Kramer VA-4H User Manual

KRAMER ELECTRONICS LTD.

USER MANUAL

MODEL:

VA-4H

4-Channel

HDMI EDID

Controller

P/N: 2900-300043 Rev 1

VA-4H – Contents i

Contents

1 Introduction 1
2 Getting Started 2

2.1 Achieving the Best Performance 2

3 Overview 3

3.1 About HDMI 4

3.2 About HDCP 5

3.3 Defining EDID 5

4 Defining the VA-4H 4-Channel HDMI EDID Controller 6
5 Connecting the VA-4H 8
6 Operating the VA-4H 9
7 Technical Specifications 10

Figures

Figure 1: VA-4H 4-Channel HDMI EDID Controller Front Panel 6
Figure 2: VA-4H 4-Channel HDMI EDID Controller Rear Panel 7
Figure 3: Connecting the VA-4H 4-Channel HDMI EDID Controller 8

VA-4H - Introduction 1

1 Introduction

Welcome to Kramer Electronics! Since 1981, Kramer Electronics has been
providing a world of unique, creative, and affordable solutions to the vast range of
problems that confront the video, audio, presentation, and broadcasting
professional on a daily basis. In recent years, we have redesigned and upgraded
most of our line, making the best even better!

Our 1,000-plus different models now appear in 11 groups that are clearly defined
by function: GROUP 1: Distribution Amplifiers; GROUP 2: Switchers and Matrix
Switchers; GROUP 3: Control Systems; GROUP 4: Format/Standards Converters;
GROUP 5: Range Extenders and Repeaters; GROUP 6: Specialty AV Products;
GROUP 7: Scan Converters and Scalers; GROUP 8: Cables and Connectors;
GROUP 9: Room Connectivity; GROUP 10: Accessories and Rack Adapters and
GROUP 11: Sierra Products.

Congratulations on purchasing your Kramer VA-4H 4-Channel HDMI EDID
Controller, which is ideal for the following typical applications:

• Distributing presentation graphics

• Using a display at a distance from the computer

• Using in graphics production studios

2 VA-4H - Getting Started

2 Getting Started

We recommend that you:

• Unpack the equipment carefully and save the original box and packaging

materials for possible future shipment

• Review the contents of this user manual

Use Kramer high performance high resolution cables

Go to http://www.kramerelectronics.com to check for up-to-date
user manuals, application programs, and to check if firmware
upgrades are available (where appropriate).

Caution: No operator serviceable parts inside the unit
Warning: Use only the Kramer Electronics input power wall

adapter that is provided with the unit

Warning: Disconnect the power and unplug the unit from the

wall before installing

2.1 Achieving the Best Performance

To achieve the best performance:

• Use only good quality connection cables to avoid interference,

deterioration in signal quality due to poor matching, and elevated noise
levels (often associated with low quality cables)

• Avoid interference from neighboring electrical appliances that may

adversely influence signal quality

• Position your Kramer VA-4H away from moisture, excessive sunlight and

dust

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VA-4H - Overview 3

3 Overview

The VA-4H is an EDID controller for HDMI signals. The unit inputs up to four HDMI
channels and lets you select an EDID for each channel from the display, an
internal default EDID or to pass the signal through without change.

The VA-4H features:

• A maximum data rate of 2.25Gbps per channel for a total of 6.75Gbps

• A maximum input resolution of 1080p

• HDTV compatibility

• Compliance with standards: HDMI and HDCP 1.2

• Support of HDMI (V.1.4 with Deep Color, x.v.Color™, Lip Sync, HDMI

Uncompressed Audio Channels, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, CEC)

• Four input/output channels

• Four tamper-proof, recessed selector pushbuttons

• Non-volatile memory that saves final settings

• LED indicators for power and EDID source settings

• An RS-232 port for upgrading firmware

• A 5V DC power source

• A compact MultiTools enclosure that can be rack mounted with an optional

RK-13 rack adapter

4 VA-4H - Overview

3.1 About HDMI

High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is an uncompressed all-digital
audio/video interface, widely supported in the entertainment and home cinema
industry. HDMI ensures an all-digital rendering of video without the losses associated
with analog interfaces and their unnecessary digital-to-analog conversions. It delivers
the maximum high-definition image and sound quality in use today. Note that Kramer
Electronics Limited is an HDMI Adopter and an HDCP Licensee.

HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered
trademarks of HDMI licensing LLC.

In particular, HDMI:

• Provides a simple interface between any audio/video source, such as a set-top

box, DVD player, or A/V receiver and video monitor, such as a digital flat
LCD / plasma television (DTV), over a single lengthy cable

SIMPLICITY - With video and multi-channel audio combined into a single cable, the
cost, complexity, and confusion of multiple cables currently used in A/V systems is
reduced

LENGTHY CABLE - HDMI technology has been designed to use standard copper cable
construction at up to 15m

• Supports standard, enhanced, high-definition video, and multi-channel digital

audio on a single cable

MULTI-CHANNEL DIGITAL AUDIO - HDMI supports multiple audio formats, from
standard stereo to multi-channel surround-sound. HDMI has the capacity to support
Dolby 5.1 audio and high-resolution audio formats

• Transmits all ATSC HDTV standard s and supports 8-chann el digital audio, with

bandwidth to spare to accommodate futur e enhance ments and requ irements

• Benefits consumers by providing superior, uncompressed digital video quality

via a single cable, and user-friendly connector

HDMI provides the quality and functionality of a digital interface while also supporting
uncompressed video formats in a simple, cost-effective manner

• Is backward-compatible with DVI (Digital Visual Interface)

• Supports CEC, two-way communication between the video source (such as a

DVD player) and the digital television, enabling new functionality such as
automatic configuration and one-button play

• Has the capacity to support existing high-definition video formats (720p, 1080i,

and 1080p, 2K and 4K), standard definition formats such as NTSC or PAL, as
well as 480p and 576p

VA-4H - Overview 5

3.2 About HDCP

The High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) standard developed by
Intel, protects digital video and audio signals transmitted over DVI or HDMI
connections between two HDCP-enabled devices to eliminate the reproduction of
copyrighted material. To protect copyright holders (such as movie studios) from
having their programs copied and shared, the HDCP standard provides for the
secure and encrypted transmission of digital signals.

3.3 Defining EDID

The Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) is a data-structure provided by a
display, to describe its capabilities to a graphics card (that is connected to the
display’s source). The EDID enables the VA-4H to “know” what kind of monitor is
connected to the output. The EDID includes the manufacturer’s name, the product
type, the timing data supported by the display, the display size, luminance data
and (for digital displays only) the pixel mapping data.
EDID is defined by a standard published by the Video Electronics Standards
Association (VESA).

6 VA-4H - Defining the VA-4H 4-Channel HDMI EDID Controller

4 Defining the VA-4H 4-Channel HDMI EDID

Controller

This section defines the VA-4H.

Figure 1: VA-4H 4-Channel HDMI EDID Controller Front Panel

# Feature Function

1 ON LED Illuminates green when 5V DC power is connected
2

CHAN. 1

CAPTURE Button Press to choose the channel 1 EDID source

3

DEFAULT
PASS
MONITOR LEDS

Upper LED illuminates red when default EDID is chosen,
both LEDS illuminate when pass-through is chosen, lower
green LED illuminates when the monitor EDID is chosen

4

CHAN. 2

CAPTURE Button Press to choose the channel 2 EDID source

5

DEFAULT
PASS
MONITOR LEDS

Upper LED illuminates red when default EDID is chosen,
both LEDS illuminate when pass-through is chosen, lower
green LED illuminates when the monitor EDID is chosen

6

CHAN. 3

CAPTURE Button Press to choose the channel 3 EDID source

7

DEFAULT
PASS
MONITOR LEDS

Upper LED illuminates red when default EDID is chosen,
both LEDS illuminate when pass-through is chosen, lower
green LED illuminates when the monitor EDID is chosen

8

CHAN. 4

CAPTURE Button Press to choose the channel 4 EDID source

9

DEFAULT
PASS
MONITOR LEDS

Upper LED illuminates red when default EDID is chosen,
both LEDS illuminate when pass-through is chosen, lower
green LED illuminates when the monitor EDID is chosen

VA-4H - Defining the VA-4H 4-Channel HDMI EDID Controller 7

Figure 2: VA-4H 4-Channel HDMI EDID Controller Rear Panel

# Feature Function

10

CHAN. 1

IN HDMI
Connector

Connects to the channel 1 HDMI source

11 OUT HDMI

Connector

Connects to the channel 1 HDMI acceptor

12

CHAN. 2

IN HDMI
Connector

Connects to the channel 2 HDMI source

13 OUT HDMI

Connector

Connects to the channel 2 HDMI acceptor

14

CHAN. 3

IN HDMI
Connector

Connects to the channel 3 HDMI source

15 OUT HDMI

Connector

Connects to the channel 3 HDMI acceptor

16

CHAN. 4

IN HDMI
Connector

Connects to the channel 4 HDMI source

17 OUT HDMI

Connector

Connects to the channel 4 HDMI acceptor

18 PROGRAM RS-232

Connector

Connects to a PC for upgrading the device firmware (see
Upgrading the VA-4H Firmware document on the Kramer
Web site)

19 5V DC Connector Connects to the 5V DC power supply

8 VA-4H - Connecting the VA-4H

5 Connecting the VA-4H

Always switch off the power to each device before connecting it to your
VA-4H. After connecting your VA-4H, connect its power and then
switch on the power to each device.

To connect the VA-4H as illustrated in the example in Figure 3

:

1. Connect up to four HDMI sources (as an example, DVD players) to the
HDMI IN connectors.

2. Connect the HDMI OUT connectors to up to four HDMI acceptors (as an
example, displays with speakers).

Figure 3: Connecting the VA-4H 4-Channel HDMI EDID Controller

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VA-4H - Operating the VA-4H 9

6 Operating the VA-4H

To set the EDID source for each channel as illustrated in the example in Figure 3:

1. Press and hold the CAPTURE pushbutton. The indicator LEDS illuminate in
a cycle as follows:
MONITOR, lower green LED
DEFAULT, upper red LED
PASS, both LEDS together.

2. Release the pushbutton at the desired setting.
The setting is saved in non-volatile memory.

Notes:

• DEFAULT and MONITOR settings do not support HDCP key exchange.

For the display to work properly with HDCP encryption, the VA-4H must be
set to PASS

• If an EDID is captured the MONITOR LED flashes slowly

• If an EDID is not captured, the DEFAULT LED flashes quickly and the

default EDID is loaded

10 VA-4H - Technical Specifications

7 Technical Specifications

INPUTS: 4 HDMI connectors
OUTPUTS: 4 HDMI connectors
MAX. DATA RATE 2.25Gbps per data channel
COMPLIANCE WITH HDMI

STANDARDS:

HDMI, HDCP 1.2

RESOLUTION: 1080p @60Hz
POWER SOURCE: 5V DC, 50mA
CONTROLS: 4 source selector pushbuttons, RS-232 port for firmware

upgrade
INDICATORS: Power and EDID source LEDs
OPERATING TEMPERATURE: 0° to +55°C (32° to 131°F)
STORAGE TEMPERATURE: -45° to +72°C (-49° to 162°F)
HUMIDITY: 10% to 90%, RHL non-condensing
DIMENSIONS: 14.3cm x 12.2cm x 4.4cm (5.6” x 4.8” x 1.7”)
WEIGHT: 0.42kg (0.92lb)
ACCESSORIES: Power supply
OPTIONS: RK-13 19” rack adapter

Specifications are subject to change without notice at http://www.kramerelectronics.com

VA-4H - Technical Specifications 11

LIMI TED WARRANTY

WHO IS PROTECTED?

WHAT IS COVERED AND WHA T IS NOT CO VERED

WHA T WE W ILL P AY FOR AND WHAT WE WILL NOT P A Y FOR

HOW YOU CAN GET WARRANTY SERVICE

LIMIT ATION OF IMPLIED W ARRANTIES

EXCLUSION OF DAMAGES

CAUTIO N !

We warrant this product free from defects in material and workmanship under the following terms.

HOW LONG IS THE WARRANTY

Labor and parts are warranted for seven years from the date of the first customer purc hase.

Only the first purchase customer may enforce this warranty.

We will pay labor and material expenses for covered items. We will not pay for the following:

The liability of Kramer for any effective products is limited to the repair or replacement of the product at our option. Kramer
shall not be liable for:

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from place to place.

: All products returned to Kramer for service must have prior approval. This may be obtained from your dealer.

This equipment has been tested to determine compliance with the requirements of:
EN-50081: "Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC);

generic emission standard.
Residential, commercial and light industry"
EN-50082: "Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) generic immunity standard.

Part 1: Residential, commercial and light industry environment".
CFR-47: FCC* Rules and Regulations:

Part 15: “Radio frequency dev ices

Subpart B Unintentional radiators”

Except as below, this warranty covers all defects in material or workmanship in this product. The following are not
covered b y the warrant y:

1. Any product which is not distri buted by us or which is not purchased from an authorized Kramer dealer. If you are

uncertain as to whether a dealer is aut horized, pleas e contact Kram er at one o f the agen ts listed in the Web site
www.kramerelectronics.com.

2. Any product, on which the serial number has been defaced, modified or removed, or on which the WARRANTY VOID

TAMPERED sticker has been torn,

3. Damage, deterioration or malfunction resulting from:

i) Accident, misuse, abuse, neglect, fire, water, lightning or other acts of nature
ii) Product modification, or failure to follow instructions supplied with the product
iii) Repair or attempted repair by anyone not authorized by Kramer
iv) Any shipment of the product (claims must be presented to the carrier)
v) Removal or installation of the product
vi) Any other cause, which does not relate to a product defect
vii) Cartons, equipment enclosures, cables or accessories used in conjunction with the product

1. Removal or installations charges.

2. Costs of initial technical adjustments (set-up), including adjustment of user controls or programming. These costs are

the responsibility of the Kramer dealer from whom the product was purchased.

3. Shipping charges.

1. To obtain service on you product, you must take or ship it prepaid to any authorized Kramer service cent e r.

2. Whenever warranty servic e is requir ed, the original dat e d invoice (or a copy) must be presented as proof of

warranty coverage, and should be included in any shipment of the product. Please also include in any mailing a
contact name, company, address, and a description of the problem(s).

3. For the name of the nearest Kramer authorized service center, consult your authorized dealer.

All implied warranties, incl uding warran t ies of mer chantabi li t y and fitness for a particular purpose, are limited in duration
to the length of this warranty.

1. Damage to other property caused by defects i n this pro duct, dam ag es base d upon inconv eni enc e, los s of use of the

product, loss of time, commercial loss; or:

2. Any other damages, whether incidental, consequential or otherwise. Some countries may not allow limitations on

how long an implied warranty lasts and/or do not allow the exclusion or limitati on of incident al or conseq u ential
damages, so the above limitations and exclus ion s may not apply to you.

Servicing the machines c an onl y be done by an authorized K ramer tec hnician. Any user w ho mak es chan ges or
modifications t o the unit witho ut the ex press ed app roval of the manufacturer w ill void user authority t o operat e the
equipment.

Use the supplied DC power supply to feed power to the machine.
Please use recommended interconnection cables to connect the machine to other components.

IF reattached, removed or otherwise interf er ed wit h.

* FCC and CE approved using STP cable (for twisted pair products)

NOTE

Part 1:

For the latest information on our products and a list of Kramer distributors,
visit our Web site where updates to this user manual may be found.

We welcome your questions, comments, and feedback.

Web site: www.kramerelectronics.com

E-mail: [e-mail]

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SAFETY WARNING

Disconnect the unit from the power
supply before opening and servicing