Datapath FX4 User Manual
Multi Display Controller
USER GUIDE
Version 1.0.0
Contents
2
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Introduction..............................................................................................................4
1.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................................................4
1.2 How the User Guide is Organised .............................................................................................................................4
1.3 Fonts and Symbols...................................................................................................................................................4
Chapter 2 - Safety.......................................................................................................................5
2.2 Unpacking and Initial Inspection...............................................................................................................................5
Chapter 3 - General.....................................................................................................................7
3.1 Overview...................................................................................................................................................................7
3.2 Features....................................................................................................................................................................7
Chapter 4 - Hardware..................................................................................................................8
4.1 Front Panel...............................................................................................................................................................8
4.2 Rear Panel................................................................................................................................................................8
4.3 Rack Mounting the Fx4.............................................................................................................................................9
Chapter 5 - Software..................................................................................................................10
5.1 Wall Designer..........................................................................................................................................................10
5.2 Wall Designer Features...........................................................................................................................................10
5.4 Running the Wall Designer Application....................................................................................................................11
Chapter 6 - Cabling....................................................................................................................13
6.1 Connecting a Sync Cable..........................................................................................................................................13
6.2 Attaching an HDMI Cable Lock.................................................................................................................................13
6.3 Connecting Input Sources........................................................................................................................................13
6.4 Connecting the Out Loop........................................................................................................................................14
Chapter 7 - Operation.................................................................................................................15
7.1 Setting up the Fx4...................................................................................................................................................15
7.2 Switching On the Fx4..............................................................................................................................................15
7.3 Conguring the Fx4 via USB....................................................................................................................................16
7.4 Conguring the Fx4 via a Network...........................................................................................................................18
Table of Content
Contents
3
Chapter 8 - Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................19
8.1 Troubleshooting.......................................................................................................................................................19
8.2 Technical Support ...................................................................................................................................................19
Chapter 9 - Maintenance............................................................................................................20
9.1 Maintenance of the Fx4 ..........................................................................................................................................20
Chapter 10 - Environmental ........................................................................................................21
10.1 Certication and Compliances................................................................................................................................21
Chapter 11 - Specications..........................................................................................................22
Chapter 12 - Warranty/RMA ........................................................................................................23
12.1 Warranty Statement..............................................................................................................................................23
12.2 RMA Returns Policy................................................................................................................................................23
Chapter 13 - Index......................................................................................................................25
Introduction
4
Chapter 1 - Introduction
1.1 Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Datapath Fx4 Multi Display Controller. The Fx4 has been manufactured and tested to
the highest standards oering unparalleled quality and reliability. The aim of this user guide is to assist you through the
installation of the Fx4 safely and eectively and act as a reference guide for future use. Do not switch the controller on until all
the relevant cables have been connected.
1.2 How the User Guide is Organised
The user guide is broken down into chapters and each chapter into sections. Chapters, sections and pages are numbered
individually. Pages are numbered in Arabic numerals with the exception of the cover page (no numbering).
1.3 Fonts and Symbols
1.3.1 Fonts
The font used throughout the user guide is Corbel however the following font styles mean:
Bold = Used to describe menu titles, buttons in software or elements that you must type.
Blue Underlined = Indicates a hyper-link. Some hyper-links may be linked to live websites.
1.3.2 Symbols
Symbols are used throughout this user guide to assist the user in quickly identifying important safety information and notes.
Yellow triangle indicates that failure to observe the instructions could result in injury
and/or damage to the system.
White arrow in a blue box indicates a useful tip.
White exclamation mark in a blue box indicates important information.
Safety
5
Chapter 2 - Safety
2.1 Safety Precautions
To prevent damage to your Datapath product or injury to personnel operating the equipment, please read the following safety
precautions prior to operation. These instructions should be made available to all those who will use and operate Datapath
products.
2.1.1 Power Supply
All Datapath products require a mains power supply. This power supply must be disconnected when equipment is being
relocated.
2.1.2 Cables
Do not expose cables to any liquids; doing so may cause a short circuit which could damage the equipment. Do not place heavy
objects on top of any cables as this can cause damage and possibly lead to exposed live wires.
2.1.3 Ventilation
The Fx4 should be located in a well ventilated area. All ventilation holes on the casing must be kept clear of any obstruction at
all times. Failure to do so will result in the system over heating and damaging your equipment.
2.1.4 Working Environment
The equipment should be located in an environment free from dust, moisture and extreme changes in temperature and should
be placed on a stable and solid work surface. Liquids (hot/cold drinks etc) should not be placed near the equipment as spillage
could cause serious damage.
2.1.5 Gas/Flammable Liquids
Electronic equipment should never be used in the presence of gas or any ammable liquid, doing so could result in an explosion
or serious re.
2.1.6 Smoke/Unusual Smells
Should you notice smoke or unusual smells being emitted from your system, turn o and unplug the system from the mains
supply. The system should then be passed to a qualied technician for inspection. Continued operation could result in personal
injury and damage to property.
2.1.7 Maintenance
Apart from what is detailed in this user guide, maintenance should only be carried out by competent technicians, Fx4’s that are
physically damaged should be returned to Datapath for repair using Datapath RMA procedures.
2.2 Unpacking and Initial Inspection
2.2.1 Unpacking
All packaging materials should be retained for future transit.
Safety
6
2.2.2 Initial Inspection
All Datapath products are carefully prepared for shipment and every eort is made to ensure you receive the product in pristine
condition. On receipt, you should carefully inspect the outer packaging for any transit damage i.e. any signs that the item may
have been dropped etc.
Use the product leaet enclosed to establish that all the items are present. Should any items be missing, contact Datapath for
further instructions.
Check the Fx4 for damage that could have an adverse aect on the operation of the system or could cause injury to the
operator. Should there be any physical damage to the power sockets or exposed wiring do not connect to a power source, contact Datapath for further instructions.
2.3 Unpacking
Your packing box should contain the following items:
• The Fx4 Multi Display Controller
• 1 x Mains power cable
• USB 2.0 cable Type A to Type B
• Quick Start Guide
• HDMI Locks: x 2 with the DisplayPort model
x 6 with the HDMI model
• 2 x Rack mount attachments
• 6 x Rack mount screws
• Datapath CD containing Wall Designer Software Application and the Fx4 User Guide.
If any of the items are missing, please contact Datapath for further instructions.
Safety
General
7
Chapter 3 - General
3.1 Overview
Advancements in digital signage requirements mean that customers demand greater freedom in creating and deploying small,
medium and large scale signage projects. The Datapath Fx4 is a multi-faceted stand alone display controller that supports a
choice of inputs, high bandwidth loop-through as well as four gen-locked outputs in either DisplayPort or HDMI.
The Fx4 features a DisplayPort 1.2 alongside two HDMI 1.4 inputs oering up to 4k (4096x2160p) at 60fps or UHD (2160p) at
30fps respectively. The intuitive user interface, Wall Designer (See Chapter 5) allows users to determine which input is used.
The Datapath Fx4 has dual Ethernet ports to allow users to add the device to their networks. Only one Datapath Fx4 in the
chain requires connection to the physical LAN as Ethernet loop through is supported on the second port, meaning multiple
devices can be connected.
3.2 Features
Each output monitor can take its input from any region of the input image as all of the required cropping, scaling, rotation and
frame-rate conversion is handled by the Datapath Fx4 hardware. These regions can overlap to allow any output to replicate
another or can be congured to support any creative splice of the source material. This allows the support of many
non-rectangular screen arrangements with uneven gaps, and any mix of monitor orientations.
• Innite creative congurations
• Up to Ultra HD input, four HD 1080p outputs
• Rotates, crops, scales, mirrors and bezel corrects
• Dual HDMI 1.4 and single DisplayPort 1.2 inputs for 4k 60 fps source capture
• HDCP support on all inputs and outputs
• Stand alone operation: Non-volatile conguration can adapt to changes in inputs by automatically adjusting all scale
factors
• Power down conguration save facility, power up instantly with no re-setup required
Hardware
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Chapter 4 - Hardware
4.1 Front Panel
POWER
INPUT
STATUS
4.1.1 Operation Indicators
The front panel has three LEDs to indicate the operational status of the Fx4:
• Power
• Input
• Status
Power
When illuminated, the Power LED indicates the Fx4 is connected to a mains supply.
Sync
The Sync accepts Tri-level or Black burst syncs for genlocking the Fx4 to external devices.
Inputs
The Fx4 has 3 input connectors, 1 x DisplayPort and 2 x HDMI . All 3 inputs can be connected to sources playing concurrently,
however only 1 of the inputs can be displayed at any one time. Switching between inputs is achieved using the Wall Designer
software application.
Input
When illuminated, the Input LED indicates a valid source is connected.
Status
Continuous illumination – Indicates the Fx4 is operating normally.
Flashing – Unit is operating over the normal operating temperature. Ensure the input fan vent is not blocked.
If the Status LED goes o and remains o this indicates that the settings congured in Wall Designer no longer match the input,
this is normally the result of a change of input. The Fx4 will compensate for the settings and recongure itself to display as near
to the settings as possible. The output will still be displayed but not necessarily as expected.
When the Fx4 device is connected to a PC by a USB cable and Wall Designer application is active, then all three lights ash in
turn to help to identify which unit is being controlled.
4.2 Rear Panel
The LED’s can ash for up to 15 seconds when the Fx4 is switched on.
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