Kramer ProScale VP-728 User manual

KRAMER ELECTRONICS LTD.
USER MANUAL
MODEL:
VP-728
Presentation Switcher/Scaler
P/N: 2900-000363 Rev 9

VP-728 – 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-728 Presentation Switcher/Scaler 5
4Installing in a Rack 9
5Connecting the VP-728 10
5.1 Connecting a PC 13
6Presentation Switcher / Scaler Buttons 14
6.1 Switching an Input 14
6.2 The PIP Button Feature 15
6.3 Locking and Unlocking the Front Panel 19
6.4 The Infrared Remote Control Transmitter 20
7Configuring the VP-728 via the OSD MENU Screens 21
7.1 The Input Screen 22
7.2 The Picture Screen 24
7.3 The Output Screen 25
7.4 The PIP Screen 27
7.5 The Audio Screen 28
7.6 The Geometry Screen 29
7.7 The Setup Screen 30
7.8 The Advanced Setup Screen 32
7.9The Info Screen 37
8Using Text Overlay 38
9Audio Flash Memory Upgrade 40
9.1 Downloading from the Internet 40
9.2 Connecting the PC to the RS-232 Port 41
9.3 Upgrading the Audio Firmware 41
10 Technical Specifications 46
11 VP-728 Communication Protocol 51
11.1 Error Codes Description 62

ii VP-728 - Contents
Figures
Figure 1: VP-728 Presentation Switcher/Scaler Front Panel 6
Figure 2: VP-728 Presentation Switcher/Scaler Rear Panel 8
Figure 3: Connecting to the VP-728 Rear Panel 12
Figure 4: Crossed Cable RS-232 Connection 13
Figure 5: Straight Cable RS-232 Connection with a Null Modem Adapter 13
Figure 6: PIP Source over Background 16
Figure 7: The SWAP Status 17
Figure 8: IR Remote Control Transmitter 20
Figure 9: MENU Items 21
Figure 10: Input Screen 22
Figure 11: Picture Screen 24
Figure 12: Output Screen 25
Figure 13: PIP Screen 27
Figure 14: Audio Screen 28
Figure 15: Geometry Screen 29
Figure 16: Setup Screen 30
Figure 17: Advanced Setup Screen 32
Figure 18: Misc Screen 33
Figure 19: Input Functions 35
Figure 20: Output Functions 36
Figure 21: Active Video Functions 37
Figure 22: Information Screen 37
Figure 23: Text Overlay Application Screen 38
Figure 24: Splash Screen 41
Figure 25: Atmel – Flip Window 42
Figure 26: Device Selection Window 42
Figure 27: Selecting the Device Window 43
Figure 28: Loading the Hex 43
Figure 29: RS-232 Window 44
Figure 30: Atmel – Flip Window (Connected) 44
Figure 31: Atmel – Flip Window (Operation Completed) 45

VP-728 – 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 the video, audio, presentation, and broadcasting
professional 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 Products.
Congratulations on purchasing your Kramer VP-728 Presentation Switcher / Scaler,
which is ideal for the following typical applications:
•Projection systems in conference rooms, boardrooms, auditoriums, hotels and
churches, production studios, rental and staging
•Any application where high quality conversion and switching of multiple and
different video signals to graphical data signals is required for projection
purposes

2 VP-728 - 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-728 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-728 – Overview 3
3 Overview
The Kramer VP-728 is a 9-input Proscale™ Presentation Switcher / Scaler with
unbalanced stereo and digital S/PDIF audio. The VP-728 scales any composite,
s-Video (Y/C), component video (YUV), HDMI or computer graphics video signal, as
well as JPEG files (via USB) up or down to a selectable graphics or HDTV output
resolution. It also provides glitch-free switching between sources through FTB™
(fade-thru-black) switching technology, in which the video fades to black and then
the new input fades from black for glitch-free and smooth switching. The output
signal provides constant sync so the display never glitches. The output signal is
available simultaneously on a 15-pin HD computer graphics video (UXGA) connector
and on an HDMI connector.
The VP-728 features include:
•Silicon Optix HQV® Video Processing - HQV (Hollywood Quality Video)
processing represents the state-of-the-art in video processing technology,
with the highest quality de-interlacing, noise reduction, and scaling
performance for both standard-definition and high-definition signals
•K-IIT XL™ Picture-in-Picture Image Insertion Technology - ultra stable picture-
in-picture, picture-and-picture, and split screen capability. Any video source
can be inserted into or positioned next to a computer graphics video source or
vice versa with window positioning and sizing controls
•Four user definable (universal) video inputs (each can be set as composite
video, s-Video (Y/C) or component video), two computer graphics video
inputs, two HDMI inputs and 1 USB input (for reading JPEG picture files that
are recognized up to 2048x1536 and do not exceed 1MB)
•HDTV compatible component input
•HDTV output resolutions - 720p 1080i, and 1080p
•Scaled video outputs - HDMI and computer graphics video
•HDMI support of up to 2.25Gbps bandwidth per graphic channel
Suitable for resolutions up to UXGA at 60Hz, and for all HD resolutions
•Multiple computer graphics output resolutions - including a user-defined
output resolution with selectable refresh rates

4 VP-728 - Overview
•Multiple aspect ratio selections
•Companion AFV (audio-follow-video) for every analog video input
•Embedded audio on the two HDMI inputs and output
The embedded audio feature is not available for the RGB resolutions 1920x1200 and
1920x1080. (It is available for 1080p)
•Built-in noise reduction and picture enhancement features
•Audio inputs - four (stereo audio or S/PDIF on two RCA connectors) for each
of the four universal video inputs; two unbalanced stereo audio (on 3.5mm
mini jacks) for the two computer graphics video inputs; and embedded audio
on the HDMI inputs
•Audio outputs - S/PDIF and unbalanced stereo audio (RCA connectors). The
machine transcodes stereo or S/PDIF audio to both stereo and S/PDIF audio
and embeds audio into the HDMI output
Tip: To use a 5.1 digital audio source, connect this HDMI or S/PDIF source (for
example, a Blu-ray player) directly to your receiver or display
•Built-in Time Base Corrector - stabilizes video sources with unstable sync
•Built-in video Proc-Amp - color, hue, sharpness, contrast, and brightness are
set individually for each input
•A BLANK button, a FREEZE button, a RESET TO XGA/720P button (to
hardware-reset the output resolution); and a PANEL LOCK button
The front panel blank, freeze and lock buttons can be programmed via the OSD menu
(see Page 34)
•Built-in audio Proc-Amp with bass, treble, balance and loudness control, as
well as audio delay
•Firmware upgrade performed via the USB port
•Slideshow option, letting you run a slideshow via the USB port
•An OSD (On-Screen Display) – for making adjustments – that can be located
anywhere on the screen

VP-728 – Overview 5
In addition, the VP-728:
•Includes non-volatile memory that retains the last settings, after switching the
power off and then on again
•Digitally reprocesses the signal to correct mastering errors and regenerates
the video at a higher line and pixel rate format, providing native-resolution
video for LCD, DLP and plasma displays
•Is specifically designed to improve video quality by reducing chroma noise
•Scales and zooms (to up to 400% of the original size)
•Can provide non-linear scaling for 4:3 and 16:9 transformation
Control your VP-728 directly via the front panel push buttons, or:
•By RS-232 serial commands transmitted by a touch screen system, PC, or
other serial controller
•Remotely, from the infrared remote control transmitter (with on-screen menus)
The VP-728 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 13BDefining the VP-728 Presentation Switcher/Scaler
This section defines the VP-728.

Figure 1: VP-728 Presentation Switcher/Scaler Front Panel
#
Feature
Function
1 POWER Switch Illuminated switch for turning the machine ON or OFF
2 IR Receiver / LED Lights red when the unit accepts IR remote commands
3 UNIVERSAL INPUT
Selector Buttons
Press to select the composite video / s-Video / component video source and the appropriate audio source
(from 1 to 4)
4
INPUT Selector
Buttons
(illuminates
when selected)
UXGA 1 Press to select the UXGA source 1 and the appropriate audio source
5 UXGA 2 Press to select the UXGA source 2 and the appropriate audio source
6 HDMI 1 Press to select the HDMI source 1
7 HDMI 2 Press to select the HDMI source 2
8 USB Press to select the USB source (JPEG files on a USB memory stick) and also run/stop the slideshow (see
Section 7.7.1)
9 PIP Button Toggles the picture-in-picture function (see Section 6.2)
10 BLANK Button Press to toggle between a blank screen (blue or black) and the display.
The BLANK button can be programmed to mute the audio signal at the same time (see Page 34)
11 FREEZE Button Press to freeze/unfreeze the output video image, as well as pause the slideshow (see Page 31).
The FREEZE button can be programmed to mute the audio signal at the same time (see Page 34)
12 MENU Button Press to display the OSD menu screen. Press again to return to normal operation.
13 ENTER Button Press to move to the next level in the OSD screen or to accept a new parameter
14 Button Decreases the range by one step in the OSD screen or moves to the previous level in the OSD screen.
Decreases the volume level, when not in the OSD menu
6 VP-728 – Overview

VP-728 – Overview 7
#
Feature
Function
15 Button Moves up one step (in the same level) in the OSD screen, or moves to the previous slide when running a
slideshow (see Section 7.7.1)
16 Button Increases the range by one step in the OSD screen
Increases the volume level, when not in the OSD menu
17 Button Moves down one step (in the same level) in the OSD screen, or moves to the next slide when running a
slideshow (see Section 7.7.1)
18 RESET TO XGA/720p
Button
Press and hold to reset to the default resolution (toggles between RESET TO XGA and 720p)
19 PANEL LOCK Button Press to lock/unlock the front panel to prevent unintentional operation
20 USB Connector Connects to a USB drive to read JPEG files (smaller than 1MB and up to a resolution of 2048x1536) and
also to download new firmware

Figure 2: VP-728 Presentation Switcher/Scaler Rear Panel
#
Feature
Function
21
UNIV. IN RCA Connectors
(from 1 to 4)
Y/CV
Connects to the video acceptor which can be either composite video (Y/CV), s-Video (Y/CV,
PB/C ) or component video (Y/CV, PB/C, PR)
22 PB/C
23 PR
24 UXGA 1 IN 15-pin HD Connector Connects to the UXGA (analog interface) graphics source 1
25 UXGA 2 IN 15-pin HD Connector Connects to the UXGA (analog interface) graphics source 2
26 AUDIO IN UNIV. IN RCA
Connectors (from 1 to 4)
L/S/PDIF Connects to the left unbalanced stereo analog audio source. Alternatively, connect to a digital
audio source
27 R Connects to the right unbalanced stereo analog audio source
28 AUDIO IN 3.5 Mini Jack UXGA 1 Connects to the unbalanced stereo analog audio source 1
29 UXGA 2 Connects to the unbalanced stereo analog audio source 2
30 AUDIO OUT RCA Connectors L Connects to the left channel of the unbalanced stereo analog audio acceptor
31 R Connects to the right channel of the unbalanced stereo analog audio acceptor
32 S/PDIF Connects to a digital audio acceptor
33 AUDIO PROG Program Button Push to upgrade to the latest Kramer audio firmware. Release for normal operation
34 Terminal Block Connector Connects to a PC for audio firmware upgrade
35 HDMI 1 IN Connector Connects to the HDMI 1 source
36 HDMI 2 IN Connector Connects to the HDMI 2 source
37 HDMI OUT Connector Connects to the HDMI acceptor
38 UXGA OUT 15-pin HD Connector Connects to the video acceptor that displays the scaled output.
In the default HDTV mode, the signal is transmitted via 3 pins: PIN 1 is Pr, PIN 2 is Y, PIN 3 Pb
39 RS-232 9-pin D-sub Connector Connects to a PC or serial controller
40 Power Connector with Fuse AC connector for connecting power to the unit
8 VP-728 – Overview

VP-728 - Installing in a Rack 9
9
4 Installing in a Rack
This section provides instructions for rack mounting the unit.

10 VP-728 - Connecting the VP-728
5 Connecting the VP-728
Always switch off the power to each device before connecting it to your
VP-728. After connecting your VP-728, connect its power and then
switch on the power to each device.
To connect the VP-728 as illustrated in the example in Figure 3, do the following:
1. Connect the video sources:
A component video source (for example, a DVD player) to the
UNIV. IN 1 RCA connectors, Y/CV, PB/C and PR
Component video is sometimes called YUV, or Y, B-Y, R-Y
An s-Video source (for example, a DVD player) to the UNIV. IN 4 RCA
connectors, Y/CV and PB/C
A computer graphics source to the UXGA 1 IN 15-pin HD computer
graphics video connector
An HDMI source (for example, a DVD player) to the HDMI 1 IN
connector
A graphics data source (for example, JPEG files that should be smaller
than 1MB and should not exceed a resolution of 2048x1536, from a PC
or a USB flash drive) to the USB connector on the front panel of the
machine
2. Connect the unbalanced stereo or digital audio sources:
The audio of the component video source 1 to the AUDIO UNIV IN 1
S/PDIF RCA connector
The audio of the s-Video source 4 to the AUDIO UNIV IN 4 L and R
RCA connector
The audio of computer graphics source to the AUDIO UXGA 1 3.5mm
mini jack
Although this connecting example shows only several inputs that are connected,
you can connect all the inputs simultaneously
i

VP-728 - Connecting the VP-728 11
11
3. Connect the video outputs:
The HDMI OUT connector to an HDMI acceptor (for example, a plasma
display)
The UXGA OUT 15-pin HD computer graphics video connector to a video
acceptor (for example, an analog display)
In the HDTV mode, the signal goes out via three PINS: PIN 1 is Red or Pr, PIN 2
is Green or Y, PIN 3 is Blue or Pb
4. Connect the AUDIO OUT L and R unbalanced stereo audio output and/or the
S/PDIF digital audio output to audio acceptors, for example, power amplifiers.
5. Connect the power cord.
We recommend that you use only the power cord that is supplied with this machine
6. If required, connect a PC via RS-232, (see Page 13).
The USB connector, audio sources and acceptors, and power cord are
not shown in Figure 3.
i

12 VP-728 - Connecting the VP-728
Figure 3: Connecting to the VP-728 Rear Panel

VP-728 - Connecting the VP-728 13
13
5.1 Connecting a PC
You can connect to the unit via a crossed RS-232 connection, using for example, a
PC. A crossed cable or null-modem is required as shown in method A and B
respectively. If a shielded cable is used, connect the shield to pin 5.
Method A (Figure 4)—Connect the RS-232 9-pin D-sub port on the unit via a
crossed cable (only pin 2to pin 3, pin 3to pin 2, and pin 5to pin 5need be
connected) to the RS-232 9-pin D-sub port on the PC.
Note: There is no need to connect any other pins.
Figure 4: Crossed Cable RS-232 Connection
Hardware flow control is not required for this unit. In the rare case where a
controller requires hardware flow control, short pin 1 to 7 and 8, and pin 4 to 6 on
the controller side.
Method B (Figure 5)—Connect the RS-232 9-pin D-sub port on the unit via a
straight (flat) cable to the null-modem adapter, and connect the null-modem adapter
to the RS-232 9-pin D-sub port on the PC. The straight cable usually contains all
nine wires for a full connection of the D-sub connector. Because the null-modem
adapter (which already includes the flow control jumpering described in Method A
above) only requires pins 2, 3 and 5 to be connected, you are free to decide
whether to connect only these 3 pins or all 9 pins.
Figure 5: Straight Cable RS-232 Connection with a Null Modem Adapter
1
2
6
3
7
4
8
5
9
1
2
6
3
7
4
8
5
9
PC
1
2
6
3
7
4
8
5
9
to PC
Null-Modem
Adapter

14 VP-728 - Presentation Switcher / Scaler Buttons
6 Presentation Switcher / Scaler Buttons
The VP-728 includes the following front panel buttons:
•Nine INPUT selector buttons
•A PIP button
•BLANK and FREEZE buttons
•Six OSD buttons
•A RESET TO XGA/720p button
•A PANEL LOCK button
6.1 Switching an Input
Each INPUT SELECTOR button can be used to select the source. When selected,
the button illuminates.
You can switch seamlessly between each input that is connected to a source by
pressing the appropriate INPUT SELECTOR button.
SEAMLESS SWITCHING - FTB™ switching for glitchless transitions between inputs

VP-728 - Presentation Switcher / Scaler Buttons 15
15
6.2 The PIP Button Feature
The Picture-in-Picture inserter (PIP) uses K-IIT XL™ image insertion technology to
present video and graphic sources simultaneously so that you can display:
•An inserted video source PIP over a graphic source background
•An inserted graphic source PIP over a video source background
VIDEO SOURCE – can be composite or s-Video
GRAPHIC SOURCE – can be HDMI, UXGA or component
For example, you can show a live video window on top of a graphic background
and vice versa.
If the HDMI signal is HDCP protected, it cannot appear on a display that is not HDCP
compliant and the machine will not output a picture on the VGA output
The VP-728 supports three PIP modes:
•Picture-in-Picture, with a smaller window superimposed over a full screen
image
•Picture + Picture, where both images are placed side-by-side with the same
height
•Split, where both images appear side-by-side and the aspect ratios of both
images are maintained
6.2.1 Activating the PIP Feature
Activate the PIP feature in any of the following ways:
•Press and hold the PIP front panel button while pressing the input button of
the required PIP source
•Press the PIP key on the IR remote control transmitter (see Section 6.4)
•Access the OSD PIP menu (see Figure 13) and selecting PIP On