Black Box AC1140A, AC1140C, AC1141A Quick Start Manual

NOVEMBER 2008

AC1140A
AC1140C
AC1141A

AC1140A Video and Audio over Ethernet Standalone Transmitter

AC1140C Video and Audio over Ethernet PC Card Transmitter

AC1141A Video and Audio over Ethernet Receiver

Conductor Software

CUSTOMER

SUPPORT

INFORMATION

Order toll-free in the U.S. 24 hours, 7 A.M. Monday to midnight Friday: 877-877-BBXX
FREE technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days-a-week. Call 724-746-55 00 or fax [phone]
Mail order: Black Box Corporation 1000 Park Drive, L awrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com

E-mail: [e-mail]

End-User License Agreement and Limited Product Warranty

Software Product(s)

IMPORTANT—READ CAREFULLY: This End-User License Agreement (“EULA”) is a legal agreement

between you (either an individual or a single legal entity) and Black Box®. By installing, copying,
downloading, accessing or otherwise using the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, you agree to be bound by the terms of
this EULA. You agree that this EULA is enforceable like any written, negotiated contract signed by you. If
you do not agree to the terms of this EULA, do not download, install or use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT; you
may, however, return it to the place where you obtained it.

1. Limited License Grant. Black Box grants to you (“Licensee”) a non-exclusive, limited license to use

the Software. Licensee may make one archival copy of the Software. Licensee may not re-distribute the
Software in whole or in part, either separately or included with a product.

2. Restrictions. Software is confidential copyrighted information and title to all copies is retained by Black

Box and/or its licensors. Licensee shall not modify, decompile, disassemble, decrypt, extract, or
otherwise reverse engineer Software. Software may not be leased, or sublicensed, in whole or in part.
Licensee may transfer all rights under this License on a permanent basis provided that Licensee transfers
the license, the Software and all associated printed materials, retains no copies and the recipient agrees to
the terms of this License.

3. Trademarks and Logos. This License does not authorize Licensee to use any Black Box name,

trademark or logo. Licensee agrees to: (i) not do anything harmful to or inconsistent with Black Box’s
rights; and (ii) assist Black Box in protecting those rights, including assigning to Black Box any rights
acquired by Licensee.

4. Disclaimer of Warranty. Software is provided “AS IS,” without a warranty of any kind. ALL

EXPRESS OR IMPLIED REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON­INFRINGEMENT, ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED.

5. Limitation of Liability. BLACK BOX AND ITS LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY

DAMAGES SUFFERED BY LICENSEE OR ANY THIRD PARTY AS A RESULT OF USING OR
DISTRIBUTING SOFTWARE. IN NO EVENT WILL BLACK BOX OR ITS LICENSORS BE LIABLE
FOR ANY LOST REVENUE, PROFIT OR DATA, OR FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, HOWEVER CAUSED AND
REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY
TO USE SOFTWARE, EVEN IF BLACK BOX HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES.

6. Termination. Licensee may terminate this License at any time by destroying all copies of Software. This

License will terminate immediately without notice from Black Box if Licensee fails to comply with any
provision of this License. Upon such termination, Licensee must destroy all copies of Software.

7. Export Regulations. Software, including technical data, is subject to U.S. export control laws, including

the U.S. Export Administration Act and its associated regulations, and may be subject to export or import
regulations in other countries. Licensee agrees to comply strictly with all such regulations and

ii

acknowledges that it has the responsibility to obtain licenses to export, re-export, or import Software.
Software may not be downloaded, or otherwise exported or re-exported (i) into, or to a national or resident
of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Libya, Sudan, Syria or any country, organization or person to which the U.S.
has embargoed the export of goods; or (ii) to anyone on the U.S. Treasury Department’s list of Specially
Designated Nations or the U.S. Commerce Department’s Table of Denial Orders.

8. Restricted Rights. Use, duplication or disclosure by the United States government is subject to the

restrictions as set forth in the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software Clauses in DFARS

252.227-7013© (1) (ii) and FAR 52.227-19(c) (2) as applicable.

9. Governing Law. Any action related to this License will be governed by Alabama state law and

controlling U.S. federal law. No choice of law rules of any jurisdiction will apply.

10. Severability. If any of the above provisions are held to be in violation of applicable law, void, or

unenforceable in any jurisdiction, then such provisions are herewith waived to the extent necessary for the
License to be otherwise enforceable in such jurisdiction. However, if in Black Box's opinion deletion of
any provisions of the License by operation of this paragraph unreasonably compromises the rights or
increase the liabilities of Black Box or its licensors, Black Box reserves the right to terminate the License
and refund the fee paid by Licensee, if any, as Licensee's sole and exclusive remedy.

iii

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

DO NOT DISCARD, READ BEFORE OPERATING

Please read the safety precautions carefully before using this product. Ensure that you use the product correctly
according to the procedures described in these instructions.

The following safety precautions are intended to instruct you in the safe and correct operation of the product
and its accessories to prevent injuries or damage to yourself, other persons, and property. Please read and
ensure that you understand them before you proceed to the other sections of these instructions.

• Do not operate this device in a wet environment.

• Refer servicing to qualified service personnel only.

• Please read the Operating Manual carefully before operating. Follow all operating and other

instructions carefully.

• This device should only be operated with the accompanying power adaptor.

• Do not use this product near heat sources such as radiators, air ducts, areas subject to direct,

intense sunlight, or other products that produce heat.

WARNING

Do not play the supplied CD-ROM in any CD-ROM Player that does not support data CD-ROMs. The
extremely loud sound that may result from playing the CD-ROM in an audio CD player (music player)
could damage the speakers. It is also possible to suffer hearing losses from listening with headphones to
the loud sounds of a data CD-ROM played on a music CD player.

Disclaimer

• While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in these instructions is

accurate and complete, no liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions. Black Box
reserves the right to change the specifications of the hardware and software described herein at
any time without prior notice.

• Black Box makes no warranties for damages resulting from corrupted or lost data due to

mistaken operation or malfunction of the hardware, software, or accessories.

iv

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

AND

INDUSTRY CANADA

RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio-frequency energy, and if not installed and used properly,
that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio
communication. It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device in
accordance with the specifications in Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to provide
reasonable protection against such interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference, in which case the user at his own
expense will be required to take whatever measures may be necessary to correct the interference.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from digital apparatus set out
in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.

Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites applicables aux
appareils numériques de la classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique publié par le
Industrie Canada.

v

Normas Oficiales Mexicanas (NOM)

Electrical Safety Statement
INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD

1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes de que el aparato eléctrico sea

operado.

2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para referencia futura.

3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de operación deben ser respetadas.

4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.

5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo, cerca de la tina de baño, lavabo,

sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca, etc.

6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales que sean recomendados por el

fabricante.

7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como sea recomendado por el fabricante

8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más allá a lo descrito en las

instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio deberá ser referido a personal de servicio calificado.

9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no interfiera su uso. La colocación

del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama, sofá, alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación,
no se debe colocar en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los orificios de ventilación.

10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de calor como radiadores, registros de

calor, estufas u otros aparatos (incluyendo amplificadores) que producen calor.

11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo del tipo descrito en el instructivo

de operación, o como se indique en el aparato.

12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la polarización del equipo no sea

eliminada.

13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no sean pisados ni pellizcados por

objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos, poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde
salen del aparato.

14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las recomendaciones del fabricante.

15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las lineas de energia.

16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo no sea usado por un largo periodo de

tiempo.

17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean derramados sobre la cubierta u

orificios de ventilación.

18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:
A. El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u
B. Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del aparato; o
C. El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o
D. El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio en su desempeño; o
E. El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF FIGURES ..........................................................................................................................................................................VIII

1.0 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS........................................................................................................................................1

2.0 FRONT AND BACK VIEWS OF AC1140C AND AC1141A.....................................................................................1

3.0 QUICK START GUIDE.................................................................................................................................................4

4.0 CONDUCTOR SOFTWARE.........................................................................................................................................5

4.1 CONFIGURING TRANSMITTERS AND RECEIVERS WITH CONDUCTOR ....................................................................................7

4.2 HOST PLAY & LOCAL PLAY CONTENT....................................................................................................................13

4.3 EMCAST........................................................................................................................................................................14

4.4 CONDUCTOR TASKS.........................................................................................................................................................15

5.0 USING CAMERAS FOR LIVE FEEDS.....................................................................................................................18

APPENDIX A Troubleshooting .........................................................................................................20

vii

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1 - AC1140C front panel connections......................................................................................................... 1

Figure 2 - AC1140C rear panel connections........................................................................................................... 2

Figure 3 - AC1141A front panel connections......................................................................................................... 2

Figure 4 - AC1141A rear panel connections.......................................................................................................... 3

Figure 5 - Default "LocalPlay" content .................................................................................................................. 4

Figure 6 - "Conductor" software window............................................................................................................... 7

Figure 7 - Transmitter Information Window.......................................................................................................... 7

Figure 8 - Receiver Information Window............................................................................................................... 8

Figure 9 - Transmitter Popup Menu........................................................................................................................ 8

Figure 10 - Receiver Popup Menu.......................................................................................................................... 8

Figure 11 - Conductor Menu................................................................................................................................. 10

Figure 12 - Security Dialog................................................................................................................................... 10

Figure 13 - Conductor Options............................................................................................................................. 11

Figure 14 - System Menu...................................................................................................................................... 12

Figure 15 - Local Play Dialog............................................................................................................................... 13

Figure 16 - Default EMCast message................................................................................................................... 14

Figure 17 - Task Menu.......................................................................................................................................... 15

Figure 18 - Scheduled Tasks Dialog..................................................................................................................... 16

Figure 19 - Task Dialog........................................................................................................................................ 17

Figure 20 - Serial Commands............................................................................................................................... 18

Figure 21 - Serial Command Dialog..................................................................................................................... 18

viii

1.0 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

The AC1140A (stand-alone) and AC1140C (PC card) Video and Audio over Ethernet transmitters can be used
with or without the Conductor software. Without Conductor installed, the transmitter is operating system
independent and functions as a DVI or HDMI extender with the capability of distributing content to an
unlimited number of monitors over unlimited distances using gigabit Ethernet switches. When installed,
Conductor manages several video streams (i.e.-several transm itters), schedules content to be displayed at certain
times on certain monitors, and provides LAN diagnostics. The following tables list the host PC requirements.

Table 1 - System Requirements for AC1140A or AC1140C Transmitter

Display 1280 x 720, 24-bit color
Graphics Adapter dual-head graphics card suggested as minimum1

Interface Gigabit Ethernet (if connecting to video LAN)

Table 2 - System Requirements for Conductor Software

Operating System Windows XP or Windows Vista
RAM 512 MB minimum, 1GB recommended

Interface USB 1.1
Hard Disk Space 100 MB

1

The DVI output from a single head graphics card can be sent to the transmitter if the display monitor is within
sight of the host computer. Otherwise, a dual-head graphics card is required with one output to a local monitor
and the other to a remote display monitor showing the same content.

2.0 FRONT AND BACK VIEWS OF AC1140 AND AC1141

The AC1140A stand-alone transmitter can be plugged into any DVI or HDMI source. The AC1140C PC Card
transmitter installs in a PCI or PCIe slot in the host computer. The PCI/e tab is for mechanical support only and
does not provide electrical connection. When installing in a PCIe slot, leave the perforated tab intact. When
installing in a PCI slot, break the tab off at the perforation for proper seating.

Figure 1 - AC1140 front panel connections

1