Lectrosonics VI24 User Manual
VI24
Video Switcher Interface
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
and trouble-shooting guide
LECTROSONICS, INC.
Rio Rancho, NM
INTRODUCTION
The VI24 Video Switcher Interface off ers flexible automated control of video s witchers based on the output status of up to eight Lectrosonics AM8 or AM16 mixers.
While its 24 independent logic outputs could be used to control almost anything, the
VI24 is intended primarily for use as a low-cost video-follows-audio system. Some
possible applications are:
• courtrooms
• board rooms
• panel discussions
• legislative sessions
• security systems
Using the accompanying software, you need only describe y our mixer setup and
then assign mixer input activity to trigger the VI24’s logic outputs. Your settings are
then sent to the VI24 and the unit is thus “programmed” for your specific needs.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 2
FCC PART 15 NOTICE ........................................................................................ 3
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS ................................................ 3
REAR PANEL CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS .................................................. 4
INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE ........................................................................... 4
INSTALLING THE HARDW ARE ........................................................................... 5
SETTING UP THE VI24 ....................................................................................... 6
SETTING UP THE VI24 FOR THE FIRST TIME................................................. 9
TROUBLESHOOTING ....................................................................................... 11
ACCESSORIES .................................................................................................. 11
SERIAL CABLE WIRING DIAGRAM ................................................................ 12
AMX CABLE WIRING DIAGRAM ...................................................................... 12
AMX Programming Notes ............................................................................. 12
SERIAL PORT COMMANDS AVAILABLE ........................................................ 13
SPECIFICATIONS .............................................................................................. 14
SERVICE AND REPAIR ..................................................................................... 15
RETURNING UNITS FOR REPAIR ................................................................... 15
WARRANTY ......................................................................................... Back co ve r
2
Video Switcher Interface
FCC PART 15 NOTICE
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15
of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS
LECTROSONICS VI 24
EXPANSION
PC PORT
(RS-232)
VIDEO SWITCHER INTERFACE
PWR (CH40)
TEST
RUN
EXPANSION JACK
The LecNet expansion jack is for connection to the mixers being monitored. It is not necessary to connect anything
to this jack while programming the VI24, though if a connection is available, the VI24 software can detect and display
information about any connected mixers.
PC PORT
The PC Port is used for programming and controlling the VI24 using the accompanying VI24 software. Simply
connect it to a serial port (e.g. COM1 or COM2) of the computer .
Note: It is possib le to use the VI24 software to create and store a configuration, then progr am the VI24 at a
later time. Thus, a setup can be conceived and created on a laptop computer en route to an event.
TEST/RUN SWITCH
The VI24 operates normally (and the led glows steadily) when the Test/Run switch is in the “run” position. In the
“test” position, the led flashes and each of the 24 logic outputs is asserted in turn for one second. After 24 seconds,
the cycle repeats, starting with the first logic output again. The test function is intended to assist the user in narrowing down problems. If the video switcher faithfully executes the functions associated with each of the output pins in
test mode, neither it nor the associated wiring is at fault. To exit test mode, simply return the switch to the “run”
position.
Note: The led can flash in run mode. See the section on the led for details.
LED
The led serves as a power and status indicator. In test mode, the led flashes once a second. Dur ing normal operation, the led glows steadily. The led flickers slightly during programming transf ers, to indicate activity. When the unit is
first powered on, the led may flash about five times while the memory is being initialized. This will not happen if the
memory was initialized during factory testing procedures.
POWER JACK
The VI24 requires a Lectrosonics CH-40 charger (included with the VI24) for power. While the VI24 has no power
switch, it uses very little power. It may safely be connected to a switched outlet such as a power strip in a rack.
Rio Rancho, NM – USA
3
REAR PANEL CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS
LOGIC
OUT
LOGIC OUTPUTS
On the rear of the VI24 is a male 25-pin D connector as is commonly used for computer interfaces. This is not a
serial, parallel or SCSI port, however. As the markings next to the connector show, one of the pins is ground, and the
others are the logic outputs, numbered 1 to 24. These are “open-drain” outputs: When the pin is “off”, there is no
connection to ground or to any other pin (it’s an open circuit). When the pin in “on”, it is shorted to ground. Thus, a
switch contact closure is electrically simulated.
Note: the popular “GPI” (General Purpose Interface) common to many popular video s witchers requires e xactly
these electrical characteristics. The output pins of the VI24 may be connected directly to GPI input pins.
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24
INST ALLING THE SOFTW ARE
The VI24 software requires Microsoft Windows 3.1, Windows For Workgroups, Windows 95 or Windows NT . Y ou will
need approximately 4MB of av ailable hard disk space to install the application. You will also need an available serial
port to connect to the VI24.
Insert the floppy and run SETUP.EXE. On Windo ws 3.1 and Windows F or Workgroups, select “Run...” from the
Program Manager . On Windows 95 and NT, click the start menu, then select “Run...”. Type in x:\setup, where x is the
letter associated with your floppy disk drive (usually a).
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Video Switcher Interface
INST ALLING THE HARDW ARE
What you connect to the VI24 will depend on whether you are programming it away from its intended application or
programming it where it will actually be used.
REQUIRED CONNECTIONS
To set up the VI24, the unit must be powered on with the PC port connector attached to an available COM port on the
PC. (See the SERIAL PORT HARD WARE AND SOFTWARE section for details on wiring your own serial cable.) The
PC must have the VI24 software installed.
To use the VI24, it must be powered on with the LecNet expansion connector attached to an AM8 or AM16 Mixer, and
the Logic Outputs connected to the video switcher or other device(s) being controlled.
OPTIONAL CONNECTIONS
When setting up the VI24, it can be helpful to ha v e the LecNet expansion port connected. That way, the VI24 software
can detect the LecNet addresses and types of the mixers for you, and you can fine-tune your setup by actually
speaking into the microphones and watching the display.
When using the VI24, it ma y be desir able to have a PC connected so you can monitor the VI24’s activity.
PWR
IN
M
A
S
(CH40)
T
E
R
20 VAC
Switch in
MASTER Position
PWR
IN
M
A
S
(CH40)
T
E
R
20 VAC
Switch in
SLAVE Position
PWR
IN
M
A
S
(CH40)
T
E
R
20 VAC
Switch in
SLAVE Position
EXPANSION
S
L
A
V
OUT IN
E
EXPANSION
S
L
A
V
OUT IN
E
EXPANSION
S
L
A
V
OUT IN
E
RS232
AM8
(Master)
RS232
AM8
(Slave)
RS232
AM8
(Slave)
LECTROSONICS VI 24
EXPANSION
PC PORT
(RS-232)
VIDEO SWITCHER INTERFACE
TEST
RUN
PWR (CH40)
Rio Rancho, NM – USA
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