ATEN VM404H User Manual

VM0404H

USER MANUAL

HDMI Matrix Switch

FCC Information

Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital service, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. Any changes or modifications
made to this equipment may void the user’s authority to operate this
equipment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy. If not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference
to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:

 Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
 Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
 Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from

that to which the receiver is connected.

 Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

FCC Caution:

Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate this
equipment.

RoHS

This product is RoHS compliant.

SJ/T 11364-2006

The following contains information that relates to China.

VM0404H User Manual

Online Registration

International http://eservice.aten.com

Telephone Support

International 886-2-8692-6959
China 86-10-5255-0110
Japan 81-3-5615-5811
Korea 82-2-467-6789
North America 1-888-999-ATEN ext 4988
United Kingdom 44-8448-158923

Technical Support

 For international online technical support – including troubleshooting,

documentation, and software updates:

http://eservice.aten.com

 For North American technical support:

Email Support [e-mail]
Online

Technical
Support

Telephone Support 1-888-999-ATEN ext 4998

Troubleshooting
Documentation
Software Updates

http://www.aten-usa.com/support

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Package Contents

Copyright © 2009–2014 ATEN® International Co., Ltd.

Manual Date: 2014-03-20

ATEN and the ATEN logo are trademarks of ATEN International Co., Ltd. All rights

reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

The VM0404H 4x4 HDMI Matrix Switch package contains the following
items:

 1 VM0404H 4x4 HDMI Matrix Switch
 1 IR Remote Control Unit
 1 Power Adapter
 1 Rack Mount Kit
 1 User Instructions*

Check to make sure that all the components are present and that nothing
got damaged in shipping. If you encounter a problem, contact your dealer.

Read this manual thoroughly and follow the installation and operation
procedures carefully to prevent any damage to the unit, and/or any of the
devices connected to it.

* Features may have been added to the VM0404H since this

manual was printed. Please visit our website to download the
most up-to-date version of the manual.

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Overview

With more and more HDMI devices entering the market, the need for
simultaneous access to different HDMI sources is becoming increasingly
important. Now, the VM0404H 4x4 HDMI Matrix Switch offers an easy
and affordable way to add extra HDMI capabilities to your installation by
allowing you to switch easily between four HDMI sources and four HDMI
displays.

The VM0404H is a 4x4 HDMI Matrix Switch that provides a convenient
way to route high definition video and audio from any of four HDMI
sources to any of four HDMI displays. The VM0404H allows you to
connect four HDMI devices (such as an HD camcorder or satellite box,
HD-DVD player, hi-def Blu-ray player, home theater PC, stand-alone
streaming media player, gaming console, etc.) to four HDMI monitors,
displays, projectors or TVs at the same time. The remote control and
convenient front panel pushbuttons allow you to quickly and easily cycle
through HDMI sources and displays, while the front panel LEDs indicate
the source device for each display at a glance.

Furthermore, for complete system and install integration, RS-232 control
is standard through the VM0404H’s built-in bi-directional RS-232 serial
port that allows the switch to be controlled through a high-end controller,
PC, and/or home automation / home theater software package.

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Features

 Connects any of 4 HDMI sources to any of 4 HDMI displays
 Switch between HDMI sources and displays using a remote control

or front panel pushbuttons

 Superior video quality – HDTV resolutions of 480p, 720p, 1080i,

1080p (1920x1080); VGA, SVGA, SXGA, UXGA (1600x1200), and
WUXGA (1920 x 1200)

 Features EDID expert technology to set up different video

configurations via different EDID modes

 HDCP compatible
 CEC enable/disable function provides an option of communicating

and responding to a universal remote control

 HDMI (3D, Deep Color)
 Supports Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio
 Long-distance transmission – up to 20 m (24 AWG) and 15 m (28

AWG)

 Built-in bi-directional RS-232 serial remote port for high-end system

control – includes built-in comment function

 Power On Detection – if one HDMI source is powered off, the

VM0404H will automatically switch to the next powered-on source

 DDC compatible
 Signaling rates up to 2.25 Gbits in support of 1080p display
 All-metal casing
 Easy and affordable way to add four HDMI inputs to your multiscreen

home theater systems

 Front panel pushbutton enable/disable function for high security

applications

Note: The VM0404H AP and GUI operation instructions can be

downloaded from the ATEN website (www.aten.com).

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System Requirements

Source Devices

 HDMI Type A output connector(s)

Note: A DVI/HDMI adapter is required when connecting a DVI source

device.

Display Devices

 Display devices or receivers with an HDMI Type A input connector

Cables

 1 HDMI cable for each source device you will be connecting
 1 HDMI cable for each display device you will be connecting

Note: 1. No cables are included in this package. We strongly

recommend that you purchase high-quality cables of
appropriate length since this will affect the quality of the audio
and video display. Contact your dealer to purchase the correct
cable sets.

2. If you wish to utilize the VM0404H’s high-end serial controller
function, you need to purchase an appropriate RS-232 cable.
See Installing the RS-232 Controller, page 11.

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Components

2

3

1234

A

B

C

D

A

B

C

D

A

B

C

D

A

B

C

D

1

HDMI IN

RS-232

2

1

3 4

HDMI IN

HDMI IN HDMI IN

HDMI OUT HDMI OUT

HDMI OUT HDMI OUT

34

21

DA

C

B

VM0404H Front View

No. Component Function

1 Output Port

Selection
Pushbuttons

2 Input Port LEDs The LEDs (A, B, C, and D) light to indicate that the

3 IR Receiver This receives signals from the IR remote control.

Pressing a port selection pushbutton cycles through
the four HDMI input sources (Source A, B, C, or D) to
be displayed on the display device attached to the
corresponding output port (Display 1, 2, 3, or 4).

HDMI source attached to the corresponding input
port is routed to the display device attached to the
corresponding output port.

VM0404H Rear View

No. Component Function

1 Power Jack The power adapter cable plugs in here.
2 HDMI Out Ports The cables from your HDMI display devices plug into

3 HDMI In Ports The cables from your HDMI source devices plug into

4 RS-232 Serial

Port

these ports.

these ports.
This serial remote port is for input source selection

and high-end system control.

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IR Remote Control

1

2

No. Component Function

1 Input Port

Selection
Buttons

2 Output Port

Selection
Buttons

Press the Port Up button to cycle forward through the
HDMI source devices (A to B; B to C; C to D; D to A).

Press the Port Down button to cycle backward
through the HDMI source devices (A to D; D to C; C
to B; B to A).

Press a button to bring the focus directly to the
display device attached to its corresponding port.

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Installation

1. Make sure that the power to any device that you connect
to the installation has been turned off.

2. Make sure that all devices you will be installing are
properly grounded.

Installation of the VM0404H is simply a matter of plugging in the
appropriate cables. To install the switch, refer to the installation diagram
below as you perform the following steps:

1. Use HDMI cables to connect the HDMI In ports on the video display
devices to the HDMI Out ports on the rear panel of the VM0404H.

2. Use HDMI cables to connect the HDMI Out ports on the source
device(s) to the HDMI In ports on the VM0404H. Four HDMI In ports
are located on the rear panel of the switch.

3. Plug the provided power adapter into an appropriate AC power
source; plug the power adapter cable into the Power Jack on the
VM0404H.

4. (Optional) If you are using the serial control function (see page 11),
use an appropriate RS-232 serial cable to connect the computer or
serial controller to the VM0404H’s RS-232 Serial port.

5. You may now power on the display and source devices.

HDMI Source Devices

HDMI OUT HDMI OUT

3

1

HDMI OUT HDMI OUT

HDMI IN

HDMI Display Devices

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2

HDMI IN

HDMI IN HDMI IN

RS-232

4

Hardware / Software
Controller

Installing the RS-232 Controller

In order to use the RS-232 serial interface to attach a high-end controller
(such as a PC) to the VM0404H, use a serial cable such as a modem
cable. The end connecting to the VM0404H should have a 9-pin male
connector. Connect this to the serial interface on the rear of the
VM0404H. Refer to number 4 on the diagram on page 10.

Note: To configure the controller serial port, see page 12.

Source Device Selection

The VM0404H offers easy and flexible source and display device
selection via the front panel pushbuttons, using the remote control, or
through the RS-232 serial interface.

Manual Selection

To manually select an HDMI source for a display, press the pushbutton
that corresponds to the port to which the display device is connected.
Pressing the pushbutton will cycle through the four attached HDMI source
devices via the display device.

Note: The Port LEDs light to indicate which source device is currently

selected for each display.

Remote Control Selection

To select an HDMI source for a display with the remote control, press the
numbered button that corresponds to the port to which the display device
is connected.

Then, cycle through the source devices by pushing the Port Up and Port
Down buttons on the remote control unit.

 Press the Port Up button to cycle forward through the HDMI source

devices (A to B; B to C; C to D; D to A)

 Press the Port Down button to cycle backward through the HDMI

source devices (A to D; D to C; C to B; B to A)

Note: Aim the remote control unit at the IR receiver located at the front

panel of the VM0404H. For optimum performance, make sure
there is a clear line-of-sight between the remote control unit and
the IR receiver.

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RS-232 Serial Interface

The VM0404H’s built-in bi-directional RS-232 serial interface allows
system control through a high-end controller, PC, and/or home
automation / home theater software package.

Configuring the Serial Port

The controller’s serial port should be configured as follows:

Baud Rate 19200
Data Bits 8
Parity None
Stop Bi ts 1
Flow Control None

Switch Port Commands

The formula for Switch Port commands are as follows:

Switch Command + Input Command + Port number + Output
Command + Port Number + Control + [Enter]

1. For example, to switch input port 02 (audio and video) to output port
03, type the following:

sw i02 o03 [Enter]

2. To turn off video and audio on port 03, type the following:

sw o3 off [Enter]

3. To switch the next output to port 2, type the following:

sw i02 + [Enter]

The following tables show the possible values for commands:

Command Description

sw Switch command

Input Command Description

i Input command

Input Port Number Description

xx 01-04 port (default is 01)

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Output Command Description

o Output command

Output Port Number Description

yy 01-04 port (default is 01)

* All output ports

Control Description

on Turn on

off Turn off

+ Next port

- Previous port

Note: 1. Each command string can be separated with a space.

2. The Port Number command string can be skipped, and the
default value will be used.

The following table shows the available command list:

Cmd In N1 Out N2 C2 Description

sw i xx o yy

*

sw o yy*on

sw o yy*+-Switch Next Input to Output Port yy

Switch Output Port xx to Input Port yy

(xx:01~04, yy:01~04, *)

off

Turn on Output Port yy
Turn off Output Port yy

(yy:01~04, *)

Switch Previous Input to Output Port

yy

(yy:01~04, *)

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Read Commands

View information from the device using the following command:

Read Command + Port + Control [Enter]

The following tables show the possible values and formats for the

Control command:

Command Description

read Reads and displays information

from the VM0404H

The following table shows the available command list:

Command Enter Description

read [Enter] Displays information such as

firmware version and EDID

Echo Commands

If the Echo feature is enabled: for each action from the front panel
(pushbuttons) or IR interface, the VM0404H sends a corresponding
acknowledgement message to the attached controller or management
device via the RS-232 port.

The formula for the Echo command is as follows:

Echo Command + Control (on/off) + [Enter]

For example, to enable the Echo function, type the following:

echo on [enter]

The following tables show the possible values for commands:

Command Description

echo Enable / Disable Echo function

Control Description

on Echo function on

off Echo function off (default)

The following table shows the available command list:

Command Control Enter Description

echo on [Enter] Echo on
echo off [Enter] Echo off

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Power On Detection Commands

Enabling Power On Detection means that the VM0404H automatically
switches to the next powered on device when one of the HDMI source
devices is powered off. The formula for Power On Detection commands
is as follows:

Power On Detection + Control command [Enter]

For example, to turn on the Power On Detection feature, input the
following:

pod on [Enter]

The following tables show the possible values for the Power on Detection
commands:

The following table shows the available command list::

Command Description

pod Power On Detection function

Control Description

on Enable power on detection

off Disable power on detection

Command Control Enter Description

pod on [Enter] Turn on power on detection
pod off [Enter] Turn on power off detection

function

function (default)

(default)

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Mute Commands

Enable or disable audio coming from the output port(s) using the following
command:

Mute Command + Output Command + Port Number + Control
(On / Off) [Enter]

For example, to mute the audio coming from output port 1, type the
following:

mute o01 on [enter]

The following tables show the possible values for commands:

Command Description

mute Enable / Disable audio of HDMI output port

Output Command Description

o Output command

Port number Description

yy 01-08 port (default is 01)

* All output ports

Control Description

on Mute on; audio from HDMI outpu t port is

off Mute off; audio output enabled (default)

disabled

Note: 1. Each command string can be separated with a space.

2. Skip the output port command to mute or enable the audio of
all output ports.

The following table shows the available command list:

Command

mute yy*on [Enter] Audio on for output port yy

mute yy*off [Enter] Audio off for output port yy

Output

Port

Control Enter Description

(yy:01~08, *)

(default)
(yy:01~08, *)

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CEC Commands

Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) allows interconnected HDMI
devices to communicate and respond to one remote control. The formula
for CEC mode selection commands is as follows:

CEC Command + Output Command + Port Number + Control
(Off / On) [Enter]

For example, to enable CEC function on output port 1, type the following:

cec o01 on [enter]

The following tables show the possible values for commands:

Command Description

cec CEC control

Output Command Description

o Output command

Port number Description

yy 01-08 port (default is 01)

* All output ports

Control Description

off Disable CEC (default)

on Enable CEC

Note: Each command string can be separated with a space.
The following table shows the available command list:

Command

cec yy

cec yy

Output

Port

*

*

Control Enter Description

off [Enter] CEC off for output port yy (default)

(yy:01~08, *)

on [Enter] CEC on f or output port yy

(yy:01~08, *)

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Panel Button Control Commands

The formula for Panel Button commands is as follows:

Panel Button Command + Control + [Enter]

For example, to enable the front panel pushbuttons, type the following:

button on [Enter]

The following tables show the possible values for commands:

Command Description

button Front panel pushbutton enable/

Command Control Description

button on Enable front panel pushbuttons

button off disable front panel pushbuttons

disable control

(default)

The following table shows LED behavior under this command:

Buttons Disabled Buttons Enabled

All output on LEDs flash every second LEDs on
All output off No LEDs No LEDs

Output on and Off On – flash every second;

Off – no LEDs

On – LEDs on; Off –
LEDs off

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EDID Mode Selection Commands

Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) is a data format that contains
a display's basic information and is used to communicate with the video
source/system. You can set which EDID mode the VM0404H uses with
the following command:

EDID Command + Control + [Enter]

For example, to pass the EDID from Port 1 to all sources, type the
following:

edid port1 [Enter]

The following tables show the possible values for commands:

Command Control Description

edid port1 The EDID from Port 1 will be passed to all video

edid remix Implement the EDID of all connected disp lays. The

edid default Implement default EDID for all (default)

sources

VM0404H uses the best common resolution
applicable for all displays

Reset Commands

The formula for Reset commands is as follows:

Reset Command + [Enter]

For example, to reset the device back to the default factory settings, type
the following:

reset [Enter]

The following table shows the possible values for commands:

Command Description

reset Reset device back to factory default setting s

Verification

After entering a command, a verification message appears at the end of
the command line as follows:

 Command OK - indicates that the command is correct and

successfully performed by the switch

 Command incorrect - indicates that the command has the wrong

format and/or values

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Specifications

Limited Warranty

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE DIRECT VENDOR'S LIABILITY EXCEED THE PRICE
PAID FOR THE PRODUCT FROM THE DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE
OF THE PRODUCT, DISK OR ITS DOCUMENTATION.

The direct vendor makes no warranty or representation, expressed, implied, or
statutory with respect to the contents or use of this documentation, and specially
disclaims its quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for any particular
purpose.

The direct vendor also reserves the right to revise or update the device or
documentation without obligation to notify a ny individual or ent ity of such revisions,
or update. For further inquires please contact your direct vendor.

Function VM0404H

Display Connections 4
HDMI Input Connections 4
Connectors Device HDMI In 4 x HDMI Type A Female (Black)

Display HDMI Out 4 x HDMI Type A Female (Black)
RS-232 Port 1 x DB-9 Female (Black)

Power 1 x DC Jack
Switches Port Selection 4 x Pushbuttons
LEDs Selected 16 (Green)
Video Resolution HDTV resolutions up to 1080p; computer res-

Power Consumption DC 5.3 V, 9 W (max.)
Environment Operating Temp. 0–50ºC

Storage Temp. -20–60ºC

Humidity 0–80% RH, Non-condensing
Physical

Properties

Housing Metal

Weight 1.86 Kg

Dimensions (L x W x H) 43.20 x 15.40 x 4.40 cm

olutions up to WUXGA (1920x1200)

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