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

8
VP-438 - Installing in a Rack
4 Installing in a Rack
This section provides instructions for rack mounting the unit.

VP-438 - Connecting the VP-438
9
5 Connecting the VP-438
Always switch off the power to each device before connecting it to your
VP-438. After connecting your VP-438, connect its power and then
switch on the power to each device.
To connect your VP-438, as illustrated in the example in Figure 3, do the following:
You do not have to connect all the inputs and outputs, connect only those that are required.
1. Connect an HDMI source (for example, a DVD player) to each of the HDMI
VIDEO INPUT connectors (from 1 to 4).
Alternatively, you can connect the DVI connector on the DVD player to the HDMI
connector on the VP-438 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 PC 1 15-pin HD VIDEO INPUT
connector.
3. Connect a composite video source (for example, a composite video player)
to both CV VIDEO INPUT RCA connectors.
4. Connect a component video source (for example, a component video player)
to the COMP 1 PR, PBand Y, VIDEO INPUT RCA connectors.
5. Connect the audio input signals to the AUDIO INPUT terminal block
connectors, as required (not shown in Figure 3).
6. Connect the RGBHV VIDEO OUTPUT BNC connectors to an RGBHV
acceptor (for example, an RGBHV display).
7. Connect the HDMI VIDEO OUTPUT connector to an HDMI acceptor (for
example, a plasma display).
8. Connect the VGA VIDEO OUTPUT 15-pin HD connector to a VGA acceptor
(for example, a projector).
9. Connect the audio output signals to the AUDIO OUTPUTS stereo analog
audio acceptor and/or the digital audio acceptor, as required (not shown in
Figure 3).
10. Connect the power cord (not shown in Figure 3).
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10
VP-438 - Connecting the VP-438
Figure 3: Connecting the VP-438 Presentation Switcher/Scaler

VP-438 - Controlling the VP-438
11
6 Controlling the VP-438
The VP-438 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 infrared remote control transmitter (see Section 6.4)
6.1 Controlling via the Front Panel Buttons
The VP-438 includes the following front panel buttons:
Input selector buttons for selecting the required input: CV (1 and 2),
COMPONENT (1 and 2), PC (1 and 2) or HDMI (1 to 4)
BLANK, MUTE and FREEZE buttons
MENU, ENTER, and up, down, left and right arrow buttons
RESET TO XGA/720p and PANEL LOCK buttons
6.2 Using the OSD Menu
The control buttons let you control the VP-438 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.

12
VP-438 - Controlling the VP-438
6.2.1 The MAIN MENU
The range and default values vary according to the input signal.
Mode
Function
CONTRAST
Set the contrast
BRIGHTNESS
Set the brightness
FINETUNE
(see Section 6.2.2)
COLOR
Set the red, green and blue shades
SIZE
Select the size of the display: FULL, OVERSCAN, UNDER1, UNDER2,
LETTER BOX, PANSCAN, BEST FIT (default, FULL)
SOURCE
Select the source: (default VGA)
Appears as:
Source input
Appears as:
Source input
CV1
CV 1
PC2
VGA 2
CV2
CV 2
HDMI1
HDMI 1
YPBPR1
COMP 1
HDMI2
HDMI 2
YPBPR2
COMP 2
HDMI3
HDMI 3
PC1
VGA 1
HDMI4
HDMI 4
OUTPUT
Select the output resolution from the menu (default NATIVE):
Output resolution:
Appears as:
Output resolution:
Appears as:
480i
480I
[email protected]
1080P59
480p
480P
640x480
VGA
720p @50Hz
720P60
800x600
SVGA
1080i @60Hz
1080I60
1024x768
XGA
1080p @60Hz
1080P60
1280x1024
SXGA
576i
576I
1600x1200
UXGA
576p
576P
1366x768
WXGA
720p @50Hz
720P50
NATIVE
1080i @50Hz
1080I50
1680x1050
WSXGA
1080p @50Hz
1080P50
1920x1200
WUXGA
[email protected]
480I59
1280x800
1280x800
[email protected] Hz
480P59
1440x900
WXGA+
[email protected]
720P59
1400x1050
SXGA+
[email protected]
1080I59
1600x900
1600x900
NATIVE - Select NATIVE to select the output resolution from the EDID of the
connected HDMI monitor
AUDIO
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
Select the HDCP option for the HDMI input: either ON (the default) or OFF.
Setting HDCP support to enabled (ON) on the HDMI input allows the source
to transmit a non-HDCP signal if required (for example, when working with a
Mac computer)
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VP-438 - Controlling the VP-438
13
Mode
Function
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, it changes its HDCP output setting (for
the HDMI output) according to the HDCP of the input. This option is
recommended when the HDMI output is connected to a splitter/switcher
When FOLLOW OUTPUT is selected, the scaler matches its HDCP output
to the HDCP setting of the HDMI acceptor to which it is connected
FACTORY
RESET
Resets to the default parameters
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 resolutionand 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 or any
keypad button is pressed
EXIT
Select to exit the menu
6.2.2 The FINETUNE Menu
The following table defines the FINETUNE menu:
Input Signal
Parameter
Function
CV,
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
May improve the output image for certain graphic cards
where color fringing is seen
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, automatically centers the picture
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
DROP LINES
Set it to ON to eliminate the green line (default is OFF)
With some sources (mostly Apple devices) a green line
sometimes appears at the bottom of the display. By
factory default this option is set to OFF.
The COLOR FILTER feature may improve the output image for
certain graphic cards where color fringing is seen.
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14
VP-438 - Controlling the VP-438
6.2.3 The AUDIO Menu
The following table defines the AUDIO menu.
Parameter
Function
OUTPUT VOLUME
Set the output volume (from 0 to 100)
Not applicable for embedded HDMI audio inputs
INPUT VOLUME
Set the input volume (from 0 to 100)
Not applicable for embedded HDMI audio 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,
FREEZE, BLANK, FREEZE/BLANK
INDEPENDENT means that the audio muting is independent of the
FREEZE and BLANK functions
FREEZE/BLANK means that when you FREEZE or BLANK the video, then
the audio will be muted (the MUTE function follows the FREEZE and the
BLANK functions)
HDMI AUDIO IN
Enabled only when one
of the HDMI inputs is
selected
Select AUTOMATIC (In this case, 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 (In this case, the embedded audio in the HDMI signal is
selected) or ANALOG (In this case, the analog audio input is selected)
6.2.4 The OSD Menu
The following table defines the OSD menu.
Parameter
Function
H POSITION
Set the horizontal position of the OSD (from 0 to 100)
V POSITION
Set the vertical position of the OSD (from 0 to 100)
TIMER
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 information is not shown
INFO - the information is shown for a few seconds
6.3 Connecting to VP-438 via RS-232
You can connect to the VP-438 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-438 via RS-232, connect the RS-232 9-pin D-sub rear panel
port on the VP-438 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.

VP-438 - Controlling the VP-438
15
6.4 Controlling via the Infrared Remote Control Transmitter
You can control the VP-438 from the infrared remote control transmitter, as
defined in Figure 4:
Figure 4: Infrared Remote Control
Transmitter
Keys
Function
SIZE
Set the size of the image displayed
POWER
Turn the VP-438 ON or OFF
OFF in this case means that the unit is
in standby mode
CV1
Select the composite video 1 input
CV2
Select the composite video 2 input
COMP1
Select the component video 1 input
COMP2
Select the component video 2 input
PC1
Select the UXGA 1 input
PC2
Select the UXGA 2 input
HDMI1
Select the HDMI 1 input
HDMI2
Select the HDMI 2 input
HDMI3
Select the HDMI 3 input
HDMI4
Select the HDMI 4 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
When not in the OSD, the left and
right arrows also control the output
volume
For embedded HDMI inputs, this does
not affect the embedded output
OK
Press to accept changes
MENU
Enter the OSD menu
EXIT
EXIT the menu
FREEZE
Freeze/unfreeze the output video image
BLANK
Toggle between a blank screen and the
display
MUTE
Toggle between muting (blocking out
the sound) and enabling the audio
output
SIZE POWER
CV1
COMP2
CV2
PC1
COMP1
PC2
HDMI1 HDMI2 HDMI3
HDMI4
INFO NATIVE
MENU EXIT
FREEZE BLANK MUTE
LR-30

16
VP-438 - Technical Specifications
7 Technical Specifications
INPUTS:
4 HDMI connectors (HDMI, HDCP version 1.1)
2 VGA on a 15-pin HD connector
2 composite video on an RCA connector
2 component video each on 3 RCA connectors
Unbalanced stereo audio on 10 3-pin terminal block
connectors
OUTPUT:
1 RGBHV on 5 BNC connectors
1 HDMI connector (HDMI, HDCP version 1.1)
1 VGA (RGBHV) on a 15-pin HD connector
1 S/PDIF on an RCA connector
1 analog stereo audio on 2 RCA connectors
H FREQUENCY:
15.63-90kHz
V FREQUENCY:
50-100Hz
RGB SYNCS:
H and V TTL separated syncs
RGB LEVEL:
1.2Vpp max, 75load
XGA OUT LEVEL:
1.2Vpp max, 75load
S/PDIF OUT LEVEL:
0.55Vpp constant
OUTPUT RESOLUTIONS:
480i, 480p, 720p @50Hz, 1080i @60Hz, 1080p @60Hz, 576i,
576p, 720p @50Hz, 1080i @50Hz, 1080p @50Hz,
[email protected], [email protected] Hz, [email protected]z,
[email protected], 1080p@59.94Hz, 640x480, 800x600,
1024x768, 1280x1024, 1600x1200, 1366x768, 1680x1050,
1920x1200, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1400x1050, 1600x900
CONTROLS:
CV 1, CV 2, component 1, component 2, PC 1, PC 2, HDMI
1, HDMI 2, HDMI 3, HDMI 4, input selector buttons; blank,
mute, freeze buttons; menu, enter, menu arrows, reset to
XGA/720p, lock buttons, RS-232, IR
POWER CONSUMPTION:
100-240V AC, 25VA max.
OPERATING
TEMPERATURE:
0° to +40°C (32° to 104°F)
STORAGE TEMPERATURE:
-40° to +70°C (-40° to 158°F)
HUMIDITY:
10% to 90%, RHL non-condensing
DIMENSIONS:
100-240V AC, 25VA max.
WEIGHT:
19" x 7" x 1U (W, D, H) rack mountable
ACCESSORIES:
2.7kg (6lbs) approx
OPTIONS:
Power cord, rack ears, IR remote control
Specifications are subject to change without notice at http://www.kramerelectronics.com

VP-438 - Technical Specifications
17
7.1 Input Resolutions
Resolution/Refresh Rate
CV
Y, Pb, Pr
(Component)
PC
HDMI
480I/576I(NTSC/PAL)
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
480P/576P
Yes
No
Yes
720P@(60/50)
Yes
No
Yes
1080I@(60/50)
Yes
No
Yes
1080P@(60/50)
Yes
No
Yes
1080P@(24/25/30)
Yes
No
Yes
480P/576P-RGB
Yes
Yes
720P@(60/50)-RGB
Yes
Yes
1080I@(60/50)-RGB
No
Yes
1080P@(60/50)-RGB
Yes
Yes
1080P@(24/25/30)-RGB
No
Yes
VGA@(60/67/72/75/85)
Yes
Yes
SVGA@(56/60/72/75)
Yes
Yes
XGA@(60/70/75)
Yes
Yes
SXGA@(60/75)
Yes
Yes
1280X960
Yes
Yes
1600X900@60
Yes
Yes
UXGA@60 ( 1600X1200 )
Yes
Yes
WXGA@60(1280x800)
Yes
Yes
WXGA+@60(1440x900)
Yes
Yes
WXGA@60(1366x768)
Yes
Yes
SXGA+@60(1400x1050)
Yes
Yes
WSXGA@60(1680x1050)
Yes
Yes
WUXGA@60(1920x1200)
Yes
Yes
2K@50 ( 2048X1080)
Yes
Yes
2K@60 ( 2048X1080)
Yes
Yes