Kramer VP-438 User manual

KRAMER ELECTRONICS LTD.
USER MANUAL
MODEL:
VP-438
Presentation Switcher/Scaler
P/N: 2900-000642 Rev 6

VP-438 – Contents
i
Contents
1Introduction 1
2Getting Started 2
2.1 Achieving the Best Performance 2
2.2 Safety Instructions 3
2.3 Recycling Kramer Products 3
3Overview 4
3.1 Defining the VP-438 Presentation Switcher/Scaler 5
4Installing in a Rack 8
5Connecting the VP-438 9
6Controlling the VP-438 11
6.1 Controlling via the Front Panel Buttons 11
6.2 Using the OSD Menu 11
6.3 Connecting to VP-438 via RS-232 14
6.4 Controlling via the Infrared Remote Control Transmitter 15
7Technical Specifications 16
7.1 Input Resolutions 17
8RS-232 Communication Protocol 18
Figures
Figure 1: VP-438 Presentation Switcher/Scaler Front Panel 6
Figure 2: VP-438 Presentation Switcher/Scaler Rear Panel 7
Figure 3: Connecting the VP-438 Presentation Switcher/Scaler 10
Figure 4: Infrared Remote Control Transmitter 15

VP-438 - 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 Products.
Congratulations on purchasing your Kramer VP-438 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
Home theater up-scaling

2
VP-438 - 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
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 (we recommend Kramer high-
performance, high-resolution 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-438 away from moisture, excessive sunlight and
dust
This equipment is to be used only inside a building. It may only be
connected to other equipment that is installed inside a building.
i
!

VP-438 - Getting Started
3
2.2 Safety Instructions
Caution:
There are no operator serviceable parts inside the unit
Warning:
Use only the power cord that is supplied with the unit
Warning:
Do not open the unit. High voltages can cause
electrical shock! Servicing by qualified personnel only
Warning:
Disconnect the power and unplug the unit from the wall
before installing
2.3 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
VP-438 - Overview
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
video signals (also known as Y, Pb, Pr, Y, Cb, Cr and YUV; compatible with both
SD and HD component) 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.
The VP-438 Presentation Switcher/Scaler:
Is HDTV compatible and the resolution can be up- or down-scaled
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 upgrade via RS-232

VP-438 - Overview
5
Control your VP-438:
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-438 is housed in a 19” 1U rack mountable enclosure, with rack “ears”
included, and is fed from a 100-240V AC universal switching power supply.
3.1 Defining the VP-438 Presentation Switcher/Scaler
This section defines the VP-438.

6
VP-438 - Overview
VP-438 –Overview
6
Figure 1: VP-438 Presentation Switcher/Scaler Front Panel
#
Feature
Function
1
IR Receiver
Receives signals from the remote control transmitter
2
CV Button
Press to select the composite video input (from 1 to 2)
3
COMPONENT Button
Press to select the component video input (from 1 to 2)
4
PC Button
Press to select the computer graphics input (from 1 to 2)
5
HDMI Button
Press to select the HDMI input (from 1 to 4)
6
BLANK Button
Press to toggle between a blank screen and the display (can be programmed to follow MUTE, see Section 6.2.3)
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
9
MENU Button
Displays the OSD menu (see Section 6.2)
10
ENTER Button
Press to accept changes and change the SETUP parameters (see Section 6.2)
11
- Button
Press to decrease numerical values or select from several definitions.
When not within the OSD menu mode, press to reduce volume (for embedded HDMI inputs, this does not affect the
embedded output)
12
Button
Press to move up the menu list
13
+ Button
Press to increase numerical values or select from several definitions.
When not within the OSD menu mode, press to increase volume (for embedded HDMI inputs, this does not affect the
embedded output)
14
Button
Press to move down the menu list
15
RESET TO XGA/720p Button
Press and hold 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)
16
PANEL LOCK Button
Press and hold for about 2 seconds to lock/unlock the front panel buttons

VP-438 - Overview
7
Figure 2: VP-438 Presentation Switcher/Scaler Rear Panel
#
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
PR RCA Connector
Connect to the component video source (from 1 to 2)
For component video, connect all three connectors: Y, Pr, Pb (also known as YUV)
21
PBRCA Connector
22
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
AUDIO OUTPUTS RCA Connectors
L
Connect to the left stereo analog audio acceptor
25
R
Connect to the right stereo analog audio acceptor
26
S/PDIF
Connect to a digital audio acceptor
27
VIDEO OUTPUTS
H BNC Connector
Connect to the RGBHV video acceptor
28
V BNC Connector
29
R BNC Connector
30
G BNC Connector
31
B BNC Connector
32
HDMI Connector
Connect to the HDMI acceptor
33
PC 15-pin HD Connector
Connect to a VGA acceptor
34
RS-232 9-pin D-sub Port
Connect to the PC or the remote controller
35
ETHERNET RJ-45 Connector
Connect to a network
36
Power Connector with Fuse
AC connector, enabling power supply to the unit
37
Power Switch
Switch for turning the unit ON or OFF
7
VP-438 –Overview