Extron Electronics MLA-VC10 User Manual

User’s Manual

MLA-VC10

MediaLink Accessory

68-690-01

Rev. B

03 08

Precautions

Safety Instructions • English

This symbol is intended to alert the user of important
operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in
the literature provided with the equipment.

This symbol is intended to alert the user of the
presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within
the product’s enclosure that may present a risk of
electric shock.

Caution

Read Instructions • Read and understand all safety and operating

instructions before using the equipment.

Retain Instructions • The safety instructions should be kept for future

reference.

Follow Warnings • Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the

equipment or in the user information.

Avoid Attachments • Do not use tools or attachments that are not

recommended by the equipment manufacturer because they may be
hazardous.

Consignes de Sécurité • Français

Ce s ymbole sert à avert ir l’ut ilisat eur qu e la
documentation fournie avec le matériel contient des
instructions importantes concernant l’exploitation et
la maintenance (réparation).

Ce symbole sert à avertir l’utilisateur de la présence
dans le boîtier de l’appareil de tensions dangereuses
non isolées posant des risques d’électrocution.

Attention

Lire les instructions• Prendre connaissance de toutes les consignes de

sécurité et d’exploitation avant d’utiliser le matériel.

Conserver les instructions• Ranger les consignes de sécurité afin de pouvoir

les consulter à l’avenir.

Respecter les avertissements • Observer tous les avertissements et consignes

marqués sur le matériel ou présentés dans la documentation utilisateur.

Eviter les pièces de fixation • Ne pas utiliser de pièces de fixation ni d’outils

non recommandés par le fabricant du matériel car cela risquerait de poser
certains dangers.

Sicherheitsanleitungen • Deutsch

Die ses Sy mbol sol l dem Ben utzer in de r im
Lieferumfang enthaltenen Dokumentation besonders
wichtige Hinweise zu r Bedienung und Wartung
(Instandhaltung) geben.

Dieses Symbol soll den Benutzer darauf aufmerksam
mache n, daß im Inneren des Gehä uses die ses
Produktes gefährliche Spannungen, die nicht isoliert
sind und die einen elektrischen Schock verursachen
können, herrschen.

Achtung

Lesen der Anleitungen • Bevor Sie das Gerät zum ersten Mal verwenden,

sollten Sie alle Sicherheits-und Bedienungsanleitungen genau durchlesen
und verstehen.

Aufbewahren der Anleitungen • Die Hinweise zur elektrischen Sicherheit

des Produktes sollten Sie aufbewahren, damit Sie im Bedarfsfall darauf
zurückgreifen können.

Befolgen der Warnhinweise • Befolgen Sie alle Warnhinweise und

Anleitungen auf dem Gerät oder in der Benutzerdokumentation.

Keine Zusatzgeräte • Verwenden Sie keine Werkzeuge oder Zusatzgeräte,

die nicht ausdrücklich vom Hersteller empfohlen wurden, da diese eine
Gefahrenquelle darstellen können.

Instrucciones de seguridad • Español

Este símbolo se utiliza pa ra advertir al usuario
sobre ins trucciones import antes de operació n y
mantenimiento (o cambio de partes) que se desean
desta car en el conteni do de la docum entación
suministrada con los equipos.

Este símbolo se utiliza para advertir al usuario sobre
la presencia de elementos con voltaje peligroso sin
protección aislante, que puedan encontrarse dentro
de la caja o alojamiento del producto, y que puedan
representar riesgo de electrocución.

Precaucion

Leer las instrucciones • Leer y analizar todas las instrucciones de operación y

seguridad, antes de usar el equipo.

Conservar las instrucciones • Conservar las instrucciones de seguridad para

futura consulta.

Obedecer las advertencias • Todas las advertencias e instrucciones marcadas

en el equipo o en la documentación del usuario, deben ser obedecidas.

Evitar el uso de accesorios • No usar herramientas o accesorios que no

sean especificamente recomendados por el fabricante, ya que podrian
implicar riesgos.

Warning

Power sources • This equipment should be operated only from the power source

indicated on the product. This equipment is intended to be used with a main power
system with a grounded (neutral) conductor. The third (grounding) pin is a safety
feature, do not attempt to bypass or disable it.

Power disconnection • To remove power from the equipment safely, remove all power

cords from the rear of the equipment, or the desktop power module (if detachable),
or from the power source receptacle (wall plug).

Power cord protection • Power cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be

stepped on or pinched by items placed upon or against them.

Servicing • Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. There are no user-

serviceable parts inside. To prevent the risk of shock, do not attempt to service
this equipment yourself because opening or removing covers may expose you to
dangerous voltage or other hazards.

Slots and openings • If the equipment has slots or holes in the enclosure, these are

provided to prevent overheating of sensitive components inside. These openings
must never be blocked by other objects.

Lithium battery • There is a danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly

replaced. Replace it only with the same or equivalent type recommended by
the manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.

Avertissement

Alimentations• Ne faire fonctionner ce matériel qu’avec la source d’alimentation

indiquée sur l’appareil. Ce matériel doit être utilisé avec une alimentation principale
comportant un fil de terre (neutre). Le troisième contact (de mise à la terre) constitue
un dispositif de sécurité : n’essayez pas de la contourner ni de la désactiver.

Déconnexion de l’alimentation• Pour mettre le matériel hors tension sans danger,

déconnectez tous les cordons d’alimentation de l’arrière de l’appareil ou du module
d’alimentation de bureau (s’il est amovible) ou encore de la prise secteur.

Protection du cordon d’alimentation • Acheminer les cordons d’alimentation de

manière à ce que personne ne risque de marcher dessus et à ce qu’ils ne soient pas
écrasés ou pincés par des objets.

Réparation-maintenance • Faire exécuter toutes les interventions de réparation-

maintenance par un technicien qualifié. Aucun des éléments internes ne peut être
réparé par l’utilisateur. Afin d’éviter tout danger d’électrocution, l’utilisateur ne doit
pas essayer de procéder lui-même à ces opérations car l’ouverture ou le retrait des
couvercles risquent de l’exposer à de hautes tensions et autres dangers.

Fentes et orifices • Si le boîtier de l’appareil comporte des fentes ou des orifices, ceux-ci

servent à empêcher les composants internes sensibles de surchauffer. Ces ouvertures
ne doivent jamais être bloquées par des objets.

Lithium Batterie • Il a danger d’explosion s’ll y a remplacment incorrect de la batterie.

Remplacer uniquement avec une batterie du meme type ou d’un ype equivalent
recommande par le constructeur. Mettre au reut les batteries usagees conformement
aux instructions du fabricant.

Vorsicht

Stromquellen • Dieses Gerät sollte nur über die auf dem Produkt angegebene

Stromquelle betrieben werden. Dieses Gerät wurde für eine Verwendung mit einer
Hauptstromleitung mit einem geerdeten (neutralen) Leiter konzipiert. Der dritte
Kontakt ist für einen Erdanschluß, und stellt eine Sicherheitsfunktion dar. Diese
sollte nicht umgangen oder außer Betrieb gesetzt werden.

Stromunterbrechung • Um das Gerät auf sichere Weise vom Netz zu trennen, sollten

Sie alle Netzkabel aus der Rückseite des Gerätes, aus der externen Stomversorgung
(falls dies möglich ist) oder aus der Wandsteckdose ziehen.

Schutz des Netzkabels • Netzkabel sollten stets so verlegt werden, daß sie nicht im

Weg liegen und niemand darauf treten kann oder Objekte darauf- oder unmittelbar
dagegengestellt werden können.

Wartung • Alle Wartungsmaßnahmen sollten nur von qualifiziertem Servicepersonal

durchgeführt werden. Die internen Komponenten des Gerätes sind wartungsfrei.
Zur Vermeidung eines elektrischen Schocks versuchen Sie in keinem Fall, dieses
Gerät selbst öffnen, da beim Entfernen der Abdeckungen die Gefahr eines
elektrischen Schlags und/oder andere Gefahren bestehen.

Schlitze und Öffnungen • Wenn das Gerät Schlitze oder Löcher im Gehäuse aufweist,

dienen diese zur Vermeidung einer Überhitzung der empfindlichen Teile im
Inneren. Diese Öffnungen dürfen niemals von anderen Objekten blockiert werden.

Litium-Batterie • Explosionsgefahr, falls die Batterie nicht richtig ersetzt

wird. Ersetzen Sie verbrauchte Batterien nur durch den gleichen oder einen
vergleichbaren Batterietyp, der auch vom Hersteller empfohlen wird. Entsorgen Sie
verbrauchte Batterien bitte gemäß den Herstelleranweisungen.

Advertencia

Alimentación eléctrica • Este equipo debe conectarse únicamente a la fuente/tipo

de alimentación eléctrica indicada en el mismo. La alimentación eléctrica de este
equipo debe provenir de un sistema de distribución general con conductor neutro
a tierra. La tercera pata (puesta a tierra) es una medida de seguridad, no puentearia
ni eliminaria.

Desconexión de alimentación eléctrica • Para desconectar con seguridad la acometida

de alimentación eléctrica al equipo, desenchufar todos los cables de alimentación
en el panel trasero del equipo, o desenchufar el módulo de alimentación (si fuera
independiente), o desenchufar el cable del receptáculo de la pared.

Protección del cables de alimentación • Los cables de alimentación eléctrica se deben

instalar en lugares donde no sean pisados ni apretados por objetos que se puedan
apoyar sobre ellos.

Reparaciones/mantenimiento • Solicitar siempre los servicios técnicos de personal

calificado. En el interior no hay partes a las que el usuario deba acceder. Para evitar
riesgo de electrocución, no intentar personalmente la reparación/mantenimiento
de este equipo, ya que al abrir o extraer las tapas puede quedar expuesto a voltajes
peligrosos u otros riesgos.

Ranuras y aberturas • Si el equipo posee ranuras o orificios en su caja/alojamiento,

es para evitar el sobrecalientamiento de componentes internos sensibles. Estas
aberturas nunca se deben obstruir con otros objetos.

Batería de litio • Existe riesgo de explosión si esta batería se coloca en la posición

incorrecta. Cambiar esta batería únicamente con el mismo tipo (o su equivalente)
recomendado por el fabricante. Desachar las baterías usadas siguiendo las
instrucciones del fabricante.

安全须知 • 中文

这个符号提示用户该设备用户手册中
有重要的操作和维护说明。

这个符号警告用户该设备机壳内有暴

露的危险电压，有触电危险。

注意

阅读说明书 • 用 户 使 用 该 设 备 前 必 须 阅 读 并 理

解 所 有 安 全 和 使 用 说 明 。

保存说明书 • 用户应保存安全说明书以备将来使

用。

遵守警告 • 用户应遵守产品和用户指南上的所有安

全和操作说明。

避免追加 • 不要使用该产品厂商没有推荐的工具或

追加设备，以避免危险。

警告

电源 • 该 设 备 只 能 使 用 产 品 上 标 明 的 电 源 。 设 备

必 须 使 用 有 地 线 的 供 电 系 统 供 电 。 第 三 条 线
（ 地 线 ） 是 安 全 设 施 ， 不 能 不 用 或 跳 过 。

拔掉电源 • 为安全地从设备拔掉电源，请拔掉所有设备后

或桌面电源的电源线，或任何接到市电系统的电源线。

电源线保护 • 妥善布线， 避免被踩踏，或重物挤压。
维护 • 所有维修必须由认证的维修人员进行。 设备内部

没有用户可以更换的零件。为避免出现触电危险不要自
己试图打开设备盖子维修该设备。

通风孔 • 有些设备机壳上有通风槽或孔，它们是用来防止

机内敏感元件过热。 不要用任何东西挡住通风孔。

锂电池 • 不正确的更换电池会有爆炸的危险。 必须使用

与厂家推荐的相同或相近型号的电池。 按照生产厂的
建议处理废弃电池。

声明

所使用电源为 A 级产品，在生活环境中，该产品可能会造成无线电干扰。在这种情况下，可能需要用
户对其干扰采取切实可行的措施。

FCC Class A Notice

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. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this
device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation. The Class A 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 his
own expense.

N

This unit was tested with shielded cables on the peripheral devices. Shielded cables must be used

with the unit to ensure compliance with FCC emissions limits.

Quick Start Guide — MLA-VC10

A B

MLA-VC10's
front panel
MLC/RS-232
Power port

+12 VDC

Ground ( )

MLC/RS-232

POWER

Ground all devices

White or
white-striped
wire

An external
power supply
(12 VDC, 1A max.)

Not used for connecting
to computers or
3rd party controllers.

To Controllers

Setting Up the MLA-VC10

To install and set up the MLA-VC10, follow these steps and see the
appropriate section of this manual for details:

Step 1

Determine the control voltage
required by the amplifier or
mixer.

See “Determining the Control
Voltage” on pages 2-3 to 2-7 of
this manual.

Step 2

Turn all of the equipment off. Make sure that the MediaLink®
Controller (MLC) (if used), the MLA-VC10, the audio amplifier or
mixer, and RS-232 host device are turned off and disconnected from
the power source.

Step 3

Terminate cables and connect the MLA-VC10 to the MLC and/or a
power supply.

Step 4

Connect to an amplifier or mixer. The wiring depends on the model
of amplifier or mixer (see "Wiring" on page 2-8). Ground the chassis

of all units together.

MLA-VC10 • Quick Start Guide

QS-1

Quick Start Guide — MLA-VC10, cont’d

AMP/MIXER

CONTROL

CTRL

Ground ( )

To Amplifier

0 VDC to +10 VDC

*

*

The actual maximum control voltage
depends on the Configuration DIP switch
settings, but the maximum power output will
not be reached if the amplifier's control port
voltage measures more than 10 VDC.

6 feet (1.8 m) maximum
between the MLA-VC10

and the amplifier

3

4

1

2

7

8

5

6

MLA_VC10_

dip_switch.eps

ON

CONFIGURATION

Step 5

Connect the power cables to a power source and power on the
MLA-VC10, MLC/power supply, RS-232 host device, and amplifier

or mixer.

Step 6

For most MLC units used with the MLA-VC10, configure the system
with the Global Configurator program (see page 3-2) or RS-232 (see
page 3-14). The MLC 206 is not supported by Global configurator
and the MediaLink control software (included with the MLC) must
be used (see page 3-10).

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9

QS-2

Set the MLA-VC10’s DIP switches to match
the voltage determined in step 1. See “DIP
switches” on page 3-11, and the reference tables
on pages 3-12 and 3-13.

Test the system by turning the volume knob on the MLC or by
sending a volume-related RS-232 command while listening for a
change in the volume level and observing the MLA-VC10’s LED
(which should blink).

If wiring changes are needed, turn off the power and unplug
the equipment, make any necessary wiring changes (see
"Troubleshooting", page 3-17), and then restore power to the system.

N

When the MLA-VC10 is attached to the control port of some

amplifiers, the amplifier's front panel volume control knob is

MLA-VC10 • Quick Start Guide

disabled.

i

Table of Contents

Chapter One • Introduction .................................................... 1-1

About this Manual ....................................................................1-2

About the MLA-VC10 ............................................................... 1-2

Chapter Two • Installation and Setup .............................2-1

Front and Rear Panel Features .............................................. 2-2

Determining the Control Voltage ......................................... 2-3

Measuring voltage for a Peavey UMA 35T II amplifier ....... 2-4

Measuring voltage for a Biamp Precedence CMA 60 amplifier

2-5

Measuring the voltage for a TOA A-706 amplifier .............. 2-6

Measuring the voltage for a TOA A-903 amplifier .............. 2-7

Wiring ............................................................................................ 2-8

Wiring the MLC/Power connector ........................................ 2-8

Wiring the amplifier/mixer control connector ................... 2-11

Wiring TOA 700 Series amplifiers ....................................... 2-12

Wiring TOA 900 Series amplifiers ....................................... 2-14

Chapter Three • Configuration and Operation ......... 3-1

Configuration .............................................................................. 3-2

Global Configurator ............................................................... 3-2

Adding the MLA-VC10 driver.................................................3-2

Configuring the MLC Button for amplifier mute .................3-5

Configuring a GC2 Monitor for amplifier mute ...................3-6

Uploading the Configuration File to the MLC ....................3-10

MediaLink® Control Software ............................................. 3-10

DIP switches .........................................................................3-11

Table of MLA-VC10 DIP Switch Settings ............................. 3-12

RS-232 control ......................................................................3-14

Host-to-MLA communications .............................................3-14

MLA-initiated messages .......................................................3-14

Error response .......................................................................3-14

Using the command/response table ...................................3-15

Command/response table for SIS commands ................ 3-16

Operation ................................................................................... 3-17

Troubleshooting ....................................................................... 3-17

MLA-VC10 • Table of Contents

i

Table of Contents, cont’d

Appendix A • Reference Information ............................A-1

Specifications ..............................................................................A-2

Included Parts .............................................................................A-3

Cables ............................................................................................A-3

MLA-VC10 Functional Block Diagram .................................A-3

All trademarks mentioned in this manual are the properties of their respective owners.

68-690-01

ii

MLA-VC10 • Table of Contents

Rev. B

03 08

MLA-VC10

Chapter One

1

Introduction

About this Manual

About the MLA-VC10

Introduction

About this Manual

This manual contains information on how to mount, install and
operate the Extron MLA-VC10. Unless otherwise stated, in
this manual all references to MediaLink Accessory or Volume
Control Accessory pertain to the MLA-VC10.

About the MLA-VC10

In conjuction with a MediaLink® Controller (MLC), the Extron
MediaLink Accessory Volume Control 10 (MLA-VC10) can be
used to remotely control the volume output of an audio mixer
or amplifier that has a 0 VDC to 10 VDC variable voltage remote
control port for volume control.

When used with an MLC, the MLA-VC10 can share the MLC's
12 VDC power supply. It can also be installed with an external
12 VDC power supply and a third party RS-232 control device.

Refer to the appropriate user's manual for information on how
to wire control connections to the controller, amplifier or mixer.

N

This manual describes how to measure the amplifier's control
voltage and special requirements for wiring the MLA-VC10 to
specific amplifiers.

Figure 1-1 shows a typical application of the MLA-VC10.

The MLA-VC10 provides a control voltage (supply

voltage) of between 0 and 10 VDC. The MLA-VC10 can
contol amplifiers that use a higher control voltage but the
amplifier's maximum volume will not be reached.

1-2

MLA-VC10 • Introduction

MLA

-

VC1

0

P

O

W

E

R

/

S

T

A

T

U

S

A

B

M

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/

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3

2

P

O

W

E

R

Speakers

MLA-VC10

DVD

VCR

1

2

3

4

5

6

ON

7

8

C

O

N

F

I

G

U

R

A

T

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O

N

A

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P

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M

I

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R

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R

O

L

C

T

R

L

12 VDC

Control
Voltage

RS-232

12 VDC
Power Supply

O

F

F

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N

OF

F

ON

E

xt

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C

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F

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DISPL

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MLC 104 IP Plus

VO

LUME

1

2

3

4

O

N

OF

F

VC

R

DV

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PC

MLC 104 IP Plus

MediaLink
Controller

B

A

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IN

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D

U

A

L

M

O

N

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MPA 122

Mini
Power
Amplifier

Figure 1-1 — The Extron MLA-VC10

MLA-VC10 • Introduction

1-3

Introduction, cont’d

1-4

MLA-VC10 • Introduction

MLA-VC10

Chapter Two

2

Installation and Setup

Front and Rear Panel Features

Determining the Control Voltage

Wiring

Installation and Setup

MLA-VC10

POWER/
STATUS

A B

MLC/RS-232

POWER

1 2

CTRL

AMP/MIXER

CONTROL

1

2

345

6

ON

7

8

CONFIGURATION

3 4

Front and Rear Panel Features

Figure 2-1 — MLA-VC10 front panel

Power/Status indicator LED — This LED lights steadily while

a

the MLA-VC10 receives power, and blinks three times when the
MLA-VC10 receives valid RS-232 volume setting commands.

MLC/RS-232 Power connector — This 5-pole, 3.5 mm captive

b

screw connector is for transmitting and receiving RS-232 signals
and for power and ground connections. Connect cables to this
port for:

a MediaLink Controller (MLC) and the MLC's 12 VDC power

•
supply, or

an external 12 VDC power supply and a third party RS-232

•
control device

2-2

Figure 2-2 — MLA-VC10 rear panel

Amp/Mixer Control connector — Connect a cable between the

c

amplifier's or mixer's remote control port and this 2-pole 3.5 mm
captive screw connector to provide a ground and control voltage
for regulating the audio volume.

Configuration DIP switches — Set these eight switches to

d

configure the MLA-VC10 for the control voltage required by the
amplifier or mixer. See "DIP switches" on page 3-11.

MLA-VC10 • Installation and Setup

Determining the Control Voltage

The MLA-VC10 drives the amplifier's or mixer's remote control
port. Different models of amplifier or mixer may require a
different voltage to control the audio volume. You need to know
the specific voltage requirements of your equipment before you
can configure the MLA-VC10 to control it.

Sometimes the equipment's manual lists the required voltage,
but usually you will have to test the voltage yourself, using a
voltmeter. This section describes how to measure the control
voltage for some widely used amplifiers.

Most amplifiers come in one of two basic configurations:

two-terminal (control and ground)

•
three-terminal (reference, control, and ground)

•

N

The next two pages show how to measure control voltages
on "typical" amplifers: the Peavey UMA 35T II (page 2-4) and
Biamp Precedence CMA 60 (page 2-5).

Following that, two special case amplifiers are described: the
TOA 700 series (page 2-6) and 900 series (page 2-7).

The MLA-VC10 works with a wide range of amplifiers.

The models shown in this section are included as
examples only. The MLA-VC10 is not limited to
working with only the amplifiers shown in this manual.

MLA-VC10 • Installation and Setup

2-3

Installation and Setup, cont’d

Measuring voltage for a Peavey UMA 35T II
amplifier

Control Terminals for Peavey amplifiers usually consist of two
screw terminals. In the example shown below, they are labeled
"Remote Vol". Use a voltmeter, set to VDC, to measure the
voltage.

Figure 2-3 — Measuring control voltage for a Peavey
UMA 35T II: Meter probes are oriented correctly.

In figure 2-3, the measured voltage is positive, so the right
terminal is the signal connection and the left terminal is ground
connection. Write down the measured voltage and which
terminal is ground as this will be important when you set the
DIP switches. If the voltage is negative (see figure 2-4), the
meter's probes are touching the wrong terminals.

Meter probes
correctly oriented

2-4

Meter probes
incorrectly oriented

Figure 2-4 — Measuring control voltage for a Peavey
UMA 35T II: Meter probes are oriented incorrectly.

MLA-VC10 • Installation and Setup