Kramer VA-256P User manual

Kramer Electronics, Ltd.
USER MANUAL
Model:
VA-256P
Digital Audio Delay

Contents
i
Contents
1 Introduction 1
2 Getting Started 1
3 Overview 2
4 Your VA-256P Digital Audio Delay 2
5 Using the VA-256P Digital Audio Delay 4
5.1 Using the VA-256P to Switch and Convert Signals 4
5.2 Using the VA-256P as an Audio Delay Line in the Studio Environment 6
5.3 Setting the Delay Time 7
5.4 Setting the Display Brightness (Dimmer Setting) Level 7
6 Technical Specifications 8
Figures
Figure 1: VA-256P Digital Audio Delay 3
Figure 2: Connecting the VA-256P Digital Audio Delay 5
Figure 3: Using the VA-256P Digital Audio Delay in the Studio Environment 6
Tables
Table 1: Features and Functions of the VA-256P Digital Audio Delay 3
Table 2: Delay Time Settings According to Sampling Rate 7
Table 3: Technical Specifications of the VA-256P Digital Audio Delay 8

2900-
9999992 A1
ADDENDUM (this data is included at the end of the Overview section)
This addendum adds the following information to the user manual:
Caution – No operator-serviceable parts inside unit.
Warning – Use only the Kramer Electronics input power
wall adapter that is provided with this unit
1
.
Warning – Disconnect power and unplug unit from wall
before installing or removing device or servicing unit.
1 For example: model number AD2512C, part number 2535-000251

Introduction
1
1 Introduction
Welcome to Kramer Electronics (since 1981): a world of unique, creative and
affordable solutions to the infinite range of problems that confront the video,
audio and presentation professional on a daily basis. In recent years, we have
redesigned and upgraded most of our line, making the best even better! Our
350-plus different models now appear in 8 Groups
1
, which are clearly defined
by function.
Congratulations on purchasing your VA-256P, which is ideal for professional
audio/video broadcasting and production studios.
The package includes the following items:
 VA-256P Digital Audio Delay
 Power adapter (12V DC Input)
 This user manual
2
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
 Use Kramer high performance high resolution cables
3
1 GROUP 1: Distribution Amplifiers; GROUP 2: Video and Audio Switchers, Matrix Switchers and Controllers; GROUP 3:
Video, Audio, VGA/XGA Processors; GROUP 4: Interfaces and Sync Processors; GROUP 5: Twisted Pair Interfaces;
GROUP 6: Accessories and Rack Adapters; GROUP 7: Scan Converters and Scalers; and GROUP 8: Cables and Connectors
2 Download up-to-date Kramer user manuals from the Internet at this URL: http://www.kramerelectronics.com
3 The complete list of Kramer cables is on our Web site at http://www.kramerelectronics.com

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Overview
2
3 Overview
The Kramer VA-256P is a professional digital audio delay that can be used as
an AES-ID3 (75) to AES/EBU (110) converter, as a digital audio
switcher, and as an audio delay line.
The high-performance VA-256P:
 Lets you adjust for lip sync errors so that the audio delay will match the
video delay
1
 Lets you adjust the brightness of the display via the dimmer setting
 Automatically sets the maximum delay time according to the input sample
rate (for each input channel)
 Recalls the previously set display brightness level and input settings
2
via
its non-volatile memory after powering up
 Provides a delay time, ranging from 0 up to 4096 msec
3
in increments of
1msec
 Is EIAJ CP1201, IEC-60958, AES3, AES-ID3 and AES/EBU compatible,
and supports 32kHz to 96kHz sample frequency range
 Is fully transparent to the digital stream, making it ideal for the most
demanding audio applications including home cinema and professional
audio applications (such as PCM, Dolby Digital, DTS, AES and so on)
 Is 12VDC fed and is housed in a DigiTOOLS enclosure
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 and position your
Kramer VA-256P away from moisture, excessive sunlight and dust
In applications with high interference, shielded cable will give better results.
4 Your VA-256P Digital Audio Delay
Figure 1 and Table 1 define the VA-256P Digital Audio Delay:
1 An example of a TV broadcasting lip sync error is when the sound is heard before the speaker’s lips move
2 Input sampling rate and delay time for each channel
3 Depending on the input sample rate signal (see Table 2)

Your VA-256P Digital Audio Delay
3
Figure 1: VA-256P Digital Audio Delay
Table 1: Features and Functions of the VA-256P Digital Audio Delay
# Feature Function
1 12V DC +12V DC connector for powering the unit
2 AES-ID3 75
 BNC Connector
Connect to the digital audio source (75)
3
INPUTS AES/EBU Detachable
Terminal Block
Connect to the digital audio source (110)
4 AES-ID3 75
 BNC Connector
Connect to the digital audio acceptor (75)
5
OUTPUTS
AES/EBU Detachable
Terminal Block
Connect to the digital audio acceptor (110)
6 INPUT SELECTOR 1 Button Press to select the AES-ID3 input to route to the
outputs
7 INPUT SELECTOR 2 Button Press to select the AES/EBU input to route to the
outputs
8 - Button
1
Press to decrease the delay time
2
9 + Button
1
Press to increase the delay time
2
10
DELAY
(msec) DELAY (msec) 7-segment
Display
Displays the delay time
3
11 LOCK LED Lights when the audio is locked
1 For step-by-step response, press and release these button(s) as required. Press continuously for a quicker response
2 Both the - and + buttons are also used to set the brightness of the display (see section 5.4)
3 Ranging from 0 to 4096 msec in increments of 1msec (see section 5.3)

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Using the VA-256P Digital Audio Delay
4
5 Using the VA-256P Digital Audio Delay
You can use the VA-256P as an AES-ID3 to AES/EBU converter, as a digital
audio switcher, and as an audio delay line within the same application. In the
following examples, the VA-256P is used to:
 Switch and convert AES-ID3 to AES/EBU or vice verse (see section 5.1)
 Delay the audio signal in the studio environment (see section 5.2)
5.1 Using the VA-256P to Switch and Convert Signals
To connect the VA-256P as the example in Figure 2 illustrates
1
, do the
following
2
:
1. Connect the sources as follows:
 Connect a digital audio source (for example, the audio output of a
digital video player) to the AES-ID3 75INPUT BNC connector
 Connect an AES/EBU source (for example, a DAT player) to the
AES/EBU detachable terminal block IN connector (using a twisted
pair cable)
2. Connect the acceptors as follows:
 Connect the AES-ID3 75OUTPUT BNC connector to a digital
audio acceptor (for example, a studio mixer)
 Connect the AES/EBU detachable terminal block OUT connector
(using a twisted pair cable) to an AES/EBU acceptor (for example, a
DAT recorder)
3. Connect the 12V DC power adapter to the power socket and connect the
adapter to the mains electricity.
4. Press the INPUT SELECTOR 1 or 2 button to select the input source
3
.
The signal routes to both outputs simultaneously.
5. Set the DELAY, as section 5.3 describes.
6. Set the display brightness if required (see section 5.4).
1 You do not have to connect all inputs and outputs, connect only those that are required
2 Switch OFF the power on each device before connecting it to your VA-256P. After connecting your VA-256P, switch on
the power on each device
3 If a valid digital audio signal is present on the selected input, the green LOCK LED will light

Using the VA-256P Digital Audio Delay
5
Digital
Video
Player
To Video
Processor
Digital Audio
Signal
DAT Player
Studio Mixer
DAT
Recorder
Figure 2: Connecting the VA-256P Digital Audio Delay

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Using the VA-256P Digital Audio Delay
6
5.2 Using the VA-256P as an Audio Delay Line in the Studio Environment
The VA-256P compensates for video processing delay time, as illustrated in
the example shown in Figure 3. In this example, a digital video player outputs
its digital video signal to a video processor (for example, the SP-11D Digital
Video Processor) and its digital audio signal to the VA-256P.The DELAY
1
time on the VA-256P is set to compensate for the digital video signal
processing time. So, while the video signal is processed, the audio signal is
delayed, via the VA-256P, to maintain synchronization between video and
audio as both signals enter the studio mixer.
Video Processor
Digital Audio Delay
Studio Mixer
 

+
- FREEZE
PANELLOCKRECALL
PALB PAL B YUVCV
RGBYC
RGBSYUV
SDI
PALN
PALN
PALM
NTSC3
NTSC4 NTSC4
SECAM SECAM
OUTPUT
AUTO
INPUT
HUE
GAIN
H-SHIFT
V-SHIFT
Y/GREEN
U/BLUE V/REDCONTRASTH-SHARPDELAY
YUV
RGB
GENLOCK
BRIGHTV-SHARPSPLITTERSCH STORE
POW ER

Video In
Delayed
Digital Audio Out
Video Out
Digital Video Player
Digital Audio
Out
Audio In
Figure 3: Using the VA-256P Digital Audio Delay in the Studio Environment
1 See section 5.3

Using the VA-256P Digital Audio Delay
7
5.3 Setting the Delay Time
Set the delay time via the and + buttons
1
on the front side-panel. The delay
time is displayed (in msec) on the 7-segment display located next to these
buttons.
The maximum delay time is determined by the input sampling rate, as
described in Table 2:
Table 2: Delay Time Settings According to Sampling Rate
Sampling Rate
[kHz]
Delay Time Range
[msec]
32 0 – 4096
44.1 0 – 2960
48 0 – 2720
96 0 – 1360
The delay time setting (per channel) is saved in the non-volatile memory.
5.4 Setting the Display Brightness (Dimmer Setting) Level
Use the dimmer settings to modify the brightness of the two input buttons and
the display.
To set the brightness (dimmer setting) level, do the following:
1. Press both the + and buttons continuously for 3 seconds.
The two input buttons and the + and – buttons illuminate.
The 7-segment display shows the brightness level
2
.
2. Press the + or button to increase or decrease the brightness level.
The brightness of the four buttons and the display is adjusted accordingly.
3. After setting the brightness, exit the dimmer setting by either:
 Pressing one of the two input buttons. This input is then selected and
the unit returns to normal operation; OR by
 Waiting 20 seconds
The unit returns to normal operation
The dimmer setting is saved in the non-volatile memory.
1 In 1msec steps
2 Ranging from 1 to 100