Kramer VA-1USB-T User manual

KRAMER ELECTRONICS LTD.
USER MANUAL
MODELS:
VA-1USB-T
USB Transmitter
VA-1USB-R
USB Receiver
P/N: 2900-300209 Rev 3

VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R –Contents
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Contents
1Introduction 1
2Getting Started 2
2.1 Achieving the Best Performance 2
2.2 Safety Instructions 3
2.3 Recycling Kramer Products 3
2.4 Shielded Twisted Pair/Unshielded Twisted Pair 3
3Overview 4
4Defining the VA-1USB-T and VA-1USB-R USB Transmitter and Receiver 5
4.1 Defining the VA-1USB-T USB Transmitter 5
4.2 Defining the VA-1USB-R USB Receiver 6
5Connecting the VA-1USB-T and VA-1USB-R 8
5.1 Connecting to the product via RS-232 10
5.2 Setting the Device ID DIP-switch 10
5.3 Resetting the VA-1USB-T to Factory Default Settings 11
5.4 Resetting the VA-1USB-R to Factory Default Settings 11
6Using the Web Pages 12
6.1Accessing the VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R Embedded Web Pages 12
6.2 The System Tab 13
6.3 The Network Tab 15
6.4 The Functions Tab 16
7Wiring the Twisted Pair RJ-45 Connectors 18
8Technical Specifications 19
9Default Communication Parameters 20
Figures
Figure 1: VA-1USB-T USB Transmitter Front Panel 5
Figure 2: VA-1USB-T USB Transmitter Rear Panel 6
Figure 3: VA-1USB-R USB Receiver Front Panel 7
Figure 4: VA-1USB-R USB Receiver Rear Panel 7
Figure 5: Connecting the VA-1USB-T Transmitter and VA-1USB-R Receiver 8
Figure 6: Machine ID DIP-switch 10
Figure 7: Entering the IP Address in your Browser 12
Figure 8: Main Page System Tab 12
Figure 9: System Tab 13
Figure 10: Update Firmware Window 14
Figure 11: Warning Message 15
Figure 12: The Network Tab 15
Figure 13: Warning Message 15
Figure 14: The Functions Tab 16
Figure 15: Warning Message 17
Figure 16: TP Pinout Wiring 18

VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R - Introduction
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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.
Thank you for purchasing the Kramer MegaTOOLS®VA-1USB-T USB Transmitter
and VA-1USB-R USB Receiver which are ideal for:
Presentation and multimedia applications
Long range USB distribution for schools, hospitals, stores and security
installations
Each package includes the following items:
VA-1USB-T USB Transmitter and VA-1USB-R USB Receiver
2 Power adapters (5V DC)
IR Blaster cable
This user manual

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VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R - 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 Kramer VA-1USB-T and VA-1USB-R away from moisture,
excessive sunlight and dust
This equipment is to be used only inside a building. It may be
connected only to other equipment that is installed inside a building
i
!

VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R - Getting Started
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2.2 Safety Instructions
Caution:
No operator serviceable parts inside the unit
Warning:
Use only the Kramer Electronics input power wall
adapter that is provided with the unit
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/.
2.4 Shielded Twisted Pair/Unshielded Twisted Pair
We recommend that you use Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cable and stress that
the compliance to electromagnetic interference was tested using STP cable.
There are different levels of STP cable available and we advise you to use the
best quality STP cable that you can afford.
For the VA-1USB-T and VA-1USB-R pair we recommend the use of shielded,
twisted pair (STP), non-skew-free Kramer BC-STP cable.
!

4
VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R - Overview
3 Overview
The VA-1USB-T and VA-1USB-R are a high-performance, TP (Twisted Pair)
transmitter and receiver for communicating USB, bidirectional RS-232 data and
unidirectional IR signals over extended distances using CAT 5/6 cable.
The VA-1USB-T encodes USB signals and RS-232 data and transmits them over
CAT 5/6 cable as a TP signal. The VA-1USB-R decodes the signal from the TP
into USB signals and RS-232 data. The VA-1USB-R also acts as a 4-port USB
hub and receives IR signals for transmission back to the VA-1USB-T.
More specifically, the VA-1USB-T and VA-1USB-R support:
USB 2.0 high speed and USB 1.1 signals (bulk mode, not isochronous)
True Plug and Play operation without drivers
All major operating systems
Full duplex, bidirectional RS-232 transmission
Local and remote control of devices via the serial port
Operation up to 100m (328ft) apart
Web pages for maintenance and configuration
Automatic Ethernet speed selection
Up to 16 independent pairs of devices on a single network

VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R - Defining the VA-1USB-T and VA-1USB-R USB Transmitter and
Receiver
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4 Defining the VA-1USB-T and VA-1USB-R
USB Transmitter and Receiver
This section defines the:
VA-1USB-T USB Transmitter (see Section 4.1)
VA-1USB-R USB Receiver (see Section 4.2)
4.1 Defining the VA-1USB-T USB Transmitter
In addition to encoding and transmitting the USB and RS-232 signals, the
VA-1USB-T outputs the IR signal received from the VA-1USB-R.
RS-232 commands and data flow bidirectionally allowing status requests and
control of a destination unit.
Figure 1 defines the front panel of the VA-1USB-T.
Figure 1: VA-1USB-T USB Transmitter Front Panel
#
Feature
Function
1
IR OUT 3.5mm Mini Jack
Connect the IR blaster
2
RS-232 9-pin D-sub Serial
Port Connector (F)
Connect to the serial controller
Note: The RS-232 link is bidirectional
3
RESET Button
Press to reset the device to factory default (see
Section 5.3)
4
LINK LED
Lights green when the TP link to the receiver is
established
5
ON LED
Lights green when the device is powered on

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VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R - Defining the VA-1USB-T and VA-1USB-R USB Transmitter and
Receiver
Figure 2 defines the rear panel of the VA-1USB-T.
Figure 2: VA-1USB-T USB Transmitter Rear Panel
#
Feature
Function
6
USB HOST INPUT
Type B USB Connector
Connect to a USB host (see Section 5)
7
CAT 5/6 OUT RJ-45
Connector
Connect to the CAT 5/6 IN RJ-45 connector on the VA-1USB-R
(see Section 2.4)
8
MACHINE ID 4-way
DIP-switch
Use to set the device ID to pair with the receiver (see Section 5.2)
9
5V DC Power Connector
Connect to one of the supplied +5V DC power adapters. Center
pin positive
4.2 Defining the VA-1USB-R USB Receiver
The VA-1USB-R decodes the USB signal and RS-232 data from the TP link sent
from the VA-1USB-T. The receiver distributes the USB signal across four USB
ports (acting as a USB hub) and outputs the RS-232 data. The VA-1USB-R
receives an IR signal via its IR sensor and sends it over the TP link to the
VA-1USB-T.
Figure 3 defines the front panel of the VA-1USB-R.

VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R - Defining the VA-1USB-T and VA-1USB-R USB Transmitter and
Receiver
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Figure 3: VA-1USB-R USB Receiver Front Panel
#
Feature
Function
1
IR Sensor
Receives IR signals from an IR transmitter
2
USB DEVICES 1~4
Type A USB Connectors
Connect to up to four USB devices
3
LINK
Button
Press to establish the TP link to the transmitter
4
LED
Lights green when the TP link to the transmitter is
established
5
ON LED
Lights green to indicate that the device is powered on
Figure 4 defines the rear panel of the VA-1USB-R.
Figure 4: VA-1USB-R USB Receiver Rear Panel
#
Feature
Function
6
CAT 5/6 IN RJ-45
Connector
Connect to the CAT 5/6 OUT RJ-45 connector on the rear panel of
the VA-1USB-T (see Section 2.4)
7
RS-232 9-pin D-sub
Serial Port Connector (F)
Connect to the device to be controlled via the serial link.
Note: The RS-232 link is bidirectional
8
MACHINE ID 4-way
DIP-switch
Use to set the device ID to pair with the transmitter (see
Section 5.2)
9
5V DC Power Connector
Connect to one of the supplied +5V DC power adapters. Center
pin positive

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VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R - Connecting the VA-1USB-T and VA-1USB-R
5 Connecting the VA-1USB-T and VA-1USB-R
Switch off the power to all devices before connecting them to your
VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R. After connecting your VA-1USB-T/
VA-1USB-R, connect the power to the transmitter and receiver and
then switch on the power to the other devices.
Figure 5: Connecting the VA-1USB-T Transmitter and VA-1USB-R Receiver
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VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R - Connecting the VA-1USB-T and VA-1USB-R
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To connect the VA-1USB-T and the VA-1USB-R as illustrated in the example
in Figure 5:
1. On the VA-1USB-T, connect:
The USB host, (for example, a computer) to the USB Host Input
connector
The RS-232 controller, (for example, a laptop controller with an
RS-232 interface) to the RS-232 9-pin D-sub connector
An IR blaster to the IR 3.5mm mini jack
2. On the VA-1USB-R, connect:
The first USB Devices port to a USB hard drive
The second USB Devices port to a multimedia player
The fourth USB Devices port to a USB flash storage device
3. Using STP cabling, connect the CAT 5/6 Out RJ-45 connector on the
VA-1USB-T to the CAT 5/6 In RJ-45 connector on the VA-1USB-R (see
Section 2.4).
4. Set the machine ID on both devices to the same ID using the Machine ID
DIP-switch (see Section 5.2).
5. Connect the power adapters to the power sockets on the VA-1USB-T and
VA-1USB-R, and plug the adapters into the mains electricity (not shown in
Figure 5).
6. Establish a TP link by pressing the Link button on the receiver.

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VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R - Connecting the VA-1USB-T and VA-1USB-R
5.1 Connecting to the product via RS-232
You can connect to the VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R via an RS-232 connection using,
for example, a PC. Note that a null-modem adapter/connection is not required.
To connect to the VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R via RS-232:
Connect the RS-232 9-pin D-sub port on the VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R 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
5.2 Setting the Device ID DIP-switch
The Device ID DIP-switch is used on both the VA-1USB-T transmitter and
VA-1USB-R receiver to set matching device numbers. This allows up to 16 pairs
of transmitters and receivers to communicate independently on the same TP
subnet.
Figure 6: Machine ID DIP-switch
Set each device in a transmitter and receiver pair to the same device ID according
to the following table. Press a switch up to turn it on and down to turn it off.
Device ID
Switch Number
1
2
3
4
0 (default)
Off
Off
Off
Off
1
Off
Off
Off
On
2
Off
Off
On
Off
3
Off
Off
On
On
4
Off
On
Off
Off
5
Off
On
Off
On
6
Off
On
On
Off
7
Off
On
On
On
8
On
Off
Off
Off
9
On
Off
Off
On

VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R - Connecting the VA-1USB-T and VA-1USB-R
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11
Device ID
Switch Number
1
2
3
4
10
On
Off
On
Off
11
On
Off
On
On
12
On
On
Off
Off
13
On
On
Off
On
14
On
On
On
Off
15
On
On
On
On
5.3 Resetting the VA-1USB-T to Factory Default Settings
To reset the VA-1USB-T to factory default settings:
1. Turn off the power to the device.
2. Press and hold the Reset button while turning on the power to the device.
3. When the Link LED starts to flash, release the Reset button.
The device is reset to factory default settings.
5.4 Resetting the VA-1USB-R to Factory Default Settings
To reset the VA-1USB-R to factory default settings:
1. Turn off the power to the device.
2. Press and hold the Link button while turning on the power to the device.
3. When the Link LED starts to flash, release the Link button.
The device is reset to factory default settings.

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VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R - Using the Web Pages
6 Using the Web Pages
The VA-1USB-T and VA-1USB-R provide built-in Web pages accessible by
standard Web browsers that allow you to configure and maintain the devices.
6.1 Accessing the VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R Embedded Web
Pages
Before you can use the embedded Web pages, check that your computer is
correctly connected to the VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R via the Ethernet connection.
To access the VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R embedded Web pages:
1. Open your Internet browser.
2. Type the IP address (see Section 9) of the VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R in the
address bar of your browser. (The IP address for the VA-1USB-T is shown,
for the IP address of the VA-1USB-R see Section 8).
Figure 7: Entering the IP Address in your Browser
The screen shown in Figure 8 appears.
Figure 8: Main Page System Tab

VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R - Using the Web Pages
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The Web pages consist of the following tabs:
System tab (see Section 6.2)
Network tab (see Section 6.3)
Functions tab (see Section 6.4)
6.2 The System Tab
Using the System tab (Figure 9) you can:
View the version information
Update the firmware
Run functions
Figure 9: System Tab
To update the firmware:
1. Click on Update Firmware.
The window shown in Figure 10 is displayed.

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VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R - Using the Web Pages
Figure 10: Update Firmware Window
2. Click on Browse.
The Windows Browser is displayed.
3. Browse to the new firmware file location.
4. Select the new firmware file.
5. Click OK.
The name of the new firmware file is displayed in the Update Firmware
window.
6. Click on Upload.
The update starts.
Warning: Do not turn off or in any way interrupt the update process as this may
cause the device to become inoperable.
7. When the process is complete, reboot the device (as indicated by the
message shown in Figure 11) by clicking on Utilities and clicking Reboot.
The device is rebooted with the new firmware.

VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R - Using the Web Pages
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Figure 11: Warning Message
6.3 The Network Tab
Using the Network tab (Figure 12), you can modify the IP parameters of the
device. Currently only static IP addressing is allowed.
Figure 12: The Network Tab
To change the IP parameters:
1. Click on the Network tab.
The window shown in Figure 12 is displayed.
2. Modify the IP address, subnet mask and default gateway addresses as
required.
3. Click Apply.
The changes are made and the message shown in Figure 13 is displayed.
Figure 13: Warning Message

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VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R - Using the Web Pages
4. Reboot the device by clicking on Utilities and clicking Reboot.
The device is rebooted with the new IP parameters.
6.4 The Functions Tab
Using the Functions tab (Figure 14) you can enable/disable and modify the serial-
over-IP parameters.
Figure 14: The Functions Tab
To modify the serial-over-IP functionality:
1. Click on the Functions tab.
The window shown in Figure 14 is displayed.
2. Enable or disable the device by checking or unchecking the Enable Serial
over IP box.
3. Modify the serial communication parameters using the drop-down lists for
Baud rate, Data bits, Parity and Stop bits.
4. Click Apply.
The changes are made and the message shown in Figure 15 is displayed.

VA-1USB-T/VA-1USB-R - Using the Web Pages
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Figure 15: Warning Message
5. Reboot the device by clicking on Utilities and clicking Reboot.
The device is rebooted with the new IP parameters.