE
1. To obtain service on you product, you must take or ship it prepaid to any authorized Kramer service center.
2. Whenever warranty service is required, the original dated invoice (or a copy) must be presented as proof of warranty coverage,
and should be included in any shipment of the product. Please also include in any mailing a contact name, company, address, and
a description of the problem(s).
3. For the name of the nearest Kramer authorized service center, consult your authorized dealer.
LIMITATION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES
All implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, are limited in duration to
the length of this warranty.
EXCLUSION OF DAMAGES
The liability of Kramer for any effective products is limited to the repair or replacement of the product at our option. Kramer
shall not be liable for:
1. Damage to other property caused by defects in this product, damages based upon inconvenience, loss of use of the product, loss
of time, commercial loss; or:
2. Any other damages, whether incidental, consequential or otherwise. Some countries may not allow limitations on how long an
implied warranty lasts and/or do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above
limitations and exclusions may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from place to place.
NOTE: All products returned to Kramer for service must have prior approval. This may be obtained from your dealer.
This equipment has been tested to determine compliance with the requirements of:
EN-50081: "Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC);
generic emission standard.
Part 1: Residential, commercial and light industry"
EN-50082: "Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) generic immunity standard.
Part 1: Residential, commercial and light industry environment".
CFR-47: FCC Rules and Regulations:
Part 15: “Radio frequency devices
Subpart B – Unintentional radiators”
CAUTION!
Servicing the machines can only be done by an authorized Kramer technician. Any user who makes changes or modifications to
the unit without the expressed approval of the manufacturer will void user authority to operate the equipment.
Use the supplied DC power supply to feed power to the machine.
Please use recommended interconnection cables to connect the machine to other components.

Kramer Electronics, Ltd.
Web site: www.kramerelectronics.com
E-mail: [email protected]
P/N: 2900-002014 REV 3A
For the latest information on our products and a list of Kramer
distributors, visit our Web site: www.kramerelectronics.com,
where updates to this user manual may be found.
We welcome your questions, comments and feedback.
Caution
Safety Warning:
Disconnect the unit from the power supply before
opening/servicing.