Kramer VP-444 User Manual

P/N: 2900-300305 Rev 9 www.kramerAV.com
USER MANUAL
VP-444 Presentation Switcher/Scaler
Kramer Electronics Ltd.
VP-444 – Contents
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Contents
Introduction 1
Getting Started 1 Overview 2
Defining VP-444 Presentation Switcher/Scaler 4 Mounting VP-444 6 Connecting VP-444 7
Connecting Balanced Stereo Audio Output 8 Microphone Pinout 8 Connecting to VP-444 via RS-232 8
Operating VP-444 10
Using Front Panel Buttons 10 Using OSD Menu 11 Operating via Ethernet 14 Controlling via Infrared Remote Control Transmitter 17
Using Embedded Web Pages 18
To Browse VP-444 Web Pages 18 Loading and Saving Configurations 19 Entering Standby Mode 20 Configuring Video Input Settings 20 Selecting Input to be Switched to Outputs 22 Freezing or Clearing Video Output 22 Adjusting Microphone and Output Volume 22 Configuring Network Settings 23 Upgrading Firmware 24 Configuring Video Output Settings 25 Configuring HDCP per Input/Output 26 Managing EDID 27 Adjusting Audio Input Settings 28 Adjusting Microphone Settings 29 Configuring Automatic Switching Settings 30 Defining Panel Lock Button 31 Viewing About Page 31
Technical Specifications 32
Default Communication Parameters 32 Input Resolutions 33
RS-232/Ethernet (UDP) Communication Protocol 34
Kramer Protocol 3000 Syntax 34 Kramer Protocol 3000 – Command List 36 Kramer Protocol 3000 – Detailed Commands 37
Kramer Electronics Ltd.
VP-444 – Introduction
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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!
Congratulations on purchasing your Kramer VP-444 Presentation Switcher/Scaler. This product, which incorporates HDMI technology, is ideal for:
Projection systems in conference rooms, boardrooms, hotels and churches
Home theater up-scaling

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.
Go to www.kramerav.com/downloads/VP-444 to check for up-to-date user manuals, application programs, and to check if firmware upgrades are available (where appropriate).

Achieving the Best Performance

Use only good quality connection cables (we recommend Kramer high-performance, high-resolution cables) to avoid interference, deterioration in signal quality due to poor matching, and elevated noise levels (often associated with low quality cables).
Do not secure the cables in tight bundles or roll the slack into tight coils.
Avoid interference from neighboring electrical appliances that may adversely influence
signal quality.
Position your Kramer VP-444 away from moisture, excessive sunlight and dust.

Safety Instructions

Caution:
This equipment is to be used only inside a building. It may only be connected to other equipment that is installed inside a building.
For products with relay terminals and GPI\O ports, please refer to the permitted rating for an external connection, located next to the terminal or in the User Manual.
There are no operator serviceable parts inside the unit.
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VP-444 – Introduction
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Warning:
Use only the power cord that is supplied with the unit.
Disconnect the power and unplug the unit from the wall before installing.
Do not open the unit. High voltages can cause electrical shock! Servicing by qualified
personnel only.
To ensure continuous risk protection, replace fuses only according to the rating specified on the product label which located on the bottom of the unit.

Recycling Kramer Products

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC aims to reduce the amount of WEEE sent for disposal to landfill or incineration by requiring it to be collected and recycled. To comply with the WEEE Directive, Kramer Electronics has made arrangements with the European Advanced Recycling Network (EARN) and will cover any costs of treatment, recycling and recovery of waste Kramer Electronics branded equipment on arrival at the EARN facility. For details of Kramer’s recycling arrangements in your particular country go to our recycling pages at www.kramerav.com/support/recycling.

Overview

The VP-444 is a high−performance presentation scaler/switcher for HDMI and computer graphics signals. The unit scales the video, embeds the audio, and outputs the signal to two HDMI (with embedded audio) outputs (with S/PDIF and balanced stereo audio) simultaneously.
The VP-444 features:
• PixPerfect scaling technology – Kramer’s precision pixel mapping and high quality scaling technology. High-quality 3:2 and 2:2 pull down de-interlacing and full up and down scaling of all video input signals.
HDTV compatibility.
HDCP compliance - The HDCP (High Definition Content Protection) license agreement
allows copy−protected data on the HDMI input to pass only to the HDMI outputs.
12 video inputs - 10 HDMI on HDMI connectors, 2 computer graphics video on 15−pin HD connectors.
Two HDMI scaled outputs.
Up to UXGA/1080p output resolutions.
Two microphone inputs that can be used by mixing, switching or talk-over.
Companion AFV (Audio-Follow-Video) - stereo audio for every input (on terminal blocks).
12 unbalanced stereo inputs on terminal blocks as well as embedded audio for the HDMI
inputs, each with individual level controls.
Audio outputs – one S/PDIF on an RCA connector, one balanced stereo audio on a terminal block as well as embedded audio on the HDMI outputs.
Multiple aspect ratio selections - full, best fit, over scan, under scan, letter box and pan
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VP-444 – Introduction
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scan.
Selectable panel lock modes.
Powerful audio features via DSP technology including audio equalization, mixing, delay
and so on.
Built-in ProcAmp - color, hue, sharpness, noise, contrast and brightness.
Supports 4:4:4 (RGB and YUV) as well as 4:4:2 (YUV) color sampling.
Maintains constant output sync – there is no disruption on the output while switching
between inputs and when no video is detected.
Front panel control - audio mute and freeze frame.
Front panel lockout.
Non-volatile memory - saves final settings.
Control your VP-444:
Directly, via the front panel push buttons.
By RS-232 serial commands transmitted by a touch screen system, PC, or other serial
controller.
Remotely, from the infrared remote control transmitter with OSD (on-screen display).
Via the Ethernet with built-in Web pages.
The VP-444 is housed in a 19” 1U rack mountable enclosure, with rack “ears” included, and is fed from a 100-240 VAC universal switching power supply.
For optimum range and performance use the recommended Kramer shielded twisted pair cables available at www.kramerav.com/product/VP-444.

Typical Applications

VP-444 is ideal for the following typical applications:
Projection systems in conference rooms, boardrooms, classrooms, hotels and churches
Home theater up–scaling
Kramer Electronics Ltd.
VP-444 – Defining VP-444 Presentation Switcher/Scaler
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Defining VP-444 Presentation Switcher/Scaler

This section defines the VP-444.
Figure 1: VP-444 Presentation Switcher/Scaler Front Panel
#
Feature
Function
1
IR LED
Lights when the unit accepts IR remote commands
2
IR Receiver
Receives signals from the remote control transmitter
3
INPUT Selector Buttons
HDMI
Press to select the HDMI input (from 1 to 10)
4
PC
Press to select the computer graphics input (from 1 to 2)
5
FREEZE Button
Press to freeze/unfreeze the output video image; can be programmed to follow MUTE (see MAIN MENU on page 11)
6
MUTE Button
Press to toggle between muting (blocking out the sound) and enabling the audio output
7
MENU Button
Displays the OSD menu (see Using OSD Menu on page 11)
8
Navigation Buttons
Press to decrease numerical values or select from several definitions When not within the OSD menu mode, press to reduce the output volume
Press to move up the menu list values (see Using OSD Menu on page 11)
Press to increase numerical values or select from several definitions When not within the OSD menu mode, press to increase the output volume
Press to move down the menu list (see Using OSD Menu on page 11)
ENTER
Press to accept changes and change the SETUP parameters (see
Using OSD Menu on page 11)
9
RESET TO XGA/720p Button
Press to reset the video resolution to XGA or 720p Press and hold for about 5 seconds to toggle between switching to XGA or 720p
10
PANEL LOCK Button
Press and hold for about 5 seconds to lock/unlock the front panel buttons
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VP-444 – Defining VP-444 Presentation Switcher/Scaler
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Figure 2: VP-444 Presentation Switcher/Scaler Rear Panel
#
Feature
Function
11
VIDEO INPUT Connectors
HDMI
Connect to the HDMI source (from 1 to
10)
12
PC 15-pin HD
Connect to the computer graphics source (from 1 to 2)
13
AUDIO INPUT Unbalanced Stereo Terminal Blocks
HDMI
Connect to the analog audio HDMI source (from 1 to 10)
14
PC
Connect to the analog audio computer graphics source (from 1 to 2)
15
AUDIO OUTPUTS
Balanced Stereo Terminal Block
Connects to the balanced stereo analog audio acceptor
16
S/PDIF 3.5 Mini Jack Connector
Connects to a digital audio acceptor 17
Mains Socket
Connect the mains power cord
18
Mains Fuse Holder
Fuse for protecting the device
19
Power Switch
Switch for turning the unit ON or OFF
20
HDMI OUT 1 Connector
Connect to the HDMI acceptor 1
21
HDMI OUT 2 Connector
Connect to the HDMI acceptor 2
22 COND / DYN Switch for MIC 1
Move up to select a condenser type microphone; down to select a dynamic type microphone
23
MIC 1 6mm Jack
Connect to the microphone source 1
24 COND / DYN Switch for MIC 2
Move up to select a condenser type microphone; down to select a dynamic type microphone
25
MIC 2 6mm Jack
Connect to the microphone source 2
26
RS-232 9-pin D-sub Port
Connect to the PC or the remote controller
27
PROG
For factory use only
28
ETHERNET Connector
Connects to the PC or other Serial Controller through computer networking
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VP-444 – Mounting VP-444
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Mounting VP-444

This section provides instructions for mounting VP-444. Before installing, verify that the environment is within the recommended range:
Operation temperature – 0 to 40C (32 to 104F).
Storage temperature – -40 to +70C (-40 to +158F).
Humidity – 10% to 90%, RHL non-condensing.
VP-444 must be placed upright in the correct horizontal position.
Caution:
Mount VP-444 before connecting any cables or power.
Warning:
Ensure that the environment (e.g., maximum ambient temperature & air flow) is compatible for the device.
Avoid uneven mechanical loading.
Appropriate consideration of equipment nameplate ratings should be used for avoiding
overloading of the circuits.
Reliable earthing of rack-mounted equipment should be maintained.
To mount the VP-444 on a rack
Attach both ear brackets by removing the screws from each side of the machine and replacing those screws through the ear brackets or place the machine on a table.
For more information go to www.kramerav.com/downloads/VP-444
Kramer Electronics Ltd.
VP-444 – Connecting VP-444
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Connecting VP-444

Always switch off the power to each device before connecting it to your VP-444. After connecting your VP-444, connect its power and then switch on the power to each device.
Figure 3: Connecting the VP-444 Presentation Switcher / Scaler
You do not have to connect all the inputs and outputs, connect only those that are required.
To connect the VP-444, as illustrated in the example in Figure 3, do the following:
1. Connect an HDMI source (for example, a Blu-ray disk player) to the HDMI VIDEO INPUT connector (from 1 to 10).
2. Connect a computer graphics source to the PC 1 15-pin HD VIDEO INPUT connector (from 1 to 2).
3. Connect the audio input signals to the AUDIO IN terminal block connectors, as required (not shown in Figure 3).
4. Connect the HDMI OUT 1 connector to an HDMI acceptor (for example, an LCD display), from 1 to 2.
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VP-444 – Connecting VP-444
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5. Connect the audio output signals to the OUT stereo analog audio acceptor and/or the digital audio acceptor, as required (not shown in Figure 3).
6. Connect the power cord (not shown in Figure 3).
7. If required, connect:
A PC via RS-232, see Connecting to VP-444 via RS-232 on page 8 The ETHERNET port, see Operating via Ethernet on page 14

Connecting Balanced Stereo Audio Output

The following are the pinouts for connecting the output to a balanced or unbalanced stereo audio acceptor:
Figure 4: Connecting the Balanced
Stereo Audio Output
Figure 5: Connecting an Unbalanced Stereo Audio
Acceptor to the Balanced Output

Microphone Pinout

The microphone 6mm jack pinout for a condenser microphone.
Figure 6: Condenser Microphone Pinout
The microphone 6mm jack pinout for a Dynamic microphone.
Figure 7: Dynamic Microphone Pinout

Connecting to VP-444 via RS-232

You can connect to the VP-444 via an RS-232 connection using, for example, a PC. Note that a null-modem adapter/connection is not required.
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VP-444 – Connecting VP-444
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To connect to the VP-444 via RS-232, connect the RS-232 9-pin D-sub rear panel port on the product unit via a 9-wire straight cable (only pin 2 to pin 2, pin 3 to pin 3, and pin 5 to pin 5 need to be connected) to the RS-232 9-pin D-sub port on your PC
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VP-444 – Operating VP-444
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Operating VP-444

The VP-444 can be controlled via:
The front panel buttons (see Using Front Panel Buttons on page 10).
The OSD menu (see Using OSD Menu on page 11).
RS-232 serial commands transmitted by a touch screen system, PC, or other serial
controller (see Connecting to VP-444 via RS-232 on page 8).
The ETHERNET (see Operating via Ethernet on page 14).
The infrared remote control transmitter (see Controlling via Infrared Remote Control
Transmitter on page 17).

Using Front Panel Buttons

The VP-444 includes the following front panel buttons:
Input selector buttons for selecting the required input: HDMI (1 to 10) and PC (1 and 2).
MUTE and FREEZE buttons.
MENU, ENTER, and up, down, left and right arrow buttons.
RESET TO XGA/720p and PANEL LOCK buttons.

Auto Adjust Feature

The auto adjust feature is implemented every time the input is switched to VGA or when the input resolution changes, via the FINETUNE menu (see MAIN MENU on page 11).

Setting the Resolution to XGA/720p

Press to reset the video resolution to XGA or 720p
This is useful, for example, when the scaler outputs at a resolution which is not recognized by the display.
To set the resolution from the front panel:
Press and hold RESET TO XGA/720P for about 5 seconds to toggle the video resolution between XGA and 720p.

Locking the Front Panel Buttons

The front panel buttons can be locked (disabled) to prevent unintentional button pressing.
To lock the front panel buttons:
Press and hold PANEL LOCK for about 5 seconds. The Panel Lock button lights red and the front panel buttons are locked.
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VP-444 – Operating VP-444
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To unlock the front panel buttons:
Press and hold PANEL LOCK for about 5 seconds. The Panel Lock button light goes out and the front panel buttons are unlocked.
The front panel buttons can also be locked via the Advanced webpage (see Defining Panel Lock Button on page 31).

Using OSD Menu

The control buttons let you control the VP-444 via the OSD menu. Press:
MENU to enter the menu. The default timeout is set to 10 seconds.
ENTER to accept changes and to change the menu settings.
Arrow buttons to move through the OSD menu, which is displayed on the video output.
On the OSD menu, select EXIT to exit the menu.

MAIN MENU

Mode
Function
OUTPUT
SOURCE:
Select the input: HDMI 1, HDMI 2, HDMI 3, HDMI 4, HDMI 5, HDMI 6, HDMI 7, HDMI 8, HDMI 9, HDMI 10, PC1 or PC2
SIZE:
Select the image size: FULL, OVER SCAN, UNDER 1, UNDER 2, LETTER BOX, PAN SCAN or BEST FIT
RESOLUTION:
Select the output resolution from the menu:
Output resolution:
Appears as:
Output resolution:
Appears as:
NATIVE OUT1
1680x1050 @60Hz
1680x1050 60
NATIVE OUT2
1600x1200 @60Hz
1600x1200 60
640x480 @60Hz
640x480 60
1920x1080 @60Hz
1920x1080 60
800x600 @60Hz
800x600 60
1920x1200 @60Hz
1920x1200 60
1024x768 @60Hz
1024x768 60
480p @60Hz
720x480P 60
1280x768 @60Hz
1280x768 60
720p @60Hz
1280x720P 60
1360x768 @60Hz
1360x768 60
1080i @60Hz
1920x1080I 60
1280x720 @60Hz
1280x720 60
1080p @60Hz
1920x1080P 60
1280x800 @60Hz
1280x800 60
576p @50Hz
720x576P 50
1280x1024 @60Hz
1280x1024 60
720p @50Hz
1280x720P 50
1440x900 @60Hz
1440x900 60
1080i @50Hz
1920x1080I 50
1400x1050 @60Hz
1400x1050 60
1080p @50Hz
1920x1080P 50
NATIVE - Select NATIVE to select the output resolution from the EDID of the connected HDMI monitor
PICTURE
CONTRAST:
Set the contrast (the range and default values vary according to the input signal)
BRIGHTNESS:
Set the brightness (the range and default values vary according to the input signal)
RED
Set the red shade
GREEN
Set the green shade
BLUE
Set the blue shade
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VP-444 – Operating VP-444
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Mode
Function
HUE
Set the color hue (not applicable for VGA inputs)
SATURATION
Set the color saturation (not applicable for VGA inputs)
SHARPNESS
Set the sharpness of the picture (not applicable for VGA inputs)
NOISE REDUCTION
Select the noise reduction: OFF, LOW, MID (middle) and HIGH (not applicable for VGA inputs)
FINETUNE
Enabled for VGA: AUTO ADJUST (NO/YES), H-POSITION, V-POSITION, PHASE, CLOCK, WXGA/XGA, RESET (NO/YES)
AUDIO
INPUT VOLUME:
Set the volume separately for each input: HDMI 1, HDMI 2, HDMI 3, HDMI 4, HDMI 5, HDMI 6, HDMI 7, HDMI 8, HDMI 9, HDMI 10, PC1 and PC2 Not applicable for embedded HDMI inputs
OUTPUT VOLUME:
Set the output volume DELAY
Select the audio delay time: OFF, 40ms, 110ms and 150ms
MUTE
Select the sound mute options: ON, OFF (default)
EMBEDDED AUDIO:
Select the audio source of the HDMI 1 to HDMI 10 inputs: AUTOMATIC (default): the embedded audio on the HDMI input is selected for an HDMI signal, or the analog audio input is selected if the input is not HDMI (for example, for a DVI input signal) EMBEDDED: the embedded audio in the HDMI signal is selected ANALOG: the analog audio input is selected
MIC SETTINGS
MIC MODE – set the mode to OFF, MIXER, TALKOVER or MIC ONLY. MIC SELECT – select MIC1, MIC2 or BOTH When in TALKOVER mode, set the: DEPTH [%] – to determine the decrease of the audio level during microphone 1 takeover (press + to further decrease the talkover audio output level; press – to lessen the talkover output audio decrease level) TRIGGER – to determine the microphone threshold level that triggers the audio output-level decrease. ATTACK TIME – to set the transition time of the audio level reduction after the signal rises above the threshold level HOLD TIME – to define the time period talkover remains active although the signal falls below the threshold level (for a short period of time) RELEASE TIME – to define the transition time for the audio level to return from its reduced level to its normal level after the Hold Time period MIC GAIN BOOST – set to ON or OFF. Some versions of the VP-444 include this selection. In the case that the setting selected is not supported by the hardware of the unit, the mic may be disabled
MIC VOLUME
Set the microphone volume for MIC1 and MIC2
NOISE MUTE
Set to ON or OFF. ON: Unit enables the audio output only after validating that there is audio present on the input. (Note that the unit takes 1 – 2 seconds to detect the presence of audio, so there is a delay before the audio is heard after switching to a new input). OFF: The unit does not check the validity of the audio. Audio is always enabled and there is no delay before the audio is heard after switching inputs.
ADVANCED
HDCP ON INPUT
Select the HDCP option for the HDMI input: either ON (default) or OFF. Setting HDCP support to enabled (ON) on the HDMI input allows the source to transmit a non-HDCP signal if required (for example, when working with a Mac computer)
HDCP ON OUTPUT
Set HDMI OUT1 and HDMI OUT2: Select FOLLOW INPUT or FOLLOW OUTPUT (default) to define whether the HDCP will follow the input or the output
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Mode
Function
When FOLLOW INPUT is selected, it changes its HDCP output setting (for the HDMI output) according to the HDCP of the input. This option is recommended when the HDMI output is connected to a splitter/switcher When FOLLOW OUTPUT is selected, the scaler matches its HDCP output to the HDCP setting of the HDMI acceptor to which it is connected
AUTO SYNC OFF
Turn to DISABLE (default), FAST (for almost immediate shut down if no input is present – about 10 seconds) or SLOW (for shutdown after about 2 minutes). This is useful, for example, when the output is connected to a projector, and the projector will automatically shut down when it has no input
OSD
H POSITION
Set the horizontal position of the OSD
V POSITION
Set the vertical position of the OSD
TIMER
Set the timeout period in seconds
TRANSPARENCY
Set the OSD background between 100 (transparent) and 0 (opaque)
DISPLAY
Select the information shown on the screen during operation: INFO (default): the information is shown for 10 seconds
ON: the information is shown permanently OFF: the information is not shown
MUTE FOLLOWS FREEZE
Set to ON (default) to have MUTE follow FREEZE. Otherwise set to OFF MUTE BUTTON DEFINE:
Define the MUTE button to function as MUTE, BLANK or BLANK AND MUTE
AUTO SWITCHING
MODE
Set the auto switching mode to OFF, AUTO SCAN (default) or LAST CONNECTED. PRIORITY (below) is enabled when AUTO SCAN is selected When one of the auto switching modes is selected (AUTO SCAN or LAST CONNECTED), audio is enabled only when a video signal is detected
SCAN PRIORITY
Set to HDMI (default) to begin scan with HDMI1 or to PC to begin scan with PC1
ETHERNET
IP MODE
Set the IP mode to DHCP or STATIC IP
STATIC IP ADDRESS (fill in if STATIC IP (above) is selected:
IP ADDRESS
Enter the IP address (192.168.1.39)
SUBNET
Enter the subnet (255.255.0.0)
GATEWAY
Enter the gateway (0.0.0.0)
CONTROL PORT
Enter the control port
MAC ADDRESS
MAC address
LOCK MODE
ALL
Lock all the front panel buttons
MENU ONLY
Lock the MENU (and navigation) front panel buttons only
ALL & SAVE
Lock all the front panel buttons. The lock status is saved when the VP-444 is powered down
MENU ONLY & SAVE
Lock the MENU (and navigation) front panel buttons only. The lock status is saved when the VP-444 is powered down
TIMING SHIFT
Set to ON (recommended): Implements a small shift on the horizontal sync to improve output picture stability. Set to OFF if the display shows an instability at the selected output resolution
FACTORY RESET
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VP-444 – Operating VP-444
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Mode
Function
Select NO (default) or YES
INFORMATION
Displays the INPUT and OUTPUT resolutions, INPUT and OUTPUT HDCP status, the IP ADDRESS and the FIRMWARE and PCB revision numbers

Operating via Ethernet

You can connect to the VP-444 via Ethernet using either of the following methods:
Directly to the PC using a crossover cable (see Connecting the Ethernet Port Directly to
a PC on page 14)
Via a network hub, switch, or router, using a straight-through cable (see Connecting the
Ethernet Port via a Network Hub or Switch on page 16)
If you want to connect via a router and your IT system is based on IPv6, speak to your IT department for specific installation instructions.

Connecting the Ethernet Port Directly to a PC

You can connect the Ethernet port of the VP-444 directly to the Ethernet port on your PC using a crossover cable with RJ-45 connectors.
This type of connection is recommended for identifying the VP-444 with the factory configured default IP address.
After connecting the VP-444 to the Ethernet port, configure your PC as follows:
1. Click Start > Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click Change Adapter Settings.
3. Highlight the network adapter you want to use to connect to the device and click Change settings of this connection. The Local Area Connection Properties window for the selected network adapter appears as shown in Figure 8.
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Figure 8: Local Area Connection Properties Window
4. Highlight either Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) or Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) depending on the requirements of your IT system.
5. Click Properties. The Internet Protocol Properties window relevant to your IT system appears.
Figure 9: Internet Protocol Version 4 Properties Window
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