Kramer VP-4x1 CS User manual

KRAMER ELECTRONICS LTD.
USER MANUAL
MODEL:
VP-4x1CS
4x1 PC Graphics Clean
Switcher
P/N: 2900-300198 Rev 4

VP-4x1CS - Contents
i
Contents
1Introduction 1
2Getting Started 2
2.1 Achieving the Best Performance 2
2.2 Safety Instructions 2
2.3 Recycling Kramer Products 3
3Overview 4
4Defining the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher 5
4.1 Using the IR Transmitter 7
5Installing in a Rack 8
6Connecting the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher 9
6.1 Connecting the Remote Selector and Mute Switches 10
6.2 Connecting a Balanced/Unbalanced Stereo Audio Output 11
6.3 Connecting to the VP-4x1CS via RS-232 11
6.4 Connecting to the VP-4x1CS via Ethernet 11
6.5 Ethernet Port Configuration 13
7Operating the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher 14
7.1 Operating the VP-4x1CS Locally 14
7.2 Operating the VP-4x1CS Remotely Using the Embedded Web Pages 16
7.3 Using the K-Single Application 23
8Wiring the TP RJ-45 Ethernet Connector 24
9Technical Specifications 25
10 Default Communication Parameters 26
11 Kramer Protocol 2000 27
11.1 Protocol 2000 Hex Codes 29
12 Protocol 3000 31
12.1 Kramer Protocol 3000 Syntax 31
12.2 Kramer Protocol 3000 Commands 34
Figures
Figure 1: VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher Front Panel 5
Figure 2: VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher Rear Panel 6
Figure 3: Connecting the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher 9
Figure 4: Remote Selector and Output Mute Switch Connection 10
Figure 5: Balanced Stereo Audio Connection 11
Figure 6: Unbalanced Stereo Audio Connection 11
Figure 7: Local Area Connection Properties Window 12
Figure 8: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties Window 13
Figure 9: Java Test Page Success Message 17
Figure 10: The Loading Page 18
Figure 11: First Time Security Warning 18
Figure 12: VP-4x1CS Switching Matrix Page 19
Figure 13: Switching an Input to an Output 20
Figure 14: Exiting Offline Warning 21
Figure 15: Audio Gain Page 21
Figure 16: Configurations Page 22
Figure 17: TP Pinout Wiring 24

VP-4x1CS - 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-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean
Switcher, which is ideal for the following typical applications:
Display systems requiring simple input selection
Remote monitoring of computer activity in schools and businesses
Rental/staging applications
Multimedia and presentation source selection

2
VP-4x1CS - 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/support/product_downloads.asp
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 VP-4x1CS 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.
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
i
!
!

VP-4x1CS - Getting Started
3
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-4x1CS - Overview
3 Overview
The VP-4x1CS is a high quality 4x1 switcher for PC graphics (up to UXGA) and
audio signals. Kramer’s Kr-isp®technology ensures high quality video.
In particular, the VP-4x1CS features:
Clean switching
Automatic switching
Kramer’s innovative integrated sync processing; Kr-isp®technology provides
a sharp, stable image by restoring the signal waveform even when the sync
level is too low
Audio-follow-video switching
Remote, contact closure input selection
Remote, contact closure output muting
A lock button to prevent unwanted tampering with the buttons on the front
panel
Independent audio level adjustment
Support for Kramer Protocol 2000 and Protocol 3000
You can control the VP-4x1CS using the front panel buttons, or remotely via:
RS-232 serial commands transmitted by a PC, touch screen system or other
serial controller
The Kramer RC-IR3 infrared remote control transmitter
A PC connected to the Ethernet port on the device via a LAN
An optional external remote IR receiver (see Section 4.1)
Remote, contact closure switches for input selection and muting

4 Defining the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher
This section defines the front and rear panels of the VP-4x1CS.
Figure 1: VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher Front Panel
#
Feature
Function
1
IR Receiver and LED
Signal receiver and LED for the infrared remote control transmitter. The indicator LED
lights yellow when receiving an IR signal
2
ON LED
The LED lights green when the device is powered on
3
OFF Button
Press to mute the output
4
INPUT SELECTOR 1~4 Buttons
Press one of the 4 input buttons to switch it to the output
5
PRIORITY Button
Press to set the current active input as the priority input. Press again to cancel priority
input selection (see Section 7.1.1)
6
LOCK Button
Press and hold to lock the front panel buttons. Press and hold again to unlock the
buttons (see Section 7.1.3)
7
AUDIO LEVEL Control
Rotate clockwise to increase the audio level and anticlockwise to decrease the audio
level of the audio output
5
VP-4x1CS –Defining the VP-4x1CS PC Graphics Clean Switcher

VP-4x1CS –Defining the VP-4x1CS PC Graphics Clean Switcher
6
Figure 2: VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher Rear Panel
#
Feature
Function
1
AUDIO IN1~IN4 Unbalanced Stereo Audio 3.5mm Mini Jacks
Connect to up to 4 unbalanced, stereo audio sources
2
PC VIDEO IN1~IN4 UXGA 15-pin HD Connectors (F)
Connect to up to 4 PC graphics sources
3
PC OUT UXGA 15-pin HD Connector (F)
Connect to the PC graphics acceptor
4
ETHERNET RJ-45 Connector
Connect to a PC via a LAN to control the device (see Section 6.4)
5
RS-232 Serial Port 9-pin D-sub Connector (F)
Connect to a PC/serial controller (see Section 6.3)
6
REMOTE IR Opening
Connect to an external IR receiver for controlling the device using an IR
remote controller (see Section 4.1)
7
Mains Power Connector, Fuse and Power Switch
Plug in the power cord and switch the device on and off
8
AUDIO OUT Unbalanced Stereo Audio 3.5mm Mini Jack
Connect to the unbalanced, stereo audio acceptor (see Section 6.2)
9
AUDIO OUT Balanced Stereo Audio 5-pin Terminal Block
Connect to the balanced, stereo audio acceptor
10
RESET Button
Press and hold while powering on to reset the device to factory default (see
Section 4.1)
11
REMOTE Contact Closure Selector and Mute Switches 6-way
Terminal Block
Connect pins 1 to 4 and G to up to 4 remote, input selector, contact closure
switches. Connect the OFF and G pins to a remote mute switch (see
Section 6.1)

VP-4x1CS - Defining the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher
7
4.1 Using the IR Transmitter
You can use the RC-IR3 IR transmitter to control the machine via the built-in IR
receiver on the front panel or, instead, via an optional external IR receiver (for
example, P/N C-A35M/IRR-50). The external IR receiver can be located up to 15m
away from the machine. This distance can be extended to up to 60m when used
with three extension cables (for example, P/N C-A35M/A35F-50).
Before using the external IR receiver, be sure to arrange for your Kramer dealer to
insert the internal IR connection cable (for example, P/N: 505-70434010-S) with
the 3.5mm connector that fits into the REMOTE IR opening on the rear panel.
Connect the external IRreceiver to the REMOTE IR 3.5mm connector.

8
VP-4x1CS - Installing in a Rack
5 Installing in a Rack
This section provides instructions for rack mounting the unit.

VP-4x1CS - Connecting the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher
9
6 Connecting the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics
Clean Switcher
Always switch off the power to each device before connecting it to your
VP-4x1CS. After connecting your VP-4x1CS, connect its power and
then switch on the power to each device.
Figure 3: Connecting the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher
To connect the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher as illustrated in
the example in Figure 3:
1. Connect up to four audio sources (for example, stereo audio players) to the
Audio In connectors.
2. Connect up to four PC graphics sources to the PC Video In connectors.
i

10
VP-4x1CS - Connecting the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher
3. Connect the PC Out connector to the PC graphics acceptor (for example, a
display).
4. Connect the Audio Out 5-pin terminal block to the balanced, stereo, audio
acceptor.
5. Connect the Remote 6-pin terminal block (pins 1, 2, 3, 4, and G) to up to four
remote, contact closure, input selector switches.
6. Connect the Remote 6-pin terminal block (pins Off and G) to a remote,
contact closure, mute switch.
7. If required, connect a PC/controller to the RS-232 port (see Section 7.1.2)
and/or the Ethernet port (see Section 6.4).
8. Connect the device to the mains electricity (not shown in Figure 3) and
power the device on.
6.1 Connecting the Remote Selector and Mute Switches
You can connect:
Up to four remote switches to enable remote input selection and,
A remote output mute switch
The contact closure, remote selector pins operate in a similar way to the Input
Selector buttons.
Figure 4 illustrates how to connect remote, momentary-contact switches.
Figure 4: Remote Selector and Output Mute Switch Connection

VP-4x1CS - Connecting the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher
11
In Figure 4, the operation of Switches 1 and 4 select Inputs 1 and 4 respectively;
operation of Switch A mutes the output.
Note: Do not connect more than one terminal to ground at a time.
6.2 Connecting a Balanced/Unbalanced Stereo Audio
Output
Figure 5 illustrates how to wire a balanced, stereo, audio output connection.
Figure 6 illustrates how to wire an unbalanced, stereo, audio output connection.
Figure 5: Balanced Stereo
Audio Connection
Figure 6: Unbalanced Stereo
Audio Connection
6.3 Connecting to the VP-4x1CS via RS-232
You can connect to the VP-4x1CS 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-4x1CS via RS-232:
Connect the RS-232 9-pin D-sub rear panel port on the VP-4x1CS 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 to the VP-4x1CS via Ethernet
You can connect the VP-4x1CS via the Ethernet, using a crossover cable (see
Section 6.4.1) for direct connection to the PC or a straight through cable (see
Section 6.4.2) for connection via a network hub or network router.
After connecting the Ethernet port, you have to install and configure your Ethernet Port. For
detailed instructions, see the “Ethernet Configuration (FC-11) guide.pdf” file in the technical
support section at http://www.kramerelectronics.com.

12
VP-4x1CS - Connecting the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher
6.4.1 Connecting the Ethernet Port Directly to a PC
You can connect the Ethernet port of the VP-4x1CS to the Ethernet port on your
PC via a crossover cable with RJ-45 connectors.
This type of connection is recommended for identification of the factory
default IP Address of the VP-4x1CS during the initial configuration
After connecting the Ethernet port, configure your PC as follows:
1. On your desktop, right-click the My Network Places icon.
2. Select Properties.
3. Right-click Local Area Connection Properties.
4. Select Properties.
The Local Area Connection Properties window appears.
5. Select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click the Properties Button (see
Figure 7).
Figure 7: Local Area Connection Properties Window
i

VP-4x1CS - Connecting the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher
13
6. Select Use the following IP Address, and fill in the details as shown in
Figure 8. You can use any IP address in the range 192.168.1.1 to
192.168.1.255 (excluding 192.168.1.39) that is provided by your IT
department.
7. Click OK.
Figure 8: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties Window
6.4.2 Connecting the Ethernet Port via a Network Hub
You can connect the Ethernet port of the VP-4x1CS to the Ethernet port on a
network hub or network router, via a straight through cable with RJ-45 connectors.
6.5 Ethernet Port Configuration
To configure the Ethernet port, use either the embedded Web pages (see
Section 7.2.7) or the K-Upload Software which is available for download from
http://www/kramerelectronics.com.

14
VP-4x1CS - Operating the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher
7 Operating the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics
Clean Switcher
The VP-4x1CS can be operated:
Locally using the front panel buttons (see Section 7.1)
Remotely using:
The embedded Web pages (see Section 7.2)
The K-Single Application (see Section 7.3)
7.1 Operating the VP-4x1CS Locally
This section describes:
Setting a priority Input (see Section 7.1.1)
Switching Between Protocol 2000 and Protocol 3000 (see Section 7.1.2)
Locking and unlocking the front panel buttons (see Section 7.1.3)
Resetting the device to factory default settings (see Section 7.1.4)
Upgrading the VP-4x1CS firmware (see Section 7.1.5)
EDID Handling (see Section 7.1.6)
7.1.1 Setting a Priority Input
When a priority input is set, the VP-4x1CS cycles through the inputs from 1 to 4
(beginning with the priority input) looking for a live signal. If there is no signal on
the priority input the device cycles through the inputs (from low to high) and
selects the first input that is encountered with a live signal.
Note: When a priority Input is selected, the device does not perform clean
switching.
Note: For clean switching, all extracted sources must be of the same resolution.

VP-4x1CS - Operating the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher
15
To set a priority Input:
1. Press and hold the Priority button for a few seconds.
The button flashes.
2. Press the required priority Input button.
The selected Input button flashes.
3. Press the Priority button to save the selection.
The selected Input is made the priority input. Both the Priority and the
selected Priority Input buttons light.
Note: When a priority input is selected it is still possible to manually select an
input; both LEDs remain lit.
To cancel the priority Input selection:
Press the lit Priority button.
The priority Input is cancelled and the Priority button no longer lights
7.1.2 Switching Between Protocol 2000 and Protocol 3000
To switch between Protocol 2000 and Protocol 3000 using the front panel
buttons:
1. Press INPUT SELECTOR buttons 1 and 3 at the same time.
Protocol 3000 is active.
2. Press INPUT SELECTOR buttons 1 and 2 at the same time.
Protocol 2000 is active.
7.1.3 Locking and unlocking the Front Panel Buttons
To lock and unlock the front panel buttons:
1. Press and hold the unlit Lock button.
The front panel buttons are locked and the button LED lights.
2. Press and hold the lit Lock button.
The front panel buttons are unlocked and the button LED no longer lights.

16
VP-4x1CS - Operating the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher
7.1.4 Resetting the Device to Factory Default Configuration
To reset the device to the factory default configuration:
1. Turn the device off.
2. Press and hold the Reset button on the rear panel of the device.
3. While holding the button depressed, turn the device on.
4. Hold the button depressed for a few seconds and release the button.
The configuration is reset to the factory default.
7.1.5 Upgrading the Firmware
For instructions on upgrading the firmware refer to the “K-Upload” Guide (go to
http://www.kramerelectronics.com/support/product_downloads.asp).
7.1.6 EDID Handling
The monitor EDID is read and automatically written to all four inputs. When the
monitor is changed, the EDID automatically updates. When there is no device
connected to the output, the VP-4x1CS sends the EDID that was read from the
last device connected to the output.
7.2 Operating the VP-4x1CS Remotely Using the Embedded
Web Pages
You can use a Web browser to operate the VP-4x1CS using the embedded Web
pages.
The embedded Web pages can be used to remotely operate the VP-4x1CS using
a Web browser and an Ethernet connection.
Before attempting to connect:
Perform the procedures in Section 6.4
Ensure that the Java™ software is installed and functioning correctly on your
computer. If not, download it from www.java.com

VP-4x1CS - Operating the VP-4x1CS 4x1 PC Graphics Clean Switcher
17
Ensure that your browser is supported—Microsoft IE (V6.0 and higher),
Google Chrome, Firefox (V3.0 and higher)
To check that Java is installed and running correctly, browse to
http://www.java.com/en/download/help/testvm.xml
This page runs a test and displays a Java success (see Figure 9) or failure
message.
Figure 9: Java Test Page Success Message
If you do not see the success message, follow the instructions on the page to:
Load and enable Java
Enable Javascript in your browser
7.2.1 To Log On to the VP-4x1CS Web Pages
To log on to VP-4x1CS Web pages:
1. Open your Internet browser.
2. Type the unit’s IP number in the Address bar of your browser.
The Loading page appears.
Note: Opening the VP-4x1CS Web Page automatically switches the device to
Protocol 3000.