Kramer VM-8H User manual

Kramer Electronics, Ltd.
USER MANUAL
Models:
VM-8H, 1:8 HDMI Distributor
VM-16H, 1:16 HDMI Distributor

Contents
i
i
Contents
1Introduction 1
2Getting Started 1
2.1 Quick Start 2
3Overview 3
3.1 About HDMI 4
3.2 Defining EDID 5
3.3 Recommendations for Best Performance 5
4Your HDMI Distributors 5
5Installing the VM-8H/VM-16H in a Rack 9
6Connecting the VM-8H 1:8 HDMI Distributor 10
6.1 Acquiring the EDID 11
6.1.1 Acquiring the EDID from one Output 11
6.1.2 Acquiring the Default EDID 12
6.1.3 Acquiring the EDID from Several Outputs 12
7Technical Specifications 13
Figures
Figure 1: VM-8H 1:8 HDMI Distributor 6
Figure 2: VM-16H 1:16 H Distributor 7
Figure 3: Connecting a VM-8H 1:8 HDMI Distributor 10
Tables
Table 1: HDMI Distributor Features 8
Table 2: The EDID Modes 11
Table 3: Technical Specifications of the VM-8H and the VM-16H 13

Introduction
1
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 groups1
Thank you for purchasing your Kramer VM-8H 1:8 HDMI Distributor
and/or VM-16H 1:16 HDMI Distributor. The HDMI distributor is ideal for:
that are clearly defined by
function.
•Home theater, presentation and multimedia applications
•Rental and staging
•Retail store displays
The package includes the following items:
•VM-8H 1:8 HDMI Distributor and/or VM-16H 1:16 HDMI
Distributor
•Power cord and rack “ears”
•This user manual2
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 cables3
1 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; GROUP 11: Sierra Products
2 Download up-to-date Kramer user manuals from our Web site at http://www.kramerelectronics.com
3 The complete list of Kramer cables is on our Web site at http://www.kramerelectronics.com

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Getting Started
2
2.1 Quick Start
This section provides instructions for rack mounting the unit1.
1 This quick start also applies to the VM-16H which has 16 outputs instead of eight

Overview
3
3
3 Overview
The Kramer VM-8H 1:8 HDMI Distributor and the VM-16H 1:16 HDMI
Distributor are high quality distributors that accept an HDMI input and
distribute the signal to 8/16 outputs respectively, allowing one or more of the
outputs to be connected to receiving devices, thus making them a versatile,
reliable component in a video system. The VM-8H/VM-16H distribute
signals having resolutions up to and including UXGA, and all HDTV formats.
In particular, the HDMI distributors feature:
•Up to 2.25Gbps bandwidth per graphic channel1
•Data reclocking and equalization
•A default EDID2for fast and efficient connection of the unit3
•I-EDIDPro™ Kramer Intelligent EDID Processing™, an
intelligent EDID handling and processing algorithm that ensures
Plug and Play operation for HDMI systems
•3D pass-through
•HDMI Support – HDMI (with Deep Color, x.v.Color™, Lip Sync,
HDMI Uncompressed Audio Channels, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD,
CEC)
•HDMI connectors4 4
, output status LEDs , and EDID read and
select buttons
The HDMI distributors are housed in a 19" 1U rack-mountable enclosure,
and are fed from a 100-264V AC universal switching power supply.
1 Suitable for resolutions up to UXGA at 60Hz, and for all HD resolutions
2 EDID is Extended Display Identification Data
3 The default EDID feature lets you connect the VM-8H/VM-16H without having to connect a display to the output
4 Eight for the VM-8H and 16 for the VM-16H

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Overview
4
3.1 About HDMI
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is an uncompressed all-digital1
In particular, HDMI
audio/video interface, widely supported in the entertainment and home
cinema industry. It delivers the highest high-definition image and sound
quality.
2
•Provides a simple
: 3interface between any audio/video source, such
as a set-top box, DVD player, or A/V receiver and video monitor,
such as a digital flat LCD/plasma television (DTV), over a single
lengthy4
•Supports standard, enhanced, high-definition video, and multi-
channel digital audio
cable
5
•Transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports 8-channel digital
audio, with bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements
and requirements
on a single cable
•Benefits consumers by providing superior, uncompressed digital
video quality via a single cable6
•Is backward-compatible with DVI (Digital Visual Interface)
, and user-friendly connector
•Supports two-way communication between the video source (such
as a DVD player) and the digital television, enabling new
functionality such as automatic configuration and one-button play
HDMI has the capacity to support:
•Existing high-definition video formats (720p, 1080i, and
1080p/60), as well as standard definition formats such as NTSC or
PAL
1 Ensuring an all-digital rendering of video without the losses associated with analog interfaces and their unnecessary digital-
to-analog conversions
2 HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI
licensing LLC
3 With video and multi-channel audio combined into a single cable, the cost, complexity, and confusion of multiple cables
currently used in A/V systems is reduced
4 HDMI technology has been designed to use standard copper cable construction at up to 15m
5 HDMI supports multiple audio formats, from standard stereo to multi-channel surround-sound. HDMI has the capacity to
support Dolby 5.1 audio and high-resolution audio formats
6 HDMI provides the quality and functionality of a digital interface while also supporting uncompressed video formats in a
simple, cost-effective manner

Your HDMI Distributors
5
5
3.2 Defining EDID
The Extended Display Identification Data (EDID1
3.3 Recommendations for Best Performance
) is a data-structure,
provided by a display, to describe its capabilities to a graphics card (that is
connected to the display’s source). The EDID enables the VM-8H/
VM-16H to “know” what kind of monitor is connected to the output. The
EDID includes the manufacturer’s name, the product type, the timing data
supported by the display, the display size, luminance data and (for digital
displays only) the pixel mapping data.
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)
•Do not secure the cables in tight bundles or roll the slack into tight
coils
•Avoid interference from neighboring electrical appliances and
position your HDMI distributors away from moisture, excessive
sunlight and dust
4 Your HDMI Distributors
Figure 1 illustrates the VM-8H 1:8 HDMI Distributor,Figure 2 illustrates
the VM-16H 1:16 HDMI Distributor, and Table 1 defines both the VM-8H
and the VM-16H.
1 Defined by a standard published by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA)

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Your HDMI Distributors
6
Figure 1: VM-8H 1:8 HDMI Distributor

Your HDMI Distributors
7
Figure 2: VM-16H 1:16 H Distributor

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Your HDMI Distributors
8
Table 1: HDMI Distributor Features
#
Feature
Function
1 POWER Switch Illuminated switch for turning the unit ON or OFF
2 EDID READ Button Press to read the EDID of the selected display
3 SELECT Button Select the desired display for EDID information
4 OUTPUT STATUS LEDs LEDs light when an output(s) is connected and active; LEDs flash
when selecting the EDID (see Section 6.1
5 ) INPUT HDMI Connector Connects to the HDMI source
6 OUTPUT HDMI Connectors Connect to the HDMI acceptors1
7 Power Connector with Fuse AC connector enabling power supply to the unit
1 For the VM-8H, from 1 to 8; for the VM-16H, from 1 to 16

Installing the VM-8H/VM-16H in a Rack
9
5 Installing the VM-8H/VM-16H in a Rack
This section provides instructions for rack mounting the unit.

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Connecting the VM-8H 1:8 HDMI Distributor
10
6 Connecting the VM-8H 1:8 HDMI Distributor
To connect the VM-8H 1:8 HDMI distributor1
1. Connect an HDMI source (for example, a DVD player) to the INPUT
connector.
, do the following:
2. Connect the eight OUTPUT connectors to eight2
3. Connect the power cord to the mains electricity.
HDMI acceptors (for
example, plasma displays).
4. Turn ON the POWER.
5. Acquire the EDID (see Section 6.1).
Figure 3: Connecting a VM-8H 1:8 HDMI Distributor
1 From this section on, all the information is relevant to both the VM-8H and the VM-16H, unless noted otherwise
2 As required. Up to 8 outputs can be connected on the VM-8H and up to 16 outputs can be connected on the VM-16H. Not
all outputs need to be connected

Connecting the VM-8H 1:8 HDMI Distributor
11
6.1 Acquiring the EDID
The VM-8H initially operates with the default EDID. This means that you can
turn ON the power before connecting any of the acceptors or the source.
You can acquire the EDID from:
•One Output (the selected output LED illuminates)
•The Default EDID (all the output LEDs flash)
•Several connected outputs, the Auto-mix Mode1
To cycle between the different modes (One Output, Default and Auto-mix),
press the SELECT button, as defined in
, (the output
LEDs flash in sequence)
Table 2.
Table 2: The EDID Modes
Current
EDID Mode
Appearance To cycle to the
Default EDID
To cycle to the
Auto-mix EDID
To cycle to the One output
EDID
One output The selected output
LED illuminates Press the SELECT button once again after
selecting output 8 (for
VM-8H) or output 16
(for VM-16H). The
output LEDs flash
Default The output LEDs
flash Press the SELECT button once
Auto-mix The output LEDs
flash in sequence Press the SELECT button to select the required output.
The selected output flashes
To acquire or change the EDID of a new output display from:
•One output, see
•The default EDID, see
Section 6.1.1
•Several connected outputs, see
Section 6.1.2
6.1.1 Acquiring the EDID from one Output
Section 6.1.3
To acquire the EDID of a new output display, do the following:
1. Press the SELECT button.
The currently selected OUTPUT LED illuminates.
2. Press the SELECT button again to cycle from one output to another
until reaching the desired output.
1 The EDID acquired is a weighted average of all the connected outputs. For example, if several displays with different
resolutions are connected to the outputs, the acquired EDID supports all the resolutions, as well as other parameters included
in the EDID

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Connecting the VM-8H 1:8 HDMI Distributor
12
3. Press the READ button.
The flashing ceases and the button illuminates. The VM-8H accesses
the EDID of the connected output.
The EDID of the selected output is stored in the non-volatile memory
when the READ button no longer illuminates.
6.1.2 Acquiring the Default EDID
To acquire the default EDID, do the following:
1. Press the SELECT button.
The OUTPUT LEDs flash simultaneously.
2. Press the READ button.
The flashing ceases and the button illuminates. The VM-8H accesses
the default EDID.
The EDID of the selected output is stored in the non-volatile memory
when the READ button no longer illuminates.
6.1.3 Acquiring the EDID from Several Outputs
To acquire or change the EDID via several connected outputs, do the
following:
1. Press the SELECT button.
The OUTPUT LEDs flash in sequence.
2. Press the READ button.
The flashing ceases and the button illuminates. The VM-8H accesses
the EDID of the connected outputs.
The EDID is stored in the non-volatile memory when the READ
button no longer illuminates.

Technical Specifications
13
7 Technical Specifications
Table 3 includes the technical specifications:
Table 3: Technical Specifications
1
of the VM-8H and the VM-16H
VM-8H VM-16H
INPUT: HDMI connector
OUTPUTS: 8 HDMI connectors 16 HDMI connectors
BANDWIDTH: Supports up to 2.25Gbps per graphic channel
COMPLIANCE WITH HDMI
STANDARD: Supports HDMI and HDCP
CONTROLS: SELECT and READ buttons for selecting and storing EDID information
INDICATOR LEDs: OUTPUT STATUS 1 to 8 OUTPUT STATUS 1 to 16
OPERATING
TEMPERATURE: 0°to +55°C (32°to 131°F)
STORAGE TEMPERATURE: -45°to +72°C (-49°to 162°F)
HUMIDITY: 10% to 90%, RHL non-condensing
POWER CONSUMPTION: 100-264V AC, 50/60Hz, 28VA 100-264V AC, 50/60Hz, 48VA
DIMENSIONS: 19" x 7" x 1U W, D, H rack mountable
WEIGHT: 3.5kg (7.7lbs) approx. 4.5kg (9.9lbs) approx.
ACCESSORIES: Power cord, rack “ears”
OPTIONS: HDMI/HDMI male-to-male cables
Warning:
This is a class A product, for professional applications and environments only
1 Specifications are subject to change without notice

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14

Kramer Electronics, Ltd.
Web site: www.kramerelectronics.com
E-mail: [e-mail]
P/N: 2900-000661 REV 3
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.
PN:
2900-000661
Rev:
3