Wohler AMP1-8-M User manual

AMP1-8-M
1RU, 8-Channel, 3G/HD/SD-SDI Audio Monitor
User Guide
Software Release: V5.xx
Part Number 821815, Revision A

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© 2016 Wohler Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Wohler Technologies, Inc.
31055 Huntwood Avenue
Hayward, CA 94544 www.wohler.com
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
US Toll Free: 1-888-596-4537 (1-888-5-WOHLER)
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Support: [e-mail]
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Even though Wohler Technologies, Inc. has tested its equipment and software, and reviewed the
documentation, Wohler Technologies, Inc. makes no warranty or representation, either express or
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Last Update
August 7, 2016

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
User Guide ........................................................................................1
TABLE OF CONTENTS ..........................................................................3
Contents....................................................................................................... 3
CHAPTER 1: Quick Start.......................................................................5
Introduction .................................................................................................. 5
Overview ............................................................................................ 5
Safety .......................................................................................................... 5
Instructions......................................................................................... 5
Safety Symbols.................................................................................... 6
Mounting............................................................................................. 6
Heat Dissipation................................................................................... 6
Sympathetic Vibration........................................................................... 6
Mechanical Bracing............................................................................... 7
Electrical Interference........................................................................... 7
Power................................................................................................. 7
Compliance ................................................................................................... 7
FCC.................................................................................................... 7
ICES-003 ............................................................................................ 7
Front Panel.................................................................................................... 8
Rear Panel .................................................................................................... 9
CHAPTER 2: Operation....................................................................... 10
Introduction ................................................................................................ 10
Main Screen ................................................................................................ 10
USB Port Functionality .................................................................................. 12
Getting a Configuration from the Flash Drive.......................................... 13
Save System Configuration to Flash Drive.............................................. 13
Update Menu ..................................................................................... 14
CHAPTER 3 - Internal Menu System..................................................... 15
Introduction ................................................................................................ 15
Menu Navigation Overview ............................................................................ 15
Audio Menu................................................................................................. 16
Speaker Control Options Menu ....................................................................... 17
Select and Detect Options Menu..................................................................... 18
Screen and Phase Options Menu..................................................................... 20
Meter Type and Reference Menu..................................................................... 21
Meter Segment Menu.................................................................................... 23
Version and Ethernet Menu............................................................................ 24

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CHAPTER 4 - Features and Specifications.............................................. 26
Introduction ................................................................................................ 26
Features ..................................................................................................... 26
Compliance ................................................................................................. 27
Specifications .............................................................................................. 27
Audio Formats ............................................................................................. 28
Technical Functional Overview........................................................................ 29
APPENDIX A: Upgrading the AMP1-8-M Using a USB Flash Drive.............. 30
Introduction ................................................................................................ 30
Upgrading the Software Using a USB Flash Drive .............................................. 30

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CHAPTER 1: Quick Start
Introduction
Overview
The AMP1-8-M is a 1RU, 8-channel, 3G/HD/SD-SDI audio monitor. This unit comes
with two 2.4” graphics screens that work together to display 8 channels of audio
level metering. You can both visibly and audibly monitor either the first four pairs
(Channels 1 thru 8) or the second four pairs (Channels 9 thru 16) of the selected
3G/HD/SD-SDI input signal. The AMP1-8-M is small, low-cost, reliable and simple to
operate. Configuration is simple and you can easily copy any configuration to other
AMP1-8-M units.
Note that very little configuration should be necessary. We have already configured
the unit to the most commonly requested settings. However, should you need to
change these settings, you can access the unit through the front panel menu
system.
Safety
Instructions
1. Read, keep, and follow all of these instructions; heed all warnings.
2. Do not use this equipment near water.
3. Use only a dry cloth to clean the equipment.
4. Do not block any ventilation openings.
5. Do not install near any heat source such as a radiator, heat register, amplifier, or
stove.
6. Do not attempt to plug the unit into a two-blade outlet (withonly two prongs of
equal width).
7. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plug
connections on the equipment and at the socket.
8. Use only the attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
9. Unplug the equipment during lightning storms or when unused for long periods
of time.
10. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing will be required
Im
p
ortant: By design, this monitor will only plug into a three-prong outlet for
your safety. If the plug does not fit into the outlet, contact an
electrician to replace the obsolete outlet.

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under all of the following conditions:
a. The equipment has been damaged in any way, such as when the power-
supply cord or plug is damaged.
b. Liquid had been spilled or objects have fallen onto the equipment.
c. The equipment has been exposed to rain or moisture.
d. The equipment does not operate normally.
e. The equipment has been dropped.
Safety Symbols
Mounting
The unit is designed for a standard 19" rack. Install it at ear/eye level for best high
frequency response and visual observation of the display screens. Please adhere to
the following clearances:
Clearance Surface
24
”
Front
3
”
Rear
2
”
Sides
1.75
”
Top and Bottom (if either radiates heat)
0
”
Top and Bottom (if no heat)
Heat Dissipation
The ambient temperature inside the mounting enclosure should not exceed 40°
Celsius (104° Fahrenheit). Adjacent devices can be rack mounted (or stacked) in
proximity to the unit if this temperature is not exceeded. Otherwise, allow a 1RU
(1.75”/44.45mm) space above and below the unit for air circulation.
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Sympathetic Vibration
Sympathetic vibration from other equipment (cables, etc.,) in the rack may be
WARNING:
The symbol to the left warns of electric shock hazard inside the unit.
Disconnect the power cord before removing access panels when installing
upgrades. Only qualified service personnel are to operate the equipment
with covers removed, and are to exercise caution to avoid personal injury.
Important: To reduce noise, the monitor does not have any fans. As a result, the
heat generated by the class D power amplifiers, power supplies, and
other components is vented by slots in the sides and back of the unit.
Therefore, as a safety precaution, you must allow proper ventilation
on these surfaces.

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serious enough to interfere with the sound quality of the unit. If you experience
sympathetic vibrations, use thin card stock, felt, foam, or weather-stripping
between the vibrating surfaces. Tie loose cables securely with cable ties.
Mechanical Bracing
The 1RU chassis is securely attached to the front panel. In addition, the chassis has
mounting tabs through which you attach it to the rack rail. This feature will reduce
or eliminate rear bracing requirements in many mobile/portable applications. The
weight of internal components is distributed fairly evenly around the unit.
Electrical Interference
Be careful to avoid mismatched cable types and other similar causes of undesired
reflections in digital signal systems. If severe enough, such reflections can result in
corruption of the digital data stream. As with any audio equipment, maximum
immunity from electrical interference requires the use of shielded cable; however,
satisfactory results can sometimes be obtained without it. The internal circuitry
ground is connected to the chassis.
Power
The unit comes with a standard internal power supply and connects an A/C mains
power source (60W, 100 to 240 VAC, ±10%, 50/60Hz) through the IEC connector
provided on the rear panel of the unit.
When the mains plug or appliance coupler is used as the disconnect device, the
disconnect device should remain operable.
Compliance
FCC
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is
operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful
interference, in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at
their own expense.
ICES-003
This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du
Canada.

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Front Panel
Figure 1–1: Front Panel Layout
1. Speakers: Audio monitoring is achieved through the use of Class D amplifiers
driving two (left/right) wide range speakers.
2. Headphone Jack (1/4”): A 1/4" jack for an optional headphone is provided on
the front panel.
3. USB 2.0 Port: This USB Type A connector allows you to use a flash drive (not
supplied) to update the unit’s firmware.
4. Volume: The left knob controls the Volume of the internal speakers,
headphones, and optionally of the rear panel balanced analog outputs. This
control can be set so that it only controls the Left Volume.
5. Power Indicator: This tri-color LED indicates power and basic status
information. See Table 1–1 below.
Table 1–1: Power Color / Indication Descriptions
LED
Color Description
Green The AMP1-8-M is functioning properly.
Red When the LED flashes green or yellow followed by a series of red flashes, each flash sequence indicates an error code. Try restarting the unit, and
if the problem persists, contact Wohler Technical Support.
Yellow The LED is also a solid yellow when the AMP1-8-M is first starting up.
The LED blinks yellow when a firmware update is in progress.
Off The AMP1-8-M is not receiving AC power.
6. Metering: These screens work together to display level meter bar graphs and
configuration menus.
7. Channel Select Buttons: These eight buttons allow you to select single
channels to be monitored. They operate as configured in the internal menu
system.
8. Balance: The right knob adjusts the Balance between the speakers and
optionally between the rear panel balanced analog outputs. This control can be
configured so that it only controls the Right Volume. Refer to the Speaker
Control Options Menu described in Chapter 3.
9. SDI Selection: These buttons have two functions:
a. Press and release either of these LED buttons to select one of the two SDI

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inputs. Note that SDI 1 is selected by default whenever the AMP1-8-M is
powered up, or
b. Press and hold either of these LED button for three seconds to switch
between monitoring channels 1 – 8 or channels 9 – 16 for the selected
SDI source.
10.Adjust: Pressing and holding this button for approximately three seconds opens
the menu system you may use to customize the operation of the AMP1-8-M.
Rear Panel
Figure 1–2: Rear Panel Layout
1. Power: The AMP1-8-M uses a standard IEC power cord for the 100 to 240 VAC
±10%, 50/60 Hz power connection.
2. 3G/HD/SD-SDI Inputs: These two BNC connectors accept the 3G/HD/SD-SDI
input signals.
3. 3G/HD/SD-SDI Outputs: These BNC connectors output regenerated replicas
of the two 3G/HD/SD-SDI input signals.
4. Selected 3G/HD/SD-SDI Re-Clocked Output: This BNC connector re-clocks
the selected 3G/HD/SD-SDI input signal.
5. Ethernet: The AMP1-8-M does not currently use the Ethernet port except during
factory programming. For normal operation, the port may be connected to a LAN
or disconnected. In future releases, Wohler may or may not release remote
control software for this unit, such as is used in the AMP1-16-M.
6. Analog Outputs: These XLR connectors provide two channels of balanced
analog outputs. The source of these signals is the mix of audio monitored by the
internal speakers.

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CHAPTER 2: Operation
Introduction
This chapter describes how to operate the AMP1-8-M.
Main Screen
After powering up the AMP1-8-M and connecting an SDI input, you should see the
Main Screen, which will be similar to the one shown in Figure 2–1 below.
Fig 2–1: Main Screen
0
-60
-50
-40
-30
-10
-20
Speaker Indicators
(Left and Right) Speaker Indicators – No
Audio (Left and Right)
Speaker Indicators
(Bitstream)
Speaker Indicators
(Left Selected, Right Muted)
Level Meters Phase Indicators
0
-60
-10
-20
-30
-40
-50
1 2 5 3 4 7 8
6
0
-60
-10
-20
-30
-40
-50
1. Speaker Indicators: The indicators above each meter identify the channel
number and the status of the channel.
Table 2-1: Channel Icon Descriptions
Attribute Symbol Description Meaning
Icon
Shape Left Pointing Blue
Triangle Channel Configured to sounds in the left speaker
Right Pointing Blue
Triangle Channel configured to sound in the right speaker
Icon Color Light Blue Triangle
or Square Channel is selected by the Channel Select buttons and can be heard

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Attribute Symbol Description Meaning
Dark Blue Triangle
or Square
Channel is not selected by the
Channel Select buttons and cannot
be heard
Downward Pointing
Red Triangle
Channel contains a bitstream
instead of audio and cannot be
heard
2. Level Meters: The selected eight channels are metered.
3. Channel Selection: There are several ways to select channels for listening.
The unit can be configured to play all channels but solo selected channels, or
it may be configured to mute all channels, but play only selected channels.
Please refer to the Select and Detect Options Menu in Chapter 3 for
further information.
4. Adjust the Volume and Balance controls as necessary.
5. Phase Indicators: When any of these indicators are red, they indicate that
the odd/even pair is out of phase. Green indicates in phase. Refer to the
Options Menu in Chapter 3 for more information.

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USB Port Functionality
You can copy configuration files to and from your unit by using a flash drive
connected to the USB port.
Immediately after connecting the flash drive to your AMP1-8-M, the Flash Drive
Connected screen displays (interrupting any current functions except an Ethernet
connection) as shown in Figure 2-3: below. The menu flow for the USB menu set is
shown immediately below in Figure 2-2. The Update Menu button will only appear
if the USB drive contains programming files. Refer to Appendix A.
Figure 2–2: Flash Drive Configurations Screen
Figure 2–3: Flash Drive Configurations Screen
Flash Drive Connected
Get System Configuration
from Flash Drive
Save System Configuration
to Flash Drive
Get
Unplug the USB Flash Drive
to exit this screen.
Update the unit software
from the flash drive
Save
Update Menu
Note: All configuration files end in the .wcfg extension.

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Getting a Configuration from the Flash Drive
1. To load a configuration file to the AMP1-8-M from your flash drive, press Get.
The Get a setup from the Flash Drive screen will display as shown in
Figure 2–4 below.
Figure 2–4: Get a Setup from the Flash Drive Screen
2. Using one of the bright green choices, press the file number (File 1 through
File 7) of the file you want to copy from your flash drive. Once the copy
process completes, the Flash Drive Connected screen re-displays.
Note: The configuration takes effect immediately when you press the File
button.
3. Remove the flash drive from the USB port.
Save System Configuration to Flash Drive
1. To copy a file to the flash drive from the AMP1-8-M, press Save from the
Flash Drive Connected screen. The Save to Flash Drive screen will display
as shown in Figure 2–5. The lighter color buttons indicate file numbers that
are already occupied with data.
Figure 2–5: Save to Flash Drive Screen

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2. Press the file number (File 1 through File 7) of the file you want to copy
from your flash drive. Once the copy process completes, the Flash Drive
Connected screen re-displays.
3. Remove the flash drive from the USB port.
Update Menu
This button only appears if the inserted flash drive contains a software update files.
Press this button to proceed to the software updating menu. Refer to Appendix A to
add a software update to a flash drive.

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CHAPTER 3 - Internal Menu System
Introduction
This chapter provides an in-depth description of the menus and their respective
options and functions.
Menu Navigation Overview
You can launch the menu system by pressing and holding the Adjust encoder for at
least three seconds. Within any menu, pressing the Adjust encoder for at least
three seconds exits the menu system. Navigate the menu tree with the Back and
Next buttons at the bottom of each screen.
Figure 3–1: Menu Tree
Audio Menu
Never Mute1Mute w/ Phones2Always Mute3Back4
Vol/Bal 5 6
Fixed
7
Next 8
Speaker Control Options
Menu
Volume Controls1
2Set Tone Flat3Back4 Bass 5
Low Cut 6
Treble
7
Next 8
Version & Ethernet Menu
1
2Factory Default3Back4
Set 5
Ad Mode DHCP 6
Connect LAN 7
Finished 8
Meter Segment Options
Menu
Upper Seg1Middle Seg2Set Default3
4
Upper Color 5
Middle Color 6
Lower Color 7
Next 8Back
Meter Type & Reference
Menu
Scale1Float2Bar3Back4 Reference 5
6
7
Next 8
Screen and Phase Options
Menu
1Screen Bright
2Screen Saver3Back4
Phase Select 5
6
7
Next 8
Press ADJUST Encoder for
3 Seconds to Enter or Exit
Menus.
Select and Detect Options
Menu
No Chans Select1Channel Select2
3Back4
Non-PCM Detect 5
Audio Delay 6
Dolby Detect
7
Next 8

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Audio Menu
This menu allows adjustment of various audio related settings. Buttons 1, 2, and 3
together form a Speaker Mute selector. The default Speaker Mute is Mute with
Headphone. Buttons 5 and 6 together form an Analog Output selector. The
standard Analog Output is Fixed Line Level.
Figure 3–2: Audio Menu
1. Never Mute: Pressing this button selects the option that the internal
speakers will not mute when headphones are plugged into the headphone
jack.
2. Mute with Headphone: Pressing this button selects the option that the
internal speakers will mute when headphones are plugged into the
headphone jack. This is the default setting.
3. Always Mute: Pressing this button selects the option that the internal
speakers will always be muted. This setting can be convenient to use when
monitoring is always done through the analog outputs with external
amplifiers and speakers.
4. Fixed: Pressing this button fixes the line level of the analog outputs as they
are in the SDI signal, where -20 dBFS = +4 dBu (± 1 dB). This is the default
setting.
5. Volume/Balance: Pressing this button enables the Volume and Balance
controls to affect the analog outputs. This setting can be convenient to use
when monitoring is always done through the analog outputs with external
amplifiers and speakers.
Note: If the Analog Output is set to Volume/Balance Controlled and the
Speaker Mute is set to Always, then plugging in the headphones will
cause the analog outputs to mute.

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Speaker Control Options Menu
The Speaker Control Options menu allows configuration of the Volume and
Balance control knobs for different functions and provides tone controls for the
internal loudspeakers.
Figure 3–3: Speaker Control Options Menu
1. Volume Controls: You can use this option to change the master volume and
the balance knob to become Left Volume and Right Volume controls.
2. Set Tone Flat: Selecting Flat gives the flattest acoustic response possible
from the internal speakers.
3. Bass and Treble options are provided for customer tuning of the speaker
sound to fit your needs. Select the menu button and use the Adjust rotary
encoder to adjust to the desired level.
Lowering Bass will unmask midrange band sounds, while increasing Bass
will make the sound “fatter”.
Lowering Treble compensates for high frequency pre-emphasis or
removes sibilant effects. Increasing Treble will add “sizzle” to the sound
and bring high-pitched sounds out of the mix.
4. Low Cut: This option is provided for cases where unusually deep content
produces audible distortion.

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Select and Detect Options Menu
This Select and Detect Options menu allows adjustment of how channel
selections affect the muting or summing of other channels, how to handle Dolby
detection, and how to adjust audio delay in conjunction with other monitoring
equipment for issues of lip-syncing.
Figure 3–4: Select and Detect Options Menu
1. No Channels Selected: This control determines what happens when no
channels are selected in the main screen.
a. Mute means the unit will not play any of the channels when none are
selected. Use this option if you typically only want to hear one or two
channels at a time.
b. Play All means the unit will unmute, mix, and play all the channels in
the speakers when none are selected. Use this option if you usually
want to hear all the channels and only occasionally “solo” one or more
channels.
2. Channel Select: Set this control to determine how the select buttons work
in the main screen.
a. Single – Use his option if you only want to hear one channel at a time.
Pressing a select will cancel all other selects.
For example, if channel 1 is selected, and you press channel 3,
channel 1 will be de-selected, and channel 3 will be selected. If you
press the channel 3 select again, no channel will be selected, and what
sounds in the speakers will be determined by the No Chans Selected
control
b. Multiple – Use this option if you want to hear multiple channels at one
time. Pressing a select will not cancel all other selects.
For example, pressing selects 1-6 will result in channels 1-6 being
selected, and all 6 channels will sound in the speakers. Pressing the
select key for channel 1 again will de-selected channel 1, and mute it.

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3. Dolby Detect: Enabling Dolby Detect means an incoming digital stream is
monitored for certain keywords called "Pa Headers." This method of
detecting Dolby streams is very effective, unless the stream has been altered
since being created. Alterations such as volume control, dither, and sample-
rate conversion will also scramble the Pa headers, making this detection
method unreliable. For Dolby Pa header detection, the minimum
recommended delay is 42 milliseconds. Longer delays will prevent more
clicks and pops during switches.
4. Non-PCM Detect: Enabling this Dolby detection method means the channel
status bits are examined to determine if they indicate the stream is non-
audio. Unlike Pa detection, these bits are not affected by audio
manipulations. However, not all equipment passes or sets this bit correctly,
which may result in false detection or failure to detect.
5. Audio Delay: This will set the delay from the inputs to all outputs. This is
mainly used to "lip-sync" audio produced by this monitor with video monitors
which may have a few frames of delay from video signal processing
algorithms. Adding delay also gives this monitor time to detect and mute
Dolby bitstreams. Thus, longer delays will result in fewer (or no) undesirable
noises when signals suddenly change from PCM encoding to Dolby encoding.

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Screen and Phase Options Menu
The Screen and Phase Options menu allows you to adjust the brightness of each
screen independently, and to set the duration of inactivity before the screen saver
activates
Figure 3-5: Screen and Phase Options Menu
1. Screen Bright: Press this control to toggle between the adjustment for the
left screen and the right screen. When a screen is selected, rotate the Adjust
knob to adjust the screen brightness. Thirty-two adjustment steps are
provided for each screen from very dim to bright. The actual brightness of
each screen will change as the control is turned. The default brightness for
both screens is 22.
2. Screen Saver: Pressing this button and then rotating the Adjust knob
selects the screen saver timeout. Select values from 5 minutes to 119
minutes (in 1-minute increments) and from 2 hours to 24 hours (in 1-hour
increments). The default setting is 8 hours.
If the AMP1-8-M is in operation for the screen saver timeout period and no
front panel controls have been turned or pressed, the screens will dim by a
certain amount. If double the screen saver timeout period elapses without
any front panel control activity, the screens will dim further. Operating any
button or control will instantly brighten the screens.
3. Phase Select: Pressing this button and then rotating the Adjust encoder
selects the phase indicator to be adjusted. Press the Select button to turn
the selected phase indicator On or Off. When set to On, an out of phase
condition for the associated pair will be displayed on the Main Screen and
when set to Off, out of phase conditions for the associated pair will not be
displayed on the Main Screen. By default all phase indicators are enabled.