Kramer VS-88H User manual

KRAMER ELECTRONICS LTD.
USER MANUAL
MODEL:
VS-88H
8x8 HDMI Matrix Switcher
P/N: 2900-000654 Rev 5

VS-88H - Contents
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Contents
1Introduction 1
2Getting Started 2
2.1 Achieving the Best Performance 2
2.2 Safety Instructions 2
2.3 Recycling Kramer Products 3
3Overview 4
3.1 Defining the VS-88H 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switcher 4
3.2 Using the IR Transmitter 7
4Installing in a Rack 8
5Connecting the VS-88H 9
5.1 Connecting to the VS-88H via RS-232 10
5.2 Using the Ethernet Connection 11
6Operating the VS-88H 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switcher 14
6.1 Routing Inputs to Outputs 14
6.2 Disconnecting the Outputs 14
6.3 Storing and Recalling a Setting 14
6.4 Acquiring the EDID 15
6.5 Locking and Unlocking the Front Panel 18
6.6 Resetting the Ethernet Configuration to Default Values 18
6.7 Controlling Configuration via the Ethernet Port 18
7Technical Specifications 19
8Default Communication Parameters 20
9Kramer Protocol 2000 21
Figures
Figure 1: VS-88H 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switcher Front Panel 5
Figure 2: VS-88H 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switcher Rear Panel 6
Figure 3: Connecting the VS-88H 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switcher 10
Figure 4: Local Area Connection Properties Window 12
Figure 5: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties Window 12
Figure 6: Store-Recall Button Configuration 15

VS-88H - Introduction
1
1 Introduction
Welcome to Kramer Electronics! Since 1981, Kramer Electronics has been
providing a world of unique, creative, and affordable solutions to the vast range of
problems that confront video, audio, presentation, and broadcasting professionals
on a daily basis. In recent years, we have redesigned and upgraded most of our
line, making the best even better!
Our 1,000-plus different models now appear in 11 groups that are clearly defined
by function: GROUP 1: Distribution Amplifiers; GROUP 2: Switchers and Routers;
GROUP 3: Control Systems; GROUP 4: Format/Standards Converters; GROUP 5:
Range Extenders and Repeaters; GROUP 6: Specialty AV Products; GROUP 7:
Scan Converters and Scalers; GROUP 8: Cables and Connectors; GROUP 9:
Room Connectivity; GROUP 10: Accessories and Rack Adapters and GROUP 11:
Sierra Video Products.
Congratulations on purchasing your Kramer VS-88H 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switcher,
which is ideal for the following typical applications:
Conference room presentations
Advertising applications
Rental and staging

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VS-88H - Getting Started
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
Go to http://www.kramerelectronics.com/support/product_downloads.asp
to check for up-to-date user manuals, application programs, and to check if
firmware upgrades are available (where appropriate).
2.1 Achieving the Best Performance
To achieve the best performance:
Use only good quality connection cables (we recommend Kramer high-
performance, high-resolution cables) to avoid interference, deterioration in
signal quality due to poor matching, and elevated noise levels (often
associated with low quality cables)
Do not secure the cables in tight bundles or roll the slack into tight coils
Avoid interference from neighboring electrical appliances that may adversely
influence signal quality
Position your Kramer VS-88H away from moisture, excessive sunlight and
dust
This equipment is to be used only inside a building. It may only be
connected to other equipment that is installed inside a building.
2.2 Safety Instructions
Caution:
There are no operator serviceable parts inside the unit
Warning:
Use only the power cord that is supplied with the unit
Warning:
Do not open the unit. High voltages can cause
electrical shock! Servicing by qualified personnel only
Warning:
Disconnect the power and unplug the unit from the wall
before installing
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!
!

VS-88H - Getting Started
3
2.3 Recycling Kramer Products
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC
aims to reduce the amount of WEEE sent for disposal to landfill or incineration by
requiring it to be collected and recycled. To comply with the WEEE Directive,
Kramer Electronics has made arrangements with the European Advanced
Recycling Network (EARN) and will cover any costs of treatment, recycling and
recovery of waste Kramer Electronics branded equipment on arrival at the EARN
facility. For details of Kramer’s recycling arrangements in your particular country
go to our recycling pages at http://www.kramerelectronics.com/support/recycling/.

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VS-88H - Overview
3 Overview
The VS-88H is a high quality 8x8 matrix switcher for HDMI signals. It reclocks and
equalizes the signal and can route any input to any or all outputs simultaneously.
In particular, the VS-88H features:
Up to 6.75Gbps data rate (2.25Gbps per graphics channel)
Suitable for resolutions up to UXGA at 60Hz and for all HD resolutions.
HDTV compatibility
HDCP compliance
HDMI support for Deep Color, x.v.Color™
3D pass-through
I-EDIDPro™ Kramer Intelligent EDID Processing™ – Intelligent EDID
handling & processing algorithm ensures Plug and Play operation for HDMI
systems
Kramer reKlocking™ & Equalization Technology that rebuilds the digital
signal to travel longer distances
An OFF button to disconnect an output
A lock button to prevent unwanted tampering with the buttons on the front
panel
16 preset memory locations for quick access to common configurations
You can control the VS-88H using the front panel buttons, or remotely via:
RS-232 serial commands transmitted by a PC, touch screen system or other
serial controller
The Kramer infrared remote control transmitter
A PC connected to the Ethernet port on the device via a LAN
3.1 Defining the VS-88H 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switcher
This section defines the VS-88H.

VS-88H - Overview
5
VS-88H –Overview
5
Figure 1: VS-88H 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switcher Front Panel
#
Feature
Function
1
IR Indication LED and Receiver
Lights yellow when receiving signals from the infrared remote control transmitter, signal
receiver for the infrared remote control transmitter
2
POWER LED
Lights when the device is turned on
3
ALL Button
Press followed by an input button to connect the selected input to all outputs
For example, press ALL and then Input button # 2 to connect input # 2 to all the outputs
4
OFF Button
Press after pressing an output button to disconnect the selected output from the inputs.
To disconnect all the outputs, press ALL followed by OFF
5
SELECT Buttons
IN (1 to 8)
Press to select the input to switch after selecting an output (also used for storing machine
setups (see Section 6.3)
6
OUT (1 to 8)
Press to select an output to switch followed by an input (also used for storing machine setups
(see Section 6.3)
7
STO Button
Press to store the current switching setting to a preset (see Section 6.3)
8
RCL Button
Press to recall the current switching setting from a preset (see Section 6.3)
9
LOCK Button
Press and hold to toggle the locking/release of the front panel buttons.
10
EDID Button
Press to capture the EDID (see Section 6.4)
11
OUTPUT/INPUT 7-segment LED Display
Displays the input currently switched to the output which is marked above each input

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VS-88H - Overview
Figure 2: VS-88H 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switcher Rear Panel
#
Feature
Function
12
IN HDMI Connectors(1 to 8)
Connect to up to 8 HDMI sources
13
OUT HDMI Connectors (1 to 8)
Connect to up to 8 HDMI acceptors
14
RS-232 9-pin D-sub Port Connector
Connect to a PC/serial controller
15
ETHERNET RJ-45 Connector
Connect to a PC via a LAN
16
ETH RESET Button
Press to reset to the factory default IP parameters:
IP number 192.168.1.39
Mask –255.255.255.0
Gateway –192.168.1.1
Depress the button while powering on the device. The device powers up with the factory default IP parameters
17
Mains Power Connector and Fuse
Connect to the mains power
18
Mains Power Switch
Switch for turning the device on or off
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VS-88H –Overview

VS-88H - Overview
7
3.2 Using the IR Transmitter
You can use the RC-IR3 IR transmitter to control the machine via the built-in IR
receiver on the front panel or, instead, via an optional external IR receiver (Model:
C-A35M/IRR-50). The external IR receiver can be located up to 15 meters away
from the machine. This distance can be extended to up to 60 meters when used
with three extension cables (Model: C-A35M/A35F-50).
Before using the external IR receiver, be sure to arrange for your Kramer dealer to
insert the internal IR connection cable (P/N: 505-70434010-S) with the 3.5mm
connector that fits into the REMOTE IR opening on the rear panel. Connect the
external IR receiver to the REMOTE IR 3.5mm connector.

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VS-88H - Installing in a Rack
4 Installing in a Rack
This section provides instructions for rack mounting the unit.

VS-88H - Connecting the VS-88H
9
5 Connecting the VS-88H
Always switch off the power to each device before connecting it to your
VS-88H. After connecting your VS-88H, connect its power and then
switch on the power to each device.
To connect the VS-88H as illustrated in the example in Figure 3:
1. Connect up to eight DVI sources (for example, DVD players) to the IN DVI
connectors.
2. Connect the OUT DVI connectors to up to eight DVI acceptors (for example,
DVI displays).
3. If required, connect a PC and/or controller to the RS-232 port (see
Section5.1) and/or the Ethernet port (see Section 5.2).
4. If required, acquire the EDID (see Section 6.4).
The power cord is not shown in Figure 3.
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VS-88H - Connecting the VS-88H
Figure 3: Connecting the VS-88H 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switcher
5.1 Connecting to the VS-88H via RS-232
You can connect to the VS-88H via an RS-232 connection using, for example, a
PC. Note that a null-modem adapter/connection is not required.
To connect to the VS-88H via RS-232:
Connect the RS-232 9-pin D-sub rear panel port on the VS-88H unit via a
9-wire straight cable (only pin 2 to pin 2, pin 3 to pin 3, and pin 5 to pin 5
need to be connected) to the RS-232 9-pin D-sub port on your PC

VS-88H - Connecting the VS-88H
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5.2 Using the Ethernet Connection
You can connect to the VS-88H via Ethernet using either of the following methods:
Direct connection to the PC using a crossover cable (see Section 5.2.1)
Connection via a network hub, switch, or router, using a straight-through cable
(see Section 5.2.2)
5.2.1 Connecting the Ethernet Port Directly to a PC (Crossover Cable)
You can connect the Ethernet port of the VS-88H to the Ethernet port on your PC,
via a crossover cable with RJ-45 connectors.
This type of connection is recommended for identifying the
VS-88H with the factory configured default IP address.
After connecting the Ethernet port, configure your PC as follows:
1. Right-click the My Network Places icon on your desktop.
2. Select Properties.
3. Right-click Local Area Connection Properties.
4. Select Properties.
The Local Area Connection Properties window appears.
5. Select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click the Properties Button (see
Figure 4).
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VS-88H - Connecting the VS-88H
Figure 4: Local Area Connection Properties Window
6. Select Use the following IP Address, and fill in the details as shown in
Figure 5. You can use any IP address in the range 192.168.1.1 to
192.168.1.255 (excluding 192.168.1.39) that is provided by your IT
department.
7. Click OK.
Figure 5: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties Window

VS-88H - Connecting the VS-88H
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5.2.2 Connecting the Ethernet Port to a Network Hub
You can connect the Ethernet port on the VS-88H to the Ethernet port on a
network hub or router using a straight-through cable with RJ-45 connectors.

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VS-88H - Operating the VS-88H 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switcher
6 Operating the VS-88H 8x8 HDMI Matrix
Switcher
This section describes how to:
Route inputs to outputs (see Section 6.1)
Disconnect outputs (see Section 6.2)
Store and recall a setup (see Section 6.3)
Acquire the EDID (see Section 6.4)
Lock and unlock the front panel (see Section 6.5)
Reset the Ethernet configuration to default values (see Section 6.6)
Control the machine via the Ethernet port (see Section 6.7)
6.1 Routing Inputs to Outputs
To route an input to an output:
Press an OUT key, followed by an IN key to route this input to that output
To route one input to all outputs:
Press ALL followed by an IN button. The input is routed to all outputs
6.2 Disconnecting the Outputs
To disconnect one output:
Press the OUT button of the output to disconnect and press OFF
To disconnect all outputs at once:
Press the ALL button and then press OFF. This disconnects all the outputs
6.3 Storing and Recalling a Setting
You can use the STO and RCL buttons to store up to 16 setups and then recall
them using the OUT (1-8) and IN (9-16) SELECTOR buttons (see Figure 6).

VS-88H - Operating the VS-88H 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switcher
15
Figure 6: Store-Recall Button Configuration
To store a preset (for example, to preset 10):
1. Configure the switching as required for the preset.
2. Press the STO button.
The STO button flashes.
3. Select an OUT or IN SELECT button to store the device setting (for example,
IN 2 for preset 10).
4. Press the STO button to store the current setup.
You have to press the STO button within 10 seconds or the procedure automatically
times out.
To recall a preset (for example, preset 10):
1. Press the RCL button.
The RCL button flashes.
2. Press the relevant OUT or IN button that stored the preset (for example, IN
2/preset 10).
3. Press the RCL button to recall the stored preset.
The RCL button stops flashing.
6.4 Acquiring the EDID
You can acquire the EDID from:
A single connected output (see Section 6.4.1)
Several sets of inputs and outputs (see Section 6.4.2)
The default EDID (see Section 6.4.3)

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VS-88H - Operating the VS-88H 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switcher
6.4.1 Acquiring an EDID from a Single Connected Output
To acquire or change the EDID of a new output display:
1. Connect the required acceptor to the output from which you want to acquire
the EDID.
2. Press the EDID and STO buttons simultaneously and hold them for 3
seconds.
Both buttons flash.
3. Press the IN SELECT button to which the EDID is to be copied.
The selected input number flashes on the display.
4. Select the OUT SELECT button from which the EDID is to be acquired.
5. Press the EDID button.
The EDID has been captured when the display returns to normal.
6.4.2 Acquiring an EDID from Several Sets of Inputs and Outputs
To acquire the EDID from several sets of inputs and outputs (for example, OUT 1
to IN 1 and OUT 4 to IN 3):
1. Connect the required acceptors to the outputs from which you want to
acquire the EDID.
2. Press the EDID and STO buttons simultaneously and hold them for 3
seconds.
Both buttons flash.
3. Press the SELECT IN button to which the first EDID is to be copied (for
example, IN 1).
The selected input number flashes on the display.
4. Press the SELECT OUT button from which the first EDID is to be acquired
(for example, OUT 1).
5. Press the SELECT IN 1 button again.
The IN 1 button stops flashing.

VS-88H - Operating the VS-88H 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switcher
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6. Press another SELECT IN to which the next EDID is to be copied (for
example, IN 3).
The selected input number flashes on the display.
7. Press the SELECT OUT button from which the next EDID is to be acquired
(for example, OUT 4).
8. Press the SELECT IN 3 button again.
The IN 3 button stops flashing.
9. Press the SELECT IN buttons to which you want to copy the EDID (for
example, IN 1 and IN 3).
10. Insure that the relevant input numbers flash on the display.
11. Press the EDID button.
The process is complete when the display returns to normal.
6.4.3 Acquiring the Default EDID
To reset to the default EDID:
1. Press the EDID and STO buttons simultaneously and hold them for 3
seconds.
Both buttons flash.
2. Press the SELECT IN button to which the EDID will be copied.
The selected input number flashes on the display.
3. Press the OFF button until a "0" (zero) appears on the display.
4. Press the EDID button.
The process is complete when the display returns to normal.