ClearOne CONNECT CobraNet, CONNECT AVB Quick Start Manual

CONNECT CobraNet and CONNECT AVB

Network Audio Bridge for CONVERGE PRO & SR Products

Quick-Start Guide

THE CONNECT COBRANET AND CONNECT AVB ..........................1

QUICK-START OVERVIEW

................................................................1

Quick-Start Summary ...........................................................................3

UPDATE THE CONVERGE PRO FIRMWARE

....................................3

SET THE DEVICE ID

..........................................................................4

CONNECTING THE CONNECT COBRANET/AVB UNIT

..................5

UPDATING THE CONNECT COBRANET/AVB FIRMWARE

..............6

ADDING CONNECT NETWORK BRIDGES TO SITES

......................7

adding the Bridge ................................................................................7

editing the cOnnect netwOrk Bridge in Site ....................................7

cOBranet SettingS ..........................................................................8

aVB SettingS ................................................................................10

UPGRADING FROM OLDER VERSIONS
OF CONVERGE FIRMWARE

...........................................................12

upgrading frOm cOnVerge prO 3.X firmware .................................12

upgrading frOm cOnVerge prO 2.X firmware .................................13

upgrading frOm cOnVerge prO 1.X firmware .................................13

PART NUMBERS

..............................................................................14

CLEARONE LOCATIONS

................................................................14

Table of Contents

QUICK-START GUIDE

1

THE CONNECT COBRANET AND CONNECT AVB

The CONNECT CobraNet® and CONNECT AVB network bridges add
networked audio capabilities to CONVERGE PRO and CONVERGE SR
products enabling them to transmit audio through Ethernet networks.

IMPORTANT: The CONNECT CobraNet and CONNECT AVB
bridges only can be used with CONVERGE Pro/SR systems
operating at version 4.2 or higher software and firmware.

The latest version of the CONVERGE Pro firmware can be found on the
ClearOne website at:

http://www.clearone.com/resources#professional_audio

QUICK-START OVERVIEW

Installing and using the CONNECT CobraNet and CONNECT AVB
bridges in your CONVERGE Pro/SR site is subject to the following rules:

1. The CONNECT CobraNet and CONNECT AVB can only be used
with CONVERGE Pro/SR systems operating at version 4.2.X or
greater, and requires that the firmware on the CONVERGE Pro/SR
be updated.

2. You must have a CONVERGE Pro 840T, 880, 880T, 880TA, 8i, TH20,
VH20 and/or SR1212, SR1212A in the site.

3. The CONNECT CobraNet and AVB bridges support only 8 Ethernet
audio channels in and 8 Ethernet channels out.

4. Either the CONNECT CobraNet or AVB can be used, depending on
the particular networks architecture.

CONNECT NETWORK BRIDGES

2

Ethernet LAN
Network 1

CONVERGE Pro/SR

CONNECT
Network Bridge

CONNECT
Network Bridge

Ethernet LAN
Network 2

CobraNet

CONNECT
Network Bridge

CONNECT

Network Bridge

Connecting CONVERGE Pro/SR units in different
rooms that are on different networks using
multiple CobraNet

and AVB network bridges

AVB

CobraNet

AVB

AVB

CobraNet

Link IN

Link IN

Link OUT

Link IN

Link IN

AVB
Network
Connection

AVB
Network
Connection

CobraNet
Network
Connection

CobraNet
Network
Connection

CONVERGE Pro/SR

CONVERGE Pro/SR

Up to eight CONNECT units can be attached to a single CONVERGE
Pro/SR stack with each set to a unique Device ID using the DID selector
rotary switch

Both CobraNet and AVB networks can be audio sources to CONVERGE
Pro/SR mixers using the appropriate types of audio network bridges. The
following diagram shows how several CONVERGE Pro/SR stacks can
connect over AVB and CobraNet networks.

QUICK-START GUIDE

3

Quick Start Summary

These steps must be done in the following order to use the CONNECT
network audio bridge in your CONVERGE Pro Site:

1. Update the CONVERGE Pro firmware to version 4.2.X using
CONVERGE Console.

2. Set the Device ID of the CONNECT CobraNet and/or CONNECT
AVB using the Device ID rotary selector switch at the back of the
bridge.

3. Connect the CONNECT CobraNet and/or CONNECT AVB to the
updated CONVERGE Pro/SR via the Expansion bus (E-bus).

4. Update the CONNECT network bridge firmware

5. Configure the CONNECT CobraNet and CONNECT AVB with
CONVERGE Console.

UPDATE THE CONVERGE PRO FIRMWARE

Update your CONVERGE Console to version 4.2 or higher. CONNECT
CobraNet and CONNECT AVB network audio bridges are not recognized
by systems running older versions and the 4.2.X versions offer significant
upgrades from previous versions.

ClearOne strongly encourages users to upgrade all firmware to the latest
release version.

Instructions for updating from version 1.X 2.X and 3X are detailed later in
this document.

CONNECT NETWORK BRIDGES

4

Device ID Rotary

Selection Switch

SET THE DEVICE ID

Set each CONNECT CobraNet and CONNECT AVB unit to a unique ID
using the Device ID selector rotary switch on the back of the unit. (Range
0-7) Each CONNECT unit in any site needs a unique Device ID. Only 8
units are allowed in any site.

NOTE: Save the CONVERGE Console site file before performing
any firmware upgrade.

1. Download the 4.2.X firmware file to the stack of units.

2. The units will default and reboot after the download of 4.2.X
firmware.

3. Units are fully upgraded.

4. Verify units have been upgraded by checking the firmware version
on the front panel.

Reconnect all E-bus cables, if needed, to complete the stack of units.

QUICK-START GUIDE

5

CONNECTING THE CONNECT COBRANET/AVB
UNIT

Connect the CONNECT CobraNet/AVB units to the CONVERGE Pro/
SR stack via the E-bus connections using CAT5/CAT6-24AWG solid
conductor RJ45 cables. Power to the CONNECT CobraNet/AVB is
supplied by a standard power adapter supplied with the unit.

Device ID

Switch

E-bus LINK IN from Stack

E-bus LINK OUT
(Not required if the bridge
is at the end of the stack)

Bridge connection
to Ethernet Network
(CobraNet shown)

5V DC

Power

Input

NOTE: The network connectors for the CONNECT CobraNet and
the CONNECT AVB appear to be identical but they are not. Each is
electronically unique to the type of network being bridged. Only use
the CONNECT CobraNet with CobraNet networks, and CONNECT
AVB with AVB networks.

CONNECT NETWORK BRIDGES

6

UPDATING CONNECT COBRANET/AVB FIRMWARE

NOTE: All CONNECT CobraNet/AVB Pro units in the site must be
running firmware level 4.X to be compatible with the CONVERGE
Pro/SR units in the site.

1. Connect the E-bus cable between the CONVERGE Pro units and
the CONNECT audio network bridge.

2. Connect the CONVERGE Pro units with CONVERGE Console.

3. Open the Firmware Loader screen.

4. Browse for the CONNECT firmware file: cobranet.mdo for the
CONNECT CobraNet, and avb.mdo for the CONNECT AVB.

5. Download the CONNECT audio network bridge firmware.

6. The CONNECT audio network bridge will default and reboot after
the download of the firmware. (The version of the firmware can be
verified later using the Unit Properties screen for the CONNECT
network bridge.)

7. Units are fully upgraded. (All units connected via the E-bus on the
site are simultaneously updated.)

8. Restore the saved site file to the system using CONVERGE
Console.

QUICK-START GUIDE

7

ADDING CONNECT NETWORK BRIDGES TO SITES

Each CONNECT CobraNet and/or AVB network bridge must be added
to the site using the CONVERGE Console 4.2.X and later software.
This software also provides the capability selecting the audio channels
and other characteristics. Refer to the online help available with the
CONVERGE Pro/SR software for adding devices.

Adding the Bridge

Using the CONVERGE Console software, ADD the CONNECT CobraNet
and/or AVB network bridge to the site using the drop-down menu.

Editing the CONNECT Network Bridge in Site

Select the CONNECT CobraNet and/or AVB audio network bridge from
the Site View tab in Console, and the device appears under the Site
button on the right-hand portion of the screen.

Click on the device box and the Unit Properties appear for the device.

CONNECT NETWORK BRIDGES

8

CobraNet Settings

The next two figures show the Unit Properties tabs for the CONNECT
CobraNet bridge.

Set the Device ID (DID) to match that of the rotary selection switch of the
CONNECT CobraNet device.

QUICK-START GUIDE

9

RX and TX Bundle Numbers

When a receiver on one interface is assigned the same bundle number
as that of a transmitter on another interface, the CobraNet protocol
automatically establishes a connection for transmitting audio data
between the interfaces.

ClearOne CobraNet is a single-bundle, eight-channel device with a
fixed 48 kHz sample rate. The eight channels of audio correspond to
E-bus assignments S through Z. Any audio placed on these busses will
be transmitted in the CobraNet bundle. Any audio received from the
CobraNet bundle can be taken off the S to Z bus on any CONVERGE Pro
Unit.

Latency

The buffering and transmission of audio data typically incurs a delay of
256 samples or 5 1/3 milliseconds called Bundle Latency. This delay can
be reduced by sending smaller packets more often but comes at the cost
of higher processing demands and greater network demands

Channel Assignment

Complete the audio channel assignments in the Matrix in CONVERGE
Console for the channels present in the network bridge. When a CobraNet
is added to the site any audio on the S Bus will automatically be placed on
the CobraNet transmit bundle on Audio channel 1.

CONNECT NETWORK BRIDGES

10

AVB Settings

The next two figures show the Unit Properties tabs for the CONNECT AVB
bridge.

Set the Device ID (DID) to match that of the rotary selection switch of the
CONNECT AVB device.

QUICK-START GUIDE

11

AVB Mode

“AVB” uses the AVB protocols for streaming of audio with AVB switches.

“Legacy” simplifies the AVB packets allowing them to pass through
“legacy” LAN switches and routers

Reset

Used to force initialization of audio streaming after Talker and Listener and
TX changes are made.

Talker and Listener Stream ID’s

AVB endpoints are able to pass streams between each other. The Talker
sends the stream and the Listener receives the stream. On a network,
each stream has a unique 64 bit (hex) ID. A Talker must be assigned a
unique ID. For the Listener to receive the stream is must be assigned the
same ID as the desired Talker. The CONVERGE AVB is both a Talker and
a Listener

Number of Audio Channels per AVB Talker

When the Converge AVB is a Talker it can set to use 2, 4, 6, or 8 audio
channels. On the E-bus connected CONVERGE Pro, the audio channels
start with the S Bus input.

Number of Audio Channels per AVB Listener

When the Converge AVB is a Listener it can receive 2, 4, 6, or 8 audio
channels. On the E-bus connected CONVERGE Pro the audio channels
start with the S Bus output.

CONNECT NETWORK BRIDGES

12

Channel Assignment

Complete the audio channel assignments in the Matrix in CONVERGE
Console for the channels present in the network bridge. Eight audio
channels are supported and are assigned to E-bus channels S through Z.

UPGRADING FROM OLDER VERSIONS OF
CONVERGE FIRMWARE

Please follow the steps listed below to upgrade your firmware:

NOTE: Save the CONVERGE Console site file before performing any firmware
upgrade.

Upgrading from CONVERGE Pro 3.X firmware

1. Remove any 1.X, 2.X and 4.X units from the stack by disconnecting the
expansion bus link cable from the 3.X units.

2. Re-connect to the 3.X stack with CONVERGE Console.

3. Download the 4.2.X firmware file to the stack of units.

4. The units will default and reboot after the download of 4.2.X firmware.

5. Units are fully upgraded.

QUICK-START GUIDE

13

6. Verify units have been upgraded by checking the firmware version on the
front panel.

Reconnect all E-bus cables, if needed, to complete the stack of units.

Upgrading from CONVERGE Pro 2.X firmware

1. Remove any 1.X, 3.X and 4.X units from the stack by disconnecting the
expansion bus link cable from the 2.X units.

2. Re-connect to the 2.X stack with CONVERGE Console.

3. Download the 4.X firmware file to the stack of units.

4. The units will default and reboot after the download of 4.X firmware. The 2.X
to 4.X upgrade requires the firmware to be loaded twice to complete the
version upgrade.

5. Units are fully upgraded.

6. Verify units have been upgraded by checking the firmware version on the
front pane

l.

Reconnect all E-bus cables, if needed, to complete the stack of units.

Upgrading from CONVERGE Pro 1.X firmware

1. Remove any 2.X, 3.X and 4.X units from the stack by disconnecting the
expansion bus link cable from the 1.X units.

2. Re-connect to the 1.X stack with CONVERGE Console.

3. Download the 4.X firmware file to the stack of units.

4. The units will default and reboot after the download of 4.X firmware. The 1.X
to 4.X upgrade requires the firmware to be loaded twice to complete the
version upgrade.

CONNECT NETWORK BRIDGES

14

5. Reconnect to the stack with CONVERGE Console. Download 4.X a second
time to the units. The units will reboot.

6. Units are fully upgraded.

7. Verify units have been upgraded by checking the firmware version on the
front panel.

Reconnect all E-bus cables, if needed, to complete the stack of units.

PART NUMBERS

910-151-805 CONNECT CobraNet Network Bridge
910-151-804 CONNECT AVB Network Bridge

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© 2013 ClearOne, Inc. All rights reserved.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice. 800-000-000-20-01 Revision 1.0 June, 2013