Kramer VS-121HCA User manual

Kramer Electronics, Ltd.
USER MANUAL
Model:
VS-121HCA
12 x 1 Stereo Audio - S/PDIF Switcher

Contents
i
Contents
1Introduction 1
2Getting Started 1
2.1 Quick Start 2
3Overview 3
4Your VS-121HCA Stereo Audio S/PDIF Switcher 3
5Installing the VS-121HCA in a Rack 6
6Connecting the VS-121HCA 7
7Operating the VS-121HCA 8
7.1 Operating Using the Front Panel Buttons 9
7.2 Operating via the RS-232 Port 9
7.2.1 Connecting the RS-232 Port 9
7.3 Operating via the RS-485 Port 10
7.3.1 Setting the Address Switches 11
7.3.2 Setting the Line Termination 11
7.4 Operating via the ETHERNET Port 12
7.4.1 Connecting the ETHERNET Port directly to a PC (Crossover Cable) 12
7.4.2 Connecting the ETHERNET Port via a Network Hub (Straight-Through Cable) 13
7.4.3 Configuring the Ethernet Port 13
7.5 Operating via the Infrared Remote Controller 13
7.5.1 Adjusting the Input Volume 14
7.6 Setting the DIP-switches 14
7.7 Operating the VS-121HCA in Tandem with the VS-121HC 16
8Technical Specifications 17
9Upgrading the VS-121HCA Firmware 18
9.1 Upgrading the Device Firmware 18
9.1.1 Downloading from the Internet 18
9.1.2 Connecting a PC to the RS-232 Port 18
9.1.3 Installing the Device Firmware 19
9.2 Upgrading the Ethernet Firmware 23
9.2.1 Downloading from the Internet 24
9.2.2 Connecting the PC to the RS-232 Port 24
9.2.3 Installing the Ethernet Firmware 25
10 Hex Tables 26
11 Kramer Protocol 2000 27

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Contents
ii
Figures
Figure 1: VS-121HCA 12 x 1 Stereo Audio - S/PDIF Switcher 4
Figure 2: Connecting the VS-121HCA Stereo Audio S/PDIF Switcher 8
Figure 3: Crossed Cable RS-232 Connection 10
Figure 4: Straight Cable RS-232 Connection with a Null Modem Adapter 10
Figure 5: Master/Slave Configuration 11
Figure 6: Local Area Connection Properties Window 12
Figure 7: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties Window 13
Figure 8: Product DIP-switches 14
Figure 9: Operating the VS-121HCAA in Tandem with the VS-121HC 16
Figure 10: Splash Screen 19
Figure 11: Atmel – Flip Window 20
Figure 12: Device Selection Window 20
Figure 13: Device Selection Window 21
Figure 14: Loading the Hex 21
Figure 15: RS-232 Window 22
Figure 16: Atmel – Flip Window (Connected) 22
Figure 17: Atmel – Flip Window (Operation Completed) 23
Figure 18: The KFR-Programmer Window 25
Tables
Table 1: VS-121HCA Front Panel Features 5
Table 2: VS-121HCA Rear Panel Features 5
Table 3: DIP-switch Settings 15
Table 4: Machine Number DIP-switch Settings 15
Table 5: VS-121HCA Technical Specifications 17
Table 6: Communication Parameters 17
Table 7: VS-121HCA Hex Table 26
Table 8: VS-121HCA Increase/Decrease Audio Gain Hex Table 26
Table 9: Protocol Definitions 27
Table 10: Instruction Codes for Protocol 2000 28

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 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 groups1
Thank you for purchasing the Kramer VS-121HCA 12 x 1 Stereo Audio -
S/PDIF Switcher. This product is ideal for the following typical
applications:
that are clearly
defined by function.
•Presentation and conference rooms, board rooms and auditoriums
•Production studios, rental and staging
•Home cinema
The package includes the following items:
•VS-121HCA 12 x 1 Stereo Audio - S/PDIF Switcher
•Power cord2
•Windows®-based Kramer control software
, null-modem adapter and rack ears
3
•RC-IR2 Infrared remote control transmitter (including the required
battery and a separate user manual
4)
•This user manual4
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 cables5
1 GROUP 1: Distribution Amplifiers; GROUP 2: Switchers and Matrix Switchers; 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; GROUP 11: Sierra Products
2 We recommend that you use only the power cord supplied with this device
3 Downloadable from our Web site at http://www.kramerelectronics.com
4 Download up-to-date Kramer user manuals from our Web site: http://www.kramerelectronics.com
5 The complete list of Kramer cables is on our Web site at http://www.kramerelectronics.com

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Getting Started
2
2.1 Quick Start
This quick start chart summarizes the basic setup and operation steps.

Overview
3
3
3 Overview
The Kramer VS-121HCA is a high-quality 12 x 1 Stereo Audio - S/PDIF
Switcher designed for home cinema applications. The VS-121HCA inputs up to
12 S/PDIF digital audio and 12 analog audio channels and switches them to one
S/PDIF and one analog output. The digital and analog audio channels switch
together and are not converted into the other format. The VS-121HCA is also a
companion product to the VS-121HC 12 x 1 Component Video Switcher /
-Transcoder in addition to its use as a standalone switcher/transcoder. The
VS-121HCA features:
•12 S/PDIF digital audio inputs on RCA connectors that switch to 1
S/PDIF digital audio output on an RCA connector
•12 analog audio inputs on terminal blocks that switch to 1 analog audio
output on a terminal block
•A front panel with 12 input selector buttons, as well as a panel lock
button to prevent unintentional tampering with the front panel
•Individual volume control on each input adjusted by IR remote control
or RS-232. The volume settings are saved in non-volatile memory
•The ability to operate it in tandem with the VS-121HC
Operate the VS-121HCA using the front panel buttons, or remotely using:
•RS-232 and RS-485 serial commands transmitted by PC, a touch screen
system, or other serial controller
•The ETHERNET
•The Kramer Infrared remote control transmitter
The VS-121HCA is housed in a 19” 1U rack-mountable enclosure, and is
powered by a 100-240 VAC universal switching power supply.
To achieve the best performance:
•Use only good quality connection cables1
•Avoid interference from neighboring electrical appliances that may
adversely influence signal quality and position your
VS-121HCA away from moisture, excessive sunlight, and dust
to avoid interference,
deterioration in signal quality due to poor matching, and elevated noise
levels (often associated with low quality cables)
4 Your VS-121HCA Stereo Audio S/PDIF Switcher
Figure 1,Table 1,and Table 2 define the front and rear panels of the
VS-121HCA 12 x 1 Stereo Audio - S/PDIF Switcher.
1 Available from Kramer Electronics on our Web site at http://www.kramerelectronics.com

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Your VS-121HCA Stereo Audio S/PDIF Switcher
4
Figure 1: VS-121HCA 12 x 1 Stereo Audio - S/PDIF Switcher

Your VS-121HCA Stereo Audio S/PDIF Switcher
5
Table 1: VS-121HCA Front Panel Features
#
Feature
Function
1 IR Receiver The red LED is illuminated when receiving signals from the
Infrared remote control transmitter
2 POWER Switch Illuminated switch for turning the unit ON or OFF
3 Input Selector Buttons Select the audio input (1 to 12) to switch to the outputs
4 PANEL LOCK Button Disengages/engages the front panel buttons
Table 2: VS-121HCA Rear Panel Features
#
Feature
Function
5 S/PDIF INPUT RCA Connectors Connect to the digital audio source (1 to 12)
6 S/PDIF OUT RCA Connector Connect to digital audio acceptor
7 ANALOG AUDIO IN Terminal BlocksConnect to analog audio source (IN1 to IN12)
8 ANALOG AUDIO OUT Terminal
Block Connect to analog audio acceptor
9 ETHERNET RJ-45 Connector Connects to the PC or other Controller through computer
networking LAN
10 REMOTE IR 3.5mm Mini Jack Connect to an external IR receiver unit for controlling the machine
via an IR remote controller (instead of using the front panel IR
receiver)1
11 RS-485 Terminal Block Port Pins B (-) and A (+) are for RS-485; Pin G may be connected to
the shield (if required)
12 Setup DIP-switches DIP-switches for setup of the unit (1 to 4 are for setting the
machine number; and 8 is for RS 485 termination)
13 Power Connector with Fuse AC connector enabling power supply to the unit
14 ETH PROG Button Push in to upgrade ETH firmware (see section 9.2);
release for normal operation
15 ETH FACTORY RESET Button Press to reset to factory default definitions
2
16
:
IP number −192.168.1.39
Mask – 255.255.255.0
Gateway – 192.168.1.1
FLASH PROG Button Push in
3
9.1.1
for “Program” to upgrade the switcher microcontroller to
the latest Kramer firmware (seesection ), or release (the
factory default) for normal operation
17 RS-232 9-pin D-sub (F) Port Connect to the PC or the Remote Controller via a null-modem
connection
1 Optional. Can be used instead of the front panel (built-in) IR receiver to remotely control the VS-121HCA (only if the
internal IR connection cable has been installed)
2 Turn the machine OFF, then turn the machine ON while pressing the FACTORY RESET button. The unit powers up and
loads its memory with the factory default definitions
3 Using a screwdriver if required

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Installing the VS-121HCA in a Rack
6
5 Installing the VS-121HCA in a Rack
This section provides instructions for rack mounting the unit.

Connecting the VS-121HCA
7
6 Connecting the VS-121HCA
To connect devices to the VS-121HCA, as illustrated in the example in
Figure 2, perform the following1
1. Connect the following input sources (up to 24 input devices can be
connected
:
2
One S/PDIF input source (for example, a DVD) to the IN 7 RCA
connector
):
One S/PDIF input source (for example, a DAT player) to the IN 10
RCA connector
One analog audio input source (for example, a stereo audio player)
to the IN 4 terminal block connector
One analog audio input source (for example, a stereo audio player)
to the IN 10 terminal block connector
2. Connect the outputs to acceptors (1 or 2 output devices can be connected1):
One S/PDIF output acceptor (for example, a DAT recorder) to the
S/PDIF OUT RCA connector
One analog output acceptor (for example, a stereo audio recorder) to
the analog audio OUT terminal block connector
3. Connect the power cord (not shown in Figure 2).
4. Optionally, you can connect a PC or controller to the RS-232, RS-485, or
Ethernet ports (see section 7) and/or an IR remote transmitter (see section
7.5).
1 Switch OFF the power on each device before connecting it to your VS-121HCA. After connecting your VS-121HCA,
switch on its power and then switch on the power on each device
2 Not all input or output ports need to be connected