Kramer VP-438 User manual

Kramer Electronics, Ltd.
USER MANUAL
Model:
VP-438
Presentation Switcher / Scaler

Contents
i
Contents
1Introduction 1
2Getting Started 1
2.1 Quick Start 1
3Overview 3
3.1 Recommendations for Best Performance 4
3.2 Recycling Kramer Products 4
4Your VP-438 Presentation Switcher / Scaler 4
5Installing the VP-438 in a Rack 8
6Connecting the VP-438 Presentation Switcher / Scaler 9
7Controlling the VP-438 11
7.1 Controlling via the Front Panel Buttons 11
7.2 Using the OSD Menu 11
7.2.1 The MAIN MENU 12
7.2.2 The FINETUNE Menu 13
7.2.3 The AUDIO Menu 14
7.2.4 The OSD Menu 14
7.3 Connecting to VP-438 via RS-232 14
7.4 Controlling via the Infrared Remote Control Transmitter 15
8Technical Specifications 16
9RS-232 Communication Protocol 18
Figures
Figure 1: VP-438 Presentation Switcher / Scaler 5
Figure 2: Connecting the VP-438 Presentation Switcher / Scaler 10
Figure 3: Infrared Remote Control Transmitter 15
Tables
Table 1: VP-438 Presentation Switcher / Scaler Front Panel Features 6
Table 2: VP-438 Presentation Switcher / Scaler Rear Panel Features7
Table 3: The MAIN MENU Features 12
Table 4: The FINETUNE Menu Features 13
Table 5: The AUDIO Menu Features 14
Table 6: The OSD Menu Features 14
Table 7: Infrared Remote Control Transmitter Functions 15
Table 8: Technical Specifications of the VP-438 Presentation Switcher /Scaler 16
Table 9: Input Resolutions 17
Table 10: Character Symbols Definitions 18
Table 11: RS-232 Protocol 19

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
Congratulations on purchasing your Kramer VP-438Presentation Switcher /
Scaler. This product, which incorporates HDMI™ technology, is ideal for:
that are clearly defined by
function.
•Projection systems in conference rooms, boardrooms, hotels and churches
•Home theater up-scaling
The package includes the following items:
•VP-438Presentation / Switcher Scaler
•Power cord and rack “ears”
•Infrared remote control transmitter
•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
2.1 Quick Start
This Quick start chart summarizes the basic setup and operation steps.
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 and GROUP 11: Sierra Video Products
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
Getting Started
2

Overview
3
3
3 Overview
The Kramer VP-438 is a high quality presentation switcher and scaler. It
accepts one of 10 inputs: four HDMI signals, two computer graphics signals on
15-pin HD connectors, two composite video signals on RCA connectors and
two component video1
The VP-438 Presentation Switcher / Scaler:
signals on RCA connectors. It scales the video, embeds
the audio, and outputs the signal to the HDMI output, as well as to a computer
graphics output and an RGBHV video output with digital audio and analog
stereo audio outputs.
•Is HDTV compatible and the resolution can be up- or down-scaled2
•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
•Output signal is available in three formats: 1 HDMI and 2 RGBHV (on 5
BNC connectors, and one 15−pin HD connector)
•Has analog audio inputs which include volume control, and digital
(S/PDIF) and analog stereo audio outputs
•Automatically detects and selects the audio source for the HDMI input.
Default selection is HDMI – if this is not present, then 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 a non-volatile memory that retains the last settings used
•Supports firmware upgrade3
Control your VP-438:
via RS-232
•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
The VP-438is housed in a 19” 1U rack mountable enclosure, with rack “ears”
included, and is fed from a 100-240V AC universal switching power supply.
1 Also known as Y, Pb, Pr, Y, Cb, Cr and YUV; compatible with both SD and HD component
2 you can find the available resolutions in Table 8
3 To check if firmware upgrades are available, go to our Web site at http://www.kramerelectronics.com

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Your VP-438 Presentation Switcher / Scaler
4
3.1 Recommendations for Best Performance
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 Kramer VP-438 away from moisture, excessive sunlight and dust
3.2 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/.
4 Your VP-438 Presentation Switcher / Scaler
Figure 1, Table 1and Table 2define the VP-438Presentation Switcher /
Scaler:

Your VP-438 Presentation Switcher / Scaler
5
Figure 1: VP-438 Presentation Switcher / Scaler

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Your VP-438 Presentation Switcher / Scaler
6
Table 1: VP-438 Presentation Switcher / Scaler Front Panel Features
#
Feature
Function
1 IR Receiver Receives signals from the remote control transmitter
2 INPUT
SELECTOR
Buttons
CV Press to select the composite video input (from 1 to 2)
3 COMPONENT Press to select the component video input (from 1 to 2)
4 PC Press to select the computer graphics input (from 1 to 2)
5 HDMI Press to select the HDMI input (from 1 to 4)
6 BLANK Button Press to toggle between a blank screen and the display1
7 MUTE Button Press to toggle between muting (blocking out the sound) and
enabling the audio output
8 FREEZE Button Press to freeze/unfreeze the output video image
1
9 MENU Button Displays the OSD menu (see Section 7.2
10
)
ENTER Button Press to accept changes and change the SETUP parameters
2
11 - Button Press to decrease numerical values or select from several
definitions.
When not working in the OSD—press to reduce volume
12 Button Press to move up the menu list2
13 + Button Press to increase numerical values or select from several
definitions.
When not working in the OSD—press to increase volume
14 Button Press to move down the menu list
2
15 RESET TO XGA/720p Button Press and hold to reset the video resolution to XGA or 720p3
16 PANEL LOCK Button Press and hold
4
to lock/unlock the front panel buttons
1 Can be programmed to follow MUTE (see Section 7.2.3)
2 See Section 7.2
3 Press and hold for about 2 seconds to reset to XGA; or press and hold for about 5 seconds to reset to 720p
4 For about 2 seconds

Your VP-438 Presentation Switcher / Scaler
7
7
Table 2: VP-438 Presentation Switcher / Scaler Rear Panel Features
#
Feature
Function
17
VIDEO INPUTS
HDMI Connector Connect to the HDMI source (from 1 to 4)
18 PC 15-pin HD Connector Connect to the computer graphics source (from 1 to 2)
19 CV RCA Connector Connect to the composite video source (from 1 to 2)
20 PRRCA Connector
21 PB RCA Connector Connect to the component video source
1
22
(from 1 to 2)
Y RCA Connector
23 AUDIO INPUTS
Unbalanced Stereo
Terminal Block
Connectors
HDMI Connect to the analog audio HDMI source (from 1 to 4)
PC Connect to the analog audio computer graphics source (from 1 to 2)
CV Connect to the analog audio composite video source (from 1 to 2)
COMP Connect to the analog audio component video source (from 1 to 2)
24
VIDEO OUTPUTS
H BNC Connector
25 V BNC Connector
26 R BNC Connector Connect to the RGBHV video acceptor
27 G BNC Connector
28 B BNC Connector
29 HDMI Connector Connect to the HDMI acceptor
30 PC 15-pin HD Connector Connect to a VGA acceptor
31 AUDIO OUTPUTS
RCA Connectors
L Connect to the left stereo analog audio acceptor
32 R Connect to the right stereo analog audio acceptor
33 S/PDIF Connect to a digital audio acceptor
34 RS-232 9-pin D-sub Port Connect to the PC or the remote controller
35 Power Connector with Fuse AC connector, enabling power supply to the unit
36 Power Switch Switch for turning the unit ON or OFF
1 For component video, connect all three connectors: Y, Pr, Pb (also known as YUV)

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Installing the VP-438 in a Rack
8
5 Installing the VP-438 in a Rack
This section provides instructions for rack mounting the unit.