Kramer VP-441 User manual

KRAMER ELECTRONICS LTD.
USER MANUAL
MODEL:
VP-441
Presentation Switcher/Scaler
P/N: 2900-300040 Rev 5

VP-441 – Contents i
Contents
1Introduction 1
2Getting Started 2
2.1 Achieving the Best Performance 2
2.2 Recycling Kramer Products 2
3Overview 3
3.1 Defining the VP-441 Presentation Switcher/Scaler 4
4Installing in a Rack 7
5Connecting the VP-441 8
6Controlling the VP-441 10
6.1 Controlling via the Front Panel Buttons 10
6.2 Using the OSD Menu 11
6.3 Connecting to the VP-441 via RS-232 14
6.4 Connecting the VP-441 via the ETHERNET Port 14
6.5 Controlling via the Infrared Remote Control Transmitter 15
7Technical Specifications 16
7.1 Input Resolutions 17
8RS-232 Communication Protocol 18
8.1 RS-232 Protocol Table 19
Figures
UFigure 1: VP-441 Presentation Switcher/Scaler Front PanelU5
UFigure 2: VP-441 Presentation Switcher/Scaler Rear PanelU6
UFigure 3: Connecting the VP-441 Presentation Switcher / ScalerU9
UFigure 4: Infrared Remote Control TransmitterU15

VP-441 – 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 VP-441 Presentation Switcher/Scaler.
This product, which incorporates HDMI™ technology, is ideal for:
•Projection systems in conference rooms, boardrooms, hotels and churches
•Home theater up-scaling

2 VP-441 - 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
•Use Kramer high performance high resolution cables
•Use only the power cord that is supplied with this machine
Go to http://www.kramerelectronics.com 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 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 VP-441 away from moisture, excessive sunlight and dust
2.2 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/.
i

VP-441 – Overview 3
3 Overview
The Kramer VP-441 is a high quality presentation switcher and scaler. It accepts
one of seven inputs: a component video on RCA connectors, computer graphics on
a 15-pin HD connector, composite video on an RCA connector, s-Video on a
4-pin connector and two HDMI signals. It scales the video, embeds the audio, and
outputs the signal as follows: to the HDMI output, to the computer graphics output,
and to the RGBHV video output together with a digital audio output and an analog
stereo audio output.
Component video is also known as Y, Pb, Pr, or Y, Cb, Cr or YUV; compatible with both SD
and HD component
The VP-441 is HDTV compatible and the resolution can be up- or down-scaled as
follows: Native, VGA, SVGA, XGA, SXGA, UXGA, 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p,
720p (@50 and 60Hz), 1080i (@50 and 60Hz), 1080p (@50 and 60Hz), WXGA,
WSXGA, WUXGA, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1400x1050, 1600x900 and 2K resolutions
(2048x1080@50Hz and 2048x1080@60Hz).
The VP-441 Presentation Switcher / Scaler:
•Features K-Storm™ Scaling Technology - Kramer’s extremely high
performance scaling technology. High-quality 3:2 and 2:2 pull down
de-interlacing and full up and down scaling of computer graphics video input
signals
•Has analog audio inputs and digital (S/PDIF) and analog stereo audio
outputs as well as 5.1 analog audio bypass
The VP-441 converts digital audio information to Dolby 5.1 analog outputs, facilitating
he routing of up to six analog audio inputs (left, center, right, left surround, right
surround and subwoofer) directly to the output without being processed
•Automatically detects and selects the audio source for the HDMI input.
Default selection is HDMI – if this is not present, the machine uses the audio
from the analog input
•Comes with an On-Screen Display (OSD) for easy setup and adjustment,
accessible via the IR remote control and via the front-panel buttons
•Has an HDTV compatible component input

4 VP-441 - Overview
•Is HDCP Compliant - The HDCP (High Definition Content Protection) license
agreement allows copy-protected data on the HDMI input to pass only to the
HDMI output
•Has a non-volatile memory that retains the last settings used
•Supports firmware upgrade via RS-232
Control your VP-441:
•Directly, via the front panel push buttons
•By RS-232 serial commands transmitted by a touch screen system, PC, or
other serial controller
•Remotely, from the infrared remote control transmitter
•Via the Ethernet
The VP-441 is housed in a 19” 1U rack mountable enclosure, with rack “ears”
included, and is fed from a 100-240 VAC universal switching power supply.
3.1 Defining the VP-441 Presentation Switcher/Scaler
This section defines the VP-441.

VP-441 – Overview 5
Figure 1: VP-441 Presentation Switcher/Scaler Front Panel
#
Feature
Function
1 POWER Switch Illuminated switch for turning the unit ON or OFF
2 IR Receiver Receives signals from the remote control transmitter
3 INPUT
SELECTOR
Buttons
CV Press to select the composite video input
4
YC
Press to select the s-Video input
5 COMPONENT Press to select the component video input (from 1 to 2)
6 VGA Press to select the computer video graphics input
7 HDMI Press to select the HDMI input (from 1 to 2)
8 BLANK Button Press to toggle between a blank screen (blue or black screen) and the display
9 MUTE Button Press to toggle between muting (blocking out the sound) and enabling the audio output
The FREEZE button can be programmed to follow MUTE (see Section 6 2.3
10 )
FREEZE Button Press to freeze/unfreeze the output video image
This button can be programmed to follow MUTE (see Section 6 2.3
11 )
MENU Button Displays the OSD menu (see Section 6 2
12 )
ENTER Button Press to accept changes, change the SETUP parameters (see Section 6.2) and to auto adjust the image (when
not within the OSD menu), see 6.1.1Section
13 - Button Press to decrease numerical values or select from several definitions.
For convenience and speed—when not within the OSD menu mode—press to reduce volume
14 Button Press to move up the menu list values (see Section 6.2
15 ) + Button Press to increase numerical values or select from several definitions.
For convenience and speed—when not within the OSD menu mode—press to increase volume
16

Button
Press to move down the menu list (see Section 6.2
17
)
PANEL LOCK Button Press and hold for about 2 seconds to lock/unlock the front panel buttons
18 RESET TO XGA/720p Button Press to reset the video resolution to XGA or 720p
Press and hold for about 2 seconds to reset to XGA; or press and hold for about 5 seconds to reset to 720p

Figure 2: VP-441 Presentation Switcher/Scaler Rear Panel
#
Feature
Function
19 VIDEO INPUT
Connectors HDMI Connect to the HDMI source (from 1 to 2)
20 VGA 15-pin HD Connect to the computer graphics source
21 CV RCA Connect to the composite video source
22 YC 4-pin Connect to the s-Video source
23 Pr/Cr RCA Connect all three connectors to the component video source (from 1 to 2)24 Pb/Cb RCA
25 Y RCA
26
VIDEO OUTPUT
Connectors
R BNC
27 G BNC
28 B BNC Connect to the RGBHV video acceptor
29
H BNC
30 V BNC
31 HDMI Connect to the HDMI acceptor
32 VGA 15-pin HD Connect to a VGA acceptor
33 AUDIO IN Unbalanced
Stereo Terminal Block
Connectors
HDMI Connect to the analog audio HDMI source (from 1 to 2)
VGA Connect to the analog audio computer graphics source
COMP Connect to the analog audio component video source (from 1 to 2)
CV
Connect to the analog audio composite video source
YC Connect to the analog audio s-Video source
34 RS-232 9-pin D-sub Port Connect to the PC or the remote controller
35 OUT RCA Connectors LEFT Connect to the left stereo analog audio acceptor
36 RIGHT Connect to the right stereo analog audio acceptor
37 S/PDIF Connect to a digital audio acceptor
38 ETHERNET Connector Connects to the PC or other Serial Controller through computer networking
39 Power Connector with Fuse AC connector, enabling power supply to the unit
6VP-441 – Overview

VP-441 - Installing in a Rack 7
4 Installing in a Rack
This section provides instructions for rack mounting the unit.

8 VP-441 - Connecting the VP-441
5 Connecting the VP-441
Always switch off the power to each device before connecting it to
your VP-441. After connecting your VP-441, connect its power and
then switch on the power to each device.
You do not have to connect all the inputs and outputs, connect only
those that are required.
To connect the VP-441, as illustrated in the example in Figure 3, do the following:
1. Connect an HDMI source (for example, a DVD player) to the HDMI 1 VIDEO
INPUT connector.
Alternatively, you can connect the DVI connector on the DVD player to the HDMI
connector on the VP-441 via a DVI-HDMI adapter. When using this adapter, you can
connect the audio signal via the terminal block connector
2. Connect a computer graphics source to the VGA 15-pin HD VIDEO INPUT
connector.
3. Connect a composite video source (for example, a composite video player)
to the CV VIDEO INPUT RCA connector.
4. Connect an s-Video source (for example, an s-Video player) to the YC 4-pin
VIDEO INPUT connector.
5. Connect a component video source (for example, a component video player)
to the COMP 1 PR, PBand Y, VIDEO INPUT RCA connectors.
6. Connect the audio input signals to the AUDIO IN terminal block connectors,
as required (not shown in Figure 3).
7. Connect the RGBHV VIDEO OUTPUT BNC connectors to an RGBHV
acceptor (for example, an RGBHV display).
8. Connect the HDMI VIDEO OUTPUT connector to an HDMI acceptor (for
example, a plasma display).
!
i

VP-441 - Connecting the VP-441 9
9. Connect the VGA VIDEO OUTPUT 15-pin HD connector to a VGA acceptor
(for example, a projector).
10. Connect the audio output signals to the OUT stereo analog audio acceptor
and/or the digital audio acceptor, as required (not shown in Figure 3).
11. Connect the power cord (not shown in Figure 3).
12. If required, connect:
A PC via RS-232, see
The ETHERNET port, see
Section 6.3
Section 6.4
Figure 3: Connecting the VP-441 Presenta ion Switcher / Scaler

10 VP-441 - Controlling the VP-441
6 Controlling the VP-441
The VP-441 can be controlled via:
•The front panel buttons (see Section 6.1
•The OSD menu (see
)
Section 6.2
•RS-232 serial commands transmitted by a touch screen system, PC, or
other serial controller (see
)
Section 6.3
•The ETHERNET (see
)
Section 6.4
•The infrared remote control transmitter (see
)
Section 6.5
6.1 Controlling via the Front Panel Buttons
)
The VP-441 includes the following front panel buttons:
•Input selector buttons for selecting the required input: CV, YC,
COMPONENT (1 and 2), VGA or HDMI (1 and 2)
•BLANK, MUTE and FREEZE buttons
•MENU, ENTER, and up, down, left and right arrow buttons
•RESET TO XGA/720p and PANEL LOCK buttons
6.1.1 The Auto Adjust (Auto Tune) Feature
The auto adjust feature (applies only to the VGA input) automatically centers the
image on the screen when pressing the ENTER front panel button or the OK button
on the remote control transmitter (when not within the OSD menu).
You can also implement this feature every time the input is switched to VGA or
when the input resolution changes, via the FINETUNE menu (see Section 6.2.2
).

VP-441 - Controlling the VP-441 11
6.2 Using the OSD Menu
The control buttons let you control the VP-441 via the OSD menu. Press the:
•MENU button to enter the menu
The default timeout is set to 10 seconds
•ENTER button to accept changes and to change the menu settings
•Arrow buttons to move through the OSD menu, which is displayed on the
video output
On the OSD menu, select EXIT to exit the menu.
6.2.1 The MAIN MENU
Mode Function
CONTRAST Set the contrast
The range and default values vary according to the input signal
BRIGHTNESS Set the brightness
The range and default values vary according to the input signal
FINETUNE Optimize the image quality (see Section 6.2.2
COLOR ) Set he red, green andblue shades (0to 100, default 48, 48 and 52 respec ively)
SIZE Select the size of the display: FULL, OVERSCAN, UNDER1, UNDER2,
LETTER BOX, PANSCAN, BEST FIT (default, FULL)
UNDER1 refers to an underscan of 6%
UNDER2 refers to an underscan of 9%
SOURCE Select the source: (default VGA)
Source input Appears as: Source input Appears as:
CV CVBS VGA PC
YC SVIDEO HDMI 1 HDMI1
COMP 1 YPBPR1 HDMI 2 HDMI2
COMP 2 YPBPR2
CVBS means Composite Video Baseband Signal
OUTPUT Select the output resolution from the menu (default NATIVE):
Output resolution: Appears as: Output resolution: Appears as:
1080i @60Hz 1080 60 800x600 SVGA
1080p @60Hz 1080P60 1024x768 XGA
576i 576I 1280x1024 SXGA
576p 576P 1600x1200 UXGA
720p @50Hz 720P50 480i 480I
1080i @50Hz 1080I50 480p 480P
1080p @50Hz 1080P50 720p @50Hz 720P60
1280x800 1280x800 1600x900 1600x900
1680x1050 WSXGA 2048x1080 @50Hz 2048x1080/50Hz
1920x1200 WUXGA 2048x1080 @60Hz 2048x1080/60Hz
1440x900 WSXGA+ 480i@59 94Hz 480I59

12 VP-441 - Controlling the VP-441
Mode
Function
Output resolution: Appears as: Output resolution: Appears as:
1400x1050 SXGA+ 480p@59 94 Hz 480P59
1366x768 WXGA 720p@59 94Hz 720P59
NATIVE 1080i@59.94Hz 1080I59
640x480 VGA [email protected]z 1080P59
NATIVE - Select NATIVE to select the output resolution from the ED D of the
connected HDMI monitor
AUDIO Adjust audio parameters (see Section 6.2.3
OSD ) Set the OSD parameters: H POSITION, V POSITION, TIMER,
BACKGROUND and DISPLAY (see Section 6.2.4
HDCP ON
INPUT
)
Set to ON or OFF.
HDCP support can be enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF) for each of the
HDMI inputs, allowing the source to transmit a non-HDCP signal if required
HDCP ON
OUTPUT Select Follow Input or Follow Output to define whether the HDCP will follow the input or the output
When Follow Input is selected, the scaler changes its HDCP output setting
(for the HDMI output) according to the HDCP of the input.
This option is recommended when the HDMI scaler output is connected to a
splitter/switcher
When Follow Output is selected, the scaler matches its HDCP output to the
HDCP set ing of he HDMI acceptor to which it is connected.
FACTORY
RESET Resets to the default parameters (resolution is set to XGA or 720p)
If you cannot see the display after factory reset, use the front panel Res. button to
set the correct resolution: press continuously for 2 seconds to reset to XGA, or
continuously for 5 seconds to reset to 720p
INFORMATION Displays the source, the input resolution, the output resolution and the
software version
AUTO SYNC
OFF Turn the auto sync ON/OFF. When ON, a short period after not detecting a valid video signal on the selected input, the unit will disable the H and V
syncs on the analog outputs until a valid input is again detected
EXIT Select to exit the menu

VP-441 - Controlling the VP-441 13
13
6.2.2 The FINETUNE Menu
Input Signal
Parameter
Function
CV, YC,
COMPONENT HUE Set the color hue
SATURATION Set the color saturation
SHARPNESS Set the sharpness of the picture
NOISE REDUCTION Select the noise reduction: OFF, HI, LOW and MID
(middle)
COLOR FILTER Set to ON to enable color filtering
VGA PHASE Set the clock phase
CLOCK Set the clock frequency
H-POSITION Set the horizontal position of the picture
V-POSITION Set the vertical position of the picture
AUTO TUNE When set to ON, auto adjusts the image (centers it
correctly on the screen) every time the input is
switched to VGA or when the input resolution
changes
Alternatively, you can auto adjust the image by pressing
the ENTER button when not within the OSD menu
COLOR FILTER Set to ON to enable color filtering
HDMI COLOR FILTER Set to ON to enable color filtering
COLOR FILTER may improve the output image for certain graphic
cards where color fringing is seen.
6.2.3 The AUDIO Menu
Parameter
Function
OUTPUT
VOLUME Set the output volume (from 0 to 100)
Not applicable for embedded HDMI inputs
INPUT VOLUME Set the input volume (from 0 to 100)
Not applicable for embedded HDMI inputs
DELAY Select the audio delay time: OFF, 40ms, 110ms and 150ms
SOUND Select the sound options: ON, MUTE
MUTE FOLLOWS Select the action that will be followed by mute:
INDEPENDENT: the audio muting is independent of the FREEZE and
BLANK functions
FREEZE
BLANK
FREEZE/BLANK: when freezing or blanking the video, the audio will be
muted (the MUTE function follows the FREEZE and the BLANK
functions)
HDMI AUDIO IN Select:
AUTOMATIC: the embedded audio on the HDMI input is selected for an
HDMI signal, or the analog audio input is selected if the input is not
HDMI (for example, for a DVI input signal)
EMBEDDED: the embedded audio in the HDMI signal is selected
ANALOG: the analog audio input is selected
HDMI AUDIO IN is enabled only when one of the HDMI inputs is selected
i

14 VP-441 - Controlling the VP-441
6.2.4 The OSD Menu
Parameter
Function
H POSITION Set the horizontal position of he OSD (from 0 to 100)
V POSITION Set the vertical position of the OSD (from 0 to 100)
T MER Set the timeout period in seconds (from 5 to 100)
BACKGROUND Set the OSD background between 0 (solid black) and 8 (transparent)
DISPLAY Select the information shown on the screen during operation:
ON - the information is shown permanently
OFF - the informa ion is not shown
INFO - the information is shown for a few seconds
6.3 Connecting to the VP-441 via RS-232
You can connect to the VP-441 via an RS-232 connection using, for example, a PC.
Note that a null-modem adapter/connection is not required.
To connect to the VP-441 via RS-232:
•Connect the RS-232 9-pin D-sub rear panel port on the VP-441 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
6.4 Connecting the VP-441via the ETHERNET Port
To connect and configure the Ethernet port of the VP-441, refer to the ETHERNET
Configuration (Lantronix) GUIDE on our Web site:
http://www.kramerelectronics.com

VP-441 - Controlling the VP-441 15
6.5 Controlling via the Infrared Remote Control Transmitter
You can control the VP-441 from the infrared remote control transmitter:
Figure 4: Infrared Remote Control
Transmitter
Keys Function
SIZE Set the size of the image
displayed
POWER Turn the VP-441 ON or OFF
(the outputs and the front-panel
are disabled)
FREEZE Freeze/unfreeze the output
video image
BLANK Toggle between a blank screen
(blue or black screen) and the
display
MUTE Toggle between muting
(blocking out the sound) and
enabling the audio output
AV Select the composite video
input
YC Select the s-Video input
COMP1 Select the component video 1
input
COMP2 Select the component video 2
input
PC Select the UXGA input
HDMI1 Select the HDMI1 input
HDMI2 Select the HDMI2 input
XGA Reset Reset the resolution to XGA
720p Reset Reset the resolution to 720p
INFO Displays the selected input, the
input and output resolutions and
the firmware versions on the
OSD
NATIVE Select the output resolution via
the EDID of the connected
HDMI monitor
Four navigation keys
Left and right arrow keys also
function as output volume control
OK Press to accept changes
Press also to auto adjust the
picture (see Sec ion 6.1.1
)
MENU Enter the OSD menu
EXIT EXIT the menu

16 VP-441 - Technical Specifications
7 Technical Specifications
INPUTS: 2 HDMI connectors
1 VGA on a 15-pin HD connector
1 composite video on an RCA connector
1 Y/C on a 4-pin connector
2 component video each on 3 RCA connectors
2 HDMI, 1 VGA, 2 COMP, 1 CV, 1 Y/C unbalanced stereo
audio on seven 3-pin terminal block connectors
OUTPUTS: 1 RGBHV on 5 BNC connectors
1 HDMI connector
1 VGA (RGBHV) on a 15-pin HD connector
1 S/PDIF on an RCA connector
1 unbalanced stereo audio on RCA connectors
H FREQUENCY: 15.63-90kHz
V FREQUENCY: 50-100Hz
RGB SYNCS: H and V TTL separated syncs
RGB LEVEL: 1.2Vpp max, 75Ωload
XGA OUT LEVEL: 1.2Vpp max, 75Ωload
S/PDIF OUT LEVEL: 0.55Vpp constant
OUTPUT RESOLUTIONS: Native, VGA, SVGA, XGA, SXGA, UXGA, 480i, 480p, 576i,
576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, WXGA, WSXGA, WUXGA,
1280x800, 1440x900, 1400x1050, 1600x900, 2048x1080/50Hz,
2048x1080/60Hz, 480i59.94, 480p59.94, 720p59.94,
1080i59.94, 1080p59.94
OUTPUT REFRESH RATE: 60Hz for computer graphics resolutions, 50/60Hz for HDTV
resolutions
CONTROLS: CV, YC, component 1, component 2, VGA, HDMI 1, HDMI 2,
input selector buttons; blank, mute, freeze buttons; menu,
enter, menu arrows, reset to XGA/720p, lock buttons, RS-232,
Ethernet, IR
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 SOURCE: 100-240V AC, 20VA max.
DIMENSIONS: 19" x 7" x 1U (W, D, H) rack mountable
WEIGHT: 2.7kg (6lbs) approx.
ACCESSORIES: Power cord, rack “ears”, IR remote control
Specifications are subject to change without notice at http://www.kramerelectronics.com